Chapter 31: The Reveal, Step Three
What started as a game between Bai Tuanzi and Lin Xia ended up with Tang Yinlang taking over playtime with the little furball, freeing Lin Xia to head back to the counter and get back to business.
A few potential customers, hearing the barks from inside, peeked into the shop only to quickly retract their feet and scamper off. The regulars, however, were used to the happy chaos. Not only were they unfazed, but they also came in to watch the fun. Some even brought their own dogs to join the party.
Big cities are great for many things, but finding space for pets to play freely isn’t one of them. Surrounded by towering buildings, busy streets, and people rushing everywhere, pets often spend their days cooped up at home, only getting a short walk on a leash when their owners have a spare moment.
Seeing the pack of dogs having a blast at Lin Xia’s shop, some customers joked that he was running a pet kindergarten. When you thought about it, they weren’t far off.
“Hello!” A teenage boy who looked like he was in middle school walked into the shop.
“Hi there, how can I help you?” Lin Xia replied. The boy was clean-cut with pleasant features, making a good first impression.
“I saw your sign outside for a part-time job and wanted to ask about it,” the boy said politely.
“Are you applying for yourself, or are you asking for someone else?” Lin Xia figured the boy was in high school at most and probably didn’t have much free time.
“I’m applying for myself. I’d like the job,” the boy said, lowering his head, a little embarrassed.
He’d already been to several shops looking for part-time work. Despite promising that he had plenty of time and wasn’t afraid of hard work, he’d been turned down everywhere because of his age.
“How old are you?” Lin Xia noticed the boy was sweating, even though it wasn’t a hot day, and guessed he’d been running around a lot. He didn’t have the heart to crush his hopes.
“I’m sixteen. I just applied for my ID card, so I haven’t gotten it yet, but this is my student ID. You can take a look.” Seeing a glimmer of hope, the boy quickly pulled out his student ID to prove he wasn’t an underage worker.
“You’re still in school, right?” Lin Xia took the ID, wanting to learn more.
“I’m a freshman in high school, and my classes aren’t too demanding. I’m a day student, so I have a lot of free time,” the boy explained.
“Aren’t you worried a job will affect your studies?” Lin Xia didn’t quite understand why a student would be so keen on working. Shouldn’t school be his priority? And did his family approve?
“Oh no, not at all! My grades are really good. I mean—I’m not trying to brag, but you don’t have to worry about that,” the boy said, talking quickly in his eagerness to land the job.
“And your family is okay with this?” Seeing how determined he was and hearing him promise it wouldn’t affect his schoolwork, Lin Xia made up his mind.
“Yes, they are.”
With that confirmation, Lin Xia agreed to hire him. He carefully went over the boy’s available hours and discussed the pay and other details. Since it was still winter break, the boy was free for the time being.
After they signed a simple agreement, Lin Xia started showing him around the pet shop and explaining his duties. The boy, whose name was Chen Yaoguang, was a quick learner and very diligent. Lin Xia only had to show him things once. He felt like he’d struck gold.
Through their chat, Lin Xia learned that Chen Yaoguang was from a county in Jiangcheng. He had moved to the city for high school last September and was staying with his aunt while his family remained in their rural hometown.
What a hardworking, thoughtful kid. Just like Baobao, Lin Xia thought, glancing from the boy, who was already working earnestly, to Bai Tuanzi, who was seriously practicing his pounces.
After a full morning of play, Bai Tuanzi was completely wiped out, sprawled on the floor as the bouncy ball rolled idly beside him. A short distance away, several other dogs and one Wang Ziyu were in a similar state.
Wang Ziyu lay on the floor like a limp noodle, his dog Weifeng collapsed right next to him.
So… tired! he thought. Was I playing with the dogs, or were the dogs playing with me?
Tang Yinlang, ignoring his expensive suit trousers, sat down on the floor next to Bai Tuanzi and began gently massaging the little furball’s muscles. A good massage after strenuous exercise would keep the little tiger cub from waking up sore tomorrow.
“Purrrrrr…” Tang Yinlang’s touch was just right, and Bai Tuanzi let out a happy, rumbling sound.
Li Hao watched them for a moment before getting up and walking over to Wang Ziyu.
Whoa! Wang Ziyu yelped internally. Looking up at the huge man, he was terrified Li Hao might accidentally step on him. From his perspective, Li Hao’s legs looked as thick and long as Optimus Prime’s.
Li Hao sat down and, copying Tang Yinlang, began to massage Wang Ziyu, whose eyes went wide with shock.
It was Li Hao’s first time giving anyone a massage, and he didn’t know his own strength. Wang Ziyu yelped in pain. Li Hao quickly apologized and softened his touch, and soon, Wang Ziyu’s expression melted into one of pure bliss.
The morning of flying balls and happy dogs passed, and everyone ordered takeout for lunch.
It was only when Lin Xia introduced Chen Yaoguang as the shop’s new employee that the others realized he’d been hired. They’d all been too busy having fun to notice.
With a new employee and an idle Li Hao on hand, Lin Xia had a surprisingly free afternoon. He decided to give the shop’s cats and dogs a bath, and Tang Yinlang offered to help.
One by one, the fluffballs were plopped into the large basin. The more cooperative ones hopped in themselves, while the stubborn ones had to be personally escorted into the water by Lin Xia.
“Woof… arf…” “Meeeow…”
“Awoo!” Bai Tuanzi trotted over on his little paws to join the chorus.
Lin Xia was used to the furry trio’s symphony, but when he glanced at Tang Yinlang, he could tell the man was struggling.
“You okay?” Lin Xia asked.
“I’m fine,” Tang Yinlang said, trying his best to look calm while fighting the urge to wince.
With an Otherkin’s heightened hearing, the cacophony was as overwhelming to Tang Yinlang as the blasting music of a nightclub. Were these cats, dogs, and Bai Tuanzi throwing a party?
Don’t push yourself if you can’t handle it, Lin Xia thought to himself, but he decided not to bruise the man’s ego.
By the time all the cats and dogs were washed, dried, and trimmed, the afternoon had flown by, and it was time to close the shop. Lin Xia and Tang Yinlang took Bai Tuanzi to the market to buy groceries before heading home to make dinner.
Back at home, Bai Tuanzi curled up on the living room sofa to watch TV while the two men cooked in the kitchen.
“Lin Xia,” Tang Yinlang said as he washed the vegetables.
“Hm?” Lin Xia had a feeling he had something important to say.
“I have to go back to Jingdu tomorrow. I might be there for about half a month to take care of some things,” Tang Yinlang said.
He really didn’t want to go, but he had a lot to handle in Jingdu. He was the designated heir of the Tang family, responsible for many of their affairs, and the family’s primary operations were based in the capital.
Since Lin Xia lived in Jiangcheng, Tang Yinlang was determined to stay in Jiangcheng with him, which meant giving up his future in Jingdu. His family had already agreed to his request—the Tang family had plenty of other talented members who could take his place. This trip was to officially hand over his duties, and he suspected half a month might not even be enough.
Tang Yinlang hated the thought of being apart for so long when they had just gotten together, but he knew it was a necessary step for their future.
“Jingdu?” The name made Lin Xia freeze for a second before he recovered. “You’re from Jingdu?”
“That’s right.” Realizing he’d never told Lin Xia much about his background, Tang Yinlang began to explain. “My family is in Jingdu. My maternal grandparents lived here in Jiangcheng.”
“Oh.” On the surface, Lin Xia was calm, but inside, his mind was racing.
Jingdu… a CEO-type… an Otherkin… his beast form… the teething biscuits… and the day we first met…
Lin Xia remembered how Tang Yinlang had just stared at him for the longest time that day, only snapping out of it to hand over the injured puppy when Lin Xia prompted him.
He must have recognized me back then, right? he thought. And then he approached me, pursued me, all without ever revealing he was an Otherkin.
Tang Yinlang, who are you, really? And what are your true feelings for me?
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