I Really Want to Pet My Wife's Cat Ears - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Sure enough, as soon as the tea was brewed and before the dishes were served, the elder Li brother couldn’t resist speaking while rubbing his hands.

“Sister Shuo, we are truly sorry. We just signed a contract with Yishan Photography Studio. Since the contract hasn’t expired, we can’t collaborate with other studios…”

Shuoyu’s eyebrows shot up, and her expression went cold. She had contacted these two three days ago; at that time, they had agreed readily and enthusiastically said they had plenty of gaps in their schedule. She hadn’t expected them to change their minds so quickly.

When Shuoyu’s lips turned down and her brow furrowed, her entire face took on a layer of unapproachable severity. When her narrow eyes stared someone down, it truly made those with guilty consciences tremble.

Shuoyu was so angry she laughed, a hint of irony hidden at the corners of her mouth. “Tell me then, what kind of benefits did their side promise you?”

The Li brothers had been prepared to be scolded. Because they weren’t familiar with her, they didn’t read the contempt in her voice; seeing the beauty smile, they breathed a sigh of relief.

The younger Li brother rushed to speak: “President Zheng gave us a special profit-sharing contract and said he could invite a Gold Fish Award winner…”

Hearing them say this, Shuoyu understood. Most portrait photographers love to photograph famous figures to make a name for themselves and piggyback off their traffic. In the Li brothers’ eyes, the resources a studio could provide were far more than what she, as a single model, could offer.

“Then I wish you a bright future. Since you’ve already signed on, there’s no need to discuss further. Today’s meal is on me; please, take your time.”

Shuoyu let out a laugh, but the muscles around her eyes didn’t move this smile didn’t reach her eyes at all. Before the Li brothers could react, she grabbed her bag and walked away, her high heels clicking loudly.

As Shuoyu walked to the entrance of the Cat-Fish Café, she suddenly stopped. She went inside, ordered a cappuccino, and found a place to sit. Having been a model for so many years, she knew countless professional photographers in the industry.

But those people were busy every day shooting magazine covers, runway shows, and luxury cars or watches. Asking them to come to a small fashion street like “The Fourth Definition” to take photos of ordinary people was… a waste of talent.

The Li brothers looked down on her place, but in fact, Shuoyu had contacted them only because they were the lowest level in her contact list. She figured since they ran a braised chicken shop, they wouldn’t have any “serious” photography work on hand.

Scanning her contacts, Shuoyu bit her lower lip and nervously made a video call to Sister Ji.

“You actually remember you have a manager! Half a month of vacation without a single greeting—go on, keep vacationing! Wait until the month is over before you look for me!”

The woman on the screen was over forty but didn’t look old at all. Her ear-length curly hair was neatly styled, and the background showed she was sitting in her office. Her tone was high-pitched, even causing a piercing ringing in Shuoyu’s ears.

Shuoyu uncharacteristically softened her tone. The ice beauty whose long legs had just caused passersby to turn their heads was now saying sweet things to the person on the phone.

“I know Sister Ji is busy; all those newly signed models are waiting for you to find them work. I wanted you to rest more, so I didn’t contact you. But I remembered to send you Yunxi cakes and candies; Xiao Bei should have eaten them by now.”

Mentioning her daughter with autism, Ji Yun’s expression softened slightly. “Mhm, it’s a wonder a heartless girl like you remembers Xiao Bei. You tell me, isn’t it funny? She mentions you more often than you look for me.”

She took an agitated drag from an e-cigarette, her red lips faintly visible through the clouds of vapor. “Coincidentally, I’m going to the hospital to see Xiao Bei tonight. Remember to pick up when I call you then. Our eldest Miss Shuo still has the capital to be arrogant of all the beauties and handsome guys under me, Xiao Bei likes you the most and only recognizes you!”

Shuoyu smiled. “I like Xiao Bei too.” That was the truth. Ji Bei was over ten years old and very beautiful, with large eyes and a pointed chin. The girl looked quiet and lovely; anyone who saw her would like her. Unfortunately, Ji Yun and her husband had been too busy working when she was young and neglected their daughter; by the time they realized, she only lived in her own world.

Shuoyu felt a kinship with Ji Bei, partly because she sensed a similarity. Neither of them liked communicating with people and preferred to focus on their own things—though Ji Bei’s condition was deeper, while Shuoyu was just a “paper person” enthusiast.

Ji Yun glanced at her. “Fine, I’ll call you tonight. Tell me directly what you want today; I’m busy over here.”

Her intention of “not visiting the temple unless there’s a favor to ask” was seen through instantly by her manager. Shuoyu’s face reddened. “Can’t I call you if there’s nothing? You complain if I don’t contact you, and you complain when I do!”

Ji Yun laughed in surprise. “So you have nothing? If there’s nothing, I’m hanging up.”

“Wait, wait!” Shuoyu let out a light sigh, gave her a mock-reproachful look, and told her everything about the recent Fourth Definition street project. She wasn’t afraid of her manager knowing about her side hustle; although Sister Ji had a sharp tongue, she genuinely cared for the models under her. She even proactively encouraged older models to find other ways to support themselves beyond their fleeting youth.

Sure enough, the more Ji Yun listened, the happier she became, and she even put down her e-cigarette. “You girl just have good luck. I have a newly debuted photographer who’s desperate for money; she just talked to me this morning about wanting to take private commissions. I’ll give you her contact info. If you offer a high price, she’ll definitely be willing to go.”

Shuoyu recorded the photographer’s contact info. Ji Yun slapped her forehead and said enthusiastically, “By the way, do you remember Xiao Xia from your hometown? The makeup artist who accompanied you on that month-long business trip three years ago. Her baby is weaned now, and she told me she wants to find work in Yunxi. Why don’t you take her along as a package deal?”

Shuoyu knew that asking Sister Ji would easily solve the recruitment issue. But at the thought of having a heart-to-heart with her manager on a workday, she had felt like retreating; Sister Ji was, to some extent, an enhanced version of Shen Zhiyin enthusiastic toward everyone, which was a bit overwhelming.

Looking at the photographer and makeup artist on her phone who had agreed readily, she thought to herself that she should have just gone to Sister Ji from the start. She happily took a sip of coffee to celebrate and hurried home.

With work settled, it was time for Cat Island Diary!

Today was the day for the interaction card date with Ji Mianmian. Shuoyu connected the game to the TV. As usual, she was noticed the moment she logged in; the cat-eared girl was currently sitting in the shade of a tree near the training ground to cool off.

The girl observed the cheerful aura around Shuoyu and said with a smile, “Good afternoon, Sister. You seem very happy. Did something good happen?”

Shuoyu: “Mhm! I’ve been busy with a work project lately, and I settled most of the issues today.”

Shuoyu switched the camera to Ji Mianmian and was surprised to see many foxtail grasses and reed leaves on her apron, with several folded grass ornaments sitting beside her. Shuoyu didn’t bother to wonder how Ji Mianmian could fold little dogs, rabbits, and ducks that didn’t exist on Cat Island; she genuinely felt her wife was amazing! She was filled with artistic talent!

Sensing her intense gaze, Ji Mianmian smiled and held up the grass-woven animals in her palms: “Sister, these are all for you!”

The girl’s eyes were bright, always containing a piteous layer of watery mist. Shuoyu put the six Grass-Woven Animals into the last slot of her backpack, placing them together with the grass-woven kitten Mianmian had left in her nest when they first met.

“Thank you, Mianmian! It must have been hard work handling these grass leaves; be careful not to cut your hands!” When Shuoyu spoke to the girl on the screen, she always opened her heart, showing the most authentic passion that people in real life never saw.

With the current business settled, it was time for the promised intimate contact using the Interaction Card. Both women somehow displayed a hint of shyness, their hearts filled with uneasy anticipation. Shuoyu looked at the synthesized Hot Spring Card and Flower Sea Roaming Card. After weighing them for a while, she decided to use the second one first.

The sky was still bright; if they went to the hot springs now, they’d be soaking in broad daylight. If she couldn’t trigger the kind of plot she wanted, it would be a huge loss!

Using the Stroke action to occasionally touch the girl’s tail, Shuoyu’s eyes darkened. “Baby, are you ready? I want to go for a stroll in the flower sea.”

The girl on the screen had been waiting with pricked ears for a long time; the moment she finished speaking, Mianmian reacted. She tossed the grass leaves from her skirt into the bushes and stood up with a push of her hands. Ji Mianmian gave two joyful hops on the spot while brushing the dust and grass clippings off her apron. “I’m ready!”

Although Shuoyu usually got close and touched her, the Little Cloud Person had a physical form, so the feeling was different. Shuoyu looked her up and down, her tone surprised as she teased, “Our baby must have really wanted to go out with Sister, otherwise why would she come out today without even bringing her bow and arrows?”

The training ground was built to train the combat power of the cats on the island. Although Ji Mianmian’s claws could retract like a cat’s, they were thin and brittle with little killing power. So since obtaining the Meow Power bow and arrows, she would always carry them along with two quivers on her back when she came to the training ground.

Today she hadn’t brought them, so Shuoyu assumed she was intentionally waiting for her to log on. This way, they could enter the interaction directly without going home to drop off the bow!

Shuoyu had already explored Xier Beach thoroughly. It didn’t have a flower sea as dense and beautiful as the one depicted on the Flower Sea Roaming Card. After clicking the use button, she was momentarily confused. Fortunately, there was guidance; the flower sea was located in the black mist toward the southwest of Cat Island.

As the Little Cloud Person condensed from cloud and mist, carrying a sense of moisture appeared on the screen in first-person view, Shuoyu gripped the game controller and began the journey. She manipulated the Little Cloud Person to pick up Ji Mianmian in a princess carry and gave a high, anti-gravity leap into the sky, trailing a long line of cloud and mist behind them like a comet.

“Aaaah it’s so high Sister, no, don’t do this…”

Most cats are afraid of heights, let alone a terrifying height like a drop tower! Ji Mianmian screamed in fright, hugging the Little Cloud Person tightly. At such close proximity, she noticed that its cloud-churning features even bore some resemblance to Shuoyu, and she couldn’t help but look in a daze.

The earring on Shuoyu’s right ear faithfully transmitted the game’s sounds to her ear. She heard the whistling of the wind from the fast movement, the friction of Ji Mianmian’s skirt fabric, her small whimpers, and the drumming of her heart.

“Don’t be afraid, baby, Sister is here.” If this were a real embrace, Shuoyu likely wouldn’t be able to resist lowering her head to kiss her and take her breath away.

Feeling the vibrations transmitted back by the controller as the Little Cloud Person jumped, Shuoyu grew even more expectant of the gameplay once the other five senses were unlocked. She hoped, as always, for the warm touch of holding the excited, sweat-beaded Ji Mianmian in her arms…

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