In short, Luo Yu didn’t consider herself a bad woman.

Kids from the slums usually lacked proper education and parental love. Growing up around narrow-minded old coots for too long, most would end up going astray.

She felt it was her duty to personally tame this little loli.

"Long story short," Mei Zi rapped her knuckles on the table, cutting off Luo Yu’s grand ambitions. She nodded at the two outsiders. "You two, come eat first."

Once the old man and child sat down, Luo Yu fetched two bowls from the kitchen, handing one to each and filling both with steaming rice porridge.

Mao Xiaojiu drained her bowl in one gulp. "So good! I want more."

Luo Yu scooped another full bowl for her with an iron ladle.

"One more bowl, jiejie."

"Such a sweet voice calling me jiejie~" Luo Yu’s eyes sparkled. "Say a few more nice things, Xiaojiu. Eat as much as you want."

"Thank you, pretty jiejie! I want more, pretty jiejie!"

"Got it! From now on, Xiaojiu, you’ll call me your pet owner—"

Lost in the chorus of "pretty jiejie," Luo Yu rolled up her sleeves and charged into the kitchen, reigniting the stove with fresh firewood. "Once you eat my food, Xiaojiu, you’re my pet. I’ll make you eat until you can’t stop—"

Mei Zi yanked Luo Yu’s arm back, her expression shifting. "Hold up. You’re not planning to cook all my rice just to feed that kid, are you?"

"How’d you know?"

"Every time you see a cute little girl, your brain turns to mush. Like I wouldn’t know?" Mei Zi arched a brow, forcibly dragging Luo Yu back to her chair and pinning her down. "Behave yourself, Luo Yu. Stop scheming mischief."

"I barely ever do bad things!" Luo Yu protested stubbornly.

"Enough." Mei Zi’s gaze sharpened as she turned to the cat-eared child across from her, still licking her empty bowl. "You’re done eating. Go stand by the door."

"O-okay." Mao Xiaojiu’s legs trembled slightly as she stood up. She knew she was truly irrelevant here now—and obediently took her post by the entrance.

*So obedient… Time to plan my taming strategy.* Luo Yu stroked her chin, already plotting.

"*Ahem.*" The old cat-man beside Luo Yu cleared his throat twice to reclaim attention. Staring at his untouched bowl of porridge, he finally spoke up. His eyes flicked toward Mei Zi, who was sucking on candy while slurping soup, legs sprawled. "Mei Zi… I brought my granddaughter today because I have an important matter to discuss."

"Oh? Not just dropping her off?" Luo Yu’s eyes widened with theatrical disappointment. "I thought you were gifting her to me in exchange for a meal."

Cat Grandpa: "..."

"Shut it, Luo Yu." Mei Zi picked at her toes, shooting Luo Yu a look of utter exasperation. "This old cat hasn’t visited in years. He wouldn’t bring his granddaughter over unless he needed something special."

Luo Yu: "Whoa. How’d you know?"

Cat Grandpa sighed. He stood stiffly for a long moment before speaking. "It’s… a difficult request. I don’t know if you’ll agree—"

"Told you he had special needs!" Mei Zi slammed her palm on the table and stood up. She pointed a finger at Cat Grandpa, voice booming. "At your age, still so shy? Since you’re a new customer, I’ll give you a discount! Pick any service you like—I never turn anyone away!"

Cat Grandpa: "Huh?!"

Luo Yu: "...Mei Zi-jie, your imagination’s running wild again."

"Don’t question your Mei Zi-jie with that broken brain of yours." Mei Zi flicked her bangs aside, hands on her hips. "I’ve seen too many pitiful old folks like Cat Grandpa. No children to care for them when they’re old. So lonely… they need gentle, beautiful souls like mine to warm their hearts."

"True… makes sense." Luo Yu nodded slowly, now eyeing Cat Grandpa with open disdain.

Cat Grandpa: "..."

"Grandpa?" Mao Xiaojiu tugged his pant leg, innocent eyes wide. "So you’re that kind of person? Can I tell my friends—"

Cat Grandpa clamped a hand over her mouth, face flushing crimson. "Don’t spread nonsense!" He took a deep, shuddering breath, his expression turning grave. "The truth is… my granddaughter Xiaojiu is about to become an orphan."

Mei Zi: "What?!"

"You’re not dead yet!" Luo Yu blurted, then frowned. "Unless… she’s not your blood granddaughter? Did *you* get cheated on, or was it your son?"

Cat Grandpa: "..."

After a beat of silence, Mei Zi slapped duct tape over Luo Yu’s mouth and shoved her toward Mao Xiaojiu. "Your mouth only spews poison. Go play with the kid."

Luo Yu’s muffled protests: "Mmmph!"

...

With Luo Yu silenced, Cat Grandpa’s story finally flowed smoothly, his emotions building. He recounted his life, the people he’d met, and most importantly—the history of Lan City. How it had decayed over decades into ruin.

Dull. Tedious.

Mei Zi, sucking candy and picking her toes, and Luo Yu, playing with the child, hadn’t absorbed a single word. Cat Grandpa’s voice trailed off awkwardly.

"Oh! Go on, go on." Mei Zi flicked a toenail clipping that landed on his head.

"I’m listening! I’m listening!" Luo Yu cooed, rubbing Xiaojiu’s belly without looking up. "Old coot, speak."

Cat Grandpa: "..."

He chuckled weakly, cleared his throat twice, and finally revealed his purpose. "What I mean is… for decades, most elders in Lan City have mysteriously developed lung illnesses. I’m one of them. My time is short. And Xiaojiu…"

"I get it!" Mei Zi cut in, flashing a confident grin. "You want one last fling before you die! Pay upfront first—"

"*That’s not it!*" Cat Grandpa nearly roared, desperation cracking his voice. "My lungs hurt like hell every day—I have no energy for *that*! I’m asking if you’d take care of Xiaojiu! She’s too young to survive alone—"

"Oh. *That’s* it?"

"Told you." Luo Yu beamed, pinching Xiaojiu’s cheeks. "Your grandpa’s abandoning you~ But don’t worry! With me, Luo Yu, by your side, you’ll fear nothing! From today, you’re my little pet. Call me ‘master’."

"Okay." Xiaojiu blinked, instinctively turning to Luo Yu. "Mas—"

"Don’t listen to this woman’s nonsense!" Cat Grandpa snatched his granddaughter from Luo Yu’s grasp.

Luo Yu’s evil cat-taming scheme—nipped in the bud.

She pouted, muttering under her breath: "*Damn old coot.*"