Chapter 39

Having grown familiar with the environment, the little cat gradually revealed its soft, gentle side completely, able to play with anyone.

Because it was unafraid of strangers and adorably cute, more and more classmates could no longer contain their excitement and gradually gathered around.

In the end, the scene actually developed into the entire class petting the cat.

Someone had originally come over to visit another class and find a friend, only to discover that while the other classes were enthusiastically competing in the sports meet, Lu Yao's class was neglecting their proper duties and collectively fawning over a cat.

The peaceful, idyllic sight of Lu Yao's class was utterly out of place amid the passionate, heated atmosphere of the school sports meet.

At the moment, Lu Qi was the only one from their class competing on the field.

Seeing that Lu Qi had already entered the final lap of the 1,000-meter race, the PE representative finally remembered his responsibilities.

He cleared his throat and said to the circle of people hopelessly engrossed in petting the cat, "Lu Qi is starting his final lap. Let's go wait for him at the finish line."

Hearing the PE representative's words, Lu Yao stood up. He had originally intended to leave the little cat at the tent, but the moment he moved away, the little cat immediately scrambled after him.

"Lu Yao, bring the little cutie with us."

"Waaah, why isn't our cat as clingy as this little cutie? I want an affectionate little cling-on too!"

"Me too! My cat acts so aloof, like it can't even be bothered to look at me."

"It's so well-behaved. It definitely won't disrupt the competition."

"Maybe if Lu Qi sees the little cutie before his final sprint, he'll run even faster!"

Lu Yao looked helplessly at the classmates before him, who had completely lost all restraint over petting the cat.

Leaving the little cat in their own class area was one thing, but openly bringing it to the competition grounds would draw far too much attention. Did these people still remember that this was a school sports meet and not a pet sports meet?

Lu Yao had assumed the mature and steady PE representative would speak up to stop their suggestion.

Who would have thought that he would simply wave a hand and laugh in agreement? "If Lu Qi wins first place, we can even use the little cat as a prize and have it reward him with a hug."

Lu Yao: "..."

Were they serious?!

The strange sight at the finish line attracted everyone's attention.

Compared with the sparse crowds gathered at the finish lines for the other classes, it seemed as though Lu Yao's entire class had shown up here.

Just as everyone thought their class cared so much about Lu Qi, this group apparently was not actually focused on him at all. Instead, they had surrounded Lu Yao three layers deep.

Once people learned that their class was acting so strangely because Lu Yao's little cat had accidentally been brought to school, and that they were now so absorbed in petting it that they had no mind for the competition, everyone else at the school became curious about Lu Yao's little cat.

Lu Yao's classmates did not care in the slightest about the curious and astonished looks from others. In any case, they had already received the referees' permission to bring the little cat in.

As for what other people thought, was petting a cat not fun? Was cuddling a cat not enjoyable? Why should they care?

During the final 100 meters, Lu Qi had originally been in second place. But when he saw Lu Yao holding the little cat at the finish line, he suddenly accelerated into a sprint. He could not embarrass himself in front of Lu Yao!

The competition over the final 100 meters was extremely fierce, but in the end, Lu Qi narrowly overtook the previous leader and crossed the finish line.

Seeing Lu Qi panting from exhaustion, Lu Yao casually stuffed the little cat into the arms of someone beside him and hurried over to support Lu Qi.

Lu Yao accompanied Lu Qi on a slow walk for a while. Once Lu Qi had recovered from the long-distance run, the two returned to their class's tent.

Seeing the two return, the PE representative came over with a smile. Chu Jiaojiao was beside him, holding the little cat.

PE Representative: "Lu Qi, we have a special reward for the champion."

Lu Qi looked confused. "What reward?"

PE Representative: "Ta-da! One hug from our class mascot!"

Lu Qi: "..."

Did they perhaps remember that this was his family's cat? Did he lack a hug like that?

And what the hell was this mascot business? Since when had their class even had such a thing?

By now, Lu Yao was no longer surprised. He patted Lu Qi on the shoulder and explained, "While you were warming up and competing, Milk was chosen as our class mascot by an almost unanimous vote."

The only opposing vote at the time had been Lu Yao himself.

Holding the little cat, Chu Jiaojiao took the initiative to step forward.

"Here, your champion's reward."

Seeing how ceremonious they were being, Lu Qi cooperated despite his verbal disdain.

Who would have thought that the moment he reached out, before he could even touch the little cat, Milk raised a paw and tried to scratch his hand? Fortunately, Lu Qi reacted quickly and dodged in time.

When its attack failed, Milk curled back up in Chu Jiaojiao's arms, looking obedient and adorable, completely relaxed and ready to be petted.

Lu Qi indignantly accused the little cat.

"You actually tried to scratch me?! What is wrong with you? Don't forget that I bought those dried fish snacks you ate earlier. Believe it or not, I won't let you eat dried fish anymore."

Chu Jiaojiao reached out and rubbed the little cat's head, then looked up at Lu Qi. "Lu Qi, aren't you being childish? It's still little. Do you really need to hold something like this against it? If you won't buy it dried fish, I will."

Lu Qi: "..."

No, really? Did they actually know whose cat this was? He had only scolded his own cat a few times, yet Chu Jiaojiao had lectured him instead?

Seeing Lu Qi's baffled expression, a faint smile appeared in Lu Yao's eyes as he explained on the little cat's behalf, "It's still holding a grudge over how you kept teasing it this morning and refused to give it dried fish. Don't blame it for wanting to scratch you. Blame yourself for being so handsy this morning."

The moment Lu Yao finished speaking, the little cat happened to let out a "meow," as though agreeing with him.

Lu Qi pointed vaguely at the little cat's head. "You little thing, you really know how to hold a grudge! Why don't you remember who bought all your snacks?"

The little cat simply turned around and pointed its butt at Lu Qi.

Lu Qi said, "You've got quite the temper, huh? Come here. Let's have a proper talk today. Jade must be carved to become useful; today, I need to straighten out that temperament of yours."

After saying that, Lu Qi deliberately twisted his wrists threateningly, making his joints crackle.

Lu Yao: "..."

Another day of being embarrassed on someone else's behalf.

Forget it. If Lu Qi ever stopped being this childish, he probably would not be Lu Qi anymore.

The PE representative had already left to handle something else.

When Lu Yao took the little cat from Chu Jiaojiao's arms, he said in a low voice, "Thank you for taking care of Milk."

Chu Jiaojiao shyly pressed her lips together. "You're welcome. It's very cute."

Seeing Lu Yao take the little cat and turn to leave, Chu Jiaojiao hurriedly said, "Lu Yao, I want to tell you something important at noon later. Can you come out and talk to me alone for a while?"

Something important? A trace of confusion appeared in Lu Yao's eyes.

But thinking of how Chu Jiaojiao had cared for Milk earlier, Lu Yao still nodded and agreed to her request.

Jiang Bai had just walked over when he heard their exchange.

Seeing Chu Jiaojiao's expression, his gaze flickered, and his eyes instantly darkened.

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