Chapter Seventy-Two: No Other Masculine Scents Allowed

“Um… I’m fine with cooking simple home dishes, but…” I trailed off, a bit embarrassed.

But to make something as exquisite and elegant as what Wangchuan eats now, that’s beyond me.

Wangchuan didn’t seem to mind, though. He waved a hand dismissively. “As long as it’s edible, that’s enough. Go on.”

“Master, may I go back and check on my little sister while I’m at it?” I looked at him, hoping he’d believe my sincerity.

He glanced at me, as if scrutinizing my eyes for the truth. I immediately blinked rapidly, nearly shooting out little stars in my eagerness to prove my honesty.

“Go ahead. But if you come back carrying the scent of any other male, be prepared to be punished.”

“Uh…” I shrank my neck, an image of Han Mingxuan’s lecherous face flashing through my mind.

But since the master had said so, what was the point of arguing? I turned to leave at once—first, I had to deliver the message!

Out the door, I couldn’t help but feel a bit timid.

First, I was ridiculously short now. I was never tall to begin with, but after Wangchuan transformed me, I was even shorter!

Still, I consoled myself: if I ate more souls, maybe I could grow a little taller.

Really, I’m not asking for much—just a little!

Second, aside from being short, I was wrapped in Wangchuan’s enormous robe!

This one was even bigger and baggier than the last! And, in the entire Rift, I was the only one stuck in this awkward half-human, half-cat state.

Everyone else was either fully human or fully cat. Only I had to choose between being a cat or a bald, scruffy pheasant—and I couldn’t even shift freely between the two!

How unlucky.

Rebecca was still standing at the doorway. When she saw my new appearance, her face wore a hint of schadenfreude.

“What’s this? Thrown out already?” She stood in front of me, her stunning high heels clicking on the ground.

I glanced down at my own toes, thankful that the Rift was all grassy fields and clean paths. Without paw pads, I’d be doomed.

I forced a smile and looked up at Rebecca. “The master says your position is restored. You don’t have to stand here anymore.”

“What?” She seemed not to hear, surprised, and asked me again.

“I said, the master said you can leave. You’re reinstated, all is forgiven, and you no longer need to… prepare his meals.”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes, peering into the room as if she could see Wangchuan. Though she couldn’t, the jealousy in her gaze was unmistakable.

“If I don’t go, then who will?” Rebecca sneered, looking down her nose at me.

Honestly, I wanted to say that Wangchuan meant for me to do it.

But I couldn’t say that in front of Rebecca, could I?

So I kept my head down, silent, neither admitting nor denying her words.

After a while, Rebecca seemed genuinely pleased to be pardoned. With a haughty snort, she turned and bounded away, transforming into her feline form and scampering off.

Watching Rebecca shift so easily made me painfully self-conscious.

I shook my ears, glanced at my tiny hands, and sighed. When would I be able to transform so easily between human and cat like them?

The road to seamless shifting was long and arduous. Woe is me…

After a long sigh, I glanced back toward Wangchuan’s quarters, pressed my lips together, and decided to set that worry aside. For now, I should tell Xiaoyun the good news—I can become human-shaped!

Barefoot, I trotted quickly toward the guardian cats’ den, feeling a pang of melancholy.

Wangchuan wanted me to cook for him from now on—was I about to become his live-in housekeeper?

Would I not even be able to sleep at home anymore?

As I pondered this, I spotted Xiaomi slapping at Fishball with her paw.

Fishball didn’t seem upset—he just grinned sheepishly, not dodging or resisting.

“What’s going on here?” I approached. “A little lovers’ quarrel?”

Fishball, seeing me, gave an awkward grin. “Why are you dressed like that?”

I tugged at my oversized robe. “Long story. I just came to check on you and… borrow a pair of shoes.”

My feet were already grimy from walking barefoot. For a moment, I really missed my paw pads.

I remembered how, the first time I put my paw in my mouth, Wangchuan had said, “Promising child.” Now, even back in this form, I had the urge to lift my foot and take a look.

Unfortunately, this body wasn’t as flexible—I couldn’t lift my foot, let alone lick it.

Just then, Fishball hesitated and pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal all sorts of shoes. He rummaged through them, muttering, “You came to the right cat—I have… uh, why are your feet so small?” Fishball looked up, puzzled. “Wait, you weren’t this short in your original form.”

“I said it’s complicated. Do you have any slippers? Slippers are one size fits all.” Anything to avoid running around in pajamas and bare feet.

Fishball rummaged for a long time, but couldn’t find anything that fit, and suddenly turned to Xiaomi.

“You died at fourteen, right? Your feet aren’t big. Can you spare a pair for Qianqian?”

Fishball nudged Xiaomi, sounding almost pleading.

“No!” Xiaomi replied, clearly annoyed, though I couldn’t tell exactly why.

“It’s fine, I’ll ask Xiaoyun.”

Just as I said this, Xiaoyun appeared behind me, a ball in her mouth. She dropped it on the ground with a plop.

“Qianqian! You can turn human now?”

Xiaoyun ran over, her expression mirroring Fishball’s. She didn’t say it aloud, but her face screamed: Why are you so short?!

My temper spiked—I cursed Wangchuan thoroughly in my heart!

Couldn’t he have made me a little taller? Next time, I’d have to ask him to transform me into someone as tall and attractive as Rebecca, just for the experience!

With this thought, I felt a little better. I lifted my foot and looked at Xiaoyun. “Do you have shoes that fit me?”

“Uh, yes.” Xiaoyun nodded unexpectedly. “Wait here!”

She trotted off, tail high, to her new room, and soon returned with a pair of small canvas shoes.

“They were meant as gifts for Xin’er to thank you for your help, but you can wear them now.”

I looked at the shoes—they were just the right size. I slipped them on, relieved at last. Then Xiaoyun began asking what Wangchuan had done while keeping me.

I… lied.

I didn’t mention the bathroom incident! I didn’t mention the hugs! I didn’t mention the kisses, either!

All I said was that I’d probably be staying at Wangchuan’s from now on and would be his part-time cook.

Xiaoyun sighed. “The master really does treat you differently…”

I gritted my teeth, thinking, maybe even he doesn’t know why he treats me differently.

But I didn’t know either. I wasn’t any cuter or better than the other cats. Why did he choose me?

No matter how I pondered, I couldn’t figure it out. Still, since I had a little free time, I decided to chat with Xiaoyun and the others. I’d thought that, with Xiaoyun as a guardian cat, we’d be together every day. Instead, she ended up inside while I was outside—what rotten luck.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi continued slapping Fishball with her paw, her single-mindedness making her hits sharp and hard—sometimes even leaving marks on Fishball’s fur.

Fishball grinned and bore it, coaxing her as best he could. It did look like a lover’s spat.

“Why is Xiaomi so upset?” I asked Xiaoyun quietly, seizing a moment when the two were a little apart.

“Shh!” Xiaoyun quickly raised a paw. “Keep your voice down… Let me tell you—Xiaomi is pregnant.”

“What?!” I exclaimed, quickly clapping my hand over my mouth. “Xiaomi? With Fishball’s kittens?”

“Yes—cats have a short gestation period. In just a few days, Xiaomi found out. Now they’re both worried about how to tell the master.”

“Oh.” I stared, speechless, at Xiaomi, who was still swatting away. Fishball sure didn’t waste any time!

“Well, Xiaomi was always pestering Fishball with her ‘research.’ He’s a normal male—how could he possibly resist all her licking and biting… Sigh…” Xiaoyun clicked her tongue. “Fishball is free, but Xiaomi isn’t. It really is a headache.”

I looked over at the red and calico pair, worrying for them as well.

It really wasn’t a small matter. But if they talked it over with Wangchuan, maybe he’d let Xiaomi go?

But then, what would Xiaomi give birth to—kittens, or little beibei?