She had arranged homes for the stray cats and dogs in the old district, helped an owl measure the dimensions for its treehouse, and delivered a stockpile of food to the Mouse King.
Qiao An's pre-New Year preparations were nearly complete. This time, instead of heading home, she went straight to the Cat Cafe.
The quiet street was mostly empty, save for the occasional pedestrian. Everyone was silent, clutching iced coffees as they hurried on their way.
It wasn't until she neared the Cat Cafe that a warm, yellow light spilling from the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the street added a splash of color to the cold season.
Through the glass, she could see a few customers still inside, playing with the cats. A furball, clearly a top performer, was actively playing along, tumbling and leaping about.
