Chapter Nine: Why Did You Lick Me?

I stared wide-eyed at the tawny cat standing before me, his expression stiff and awkward, almost rendering me speechless.

Yet the black lightning-shaped mark on his forehead made me recognize him instantly.

“Fishball?!” I exclaimed, my paws trembling and my back arched in shock.

Why was this tomcat licking me?! And how on earth did he get into this place where only female cats lived?!

I had always felt a tinge of hostility toward this rare male cat, and now, just waking up in a haze to find him here, my paws couldn’t even relax from surprise.

“Don’t be nervous, I just—” Fishball seemed a little embarrassed. “I just saw you sleeping deeply and wanted to wake you up.”

“Wake me up?” I pointed incredulously at my pink nose. “Who wakes someone up by licking?!”

Fishball flicked his tail, his whiskers twitching. “Alright, I was just teasing you. I came to tell you something.”

My face was full of annoyance. “What is it?”

My tone was impatient, remembering that last time he accused me of shamelessly exposing my belly, and now here he was, licking me in my sleep—does he know no shame himself?

“You brought back four soul embryos today, so you’ve redeemed yourself and earned the master’s forgiveness. But all the cats saw you being petted by the master for so long—”

“So what?” I cut him off, already knowing what he meant.

If I hadn’t overeaten and bloated myself with essence, the master wouldn’t have petted me at all.

“Ning Ning and the others, their punishment isn’t collecting soul embryos. They’re to be hung by their tails for a whole week, with no chance to make up for their mistakes. So you should be careful—now all the cats are saying the master favors you.”

My whole body shuddered. Hung by the tail for a week?

Heavens, I can’t stand it for a day, let alone a week!

Fishball glanced at me, his eyes suddenly deepening. “Actually, I always felt—you remind me of a person.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snorted, turning away with a flick of my tail. “I’m a cat, not a person.”

“Don’t try to hide it. I’m a soul-guard cat—I can see souls,” Fishball said solemnly.

I rolled my eyes, thinking it over, then snorted again. “Are you saying my soul looks like your ex-girlfriend?”

Fishball shook his head, awkward. “Why would you think that?”

I didn’t know myself, maybe it was because I had no fondness for this cat, so I couldn’t help but treat him this way.

But honestly, what guy sneaks into the girls’ dorm and expects a warm welcome?

“Are you finished? You can leave now.” I waved my paw, signaling him to go.

“Not leaving. I’m waiting for Cloudy to come back.”

I narrowed my eyes, watching this tomcat now refusing to leave, then curled up in my little dinosaur nest and continued dozing.

Though I pretended to sleep, I kept a wary eye open, just in case he tried licking me again.

And I couldn’t understand it—my first impression of him was a cool, aloof cat. How did things turn out this way?

He’s supposed to be a soul-guard cat? How could such a ‘strange’ soul-guard cat exist?

Moreover, I was a bit worried about Cloudy. Returning soul embryos only required vomiting them up for the master—why was she gone so long?

I lay there, occasionally peeking at the well-behaved Fishball, until finally, after who knows how long, Cloudy returned in a rush.

She slipped through the small door with a faint thud, her body exuding a chill. I frowned and asked, “Where have you been?”

Cloudy shivered. “Nothing.”

I stared at her in confusion, but Fishball suddenly spoke up, “Did you run into Rebecca?”

Cloudy shot Fishball a fierce glare. “Get out! Don’t bother me here!”

Fishball’s face was awkward, and after a moment’s hesitation, he sighed and left.

Cloudy curled up in her little bunny nest, still shivering.

She seemed in a terrible mood, burying her face in her paws, making soft whimpering sounds—was she crying?

As her cries gradually faded, silence settled over the room.

I dared not ask what had happened to Cloudy, nor how she was now, waiting until the warm morning sunlight streamed through the small window into the cat house, when Cloudy finally stretched and awoke.

“Such a sweet sleep,” Cloudy smiled, looking at me. “Eh? Qianqian, your eyes are so red.”

I sheepishly scratched my ear.

Of course my eyes were red—I’d thought she was crying all night, and I’d stared wide-eyed, unable to sleep!

“Qianqian, I have bad news for you,” Cloudy suddenly twitched her ears. “Don’t get upset when you hear it.”

I nodded, holding my breath, listening.

“Although the master forgave you yesterday—” she shook her paw, “—she didn’t forgive me. Today I still need two soul embryos.”

I sighed in relief. “That’s all?”

Cloudy was anxious. “Isn’t that a big deal? We’re not always lucky enough to find double soul embryos!”

“No worries! With me here!” I grinned, stepping out of my cat nest to rub against her. “Drink some water, let’s find something to eat, then go hunt soul embryos!”

Cloudy stared at me for a while, then finally nodded firmly, seemingly convinced.

After preparing ourselves, we headed to the rift entrance and jumped back to the human world.

We couldn’t return to that bar—our last visit had caused chaos, and they’d surely beefed up security. No way would cats be allowed in again.

So we had to try other places.

But somehow, word must have gotten out—every shop had loads of security guards, and no matter how we tried, we couldn’t get inside.

Cloudy was frantic, circling in distress. “It’s almost noon, and we haven’t found a single soul embryo! What are we going to do?!”

I soothed her, running my tail along her back and entwining it with hers. “Don’t worry, no matter how many we find today, you get first pick.”

Cloudy sighed, nodding. “Thank you, Qianqian.”

“No need for thanks!” I smiled, surveying the surroundings.

And sure enough, I spotted a man making a phone call, a particular part of his body radiating intense heat!

When desperate, even a phone call can be a lead—surely he’s speaking to someone he desires.

I crept closer, hiding behind obstacles and eavesdropping on the man’s conversation.

The chat delighted me—it sounded like he was arranging an outing with a woman.

We followed him, until half an hour later, a woman dressed as a student arrived by taxi, smiling as she greeted him.

“Same deal as always—seven hundred for one time. Hurry, I’ve got things to do.”

“Alright, you call the shots. Let’s go.” The man slung his arm around her.

Their exchange thrilled us two little cats!

Even a blind cat could see these two were about to ignite!

Although the woman showed no signs of high heat, this kind of transaction was devoid of personal feelings—much faster!

Cloudy and I quietly followed them. They booked a room, but instead of jumping right in, they shared a drink.

The room was on the first floor, with the window open. After a few rounds of drinks, both were dizzy, and we slipped in through the window to hide.

“Come on—” the woman laughed, reclining on the bed.

The man gleefully pounced, his hands roaming, quickly getting down to business.

Their bodies intertwined, sighs and moans filling the air.

It was clear the woman was quite experienced, and under her teasing, the man soon began panting heavily.

As the essence scattered, Cloudy leaped forward!

But the essence, as if it had a mind of its own, floated not into the woman’s body, but vanished into unseen corners!

Cloudy stepped back in shock, watching the drifting souls, her face almost blank.

I was equally bewildered, experiencing this for the first time. “You didn’t get any?”

Cloudy nodded, confused by everything before her.

I looked around—there were no other cats, so where had all the soul embryo essence gone?

After a long while, Cloudy and I jumped out the window.

Time was tight, no time to dwell on it—we had to find someone else!

As I thought this, I glanced up and saw, through a window on the first floor, a girl stripping naked, her slender figure alluring.

I signaled to Cloudy, who nodded, and we both slipped onto the windowsill, hiding behind the sofa.

“Brother Wang, want to take a shower?” the woman teased, snuggling into the man’s arms.

“I can’t hold back, forget the shower!” The man, rough and unromantic, scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed, then grabbed a bundle of rope, binding her hands behind her, and went straight to the point.

We stifled our giggles, watching as the man kneaded her flesh, laughing gleefully.

A pervert, it seemed… But the woman enjoyed it, laughing as well.

No wonder—some people like burly men, and perhaps this time things would last longer…

“Hiss—Brother Wang, do it harder,” the woman urged, chest thrusting upward, her skin already reddened from his grip.

The man responded with two loud slaps, leaving bright red marks on her hips!

The woman finally couldn’t stand it, begging for his affection.

Soon, the man mounted her, and unexpectedly, within minutes, he surrendered, firing away.

Countless soul embryos emanated from him, and Cloudy reacted instantly, darting forward and swallowing without hesitation!

But the strange thing happened again, without warning—the soul embryos still didn’t fly toward Cloudy!

Instead, they dispersed and vanished!

The man lay exhausted atop the woman, and she too was spent.

The two little cats were completely stunned, unable to make sense of what was happening.

Why were our soul embryos suddenly escaping?!

Just then, I heard a faint crack from behind the cabinet in the opposite corner!

Something was there!