Chapter 16

【Can we have a cat?】

Ling Yue nodded: "Of course, any animal is fine."

She spoke with conviction, and the confidence radiating from within made people instinctively believe her.

The viewers outside the livestream nodded along; everyone had just seen that scene, and the host clarified everything in just a few words.

If it weren't for the host, the little girl would still be foolishly opening the door for bad people, and who knows what the outcome would be.

【The host even said she wasn't a fairy, but look—this gives her away; she must be a fairy, a heart‑stealing fairy!】

【People upstairs, stop being gross—hurry up and watch the host and the fated A Bu, or the fated pet, go live.】

【Yes yes yes, I want to see the kitty!】

Ling Yue ignored the comments below and fixed her gaze on the other half of the livestream: the pitch‑black lens was suddenly brought into the light, and beside a huge red wooden table sat a little girl in sweet Lolita attire, her posture elegant as she said, "Hello, host."

Her voice was both obedient and charming, polite and well‑behaved.

The originally nonstop scrolling comments in the livestream froze instantly; after a long blank screen, only scattered messages flickered by.

Many were drawn to the décor behind her.

【WC, this is a villa, right? Those floor‑to‑ceiling windows are huge and tall!】

【My goodness, she's wearing the Lancaster heavy‑industry crafted Lolita Eternal Starry Sky series; supposedly the crystals on it are natural quartz, set with gemstones, and the lace is hand‑woven inch by inch—one piece costs hundreds of thousands!】

【Wow, with our eighteenth‑tier housing prices, this miss is wearing an entire house on her back.】

【No wonder they're rich—ten thousand yuan to them is just throwing money into water to hear a splash.】

The viewers chattered wildly, but Ling Yue had no particular reaction; she glanced at the Nordic‑style villa behind her, rubbed her big black ears, adjusted her pose, and asked, "Is the kitty here for a consultation?"

Xiannv Benxian nodded, her cute little face showing a hint of worry: "It's for my cat Kati."

She said that, then waved her hand, but the screen showed no change.

The livestream viewers were all confused.

【Well, where's the kitty?】

Xiannv Benxian quickly adjusted the camera, and only then did everyone notice that at the other end of the long table beside her sat a long‑haired plush cat, wearing an exquisite pink gauze dress; the light fell on it, giving it a soft, hazy pink halo.

【This is too adorable! I could ruffle ten of them bald!】

【Slurp, slurp—must be from being single too long; just looking at a cat makes one feel all bright‑eyed and fresh!】

【Was King Zhou's kingdom lost because of this cat? Gorgeous kitty, online stealing hearts!】

It was intently licking its paw pads; in response to the girl's call, it twitched its dainty ears, lifted its gaze, and only then did everyone see that the cat had a palm‑sized little face, a pointed chin, and actually possessed one gold and one blue odd‑colored eye.

【It looked at me, it called to me, it has me in its heart, waa waa waa!】

That gorgeous, heart‑stealing look instantly struck a chord with the viewers, and they soon noticed a problem.

The kitty seemed utterly aloof toward its owner; Xiannv Benxian called again and again, but the cat couldn't even be bothered to lift its eyes, appearing extremely cold‑hearted.

【Isn't it too cold‑hearted?】

【It's like watching my own daily routine with my cat master—it ignores me, I love it to death, waa waa waa, what else can I do? The little kitten is just too adorable!】

【Honestly, the kitty is forever divine!】

Xiannv Benxian approached a little sadly, rubbing while saying, "Kati never used to be like this with me; she used to be super clingy, but lately I don't know what's wrong—she's ignoring me."

As she spoke, the cat turned its head and pointed its rear at her—one could say it was especially dislikeable.

The pitiful little girl made the viewers instantly feel pity.

【Host, please help her quickly—she really looks pitiful.】

Meanwhile, someone took the chance to fish in troubled waters: 【Does the fairy still need a pet? I'm super clingy, 1.85 m tall, can cook and study, and have extremely strong self‑care abilities!】

【Upstairs lsp, get lost!】

While the viewers were discussing, Ling Yue stared at the cat and told Xiannv Benxian, "Put your phone in front of Kati—I'll ask it."

"Oh, okay!"

The cat suddenly turned its ears sideways, its odd‑colored eyes scanning the room, and it kept meowing nonstop in that soft, childish tone.

The uninformed viewers grew more and more enamored, straight out praising the cat's cute voice—clearly a lovely little fairy cat. Only Ling Yue stared at the cat in disbelief.

Xiannv Benxian kept her eyes on her, noticing her expression, her heart gave a jolt; having just watched the previous consultee's whole process and still feeling uneasy, she hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with you, host? Is something wrong with Kati?"

She held the cat, leaning forward, waiting only for Ling Yue's confirmation before scooping up the cat and running off.

Ling Yue: "……It's not really a big problem."

"It's just that Kati——"

She looked at the cat, as if some word had hit its sore spot, and burst out shouting: "Which little cutie, I damn the immortals, I'm clearly a male cat—get off my paws!"

Ling Yue fell even more silent, her silence weighing on Xiannv Benxian, making her nerves tighten: "Host?"

【Host, don't stay silent—my back is starting to feel chilly.】

【No way, no way, no way—could it be another accident?】

【Host, hurry up and speak—what exactly did the kitty say?】

Ling Yue composed her expression: "This cat is probably bred from the Sichuan region, right?"

Xiannv Benxian's eyes lit up, she nodded eagerly: "This is the little kitty my Sichuan best friend gave me; among the litter she's the prettiest and most charming—if my friend hadn't promised her to me beforehand, I wouldn't have been able to snag her! We even agreed that when the time comes we'll become in‑laws through our children."

Ling Yue: "Let's call off the engagement—the cat probably can't become in‑laws."

Xiannv Benxian stared, stunned: "No way? Could it be……" She paused, her eyes beginning to redden: "Is Kati going to die?"

Ling Yue: "……"

"What on earth is going on?"

Viewers also started spouting nonsense: 【Our family's cat is over twenty years old; in its old age it can't even move to eat fish, and one day it suddenly ran away from home and never came back.】

【I've also heard my elders say that when a cat senses its time is up, it will leave on its own.】

Amid the clamor, as the little girl was on the verge of tears, Ling Yue said bluntly: "Your cat is male."

Little Immortal Maiden: "What?"

Katie is a male cat? Impossible, it clearly has no balls, don't believe me, look.

Saying that, they were about to lift the cat's tail; the cat, as if feeling insulted, let out a sharp scream, did a Thomas roundhouse kick and then ran away, with a whoosh, it slid directly across the tabletop: "Help! What's wrong with the silly bag owner again? I'm a male cat, not some female cat, wearing what skirts and hats!"

Just now who was speaking? Don't know to stop a bit?!

Ling Yue pressed her lips tightly together, barely keeping from laughing; the Sichuan cats' temper is just spicy.

Afraid she wouldn't believe it, Ling Yue added: "As far as I know, some male cats can have cryptorchidism; what a coincidence, yours is one of them."

The viewers who had just been drenched by the cat were all stunned.

【This, this is a little male cat?】

【Holy crap, if I were called Baby and made to wear a pink little dress, even I, a big guy, couldn't stand it!】

【Ah, why do I suddenly feel more sexy? Heh heh~】

【Whose bitter tea seeds are flying all over the sky, I'm not saying!】

Little Immortal Maiden looked incredulously at her own cat: "It, it's a male cat?!" Her little princess suddenly turned into a little prince, she felt like crying but had no tears.

Ling Yue: "You can go to the hospital for a check-up and have the surgery as soon as possible."

Seeing she didn't understand, Ling Yue explained: "Feline cryptorchidism has a certain chance of turning into cancer. Because the testes aren't outside but remain in the abdominal cavity, where the temperature is higher, making malignant transformation more likely."

The watching viewers exclaimed they'd learned something; there's such a thing, and some whose thoughts ran wild thought of humans, and the questions they raised many found obscene.

【Turns out that place is so fragile, even the temperature needs to be constant.】

【What about humans? Can they also be ruined by overheating?】

Ling Yue: "……"

She glanced at the messy screen, suddenly broke into a bright smile, yet many felt a chill run down their backs.

Ling Yue: "Yes. I can offer a simple method here: heat kills sperm. Human body temperature is a bit higher than its, and over time it's easy to succeed. I don't recommend anyone try it!"

【Holy shit, learned it, learned it!】

【The last line was pretty slick, but I'm gonna go against it, I'll rebel!】

【I have a bold idea……】

【Me too……】

Many male viewers felt a chill in their crotch, and involuntarily threw gifts: "Please, streamer, stop saying that, let's just keep watching the cat!"

【Mm-hmm, I love watching the cat the most】

Here, Little Immortal Maiden, after finally digesting it all, stiffly called out: "Katie."

The cat ignored her completely.

She froze: "Why is it still ignoring me?"

Ling Yue looked at the cat; regarding the sudden sound, Katie had already accepted it well. Upon hearing that voice questioning her, she immediately snorted coldly: "Who's calling Katie? I'm a male cat, I want to change my name! If I don't change my name, I won't obey the owner!"

Full of tsundere charm.

After communicating, Ling Yue relayed to Little Immortal Maiden: "The problem is also easily solved—just give the cat a new name."

"Kang Kang?"

The cat's ears twitched, and Little Immortal Maiden smiled: "It means health and longevity, and it's also a very cute boy's name. Do you like it?"

Katie—no, should be Kang Kang—walked over in cat steps, arrogantly approaching the owner, only one step away, when it suddenly lay down.

It raised its head to signal the owner, meowing a few times.

Ling Yue translated: "The cat has taken ninety‑nine steps; the final step must be left for its stinky‑treasure owner."

Little Immortal Maiden blinked in surprise, then laughed, scooping the cat up into her arms. What a beautiful picture of girl and cat.

Viewers: 【Too bad, soon they'll have to join the dad group.】

【Too bad, soon they'll have to join the dad group.】

【Hahahaha, although it's immoral, I really can't hold it in!】

Ling Yue finally returned the gifts, checked the time—it was already late—and said: "That's it for today's stream; if you like it, you can follow me."

The viewers stared at her in shock; the online count had already reached nearly two million. Perhaps at first it was because of her looks and fame, but later they'd long been drawn in by this exciting consultation process. When the streamer suddenly wanted to go offline, countless people pleaded for her to stay.

Finally, all that could be seen was a black screen.

The streamer went offline.

【That's just how the streamer is—willful but truly talented; across the entire Huwhale platform, no, across the whole net, you can't find another streamer like her—one of a kind!】

【I was just getting really into it, the streamer's good‑looking and the live link was exciting, then the screen suddenly went black, I saw my own big face, and I burst into tears!】

【I followed first; one look at the streamer and you can tell she's highly capable.】

【Brother, you've got foresight. I'm from Jing Shi—this is indeed the hottest pet master in our Jing Shi pet circle, has a brick‑and‑mortar shop, but, lol—she doesn't even rank!】

Jing Shi, Chengyu Building, Huwhale Live Headquarters.

Even from the first link‑up, Ling Yue's stream attracted a manager's attention due to its massive traffic, and what was even more surprising was the influx of new users she brought, with registrations spiking in a straight line!

The abnormal data flow made the manager a bit uneasy—could it be that a big streamer from another platform had gone live?

In fact, after checking the data, he was certain and sure: this is just an ordinary person.

Later, when the case of office worker Xiao Zhao involving the police came up, they'd once considered banning the stream, but since it caused no serious harm, the manager wanted to see how far she could grow—but he never imagined this traffic would last all the way to the end.

The streamer also gained nearly a million followers out of thin air from zero; although it seems far behind the platform's ten‑million‑follower streamers, these are all real, flesh‑and‑blood people.

At that moment, a subordinate brought over the data analysis, mouth almost unable to close: "Manager, the data's out."

"Retention rate ninety percent!"

The subordinate's head was almost bursting, tone involuntarily tinged with doubt: "This data is too good! Even our platform's top streamers don't have such strong retention and conversion rates—did she tamper with the numbers?"

The manager glared at him: "We spent tens of millions building the newest firewall—what do you think?"

After a moment's thought, he immediately decided: "Prepare an A‑class contract and send it to her."

"He watched Ling Yue's livestream from start to finish, knew all the highlights inside out, and insisted: 'I must keep her on Orca Live!'"

Ling Yue, Orca Live

Orca Live

Now other names:

"Ling Yue still didn't know about it and didn't take it to heart."

"After the stream ended, she washed up and went straight to bed to sleep."

"That day passed in a truly fulfilling way."

"As a result, the next morning Ling Yue got up a bit later than usual, hastily made breakfast for the dog, and then she herself went out to the residential area."

"Steam rose from the fresh wontons at the breakfast shop, mist swirling as the lively aroma of life filled the air. A bowl in the morning calmed her previously noisy stomach."

"The shop owner, Aunt Mei, knew Ling Yue well; having watched her grow up since childhood, she smiled and told the old man to serve her a big bowl of wontons when she arrived."

"Hearing that she had started her own business, someone gave her a thumbs-up and said, 'I knew it, Yue Yue—you've been smart since you were little. But don't overwork yourself; I hear your shop always has long lines, so don't wear yourself out.'"

"The shop owner, Uncle Liu, brought over the wontons and said, 'Remember, money is dead, people are alive—don't rush to make money; your health comes first.'"

"Ling Yue obediently accepted the advice, and the elders' concern was swallowed up with a bowl of fragrant wontons."

"At that moment, neighbor Aunt Liu's voice suddenly rang out: 'Have you heard? Something happened to the Wang family yesterday!'"

"Aunt Mei's breakfast shop had been open for decades, offering good taste at fair prices; neighbors loved eating there, and mornings were especially busy."

"Hearing that, Ling Yue's ears twitched, and the conversation continued elsewhere."

"Although Aunt Liu had trouble walking, her eloquence was superb; she spoke with animated expressions, lifelike. Taking her as the focus, the people around her quietly pricked up their ears."

"Ling Yue sighed, thinking she should go into the new media industry to make use of her remaining energy—and just like that, a single sentence rallied a group of people."

"Although far away, she could only hear a few sentences vaguely."

"But regarding the Wang family's misfortune, Ling Yue was especially interested."

"There, Aunt Liu looked at the several pairs of eager eyes around her, her gossip urge rising straight up; she loved doing this, pouring out everything she knew like pouring beans from a bamboo tube."

"At that moment, Ling Yue's pet bag suddenly moved; she realized too late—the lid popped open, revealing a round, golden little head. It was none other than the treasure‑seeking rat Duo Duo."

"Fortunately Ling Yue was sitting in a corner, and no one noticed her there. But just then, seeing it, Ling Yue's brow jumped, and she lowered her voice: 'Duo Duo, why did you pop your head out?'"

"The treasure‑seeking rat Duo Duo held up its paws, gripped the edge, and its two bean‑sized eyes darted around: 'I'm doing all this for you, owner.'"

"'Don't listen to them about the Wang family's affairs; listen to me—I was actually there yesterday, and that family had me laughing to death!'"

"Ling Yue: '……'"

"Under Ling Yue's gaze, the treasure‑seeking rat Duo Duo gradually lowered its body, its ears drooping: 'I won't say anything.'"

"Seeing the rat's pitiful look, Ling Yue felt a twinge of pity and said, 'I don't mean it that way—but…'"

"Before she could finish, the rat sprang up: 'Then I'll continue, owner.'"

"Ling Yue then remembered the rat's mischievous nature; she felt sorry for it, but thought, 'No way I'd believe that!'"

"In fact, Ling Yue should have been perfectly clear about this from the start—after all, it was her idea all along!"

"The Wang family wanted to sell the house, but it depended on whether she agreed."

"So when Aunt Wang led people to view the house that afternoon, the first thing they saw wasn't an overgrown, ruin‑like property, but a sleek, smooth‑furred gray giant rat!"

"The squeaking sounds and the swarms of rats became everyone's shadow that day; even now, thinking about it gives one the creeps."

"Aunt Liu, long retired but unable to stay idle, had gone to see the commotion. Just as Ling Yue was listening to the treasure‑seeking rat speak, Aunt Liu's excited voice drifted over: 'Goodness, that rat—it's like a dam bursting, flooding out in heaps and heaps from the Wang family's old residence!'"

"She gestured as she spoke: 'The prospective buyers were terrified on the spot, their faces drained of color; Aunt Wang wanted to fight, and the rats had practically turned into spirits—then a huge rat, as big as a foot, leapt out—' she shoved forward: 'Take a bite!'"

"The startled onlookers jerked back a step."

"Aunt Liu said, 'Give it a bite—it's fierce! Now the person is still in the hospital getting vaccinated, a chunk of meat bitten off; I don't know if it's a wicked person whose meat also stinks, but I saw the rat freeze for a moment and then spit it out.'"

"Everyone says street rats are despised—so much so that even the rats themselves reject such people."

"The big shots exchanged glances, looking down on the Wang family even more."

"The treasure‑seeking rat shrugged: 'It's Fei Fei, that timid ghost—he got scared and started biting people; afterward I made him wash himself ten or eight times, fearing infection.'"

"\"After all, people as foolish and toxic as her are rare. \""

"\"Pfft—\" Ling Yue laughed at its nasty remark."

"After paying and leaving, Ling Yue's pet bag twitched again as the treasure‑seeking rat Duo Duo peeked out: 'Owner, hurry up and praise me—I was mighty yesterday!'"

"\"Meow~\""

"The Black Cat Queen strode elegantly onto the wall and said, 'What's so impressive? You're just relying on a bunch of little rat minions.'"

"The treasure‑seeking rat Duo Duo was about to retort, but upon seeing her it burst out laughing: 'Hey wife, you're right—I love your aloof look, it's utterly captivating to us rats!'"

"The Black Cat Queen leapt onto the car roof silently and landed on Ling Yue's vehicle, snarling, 'Stinky rat, who do you think you're calling wife? Shut up!'"

pale yellow cat pupil

"\"I hear the police always investigate first—would you like to come with me to check out the villa? \""

"As she spoke, a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes; Ling Yue noticed the old collar on its neck, engraved with a seal of the cat queen's portrait, swaying back and forth."

"It must have been very fond of its former owner."

"She nodded and said, 'Okay.'"

"After speaking, she suddenly felt she had forgotten something."

"The caretaker Xiao Liu had been waiting early that morning at the pet consultation shop……"

"You forgot me!"

"You forgot our plan to go to the zoo together!"

"To Ling Yue, this was hardly a big deal compared to the earlier oppression she'd faced; it was just a matter of waiting a bit longer. Ling Yue didn't go directly to the villa—instead, the Black Cat Queen led her to the lawyer's office, where she presented the will and the cat's acknowledgment received from the Black Cat Queen, and finally obtained the property certificate from the lawyer."

"Was it really that easy to obtain?"

"Ling Yue drove the car, feeling utterly unreal."

"She focused on driving; the road ahead gradually widened. Though she was heading toward the city center, the trees along the way changed from ordinary street trees to various beautiful flowering plants, serving the same purpose as street trees—except they were very expensive."

villa area

It is hard to believe that in Jing Shi, where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold, there actually exists such a sizable villa area.

Even the guards at the gate were young men with upright postures; Ling Yue saw in them a vigor she had only seen on military training instructors and criminal police officers, which meant that the guards here were all soldiers.

What a grand gesture.

"Stop, may I ask who you are looking for?"

Behind her, the Mysterious Cat Queen suddenly poked her head out; under the other's astonished gaze, Ling Yue coughed lightly and said, "I am the new owner of the A102 Villa, here to see the house."

Hearing her words, the other's expression changed, then they glanced at the presented property deed and at the cat queen nuzzling Ling Yue's neck, but ultimately said nothing; under the astonished gaze of their colleague, they let her through.

Colleague: "What's going on? The owner of the A102 Villa has long been dead, hasn't he? How did a new owner suddenly appear?"

That person glared at him: "Don't ask what you shouldn't."

In fact, he himself was quite surprised. But the property deed he had just seen wasn't fake, and the cat wasn't fake either.

This was also something he only learned after starting his job: back then, a murder case had occurred here. The victim was precisely the owner of the A102 Villa, living alone with no relatives or friends; the property management wanted to sell the house again, but discovered the deceased had left a will.

Now it has suddenly appeared in Ling Yue's hands, and the outcome is clear.

He immediately notified the property manager, who was momentarily stunned but ultimately said nothing.

The villa area was larger than imagined; even driving, Ling Yue took over ten minutes to reach her destination.

The Mysterious Cat Queen eagerly got out of the car, closed the door, and before her eyes appeared a spacious courtyard with lush green grass; only after stepping up the pure white marble steps with delicate carvings did one reach the villa's main gate.

Opening the door, a cloud of dust rushed forth.

The queen looked at it fondly, turned and stood by the doorframe calling out; from the beautifully trimmed green trees outside, a chubby little Sanhua tumbled down with a gurgling roll.

"Boss, you're finally back~"

It rolled halfway, then sprang up, warily eyeing Ling Yue with a bowed waist and a hiss: "Boss, who is this human?"

"Mysterious Cat Queen: "My new master.""

It easily pressed down the feisty little Sanhua: "I've found the proof‑cat for you; you can ask anything you like, and you may freely enter the house."

The Mysterious Cat Queen said, waving a claw at her: "Come on in."

Ling Yue shook her head and stepped inside.

She inexplicably felt an illusion, as if she had stepped into the Spider Silk Cave with one foot.