The wealthy cat looked at the large groundhog under its paw, which was screaming wildly and trying to shake it off. After shaking it a couple of times, it slammed its paw down on the groundhog's head again and let out a stern roar:
"Meow! Shut up!"
"If you yell again, I'll eat your brains!"
Whether it was because the cat's claw was too powerful or because the groundhog understood its threat, the groundhog really stopped meowing after the cat's threatening claw strike.
However, it didn't dare to move at all and squatted in place, its whole body stiff as if it were a clod of earth.
Actually, judging from its size, this marmot is several sizes larger than the sand cat, so it shouldn't be this afraid. But perhaps it's the innate fear of predators among rodents, or perhaps the sand cat has a human soul beneath its smooth fur.
Anyway, the groundhog lay there obediently, dejected and lifeless, as if waiting to die.
This made the rich cat's paws itch again. Look at this cunning mouse! It's like he's bullying the mouse. It's just a few scratches, isn't it?
Isn't it only natural for a cat to scratch a mouse?
However, the rich cat didn't waste any more time with the groundhog. He turned his head and looked at the hole in the corner of the wall that the groundhog had dug out. Suddenly, he flicked his tail and had an urge to go and take a look.
So, the cat stomped on the stiff groundhog with its paw.
The groundhog paused for a moment, blinked its small, black bean-like eyes, and peeked its head left and right, unsure of what the intimidating creature on its head was up to.
"Tsk, you've been discovered, why aren't you going back to your cave? Are you just waiting to die here?!"
The rich cat stepped on the groundhog's feet twice more, and then the groundhog actually moved. It quickly darted to the hole it had dug, hesitated for a moment, and then crawled inside.
As the groundhog burrowed into its hole, the cat Fugui jumped off its head and nimbly followed the groundhog into this "underground kingdom" inaccessible to humans.
There was no smell of humans or industrial machines in this cave; only the strong scent of soil.
The dark passageway was perfectly natural for both the groundhog leading the way and Fugui, the sand cat following behind.
So natural that even if a few earthworms and dark worms crawl out of the soil, the pampered cat will simply paw away and not care at all.
Then he saw food packaging bags in the tunnel. The rich cat paused for a moment, then continued walking.
Rats have been stealing human food for thousands of years, so there's nothing to worry about.
At this moment, the wealthy cat noticed that the big groundhog seemed to have secretly turned around and glanced at him. Its beautiful cat eyes instantly fixed on those sneaky black bean eyes. The groundhog stiffened for a moment, as if it had resigned itself to its fate and continued to walk forward.
Cat Fugui felt that this big rat seemed a bit abnormal.
It looked like a cunning thief, so he abandoned his original plan to dig an exit and leave, and decided to follow the groundhog to its lair no matter what!
Then, it suddenly occurred to Cat Fugui that groundhogs generally live in high-altitude meadow areas, while field mice and moles are more adept at digging burrows in plains below 1,500 meters in altitude. So…
How did this groundhog get here? And it seems to be heading specifically for the underground shelter.
The question in the wealthy cat's mind was finally answered after following the large groundhog through the winding underground for more than twenty minutes.
He didn't know where the groundhog had led him, but after walking for twenty minutes, the underground passage suddenly opened up and became wide.
After turning a small corner, the wealthy cat saw an underground cave that was about the size of a small room. Inside the cave, besides piles of various human snacks, rice, and grains, there were seven groundhogs of different sizes that stood up and started screaming wildly when they saw the cat.
As they stood upright, ready to meow, the pampered cat's fur stood on end, and he almost turned and ran away, but he quickly regained his composure.
The combined screams of those seven innocent groundhogs weren't even as loud as the scream of a single groundhog after he transformed. Moreover, it didn't have that mental attack effect that would disorient him.
Cough. So, nothing to worry about!
Indeed, after the pampered cat scurried around the hole and scratched each of the groundhogs, they all obediently shut up.
It seems that animals that survive disasters are exceptionally clever and perceptive. After determining that they were no match for the suddenly appearing kitten, the eight groundhogs lay down on the ground, resignedly becoming clods of dirt.
The largest one, perhaps the grandfather or father of this groundhog family? It sighed and reached out its paws to grab a lot of food, which it then placed in front of the pampered cat.
They have even better insight than some people.
If they fought back fiercely, the pampered cat might have the intention to deal with them, but since they were so docile all of a sudden, the cat found it hard to bring itself to attack them.
Moreover, seeing the old rice and grains piled up like a small mountain but of varying quality, Cat Fugui ultimately let the group of eight groundhogs go.
Well, they are also life forms in this world, so I won't eat them.
OMG! Why would he even think of eating a rat?! Even a groundhog is still a rat!!
Cat Fugui shivered, then headed straight for another passage in the cave. He heard the sound of wind from there, and this passage should have an exit.
However, just as he decided to turn away, the eight groundhogs that had been trembling and pretending to be dirt straightened up one by one when they saw him. The largest one squeaked twice and then brought a bag of deflated potato chips to him.
It was placed down carefully and skillfully, as if offering tribute to a king.
Rich Cat: "..."
This posture makes him look like a bully collecting protection money. Moreover, it seems like this family of groundhogs is supporting more than one bully who collects protection money.
In the end, the proud and wealthy cat did not accept the bag of deflated and surely limp potato chips.
Instead, out of inexplicable pity, they left a large and very fresh piece of cheese for the two smallest groundhogs in the family.
Don't they say mice love cheese? Since we've gone through their tunnel, let's give them some toll money.
When the groundhog family saw the cheese that had appeared out of nowhere, their eight pairs of small black eyes widened in shock. Two little groundhogs immediately scrambled over and circled around the sweet-smelling cheese, while the big groundhog, whose head had been perched on by the pampered cat, also straightened up in astonishment to look at the pampered cat, its big black nose even trying to sniff the pampered cat's scent.
The wealthy cat ignored the family of groundhogs and went out through another path in the cave.
When he finally crawled out, he realized he was no longer in the central square area; the spot where he had emerged was so familiar it made him grit his teeth in disgust.
Isn't that the small garden in front of his villa in Jinyu Residential Area?
"grass."
If those groundhogs had dug any harder, they probably would have dug all the way to the burrow in his study and then just walked right in.
However, since they were already home, Cat Fugui simply decided to go home.
After all, there's food in the refrigerator, rice and flour in the kitchen, an oil generator to turn on the air conditioning to cool things down, and a bathtub to take a bath!
So the wealthy cat pulled out his wristwatch from his pocket and called Xie Tianlang as he walked home:
"Because I used the special passage, I'm already at Jinyu Residential Area. Don't wait there, come back quickly. There should still be plenty of food in the fridge. Tonight, I want to have 'bo bo' for supper... damn it?!"
Xie Tianlang was listening intently to what his cat, Pointy Ears, wanted to eat, but in the end he heard "bobo grass".
He was still pondering what exactly this "bobo grass" was when the call was disconnected.
After pausing for two seconds, Xie Tianlang's brow twitched, and he quickly started running home.
At this moment, the wealthy cat was all puffed up, looking at the group of cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, and an alpaca that had somehow invaded his house and were lying on his floor!
Heaven knows how the rich cat felt when he walked in and saw a bunch of animals lying on his floor.
Especially considering that these animals living in his house have somehow learned to open the refrigerator without any instruction, and there are leftover snack wrappers and rice and flour on the floor.
The wealthy cat couldn't believe that his home had become a refuge for the animals, and immediately started meowing and jumping around in anger.
"Meow! How dare you steal my territory to sleep?!"
"Damn it! You guys are sleeping here, and you're even eating and drinking my food!!"
"Good heavens, you cats, dogs, chickens, and ducks, do you have any shame?! And the cats and dogs are one thing, but how did such a huge alpaca get into my house?! !!!"
The angry dune cat was leaping and bounding about, but the dozens of animals lying in the house were completely unfazed by his antics.
All the animals inside remained as still as old dogs, never wasting a single ounce of energy on the pampered cat.
Oh, no, not really.
Finally, a large, shiny black cat, which didn't look like it had suffered any damage at all, jumped up impatiently and slapped down Fugui, who was speaking in a mix of cat language and human speech.
When the black cat pinned Fugui to the sofa with a single paw and made him unable to move, the cat was completely shocked.
He struggled to stand up.
But he discovered that the cat's paw that was holding him was incredibly strong! It was much stronger than that of an ordinary cat.
The pampered cat lay on the sofa, looking a little bewildered.
This is impossible, this is not scientific!
How could he, Gou Fugui, possibly be pinned down and unable to move by a black cat?!
While he was contemplating life in shock, the large black cat saw that the kitten had stopped struggling, so it released its paw, then lowered its head and was about to carry the pampered kitten to join the other cats.
The wealthy cat jumped up in fright, looking warily at the large black cat that weighed at least 20 pounds.
The black cat paused, then finally purred.
A black and white cat next to the refrigerator deftly opened it and took out a breakfast bun, which it then presented to the pampered cat.
"Ouch."
The black cat pushed the still-unspoiled breakfast bun in front of the rich cat, signaling him to shut up and eat.
Perhaps to the animals in the house, this newly arrived kitten was only jumping around in search of food.
The wealthy cat looked down at the palm-sized breakfast bag, then looked up at the animals inside the house.
When he observed them closely, he could see that almost every one of these animals had sunburn and scalds of varying degrees, and they all looked tired, hot, and hungry.
The alpaca's soft wool had fallen out in large clumps. He hadn't looked closely before, but now he realized that apart from the wool on its head, the alpaca's body was already bald in patches.
Clearly, this scorching natural disaster is more painful and unbearable for these animals than for humans.
Perhaps the animals in the forests and mountains can dig holes to hide for a while.
But in this steel and concrete city, every animal that is still alive today is a symbol of courage, wisdom, and luck.
Thinking about it this way, Gou Fugui suddenly didn't want to drive these guys away anymore.
Perhaps he genuinely loved animals, perhaps he and the animals in the previous two worlds helped and supported each other, or perhaps it was simply out of reverence for life... Anyway, that's how it is.
It's unclear how long these animals will live, but since they are alive now, they are trying their best to survive.
Then let them live.
The pampered cat reached out and scratched at the breakfast bag. The sound of the packaging bag making a noise caused almost all the animals in the room to raise their heads.
Such reactions and scenes left Mao Fugui speechless yet unable to suppress a laugh. After laughing, he looked at the animals whose eyes were full of longing but none of them came up to snatch it, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
Just as he was about to put the breakfast bag back in the refrigerator, the black cat suddenly sat up straight and let out a low growl.
At the same time as the black cat spoke, a wolfhound with a festering sore on its left foreleg also appeared wary.
When the two animals simultaneously issued a warning, all the animals lying on the floor stood up and bent down.
That's a stance for attacking or fighting.
Gou Fugui only heard the footsteps after the black cat and the wolfhound gave the warning at the same time. He only paused for a second before realizing that it was Xie Tianlang's footsteps.
So, faster than any of the animals here, the instant Xie Tianlang opened the door, Fugui Cat pounced on Xie Tianlang's face while shouting, "Meow, don't move! There are cats, dogs, and alpacas inside!"
Xie Tianlang, who had rushed all the way here, opened the door and saw his own Jianjian coming towards him. He nimbly caught the kitten and at the same time, he suppressed his murderous aura and stood still by the door.
He didn't make any rash moves, and the cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, geese, and alpacas that were on guard inside the house didn't pounce on him either.
Most animals in the city are kept as pets. Domestic cats and dogs, in particular, are more aware of the existence of the "home" sphere.
So, when they saw the kitten that suddenly burst in jump into the human's arms, and the human showed no intention of harming the kitten and even made a protective gesture, the clever cats and dogs knew that the refuge with food they had found was probably this human's "home."
In other words, they trespassed on someone else's territory.
Having realized this, the lead black cat and the lame wolfhound growled twice more.
Gou Fugui saw these animals, who had been lying carelessly on the ground, slowly stand up and gather together, seemingly preparing to leave.
Previously, no matter how much the pampered cat jumped around, the animals remained unmoved, but now they are voluntarily leaving.
Gou Fugui even saw a small orange cat and a half-grown husky squatting next to the refrigerator, unwilling to leave. Then, after being barked at by the black cat and the wolfhound, the husky finally followed the animals, whimpering.
Looking at the direction the animals were facing, Gou Fugui finally realized where they had come from—
The floor-to-ceiling windows on his balcony.
That big black cat can even open windows!
Seeing the big black cat jump up and open the window again, the pampered cat sitting in Xie Tianlang's palm finally couldn't help but meow:
"Alright, meow, I won't kick you out. If you acknowledge me as your boss and work for me, I'll pay you a salary!!"
The rich cat only said this to the most human-like and intelligent black cat and the lame wolfhound.
After all, these two are the leaders; if they stay, the other animals will stay too.
However, to Fugui Cat's complete surprise, when he shouted, half of the dozens of animals that were walking out of the house stopped in their tracks! Even the bald alpaca?!
After half of the animals understood Gou Fugui's work deal and happily hopped back to lie down on the ground, the other half, whose brains weren't quite as sharp but who had very strong animal instincts, also quickly flapped their wings and trotted back.
Even after they returned, they consciously huddled at the edges and corners of the room, trying their best not to block Xie Tianlang's path as his human human servant.
Rich Cat: "..."
When did these animals learn such tricks?!
Seeing Jianjian's suppressed laughter, Xie Tianlang couldn't help but burst out laughing.
So the animals stayed.
Moreover, these animals also ate handmade pet food made with ingredients provided by Fugui Cat and prepared by Chef Xie Tianlang on this day.
Compared to those strange-tasting snacks and hard rice and flour products that don't fill your stomach, Xie Tianlang's handmade pet food has been well received by all the animals in the house.
Xie Tianlang could clearly sense that the animals' attitude towards him had changed drastically after just one meal.
Of course, the most popular and attention-grabbing cat among the animals is the rich cat. The cats are already planning to lick his fur, and even the black cat leader has condescended to squat down over.
It almost brought back the fear of the wealthy beauty being licked bald by the cubs.
Then, in front of the animals, the rich cat transformed into a human.
He had expected the animals to be shocked, but they only paused for a moment, then circled around him, smelled that his scent hadn't changed, and then completely ignored him.
The wealthy beauty even noticed a thoughtful look flash in the emerald green eyes of the leading black cat.
Gou Fugui: "..."
For some reason, I've started to believe in the idea that black cats are psychic.
Although I gained dozens of little animal brothers during my trip home, I still have to continue doing what I need to do.
After taking a comfortable shower and having a meal at home, Gou Fugui knocked on the door of the villa next door.
At first there was no response from inside, but when Gou Fugui gave his name, the door was quickly opened. A young woman who looked somewhat haggard opened the door, and a middle-aged woman beside her looked at him warily.
"Because most communications have been cut off, I can't talk to Brother Lu. But I went to the underground shelter today and saw that the situation there was really bad, so I thought I'd come and tell you."
"My two brothers and I are temporarily staying in the underground subway station at the train station. Although we have to collect our own supplies and dig our own underground caves and passages, the situation there is better than in the underground shelters."
"If you can't stay here anymore, or if you can't stay at Brother Lu's place anymore, you can go to the train station tonight."
After saying this, Gou Fugui turned and left, leaving behind a mother and daughter who looked hesitant yet grateful.
Gou Fugui thought that Lu Xuesi and his family might wait a few more days, until the climate or the environment of the safe zone became worse, before considering coming to the train station.
However, on the third night after he informed Lu Xuesi's wife, he saw Lu Xuesi and his family of six carrying large bags and children in a cave under the train station.
At that time, Fugui Cat was still leading a group of animals to dig a hole by himself, and he really didn't expect them to arrive so quickly.
In response to his doubts, Lu Xuesi sighed as she tidied up the area of her underground cave that had been assigned to her.
"I have a feeling... something's going to happen at the shelters in the central area."
"Public resentment is growing, but the authorities don't know how to appease the people and instead resort to threats of food and lodging."
"If it were just that, it might not be a big deal, but the administrators of that safe zone also give special treatment to themselves and their cronies."
"It's not scarcity that's the problem, but inequality."
Lu Xuesi sighed.
He, his father, and his father-in-law had already been thinking about a way out, but after hearing what his wife said last night, they all agreed to come.
Now, looking at the underground cave with its metal fence at the exit, a wooden door underneath to block the wind, a solar generator, five freezers, and a ventilation system inside, Lu Xuesi thought it was a great place.
Even if the floors here aren't all wood or ceramic, and even if each house is separated only by a screen or curtain, as long as it's spacious, peaceful, and safe, it's good enough.
There are also cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, geese, and alpacas that will help with the work? It looks very homey.
Just as everyone had unanimously decided to dig the underground passage towards the Mother River in the suburbs, and Song Sanchuan had already manufactured the third solar generator, it was also the evening of the fourth day since Lu Xuesi and the others arrived. Xu Lei, his face covered in bruises and limping, was leaning against the iron railing at the subway entrance with his mother in the sweltering heat.
He also brought news of a riot that had broken out in the central security zone.
Xu Lei lay on the ground and gulped down a bottle of ice water, choking and coughing. Then, he closed his eyes and said with lingering fear:
My uncle is dead.
"He was hacked to death by a group of thugs wielding knives."
"And the entire management team of the safe zone, basically..."
"Whoever bullied you the most before is now being killed. Although my uncle is no good, those who started the riot are the real thugs."
"Boss, if it weren't for the stun gun you gave me, my mom and I wouldn't have been able to escape."
“Those rioters first instigated everyone to turn against the management, and after the management was almost all dead, they... then started killing the sick and the elderly.”
"So many people escaped. They would rather die of heatstroke outside than be killed by those thugs inside. When my mother and I escaped, there were only a few thousand people left in the central square safety zone, all of them strong and healthy."
Xu Lei wiped his face, looked at the dark cave ceiling, and muttered:
"Boss, we all need to be careful. Avoid that area and don't run into them."
"The world may be about to descend into chaos."
Before the scorching sun has even burned our hearts, people's hearts are already in turmoil.
On that same day, the radio that Song Sanchuan had repaired received new information from the higher levels of the government—
[We encourage everyone to dig tunnels to save themselves and go underground.]
[The capital city has begun using specialized equipment to rapidly construct an underground refuge city extending 500 to 1,000 meters underground.]
[The underground city is expected to be initially completed in about a month. All citizens, please persevere and head to the underground city!]
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