Chapter 16: After School

When the black cat opened her eyes and peered out through the gap in the desk compartment, she could see the color of the lights. 

She yawned and instinctively arched her back to stretch and scratch.

But after a rip, Bai Ziyu froze. 

Only then did she lower her head and realize she had torn the book beneath her.

She felt a little embarrassed.

She shrank back.

“Huh? What was that sound?” 

Luo Yunzhi muttered softly, directing her gaze into the desk compartment. 

“Little White, you’re finally awake.”

She smiled gently. 

The black cat had been curled up sleeping there since noon. 

Now it was almost time to go home—several hours had already passed.

“What are you hiding?”

The young girl noticed something strange.

She was a bit puzzled.

She reached out and moved the black cat’s paw aside. 

Luo Yunzhi saw the book the cat had been guiltily covering. The corners of her mouth twitched.

“Meow.”

I didn’t do it on purpose.

“It’s fine.”

Luo Yunzhi didn’t get angry as expected. 

Instead, she rubbed the little cat’s head in playful revenge, messing up her fur a little.

Then she smiled without minding it at all and scratched under the black cat’s chin using the petting technique she had learned. 

“It’s just a book. It’s not damaged enough to affect use.”

Bai Ziyu was slightly stunned. 

This girl… even though she was a bit silly, she was so gentle. She blinked and let out a soft meow.

The black cat shifted two steps to the side, pressing against the metal wall of the desk to avoid touching the books again. 

She stared at Luo Yunzhi’s face for a long, long time.

Then her gaze drifted away.

As if bored.

The teacher standing at the podium finally stopped his long-winded lecture. 

He took a sip of water and glanced at the clock on the wall.

“Alright, that’s it for today,” he said honestly. “You can start packing up now. Remember to preview tomorrow’s lessons when you get home tonight.”

“Got it.”

A few scattered students replied.

“We’ll definitely preview.”

Even though they agreed verbally, how many of these students would actually do it? 

The teacher shook his head and left the classroom with his textbook.

Luo Yunzhi put down her pen and secretly reached into the desk compartment to rub the cat’s head. She breathed a sigh of relief. 

Today’s ordeal was finally over.

Little White had been really good. 

She had stayed quiet the entire afternoon just like she was told. When they got home, she would buy her something delicious as a reward.

Luo Yunzhi thought to herself. Then, in a corner where no one was looking, she put the black cat into her schoolbag and zipped it up, leaving only a small gap for breathing.

The young girl patted the bag.

“Little White, let’s go home.”

***

The schoolbag swayed up and down, making the black cat a little dizzy. 

Bai Ziyu used her paw to widen the breathing hole and eventually poked her entire little head out.

School had let out, and it was now dusk. 

The surroundings were gradually darkening. Occasional streetlights flickered on, bringing light back to the world.

The black cat looked at the direction they were heading. Her brows furrowed slightly. She recognized this route. 

Taking this path would indeed lead back to Luo Yunzhi’s home.

But it was clearly the longer way.

It would take much longer.

“Meow.”

There really is something wrong.

Luo Yunzhi was deliberately taking a detour. It definitely wasn’t for exercise. 

So the real reason must be on the usual route they took home.

She could take it in the morning… but not at night? What exactly had happened? 

Bai Ziyu was puzzled, but she kept her doubts to herself for now.

She would find out the reason today.

The black cat climbed out of the schoolbag, hooked her claws onto the strap, and nimbly leaped up, landing directly on top of Luo Yunzhi’s head.

Luo Yunzhi felt a weight on her head and reached up to touch it. It was a fluffy bundle. 

She paused for a moment, then realized what it was.

“Is the bag too stuffy?”

“Meow.”

Yes.

“I see.” 

This time, the young girl seemed to understand the black cat’s meaning. 

She didn’t object and continued walking home with the cat on her head.

“I can spend more time with you today.”

Suddenly.

Luo Yunzhi spoke.

She had been quite busy lately. 

Yesterday, Sister Li had noticed how tired she looked and generously gave her the day off.

It was even paid leave, which made Luo Yunzhi very happy. 

As she walked, she couldn’t help humming a light, cheerful tune.

“Meow.”

Whatever.

Bai Ziyu wasn’t very interested. She simply lay lazily on top of the young girl’s head. 

Since Luo Yunzhi wasn’t walking fast, it didn’t feel bumpy.

The black cat could smell the citrus scent on the girl. 

It was fresh and calming, as if it could soothe her mind and chase away all irritation.

Bai Ziyu yawned.

She was getting sleepy again?

The black cat curled up. 

The breeze blew past, making her sleek black fur ripple like gentle waves on the sea—beautiful patterns without any turbulence.

Luo Yunzhi carried her schoolbag with a black cat on her head. 

Even as the surroundings grew darker and the streetlights dotted the night, they seemed to guide the way home.

She hummed softly.

“There’s a tiny black cat.”

“Sleeping on top of my head.”

“Why are you so black.”

“Yet your meows are so crisp.”

“Meow~”

Before she could finish the adapted song, the black cat’s meow joined in. 

Luo Yunzhi paused in surprise, then continued singing her own tune.

“Can you be my baby?”

She smiled gently.

“Meow.”

No.

“Huh?”

***

The familiar click sounded as the door opened. 

Warm orange light spilled into the room, completely dispelling the deep darkness.

Luo Yunzhi lifted the black cat from her head and carefully placed her on the sofa. 

She let out a soft breath, then went to the kitchen to wash her hands and prepare dinner.

The room fell quiet. Only the clock on the wall kept ticking diligently. 

Time passed quietly, and dinner was soon ready.

“Little White, time to eat~”

“Meow.”

Got it.

The black cat had actually woken up long ago—not because she was called, but because she had been lured by the smell of food. 

She stood up, somewhat curious about what they were having tonight.

Had Luo Yunzhi finally had a breakthrough? Could she actually cook now? 

Bai Ziyu looked skeptical. And why did this smell feel so familiar?

The black cat jumped onto the chair, then lightly leaped onto the table. 

The young girl also brought the dinner over and placed it in front of her.

“Meow.”

I got my hopes up for nothing.

Luo Yunzhi hadn’t cooked tonight. 

The fragrant smell came from instant noodles with ham and egg, along with grilled chicken legs that she must have bought at some point.

To this, the black cat could only say… hell yes. Bai Ziyu was drooling, staring at the food with clear impatience to dig in.

Seeing her like this, Luo Yunzhi felt a faint sense of disappointment. 

Little White had never looked this excited about the meals she made herself.

She propped her cheek on her hand.

Sighing repeatedly.

“I really need to learn how to cook properly.”