Chapter 436 - 435: IF Line: Did the Big Shot Compete for Favor Today? 4

Chapter 436: Chapter 435: IF Line: Did the Big Shot Compete for Favor Today? 4

He Hanshi never thought he’d one day feel this way about a cat. But with two of his subordinates present, he quickly regained his composure and said to He Mi, "Take it to the vet for a thorough check-up."

He Mi nodded, looking at Shi Lan with curiosity. Her eyes lit up. ’Wow, what a cute cat.’

However, at the company, she maintained the image of a strong, career-oriented woman. He Mi kept up her cool and aloof elite persona as she cautiously approached Shi Lan. Once she was sure the cat wasn’t hostile and wouldn’t attack, she gathered it into her arms.

Shi Lan stopped grooming herself and looked up at her. ’She’s a gorgeous woman.’

He Mi had a neat bob, wore refined yet understated makeup, and was dressed in professional attire. She looked like a capable female boss. Moreover, this image didn’t hide her looks at all, nor did it give off a flashy-but-empty impression. It was very tasteful.

Shi Lan couldn’t help but glance at He Hanshi. ’He’s not lacking for beautiful women around him.’

But He Hanshi didn’t spare He Mi a single glance. His eyes were fixed on Shi Lan in her arms, and a sense of displeasure welled up in him again.

’Why is this cat so well-behaved in everyone’s arms? Doesn’t that make it easy for her to get stolen?’

’Then again, that makes sense. If she weren’t like this, how would I have had the chance to pick her up?’

He Hanshi had already learned to console himself in this short amount of time.

After He Mi left with the cat, Assistant Chen helped him to the restroom and then back to his bed to rest.

Previously, He Hanshi hadn’t thought being unable to walk was so inconvenient. But now, thinking about having a cat at home, he started to worry. What if he accidentally fell and scared her? Or what if this seemingly intelligent cat grew to despise its owner for being a cripple? A sudden sense of loss washed over him.

’I’m disabled and can barely take care of myself right now. How can I take good care of a cat?’

He Hanshi was starting to feel uncertain.

But now that he’d calmed down and thought about it, he was a man in his thirties. To think he was getting so worked up over a cat he’d just met... ’I’m really regressing with age.’

He sighed helplessly, then asked Assistant Chen to bring him his tablet to handle some daily work.

Meanwhile, He Mi, who was now holding the cat and alone in the elevator, finally revealed her true nature.

She couldn’t resist burying her face in Shi Lan’s soft fur, cooing in a squeaky, mushy voice, "Little kitty, give me a kiss! How can you be so good? So cute, so cute..."

Shi Lan was about to go numb from all the kissing.

’Something’s not right. Where did that cool, gorgeous woman from before go? Turns out she’s secretly a sucker for fluffy things?’

But then she remembered how cute and therapeutic fluffy animals were, and she understood.

He Mi took Shi Lan to the nearest veterinary hospital. Shi Lan endured the mortifying examination under the bright lights.

’As a cat, I want to be a long-lived one, so my health is very important.’

Soon, the vet finished the examination. "She’s doing great. This cat is in good physical condition. It looks like someone probably had her vaccinated before, but we can still deworm her, just in case."

"Okay."

Out in public, He Mi had returned to her dignified and aloof self, quietly watching the vet’s procedure.

After being dewormed, Shi Lan had to wear an Elizabethan collar and wait at the vet’s office for over an hour.

Even the vet couldn’t help but praise her. "Your cat is quite obedient. She isn’t stressed or trying to run and jump around with the collar on. She’s brave, too, not afraid of strangers."

When He Mi remembered this was her own Mr. He’s cat, she felt a sense of shared glory. "Of course. After all, not just any cat gets to be kept by my boss."

"Oh, well, your boss certainly has good taste then."

The vet didn’t quite know what else to say, so he just went along with the praise. He then gave some instructions on post-deworming care and let He Mi leave with the cat.

He Mi was slacking off on company time, so on the way, she stopped by a pet store and picked out a little stuffed mouse toy for Shi Lan. At her core, Shi Lan’s soul was still human. She didn’t find the little mouse appealing at all, but she didn’t want to disappoint the gift-giver, so she planned to play along a bit.

But when He Mi started dragging the little mouse, Shi Lan’s expression changed. Her eyes locked onto the toy, and an instantaneous hunting impulse surged within her.

And then, she couldn’t resist pouncing.

He Mi laughed happily. "It looks like you really like it, Pumpkin. That’s a relief."

She paid for it without hesitation. Curled up in her arms, Shi Lan replayed what had just happened in her mind.

’It must be my obsessive-compulsive tendencies acting up,’ she thought. ’He Mi was dragging the mouse so slowly, it was like a piece of meat dangling in front of me, enticing me. It was hard not to go forward and bite it.’

’It’s normal, it’s normal. I’m a cat.’

Shi Lan tried hard to find excuses for her behavior, to preserve the last shred of dignity for her human soul.

Back at the hospital, He Mi slowed her pace, reluctant to return the cat to He Hanshi. But Assistant Chen called to ask about her progress, so she had no choice but to dutifully bring the cat back to the hospital room.

He Hanshi was still working in bed. When the cat appeared, his gaze unconsciously fell upon her. However, to prevent a repeat of the embarrassing scene where the cat ignored him, he shooed Assistant Chen and the others away. Only he and Shi Lan, who had gone back to sunbathing, were left in the room.

He beckoned again. "Pumpkin, come here."

On the way, He Mi had called her "Pumpkin, Pumpkin" many times, so Shi Lan knew this was probably her new name as a cat. She stretched languidly, obediently walked over to her meal ticket, and leaped lightly onto the bed, avoiding his legs. She let out a soft, cute "Meow."

Before seeing the cat, He Hanshi had spent the last two hours agonizing over whether he should just give her to someone else to raise. But the moment he saw her, his thoughts instantly changed. He gently rubbed the little cat’s head, his voice filled with pleasure. "Good girl, Pumpkin."

He paused, then added, "Remember, I’m your owner from now on. Don’t just follow anyone, and don’t let anyone lure you away."

He Hanshi was convinced this cat was highly intelligent. Believing she could understand him, he couldn’t help but give her this instruction.

Shi Lan knew he was very rich. For the sake of a good life as a "second-generation rich" cat, she cooperatively meowed twice.

The smile on He Hanshi’s lips deepened, and he kept his hand resting on her head.

His strokes were gentle and comforting. Before she knew it, Shi Lan was dozing off on the soft hospital bed.

He Hanshi glanced down at the cat, his eyes softening. As if her sleepiness were contagious, he closed his laptop for the time being and rested as well.

「...」

He Hanshi stayed in the hospital for another month. When the doctors could do no more for the time being, he returned home to continue his rehabilitation with a family doctor, hoping there might still be a chance he could walk again.

Shi Lan stayed by his side throughout this time. After discovering that no amount of sleep would return her to her own body, she completely gave up and decided to just go with the flow.

During this period, Shi Lan also learned that the Mr. He before her was one of the top ten billionaires who had been in the news for an accident a while back. She’d always assumed he was an old man, never expecting him to be so young. His temperament was excellent; even with his disability, he wasn’t gloomy or resentful, and he took care of her with great patience.

He had people build her a warm and comfortable nest. Her three meals a day were specialized, nutritious cat food, with the menu changing almost daily. The cat litter he used was scented, she had new clothes to wear every day, and a handsome man gave her daily massages.

So, she truly felt that being He Hanshi’s cat was pretty great. She was very lucky to have met him right from the start.