Chapter 45: Unsealing the Past

At that moment, a pair of twitching orange cat ears quietly emerged from the top of the woman’s head. They were the same as Song Jin’s cat ears, except they were slightly larger.

“Xiaojin, come here.” Song Yuan extended her hand, gently took Song Jin’s wrist, and explained softly, “This is your one-hundred-and-eleven-year-old great-grandmother. There’s no need to be afraid. Hasn’t Xiaoyu already told you that our family are all cat demons?”

Song Jin nodded in response, asking with confusion, “Yes, but how does Great-grandmother look so young, slightly different from how she appears in the photos…”

The woman opposite her smiled, and then in an instant, her facial features changed, revealing a weathered face.

Song Jin was dumbfounded, fragmented memories of her great-grandmother flashing through her mind.

Grandma Song Ning also explained, “Cat demons have very long lifespans. In theory, we can live for a very long time. In order to abide by the order of human society, we all follow the natural laws of aging. But we don’t hide our true appearances from our own family.”

“Xiaojin, are you able to freely transform between a cat and a human now?” Song Yuan asked.

Song Jin nodded. “I couldn’t right after I first turned into a cat, but now I can transform freely, and I can also sprout cat ears.”

As she spoke, a pair of cat ears popped up on Song Jin’s head.

“Good, we can begin preparing.”

Great-grandmother Song Yu nodded upon seeing Song Jin’s state.

Song Jin was a little baffled. “Begin what?”

Song Yu and Song Ning looked at Song Yuan, entrusting this task to her.

Song Yuan explained, “Don’t you want to know why you have no memory of your childhood at all?”

Song Jin looked at Song Yuan curiously.

Song Yuan’s words were heavy. “That’s because you once suffered a severe trauma. In order to protect you, we had to seal your demonic power, and your memories were sealed along with it. Your great-grandmother and grandmother are here to help you undo the seal.”

Song Jin nodded silently, accepting this fact.

Song Yu turned to Song Jin and said gently, “Close your eyes and relax.”

Song Jin closed her eyes as instructed.

A warm current spread through her blood vessels, and her body involuntarily relaxed. Sealed memories flooded into her mind like a torrent.

In that memory, she saw the childhood Duan Yan. Indeed, their fate was destined by the heavens.

That familiar and warm voice echoed in Song Jin’s mind, leading her consciousness to gradually blur.

“Good child, have a sleep. When you wake up, everything will be better.”

Song Jin felt no resistance to that voice. Her body gradually turned into an orange cat, curled up into a small ball, and fell into a deep sleep.

“The matter is resolved. This old woman will be heading back now.” Song Yu’s voice was tinged with fatigue.

“Alright, I’ll have the butler see you off. Please rest well when you get back.”

Song Yuan helped Song Yu leave.

The remaining Shao Lan looked at her unconscious daughter, gently stroking her fur, her voice choked with emotion. “How long has it been since I’ve seen her in her cat form? She’s still as cute as I remember.”

“Don’t be sad. Everything is fine now. When she wakes up, we’ll tell her everything, okay?”

Song Yuan, who had just returned, gently wiped away Shao Lan’s tears and pulled her into an embrace, comforting her.

Song Jin fell into a long dream.

She dreamed that she had turned into an orange cat. After an argument with her sister, she left a runaway note in a fit of anger and transformed into a cat.

On the run, she was chased by a dog, ending up in a sorry state and even injuring her leg. Ultimately, she was picked up by the fourteen-year-old Duan Yan and taken home to be cared for.

The Duan Yan of that time was mischievous and always liked to tease her.

She recuperated at Duan Yan’s house, and her injuries gradually healed.

One day, Duan Yan’s grandmother took them out to play, but unexpectedly, they were involved in a car accident along the way.

As a cat demon, Song Jin would not be in life-threatening danger, so she used all her demonic power to push the grandmother and Duan Yan away.

Duan Yan and her grandmother were knocked unconscious by the impact, while the perpetrator of the accident fled the scene.

Song Jin endured the pain, took out a mobile phone from Duan Yan’s grandmother’s handbag, and dialed for an ambulance.

Due to the excessive consumption of her demonic power, Song Jin worried that Duan Yan would adopt other kittens behind her back during her long sleep, so she left a unique scent on her, making other animals not dare to approach.

…

It wasn’t until nightfall that Song Jin slowly opened her eyes.

Shao Lan and Song Yuan were both sitting by her bedside, waiting. Song Yuan’s expression was as usual, but Auntie Lan’s eyes were rimmed with red.

“Mom, Auntie Lan,” Song Jin called out softly.

Song Yuan asked with concern, “How are you? Are you feeling any discomfort?”

A vibrant smile bloomed on Song Jin’s face, her eyes shining brightly, like the brightest stars in the night sky. “I feel full of energy right now. I could run ten laps.”

Hearing this, Song Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. She took Shao Lan’s hand, a hint of seriousness and solemnity in her eyes. “Mom has one more thing to tell you.”

“I know,” Shao Lan responded, seemingly already aware of this secret.

She had already known all of this from her memories. She just… She laughed self-deprecatingly, feeling like such a blockhead. How could she…

Song Yuan gently shook her head, breaking Song Jin’s train of thought. “It’s not that. Xiaojin, actually, you are my and Shao Lan’s daughter.”

Song Jin first subconsciously agreed, then looked up in surprise, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Ah? I’m your and Auntie Lan’s child?”

Song Yuan replied gently, “Yes. Our Cat Clan does not require traditional childbirth. You and Xiaoyu were formed from the congregation of my and Lan’s blood essence, inheriting our bloodline.”

Auntie Lan is also my mother.”

The weight of their expectant gazes fell upon her, waiting for her to accept this fact.

Song Jin gave Shao Lan a playful smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Does this mean I can’t call you Auntie Lan anymore?”

“Mom.”

Shao Lan couldn’t help but rush forward and hug Song Jin, tears welling up in her eyes. “Xiaojin, my daughter.”

Song Jin gently wiped away Shao Lan’s tears, a warm current surging through her heart. An idea couldn’t help but pop into her head.

If Mom could conceive a kitten with Shao Lan, did that mean she could also have a kitten with Duan Yan?

Song Jin’s heart was filled with anticipation. She cast her gaze towards Song Yuan.

A mother knows her daughter best. Song Yuan knew what Song Jin was thinking with just one look and smiled, nodding. “Of course, you can.”

Shao Lan let go of Song Jin and asked curiously, “Your partner, when do you plan to bring her home for us to meet?”

Song Jin smiled shyly, a blush appearing on her cheeks. “Oh, our relationship isn’t quite stable yet.”

There was still a thorn between her and Duan Yan—she had not yet confessed her deception to her.

This problem loomed over her heart like a dark cloud.

Song Yuan frowned and asked with concern, “Did you have a conflict?”

Song Jin hesitantly told her two mothers about the matter, her voice tinged with unease and guilt.

Shao Lan said sternly, “Xiaojin, how could you deceive her like that?”

“When she comes back, confess as soon as possible, before you make an even bigger mistake.”

Shao Lan’s words were stern, but they were filled more with love and worry for Song Jin.

Song Jin nodded in shame, her mind beginning to plan how to confess to Duan Yan.

This matter could not be delayed any longer.

Four days passed by like flowing water.

This afternoon, Duan Yan was coming back.

She had instructed Song Jin in advance not to pick her up at the airport, but to wait for her at home to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Song Jin sat quietly on the living room sofa, her gaze fixed on her phone screen, waiting for that familiar figure to return.

On the screen, Duan Yan’s most recent message told her that she was already on her way back.

Song Jin’s heart raced with the ping of the message.

She patiently counted every minute, every second, feeling as if time had become incredibly long at this moment.

Suddenly, there was a faint “click” from the door—the sound of a key turning in the lock.

Song Jin leaped up from the sofa and eagerly rushed to the door to welcome Duan Yan’s arrival.

“Sister Duan, you’re finally back.”

Song Jin’s voice was filled with an unconcealable joy and excitement.

Duan Yan staggered slightly from the impact of Song Jin’s enthusiastic embrace. She looked up at Song Jin’s eyes, which were overflowing with joy, and couldn’t help but laugh, her own eyes full of doting affection.

“Xiaojin, it’s been a long time.”

Song Jin lowered her head and buried her face in the crook of Duan Yan’s shoulder, greedily drinking in her familiar scent. A strange sense of peace and satisfaction welled up in her heart.

Time slipped by quietly in their reunion. A few minutes passed, as if the whole world had stood still.

Duan Yan struggled gently, trying to break free from Song Jin’s embrace. “Alright, let me go now.”

But Song Jin didn’t seem to hear her. Instead, she pressed even closer to Duan Yan’s shoulder, her voice muffled and full of reluctance. “No, I missed you so much.”

Hearing this, Duan Yan’s defenses instantly crumbled. A gentle smile curved her lips. “Didn’t you say you didn’t miss me?”

“Didn’t the little cat say she missed you?”

Song Jin retorted.

Duan Yan smiled, very helplessly, and let Song Jin hug her.

In truth, she also coveted Song Jin’s embrace and was reluctant to let go.

It was only four o’clock, still early.

The sunlight slanted into the room, casting a warm golden hue over everything.

Song Jin picked up the suitcase and pulled Duan Yan towards the room, saying considerately, “You must be tired from the journey. Go take a bath and relax first. I’ll help you unpack.”

“Okay.”

Duan Yan didn’t refuse, entrusting her belongings to Song Jin with confidence while she herself walked towards the bathroom, leaving behind a trail of light footsteps.

Song Jin opened Duan Yan’s suitcase and started to put things away. At the very bottom was a black bag, square-shaped, which seemed to contain some clothes.

Driven by curiosity, she opened the garment bag, and her face instantly turned red.

These… were some intimate apparel.

“Are you done packing?”

Duan Yan’s voice came from the doorway, breaking Song Jin’s daze.

Song Jin’s movements paused, a slight panic in her heart. She quickly put the intimate apparel back in its place.

“Not yet, I’m almost finished.”

Song Jin replied, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

Duan Yan sat on the bed, watching Song Jin’s busy figure in front of the wardrobe, her eyes filled with a warm smile.

Song Jin turned her head, her gaze falling on the just-bathed Duan Yan.

Duan Yan had changed into pajamas, her hair already dry, a faint blush on her face. Draped in a light veil of mist, she was like a lotus just emerged from the water, fresh and refined.

Thinking about the words she was about to say, Song Jin felt a little nervous.

“Sister Duan, there’s still something I haven’t been honest with you about.”

Hearing this, Duan Yan’s eyes curved, a playful tease in her smile. “Didn’t I already find out? What else is there to confess?”

Song Jin’s eyes widened.

Duan Yan already knew, and she wasn’t even angry?

Seeing Song Jin’s surprised expression, Duan Yan wore a smug look, as if to say, ‘you can’t hide anything from me’. “I already know what you secretly told Xu Qin.”

A flash of bitterness crossed Song Jin’s heart. “It’s not that, it’s something else.”

Taking a deep breath, she said in one go, “Sister Duan, I actually lied to you. I said before that I have no memory when I turn into a cat, right? Actually, I remember everything from those times.”

Song Jin hardly dared to look at Duan Yan’s face, but she still insisted on continuing, “At that time, I hadn’t fallen for you yet. It was because I wanted to uncover your secrets. I only fell for you later.”

The smile on Duan Yan’s face froze. The expression on her face was complex and unreadable. She was about to get up.

“Don’t go, Sister Duan.”

Song Jin hastily sprouted her cat ears and tail, wrapping her fluffy tail around Duan Yan’s hand, looking at her pitifully, her eyes filled with pleading.

The atmosphere froze in an instant. The air in the room seemed to become heavy.

Duan Yan looked down from above at Song Jin on the bed. For the first time, she rejected Song Jin’s tail and was about to say something.

However, before the words could come out, she was interrupted by a voice from the doorway.

“Xiaoyan, Xiaojin, there’s a guest. Come out for a moment.”

It was Auntie Lian’s voice from the doorway, and it carried a rare urgency and anxiety.

“What’s wrong?”

Duan Yan gently pushed Song Jin. Song Jin obediently let go of Duan Yan and even tidied her clothes for her.

Auntie Lian whispered from the doorway, “She’s here.”

Duan Yan’s body instantly stiffened, her fingers gripping the bedsheet below her.

Song Jin keenly sensed that this visitor was not friendly.

Although she didn’t know what was wrong, she grabbed Duan Yan’s hand.

Her warm palm pressed against Duan Yan’s slightly cool one, silently supporting and comforting her.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”