When the Heartthrob Meets the Cold-Hearted Ex - Chapter 24

Their seats were less than half a meter apart, one was lowering her head, focused on devouring a small cake, while the other held a cocktail glass with the poise of someone sipping red wine.

At this moment, the two of them exuded one unmistakable vibe: unfamiliarity.

The distance between them was so palpable it was as if they were strangers who had just met and randomly shared a table.

Oh, wait! No! Even strangers making small talk would exchange a few polite words.

Tang Yeren took only five minutes to finish all the small cakes on her plate.

She glanced toward the door, estimating that the two well-meaning matchmakers had already left, then stood up. “It’s getting late. I should head back too.”

Su Yang’s expression remained indifferent. She gave only a slight nod to acknowledge she’d heard.

Tang Yeren said nothing more and turned toward the exit, her steps slightly quicker than usual.

But before she could take more than two steps, she heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor.

A few seconds later, Su Yang appeared beside her, maintaining a neither-too-close-nor-too-far distance as they walked in the same direction.

Tang Yeren: “…”

Fine. There was only one way back, so running into each other was inevitable. She should have let Su Yang leave first.

Tang Yeren kept walking, trying to appear natural and not the least bit guilty.

As they passed a street corner, a faint “meow” caught her attention.

She turned on her phone’s flashlight and bent down to look.

There, curled motionless in a box beside a trash can, was a scruffy little kitten, its tiny red mouth opening and closing as it let out continuous meows.

Feeling sorry for it, Tang Yeren picked up the box.

The kitten was well-behaved, not struggling at all, just staring up at her with big, round eyes.

It seemed like it had been abandoned by its owner.

Tang Yeren reached out a finger to stroke the kitten’s head but felt a rough, raised patch of skin.

Parting the fur, she saw a bald spot on the back of its head.

Just as she was about to examine it more closely, someone suddenly grabbed her hand. “Don’t touch that. It’s ringworm.”

Tang Yeren turned and met Su Yang’s indifferent expression. “Why are you still here?”

Su Yang ignored the question and leaned in to inspect the kitten.

“I’ve seen cats with this before. Mild cases cause hair loss and scabbing; severe ones can lead to ulcers and pus. And it’s contagious.”

The kitten crouched in the box and let out a weak meow, as if agreeing.

Tang Yeren felt a pang of distress but wasn’t sure what to do. She could only gently stroke the kitten’s back with her fingertip to comfort it.

Su Yang pulled out her phone and called a ride. “There’s a vet clinic not far from here. It’s a fifteen-minute drive.”

Since it concerned the kitten’s health, Tang Yeren didn’t stand on ceremony with Su Yang. The two of them took the kitten to the nearest clinic.

At this hour, only a young female vet was on duty.

The doctor took the kitten from Tang Yeren and examined it.

“The kitten has ringworm in three places, the back of its head, behind its ears, and on its front paw.

“Luckily, it’s still in the early stages, so it’s not serious. First, we’ll disinfect with hydrogen peroxide, then apply clotrimazole ointment to the affected areas twice a day. It should heal within a week.”

As she spoke, the vet swiftly disinfected and medicated the kitten.

Throughout the entire process, the kitten lay obediently on the examination table.

Perhaps sensing the kindness of those around, the kitten had stopped meowing and was being so well-behaved it broke Tang Yeren’s heart. Watching from the side, she felt her heart melt.

The treatment process was quick. The doctor handed Tang Yeren the prescribed medication with instructions.

“The medicine has been applied today. Apply it again tomorrow morning, and make sure it doesn’t lick its fur.

“Also, I noticed the kitten is a bit malnourished. We have nutrient paste suitable for kittens here at the clinic. Would you like some?”

“Yes!” Tang Yeren quickly pulled out her phone to scan the QR code, receiving a bag of medicine and kitten nutrient paste in return.

With one hand holding the bag, she reached for the box containing the kitten.

Only for Su Yang to scoop it up first and stride out of the pet hospital.

Tang Yeren: !

In broad daylight, was it really appropriate for her to just openly snatch the cat like this?

Tang Yeren hurried after her, fighting for custody of the kitten.

“President Su, thank you for helping bring Mimi to the vet earlier. I’ll take it home now, no need to see me off. You can hand it over.”

Su Yang stopped walking and glanced at her sideways, showing no intention of returning the box. Instead, she fired off three fatal questions:

“Have you ever raised a cat before? Do you know what preparations are needed to care for a kitten? Do you know how to treat this illness?”

Tang Yeren froze for a moment before retorting,

“I… I haven’t raised a cat before, but my mom has.

“Besides, the internet is so advanced now, I can learn as I go.

“As for how to treat this illness, didn’t the doctor just explain it?”

Su Yang listened, then tapped the kitten’s head and sighed.

“How pitiful. You’ve met someone with zero experience raising cats, about to drag you home as a test subject.”

That was hardly a kind thing to say.

Tang Yeren looked up at Su Yang, almost laughing in frustration.

“President Su, Mimi saw me first that means we’re fated.

“Fate isn’t something you can force.

“Besides, you’re so busy with work every day when would you even have time to take care of it?”

Su Yang stopped petting the kitten’s head and tilted her head, studying the indignant Tang Yeren thoughtfully.

Thinking she had convinced her, Tang Yeren reached out to take the kitten only for Su Yang to ask,

“Did you forget something?”

Tang Yeren lifted the plastic bag she’d just gotten from the pet store and inspected it. “Hydrogen peroxide, ointment, cotton swabs, nutrient paste everything’s here.”

Three seconds later, it hit her like a bolt of lightning. “Where’s my bag?!”

Her memory rewound rapidly. For now, she set aside her argument with Su Yang and called An Xin.

“Xin Xin, where are you right now?

“I left my bag in your pile of shopping bags my keys are in there too. I need to come get it, or I won’t be able to get home tonight.”

A cacophony of chatter from a crowd came through the phone, sounding lively.

An Xin picked up and glanced at the people around her.

“Tang Tang, I’m still at the museum with President Xu. It’s a one-way tour, I can’t turn back halfway, and I’m not sure when I’ll be out.

“How about this: find a hotel for tonight, and I’ll cover it.”

Tang Yeren sighed. “Sis, my ID’s in the bag, how am I supposed to check in?”

A voice replied from the other end, “Hold on, I’ll figure something out for you.”

With that, the call ended.

Three seconds later, Su Yang’s phone rang.

“Mmm… okay, I understand.”

Tang Yeren was still pacing anxiously in place, waiting for An Xin’s reply, like an ant on a hot pan.

Su Yang put away her phone and blocked Tang Yeren’s path.

“Xu You said to use my ID to book you a hotel room Or you could make do at my place for the night.”

Tang Yeren: !

So this is the solution you came up with, An Xin!

But admittedly, it was indeed the quickest and most effective solution under the circumstances.

In the past, during such emergencies, Tang Yeren might have shamelessly asked Su Yang to accompany her to a hotel with her ID.

But now, watching the kitten nearly asleep in its box, her heart softened.

“Forget it, I’ll go to your place tonight.”

Noticing the fleeting knowing smile on Su Yang’s face, she added defiantly:

“I’m just worried Little Mi might be mistreated at your place! I need to keep an eye on things. Tomorrow, once I get my keys, I’m taking her home!”

After some hassle, the two women and the cat arrived at Su Yang’s apartment.

Su Yang fashioned a temporary nest for the kitten using an old cardboard box and some used clothes.

Tang Yeren squeezed out some nutrient paste for the kitten to eat.

The little cat was highly adaptable. In this new environment, it simply tilted its head to look around, neither running away nor showing signs of stress.

Within minutes of arriving at this new home, it was already perched on the sofa, happily eating the nutrient paste.

As she fed it, Tang Yeren secretly stroked its fur, growing fonder by the minute.

After setting up the cat bed, Su Yang sat on the sofa and placed a flurry of orders on her phone.

Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. Su Yang opened the door and turned to look at Tang Yeren, who was engrossed in petting the cat. “Come give me a hand.”

Tang Yeren stepped forward and saw several cardboard boxes.

Though puzzled, she helped Su Yang carry them inside and began unpacking them one by one.

Cat food, cat bowls, litter, litter box.

She had to admit when it came to cat care, Su Yang was far more thorough.

Tang Yeren expressed sincere gratitude, “Thanks for the trouble. I’ll transfer the money to you later.”

Su Yang glanced at her but said nothing, carrying the litter and litter box to the bathroom alone.

Not idle either, Tang Yeren transferred the amount listed on the receipt to Su Yang, then opened the cat food and poured it into a bowl.

Watching the kitten eat so heartily, she felt both happy and concerned.

“She just ate so much nutrient paste, and now she’s having cat food. Won’t she overeat?”

Su Yang, who had finished setting up the litter box, appeared behind her without warning.

“Nutrient paste is a dietary supplement, not a main meal.”

Hearing this, Tang Yeren frowned at the tube in her hand. “Does it matter if she eats it before meals? And why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Compared to Tang Yeren’s expressive reactions, Su Yang remained calm. “It matters, but not much. You seemed to be enjoying yourself earlier, I didn’t want to interrupt.”

How could something like this be left to personal enjoyment!

Tang Yeren turned to Su Yang with a serious expression.

“If I do anything wrong from now on, you have to tell me immediately. We can’t joke about Little Mi’s health!”

In just an hour, she had gone from fiercely competing with Su Yang over the cat to unconsciously regarding her as an authority on cat care.

Of course, the cat was still hers.

Once the kitten had eaten its fill, Su Yang dampened a towel and gently wiped its body clean.

The once dusty little body, after being cleaned, revealed a coat of golden fur that was dazzlingly bright.

Tang Yeren’s eyes instantly lit up. She cradled the kitten in her arms, unable to put it down, stroking it while murmuring incessantly.

“You’re so adorable. How about I call you Yuanbao from now on?

“Yuanbao, my little treasure. If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes.

“You’re so cute, how could your previous owner bear to abandon you?

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. From now on, big sis will take care of you.”

Yuanbao seemed to understand, nuzzling Tang Yeren’s fingers with its head, tickling not just her fingers but also her heart.

Holding Yuanbao, Tang Yeren looked up at Su Yang with sincerity. “Can I sleep with Yuanbao tonight?”

After all, she was in someone else’s home, so letting a cat onto the bed required the host’s permission.

Su Yang didn’t say a word, only shooting her a glare.

Tang Yeren understood immediately, how could she have forgotten? Su Yang was a total neat freak.

She pouted, stroking Yuanbao’s head with a sigh in her heart: When under someone else’s roof, one must bow their head. Alas!

“The cat bed can be placed at the foot of the bed,” Su Yang said after a few seconds of hesitation, making a rare concession.

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