Part 3
However, when he looked over, he found Admiral Ning’s family quite calm. They were even smiling gently as they watched the scene. They had a vibe of… watching a show?
Big Brother Ning signaled that this was a familiar sight. Clearly, his younger brother was teasing White Shaozhu again.
Before City Lord Bai could reach them, Zong Hao arrived first. He frowned and stared at White Shaozhu’s hand, which hadn’t yet been retracted. “What are you doing?”
Facing his newly appointed “Young Uncle,” White Shaozhu immediately buckled. He snapped his hands behind his back. “N-nothing. I was just seeing… why is Second Young Master Ning’s skin so good? Ha—haha.”
Zong Hao eyed White Shaozhu warily. I never noticed this kid, who only cares about eating, had these kinds of thoughts before.
White Shaozhu snapped back to his senses. Wait, my Uncle isn’t close with my other ‘Uncle.’ What does me touching his face have to do with him?
He looked aggrievedly at Lady Zong. “Mother, aren’t you going to do something? He’s being mean to me.”
Lady Zong let out a chuckle, a soft light in her eyes. “A-Hao, leave him be.”
White Shaozhu’s eyes darted around. He suddenly leaned in mysteriously toward his father. “Old Bai, does this Second Young Master Ning look familiar to you?”
City Lord Bai had already noticed the outstanding Second Young Master. “What now? What are you up to?” This brat hasn’t actually taken a liking to the Second Young Master, has he?
White Shaozhu lowered his voice even further. “Not at all. Don’t you think the Second Young Master and my Uncle White look exactly the same?”
City Lord Bai gave his “silly” son an eerie look. “Have you gone mad?”
How are they exactly the same? They look nothing alike! The only thing similar is that their children look identical—like they were carved from the same mold.
White Shaozhu cleared his throat and spoke with mock-seriousness. “Why would I be mad? Since my Uncle and the Second Young Master are the same person, how could they not be exactly the same?”
There were no outsiders around. The moment White Shaozhu spoke, Lady Zong and City Lord Bai—the only two present who didn’t know—snapped their heads toward Ning Yunyi. “??”
Are you joking? How is that possible?
Just then, the Second Young Master Ning indeed smiled and raised a hand, speaking in Mr. White’s voice. “Big Brother Bai, Lady Zong.”
The wedding banquet ended with those two in a state of shock. Ning Yunyi’s family returned to the Ning residence. City Lord Bai firmly suppressed White Shaozhu’s desire to follow them back. Why is he adding to the chaos?
White Shaozhu could only watch helplessly as his “Uncle” left without looking back.
Zong Hao looked at him calmly. See? I’m not in a hurry. Not at all.
Late that night, a Big Cat used his iris to silently scan his way into the Ning house. Padding along on his soft paws, he entered the small building without a sound.
Sure enough, he found Ning Yunyi having a midnight snack. He practicedly produced his own basin and set it on the counter. He rested his paws on the edge and stared longingly at Ning Yunyi with his beastly eyes.
Ning Yunyi looked down and laughed in exasperation. “You really treat this place like your home, don’t you? There’s nothing for you.”
The Big Cat was easy-going. He obediently carried his basin back, licked his paw, and transformed into a tiny kitten once he hit the floor. The little black ball of fluff followed at Ning Yunyi’s heels, looking like he had something to say but didn’t dare speak. He just stared up piteously.
Ning Yunyi stared at the kitten, who was identical to Ning Xiaomiao except for being slightly larger. He felt numb. Can he act any more pathetic?
But given the appearance—that fluffy, soft coat of fur—it was truly impossible for a “fluff-addict” to refuse.
Ning Yunyi tilted his chin. The Big Cat immediately reverted to his larger form and set his basin down obediently.
Ning Yunyi’s lips twitched. He’s already lost all his dignity in front of me, so he’s just going to double down on being shameless?
Ning Yunyi was truly hungry. The little guy had fallen asleep upon their return, so he hadn’t woken him. He’d let him eat more tomorrow morning. As for this bowl of crawfish noodles, he shared a portion with the Big Cat—consider it a reward for the fur.
Ning Yunyi placed a large bowl of noodles on the table.
Zong Hao mimicked him, placing a smaller portion from his large basin on the spot beside it.
He crouched there, waiting for Ning Yunyi to return.
Ning Yunyi went to get a wine glass. He was in a good mood and intended to have a drink.
He hadn’t drunk the wine at the banquet for fear of passing out like last time.
He planned to satisfy his craving now that he was home.
But as he brought the glass back, he saw the Big Cat and remembered the fellow had followed him.
Recalling the previous incident, Ning Yunyi looked at the glass, then at the bottle of wine in his other hand.
Between putting it back or continuing, Ning Yunyi chose to “pack up” the Big Cat and send him away.
He stood before the cat. “How about you take your food to go?”
Zong Hao: “??” He stared at Ning Yunyi’s hand with disbelief in his beastly eyes.
Realizing the implication, he was one second away from speaking in human tongue.
Zong Hao used his old trick, paji-ing into a tiny black kitten. He crouched there weakly, his paws tucked in, as if asking: Do you really have the heart to drive away such a cutie late at night?
Ning Yunyi’s lips twitched. He threatened, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll pull you into my bed again after I get drunk?”
To his surprise, the tiny kitten simply sprawled out. Fine by me. We could even just get engaged directly. I don’t mind; it’s not like I haven’t done it before.
Ning Yunyi gritted his teeth. “You wish! When the time comes, are you going to eat my food and sleep in my bed too?”
He’d probably even have the cub call him ‘Dad.’
The thought made Ning Yunyi want to throw him out personally.
The tiny kitten lay there, his beastly eyes half-closed, playing the roles of “innocent,” “pitiful,” and “repentant” to perfection.
He even extended a tiny paw, revealing his pink pads.
Ning Yunyi: Unfair tactics! He’s using ‘blossoming paws’ to seduce me.
He asked for it. Ning Yunyi reached out and gripped the tiny paw.
He gave it a vigorous rub. The texture… other people’s cats really did smell better.
Ning Yunyi collected his “interest” and ignored him. He uncorked the bottle and poured a glass in one smooth motion. Sitting down, he took a bite of noodles and a sip of wine. Bliss.
Zong Hao sat there obediently, taking small bites.
He only had a little bit of noodles in his basin; he had to savor them.
He kept glancing over. The Second Prince had recovered after drinking this. He was curious—was this bottle different from the ones at the banquet?
Ning Yunyi finished his glass and glanced over. “What are you looking at? Hurry up and eat, then get out.”
The Big Cat leaped down and soon returned with a wine glass in his mouth. “Meow?” (Leave after drinking?)
Ning Yunyi eyed him suspiciously. “Are you sure? Aren’t you afraid of ‘transforming’?”
Zong Hao hesitated for a moment but then placed a paw firmly on the glass without hesitation.
If he didn’t get a taste, he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.
Ning Yunyi: “You asked for this. Don’t blame me later.” He was quite curious—would this guy act like a drunkard? He’d been the one watching Ning Yunyi’s performance last time; he wanted to see what the Marshal looked like when he was wasted.
Zong Hao looked up with an air of righteous determination.
Ning Yunyi poured him a glass and put the rest away.
The idea was good, but he was afraid the cat would actually go wild.
If the cat actively sought out a petting session, would he do it? Or not?
Before, when he didn’t know the cat was a person, it was one thing. Now that he knew… he had the heart but not the nerve.
Petting a cat is fun until the regret sets in later.
Ning Yunyi finished his meal first. He cleared his plate and looked at Zong Hao, who was still nibbling at his noodles. “Leave on your own once you’re finished. I’m going upstairs.”
A muffled meow was his only response; the cat was clearly immersed in the food.
Ning Yunyi went to his room and washed up. Fearing the heat would make the alcohol hit his head, he locked the door from the inside.
He emerged from his bath feeling drowsy, wanting nothing more than to fall into bed and sleep for an eternity.
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