I Am Being Raised by a Cat - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The temporary jail of the Police Department was cold and damp, with almost no windows—only dim lighting that made it difficult to tell the passage of time.

Everything had happened too suddenly. Cheng Yue had never experienced the riots of the “Great Evolution”; his mindset was still stuck in the peaceful era of twenty years ago. He hadn’t expected these people to be so tyrannical and brutal.

Someone had stood up to question them and was immediately shot through the leg bone with a laser gun; the blood-curdling screams echoed through the entire venue.

Cheng Yue was pale with fear and instinctively reached for his watch to contact Cheng Shang.

He hadn’t expected the leader’s eyes to be so sharp.

The man immediately raised his gun and pointed it at Cheng Yue, shouting sternly, “Don’t move!!”

The nearby officers moved even faster. Before he could even react, they pinned the youth to the ground and forcibly ripped off his watch.

Cheng Yue was pressed against the floor with a cold gun barrel against his head. “It seems you are the spy from the Qing Association. Were you trying to send a signal?”

“I’m not… mgh.”

He was grabbed by the hair, pulled up, and gagged.

Immediately after, Cheng Yue was held by the shoulders, his wrists twisted, and he was dragged into a car. He was eventually locked away in this prison.

His mouth remained gagged the entire time; he didn’t even have a chance to speak or defend himself.

Once locked in the cell, no one paid him any attention. No matter how much Cheng Yue shouted or knocked, he only heard empty echoes.

The temperature dropped lower and lower.

The youth huddled in a corner. His watch had been taken, and his phone had been confiscated. He shivered from the cold, feeling as if the blood in his body was freezing solid.

Fortunately.

The youth closed his eyes gently.

In the final second before the watch was snatched away, he had pressed that button. He didn’t know if Cheng Shang had received it.

Even if he did, how long would it take for him to rush over?

Cheng Yue thought to himself.

I won’t die here, will I?

…

In the headquarters of the Police Department, Gao Dong sat lazily in his chair with his legs crossed, swinging the watch he had confiscated from Cheng Yue.

“We saw his information from the electronic ticket.”

An officer clicked on the display screen, showing the ticket details.

“Yuan Dong, a student at the Academy of Arts, a commoner. No significant background; his parents are just ordinary workers.”

Hearing this, Gao Dong looked even more relaxed.

The officer spoke slowly, “We only received word about a Qing Association spy, and the higher-ups are putting pressure on us. This person acts suspiciously and has no background; he’s the perfect scapegoat.”

Gao Dong gave a faint “Mm” and asked, “How is the screening going for the others?”

“There are eighty-nine commoners, all in custody. This Yuan Dong has been detained separately.”

Gao Dong nodded. “Then do it that way. If we check so many people one by one, who knows how long it will take.”

“You mean?”

“The lab just produced a new batch of reagents. This is a good chance to test them on him.”

“Understood.”

The officer was about to leave when the communicator on the desk suddenly rang.

When Gao Dong saw the caller ID, his expression changed. He sat up straight and quickly answered, “Governor Cheng?”

On the other end of the line, the man’s voice was frigid. “I heard Minister Gao shut down an art exhibition today? And detained a lot of people.”

Gao Dong smiled, “It’s all because of the Qing Association trouble, just a small skirmish. I’m surprised it reached Governor Cheng’s ears. I heard you were busy…”

“I don’t have time for your nonsense!” Cheng Shang’s voice was icy. “Among them is one named Cheng Yue. He is mine. Take good care of him. I am coming to pick him up now.”

Gao Dong was stunned. “Cheng Yue?”

He hurriedly checked the list. “Governor Cheng, we don’t have anyone by that name here. Are you mistaken?”

Cheng Shang knit his brows, his voice deepening. “He was wearing a watch. Perhaps he used someone else’s ticket. Check it.”

Gao Dong froze. Looking at the watch he was playing with in his hand, cold sweat began to pour down.

After hanging up, the nearby officer saw that Gao Dong’s face was deathly pale. His voice was frantic: “Quick! Quickly release Yuan Dong no, Cheng Yue!”

The officer was confused. “Wasn’t he confirmed as a Qing Association member?”

“Qing Association my ass! Go!! Clean up the lounge, and prepare some food to send over!”

“Ah… yes, sir!”

When Cheng Yue was released, he was nearly frozen stiff.

A nearby officer handed him a blanket and hurriedly wrapped it around him, supporting him into the lounge.

The youth was naturally fair-skinned, but now his face was completely devoid of color, making Gao Dong’s heart jump in fear.

…

In the lounge, the youth was wrapped in a thick blanket, curled up on the sofa with only his small head peeking out.

Gao Dong, now wearing a forced smile, handed over a cup of hot tea. “Young Master Cheng, this was all a misunderstanding.”

The previously vicious Gao Dong was now full of smiles.

But Cheng Yue only looked up at him briefly before quickly lowering his head again. His voice was hoarse. “I am not a spy.”

“Yes, yes, yes, we got it all wrong.”

Gao Dong rubbed his hands together. “Young Master Cheng must be hungry. I’ve had some food prepared; would you like…”

“Where is Cheng Shang?” the youth interrupted, looking up at Gao Dong. “Did he contact you? When is he coming?”

Hearing the youth call Cheng Shang by his name directly, Gao Dong’s heart sank, and his attitude became even more polite. “Yes, the Governor is on his way. He instructed us to take good care of you.”

Cheng Yue looked exhausted and lowered his eyes. “I want to be alone for a bit.”

Gao Dong hesitated, then nodded. He had the food placed down and turned to leave.

On the other side, a private jet had just landed.

Cheng Shang had just finished his meeting. He originally had a dinner engagement, but a red emergency alert had suddenly popped up on his phone.

At the time, he was surrounded by many councilors and high-ranking officials, but they saw Cheng Shang’s face change instantly as he came to a dead stop.

The people around him were confused and stopped as well.

Immediately, the man began making one call after another, but apparently no one answered. The man’s face turned visibly grim. He turned to Fang Cheng and ordered, “Check where Yue-Yue is, and arrange a flight back immediately!”

There was a GPS tracker installed in Cheng Yue’s watch, so it was easy to find his current location at the Police Department.

Recalling how Cheng Yue had been locked up by the police right after traveling here, a surge of violence welled up in the man’s heart.

Even taking a private jet back would take several hours. Cheng Shang was terrified something would happen to the youth and didn’t dare wait, so he called ahead.

On the way back, every second felt stretched out infinitely, only adding to the regret in the man’s heart.

Why did I go soft and agree to leave Cheng Yue home alone? Why didn’t I send people to follow him? Even if it made him angry, it would be better than seeing him fall into danger like this!!

By the time Cheng Shang reached the Police Department, it was already late into the night.

He carried a chill with him as he hurried inside.

It was long past closing time, but the Police Department was still brightly lit. Gao Dong didn’t dare leave; he had accidentally brought back a “little ancestor” today and was currently on pins and needles.

Normally, the Police Department and the Government Hall belong to two different branches. Cheng Shang held a higher rank than him, but he wasn’t his direct superior and couldn’t technically control him.

Gao Dong shouldn’t have needed to be so subservient to Cheng Shang, but the truth was that Cheng Shang was not like ordinary government officials.

Cheng Shang came from the military. No one knew how much blood was on his hands. He acted entirely on his whims and disregarded consequences.

He was like a mad dog.

Oh, no.

A mad leopard.

While waiting anxiously, Gao Dong caught a glimpse of a figure rushing in from outside. He was startled and quickly stood up to greet him. “Governor Cheng.”

Cheng Shang was in no mood for pleasantries. His face was dark as he asked coldly, just two words: “Where is he?”

Gao Dong said hurriedly, “In the lounge. It was all just a blunder. How could we neglect Young Master Cheng? I even had people.”

“Lead the way.”

Cheng Shang interrupted him impatiently.

Gao Dong choked. The smile on his face almost cracked, but he didn’t dare say anything. He could only grit his teeth and nod. “I’ll lead you there.”

The lounge was on the top floor of the Police Department.

After swiping a card and pushing the door open, the room was pitch black.

Sensing the man’s increasingly dark aura, Gao Dong quickly explained, “This… Young Master Cheng said he wanted to be alone for a bit.”

Cheng Shang’s face remained cold. He didn’t speak to him and strode inside.

In the center of the living room, a thin and lonely figure was curled up on the sofa. The moonlight spilled over him, casting a thin layer of light.

Just looking at him made the man’s heart ache.

He spoke softly, “Yue-Yue, I’ve come to take you home.”

Cheng Yue had been exhausted, his eyelids feeling heavy and almost closing, but in such a strange and dangerous environment, he didn’t dare sleep. He was forcing himself to stay awake.

In his half-asleep state, hearing that familiar voice made him startle awake. He looked up at the man in disbelief.

The youth sniffled, his voice broken and hoarse, laced with deep grievance. “Cheng Shang, why did you only get here now?”

The man’s throat hitched. Without another word, he walked over and picked him up.

In that instant, Cheng Yue threw his arms around the man’s neck.

The fear and anxiety of the entire day finally found an outlet. Cheng Yue couldn’t help but burst into tears. He didn’t make a sound as he cried; his body just trembled slightly, his shoulders shaking as his tears soaked the man’s collar.

The tears were too hot; they nearly scorched the man’s heart and lungs.

Cheng Shang held the boy tightly and patted his back gently. “Baby, I’m late. Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

Fang Cheng followed them in, holding a large black trench coat. The man took it and draped it over Cheng Yue.

The man coaxed him gently, “Let’s go home.”

Gao Dong, watching from the side, felt his eyes were about to pop out of his head.

Originally, Cheng Shang had only mentioned in the communication that this was “his person.” Gao Dong had thought it was one of Cheng Shang’s subordinates. Later, hearing the name Cheng Yue, he thought it might not be that simple, perhaps a junior of the Cheng family.

But looking at this now…

It didn’t look like a junior; it looked more like a little lover.

He had never seen someone coaxed like that.

After a few steps, Cheng Yue looked up slightly and said with a nasal tone, “My watch and phone.”

Before the man could speak, Gao Dong raised his hand, and an officer immediately brought over a bag. “These are Young Master Cheng’s things.”

Fang Cheng took them.

Cheng Yue didn’t speak again, obediently resting his head on the man’s shoulder. The black trench coat almost covered him entirely, with only his messy hair peeking out.

Once in the car, Cheng Shang didn’t let go; he kept holding the youth tightly, like a precious treasure found again.

Neither of them spoke.

The car was very quiet, with only their heartbeats pressing against each other.

By the time they reached the villa, Cheng Yue was nearly asleep. The man’s sudden movement of getting up startled him; the youth’s body tensed, and his hand gripped the man’s collar tightly.

Cheng Shang quickly slowed his movements and patted the youth gently. “It’s me, baby. We’re home.”

Cheng Yue gave a “Mgh…” and pressed his face against the man’s body, nuzzling him slightly like a pitiful little animal.

The man’s eyes darkened slightly. He carried him out of the car. Fang Cheng opened the door and caught the man’s gaze; Cheng Shang gave him a slight look, and Fang Cheng immediately nodded. After watching Cheng Shang carry the boy away, he drove off.

[Xiao-Xiao] had been programmed with Cheng Yue’s class schedule so he could wait at the door for him to come home.

But it was so late today, yet Cheng Yue hadn’t returned.

The little robot was so anxious he had paced around the house a hundred times.

Finally hearing the door open, [Xiao-Xiao] rushed over. “Yue-Yue, why are you just getting back? I’ve been waiting for you forever.”

The person who walked in wasn’t Cheng Yue, but Cheng Shang holding the youth.

[Xiao-Xiao] froze. “Mr. Cheng, you’re back? What happened to Yue-Yue?”

Hearing Xiao-Xiao’s voice, Cheng Yue peeked out from the trench coat and said softly, “I’m okay.”

The man’s thin lips were pursed. He sat on the sofa while holding the boy.

It had been too dark back there to see him clearly; only now did he see several bloodstains on the youth’s chin.

Cheng Shang’s face darkened. “Did they lay a hand on you?”

Cheng Yue shook his head gently. “I might have scraped it on the floor.”

The man raised his hand to gently touch the small wound. His lowered eyes were dark, but the words he spoke to Cheng Yue were extremely gentle: “Where else are you hurt?”

“Really, nowhere else.”

[Xiao-Xiao] had already brought over cotton swabs and iodine. The man’s movements were very light as he coaxed the youth to tilt his chin up, gently applying the medicine.

Such a tiny wound would have been ignored if it were on the man himself, but on Cheng Yue, it made his heart ache beyond measure.

The youth looked at Cheng Shang silently. After a moment, he couldn’t help asking, “What is this Qing Association they mentioned? Why did they say I’m a spy?”

“A bunch of fools. They just wanted to use you as a scapegoat to boost their performance records.”

The man’s voice was cold, but he quickly softened it when he looked up at Cheng Yue. He didn’t want to show his ruthless side to the youth.

“You don’t need to worry about these things. I’m here. Rest at home for two days; I’ll stay with you, okay?”

But Cheng Yue gripped the man’s arm tightly.

“How can it be like this?” The youth’s voice trembled slightly. “Even if they wanted to catch someone, how can they open fire on the spot? How can they detain someone without asking anything? Is there no law here?”

The man’s eyes darkened, and he didn’t speak, just raised his hand to touch the youth’s cheek.

Cheng Yue had been protected too well by the man; ever since traveling here, he had been under Cheng Shang’s wing.

He thought the world twenty years later would be an era full of high technology and new civilization.

In reality, this was a society where the strong preyed on the weak and the law was trampled upon.

Tearing away the glamorous exterior revealed a hideous beast.

Before Cheng Shang, the previous Governor had been shot in the head, his body hung upside down outside the Government Hall with blood soaking the ground.

Cheng Shang had little interest in administrative affairs; he pushed back meetings whenever possible and could go three or four days without visiting the Government Hall.

But that didn’t stop him from holding his position firmly.

Because in this era, where civilization had been overturned, those superficial formalities were no longer needed.

“Cheng Yue, trust me. I will protect you.”

The man didn’t answer Cheng Yue’s question; he just held him tight and patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid of anything.”

Cheng Shang didn’t ask why the youth had gone to the exhibition with someone else’s ticket, nor did he scold him for not telling him he was going out.

Cheng Yue had suffered too much of a shock today; he needed proper rest now.

The youth clung to the man and asked softly if he could turn into a leopard.

Cheng Shang smiled. “Hm?”

“The fur is soft and warm,” Cheng Yue whispered. “I’m a bit cold.”

He was indeed cold.

In the prison of the Police Department, the cold seemed to wrap around his limbs and seep directly into his heart and lungs.

In the room, on the wide bed, the glossy-furred leopard lay lazily. Beside him, the youth was sleeping deeply, most of his body covered by the leopard, with the thick tail curled around his waist.

Cheng Yue still inevitably had nightmares.

He repeatedly dreamed of the moment in the gallery, where the man who stood up was shot through the leg bone.

With every repetition of the dream, Cheng Yue felt he was one step closer to that man.

Until the final moment, he heard the “Bang” of the gun. The man’s screams were in his ears, and his face felt wet, as if some liquid had splashed onto it.

It was that man’s blood.

“Yue-Yue, Yue-Yue!”

Cheng Yue snapped his eyes open, his body still trembling from the dream. His breathing was heavy, and his expression was dazed until he saw Cheng Shang beside him.

The man frowned and brushed the hair from Cheng Yue’s forehead.

“You had a nightmare.”

Cheng Yue nodded gently. He opened his mouth to say something, but his throat felt a sharp, needle-like pain.

“I… cough, cough, cough.”

The youth burst into a violent fit of coughing.

“Don’t speak,” Cheng Shang said in a deep voice. “You have a fever. The doctor is on his way.”

Cheng Yue’s eyelashes fluttered; he looked quite pitiful.

The man lowered his head to press his forehead against the youth’s. “Poor baby. Does your head hurt?”

“Blink if it hurts.”

The youth hesitated for a moment, then blinked.

The man pressed his fingers against the youth’s temples, massaging gently while whispering, “The doctor will be here soon. It won’t hurt once you take the medicine. Let me massage it for you first.”

Cheng Yue’s eyes felt a bit sore.

He remembered when they went to the coffee shop, the man said he was his “parent.”

Now, he really felt that way.

Someone to pick him up from school, someone to coax him when he was sick.

It felt like he truly had family now.

Perhaps because of his fluctuating emotions, or perhaps because he was sick, Cheng Yue acted particularly clingy. He wouldn’t even let Cheng Shang get up to pour him water, gripping his clothes and refusing to let go.

In the end, it was [Xiao-Xiao] who brought the water over.

The little robot leaned against the bed and asked worriedly, “Yue-Yue, are you okay?”

Cheng Yue shook his head.

“So pitiful,” [Xiao-Xiao] said in a sympathetic tone. “Mr. Cheng was too rough; he broke your mouth.”

The youth was stunned, not realizing what [Xiao-Xiao] was talking about.

On the other side, Cheng Shang had already smacked the robot’s head. “Time for you to recharge. You start talking nonsense when your battery is low.”

[Xiao-Xiao] clutched his head and ran away quickly.

Cheng Yue wanted to ask what the man meant, but Cheng Shang had already stood up and touched the youth’s head. “The doctor should be here. Let me help you sit up a bit.”

It was the same doctor who had done Cheng Yue’s blood tests last time.

The youth leaned against the headboard with a soft cushion behind him. His eyelids were red, and his hair hung limply.

The doctor sighed inwardly.

Last time he saw him, Governor Cheng was doting on the boy in every way; he hadn’t expected that in such a short time, he would be worked into this state.

But he didn’t dare comment, and he didn’t even dare look too much. He quickly performed the examination. “A bit of a fever, and the throat is inflamed. It’s still because his body is too weak. The results of the last blood test were the same. His constitution is too poor.”

Cheng Yue had been listening casually, but his eyes suddenly widened.

The results of the last blood test are out? Didn’t Cheng Shang say it would take a long time?!

He immediately looked toward the man.

Cheng Shang avoided the youth’s gaze and spoke without a hint of guilt, “Then prescribe some medicine first. Get the fever down, or his head will hurt.”

“Understood.”

After preparing the medicine, the doctor didn’t stay long. He gave Cheng Shang a few more instructions and left.

The man held the medicine and coaxed Cheng Yue, “Drink this first, then sleep. You’ll be better when you wake up.”

Cheng Yue stared at him, his voice hoarse and broken. “You lied to me.”

Cheng Shang sighed. “Baby, let’s talk about this after you’re better, okay?”

Cheng Yue huffed, but still took the medicine and drank it all.

If he didn’t get better, he would be the one suffering.

He wasn’t stupid.

“Sleep a bit more.” The man helped him lie down and lowered his head to touch the youth’s forehead with his lips. “You’ll be better when you wake up.”

Cheng Yue looked at him with wide eyes and whispered, “Tail.”

Cheng Shang’s expression froze slightly.

The youth repeated, “I want to sleep holding the tail.”

Any animal’s tail is the most sensitive spot, especially when conscious during the day.

But he couldn’t refuse the youth’s request.

After taking the medicine, Cheng Yue became sleepy very quickly. Holding the big, furry tail in his arms, he slept soundly, and the nightmares didn’t return.

Pity Cheng Shang beside him.

His body was slightly stiff; he wanted to pull the tail out but was afraid of waking him. The youth would even unconsciously nuzzle his tail with his cheek.

Adam’s apple rolled. He felt like taking out his medicine and swallowing some.

In the end, he could only suppress the irritability in his heart and pull the person tighter into his embrace.

…

When Cheng Yue woke up, no one was beside him.

He reached out to feel the bed; it was already cold. He estimated Cheng Shang had been gone for quite a while.

He felt a strange sense of loss in his heart.

However, his head no longer hurt. He touched his throat and felt it was much better; he hadn’t expected the medicine to be so effective.

Cheng Yue threw off the covers and got up, wanting to find Cheng Shang, but as he was about to leave, he saw the bag on the side table.

It was his stuff from the Police Department.

He opened the bag, took out his watch and put it back on, then picked up the phone.

When it was confiscated at the police station, the phone had been turned off.

As he turned it back on, a pile of missed calls appeared. Before Cheng Yue could look closely, another call came in.

The screen displayed the caller:

Yuan Dong.