Chapter 140 - 140: The Negatives in Hand
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Upon learning the truth, the stray cats ceased to resist Chen Li’s offerings of cat food. Gradually, everyone began to grow fond of him.
Little Black continued, “But Chen Li is out of money, and he’s still spending on treating Anan and feeding us. We don’t want him to spend any more. Xia Xin, could you please convey to Chen Li that he should let go of treating Anan and instead spend more time comforting her?”
Xia Xin was taken aback. She thought, ‘So this is the real story. No wonder Chen Li had the aura of weak animals around him; it wasn’t because he was mistreating them, but because he was treating his ailing cat.’
Agreeing to the stray cats’ request, Xia Xin set off the next morning. She left the film crew during her free time before shooting and arrived at Chen Li’s neighborhood at the time agreed upon with the strays.
By the time Xia Xin arrived, Chen Li was already waylaid by the stray cats. In his arms were two felines, Little Black and Little White, purring and demanding his affection. Both cats seemed well-fed, no doubt due to Chen Li’s recent caregiving.
After preparing some cat food, Xia Xin squatted beside Chen Li, a teasing tone coloring her words. “Fancy meeting you here, Chen Li.”
Stunned, Chen Li turned his head. He asked, “How do you know my name?”
Smiling, Xia Xin responded, “If you can investigate me and Jing MO, I can certainly investigate you. Isn’t knowing your name the simplest thing?” Suspicion flickered in Chen Li’s eyes. He inquired, “What are you doing here?” Waggling the cat food in her hand, Xia Xin said, “Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to feed the cats.’
Chen Li scrutinized her, clearly not buying her explanation. He had always disliked Xia Xin because he believed she had gained her fame by falsely portraying herself as an animal caregiver. However, what happened next left him dumbfounded.
Little Black and Little White, with no hesitation, leaped from Chen Li’s arms to Xia Xin’s. They nuzzled their heads against her neck, making her giggle with delight.
Chen Li was aghast. He had spent over a week winning the affection of these two strays, and yet Xia Xin had done it in mere minutes.
Suspicion rising again, Chen Li questioned, “When did you get so acquainted with them?”
Xia Xin answered honestly, “When I was shooting my previous drama, there were some stray cats nearby who were often hungry. So, I’d feed them whenever I had free time.
Chen Li’s hostility lessened. “I thought you were just posturing for public image. You genuinely care, then?”
Defensively, Xia Xin retorted, “Who told you that? I love animals, and my major was zoology. I used to work as a zookeeper. How can you say that I’m putting on a persona?”
Disdainfully, Chen Li spoke, “I know the entertainment industry too well. With your frequent appearances on trending topics and rapid fan growth, you must have capital backing you. Otherwise, how could your fan base increase so rapidly?”
Xia Xin frowned slightly. “I’ve pondered that as well. Perhaps it’s luck? However, things have gone in directions I never anticipated. Initially, I simply wanted to be a zookeeper and spend my days close to animals; that alone would have made me happy.”
Chen Li appeared moved, and his animosity toward Xia Xin waned. Observing that, Xia Xin cautiously asked, “May I ask you something a bit intrusive?” Pretending to be aloof, Chen Li said, “You ask even knowing it’s intrusive?”
Ignoring his tone, Xia Xin continued, “Do you have a sick cat at home?”
Immediately, Chen Li’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”
“It’s just something I sensed,” Xia Xin claimed.
Intrigued, Chen Li asked, “How did you sense it?”
Teasing him, Xia Xin said, “It’s very mystical, almost like a sixth sense. I could smell a unique aroma on you—the scent of a sick cat.”
Flabbergasted, Chen Li blurted out, “You can actually smell that?”
Nodding, Xia Xin replied, “Perhaps it’s a special ability of mine. Since childhood, I’ve been able to detect scents others can’t.” Of course, Xia Xin was just making that up..
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