The Cat Demon’s Diary of Marrying into Luck - Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Sang Biao, curled up on the small daybed, flicked his ears. He opened his weary eyes and, through a crack in the window lattice, saw a group of people heading toward the bedroom.

After Lin Qingcen fainted yesterday, Sang Biao had been terrified that he’d scared the man to death. He had exhausted his meager remaining demonic power to help, and now, all he wanted was a good sleep.

It was so noisy. Even covering his ears with his paws couldn’t drown out the clamor of human voices. Sang Biao shook his head irritably, kicked off with his hind legs, and leaped out the window to find some peace and quiet.

Inside, Lin Qingcen had just opened his eyes to find a crowd gathered around his bed. Seeing that he was finally awake, the gloom on everyone’s faces vanished instantly.

“He’s awake! He’s awake! The young master is finally awake!”

That was the voice of his study attendant. Wenzhu’s voice was as loud as ever, though his tone wavered with a sob, sounding as if he were on the verge of tears from excitement.

Master Lin, Lin Chengyuan, hurriedly instructed, “Wenzhu, go quickly and call Physician Liu over!”

His mother, Xiao Ruowen, also had red-rimmed eyes. She pressed an embroidered handkerchief to her face, her shoulders trembling slightly as she leaned into Master Lin’s arms, sobbing quietly.

Seeing this, a helpless smile touched the corners of Lin Qingcen’s mouth, though his heart was filled with guilt. He shifted his body, propped himself up against the headboard, and spoke weakly, “Father, Mother, your son has been unfilial, causing you to worry once again.”

Hearing this, Xiao Ruowen quickly sat by the bedside, pulled the quilt up to cover him properly, and took Lin Qingcen’s hand. Her voice was raspy as she said, “What nonsense are you talking about, child? As long as you are well, nothing else matters.”

“Exactly,” Lin Chengyuan stepped closer, patting his wife’s shoulder comfortingly. “Don’t go saying things to scare your mother. You’re awake now, and that’s all that matters to us.”

Lin Qingcen felt a warmth in his heart listening to them. His parents had been childhood sweethearts, deeply in love, and after marriage, they remained inseparable. They had grown their business until they became the wealthiest merchants in Linzhou Prefecture. Their only regret was Lin Qingcen.

Years ago, when the Lin couple went to the mountains to escape the summer heat, they were surrounded by bandits. Xiao Ruowen went into premature labor from the shock. Lin Qingcen was born with a weak constitution, and given the harsh conditions at the time, it was a miracle he survived at all, though he was left with chronic poor health.

For all these years, the couple felt they owed Lin Qingcen, pouring all their effort and care into him, wishing only for him to live a peaceful and smooth life.

Lin Chengyuan scanned the room, frowning as he asked, “Where is that little cat? Cen’er, did you see it?”

At the mention of the cat, Lin Qingcen’s spine stiffened for a moment before he feigned a look of appropriate confusion. “What cat? When did we start keeping a cat at home?”

Xiao Ruowen wiped the corners of her eyes and explained, “While you were unconscious, we sought help from a Great Immortal. He said that if we found a cat at the ruined temple at the foot of Qintan Mountain and brought it home as a ‘bride’ to invite good fortune, you would wake up.”

So it was a Great Immortal…

At this point, Madam Lin laughed with a sense of relief, her face looking more relaxed than ever before. “At first, your father and I didn’t believe it, but we thought we’d treat a dead horse as if it were alive. Who would have thought it would actually work? we must properly thank that little cat and the Immortal.”

Lin Chengyuan nodded deeply in agreement with his wife.

Lin Qingcen forced a small smile. Seeing his parents so relieved, he didn’t dare tell them the truth. After all, the demon didn’t seem threatening, so there was no need to make his parents live in fear.

He played along as if nothing were wrong, “It probably went out to play after waking up. Just have someone look for it in the courtyard.”

Just then, the physician arrived, and they pushed the matter of the cat to the back of their minds.

Liu Dameng was a rare female physician in the city’s clinics. Initially, she wasn’t taken seriously, but once, when Lin Qingcen had a persistent high fever and the familiar physicians were unavailable, they had no choice but to call her. To their surprise, her medical skills were exquisite, and Lin Qingcen recovered much faster than usual. Since then, she had been in charge of his care.

Liu Dameng placed her fingertips on Lin Qingcen’s pulse. A moment later, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. “He has recovered remarkably well. Have you two found some sort of miracle medicine?”

“No,” Xiao Ruowen said. “The medicine is the same as before. We just brought home a new little cat to bring good luck.”

Liu Dameng’s eyes lit up instantly, revealing a bit of a lively, playful streak. “A little cat is good! Keeping a cat at home helps soothe the mind and aids in recovery.”

Lin Qingcen sighed silently in his heart. The ‘bride’ isn’t a little cat, it’s a cat demon.

After chatting a bit more about cat-rearing tips, Liu Dameng packed her things to leave.

“Alright, there’s nothing serious. The young master is just a bit weak after waking up. I’ll write a prescription for some tonics.”

“Thank you, Doctor Liu. Please follow me to write the prescription,” Xiao Ruowen said, leading her out along with Lin Chengyuan.

Silence returned to the room. Lin Qingcen lay in bed alone, idly flipping through a book of stories, but though his eyes were on the pages, he couldn’t take in a single word.

Before long, a cat’s head peeked stealthily from the windowsill. Once certain the room was empty, it jumped down.

The moment its four paws hit the floor, the tabby cat’s form shifted into a tall, handsome man. Clad in black, fitted attire that outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist, he had sharp brows and bright eyes. Those green eyes gave his face a touch of bewitching beauty.

Lin Qingcen stared at his face, momentarily stunned. Last night it had been too dark to realize this demon was actually so good-looking. It wasn’t until Sang Biao approached that he snapped back to his senses and frantically dropped his gaze back to his book.

Sang Biao let out a snort and knocked the book out of his hand, sitting casually on the edge of the bed. “What are you pretending for? If you want to look at me, just look. Why hide?”

“It’s perfectly normal to be attracted to my handsome looks. I’m the one who saved you after you fainted yesterday. Now, I am your benefactor.”

Lin Qingcen set the book aside, finding the demon’s arrogant posturing quite amusing. He felt that this demon was a bit of a fool.

“Are all demons as kind-hearted as you?”

“Of course not. Only a powerful and dashing demon like me would be so benevolent.”

Sang Biao turned his head and saw Lin Qingcen’s expression, realizing he had just been teased. In an instant, his face turned a deep red, and even the tips of his ears flushed.

“You!”

Furious, Sang Biao stood up abruptly, pointing at Lin Qingcen as if to launch into a tirade. But seeing the man’s fragile, weak appearance, he couldn’t bring himself to say another word. Finally, he just managed a dry, “You’re too much!”

At this, Lin Qingcen finally couldn’t help but laugh. At first, he tried to restrain himself, maintaining a polite, silent smile, but seeing Sang Biao’s bewildered look, he gave up the struggle and let out a few soft chuckles.

“Stop laughing!”

Sang Biao impatiently stepped forward to pull at him, but seeing Lin Qingcen’s eyes curved into crescents and shimmering like water, as if a gentle breeze had brushed against his own heart, Sang Biao’s heart skipped a beat for no reason. Stunned for a moment, his own face flushed even harder. He abruptly let go, retreated to the side, and threatened fiercely:

“If you laugh again, I’ll hit you!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop,” Lin Qingcen said, clutching his stomach as he sat back, struggling to suppress his mirth. “You saved my life, so what do you want? Anything I can give, I will give to you.”

“I only ask one thing, please leave.”

Sang Biao frowned, crossing his arms, his voice full of irritation. “Why should I leave?”

“Because you are a demon.”

“And so?”

“My parents are old. If you are discovered, they won’t be able to handle it,” Lin Qingcen said seriously. “Our family has never done anything against our conscience, and I won’t tell anyone you are a demon.”

Sang Biao sat silently on the edge of the bed. Realizing how soft and fragrant the bed was, he instinctively lay face-down on it and muttered, “What right do you have to kick me out?”

Lin Qingcen watched as the demon’s hands kneaded the silk quilt, a rhythmic pressing motion that only newborn kittens do. He couldn’t help but feel surprised.

“This is my home.”

Sang Biao choked for a moment, then argued unreasonably, “I’m a cat. The whole world can be my home.”

Lin Qingcen’s grip on the quilt tightened, secretly thinking: This demon is more shameless than a mountain bandit.

Sang Biao nuzzled the quilt, the softness allowing his whole body to relax as he closed his eyes in enjoyment. “This place of yours has the most abundant spiritual energy I’ve ever seen. I failed my ascension and eighty percent of my demonic power was blasted away by lightning. I need to cultivate here.”

“Just for that?”

Sang Biao rolled around on the bed, accidentally rolling onto Lin Qingcen’s hand. So fragrant. He nuzzled it with his nose again. It smells so good, I want more.

But before he could keep sniffing, Lin Qingcen pulled his hand back. “What are you doing?”

Sang Biao wasn’t embarrassed at all, retorting with unearned confidence, “I’m checking your physical condition.”

Lin Qingcen raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Oh?”

Suddenly, Sang Biao had a stroke of inspiration and scooted closer to Lin Qingcen. “How about this: you let me stay, and I’ll transfer internal energy to you every day. Your illness isn’t something that can be fixed in a day or two; ordinary medicine only treats the symptoms, not the root.”

“With me giving you internal energy, you’ll definitely be cured within two years.”

Lin Qingcen was very tempted by this. For so many years, his parents had traveled everywhere for his illness, seeking gods and physicians. He had endured needles and swallowed countless medicines with very little effect. If this demon could truly help him.

Lin Qingcen’s heart stirred. “Really?”

“Of course. If I’m lying, may I never ascend to heaven in this lifetime.”

“Fine, I agree.”

Seeing him agree, Sang Biao sat up abruptly and directly pulled away the quilt Lin Qingcen was wrapped in. Caught off guard, Lin Qingcen lost his cover, and the sudden chill made him shiver.

Lin Qingcen pushed him away, frowning. “What are you doing? Go away!”

But Sang Biao’s strength was too great; Lin Qingcen’s resistance was futile.

“Giving you internal energy! Don’t say I’m lying to you again.” Sang Biao grew annoyed by his dodging. He used a bit of force to grab Lin Qingcen’s wrist and pulled him directly into his arms, his arm wrapping around the man’s waist. “What on earth are you squirming for?”

Pressed into the firm embrace, Lin Qingcen struggled to lift his head. The exertion had brought a faint flush to his face, and his eyes were misty with anger. He shook his wrist, which was beginning to ache from the grip, and gritted his teeth, “It hurts, let go.”

Seeing that the section of wrist he was holding had already turned red, Sang Biao quickly let go in a panic. “I didn’t hit you, I just wanted to give you energy. Why are you so resistant?”

Lin Qingcen snatched back his quilt and wrapped his clothes tightly around himself. His cheeks were still burning, and he couldn’t help but snap, “You pulled off my quilt and tugged at my clothes, and you have the nerve to say that?”

Saying it out loud made him feel bashful, and the tips of his ears hidden in his dark hair were burning hot.

“Impudent!”

“Shameless rogue!”

Sang Biao, insulted, flared up and retorted bluntly, “Of course it works best with skin-to-skin contact! You’re a sickly guy who doesn’t understand anything, yet you scold me! How can you be so mean?”

Lin Qingcen’s chest heaved with anger, and he suddenly began to cough violently. It was a heart-wrenching cough, and his thin shoulders shook uncontrollably. An unnatural redness appeared on his pale face, showing a sickly fragility.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Sang Biao was frightened by this. He approached cautiously, tentatively reaching out his hand to help pat his back and settle his breath.

Lin Qingcen slapped his hand away, covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and closed his eyes to recover.

Sang Biao didn’t feel right staying on the bed anymore. Remembering that Lin Qingcen didn’t like people on his bed, he stood awkwardly by the bedside, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes.

Why is this person like porcelain? You can’t scold him, anger him, hit him, or even talk back to him. He can only be held in one’s hands and kept in one’s heart, without a single bump.

Sang Biao felt he should say something, but he couldn’t open his mouth. Lin Qingcen gave him a faint look and then reached out a hand toward him.

“Huh?”

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