"You guess?" I shook off those thoughts and answered mysteriously.
Yan Zijun playfully adjusted his glasses, "I won't guess, but I hope you're single so I have a chance."
Was this guy trying to pursue me? I didn't really believe it, thinking he was just like other men, chatting until it got familiar and then letting loose.
I downed the rest of my drink and stood up, "No more talk like this, Mr. Yan, goodbye."
Seeing this, Yan Zijun immediately stood up, worried, "Can I have your contact info? I promise I'll show my sincerity!"
Sincerity is of no use; I had been sincere toward Hugh Pei for ten years, and the result was the same, wasn't it?
Yet I still gave Yan Zijun my phone number. Why should Hugh Pei be allowed to take his little princess out to play while I couldn't find a guy to pass the time?
After leaving my contact information, I called Ginny Deng and the others. They were almost done having fun, so we headed back home.
Outside the bar, Leo Li was waiting for me in the cold wind.
Every time I drank, I had to call him to pick me up. He respectfully opened the car door for me and helped me in. I held his hand seriously, saying, "Leo Li, don't worry, I'll raise your salary next year!"
No matter the weather, Leo Li always followed my orders without complaint.
Leo Li momentarily froze, a strange look flashing across his face before placing my hand properly and closing the car door. He quickly got into the driver's seat and drove me back to Mapleview Manor.
As we passed by the snowman at home, I paused for a few seconds and then gouged out its eyes.
"You and Hugh Pei are both blind," I muttered.
What made me worse than Lila Wei? Besides being a bit older than her.
Once home, I heard Bubu calling, its soft "meow meow" bringing a smile to my face. I found Bubu playing with a yarn ball in the cat bed and picked it up, showering it with affection. After a while, we took a selfie that I posted to my stories.
Then I went to shower and sleep. Before sleeping, I noticed Julian Qi had sent me several messages.
And a cute picture of an orange cat, chubby and adorable.
Julian Qi: Sis Zoe, do you like cats?
I replied: It's okay. My friend's cat stayed at my house for a while, and I found it quite cute. Is that orange cat yours?
Julian Qi: I found it at school. No one wanted it, so I took care of it myself. It's very obedient but gets a bit overweight.
He then sent me a small video of the orange cat, which was so fat it fell over while trying to jump onto a chair. It was both pitiful and cute, making me laugh out loud.
We chatted about cats for a while. I could tell Julian Qi must have seen my stories and thought I loved cats, so he initiated the topic to chat with me.
I was well aware of the somewhat deliberate nature of the conversation. I had also once deliberately sought out topics to chat with Hugh Pei about.
In the end, Julian Qi transferred the remaining money he owed me in one go and wrote: Thanks, Sis Zoe, I'll treat you to a meal next time.
I replied: Sure, how about tomorrow? I want to take Bubu for a bath and get rid of the worms. You can bring your chubby orange one too.
Julian Qi responded quickly: Okay!
After putting down my phone, I hugged my pillow, letting my mind go blank and preparing for sleep. Sleep is the most important thing; I can't continue to exhaust my body.
The next day, I searched nearby pet shops and chose one, sending the address and time to Julian Qi. When I arrived at the pet shop, he was already waiting for me, dressed in a thin black jacket with a turtleneck sweater and a pet backpack containing the chubby orange cat.
"Sis Zoe!" When he saw me, Julian Qi's eyes lit up, and he smiled brightly, as if he had started to emerge from the shadows of a breakup.
"Let's hurry inside; it's freezing out here." I carried a transparent pet cage in one hand while pulling my coat tighter in the other, saying to Julian Qi, reflecting on how good it is to be young. Didn't he feel cold dressed so lightly?
Once inside the pet shop, I left Bubu's care to the staff while I sat on the couch with Julian Qi, playing with the chubby orange cat.
The chubby orange was lively but struggled with its weight. It often tried to jump but failed repeatedly. It moved to my right side to prepare to jump onto my shoulder, which startled me, causing me to lean into Julian Qi's embrace. He stiffened and then flushed red.
Realizing this, I didn't immediately pull away but smiled at him. I sat up straight after the chubby orange left.
"It's a bit mischievous. Did it scare you?" Julian Qi avoided my gaze, focusing on the orange cat, his voice a bit awkward.
"No, it's quite cute! I want to buy it a hairpin!" I impulsively stood and picked out a pink cat hairpin, letting Julian Qi catch the chubby orange to put it on its ear.
The chubby orange cooperated to some extent, strutting around with the hairpin, proudly showing off to Bubu and testing it with its paws. Bubu, who was busy grooming, glared back at the chubby orange, annoyed.
"Chubby!" Julian Qi hurriedly shouted, rushing over to intervene.
I took out my phone and captured the funny scene, then sent it to Evan Yu: Look how funny this chubby orange is! Bubu is about to be mad at it—hahaha...
Evan Yu didn't reply, likely busy, but I wasn't concerned.
After about an hour of playing around in the pet shop, Julian Qi and I left together.
"Aren't you going to treat me to a meal? How about now?" I arrived at my car and placed Bubu in the back seat, then clapped my hands and said to Julian Qi.
His gaze lingered on my car, filled with envy and longing, which he almost failed to hide.
Hearing my words, he quickly nodded, "Okay."
"Then let's get in." I smiled at him.
Knowing Julian Qi's financial situation, I chose a reasonably priced buffet restaurant. I then called Leo Li to come, driving the two pets back to Mapleview Manor; otherwise, the two little ones would be uncomfortable being locked up.
The restaurant was quite busy, and Julian Qi rushed around to get me various ingredients he thought were delicious. Watching his considerate gestures made me feel regret for him again.
He wasn't bad-looking and was at least considered a campus heartthrob in his department, not to mention he was hardworking, positive, and cheerful. If it weren't for Hugh Pei's interference, he and Lila Wei would probably have a happy future together.
"Hey, handsome! My friend says you're really good-looking. Could I get your WeChat?" An eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl approached Julian Qi, her face flushed.
Curiously, he instinctively looked at me.
The girl immediately felt awkward and glanced at me as well. "Sorry, sorry! Is this your girlfriend? I apologize for the interruption!"
With that, she awkwardly dashed away. Julian Qi looked conflicted, as if wanting to explain but unsure how to. I sighed, "Alas, you missed your chance."