Cats Buying Gold: Don't Be So Strict with Gender

Lin Yu and Miao Haixin got into a taxi together.

Though seated side by side in the back, neither spoke a word.

Lin Yu knew full well that Miao Haixin was wrestling with her thoughts.

She was preparing her explanations, figuring out how to justify herself to Lin Yu.

There was no such thing as "finding another place to talk"—she just needed time to gather her composure.

Lin Yu wasn’t out to catch his advisor in some wrongdoing.

The earlier situation had simply been the perfect setting for him to maintain a stern demeanor.

If he had acted too casually, it wouldn’t have matched the gravity of narrowly escaping Yan Miaozhu’s predicament.

A slightly exaggerated performance was better for keeping the upper hand.

Miao Haixin’s current reaction was proof enough.

Just as Lin Yu expected, Miao Haixin sat there, outwardly calm.

In truth, she had no idea how to explain herself later.

How could things have gotten so awkward?

A university advisor having to give a sincere explanation to her own student?

Their roles were completely reversed!

Even the location for their upcoming talk had been a spur-of-the-moment suggestion from Miao Haixin.

She chose the park near her rented apartment!

After all, if Lin Yu hadn’t suddenly appeared,

she would have been heading home around this time anyway.

In another hour, the caregiver looking after her grandmother would clock out.

She couldn’t bear leaving her grandmother alone, so she had to hurry back.

As long as the place was quiet, the location didn’t really matter.

Miao Haixin stole another glance at Lin Yu before quickly looking away: "..."

That expression was terrifying.

Who knew Lin Xiaoyu could be so intimidating when angry?

If only she could redo this entire day!

Meanwhile...

Maomao, having just completed her shopping alone, stepped out of a gold jewelry store.

She let out a long breath, patting her slightly heaving chest.

"I did it..."

"I completed a shopping transaction all by myself!"

Mo Shangying, standing beside her, handed her a tissue:

"Wipe the sweat off your forehead, Maomao."

"Just how sheltered were you? Buying something shouldn’t feel like surviving a thunder tribulation."

Maomao took the tissue and nodded politely.

"Thank you, Ying'er."

Mo Shangying: "Also, one more thing..."

Maomao blinked curiously: "Hmm? What?"

Mo Shangying: "What do you mean 'all by myself'? Wasn’t I with you? Am I not a person? Tell me, am I a person or not?"

Maomao stiffened, her mind automatically replaying:

The iconic line from Special Identity—"Am I not a person?!"

She quickly shook her head.

No, no.

This wasn’t the time for that.

Ying'er was right!

If she hadn’t been there, Maomao might not have even dared to step inside the store.

"I-I’m sorry, Ying'er."

"I was too nervous and misspoke."

Maomao clasped her hands together, her apology earnest and her demeanor utterly docile.

Mo Shangying sighed, helpless against Maomao’s sincerity.

She had only been teasing, trying to rile her up a little.

But Maomao responded with such earnestness that Mo Shangying’s inner mischief had no room to play.

"Alright, alright, stop looking at me like that—it’s weirding me out."

"But seriously..."

"I get that Aunt Ruxue wanted to test your spending skills by buying gold."

"Why gold necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, though?"

"Wouldn’t gold bars be better?"

"These designed pieces come with extra processing fees—such a rip-off!"

"Virtual gold would’ve worked too, right? It’s just as tradable."

Unable to decipher Maomao’s logic, Mo Shangying tossed out the question casually.

Maomao’s face instantly flushed red, and she lowered her head.

Mo Shangying: "???"

What kind of reaction was this?

Was her question really that hard to answer?

Then—

Maomao stammered, "Aunt Ruxue... probably wanted to see if I could manage independent living."

"And if I’m living independently... that means living a full life, right?"

"So eventually, I’d have to... you know..."

"Like when people get married..."

Mo Shangying’s jaw dropped: "Huh???"

So this wasn’t just about buying gold for investment.

It was the wedding gold set?!

Stunned into silence for a moment, Mo Shangying could only latch onto the most critical point and exclaim:

"Bruh..."

"The san jin?! Are you serious?"

"Isn’t that something the groom’s family buys for the bride?"

Maomao blinked in confusion, staring at Mo Shangying intently.

Mo Shangying: "..."

"Hey, you dumb cat, what’s with that look?"

"Did I say something wrong?"

"You’re acting like I just spouted the most absurd thing ever!"

Maomao’s thought process defied all conventional logic.

At first, Mo Shangying had been utterly confident in her stance.

But Maomao possessed some kind of magical ability—

her innocent reasoning always managed to deliver a devastating counter.

"N-no, not wrong."

"I just thought Ying'er would see it the same way I do."

"Is it legally required for the man to give the 'Three Golds' to the woman?"

Mo Shangying stood frozen, speechless: "..."

Here we go again.

Maomao's uniquely bizarre train of thought!

But wait.

Maomao wasn't done yet, adding:

"I've looked it up online. These customary practices are ultimately just agreements between two parties."

"If the symbolic weight of money—its sense of importance and security—doesn’t matter, then who gives what shouldn’t be a big deal, right?"

"Personally, I don’t think security comes from money. Or at least, that’s not how it works for me."

"Buying it myself would still be a statement of commitment… to whoever ends up being my 'someone' in the future."

Mo Shangying remained utterly stunned: "..."

If Maomao’s future partner heard this, they’d probably be over the moon.

But if some scheming person got wind of it, they’d absolutely take advantage of this silly cat.

Mo Shangying couldn’t help but reflect deeply.

Here they were, both internet shut-ins.

Yet the gap between them felt massive.

Mo Shangying: "Maomao, there’s something I’m not sure if I should ask..."

Maomao straightened up earnestly:

"Of course you can ask. I’ll answer seriously."

Mo Shangying took a step forward, leaning in close to Maomao’s face, and said:

"About that 'someone' of yours..."

"Would the gender really be a dealbreaker?"

Maomao blinked: "???"

Mo Shangying: "A girl should have a chance too, right?"

Maomao: "Huh?!"

Mo Shangying: "How about considering me? I’m actually pretty great too! Throw in some extra betrothal gifts, and I’d be up for it!"

Maomao flushed crimson, too flustered to speak: "..."

...

(First update today! There’ll be bonus chapters later, so please show some love with your support!)