Chapter 82 Giving the Kitten a Bath

"No need, no need! Sister Yue, you're too kind!"

"Yes, we must observe proper etiquette."

Seeing that Zhao Liyue insisted, Su Xiaonuan did not refuse anymore, feeling warm inside.

For dinner, Su Xiaonuan cooked rather casually: a rich and flavorful braised pork belly, a refreshing and crisp stir-fried lettuce, and a light and delicious lean pork and winter melon soup.

They all have very homey flavors, yet they are exceptionally comforting.

The two ate their meal in silence, each processing the heavy information they had just received, and gathering their strength to face the impending storm.

At night, the two went back to their respective rooms to rest.

Su Xiaonuan lay in bed, not falling asleep immediately, her mind replaying various possible scenarios for Saturday night.

The lights in Zhao Liyue's room remained on for a long time, clearly indicating that security and response plans were being further refined.

The next morning, Zhao Liyue indeed left early. Before leaving, she said to Su Xiaonuan, who was still lying in bed, "I'm going out to buy a gift and bring back breakfast. You can rest a bit more."

Su Xiaonuan gave a vague reply. After Zhao Liyue left, she lay on the bed for a while before lazily picking up her phone to check today's system tasks.

Daily Task: Sell 10 'Potted Plant Cakes' today. Sales location and method are unrestricted. Reward: 450 Merit Points.

Huh? There's no designated location today? And the method is unlimited? All I need to do is sell ten potted plant cakes to complete the task?

Su Xiaonuan blinked as she looked at this unprecedentedly lenient task, and then her mind started working.

Today is my cousin's baby's one-month celebration, and I need to bring a gift... a potted plant cake, it's cute in shape and sweet in taste, perfect as a gift or a small dessert to add to the celebration!

A thought instantly formed in her mind.

She can combine this task with attending the full moon celebration!

Use the potted plant cake as a raffle prize!

Set a rule, such as spending ten yuan each time you enter the lottery, and you are guaranteed to win a potted plant cake after five entries!

This is fun, allows you to complete tasks, and adds to the atmosphere of the banquet—it's a win-win situation!

Su Xiaonuan was delighted with her thoughts and immediately sat up in bed, looking refreshed.

She eagerly opened the system store and began enthusiastically selecting the props needed for the lottery—lottery box, numbered balls, promotional signs… preparing for a unique “dessert lottery” event at her family gathering tonight.

As for the gloom of Saturday night, it was temporarily dispelled by this little bit of anticipation.

After buying the items needed for the lucky draw, Su Xiaonuan exited the system shop with satisfaction.

Looking at the money disappearing from her account, she felt no heartache at all; instead, she was filled with anticipation for the evening's activities.

After getting up and washing up, she left the bedroom and glanced at the corner of the living room. There she saw a small black cat lying quietly, its tail tip occasionally twitching slightly, and her heart softened again.

This little guy has been quiet and well-behaved since he arrived yesterday, which is heartbreaking.

Thinking of the suffering it might have endured while it was a stray, Su Xiaonuan immediately took action.

She opened the shopping app on her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she carefully selected items—soft and comfortable cat beds, various well-regarded premium cat food, canned cat food, cat treats, cat toys, scratching posts, small toys… Her shopping cart was quickly filled to the brim, and she clicked to pay without hesitation.

After doing all that, she walked over to the little black cat, squatted down, and gently stroked its head.

"Little one, yesterday was too rushed. I'll give you a good bath today. This will be your home from now on."

The little black cat seemed to understand the kindness in her words. It raised its head, looked at her with its clear golden eyes, and gently meowed, with a hint of dependence in its voice.

Su Xiaonuan went to the bathroom, filled it with warm water, tested the temperature, and then carefully carried the little black cat inside.

When the little one first came into contact with the water, his body stiffened noticeably, and his limbs instinctively tried to grab the edge of the basin, while a soft, slightly uneasy whimper escaped his throat.

But it didn't struggle violently; it simply raised its head and stared straight at Su Xiaonuan, its big eyes filled with trust and a little bit of fear of the unknown.

"Don't be afraid, it'll be over soon." Su Xiaonuan gently wet its fur, squeezed out the pet shampoo she had just bought, and rubbed it to create a fine lather.

Her movements were patient and meticulous, avoiding the eyes and ears, as she slowly cleaned every speck of dust and dirt from its body.

The little black cat was very cooperative throughout the process. Although its body was still a little tense, it never made a fuss or tried to escape. It only occasionally made a soft, satisfied purr from its throat when she massaged a particularly comfortable spot.

This extraordinary stability and human-like quality made Su Xiaonuan love it even more.

After showering, wrap it in a large towel to absorb excess moisture.

Su Xiaonuan then took out a hairdryer, set it to the lowest warm setting, and gently dried its fur from a distance.

The little black cat was initially wary of the sound of the hairdryer, its ears perked up, but under Su Xiaonuan's gentle stroking and soothing, it gradually relaxed and even comfortably squinted its eyes.

Once its fur was blown until it was fluffy and soft, and it looked brand new, the originally gray and dirty little cat was completely transformed into a little beauty with glossy black fur, only its four paws and tail tip were white, like a little lady wearing an elegant dress.

It seemed to know it had become clean and pretty, and excitedly rubbed against Su Xiaonuan's legs, its purring sound like a little motor that never stopped, being incredibly clingy.

Su Xiaonuan was happy to play with it. While preparing the "potted plant cake" to take with her that evening, she would occasionally touch its waving paws with her toes or throw a small piece of paper for it to chase.

A person and a cat in a kitchen bathed in morning light create a warm and harmonious scene.

The heartwarming interaction only came to a temporary end when the sound of keys turning at the door was heard and Zhao Liyue returned carrying large and small bags.

Su Xiaonuan quickly put down the piping bag she was decorating and went to greet her: "Sister Yue, you're back! Why did you buy so many things?" She looked at the various gift boxes Zhao Liyue was carrying and was somewhat surprised.

Zhao Liyue carefully placed the things in the entryway, changed her shoes, and said in her usual concise tone, "It's the first time I'm meeting your relatives, so please be polite."

Her gaze swept across the living room, naturally noticing the newly transformed little black cat sitting elegantly on the sofa, licking its paws. Her eyes flickered slightly, but she clearly had something more important to do at the moment.

She didn't have time to ask about the kitten's condition; she immediately began to check the gifts she had bought, making sure nothing was missing or damaged.

The little black cat just watched them quietly, its tail swishing behind it like a composed little watchman.