Rebirth: Using Love as an Excuse for Cruelty - Chapter 26
Wen Cheng’s entire body went stiff the moment he heard Yu Linfei mention the cameras.
Curled in Yu Linfei’s arms, he watched the man frown and fetch ice from the kitchen to cold-compress the wound on his head. Then, he was carried into the study.
…Yu Linfei had installed cameras at home. Wen Cheng, unable to fully process this information, sat blankly in Yu Linfei’s embrace. It wasn’t until they entered the study that he truly realized what the cameras meant.
If Yu Linfei had cameras, then everything he had just done would have been captured. The fact that he turned into a human and knocked Yu Linfei unconscious would be seen clear as day.
What should I do? What should I do? A sudden sense of crisis threw Wen Cheng into a panic. His heart pounded wildly, and the fear of his secret being exposed made him shake uncontrollably in Yu Linfei’s arms.
“Xiao Hei?” Putting down the ice pack, Yu Linfei looked down in confusion at the cat shaking like a leaf. “What’s wrong? Are you cold? Why are you shaking like this?”
Wen Cheng naturally didn’t answer. At this moment, his heart was filled with the terror of Yu Linfei finding out he could transform into a human.
“…What is actually wrong with you?” Seeing his usually spirited cat ignoring his questions, a thought flashed through Yu Linfei’s mind that he could hardly believe. Could what just happened be related to Xiao Hei?
Staying silent, Yu Linfei tightened his grip on Wen Cheng and pressed the power button on the computer.
…Yu Linfei must have guessed it’s related to him! He must know! Feeling the change in Yu Linfei’s movement, Wen Cheng felt his brain go completely numb. He wanted to think of a solution quickly, but he had no luck with quick wit. His head felt like a pot of mush; he couldn’t think of a plan, and he could barely even hear what Yu Linfei was saying.
Yu Linfei’s expression was calm. He placed Wen Cheng on his lap and clicked on a folder on the computer.
—He was really going to be found out!! Would Yu Linfei treat him like a monster and get rid of him?? Would Yu Linfei just throw him out?? How could he explain this?? Countless questions flooded Wen Cheng’s mind the moment he saw Yu Linfei’s actions. He instinctively covered his face with his paws. His appearance made Yu Linfei feel both annoyed and amused; wasn’t this action clearly telling Yu Linfei that the incident really was related to him?
Wen Cheng trembled on Yu Linfei’s lap. He perked up his ears, nervously waiting for Yu Linfei to cry out in shock. If Yu Linfei screamed, he would run away!
But after waiting a long time, Wen Cheng didn’t hear the shout he expected. Instead, Yu Linfei looked exceptionally calm as he watched the recording.
…Yu Linfei had no reaction? Wen Cheng was a bit confused. How could Yu Linfei be so calm after seeing him turn into a human… This, this… Could it be that everything just now was a dream??
While Wen Cheng was agonizing, Yu Linfei was equally confused in his heart.
His ability to accept things wasn’t so strong that he could watch his cat turn into a person and remain indifferent. In fact, Yu Linfei saw nothing at all in the recording.
Yes, nothing—including himself.
During the time he was unconscious, the living room was empty. Even he, who had been cooking in the kitchen, suddenly disappeared from the footage, let alone Wen Cheng, who had been hiding in some corner.
This is too supernatural! Yu Linfei frowned for a long time, feeling that something was off. But when he tried to remember what happened after smelling that scent, all he felt was the burning pain from the wound on his head.
Did his house have something “unclean”? As Yu Linfei sat on the sofa absentmindedly stroking Wen Cheng’s fur, an absurd thought crossed his mind. Could it be that some ghost appeared in the house and Xiao Hei chased it away? Hadn’t he always heard old people say that black cats ward off evil?
Thinking this, Yu Linfei turned his gaze toward Wen Cheng, who was still feeling extremely guilty.
“Xiao Hei,” Yu Linfei spoke softly.
Here it comes! Yu Linfei is finally going to ask! He’s going to be kicked out, boohoo!! Wen Cheng was in total despair. To him, Yu Linfei finding out he could turn into a human was no different from a death sentence!
“What do you want to eat for dinner?” Yu Linfei asked a question that made Wen Cheng’s eyes go wide instantly.
Huh? Why is Yu Linfei reacting like this? Has he already accepted the fact that I can turn into a human? Wen Cheng was shocked.
“I know you have things you don’t want to tell me.” A gentle smile appeared on Yu Linfei’s face. “I can act like I don’t know until you’re ready to speak. When you’re ready, tell me yourself.”
After hearing this, Wen Cheng was completely stunned.
As for Yu Linfei, he didn’t quite understand why he said such things to his cat. But instinct told him that Xiao Hei’s intense reaction to the recording meant there was a secret. Yet, Xiao Hei wasn’t in the footage. Since that was the case, he might as well tease this silly cat who was too scared to look at the recording.
Was Wen Cheng scared? —He certainly was. Looking at Yu Linfei’s gentle face and hearing those seemingly understanding words, Wen Cheng didn’t know how to react.
It seemed Yu Linfei really knew he could turn into a human and had easily forgiven him, but why did something still feel a bit wrong.
Well, looking up at the computer screen on the desk, Wen Cheng found his answer—there was nothing on the screen. Not him, and not even Yu Linfei.
This sudden “surprise” finally allowed Wen Cheng’s tense nerves to relax. He gave a “meow” and buried his head between Yu Linfei’s knees.
“…I’m going to the hospital to see if the wound needs stitches and to get a tetanus shot.” Yu Linfei sighed at Wen Cheng’s actions. “Do you want to eat at home or come with me?”
“Meow.” Wen Cheng hooked his claws into Yu Linfei’s sweater.
“Alright.” Reaching out to pet Wen Cheng’s little head, Yu Linfei said dotingly, “Don’t run off when we get there. It’s so cold outside; if a tiny cat like you gets lost, I won’t be able to find you.”
“Meow.” I know already. Wen Cheng replied.
And so, the “turning into a human” crisis was mysteriously resolved, even though Yu Linfei still didn’t understand why a wound had suddenly appeared on his head.
By the time they drove to the hospital, it was nearly closing time. Yu Linfei registered and went to have the wound checked.
Fortunately, Wen Cheng hadn’t used too much force; the wound wasn’t large and didn’t require stitches.
Wen Cheng hid inside Yu Linfei’s coat, supported by one of the man’s hands. He poked his head out to watch the nurse treat the wound. He carefully looked up at Yu Linfei’s slightly furrowed brow and felt a twinge of guilt. Had he hit him too hard? It looked quite painful. At this moment, Wen Cheng had completely forgotten. If he had hit any lighter, he might be the one in the hospital right now for a much more embarrassing reason.
With the head wound treated, Yu Linfei had to get the tetanus shot.
Huddled in Yu Linfei’s arms, Wen Cheng watched as the nurse gave the first shot in the man’s arm. Then Yu Linfei started putting his clothes back on.
“…Meow?” Is it over? Wen Cheng blinked.
“Not yet.” Yu Linfei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Wen Cheng’s curious look. “I still have to get one in the rear later.”
“…” That hurts!! At this moment, Wen Cheng’s guilt exploded… If it weren’t for him, Yu Linfei wouldn’t have to suffer like this. Two shots, argh!!! How scary!!!
“…Ha.” Seeing Wen Cheng desperately licking his fingers, Yu Linfei tapped the cat’s wet little nose. “Look at your silly face. Getting a shot isn’t that scary.”
Monster! You scary monster! You’re not even afraid of shots! Wen Cheng gave Yu Linfei’s finger a light nip.
“What a cute cat.” The nurse giving the shot smiled at the interaction. “You even brought your cat for a tetanus shot; you really spoil him.”
“He’s alright.” Hearing the nurse’s praise, Yu Linfei smiled. “Xiao Hei is very well-behaved.”
“Sigh, it’s a pity cats never really learn who their master is. I raised one last year, but it ran away as soon as it went into heat and never came back.” The nurse seemed to find a common topic with Yu Linfei. She told him, “You have to be stricter with cats usually. Don’t just spoil them, or they’ll disappear on you.”
“Mhm.” Hearing this, Yu Linfei gave a noncommittal response, but his brow furrowed slightly.
“Was the wound on your head caused by something hitting it?” The nurse continued to chat. “It looks painful.”
“I just bumped into something by accident.” Although he knew his wound was likely caused by an ashtray, Yu Linfei didn’t plan to discuss it further with the nurse. He said, “Is the skin test done? When is the muscle injection?”
“I have to see if you have an allergic reaction,” the nurse said. “Just sit here for a moment.”
“Alright.” Yu Linfei nodded.
Wen Cheng was almost asleep in Yu Linfei’s arms. He rested his chin on Yu Linfei’s hand, letting the man scratch him, purring non-stop. He even closed his eyes in satisfaction.
“Little Silly,” Yu Linfei looked at Wen Cheng tenderly and laughed softly.
Seeing this sweet scene, the nurse stopped trying to make conversation. She thought to herself that this man looked so gentle; she wondered if he had a girlfriend.
Just as she was thinking that, a soft, charming voice suddenly came from behind. Both the nurse and Yu Linfei turned around to see a beautiful woman.
Why is Qin Xin here? Yu Linfei couldn’t help but frown.