Chapter 353: Sesame

When Zheng Tan first saw Li Yuanba, that guy was already pregnant with Peanut Candy, and at that time its owner Yanzi had just learned it was a female cat.

Considering the possible situation, Zheng Tan decided not to go to the pet center for the time being; even if they called him over, he wouldn't stay long, especially not in Xiao Guo's lounge. He resolved that he must not enter it during this period, because if, as he feared, Xiao Guo pinned the matter on him, it would be indefensible unless another DNA test were done.

For the earlier Hu Zi incident, Jiao Ba performed a parentage test for Zheng Tan; knowing there was such a way to clear himself, Zheng Tan wasn't too worried—at worst he could have Jiao Ba step in again later.

As for whose offspring this pregnancy was, Zheng Tan recalled the story he heard two days before Er Mao's daughter's 100‑day banquet, when Er Mao, Wei Leng, and he went to Kaixuan together.

Since March, whenever Ye Hao came over, he kept Jueye by his side—whether for safety or some other reason, Zheng Tan didn't know. If that's the case, this pregnancy is probably Jueye's kitten, though it's unclear what it will look like. Also, when did Jueye and Li Yuanba meet, and does Ye Hao know?

He shook his head and stopped pondering; since the studio cats had settled down, Zheng Tan immediately went home with Jiao Ba.

Because Jiao Ba has little time, if anything else comes up at the pet center, Cha Li will come directly to fetch Zheng Tan.

Every few days, when trouble broke out at the studio, Cha Li would come to pick up Zheng Tan, even though Cha Li and that staff member blamed it on the little cat. Yet Zheng Tan wondered whether Li Yuanba's influence was also involved, perhaps Jueye had visited quietly at some point.

With more visits, Zheng Tan could observe the little cat's recovery. As Cha Li and the others said, the kitten's vitality is extraordinary—surviving such severe injuries in the disaster, now its spirit is good, even though it lost its forelimbs and hops around like a kangaroo. As long as it has vigor, that's a good sign.

When Xiao Guo had free time, he instructed Cha Li and the others to take good care of the kitten; they planned to produce a feature on it, which could raise additional donations. That would also boost the reputation of the Green Wing Association and the pet center. The funds would be given to the disaster area where the kitten was found, to support victims and reconstruction.

As for the kitten's name, Xiao Guo gave it—he called it "Doggy". It's hard to imagine a cat being given a dog's name.

Later, Zheng Tan overheard Cha Li and the others discussing and learned why Xiao Guo chose that name.

The rescue dog that saved the kitten was named "Zai Zai"; it is said to come from a lineage of rescue dogs. Its father was a highly honored rescue dog named "King". Originally, "Zai Zai" was called "K Zai", using the initial of its father's name, but later the term "K Zai" was linked to some sensitive prohibited things, so it was changed to the current "Zai Zai".

Xiao Guo's reasoning was that the cat was rescued by a dog named "Zai Zai", so he simply named the cat "Doggy". As for a name, it just needs to sound smooth—"Doggy" does; besides, Yanzi could name her own cat "Li Yuanba", so naming this cat "Doggy" isn't that odd.

The studio cats, though occasionally temperamental, are generally gentle and not very aggressive; they treat "Doggy" fairly calmly, and several cats often go over to lick its fur.

The pet center's website has opened a new section dedicated to "Doggy", detailing its condition from surgery to the present. Because of "Doggy", many cat lovers have donated again, and some have even visited the pet center in person.

From the day of the earthquake through the rest of May and all of June, that heavy feeling never lifted.

A Jin and his group went to the disaster zone, and now some celebrities have also gone there; whether it's for publicity or genuine concern, as long as it helps the victims and reconstruction, it's fine.

Xiao Guo returned in mid‑June, and the day after his return—still reeling from the emotions accumulated in the disaster zone—Li Yuanba gave birth.

Early that morning, after finishing breakfast, Xiao Guo shuffled into the lounge with a cup of tea, and upon seeing the scene on the sofa, almost flung the cup from his hand.

Yanzi arrived after hearing the news, full of remorse. She had been very busy for the past two months, especially the last month—caring for a child and worrying about Xiao Guo. Although she had noticed something odd about Li Yuanba before, she hadn't thought about it or tended to it. Now that she knows the real cause of Li Yuanba's abnormality, she feels heartache, muttering whether Li Yuanba has been hungry all this time.

Xiao Guo also feared that nutritional issues might affect the big and small cats, but Li Yuanba refused any examination, outright forbidding anyone other than Xiao Guo and Yanzi from entering. Whenever someone entered, Li Yuanba roared, its gaze giving people the creeps. Since Li Yuanba has become low‑key now, many have forgotten that the cat was once very fierce.

However, Xiao Guo soon realized that both he and Yanzi had worried for nothing. Some food he left in the lounge and some reserve rations in the studio had diminished; Cha Li noted that chicken cubes in the fridge kept disappearing. They hadn't cared at the time, but now it seemed Li Yuanba had eaten them. Such rummaging isn't something Li Yuanba does publicly, so no one knew it had that skill; perhaps it had secretly done similar things before, unnoticed. Back then, Zheng Tan even learned a few window‑climbing tricks from it, showing this hidden‑talent cat is quite capable.

Zheng Tan only learned about Li Yuanba giving birth on the day the studio opened, but Xiao Guo kept it tightly under wraps; besides the studio staff, people at the pet center's shop and clinic were unaware, and the studio crew had presumably been told by Xiao Guo, so no news leaked.

This left Zheng Tan puzzled—what kind of little creature was born to be hidden so carefully by Xiao Guo?

Glancing at Xiao Guo, who sat beside the camera but whose mind was far from the set, Zheng Tan's curiosity deepened.

At that moment, several people in the studio who had seen the kitten, including Cha Li, were also pondering its parentage. The kitten was still too young to show other traits; they'd have to wait for it to grow. As for its coat color… after considering the kitten's fur and scanning the studio cats, they still had no clue. Owner Yanzi said it might not be a pet‑center cat, if there's any tendency. It wouldn't have lasted until now. Li Yuanba also doesn't favor those cats. Though cats may not discuss emotions like humans, in the past few years there's only been one Peanut Candy, which is a fact.

Moreover, the pet center has many tomcats named "Taijian", reducing the likelihood further. Finally, Cha Li's gaze landed on Zheng Tan, making Zheng Tan's beard tremble.

Damn it, they're suspecting pregnancy again.

However, Cha Li thought of Peanut Candy. That doesn't fit—Peanut Candy is long‑haired, and its size doesn't match Zheng Tan's. If this kitten is also long‑haired and large enough…

He tapped his forehead, and Cha Li tried to recall the long‑haired cats around, especially forest breeds, but still couldn't figure it out.

Around noon, Yanzi came over carrying a lunchbox with cat food she had made for Li Yuanba. Xiao Guo, no longer staying on the set, joined Yanzi in the lounge. Zheng Tan seized the chance to follow, wanting to see what the kitten actually looked like.

Cha Li and a few other staff eating lunch craned their necks but didn't go over; they weren't allowed to get near that area.

Peanut Candy hasn't gone out to scout locations these days, staying perched near the lounge, watching that side, occasionally walking to the door to sniff the gap—perhaps aware that its sibling is inside. When others come, it even helps Li Yuanba chase them away.

Zheng Tan remains an exception; when Peanut Candy sees him, it doesn't show aggression as it does with others, but, as usual, rubs against him—just like the little one that Li Yuanba once walked around outside.

After seeing this, Xiao Guo and Yanzi, who had originally planned to persuade Zheng Tan to leave, fell silent; they also wanted to see whether Li Yuanba would drive Zheng Tan away.

When the door opened, Peanut Candy poked its head at the entrance, followed Zheng Tan inside, but didn't get close, instead perched at the doorway, neck stretched long, curiously watching the sofa side.

Zheng Tan walked a few steps inside; Li Yuanba let out a warning bark, but only a warning—unlike the intense guard and attack it shows toward others.

After stopping, Zheng Tan hopped onto a nearby chair, stood slightly, and looked at the sofa. Xiao Guo had surrounded the edge with a barrier to keep the kitten from falling, and the floor around the sofa was covered with a thick blanket as a precaution. The sofa cushion also held a mat that Li Yuanba had used before, making it easy to change and helping Li Yuanba adjust faster.

At that moment, Li Yuanba lay on its side on the sofa, with a suspicious lump nestled in its belly area.

What is that? A dragon fruit?

Jiao Ma had bought some dragon fruit these past two days, so Zheng Tan, looking at the lump, thought of the fruit's flesh.

Of course, the spots on that lump weren't as densely packed as the black seeds in the white flesh of Jiao Ma's dragon fruit; in fact, the coat pattern most resembles that of the breed known scientifically as the Dachshund.

Indeed, the kitten nestled in Li Yuanba's lap now has a coat strikingly similar to a spotted dog. Zheng Tan has seen many black‑and‑white cats, but this is the first time he's seen black spots growing like this. If the base were yellow it could be likened to a leopard, but this one has a white base, only black and white.

That's why Xiao Guo kept the news tightly under wraps—he feared that curious people might come to see it and disturb Li Yuanba. Among the cat community there are many wealthy, influential individuals; unfortunately Xiao Guo isn't selling the cat. If they insisted on seeing it, Xiao Guo's refusal would offend them, and Yanzi also said the cat isn't for sale and will be kept, so Xiao Guo simply blocked the information.

Like the earlier Peanut Candy case, Li Yuanba only gave birth to this one; the kitten's size is larger than that of a typical kitten.

Yanzi and Xiao Guo were discussing what name to give this cat.

Peanut Candy's name was based on its coat color; Xiao Guo intends to name this one similarly. Yesterday, while Yanzi was eating black sesame cloud cake, she mentioned the kitten; after thinking, Xiao Guo said, "How about calling it Black Sesame, hmm, short for Sesame." (To be continued…)