BSS - Chapter 115
Chapter 115
This position on the stage was too conspicuous. Naturally, Deng Chuan's every move fell into the eyes of others.
Including the few extra glances she gave Xu Wei.
The students below might not have seen it very clearly, but the teachers sitting next to Xu Wei saw it distinctly. Among them was the male colleague who had been part of the chat in the teachers' office earlier today.
He clearly saw the change in Deng Chuan's expression. Then, he turned his head to look at Xu Wei sitting beside him; her face wore a rare gentleness. He couldn't help but scratch his head, thinking with a dawning realization that their relationship might actually be quite good.
"Everyone thinks we have a great relationship." After the brief mobilization meeting in the auditorium ended, Deng Chuan said this to Xu Wei with a grin.
Xu Wei let Deng Chuan lead her by the hand toward the shade of the trees, not quite understanding what Deng Chuan meant by that sentence. Perhaps it was truly the age difference, but sometimes Xu Wei found the things Deng Chuan said to be completely nonsensical. This issue had troubled Xu Wei a little before. The Little Friend was clearly not a chatterbox when she was out and about, but with her, she seemed to have a growing tendency to talk to herself.
Just like now, Xu Wei didn't react, but Deng Chuan could happily carry on the conversation by herself.
Of course, there was nothing wrong with that.
The topic of their relationship didn't extend any further. As Deng Chuan spoke, she glanced vexedly at the sun, which was still radiating heat despite it being evening. "...Are you hot? Want to buy some water?"
It seemed the Little Friend wanted to buy water for herself. Thinking this, Xu Wei secretly smiled and agreed in a serious tone, "A little. We can buy some. There's a vending machine just around the corner ahead."
They walked a bit further. The academic building was right in front of them, and the vending machine was placed in the corner next to the stairs. The sun blazed outside, but the moment they stepped into the building, they immediately felt a cool shade.
Deng Chuan selected a bottle of mineral water. When she took it from the machine, it was ice-cold to the touch. She then asked Xu Wei, "What do you want to drink?"
She didn't hear Xu Wei's reply. Turning her head, she saw Xu Wei squatting by the corner of the wall, engrossed in teasing an orange cat that was lying on the floor.
From Deng Chuan's perspective, the orange cat must still be a kitten. For such a small furball to dare lie on the ground with its belly exposed showed a courage that matched its act of barging into the academic building to cool off.
She walked over, handed the opened bottle of water to Xu Wei, and also squatted down. Thinking it would be a waste not to, she stroked its soft belly and then skillfully scratched its chin. As she watched the little Orange Dumpling curl its pink paws in comfort under her hand, she suddenly heard Xu Wei say, "It seems to like you a lot."
Deng Chuan hummed a questioning "Hm?" and raised her eyes to look at her.
Xu Wei had already stood up. She had finished her water and was clutching the wet bottle in her hand. Seeing Deng Chuan look at her, she seemed a bit uncomfortable and switched the bottle to her other hand. "I tried to pet it just now and almost got bitten."
Deng Chuan jumped up from the ground. "Are you okay?" She anxiously tried to check Xu Wei's hand, but Xu Wei dodged slightly. "I'm fine."
Xu Wei was much calmer than her. "It's still young and hasn't been socialized. Besides, for a stray cat, biting people is actually a good habit."
Deng Chuan grabbed her hand and inspected it. Only after seeing there were no wounds did she relax. "You're right." She squatted down again and ruffled the little Orange Dumpling's head. "I didn't expect you to be so young yet so vigilant."
Perhaps it was just as Xu Wei said; the cat really liked Deng Chuan. Under her touch, the Orange Dumpling practically melted into a puff of sweet cotton candy, rolling around on the floor and acting cute in every way possible.
Deng Chuan even recorded a short video and sent it to the three-person group chat with Su Mian and Pei Qingyu, showing off the clingy little cat she had met back at her high school.
Pei Qingyu had actually returned from school for the holidays as well. When she saw the video, she spammed the group chat with a series of stickers, scolding Deng Chuan for choosing romance over friendship. She hadn't seen a trace of her since the break started, and it turned out she had gone back to the high school to accompany Teacher Xu.
After saying that, she continued to ask, "When are you going to the UK? Is your visa all sorted out? What about the medical check-up?"
As soon as this topic came up, Deng Chuan's expression involuntarily turned serious. She typed with her head lowered, not even noticing the little Orange Dumpling pawing at her leg in dissatisfaction. "Haven't had the check-up yet. Probably in about a month."
"Okay." Pei Qingyu continued to ask, "Have you decided how long you'll be gone?"
"Tentatively a year."
"Okay, okay." Pei Qingyu sent a sticker, then added, "Then you really should spend some quality time with Teacher Xu. You two don't get to spend much time together throughout the year as it is, and now you're leaving again."
She paused for several seconds, seemingly organizing her words, before finally sending a solemn message: "Squeeze in some time to have a meal with me, too. With both of you gone, I'll be the only one left in the country."
"Got it," Deng Chuan replied. "I'll remember. I'll ask you out in a few days."
While she was chatting, Xu Wei remained squatting on the ground, patiently teasing the little Orange Dumpling with her hand. The kitten seemed very awkward, constantly pushing her fingers away with its paws. When Xu Wei sneakily managed to touch it, it would even get angry.
After finishing her chat, Deng Chuan squatted down next to Xu Wei again. "Shall we go?" she asked nonchalantly. "What do you want to eat tonight?"
Xu Wei was still playing with the kitten. Hearing the question, she thought for a moment before saying slowly, "It's hot. Let's make mung bean soup, with extra sugar. If we get hungry later tonight, we can have a late-night snack."
"Okay." Deng Chuan reached out and gave the kitten's head one last ruffle, watching it roll around in comfort. She then poured a little water into her palm for it to taste. The cat's barbed tongue tickled her, making her instinctively pull her hand back. "Let's go?"
"Mm."
Xu Wei turned to the side and, as expected, pulled a pack of tissues from Deng Chuan's pants pocket. She helped her wipe her hand, then poured the remaining mineral water into the bottle cap and left it for the kitten. Only after doing all this did she turn to leave.
The little Orange Dumpling, which had been lying on the floor, seemed to sense something. Its short limbs swung nimbly in the air, and it immediately flipped over, stood up, and rushed straight toward Deng Chuan.
"Meow-" It rubbed against Deng Chuan's calf, letting out a soft, delicate cry.
Deng Chuan froze for a moment.
Seeing no reaction from her, the kitten gave another coquettish cry, then flopped onto the ground, exposing its soft belly.
"Meow-"
Xu Wei chuckled. "It looks so reluctant to let you go." Seeing Deng Chuan remain motionless, Xu Wei squatted down. Unexpectedly, when the kitten saw it was her hand, it immediately rolled over and stood up, leaning against Deng Chuan's pant leg.
Never having received such differential treatment, Xu Wei didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She watched the kitten one-sidedly cling to Deng Chuan for a long time and felt a bit soft-hearted. "How about..."
She said, "How about we get another cat?"
Since the kitten was so attached to Deng Chuan, getting another cat wouldn't be difficult for them. Zhou Liu had a great personality. Besides, he was probably lonely at home by himself all the time. When Xu Wei and Deng Chuan went on trips, they always boarded him at a pet store. Although Zhou Liu couldn't talk, his behavior after coming back always made Xu Wei feel guilty, as if she had made him feel insecure.
Now, getting another cat to keep him company seemed like a good thing.
Deng Chuan, however, was hesitant. She looked down at the little Orange Dumpling rubbing against her pant leg, refusing to leave, then at the hand Xu Wei had almost gotten bitten. She hesitated, "...Let's forget it... This cat's personality doesn't seem very good. I'm afraid... when I'm not home, it'll bully you."
"How could I be bullied by a cat?" Xu Wei disagreed with her. She held Deng Chuan's hand and said patiently, "The kitten hasn't grown up yet. It just needs a period of socialization. Zhou Liu has a great personality, and he knows how to get along with humans. He'll teach it well. This cat really likes you. If we just leave it behind, it'll be very sad, and you'll regret it too."
Deng Chuan was swayed by her words. She already loved cats, and moreover, earning a cat's special affection was no easy feat.
She squatted down and scratched the kitten's fluffy chin. The Orange Dumpling stared at her without blinking.
"Alright..." Deng Chuan relented under its gaze. "Then let's make a detour to the pet hospital first."
She reached out and scooped the kitten into her arms. Xu Wei looked as happy as the kitten snuggling in her embrace. Her smile was illuminated by the setting sun, her eyes sparkling.
She got into the driver's seat, fastened her seatbelt, and tapped the Orange Dumpling's nose. "From now on, we have to get along. No more biting me, okay?"
They took the cat for a check-up. The Orange Dumpling was sturdy and very healthy, aside from some ear mites. The vet dewormed it on the spot, prescribed some ear drops, explained how to use them, and then let them take it home.
On the way, the little Orange Dumpling seemed to sense its future fate and was exceptionally quiet. Even when the vet was handling it all over, it didn't show any bad temper.
"So well-behaved," Xu Wei praised it. The Orange Dumpling let out a delicate "mew" and buried its head in Deng Chuan's arms, nuzzling her.
Deng Chuan also smiled and petted its head. The little orange cat hadn't grown up yet; Deng Chuan's hand could cup its entire head. Its fur was fine and soft, fluffy to the touch, and felt wonderful.
When they got home, following the vet's advice, they first placed the kitten in the same storage box they had used for Zhou Liu, fearing he might act aggressively. Then they waited for Zhou Liu to discover it, allowing them to slowly get acquainted.
Zhou Liu showed great interest in the Orange Dumpling. He had a gentle temperament and had grown up with Xu Wei since he was a kitten, so he wouldn't display any aggressive behavior toward this uninvited guest in the house.
During the period when the two cats were adjusting to each other, Deng Chuan went into the city for her medical check-up and also met up with Pei Qingyu for a meal. Pei Qingyu was working a part-time job during the summer break, teaching children sketching at an art studio. When Deng Chuan saw her, she came out with one hand covered in black ink, just like in the old days, and greeted her with a smile, "Let's go!"
They went for hot pot, just like they used to.
When they parted, Pei Qingyu acted no differently than she would during a normal farewell, as if they weren't about to be separated for a year.
Deng Chuan also restrained herself, not saying anything sentimental. Because of Xu Wei, she was somewhat wary of words of parting.
"Bye-bye-" she said her goodbye.
Pei Qingyu rode her small electric scooter back to the art studio for her lunch break. Her voice trailed on and on under the blazing sun, "See you later!"
Deng Chuan watched her figure disappear, then turned and entered the subway station. When she got back to Xu Wei's place, Xu Wei was also getting ready for a nap.
Deng Chuan took the opportunity to shower and came out feeling refreshed. Xu Wei was leaning against the headboard, reading. The curtains in the room were half-drawn, casting a very soft light.
She flopped down beside Xu Wei and wrapped her in her arms. Her skin, cool from the shower, made Xu Wei squint her eyes in comfort.
Zhou Liu and the little Orange Dumpling also came to join the fun, flopping their warm bodies onto Xu Wei. The Orange Dumpling, of course, preferred Deng Chuan, but her embrace was already occupied by Xu Wei.
The air conditioner was set to a comfortable temperature. She nibbled on her ear, whispering to her.
"Juzi."
"What?"
Warm breath puffed against Xu Wei's ear. She shrank her neck sensitively, only to be held in place by a hand at the back of her head.
Deng Chuan lowered her head, kissing her intently while murmuring, "Its name."
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