Cats

March.

The snow had melted, and the temperature gradually warmed. Most people on the streets had shed their padded coats and jackets, no longer bundled up as adorably round and puffy as in the colder days.

Lin Yu, who had been studying at home until his head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, decided to clear his mind.

He needed to step outside, feel the breeze, and unwind—otherwise, forcing himself to keep studying like this would only lead to diminishing returns.

He dusted off his long-neglected motorcycle and rode aimlessly through the city.

No destination, no planned route or schedule. In the early hints of spring in March, Lin Yu zigzagged through the streets and alleys like a headless fly.

He had no idea how long he’d been riding.

Only when the wind chilled him enough to shiver did he slow down, deciding to find a nearby restaurant for a meal—and to warm up.

His eyes landed on a spring pancake and roast duck shop. The thought of fragrant, sizzling duck with crispy skin, paired with a steaming bowl of duck bone soup to drive away the cold, convinced him this was the perfect spot for his late breakfast.

Parking his motorcycle outside, Lin Yu stepped off and was about to enter when his gaze snagged on an adorable cat.

The cat was pure white, with an oval body and a round, chubby face.

Though its fur was dirty—almost grayish from grime—clearly a stray, it was far from underfed.

How else could it have grown such an impressively hefty physique?

This cat was practically a freight truck of the feline world!

As a self-proclaimed online cat enthusiast, Lin Yu’s heart was instantly stolen by this chubby ball of fluff.

Especially that big, round face dotted with little gray smudges—like a porcelain doll in a TV drama, mischievously smeared after playtime.

Utterly endearing.

Lin Yu crouched and beckoned to the cat. Unfazed by strangers, it stretched lazily, then sauntered over with its tail held high, stopping right in front of him.

Delighted, Lin Yu scratched its head and squished its pudgy cheeks.

This cat was clearly a connoisseur of comfort.

It flopped onto the ground, basking in Lin Yu’s petting. When the massage hit just right, it even rolled onto its back, exposing its fluffy, warm belly—so well-behaved it was impossible to resist.

After a while, though, Lin Yu realized—this couldn’t be a one-sided affair.

You couldn’t just freeload affection like this!

Such a sweet, obedient cat deserved a proper treat.

Glancing at the roast duck shop just steps away, Lin Yu gently patted the cat’s head and said, whether it understood or not:

"Wait here."

"I’ll get you something tasty!"

With that, he stood and walked into the shop.

Besides a whole roast duck, he also ordered a braised fish in sauce.

Cats love fish, right?

The duck arrived quickly.

Lin Yu divided the sliced meat in half, piled one portion into a bowl, and hurried back outside with it.

But when he stepped out, the cat was no longer where he’d left it.

He turned his head and spotted the plump furball about a hundred meters to the right.

This time, though, the cat wasn’t alone.

A girl with long, dark hair was crouched beside it, her back to Lin Yu.

She brought cat food for the stray cat, and while the feline was wholly engrossed in its meal, she crouched nearby, quietly watching. Occasionally, she couldn’t resist reaching out to gently stroke the thick fur on the cat’s back.

Lin Yu, who wasn’t exactly a social butterfly but certainly far from being socially awkward, didn’t hesitate. He strode over, intending to treat this adorable cat to something even better.

Besides...

As he looked at the figure crouching by the cat, Lin Yu couldn’t shake the feeling that she looked familiar.

When he got closer, the features of the black-haired girl became clear.

Well, well.

He did know her!

It was Gu Yue!

Seeing Gu Yue dressed in cozy loungewear, Lin Yu bent down and poured some roasted duck meat into the cat’s bowl while casually asking,

"Do you live around here?"

Gu Yue was clearly startled by the sudden question. She looked up, and when she saw it was Lin Yu, her face lit up with surprise before transforming into pure delight.

"Lin Yu, what are you doing here?"

Lin Yu crouched beside her, watching as the cat abandoned its kibble and eagerly devoured the roasted duck. He replied offhandedly,

"Just here for a meal."

"What about you?"

"I live right here."

As she spoke, Gu Yue pointed toward a residential complex entrance just a few steps away.

Lin Yu glanced in the direction she indicated and nodded before turning his attention back to the adorable cat feasting at their feet.

Gu Yue didn’t say much either.

Her eyes brimming with quiet happiness, she stole a glance at Lin Yu before focusing on the cat again.

But her gaze was restless. Every time the cat did something irresistibly cute, she couldn’t help but peek at Lin Yu’s reaction.

Seeing him happy made her even happier.

"Do you feed this little guy often?"

Considering Gu Yue lived nearby, Lin Yu couldn’t help but ask.

"Yeah,"

Gu Yue nodded.

"I’ve been feeding this little one for almost two years now."

"I was actually worried it wouldn’t make it through this winter."

"But looking at it now, I guess I worried for nothing."

As she spoke, she affectionately ruffled the cat’s head and murmured to herself,

"It’s gotten thinner."

"Huh?"

Lin Yu’s jaw nearly dropped.

"It’s this chubby and you think it’s thin?"

Gu Yue nodded earnestly.

"It really has. Before the New Year, it was even rounder—when you rubbed its belly, the fat would ripple like waves."

Lin Yu gulped silently.

Damn.

That’s one hefty cat.

If not for its scruffy appearance, no one would believe it was a stray!

"Ah..."

Gu Yue suddenly sighed, her face clouded with worry.

"It’s a shame my mom’s allergic to cat fur. Otherwise, I’d take this little one home in a heartbeat."

Lin Yu nodded in agreement.

"True, this cat’s really sweet and friendly."

"Exactly!"

Gu Yue nodded emphatically.

After a pause, as if struck by an idea, she tilted her head thoughtfully before turning to Lin Yu.

"Lin Yu, do you like this cat?"

Lin Yu looked at the chubby, affectionate feline and answered without hesitation,

"Of course."

"Who wouldn’t love a cat this cute?"

"Then... how about you take it home?"

Gu Yue’s eyes sparkled with hopeful anticipation as she made her suggestion.

"Letting it keep living off handouts like this isn't a long-term solution."

"Without a stable, safe home, it's really vulnerable out there."

"Besides, I read online that white cats are considered the ugly ducklings of the feline world—they often face discrimination and bullying from other cats."

"If you adopt it, it'll never have to suffer that kind of treatment again!"