Pei Shiyi and Bo Jin exchanged a glance, then simultaneously turned their heads away, pretending they hadn’t heard anything.
Well… kids always say things that make adults uncomfortable. It’s pretty normal.
The great phoenix Pei chose selective deafness.
Bo Jin drove steadily. Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled into the parking lot near the photography studio. Bo Jin opened the door: “Let’s go.”
Pei Shiyi couldn’t possibly carry all three fairies by himself. Miss Penny jumped out of the car first: “Meow.” Boss, I can walk on my own.
Pei Shiyi: “Alright then.”
The person in charge of liaising with Pei Shiyi from Happy Pets was a friendly middle-aged man named Liu Yi, who greeted Pei Shiyi with a warm smile as soon as he saw him.
The two had arrived much earlier than the scheduled time. The equipment and studio were still being set up. The photographer simply walked over to chat with them.
“You’ve raised these cats exceptionally well.”
The photographer specialized in pet portraits and had seen many pedigreed cats with breeding rights, but rarely ones as stunning as these. The cats in this household were exceptionally well-cared for. Their eyes were lively, their fur glossy and smooth, clearly indicating a balanced diet and excellent nutrition. The condition of a cat’s fur ultimately depends on how the owner raises it. Grooming and bathing are just external factors.
“Hey, have these cats won many awards? This Norwegian Forest Cat is pedigreed with breeding rights, right? It must be worth six figures. What a shame. The Lion Cat isn’t certified. Otherwise, with a cat like yours, it would definitely win plenty of awards, at least a pedigreed level. Have you considered breeding?”
The photographer asked.
Yun Chao abruptly turned her head: “…”
Bo Jin took advantage of her turning around to stroke her smooth tail.
Yun Chao: “…”
Pei Shiyi could only smile wryly. How could he bring up such an adult topic in front of his little fairies?
Besides, although Pei Shiyi was quite knowledgeable about cat breeds, he didn’t care at all about pedigree or bloodlines.
Unwilling to engage with the photographer on this topic, Pei Shiyi simply smiled and steered the conversation elsewhere: “I’m not too sure about that. Sir, my cats have never been photographed before. Are there any specific requirements here?”
The photographer was easily diverted and quickly nodded: “Actually, there’s not much to it. It’s just taking photos. As long as the cats aren’t scared, I’ll just find a good pose and snap a few shots…”
Pei Shiyi nodded. An issue arose in the studio, and the photographer was called away by an assistant. Liu Yi also happened to step away to take a call. After exchanging pleasantries for quite a while, Pei Shiyi finally had a moment to catch his breath.
He coughed lightly into his fist and whispered, “How can they talk so much? Just the topic of purebred or not can go on forever?” Pei Shiyi’s gaze followed the three fluffy balls. The studio was crowded. Fondant was incredibly curious, occasionally approaching people she found appealing. After a few steps, she would look back at Yun Chao and Miss Penny, calling for the two older cats to join her.
These three stunningly beautiful cats melted the hearts of everyone in the studio. After finishing his call, Liu Yi couldn’t resist walking over to the cats, justifying it as: “I’ll take a few photos to send back and show my colleagues our spokescats.”
With no one around, Pei Shiyi sighed softly and whispered, “I’m really afraid of that photographer. He keeps bringing up breeding, breeding, breeding. Our girls are still young, and he’s always talking about these inappropriate topics.”
“Speaking of breeding…”
Bo Jin gently placed a hand on Pei Shiyi’s shoulder.
Pei Shiyi had grown quite accustomed to Bo Jin’s “hands-on” behavior lately. When Bo Jin slung an arm over his shoulder, Pei Shiyi merely tilted his head lazily, wearing a questioning expression. “Hmm?”
Bo Jin lowered his voice to a whisper. “With looks as good as yours, Boss Pei, have you ever considered breeding?”
Pei Shiyi elbowed him. “Get lost! Even if I bred, I couldn’t produce a purebred.”
This time, he wasn’t holding back. The blow landed solidly, making Bo Jin wince.
Bo Jin rubbed his ribs, a bit surprised. Normally, Pei Shiyi wasn’t the type to shy away from jokes. Why was he so irritable today?
…
The new packaging for Happy Pets had three designs, featuring Fondant, Yun Chao, and Miss Penny as the main models.
To the surprise of all the staff, the three cats were incredibly cooperative. Fondant and Miss Penny were naturals in front of the camera. Fondant lay on the studio floor, her sea-blue eyes gazing directly into the lens. This “human sweetheart” could convey coquettishness with just a look.
Miss Penny was even easier to photograph. Against the studio’s pure white backdrop, her presence instantly transformed the stark background into a wintry landscape. With a simple turn of her head, she nailed the shot.
“Absolutely stunning! Unbelievable!”
The photographer exclaimed excitedly, “I’d be willing to shoot a whole portfolio for them for free, Mr. Pei. Your cats are truly special. Could we do a photoshoot at our studio? Free of charge, but we could feature them on our studio’s official website for promotion?”
Getting free promotion was an opportunity Pei Shiyi wouldn’t pass up. The two agreed to discuss collaboration details after the shoot.
But when it came to Yun Chao, a slight issue arose. This majestic cat was pure white without a single speck of color, with her most striking feature being her heterochromatic gold and silver eyes.
An assistant hurried off to find a new backdrop.
Left alone, the photographer crouched in front of the studio, sighing for what felt like the hundredth time. “So beautiful, like pure snow. This is a purebred Lion Cat—look at that ruff, that fur, absolutely pure! If you were to breed her, it would definitely…”
Pei Shiyi slowly raised a hand to his forehead.
The photographer, not particularly adept at reading expressions, continued muttering, “I once heard from a friend that there are no purebred Lion Cats left in the country anymore. It’s such a shame if a breed just disappears like that…”
Pei Shiyi’s usually gentle expression stiffened imperceptibly. Though he quickly masked the coldness, it didn’t escape Bo Jin’s notice.
Bo Jin stepped in just in time to stop the photographer from digging himself deeper. “The backdrop is here.”
The photographer’s attention shifted immediately. “Oh, oh, this one will work. Just set it up here.”
Crouching in front of Yun Chao, the photographer mused, “What pose should we go for…”
With Fondant and Miss Penny’s photos setting such a high bar, he hoped Yun Chao could deliver equally stunning shots. “How about chasing a butterfly? A little fairy pouncing on a butterfly has such dynamic energy.”
Pei Shiyi chimed in casually, as if the earlier awkward moment had never happened. “But we don’t have a cat teaser here… Asking Yun Chao to improvise might be a bit challenging.” His little fairy was too dignified to suddenly turn into a drama queen and wrestle with thin air. It was asking too much.
Bo Jin suggested, “What about that bath set?”
Though the photographer held differing views on bloodlines compared to Pei Shiyi, he was genuinely good-natured and open to others’ ideas.
The photographer asked, “How so?”
Bo Jin casually picked up a bottle of conditioner and, under everyone’s gaze, placed it on the photography set. With a gentle push, the cylindrical bottle rolled away, while he himself stepped back, standing behind Pei Shiyi.
Yun Chao, with her tail curled around her front paws, remained as steady as a mountain. When the conditioner rolled to her, the big shot slowly lifted a furry paw and pressed it on the bottle, giving Bo Jin a look that said, “Do you think I’m Fondant?”
Bo Jin: “…”
The photographer, however, loved this expression and captured the moment on the camera screen.
…
Pei Shiyi returned to the cat café around five in the afternoon. As soon as the three fairies arrived, they were surrounded by the other cats.
Dan Huang approached Pei Shiyi: “Meow meow meow?”
Boss, was the photoshoot fun?
Pei Shiyi curled the corner of his lips. He leaned down and patted the head of the shop manager. “Let Miss Penny tell you about it. I have something to attend to.” With that, he headed up to the third floor.
Dan Huang tilted his head in confusion: What’s wrong with the boss? Is he in a bad mood?
Bo Jin put down Fondant and followed him upstairs.
Pei Shiyi sat on the carpet on the third floor, sipping a glass of ice water filled mostly with ice cubes. As he swirled the cup, the ice clinked crisply against the glass.
“Feeling down?”
Bo Jin sat beside him.
Pei Shiyi took a sip of water: “Hmm?”
Bo Jin said, “You hit particularly hard today.”
Pei Shiyi glanced at him: “What, did I give you internal injuries?”
Bo Jin: “There are external injuries. Want to see?”
Pei Shiyi couldn’t be bothered to entertain him. Utter nonsense. How could such a light blow affect the thick-skinned Zhulong? It wouldn’t even leave a mark.
Pei Shiyi heard the rustling of clothes and asked warily, “What are you doing?”
Bo Jin unbuttoned two buttons calmly. “Showing you the evidence of your crime.”
Pei Shiyi couldn’t help but laugh: “Get lost!”
Bo Jin fell silent for a moment before speaking softly, “Is it because of what happened this morning? That photographer kept bringing up bloodlines?”
Pei Shiyi swirled his cup and, just as Bo Jin thought he wouldn’t respond, slowly said, “What’s there to care about bloodlines?”
Bo Jin: “I thought a large clan like yours would care about that. Does pure blood mean nothing to you?”
Pei Shiyi replied, “I’m the only phoenix left. What large clan?”
“If I may ask,” Bo Jin chose his words carefully, “how did the phoenix clan suddenly disappear back then?”
Pei Shiyi: “Suddenly disappear? You don’t have to phrase it so gently. It was annihilation. It’s not something I can’t talk about…” As he spoke, he couldn’t help but frown, his lips unconsciously pressed together, showing that the topic truly unsettled him.
“The phoenix clan, like the Zhulong, was responsible for guarding a realm. Over three hundred years ago, that realm completely collapsed, and everyone was buried there. I was young at the time, the sole survivor protected by the entire clan’s desperate efforts.”
Pei Shiyi summarized the cataclysmic event in a few words before turning away and falling silent.
Bo Jin opened his mouth several times, unsure how to respond.
Comfort? Pei Shiyi probably didn’t need such things. He wasn’t a newly hatched chick. His shoulders bore the weight of a dozen lives and their futures, and his vision spanned millennia. Besides, the annihilation of a clan couldn’t be soothed with a few words. But doing nothing…
Bo Jin gazed at Pei Shiyi’s profile. The usually vibrant and handsome features were unusually somber. The sunlight outside was blazing, but softened considerably after filtering through the curtains. Yet, he still deliberately avoided it.
He looked especially… endearing.
Pei Shiyi was a man with an excessive protective instinct. Coincidentally, so was Bo Jin.
After a moment of hesitation, he reached out and gently placed his hand on Pei Shiyi’s shoulder.
Pei Shiyi felt the weight on his shoulder and was slightly surprised. This was different from the playful arm-around-shoulder gestures. The touch was much lighter. Was Bo Jin comforting him?
Did this dragon actually have such a tender side?
Pei Shiyi suppressed a laugh inside but let out a soft sigh on the surface.
A phoenix, born like a blazing flame—when had he ever shown such obvious melancholy?
Bo Jin’s hand tightened instantly. “The world is ever-changing, and fortune shifts with retribution. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope…”
Pei Shiyi slowly lowered his head.
Bo Jin: “…You.”
Pei Shiyi’s shoulders trembled. He covered his mouth with one hand and chuckled softly, then, as if unable to hold back, burst into louder laughter. “I misjudged you, Bo Jin. You’re actually so easy to fool. Hahahaha!”
Bo Jin: “…”
What a waste of heartfelt concern. This heartless, feathered rascal.
Pei Shiyi laughed until he was out of breath, then turned his head, his eyes startlingly bright. “You’ve finally met your match…”
He abruptly met Bo Jin’s gaze, which hadn’t yet concealed its emotions.
When Pei Shiyi was young, he heard the elders of his clan say that when the Zhulong opened its eyes, it was day. When it closed them, it was night. Its eyes held the glaciers and vast seas at the ends of the earth. But now, in the endless snowy plains, spring had suddenly arrived, trembling as it melted a hint of warmth from the ice and snow.
Like a spring bubbling slowly, a trickle of affection emerged, while the rest remained hidden beneath the ice.
Pei Shiyi felt like a cat that had tumbled headfirst into spring water, its paws frozen numb. For once, he was at a loss, scratching the carpet twice before asking, “Do you… have a bit of a thing for me?”
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wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1