I Am Being Raised by a Cat - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Because of the commotion that erupted in the morning, Cheng Yue was exceptionally wary of the man. His vigilant gaze kept circling him, as if the moment he let his guard down, the man would rush forward to strip off his pants.

Even during breakfast, at the long dining table, he insisted on sitting at the position furthest away from Cheng Shang.

If Cheng Shang wanted to serve him a bowl of soup, he had to hand it to Xiao Xiao and let Xiao Xiao deliver it for him.

He spoke tentatively, “In a while, come with me to…”

“I’m not going!” Cheng Yue interrupted him swiftly. “Today I’m going to wander around by myself.”

Cheng Shang frowned slightly. “It’s been a bit chaotic outside these past two days. If you want to go somewhere to play, why don’t I accompany you?”

“No need.” The youth’s rejection was very blunt.

The man’s eyes darkened. The feeling of regaining something lost after twenty years made it almost unbearable for him to let Cheng Yue out of his sight now.

But not wanting to continue upsetting Cheng Yue, he could only patiently say, “Then how about this, it’s sunny outside, I’ll call a driver to pick you up.”

“I don’t want a driver.” Cheng Yue spoke seriously. “I just want to wander around on my own.”

Ever since traveling to this era, he had almost never left Cheng Shang’s side. Sometimes he really felt as if his and Cheng Shang’s status had been reversed—he had become Cheng Shang’s little pet instead.

He didn’t like this.

He and Cheng Shang were equals now.

They should have their own separate lives.

Seeing Cheng Yue’s serious face, a wave of irritability surged in Cheng Shang’s heart. Why was he always so disobedient? Why did he always want to distance himself?

He took a deep breath, trying to speak in a calm tone, “But you don’t even know the way. Where are you going to go? Is it really not okay for me to accompany you?”

The youth’s tone was indifferent. “Just walking around randomly. There are maps on the phone, I won’t get lost.”

The man’s thin lips pursed slightly. He lowered his eyes and stopped speaking.

After eating breakfast, Cheng Yue went back to pack a small backpack simply, putting in water and his phone. Xiao Xiao even brought him a hat and made him put it on.

Cheng Shang wasn’t in a hurry to leave, nor did he say anything more to Cheng Yue. He sat on the living room sofa until he saw the youth come downstairs after finishing packing. Only then did he stand up and say, “At least let me drop you off.”

This wasn’t an unreasonable request.

Cheng Yue nodded and whispered a thank you.

“Didn’t I say, you don’t need to say thank you to me.” The man spoke as if sighing. “Call me when you want to come back. If you get tired from walking, find a cafe to sit in. Don’t get sunburnt.”

Cheng Yue looked down at his toes and gave a soft “mm” in response.

Because Cheng Yue hadn’t decided where to go yet, the man drove him to a nearby commercial street. He held back for a while, but eventually couldn’t resist calling out to the youth as he got out of the car.

“Don’t wander for too long.” Cheng Shang said in a low voice. “I’ve booked a restaurant for noon. I’ll come find you, and we’ll go have lunch.”

The youth didn’t pick up the topic, only saying vaguely, “We’ll see then.”

Fang Cheng worked with fear and trepidation today.

From the moment Cheng Shang arrived this morning, his face had been terrifyingly gloomy. He harshly criticized two councilors during the meeting, slammed files onto the table, and the entire meeting room was so quiet that no one dared to breathe loudly.

Everyone knew that to sit in this position, it was inevitable for Cheng Shang’s hands to be stained with blood. It was only because the first few days of his term coincided with finding Cheng Yue that Cheng Shang had been in a good mood and relatively lenient at work. Everyone had mistakenly thought he was an easy-going person.

Only today did they realize that this Governor Cheng was no benevolent figure.

Inside the vast office, the man bit on a cigarette, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window looking into the distance. However, the streets and buildings below were like tiny dots; he simply couldn’t see his Cheng Yue.

Behind him, Fang Cheng briefly reported on recent matters regarding the “Rejuvenation Society.” This issue was causing a huge stir, but Cheng Shang didn’t seem to care.

“Arresting and interrogating people is the Federal Police Department’s business. I have no need to snatch their work.” The man spoke indifferently. Smoke rose, somewhat blurring his features.

Since Cheng Yue’s return, he hadn’t dared touch cigarettes for several days, fearing the smell. In fact, he wasn’t addicted; he just smoked a couple when his mood was extremely anxious.

Fang Cheng had followed him for many years and could somewhat guess the man’s thoughts. He paused and tentatively asked, “Should we send someone to follow the young master?”

He knew Cheng Yue’s identity, but to be honest, Cheng Yue was currently just an ordinary person with no status in today’s society. Whether he was held high or pushed low all depended on Cheng Shang’s will.

Cheng Shang frowned slightly, extinguished his cigarette, and spoke after a few seconds, “Forget it, don’t upset him.”

Fang Cheng bowed his head. His face showed no expression, but his heart was slightly startled. It seemed that the status of this young master Cheng Yue was far higher than he had imagined.

In fact, Cheng Yue didn’t go very far.

Cheng Shang was right; it was very hot outside during the day. Even though Cheng Yue was wearing specialized clothing and a hat, he still felt waves of heat surging up.

His face was a bit flushed from the sun. Most of the people coming and going on the streets were New Humans with animal traits, while ordinary people like Cheng Yue were rare.

After walking less than half a block, Cheng Yue couldn’t take it anymore. Conveniently, there was a coffee shop nearby, so he hesitated for a moment and turned inside.

The doorbell rang, and the receptionist looked up and smiled politely. She froze for a moment upon seeing Cheng Yue’s face, but soon felt it was a pity.

To be born so handsome, yet be an ordinary person.

“Hello, what would you like to order?”

Coming indoors, the heat all over his body dissipated somewhat. Cheng Yue walked over, looked at the menu board, and said casually, “One iced Americano.”

“Alright, please pay here.”

Cheng Yue froze. Only then did he realize in a daze that this was twenty years later. His phone couldn’t be used; he was a penniless pauper without a cent to his name.

He was a bit embarrassed and wanted to say forget it, he didn’t want it anymore, but the server had already placed the fingerprint scanner in front of him. Cheng Yue hesitated for a moment and could only brace himself and reach out his hand, thinking he would put on an act in a moment—be shocked when the scan showed no money, then express regret, and finally cancel the order.

To his surprise, the moment he pressed down, he heard the words “Payment successful.”

The youth’s eyes widened. He stammered, “Is… is it done?”

His look was very obedient, making the server lady’s heart soften. She nodded gently, “It’s done. You can go wait at a seat, and I’ll bring it over to you in a moment.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Heavens, truly cute and well-behaved. If he weren’t an ordinary person, he’d really look like someone’s young master.

However, the clothes he’s wearing look quite high-end. Could he be a private pet kept by some big shot?

Hundreds of web novel plots flashed through the server’s mind in an instant.

After sitting down, Cheng Yue took out his phone. He originally wanted to ask Cheng Shang about the money, but upon opening the app, he received a friend request.

Strange, who would add him?

Clicking it open, the note showed Liu Cheng’s name.

Senior?

Cheng Yue quickly hit accept.

Liu Cheng seemed to have been staring at his phone; as soon as Cheng Yue’s friend request was accepted, he sent a message.

“Your number is still the same as before. I tried searching on a whim, and I actually found you.”

“Last time was too late, we didn’t get to say much. Do you want to come out and meet today?”

Cheng Yue took a picture of the coffee shop’s name.

“Sure, Senior. I happen to be outside.”

“What a coincidence, I’m nearby. Wait for me, I’ll go find you.”

After replying with an emoji, Cheng Yue opened the map to look. The city divisions now were roughly the same as twenty years ago. Walking along just now, some shops didn’t have much difference either.

He remembered seeing recruitment information on the promotional screen at the entrance when he came in.

Cheng Yue made a decision in his heart. When the server brought him his coffee, he tentatively asked about it.

The server was surprised.

The youth before her had taken off his hat. His hair was a bit wavy, but his skin was dazzlingly white. He was handsome and looked like a pampered young master.

Adding in her previous guess, she couldn’t help but say, “Are you sure? It’s only quiet because it’s a workday today. It’s very busy on holidays.”

The underlying meaning was that she feared the youth couldn’t handle the hard work.

Cheng Yue nodded. “It’s no problem. I’ve worked part-time in coffee shops and cake shops before. I can even do latte art.”

The server smiled. “That won’t be necessary. Latte art is done by machines now. But if you want, you can come over tomorrow and give it a try.”

Cheng Yue’s eyes curved into a smile. “Okay, thank you, Big Sister.”

He didn’t expect the job situation to be halfway settled so smoothly. Cheng Yue was in a good mood. Just then, Liu Cheng pushed the door open. He busily waved, “Senior, over here!”

Liu Cheng looked around and smiled as he sat down. “This coffee is quite expensive. I usually don’t dare to come in when I pass by.”

Cheng Yue really hadn’t noticed. Hearing Liu Cheng say this, he leaned over to look at the receipt and was shocked by the glance.

Is this some kind of golden iced Americano?

One cup actually cost two hundred yuan!!!

His eyes widened. “I… I didn’t know. I just thought it was ordinary coffee; I didn’t ask the price.”

Liu Cheng smiled, his tone teasing. “It’s fine, right? I saw you with Governor Cheng last time. You won’t lack this bit of money.”

Hearing this, Cheng Yue paused and waved his hands hurriedly. “No, we aren’t…”

He didn’t know how to describe his relationship with Cheng Shang either.

Because whether looking at their names or their interaction, the two had a relationship so intimate it couldn’t be more intimate.

He could only explain vaguely, “We’re just friends.”

Looking at the youth’s expression, Liu Cheng coughed and tactfully didn’t ask further.

The two hadn’t seen each other for twenty years. Liu Cheng’s conversation was still as humorous and witty as before. He specifically chose interesting things to talk about and didn’t ask too much about Cheng Yue’s life during these years.

As it approached noon, Liu Cheng looked at the time. “How about finding a restaurant to eat something?”

Cheng Yue thought for a moment and shook his head. “I have something else to do at noon.”

Although he hadn’t agreed to Cheng Shang in the morning, the man’s atmospheric pressure was clearly very low today. If Cheng Yue didn’t go for lunch, Cheng Shang might start an argument with him.

Liu Cheng smiled and didn’t ask more. “Alright, then let’s make an appointment for next time.”

The two walked out of the coffee shop together. Standing at the door, Cheng Yue originally wanted to contact the man to ask him where to eat. But upon opening his phone, he was startled—a pile of missed calls.

While chatting just now, Cheng Yue had silenced his phone and hadn’t noticed.

Seeing his expression was wrong, Liu Cheng hurried to ask, “What’s wrong?”

“I…”

Another call came in. Cheng Yue didn’t have time to speak and hurriedly answered the phone. “Hello?”

The other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then the man’s deep voice rang out, “Yue Yue, you’re having such a good time that you don’t even pick up the phone?”

A black car was parked across the road. Across the car window, the man’s gaze was cold as he looked at the two people standing together. He curled his lips slightly. “Who are you with?”

Fang Cheng, sitting in the passenger seat, felt like his heart was about to stop.

Cheng Shang had been waiting here for nearly two hours. Knowing full well the person was inside, he didn’t go in. He just made one call after another with an expressionless face, until just now, when he ordered Fang Cheng to send people to guard all the doors of this cafe.

He almost thought the Governor was going to pull a gun and go inside to kidnap the person.

Cheng Yue gripped the phone and hesitated for a moment.

Knowing the man didn’t like Liu Cheng, if he said he was with his Senior, this stingy cat would have a cold face again.

“No one, I’m by myself, at a cafe.”