Zongman: Unknowingly trapped in the hatchet

"Yeah, that's it. Keep quiet and move slowly as you approach it little by little."

Su Qing put Xiaobai on the ground and gently instructed Xueno on how to better approach Xiaobai.

"When you are at a certain distance, you can squat or sit down. This will lower your height and posture, which will make the cat feel less threatening."

Seeing Xueno's nervous expression, Su Qing approached Xiaobai step by step until they were about the same distance. After hearing this, Xueno also squatted down slowly according to Su Qing's instructions.

When Xiaobai noticed someone approaching it, it meowed vigilantly, but perhaps because Su Qing's presence made it feel at ease, or perhaps because the method Su Qing taught Yukino worked, Xiaobai actually walked towards Yukino little by little with curiosity.

"Slowly extend your hand and let it smell you, but make sure it is low, not above its head."

Yukino still did as she was told and after choosing the right height, she stretched out her white hand. This time, Xiaobai did not resist. On the contrary, it sniffed Yukino's palm curiously and even licked it gently, which made Yukino's heart itchy, but she knew that the time was not right yet.

"If it doesn't resist, you can try to gently stroke its head or back. Be sure not to use force and don't look directly into its eyes."

After seeing that Xiaobai did not show any obvious signs of rejection or even attacking Xueno, Su Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued.

"Well, I'll try."

Finally, it came to the most critical step. Just now, Su Qing touched Xiaobai's head because he was holding it, but now Xueno had to complete this action alone, and the difficulty was undoubtedly increased several times.

"It really worked."

Seeing that her head-patting behavior was not rejected by Xiaobai, and that the other party even made a comfortable "gurgling" sound, Yukino was delighted, as if she was dreaming.

Although she liked cats very much, she had never been in close contact with them. She could only see them on TV and in magazines, but the two were obviously two different concepts, that is to say——

This is Yukino's first time!

This milestone breakthrough brought a smile to Yukino's face. Unlike the helpless or innocent smiles Su Qing had seen before, Yukino's smile at this moment was more like the smile that naturally appeared on the face of an innocent child who got something he liked for the first time.

After a long time, Xueno might have had enough of touching, but she still showed a reluctant expression on her face. Then she slowly stood up and thanked Su Qing:

"Thank you. The method you taught me is very useful. Thanks to you, I was able to find Xiaobai successfully."

Su Qing shook his head, not paying too much attention, and just reminded:

"Although you succeeded this time and established a certain level of trust with Xiaobai, this does not mean that you can touch it rashly in the future. It is best to approach it like I taught you every time in the future."

As if he had thought of something, Su Qing's expression suddenly became solemn, and he said in a serious tone:

"In particular, the method I teach can only be used on some friendly cats. If they look very alert or sick, you must not approach them rashly."

Originally, this reminder was enough, but when I thought of Yukino's cat-slave-like behavior just now, I hesitated and added:

"If you really encounter a situation where you have to, please be sure to wear gloves and take protective measures. If you are scratched, go to the hospital to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Don't be careless."

"puff."

Su Qing:?

No, my dear, I am talking about such a serious matter. Would it be unfair to me if you suddenly burst out laughing?

"Sorry, I just...Pfft, I just didn't expect you to have such a motherly side."

Xueno didn't know why she was laughing. It might be because she had just finished stroking Xiaobai and her body and mind were relaxed. After seeing Su Qing's side that was different from usual, she couldn't help laughing.

"Don't you have a side similar to that of a little girl? If I heard correctly, the first meow should have been made by you."

Su Qing first touched his face awkwardly. Although Xueno's smile was indeed cute and rare, Su Qing still felt a little depressed, so he fought back.

Obviously, the counterattack worked.

Xueno's smile suddenly became stiff. She had been having so much fun playing with Xiaobai just now that she had forgotten her initial embarrassment. She had never expected Su Qing to bring it up at this time. In order to end the topic, she nodded:

"Don't worry, I'll keep it in mind."

[After all, this is knowledge about cats]

"There's no need to be so exaggerated when it comes to remembering it in your heart..."

Su Qing didn't expect Xue Noi to be so serious, but when he thought of her cat slave's performance just now, he felt relieved. He no longer cared and then said:

"Why don't we just stop here today? It's getting late. Next time you come, you can try to buy some cat food or canned cat food to feed Xiaobai."

“Are there any special requirements for cat food and canned cat food?”

When it comes to Xiaobai's affairs, Yukino obviously cares more about them.

"Well... I don't have any requirements. Stray cats will eat whatever they can get. The only requirement is that you put the cat nearby when you feed it. If you wait for Xiaobai to approach it, you may get hurt by mistake if you feed it with your hands."

Su Qing thought about it. Although the advertisements on the market boasted that this cat food was good or that cat food was good, there was no way that stray cats that lived outdoors would be so particular.

"That's it, I understand."

Xue No nodded heavily, then touched Xiao Bai reluctantly for the last time before getting up to leave. Seeing this, Su Qing did not stay here any longer and left as well.

Speaking of which, Su Qing had no intention of looking for Xueno at all. After locking the door of the service department, he planned to leave directly. But when he was walking on the road, Xiaobai suddenly jumped out from the bushes. After following it for a while, he came here, and then he heard Xueno's cat-like meow.

"Oh, by the way, I'll return the club key to you."

Su Qing took out a bunch of keys from his pocket and handed them to Xue Nai, who then remembered this matter and said embarrassedly:

"Please lock the door today."

"It's okay, I understand."

The topic ended there, and the two didn't deliberately talk about anything else. They just walked quietly without saying anything, and everything was so beautiful.

It was October, and the autumn breeze was refreshing, gently swaying the trees on both sides, making a pleasant rustling sound. The sun shone through the sparse leaves, casting mottled shadows, like tiny golden scales, dancing on the road they walked, paving a golden path leading to warm memories.

The setting sun gradually sinks to the west, and the sky is dyed with a light orange-red, just like a shy girl gently lifting her veil. A few white clouds float leisurely, adding a few dreamy colors to the quiet autumn sky.

Xueno suddenly spoke:

“I want to give it a home.”

Su Qing asked:

"You want to adopt it?"

Xueno shook her head and said softly:

"I want to build a cat house for it so that it can take shelter from the rain and won't have to shiver in the cold wind when winter comes."

"Is that so... Will the school allow it?"

"I'll try to ask Hiratsuka-sensei, it shouldn't be a problem."

"If it can be built, can you come and help me?"

Yukino seemed a little hesitant, but still explained:

"You are the only one I can ask for help. After all... you are the only one who knows about Xiaobai's existence."

"Well, let me think about it."

After hearing this, Su Qing stopped and thought for a while, and Xue Noi also stopped. Her slightly clenched fists revealed her nervousness at the moment.

"I reject."

This was the answer Su Qing came up with after thinking for a while.

"Okay, I won't force you."

I don't know why, but after hearing this answer, Xue Nai felt a flash of disappointment in her heart. When she turned around and wanted to take a step, Su Qing said again:

"Besides me, there are also the members of the Service Club who can be asked for help, right? Yukinoshita, how about asking Yui, Hikigaya, and Totsuka?"

"Well...just think of it as an effort to give Xiaobai a more comfortable and luxurious home."

This was the answer Su Qing came up with after thinking for a long time.

Yukino looked back in surprise.

At that time, the breeze was still gently swaying the trees on both sides, the sun was still jumping on the golden path, and the afterglow of the sunset was still as golden and blazing.

And Su Qing was still standing there, still looking calm and composed, except that he had a smile as light as ink, warm and reserved. All the gorgeous scenery around him suddenly lost its color, and the world became slow.

But everything is still so beautiful.

……