Sweet as Honey and Sugar - Chapter 12:
He Qingrou paused before replying.
You can tell me.
On the other end of the line, Lin Nai stood before a tall glass window.
Behind her, the conference room was filled with people in suits arguing fiercely over something.
My cat seems to be sick, Lin Nai said. The housekeeper took the day off, and
I won’t be home until past midnight. Could you take it to the vet for me?
She had seen on the surveillance camera that her cat had barely moved all day and
hadn’t eaten anything. If it weren’t for the occasional twitch of its leg,
she would have thought the little furball had gone to heaven.
It probably ate too much again. The cat’s digestion had always been weak and fragile,
prone to problems whenever it overindulged. It had happened before.
The little thing was clever, always sneaking food and somehow finding
the cat food no matter where it was hidden.
Her cat… He Qingrou thought of that round orange fluff ball she had seen in
Lin Nai’s social media posts — fat enough to roll off the couch, looking obedient and soft.
Alright, I just got off work. Send me your address, He Qingrou said gently as
she picked up her car keys. By the way, how do I get in?
I’ve already informed the security guard. You can go straight in; he’ll show you the way.
The door code is 610613, Lin Nai replied. Someone called out to her in the background,
and she motioned that she’d be right there. It’s got a bit of a temper,
so be careful it doesn’t scratch you.
Okay, He Qingrou said as she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor.
Then, as if remembering something, she asked,
What’s your cat’s name?
Wuliang. It’ll respond if you call it.
He Qingrou blinked. Wuliang, as in five taels of weight?
Mhm. After a brief pause, Lin Nai added, It weighed five taels when I found it.
He Qingrou couldn’t help but laugh. That’s a pretty random name.
Got it.
Go on with your meeting I’ll text you when we get to the vet.
Lin Nai hummed in acknowledgment before hanging up.
Following the address, He Qingrou drove to Langqiao Riverside,
a new development filled with small villas. A young security guard led her to Lin Nai’s home.
The interior was minimalist, mainly in black and white. Clean, spacious, almost too empty.
Despite the house’s size, one could take it in at a glance.
The cat bed sat in the corner of the living room.
The orange ball of fur lay motionless on a black mat.
When it heard the door open, it turned its head slightly and let out a small meow.
Remembering Lin Nai’s warning, He Qingrou didn’t approach too quickly.
She took careful, quiet steps. When she finally crouched beside it and
reached out to pet its head, the cat suddenly stood up and backed against the wall, startled.
It started meowing loudly, clearly upset. Its round face was chubby, its eyes wide and
shiny both aggrieved and impossibly cute.
He Qingrou had no experience with cats. She couldn’t just grab it and shove it in a carrier.
Pulling her hand back, she tried to look gentle and harmless, speaking softly. Wuliang…
The cat tilted its head and responded with a small meow,
its tail swaying as it watched her cautiously.
He Qingrou stayed still. She had heard from her cat-owning colleagues that cats were different
from dogs they were wary, and couldn’t read facial expressions the same way.
If she moved too fast, it might see her as a threat. But cats could sense emotions.
All she needed to do was remain calm and warm, showing no hostility.
Wuliang, she said again, then slowly sat down on the floor.
Don’t be scared, come here…
The cat’s tail flicked lightly as it tilted its head. Mrrrow…
Perhaps sensing she meant no harm, it lifted a paw and hesitated for a moment before slowly
walking toward her. When it got close, it stretched out its neck to sniff her.
He Qingrou relaxed, waiting to see what it would do.
Wuliang circled her twice, and once it seemed satisfied, it placed a paw on her skirt.
The soft paw pads pressed gently against her thigh. It looked up at her, curious, then pressed
again and then placed both paws on her leg, alternating them in small kneading motions.
When it seemed calm enough, He Qingrou tried petting its back. It didn’t flinch
Apparently, it wasn’t as wary anymore.
Up close, the cat looked even fatter than in pictures solidly round, with a back full of plush flesh.
Too much fat wasn’t good for cats. It made them prone to illness.
Lin Nai and the housekeeper had been restricting Wuliang’s diet, but the gluttonous creature often
stole food. Orange cats, in particular, gained weight easily,
so this rotund body was entirely self-inflicted.
He Qingrou gently stroked its back, occasionally pressing her fingertips down in small circles.
The cat purred contentedly.
Its eyes narrowed into slits of comfort, its tail sweeping lazily across her thigh.
He Qingrou smiled and stopped deliberately. Feels good, huh? Sit a little closer, and
I’ll keep scratching.
The cat didn’t understand her words, only that the petting had stopped.
It meowed in protest and pressed its paw against her hand, demanding she continue.
Startled, He Qingrou laughed. Smart little thing. She patted her thigh and beckoned.
Come here.
Wuliang recognized the gesture — Lin Nai always did that before scratching its back.
Without hesitation, it jumped onto He Qingrou’s lap. Its soft,
heavy body landed squarely on her thighs, both paws resting on her chest,
tail dangling down to the floor.
The weight sank onto her legs, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
Lin Nai had said the cat was bad-tempered, but it seemed quite easy to please.
Still, she didn’t dare pick it up yet; better to let it relax more. She kept stroking its fur,
waiting until it was completely at ease.
The cat sprawled lazily, purring deep in its throat. Whenever her hand stopped, it would reach out
to nudge her, insisting she continue like a spoiled little lord enjoying royal treatment.
He Qingrou was patient, gently running her hand over its fur.
Its belly was round and firm. When she touched it, it felt hard clearly full of cat food.
Under the cat bed, she noticed a pale yellow plastic bag. The label had writing she didn’t recognize,
but it was clearly cat food packaging. When she pulled it out, half the bag was already gone.
No wonder its stomach was swollen. The silly thing had eaten itself sick.
The cat rolled onto its back, trying to touch its own belly, but it was too fat to reach.
It wiggled its hind legs helplessly, meowing pitifully at her.
It was uncomfortable — bloated and aching — and seemed to want her to rub its belly,
thinking that would make it better.
He Qingrou sighed and placed her hand on its belly, gently massaging.
She didn’t dare press too hard. The little glutton had to see a vet.
She squeezed its soft paw lightly and coaxed, half teasing, half serious.
Let Auntie take you to the doctor. You’ll feel better afterward, okay?
The cat gave a weak meow, and she took that as agreement.
She lifted it carefully. To her surprise, it didn’t struggle it even nestled into her arms.
It was too heavy for the carrier, so she looked around and
spotted a leash hanging from the cat tower.
She clipped it on, though the cat meowed unhappily until
she scratched under its chin to calm it down.
She carried it to the car, placing it on the passenger seat.
It didn’t like sitting there. After turning in a circle, it jumped into her lap and settled down.
Since it stayed still, she let it be.
At the veterinary clinic, the doctor tried to take it for examination,
but Wuliang refused to leave her arms.
After the check-up, the doctor said it wasn’t serious just indigestion from overeating.
No more kibble for two days, and if it got hungry, it could have a little goat’s milk.
Unsure whether there was any at home, He Qingrou bought a can.
The doctor suggested keeping the cat overnight, but Wuliang cried miserably,
stretching its paws toward her and refusing to let go. Seeing it like that,
she couldn’t bring herself to leave it. Poking its forehead, she said with a sigh,
You’re so clingy.
The doctor chuckled. Some cats get attached. It might do better at home.
Just keep an eye on it tonight.
He Qingrou glanced at the row of cages filled with cats and dogs,
some barking and hissing. Wuliang buried its head into her chest in fear,
and she quickly covered its eyes with her hand.
Thank you, doctor.
No problem, he said. Just pay at the counter, and I’ll write up the care notes.
She nodded, paid the bill, and sent a message to Lin Nai with a photo of the cat:
It’s just indigestion. The doctor said it’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.
No reply. She figured Lin Nai was still busy.
By the time the doctor returned with the notes, Lin Nai still hadn’t responded,
so she put her phone away, gathered the things, and drove back.
When she arrived at Lin Nai’s house, she checked her phone again. Lin Nai had replied
I’ll be there soon.
The message had been sent over ten minutes ago. The house was still dark.
Looked like she had arrived first.
She unlocked the door with the code and turned on the lights
After setting Wuliang down in its bed, she started to ris when suddenly,
a hand wrapped around her waist.
Before she could react, she was pulled against the wall.
A hand slid behind her head, protecting her from hitting it.
Then came a cool touch on her lips followed by warmth that swept in like a tide,
gentle yet unyielding, slipping between her lips with tender insistence.