Chapter 36: Master, please check your little cat’s selfie!

“Wow~” Xia Momu licked her cone, marveling. “Qingya, you’re so devoted—that means you’ve liked her for years, huh?”

Lin Qingya’s cheeks burned deeper at the blunt question, the flush creeping from her face to her ears.

She nodded shyly, admitting: “Y-yeah, that’s right.”

“Little Bai-jie… she moved next door when I was still in elementary school.”

Lin Qingya’s gaze drifted far, thoughts sailing back to her distant childhood.

Back then, her world had been tiny—and so lonely.

Empty houses, cold meals: those were her sharpest early memories.

The little girl with twin tails would always hug her knees, sitting alone on the apartment steps, waiting for Mom and Dad to come home.

Until little Bai-jie appeared, like a warm sunbeam piercing her dim little world.

“When we first met, she was already so gentle—always taking care of me.”

Lin Qingya’s voice carried a sweet nostalgia.

She remembered it vividly: Bai Wanting back then, in Tengchun’s top high school’s red-and-white uniform, radiating a clean, refreshing aura.

Like a heroine stepped from the pages of a manga—gentle, beautiful, with a touch of cool aloofness.

“Dad’s a cop, super busy—often gone for days. Mom’s job meant constant overtime, so… growing up, hardly anyone was around for me.” Lin Qingya recalled.

“Even though little Bai-jie was in high school, swamped with studies, she’d still carve out time to play with me, tutor my homework.”

“Sometimes, when Mom and Dad couldn’t come home for work, she’d even skip evening self-study, rush over to my place, and make dinner…”

At that, Lin Qingya’s eyes misted slightly.

She’d never forget those long, lonely nights—Bai Wanting knocking with steaming dishes in hand.

Sitting beside her, listening to her babble about school antics, gently piling food into her bowl.

That warmth chased away every shadow of isolation and dark.

Xia Momu listened, envy plain, forgetting her cone mid-lick.

“Wow… what a tender next-door sis…” she murmured. “No wonder… no wonder she’s got our Qingya so smitten!”

Lin Qingya pursed her lips in bliss, lapping delicately at the ice cream.

The sweetness bloomed from tongue to heart, just like every moment with Bai Wanting.

“Mm… I fell for her gentleness bit by bit.”

“Every time we’re together, it feels so safe—I always want her to stay longer, just a little more…”

“Then, before I knew it… I realized I liked her.”

Lin Qingya paused, her eyes dimming a shade, before continuing.

“It wasn’t until she got into university in Kyoto and left Tengchun that I truly saw… how much I depended on her.”

“That’s when I really got it: I couldn’t do without little Bai-jie—not even a little.”

“I was in junior high then—days without seeing her, coming home from school to an empty place… I’d miss her so bad, heart all panicky and aching.”

Lin Qingya sighed softly, as if exhaling years of bottled longing.

Xia Momu, seeing her like that, couldn’t help chuckling, reaching to pinch her cheek.

“Haha, such a clingy kid.”

“Yeah…” Lin Qingya scratched her head, sheepish.

“After school each day, first thing: call little Bai-jie, ask what she’s up to, if she’s eaten, if she misses me… looking back, I must’ve been such a pest…”

“What’s that? I think it’s adorable!” Xia Momu slapped her shoulder, brushing it off. “Having a spoiled little neighbor sis like you wrapped around her finger? Bet your little Bai-jie’s heart swells with happiness!”

A warm current bloomed in Lin Qingya’s chest.

Xia Momu really knew how to listen—and comfort.

Chatting with her felt easy: no interruptions, no butting in—just quiet attention, then sincere boosts and backing.

It felt… nice.

“Thanks, Momu-jie.” Lin Qingya blinked, earnest.

“Psh, no need to get all formal!” Xia Momu waved it off breezily. “Just let me pet your ears and tail next transform—deal!”

Lin Qingya couldn’t help a wry smile.

She really never forgot her roots—die-hard cat stan through and through.

The two bantered and laughed their way back to the hotel.

First thing in the room: Lin Qingya whipped out her phone, primped her hair and clothes in the mirror, pouted cutely, and snapped a heart-hands selfie.

She tapped open the chat secretly labeled “My Beloved Master,” firing off the pic.

Almost instant reply—the second it sent.

[My Beloved Master: Wow~ Little Ya’s too cute! Such a good girl.]

Seeing that, Lin Qingya’s heart went into full fawn-stomp mode.

Face flaming, fingers flew across the screen.

[Little Yi Ate What Today: Nya nya~ I always listen to sister best! (づ￣³￣)づ]

Sent, she dove onto the bed, rolling with the phone clutched tight, burying her red face in the covers, giddy beyond words.

Then—knock at the door.

Xia Momu slipped back from next door, unease shadowing her face.

“Qingya, Xingcui and Yuxin… still not back.”

Lin Qingya blinked, bolting upright on the bed.

“How? Weren’t they at the mall for exchange and study? Should’ve wrapped ages ago.”

“Yeah,” Xia Momu’s brows knit tight. “I messaged the group—no reply. Calls go straight to voicemail…”

An ominous vibe coiled in both girls’ guts.

Right then—Xia Momu’s phone buzzed.

She glanced at the caller ID: “Su Xingcui (Ling Lan).”

Eyes lighting, she hit accept and speaker.

“Hello? Ling Lan?”

Ling Lan’s voice came through, weary but steady.

“Wei Re, where are you and Bai Xue now?”

“In our hotel room. You and Xin Lü? You okay? Why no replies?” Xia Momu fired urgent.

“We’re fine—just a minor hiccup, sorted now.”

Ling Lan paused, tone sharpening serious.

“Head to the location I’m sending—transform en route. We need to regroup ASAP.”

“I’ve got something crucial to share with everyone…”