Beastman Tribe (continued)

Nothing was wrong, so why was he being so suspicious?

"Kitty, come here. Meow-" Jian Mo beckoned to the kitten and pointed at the can in front of him. "There's canned food."

The kitten stood up and hesitated where he was, then took two steps forward. With his right front paw raised in midair, he wanted to come over but didn't dare.

He seemed to be a cautious kitten.

Jian Mo took two steps back, leaving the space in front of the can open for the kitten.

The can was already open, and it wouldn't stay fresh for long. It would be great if the kitten ate it.

The kitten looked at him, then at the can. His nose twitched as he tentatively stepped closer.

He walked very slowly, ready to flee at any moment.

Jian Mo took another two steps back, putting enough distance between them.

Only then did the kitten run over on all fours and circle the can. He glanced at Jian Mo, sniffed the food, then lowered his head and took a bite.

After tasting it, his eyes lit up. He buried his entire little head in the can and began to eat in great mouthfuls, purring all the while.

It wasn't just the purring—his sparkling eyes showed how happy he was, too.

Jian Mo watched the kitten and cautiously moved closer.

The kitten didn't run. He even shifted to the side a little.

Jian Mo crouched down and stroked the kitten's round little head.

The kitten tilted his head and pushed it into Jian Mo's hand, butting right against his palm.

The kitten's body was quite warm, and his long fur was soft. He felt wonderful to pet.

Jian Mo smiled and gently scratched his chin with two fingers. Looking down, he asked, "You don't dislike me, do you?"

The kitten lowered his head and continued eating, still purring.

Jian Mo stroked him from head to tail. "Then come home with me. You can have all the canned food you want from now on."

He hadn't found the kitten he'd had his eye on before, but this one was nice too.

The more Jian Mo looked at him, the more he liked him. He crouched there and patiently waited for the kitten to finish eating.

The kitten soon finished the entire can and began licking the bottom.

Jian Mo gently felt his little belly. He hadn't expected such a small kitten to have such a big appetite.

Once he was sure the kitten had finished eating, Jian Mo picked him up and wiped his mouth with a tissue, then wiped his little pink paws.

The kitten gazed at Jian Mo with round eyes full of curiosity, still purring.

Jian Mo hadn't seen such an affectionate, adorable kitten in a long time. He gave him a scratch.

The kitten rolled over in Jian Mo's arms and spread his hind legs, exposing his soft belly for Jian Mo to pet.

The little fellow's fur was long and soft. Jian Mo stroked him a couple of times, then couldn't resist picking him up and burying his face in his belly.

His belly was soft and warm, and the kitten smelled faintly of milk.

Jian Mo pressed his face against the kitten's belly, feeling immensely satisfied.

The kitten was bewildered. He pushed at Jian Mo's face with his paw pads. "Mew?"

Jian Mo smiled, caught the kitten's paws to keep them still, and buried his face in his belly again.

Just as Jian Mo lowered his head to bury his face in the kitten's belly, he heard a noise behind him.

He instinctively turned to look.

A "cat" whose shoulders stood taller than a person was standing not far away, staring at him with glowing green eyes. There was no telling how long he had been watching.

When Jian Mo looked over, the "cat" flattened his ears and bared his teeth threateningly. "Which tribe are you from? Let go of my little brother!"

What? How could a cat be that big?!!

What was going on?

Jian Mo froze, holding the kitten loosely. He was utterly unable to process what was happening, but cold sweat seeped out down his back.

He wasn't dreaming, was he?

Jian Mo stayed where he was, not daring to move from his cat-holding position. He stared fixedly at the big cat before him, wondering if something was wrong with his mind.

The kitten stepped on Jian Mo's palm with a soft paw, then jumped lightly to the ground and ran over to the big cat. "Mew."

The big cat looked relieved. He lowered his head to lick the kitten's head, then picked him up by the scruff and tossed him onto his back.

Only after the kitten was settled did the big cat ask Jian Mo warily, "A wandering sub-beastman?"

What sub-beastman?

This cat really could talk?!

Jian Mo felt dizzy.

He had to be dreaming.

In a daze, Jian Mo thought that he was having a lucid dream.

The big cat hesitated, then raised a paw, looking as though he wanted to come over for a closer look.

Just then, another sound came from deep in the woods.

The big cat's expression changed. He immediately turned around, seemingly ready to run.

Before he could get away, several tall "people" came running out of the woods.

One of them ran up to the big cat and struck him with an open hand.

The big cat let out a "meow" and tried to dodge to the side.

The figure raised his hands again and pounded the big cat with a flurry of blows, but avoided the kitten on his back.

The big cat meowed under the beating. "Dad, stop hitting me."

The man said, "If I don't beat you, won't you be reaching for the heavens next?! You even snuck your brother out to play. Who taught you to do that?!"

The big cat said, "Meow! Banjiu wanted to come out and see, so I brought him out for a look."

The man laughed in anger. "Banjiu only just turned a month old! He said he wanted to come out, so you brought him out? Where's your brain?!"

The big cat hunched his neck. "Ow, I won't do it again! I really won't!"

The man gave the big cat a thorough beating. Once he was satisfied, he finally raised his head and looked at Jian Mo, his gaze sharp enough to pierce right through him.

Jian Mo's head hurt so badly he could barely stand.

He widened his eyes and stared fixedly at the man before him.

The newcomer was tall and handsome, with healthy, wheat-colored skin and a lean layer of muscle over his frame. He looked a lot like a model.

That wasn't the important part. The important part was that two upright cat ears grew from his dark gray hair. His eyes were also rather round, with pupils larger than an ordinary human's.

Clearly, he wasn't human.

Jian Mo had to be dreaming.