C10 The Confrontation with the Duke

Upon seeing the situation, Luna couldn't help but chuckle. Lu Xiaoxiao felt a blow to her pride. Ever since turning into a cat, everything in the world seemed enormous. Even a tiny mouse now appeared as a gigantic creature in her eyes.

Lu Xiaoxiao glanced again at the dead mouse, shivering as she burrowed deeper into Cang Xu's embrace. Cang Xu gently stroked her furry head with his fingers and called out to Luna, "Alright, let's lock it up."

Hearing this, Lu Xiaoxiao immediately straightened up and leaped out of Cang Xu's arms as if fleeing, letting out a "Meow!" This demon—could there be a more heartless man in the world? She thought that by acting cute and submissive, Cang Xu would let the matter slide. Who would have thought she'd end up being locked away?

Cang Xu remained in the same position as when he was holding Lu Xiaoxiao, clearly startled by her sudden reaction. He looked at her with a disdainful gaze, and Lu Xiaoxiao, fur bristling, glared back. They stared each other down for a moment until Cang Xu raised an eyebrow and crouched down to her level. Lu Xiaoxiao noticed his eyes, which seemed to hold a teasing glint. Wow, how could a man's eyes be prettier than a woman's?

No, what was she thinking at a time like this? Lu Xiaoxiao shook her head to clear her thoughts. Cang Xu assumed she was throwing a tantrum and wondered how this little creature dared to defy him.

"Tonight, the kitchen should really whip up a feast. I wonder how cat meat should be cooked to taste the best," Cang Xu slowly uttered, turning to look at Luna.

"Meow!"

Threat! This was a bone-chilling threat! Lu Xiaoxiao felt as if every word from Cang Xu's mouth was a needle piercing her flesh, reaching deep into her bones.

Lu Xiaoxiao admitted defeat, reluctantly shuffling over to Cang Xu's feet and nudging him with her little head. Oh well, maybe the only way to survive in this "endless night" of a mansion is to submit unconditionally.

Cang Xu's lips curled into a slight smile before he returned to his usual stern demeanor. He picked up Lu Xiaoxiao and handed her to Yue'er, walking away with his hands behind his back, leaving only a light remark: "This is for your own good. I'm afraid your silly mind might mistake a dead rat for a delicacy. Yue'er, have someone else help keep an eye on her."

Yue'er stroked Lu Xiaoxiao's fur and chuckled, "Alright."

Lu Xiaoxiao lay lazily in Yue'er's arms, watching Cang Xu's "carefree" silhouette, and sighed deeply. Ah, life.

Life must be like this, going round and round. Now, Lu Xiaoxiao was headed back to that dull courtyard. This time it was worse; she used to be able to roam around, but now she could only count the days in her "cage."

Yue'er carried Lu Xiaoxiao back to Cang Xu's courtyard and instructed another maid, Cui'er, to help watch over her. "You just stay put and don't run around. Once the Duke calms down, he'll let you out. I'll get you a cage and make it a bit more comfortable, so don't wander off again."

Lu Xiaoxiao looked at Yue'er and sighed inwardly. Who knows when Cang Xu's mood will improve? She let out a weak "meow," resigning herself to the situation. There was no point in resisting; the Duke's mansion was too vast to escape from, and at least there were no scary rats in this courtyard.

Yue'er saw her expression, smiled, shook her head, and left.

Humans, oh you humans. Lu Xiaoxiao found a wall, sat facing it, and countless images of Cang Xu's face bubbled up in her mind—sometimes indifferent, sometimes mocking, sometimes stern.

Tear him apart! Tear him apart!! Tear him all apart!!! Ahhhh—Lu Xiaoxiao, in a frenzy, began clawing at the wall, her anger filling the air with dust.

Exhausted, Lu Xiaoxiao curled up by the wall and fell asleep. When the moon returned, it found her snoring softly, looking adorable. Not wanting to disturb her sweet dreams, it gently placed a prepared cage beside her. As evening approached and the Duke was out on business, it thought, "Cats love fish, so let's catch one."