Chapter 216

The identity arranged by the bookstore owner for Shi Shi was residing overseas, namely the city where the National Security Council headquarters is located.

Most people here speak French, few speak English, but they can understand it.

Su Mian spent half a month learning French and can now basically travel independently.

The two live in one of Shi Shi's properties, located in the most prosperous Second District of the city, but the surroundings are mostly cafés, taverns, parks, and the like, which are also relatively quiet.

Locals love cats, and almost every household keeps one; several times neighbors have asked why they don't have a cat, and Shi Shi just smiled and explained that their lover used to keep one, then dropped the subject.

Su Mian had considered keeping a kitten, but Xiao Bai Ge had always been the shadow in her heart; aside from occasionally returning to the script world in her role as the Arbiter 'cat' to check on it, she had never been in contact with any other kittens.

As for the little pine kept at the Detective Agency, Fu Gui, it was a stray dog that came to join the excitement on the opening day; everyone says dogs bring wealth, so business after its arrival is sure to go smoothly.

Under strong urging from many employees, Su Mian kept it at the Detective Agency.

After being asked that day, she also felt a little inclined to make contact, so she planned to stroll around the nearby gardens to interact with other people's cats and dogs, and then decide whether to adopt one.

Today Shi Shi was handling some matters at the National Security Council; since she had nothing else to do, she simply decided to pass the time.

Many people nearby know them, after all their talent and beauty are indeed striking; upon seeing her, they greet her, and Su Mian smiles in response.

In the afternoon, the soft sunlight fell on the lawn of French Park, with plane and chestnut trees lining the small path, dappled light filtering through the leaves.

The pebble path wound its way into the distance, with benches, fountains, and flower beds scattered among them, the air carrying a faint scent of plants and coffee.

The cat half-closed its eyes, basking lazily in the sunlight.

Occasionally people gather for a picnic, and the greedy dog passes by before being led away by its owner.

Su Mian reached out to let the kitten sniff, asked the owner if she could feed it a cat treat, and after receiving permission began feeding it while petting it.

"Dear, I have something to attend to; could you watch the cat for me?"

The curly‑haired middle‑aged woman patted Su Mian, pointed to her phone to indicate she had some work‑related matter.

Su Mian nodded, but shortly after the woman left, the previously docile kitten suddenly puffed up and began to scream.

Su Mian turned her head, and a large golden retriever came sprinting toward it from not far away; it immediately bolted off into the distance, and Su Mian quickly rose to give chase.

This kitten's temperament is usually stable, so its owner hadn't put a leash on it; today, for some unknown reason, it suddenly started acting odd.

It darted into a narrow alley; Su Mian ran two steps and started panting, feeling a bit short of breath.

But if the little cat got lost, that would be bad; she could only grit her teeth and follow, turning into the alley and seeing before her a fountain, clear water flowing down from above.

She didn't have time to wonder why there was a fountain in the alley, because the little cat had already jumped into the fountain; she had wanted to stop, but her body, uncontrolled, surged toward the water, and she plunged headfirst into it.

Su Mian's mind went blank; she quickly opened her eyes, rose to the surface of the water, and swam toward the edge.

Wait…… she seems, not that short, right?

She suddenly realized her field of vision had become much larger, and a little fountain had actually turned into a water pool; she froze for a moment, then lowered her head.

The water surface rippled, and a fluffy face reflected: round blue eyes, a snow‑white muzzle, ears tipped with faint gray, whiskers wet and sticking to the sides of the face.

Ragdoll cat.

Su Mian's whole cat body froze.

She tried to open her mouth.

"……"

But what came out was a soft, tiny 'meow'.

The air fell silent for an instant.

Su Mian: "……"

She lowered her head to look at her paws, pink pads, tiny; her whole fluffy tail still dripping wet and dragging in the water, she tried to stand up, but her foot slipped, and the whole cat plopped back into the water.

She really wasn't in an instance, was she? What's going on?

She struggled to climb out of the fountain's edge, soaked through, her fur pressed against her body by the water, looking like a miserable little rag.

Just then, the sky suddenly Boom—, dark clouds having pressed down at some unknown time, and the next second raindrops fell.

Whoosh—

The rain poured down.

Raindrops struck the stone tiles, instantly kicking up a sheet of white mist.

Su Mian froze for a second, then her whole cat self bristled; she felt her familiar scent slowly fade, turning into the unpleasant smell of rainwater.

These raindrops felt like tiny insects, making her whole body uncomfortable.

She had already been wet once.

Su Mian immediately sprang onto all four legs and began to sprint.

A tiny ragdoll cat raced through the rain, its fur growing heavier from the rain, its tail dragging on the ground, its paw pads slapping on the wet stone tiles.

She had no idea why she had turned into a cat, but she could only go home first and figure things out later.

The rain grew heavier, and people on the street hurried for cover under the awnings of coffee shops and wine bars; no one noticed a miserable little ragdoll cat dashing out from the corner.

Until she was about to run up to the apartments in the Second District.

Suddenly a dog's bark exploded beside her ear.

Woof!!!

Su Mian slammed on the brakes.

Not far from the alley entrance, a huge Big Yellow Dog was staring at her.

Its fur was soaked and clung to its body, its eyes gleaming in the rain curtain; Su Mian recognized it—a stray dog that roamed because it loved to bully nearby cats and dogs, and nobody liked it.

It lowered its head.

A threatening sound came from its throat.

Grrr—

Su Mian's whole cat instantly bristled, her tail whooshing outward; she stepped back, and the Big Yellow Dog stepped forward.

Woof!

Su Mian's heart shrank, and the next second she turned and ran; Xiaoxiao, a ball of white fur, desperately darted through the rain.

Big Yellow Dog immediately caught up, its paws splashing in the water with a splashing sound.

"Woof woof!!"

Su Mian was so scared her ears flattened against her head, and she ran on all four legs as if she might take flight.

Just then, she suddenly saw a familiar black car parked by the roadside, its door being pushed open, a man stepping out from the driver's seat, rain falling on his shoulders.

He raised his hand to shut the car door in a clean, swift motion; Su Mian recognized him instantly, and without thinking she turned and the whole cat lunged forward.

"Meow!!"

She bumped headfirst into his leg.

The soaking-wet plush cat pressed directly against his trouser leg and rubbed.

Her fur was a mess, her tail puffed up, and as she rubbed she kept crying out in anxiety.

"Meow meow meow——"

Shishi's motion paused for a moment.

He lowered his head.

That cat was white as a rain-soaked cotton ball, its blue eyes full of grievance, clinging tightly to his leg.

The Big Yellow Dog behind had chased to the intersection and was about to go on, but Shishi glanced over; the dog suddenly stopped, its tail instantly tucked between its legs.

It let out a low "whine," turned its head, and slunk away.

Earlier, that Big Yellow Dog had been beaten by Shishi; at the time, because of its brave and clever act of saving the little cat, the bullied cat's owner even came to the door bearing gifts.

Back in the present, the person and the cat just stood there like that.

After coming to her senses, Su Mian suddenly didn't know what to do; just now it had been a life-preserving instinct, but now what should she do?