"How pitiful..."

People always feel compassion for the weak they encounter.

"Why not buy some sausages from the convenience store across the street for it?" Lingyuan nudged his chin toward the shop.

"Mmm..." Yixinxue sulked slightly.

She often fed strays, but this tiny kitten looked too fragile. Feeding it today might not save it from starving to death in a few days.

"I..." Yixinxue hesitated.

"What is it?"

"I want to take it home."

Lingyuan eyed her suspiciously. "Do you even know how to raise a cat?"

"I guess so..." For the first time, Yixinxue sounded utterly unsure of herself.

"Never thought our class rep could be unreliable," Lingyuan shrugged, gently stroking the trembling kitten in his arms. "I’ve got a friend who raises corgis and ragdolls. I’ll ask them for advice."

"That’d be great!"

"Get some goat milk formula first. The supermarket’s still open—hurry. I’ll wait outside."

"Okay! But why goat milk? Can’t we use regular milk powder?" Yixinxue, never having owned a pet, tilted her head curiously.

"Cats can’t digest cow’s milk properly."

"But Tom from *Tom and Jerry* drinks milk all the time!" Yixinxue’s confusion deepened.

*Damn—only a top student would notice something that weird.*

Lingyuan froze for a few seconds. "...You’ve got a point. But from what I know, goat milk is safer."

"Pfft, alright, I trust you." Yixinxue giggled, skipping ahead with her hands behind her back. "Didn’t expect you to know this stuff. I thought you only cared about games... and your 2D wifus."

"About time you noticed."

Once Yixinxue entered the supermarket, Lingyuan pulled out his phone and called his sister. She answered instantly—probably glued to her screen.

"Eh?! My dear brother’s calling me? The sun must be rising from the west! You definitely need something from Yanxi, don’t you?!"

"Sort of."

"Speak! Yanxi is all ears! Your wish is my command, Brother!"

*No need to be this enthusiastic.*

A bitter smile tugged at Lingyuan’s lips. His sister’s over-the-top affection often overwhelmed him.

*Well... no man can resist a pretty girl’s charm. Especially when Yanxi’s charm is laser-focused and intense.*

"You raise cats, right? What should I feed a recently weaned kitten?"

"Eh?! Is Brother getting a cat?! Yanxi can be your cat~ Call me ‘master’ anytime~ Meow~" She even mimicked a kitten’s mewl in a sugary voice.

Lingyuan cleared his throat awkwardly. "I’m serious. Answer properly."

"Oh~ Guess my meow wasn’t convincing enough to replace the catgirl in your heart. Anyway—kittens need kitten formula and soft kitten kibble. Pet stores sell them."

"Something affordable."

"Aww... it’s not that expensive..."

"It’s just a stray. Not some fancy ragdoll like yours." Lingyuan wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. He’d once seen Yanxi’s chef toss whole cuts of beef to her corgi. *Being a rich man’s dog isn’t a bad life.*

"Then soak regular cat food in goat milk. The kitten should manage."

"Pet stores are closed now." Lingyuan glanced up. Dusk had faded; night had draped the sky. Tall phoenix trees glowed under harsh streetlights, their leaves edged in eerie green. A fine rain began to patter softly against the leaves.

*Rain again.*

"No problem! Yanxi has unopened kitten kibble at home. Come over~"

"Pass."

"So cold-hearted?!"

"Yep. Gotta go."

Lingyuan pocketed his phone just as Yixinxue emerged from the supermarket, a bag of goat milk formula in hand. "Got it. Oh—rain again." She pulled an umbrella from her bag and shielded him. "I was going to return your umbrella tonight, but... this little detour happened."

*So she just wanted to return my umbrella. I overthought it.*

Lingyuan exhaled inwardly.

"If you have old clothes or a cardboard box, make a simple nest for it. I’ll buy cat food tomorrow morning. Just dry it off tonight."

"Got it. Oh—wait, we haven’t even exchanged contacts." Yixinxue pulled out her phone. "Might as well now."

*Class rep... brings a phone to school?!*

*Does she even use it?!*

To Lingyuan, top students like her existed only to study—phones were alien objects.

"Why the shocked face?" Yixinxue blinked.

"Ah... just surprised you bring your phone to school," Lingyuan chuckled awkwardly.

"What’s weird about that? I live alone. Unlike *some* people who play games in class." She wagged a finger, though her tone was playful. "Next time I catch you, I’ll confiscate it for the discipline committee."

*So the class rep isn’t cold or untouchable after all.*

Lingyuan’s thoughts drifted.

Yixinxue’s mind raced in the opposite direction.

*I can confiscate his phone as discipline committee head. To get it back, he’ll have to meet my conditions... I’d love to see his expression then.*

A sly smile hid behind her gentle demeanor as she tilted the umbrella to cover him completely. Rain drummed a soft rhythm on the fabric.

Their hearts raced in the strangely romantic hush.

Yixinxue bit her lower lip, a blush spreading across her cheeks. This was her first time walking shoulder-to-shoulder with a boy under one umbrella.

*What if I pinned him against a wall like in novels? Kissed him fiercely while he struggled in my arms?*

If Lingyuan were any normal guy, he’d eventually stop resisting... and accept it.

*Or... tying him up wouldn’t be bad either. Then he’d be completely at my mercy.*