When the Tsundere Rival Turns Into a Cat - Chapter 9

Li Xingcan walked in holding the cat, only to see the housekeeper still rummaging through Jiang Qingyue’s room. “It was right there on the desk.”

“Miss, it really isn’t here. I also remember you placing it on the desk, but…” The housekeeper even began doubting her own memory. Hearing Li Xingcan say this confirmed that the problem wasn’t with her recollection.

Li Xingcan stepped inside to take a look—the desk was completely clean, with nothing on it.

“How strange. Why is everything related to Jiang Qingyue so bizarre?” When she found nothing on the desk, Li Xingcan even searched Jiang Qingyue’s bed but still came up empty-handed. Aside from the blankets, there was only a set of Jiang Qingyue’s clothes.

The surveillance footage showed Jiang Qingyue hadn’t left the villa, yet she was nowhere to be found. Li Xingcan had just picked up Jiang Qingyue’s watch at noon, and both she and the housekeeper clearly remembered placing it on the desk. No one had touched it since, yet now it had vanished.

Jiang Qingyue, currently cradled in Li Xingcan’s arms, remained silent.

Out of options, Li Xingcan set the cat down and asked the housekeeper to look after it while she took some people to search the school. If they still couldn’t find her, they’d have to report her missing the next day.

After Li Xingcan left, the housekeeper glanced at the kitten on the floor. “Where did this little cat come from? You’re starving! Let me get you something to eat.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qingyue—who had been watching Li Xingcan leave—immediately turned her attention to the housekeeper. Bless her sharp eyes—Jiang Qingyue was practically dying of hunger.

The housekeeper sliced some ham in the kitchen and crouched down to feed the kitten. Watching the cat devour the food, she couldn’t help but think of Li Xingcan again. “Little cat, where do you think Miss Jiang has gone? Our young lady hasn’t eaten all day. Since I’m feeding you, could you bless her with finding Miss Jiang soon? Otherwise, how will her body hold up like this?”

Jiang Qingyue paused mid-bite. Li Xingcan hadn’t eaten all day either? Didn’t she have a match this morning? Why would she be so frantic over someone she supposedly hated?

Outside, the sky darkened as lights flickered on one by one. After preparing dinner, the housekeeper sat on the sofa while Jiang Qingyue settled on the carpet, both waiting by the door.

The clock ticked away, and as it grew later and later, Li Xingcan finally appeared at the door past nine.

The housekeeper immediately stood up. “Did you find her?”

Exhaustion etched across her face, Li Xingcan shook her head and slumped into a chair, rubbing her temples. “We searched the entire school and even asked the security guards—no one’s seen her. The teams checking nearby parks and supermarkets found nothing either. It’s like she vanished into thin air.”

“Oh heavens!” The housekeeper sighed. “Where on earth could Miss Jiang be?”

“I don’t know. I already called Aunt Xuan, but she said Jiang Qingyue likes to be alone and that it’s normal—told us not to worry.” Li Xingcan’s tone was thick with disbelief. “What kind of parent isn’t concerned when their child goes missing?”

“Maybe Miss Jiang contacted her mother,” the housekeeper consoled her. “It’s late—you should eat first.”

“But where could she be at this hour? She doesn’t know anyone in Jiangcheng and didn’t take anything with her. Is she just sleeping on the streets?”

Li Xingcan frowned in frustration when she felt something brush against her calf. Looking down, she saw the rescued cat rubbing against her pant leg with its round, pleading eyes fixed on her.

Jiang Qingyue hadn’t expected Li Xingcan to care so much. Seeing her so worried made Jiang feel guilty, but being unable to speak, she could only try to show remorse—until Li suddenly scooped her into an embrace.

Holding this unusually affectionate kitten that didn’t struggle but simply gazed at her with watery eyes as if trying to communicate, Li’s heart softened. She gently stroked the kitten’s head.

“Has she eaten?”

“We fed her plenty—she must have been starving,” the housekeeper answered, seizing the chance to persuade Li. “You should eat too. Worrying won’t help matters.”

“No appetite.”

As Li stood holding the cat, its paw hooked her sleeve and pointed toward the dining table.

“How remarkable! She’s telling you to eat,” the housekeeper marveled. “Just listen to the kitten and have something.”

Glancing between the food and the cat’s persistent outstretched paw, Li finally relented. “Just a little then.”

After washing her hands, Li returned to find the cat sitting properly on the chair like a little person.

“Such good manners, though a bit dirty. I’ll give you a bath later.”

At these words, Jiang’s feline face momentarily contorted—a bath from Li Xingcan? Unacceptable even as a cat.

The previously well-behaved kitten immediately jumped down despite its injured leg.

“Where are you going?” Li moved to follow.

“Finish your meal, Miss. I’ll check on her.”

The housekeeper intercepted Jiang, who attempted a limping escape but was caught at the door. “Need the litter box? We don’t have one yet—use the bathroom here. I’ll clean up after.”

Jiang: …

Even if nature called, she couldn’t possibly go with an audience.

After prolonged hesitation, the housekeeper guessed, “Is the little one shy? I’ll turn around.”

The ordeal eventually concluded, but the bath crisis remained unresolved.

When they returned, Li had nearly finished eating. She carried Jiang upstairs to her bathroom, where warm water awaited. Testing the temperature, Li turned to find the cat missing.

Discovered hiding behind the sofa, the kitten seemed determined to vanish into the corner.

Extending her hand gently, Li coaxed, “Just a bath—I won’t hurt you. Afterwards we can treat your injuries.”

Jiang shook her head from her hiding spot.

Amused by the human-like refusal, Li crooked her finger. “Touch my hand, and I won’t bathe you.”

Sure enough, after Li Xingcan finished speaking, she saw the kitten actually appear to be deep in thought before slowly walking over and lifting its front paw to touch her finger.

It must be noted that this command was far more difficult than simple tricks like sitting. The fact that it could understand such a statement was truly unexpected.

A person must keep their word. Li Xingcan nodded, “Alright, I won’t give you a bath today. But I need to check your injuries—they probably aren’t too serious, so don’t worry.”

While comforting the kitten, she reached out to pick it up and gently placed it on the table. Turning on the desk lamp, she fetched the first aid kit and carefully examined the kitten’s front paw in her palm. Parting the fur, she saw no obvious external wounds, only some slight swelling.

Li Xingcan took out a human-use bruise ointment from the kit and applied it meticulously, her fingertips gently massaging in circles to aid absorption. “Other than here, where else are you hurt?”

Jiang Qingyue looked up at Li Xingcan, who was now so close. This was the first time she had gotten a proper look at her. Contrary to her irritable and domineering temper, Li Xingcan’s facial features were soft, her skin as fair as jade, and the small mole beneath her peach-blossom eyes made her uniquely beautiful.

Now, as she focused on Jiang Qingyue with concern, those already captivating eyes resembled pools of spring water, making anyone reflected in them feel utterly immersed.

It wasn’t until Li Xingcan spoke again that Jiang Qingyue snapped out of her daze. Even as a cat, she couldn’t help but lower her head—how absurd that she had been staring at Li Xingcan so intently!

However, Li Xingcan clearly misunderstood the gesture, thinking the kitten was indicating another injury on its head. Cupping the kitten’s head with her hands, she leaned in closer to inspect, her breath brushing against the perked-up ears, causing one to twitch slightly, its fine fur swaying gently.

Her fingers easily found the swollen bump on the kitten’s head. Parting the fur again, she saw it was similar to the front paw—no broken skin and not too severe.

Taking the ointment, she applied it to the bump. “How did you even get these? Not only are you filthy, but you’re covered in injuries. You seem pretty smart, so how could you be so clumsy?”

“Meow…” Jiang Qingyue couldn’t let that slide and protested. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since she turned into a cat—adapting this well was already impressive, okay?

Of course, Li Xingcan didn’t understand. After finishing the treatment, she gently stroked the kitten’s fur, her gaze distant. The night was already so late—had Jiang Qingyue found a place to stay?

“If all else fails, tomorrow I’ll get some search dogs to track her scent. I refuse to believe we can’t find a single person.”

Li Xingcan’s mind was now entirely occupied with plans for the next day’s search. Meanwhile, Jiang Qingyue—the very person she was looking for—yawned in her arms. There was no need for such elaborate measures; she would naturally reappear tomorrow morning.

Wait!

Jiang Qingyue jolted, suddenly remembering something crucial. The transformation into a cat wouldn’t last longer than twenty-four hours. What time was it now?

She quickly glanced around. The small clock on the table clearly displayed 9:53.

The time when I turned into a cat yesterday wasn’t exact, but it was around ten o’clock. That means I only have a few minutes left?

If I suddenly transformed back in front of Li Xingcan right now, I’d be so embarrassed I might as well find a block of tofu to knock myself out with.

Anxious, my eyes darted around as Jiang Qingyue racked her brain for a way to escape Li Xingcan’s sight. But Li Xingcan, worried about my safety, was wide awake.

My gaze shifted between the window and the door of Li Xingcan’s room. The window was slightly open, but the problem was this was the second floor. For a real cat, it wouldn’t be difficult, but I had sprained my front paw just jumping from a one-meter height—jumping from the second floor? No way.

As for the door, it was shut tight, but it had a long handle. I could probably open it by jumping onto it, even with my injured paw. The biggest problem was Li Xingcan.

No matter what, I had to try. If I didn’t, I’d really be out of options.

Yawning deliberately, I stretched in front of Li Xingcan, then jumped off the table and headed straight for the door.

Li Xingcan’s eyes followed the little cat. What was this cat up to now? It walked to the door, leaped up as if trying to open it, but failed on the first attempt.

The cat wanted to leave.

Realizing this, Li Xingcan walked over and pulled the door open just as the cat was about to try again. Sure enough, the cat glanced up at her, then limped out, tail swaying.

She wanted to see what this cat was up to.

Following it out, down the hallway, and the stairs, Li Xingcan trailed behind the slow-moving cat, which didn’t seem to mind her presence.

On the first floor, the cat nimbly jumped onto the sofa, yawned, curled into a ball, and quickly fell asleep.

Who knew this cat was so particular? It had plenty of comfortable spots and a soft bed in her room, yet it went through all this trouble just to sleep on the sofa?

Li Xingcan picked the cat up, but as soon as she let go, it returned to the sofa, seemingly obsessed with it.

“You want to sleep here?” Li Xingcan couldn’t see what was so special about that sofa.

In response, the cat closed its eyes peacefully.

Fine. She’d have someone move this sofa to her room and turn it into a cat bed later. But for tonight, since she couldn’t move it herself, the cat would have to sleep here.

After making sure all the windows and doors were secure, Li Xingcan covered the cat with a towel and went back upstairs.

The moment Li Xingcan left, Jiang Qingyue opened her eyes. Watching Li Xingcan’s door close, she scrambled up and hurried to her own room.

Trying not to make noise, Jiang Qingyue carefully adjusted her angle and strength, successfully latching onto the door handle in one leap.

Using her weight to press the handle down, she opened the door.

Slipping through the gap, she nudged the door shut with her body and sat on the carpet, waiting to turn back into a human.

Mom was right after all. Shortly past ten o’clock, still within the twenty-four hour window, Jiang Qingyue felt a warm current surge through her body. Seizing the opportunity, she silently recited the incantation in her mind three times consecutively.

The sensation of her body stretching out felt miraculous. Curious, Jiang Qingyue opened her eyes to see her feline features gradually receding until only a pair of cat ears and a swaying tail remained. Soon after, she had completely transformed back into her human form.

Quickly grabbing her clothes from the bed and putting them on, Jiang Qingyue finally felt relieved. While being covered in fur as a cat was tolerable, being naked as a human—even alone in the room—made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Once dressed, she touched her face and confirmed it was as grimy as Li Xingcan had said. After hiding in the garden all day, it was inevitable she’d gotten dusty, especially her hands, which were even dirtier.

But she couldn’t take a shower now—the sound of running water would surely wake Li Xingcan and the housekeeper. She had to make do with wiping herself down with a damp towel.

After freshening up, Jiang Qingyue lay down on the bed, her thoughts consumed by Li Xingcan’s actions that afternoon. This version of Li Xingcan was completely different from the one she’d known before—someone who didn’t hold grudges over her disappearance, who went to great lengths to find her, decisive and methodical. Whether out of a sense of responsibility or something else, it had made Jiang Qingyue see her in a new light.

And then there was the way Li Xingcan had tended to her wounds. It was hard to imagine she could be so gentle.

Even when escorting her downstairs, Li Xingcan had respected her choices and preferences as a cat, never forcing her to stay in the room for company.

Individually, these might seem like small things, but together, they painted a picture of a Li Xingcan Jiang Qingyue had never seen before.

Li Xingcan… wasn’t actually that bad after all.

Lost in these thoughts, Jiang Qingyue gradually drifted off to sleep.

She was startled awake when her bedroom door suddenly swung open.

Li Xingcan was equally shocked. Standing in the doorway, she stared at Jiang Qingyue, who sat up in bed looking just as surprised—if not more so.

“When did you get back?”

Jiang Qingyue pressed a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart, then straightened her clothes and got out of bed. A glance at the clock showed it was only 6:30 in the morning.

Li Xingcan remained by the door, watching Jiang Qingyue’s seemingly guilty demeanor. Instead of answering the question, Jiang Qingyue deflected with one of her own.

“Why are you up so early?”

“Are you kidding? I waited for you all night and didn’t sleep a wink,” Li Xingcan snapped, her bloodshot eyes dry and painful, leaving her in no mood for pleasantries. “Where the hell were you?”

As Jiang Qingyue moved closer, she could clearly see Li Xingcan’s exhaustion—even her clothes were still the same wrinkled ones from yesterday. A pang of guilt struck her. “I’m sorry.”

“You—” Li Xingcan had braced for another argument, ready to fire back, only to freeze mid-sentence when she registered the apology. She eyed Jiang Qingyue warily. “You’re apologizing to me?”

Was this really Jiang Qingyue? Since when did Jiang Qingyue apologize?

In response to Li Xingcan’s disbelief, Jiang Qingyue simply nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

Li Xingcan took a step back, momentarily stunned. “Why are you apologizing to me?”

“Because I made you worry.” Jiang Qingyue had intended to speak properly with Li Xingcan, but she didn’t expect those words to make Li Xingcan bristle instantly.

“Who’s worried about you?!”

Li Xingcan’s voice abruptly rose. “Stop flattering yourself! I wasn’t worried about you—I’d sooner worry about a dog than you! It’s just that Aunt Xuan asked me to look after you, and if I lost you, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to her.”

As if she’d ever worry about Jiang Qingyue!

With that, Li Xingcan turned to leave, but after two steps, she remembered her earlier admission of staying up all night waiting for Jiang Qingyue. She immediately spun back around and added, “And just so you know, I didn’t sleep last night because I was gaming—it had nothing to do with worrying about you.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Qingyue responded softly, blinking as she watched Li Xingcan’s retreating figure stride away.

Li Xingcan dashed back to her room in one breath, only belatedly realizing something was off—why had she run away? Jiang Qingyue was the one in the wrong! And she even had the nerve to assume Li Xingcan was worried about her! She should’ve mocked her mercilessly instead of fleeing like that.

She turned around, ready to march back out. Her hand was already on the doorknob when she hesitated and withdrew it. Whatever—it wasn’t worth arguing. Going back now to mock her would just make Li Xingcan seem petty.

She let go and was about to sit down when she suddenly shot back up, smacking her forehead. The whole reason she’d gone to Jiang Qingyue’s room was to look for the cat! Jiang Qingyue had completely derailed her.

She yanked the door open and clattered back downstairs, just in time to see Jiang Qingyue stepping out of her room. Li Xingcan halted abruptly, shooting her a sidelong glance. “Did you see a cat?”

“A cat?” Jiang Qingyue seemed thoughtful. Of course—now that she was here, the cat wouldn’t be. She glanced up at Li Xingcan, who really had it rough—first searching for her, then searching for the cat, the two never able to coexist. She couldn’t help but feel a little guilty toward her.

Li Xingcan eyed Jiang Qingyue suspiciously. Was it her imagination, or was Jiang Qingyue looking at her strangely?

“Well? Did you see it or not?”

Jiang Qingyue nodded and pointed outside. “I saw a black-and-white cat go out. Was that yours?”

“Obviously.” Li Xingcan frowned toward the door. “Why would it leave? It was so well-behaved yesterday.”

As Li Xingcan grew agitated and prepared to rush out in search, Jiang Qingyue stopped her. “It probably just went out to play for a while. It might come back on its own—cats know their way home. There’s no need to go looking.”

“Really?”

Li Xingcan was skeptical. “But I only picked that cat up yesterday. Will it actually return?”

“It will.”

Jiang Qingyue answered with certainty.

“Better be as you say.”

Li Xingcan cast another glance outside before turning to head back upstairs.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Jiang Qingyue called up to her.

The question made Li Xingcan stumble on the stairs, nearly tripping. She turned back to stare at Jiang Qingyue, her furrowed brows and puzzled gaze screaming confusion—why was Jiang Qingyue suddenly concerned about her?! Was she out of her mind?

Several sharp retorts danced on the tip of her tongue before she swallowed them back. She couldn’t snap at someone who was just being polite. After opening and closing her mouth a few times, she twisted away and stomped upstairs, tossing back two stiff words:

“Not hungry.”

Jiang Qingyue couldn’t help but chuckle as she watched Li Xingcan practically flee in panic. So Li Xingcan was actually such an awkward guy.

Upstairs, Li Xingcan closed his bedroom door, washed up, changed into pajamas, and lay down to sleep. Just as he was about to drift off, he suddenly sat up. “Wait, why would she care about me?”