I Am Being Raised by a Cat - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Cheng Yue froze for a moment before slowly picking up the phone. “Hello, Yuan Dong?”

There was a silence on the other end of the line, followed by a sudden chuckle from the boy.

“It seems you’re already fine.”

“I heard something happened at the art exhibition and it gave me a fright. I thought I might have involved you in something bad.”

Cheng Yue paused, then suddenly asked him, “Did you not go?”

“What?”

“The art exhibition. When you gave me the ticket, didn’t you say you had an extra one? So you should have gone too, right?”

Yuan Dong hesitated for a second and laughed. “No, I had something come up that day and didn’t make it in time.”

Cheng Yue lowered his eyes and curled his lips slightly. “Then you were… quite lucky.”

“Yue-Yue? Why are you up?” A man’s voice came from behind him.

Cheng Yue hung up the phone and turned to see Cheng Shang walking while carrying a glass of water. “Does your throat still hurt? Drink some warm water to soothe it.”

The youth obediently took the glass and took two sips.

The man raised his hand to ruffle his hair. “Who were you talking to just now?”

Cheng Yue said vaguely, “A classmate.”

Cheng Shang looked down at him. “When I asked you the other day, didn’t you say you hadn’t made any new friends?”

“He’s not exactly a friend,” Cheng Yue said. “We just know each other.”

Cheng Shang seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking in a measured tone, “I haven’t asked you yet how did you decide to go to the art exhibition, and why didn’t you tell me?”

Cheng Yue whispered, “I heard from a classmate that there was an exhibition, and I happened to have no class at that time.”

He looked up at Cheng Shang and spoke sheepishly, “I was afraid if I told you, you wouldn’t let me go.”

Cheng Shang laughed out of frustration. “You’re quite honest.”

He bent down to pick the boy up, letting the youth’s head rest on his shoulder, then suddenly raised his hand and delivered two slaps to the boy’s buttocks.

They weren’t heavy, but the crisp sound echoing made the youth’s face turn red in a second. He began to thrash and struggle.

“You! What are you doing!!” Cheng Yue’s eyes were wide and round. “How can you hit someone?”

“I told you, didn’t I? Tell me before you go anywhere.”

Cheng Shang’s voice turned cold. “What would have happened if I hadn’t made it back in time?”

Cheng Yue stopped moving and went silent.

“Yue-Yue, you’ve seen it for yourself. This era is not like twenty years ago. It’s common for police to shoot people in the streets. I will protect you, but the premise is that you must also put your safety first.”

After a few seconds, Cheng Yue’s muffled voice sounded, “I know. I won’t do it again.”

As Cheng Yue said this, his ears and face were completely flushed.

Although this time was an accidental disaster, he was indeed at fault first. He had no defense and would naturally admit his mistake obediently.

Only…

Being held down by his own cat and getting his butt smacked as a lecture was just too shameful.

By the time the man carried him to the sofa and set him down, Cheng Yue’s eyes were a bit red.

The man was startled, thinking he had used too much strength. He frowned. “Does it hurt? Let me see.”

As he spoke, he reached out to pull at the youth’s pants.

Cheng Yue was shocked, his eyes turning even redder as he gripped his pants tightly. “No, it doesn’t…”

But the more the youth acted this way, the more Cheng Shang believed he had been heavy-handed. He pulled the pants down firmly without allowing for any argument, coaxing him, “Yue-Yue, be good, let me see.”

Waaaaah…

Cheng Yue was about to die of shame and indignation.

He buried his head and lay prone on the sofa, his buttocks feeling a chilly draft.

The man’s gaze fell upon them.

Two white, soft mounds of flesh, only slightly tinged with pink, like glutinous rice balls wrapped in strawberry.

It was hard for Cheng Shang to move his eyes away.

Adam’s apple rolled up and down, and his voice became much hoarser. “Does it hurt? Let me rub it…”

Before the man’s large hand could press down, Cheng Yue seemed to have reached his limit. He kicked the man’s shin hard, covered his butt, and looked like a rabbit with his red eyes. “You’re too much!”

The youth stammered as he scolded his cat, “Pervert!”

Cheng Shang’s eyes darkened, and his throat felt itchy.

He felt the youth wasn’t wrong to scold him.

What he wanted to do was far more wicked than this.

As the two were at a stalemate, the doorbell rang. It was Fang Cheng coming to deliver a meal.

Since Cheng Yue was still sick, he could only eat light porridge and side dishes, but his appetite was poor. To coax him into eating more, Cheng Shang had specifically asked Fang Cheng to order from a private kitchen.

Of course, it wasn’t just to deliver a meal; there was another matter.

When he entered, Fang Cheng felt the scene was very strange; the two looked like they had been arguing.

The young master’s eyes were very red as if he had cried, but he still politely came over to greet him. “Assistant Fang.”

Fang Cheng nodded quickly. “Is the young master feeling better?”

“Much better.”

Beside them, Cheng Shang’s face was somewhat displeased. He didn’t like seeing Cheng Yue talk to others, not even Fang Cheng.

He had [Xiao-Xiao] bring the food to the dining table and said warmly to Cheng Yue, “Eat first. I’m going to the study to reply to a couple of documents.”

Cheng Yue didn’t really want to acknowledge him and walked away with a twist of his head.

The man wasn’t angry; instead, he curled his lips into a helpless smile. But when he turned back to look at Fang Cheng, his face became expressionless again.

Fang Cheng: “…”

The two went to the study upstairs.

With Cheng Yue not by his side, the man couldn’t help but pull out a cigarette. But fearing the smell would stick to him, he didn’t dare light it, just kept it between his teeth.

“I heard it was an anonymous tip. Gao Dong was too eager for success and didn’t even investigate. However, he only dared to move against commoners; those detained were all ordinary people.”

Cheng Shang sneered. “Investigating the Qing Association? The bulk of their targets will always be commoners.”

“He also sent a message through someone today, saying he wants to host a dinner to apologize and calm the young master’s nerves.”

As Fang Cheng said this, a trace of disdain appeared on his face, as if mocking Gao Dong’s wishful thinking.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, a flash of coldness passed through the man’s eyes.

With the cigarette between his teeth, he muttered indistinctly, “I think he’s reached the end of the line in that position.”

The treasure he held in the palm of his hand had been locked up and tormented, his delicate skin scratched, not to mention he was terrified and fell ill. The little bit of weight he had finally put on had withered away again.

There was no way Cheng Shang wouldn’t settle this account on Gao Dong’s head.

“Regarding the Qing Association matter, should we intervene?”

The man shook his head.

He had always been the type to stay out of things that didn’t concern him. Besides Cheng Yue, nothing else was worth his concern.

How many innocent people died outside?

What did it have to do with him?

The unlit cigarette was tossed into the trash can. The man made the final decision. “Go do it. Get the word out. I’ll call Chairman Liu later tonight.”

“Understood.”

Cheng Shang didn’t say more. He was afraid that if he didn’t watch him, Cheng Yue wouldn’t eat properly.

Sure enough, when he went downstairs, the food on the table hadn’t been touched. Cheng Yue was sitting in his chair, head turned, whispering something to the little robot.

Fang Cheng took his leave.

Cheng Shang walked over slowly, braced both hands on the chair, and said calmly, “What are you chatting about so happily that you aren’t even eating?”

Cheng Yue jumped, looking a bit guilty, but quickly glared at the man with forced bravado. “None of your business, pervert.”

He called him that quite smoothly now.

Cheng Shang laughed into frustration. “The pervert was raised by you. You’re the one who brought me back, remember?”

He hadn’t forgotten.

He just hadn’t expected the cat he brought back would actually…

The man narrowed his eyes and leaned over slightly. “What are you thinking about, baby? Your ears are so red.”

Cheng Yue was even more like a cat that had its tail stepped on. He almost jumped up, glaring at the man huffily. “Don’t talk nonsense, I’m not. Why did you come over? Weren’t you handling things in the study?”

The man’s lip twitched into a helpless smile. “The Master should at least give me a bite to eat.”

Realizing the man hadn’t eaten anything yet either, Cheng Yue felt a bit embarrassed. “You… go ahead and eat then.”

“Eat with me.” Cheng Shang pressed the youth down into his seat, first serving him a bowl of soup to warm his stomach. “If I don’t watch you, you won’t eat, will you?”

Cheng Yue was made to feel awkward by him and whispered a defense, “I’m not a child. I can take care of myself.”

The man gave a cold snort.

“It seems you aren’t doing a great job of taking care of yourself.”

He held the spoon to the youth’s lips. “Open up.”

Cheng Yue obediently drank the soup. “I want to go to school tomorrow.”

“No.” The man refused without thinking. “Wait until you’re better.”

“I’m already better,” Cheng Yue said hurriedly. “I took medicine and slept, and I’m much better now. My head doesn’t even hurt.”

“What about me?” Cheng Shang said calmly. “These past few days when you weren’t by my side, I didn’t take my medicine. Didn’t you say you would stay with me until I’m cured?”

Cheng Yue’s heart softened instantly, and he spoke up anxiously, “How can you not take your medicine? Didn’t we agree we could video call?”

“How is that the same?” The man said quietly. “I can’t touch you that way.”

Cheng Yue pursed his lips and looked at the man imploringly. “Then when can I go to school?”

The man fed him another bite of food. “We’ll talk in a couple of days.”

Cheng Yue wilted again.

…

During the two days he spent recovering at home, Cheng Yue felt like he was about to sprout mushrooms.

And he didn’t know what was up with Cheng Shang; he didn’t even go to work at the Government Hall, spending a huge amount of time at home to accompany him.

To be precise, he was pestering the youth.

While Cheng Yue was sick, he couldn’t get enough of the man’s tail, but once he got better, he wouldn’t touch it. Frustrated, the man kept manifesting his tail, either wrapping it around the youth’s ankle or winding it around his wrist.

He was incredibly possessive, not allowing the youth to leave his side for a single step.

It wasn’t until Cheng Yue finally reached the end of his rope that the man relented and agreed to let him go to school.

“A car will pick you up and drop you off every morning and evening. If I don’t come personally, I’ll have Fang Cheng come. Other than going to class, don’t wander around. Even if you want to go somewhere, you must tell me, understand?”

Such a controlling cat, Cheng Yue, complained in his heart, but still nodded obediently.

After sending off the university student who was struggling with his painting in the morning, the man had Fang Cheng drive him directly to the Police Department.

Over the past two days, one directive after another had come down from the higher-ups. Gao Dong knew very well this was Cheng Shang’s doing. He could only grit his teeth and take it, sending countless people to convey messages to Cheng Shang and sending many gifts.

But except for the gifts being returned as they were, the messages were like stones dropped into the ocean; the man simply ignored Gao Dong.

He hadn’t expected Cheng Shang to personally come to the Police Department today.

Gao Dong hurriedly welcomed him into the office and personally poured tea. “Governor Cheng, I’ve been wanting to invite you to a meal to apologize these past two days but never got the chance. I didn’t expect you to come today, I…”

The man raised his hand. “I came this time because I have a small favor to ask.”

“Please say it, whatever you command.”

“According to the rules, surveillance footage is archived in the warehouse.” Cheng Shang paused and looked up at Gao Dong.

Gao Dong nodded repeatedly. “I understand. It was all a misunderstanding. Young Master Cheng’s surveillance will be destroyed immediately.”

“Also, whose ticket did he scan to get in that day?” The man spoke calmly. “I want a copy of that person’s file.”

“Yes, I’ll have someone prepare it immediately.”

After finishing these two points, Cheng Shang finally looked the person in front of him in the eye and gave a lazy smile. “Minister Gao, you really did something that made me very unhappy.”

“Originally, I didn’t interfere or participate in the affairs of your Police Department. Everyone lived in peace; I did my job as an official, and you made your money.”

“I don’t care if you want to find a scapegoat, but you just had to lay your hands on my person.”

Cold sweat started to pour down Gao Dong’s face. “A misunderstanding, Governor Cheng. It really was a misunderstanding. I didn’t know Young Master Cheng was yours.”

Cheng Shang laughed. “Of course. I naturally know this was an ‘unintentional error’ on your part, Minister Gao. I shouldn’t be too hard on you.”

“It’s just that the one at my home is raised with the utmost care. Yet, when he fell into Minister Gao’s hands, he was wounded and locked up. My heart is full of anger. Who should I vent it on?”

Gao Dong’s face turned deathly pale. He opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words.

“Let me give you a suggestion. Why don’t you leave this place and seek a better future elsewhere?”

Cheng Shang’s tone could be described as gentle, yet it made Gao Dong’s expression extremely ugly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean is—”

The man stood up and walked slowly toward Gao Dong, looking down at him coldly. “You can’t stay at the Police Department anymore. Get lost while you still can.”

Leaving the Police Department, the sunlight outside was blindingly bright.

But for a New Human, it was almost imperceptible.

Cheng Shang spoke calmly, “Drive to the bakery. Buy a strawberry cake before heading to the school.”

Fang Cheng nodded and handed over the file. “This person is named Yuan Dong. I also checked the young master’s call records. His last call was with this person.”

The man’s expression was indifferent as he looked down at the file in his hand.

Yuan Dong…

…

“Cheng Yue!”

A person ran up from behind and blocked the youth’s path. Seeing his expression, the person smiled. “What’s wrong? I called you several times but you ignored me.”

Cheng Yue’s face was slightly cold. “Do you need something?”

“Did I offend you somehow?” Yuan Dong spread his hands. “At least let me die knowing why.”

Cheng Yue looked away and continued walking as if he hadn’t seen him.

“Cheng Yue! Is it because of the art exhibition?”

Yuan Dong spoke persistently, “If it’s about that, I apologize. It’s true I gave you the ticket, but I had no idea something would happen that day!!”

The youth finally stopped in his tracks and turned around to look coldly at Yuan Dong.

“Is that so? You didn’t know?”

“The ticket you gave me was yours, right? You never intended to go. Why? Because you knew what would happen.”

As Yuan Dong looked at Cheng Yue, the smile on his face gradually faded.

Finally, he shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t expect that while you look innocent, you’re actually not stupid at all.”

Cheng Yue said calmly, “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I didn’t turn you in because I felt there was no need to involve another person, but that doesn’t mean I like being someone else’s pawn.”

“Of the commoners arrested that day, you were the only one who came out.” Yuan Dong suddenly spoke up. “What do you think will happen to the rest?”

Cheng Yue clenched his hand. “What does it have to do with me?”

“Of course. I just can’t help but sigh that it really is good to have a background.”

Yuan Dong curled his lip. “These past two days, Gao Dong from the Police Department is about to be ousted. Under Governor Cheng’s iron fist, it really is a case of ‘flaring up in anger for the sake of a beauty’.”

The youth’s expression changed. “You know…”

“It’s just that I didn’t expect you to actually be a commoner.”

Yuan Dong looked deeply at Cheng Yue.

“Willing to go somewhere with me? Cheng Yue.”

…

Only a fool would go.

Cheng Yue turned and left.

Perhaps because he came from a peaceful era, he still couldn’t stand seeing the lives of ordinary people being trampled on, so he had kept the matter of Yuan Dong hidden.

But that didn’t mean he was stupid enough to let himself be used.

He hated it!! He hated being lied to!!

Cheng Yue kept his small face tense with anger, clutching his backpack as he strode into the classroom.

However, Yuan Dong was tactful enough; he didn’t come over to harass him for the rest of the day.

Today’s classes were quite numerous, and it was getting dark by the time they ended.

As usual, the familiar car was parked at the school gate.

Cheng Yue ran over quickly, only to find that Cheng Shang wasn’t there when he got in.

Fang Cheng explained, “Governor Cheng still has a meeting. He asked me to pick you up and take you to the Government Hall. You’ll go back together once he finishes.”

Cheng Yue nodded. “Thank you for the trouble.”

Fang Cheng smiled. “You’re too polite. This is all part of my job.”

The car drove very fast, the scenery outside flashing by.

Cheng Yue thought for a moment and spoke softly, “Assistant Fang, do you know what happened to the others who were locked up in the Police Department with me?”

Fang Cheng raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle. “Young Master, you’re putting me in a difficult spot. The Police Department is an independent branch and doesn’t fall under our Government Hall’s jurisdiction.”

Cheng Yue said quickly, “It’s fine. I was just asking.”

Fang Cheng glanced at him again and stopped talking.

Soon, the car stopped outside the Government Hall.

Most departments had closed by this time; only the top-floor meeting room was still lit.

“The Governor’s meeting isn’t over yet. Why don’t you wait in the office?” Fang Cheng smiled and took a strawberry cake out of the small fridge. “The Governor ordered this to be kept for you.”

Having cake to eat, Cheng Yue’s attention was quickly drawn away. His eyes crinkled into crescents. “Okay. Secretary Fang, you don’t need to mind me. Go on with your work.”

In the meeting room, it was the same old topic.

Cheng Shang listened impatiently. Seeing Fang Cheng walk in outside, he knew the boy had been picked up, and thus lost even more patience. He hurriedly arranged a few matters and ended the meeting.

The man strode out, with Fang Cheng following beside him. “On the way just now, the young master asked me about the Police Department matter.”

Cheng Shang stopped and glanced at him.

“He wanted to ask about the commoners arrested with him. I only said the Police Department isn’t under our jurisdiction, and the young master didn’t ask further.”

The man lowered his eyes and remained silent the whole time.

When he pushed the door open and entered, the youth was sitting in a chair eating cake, quite focused. He didn’t even look up at the sound of the door.

The man’s eyes softened uncontrollably.

He walked over and said in a low voice, “Don’t eat too much. The cake is still a bit cold.”

The youth looked up at him and smiled. “It’s delicious.”

Cheng Shang couldn’t help but curl his lips, leaning down to wipe away the cream from the corner of the youth’s mouth. “Smells like strawberries.”

Then Cheng Yue watched with wide eyes as the man licked the cream off his own hand.

He was dumbstruck. “You…”

“Hm, it is quite good,” Cheng Shang evaluated seriously.

The youth’s face turned red from embarrassment. “You… you… there’s more here.”

Cheng Shang couldn’t help but laugh. “I won’t snatch yours.”

Having said that, he still took the cake away and set it aside. “Your stomach will feel uncomfortable if you keep eating. Are you tired? Shall we go home?”

“Are you finished with your work?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

They didn’t have Fang Cheng drive them back; the man drove himself. Cheng Yue curled up in the passenger seat, feeling a bit drowsy, when he suddenly heard the man ask him, “Fang Cheng said you asked him about the Police Department today?”

Half-asleep, Cheng Yue gave an “Eh?”

“If there’s anything you want to know, you can ask me.”

The youth suddenly woke up a bit. He sat up a little straighter and blinked. “I just wanted to know those people, were they released?”

“Of course. They were released once the matter was investigated clearly.”

Hearing this, Cheng Yue breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

Knowing the people from that day were safe, Cheng Yue’s mood brightened considerably.

After returning, he even enthusiastically brewed a cup of coffee for the man. This time he didn’t add sugar, completely failing to notice that the man had already showered and changed into loungewear, ready to hold him for a beautiful night’s sleep.

Cheng Shang drank the entire cup of coffee without changing his expression.

“Would you like another cup?” Cheng Yue asked kindly.

The man smiled. “No thanks.”

Otherwise, there would be no need to sleep tonight.

He cleared his throat and reminded the youth, “I just took my medicine.”

Cheng Yue: “Oh.”

The man took a step forward. “Give me a hug.”

Cheng Yue tried to negotiate with him, “Can I sleep by myself tonight?”

Cheng Shang’s expression sank. “Why?”

Whether it was the man’s burning chest or the leopard’s warm fur, it was a bit much for Cheng Yue to handle.

The man narrowed his eyes. “Weren’t you pestering me two days ago saying you wanted to sleep holding the tail?”

“That’s because I was sick then.” The youth said “use them and toss them” as if it were perfectly natural.

Cheng Shang’s teeth itched with frustration. He didn’t want to listen to the youth ramble and simply went over to pick the boy up by the waist and walk into the room.

After being tossed onto the bed, the youth was about to run when his wrist was tightly encircled by the tail.

The man spoke coldly, “Baby, choose for yourself: sleep holding the tail, or let me use the tail to wrap around you while you sleep.”