ARIOCC Chapter 43

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Finally, two basins of warm water were prepared. Tong Qian crouched beside the basin, looking utterly despondent. He glanced up at Pei Shiyi, who had already rolled up his sleeves and soaked a towel in the water.

Since Yun Chao had refused Director Bo’s offer to “serve” her, Tong Qian was left to Bo Jin’s care.

To be washed by Director Bo.

Tong Qian attempted to save himself: “Can I wash myself?”

Pei Shiyi, still remembering the cat’s earlier inappropriate remarks, replied leisurely, “Are you going to crouch in the basin and lick yourself clean?”

Tong Qian slumped miserably: Boss, you’ve changed. You’re not the boss who used to dote on me anymore.

Song Gao comforted him, “It’s okay. Bathing is quite comfortable.” When the boss bathed him, he was always very gentle. After the bath and grooming, it felt like a treat.

Tong Qian was not comforted in the slightest: “But the problem is, it’s not the boss washing me now!”

However, no matter how much he struggled, this bath was inevitable.

Tong Qian sat dejectedly in front of the basin, while Yun Chao had already settled comfortably inside. The camera was already rolling, so Tong Qian closed his mouth and despairingly turned his back to Bo Jin.

He was clearly preparing himself mentally, so Bo Jin didn’t disturb him. Instead, he observed how Pei Shiyi washed the cats—

Boss Pei scooped up water to wet Yun Chao’s soft white fur. Yun Chao sat calmly in the basin, completely at ease with her tail gently swishing in the water.

As soon as the water touched her, the fluffy white ball of fur instantly shrank by half. Yun Chao’s dry face nestled against Pei Shiyi’s forearm. Even though she knew she probably didn’t look her best, and the camera was recording, she didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Instead, she half-closed her eyes and began to doze off.

In truth, Yun Chao didn’t particularly enjoy bathing. It was just that her cleanliness obsession was too severe. When she bathed herself, she would always tense up. Most cats dislike water, as being in water makes them feel insecure. Yun Chao was no exception.

But when Pei Shiyi bathed the cats, he would always hold them halfway, allowing the cats in the basin to cling tightly to him, preventing them from feeling nervous.

Pei Shiyi squeezed out some bath gel and gently massaged it into Yun Chao’s fur, all while asking her opinion on the new bath gel. He asked with a serious tone, and Yun Chao answered just as seriously.

The human and the cat conversed back and forth, human words and cat sounds mingling, seemingly having a rather lively chat.

Since they were recording a video, Pei Shiyi would also translate Yun Chao’s thoughts on the bath gel. After all, this was a product review. If he remained silent, Zhou Yan would have a hard time editing the video.

Pei Shiyi was naturally talkative, often able to carry on a one-man show on his own, let alone now with Yun Chao’s company. His witty and amusing remarks never ceased. As he chatted away, he couldn’t help but feel that Bo Jin was staring at him. Turning around, he asked in confusion, “Why are you staring at me?”

Bo Jin coughed softly and averted his gaze. He lifted Tong Qian and placed him into the basin.

Tong Qian was still lost in thought, thinking it was Pei Shiyi holding him. He was about to tilt his head and nuzzle against him when he suddenly realized it was Bo Jin. With a startled yelp, he leaped up. This little rascal fought with Yin Zhou every day. Perhaps influenced by Yin Zhou, he had become increasingly jumpy. He leaped three feet high and landed right on the basin.

As a cat weighing over ten pounds, even a basin full of water couldn’t withstand his stomping, let alone one only half-full. The basin tipped over instantly, spilling water everywhere.

At some unknown point, a crowd of fluffy creatures had squeezed into the bathroom and were now huddled on the floor, forced to take a bath. The two adults hadn’t escaped either. Pei Shiyi’s shirt was soaked through in a large patch. Bo Jin, being closest to Tong Qian, suffered the worst.

The only one to escape unscathed was the camera mounted at the bathroom door.

Dan Huang, the leader of the onlookers: “…”

He had only come to watch Tong Qian get washed. Why did he have to suffer this fate?

Cats don’t wash their heads during baths. But thanks to the basin of water Tong Qian had just splashed, every cat’s head was now drenched. Yun Chao opened her eyes and slowly turned to glare at Tong Qian.

Eight deadly gazes fell upon Tong Qian, all conveying the same thought: This cat is beyond saving. Let’s beat him up once the boss isn’t around.

Pei Shiyi was also soaked. He said slowly, “Darling, I don’t mind taking a bath with you, but I think Dan Huang and the others would definitely mind.”

Dan Huang nodded solemnly.

Tong Qian, tears welling in his fierce cat eyes: This is too hard. Does this mean he’ll be bullied by all the cats in the office from now on?

Whether he’d be bullied by the entire office remained unclear, but one thing was certain—the big boss would be even fiercer from today onward.

Yun Chao was still wet, with soap suds clinging to her fur. Pei Shiyi sighed helplessly, “Since Tong Qian isn’t wet anyway, let him sulk for a while. Bo Jin, could you help me adjust the water temperature first? I’ll rinse Yun Chao clean, and then we can blow-dry her and head to bed, okay?”

The last half of the sentence was directed at Yun Chao. The usually fairy-like fluffball had been forced to wash her head and was now so angry she could pluck Tong Qian bald. She sat with her back to the two adults, fuming. But when she heard Pei Shiyi coaxing her, her ears twitched slightly.

Yun Chao was proud and aloof by nature. But she had excellent manners and never took her anger out on others. As soon as the boss started comforting her, she turned around and let out a soft meow, allowing him to pick her up.

Bo Jin had already adjusted the water temperature. Pei Shiyi took the showerhead from him and carefully rinsed Yun Chao clean. He quickly wrapped the little fairy in a clean blanket and turned on the hairdryer.

Yun Chao sat on the counter, looking down at Tong Qian in the corner with a gaze sharp enough to flay him alive.

Tong Qian trembled, pressing himself against the wall as if trying to transform into an innocent yellow-and-black flower plant, hoping the big boss would ignore him.

Pei Shiyi turned on the hairdryer just for the camera’s sake. His hand gently stroked Yun Chao, and the spiritual energy at his fingertips dried her soft, long fur. In no time, Yun Chao was once again a fluffy, puffy ball.

Pei Shiyi kissed her ear. “There, all dry.”

Yun Chao lifted her head and rubbed against his cheek. She glanced at Tong Qian and strode out of the room.

Tong Qian shuddered, his ears drooping.

Dejected and listless, Tong Qian was picked up again by Bo Jin and placed in the water basin. He wore an expression of utter despair, hanging limply from Bo Jin’s arm as warm water soaked his fur.

After washing the cats, Pei Shiyi hurriedly turned off the camera. He tidied up the messy bathroom and carried Tong Qian back to the bedroom.

On the large bed in the bedroom sat a neat row of cats, all with wet fur on their heads. As soon as Pei Shiyi entered, seven pairs of eyes fixed directly on Tong Qian in his arms.

Tong Qian, who had poked his head out from the towel to observe: “…” I’m done for.

He curled himself up and buried himself back into the towel.

Pei Shiyi chuckled, placing both the towel and the cat on the bed, letting the furry kids settle their grievances on their own. He then went to the wardrobe and took out two shirts. “Do you want to change, or would you rather dry yourself off?”

Bo Jin’s shirt was not only wet but also had bath soap smeared on it from washing Tong Qian. He took the shirt from Pei Shiyi’s hand. “I’ll change into another one.”

The big cats were all on the bed, so Pei Shiyi lazily walked around the screen. “I don’t have a walk-in closet here, so just make do and change over here.” Naturally fond of cleanliness, he had long been uncomfortable with being soaked. As soon as he rounded the screen, he took off his shirt and casually grabbed a clean one to put on.

Just as Bo Jin was about to speak, he looked up and saw Pei Shiyi removing his shirt. The lines of his shoulders and back are exceptionally clear. Further down, the curve of his waist disappears into his trousers.

Bo Jin: “…” He silently averted his gaze. He turned his back to Pei Shiyi and began unbuttoning his own shirt.

Pei Shiyi waited a moment but didn’t hear him speak. Puzzled, he glanced at Bo Jin, only to see his back.

Pei Shiyi was taken aback, then suddenly leaned against the screen and laughed. “Hahahaha. Are you shy? Seriously, we’re both guys. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

Bo Jin: “…”

This bird was becoming less and less reserved around him.

Pei Shiyi, well-versed in the art of pressing an advantage, felt triumphant after gaining the upper hand and strutted over to Bo Jin, patting his shoulder. “I won’t make fun of your physique.”

Bo Jin had already undone all his buttons. His exposed skin keenly sensed Pei Shiyi’s warmth. Unnoticeably tensing up, Bo Jin swatted his hand away. “I was afraid you’d feel inferior after seeing mine.”

Pei Shiyi didn’t notice his unusual reaction and withdrew his hand. “Easy there. Did I hit you that hard?”

Bo Jin lowered his gaze, sweeping over Pei Shiyi’s slightly reddened hand. Perhaps he had been a bit too rough.

Having finished teasing, Pei Shiyi walked around the screen to comfort his cats. The furry children at home, likely to preserve evidence, were all sporting wet fur. Pei Shiyi had to go over and blow-dry them all.

As he rounded the screen, he saw Tong Qian being pinned down and rubbed against the bed by several cats.

Fondant, sweet as honey, couldn’t bear to bully the cats but felt terribly wronged. She pawed at Pei Shiyi’s chest, meowing pitifully: My fur is so wet and uncomfortable! I’ll catch a cold! My head feels cold, and I don’t look good!

Who could resist the little princess’s coquettishness?

Pei Shiyi picked up a towel and smiled. “How about the boss dries you off?”

Fondant, teary-eyed, pressed her head against Pei Shiyi’s chest and let out a soft meow: Meow. I want to bask in the sun tomorrow.

The little princess at home truly hated water. Perhaps because she often couldn’t find shelter from the rain during her time as a stray.

Pei Shiyi fell silent for a few seconds before smiling gently. “No need to wait until tomorrow.”

A soft, radiant light suddenly brightened the room. Fondant looked up in a daze. The handsome boss was gone, replaced by a bird with magnificent tail feathers.

Fondant had never seen such a beautiful creature. Its feathers seemed ablaze with fire, draped in crimson clouds and shimmering light. It was impossible to tell whether it was red or gold. Its long, graceful tail feathers spread across the bed, so dazzling they defied description.

The neon lights outside the window shifted endlessly, yet they could only form the faintest glimmer in comparison.

This was a phoenix. One wing carries the wind of heaven, the other bearing bright flames. Its tail feathers are adorned with the radiance of three thousand days.

The phoenix let out a clear cry, enveloping Fondant under its wings. Brilliant light filled the room. Under its protection, Fondant felt as though she were basking in the brightest window of the cat café. The dampness vanished, replaced by a warm, cozy feeling all over.

Bo Jin had sensed the flicker of spiritual light and, having just changed his clothes, stepped out to see what the commotion was about. He thought Pei Shiyi was playing some little trick to amuse the children, but he never expected to walk into this scene—

The phoenix stood on the bed, its wings flowing with flames, almost dazzlingly brilliant yet strangely gentle. Its temperament was remarkably good. Its tail feathers swayed lightly as it allowed the curious, fluffy children to hop and flutter around it.

Hearing the movement, the phoenix turned its head to glance at him, its eyes holding a starlit gleam, bright and piercing.

For a moment, Bo Jin was almost speechless. He stood there blankly for a few seconds before sitting down on the edge of the bed, hesitantly reaching out to gently touch the phoenix’s wing.

Pei Shiyi was slightly surprised by his sudden touch, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Wasn’t it only natural for anyone to like him in this form?

The great phoenix Pei flicked his tail feathers lazily, thinking to himself: Who wouldn’t love a phoenix? If he wants to touch, let him touch. He’s already petted the cats several times. Letting a dragon touch him a couple more times isn’t a big deal.

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