C15 She Picked up a Cat

Slowly, Lan Qingjia's hand finally rested gently on its back. This time, it didn't resist. Delighted, Lan Qingjia stroked it a few more times, feeling its body relax. Only then did she carefully lift its front paw to take a look.

"It looks like it got cut by some shards, but luckily it's not too bad."

As she spoke, Lan Qingjia took out her handkerchief and gently wrapped it around the paw to stop the bleeding. She then scooped it up, cradling it with one hand while rhythmically stroking it with the other.

At first, it tried to squirm away, but her scent was comforting, and her gentle touch made it close its eyes in contentment. Its usual aloof demeanor crumbled, and it nestled in her arms, completely at ease.

Baixiang couldn't help but ask, "What should we do with it?"

Seeing how well-behaved it was, Lan Qingjia was already smitten.

Lan Qingjia asked, "Where's your home?"

The cat: "Meow—"

Lan Qingjia: "Did you get lost?"

The cat: "Meow—"

Lan Qingjia: "How about I take you home?"

The cat: "Meow meow—"

Lan Qingjia happily turned to Baixiang, "Did you hear that? It agreed."

The cat: "Meow meow meow meow—" I did not!

Baixiang was a bit speechless. How did her lady get so whimsical again?

Baixiang was thrilled to see the young lady so happy, and naturally, she shared in the joy. Lan Qingjia stopped reading, scooped up Snowball, and left. As Snowball was carried away, it couldn't help but enjoy the gentle touch, though it continued to meow persistently, as if calling out for something.

To avoid disturbing others, Lan Qingjia quickened her pace and soon disappeared around the corner on the third floor. Meanwhile, the man sitting next to them slowly put down his book, his gaze following her path.

Qiao Yuan, the attendant, cleared his throat softly and whispered, "Sir, should I go and get Snowball back?"

The man's expression remained indifferent, and he simply replied, "No need."

Despite his words, Qiao Yuan was curious about the young lady's identity. He couldn't just let Snowball be taken away like that.

Lan Qingjia paid and left the bookstore with Snowball in her arms, her attention fully on the cat. She didn't notice the bewildered look on the store manager's face as he watched her leave. Wasn't that their master's cat? Wasn't it said that the master cherished it like his own eyes? And wasn't it known that this cat, much like its owner, was aloof and wouldn't let anyone but the master hold it?

Why was this precious cat now being carried away by a stranger?

The two of them, along with the cat, got into the carriage. Suddenly, Lan Qingjia thought of something. "This little guy looks so delicate. I wonder if he's picky about food. What if he doesn't like what we have?"

After considering for a moment, she instructed, "Baixiang, go buy some cat food. Get the best you can find."

Baixiang wore a frustrated expression, feeling overshadowed by a cat, and left with mixed emotions.

Lan Qingjia focused on playing with the cat in her arms when she suddenly caught a strange scent. Her heart skipped a beat.

Before she could fully process it, the cat in her arms let out a few agitated meows, then gradually quieted down, closing its eyes and falling asleep.

Lan Qingjia's eyes darkened with realization. From the front, the driver, Zhang Da, called out, "Miss?"

Lan Qingjia pretended to faint, slumping over but discreetly gripping a sharp hairpin in her hand.

Zhang Da lifted a corner of the curtain to peek inside, a sly smile of triumph crossing his face.

Without waiting for Baixiang, he drove the carriage away, turning into a secluded alley.

Soon, voices could be heard outside, and a sharp, slightly harsh female voice asked, "What took so long? I thought you weren't coming."

Zhang Da: "She's been in that darn library for ages and just came out now. Cut the chatter and get her out of here. I'm waiting to report back."

The car curtain was pulled aside, revealing the scene inside. "Why is there only one?"

"The maid went to buy something. I didn't want to risk waiting for her. She's just a little girl. This one is the important one."

The woman let the curtain fall back with a hint of disdain. "She's so scrawny, nowhere near as good as the girls at our Blossom House. If it weren't for the generous payment, I wouldn't take someone like this. It would ruin our reputation."

Blossom House is the top establishment of its kind in the city!

A chill ran through Lan Qingjia's heart. How malicious of Mrs. Lau to want her dead like this! If she really ended up in Blossom House, how could she possibly escape unscathed?

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