Bai Zhi huffily picked up the teacup and took a big gulp, as if she wasn't drinking tea, but Lu Cheng's blood.
Tired of scolding and unable to win an argument, she simply gave up. She sprawled listlessly on the table, her gaze wandering around the private room.
The decor of this private teahouse was extremely exquisite, exuding a subtle luxury everywhere. Outside the private room was a meticulously maintained Chinese-style courtyard, with small bridges, flowing water, and lush greenery.
Just then, a pure white Persian cat with a fluffy tail emerged from behind the rockery in the courtyard, gracefully padding along.
It stretched lazily in the sunlight, then lightly jumped onto the wooden veranda outside the private room, curiously observing the people inside.
"Wow! A cat!"
Bai Zhi's eyes instantly lit up.
There was almost no girl who could resist such a fluffy, noble, and adorable creature.
She instantly forgot her "undercover" identity, and the displeasure of being infuriated by Lu Cheng just now. Like an ordinary little girl, she excitedly stood up and scurried to the edge of the veranda.
She squatted down and cautiously extended her hand towards the Persian cat.
"Kitty, come here."
Her voice unconsciously softened a lot, carrying a hint of coaxing.
The Persian cat didn't seem afraid of people. It tilted its head, appraised Bai Zhi with its sapphire-like eyes, and then actually took a few steps and walked over.
It rubbed its fluffy head against Bai Zhi's palm.
The soft touch made Bai Zhi's heart almost melt.
"So well-behaved."
Bai Zhi couldn't help but smile, extending her other hand to gently stroke the cat's smooth back.
Even Lu Xuan, who had a perpetually stern face and found fault with everything, was now drawn to this cat and curiously moved closer.
Tang Bingyun also temporarily forgot her fear, her gaze resting on the cat, her tense nerves finding a moment of relief.
However, just as Bai Zhi was happily petting the cat, even thinking of reaching out to scratch its chin, a sudden change occurred!
The Persian cat seemed to have a switch flipped; its previously docile eyes instantly turned fierce!
"Meow!"
It let out a sharp cry, suddenly opened its mouth, and bit Bai Zhi's finger!
"Hiss!"
Bai Zhi winced in pain and instinctively pulled her hand back.
Although the cat's teeth didn't break the skin, only leaving a row of shallow tooth marks, the sudden pain still startled her.
The Persian cat, having made its move, immediately jumped back, arched its back, and all its fur bristled, switching into'Spinosaurus mode'.
It let out threatening growls from its throat, and its blue eyes were filled only with hostility, as if ready to launch its next attack at any moment.
"You bad cat! How dare you bite me!"
Bai Zhi was both shocked and angry. She stood up from the ground, put her hands on her hips, and was about to rush over to teach this ungrateful creature a lesson.
"Hahaha! Serves you right!"
Lu Xuan laughed gleefully from the side.
"You can't even handle a cat, you really are useless!"
She pointed at Bai Zhi, laughing uncontrollably.
Bai Zhi's face flushed red then pale from her laughter, and she was about to curse both the cat and the person.
Just then, a black lightning bolt shot out from the other side of the courtyard without warning!
It was a sleek black cat. Its fur was pure black, even gleaming with an oily sheen in the sunlight, and its golden eyes were exceptionally bright.
The black cat's speed was extreme; it pounced almost before the Persian cat could react.
There was no superfluous probing, just the simplest, most direct pounce, pin, and bite!
"Meow!"
The Persian cat only managed to let out a miserable cry before being pinned firmly to the ground by the black cat.
The black cat's claws were like iron clamps, precisely locking onto the Persian cat's neck, and it opened its mouth, letting out a series of low roars.
The scene was simply a one-sided crushing.
After a few moments, the Persian cat, which had just been so imposing, completely wilted. Taking advantage of the black cat's release, it tucked its tail and fled without looking back.
The entire process was clean and swift, lasting no more than ten seconds.
Having chased away its opponent, the black cat shook its fur, then turned around.
Its golden eyes, as they swept over Bai Zhi, Lu Xuan, and Tang Bingyun, instantly shed all ferocity, replaced by an almost fawning docility.
It padded elegantly to Bai Zhi's feet, intimately rubbing its body against her pant leg, a contented purr rumbling in its throat.
Then, it ran to Lu Xuan's feet, trying to curry favor with the little princess in the same way.
Finally, it even jumped onto the chair next to Tang Bingyun, gently brushing her arm with its fluffy tail.
The three girls were instantly completely captivated by this "hero saving the beauty" black cat, with its charming contrast.
However, when the black cat's gaze inadvertently met the man at the head of the table, all its fur subtly bristled for a fleeting moment... but it quickly concealed this emotion, continuing to use its docile facade to win the girls' affection.
"Little Black, you're amazing!"
Bai Zhi scooped the black cat into her arms, rubbing her cheek against its soft fur.
"From now on, you'll stay with me. I'll take care of you!"
Lu Cheng watched this scene, the smile on his lips growing wider.
In his mind, a virtual light screen quietly unfolded.
"Ding! New Child of Fortune discovered!"
"Name: Hakihei"
"Identity: Protagonist of 'After Becoming a Cat, I Was Picked Up by an S-Rank Girl'"
"Template: Exotic Beast, Cute Pet, Cultivation"
"Ability: Lord of Exotic Beasts"
"Introduction: As an exotic beast, he can gain evolution points by completing tasks, continuously unlocking bloodlines, increasing his strength, and eventually evolving into a divine beast. He can also subdue other animals as subordinates to form his own legion."
"Current Status: Originally an ordinary college student, he accidentally encountered great fortune and his soul transmigrated into a newborn black cat."
Lu Cheng looked at Bai Zhi, who was holding the cat with a happy expression, and then at the prompt on the system panel.
A playful glint flickered in Lu Cheng's eyes.
Drilling into the arms of a Child of Fortune?
Interesting idea... Meanwhile, outside the Jade Gambling Festival.
Hao Jian's breathing grew heavier, and more sweat dripped from his forehead.
The scorching sun made his already irritable mood even more frantic.
He moved almost mechanically, weaving between one stall after another, selecting, paying, and then carrying the heavy stones to the designated collection point.
Humiliation, worry, anger, anxiety... all sorts of negative emotions frantically gnawed at his sanity.
No!
This couldn't go on!
If it continued, he would go mad before he even completed the task!
He suddenly stopped, leaning against a wall, panting heavily.
A thought, like a flash of lightning, cut through his chaotic mind.
Why... why am I toiling like an ox and a horse here all by myself?
Lu Cheng's side, including himself, only had three people!
And this was Yun City!
It was the Tang Family's territory!
No matter how powerful he was, could he really fight against the entire Tang Family alone?
Once this thought appeared, it could no longer be suppressed!
A glimmer of hope reignited in Hao Jian's eyes, though that flame carried a hint of reckless madness.
He quickly pulled out his phone, hid in an empty corner, and dialed a number.
On the other end of the line, a steady male voice quickly answered.
"Hello, Brother Jian, what's up?"
Hao Jian's voice trembled slightly with excitement.
"Something's happened!"
He quickly and exaggeratedly described the situation.
"Miss, she... she's been held by a parvenu from Magic City!"
"That guy is forcing Miss to stay with him, and he's making me work like a slave here!"
"They're in Jade Street right now! Hurry and bring the brothers over! If you're late... if you're late, it'll be too late!"
After hanging up the phone, Hao Jian leaned against the wall, his eyes flickering with a crazy yet expectant light.
Lu Cheng, you're strong.
But this is Yun City!