NOVEL NEXT Chapter 425: First-Time Parents
With the mother cat "Niangniang" abandoning her six kittens, the Mei-You-Yuan Trio now faced the responsibility of caring for the tiny felines.
Their first challenge: naming the litter.
Xia Yuan—who had spent considerable effort naming the mother "Niangniang"—now agonized over six new names, filling pages with food-themed ideas like Black Sesame, White Peach, and Tangerine.
"Yuan Yuan, stop overcomplicating! My names are way more practical!"
"Absolutely not! Your names lack love, Ah Fang!"
"Simple names ensure healthy growth—mine's plain yet sturdy."
"I disagree! 'Mei Fang' sounds lovely!"
Mei Fang's proposed names were Big Orange, Small Orange, Big White, Small White, Big Black, and Small Black—a selection he found ingenious.
Lin Youxi intervened: "The issue is distinguishing same-colored kittens without distinct markings. Numbering would be more practical."
"Ah Fang! You—" Xia Yuan clapped a hand over her mouth mid-protest. Seizing the opportunity, Mei Fang pinched her cheeks. "Aha! So you DO think my name sounds bad! Naughty Yuan Yuan—prepare for punishment! Present that bottom!"
"Not this early! Pervert!"
The final names reflected compromise:
Though unsatisfied with some choices, Xia Yuan conceded to Mei Fang's naming rights—ensuring all three participated.
Newborn kittens—barely palm-sized with unopened eyes—required feeding every few hours via syringe-like devices (not baby bottles). As the original cat adoption advocate, Xia Yuan zealously shouldered responsibilities, especially feedings—refusing all assistance.
After a week of exhaustion, Mei Fang and Lin Youxi intervened during a feeding session.
"Let me help, Yuan Yuan."
"No need…I've got it…you already handle litter duty…"
"I've memorized the routine by now."
"Really, I can—"
As Xia Yuan dozed off mid-protest, Mei Fang took the syringe while Lin Youxi—to Xia Yuan's shock—began expertly assisting.
"You thought cat-rearing was just your and Ah Fang's thing?" Lin Youxi smiled. "I love cats too—parenting is a trio effort."
"Sniff…Youxi, I love you so much!"
Raising kittens proved arduous. Xia Yuan devoted herself entirely—monitoring their health, mediating squabbles, and providing maternal affection through constant petting. Weekends found her gazing at them for hours, often joined by Mei Fang and Lin Youxi.
"How's motherhood treating you?" Mei Fang stroked Xia Yuan's hair as she watched the kittens.
"Way harder than playing house as your mom! But…" She guided his hand to her chest. "…watching them grow makes every struggle worthwhile—it's healing."
"Satisfying, right?"
"Healing, not satisfying! Bad daddy thinking achievements!Nom!" After playfully biting Mei Fang's cheek, their affectionate tussling drew curious stares from the kittens now peering from their warm nest.
(…)
One month post-abandonment, the kittens had graduated from syringe-feedings to independent eating, drinking, and litterbox use—transforming into energetic furballs exploring every corner.
Big Orange—the most rambunctious—specialized in leaping onto tables before torpedoing into Mei Fang's lap. His tabby sibling Xǐ was dopier and timid.
Nai and Little White (the white sisters) displayed refined manners, often grooming each other while adoring Xia Yuan—demanding her attention upon her return.
Night (a lazy black cat) napped during playtime, while Yue—though playful like Big Orange—remained the frailest, requiring extra care. Notably, Yue bonded with Lin Youxi, licking her hands during treat distributions.
The feline household attracted frequent visits from university friends Xiang Bingbing and Liu Xiaoyu—who'd previously visited only twice for game-music sessions but now appeared weekly.
Xiang Bingbing became Big Orange's wrestling partner, even attempting to teach him backflips ("Yuan Yuan Mama, let me train him!"). Liu Xiaoyu preferred quietly observing and feeding, especially bonding with Little White and Yue.
Both friends had matured noticeably—Xiang Bingbing's fashion sense improved under Liu Xiaoyu's guidance, while Liu Xiaoyu's innate elegance (once overshadowed by Xia Yuan in high school) now shone as a campus goddess—thanks partly to her music career with Yuanxi Entertainment.
Mei Fang—having compensated Liu Xiaoyu handsomely for her musical contributions—was delighted by her improved demeanor during their catch-up:
"Your dad's situation improved?"
"Almost repaid everything this spring." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "An old friend—a businessman Dad once sponsored—hired him as a factory manager. Business boomed."
"Karma rewards kindness." Mei Fang smiled. "Your family's turning around."
"Mm. Still, thank you." Liu Xiaoyu hesitated. "Actually…could I treat you all to dinner soon?"
"Why? I didn't help with your family."
"For the opportunities you gave me. Without you, I'd never have grown so much professionally."
"Don't be so formal—"
"I'm sincere." Her earnest gaze held his. "Unless the CEO's too busy for subordinates?"
"CEO? We're friends!"
"Then let friends dine together." Her smile turned playful. "Won't you indulge me?"
"…"
Mei Fang blinked at her transformed confidence. "University really changed you."
"Financial freedom lifts burdens." She gazed outside. "Though…no romantic prospects yet—too focused on perfectingThe End's soundtrack."
"Your compositions are excellent already."
"Only with your guidance,boss."
Liu Xiaoyu's disinterest in campus romance was understandable—having ascended to core member status in Mei Fang's billion-yuan empire, ordinary suitors paled in comparison. Her worldview had become thoroughly "Mei Fang-shaped"—where career growth trumped all.
As she chatted happily with Mei Fang while petting cats, Lin Youxi materialized beside them with a shoulder pat that made Liu Xiaoyu's soul nearly exit her body.
Oh no—did I overstep?!
Hyper-aware of Lin Youxi's thinly veiled possessiveness (only tolerating Xia Yuan as co-wife), Liu Xiaoyu immediately shifted to "harmless bunny" mode when Lin Youxi asked what they'd discussed so animatedly.
Mei Fang obliviously continued: "Just noting how much Xiaoyu's matured since high school."
"I-It's normal growth!"
Why switch to my given name now?!Panicking, Liu Xiaoyu noticed Lin Youxi's arm linking with hers in faux sisterhood while stroking the cat in her lap:
"So…do you prefer her former shyness or current confidence?"
Don't answer! Boss, don't fall for it!
As Mei Fang pondered, Liu Xiaoyu desperately deflected: "D-Don't put him on the spot! I could never compare to you or Yuan Yuan!"
Lin Youxi's smile tightened. "You know him well."
"As his employee! Interpreting the boss's needs is—"
"Enough work talk!" Mei Fang complained. "Be more like Bingbing!"
"R-Right…"
"You sound like you're reporting to superiors!"
Just as Liu Xiaoyu floundered, Xiang Bingbing executed a backflip in her short skirt (ignoring Xia Yuan's shrieks about modesty), accidentally making Mei Fang avert his eyes—only to lock gazes with a blushing Liu Xiaoyu at close range.
Lin Youxi instantly mounted Mei Fang to block his view. "No ogling other women."
"I wasn't! Ask Xiaoyu—"
"Don't care."
Their ensuing makeout session prompted Liu Xiaoyu to cover both her and the cat's eyes—vowing eternal loyalty to avoid Lin Youxi's wrath.
This is harder than composing game music!she internally wept.
[Author's Note]
IF routes depress me—back to brainstorming main story developments!