Chapter 44

After the Lantern Festival, whether it was the affiliated elementary school or the students of Chu Hua Da Xue's main campus, they all successively started school and began classes.

School had started; some were happy, others felt the opposite.

In Zheng Tan's view, the smiles college students wore when returning to school were generally far more numerous than those of the elementary school kids.

First- and second-graders were still trying every way to find excuses to skip school; some children at the affiliated elementary school gate still had red-rimmed eyes, occasionally sniffing, and, under parental pressure, shuffled their steps into the school gate.

By contrast, the young people who zoomed past on bicycles like a gust of wind were in much better spirits, rushing to find the girls they hadn't seen in a long time and missed dearly.

Sixth-graders have a special psychology, carrying the complex feeling of "I'm finally about to grow up" and "Damn, there's still so much homework and exams," as they spend their last days of elementary school.

Zheng Tan didn't know whether every sixth-grade "little brat" had that contradictory mindset, but at least Jiao Yuan did; little brats always carried an inexplicable excitement and anxiety. As Jiao Ba said, this is them entering puberty.

Kids entering puberty……

So, once he goes to junior high, Jiao Yuan won't count as a little brat anymore; he'll belong to the "young boys" category. Well, I guess later we might find some small x-rated books in his room.

Zheng Tan lay on the sofa, his tail tip swaying slowly, watching Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi go out; Jiao Ma saw them off, then after seeing the children off, went straight to buy groceries.

Zheng Tan hadn't gone out much these past few days; the school was everywhere crowded, very lively, and after the new students returned, the campus that had been quiet over winter break became noisy again.

Zheng Tan didn't want to go out and loiter at such a time; it was inconvenient. So he changed his schedule: for this week after school started, he stayed home sleeping during the day, and only went out to stake out after dinner at night.

During these few nights of staking out, Zheng Tan gained some more understanding of the tattooed man's routine, but it wasn't enough; he had to ensure a one-time success, so he needed to tail him a few more times. Besides, the materials he had on hand were still missing a bit; some things he couldn't find.

Zheng Tan dozed on the sofa for a while; when he woke up, it was only 9:30, and Jiao Ma still hadn't returned—he guessed she had gone out to chat with someone again.

He stretched, then Zheng Tan looked out the window. The sunshine was bright, but the temperature was still low, and passersby were still wearing thick down jackets.

Bored and unable to sleep, Zheng Tan simply decided to go out for a stroll.

A Huang had become much lazier after the New Year and had also gotten fat; Zheng Tan often saw A Huang lying on his home balcony asleep, his head poking out a little from the railing gap, his tail dangling outside, occasionally swaying back and forth as if afraid people wouldn't know he was sleeping there. Fortunately the gap between the railings wasn't too big, so A Huang wouldn't fall through.

As for Jingzhang, his family had tied him up at home because, during the New Year period, many cat-nappers were about; after some cats around disappeared, Jingzhang, who often tried to run outside, was ordered not to leave the house—no amount of pleading would change that.

Without them around, Zheng Tan, being alone, felt comparatively free and unrestrained.

After climbing a tree and moving about a bit, Zheng Tan went from the sparsely populated woods out onto the campus road. At that time, there weren't many people walking on the campus path; perhaps because the campus had gained some liveliness, the two rows of bald plane trees along the driveway didn't look so desolate.

Zheng Tan walked aimlessly toward the sunny spots. There was hardly any wind, and the sunlight warmed his fur, making it fluff up, which felt especially comfortable.

Zheng Tan was squinting his eyes, enjoying the warm sunshine, when suddenly he heard someone call his name.

Following the sound, Zheng Tan saw, at the other end of the flowerbed, a person wearing a long, loose wool coat standing there, waving at him.

Xiao Zhuo?

Zheng Tan turned and walked toward Xiao Zhuo.

Compared to the last time Zheng Tan saw her, Xiao Zhuo's belly was now noticeably protruding; even wearing loose winter clothes couldn't hide that bulging curve.

Xiao Zhuo was holding a bag that contained a book, which looked newly bought; she had probably just returned from the bookstore at the school gate.

"What are you doing here?" Xiao Zhuo said, looking at Zheng Tan. She bent over slightly and lightly tapped his forehead with her hand.

Even though she knew full well that the one in front of her was a cat who couldn't speak, Xiao Zhuo still asked out of habit.

People who spend a long time with animals, when they see other animals, also tend to do this: they speak directly rather than imitating the animals' cries.

Zheng Tan felt a bit hesitant to approach Xiao Zhuo, looking at her belly—what if something happened? Seeing her bend over with some difficulty. Besides, isn't it said that pregnant women avoid cats because of the toxoplasmosis issue?

Scanning his surroundings, Zheng Tan realized he had unknowingly approached the western staff quarters. So, did Xiao Zhuo have been living in the Xiqu Dayuan all this time?

"Come on, let's go to my place and hang out?" Xiao Zhuo took two steps, stopped, turned to face Zheng Tan, and looked at him with some anticipation.

Zheng Tan stood where he was, thinking it over. His cold had been better for a while; as for the toxoplasmosis issue… he probably didn't have it. He felt quite healthy, and he bathed often; he slept under the same blanket with Xiao Youzi every day, and Xiao Youzi looked fine, so he shouldn't be able to pass anything to Xiao Zhuo.

After hesitating a moment, Zheng Tan, seeing Xiao Zhuo's expectant eyes, stepped forward.

Seeing Zheng Tan catch up, Xiao Zhuo's face immediately broke into a smile; as she walked ahead, she chatted with Zheng Tan about recent events over the past few months.

Xiao Zhuo usually doesn't talk much to people; the few she can actually speak with are limited. But she also wouldn't directly say what she truly thinks to them. With people, she always holds back somewhat; with a cat, it's different.

People find it easier to confide their inner thoughts to some animals or spiritual comfort objects; this is also a way of venting. Some people keep pets precisely for that reason.

Later, as Xiao Zhuo's belly grew larger and her movement became less convenient, she needed rest; Fo Ye didn't feel at ease letting Xiao Zhuo run around every day. Coincidentally, around that time the new buildings in Xiqu Dayuan began to be allocated, and Fo Ye assigned his own unit to Xiao Zhuo.

Someone like Fo Ye, who already has both fame and profit, basically wouldn't care about a mere building; normally he wouldn't compete with other teachers for it, but for Xiao Zhuo's sake, Fo Ye really did step in.

With just one word from Fo Ye, everyone else had to step aside.

At that time, there weren't many people outdoors in the western area either; during work hours, only a few scattered individuals could be seen in the compound.

The buildings in Xiqu Dayuan here are all quite new; some blocks have a layout similar to that of Dongqu Dayuan, but their exteriors look much more ornate, appearing fashionable. The greening is okay, but it's definitely not as good as Dongqu's. Although all the facilities are bright, they always give Zheng Tan a feeling of not quite fitting in.

Perhaps having grown accustomed to the old buildings of Dongqu Dayuan, when faced with these bright new towers, Zheng Tan always feels that something is missing.

Zheng Tan recalled when he first arrived here; on the east side, many faculty residences had their walls covered in creeping vines, the surrounding trees were lush with branches and leaves, and in a corner of the compound someone had set up a grape arbor. In the evenings, some elderly people sat there, shaking their hands holding brown-spotted bamboo-leaf fans, chatting about everything.

Some say old things carry sentiment, and that's true; after decades of weathering, the emotions accumulated over several generations settling down perhaps also explain why those old professors still prefer to live in that not-so-large old house.

After living in the east side for a period, Zheng Tan genuinely felt that tranquil simplicity.

Xiao Zhuo's home isn't those buildings Zheng Tan saw right after entering the compound; one has to go further in.

Xiqu Dayuan is much larger than Dongqu Dayuan, so besides the main gate, there are also several side gates.

The area in front of the main gate consists of six-story buildings; further back are a few newly built elevator blocks. This place is close to one of the side gates, and Xiao Zhuo sometimes enters and exits through that side gate, which is convenient for heading off-campus. Today she had just bought books and, on a whim, decided to take a stroll around campus, not expecting to run into Zheng Tan.

Getting a quota for those elevator apartments is no simple matter.

Zheng Tan followed Xiao Zhuo into the elevator; there was no one else inside. If there were others, they'd surely find it strange that a cat was in the elevator. A cat riding an elevator?

Xiao Zhuo pressed the button for the sixth floor, which is the middle section of the building.

"This is where I live now."

After exiting the elevator, Xiao Zhuo pointed to the unit marked "606". There were still Spring Festival couplets posted.

Waiting for Xiao Zhuo to open the door, Zheng Tan walked in and noticed there were other people's scents inside. So he paused at the doorway and sniffed.

Seeing Zheng Tan's reaction, Xiao Zhuo laughed and said, "Teacher Ye helped arrange for someone to look after me, but today she's not here—she went out on some business."

Fo Ye is really thoughtful. Besides, with such a big belly, nobody would feel at ease. Zheng Tan thought.

Zheng Tan glanced at the interior layout. It's about a hundred square meters, with good lighting, the decor full of modern touches, and the color scheme warm and cozy.

On the table sat several fruit baskets filled with various fruits, and another basket held other snacks.

Zheng Tan jumped onto the table, leaned over to look at the basket, and inside there were still some dried fruit and sour plums, etc.

"They were sent over by Teacher Ye's family; I can't finish them all, do you want to eat?" Xiao Zhuo grabbed a handful of shelled walnuts and peanuts from a bag, then after taking them out she hesitated a bit, not knowing whether cats could eat these.

Regardless of whether other cats can or not, Zheng Tan ate them anyway.

"Just stay for lunch." Xiao Zhuo stroked Zheng Tan's head and said.

Zheng Tan flicked his ears.

Lonely expectant mother…

Forget it, I'll reluctantly stay a while longer to keep you company.

Zheng Tan looked at the shelled nuts in the bag, ate some snacks and took a nap, which would probably take him until afternoon. Actually it wasn't that hard to endure.

Xiao Zhuo didn't know whether the cat in front of her understood her words, so during break time she called Jiao Ba to explain the situation, so the Jiao family wouldn't wait anxiously at home.

Xiao Zhuo knew the cat was important to the Jiao family; during the time Jiao Ma was hospitalized, when Xiao Zhuo went to visit she had also heard some things about this black cat, and the Jiao family really valued it. Moreover, Xiao Zhuo didn't want to treat this black cat the same way she treated the other cats in the compound.

This black cat is different.

At noon, the nanny hired by the Buddha Master returned to cook.

When the nanny saw Zheng Tan, her expression could be described as terrified. She thought it was better for a pregnant woman to stay away from cats; cats like to run around, like to play with insects and eat mice, they pick up all sorts of things, who knows what disease they might carry!

The nanny said a few sentences about the possible bacteria or parasites cats might carry, and how these bacteria and parasites could affect the fetus. But Xiao Zhuo just gave two "ums" to show she had heard, then continued to let Zheng Tan lie nearby, still quite close.

Seeing that the warning was useless, the nanny, while cooking, called the Buddha Master in the kitchen to report the situation.

"A cat?!" the Buddha Master's voice on the other end rose considerably, and he sounded unsympathetic as well.

"Yes, yes," the nanny, noticing the Buddha Master's displeasure, continued: "It's still just a black one!"

In the nanny's family, some people think black cats aren't very auspicious, so she has never had a good impression of pure-black-furred cats.

"Black?" the Buddha Master's voice on the other end dropped again, becoming much calmer.

"Yes."

"Hei Tan?"

"Um… it seems so; Xiao Zhuo calls it that."

"Then just leave it alone."

"Huh?"

"This black cat is different." The Buddha Master, from the time he knew Xiao Zhuo was fairly familiar with this cat, deliberately investigated the cat's diet, daily life, other living conditions, habits and temperament; the investigation results satisfied the Buddha Master to a degree, otherwise he wouldn't have taken another attitude toward just an assistant professor.

"Oh." After hanging up, the nanny still felt full of doubt. What's different about this black cat?

The nanny poked her head out to look at the black cat squinting on the moon chair in the bedroom, shook her head, saw nothing special, it was much like the black cats she had seen before, and it didn't have extra ears or missing an eye.

In the end, the nanny attributed the Buddha Master's and Xiao Zhuo's attitudes to "the rationality of scientific researchers."

Zheng Tan squatted on a soft-cushioned moon chair in Xiao Zhuo's room, with his hands tucked in.

This posture was something Zheng Tan learned from following Da Pang and them; the first time he saw Da Pang strike this pose, Zheng Tan wondered what kind of trouble this egg‑hatching‑like stance was meant to cause; then Zheng Tan shoved a round stone the size of a quail egg into the gap between Da Pang's two paws that he was kicking.

Hmm, that made it look even more like incubating an egg.

Zheng Tan still remembered Da Pang's helpless look at that time, and then Da Pang moved his front paws, pushing the stone out.

Later, when Zheng Tan saw A Huang also squatting in that pose, he did the same thing; the result was that A Huang merely narrowed his eyes, meowed once, and then did nothing else. So every time Zheng Tan sees A Huang squatting like that, he gets the urge to stuff something inside, maybe someday just shove an egg in to see what happens.

Afterwards, Zheng Tan discovered that many cats like this pose; it seems when cats assume this stance they feel more at ease, temporarily not preparing to move their paws.

So Zheng Tan also learned to squat like that, with both hands tucked in; he heard it's called "farmer's tuck". After getting used to the habit, Zheng Tan felt the sensation was also okay.

The aroma of food came from the kitchen; Xiao Zhuo, lying on the recliner, put her book aside, rubbed her eyes, and looked at the black cat squinting and tucking its paws on the moon chair beside her, smiling silently. Perhaps in the future we could also keep a cat at home, it doesn't have to be a fancy breed, a domestic cat will do. It doesn't need to be overly diligent either; being a little lazy is fine, and liking to sneak snacks is also fine…

At the same time, not far from the old residential area alley, the waiter at the small restaurant who came to move the alcohol glanced at the beer crate that was already missing half its bottles, clicked his tongue, and thought the person who was sneaking drinks was getting more and more outrageous; could it really be that they'd drink the whole case?

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Thanks to Moon Rakshasa, Right Grass Clothes Person, Ran Ling, Ou Feimo Si, Judah's Descendant, Flower falls..., Heavenly Dragon Battle, Lan Ye Bing, Piaomiao de Youyu, Jingzhuang Duo Meizi, wxugh, lazyorange, Liu Yan, Bai Mu zcy, Zu Zuo She for the reward! Thanks to Piaomiao de Youyu, Zu Zuo She, and friends who couldn't see the records for their rating votes! For those who daily silently vote recommendation tickets, Chen Ci thanks you~

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