Chapter 36

Following Li Yuanba around outside for a circuit, he gained much; this trip was greatly enlightening for Zheng Tan.

It is said that Li Yuanba is a stray cat; obviously its outdoor survival experience far exceeds that of other house cats, and it can well discern the good and evil factors of various people and animals in the environment; even when walking beside a sidewalk it remains composed, and when encountering people with ill intent, its response methods differ.

Some people, if you show a threatening or intimidating demeanor, they will stay away; while others, the more you display threat and intimidation, the more they become aggressive. People are like that, and as a cat, its status is even lower, its situation more dire, so many animals that roam the streets and alleys will flee at the sight of humans, because they cannot clearly discern which people are kind and which harbor malice; after suffering a few injuries they develop a conditioned reflex to run at the sight of humans.

However, Li Yuanba can quickly choose the best response. For example, when passing a milk tea shop, a couple sat on the nearby chairs; the man made a few "meow" calls, waving a thin string in his hand to attract the cat's attention. Cats are usually sensitive to the "meow" sound and also like moving strings. Yet he did not expect Li Yuanba to instead walk away from him.

Zheng Tan was quite curious at the time, because before this someone had also called to Li Yuanba in the same way; Li Yuanba didn't approach, nor did it change its walking route. But this time, after twitching its ears, it simply walked away decisively. Zheng Tan followed it, altering his route.

Not having gone far, Zheng Tan heard the man holding his milk tea beside the shop calling again, so he turned to look; there a cat passed by, perched on the flowerbed, looking like a house cat with clean, smooth fur.

Hearing the man's call and seeing the swaying string, the cat moved toward him; the next moment, the man sprayed his milk tea with a straw toward it; the cat dodged quickly, only some fur on its side got stained with milk tea. Thus the cat became unhappy, lowered its ears, fur puffed up, and let out a low growl. If Xiao Guo were here, he would surely know this is a cat's warning that it may attack or flee at any moment; in such a situation it's best not to provoke it.

As a result, the cat's reaction only made the man spray even more gleefully. The cat was drenched in milk tea, shouting as it ran into the greenery, leaving only the couple's laughter.

Trash!

That laughter was too grating; Zheng Tan tugged at his ears, seeing those two faces he felt like scratching them.

Zheng Tan glanced at Li Yuanba; it had already walked away, as if unaware of what had just happened.

The notion of drawing a sword to help when seeing injustice is, for a cat, utter nonsense; nobody is a superhero, especially now when it's merely a cat struggling to survive. A cat's life is worthless.

Zheng Tan withdrew his gaze and quickened his pace to catch up with Li Yuanba.

After turning the corner, he encountered another couple; likewise, the man made a "meow" sound and performed some gestures to attract the cat's attention. Seeing the cat before him ignore him, he threw a small pebble at Li Yuanba.

What surprised Zheng Tan was that this time Li Yuanba displayed a completely different demeanor: it lowered its ears, raised its whiskers, bared its fangs, and let out a low growl.

For different people, different responses; there is no one-size-fits-all retreat—be forceful when needed, and when force is unnecessary, deftly avoid conflict. This is the attitude Li Yuanba adopts while wandering the streets, unlike other cats' lifestyles.

Zheng Tan had been following close behind, so he could clearly see everything that had occurred; the first couple and the second couple indeed showed personality differences, and their instantaneous facial expressions enabled Li Yuanba to choose the most suitable method.

Those unable to emulate Li Yuanba can only behave like other stray cats, fleeing at the sight of people outdoors, no matter how enticing the offering, because you never know whether you'll be sprayed with filth or pelted with stones the next moment, nor whether your warning will be effective or merely provoke them further.

Not being a golden pet of Beverly Hills, as an ordinary domestic animal living in the city, one either resigns to the status quo or goes on to learn more survival skills.

For a cat that cannot stay indoors, survival is not easy. Lack of experience in the social environment poses the greatest test for Zheng Tan. He is accustomed to considering problems from a human perspective, but now he is gradually shifting. He does not know how long he must remain in this feline form; if he can never return, to survive he must learn much more, learning how to view problems from the standpoint of an ordinary cat.

For a cat that cannot stay still indoors, survival is not easy. Lacking experience in the social environment, this is the greatest test for Zheng Tan. Zheng Tan is used to considering problems from a human perspective, but now he is gradually changing. He does not know how long he must continue in this cat form; if he can never return, to survive he still needs to learn a lot, to learn how to view problems from the perspective of an ordinary cat.

After following Li Yuanba around, when they returned to the pet center, Xiao Guo and the others had just finished their work and were calling Zheng Tan's cat name. Seeing Zheng Tan come from the back door, Xiao Guo had no suspicions, assuming Zheng Tan was merely curious and had taken a stroll there, completely unaware that the back door of his studio area had been turned over and over.

Returning to Chu Hua Da Xue and entering the eastern faculty housing area, the outside clamor seemed to have settled, suddenly becoming much quieter. The students seen rushing about for year-end activities or various exams on the road were largely unacquainted with the harshness of the world; students of this era have far simpler psyches than those ten years later.

What makes a person mature is experience, not age; even these students lacking background or family connections, upon going out, may still fall short of their peers who have already weathered many years of hardship and are capable of handling affairs.

Zheng Tan jumped down from Xiao Guo's car, looked up, and saw A Huang lying on the lawn basking in the sun; this fellow never leaves the campus grounds, perhaps for him this vast area is already enough to romp in.

Besides, there was Niu Zhuangzhuang tethered nearby, and the Saint Bernard puppy Xiao Hua dozing on the grass.

In terms of size, Xiao Hua is now several times larger than Niu Zhuangzhuang, yet the latter is tethered while the former is not, purely a matter of temperament. This fellow Niu Zhuangzhuang is fairly amiable toward the few animals he has known since childhood, but toward unfamiliar pets he charges and attacks. Everyone in the compound remembers the theft case when the thief's leg was bitten; if not leashed, nobody would feel at ease.

As for Xiao Hua, several children in the compound often play with it; everyone knows Xiao Hua has a gentle disposition, aside from liking to drool, its impression is still good.

Seeing Zheng Tan, A Huang stretched lazily while lying on its side and let out a "meow".

When its call is low and gentle, it signifies a greeting, welcoming you, and also indicates its mood is good, amounting to a reply to you; when it calls louder, it may be complaining or making a request, such as begging for food when hungry.

Xiao Guo followed behind Zheng Tan up the stairs; each time they return it's the same—one eager to get home, the other strolling slowly behind.

Sometimes after finishing a commercial and sending Zheng Tan back, Xiao Guo would bring some photos taken during the ad for the Jiao family; this time was no exception.

Upon entering, Jiao Ma was preparing dinner; in the living room, Jiao Yuan, who had come home early from school, sat on a small stool, while Jiao Ba sat on the sofa, seemingly saying something, likely teaching him material beyond the textbooks. Xiao Youzi had an interest group class today, attending a drawing lesson, and would not return until later; Ling Auntie, when picking up the child, would also bring Xiao Youzi back, so there was no need for Jiao Ba and Jiao Ma to go.

Seeing Zheng Tan and Xiao Guo enter, the father and son's conversation paused; after Xiao Guo set down his things, drank a cup of tea, chatted about today's advertisement, said his goodbyes and left, the father and son resumed their talk.

Zheng Tan squatted on his own dedicated chair, listening to their conversation.

Jiao Ba was speaking about the "broken window effect".

This topic began when Jiao Yuan came home complaining about certain phenomena in his class, such as copying homework. During today's Chinese class the teacher severely criticized several students who copied homework; in Jiao Yuan's view, other subjects also had copying, so why was the Chinese teacher so nitpicky. Upon hearing Jiao Yuan's complaint, Jiao Ba pulled him over and started a "lesson".

The broken window effect means that if someone smashes a building's window and it is not promptly repaired, others may be subtly encouraged to smash more windows. The result is that in such an atmosphere of apathy, crime will flourish.

"Behavior and environment exert strong suggestive and guiding influence on people; if the first broken window is not fixed in time, more serious incidents may occur; likewise, your classmates will come to regard copying homework as a desirable, time-saving expedient, and then continue to copy……"

Zheng Tan glanced at Jiao Ba, then at Jiao Yuan, and felt torn. Why discuss such profound principles with an elementary school student? Anyway, back when Zheng Tan himself went from elementary school through university, he copied homework, was late, fought, extorted—did all sorts of things; aside from the teacher's few indifferent remarks, there were hardly any constraints; it all boiled down to solving problems with money, so if spending a bit of money can fix things, why overcomplicate?

After thinking it over, Zheng Tan remained squatting there, listening to Jiao Ba give Jiao Yuan a "lesson", and the topic had already extended from classroom phenomena to corporate management.

"The environment for corporate development usually falls into two categories: one is the hard environment, such as office conditions, machinery equipment, road facilities, etc.; the other is the soft environment, such as work atmosphere, corporate culture, interpersonal relations, management style, etc. Take your Uncle Yuanzi, for instance—he now pays close attention to these 'broken windows' at his company. In the hard environment, a broken window is immediately repaired upon detection; in the soft environment, the impact of a broken window is even greater, and vigilance cannot be relaxed."

"Behind any major problem lies a complex accumulation of many issues; thus Uncle Yuanzi has always been vigilant, promptly taking countermeasures once a situation is detected, because those could affect the company's reputation, and reputation is a tight-fitting spell that people place on Uncle Yuanzi's company; no matter how capable or arrogant you are, to develop well you cannot ignore those 'broken windows'!"

"For example, if your class has a bad reputation, you'd feel embarrassed to say outside that you belong to that class, right?"

Jiao Ba's final remark made Jiao Yuan wholeheartedly agree; their grade had a class just like that, with a particularly poor reputation. Initially they heard that someone's pen and eraser in that class had been stolen, and the classmates and teacher paid little heed; later rumors spread of money theft and similar nasty incidents, so everyone became especially wary of that class's students, who felt embarrassed to announce their class affiliation while walking around, fearing contempt and exclusion.

"As another example, this chain reaction can also be illustrated from the opposite angle: suppose your mother buys you a pair of Transformers‑patterned socks you especially like; when you wear those socks you will instinctively choose newer, cleaner shoes; when wearing shoes you will surely match them with suitable pants; after picking the pants, your outerwear must coordinate as well. Once fully dressed, you will certainly avoid getting yourself dirty, so through this process your overall image undergoes a change."

"Oh, I get it—just like Xiong Xiong: his mom kept saying that slouching prevents growth, but he paid no attention, still slouching all the time, because in his class he was already considered tall. Yet after the day he wore the new clothes his mom carefully picked out for him, he stopped slouching and now pays attention to keeping his spine straight. Because his mom told him when giving him the clothes, 'This garment must be worn with a straight back to look good and attract girls!' said Jiao Yuan."

Oh, I understand this, just like Xiong Xiong, his mother, because he likes to slouch, has said many times that slouching prevents growth, but he still doesn't listen, he usually slouches anyway, because in his class he is already considered tall, so he doesn't care. But since that day he wore the new clothes his mother carefully picked out for him, he no longer slouches, and usually pays attention to keeping his back straight. Because when his mother gave him the clothes she said, "This outfit looks good only if you wear it with a straight back, and only then can it attract girls!" Jiao Yuan said.

Upon hearing Jiao Yuan's words, Jiao Ba pondered for two seconds and said, "So you're hinting at……"

"When will I buy my New Year's new clothes? You won't just pacify me with a pair of socks, will you?"

Zheng Tan: "……" Listening to this father‑son duo is truly exhausting! A mere ordinary classroom phenomenon has spawned so many grand principles and potential topics!

Around here, the custom is that children buy new clothes for the New Year; as for adults, it depends on each family's circumstances.

Jiao Ba was not surprised by Jiao Yuan's answer, saying, "What kind of clothes you can buy, and how many of your demands they meet, still depends on your performance."

"Of course! If I rank in the top five of the class, can I have full say over my clothing requirements?"

Of course! If I rank in the top five of the class, can I have full say over the clothing requirements?

"Even if I buy something a bit avant‑garde, a bit non‑mainstream, with studs and a domineering style, that's okay?"

"Yes. If you want to spray mousse, that also satisfies you."

Sure. I'll also satisfy your request for mousse spray.

Having obtained the answer he wanted, Jiao Yuan dragged his schoolbag off to his room to do homework; with the term end approaching, for his New Year gift he also needed to give it his all.

Jiao Yuan got the answer he wanted, dragged his schoolbag and went to his room to do homework. As the end of term approached, for his New Year gift, he also had to give it his all.

After Jiao Yuan entered the room, Jiao Ma came out holding a plate of dishes, glanced at the door Jiao Yuan had closed, and said to Jiao Ba: "That kid's raising conditions again."

"How could I not know what Xiao Pihai is thinking?"

"If he really gets into the top five then, will you let him wear that kind of clothing?"

"It's fine; at that time you just take him to stand by the place selling toy guns, and he'll change his mind. Toys and clothing can only pick one, he'll surely choose the former—last year he eyed that, ended up placing sixth, and couldn't buy it back."

"What if he can't make the top five?" Jiao Ma asked again.

"The standard for the top five is set by him himself; he must take responsibility for his words. If he really doesn't make it, also buy him a toy gun—don't get the big one, get the smaller one—so this kid doesn't think that breaking his word still gets him what he wants." Jiao Ba said calmly.

Zheng Tan listened on the side, truly feeling anxious for Jiao Yuan. Ginger is still old and spicy—when will he ever escape Jiao Ba's clutches?

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Thanks to Yan Zheng, _Wu Wang Wo_, Beiming Youyu, Medical Angel, entering Ruoye Creek, llruo, Chan Mo van, grapes also have clips, Star Fire Blazing, Le Zi Xiao, 'flower falls dot dot', Oufi Mosi, Beast's Number, Moon Night 001, lazyorange's reward! Thanks to Beast's Number (2), Chan Mo van, llruo, and those book friends who couldn't see the records for their rating votes! Thanks to every friend who voted for recommendation and Sanjiang tickets!