Chapter 17 - 17: Pet

"Chirp~ chirp~ chirp~" Only at this moment did Zhu Haomiao realize that the little creature with its hands raised in a surrender position and its feet kicking in the air was not a cat but an indescribably cute and silly being. Its fur was as white as snow, and at first glance, it looked a bit like a miniature panda, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to have a bit of a ferret's shadow. However, its pair of big, jet-black, watery eyes were as transparent as gemstones, a trait it shared with cats. "What does it mean? Is it a gift for me?" Watching the tricolor cat place this adorable little thing into his arms, Zhu Haomiao couldn't help but think of all those "cat's return gift" stories he'd seen online. Cats are very worried that their useless owner might starve to death if they can't hunt for food, so the cat brings leftovers like sparrows, mice, frogs, and even snakes... And very "thoughtfully" places these things by the owner's pillow, so that in some mornings, he can wake up quickly and scream in shock. Luckily, the gift he received was at least alive... Wait a minute, when you say it like that, this thing does look a bit like a mouse... The silly little creature didn't even try to run while Zhu Haomiao picked it up; it kept its hands raised in surrender, its face full of terror, tearfully looking at the boy. "This little thing is quite distinctive..." Amused by its weak, helpless, and pitiful appearance, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment before putting it into his jacket pocket. Initially, he thought would keep it for fun, since he needed a pet to relax and shift his focus in daily life. After realizing that having a cat could calm his inner peace, Zhu Haomiao always wanted a pet. But due to previous overwhelming pressure, he was on the verge of exploding, so he postponed the idea. Now that the ticking time bomb in his heart has been defused, it's time to lead a decadent and lavish life with a cat. Hmm... although this thing doesn't look like a cat... Watching the little creature sneakily trying to climb out of the pocket, Zhu Haomiao offered it a piece of sausage, which made it freeze instantly. Then, the little creature slowly lifted its head to glance at Zhu Haomiao, then looked down at the sausage before it. Its two pink little paws, protruding from the pocket, wriggled anxiously, unsure whether to take the food offered to its mouth. Pitiful, helpless, afraid, but wants to eat.JPG "Go ahead and eat." With a gentle, imperceptible smile on his lips, Zhu Haomiao tucked the sausage into its hands before opening a can of cat food for the tricolor cat family, then leisurely made his way back to the dormitory. "Little Zhu, you're back?" "Yeah." Responding to Uncle Zhu the gatekeeper's greeting with a polite smile, Zhu Haomiao carried two bags of snacks back to his room and methodically placed them into the fridge. This empty appliance used to be completely useless because Zhu Haomiao was always in a state of hunger, storing everything he could eat into his stomach. "Chirp~" At that moment, a small head poked out from his jacket pocket, sniffing the air at the packed fridge and chirping while attempting to climb out. "Not full yet?" The piece of sausage he'd just given it was quite large, considering the little creature's size, it should be full by now... He scooped it up and patted its flat stomach, puzzlement written on Zhu Haomiao's face. Without further thought, the boy placed the little creature in the washbasin and turned on the hot water for a bath. "Chirp~" The little creature first squealed in fright, later finding no danger, it compliantly soaked in the "hot spring," its big watery eyes timidly watching Zhu Haomiao, allowing him to bathe it. Contrary to expectations, no fleas or similar parasites appeared in its fur; no matter how carefully Zhu Haomiao searched, he couldn't find any, as the little creature was as clean as a house pet that bathes every day. Could it really be a lost youngling from somewhere nearby? But no, even a house pet mingling with stray cats for a few days should have some parasites... Pushing these minor concerns aside, Zhu Haomiao quickly let them go, drying the little creature with a towel and then using a hairdryer to blow its fur. A few minutes later, the boy looked at the silly creature sprawled on its back with its ears drooping, clinging to its fluffy tail, looking scared with a "fearful.jpg" expression, and he fell into deep thought. What exactly is this thing? A cat? Ferret? Baby panda? Mutant mouse? After pondering for a while, unable to identify the species of the creature before him with his limited biological knowledge, Zhu Haomiao decisively gave up. Forget it, maybe later I can ask a certain Tibetan fox... wait, there doesn't seem to be a Tibetan fox director in this world... His thoughts quickly went astray. Zhu Haomiao placed the clean pet on the bed and, taking out the prepared food, began to eat. He deliberately chewed slowly, and when he was about a third full, the strange desire for [Gluttony] began to swell, prompting him to slow down his eating pace. "Chirp~" At that moment, Zhu Haomiao suddenly felt something tugging at his pants. Looking down, he found the little creature had somehow jumped off the bed and was clawing at his pant leg, trying to climb up. "So hungry that you've forgotten your fear, huh?" Grabbing it by the scruff of its neck, Zhu Haomiao placed the little creature onto the table, sharing some rice and meat chunks with it. Chomp chomp~ Watching the little creature happily devour its meal, Zhu Haomiao supported his chin with a gentle gaze, feeling a hint of a healing warmth and happiness. That feeling was somewhat like watching pandas eat bamboo in a past life, inexplicably capable of watching for half an hour. When he snapped out of it, the little creature had already finished its food, its pink little tongue licking its lips, looking pitifully at the boy. Craving more, wants to eat.jpg "Want more?" Inspecting its slightly bulging belly, Zhu Haomiao fed it again while absentmindedly eating his meal. Searᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Realizing it, one person and one pet had already swept the table clear of food before Zhu Haomiao snapped back, astonished to realize he had unknowingly eaten half full! More crucially, compared to the difficult lunch earlier, he didn't find it too hard! Holding the pet that was still licking its paws, Zhu Haomiao thoughtfully gazed into its jet-black, watery eyes. Was it influenced by this little guy? Does it also possess some supernatural power? But upon a closer look, the little creature on its back in his arms, hugging its fluffy tail tightly with fear on its face, didn't seem to have any special powers... Never mind, I must be overthinking it. Cradling the pet, he lay back on the bed and stretched lazily, exhaling a breath of turbid air. Today was exhausting; any unresolved matters can wait until tomorrow. Sleep! As the mental strain he'd been holding eased, fatigue and drowsiness surged in like a tidal wave, and Zhu Haomiao collapsed onto the bed, aimlessly petting the creature as his breathing quickly became deep and light. The little creature, which had been enjoying the petting with closed eyes, stood up from the bedcover, glanced at the boy's sleeping face, then at the nearby fridge, its eyes suddenly sharpening. ..........