Chapter 3
Edward Quan ·
11
Time passed into the first semester of my fourth year.
Our department arranged internships at a new media company.
On the first morning, my roommates were all carefully doing their makeup.
I waited, watching videos to pass the time.
Suddenly, one leaned over.
"Oh my God. Tiger cubs again?"
Feeling guilty, I hurriedly switched off the screen and forced a smile.
"Too lazy to do makeup. Just killing time."
Another joined in.
"Since she got back, Lin Qian watches white tigers on every platform, every day. She might as well marry one."
I thought about it.
"Why couldn't I be the one marrying him into my family?"
Apparently deciding there was something wrong with me, they shook their heads and sighed.
"She's beyond saving."
I ignored them, glanced at the clock and reminded them coldly, "Beauties, you've got twenty minutes left."
...
At the very last minute, the four of us entered the office.
We were celebrating not being late when the manager approached, his face dark.
"A senior executive from headquarters is inspecting today, and you dare arrive this close to the start?"
One braver roommate said, "But we're not late."
His face darkened further.
Meanwhile, I remembered last night's romance novel.
The male lead had unexpectedly become the heroine's boss, then dragged her into a dramatic office romance.
Without thinking, I asked, "What's this executive's surname?"
The manager glanced at me, but answered.
"Lin. But that's none of an intern's concern."
"Get to work."
12
Back at our desks, my roommate leaned over.
"Your surname's Lin. So is his. Are you related?"
I propped up my chin and sighed.
"I wish his surname were Zhi. Or Bai."
She didn't understand.
But she didn't ask.
...
Time flew.
Before long, it was lunch.
After a terrible cafeteria meal, I was about to nap when the manager tapped my desk.
"Lin Qian. Mr. Lin wants you in his office."
I was still bewildered when he looked me up and down, as though trying to see right through me.
Then he gave an ingratiating smile.
"Hurry. Don't keep him waiting."
How baffling.
13
Suppressing my irritation, I knocked on the president's door.
A cool voice came from inside.
"Come in."
I opened it.
The man sat with his back to me.
And...
White hair.
Suspicion stirred in my heart.
"Mr. Lin, did you want to see me?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Slowly, he turned his chair to face me.
"Human. I've come to keep my promise."
My mind and heart fell into chaos.
Suddenly, all those years of romance novels seemed nowhere near enough.
Seeing my silence, Zhi Chuan smiled and walked over.
"What? Too big a surprise?"
Reflexively, I grabbed his hair.
"Natural or dyed?"
His smile stiffened.
His voice was wounded.
"I styled it to see you... Doesn't it look good?"
I pouted and told the truth.
"Average. A little too alternative. We're dyeing it after work."
He nodded obediently.
"All right. Come with me, then."
I didn't answer.
He came closer, put an arm around my waist and began to wheedle.
"Human, please? Will you?"
Humans really couldn't resist that sort of thing.
In the end, I agreed.
...
Before leaving, I asked the question that puzzled me most.
"Cat, how did you become a company president the moment you got to Earth?"
He lifted his head proudly.
"Human, that's a secret. I'll tell you later."
14
After work, I went with him to a salon in the mall to dye his hair.
My stomach refused to be outdone and growled.
He suppressed a laugh.
"Didn't you eat enough at lunch?"
I glared at the culprit.
"Heartless capitalist! Your company's cafeteria is awful!"
He stared for two seconds, then understood.
"Come home with me afterward. I'll cook."
Suspicious, I asked, "You can cook?"
He nodded.
"Yes. New human skill."
...
I followed him home.
The company had given him a large apartment downtown.
The instant we entered, I flung myself onto the sofa.
"Cat, you've got such a good life!"
He came over and hugged me from behind.
"Human, yours will be good, too. You're flirting with a cat who has a good life."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Huh? When did I flirt with you?"
He chuckled without answering and went to make dinner.
I stayed on the sofa, playing with my phone.
Then I spotted three packets of human food in the corner.
He must have brought them from his world.
I crawled over to check the expiry dates.
I was starving.
Underneath lay A Guide to Caring for Humans.
Open to Chapter Twenty.
I secretly picked it up for a proper read.
Only then did I discover he'd filled it with notes.
He'd even extrapolated.
I read intently.
Just as my throat was beginning to feel dry, he snatched it away.
Bewildered, I asked, "Why did you write thirty-four plus thirty-five in green highlighter?"
There was a star beside it, marking something important.
15
His expression became a little unnatural.
"Just a math problem."
I wasn't so easily fooled.
"Doesn't look like it... Fine. I'll look it up."
I opened my phone and searched.
Before the results appeared, he hurriedly stopped me.
"Don't. After dinner and your shower, I'll explain slowly..."
I nodded.
Relieved, he returned to the kitchen.
Watching his back, I secretly reopened the search.
...
After seeing the results, I couldn't calm down.
Perhaps I shouldn't have been so eager to learn.
While I regretted it, the smell of food drifted over.
He called happily, "Human, come and eat!"
I hurried into my slippers and ran over.
Three dishes and a soup.
They looked delicious.
I swallowed.
"How did you know I like sweet-and-sour ribs?"
He thought for a moment.
"Aren't you from the south? The book says southerners like sweet food."
...The book again.
As I eagerly helped myself, I said with a guilty conscience, "Read less of that book. It's not reliable."
He scratched his head doubtfully.
"But so far, I've found it very reliable."
...
After dinner, we found a film.
We hadn't been watching long when I grew embarrassed and asked softly, "Are you showering first, or am I?"
Still engrossed, he answered casually.
"I'll bathe you. I've learned how."
Helpless and speechless, I said, "A cat shouldn't study so hard."
Then I went to the bedroom, took a shirt from the wardrobe and slipped into the bathroom.
He kept watching, oblivious.
Until halfway through my shower, when he knocked.
"Human, you won't let me help again."
His voice was pitifully aggrieved.
I softened.
"Use the other bathroom. When you're done, wait nicely on the bed."
Very obediently, he went.
...
After showering, I entered the bedroom, drying my hair.
He was sitting dutifully on the bed.
Soft white ears and tail exposed.
The corners of his eyes were flushed.
"Human, I can't hide them anymore."
Not understanding, I went over, stroked his ears and poked his tail.
"Why not?"
He didn't answer.
He only touched my waist.
His throat moved.
"Hungry."
...
So we did math all night.
I was dizzy and dazed, and still hadn't mastered it.
He laughed softly by my ear.
Angry, I kicked him.
He caught my ankle.
"Looks like Lin Qian isn't tired enough yet."
Refusing to lose, I bit his collarbone.
He didn't seem hurt.
Instead, he smiled.
"Marking me, Qianqian? Thank you, sweetheart. I like it."
I gave up completely.
Collapsed on the bed, too exhausted to move.
Only later did I learn that when beastfolk were aroused, they couldn't conceal their ears and tails.
16
At noon the next day, his tail brushed my nose.
I sneezed awake.
Raking my messy hair, I cried, "Oh no! I didn't ask for leave, and I haven't gone to work!"
He propped up his chin and watched me.
"It's fine. The boss hasn't gone, either."
My face fell.
"You don't have to clock in. I do..."
I hurried to dress and was about to call the manager to apologize.
He caught my hem.
"It's the weekend. We have two days off."
...Fine, then.
I lay down again.
Leaning close, he coaxed me as though soothing a child.
"Sleep well. Cats are good at making money. This cat will support you."
Before I drifted off, I answered softly, "Mm... But I have to earn money, too. Humans are very capable. A human can support a cat."
Extra — Zhi Chuan's Perspective
1
I'd been trapped in the zoo for a year.
Every day, different humans came to look.
They pointed. Some called me fierce. Some said I was thin.
Nobody wanted to help.
Until one day, a particularly beautiful young woman appeared.
She said, "Such a big tiger. Why is its enclosure so small?"
I opened my mouth to answer.
Then remembered we weren't allowed to speak in front of humans.
I could only look at her sadly.
She filmed me, sighed and left.
I watched her go, sad as well.
Unexpectedly, a few days later, I was moved into a larger enclosure.
My family found me, too.
On our way back to the beastfolk world, I thought she must be my lucky star.
2
At home, I asked my parents, "How did you find me?"
They handed me a phone.
"We saw a video by Loves Cilantro. That's how we knew you were at the zoo."
Only then did I understand.
She'd saved me.
And after only a few glimpses, I'd fallen helplessly in love.
Every day, my parents watched me grinning foolishly at my phone.
Eventually, they said, "If you like her so much, apply for a human identity!"
Second Uncle agreed.
"With one, you can live on Earth without being caught and put in a zoo again."
I nodded.
That made excellent sense.
So I began the process.
3
In the third year after applying, the beastfolk registration office called me in to fill out my details.
After that, I only had to wait a little longer.
Then I could live on Earth.
I was so happy I practically floated along.
On the way home, for no particular reason, I opened Loves Cilantro's account again.
She still hadn't updated.
She'd never gone this long without posting.
I began to worry.
Just then, a sales pitch rang out nearby.
"Human pets! Huge discounts today!"
I turned.
And saw her.
Shut in a cage.
So haggard it hurt to look.
In a panic, I entered the shop.
The assistant greeted me enthusiastically.
"Would you like to buy a human pet?"
I nodded and pointed.
"That one. How much?"
...
As soon as I paid, the assistant caught me and whispered, "Handsome, would you like A Guide to Caring for Humans? It'll help the two of you live in harmony."
I frowned, unconvinced.
She added, "It even teaches you how to make a human fall in love with their owner. Guaranteed genuine. Only nine hundred and ninety-eight beastfolk coins!"
A human...
Fall in love...
With their owner?
Without further hesitation, I paid.
And secretly slipped the book into my bag.
On the way home, I gently held it, deep in thought.
She was tense and silent.
I could only copy how humans comforted animals and rub her head.
"Human, don't be afraid. I'll give you a home."
(The End)