Chapter 040 Senior Brother – “Picking a Gift for Your Beloved” (05/19)
Shi Jingge turned his head and spotted the three-tailed cat, looking slightly surprised. He’d thought this stubborn little creature wouldn’t show its face for at least a couple of days.
The three-tailed cat felt Shi Jingge’s eyes on it and indignantly turned its head, refusing to give him another glance.
This left the cat’s owner positively heartbroken.
You won’t look at him, but I want to! Hurry up and turn your head so I can see!
A flicker of amusement crossed Shi Jingge’s eyes as he beckoned the three-tailed cat over. “Come here.”
The cat’s ears twitched, its tail swishing back and forth. After some internal struggle, it finally turned its head and shot Shi Jingge a fierce glare before padding over with light, deliberate steps.
Once it reached him, the cat gave Shi Jingge a dismissive glance and growled. “Mrow.”
Then Shi Jingge raised his hand and gently rubbed its head.
The cat had intended to swat his hand away, but the moment Shi Jingge’s fingers touched its fur… it suddenly… melted.
…Well, there was no need to be so fierce.
… After all, it had eaten so many of his Pei Yuan Pills.
It was a reasonable little cat, not one to forget kindness.
What was the big deal about letting him pet it a couple of times? Consider it repayment!
The three-tailed cat shrugged inwardly and didn’t shake him off.
Strangely enough, while Shi Jingge’s petting technique wasn’t particularly special, it held a peculiar appeal for the creature.
The three-tailed cat’s demeanor gradually softened. It fought the urge to roll on the ground and expose its belly. After all, it was a noble and elegant feline, unsuited for such cringeworthy displays!
But the sheer effort of suppressing that urge drained the cat’s energy completely. Before it could react, a sudden “purr” escaped its throat.
In that instant, the three-tailed cat froze.
Just now… had that sound really come from it?
The cat was in turmoil.
It was the noble and elegant three-tailed cat! How could it—How could it have made such a ridiculous noise?
It had never uttered such a strange sound even in front of its owner!
The three-tailed cat wished it could just crawl into a hole and disappear!
Its fur stood on end at that moment.
Shi Jingge, clueless, simply poked its head and asked with a hint of exasperation, “What’s wrong?”
The three-tailed cat stiffly turned to look at Shi Jingge. It found no change in the human’s expression—still that cold, reserved look—as if Shi Jingge hadn’t noticed what it had just done at all.
Then, Shi Jingge tugged gently at the three-tailed cat’s ear and sighed softly.
The cat’s expression tightened. Next, it watched as Shi Jingge produced a small vial and poured out a single pill.
The delicate fragrance wafted toward it, and in that instant, the three-tailed cat recognized exactly what this pill was!
It was the very pill it had wanted earlier, the one this human had refused to give!
“Just one pill.” Shi Jingge held up one finger, waving it before the three-tailed cat. “This is the only time. No exceptions.” Shi Jingge paused, perhaps realizing his tone was too harsh. Hesitantly, he added, “…Okay?”
The three-tailed cat stared blankly at him.
The cultivator before it still wore that cold, stern expression, yet in his eyes, the cat seemed to detect a hint of embarrassment.
Shi Jingge raised his hand and slipped the pill into the cat’s mouth.
The cat closed its eyes in pleasure, tilted its head, and gently rubbed against Shi Jingge.
A flicker of amusement danced in Shi Jingge’s eyes as he gently stroked the cat’s back. The cat’s tail twitched, sliding across Shi Jingge’s arm, deepening the smile in his eyes.
Meanwhile, the man who witnessed all this through the cat’s eyes nearly gasped audibly.
This is just too, too, too adorable!
How could someone as adorable as this exist in the world?
Especially when he was petting the three-tailed cat, the carefully cultivated coldness and sternness had almost completely vanished. The upturned corners of his lips spoke of his contentment, like a pearl covered in dust that could no longer conceal its own radiance, making it impossible for the man to look away.
In that instant, only one thought remained in his mind.
Leave that three-tailed cat alone and come pet me!
The man ran a hand through his own hair, nodding with a touch of seriousness.
Hmm. His hair was smoother and silkier than the cat’s coarse fur. If this cultivator loved the cat’s fluffy coat, surely he’d love his hair too?
Silently, the man resolved to make hair care his top daily priority.
He yearned to dash straight to that cave dwelling and exchange a few words with the youth he’d fallen for at first sight. Yet before he could step outside his own cave, hesitation pulled him back.
Wouldn’t that be too rash?
If the youth ended up disliking him, the consequences would be far worse than the gain.
The man scratched his head, feeling a pang of regret. If only he hadn’t let the three-tailed cat go alone. Wouldn’t it have been better to accompany it?
But there was no such thing as a regret pill in this world, and even money couldn’t buy foresight. The man could only sigh deeply and wait for the three-tailed cat to return before visiting together the next day.
The reason was readily available: the cat had consumed so many of the young man’s precious pills. As its master, how could he not go to properly thank him?
Since it was a visit to express gratitude, he certainly couldn’t arrive empty-handed. A gift was essential. He had to follow proper etiquette and make a good impression on the young man.
…But what should he give?
This was their first meeting, their first gift—it had to be special, meaningful.
He had to choose carefully.
But the next second, the man’s hand paused. He lifted his head, his eyes burning bright. The three-tailed cat had finally opened its eyes. He could see his darling again!
“Enough.” Shi Jingge tapped the three-tailed cat’s head. “No more for now.”
The cat swatted at his hand with a tail, not hard, but kept swishing them until they all ended up curled around Shi Jingge’s palm.
He gently rubbed one, eyes crinkling with amusement. “Have you gained weight?”
Three-tailed cat: !!!
In an instant, the three-tailed cat exploded. All three tails lashed out, smacking Shi Jingge on the crown of his head. It let out several furious rumbles before darting off.
It stopped by the cave entrance, whirled around, and let out a fierce, almost shrill yowl aimed at Shi Jingge.
“Nyaaah!”
Never, ever again!!!
The three-tailed cat was gone.
Shi Jingge stood there dumbfounded, a wry smile on his face. “Quite the temper, that one.”
System 111 couldn’t hold back, bursting out to tattle: 【This cat is way too much! Absolutely vicious! Host, you’ve got a mark on your face!!】
Shi Jingge sighed deeply. “Well, kittens will be kittens. Even when they’re all puffed up, they’re still adorable.”
System 111: 【……】
System 111: 【Depressed.jpg】
—– —– —–
The three-tailed cat raced back to its cave dwelling, seething with indignation.
But the moment it arrived, it froze in shock.
Before it stood a miniature mountain.
A mountain piled high with all manner of spiritual artifacts, magical treasures, spirit stones, spiritual herbs, and mystical fruits!
The three-tailed cat stiffly turned its head, finally locating its owner. It then pointed a tail at the little mountain before it and meowed in utter bewilderment. “Mrrp?”
What was this? Were they moving?
The man sat nearby, meticulously sorting through the items. Those rejected were tossed back into his storage space, while those deemed passable landed at his left foot and the truly satisfactory ones at his right.
The three-tailed cat noticed both sides of the man’s feet were already piled high. A quick glance revealed at least twenty or thirty items on each side.
What on earth was he doing?
The three-tailed cat was utterly baffled.
Hearing the commotion, the man glanced up at it, his gaze gradually deepening and growing serious.
Three-tailed cat: “?”
The man furrowed his brow slightly, scrutinizing the cat from head to toe with intense focus.
The three-tailed cat couldn’t help but feel tense.
The man spoke slowly and earnestly, “You really have gained some weight.”
The three-tailed cat: “???”
“Probably from eating too many pills lately.” The man paused, thought for a moment, then said earnestly, “Then we’ll just have to increase your exercise regimen.”
The three-tailed cat: “???”
“Come on, sort through these and pick out the ones you think are decent.” The man gestured toward the small mountain of items. “Don’t make me doubt your judgment.”
The three-tailed cat: “…”
Three seconds later, the three-tailed cat leaped up and exploded with fury!
Calling it fat and then expecting it to work? Fat chance!!
Just wait till it crushes him!!
The three-tailed cat pounced onto the man’s head and thumped its paws down. He chuckled, scooping it off his head and holding out his hand. “Where’s the Pei Yuan Pills?”
Earlier that evening, the young man had given the three-tailed cat a bottle of Peiyuan Pills to appease it, but it hadn’t had a chance to eat them yet.
The three-tailed cat eyed him warily. “Meow! Mrr-ow!!”
What are you up to?
The man produced two high-grade spirit stones. “Trade.”
The three-tailed cat paused for two seconds, then decisively handed over the bottle. It snatched the spirit stones away with lightning speed, as if afraid the man might change his mind.
The man chuckled, tipped one pill into his mouth, and instantly softened his gaze. Not bad.
“Meow?” The three-tailed cat tilted its head, puzzled.
Hadn’t the man said the Pei Yuan Pill was useless to him? Why was he suddenly eating it now?
The man chuckled softly. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Naturally, the Pei Yuan Pill was useless to him. But this particular pill had been made by that young man himself.
That made all the difference.
The three-tailed cat puffed out its cheeks, looking displeased.
The man rubbed its ears. “You took my payment. Isn’t it time you did some work for me? Go on. Pick out some interesting things.”
The three-tailed cat thought of those two high-grade spirit stones from earlier and reluctantly gave in.
Man and cat rummaged through the small mountain together, but their progress wasn’t particularly fast.
The man sighed deeply.
Why was it so hard to find a meaningful keepsake?
After another hour of searching, still nothing satisfied him. He took out the bottle of Pei Yuan Pills, poured out another one, and popped it into his mouth.
The three-tailed cat leaped over and gazed at him with longing. It pointed its tail at the bottle of Peiyuan Pills, its eyes brimming with desire.
“Mrrp~”
Give me one, just one!
“No.” The man refused firmly and decisively. “I bought these from you. If you want one, return those two high-grade spirit stones.”
The three-tailed cat stared at the man in disbelief, almost convinced it had misheard.
He’s so stingy!
Won’t even give a single Pei Yuan Pill!
He doesn’t deserve this three-tailed cat!
He needs a new owner! Right now!
—————————–
Author’s Note: Gong: What do you mean “lust at first sight”? This is clearly soul-level attraction!
Gong: I saw my soulmate and fell in love at first sight—what’s wrong with that?!
Gong: Nothing!!!
The three-tailed cat: Sooner or later, I’m going to smash both these jerks’ skulls.
Gong: You can smash mine, but don’t you dare touch Xiao Ge’s.
The three-tailed cat: ???
#Three-TailedCatLosingFavor#
#WhyDoTheseTwoSeemSoSweetEvenBeforeTheyMeet?#
Shio here! So translating ahead (but not by too much :sweat_smile: ) I have made the discovery that Jiang Lingqing IS of equal/similar status… ish. Anyways, edits have been made to chapters 35-39 to reflect this in how he addresses Shi Jingge.
This does, in my opinion, change how I had perceived him. I would maybe re-read those chapters if you want a refreshed version. It’s amazing how just a small change can affect things, as he went from an ‘oppressed subordinate whos angry at his oppressor’ to ‘somebody of equal standing lashing out in anger and disappointment’ .
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
