Xuechun wore a tiny, eager expression—clearly itching to jump onto the table.
But she’d forgotten she was no longer that small, nimble kitten.
Her little hands pawed gently at the edge, gathering momentum for a leap…
Gu Chuan called out in alarm—but too late. With a *whoosh*, the mischievous catgirl scrambled onto the dining table.
She moved with feline grace, yet the wide hem of her robe nearly knocked over her rice bowl.
The special little bowl for the food-loving catgirl spun a wobbly circle… then settled safely.
She turned back with an adorably coquettish glance, eyes bright with curiosity and expectation, and let out a soft, questioning meow.
“Meow?”
*What is Master looking at… Is it prettier than Xuechun?*
Curious about Gu Chuan’s phone screen, she inched her head closer.
To keep her from tipping the pot of chicken and mushroom stew—and to avoid burns—
Gu Chuan set down his chopsticks, stood, and moved to Xuechun’s side across the table.
(Though honestly, he worried too much.
A real cat, unless being deliberately cheeky, would never knock things over. Her agility surpassed humans by far.)
Xuechun sat with delicate poise. Seeing her master approach, she chirped an excited “Meow!” and opened her slender, fair arms—
a perfect *“Pick me up!”* pose.
“Alright, alright, I’ve got you,” Gu Chuan sighed fondly. Phone in one hand, he reached out the other.
He gently lifted her; Xuechun instantly snuggled against his shoulder and nestled into his arms.
Her long-lashed eyes blinked between his face and the phone screen.
How could a kitten understand he was chatting with a gaming friend?
If she knew Master had another “cat” out there… she’d surely bare her claws in jealousy.
*Women are like cats. Cats are like women.*
*So a catgirl… wouldn’t she be cat-ier than a cat, and womanlier than a woman?*
Gu Yuanjun: “Logging in after I eat.”
HeyZed: “What’re you having?”
Gu Yuanjun: “Chicken and mushroom stew.”
HeyZed: “Ooh, fancy! Girlfriend’s cooking?”
Gu Yuanjun: “Mm.”
Silence stretched. No reply.
Gu Chuan, puzzled, added quickly:
Gu Yuanjun: “My right-wife.”
HeyZed: “Pfft! I almost believed even *you*, Mr. Single Guy, found a girlfriend!”
Gu Yuanjun: “Do I really look that lonely?”
HeyZed: “Totally! Why else pull all-nighters with me, zero girlfriend calls blowing up your phone?”
HeyZed: “Also, your plays get clumsy sometimes—Flashing and Teleporting right into enemy faces. LOL, dying!”
Gu Yuanjun: “My cat messed with the mouse…”
HeyZed: “Kishuu! So you *do* have a cat to pet?!”
Gu Chuan chuckled at his friend’s dramatic shift. He gently pinched Xuechun’s cheek.
Xuechun blinked, confused.
But being petted by Master? Not unpleasant.
Doing *more*? Also… not unpleasant.
“Meow~ Mew~”
She tilted her face up, rubbing her soft tofu-like cheek against his palm.
Then lifted herself to lick his cheek.
“Okay, okay, Xuechun—”
*Slurp~*
Her tongue felt like a tiny velvet brush, smoothing every stray hair.
Hmm… faintly chicken-and-mushroom-stew flavored.
Gu Chuan set her down. Xuechun obediently scampered to the living room.
Watching her crawl bare-handed, barefoot, knees skimming the floor… Gu Chuan instantly ordered girls’ gloves, socks, and knee pads.
“One-hour delivery”—should arrive soon. He’d fetch it later.
Plenty of time for one quick match.
Back in his room, he logged in.
An official event email popped up—ignored.
Accepted HeyZed’s duo queue invite.
Her avatar: a cute little snow yeti.
His: a grand sea ox gripping a golden shovel.
*Maybe monsters just vibe with monsters.*
A crisp *ding*—entered the room. Ranked duo. Division 1 pinnacle.
Gu Chuan had solo-climbed here long ago.
Then met HeyZed: equally skilled, maining mid lane—perfect synergy with his top lane.
(He suspected this was her smurf. Her main? Unknown.)
Their duo was legendary in Division 1.
Streamers spotting them would grin at chat:
“Brothers! Carried this round!”
Her profile said “female,” but Gu Chuan had never heard her voice or seen her face.
Youthful shyness? Or preserving gaming’s pure joy?
He never “carried girls.”
…Though sometimes, he felt *he* was the one being carried.
Gu Chuan selected top lane. HeyZed, as host, queued instantly.
Chat flowed lightly: new event rants, trash pulls from loot pools—
“The devs are shady! Chromas, icons, ward skins—all shoved in?!”
Her playful cursing filled the space with warmth.
With her, Gu Chuan felt light. Real-world worries faded.
Just game. Just joy.
Xuechun, restless, circled Gu Chuan—then *meowed* and pounced into his lap.
Her leap jostled his mouse; he nearly banned his own pick.
Recovered swiftly.
The tiny catgirl steadied herself, clinging tight to her giant master.
Gu Chuan looked down.
Two ice-blue eyes stared back—innocent, dazzling.
*What fault could a little kitten possibly have?*
He stroked her head, hoping she wouldn’t mistake kindness for permission.
(She was too well-behaved… probably.)
Soon, a teammate noticed the duo’s presence.
Slot 1 typed eagerly:
GoodJob_FW: “Jie Ge, Jie Ge! Want me to pick your champ?”
HeyZed: “Mm-hmm, thanks~”
Gu Yuanjun: “…”
HeyZed’s private message lit up: *“Haha! See? Everyone knows I’m the carry!”*
Gu Chuan typed calmly: “This round—who gets more kills.”
Closed chat. Poured lemon water.
Returned just in time to lock his champion.
Xuechun clung to his side the whole time.
Gu Chuan smiled faintly.
…Guess he’d become a human-shaped cat tree.
