After Turning Into a Kitten, I Was Adopted by My Father-Figure Childhood Friend - Chapter 24

Silence followed the sunlight as it pierced through the gaps between high-rise buildings. Diffused by the frosted glass, it cast large, soft, yet exceptionally silent patches of light across the room. At this moment, everything seemed to have hit a pause button. In the small cubicle partitioned by frosted glass, only the aroma of coffee and the viscous sound of liquid being stirred remained.

Lu Jingchuan’s expression shifted subtly. In the blink of an eye, a faint shadow formed beneath his brow, and his previous relaxed demeanor froze along with it. He briefly let his gaze linger on Song Yunzhou’s face before smoothly shifting his eyes to the coffee cup in front of him.

“I do not take it for granted that everything will happen exactly as I envision.”

Lu Jingchuan did not panic. He stared at the black coffee for a few seconds, then calmly added three portions of milk and one portion of sugar before drinking it all, leaving not a single drop. This was not a compromise; it was a silent declaration. He could always adapt to Song Xingyu’s preferences. To him, it was as simple as adding sugar to coffee. He would not feel the slightest bit troubled by it.

Looking into the other man’s eyes, Lu Jingchuan stated in a tone so calm it was almost coldly objective. “But Brother Yunzhou, whether based on family background or emotional history, am I not the most suitable person?”

“According to ancient customs, everything a person grabs during their first birthday ceremony represents a destined future. I grabbed Xingxing during my ceremony when I was one year old. I firmly believe my future is tied to him. I do not wish to explain everything about him to anyone, just as a dragon does not show its treasure to outsiders. However, as his elder brother, you have the right to evaluate me from any angle. But I will never give up, even if Song Xingyu himself announces to the world that his future has nothing to do with Lu Jingchuan.”

Like a pebble tossed into a lake, after a few slight ripples, Lu Jingchuan remained as steady as if he were stating a guaranteed contract or a precise engineering project that allowed no room for error. He was unwavering, like an impenetrable iceberg.

Song Yunzhou smiled brightly, but his soft words carried a hidden edge. “But I, the Song family, and Xingxing do not need ‘suitable.’ My parents and I could never endure him suffering even a fraction of harm, and a person’s life is very long.”

Lu Jingchuan fell silent for a moment before asking quietly, “Are you trying to persuade me to back down again? You people have already done it once.”

He suddenly looked up. His deep black eyes rippled, melting the frozen ice into a very soft current. “I think that will no longer be a valid reason. I do not believe I have done anything to make you think I am unreliable. Furthermore, the Lu family has no history of divorce. It has been four years. Is my determination still not enough to make you believe me?”

He agreed with the Song family’s actions back then, but he also had his own persistence, and he would no longer be swayed by any external influence. The maturity in the young man’s features was vastly different from before. The boy who could only respond with silence was now a rising star in scientific research holding several patents.

And Song Xingyu.

Song Yunzhou felt the coffee cup. It had already gone cold, leaving only a subtle chill against his hand. His fingers trembled as if stung by the cold, and the playful smile on his face slowly vanished. After a long silence, he let out a soft sigh, his voice filled with helplessness.

“Bring Xingxing home for dinner next time.”

He turned his head, the stray ends of his hair brushing against features that somewhat resembled Song Xingyu’s. His smile was gentle and elegant, and his voice was as soft as when he used to call his younger brother home as a child. “The family made his favorite cream toast.”

Lu Jingchuan was suddenly stunned. Watching the man’s retreating back, the surface of his icy exterior showed a slight crack.

Cream toast? Xingxing stopped liking cream toast a long time ago.

The cream was too greasy. Xingxing had said his favorite was the ice cream soufflé from the shopping district, topped with several large, sugar-coated sweet strawberries.

“Meow meow!”

In the chaotic cat battlefield, Cat Song relied on his flexible movements to dodge left and right. Once again, he rolled away from sharp claws amidst flying fur. He turned his head in a panic, nearly getting his tail bitten off by a ferocious Persian cross cat.

Cat Song was horrified. “Ah!”

He pricked up his tail and trotted out like a little pony. After being kicked from behind by another cat, he scrambled and rolled out of the combat zone. The tortoiseshell cat, usually soft-spoken and sweet-tempered, had seen red. She let out a low growl and lunged at the Persian cross cat. “I will get you! Have the guts to face me head-on!”

Xiao Bai, the black cat and main combatant, had a voice that was now raspy to the extreme. A dangerous growl rolled from his throat. “Meow it all! Get them!”

He lunged forward, knocking three cats aside. He grabbed one, delivered two quick slashes, and bit its neck while his hind legs kicked wildly. The stray cat pinned beneath him shrieked. As other cats tried to help, a thick tail swept across the area. A giant Maine Coon blocked their path, narrowing its eyes dangerously. “All of you, come at me at once!”

A tabby cat led its subordinates to block two wild cats trying to escape. A mixed-breed calico, who had only come to support the leader, cursed loudly. “Big Brother Fu, we are all out here making a living. Give us a break today so we can meet on good terms later. Your cat has already run away, so there is no need to stop us, right?”

“Meow it all, your cat is the one who ran!” Da Fu’s anger flared as he lunged forward with a slap. However, turning his head, he realized that in the moment of crisis, the little calico was indeed stumbling away.

He immediately shouted, “You-You!”

Before he could get a response, the Persian cross cat’s top henchman knocked him back into the fray. The small park leisure area was occupied by twenty to thirty cats, but the Cat Gang only had six fighters. Da Fu’s mouth was bloodied, and his smooth fur was a disheveled mess. He spat in frustration, panting heavily as he retreated to his leader’s side. “Boss.”

He was extremely unwilling to give up. He knew that given the vengeful nature of the Persian cross cat, Sang Biao, if they did not win this territory today, no cats outside of Sang Biao’s family would be able to live here. The Cat Gang already had the villa district as their territory. Why did they come to fight for the park across the street? It was so the stray cats who had not joined Sang Biao’s family could have a place to stay. The park was large enough for two families and a group of strays.

Da Fu was incredibly frustrated. Under the Maine Coon’s reprimand, he lowered his body and retreated while grumbling. “Meow it all, I am going to find a group of brothers to come back and finish him!”

The Persian cross cat glanced at them with contempt and laughed arrogantly. “What is the matter? You few losers still want to act tough?”

“And me!” A world-shaking meow pierced through the atmosphere.

The cats turned their heads to see a bright-colored calico kitten descending from the sky. He landed gracefully, his amber-gold eyes shining like magma in the sunlight.

Xiao Bai was worried sick. “You-You! Oh dear, why did you come back after running away!”

Cat Song waved a paw, his fur fluttering in the wind. He was full of high spirits as he gave the command. “Get them!”

“Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!”

Instantly, the ground vibrated and the air filled with deafening howls. The sound of barking approached with sheer excitement. Led by a black and white Border Collie, a long line of Golden Retrievers, Samoyeds, and Beagles followed. Five dogs marched forward with confident and arrogant steps, completely crushing the reign of Sang Biao’s family. They chased the stray cat family, sending them scattering in all directions.

The Cat Gang, who had thought all was lost and were preparing for a bitter retreat, were stunned. “Hahaha, did not expect that, did you!”

Cat Song proudly stood with his paws on his hips. His whiskers twitched arrogantly in the air as he smiled so wide his eyes disappeared. “Good dogs! I will treat you to grilled sausages!”

The Border Collie, the military strategist of the Paw Patrol, patted the ground and barked three times. Cat Song nodded while stroking his chin. “Fine, fine, fine. Three sausages it is.”

The Border Collie opened its mouth and bounced happily. Just then, a smiling Samoyed whined and rubbed against him, its wet doggy eyes full of pleading. Cat Song waved a paw. “You can eat too, you can eat too.”

“Woof woof!”

The Golden Retriever and Husky also crowded around, making pitiful sounds. Only the Beagle kept its eyes on the stray cats, excitedly chasing them around. With so many big dogs surrounding him, Cat Song felt as if he had entered heaven. He was surrounded by fluff and nuzzled constantly. His ear tips trembled with pride and secret joy. He covered his mouth, his eyes full of smiles, and the curve of his lips was impossible to suppress.

The disheveled Maine Coon boss cautiously took a few steps forward, eyeing the large dogs warily. “Boss, boss!” Cat Song waved at him. “I know these dogs. I just went to get them for reinforcements.”

He had not been running away. There were several residential districts around this park. People who had to work might not meet during evening walks, but there were always those who could be met at the right time. Thanks to a self-disciplined man like Lu Jingchuan, Cat Song already had several hiking dog buddies.

For example, the Border Collie nearby was a dog that particularly liked kittens. Every time it saw Cat Song, it would come over to say hello. Under Cat Song’s direction, Lu Jingchuan had treated it to ham sausages several times.

As the saying goes, fighting and killing is not a real skill. One must have a plan. The park did not belong solely to Sang Biao’s family; there were so many dogs coming for walks every day. Commanding them was as easy as pie. Cat Song clenched his white paws, looking smug. His tail wagged happily back and forth.

“Let us go! I am treating you to grilled sausages!”

He took the lead, heading a grand procession of six cats and five dogs toward the convenience store at the park entrance. He jumped nimbly onto the checkout counter and flashed a cute face at the young female cashier. His round cat eyes were as moist as water as he patted the grilled sausage machine. His voice was sweet as honey.

“Meow!”

Cat Song lifted his chin, revealing a round metal tag. The tag hung from a thin leather collar, hidden so lightly in his fur that it was almost imperceptible.

“Ding-dong!” “Ding-dong!”

Lu Jingchuan walked out of the meeting room. As soon as he turned on his phone, a continuous stream of payment notifications popped up like mushrooms after a rain. He frowned and opened the messages. His balance was decreasing in a very rhythmic pattern: 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3.

Lu Jingchuan: ?

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