Cat Demon Raising Manual - Chapter 12

Soon it was noon. After Hua Wangxuan woke up, her eyes remained fixed on the window. Sunlight streamed through the glass door, casting a glow on her face, making her fur shine brilliantly. The orange parts gleamed like gold.

“Want to go out and play?” Lin Zhixuan’s eyelashes cast shadows over her eyelids, her eyes slightly hazy. Her voice was coaxing, as if luring an innocent girl, with a teasing lilt at the end.

Hua Wangxuan tilted her head up, her eyes innocent as she nodded. She had slept enough and needed some exercise, this was part of her figure management routine.

Lin Zhixuan understood. She couldn’t keep a naturally free-spirited little cat confined. So, she took out a small bee-patterned harness and fastened it around Hua Wangxuan’s limbs, slipping it over her head and leaving the tuft of fur on top exposed.

Hua Wangxuan wriggled her waist, scratching at the harness with her paws, trying to break free. She bared her teeth, wearing a fierce expression, and let out a low growl.

“You’re quite cute like this, Mimi.” Lin Zhixuan lowered her head slightly, a strand of her seaweed-black hair slipping naturally over her shoulder. Her thin lips curved into a faint smile.

Hua Wangxuan widened her eyes, looking offended. Her bright, jewel-like cat eyes reflected Lin Zhixuan’s teasing gaze.

This wasn’t cool at all, especially with that silly bee on her back.

Hua Wangxuan’s resistance was futile. Lin Zhixuan led her around on the leash nearby. Her perky ears twitched and tilted backward as she walked with a casual, feline gait, her fluffy tail swishing back and forth. At times, she dashed like the wind, only to brake abruptly and roll in the grass, getting covered in grass clippings and dirt. Lin Zhixuan watched helplessly as Hua Wangxuan frolicked wildly along the way.

Lin Zhixuan could only be thankful that the leash was long enough; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to keep up with Hua Wangxuan’s pace.

When they encountered an acquaintance on the street who greeted Lin Zhixuan and mentioned Hua Wangxuan, Lin Zhixuan shyly lowered her head and casually gestured toward the cat. With just a few words, she made Hua Wangxuan’s presence more noticeable.

If Hua Wangxuan were to run off again, anyone who saw her today would likely contact Lin Zhixuan right away. Lin Zhixuan had left an impression of Hua Wangxuan on the people nearby. Finally, they arrived at a noodle shop.

Lin Zhixuan ordered a bowl of yellow croaker noodles. The broth was fragrant and refreshing, and she gave one of the fish from the bowl to Hua Wangxuan. The fish had golden skin and snow-white, tender flesh, so delicious that Hua Wangxuan devoured it with enthusiastic meows. In no time, she finished the fish, which had few bones and tender meat, leaving her with the taste of pure freshness.

Seeing this, Lin Zhixuan thoughtfully glanced at the other small yellow croaker in the bowl. Under Hua Wangxuan’s impatient urging, she picked up the fish with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, and chewed it gently a few times.

Just as Hua Wangxuan looked incredulous and began to protest loudly, Lin Zhixuan’s lips curved into a slight smile. She placed the partially eaten fish in front of Hua Wangxuan and said softly, “Go ahead, you little glutton.”

Without hesitation, Hua Wangxuan buried her head in the fish, making contented munching sounds, her tail wagging to show her delight.

Lin Zhixuan also ate her noodles peacefully, feeling as though the noodles tasted even better to her today.

After both human and cat were full, Lin Zhixuan made a point of going to the kitchen to ask where to buy the yellow croaker. Fortunately, the owner didn’t hold back and directly gave her an address, the nearby Huangyang Farmers’ Market.

Lin Zhixuan memorized the address, planning to visit when she had some free time.

Aware of her own lack of culinary skills, Lin Zhixuan searched through a plethora of information on a social media platform and found that the simplest method was to use an air fryer to make crispy little yellow croakers.

Lowering her gaze to the leisurely Hua Wangxuan, Lin Zhixuan silently planned to prepare an extra meal for her.

On their way back, Hua Wangxuan suddenly felt the urge to perform a “cat climbing a tree” act. Under Lin Zhixuan’s astonished gaze, she swiftly scaled a tree. The branch bent slightly under her weight, but Hua Wangxuan stretched lazily on it, fearless and unbothered.

Holding the leash, Lin Zhixuan raised her hand uncertainly. The leash was only so long, and she worried that any movement might disturb Hua Wangxuan, causing her to fall from the tree.

“Do you really like climbing trees, Mimi?” Lin Zhixuan tilted her head slightly, her light-colored eyes fixed on the seemingly carefree Hua Wangxuan, her lips pressed together.

Hua Wangxuan turned her head to look at her, puzzled, as if sensing the faint trace of sorrow emanating from Lin Zhixuan. She let out a soft meow, like a gentle feather brushing against one’s heart.

“Domestic cats rarely get to go outside and play; they lose their freedom. But cats living in the wild may face hunger, encounter bad people, get lost in traffic, or experience all sorts of thrilling accidents.” Lin Zhixuan’s voice trembled slightly, carrying a sigh. She rambled on as if admonishing Hua Wangxuan, yet also as if trying to convince herself.

“But not all kittens desire a stable life, right?” Lin Zhixuan’s tone shifted as she reached out to catch a falling leaf dislodged by Hua Wangxuan’s climbing.

“You are the kind of kitten who loves to explore nature,” Lin Zhixuan murmured softly, her words so quiet that only she and the passing wind could hear.

“Mimi, from now on, you must avoid traffic and crowds. The window on my balcony will always be open for you.” Lin Zhixuan looked down at her hand gripping the leash tightly and swallowed.

Meow~

Dr. Lin’s lips moved, but it was unclear what she was saying. Hua Wangxuan, rubbing her back against the tree trunk to scratch an itch on her neck and back, paid no mind.

With a thud, she leaped down from the branch and trotted over to Lin Zhixuan’s feet, squatting obediently and looking up at her.

Lin Zhixuan thought Hua Wangxuan’s eyes were beautiful. Gazing into those heterochromatic pupils felt like getting lost in a shattered kaleidoscope.

Bending down, Lin Zhixuan gently unfastened Hua Wangxuan’s leash, her tone still soft and tender, as if carrying the gentle breeze of early spring.

“You’re free now, little kitten.”

Now free again, Hua Wangxuan stretched her limbs, rolled over, and exposed her belly toward Lin Zhixuan, her eyes half-closed in lazy contentment.

Dr. Lin’s demeanor seemed somewhat peculiar at that moment, and Hua Wangxuan felt she ought to maintain their relationship. She was never stingy when it came to her devotees.

What’s wrong, Dr. Lin? Are you unhappy?

A faint smile played on Lin Zhixuan’s lips as she leisurely coiled up the leash, though her eyes remained cool and detached. “I need to get back to work.”

Without waiting for Hua Wangxuan’s response, Lin Zhixuan turned and walked away.

Hua Wangxuan immediately stood up, landing on all fours, and nimbly followed Lin Zhixuan’s steps, her soft paw pads treading on the elongated black shadow cast by the other.

Lin Zhixuan didn’t look back but could sense the presence behind her. Unconsciously, the corners of her lips curled upward. She walked slowly and steadily, avoiding the crowds, until she reached her clinic.

Just as she arrived at the clinic’s entrance, Lin Zhixuan suddenly turned around. A fluffy, clean-faced calico cat was hopping around, kicking small pebbles playfully.

Upon hearing Lin Zhixuan’s movements, Hua Wangxuan twitched her ears, secretly glanced at Lin Zhixuan’s reaction, and then casually kicked a small pebble toward her.

Hua Wangxuan abruptly leaped behind Lin Zhixuan like a gust of wind, then hopped away like a grasshopper, staring at Lin Zhixuan with wide, innocent eyes.

She didn’t like the silent Dr. Lin, nor did she like it when Dr. Lin ignored her, so why not pay her some attention?

Hua Wangxuan cautiously approached Lin Zhixuan until she was just inches away from her shoes. She lowered her head and rubbed it against them, letting out a sweet, cooing sound from her throat.

Lin Zhixuan’s eyes flickered slightly, her expression remaining as steady as a mountain, though her fingers trembled faintly. She licked her dry lips and said with a smile, “Good girl~”

Awkwardness was like a sudden thunderstorm, it came and went quickly.

Lin Zhixuan shook her head, mocking herself for worrying unnecessarily and being overly anxious.

Since the little cat could follow her scent to find her, she didn’t have to worry so much about losing it.

So, when the sun set in the evening and Lin Zhixuan didn’t see Hua Wangxuan at the door, though she felt a bit disappointed, she wasn’t as despondent and fearful as before.

Mimi had her own thoughts; all Lin Zhixuan needed to do was keep a place for her. A smile tugged at the corner of Lin Zhixuan’s lips as she closed the rolling shutter door.

Hua Wangxuan found the small clinic a bit boring and, no longer confined as before, stole several glances at Dr. Lin. Seeing nothing unusual, she patted her bottom and slipped away unnoticed.

Now, she wandered through the streets and alleys, where lush trees provided shade, making the temperature slightly cooler than elsewhere.

Stepping on the bluestone pavement, Hua Wangxuan caught a pleasant scent. She twitched her nose and followed the fragrance into a quiet alley.

Suddenly, a familiar figure came into view.

Overjoyed, Hua Wangxuan dashed toward her, her tail held high.