Chapter 20: The Great Escape

Where was the cat?

Who stole her cat?

Duan Yan’s view was blocked by two enormous pillows, and a thread of anxiety welled up in her heart.

In her panic, Duan Yan forgot that her room was equipped with an anti-theft alarm system; a thief couldn’t possibly get in.

Duan Yan threw back all the blankets and, seeing that splash of orange, was flooded with relief.

Her silly little cat had gotten itself trapped.

She didn’t know how it had managed to be so naughty as to push these two pillows into the warm blankets, nor how it had fallen into this soft “trap.”

The little orange cat’s body was tightly wedged between the two pillows, unable to move.

Its four paws struggled to stretch out, and then, its little cat head followed, poking out.

A panicked little cat head and a pair of helpless eyes, even its fluffy ears drooped.

Its little nose was scrunched up, and it let out faint “meow meow” sounds from time to time.

Its tail would occasionally peek out from the edge of the pillows, wagging, giving the impression that it was trying its best to break free but couldn’t.

The sight was both comical and adorable; Duan Yan couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Song Jin’s emotions went on a roller coaster ride.

At the most nerve-wracking moment, she had suddenly reverted to her cat form.

Before she could even rejoice in heaven’s favor, her mood plummeted.

The two pillows she had pulled into the quilt to hide herself were now pinning her in place, trapping her and making it difficult to escape.

It was too tight!

Song Jin felt the air in her chest and abdomen being compressed; she could barely breathe.

Seriously, why were these pillows so heavy!

Song Jin looked up and saw the teasing look in Duan Yan’s eyes.

A wave of shame and anger surged through her.

‘This woman is actually laughing at me! Damn her!’

“Meeeooow—”

‘Hurry up and save me!’

Song Jin’s voice carried a hint of pleading, as well as a bit of resentment that Duan Yan was just standing by and watching.

Hearing the little cat’s cry, Duan Yan finally snapped back to her senses.

She moved the pillows pressing down on the kitten and rescued it.

“How can you be so clumsy? You actually trapped yourself?”

Her tone carried a doting smile, her eyes full of gentleness.

“Hiss—”

‘Don’t you dare laugh!’

Embarrassed and angry, Song Jin hissed at Duan Yan the moment she was freed.

She lifted a paw and, with a “smack,” slapped Duan Yan’s wrist with a touch of anger.

Duan Yan let out a muffled grunt, as if suppressing something.

The sound startled Song Jin, who thought she had hurt her.

Her gaze followed down to Duan Yan’s wrist.

On that fair skin, a red mark was particularly striking.

It didn’t look like it was from a slap, but rather like a mark intentionally left by someone’s “other” parts, looking extremely intimate.

A wave of guilt instantly washed over Song Jin.

She had done this before without leaving a mark.

Could it be that she had used too much force just now?

Song Jin felt a little guilty.

This… she hadn’t done it on purpose.

“Mewl—”

‘I should probably apologize first.’

Song Jin purred coquettishly, her voice trembling slightly.

She was getting better and better at this trick.

Using her soft and cute appearance and a feigned “delicate” voice, she had already mastered the technique of captivating Duan Yan.

She had a good feel for it now.

Usually, a pleading tone alone wasn’t enough.

When Duan Yan heard her purr, she would only curl her lips into a slight smile, looking to be in a very good mood.

But if she added a wagging tail and an initiative to nuzzle, Duan Yan would immediately be utterly charmed by her, her face clearly showing an expression of “Wow, I love it, so cute.”

She had long since figured out the depths of Duan Yan’s cat s*ave potential.

Duan Yan didn’t mind the mark left by the little cat.

Her skin had always been delicate and tender, so it was normal for a red mark to appear after being swatted by a kitten’s paw.

However, the little cat seemed to have realized it had hurt its owner and was feeling guilty, deliberately showing its soft fur to please her.

Such a well-behaved cat was truly a rare find!

For her, Duan Yan, to have such an adorable kitten was truly a blessing from heaven.

However, although she liked the kitten acting this way, she didn’t want it to be so cautious, as if fearing punishment from its owner and being cast out onto the streets for every little mistake.

Her little cat should be free and unrestrained, without needing to suppress itself.

She loved seeing the little orange cat’s free-spirited nature.

‘I’m the one spoiling it, so what if it has a bit of a temper?’

“Don’t worry, Mommy’s not hurt here~” Duan Yan gently stroked the little orange cat’s soft head, soothing it with gentle words.

The little orange cat obediently accepted her affection.

Duan Yan carefully placed the safety charm she had requested from the Buddhist temple around its neck.

The original string seemed to make the cat uncomfortable, so Duan Yan had asked Auntie Lian to replace it with a new, softer, and more durable one.

In addition, a micro-tracker was embedded in the charm to make it easier to find the kitten in case it got lost.

The charm was red, and the string was changed to a matching vermilion, giving it a very noble look.

The pattern on the charm was that of a graceful lotus flower, swaying gently in the breeze, splendid and full of life.

Song Jin gently touched the lotus flower with her paw.

It seemed to merge with Duan Yan’s image; this charm felt like a symbol of Duan Yan’s protection over her.

Song Jin felt that something was slightly off, that it seemed a bit heavier than before.

Perhaps it was because of the new string; she didn’t pay it much mind.

Duan Yan carried Song Jin downstairs.

In the stairwell, Song Jin’s nose twitched lightly.

Besides the familiar scent of lotus from Duan Yan, she also caught an alluring aroma.

It was steamed fish!

Song Jin wagged her tail excitedly, eager to taste the delicious fish.

‘Hmph, even though Duan Yan kept saying she would punish me, she still couldn’t bear to let me go hungry.’

‘Duan Yan, ah, you’ll probably never escape this fate in your life. You’re destined to be a cat s*ave.’

If it weren’t for the fact that she, Song Jin, was a beautiful and kind-hearted cat who could never bear to scratch Duan Yan with her claws…

Duan Yan would probably have been bullied terribly by that stray cat.

Even if she got scratched, she wouldn’t bear to blame the cat, only thinking to herself: People bad! Cats good! What bad intentions could a kitty possibly have?

Under Duan Yan’s meticulous care, Song Jin enjoyed a wonderful meal.

Duan Yan was very considerate.

Knowing that the little cat was picky and fussy and didn’t eat fish bones, she carefully deboned the fish, leaving only the tender meat for Song Jin.

Watching the little cat eat with satisfied gusto, Duan Yan felt that all her efforts were worthwhile.

After a hearty meal, Song Jin was in a great mood.

Her attitude toward Duan Yan softened considerably, and she even voluntarily exposed her little belly for Duan Yan to rub.

Duan Yan’s massage skills were becoming more and more proficient.

Song Jin felt very comfortable and gradually closed her eyes in enjoyment, contemplating how to switch between her human and cat forms.

‘Could it be that I changed back into a cat because I was nervous? That’s strange, but I was sleeping so soundly before.’

“Mewl—”

Suddenly, a wet sensation came from her belly.

Duan Yan had kissed her without permission.

Song Jin shot Duan Yan a fierce glare, grumbled, and ran off, planning to find a place to practice changing back into her human form.

Duan Yan’s house had surveillance cameras, but they weren’t installed in private areas and rooms.

Song Jin ran to Duan Yan’s room.

For one, Auntie Lian rarely set foot in Duan Yan’s room, and for another, Duan Yan had things to attend to and wouldn’t follow her right away.

She jumped onto the bed and tried hard to recall the process of becoming human.

It seemed as if her will had moved heaven and earth.

A warm current slowly rose from her lower abdomen, warm and gentle, seeping into every inch of her skin.

Tiny electrical currents coursed through her body, bringing waves of a tingling numbness.

When she opened her eyes again, she had indeed transformed into her human form.

Song Jin was overjoyed and tried to change back into a cat using the same method as before.

She had mastered the secret of transformation.

Now she just needed to wait for the right moment for Duan Yan to take her out of here, and then she could leave smoothly and go back.

During this time, Song Jin had long since figured out Duan Yan’s professional techniques.

Logically, her goal had been achieved, and she should have left long ago.

But Duan Yan had treated her well, and to leave just like that would seem too cold-hearted.

She would accompany Duan Yan for a few more days.

Next week, Duan Yan was attending a charity auction.

She could act cute and beg Duan Yan to take her along, then take the opportunity to slip away.

Such a farewell might lessen the guilt in her heart.

These past few days, Duan Yan clearly felt that the little cat was exceptionally affectionate towards her.

That reliance sent a warm current through her heart, little did she know that it was a prelude to an impending departure.

On the day of the charity gala.

Song Jin crouched elegantly by Duan Yan’s knee, brushing her leg with her soft fur, letting out gentle “meow meow” sounds, her tail swaying lightly.

Her amber eyes gazed up, large and moist, filled with longing and dependence.

Song Jin tilted her head slightly, touching Duan Yan’s fingers with her damp little nose, her ears twitching with her movements, presenting a pitifully charming demeanor.

Duan Yan’s heart completely melted.

She held the little cat and went with her.

She was worried that the charity auction would be crowded and the cat might get lost.

Duan Yan hadn’t wanted to bring her, but the cat’s coquettishness was hard to resist.

Besides, it was equipped with a tracker.

She would just have her assistant pay extra attention, so no accidents should happen.

Guided by the usher, Duan Yan and her assistant entered the venue.

Shanghai was brilliant with lights in the night.

The auction site was magnificently decorated.

A huge chandelier hung high above, like stars fallen to earth, shining brightly.

The finely carved walls and smooth marble floors all exuded an air of luxury.

Song Jin secretly glanced at Duan Yan’s attire.

Duan Yan’s hair was swept up in a high bun, and she wore a pure white pearl necklace around her neck.

She was dressed in a crimson, sleeveless evening gown, its hem adorned with moonstones that sparkled like stars in the night sky, accentuating her fair, slender arms.

Her delicate features and makeup, paired with this elegant dress, showcased Duan Yan’s beauty to the fullest, like a meticulously carved gem radiating a captivating brilliance.

Under the lights, every move Duan Yan made exuded confidence and elegance, making it impossible for people to look away.

The auction stage was at the center of the venue, with various treasures displayed on it.

Once the guests were seated, the auctioneer, holding a small gavel, loudly introduced the origin and value of each lot.

Song Jin had never been a fan of such occasions.

She couldn’t stand sitting still for long and lacked interest.

Duan Yan, however, sat there with perfect composure, occasionally whispering a few words to the female star beside her, showing no signs of impatience.

‘Truly admirable,’ Song Jin sighed to herself.

When the auction ended and it was time to socialize, Duan Yan would no longer be able to keep her by her side.

That would be her perfect opportunity to escape.

Duan Yan was worried the little cat would run off, but couldn’t bear to leave her alone.

She entrusted the assistant to look after her, gently stroking the little orange cat’s head, her voice filled with reluctance and worry:

“Mommy is going out for a little while. You be a good girl and wait for Mommy to come back, okay~”

“Mewl~”

‘I’m sorry, and thank you—’

Filled with guilt, Song Jin gently rubbed the top of her head against Duan Yan’s palm, silently conveying her apology and gratitude.

Watching Duan Yan’s receding back, Song Jin seized the opportunity and leaped down from her seat.

“Don’t run off—”

The assistant, Xu Qin, watched in panic as the little cat darted around and vanished in the blink of an eye.

The assistant Xu Qin’s anxious shouts echoed in Song Jin’s ears, but she didn’t look back, single-mindedly heading for the changing rooms.

In a place like this, how could there not be changing rooms?

Fortunately, she had paid attention to the map when she arrived and found the changing rooms without spending much time.

Since all the guests were in the main hall, the changing rooms were empty.

Song Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

After confirming there were no surveillance cameras, she walked into a changing stall and reverted to her human form.

Standing in front of the mirror, Song Jin’s expression was dazed.

She was still wearing the dress from the night she turned into a cat, but now there was a lotus-patterned charm around her neck, a gift from Duan Yan.

Her fingers gently caressed the charm, her mind replaying the image of Duan Yan praying for her fortune, so real it was moving.

Song Jin’s vision blurred, tears welling up in her eyes.

Her heart was filled with deep gratitude and sorrow.

“Baby? Where are you?”

From a distance, Duan Yan’s call came.

Though far away, the anxiety and urgency in her voice were clearly perceptible.

Song Jin’s breath caught in her throat, her heart clenching tightly.

She could almost picture Duan Yan’s expression right now.

Those usually cold eyes would surely be filled with worry, her brows tightly furrowed.

Her perpetually elegant and composed face would now be unable to hide its anxiety.

She had hurt Duan Yan.

It was all her fault…

Guilt swirled like an undercurrent in Song Jin’s heart.

But it was better to pull off the band-aid quickly.

Since she was determined to leave, she shouldn’t hesitate any longer.

“Sister Yan, I’m sorry, I failed to watch the cat. I’ve already checked the surveillance; the orange cat was last seen disappearing in this area…”

“It’s not your fault. It was probably looking for me, but…”

“If only it had a tracker, we could find it with a GPS location.”

“Right, I almost forgot the tracker! I’ll check it right now.”

…

A tracker?!

Song Jin’s heart skipped a beat.

She carefully checked her body for anything that might carry a tracker.

She had no other accessories and wasn’t carrying her phone.

Could the tracker be in this charm?

Song Jin’s eyes widened, her hand tightening around the charm, filled with hesitation.

“In here!”

Duan Yan’s footsteps were gradually approaching the changing room.

One step, two steps, getting closer and closer…

Each step felt like it was treading on Song Jin’s heart.

Duan Yan’s footsteps finally stopped outside the door.

Song Jin’s heart stopped beating at that moment.

She clutched the charm tightly, her hesitation and struggle reaching their peak.