Chapter 78: The Embarrassment of Male Animals

Listening to Wangchuan’s steady voice, I suddenly realized that this oppressive man, at this very moment, actually belonged to me.

A strange thrill ran through me—perhaps it was his doing, but I found myself oddly delighted.

Only after a long while, when the water in the tub had splashed over onto the floor, did he finally let me go.

I loosened the collar around my neck, glancing at him with disdain. Really, always pulling and tugging—was he trying to choke me?

“What’s wrong? Still not satisfied?” he asked, though his eyes, still unsated, lingered on me—greedy.

That intense masculine scent enveloped me again, making me a little dizzy. I quickly shook my head and splashed some water at him.

“You always give off that smell—are you some kind of stink bug?”

“What’s a stink bug?” Wangchuan blinked, clearly puzzled.

“It’s… from a cartoon,” I explained awkwardly, then began to wash myself up.

I’d sweated a lot and needed a good scrub. The conditions here were so much better than my old cat’s nest, and now, since he’d splashed most of the water out, the level was just right for a thorough wash. I was enjoying myself immensely.

Wangchuan sat beside the tub, his long arms resting along the rim. With the swirling water and rising steam, he looked devilishly handsome.

I smacked my lips and tried to keep my washing routine normal.

I remembered something a friend once said: as long as the other person is good-looking, you can’t help but be moved by anything they do.

But here he was, not even moving, and I was already so relaxed I nearly wanted to snuggle close.

Before I could fully savor the moment, Wangchuan reached out and yanked me over again!

I coughed and sputtered—he’d grabbed my collar again! I’d had enough of this remote-controlled electric collar!

But then Wangchuan pinched my two wet ears, and stretched out an arm. “Tired? Come rest for a while.”

I hesitated, but eventually leaned against him. What could I do? It was a kind of enjoyment, after all.

Still, there were questions on my mind. “Master, have you ever treated any other kittens like this?”

Wangchuan thought for a moment. “No.”

“So you’re… untouched?” I was a bit shocked.

“What do you mean, ‘untouched’?”

“I mean… was this your first time?”

“No.”

“Then how many times…?” I looked at him expectantly, even a little nervous.

Wangchuan pondered for a long while. Anyone could see he was calculating.

I lowered my head, feeling a bit unhappy.

After a long silence, just when I thought he might not answer, he looked at me and gave a number.

“Over thirteen thousand times… not counting you.”

What the hell?!

I stared at him in disbelief. What an insane number! Did he never take a day off?

“Thirteen… thousand?!” I gaped at him. “Are you telling me you’ve been with countless women, or are you just good at math? Didn’t you say you’d never been with other kittens?!”

“Yes. Never with kittens.”

“What about me?” I pointed to my nose. “You’re not counting this time either?”

He looked at me, pinched my cheek. “You count as a person.”

“Huh?” I didn’t understand and pressed further, a little annoyed. “What about the others? Cats? Anything else? Bees? Pheasants? Mantises?”

Wangchuan laughed, his gaze lazy but patient as he explained.

“People, you’re the first. Cats, none. Bees, none. Pheasants, yes. Mantises, no.”

“Pheasants, yes?” I frowned in disbelief. “You have some heavy tastes.”

“Pheasant demons. After playing, you eat them—very convenient. Fills the belly and nourishes the body.” He exhaled deeply, sinking into the tub as if reliving some strange pleasure.

A true big cat—turning even that into a game.

I couldn’t quite figure Wangchuan out, but in the end, like him, I sighed and slumped back.

When I felt his fingers pinching my cheek again, I shook my head and edged away.

Honestly, I’d thought Han Mingxuan was a bit of a playboy, but Wangchuan was on another level!

This made me wonder—could he ever be devoted to one?

No… probably not.

Even I was struck by my own thought. So I asked, “Master, are you really a Qiongqi?”

“Yes.”

“How old are you, then?”

“I can’t remember.”

“About how old?”

“Hard to say.”

“You can remember how many times you’ve slept with someone, but not your age?”

Wangchuan didn’t answer, only curled his lips in a weary smile.

Looking at him, I suddenly thought he looked a little lonely.

Is living so long really so dull?

“How have you spent all those years?”

“Normally.”

“Then, master—”

“Have you not had enough fun? Want to go again?” Suddenly he flipped over, sending water splashing everywhere.

I clamped my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the water to calm before shaking my head vigorously, promising not to speak out of turn again.

He watched me for a while, then, as if showing mercy, lifted me out of the water.

“I’m not done washing yet!” I protested, when suddenly—smack!

“Quiet.”

The wet slap rang out especially loud.

Now, flushed pink all over, I truly didn’t dare utter another word.

Wangchuan wrapped me in a large cloth, drying me off like a proper caretaker, even thoughtfully drying my ears and cleaning out the damp inner folds.

After I’d dried off, he took a few more liberties before letting me go.

I looked at him, then at my own hands, feeling a little confused.

“What are you thinking?” I mustered the courage to ask.

“I’m thinking why I never tried a young human before.” He lifted his head and grinned recklessly.

I stamped my foot, swallowing my frustration.

The hierarchy here was so obvious! I didn’t even dare ask if he could be faithful.

But what was I, really?

Just a pastime for him in his loneliness and emptiness? And one day, when he tires of me, will he devour me in a single bite?

“What now?” I asked, a little dispirited.

Fine, I’d just accept it. If the master was in the mood, I should obey.

Besides, he’d said it himself: of all the kittens, I was the only one; of all the humans, just me. I should feel honored.

But were others really that important to him? He can’t remember his age, but he remembers all those amorous encounters…

I suddenly felt dejected, and heard Wangchuan say, “Go make us something to eat. No eggs.”

I nodded, and then he added, “Pick something to wear from the wardrobe.”

I nodded again.

Drifting around, lost in thought about what had just happened.

But I still had to cook. I’d never been a particularly good cook, only able to manage simple home-style dishes. Other than cooking for Xin’er, I’d rarely taken it seriously.

The kitchen here was enormous—so big I couldn’t even reach the kitchen knives!

Looking up at the tall rack on the wall, I cursed in my heart—what kind of show-off puts things so high up?

I tried jumping, but still couldn’t reach.

In the end, I searched the whole place for a small stool.

Seeing me wandering about, Wangchuan glanced up. “What are you doing?”

I didn’t answer, just found a little chair and went into the kitchen.

The rest was just a furious chopping of vegetables, still stewing over the earlier questions.

Standing on the small chair, I was cutting and thinking, until—unexpectedly—I sliced my finger!

As crimson blood dripped down, my earring suddenly ached sharply.

I didn’t know which hand to clutch when, just then, my foot slipped and I tumbled off the stool!

A scream—and then a human cushion, but… it was him, catching me.

I looked at Wangchuan in embarrassment. What happened to the promised embrace? Why did he just steady me, instead?

I shot him a disdainful glance and climbed back onto the little stool to keep chopping.

He glanced at my finger, grabbed my hand, and gave it a lick.

I hissed in pain, but when he released me, the wound was already healed. Surprised, but still downcast, I had no heart to speak.

Turning away to continue chopping, I felt Wangchuan rest his head on my shoulder from behind, arms wrapped around my waist.

After a long while, he sighed and murmured in my ear.

“A male animal can remember how many times he’s sired offspring, but he may not remember how he’s spent every day of his long, long life.”