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Perhaps due to his fire attribute, Pei Shiyi’s body temperature was slightly higher than that of a normal person.
Fondant’s fur had long since dried under the warm air. She poked her head out from beneath the phoenix’s magnificent wings: “Meow!”
Come on, Yun Chao!
But Yun Chao didn’t move. A flicker of hesitation appeared in her heterochromatic eyes. She wasn’t a newly awakened little demon. She understood the significance of a “phoenix”. A divine being born of heaven, capable of sheltering an entire region. It was said that many years ago, the phoenix clan once guarded another world. But later, for reasons unknown, the entire clan vanished without a trace, leaving no sign of phoenixes in this realm.
She had always assumed her boss was a long-famous great demon, never imagining he was… a phoenix.
Pei Shiyi’s half-closed eyes opened, carrying a hint of amusement. “What’s wrong?”
Yun Chao, unusually tense, was about to turn and ask Dan Huang, but that clueless scatterbrain had already burrowed headfirst under the phoenix’s wings. Tong Qian had long gone wild, leaping under the bed to snatch at the phoenix’s tail feathers.
Yin Zhou, brought back by the boss, was like Song Gao—filled with dependence and trust in Pei Shiyi. Now that the boss had turned into a fluffy creature, he accepted this new reality without hesitation, snuggling against the boss and playing paw-taps with Song Gao under the wings.
As for Miss Penny, she hadn’t even recognized what this overly resplendent bird was. Still, she is mesmerized by the dazzling, iridescent feathers.
Yun Chao fell silent for a moment before resigning herself and following the others under the boss’s wings, lying side by side with Fondant. Aside from Miss Penny, Fondant, and the kittens who were unaware of the situation, the entire cat café was filled with scatterbrains. Why should she be the only one stubbornly serious?
Pei Shiyi played with the fluffy little ones for a while before transforming back into human form. This time, he wasn’t wearing pajamas but a simple, unadorned black robe, his long hair cascading over his shoulders.
Pei Shiyi brushed a strand of his black hair aside. “Haven’t transformed back in a long time. It still feels a bit unfamiliar.” His wings remained unfurled, lazily draped over the fluffy little ones.
The fluffy ones lay side by side under his wings, four on one side and five on the other. Nine little cat heads neatly aligned, drowsy in the comforting warmth.
Bo Jin’s hand was still pressed beneath the layers of feathers, his perpetually cold hand now warmed. His fingers twitched slightly, reluctant to pull away, as he murmured, “Aren’t you going to give me a feather?”
Pei Shiyi narrowed his eyes and smiled. “What are you thinking? Do you know what it means to ask a bird for a feather?” Male phoenixes used their own feathers to adorn their “nests” in preparation for the arrival of their “partner”, making the gesture profoundly meaningful and never given lightly. While feathers weren’t exclusively tokens of affection and could also serve as keepsakes, they were typically given only to those held dear.
Whether Bo Jin genuinely didn’t know or was feigning ignorance, he replied, “I gave you a scale. Shouldn’t we have an equivalent exchange?”
Pei Shiyi casually gathered his black hair, finding it somewhat bothersome. He retrieved a small tie from his sleeve to tie it up. Recalling the dragon’s actions on their first meeting, he suspected Bo Jin might truly be unaware of the customs of winged beings.
He said, “Director Bo, do you think I don’t know? Dragons shed their old scales periodically. Scales are practically worthless. Phoenixes don’t molt after their down is shed. How could you expect me to trade a feather for a scale you shed who knows how many years ago?”
He quickly tied up his hair and leaned close to Bo Jin. “You want an equivalent exchange, fine. Give me one of your reverse scales, and I’ll trade with you.”
Beneath a dragon’s neck, there is a scale that grows against the grain. That scale is harder than the others and protects the heart underneath. Anyone who touches it is sure to provoke fury.
Because there is only one on the entire body, and it grows close to the heart, this scale is exceptionally precious. It might have some other uses after being removed, but Pei Shiyi didn’t know. As for whether taking the scale would violate some taboo of Bo Jin’s, Bo Jin had broken his taboos plenty of times, and he hadn’t skinned, deboned, or roasted the dragon to eat it.
Bo Jin slowly raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want it?”
He withdrew the hand that had been resting beneath the phoenix’s wing, as if about to retrieve something.
Pei Shiyi was all talk when it came to teasing, but a coward in action. Hearing this, he leaned back. “No, no, no, I can’t afford it, I’m not worthy! You should head back now. Song Gao is sleeping with me tonight.”
Could reverse scales be taken so casually? Bo Jin was full of twists and turns. Sooner or later, they’d wind their way back to him. Pei Shiyi waved his hand, urging Bo Jin to leave quickly.
Bo Jin walked to the door and suddenly glanced back.
Pei Shiyi had already taken out a small knife to carve wooden tags. The kittens’ range of activity was growing, and they were starting to run around upstairs and downstairs. It was time for them to wear tags with their names carved on them.
His lowered gaze made one’s heart soften.
Pei Shiyi had a sharp tongue and loved to tease, but he was meticulous and thoughtful in his actions. If he cared about someone, he would take care of them with utmost attention, as could be seen from the way the furry children in the cat café ran wild. Though cooking was an exception. He really wasn’t cut out for it.
Bo Jin’s fingertips still seemed to retain the warmth and texture of the phoenix feathers brushing against them, stirring an inexplicable reluctance that filled his heart.
Hmm, such a warm phoenix. If he could tuck it into his embrace in winter, it would surely be more comforting than any heat source.
Director Bo, lost in his own little calculations, turned and left.
…
Early the next morning.
When Pei Shiyi woke up, a string of cats was stuck to him, following him around.
Pei Shiyi exclaimed in surprise, “What’s gotten into you all today? Up so early?” Usually at this hour, the furry children were still in bed, catching up on sleep.
Dan Huang clung tightly to his heels. Even though no one had petted him first thing in the morning, he had been purring since he woke up, as if he’d inhaled catnip.
The larger fluffballs all looked up at him with eager eyes.
Yun Chao also circled him, while Tong Qian was more direct, hugging Pei Shiyi’s calf and rubbing against it. “Boss, boss, boss…”
Pei Shiyi was getting a headache from his chanting. “Did you sneak out last night and break something? Do you want snacks again? Or did you scratch up the scratching post I just bought yesterday?”
Tong Qian purred and shook his head. “No, no.”
Pei Shiyi was helpless. He seriously suspected that the furry children had secretly gathered to wash catnip last night. Otherwise, why were they all in this state so early in the morning?
Tong Qian clung to him tightly. “Boss, are you turning into a bird today, too?”
What did he mean by “turning into a bird”…?
Pei Shiyi, thoroughly pestered, bent down and asked, “What do you want?”
Fondant lay on his shoe. “Meow—” Boss, stay with us, stay with us!
The little princess seemed to have flipped a switch for all the cats. The larger cats crowded around, though Miss Penny was more reserved, simply gazing at him with expectant eyes.
She was so beautiful that any other cat lover might have been utterly bewitched by her looks.
Pei Shiyi struggled valiantly against the temptation. “No…” These little rascals were addicted to bird-watching.
If he transformed into his original form, what would his employees do if they couldn’t find him? Pei Shiyi silently reminded himself: I am a principled boss. I must take responsibility for the cat café…
Yun Chao and Fondant snuggled up to him together.
Pei Shiyi: “…You win.”
He silently raised a hand to cover his face, deeply ashamed of his loss of dignity. Never did he imagine that one day he would become a ruler led astray by beauty.
…
So, when pastry chef Zhang Yu arrived early this morning, the first person he saw wasn’t his boss but the boss’s close friend.
Zhang Yu greeted him: “Good morning, Mr. Bo. Why haven’t I seen the boss today?”
Their boss usually hung name tags on the cats at the entrance of the cat café and greeted every employee as they arrived, ensuring everyone started their day in a good mood. Suddenly not seeing the boss this morning felt strange.
Bo Jin finished fastening the name tag on Jing Zhe and replied calmly, “He’s busy today and won’t be in.”
Zhang Yu didn’t find anything odd about this and nodded. “Oh, okay. I’ll go in and start brewing the tea then!”
Bo Jin gave a slight nod.
As Zhang Yu walked past Bo Jin, he glanced up and saw a red bird perched on the sofa. All the cats in the café were curled up on the sofa, huddled closely around the bird.
Zhang Yu stared blankly. “What kind of bird is this? It’s so beautiful.” He had never seen such a stunning bird in his life! Even a peacock would pale in comparison. The peacock could only be described as “nothing special”.
The bird was about the size that could be held in one’s arms. Its feathers shimmered with countless colors in the sunlight. Even the way it spread its wings and preened its feathers was filled with an indescribable elegance.
Perhaps it was Zhang Yu’s imagination, but after he spoke, the exceptionally beautiful bird seemed to freeze. Then, it silently turned its back, not making a sound, remaining perfectly quiet.
Bo Jin: “…”
Zhang Yu noticed that the perpetually expressionless Mr. Bo finally showed an emotion. It was a clear look of speechless exasperation.
Bo Jin: “He is…”
The next few words were interrupted by a clear, melodious chirp. Zhang Yu turned in surprise and saw the bird on the sofa turn its head, staring intently at them.
The bird spread its wings, took flight, and flew straight toward them!
Only then did Zhang Yu realize the bird had an enormous wingspan, with broad and powerful wings. It was clearly a bird of prey. Instinctively, Zhang Yu ducked and covered his head. “Holy crap!” After a moment, when he felt no pain, he slowly looked up and saw the bird had landed on Mr. Bo’s arm.
Zhang Yu let out a huge sigh of relief. His legs were still trembling as he stood up. But the bird was so breathtakingly beautiful and didn’t seem aggressive, so he mustered his courage and said, “This must be your pet bird, right? It’s really, really beautiful. Can I touch it? It’s just so stunning.”
Pei Shiyi: “…” Say that again. Whose pet is he?
The red bird was none other than Pei Shiyi. Unable to resist the little rascals’ pestering, he had transformed into his bird form and stayed at the cat café.
Bo Jin felt a slight pain in his forearm. After a moment of silence, to prevent the bird from snapping his arm like a twig in a fit of rage, he decisively plucked it from his arm and cradled it in his arms.
Pei Shiyi hadn’t actually used much force, so he was easily transferred into Bo Jin’s embrace.
Pei Shiyi: “…”
Bo Jin held a stiff phoenix in his arms and said calmly, “He doesn’t like being touched. You should get to work first.”
Zhang Yu clicked his tongue, a bit disappointed.
As soon as he entered the kitchen, Pei Shiyi raised his head to look at Bo Jin. “You…”
Bo Jin: “Birds can’t talk.”
Pei Shiyi broke free from his grip. He stood on his shoulder and smacked him with his wing.
Bo Jin said slowly, “You’re actually quite light to hold.”
Pei Shiyi: “…”
How about I turn back into my original form and crush you to death?
Just as he was about to fly away, someone suddenly hugged him from behind again.
Pei Shiyi: “?” Are you looking for death?
Bo Jin said, “You just hit me.”
Pei Shiyi: “…” He had indeed hit him quite hard.
At first, Pei Shiyi didn’t understand what was wrong with Bo Jin. But after being hugged like this, he realized that Director Bo, who insisted on holding a bird, was just like those who couldn’t resist holding cats.
He just didn’t get it. Was everyone so addicted to “bird addiction”?
He lowered his head to look at the fluffy little creatures anxiously circling at Bo Jin’s feet. His expression went blank.
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wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 98.2