After Cat A Saved the Wrong Female Lead - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: “Then Let Me Be the One to Spoil You”

Tang Li’s reflexes were fast. The moment she saw that her bare upper body had nearly pressed against Qin Shiyang, she instinctively retracted her arms to create some distance. But the Omega’s pheromones, which had been lingering faintly in the room, surged forward at that very moment, enveloping her completely like a warm mist.

She tried to lift herself up, but a hand on her waist stopped her.

The grip wasn’t strong—but it wasn’t letting go, either.

The air between them quieted. The little ragdoll cat blinked twice, apparently realizing its presence wasn’t appreciated, and gracefully tiptoed out the door. The room, now void of the distraction, felt infinitely more still.

Tang Li’s heart was pounding wildly. She didn’t dare meet Qin Shiyang’s eyes.

She was always quick-witted, confident, and knew exactly how to play her cards. But right now, she was caught off guard—not because of the fall, but because of that moment when Qin Shiyang had held her. The hand still resting on her waist was slender and cool, elegant fingers splayed gently across the small of her back.

Qin Shiyang didn’t say a word.

Her gaze slowly moved from Tang Li’s flushed cheeks to her exposed collarbones, then down to the faint pink lace barely visible beneath her long hair. She wasn’t teasing her. She was just… looking, openly and seriously. It made Tang Li’s skin burn, as though she were being thoroughly appraised.

“You got scratched,” Qin Shiyang finally said softly.

Tang Li didn’t understand. “Huh?”

Only then did Qin Shiyang move her hand away. On her arm was a faint red mark, left by the cat’s paw. It wasn’t deep, but the contrast against her fair skin made it look worse than it was.

Tang Li felt a wave of guilt. She sat up quickly and looked around for the medical kit.

“I’ll get some disinfectant—”

“Later,” Qin Shiyang interrupted her gently. “You should put on your clothes first.”

Her tone wasn’t harsh. But it made Tang Li realize she was still in a very compromising state of undress.

“…Oh. Right.”

Flustered, she fled back into the bedroom.

Qin Shiyang remained seated on the floor for a few more seconds. Her lips curved into a soft, almost imperceptible smile.

….

Ten minutes later, Tang Li returned fully clothed with the first-aid kit in hand. Qin Shiyang had changed into loungewear and was curled up on the sofa, cradling the fluffy ragdoll cat like it had just been officially adopted.

The cat nestled into her arms as if it had always belonged there. When it saw Tang Li approach, it blinked slowly and tilted its head again, like a spoiled child trying to win back favor.

“Don’t get too comfortable just yet,” Tang Li muttered.

But she didn’t really mean it. She crouched in front of the sofa and took Qin Shiyang’s arm to disinfect the scratch.

The moment she touched the Omega’s wrist, she felt it tremble slightly.

“Does it sting?” she asked softly.

Qin Shiyang shook her head, smiling faintly. “No.”

Tang Li’s fingers were gentle, her eyes focused. The antiseptic had a faint medicinal scent, but it couldn’t mask Qin Shiyang’s tea-like pheromones.

Tang Li had a sudden thought: she hadn’t marked Qin Shiyang yet.

Not even a temporary mark.

They’d kissed several times, and held each other plenty. But she’d never once forced her pheromones onto her. Even during her most unstable moments, she’d held back.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t tempted. It was that she didn’t dare.

Because she had a feeling that if she did it without consent, even once, she’d lose her for good.

She didn’t want Qin Shiyang to be hers just because of instinct or compatibility. She wanted her to choose her willingly—mind and heart.

Tang Li finished applying the antiseptic and carefully wrapped a light bandage around the wound. Her expression was so serious, Qin Shiyang couldn’t help chuckling.

“I’m not that fragile.”

Tang Li looked up. “You are.”

“You’re beautiful, graceful, smart, elegant…” She paused, then added with a teasing glint in her eye, “…and a little scary when you’re mad.”

Qin Shiyang raised an eyebrow. “Scary?”

Tang Li nodded solemnly. “That one time you glared at me in the car—I nearly got out and walked home.”

The Omega laughed.

She hadn’t expected Tang Li to bring that up again. She remembered that night vividly—how the girl had clumsily confessed and fled like a startled deer.

“You’re not scared anymore?” she asked.

Tang Li looked at her, voice steady and sincere:

“No. I’m not afraid of you. I’m just afraid of not being good enough for you.”

For a moment, Qin Shiyang didn’t know what to say.

Tang Li rarely said things like this. She could flirt endlessly, but genuine confessions came few and far between. Her voice had a hint of vulnerability—like she was holding something back, but couldn’t quite contain it.

Qin Shiyang looked at her seriously.

“If you’re afraid,” she said softly, “then let me be the one to spoil you.”

Tang Li froze.

The words struck her with such force she forgot to breathe for a moment.

“I’ve been spoiled all my life,” Qin Shiyang continued, her tone light but firm. “I used to think it was a weakness. But now I realize… when you love someone, you should treat them well. So if you’re afraid, let me show you what it means to be cared for.”

Tang Li’s eyes stung slightly.

She wasn’t the type to cry easily. But something about those words—spoken so plainly, without ceremony—made her want to run straight into her arms and never let go.

So she did.

She leaned in, wrapping her arms around Qin Shiyang’s waist and burying her face in her shoulder.

“Then I’ll hold you to it,” she whispered.

Qin Shiyang smiled and stroked her hair gently. “Mm. You’d better.”

On the windowsill, the kitten stretched lazily in the sunlight, its soft purring blending into the quiet warmth that filled the room.

And somewhere in the air—undeniable, unmistakable—a new beginning quietly took root.