Chapter 28

Chinese -> translate.

Translation: Seeing Zheng Tan getting along very well with those kittens inside, the "Prince" who had been lounging on the cat tree couldn't sit still; after probing twice, he jumped in.

We need to keep quotes?...

Seeing Zheng Tan getting along "very well" with those kittens inside, the "Prince" who had been staying on the cat tree couldn't sit still; after probing twice, he jumped in.

the 'Prince' who had been staying on the cat tree also couldn't sit still

However, after discovering the 'Prince', the five kittens were still the same as before—arching their backs, fur standing on end, making warning sounds. The only difference was that now, with Zheng Tan present, the five kittens seemed emboldened, all crowding close to Zheng Tan, making it inconvenient for him even to lift his foot.

Translation: However, after discovering the "Prince", the five kittens were still the same as before—arching their backs, fur standing on end, emitting warning sounds; the only difference was that now, with Zheng Tan present, the five kittens seemed emboldened, all crowding close to him, making it inconvenient for Zheng Tan even to lift his foot.

arched their backs, fur standing on end, making warning sounds

The 'Prince' took two steps toward them; the kittens arched their backs even more fiercely, warning sounds came one after another, and they pressed even closer to Zheng Tan.

Note: "小貓門" maybe typo for "小貓們". We'll translate as "the kittens'". So: The "Prince" took two steps toward them; the kittens arched their backs even more fiercely, warning sounds came one after another, and they pressed even closer to Zheng Tan.

Zheng Tan is now annoyed - why are these five tiny kittens crowding so close to his feet? He feels uneasy all over, but fears that any big movement might kick, press, or bump them, so while he's irritated, his whole body also tenses up. This frustration peaks when the 'Prince' approaches.

Translation: Zheng Tan was now annoyed—why were these five tiny kittens crowding so close to his feet? He felt uncomfortable all over, yet feared that any big movement might kick, press, or bump them, so while being impatient his whole body also grew stiff. This annoyed feeling of Zheng Tan's peaked when the "Prince" drew near.

Zheng Tan's ears perked up, and he gave the approaching American Shorthair a threatening look: 'Get lost, you bastard, or I'll beat you to death!'

Translation: Zheng Tan's ears perked up, and he glared at the approaching American Shorthair with oppressive eyes: "Get lost, you bastard, or I'll beat you to death!"

We need to keep "You little shit, if you don't scram I'll beat you to death!" Could be "You little shit, if you don't scram I'll beat you to death!" But we need to be faithful: "You little shit, if you don't scram I'll beat you to death!" Literally: "You damn, if you don't roll away, old me will beat you to death!" We'll translate as: "Get lost, you bastard, or I'll beat you to death!" That's close."

Xiao Guo, standing outside the plastic board, saw this and softly called his own cat, realizing that his cat had no chance to film this ad; those several kittens simply wouldn't give face.

Translation: Xiao Guo, standing outside the plastic board, saw this and softly called his own cat, seeing that his cat had no chance to film this ad; those several kittens simply wouldn't give face.

Xiao Guo, standing outside the plastic board, saw this and softly called his own cat, seeing that his cat had no chance to film this ad; those several kittens simply wouldn't give face.

Under pressure from all sides, the 'Prince' slowly backed away, then jumped out of the circle and went to Xiao Guo seeking comfort.

Translation: Under pressure from all sides, the "Prince" still slowly retreated, then jumped out of the enclosure and went to Xiao Guo seeking comfort.

Seeing the 'enemy' gone, the kittens' alarm was lifted; they continued playing around Zheng Tan, waddling after him as he moved, rubbing against him when he stopped, rolling around or playing with his paws and tail beside him.

Translation: Seeing the "enemy" gone, the kittens' alarm was lifted; they continued playing around Zheng Tan, as he moved they followed closely wobbling, when he stopped they rubbed against him, rolling around or playing with his paws and tail.

Compared to the kittens' cheerful mood, Zheng Tan kept a sour expression; cats don't show many facial expressions, but anyone seeing Zheng Tan now would conclude that he's in a very bad mood.

Translation: Compared to the kittens' happy mood, Zheng Tan kept a sour face; cats don't show many expressions, but anyone seeing Zheng Tan now would conclude that this cat is in a very bad mood.

Zheng Tan glanced down helplessly at the kitten lying on its back, rolling near his paw. The kitten's paws are soft, reflecting a gentle sheen in the light—nothing like the rough pads of an adult cat. Meanwhile, Zheng Tan's daily running and climbing have worn his own pads even more.

Translation: Zheng Tan lowered his head helplessly and glanced at the kitten lying on its back, rolling beside his paw. The kitten's paw pads were tender, reflecting a soft sheen in the light, unlike the rough pads of an adult cat worn down. And Zheng Tan, from daily running and climbing, had worn his paw pads even more than other cats'.

Zheng Tan watched as the kitten waved its tiny paws in the air, then lifted one of his own front paws to compare it with the kitten's pink paw.

Translation: Zheng Tan watched as the kitten waved its tiny paws in the air, he lifted one of his forepaws and placed it against the pink little paw in midair, comparing them.

'Tsk, it's really small—still not as big as the fleshy pad in the center of my own paw. But it's really soft.'

Translation: Tsk, really tiny, not even matching the flesh pad at the center of my own paw. But it's really soft.

Click-click-click-click!

Translation: Click-click-click-click!

The camera shutter sounded, and the flash blinked.

Translation: The camera shutter sounded, the flash blinked.

Zheng Tan glanced sideways; Xiao Guo was excitedly snapping photos with his camera, constantly shifting positions and angles like a monkey. Because there were many obstructions, Xiao Guo's poses looked particularly odd—like those sleazy uncles trying to sneak a peek up girls' skirts.

Translation: Zheng Tan turned his head; Xiao Guo was excitedly snapping photos with the camera, constantly shifting position and angle like a monkey, and because there were many obstructions here, his posing while shooting looked especially strange, like those lecherous uncles secretly filming girls' skirts.

'Manager, should we use this one?' the staff said eagerly. Filming the kitten food ad should definitely feature this black cat—aside from it, the other cats in the store are far inferior.

Translation: "Manager, shall we use this one?" the staff said eagerly. Filming the kitten food ad should definitely be this black cat; aside from it, the other cats in the shop are far inferior.

'That's it! Get ready, let's start!' Xiao Guo's eyes shone with excitement: 'Our ad will definitely bring in a huge number of orders!'

Translation: "That's it! Get ready, let's get to work!" Xiao Guo's eyes shone with excitement: "Our ad will definitely bring in a huge batch of orders!"

Xiao Guo's ad concept is simple: a litter of abandoned kittens is discovered by a big cat, who then carries cat food to them. The food to be carried comes in two kinds—kitten milk biscuits and kitten canned food—both produced and sold in-house by Xiao Guo's team, and they've passed inspection by a dedicated quality control department, guaranteeing quality; this is one reason why Jia's father agreed to let Zheng Tan take on the job.

Translation: Xiao Guo's ad concept is simple: basically, a litter of abandoned kittens is found by a big cat, who then carries cat food over to them. The cat food to be carried comes in two kinds—kitten milk biscuits and kitten canned food—both produced and sold in-house by Xiao Guo's team, and they have also been inspected by a dedicated quality-control department, guaranteeing quality; this is one reason why Jiao Ba agreed to let Zheng Tan take on the job.

Xiao Guo's earlier worry was that the big cat wouldn't get along with the kittens, but during filming he discovered that being too clingy is also problematic—several kittens refuse to stay put in the prop nest, and even if they do, they run to Zheng Tan the moment they see him appear.

Translation: Xiao Guo's earlier worry had been that the big cat wouldn't get along with the kittens, but now, while filming the ad, he discovered that being too clingy was also bad—the several kittens refused to stay obediently in the prop nest, and even if they were inside, they'd run over as soon as they saw Zheng Tan appear.

The good news is that this situation is easier to handle than poor relations; the kittens clearly showed affection for both kinds of cat food, boosting Xiao Guo's confidence in his product.

Translation: The good news is that this situation is easier to handle than poor relations; the kittens indeed showed affection for both kinds of cat food, which boosted Xiao Guo's confidence in his own product.

After four hours of shooting, only post‑production work remains, which Zheng Tan doesn't have to worry about; he just wants to leave quickly and not stay on as a 'nanny cat'.

Translation: It took four hours to finish shooting; the rest is post-production work, which Zheng Tan doesn't have to worry about—he just wants to leave quickly and not stay here as a nursemaid.

What annoyed Zheng Tan was that the sky darkened and it began to drizzle, even though the forecast had said no rain.

Translation: What annoyed Zheng Tan was that the sky darkened and it began to drizzle, even though the weather forecast had said there would be no rain!

Xiao Guo called Jia's father, saying they'd return the cats once the rain stopped; the rain shouldn't last long, and in any case the cats will definitely be sent back before dark.

Translation: Xiao Guo called Jiao Ba, saying they'd return the cats once the rain stopped; the rain shouldn't last long, and no matter what, they'd definitely send the cats back before dark.

So Zheng Tan ends up stuck in the studio, feeling miserable. The silver lining is that the five kittens, presumably worn out from the shoot, curl up together to sleep after eating the cat food, with a heating pad beneath their nest. Recently the temperature has dropped, the big cat isn't around, and the kittens are prone to getting chilled.

Translation: So Zheng Tan had to stay miserably in the studio a while longer. Fortunately, the five kittens, presumably tired from the ad shoot, after eating the cat food curled up together to sleep, with a heating pad placed beneath their kitten nest. Recently the temperature has been a bit low, the big cat isn't around, and the kittens are prone to catching a chill.

Xiao Guo had originally planned to have Zheng Tan stay with the kittens while they slept, which would be simpler and more reassuring, but the heating pad can't compare to the real warmth of a cat.

Translation: Originally Xiao Guo had planned to have Zheng Tan stay with the kittens while they slept, which would be simpler and more reassuring; the heating pad's effect definitely can't match that of a real cat.

Zheng Tan closed his eyes, feigning sleep, ignoring Xiao Guo's words—whoever wants to go can go; anyway, I'm not going!

Translation: Zheng Tan closed his eyes, feigning sleep, and ignored Xiao Guo's words—whoever wants to go can go; anyway, I'm not going!

During the break, those who hadn't eaten lunch ordered takeout. Knowing Zheng Tan doesn't eat cat food, Xiao Guo prepared him a chicken rice meal.

Translation: During the break, those who hadn't eaten lunch ordered takeout. Knowing Zheng Tan doesn't eat cat food, Xiao Guo prepared him a chicken rice bowl.

Everyone was eating when the studio door was flung open violently.

Translation: Everyone was eating when the studio door was flung open.

'Guo Xiaoming! Help!!'

Translation: "Guo Xiaoming! Save me!!"

The person who entered was a young woman, holding an umbrella, her hair disheveled and looking flustered; Zheng Tan couldn't see her clearly, mainly because her hair blocked his view and the black‑frame glasses affected his perception.

Translation: The one who entered was a woman, apparently still young, holding an umbrella, her hair disheveled and looking flustered; Zheng Tan couldn't see her clearly, mainly because her hair blocked the view and the black-framed glasses affected his sight.

The newcomer was carrying a pet carrier, and although she herself was soaked, the carrier stayed dry.

Translation: The person was holding a pet carrier, and although her body was soaked, she kept the carrier dry.

Xiao Guo, who was eating a boxed meal, nearly choked when he saw her and said, 'Yanzi, I'm Guo Mingyi, not Guo Xiaoming—I've told you that many times, yet you still get it wrong… What's wrong with you now?'

Translation: Xiao Guo, who was eating his boxed meal, nearly choked upon seeing the visitor: "I've told you, Yanzi, I'm Guo Mingyi, not Guo Xiaoming—I've said it countless times and you still won't change… What's wrong with you now?"

'Help! My Li Yuanba is sick!' she exclaimed, tossing her umbrella aside and rushing over in a panic.

Translation: "Help! My Li Yuanba is sick!" The woman hastily put down her umbrella and rushed over.

Upon hearing the young woman utter the name 'Li Yuanba,' Zheng Tan spat out the chicken chunk in his mouth.

Translation: Upon hearing the young woman utter the name "Li Yuanba," Zheng Tan spat out the chicken chunks in his mouth.

'One would have to be incredibly mighty, imposing, and overflowing with aura to deserve a name like that!'

Translation: One would have to be incredibly mighty, imposing, and overflowing with domineering aura to deserve such a name!

So Zheng Tan, still chewing his chicken rice, looked over to see what the pet carrier held inside.

Translation: So Zheng Tan, while chewing the chicken rice in his mouth, looked over to see what kind of appearance lay inside that pet carrier.

'What's wrong with your Li Yuanba? I remember you said it was very healthy,' Xiao Guo said after taking a couple bites of rice, then walked over to a clear spot by the wall with a table, so as not to disturb everyone eating; it's not appropriate to examine a cat here.

Translation: "What's wrong with your 'Li Yuanba'? I remember you said it was very healthy." Xiao Guo took two bites of rice, then walked over to a clear spot by the inner wall with a table, so as not to be in the way—since everyone here is eating, it's not suitable to examine a cat.

'If it's sick, you should take it to my brother's place; I just sell pet supplies here,' Xiao Guo said while unzipping the pet carrier.

Translation: "If it's sick, you should send it to my brother's place; I here just sell pet supplies." Xiao Guo said while unzipping the pet carrier.

'He's an old classmate of mine; going through the back door makes me feel more at ease,' Yanzi explained, her face still showing worry.

Translation: "We're old classmates, after all—I feel more at ease using the back door." Yanzi explained, her face still showing worry.

As Xiao Guo opened the carrier, Zheng Tan finally saw the true appearance of 'Li Yuanba.'

Translation: As Xiao Guo opened the pet carrier, Zheng Tan finally saw the true appearance of this "Li Yuanba."

'Holy cow! Its fur looks like a fire‑scene—truly special, full of imposing presence!'

Translation: Holy shit! Its fur color is like a fire scene—indeed very special, feels incredibly imposing!

This cat's fur is mainly black, mixed with some yellow and a bit of white.

Translation: This cat's fur is mainly black, with some yellow and a bit of white mixed in.

From a cat's perspective, Zheng Tan feels this cat has a strong aura—not just a simple role, and likely quite fierce in a fight.

Translation: From a cat's perspective, Zheng Tan feels this cat has a strong aura—not a simple character, and likely quite fierce in a fight.

This is also Xiao Guo's first time actually seeing Li Yuanba; before, he'd only seen photos online. After Yanzi got in touch with Xiao Guo, they chatted online—Yanzi was happy to hear Xiao Guo had opened a pet center and sent him pictures of her Li Yuanba, though they didn't talk much. Yanzi had bought vaccines and cat food from the store before, but this was the first time she brought the cat.

Translation: This is also Xiao Guo's first time actually seeing "Li Yuanba"; before he'd only seen photos online. After Yanzi got in touch with Xiao Guo, they chatted online—Yanzi knew Xiao Guo was happy when he opened his pet center, so she showed him online a photo of her own "Li Yuanba"; they didn't chat much further, though Yanzi had bought vaccines and canned cat food from the shop before, and this was the first time she brought the cat.

'Your cat… I feel it's quite fierce,' Xiao Guo said. He didn't reach out to pet it; from experience he could read the cat's mood from its gaze, and he thought it best not to touch it, lest he end up with scratches or bite marks.

Translation: "This cat… I feel it's quite fierce." Xiao Guo said. Having seen many cats, he didn't reach out to pet it; he could read the cat's current emotion from its gaze, and thought it best not to touch it, otherwise he might end up with scratches or bite marks on his hands.

The cat lay there calmly on its side, showing no particular abnormality except for a slight shift in its eyes when Xiao Guo approached.

Translation: The cat lay there calmly on its side; aside from a slight change in its gaze when Xiao Guo approached, there wasn't much else abnormal.

Xiao Guo merely gave the cat a quick look and then asked, 'How did you determine it's sick?'

Translation: Xiao Guo merely gave the cat a quick look and then asked: "How did you determine it's sick?"

'It's been lying around in one spot, barely moving—before it would go out to play, and even at home, teasing it used to elicit some response, though it wasn't very playful before. Now it basically ignores toys, has been like this for a while, shows no interest in anything, and just stays put. My neighbor thinks it might be sick… Guo Xiaoming, is it seriously ill?' Yanzi said anxiously.

Translation: "It now often just lies in one spot sleeping, hardly moving; before it would go out to play a bit, and even at home, teasing it used to elicit some reaction—although it never played much before, there was at least some response. Now it basically ignores those toys, has been this way for a while, shows no interest in many things, just stays there motionless. My neighbor said it might be sick… Guo Xiaoming, is it seriously ill?" Yanzi said anxiously.

Xiao Guo thought for a moment and then asked, 'Has its appetite changed?'

Translation: Xiao Guo thought for a moment, then asked: "Has its food intake changed?"

'Yes, it's actually eating quite a lot.'

Translation: "Yes, it's actually eating quite a lot."

Xiao Guo nodded and said, 'Nothing to worry about—your Li Yuanba is just pregnant.'

Translation: Xiao Guo nodded and then said: "Nothing much, don't worry—your 'Li Yuanba' is just pregnant."

Zheng Tan: '…' How could that sound so horrifying?!

Translation: Zheng Tan: "……" How could that sound so terrifying?!

Upon hearing that, Yanzi reacted even more strongly, as if seeing a mythical beast: 'Impossible—my Li Yuanba can't be pregnant; it's a male cat!'

Translation: And upon hearing this, Yanzi reacted even more strongly, as if seeing a divine beast: "Impossible, how could my 'Li Yuanba' be pregnant! It's a male cat!"

Xiao Guo gave her a look, pointing at the cat lying sideways in the carrier: 'You don't need to look elsewhere—just seeing this coat color tells you it's basically a female tortoiseshell cat. This coloration results from random X‑chromosome inactivation.'

Translation: Xiao Guo gave her a look, pointed at the cat lying on its side in the carrier, and said: "No need to look elsewhere—just seeing this coat color tells you it's basically a female tortoiseshell cat. This coat color results from random X-chromosome inactivation.

If the inactivated X chromosome carries a recessive gene, the fur appears black; if it carries a dominant gene, the fur appears yellow. Since X‑chromosome inactivation occurs randomly in cells across the skin, the cat's coat shows a patchy pattern—yellow and black intermixed, i. e., tortoiseshell.

Translation: If the inactivated X chromosome carries a linked recessive gene, it shows black; if it carries a dominant gene, it shows yellow; and since X-chromosome inactivation occurs randomly in cells of different parts of the cat's skin, the fur ends up with a patchy pattern like this—namely, the yellow-and-black tortoiseshell color.

After hearing Xiao Guo's explanation, Yanzi frowned and said, 'I study computer science, not genetics.'

Translation: After hearing Xiao Guo's explanation, Yanzi agonized a bit: "I study computer science, not genetics."

Yanzi and Xiao Guo were high‑school classmates, but they pursued different majors in college.

Translation: Yanzi and Xiao Guo were high school classmates; in college they studied different majors.

'Didn't anyone around you tell you you were raising a female cat?' Xiao Guo said, baffled. Yanzi lives in an older residential area where neighbors are familiar and usually talk; if one person can't tell, could it be that no one else can either?

Translation: "Didn't anyone around you tell you you were raising a female cat?" Xiao Guo couldn't understand; Yanzi lives in an older residential area where neighbors should be well acquainted and communicate—if one person can't tell, could it be that others also can't?

'I… I don't go out much, and my neighbors said it was a male cat, so I named it Li Yuanba,' Yanzi replied, a little embarrassed.

Translation: "I… I don't go out much either; our neighbors said it was a male cat, so I named it 'Li Yuanba'." Yanzi felt a bit embarrassed.

Yanzi's real name is Li Yan, a very ordinary name; she is not good at dressing up, and from childhood to adulthood her presence among classmates has always been low. The cat she keeps is actually a stray; later Yanzi adopted it and brought it home.

"Your neighbors? That guy with the middle-parted hair who likes wearing those shiny patent leather shoes?" Xiao Guo asked.

"Yes, that's him!" Yanzi nodded.

Xiao Guo made a "tsk" sound: "That guy last week even brought his cat over to let the cat snip his little jj—his family's cat is a female, snipping a hairless little jj! That kid probably thinks it's as easy to tell male from female in cats as it is in dogs."

Knowing her cat was pregnant, Yanzi asked many things to watch out for, and Xiao Guo answered them all.

"During a female cat's pregnancy, one should avoid giving medication and chemical substances, especially steroids and antifungal agents like griseofulvin, and pay special attention to the amount, quality, and type of food..."

Yanzi brought a recording device and recorded all of Xiao Guo's words.

"Alright, that's enough for now; later you'll look up the information yourself, and if anything's unclear you can ask me—online comments or email are fine. I guess I've been busy lately; when I'm free I'll check the messages and emails."

"Okay, thank you! Huh, are those kittens?" Yanzi's gaze swept to the furball in the corner.

"Yeah, six-week-old kittens, just finished a shoot, now they're tired and sleeping."

"An ad? A kitten ad? Can I take a look?"

Xiao Guo thought for a moment, didn't refuse, and showed Yanzi some unprocessed footage from the shoot.

"How cute," Yanzi exclaimed, then pointed at Zheng Tan, who was full and resting on the highest cat tree, and asked Xiao Guo, "Is that the black cat's kitten?"

"No, the mother of these kittens is a domestic short-haired cat, and the father is a Siberian forest cat—this is certain; you can tell by looking at the kittens' fur." Xiao Guo explained.

"Then why does it get along so well with the kittens?"

"Probably it just has a stronger affinity for kittens." For this question, Xiao Guo also didn't know.

"That black cat really is special. Hey, Guo Xiaoming, when my kittens are born, bring them over to film a few segments—I might need to borrow that black cat then."

Xiao Guo didn't speak, but instead looked toward Zheng Tan.

Zheng Tan: "..." Damn it! I don't want to bring kittens!

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Thanks to Ailingyue, Zhao Sichong, Chan Mo〓van, Yuan Gang's wife, luoke000, Oufimosi, Leng Jiutou, lazyorange, hp9394, 820627 for the tips! Thanks toajudy, LengxueぃKuangao, Beiming Youyu (2) for the votes! Thanks to everyone for the tips and all kinds of vote support~