Although it didn't have the massive, imposing presence of a city hospital or a people's hospital, the pet clinic Shu had navigated to still looked much more luxurious than your average small-time veterinary practice.
The signboard was large, the interior decor was brand new, and there were several clearly expensive cars parked out front.
Correspondingly, the prices here were bound to be quite expensive as well.
Shu glanced at the checkup appointment he had booked last night, confirming this thought.
It was indeed expensive, but... it was also surprisingly cheap?
At the very least, Shu's preconceived notions had been shattered.
Over two thousand yuan. Compared to other things, it was definitely a sizable expense, but Shu had honestly thought raising a pet would easily cost tens of thousands at the drop of a hat...
It was just like when Shu first found out that there were actually cars that cost hundreds of thousands, or even tens of thousands, or just a few thousand yuan. He felt like his entire worldview had been turned upside down.
They're that cheap?! Isn't this stuff supposed to be a luxury expense?
Oh wait, gas prices went up again. Never mind.
In any case, with his worldview once again under assault, Shu glanced at Rice Cake nestled in Kiana's arms, suddenly feeling a twinge of apprehension toward this pet hospital.
He couldn't help it... If he could misjudge the prices that badly, it meant he knew absolutely nothing about this industry. And knowing nothing meant he was completely clueless, which meant any questions he asked might turn into a laughingstock for the staff...
Hmm...
Shu even started imagining a scenario where he turned into a stubborn idiot, arguing with the vet over some incredibly brain-dead question.
It would be like asking the pilot of an airplane to pull over because he wanted to get off at the next stop.
A chill ran down Shu's spine, and the urge to turn back grew even stronger.
Rice Cake poked its head out of the backpack strapped to Kiana's chest, curiously taking in this new environment.
Whatever.
If I have to spend money, I'll spend money.
Shu took the lead and walked through the front doors.
The receptionist looked up, flashing a professional smile before she even got a clear look at who was coming in.
However, once she actually saw them, the receptionist paused for a moment.
"Welcome, how may I help you?" The receptionist knew staring at someone's hat was rude, but... why were they still wearing a sunhat indoors?
Taking a stealthy glance, the receptionist formed a rough hypothesis in her mind.
Even though her face was obscured by the hat and part of her body was blocked by the backpack strapped to her chest, one could still tell from her overall figure, her aura, and the flowing snow-white hair cascading down her back that the woman being pulled along by the young man was a total bombshell.
Then she looked at Shu, who was subtly... no, blatantly trying to shield the bombshell behind him. The receptionist instantly understood.
"I'd like a full checkup for it." Shu took the backpack from Kiana and pointed it out to the receptionist.
"Certainly. Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes." Shu placed the backpack, along with Rice Cake, onto the counter. He pulled out his phone and brought up the appointment QR code.
"Alright, please wait over here for just a moment."
The two were led into an examination room.
The room wasn't very large, but it was fully equipped.
Various certificates and pennants hung on the walls, while a stethoscope and several unidentifiable instruments sat on the desk.
A young doctor in a white coat walked in, holding a medical record clipboard.
"Hello. Is this the little kitten?"
Rice Cake poked its head out of the bag, eyeing her warily.
"Don't be nervous, little one, I'm just going to take a look," the doctor smiled at Rice Cake.
She then looked at Shu and Kiana.
"Are you two the owners?"
Shu and Kiana nodded simultaneously.
The doctor glanced at their joined hands, her smile taking on a slightly different nuance.
"Alright, let's start with a basic physical exam. Could you take it out?"
Kiana immediately got to work, lifting Rice Cake out of the bag and placing it on the examination table.
Rice Cake pawed at the table, desperately trying to burrow back into her arms.
"Don't be scared, don't be scared," Kiana said, petting its head as she gently peeled its claws off her clothes. "The doctor lady is just going to take a look at you, it won't hurt."
The doctor smiled warmly as she slipped on her gloves. "Such a good kitty. It didn't even extend its claws despite being so reluctant. Have its nails been trimmed?"
She had noticed that when Kiana pulled Rice Cake's paws off her, the kitten hadn't snagged her clothes at all.
Trimming nails... Shu did know that some pets needed that kind of grooming, but he had seen videos of specialized tools for it, so he hadn't even considered trying it himself, afraid he might hurt Rice Cake or make it uncomfortable.
Rice Cake sat reluctantly on the exam table as the doctor reached out to touch it.
"Come here, little guy, let me see your teeth—"
Before the doctor even touched its mouth, Rice Cake voluntarily opened its mouth wide for her. The doctor was stunned.
Usually, she had to physically pry a pet's jaws apart to check their teeth. A pet voluntarily opening its mouth for her... this was a first.
"It's really smart," the doctor couldn't help but marvel. Her examination became noticeably gentler, avoiding touching the kitten whenever possible, yet still inspecting it incredibly thoroughly.
"Teeth look great, estimated age is around three or four months. Very healthy." After finishing the inspection, the doctor let out a long breath. This incredibly obedient kitten had surprised her yet again.
Textbook perfect health... If her mentor saw this cat, he'd probably haul this smart little thing right onto the lecture podium!
Thinking this, the doctor picked up her stethoscope and placed it against Rice Cake's chest.
Rice Cake tensed up nervously but didn't squirm.
"Don't be nervous, relax, deep breaths~" the doctor coaxed softly, her voice involuntarily adopting a sweet, baby-talk tone.
Rice Cake seemed quite susceptible to this tactic and slowly relaxed.
The doctor listened for a while, then palpated its abdomen and checked its ears and eyes.
"Overall, it's very healthy," she said, setting the stethoscope down. "However, I'd recommend a screening for infectious diseases and deworming, followed by some vaccinations... Is this your first time raising a cat?"
Shu nodded, feeling slightly awkward.
"And you booked a comprehensive blood panel too, right? Okay, I'll set up a file for it. That way, if any issues pop up in the future, it'll be easy to look up."
"Alright."
The doctor jotted down a few notes on the clipboard and looked up.
"I'll write up an order and file it. You can take it next door for the blood draw."
"Okay, thank you." Shu nodded. In the next second, Rice Cake leaped off the examination table, landing perfectly in Kiana's arms. It flicked its tail and aggressively wiggled around to get comfortable.
"Rice Cake! Stop moving, that tickles!" Kiana let out a small yelp, hugging the kitten tight.
The two humans and one cat headed to the blood draw room.
Rice Cake was placed on the operating table, where a nurse who looked to be around Kiana's age nervously held it down.
Rice Cake: "?"
Much like a patient seeing an intern doctor, the moment that young nurse laid hands on it, Rice Cake let out a blood-curdling screech.
"MEOW—!"
Nervous as she was, the nurse's professionalism was unquestionable, and her movements were swift.
The needle went in, Rice Cake let out an agonizing "Meow," and the blood draw was finished in a flash.
"There, there, all done, it doesn't hurt anymore—" The moment the nurse let go, Rice Cake wailed and practically threw itself at Kiana, who hurriedly caught it.
"There, there, it doesn't hurt anymore..." Kiana rocked Rice Cake gently, exactly like a mother comforting a child who had just gotten their first vaccination.
And Rice Cake whimpered pitifully in response.
Watching from the side, Shu leaned back dramatically.
Hmm...
This sense of déjà vu is incredibly strong.