Chapter 514

Just as they were playing.

At the room's window, an uninvited guest arrived at some point.

A cat, white all over, is crouching silently on the windowsill, its amber pupils curiously examining the interior.

Seeing so many people in the room, the white cat Nanio didn't feel the slightest fear of strangers; instead, it glanced around the room a few times, and upon spotting Natsume Chikage, it jumped down from the window gracefully.

It skillfully bypassed the people on the tatami, walked straight to Natsume Chikage's feet, and affectionately rubbed against him with its head.

"Meow~"

A soft, sweet meow suddenly rang out.

This sudden interlude left Xiyuanji Qilai and Xuecun Lingyin, who hadn't seen Nanio before, stunned.

They both immediately turned their heads, following the sound toward the cat.

The usually cold Xuecun Lingyin blinked, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her gaze glued to that ball of snow-white, a hint of rare, burgeoning affection showing in her expression.

"A cat..."

She whispered almost unconsciously.

Xiyuanji Qilai, however, happily called out directly:

"What a cute little cat, is this your cat?"

Natsume Chikage leaned over, stroked the white cat's soft little head, and shook his head:

"No."

A warm and soft sensation came from his fingertips.

"This cat is a stray from outside, the kind that eats from a hundred families; it's very popular with the people around here."

The white cat squinted blissfully, purring.

"But recently it seems to have become particularly attached to our house, occasionally jumping in to mooch food and drink."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui looked at the white cat, suddenly realizing, and laughed:

"No wonder Xiaobai is here, so that's how it is."

"It seems that after you fed it last time, Natsume-kun, it took a liking to you."

Xuecun Lingyin's gaze never left the cat, whispering the name repeatedly:

"Xiaobai..."

Xiyuanji Qilai watched the white cat's intimate act of constantly rubbing against Natsume Chikage's lower leg and smiled:

"It seems this white cat really likes you, Natsume-kun."

As for Natsume Ruri, she had long been crouching to the side, carefully examining Nanio.

She reached out and picked up the little white cat, cradling it in her arms, looking at its pink, tender paw pads, and muttered with a pout:

"Don't know where you've been running around again, your little feet are all dirty."

There were some grayish-black marks on the paw pads.

"Come with me to wash your feet."

Saying this.

She carried Xiaobai to the side, took out a wet wipe, and carefully helped it wipe its paws.

At this time.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui and Xiyuanji Qilai both curiously moved closer, surrounding Natsume Ruri, and extended their fingers to gently stroke the fur on Xiaobai's back.

"Hee hee hee hee, Xiaobai, you can't escape now."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui felt the soft fur with her fingertips.

"So cute, and so clean, has it had a bath?"

Xiyuanji Qilai asked, looking up.

Natsume Ruri smiled while wiping carefully:

"Mm-hmm, Brother just helped Xiaobai take a bath earlier."

Xuecun Lingyin stood a little further away, watching the heartwarming scene of the three of them playing with the cat.

Her thin red lips pursed slightly, her fingers hidden at her sides curled unconsciously, and that burgeoning feeling in her expression became even more obvious.

But due to her cold personality, she ultimately suppressed the urge to go up and join in, just watching the scene quietly and somewhat enviously.

After wiping it clean.

Natsume Ruri gently placed it back on the ground.

Regaining its freedom, Nanio quickly left the two girls, and with a few light jumps, arrived at Natsume Chikage's feet.

It pawed at his trouser leg with its front paws, then lightly jumped onto his lap, found a comfortable spot to lie down, its tail held high, swaying contentedly, and let out "meow meow meow" sounds.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui leaned over curiously:

"Natsume-kun, why does Xiaobai keep meowing at you?"

Xiyuanji Qilai and Xuecun Lingyin also cast curious glances.

Natsume Ruri put her hands on her hips and complained:

"Xiaobai just wants to beg for food."

"But for some reason, when I'm home alone, it won't eat when I feed it."

"It only eats the cat treats when Brother is home."

Xuecun Lingyin's cold eyes widened slightly, revealing rare, obvious curiosity:

"Really?"

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui blinked her big eyes, recalling:

"It seemed to eat when I fed it last time too."

Natsume Ruri nodded heavily, her tone certain:

"Really!"

Her fair cheeks flushed slightly from the emphasis.

"If you don't believe me, I'll try it for you to see right now."

Saying this.

She turned around, took out a cat treat, tore open the packaging neatly, mimicked her brother's previous method, dipped a little water into it, then squatted down and offered it to Xiaobai.

However, Nanio only leaned in, sniffed the scent with its pink nose, then shook its head, its gaze still locked on Natsume Chikage, continuing to meow.

Natsume Ruri puffed up her cheeks in anger.

Then she shoved the cat treat into Natsume Chikage's hand.

"Brother, try it quickly."

Natsume Chikage took it, feeling somewhat between laughter and tears.

The moment his fingers touched the cat treat, a line of text only he could see appeared quietly.

【Cooking successful, cat treat flavor increased by 20%!】

Seeing this situation.

Natsume Chikage handed the cat treat to Nanio's mouth again.