It was a bit hot.
Rarely awakened by heat, Yaya opened her eyes to meet a pair of dark green pupils.
“Meow~”
Xiao Bai called out softly to Yaya, nuzzling against her small face. The ticklish sensation made Yaya giggle.
Rolling over, she hugged Xiao Bai and planted a kiss near the cat’s mouth.
Ye Zhiqiu had brought the mother cat and her kittens home yesterday, and not a single family member objected.
After all, their yard, both inside and out, was always home to several stray cats and dogs. Not only were they accustomed to it, but so was everyone in the compound. They all said the little granddaughter of General Yue’s family was a little lucky star.
The elders believed that people favored by small animals were blessed.
Among the kittens, Xiao Bai was closest to Yaya and particularly domineering. As the largest of the litter, it was the nominal little boss of the kittens.
[How did you get in, hmm?] Yaya extended a tiny finger and gently tapped Xiao Bai’s pink little nose.
“Meow~~” Xiao Bai licked Yaya’s fingertip.
“How did it sneak in again?”
Huo Jiusi entered the room and saw Xiao Bai in Yaya’s small bed, with Yaya hugging it. He stepped forward, lifted Xiao Bai by the scruff of its neck, set it on the floor, and pointed a warning finger. “No more sneaking onto Yaya’s bed, or I’ll throw you out.”
“Meow! Meow!” Xiao Bai stood on its hind legs, front paws clasped together as if pleading with Huo Jiusi, looking pitifully at him, begging not to be abandoned.
Yaya couldn’t stand it: [Little Demon, stop bullying Xiao Bai.]
“Yaya, no matter how clean Xiao Bai is, it can’t be on the bed.” On this point, Huo Jiusi was adamant.
Yaya’s gaze shifted uncertainly between Huo Jiusi and Xiao Bai, but finally tipped in Huo Jiusi’s favor: [Xiao Bai, did you hear that? No more getting on the bed.]
Xiao Bai hung its head, the whole cat instantly deflated. Yaya’s heart softened, and she tugged Huo Jiusi’s hand: [Little Demon, can Xiao Bai come up sometimes? I want to hold it. It’s more fun than those stuffed toys, all fluffy and warm.]
“When you’re a bit bigger, and when the weather gets cold.”
Yaya looked at Xiao Bai: [Xiao Bai, did you hear? When it’s cold, it’ll be okay. You’ll be bigger then, and I’ll be a little bigger too.]
[It’s a deal, okay? You can’t steal my spot, and especially not my pillow.]
Xiao Bai climbed to the edge of the small bed and nuzzled Yaya’s hand, as if agreeing.
[Little Demon, where’s your kitten?] Yaya swung Huo Jiusi’s hand.
“Went to find the mother cat.” Huo Jiusi picked Yaya up: “Come on, I’ll take you downstairs.”
The mother cat had taught her kittens well—they weren’t allowed to cause trouble or run around.
If any kitten hissed at a family member, she would immediately swat it, then look at them with an apologetic expression.
The family all agreed this mother cat was quite perceptive.
Xiao Bai was the smartest among them, while Little Sanhua was the most timid, always huddling timidly behind the mother cat.
However, it wasn’t afraid of Yaya at all, though every time it tried to approach her, Xiao Bai would warn it off.
[Xiao Bai, don’t bully Little Sanhua.] Yaya warned Xiao Bai.
Xiao Bai turned its head away. Little Sanhua tentatively took a tiny step forward. Seeing Xiao Bai didn’t hiss this time, it slowly walked to Huo Jiusi’s feet, first rubbing against his ankle, then obediently sat down there, looking up at Yaya and letting out a soft “Meow~”
Yaya’s heart melted: [Oh my, how can there be such a good baby?]
[Little Demon, I want to hold Little Sanhua. Right now, immediately, right away.]
Huo Jiusi placed Yaya in the stroller, picked up Little Sanhua, and set it in Yaya’s arms. Little Sanhua was exceptionally well-behaved, tilting its head to nuzzle Yaya’s small hand before curling into a ball on her stomach.
[Little Demon, did you give Little Sanhua a name yet?] Yaya stroked Little Sanhua’s fur with one small hand while the other was held by Huo Jiusi.
“Not yet. I wanted you to help choose one.”
[I’ll think carefully.]
Yaya puffed out her little cheeks, her face very serious and solemn. Huo Jiusi, watching beside her, was utterly charmed and couldn’t resist kissing Yaya’s cheek.
[Stop fooling around.]
Yaya waved her small hand, already accustomed to Huo Jiusi kissing her from time to time.
It wasn’t just him; the rest of the family did it too.
[How about Xiao Guai? Little Sanhua is so well-behaved (guai).]
Huo Jiusi’s gaze at Yaya was full of fondness. “Alright.”
“Xiao Guai, your name is Xiao Guai now, understand?”
Huo Jiusi stroked Xiao Guai, who looked up: “Meow~”
The other kittens’ names were given by family members. The mother cat was called Da Mi, and the kitten most like her was Xiao Mi.
There was a tabby called Tie Zhu, named by her second uncle.
“Jiusi, Yaya, we’re here.”
Just as Yaya was thinking of Tan Nan and Tan Bei, the two of them arrived, carrying the kitten they had chosen.
They set the kitten down, and it immediately went to find the mother cat, who licked its fur.
Hearing Yaya’s thoughts—she wanted to know what Tan Nan and Tan Bei’s kitten was called—Huo Jiusi asked the two: “Brother Nan, Bei Bei, did you name your kitten?”
Tan Bei pointed to the kitten’s black tail tip, answering first: “It’s called Dian Dian.”
“Did your parents agree to let you keep it?”
“Yes, yes!”
Speaking of this, both Tan Nan and Tan Bei were very happy.
They had expected a scolding, but surprisingly, their parents agreed quite readily. However, their mother told them that since they wanted to raise it, they would be responsible for taking care of the kitten.
If the kitten broke or damaged anything, the cost would be deducted from their allowance. Moreover, they couldn’t give up halfway. If they abandoned it this time, they would never be allowed to have pets again.
Their parents emphasized repeatedly that a kitten wasn’t a toy but a living being. They must cherish it, take good care of it, and since they decided to raise it, they had to take responsibility for the kitten.
It couldn’t be just a fleeting whim because they liked it—raising it on a whim only to lose interest later.
They were given one night to think it over.
Tan Nan and Tan Bei even made plans, divided responsibilities, and calculated how much allowance they had.
Originally, Tan Nan planned to buy marbles and foreign picture cards, while Tan Bei wanted a doll. Because of the kitten’s arrival, both had to shelve those plans and save their money; otherwise, it wouldn’t be enough to raise the kitten.
Tan Nan and Tan Bei chattered on to Huo Jiusi and Yaya about these matters. They were a little disappointed, but mostly happy about being able to raise the kitten, Dian Dian.
Woof—
“Ah!”
The sudden bark of the guard dog at the gate was followed by a woman’s sharp scream.
Ye Zhiqiu reassured the children and went outside to see what had happened.
Two dogs stood blocking the path, staring at a woman trying to approach. Frightened, she stood frozen on the spot.
Seeing Ye Zhiqiu, she shrieked, “Quick, quick, get them away!”
