I Really Want to Pet My Wife's Cat Ears - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Fifteen Cats

After soothing the Cat-Eared Girl’s low spirits, Shuoyu began clearing the stamina she received from her monthly pass today.

She first recalled the Exploration Robot and collected a batch of materials. Next, she went to the Research Lab, taking a serious look at this new feature for the first time. It seemed to have evolved from the previous blueprints, and the categories available for research were equally vast: resources, storage, power, clothing, furniture, machinery… Almost anything that could be crafted was included.

Research required spending stamina, Cat Coins, and necessary materials; after a waiting period, the production steps would be provided. A few days ago, Shuoyu hadn’t had time to look closely, so she had just clicked on a few simple, top-level research items like outdoor tables and chairs, sun umbrellas, folding chairs, and wooden cat bowls.

As soon as the research finished, she crafted several and placed them on the beach to enrich the environment. These were the kind of “chicken rib” items that humans felt were essential, regardless of whether the cats actually used them.

Today, Shuoyu finally sat down to look at the research list. She realized that the more complex and important projects required quite a lot of Cat Coins and materials as an initial investment. After careful planning, she decided to upgrade the Exploration Robot first.

Checking the robot’s most recent collection list: Red Berries X12, Oyster Mushroom Clusters X3, Cat Grass X5, Wood X18, Shuyu Leaves X1, Stones X7, Flint X2…

While the variety was great, these were all items that could be picked up from the surface. If she let the cats wander the island, they could likely bring back the same things. Using a precious Mechanical Core for such basic work was a waste of talent. Therefore, Shuoyu wanted to research a mining function for it, striving to evolve from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.

After arranging these tasks, she still had plenty of stamina left. Since cat grass could activate the cats’ talents, it would likely become a necessary part of their diet in the future. With this in mind, Shuoyu used her remaining stamina to reclaim four more plots of farmland next to the previous ridges.

Once the stamina was mostly cleared, Shuoyu noticed that the Cat-Eared Girl had left the medical station and returned to the bedroom. She politely switched her view to outside the master bedroom door and made a “knock-knock” sound with her mouth to simulate knocking. “Mianmian, can I come in?”

Upon receiving permission, she moved the camera into the room. The young girl on the screen was sitting on the windowsill, staring blankly at the moon. The moonlight bathed her face, making her features look even more exquisite and pearly white a sight that truly inspired affection.

“Why are you sitting on the windowsill? It’s too dangerous.” Seeing that she had something on her mind, Shuoyu selected the little character on the screen and asked with a smile, “If you don’t want to sleep, Mianmian, would you like to go night fishing with me?”

Although she couldn’t simulate a Little Cloud Person for an immersive date without an interaction card, it didn’t stop her from making a verbal invitation. As favorability with a cat increases, the game’s playability expands. Shuoyu had recently discovered that the cats in her safe zone had become much more obedient and recognizing of her.

“Okay.” The girl pulled her tail which had been dangling outside back into the room and jumped down with a light, agile movement. Her small leather shoes landed on the floor with a crisp sound.

Truthfully, Ji Mianmian had not yet fully moved on from the disappointment of failing to awaken a talent. Having this beautiful woman’s company to feel the sea breeze, breathe fresh air, and clear her mind felt like a good idea.

The two of them each held a fishing rod. The transparent hand controlled by Shuoyu was like a cheat hooking something every thirty seconds; even without a fish, it would pull up kelp. Meanwhile, Ji Mianmian’s rod didn’t move from start to finish. It seemed tonight’s fishing luck had been entirely sucked away by the woman beside her.

Shuoyu, who was supposed to be accompanying the Cat-Eared Girl to relax, had accidentally turned it into a one-sided display of skill. For a moment, she didn’t know what expression to make. She awkwardly put down her rod and touched the girl’s ears. “The game mechanics make me catch something every time; it’s too boring. I’ll just watch you fish.”

The feeling of being accommodated and favored was wonderful; hearing Shuoyu’s grumbling voice, Ji Mianmian couldn’t help but laugh. She pulled back her hook which had been stripped of bait by a fish and re-baited it with a bit of minced meat. “If you’re dissatisfied with Cat Island, you can report it to No. 001.”

Hearing this, Shuoyu patted the sofa. “Oh! I haven’t checked the trade shop’s stock today!”

“Then go now.” It was no fun catching nothing for so long, so Ji Mianmian immediately turned her reel to bring in the line.

“No rush, no rush.” Shuoyu took a sip of hot cocoa, cradling the cup with a smile. “Since we’re already here, it would be boring to go back without catching anything. Keep fishing, Mianmian. I’ll stay with you.”

The girl on the screen didn’t speak, but happy emojis kept popping up over her head. Shuoyu knew she had made the right choice. She kept her word, staying until Ji Mianmian caught her first horse mackerel of the day.

After sending the girl back to the small house, Shuoyu leisurely slid the joystick to the trade shop. The snowy white cat was floating in the air with an air of self-importance, reading a book made of clouds and mist. Seeing Shuoyu arrive, No. 001 patted the cloud in front of it, which quickly dispersed into the wind.

“Good evening, meow! Today’s new stock is on display. Please choose at your leisure, meow!”

The trade shop refreshed four items daily: two basic materials and two random items or equipment. Browsing the shop was Shuoyu’s daily ritual. She had been eyeing the fireplace that appeared the day before for a long time but hadn’t been able to bring herself to spend Cat Diamonds on it. After greeting No. 001, she first bought up the basic materials available today: Mulberry Silk X4 and Silver Ore X3.

She still hadn’t gathered enough materials to craft equipment with the pearls from her last interaction. Today her luck was good; both materials were exactly what she needed.

Next, she rubbed her hands and focused on the center of the shop, where goods were covered with black gold velvet cloth. Experience told her that items she had seen before wouldn’t be covered. These were new arrivals.

Shuoyu first clicked the smaller item. Pirate Treasure Chest: (588 Cat Coins) A treasure chest forged of iron and oak. It drifted with the waves on a ship for decades. Its owner is now missing, and the contents have been cleared out. The endless tides brought it to Cat Island. No. 001 has thoroughly cleaned and repaired it and added it to the stock list.

Shuoyu really liked the iron decoration on the lid, which looked like it was half-wrapped by an octopus, so she paid the coins and bought it. When the black velvet cloth was lifted from the second, larger item, it was actually a Spinning Machine!

Spinning, weaving, making new clothes for Mianmian with my own hands! This progression immediately unfolded in Shuoyu’s mind. She lowered her eyes, determined to get it. However, before that, Shuoyu felt it was necessary to bargain with No. 001.

“It’s just a broken spinning machine, and you want 30 Star Diamonds? The game is already delisted; do you still dare to price it like this?” Her sudden offensive caught No. 001 off guard. The white cat looked stunned. “Then what price do you think is appropriate, meow?”

Shuoyu was secretly delighted by Mianmian’s previous hint. Why hadn’t she realized earlier that the shop was run by No. 001? Since it could act as customer service, it must have high intelligence it might even be played by a real person and would surely understand bargaining.

Shuoyu made a massive counter-offer: “For this price, it should at least come with cotton or ramie fiber plants that can be spun into thread. At the very least, bundle it with a loom and price it at 38 Star Diamonds, then I’ll be willing to buy.”

No. 001 looked very distressed, hesitating and looking up frequently. Shuoyu continued to play hard to get, making a move to pull the black velvet back over the item. “Anyway, I’m certainly not willing to spend Star Diamonds on just a spinning machine. We’ll talk when the loom is unlocked in the future.”

Seeing her turn away and act like she wasn’t buying, No. 001 panicked. Its four paws paddled the air quickly. “It can be bundled with a loom, meow! I’ll also unlock cotton seeds for you. Is 48 Star Diamonds okay, meow? Is that too expensive, meow…”

Success! Shuoyu flashed a satisfied smile. “Deal.”

The next day, around 11:00 AM, Shuoyu had Cat Island Diary running on her phone while she exercised in the gym. Suddenly, she heard an urgent knocking at the door. She wiped the light sweat from her neck and waved to the little character on the screen. “See you later, Mianmian. Someone’s at my house.”

She quickly changed into presentable clothes. Without looking through the peephole, Shuoyu knew it was Shen Zhiyin, and Shen Zhiyin had brought a friend. If she were alone, she would have just entered the password without thinking. There were few friends close enough to visit like this, and only one who knocked like a rainstorm.

Opening the door, Shuoyu looked directly behind Shen Zhiyin. Sure enough, Ka Ling, wearing her gold-rimmed glasses, stood there with her lips pursed, carrying many shopping bags.

Shen Zhiyin blinked at her with a smile. “Shuoyu, it’s a date! Tonight I’m introducing you, my beautiful model friend, to my other friends! You absolutely have to come!”

Seeing Shuoyu’s expressionless face and cold eyes, Shen Zhiyin immediately frowned in mock anger. “You didn’t forget, did you! I reminded you yesterday!”

Shuoyu withdrew her gaze from the silent power struggle with Ka Ling and hummed. “I didn’t forget. Remember to call me when it’s time.”

When she first returned to Yunxi City, she had agreed to attend this party to support her friend, but since she had been busy with the trend district, she had pushed it back a few days. After Shen Zhiyin mentioned it yesterday, Shuoyu thought they would at least rest a day before partying. She didn’t expect this girl to have so much energy.

With the meeting set for tonight, the two at the door continued to stare at her, with no intention of leaving. Shuoyu leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, asking with a low laugh, “Is there anything else?”

Shen Zhiyin immediately held up the grocery bags in her hand with a grin. “The two of us are planning to cook at home for lunch. We’ve bought all the ingredients; come over and eat with us!”

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