Back to My Human’s Teenage Years - Chapter 36

As a “cat-person” who had successfully graduated from a human high school, Jin Manman had to visit the Cat-Hero Organization today to fill out some forms and take photos for the “Roll of Honor.”

He hadn’t originally planned to bring Shi Rang along, but Shi Rang had spent the entire morning acting so sarcastically that Jin Manman felt like a heartless rogue abandoning his family. After hesitating during breakfast, Manman swallowed his food and asked tentatively, “Well… do you want to come with me?”

A barely perceptible smile touched Shi Rang’s lips. “Since you’re the one asking, I guess I’m not forcing you.”

Jin Manman poked at his rice with his chopsticks, thinking that he wasn’t really breaking the rules. While the organization didn’t usually allow humans, Shi Rang and he were… well, that close. Surely he counted as one of their own now!

The little orange cat successfully convinced himself.

When Shi Rang brought Jin Manman to the organization’s entrance, they happened to run into Shen Huai dropping Nian Nian off for work. The four of them met at the door.

Shi Rang froze for a moment before the realization hit him.

—Nian Nian was also a cat.

No wonder Jin Manman and Nian Nian were so close, with Manman constantly calling him “Brother Nian Nian.” And as for Shen Huai… remembering how he had suddenly mentioned “raising a cat” during their last meeting, Shi Rang let out a quiet snort.

It seemed he was the only one who had been kept in the dark.

The moment Jin Manman saw Nian Nian, he trotted over enthusiastically, and the two little cats huddled together, whispering busily. Shen Huai gave Shi Rang a small smile. “I told you, didn’t I? You’d be raising a cat sooner or later.”

Shi Rang let out an awkward cough.

The group headed inside. Since the organization was currently busy with a stray cat feeding program, there weren’t many people around. Nian Nian rummaged through a pile of clutter on a desk and handed several forms to Jin Manman. “Here, these need to be filled out. Then we need to take your photos—both as a human and as a cat.”

Jin Manman nodded obediently. “Okay!”

He took the stack of forms to the next room. When Shi Rang finished his brief chat with Shen Huai and turned around, he was stunned for a moment.

Where was his cat? Where was his big, living cat?

Before Shi Rang could speak, Nian Nian tilted his chin toward the door. “He’s inside taking photos.”

Shi Rang nodded his thanks and strode over to push the door open. The moment he stepped inside, he froze.

Sitting on the table was a little orange cat. It had a round head, round eyes, and a coat of bright, golden orange. Hearing the noise, it tilted its head to look at him and let out a soft, fluffy “Meow.”

This was… Manman?

Shi Rang’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Unlike the static photos or the fleeting glimpses he’d caught at the villa, the little orange cat was sitting right there in front of him, looking incredibly adorable with its tail held high.

Shi Rang stayed silent for two seconds before slowly walking over. “Baby?” he asked tentatively.

The kitten tilted its head, meowing at him twice. Shi Rang couldn’t take it anymore; he bent down, scooped the kitten up, and leaned in to give its ear a firm, accurate nip.

Little Orange Cat: o.O

Again?!!

He struggled, using his paws to press against Shi Rang’s face to rescue his ear. The “intelligence tufts” on his ears were now matted into a single damp strand. The kitten grew so angry he wanted to punch Shi Rang.

Shi Rang was oblivious. He was already so captivated by the kitten’s cuteness that even if Jin Manman punched him, he’d just kiss the paw and say it was a good hit.

As he prepared to leave with the kitten in his arms, Jin Manman meowed twice. Only then did Shi Rang notice two photos lying beneath the camera. He walked over and picked them up; they were shots of the little orange cat tilting its head at the lens. They were undeniably precious.

Shi Rang was immediately displeased. Why should photos like these be posted on a wall? Then everyone would see them. He discreetly tucked one of the photos into his pocket before carrying Jin Manman out.

Outside the room, Nian Nian was sitting in Shen Huai’s lap. They were leaning very close, as if they were either talking or kissing. Hearing the door, Nian Nian jumped up and looked at Shi Rang, then at the little orange cat in his arms, and his expression soured.

Seeing Shi Rang follow Jin Manman today, Nian Nian had already guessed what had happened between them, but seeing Shi Rang holding the kitten still felt like seeing a wolf carry off a family pet.

“What are you doing holding Manman?” he asked with a stiff face.

Shi Rang arched an eyebrow and said nothing, but he intentionally tightened his grip on Jin Manman and gave the kitten’s head a loud, forceful kiss. Nian Nian’s eyes went wide with rage.

Shen Huai stood up with an amused smile, pulling Nian Nian back. “Why are you so angry?”

Nian Nian pouted. “Look at Manman’s ear! It’s been sucked on until it looks like a mango pit. He’s a bad man, just like you.”

The mysteriously implicated Shen Huai: “…”

Nian Nian curled his lip and reached out. “Give Manman to me. I need to take him to get a paw print.”

Shi Rang looked down at the kitten, hesitating for a moment before handing him over. Nian Nian huffed. “Are you afraid I’m going to kidnap him or something?”

Once the “cat duo” had left, Shen Huai spoke leisurely with a smile. “Graduated now. Feeling relieved?”

“It’s alright.”

“Decided on which university to apply to?”

Shi Rang spoke almost without thinking. “S-University.”

Shen Huai was surprised, arching an eyebrow. “Not going back to the capital?”

Shi Rang’s expression turned serious. “I’m going to the same university as Jin Manman. I’m never going back to the Shi family.”

Shen Huai looked at him deeply. “Quite the resolve. Going to build everything from scratch?”

“I won’t lose,” Shi Rang said. “I’ll take good care of Jin Manman.”

Shen Huai paused. He seemed to see a flash of himself years ago—in a rented room on a rainy night, pacing the floor while holding Nian Nian and patting his back to soothe him. Back then, he had also made a silent vow: he could endure any hardship, as long as he took care of the little cat in his arms.

“If you ever need anything,” Shen Huai said, “you can come to me.”

Shi Rang didn’t refuse, giving a nod. “Thanks.”

By the time they were done, it was nearly lunch. The four of them went to a nearby restaurant. Jin Manman refused to sit with Shi Rang, choosing to sit with Nian Nian instead, forcing Shi Rang to sit with Shen Huai.

But the two cats regretted it as soon as the food arrived. Both Jin Manman and Nian Nian were used to being served; the fish they ate had to have the bones removed, the shrimp had to be peeled, and even the soup was held to their lips. The two kittens looked at each other, shared a silent understanding, and quietly swapped their seats back.

Shi Rang sat with Jin Manman in total satisfaction, briskly serving him food. He didn’t forget to add, “See? Only I can take proper care of you.”

With his mouth full, Jin Manman gave a perfunctory nod. Nian Nian murmured a complaint, “Imagine being this happy about being a servant.”

He turned his head to see Shen Huai peeling shrimp with a smile. “What are you smiling about?”

Shen Huai placed a shrimp in his bowl. “Serving you makes me happy.”

A week later, it was time to check their scores.

Jin Manman had been playing wild lately, having learned how to play video games. He spent every day in the gaming room with Chen Qian. Every night, Shi Rang had to drag him back to bed.

But on the day the scores were released, he grew incredibly nervous, jumping out of bed at dawn and even kicking Shi Rang awake. Shi Rang checked the time on his phone and closed his eyes again. “Baby, the results won’t be out this early.”

But Jin Manman didn’t care. He insisted Shi Rang get up. Eventually, Shi Rang gave in, dressed the boy in a tracksuit, and the two went for two laps around the villa. By the time they returned, Jin Manman’s legs were sore from exhaustion, and he fell back asleep the moment he finished his shower.

Shi Rang, however, was wide awake. He changed his clothes and headed to the kitchen. Over the past few days, he had been learning a few simple dishes from Auntie Wu—all of them Jin Manman’s favorites.

He was thinking that once they started university, they wouldn’t live in the dorms. He planned to buy a large apartment across from the campus so they could have more freedom. He could cook for Jin Manman there, ensuring everything was clean and healthy.

After busying himself in the kitchen, Shi Rang prepared a few light vegetable dishes, steamed a fish, and made some congee before heading upstairs to wake Jin Manman. The boy was still in a daze, yawning as Shi Rang carried him down and set him in a chair.

The fish had been deboned and placed on a small plate in front of him, but Jin Manman seemed to have no appetite. He toyed with his food with his chopsticks, pouting. “Shi Rang, what if we didn’t do well?”

Shi Rang served him a bowl of congee, blowing on it until it was warm before placing it in front of him. “It doesn’t matter if we did well or not. We’re going to be together either way.”

Jin Manman snapped his head up, his eyes sparkling as he nodded. “If we don’t get into S-University, you still won’t go back to the Shi family?”

Shi Rang frowned and ruffled the boy’s hair. “What are you worrying about all the time? When did I ever say I was going back?”

Jin Manman blinked, his voice getting smaller. “I just don’t want you to go back.”

Shi Rang gave a quiet “Mhm.” “I’m staying with you. I’m not going back.”

Jin Manman reached out and wrapped his arms around Shi Rang’s neck, leaning in to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. “A reward for you!”

Shi Rang laughed at the gesture. “You really don’t want me to go back.”

Jin Manman whispered, “If you go back… you’ll die.”

Shi Rang’s body stiffened for a split second. He pinched the back of Jin Manman’s neck to pull him upright. “What are you talking about?”

Jin Manman flattened his lips and said nothing more. Shi Rang let out a light snort and pinched the boy’s ear. “Stop talking nonsense.”

In the past, Shi Rang hadn’t felt much about death; as far as he was concerned, no one in the world cared about him. But now, Shi Rang didn’t dare die. If he died, what would happen to Jin Manman? Who would take care of his cat?

He didn’t trust anyone else to look after him. Jin Manman was so delicate, so prone to crying, and couldn’t handle any hardship or exhaustion. He had to be held in someone’s palm. And it had to be Shi Rang’s palm.

Seeing that Jin Manman’s mood was low, Shi Rang coaxed him, pulling the boy into his lap to feed him.

After the meal, when it was finally time to check the scores, Jin Manman closed his eyes and huddled in Shi Rang’s embrace, letting the older boy do the work. He buried his face in Shi Rang’s chest. “Well? Is it ready?”

Shi Rang didn’t speak.

Jin Manman said urgently, “Say something! I feel like my heart is about to jump out of my mouth.”

Shi Rang finally reacted, giving the boy a light smack. “Stop talking nonsense.” He paused, his voice filled with a smile as he spoke slowly.

“Jin Manman, we can go to S-University together.”

They made it! 

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