I Am Being Raised by a Cat - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

In the end, Cheng Yue’s lunch was eaten in the man’s office.

Looking at the youth’s still-puffed-out cheeks, Cheng Shang coaxed him, “Sleep here for a while after you’re full. I’ll drive you to school in the afternoon; I definitely won’t let you be late.”

It wasn’t a matter of being late at all!

Cheng Yue was about to say something, but then his eyes landed on the several medicine bottles on the desk.

Cheng Shang was still sick.

The words he wanted to say were swallowed back down.

The man curled the corner of his mouth, scooped a spoonful of soup, and fed it to him. “Good baby, take another sip.”

Cheng Yue felt a bit awkward and whispered, “Don’t call me that.”

But he still obediently opened his mouth and drank the soup.

Cheng Shang asked casually, “Did you make any new friends at school?”

Cheng Yue paused, thinking of Yuan Dong, who had been incredibly enthusiastic the moment they met. He gave a cough. “How could I? Didn’t I just start going to school?”

Peering at his expression, the man frowned imperceptibly but said nothing, lowering his head to blow on the soup again. “Drink some more.”

After being coaxed and tricked by Cheng Shang until his stomach was stretched tight, Cheng Yue curled up on the sofa and didn’t move, saying he was too full to stand up.

“I’m going to turn into a pig,” he complained.

The man walked over, scooped him up by the waist, and lowered his head to kiss the boy’s small chin. “It’s better to be a little pig; you’re too thin now.”

Cheng Yue pushed against his chest.

“You’re raising me like a pet. I didn’t kiss you every day back then.”

“Didn’t you?” the man countered. “You were always gnawing on me until I was covered in drool.”

“…”

“Shut up!!” The youth looked rather embarrassed and angry.

Inside the office, there was a partitioned lounge. The mattress was newly replaced and very soft; the youth almost sank into it when he lay down.

“Why is it so soft!” Cheng Yue patted the bed.

“Don’t you like sleeping on soft surfaces?”

The youth was shocked. “You even know that!”

The man let out a chuckle, changed his clothes, and lay down beside Cheng Yue. With a sweep of his large arm, he pulled the boy directly into his embrace.

“What are you doing?”

The youth struggled, but the hand the man had around his waist tightened even more. His voice was deep. “Don’t move around; let me hold you while we sleep for a bit.”

“Did you forget? I just took my medicine; my body feels uncomfortable.”

This one sentence successfully made Cheng Yue stop moving.

So obedient.

The man’s eyes were dark and heavy, the desires in his heart swelling even further, clamoring for more.

His hands began to misbehave, moving along the youth’s thin back all the way down.

Cheng Yue had his eyes closed, his eyelashes fluttering as if he were trying his best to endure something. Eventually, the fluttering became more intense until, as if unable to take it any longer, he snapped his eyes open.

“Can you stop touching my butt!!”

The man gave a muffled laugh and squeezed the soft flesh in his hand. “I’m checking to see if you have a tail.”

“What tail would I have!!” the youth spoke indignantly.

“Let go!!”

He couldn’t let go. The sensation under his hand was soft and springy. Despite being thin, the youth had meat where he was supposed to. Even through a layer of fabric, the man wished he could grip tightly and sink all ten fingers into the flesh.

“I won’t move anymore,” the man coaxed in a low voice. “Go to sleep for a bit.”

Cheng Yue found him annoying. Who could sleep with a large hand gripping their butt?

But knowing the man was sick, he couldn’t bring himself to push him away directly, so he forced himself to endure it with his eyes closed.

He thought he would have trouble falling asleep, but being held in the man’s arms was like hugging a large heater, making him feel inexplicably secure.

Cheng Yue fell asleep.

The man looked down at him. Because the youth was sleeping on his side, the soft white flesh of his cheek was slightly squashed, and his lips were very red, looking plump.

Cheng Shang felt his heart was empty, and he wished he could swallow the person whole just to fill that void.

The youth slept very deeply. Seeing that time was up, the man called him twice, but he didn’t wake up. In his daze, he even pressed closer to the man’s chest, humming and pleading for just a little more sleep.

Cheng Shang didn’t want him to leave in the first place. Seeing the youth like this, his heart softened completely, wishing he could just hold him like this until the end of time.

By the time the youth finally woke up half an hour later, it was too late.

Cheng Yue hurriedly put on his clothes. “Didn’t you say you’d wake me up?”

The man sat him down to put on his shoes, his tone innocent. “You didn’t wake up yourself. I called you several times.”

Cheng Yue puffed out his cheeks, huffing angrily. “I’ll never believe a word you say again. I’m never sleeping here again.”

Seeing the situation was serious, the man quickly spoke up, “It’s fine. It’s only your first day; it doesn’t matter if you skip a class.”

Cheng Yue didn’t want to waste any more words with the man and hurried out. The man immediately followed behind. “Slow down, I’ll drive you.”

He was still late.

Just like in the morning, he hung his head, trying to minimize his presence while looking for an empty seat.

But to his surprise, perhaps because this class was too popular or the classroom was too small, he couldn’t find a seat after walking around once.

Seeing more and more gazes falling on him, Cheng Yue’s social anxiety flared up, and his face turned a bit pale.

“Cheng Yue, sit here.”

Suddenly, someone called his name.

When Cheng Yue turned around, he found it was the same Yuan Dong he had met in the morning. Yuan Dong tried his best to squeeze over, creating an empty space, and waved him over.

He had no choice but to go. Cheng Yue bit the bullet, hurried over, sat down, hesitated, and then whispered a thank you.

“What’s there to be polite about?” Yuan Dong said with a grin.

“Aren’t you from the Music Department?” Cheng Yue whispered. “Accompanying a friend again?”

“That’s right.” Yuan Dong raised an eyebrow. “We’re quite fated, aren’t we?”

Cheng Yue didn’t respond further, pretending to focus intently on the lecture.

Yuan Dong didn’t bother him again. Just like in the morning, he pulled his jacket over his head and lay down on the desk.

When Cheng Yue focused on something, he was hard to distract. For almost the entire class, he didn’t even glance sideways.

It wasn’t until class ended and he heard movement beside him that he belatedly remembered this person.

“I helped you today, how about treating me to a milk tea?”

Yuan Dong spoke with a thick skin.

Cheng Yue didn’t like owing people favors. Since he didn’t have any more classes, he had originally planned to go to the studio, but he wasn’t in a hurry. After thinking it over, he nodded. “Okay, but I don’t know where the milk tea shops are.”

Yuan Dong curled his lip. “I know. Just follow me.”

As the two of them stood up to leave, Cheng Yue remembered, “Where’s your friend? Didn’t you come with a friend?”

“Him? He left halfway through class.”

Yuan Dong spoke nonchalantly.

Cheng Yue asked curiously, “Then why didn’t you leave?”

“Waiting for you,” Yuan Dong said with a smile.

Cheng Yue: “…”

He was still a bit unaccustomed to such direct words.

Leaving the building and turning a corner, there was a row of shops that looked like the snack street outside a university town from the old days.

Cheng Yue looked around curiously. Yuan Dong had already reached a shop door and waved him over. “Come in.”

“Okay.”

Stepping into the shop, the sunlight outside was blocked out.

Cheng Yue let out a small breath. “It’s so cool in here.”

Hearing this, Yuan Dong’s expression shifted slightly. He looked at the youth carefully and curved his lips. “Take a look at what you want to drink.”

Cheng Yue leaned over. Remembering that the man told him not to eat outside food, he felt a bit guilty at first, but then quickly justified it to himself. Milk tea wasn’t exactly “food,” at most it was a beverage.

Seeing the youth hesitate for a long time, Yuan Dong kindly offered a suggestion. “This one tastes pretty good; I drink it often.”

“Okay, I’ll have that then.”

After Cheng Yue scanned his fingerprint to pay, the two of them found an empty table and sat down.

The youth poked the straw in and took a big gulp, nodding vigorously with puffed cheeks. “It really is quite delicious.”

Yuan Dong looked at him and smiled. “Right? I’m very picky. Generally, things I think are good won’t be bad.”

He wasn’t in a hurry to drink, slowly swirling his straw. “Maybe I was too direct this morning and scared you. Actually, I don’t have any other intentions; I just want to make a friend. You don’t need to be too guarded against me.”

Cheng Yue felt a bit embarrassed by his words, as if he had been overthinking things.

Seeing his expression, Yuan Dong struck while the iron was hot, pushing his phone over. “Let’s add each other. I often accompany friends to class; maybe next time I can save a seat for you in advance.”

It would be impolite to refuse again.

Cheng Yue struggled for a moment but eventually took out his phone and added Yuan Dong. He couldn’t help but add, “I won’t always be late.”

It was all Cheng Shang’s fault today!!!

Yuan Dong had a smile on his face. “Okay.”

“By the way, there’s an art exhibition in the East District in two days. I happen to have an extra ticket; do you want to come see it?”

“An art exhibition?” Cheng Yue was a bit tempted. “Is it convenient? How much is the ticket? I’ll transfer the money to you.”

“No need, a friend gave it to me.”

Yuan Dong sent an electronic ticket to Cheng Yue’s phone. “Just show this when you get there.”

“Okay.” Cheng Yue also smiled. “Thank you.”

Coming out of the milk tea shop, the sun was still very strong. Yuan Dong originally offered to walk Cheng Yue to the studio, but he was refused.

“I can find it myself; I won’t trouble you.”

Yuan Dong thought about it and didn’t say much more, nodding. “Fine, then I’m off. See you around.”

Following the navigation, Cheng Yue walked a long way before finding the art studio.

Perhaps because everyone had gone to rest at this time, there was no one in the studio. But this was fine with him; Cheng Yue liked painting quietly by himself.

Setting up his easel, he rested his chin on his hand and casually clipped his drawing paper.

He rarely daydreamed while painting.

He had originally intended to draw the little leopard-cat as usual. This was his most frequent and most practiced subject; he would usually draw one whenever he was bored and practicing, to the point where there was no more room for paintings of A-Shang at home.

But the youth couldn’t stop himself from thinking of Cheng Shang.

The way the man held him on his lap to coax him into eating, the way he half-knelt to put on his shoes, the way he looked at him with lowered eyes and called him “Master” in a low voice.

It was truly a strange feeling.

It was hard to imagine that the clingy little leopard-cat from before would turn into such a cold, stern man.

Vibrate, vibrate…

The phone beside him shook. Cheng Yue snapped back to reality and widened his eyes slightly at the drawing paper in front of him.

What… what had he drawn?

The phone was still ringing. The youth’s face turned a bit red as he hurriedly put down his brush and answered the call.

Unsurprisingly, it was Cheng Shang.

“Baby, I’m at your school entrance.”

The youth was already feeling powerless to correct the man’s nickname for him. He whispered, “I’m in the studio. What’s wrong?”

“Didn’t we agree I’d pick you up after class?” Cheng Shang’s voice was tender. “I’ve booked a restaurant to take you to dinner.”

Having finished a large cup of milk tea, Cheng Yue wasn’t hungry, but he didn’t quite dare say so. He only hummed softly, “It’s so early.”

“We can go browse the mall first and buy you a few more clothes.”

“I have enough clothes.”

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line. The man’s voice was heavy. “Baby, come out.”

Holding the phone, the man tilted his head slightly, looking at the tall buildings not far away through the car window. The irritability in his heart was surging up uncontrollably.

Why is Yue-Yue making excuses? Did he run away? He always wanted to leave me.

Maybe he was wrong. He shouldn’t have let him come to school; he should have locked him up early on.

Actually, before deciding to let Cheng Yue continue school, the man had hesitated for a long time. Selfishly speaking, he really wanted to lock the youth up and keep him at home.

This was his Master, and even more so his treasure; no one was allowed to look at him.

But he couldn’t bear it. He always remembered how the youth had red eyes and said he hated him when they came back from the coffee shop that day.

But if Cheng Yue dared to escape, then he would certainly…

“Which gate are you at?”

The youth’s voice came from the phone after a long silence.

The man was momentarily stunned. “What?”

“Didn’t you say you were picking me up? Which gate are you at?” The youth seemed to be packing his things; there was the sound of rustling paper on the other end. “I’m a bit bad with directions. Can you pick me up at the East Gate? It seems closer to me.”

The irritable mood seemed to be smoothed over instantly.

The man closed his eyes, a faint curve appearing on his lips. “Okay.”

The drawing on the easel wasn’t a little leopard-cat, but a portrait of a man. Unlike the usual military-uniformed photos on promotional posters, on the easel, the man was wearing black loungewear with a smile on his face, as if focused on someone. His habitually cold eyes had softened.

With a red face, Cheng Yue tore the paper off but couldn’t bear to throw it away, so he secretly rolled it up and stuffed it into his bag.

As soon as he stepped out the door with his bag, he saw the man waiting by the entrance.

Cheng Shang was leaning against the car, a cigarette between his lips, though it wasn’t lit. Seeing the boy come out, he immediately threw the cigarette away and walked over quickly.

The man naturally took Cheng Yue’s bag and asked in a low voice, “Are you tired?”

Cheng Yue shook his head. “How could painting be tiring?”

While speaking, the youth kept his head tilted up, looking at Cheng Shang as if smiling; he couldn’t help but crinkle his eyes.

Cheng Shang looked down and asked, “What is it?”

“No one has ever picked me up from school before.”

Cheng Yue’s eyes were curved. “This is the first time.”

The man’s heart melted completely in an instant.

His Yue-Yue was an orphan, struggling on his own since childhood. While other children were picked up and dropped off by parents, he had always been all alone.

Cheng Shang wanted to hold him, to kiss him.

But he was afraid of scaring him.

In the end, he could only say in a slightly raspy voice as he ruffled the youth’s hair, “I’ll pick you up from now on. Baby, I’ll never let you be alone again.”

Cheng Yue blinked. This time, he didn’t correct the man’s nickname; instead, he proactively reached out and took the man’s hand.

Oh well.

The feeling of being raised by a cat was also quite nice.

During dinner that evening, Cheng Shang mentioned wanting Cheng Yue to take a few days off.

Cheng Yue stuffed a piece of steak into his mouth, his voice muffled, “What for?”

“There’s an emergency meeting; I need to go out of town for about two or three days.”

Naturally, Cheng Shang was unwilling to be apart from Cheng Yue for so long. “You come with me.”

Cheng Yue frowned. “No. It’s only two or three days; I’ll be fine on my own.”

The man said flatly, “I won’t be fine.”

He fed a mushroom to the youth’s lips, coaxing him, “What about my illness?”

Cheng Yue thought for a bit and spoke in a low, pleading voice, “We can video call; you can see me that way too. I really don’t want to take leave. It wouldn’t look good to take leave right after I started school.”

Seeing the man’s expression sink, the youth simply got off his stool, shuffled over to the man like a puppy, and wrapped his arms around his neck. “I won’t hold it against you for failing to wake me up today.”

Cheng Shang nearly laughed from frustration.

He took the opportunity to pull the boy into his lap. “You’re making a trade with me?”

When held by the man before, Cheng Yue had simply thought of it as treating the man’s illness. But perhaps because he had drawn that chaotic picture, being suddenly picked up now made Cheng Yue freeze for a moment, and his heart inexplicably started racing.

“Don’t… don’t just hug me all the time.”

The youth was stammering.

“Not only are you not going with me, but I can’t even hold you?” The man narrowed his eyes. “What did you promise when we went to see the doctor?”

Knowing he was in the wrong, Cheng Yue just hummed and whined shamelessly.

Cheng Shang patted his butt. “What’s in it for me if I agree?”

Cheng Yue’s ears turned red. He couldn’t understand why the man had such a preference for his butt.

“How about… you hold me more these next two days?” he tentatively suggested.

Cheng Shang let out a cold snort, not saying if he was satisfied or not, but for the rest of the dinner, he didn’t let the youth return to his own stool.

A day later, Cheng Shang went on his business trip.

Perhaps unable to withstand the youth’s soft pleading, the man eventually left him at home, only instructing Cheng Yue to tell him wherever he went.

Today happened to be the day of the art exhibition Yuan Dong had introduced him to.

Cheng Yue packed a small backpack for himself and headed straight there after finishing his first morning class.

The mainstream style of artwork twenty years later still had significant differences from before.

Cheng Yue intended to familiarize himself with it and observe others’ works.

The exhibition was quite crowded. This time, without Cheng Shang to lead him through a special channel, he had to queue with everyone else, only squeezing in once he was drenched in sweat from the heat.

To his surprise, before he could catch his breath, he heard a commotion at the entrance. Following that, a group of people in police uniforms burst in.

“Nobody moves!!”

“Hands behind your head and squat down!!!”

After the cold shouts, a man walked in slowly with a sinister expression. “Our police department has received a report that members of the Qing Association have infiltrated this place. Everyone at the art exhibition today will be taken back for interrogation!”