Chapter 4: The Apron-Wearing Little Cat

Apron Little Cat.

When the warm-colored sunlight streamed into the room, Ning Jiu was dazzled awake by the light on his face.

He opened his eyes blankly and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, his beautiful blue eyes shifting slightly.

…

The little cat suddenly sat up from the bed, so fast that he felt dizzy for a moment.

What time was it.

Was he a little cat who, on his very first day being brought home, had slept until noon.

Ning Jiu’s proud biological clock had completely failed him.

He used to wake up before the factory bell rang every single day.

He would rush to grab a whole hard steamed bun before the other omegas could take it.

The duplex villa was quiet.

From the railing on the second floor, a fluffy little cat head cautiously peeked out, round blue eyes carefully surveying the unfamiliar space.

The decoration of the duplex villa was simple yet refined.

There were no flashy, obviously luxurious ornaments at first glance.

But every piece of furniture, upon closer look, was thoughtfully chosen for comfort and elegance.

The house carried a strong sense of lived-in warmth.

It was the kind of home only someone who truly cared about life could create.

Aunt Chen walked out of the kitchen and caught sight of a white figure curled up upstairs.

She looked up and met those gem-like blue eyes.

“Kitty, are you hungry.

Would you like to come down and eat.”

Aunt Chen was a hardworking and kind beta.

She had worked for the Mu family for decades and had accompanied Mu Jingyi since he was very young.

There was a steady and gentle aura about her.

When called, Ning Jiu’s cat ears perked up.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he ran down the stairs when Aunt Chen brought out the freshly reheated dishes.

A bowl of steaming meat porridge.

Several plates of side dishes rich in color, aroma, and taste.

“Sit,” Aunt Chen handed him the bowl and chopsticks.

“President Mu especially instructed that you’ve been hungry for too long.

Start with something mild so it won’t hurt your stomach.”

The white steam from the porridge puffed against Ning Jiu’s face.

He held the spoon and stared at the bowl in a daze.

The warmth entering his nose mixed with Sir’s meticulous concern and made him feel heated inside.

“Is Sir not at home.” Ning Jiu looked up and asked.

Aunt Chen could not resist the little cat with his nose slightly pink from the steam looking up at her.

She reached out and patted his head.

“Your Sir has to go to the company on weekdays.”

Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she remembered Mu Jingyi saying that the little cat had come from a very closed-off place and did not understand many things.

She explained using knowledge that would fit his cat instincts.

“You can think of it as your Sir going out to hunt and provide for the family.”

Ning Jiu looked around the delicately decorated living room.

He thought that every brick and tile here might have been brought home through Sir’s hard “hunting.”

He quietly murmured in his heart.

Sir works so hard.

He scooped up some porridge and took a bite.

The savory taste carried a rich meat aroma.

When it touched his lips, the delicious flavor spread through his mouth.

The little cat’s ears stood upright.

His blue eyes sparkled.

“So tasty!”

From birth until now, Ning Jiu had never eaten anything this good.

The best thing he had ever eaten in his life was, a few days ago on his eighteenth birthday, a fish he had stolen from the factory kitchen.

It had been dead for a long time.

His feline instincts made him eat the fish raw.

The fishy smell overpowered the sourness.

After tearing and chewing the raw flesh, he swallowed it reluctantly, feeling immensely satisfied.

Fish was the most delicious thing in the world.

That was what the little cat had thought then.

Now, that not-so-fresh little fish ranked below the meat porridge.

Watching the little cat eat a simple bowl of porridge so happily, Aunt Chen could not help but imagine things based on his thin frame.

An elderly woman’s heart naturally softened toward a young boy.

She refilled his bowl twice.

“Eat more.

You’re so thin.”

She tried to add more porridge again, but he hurriedly refused.

“Thank you, Aunt Chen.

I’m full already!”

Ning Jiu finished every last bit in his bowl.

His flat stomach puffed up slightly from fullness.

He stood up to help clear the dishes and asked casually.

“Aunt Chen, do you know how to cook fish.”

“Of course,” Aunt Chen naturally assumed the cat wanted to eat fish.

“I’ll make it for you tonight.”

“No, no.” Ning Jiu waved his hands quickly.

“I want to learn.

I want to cook it for Sir.

Sir helped me so much.

He took me in and had a doctor treat me.

I want to repay him.”

The only way a cat could think of repaying someone was with a delicious fish.

His ears perked up as he looked at Aunt Chen with curious round eyes.

“Aunt Chen, do you know where I can catch fish.”

“Hm.”

Aunt Chen failed to follow the little cat’s train of thought for a moment.

“You can buy fish at the market.

There’s no need to catch it.”

She laughed at this muddled little cat and gently patted his shoulder.

She took out basa fish delivered by cold chain transport from the freezer and placed it into the defrosting cabinet.

“Your Sir likes this kind of freshwater fish the most.

It’s tasty and has no bones.

I’ll teach you.”

The frozen fish was stiff and white.

It was a sight Ning Jiu had never seen before.

As it thawed, a faint fishy smell without any sour rot drifted into his keen nose.

He stood outside the defrosting cabinet, staring unblinkingly at the rapidly melting fish.

He let out a soft gasp.

The aroma seeping through the crack already made his appetite surge.

His wide eyes reflected the orange glow inside the cabinet as if he might stare right through the door.

The little cat swallowed.

Fish reclaimed first place over porridge.

“This is an apron.

Wear it like I do so you don’t dirty your clothes.”

Aunt Chen tied the straps around him, passing over his tail, and tied a pretty bow at his lower back.

She taught the little cat to rinse the fish.

She handled the knife herself and cut it into pieces, then prepared the sauce in a bowl.

Countless terms Ning Jiu had never heard before drifted past his ears.

Light soy sauce.

Dark soy sauce.

Cooking wine.

Cumin.

Chili.

Ning Jiu touched his warm forehead with the back of his clean hand.

It felt hot.

It was like knowledge was about to grow.

“Stand behind me, kitty.

I’m going to pour hot oil over the seasoning.”

Ning Jiu hid behind her and peeked out his little head, carefully watching the bowl.

The hot oil sizzled over the chili powder.

In an instant, an enticing fragrance rose from the spicy fish and drifted into the little cat’s nose.

The aroma of fish blended perfectly with the seasoning.

Unable to resist, the greedy little cat wanted to taste it first.

Aunt Chen turned and saw him staring fixedly at the fish, his fluffy tail swaying wildly.

Understanding immediately, she picked up a small piece with chopsticks and held it to his mouth.

“Try it.

See if it needs anything else.”

Caught being greedy, the little cat smiled with pursed lips.

His beautiful eyes curved into crescents.

“Thank you, Aunt Chen!”

He leaned forward and bit down on the chopsticks.

The spiciness was not overwhelming.

The secret seasoning balanced the flavors perfectly.

The fish was tender and smooth.

The natural fish aroma remained the star.

His tail tip wagged even faster.

“It’s so delicious.

Aunt Chen, you’re amazing!”

Aunt Chen, pleased by the praise, did not forget to compliment him.

“Kitty is great too.

Thanks for helping.”

She pointed to the table.

“Carefully carry the bowl out.

I’ll make a couple more dishes and some soup.”

She worked quickly.

By the time Mu Jingyi opened the door and returned home, there were already two dishes and one soup on the table.

As soon as he entered, Mu Jingyi was drawn by the aroma of fish.

Walking to the dining table, he saw the little cat in an apron staring at the fish.

“President Mu is back,” Aunt Chen removed her apron and praised cheerfully.

“Today this fish was chef kitty’s work!”

“No, I only helped…”

Before he could finish, Aunt Chen pressed his hand and cut him off.

Mu Jingyi understood immediately.

He took off his suit jacket and placed it on the sofa.

Rolling up his shirt sleeves slightly, he leaned forward and picked up a piece of steaming fish with his chopsticks.

Ning Jiu watched him and clenched his fists nervously.

“Kitty’s cooking skills are excellent.”

He put down the chopsticks and praised without hesitation.

Ning Jiu could not hide his happiness.

His tail swayed uncontrollably.

He still lowered his head modestly.

“I don’t know how to cook.

Aunt Chen taught me.

I only helped.”

“First time cooking.”

The little cat nodded obediently.

Mu Jingyi’s smile deepened.

“Then that makes it even better.”

Aunt Chen glanced at Mu Jingyi and then at Ning Jiu, whose cheeks were gradually turning pink.

With perfect timing, she clapped her hands.

“That’s right.

Kitty is the best.

Oh, I have to go pick up my grandchild.

I’ll head out first, President Mu.”

In truth, her grandson was long past the age of needing to be picked up.

Mu Jingyi simply nodded with a smile.

“Thank you, Aunt Chen.

See you tomorrow.”

Only Mu Jingyi and the blushing little cat remained at the table.

Mu Jingyi’s hand reached behind Ning Jiu.

His fingertips brushed against the delicate bow.

The apron cinched his slender waist.

The oversized hoodie folded slightly at his lower back, outlining the inward curve of his waist.

The bright red bow hung neatly, accentuating how thin he was.

Mu Jingyi held the little cat’s tail and gently pulled it downward, freeing it from the apron ties.

Soft fur brushed against the back of his hand.

Even though his tail was held, the little cat could not help but flick the tip.

The fur brushed against Mu Jingyi’s wrist.

He gave it a slight squeeze.

“Mm!”

Ning Jiu trembled slightly.

His face flushed deeper.

Even his human ears turned pink like the insides of his cat ears.

As a fusion-type omega, the closer the touch was to the base of his tail, the more sensitive it became.

He did not dare turn around.

Suppressing the unfamiliar tingling pleasure from the base of his tail, he let himself be held quietly without making a sound.

Sir withdrew his hand at the right moment.

“Your tail got caught in the apron string.

I helped you take it out.”

He said it solemnly and properly.

Not a word of private intention was mentioned.

The dazed little cat looked at the properly dressed Sir.

Sleeve garters fastened around his upper arms.

The shirt buttoned to the top.

The tie tied neatly at his neck.

So restrained.

So impeccably dressed.

Sir wouldn’t have bad intentions, right.

Mm.

If anyone had bad thoughts, it was the little cat.

Ning Jiu pressed the cool back of his hand against his burning face.

In a small, murmured voice tinged with the faint stirrings of emotion, he said,

“Thank you, Sir.”