The camera finally arrived.
For this piece of equipment, Pei Shiyi had spent a lot of time online catching up on tutorial videos and consulting at physical stores before placing the order.
On the day the camera arrived, Zhou Yan hurried over to the cat café. The boss was studying the instruction manual, while his friend was already fiddling with the camera.
Before Zhou Yan could even change his shoes, he heard the boss, without even looking up, give his friend a light slap and say, “Don’t mess around with it. It’s expensive.”
The boss’s friend replied, “If I break it, I’ll buy you ten more.”
Zhou Yan watched the boss look up, think for a moment, and say, “Then go ahead and break it.”
Zhou Yan thought to himself: The boss and his friend really have a great relationship.
He walked over and said, “Boss.”
Pei Shiyi smiled and waved him over. “Come here.”
When Zhou Yan approached, Pei Shiyi placed the camera in front of him. “Give it a try.”
Zhou Yan picked up the camera and handled it carefully. “I joined the photography club in college, but when I graduated and needed money for rent, I sold my camera. Even though it’s been a few years, I still remember what I learned back then.”
Pei Shiyi was always easygoing, except when dealing with Bo Jin. “No worries.”
Zhou Yan said, “But I can’t delay the updates on Bishui Station. I plan to upload the videos I shot a few days ago and also edit some clips from customers who filmed at the cat café.”
Pei Shiyi replied, “Make sure to let them know.”
Zhou Yan nodded, picked up the camera, and began familiarizing himself with it while wandering around the cat café. Even daily-life videos needed interesting and engaging moments, so he had to keep an eye on the cats to capture any amusing scenes.
Song Gao hadn’t gone home last night and had stayed overnight at the cat café. After waking up, the little furball was still a bit dazed, stumbling down the stairs while half-asleep, making Zhou Yan nervous that he might lose his balance and fall. Fortunately, Dan Huang immediately followed him down, staying close as they descended the stairs.
The manager had a heart full of paternal affection, his love for the little ones overflowing into every corner of the cat café.
Song Gao nuzzled against Dan Huang, then turned and spotted Bo Jin and Pei Shiyi. He immediately let out a meow and ran a few steps forward.
Pei Shiyi smiled: This little one was much livelier than before. Kids shouldn’t be so serious all the time. Yun Chao alone was enough to uphold the cat café’s dignity for the next ten years.
Bo Jin had already walked over. Song Gao immediately stood up on his hind legs, clinging to Bo Jin’s calf, waiting to be picked up.
Song Gao nuzzled his face against Bo Jin’s and, perched on his shoulder, stared at Pei Shiyi. “Meow—”
Pei Shiyi sighed helplessly, walked over, and leaned down slightly to cooperate. Song Gao stretched forward and kissed Pei Shiyi on the cheek before happily snuggling back. “Meow.” Good morning, sir.
Pei Shiyi rubbed Song Gao’s head. “Good morning, Song Gao.”
The only downside was that Song Gao loved seeing him and Bo Jin together. Pei Shiyi didn’t want to argue with Bo Jin in front of the little one. As a result, the dragon and the bird had been unusually harmonious for quite a few days.
Zhou Yan put down the camera, having captured a heartwarming scene. It was both sweet and cozy, perfectly satisfying the fantasies of online cat lovers who adored seeing cats act affectionate. Moreover, Song Gao rarely showed such affection toward customers, making these moments particularly precious. With a little editing, this could become another iconic moment for their cat café. But one scene wasn’t enough. He needed to find a few more to piece together.
Zhou Yan was a determined person. Once he decided who to feature in his next video, he would spend the next few days following them around. And that’s when he noticed something.
Not everyone gets to be close to Song Gao. Like the café manager, he is very professional. He doesn’t mind customers petting him, but that’s as far as it goes. Zhou Yan sometimes thinks Song Gao is frighteningly smart. He really distinguishes between people. He treats all customers with the same attitude: work is work, all body and no heart. But when it comes to the boss and the boss’s friend, the professional Song Gao turns into a little baby who loves to cuddle, becoming exceptionally low-key in his affection.
So, does this little angel Song Gao have double standards just like the big shot?!
Zhou Yan filmed for three days, even daring to urge the boss to film Song Gao right after waking up in the morning.
Today, Zhou Yan despairingly realized that Song Gao’s low-key, varied displays of affection are truly reserved only for the boss and the boss’s friend. When he shamelessly leaned in to try to kiss Song Gao, Song Gao silently turned his face away, pretending not to see him, and walked off with the big shot Yun Chao.
Zhou Yan crouched on the ground like a giant potato. Was he not worthy of a kiss?
Tongq Qian passed by Zhou Yan, took two steps, then turned back and bumped into him: What are you doing crouching here?
Zhou Yan hugged him tightly. “In this cat café, besides the manager, only you, Boss Tong, can give me a little comfort.”
Tong Qian patted him with his tail: Of course, Boss Tong is attentive in every way. Boss Tong is a cat destined to reach the peak of feline life.
…
As a dark horse among this year’s documentaries on Bishui Station, 《Small World》 saw its viewership multiply with each new episode. The second episode successfully surpassed five million views, earning a spot on Bishui Station’s “Must-Watch This Week” list.
Xian Chan Cat Café gained a bit of popularity on Bishui Station, with the official account gaining over a hundred thousand followers in just one week. The few videos they had uploaded were nowhere near enough to satisfy the new fans.
After days of eager anticipation, the cat café finally updated with a new video titled: “The Golden British Shorthair’s Varied Affection”. The thumbnail featured a Golden British Shorthair of exceptional quality, hugging someone’s arm, eyes slightly closed, with an expression of deep attachment.
Fans: !!!
Who wouldn’t want to be hugged like that by such an adorable creature?
Eagerly clicking on the video, a light and melodious background tune floated out, evoking a sense of romantic longing. In the video, the young cat café owner appeared halfway in frame, wearing a burgundy shirt that gave his profile a somewhat enchanting look. His slender, pale hand held a mug, and there was a noticeable red mark on his ring finger.
Comments:
“Recognizing the boss by his hands!”
“Huh, no cats today? But admiring the boss is fine, too.”
“Ahhh, a burgundy shirt! I want to see his face! Does the boss really dress this enchantingly?”
But soon, fans realized they had been naive. How could the star of a cat café video not be a cat? The familiar Golden British Shorthair, Song Gao, slowly entered the frame. First, he looked up and let out a soft meow, earning a light chuckle from the cat café owner: “Good morning, Song Gao.”
Song Gao hesitated for a moment, took two steps, and then leaned into the man’s outstretched arm, pressing his cheek tightly against the back of his hand. His eyes remained fixed on the cat café owner as he let out another soft meow. With his head tilted upward, the light fell into his deep green eyes, making them appear both profound and clear. Those shimmering eyes seemed to hold only one person.
As if, in the world before him, there was only one person.
Comments:
“Oh my god… Song Gao’s gaze is making me want to cry.”
“Who is it! Who are you looking at, sweetheart?”
“I’m crying. My cat used to look at me like that, too. It’s that feeling of seeing you as a parent and loving you with all its heart.”
“I actually learned what ‘a single glance that feels like eternity’ means from a cat.”
“Song Gao must really love the owner. Owner, please spoil Song Gao more.”
The man lowered his head. Song Gao rested its paws on his wrist, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. Immediately after, the viewers heard the slightly hoarse voice of the cat café owner: “Sorry, I forgot your morning kiss, sweetie.”
Subtitle: Act cute ×1.
The scene then shifted to the second floor of the cat café. Song Gao stepped slowly onto a wicker chair, climbed onto someone’s chest, and nestled down against their shoulder and neck. Under the warm yellow sunlight, it stretched lazily, closed its eyes, and let out a soft purring sound, looking utterly affectionate.
That person leaned down and gently kissed the tip of Song Gao’s ear, their profile appearing on camera. The comments exploded instantly:
“That’s not the owner, is it…?”
“Huh, a guy from the cat café? Haven’t seen him before.”
Subtitle: Act cute ×2.
Before the comments could figure it out, the scene in the video changed again—
Song Gao jumped onto a table, and the camera followed its movement. A very familiar hand appeared once more. The little golden fluffball tucked its front paws under itself and lay down, resting its round face in the palm of that person’s hand. It tilted its head, yawned, rubbed gently a couple of times, and then contentedly began basking in the sun.
Subtitle: Act cute ×3.
It’s so soft and sweet. Song Gao really is a little cat-shaped cake. He’s too perfect.
Netizen: “Wahhh, I want one! Heaven, please bless me with a Song Gao!”
At the end of the video, Song Gao, perched on the owner’s shoulder, seemed to notice the camera and slowly leaned closer. Its little face was round, its eyes deep green, and its pink nose and mouth drew nearer and nearer, making the viewers’ hearts race with anticipation.
Suddenly, the screen went black.
Netizens: !!!
It kissed me!
Before they could snap out of the sweet bond between humans and cats, the short video came to an end. It was far too brief. It’s not nearly enough to satisfy!
Top comments:
Red Bean Milkshake: “Wahhh, truly a little angel. Song Gao’s way of acting cute is different from that of other cats. It rarely meows. When it does, it’s just a short, sweet little sound. Usually, it’s super quiet. If you’re playing with it and then go to another cat, it won’t follow. I always thought Song Gao was the type of cat that isn’t clingy at all but has an amazing temper. Today, I realized it just doesn’t act cute for me. I’m crying so hard!”
Rambutan: “Regular at the cat café here. I go every week. Honestly, I’ve never been kissed by Song Gao. Watching this video, I’m so jealous. Every cat at the café really loves the owner. Do cats these days judge by looks, too? Just kidding. It shows the owner really dotes on the fur babies. Song Gao’s affection for the owner practically overflows from the screen. Maybe it’s just my bias, but I always feel like Song Gao looks at the cat café owner with love in its eyes (covers face).”
Of course, some comments were completely off-topic:
Cotton Candy: “I’m not convinced! Fine if it likes the owner, but the other guy in the video—come out and face me! I want little Song Gao to lie on my chest like that, too! Just thinking about it makes me feel like I’m going to die, wahhh. Song Gao is too adorable. I’ll love it forever! Forming a team to steal the cat. That guy, draw your sword! 1/100.”
…
That evening, after the cat café closed, Pei Shiyi took some free time to browse through the new video and comments. Just as he reached the third top comment, Bo Jin happened to pass by him.
Pei Shiyi watched the video and asked curiously, “What does it feel like when Song Gao lies on your chest like that? Is it the same as when you hold him?”
Bo Jin glanced at him. “Of course it’s different.”
Pei Shiyi felt a twinge of envy. He had never experienced Song Gao lying on him like that. It’s not because Song Gao preferred Bo Jin more, but because Bo Jin was always lazily seizing any spare moment to lie down. If the space was too small to accommodate him, he would lean against something, reclining at an angle.
Pei Shiyi, on the other hand, was much more proper. When he sat, he sat upright; when he stood, he stood straight. Even if Song Gao wanted to lie on him, he simply never had the chance.
Pei Shiyi sat in the rattan chair, looking at Bo Jin. “Then tell me, what does it feel like?”
Bo Jin turned and went downstairs. A moment later, he returned carrying Song Gao. He walked up to the rattan chair, pressed Pei Shiyi’s shoulder with an unusually firm hand, and pushed him down onto the chair.
Caught off guard, Pei Shiyi was pressed into the rattan chair, a hint of uncertainty flickering across his face. What was he trying to do?
Bo Jin placed Song Gao on Pei Shiyi’s chest, then sat on the armrest of the rattan chair. He lowered his gaze slightly, looking at Pei Shiyi with an unexpectedly gentle expression. He said calmly, “Why not just experience it for yourself?”
Pei Shiyi was stunned.
Author’s Note:
Song Gao really adores the boss and Bo Jin.
Let’s count them: Tong Qian, Dan Huang, Yun Chao, and Song Gao. Each cat has their own highlight video.
My goal is for every cat to have their own iconic moment.
Also, holding a cat and having a cat actively lie on your chest really feels different. It’s heavier (just kidding, haha). When a cat snuggles up to you like that, it’s the feeling of them leaning in, showing how much they adore you.
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wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1