Among the three types of merchandise, the T-shirts had the highest inventory, as both Pei Shiyi and Wu Zhong believed they were the most universally acceptable style. Neither the colors nor the prints were overly flashy, making them suitable for both male and female fans.
The shirts had the least inventory, followed by the silk scarves.
Especially the silk scarves, which had the smallest stock due to their high production costs. As small accessories, their prices weren’t much lower than those of T-shirts or shirts, which might make fans feel they were too expensive.
However, to the cats’ surprise, the silk scarves sold out first. Despite their limited stock, many people seemed to place orders, clearing them out entirely within five minutes.
Dan Huang, as the shop manager, was deeply concerned about sales. Ever since the merchandise went live, he had been anxiously watching the screen, craning his neck to check: “Both silk scarves are sold out? That fast?”
Tong Qian was utterly puzzled: “Why? It’s just a small piece of fabric, yet it’s priced almost as high as clothing.”
Pei Shiyi leaned back in his chair, unsurprised by the sales figures: “Girls just can’t resist such beautiful little accessories. And if guys want to give gifts to their girlfriends, silk scarves are far more tasteful than those so-called ‘tear-jerking’ gifts.”
Besides, silk scarves have many uses. They can be worn as hairbands, used to decorate handbags, or paired with outfits to give old clothes a fresh feel. For young women entering the workforce, they are practical and stylish accessories.
Pei Shiyi occasionally noticed girls wearing these scarves when they visited the cat café. By autumn, these scarves would become even more useful.
Director Bo had just scooped up a spoonful of pomegranate seeds and was about to offer them to Pei Shiyi when he heard this. His spoon abruptly changed course and returned to his own bowl.
Pei Shiyi reached out but found nothing, looking slightly confused: “Weren’t those for me?”
Bo Jin replied, “Boss Pei seems to know girls so well. You’ve probably eaten plenty of pomegranates peeled by young ladies, so you don’t need this bite from me.”
The cats: Ooh—
Miss Penny lifted her large tail and covered the kitten’s head: Not suitable for children. Time for bed.
With Miss Penny leading the way and Tong Qian bringing up the rear, they left, glancing back every few steps. Dan Huang even trotted over to close the bedroom door very considerately and very thoroughly.
Pei Shiyi pushed lightly with his feet, sliding his chair over to Bo Jin. He leaned in, took a sniff, and chuckled softly: “Director Bo, does Zhangwei Group have a side business selling vinegar? Why do you sound so sour?”
Bo Jin shook his head: “Not at all.”
Before Pei Shiyi could respond, Bo Jin added, “So, would you like something sour, Boss Pei?”
Pei Shiyi licked the tip of his teeth: “Hmm… I could give it a try.”
…
The merchandise sold out completely on the same day, with even the T-shirts, which had the largest inventory. Not a single one was left. The smallest size, S, was snatched up by many female fans. Customers who missed out on everything could only visit the cat café to satisfy their eyes and hands. Though the more they looked and touched, the more they wanted it.
Perhaps to spite them, the owner, knowing full well that many couldn’t get their hands on the merchandise, had the cats wearing the items these past few days!
A customer had just chosen an empty table and sat down when he noticed a silk scarf printed with Miss Penny’s portrait draped over the cat bed beside the table.
Customer: “…”
Isn’t this the scarf I wanted to buy for my girlfriend, but couldn’t get?! The owner actually had extra stock and didn’t release it!
He cautiously reached out, pinching a corner of the scarf to fully appreciate its silky texture, only to discover a patch of smoky gray underneath.
The customer held their breath and lifted the silk cloth. Sure enough, there was a cat underneath!
A smoke-colored Maine Coon was curled up in the cat bed, cradling another cat in its arms. Sensing the increase in light, the Maine Coon opened its copper-colored eyes. Still half-asleep, its gaze is lazy and drowsy.
Two tufts of fine fur stood at the tips of its ears, giving it the majestic look of a little lion. Yet it seemed to have a gentle temperament. Even after being disturbed from its sleep, its eyes remained calm and peaceful.
The cat nestled in the Maine Coon’s embrace was a long-haired black-and-white cat, much smaller in size but with strikingly elegant features. Resting its head on the Maine Coon, it blinked its sleepy eyes and looked toward the customer.
The black-and-white cat stretched lazily, lifted its head, and let out a soft meow: “Meow?”
Do you need help, customer?
The customer, who hadn’t expected to disturb the little cutie’s nap, quickly apologized: “Sorry, sorry. You two go back to sleep. I won’t bother you anymore.”
For some reason, whenever facing the cats at Xian Chan Cat Café, customers couldn’t help but speak a few extra words, as if the cats could understand them.
Before covering the cats with the silk cloth again, the customer couldn’t resist snapping several quick photos and sending them to his girlfriend.
Suddenly, a black-and-white cat head popped out from under the silk cloth, followed closely by the Maine Coon.
Qing Ming nuzzled Jing Zhe: “Meow, meow.” I’ve slept enough. Let’s get to work.
Jing Zhe licked Qing Ming’s ear tip: “Meow.”
Okay.
…
The cat café’s merchandise was being shipped out gradually. Zhou Yi was among the first of her friends to receive her package.
“We placed our orders within five minutes of each other. Why has yours arrived while mine is still on the way? What did you get this time?”
Her roommate, who had also bought some merchandise, looked on enviously, biting her handkerchief in frustration.
Zhou Yi smiled brightly. “It’s a shirt, I think. Unisex. The boyfriend-style fit is pretty nice too.”
Her roommate sighed. “I hesitated for a moment, worried the size might be too big. By the time I made up my mind, it was already sold out.” Zhou Yi, tall and slender at 175 cm, had ordered a size L, planning to pair it with a “missing bottom” outfit while the weather was still warm.
The two headed to the delivery lockers outside their school. Originally located off-campus, the lockers had since been moved closer to the commercial street near their college.
As they walked, her roommate said, “Speaking of which, isn’t there a variety show filming around here lately? I heard Wei Lan is going to be part of it. Should we go check it out? Some freshmen said they saw Wei Lan and the crew at the mall this morning. Don’t you really like Wei Lan? Maybe we can swing by on the way?”
Zhou Yi replied, “I know about it. I went this morning, but there were so many people. It was packed! I couldn’t even squeeze through. I almost dropped my phone. Even though I’m a fan, I’m a rational one!”
Her roommate said, “We might run into him on the way.”
Zhou Yi laughed. “Haha, as if we’d be that lucky.”
They arrived at the delivery lockers to pick up the package. Zhou Yi felt the parcel and knew immediately: “It’s definitely the shirt! My shirt is here! I forgot to bring scissors…”
She chattered on for a bit, but her roommate remained unusually quiet. Zhou Yi asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”
Suddenly, her roommate grabbed her shoulders and shook her vigorously, unable to speak, just pointing in another direction.
Zhou Yi followed her gaze and let out a scream, clutching her bag: “Ahhh—!”
It was Wei Lan! It was Wei Lan!
In their line of sight, a tall, slender young man was running straight toward them: “H-hello.”
The young man was even slimmer than he appeared on screen, with handsome features and beads of sweat still glistening on his forehead. He ran over, breathing heavily.
Zhou Yi was completely speechless, only able to stare blankly at the young man before her.
Wei Lan caught his breath and asked, “Excuse me, are you students of Wenzhou University?”
Zhou Yi: “…”
Her roommate nudged her. “Yes, yes, we are.”
Zhou Yi remained in a daze until Wei Lan finished asking his questions and was about to leave for his task. Suddenly snapping out of it, she rushed forward. “Wei Lan!”
Wei Lan: !
However, the girl in the red dress stopped herself just an arm’s length away from him.
Wei Lan felt a bit troubled. If he didn’t hurry to complete his task, the show’s crew would surely give him a hard time, and he might end up having to eat some strange concoction again. “Excuse me…”
Zhou Yi took a couple of deep breaths, wanting to give Wei Lan something. In her haste, she simply handed over the bag she was holding. “I’m your fan. Can… can you accept this?”
Wei Lan looked at the bag. Although it wasn’t ideal to accept gifts from fans, he was in a rush, and he thought he saw a delivery slip attached to it. So he decided to take it, bowing to Zhou Yi. “Thank you for your support. I have to go now!”
Zhou Yi watched his retreating figure and shouted, “Go, baby! Mom loves you!”
Wei Lan, clutching the bag, nearly stumbled and fell.
…
After finishing a day of filming, he returned to his hotel room, where his assistant brought him dinner. The bag he had received from the fan earlier that day was placed by the bedside.
Wei Lan slumped tiredly onto the sofa. “Thanks, just leave it there. I’ll eat in a bit.”
The assistant asked, “Should I check the gift from the fan first?”
Looking at Wei Lan’s pale face, he sighed. “Lan, you should take better care of yourself. Don’t push so hard.”
Wei Lan was an artist the assistant had worked with for three years. He had debuted as a singer through a talent show three years ago. Aside from releasing new songs, he also participated in variety shows to maintain his popularity. Over the years, he had gone from a rookie who could have been dropped by the company at any moment to becoming the company’s top artist.
Wei Lan rubbed his head. “Oh, right, there’s also the gift from the fan today.”
“Bring it to me. If I hadn’t run into her while filming and been rushing to complete the task, I wouldn’t have accepted a gift from a fan. I wonder what it is…”
He took the bag and examined it closely. Sure enough, there was a delivery slip attached.
Wei Lan sighed. “Probably, the girl happened to run into me on her way back from picking up a delivery and, having nothing else to give, just handed me the package she’d received.”
He let out another long sigh. “I hope it’s not something weird.” In his three years as an artist, he had indeed received many bizarre gifts.
As he spoke, he opened the bag and pulled out a white shirt.
Clothing?
Wei Lan shook out the shirt. “There’s a cat on the back. This is nice.”
It was a casual-style white shirt with a dropped shoulder design. On the back was a golden tabby cat pattern. Along the button placket were smaller versions of the same cat. The buttons were black, adding a touch of playful formality.
The shirt itself was a basic style. But the golden tabby cat print was incredibly cute, with emerald green eyes and surrounded by little flowers, almost as if it were coquettishly posing.
Wei Lan decided to try it on. The assistant exclaimed in delight, “It looks great on you!”
The white shirt lent an air of elegance and refinement to its wearer. Wei Lan gazed at his reflection in the mirror, momentarily lost in thought. He remembered his first time on stage. He had worn a shirt just like this, though far less luxurious in texture, just an ordinary shirt.
Wei Lan couldn’t help but smile. “I think it looks good, too. Look at this cat. It’s a golden shaded tabby, right? So adorable.”
“After the recording the day after tomorrow, I’ll be able to wear this new shirt back,” Wei Lan said with a gentle smile. “After all, it was a gift from someone who likes me.”
His assistant thought he was joking. But on the day the program recording ended, Wei Lan really did slip on the shirt after showering and boarded the van to the airport.
As soon as Wei Lan stepped off the plane, his assistant hurried over. “Fans are waiting outside to greet you, Brother Lan! Get ready!”
Wei Lan quickly straightened his clothes and walked out of the arrival gate, soon appearing in the fans’ line of sight. The bright-eyed young man, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, looked as clean, gentle, and endearing as the idol trainee who had captured their hearts at first sight during the talent show.
Fans: Instantly brought back the feeling of first love. I’m swooning on the spot!
The fan site managers in charge of the greeting pressed their camera shutters. This candid photo, after some editing, would soon appear on fan forums, social media hashtags, and everywhere else fans gathered.
Along with this “celebrity-inspired” shirt.
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wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1