Ning Shile pushed open the door. Tangqiu was asleep in the cat bed.
A round head was tucked into a tail, the little body curled into a ball. Small paws rested underneath, eyes closed, with a soft rumbling purr.
[What sweet dream are you having?]
Ning Shile smiled, then crouched down and gently stroked Tangqiu's head.
Tangqiu's ears twitched, then sleepy eyes opened. Seeing that it was Ning Shile, Tangqiu didn't shy away, but tipped sideways and willingly exposed a belly for him to rub.
"Does that feel that good, Tangqiu?" Ning Shile couldn't help laughing.
Tangqiu narrowed those eyes, purring away like a little engine.
Looking at the bandages on Tangqiu's paws, Ning Shile felt a pang of heartache.
The big yellow dog barked a few more times outside. From the voices, Bai Qiongyu and the others were back. They exchanged a few pleasantries with the village chief, then Bai Qiongyu banged open the bedroom door and asked, "Where's my Brother Tang?"
Ning Shile stood up and pointed at Tangqiu. "Your Brother Tang's right here."
"Brother Tang—" Bai Qiongyu drew out the words in a muffled voice, like a big dog who'd been wronged. He ran over and crouched down. "Brother Tang, you've suffered so much—"
Tangqiu edged away. "..."
[You're going to make Tangqiu nervous, coming on that strong.]
Bai Qiongyu genuinely felt awful. He looked at Tangqiu's bandage-covered paws. All four were so immobilized that they could only stay tucked together.
Yesterday, Tangqiu could still swipe at him. Today, the cat could only huddle in bed. The contrast made Bai Qiongyu feel even worse.
Having those claws pulled out—how much must that have hurt?
Just thinking about it made Bai Qiongyu's eyes redden, and he rubbed them with the back of his hand.
Tangqiu narrowed those eyes,