Jin woke up with a gasp. It was around when the afternoon sun was setting to dye the sky in the evening's glow. He had no idea how long he was sleeping for. But the long spell of sleep only left like a void within him.
Jin inhaled and exhaled breathlessly as he wiped his sweat off his forehead with trembling fingers. Those same fingers then touched his chest where he could feel his heart pounding rapidly. It took a few moments for him to orient himself after which he tiredly leaned back on his bed.
He looked at the ceiling and closed his eyes, thinking of the long dream he had. At one point, he felt something climb on his thighs, and he opened his eyes. He looked at the two cats, staring at him with scrutiny.
Jin gazed back into their eyes and smiled. "I remember you two now."
They tilted their heads at the same time. He patted their heads at once and said, "I am sorry I had forgotten about you two for all this time," he glanced at Ai-chan, "We even met in the church, but I didn't recognize you. I am sorry."
Ai-chan softly meowed as if expressing that she didn't mind.
He straightened his back again and scooped the cats in his arms.
*Meow!*
Jun-cute was struggling against his hold to keep his distance from Ai-chan, making Jin only chuckle. "This reminds me of Bro. I can see you took after him very well."
Jun-cute wasn't exactly pleased with this compliment.
"Haha, you even show the same expressions as him."
Jun-cute wanted to hiss and lash out, but he controlled himself.
"Hehe~ you love me just like Bro does, right? If the twins had said this, you would have scratched their faces."
The cat harrumphed as if it was so obvious.
Jin smiled. "I will apologize once again. I kinda remembered everything at the night of the accident, including you two. But I didn't meet you. You must be pissed at me."
*Meow*
Ai-chan softly put her furry paw on his chin with a melancholic look as if saying she wasn't mad at him at all. Jun-cute expressed his affection by rubbing his cheek against his chest. The sound of their soft purrs eased the distress in his heart.
"Hey, hey, why so down? I am fine!" He said with a bright smile.
The cats only stared at them.
He waved his hand in dismissal. "You two are looking way too serious. Anyway, now that I remember you two, we will play lots! I have nothing better to do anyway," he shrugged, "Dad isn't letting me enter the office at all."
His phone rang with a ding, and he checked the message. His expression stiffened for a moment but the hint of uncertainty quickly disappeared, which didn't go unnoticed by the cats.
It was a message from the airlines for which his ticket was booked regarding the project where he had to go with Shui. They were to work together and handle the project accordingly.
He clutched his phone for a moment and then visited the website where he canceled his check-in and ticket without giving it a second thought. He also dropped a message to Jinhai's assistant to assign someone else to accompany Shui for this trip. He released a breath and turned to look at the cats again.
"So! What do you wanna play?"
Ai-chan looked annoyed and turned her head the other way.
"Ah? Why are you grumpy now?" Jin asked, pouting his lips.
Jun-cute climbed on his shoulder and onto his head and violently struck his head with his paws.
"Ow, ow, hey why are you exhibiting such violence today? Am I not your favorite like Bro Jun's?"
It was then he heard some commotion from outside and tilted his head. "There seems to be something going outside. Don't tell me it's Grandpa and Uncle goofing around again," he snorted. "Seriously, they cannot give it a rest for even a single day."
Eventually, he got up with the cats in his arms and stepped outside. Even though he was still feeling a little tired, he was always ready to see Liu Hai and Liu Jing getting scolded. But he quickly realized that something was gravely off.
He walked up to Nana and asked, "Mom, what's going on? Why is everybody so tense?"
"Jin…" the strain was visible with the creases on her forehead and the tears threatening to form in the corner of her eyes. "It's terrible. Xing Bi is kidnapped."
"What!?" His eyes stretched wide in disbelief. "Who kidnapped her? Why?"
Nana quickly accounted for everything that happened, making him even more aghast.
Liu Hai sneered. "They have no idea who they are messing with."
"Dad just left now too…" Nuo said in extreme worry. "I hope sister-in-law is alright! I know Dad and Bro will find her, but I cannot help but get worried…"
Liu Jing smiled. "You worry for no reason my dear niece. Xing Bi will be safe. I can already imagine Nian going on a rampage. Plus, Bro has left too now. It's gonna be a massacre."
Jin didn't waste a second either. "I will go as well. That Zhan Yahui and that damn traitor! How dare they even think of…"
Zhan Yahui has a lot to pay for, Jin trembled with fury. Not just for today but for the past too…
"Jin, no! You are still recovering-"
"No, Mom. I have to go," he said with finality.
Nana stared into his black irises, finding determination in them and a sense of needing closure. She gently let go of his hand and weakly smiled. "Don't push yourself too hard."
"I won't."
Jin let down the cats but instead, they fiercely clung onto him, refusing to go.
"Hey, you cannot come with me."
They ignored him and continued to cling onto him.
Liu Chunhua said, "If they are not listening, then better take them with you, Jin. Seems like the little ones want to help you too."
Jin released a sigh. "Okay, hop on. But you two better stay away from danger okay?"
*Meow*
*Meow*
"..."
Why do I not sense any sincerity in that?
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