Chapter 28: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 28: Daji

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

In the blink of an eye, the group arrived at that extraordinarily lively market. The market was like a clamorous ocean; every little stall resembled a small treasure hill, covered in a dazzling, bewildering array of goods. Among them were many novel little trinkets they had never seen before, like tiny sprites hiding mysterious powers, attracting the children's curious gazes.

The three children seemed to have been cast under a spell; almost every time they passed a stall they couldn't help but pause for a moment, picking and choosing carefully. When they reached Ai Jiao's side, however, they discovered he had stopped again in front of a stall, as if something had firmly rooted his feet in place. He carefully picked up a dagger; its blade flashed with a cold light, sharp enough to seemingly slice through air itself. The dark patterns on the hilt were like an ancient cipher, mysterious and exceptionally alluring, causing a flash of obsession to cross Ai Jiao's eyes.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Qi Xi also discovered a treasure at another stall. It was a bronze mirror only the size of a palm; the floral patterns on its handle were simple and elegant, yet contained a unique charm. The glazed mirror surface was smooth as a mirror, reflecting more clearly than the bronze mirrors at home, as if it could reflect a person's very soul. Qi Xi stroked the bronze mirror fondly, her eyes sparkling with surprised delight.

Looking at Qianqian again, she too had stopped in front of a stall. There sat a small ball woven from rattan; the ball wasn't large, and Qianqian could lift it with a light stretch of her hand. A thought suddenly popped into her mind: since they were going to buy a cat soon, this rattan ball would make a perfect toy for the kitten — both cute and practical. So, without hesitation, Qianqian asked the boss the price and directly paid for the rattan ball.

The other three people watched the three lively, jumping children with faces full of puzzlement. They saw them darting and playing among the stalls like happy little fawns. And in front of every stall, a person hurriedly followed a child, terrified they would get lost. Only after the three children finally finished buying the novel things in their hands did those people snap out of it, realizing they were here to accompany Qianqian to buy a cat, and hurriedly walked forward together.

Walking along, a figure suddenly appeared ahead: a lean, thin man sitting quietly in front of a crude stall. Several cages sat on the stall, each curled up with a few tiny kittens; their fur was messy, they trembled as they squeezed together, looking as if huddling together might give them a shred of security.

Perhaps due to inner fear, they also let out weak "meow-meow" sounds from time to time; the sound was both pitiful and helpless.

Just then, sharp-eyed Qianqian spotted this scene; her eyes instantly lit up as if she had found treasure, and she bounced over. She ran to the left to look, then to the right to look, carefully counting — three cages in total.

Each cage held a few cute kittens; their round, rolling big eyes revealed endless terror and bewilderment.

The boss saw this, walked up, and said with a smile: "These cats are sorted by breed. Take a look, see if there's any you like." The leftmost cage held three silver-glinting kittens, especially pretty. There was also a small box in the cage, presumably prepared specially for them. The box was lined with a fluffy little pad; the three kittens squeezed inside, seeming to feel a trace of long-lost warmth, a warmth that seemed able to dispel the fear in their hearts.

The boss gently stroked one kitten's head; the kitten trembled slightly but didn't dodge, as if enjoying this moment of comfort. Qianqian's wide-open eyes flashed with curiosity and surprise; that unique blue-eyed kitten was particularly eye-catching, like a brilliant blue sapphire set in its small face.

The other two kittens had deep, ink-black eyes; their fluffy little ears were like sensitive radar, twitching now and then, as if sensing slight changes in the surroundings, harboring a hidden fear.

Qi Xi quietly crouched in front of the middle cage, her gaze locked on the small box inside that cage. This box was a bit larger than the previous one because it held five fluffy, pure-white kittens; they were like five pure little angels, fragile and adorable.

Qi Xi had always had a special fondness for white cats; looking at these five pitiful little guys now, a strong impulse to buy them all and take them home surged in her heart. She couldn't help but beg her brother Qi Yu, hoping he would agree to let her buy all five kittens.

Qi Yu looked at his sister's expectant eyes, and his heart instantly softened immeasurably. He knew well his sister's love for these kittens, but he also knew that if he bought them all for her this time, next time she saw other pitiful kittens she would still want to buy them; facing her pleading gaze, he truly couldn't bear to refuse, and his heart fell into a tangle of conflict...

Yan Shuang'er at the side saw this, gently stroked Qi Xi's soft hair, her eyes full of gentleness and comfort, and said softly: "Xi Xi, you must know, in this vast world there are truly many pitiful kittens; we really can't buy every single one back. Look at these kittens — although they look so pitiful right now, you see, all five of them are staying obediently in this small box, and there's even a thoughtful soft pad laid out; from this detail we can tell the boss must be worried they'd freeze; he's definitely a particularly kind person, and will surely take good care of these kittens."

After hearing Yan Shuang'er's words, Qi Xi's tangled insistence on buying the cats gradually dissipated; she stood obediently to the side, then began enthusiastically picking out a cat together with Qianqian. Qi Yu silently cast a gaze full of gratitude at Yan Shuang'er, a gaze that seemed to hold a thousand words; Yan Shuang'er returned a faint smile, warm and pleasant like the spring sun.

At this moment, Ai Jiao quietly crouched in front of the rightmost cage, staring unblinkingly at the three kittens inside. These three kittens were fluffy all over, an extremely cute mix of orange and white; they huddled tightly together, as if seeking warmth and support from each other. One kitten seemed a bit sleepy, opened its mouth slightly, and let out a tiny yawn — a truly endearing sight.

Finally, after a round of careful selection, Qianqian still firmly bought the kitten she had taken a fancy to at first glance — the one with brilliant sapphire-blue eyes like gemstones. The boss's honest face wore a simple smile throughout; he knew the kitten's value, so he didn't deliberately raise the price, just sold it at the most fair price. Yan Shuang'er paid the silver directly and efficiently.

The boss carefully opened the cage; the kitten seemed to sense the breath of freedom, timidly poked its head out, eyes flashing with a lively light. Qianqian beside Yan Shuang'er was full of curiosity; she slowly reached out, her small hand lightly touching the kitten's back. The kitten's fur was soft and downy, delicate as clouds; Qianqian feared she might accidentally use too much force and hurt the cute little thing, so her movements were exceptionally gentle.

Immediately after, the boss produced a small cage as if by magic; inside sat a small nest meticulously woven from rattan — exquisite and warm, like a cozy little den. The boss carefully placed the kitten inside, then gently closed the cage; this way it was convenient for Qianqian's group to carry, and gave the kitten a safe, comfortable environment. Afterward, the boss also thoughtfully gave them a small bowl specially for the cat to eat from; the rim was round and smooth, looking very cute.

Yan Wang took the cage, gratitude showing on his face, and offered the boss a sincere thanks. After that, the group walked out of the lively market together. On the way back, they first sent Ai Jiao home; watching Ai Jiao run home happily, everyone felt a surge of warmth. Next, the two children agreed to meet tomorrow, and Qi Yu took Qi Xi on the return journey, while Yan Shuang'er, Yan Wang, and Qianqian boarded the carriage back to the residence together. A faint cat scent permeated the carriage compartment; the kitten moved restlessly in the cage, and Qianqian, unable to hold back any longer, scooped the kitten out in one motion.

She placed the kitten on the cushion, crouched down herself, and gently stroked the kitten's head. The kitten let out a "meow," as if responding to Qianqian. Qianqian said happily to Yan Shuang'er: "San Jie look, it's really so small and cute!" Yan Shuang'er at the side also smiled: "Yes, so small; Qianqian, you must take good care of it from now on."

Qianqian nodded repeatedly: "Mm-hm!" Then Yan Shuang'er asked: "Qianqian, give this kitten a name." Qianqian thought a moment, then said: "We bought it at the market, and it's this small, so let's call it Daji."

Yan Shuang'er was surprised by Qianqian's whimsical idea, and replied: "Daji Great Gift — great luck and great profit; Daji is a pretty good name." Qianqian played happily with Daji. Before long, the Wangfu arrived.

Yan Wang got off the carriage first; after alighting he took the cage. After Qianqian got down, she said to Yan Wang: "Fourth Brother, San Jie, let's go to Mother's courtyard to show Mother Daji!" The three went together to the Princess Consort's courtyard. The Princess Consort, currently amusing Yan Jie, heard Chunxi report that Third Miss, Fourth Young Master, and Fifth Miss had come together, and was beaming with joy. In a blink, the three entered. Qianqian ran in excitedly and said to the Princess Consort: "Mother, Qianqian bought a little kitty today~" The Princess Consort asked curiously: "Oh, what kind of cat?" Qianqian replied: "It's called Daji, a silver little cat."

Yan Wang, walking behind, carried the cage and set it on a stool. Qianqian dragged her mother over to the cage; the Princess Consort saw the kitten and loved it immensely, saying: "Truly cute, its eyes are so big and bright." Qianqian said happily: "Yes yes, Qianqian likes it so much~ I'll definitely take good care of it!" The Princess Consort was extremely gratified.

At this, Yan Shuang'er gently picked up Yan Jie, bounced him a bit, and said to the Princess Consort: "Mother~ has Sixth Brother gotten fat? He's gotten heavy to hold." The Princess Consort laughed: "Isn't it so? Since he arrived, Nainai has fed him meticulously; now he's white and chubby, and Chunxi even often sneaks to the kitchen to give him extra snacks."

"Oh?" Yan Shuang'er looked curious; Chunxi hurriedly explained: "Just cooked a bit of millet porridge for the Young Master, added some apple puree; that's all the Young Master can eat." Qianqian also came over, looking at Yan Jie in Yan Shuang'er's arms: "Qianqian originally still wanted to hug him, but he's getting fatter and fatter; Qianqian can't lift him anymore~"

The group chatted and laughed; after a while, Qianqian said: "Mother~ Qianqian is going back first; I need to let Daji out and prepare food for it."

"Alright, whatever you need just tell the Yatou; a kitten this small can drink some milk, have the Yatou fetch some milk." "Got it, Mother." Qianqian had Yan Wang help carry the cage back to Qianji Yuan — she lacked the strength to carry it herself — while Yan Shuang'er stayed to chat with the Princess Consort, and Yan Wang and Qianqian returned together to Qianji Yuan.

Yan Qianqian carefully, slowly opened that exquisite cage, her movements so gentle it was as if she feared disturbing Daji inside. She looked expectantly at the little creature once confined within; Daji at first shrank in the corner, eyes full of fear and unease, as if bewildered and frightened by this sudden freedom, not daring to take that brave step for a long time.

However, not long after, perhaps sensing a subtle change in the air, Daji's little head began to sway slightly, as if testing the surroundings. Then, it tentatively took its tender little paws, inching toward the cage's edge, as if confirming whether the outside world was truly safe.

At this moment, Qianqian hurriedly had Mantou bring a small bowl of fresh milk and set it gently on the ground. The milk gave off a rich, sweet aroma, as if possessing a magical power. Daji seemed to smell the tempting scent at once; the previously hesitant kitten perked up instantly, its little legs churning like a happy little motor, and in a blink reached the small bowl. Its pink little tongue nimbly darted out, lapping at the milk, each touch brimming with satisfaction.

Watching Daji's adorable appearance, Qianqian's heart surged with indescribable joy; she gently instructed Mantou to quickly prepare a comfortable little nest for Daji. Mantou acted swiftly, selecting a warm pad and laying it in the nest, then carefully placing the rattan ball they had just bought inside.

After Daji finished the milk, Qianqian couldn't wait to play with it in the courtyard. The youngest, Miantiao, also learned that Miss had brought back a kitten and excitedly came to watch; the group talked and laughed, the whole courtyard filled with joyous laughter, as if all the beauty in the world had gathered right here...