Chapter 101: A Cat, a Can, and a Casanova’s Conundrum

“I brought you fish. Lilith said you’d like this—and, well, a can of food. I specifically asked Kaze to buy it.”

With a soft rustle, Lamia produced a fish from a waxed paper bag.

She placed it on the grass, waiting for the calico cat hiding behind the large tree.

A moment later, with a clatter, Lamia pulled out a can.

It was a can of fish, the kind fit for human consumption.

Lamia had specifically asked Kaze to buy it, explaining that the cat should also get to taste different flavors.

‘…Perhaps it was because she herself couldn’t taste anything?’

‘So, she decided to let the cat try it.’

However, it wasn’t until the small cat approached and licked the can that she realized ordinary domesticated cats couldn’t open a metal can with their tongues.

Therefore—*clink, clink*—Lamia shook the metal can.

She briefly examined its structure, then drew a circle on the can’s lid with her finger.

“See, it’s quite simple. Just a gentle stroke like this, and the can lid vanishes.”

It had been incinerated into ash by the magical energy at her fingertip.

“Eat up. I brought it especially for you.”

Of course, Lilith paid for it. Lamia had no habit of carrying money, and Kaze had none to begin with.

Among the three, Lilith, who ran a coffee shop, was the only one who truly understood the concept of money.

Lamia squatted with her legs together, watching the cat alternate between bites of canned food and raw fish.

She reached out and stroked the small creature’s head.

The warmth of life was a temperature Lamia cherished, yet her own body always remained cool.

She gazed at the cat, lost in thought, though what she was pondering remained a mystery.

Perhaps she wasn’t thinking of anything at all, simply enjoying the tranquil afternoon.

A gentle breeze, warm sunshine, canned food, and a cat.

She heard the rustling of leaves, the soft scrape of the kitten’s tongue against the can’s edge, her own breathing, and then—a guitar?

She looked towards the source of the sound, spotting the child from before still seated amidst the sheet music.

With Lamia’s encouragement, he had become even more diligent. She also saw a few children gathered around him, studying the tunes and lyrics together.

They were even creating their own songs, like the “Roasted Chestnut Song,” based on the snacks in their hands.

Then—she saw Zelin. Indeed, Zelin.

He lingered around the children, an awkward smile on his face, as if he wasn’t adept at playing with them.

Yet, in reality, he was quite skilled at string figures.

“Big Brother Zelin, why are you late today?”

“Ah, hahaha…” Zelin’s expression grew a little embarrassed. “Well… I had some trouble with the other ladies I was informing.”

More accurately, it was a debt of romance.

Zelin was a notorious playboy, known for his penchant for beautiful women, many of whom were equally willing to engage with him.

Most of the time, they parted on good terms. After all, in their social circles, Zelin was the classic “talks hearts, not feelings” type.

As for why he only talked hearts—it was because he genuinely enjoyed chatting with people, loved having beautiful women surround him, and hearing them say things that were a little embarrassing yet delightful.

Otherwise, what? Should he seek out men? He had no such interests.

He enjoyed spending money on pleasure, savoring the attention and care others gave him.

As for anything more intimate—he truly refrained. He had seen men and women afflicted with venereal diseases.

He felt his family’s wealth was enough to last him a long time, and he certainly wouldn’t let women make him dirty himself. He still needed to live to spend his money.

Thus, everyone in their circle knew of Zelin’s generosity: as long as you were good-looking and could offer a few pleasant words, Zelin would always treat you to a good meal.

However, sometimes… some women could be rather persistent.

Just like the one he’d encountered today. She seemed intent on taking things further, becoming a true lover rather than just a dining and conversational companion, then marrying and having children, and then—

“—Inheriting the family fortune? No, no. Although I’m wealthy, the family fortune shouldn’t be mine. My family members don’t think highly of me; I can only get a portion of the money…”

Zelin had answered like that at the time, his expression tinged with awkwardness.

“So what? Aren’t you still very rich? Don’t you think you’re not good enough? We can get to know each other more deeply.”

“Ah, ah, ah… I’d rather not. Honestly, if you came over, you’d definitely want me to contend with my brothers and sisters. I have no interest or ability for that. Also—I prefer free relationships between men and women. I don’t really like… always having someone by my side, restricting me.”

While his words sounded like those of a scoundrel, Zelin was at least honest, speaking the truth about such feelings directly.

What followed was a half-hour-long monologue from the woman, primarily about how exceptional she was. Zelin listened politely and awkwardly, until he couldn’t take it anymore due to drinking too much lemonade and rushed to the restroom.

After washing his hands, he told the waiter, “Please pack a few good bottles of wine as a first-meeting gift for the lady at the window seat. Just charge it to my tab.”

Zelin often did this. Even if he had no desire to continue the conversation, he would leave a gift. The waiters here, of course, knew how to handle such bills.

Afterward, Zelin removed his jacket—or rather, he directly tossed the perfume-laden jacket into the trash can.

The item wasn’t cheap, but he couldn’t bear to approach the children smelling of that fragrance. So, Zelin was now wearing a simple shirt, and he felt much more at ease interacting with the children than with those peculiar women.

Of course, it was mainly because this particular woman was exceptionally garrulous, and more importantly… she wasn’t normal.

The woman was a succubus, one of Lilith’s subordinates.

She deliberately caused trouble and acted abominably, all to keep Zelin by her side for a little longer through her antics.

Yet, because their conversation was so incompatible, she would only manage to keep him for “a little while.”

And that “little while” was enough for another succubus to “flirt” with Wade.

Not for any other reason, but simply to push for marriage.

It was all because of something Lamia had said one day: “Wade said he could only have children after getting married.”

Lilith was absolutely eager to see this happen. So, she seized this opportunity to subtly urge Wade towards marriage.

“Ah—Miss Lamia?”

After the final step of his string figure, Zelin noticed Lamia resting there, feeding the cat. Out of politeness, he felt he should go over and say hello.

However, Lamia seemed to have redirected her attention to the cat and didn’t hear him.

As Zelin stood up, Wade’s figure approached from a distance.

He looked at Lamia, who was feeding the cat, watching her gently stroke its head and body.

‘Damn it… why is it a cat again!’