When the Tsundere Rival Turns Into a Cat - Chapter 10

Li Xingcan woke up in the afternoon after a long nap. Stretching lazily, she went downstairs and spotted the kitten eating from the coffee table in the living room.

“You actually came back?” Her eyes lit up as she immediately scooped up the cat, settling on the sofa to stroke its soft fur while checking yesterday’s treated wounds. The minor injuries had mostly healed, with swelling nearly gone.

Jiang Qingyue allowed the examination before stretching leisurely. It was pure coincidence—she’d been considering telling Li Xingcan the cat might have run away if she couldn’t transform back. Though Li Xingcan would be sad, it wouldn’t last long. That afternoon, while studying Li Xingcan’s building blocks, she’d unexpectedly transformed back into a cat, forcing her to jump out the window only to saunter back through the front door.

Unaware of this, Li Xingcan reapplied medicine before glancing at Jiang Qingyue’s closed door. “Auntie, is Jiang Qingyue in her room?”

“Yes, Miss Jiang returned after lunch,” the housekeeper whispered, moving closer. “She collected all the broken building blocks you smashed, saying she’d rebuild them for you. Probably working on that now.”

“She’s actually doing it?” Li Xingcan was surprised.

The housekeeper nodded.

Li Xingcan stared at the door. The figurine wasn’t complex, but its size and intricate details made assembly time-consuming—likely impossible to finish during the holiday. Besides, having already gotten her revenge, why was Jiang Qingyue being so stubborn?

As she moved toward the room, something clung to her leg—the kitten holding on desperately.

Jiang Qingyue couldn’t let go. If Li Xingcan discovered the empty room, chaos would ensue. This idea had to be stopped.

Careful not to kick the cat, Li Xingcan crouched to cradle it. “Want to play?” She rubbed its head.

Jiang Qingyue had no choice. Clutching her paws, she feigned eagerness with wide eyes.

The distraction worked. Lacking cat toys, Li Xingcan improvised a feather wand, amusing the wide-eyed kitten.

After some playful leaps, Jiang Qingyue tore off the feather and flopped onto Li Xingcan’s arm, refusing to continue—mission accomplished.

Dinner arrived just in time. The housekeeper urged Li Xingcan to eat after skipping meals all day.

Jiang Qingyue remained vigilant nearby. As long as that door stayed shut, all was well.

Li Xingcan, charmed by the clingy, well-behaved kitten, felt she’d found treasure. Her focus on the cat made her forget about Jiang Qingyue entirely. Since Jiang had eaten earlier, the housekeeper didn’t disturb her either.

After the meal, Jiang Qingyue finally relaxed, only to be scooped up by Li Xingcan the next second.

She was getting somewhat used to it now. Finding a less awkward position in Li Xingcan’s arms, she let herself be carried upstairs.

Back in Li Xingcan’s room, before Jiang Qingyue could even glance around, she saw Li Xingcan grab a towel and head straight for the bathroom—with her still in tow.

Jiang Qingyue: !! No way!

She kicked her hind legs, trying to escape, but Li Xingcan simply pinched the scruff of her neck and hauled her into the bathroom.

Li Xingcan’s private bathroom wasn’t particularly spacious, but it had a large bathtub already filled halfway with water, topped with a layer of pristine foam.

You’re taking a bath—why drag me along?!

Jiang Qingyue was set down on the bathroom floor as Li Xingcan turned on the shower.

“Dirty little cat, you need to learn hygiene, understand?”

Her injuries had mostly healed, and after today’s unauthorized adventure, Li Xingcan decided it was high time for a bath. Plus, she could just tuck the freshly cleaned cat into her bed afterward—no more disappearing acts by morning.

The kitten still tried to bolt, but Li Xingcan pulled her back, tested the water temperature, and drenched her thoroughly.

Jiang Qingyue struggled half-heartedly, not wanting to hurt Li Xingcan, but against the sheer difference in strength, she stood no chance.

Soaked and defeated, she gritted her teeth and glared at Li Xingcan. Why is she so insistent on bathing me?!

Only then did Jiang Qingyue notice that Li Xingcan was drenched too. Her struggles had forced Li Xingcan to hold her close under the spray, soaking her thin summer clothes completely. The fabric clung to her skin, outlining every curve.

Her feline face burned. Jiang Qingyue hastily averted her gaze and froze in place.

“Such a good kitty. Baths aren’t so scary, right?” Li Xingcan smiled, pleased. She’d always known her cat would be the smartest, most well-behaved one—a little initial resistance, but now look at her!

Jiang Qingyue closed her eyes, enduring Li Xingcan’s meticulous scrubbing. She tilted her head slightly, radiating silent despair.

The fact that I’m Jiang Qingyue—this secret must never, ever be revealed. Otherwise, I’ll never live it down!

Unaware of the cat’s inner turmoil, Li Xingcan simply marveled at her obedience. Once finished, she plopped the cat onto a nearby shelf.

“All done! Now it’s my turn. Stay put—I’ve already ordered a pet dryer. Once we’re out, I’ll get you all fluffy and sweet-smelling, okay?”

Satisfied with her work, Li Xingcan rubbed the kitten’s head with her thumb. The once-fluffy fur now clung pitifully to its shrunken frame. She smoothed it down again, amused—so much for that round, plump illusion. Long-haired cats were such deceivers.

Li Xingcan was in high spirits, but Jiang Qingyue’s soul had crumbled to dust. Sitting lifelessly on the shelf, she resigned herself to her fate, desperately convincing herself: I’m just a cat. No human emotions here. None at all.

Yet she had overestimated herself. When Li Xingcan casually stripped off his soaked summer shirt and tossed it aside, she was still caught off guard.

Hey! How could you undress right in front of a kitten?!

Chanting “see no evil” in her mind, Jiang Qingyue quickly shut her eyes—but she couldn’t deny that she had already glimpsed something she shouldn’t have: a body as finely sculpted as jade.

Curling into a ball, she buried her burning face in her paws. She even wanted to cover her ears to block out the clear, nearby sounds of splashing water—though even if she did, her keen animal hearing would remain unaffected.

By the time Li Xingcan finished his relaxing bath and stood up, he noticed the kitten on the shelf had been curled motionless for a long time, seemingly asleep.

After hastily drying his hair, he wrapped himself in a bathrobe, then carefully picked up the kitten with a towel and carried it out.

The housekeeper had already set up the pet dryer. Seeing Li Xingcan emerge, she immediately went in to clean the bathroom.

Placing the kitten—which seemed to have just woken up and was now playing with its own paws—into the dryer, Li Xingcan started it and observed its reaction.

The dryer was nearly silent. Through the transparent glass, he could see the warm air circulating inside. Surprisingly, the kitten didn’t struggle when confined, simply turning its back to him and lying down, enjoying the drying process.

Relieved, Li Xingcan was impressed by how well the kitten adapted. He stood up, sat in a nearby chair, and began drying his own hair while idly scrolling through his phone.

Once the housekeeper finished cleaning, she left, closing the door behind her. The room fell quiet, filled only with the gentle hum of the hair dryer and the pet dryer.

When his hair was nearly dry, Li Xingcan glanced at the kitten. Its damp fur had already fluffed up considerably—it wouldn’t take much longer.

Jiang Qingyue lay in the enclosed space, basking in the warm breeze ruffling her fur. It was oddly soothing, lulling her toward sleep—until the sound of the glass door opening startled her. The next moment, Li Xingcan lifted her out.

Admiring the freshly groomed kitten, now fragrant with the scent of his own body wash, Li Xingcan couldn’t resist leaning in to plant a kiss on her before cradling her soft form in his arms.

Jiang Qingyue, who had thought she could endure anything by now, raised a paw to cover the spot where she’d been kissed: …Nope, still can’t handle this!

Before she could protest, she was tossed onto the soft bed. Wide-eyed, she stared at Li Xingcan, wondering what he’d do next.

The next second, his bathrobe slipped off—

See no evil!!

Jiang Qingyue hastily shut her eyes and turned away, while Li Xingcan, completely oblivious, changed into pajamas, pulled back the covers, and scooped up the kitten—who seemed preoccupied with something—into his arms.

“Comfy~”

With a contented sigh, Li Xingcan stroked the sweet-smelling kitten in his embrace, settled under the blankets, and picked up his phone to play a game.

Having slept all day, he wasn’t tired at all. After the recent tournament, he wasn’t in the mood for PC games—just some casual mobile gaming to unwind.

Jiang Qingyue was trapped in Li Xingcan’s embrace, surrounded—even her whole body—by Li Xingcan’s scent. Unable to resist, she glanced up at Li Xingcan, who was intently focused on her phone screen, wearing an unusually serious expression.

Just playing a game—was it really that serious? She’d never looked this focused while studying. Without realizing it, Jiang Qingyue found herself staring at Li Xingcan, lost in thought.