Cheng Luwei ultimately didn''t find any cats willing to providepanionship services. Of course, Chu Tingwu exined that the cats were truly willing, with several cats happily showing him their bellies.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Cheng Luwei said, "But I don''t really want to see ''Cheng Luwei steals cats'' trending on social media..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
You can''t exactly tell the owners that the cats volunteered!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu shrugged, not seeming particrly disappointed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After ying with Shikuai for a while, the actor surnamed Cheng and his assistant politely bid farewell to Teacher Zhang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Sitting in the car, Cheng Luwei remarked to his assistant, "Teacher Chu... has quite an unusual way of thinking, doesn''t she?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She treats cats as independent beings, but she''s not exactly advocating for cat independence. In her eyes, the rtionship between cats and their owners is more like roommates - intimate yet maintaining boundaries.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Could understanding catnguage really change someone''s way of thinking this dramatically?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After Cheng Luwei left, Chu Tingwu said goodbye to her fans and ended the livestream.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Winter had arrived, but Fallen Phoenix City hadn''t seen any snow. She and Aunt Mei cleaned up the dishes together, while shooing away Shikuai who was trying to "help."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shikuai jumped away and then settled into a clean small bowl: "Meow?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "=="<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She carried the bowl of cat into the living room, where she saw Teacher Zhang tilting her head slightly, as if listening to something.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhang Youyi smiled: "Your footsteps seem lighter?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She could only hear Shikuai''s soft purring, as Chu Tingwu''s footsteps were almost inaudible.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But she still sensed the other''s presence - because of the wind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the main door closed, letting in a bit of cold air, as someone approached, the wind created subtle changes. Though her eyes couldn''t see, Zhang Youyi''s world remained three-dimensional in her mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu hadn''t quite been able to empathize before, but now she could vaguely understand Zhang Youyi''s perspective.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was like what she "saw" when she closed her eyes and blocked her sense of smell.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Name: Chu Tingwu]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Species: Cat]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Skills: Hearing lv1, Perception lv1, Vision lv3...]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Indeed, Chu Tingwu''s vision skill had upgraded from lv2 to lv3 after a period of special training, but her hearing hadn''t improved much, remaining at the level of "a self-sufficient blind person."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhang Youyi tilted her head again to listen: "Where''s Three-Five-Five?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She didn''t seem to hear Three-Five-Five''s movements.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu exined resignedly: "Two cats got lost, Three-Five-Five is taking them home."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Cats are carefree, and so are their owners. Fortunately, Three-Five-Five was there to escort them back to wherever they had wandered from.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu sank into the sofa. Aunt Mei came to mop the floor, asking her to lift her feet. Soon after, cat calls came from outside the window, one after another.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu''s ears twitched: Why did those sounds seem familiar?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Aunt Mei eximed, "Ah! Tingwu, please bring out the cat food that''s warming in the pot."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the door opened, two cats slipped in one after another, carefully wiping their paws on the doormat, appearing very polite.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was the vige tabby and therge orange cat that always followed her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "=o="<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Judging by Aunt Mei''s attitude, these two were already professional freeloaders!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Somehow... she felt the embarrassment of someone who had brought their entire family over to mooch off others.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The tabby showed no awareness of the human''s embarrassment. After Aunt Mei helped clean her paws, she skillfully jumped onto the sofa, nestling her head on Teacher Zhang''sp while draping her tail across Chu Tingwu''s leg, giving a "meow" in greeting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Teacher Zhang smiled: "Meow?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The cat said the wind was strong and her paws were cold. The human asked if it was really that cold and offered to feel.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Their meaningless chatter bubbled up like air bubbles in hot soup, popping in the atmosphere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu rubbed her nose and joined in with some meows, while giving the tabby''s hind leg a squeeze: she had gotten a bit fat, clearly not starving at all.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Teacher Zhang''s catnguage skills had be quite good. She had started learning from basic conversations, though because cats often created their own vocabry, there was never enough vocabry to learn.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And since Chu Tingwu was the only authority and bridge formunication, the learning progress often depended on whether Chu Tingwu had spare time after sses - of course, Teacher Zhang wasn''t trying to be some authority on catnguage either, both teacher and student were veryid-back about it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At least now, she had almost no major obstacles inmunicating with familiar cats. With unfamiliar cats, she could also detect the emotions and attitudes in theirnguage, just not understanding the specific content.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
None of them nned to stay up for New Year''s Eve. Teacher Zhang was used to going to bed early, but before sleeping, she remembered something: "Oh right, I brought you a gift."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A souvenir from her travels had now conveniently be Chu Tingwu''s New Year''s gift.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu tried to recall where Teacher Zhang and the others had traveled: wasn''t it the grasnds? Could it be cheese sticks... or something simr?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Aunt Mei brought out a ck and gold longboard from the storage room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "...Eh?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Were skateboards a specialty of the grasnds?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhang Youyiughed, "I never said it had to be a local specialty."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had just thought the young girl seemed to enjoy sports, so she bought this for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu had never tried skateboarding before, but she still liked it - people who are good at sports inevitably enjoy them because it''s easier to gain a sense of achievement, and she was no different.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, when Chu Tingwu nced at the storage room, Aunt Mei promptly brought out two more small skateboards - apparently custom-made? One for Shikuai, and a slightlyrger one for Three-Five-Five.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So they hadn''t just brought gifts for people, but for the cats who had stayed behind as well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The orange cat had finished eating and came over to rub against the house owner''s hand before finding a warm corner to doze off. The tabby nced at the skateboard, licked her nose, and looked away uninterestedly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Shikuai quickly rushed over, meowing to ask Aunt Mei to put the skateboard on the wooden floor where there was no carpet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then, Aunt Mei tied a rope to it and walked Shikuai around the living room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shikuaiy on the skateboard, and when it stopped moving, he would reach out his paws to scratch the floor a couple of times, then meow at Aunt Mei.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "...Let me do it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although Aunt Mei wasn''t old, it was still tiring to y with cats like this constantly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu flipped over from the sofa and started unpacking her own skateboard. After trying for a while, she quickly got the hang of it... or rather, got her feet on it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After sliding back and forth indoors a few times, she easily mastered the bnce, able to start and stop steadily - as for more technical moves, there wasn''t enough space indoors, and she hadn''t had time to learn them yet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Aunt Mei raised an eyebrow and stepped back as Chu Tingwu smiled at Shikuai.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She aligned herrge skateboard parallel with the small one where the cat was lying, and after pushing off the ground to get the boards moving, Chu Tingwu quickly switched feet, one foot on her own board and the other foot on the edge of the cat''s skateboard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With the initial momentum, both boards started moving simultaneously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shikuai: "Meow meow meow!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He stood on all fours on the skateboard, excitedly standing up and puffing out his chest while meowing at whaty ahead.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
While the living room wasrge for a cat, in reality, they would reach the wall in just a few seconds. Chu Tingwu pulled back her foot, stopping her own board.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The small skateboard that Shikuai was riding continued forward until the front of the board went "duang" against the wall.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just before the collision, Shikuai reluctantly jumped off, looking bewildered at the wall and then at Chu Tingwu who hadn''t crashed, seemingly wondering if there was something wrong with his skateboard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu turned her head away: "Pfft."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shikuai: "Meow!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although he hadn''t grown bigger, Shikuai was already two years old, not the silly one-and-a-half-year-old kitten anymore. He could tell! Chu Tingwu did it on purpose! That naughty cat kid!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Three-Five-Five had just returned from escorting the cats home. After entering and shaking his fur, he greeted all the cats and humans in the house, then pushed his head under Chu Tingwu''s hand, ncing at Shikuai: "?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Though it was just a look without any words, all the cats could understand. Three-Five-Five was clearly asking: Did you bully my kid?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Wu ssmate was curled up in a bird''s nest beside the cat tree, and at this moment poked out his head to let out a "caw" at Shikuai.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: I suspect you''re talking bad about me.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Instead of continuing to y with the kitten, she took out the charging equipment from the packaging box—<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
All three skateboards could actually be charged. The customized skateboard for cats could be controlled via an APP for speed and direction, essentially functioning like a remote-controlled toy car in skateboard form. The human skateboard could track mileage through the APP. They had been using a rope to y with it before only because Shikuai enjoyed being the center of human attention.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just like a little child, sitting on the skateboard while meowing, saying things like "look at me, look at me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu tried to help Aunt Mei clean up but was shooed out of the kitchen. She had no choice but to upy the living room, ying with a group of cats as a fineyer of snow drifted onto the windows.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The sleeping orange cat also woke up and joined them on the electric skateboard. The crow flew down to drink water on the coffee table. Zhang Youyi''s hand rested on the coffee table, and it hopped around near her wrist, its soft feathers asionally brushing against the elderly woman''s fingertips.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhang Youyi: "Is it snowing outside?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The crow "meowed" and turned its head as well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The wind and snow were kept outside by the walls, with only ayer of white umting on the window edges. Chu Tingwu sat on the skateboard, squinting at the window.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This posture and perspective made her feel like she had be a child again, watching the fine snow falling to the ground.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her mood was unusually peaceful, wearing a smile she wasn''t even aware of: "Yes, it''s snowing outside."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She supported herself with her palms on the ground, could hear the skateboard wheels making slight movements due to her weight, creating subtle friction sounds against the floor. A car passed by in the distance, its wheels rolling over a thinyer of snow beforeing to an abrupt stop.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The moment the snow waspressed, the "crunch" sound was both soft and loud, seeming to explode next to Chu Tingwu''s ear, yet not chaotic—<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At this moment, her back instinctively arched, wanting to jump away lightly, but rationality suppressed this urge.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She heard the sound of a paw stepping into the snow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was a startled dog.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At this time, Three-Five-Five lifted its paw and tapped the ground, as if unconsciously—but Chu Tingwu suddenly understood why this action urred: vibration, animals could sense vibrations that humans couldn''t detect, it was both a sensation and a type of sound. This paw-lifting motion released the tingling and meaningless vibration sensation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Your Hearing Level 1 has upgraded to Hearing Level 2]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Your Perception Level 1 has upgraded to Perception Level 2]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwupleted a deep breath.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her enhanced hearing returned to calmness, her ears instinctively capturing information brought by her hearing, while her brain deleted the meaningless parts, and so those whispers, snow turning to ice, became the background sounds of this world.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
All this happened in just five seconds, her movements hadn''t changed much, only her eyes curved slightly as she raised her hand backward—<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Precisely catching Shikuai who was trying to sneak attack her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shikuai: "Meow—"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How annoying!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu grabbed Shikuai and stroked against his fur several times, sessfully making the ck cat lookpletely done with life. As soon as he escaped, he ran to the top of the cat tree to groom himself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
—He probably thought Chu Tingwu couldn''t catch him at that height.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After both human and cats had made quite amotion, Aunt Mei came to send Chu Tingwu to bed: "Teacher Zhang''s students will probablye to pay New Year visits tomorrow morning, just address them ording to age. If you don''t want to meet them, you can stay upstairs and y by yourself."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu''s guest room was on the second floor, next to Teacher Zhang''s room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had been staying at Teacher Zhang''s house during these holiday days, spending the New Year with them. After all, it was just a few days, and there was no need to specially clean up her own house that she hadn''t lived in for several months—Chu Tingwu had only lit incense for her ancestors beforeing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When she went upstairs, several cats followed her up the stairs. Shikuai followed all the way to the door, looked at it, and then realized something was wrong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "=="<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She pointed to next door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Aunt Mei couldn''t help butugh, patted Shikuai''s head, and said to Chu Tingwu: "Happy New Year."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Teacher Zhang also smiled: "Happy New Year."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her eyes curved: "Happy New Year."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Far and near, quiet and noisy... various fireworks bloomed, their sounds ying a magnificent symphony in her mind, and then the various colored lights reflected on the windows, like inherent gorgeous patterns.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The new year was about to begin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The tabby cat circled around the room, then went downstairs to find the orange cat to share a cat bed. Three-Five-Five jumped onto the bed, raised its paw to pat the unfamiliar-smelling nket a couple of times. Chu Tingwu hugged her and reached under the pillow to take out a red envelope.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The red envelope was thick, clearly Teacher Zhang and Aunt Mei had put in quite a bit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I should give Shikuai a red envelope tomorrow," she thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She was the younger generation, so red envelopes should only be given to the younger ones... well, wasn''t Shikuai considered part of Teacher Zhang''s younger generation?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Two-year-old cat Shikuai: "Achoo!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
-<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu had always maintained healthy sleeping habits. With Three-Five-Five pressing against her pillow, listening to familiar breathing sounds, she quickly began to feel drowsy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The fireworks outside continued non-stop, but she wasn''t bothered at all. The sleepinesssted for just a moment before the familiar sense of alertness returned—<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu opened her eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She pondered thoughtfully: "Is today''s ssroom scene taken from a Chinese horror game?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Why else would there be red decorations everywhere in this ssical-style room... a "Fu" character decoration hanging on the door, swaying back and forth, candles lit all around, but instead of festivity, there was only a somewhat strange eeriness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If Chu Tingwu wasn''t already familiar with this feeling of entering the dream ssroom, she might have thought she had transported into a horror game.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
System: "?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The system was shocked: "There''s no ss today."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It would be too much to make the little cat take sses when all humans were on holiday, wouldn''t it?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It had just referenced some "Spring Festival interior decoration images" from the inte, renovating the virtual space to match the holiday atmosphere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for the room itself—hadn''t the little one mentioned liking the ancient-style song and dance program set from the "Spring Festival G" she watched earlier? This was just theplete version of that set.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After hearing the exnation, Chu Tingwu: "=="<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Good job with the decoration, but let''s not do it again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After having the system revert the space back to its original living room style with sofas, Chu Tingwu spent some time with the system choosing decorations, putting "Fu" characters on the walls, hanging a small redntern under the tablemp, and cing miniature Spring Festival couplets on the square surface of themp.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the bright space, adding a few red decorations instantly made the atmosphere feel festive.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "We can tear them off after the Spring Festival."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
System: "Oh!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
—The little one only said they could be torn off, not that they had to be! It couldpletely replicate an identical original space and secretly preserve this space that the little one had decorated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
For some reason, even though it was all data with just slight differences... the system felt that this was different.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, after deciding to secretly preserve it, the system yed a projection for Chu Tingwu: "Look, little one, this is my New Year''s gift for you!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Humans are great, they always have festivals, so they can often prepare various gifts!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although it''s all about giving things, when items are given the meaning of "gifts," humans seem to be happier... the system was secretly learning these things.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu stared at the building in the screen for a while: "Is this that hospital?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Yes," the system said profoundly, "I asked online, and they said giving hospitals as birthday gifts is not auspicious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So it''s best to give it during New Year! They say New Year is the most prosperous time of the year, capable of diluting all negative connotations - even broken items symbolize peace year after year, and sweeping with a broom can sweep away bad luck. Although the system couldn''t prove the scientific validity of these beliefs even after running eight processors, it didn''t matter that it couldn''t be proven - at least the little one was smiling happily now.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "Alright, I can guess how you asked."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[May I politely inquire if I can gift my child a private hospital for her birthday?]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
-- Goodness! Why not just give her an ind instead, put the hospital on it, add three yachts, and throw in a private aircraftnding pad too! That''s how I equipped it in my game.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Thank you for the suggestion, but I''ve already bought the hospital, not on an ind. I''ll consider the ind based on the child''s wishes. May I ask what game you were ying? I''d like to use it as a reference.]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
-- Wait... I was just joking, are you serious? Then I suggest not giving it as a birthday gift, it''s not very auspicious. Actually, it''s not very auspicious any day of the year. But you can give it to me, fortune tellers say I have good luck all 365 days!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
-- OP, where are you?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
-- OP?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The original poster intensively studied Chinese traditional folk customs and quickly determined that New Year''s Eve would be the best time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, it thought it could still consult a "fortune teller," to which Chu Tingwu responded: "Don''t be superstitious =_="<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
System: "Okay!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That means for the little one, all 365 days are auspicious!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What the system showed Chu Tingwu was a three-dimensional image of the hospital, seemingly not a real scene but a projection simted by the system. However, the system asked: "Would you like to go see it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu thought it meant entering this simted projection - just like the previous cat rescue simtion - so she nodded: "Sure."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When receiving a gift, one should naturally see it in person, praise it, and express their appreciation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, she genuinely liked it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even though she didn''t need it at the moment, such feelings had nothing to do with the item itself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The surrounding environment shattered, and both space and Chu Tingwu herself seemed to sway slightly. Then, she felt her perspective be lower.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At the same time, at Jiao Mountain Orthopedic Hospital in Guman City, executive secretary Lian Tong took out his phone and saw a new message from that mysterious boss.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Put the machine I sent earlier at the entrance.]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong: "..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Alright.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He solemnly retrieved a... robot vacuum cleaner from his office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
-<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiao Mountain Orthopedic Hospital was a private hospital, built on the hillside of Jiao Mountain. It was originally a private sanatorium before being converted into an orthopedic hospital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, the hospital''s ranking in orthopedics wasn''t high; instead, it had gained some reputation in general surgery, with patients flying in from all over the country specifically for hemorrhoid treatment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But the hospital had been continuously investing in the orthopedicboratory. Previously, funding was stable, but recently, a shareholder experienced business problems and sold their shares.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Soon after, the shareholder who bought those shares began acquiring shares from other shareholders. After gainingplete control, they promoted Lian Tong from the secretariat and began implementing a series of reforms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...In simple terms, the orthopedicboratory received more research funding.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong: "?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although he executed the boss''s orders efficiently, he wasn''t optimistic about the hospital''s future.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shouldn''t theypletely shift towards general surgery, maybe even change the name?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But this was a private hospital, and the major shareholder held absolute authority. Lian Tong was only responsible for execution - other shareholders even tried to probe him about this major shareholder''s identity, but Lian Tong said he had never met them, though the other shareholders didn''t believe him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong: "..." He really hadn''t met them, he didn''t even know the boss''s gender!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But from theirmunications, he discovered that the boss had a somewhat cold personality and rarely discussed personal matters, never engaging in casual small talk about life. However, the boss clearly had ns - when instructing Lian Tong to eliminate certain departments and people, the evidence was always meticulously detailed... This made Lian Tong suspect that the boss also had detailed information about him, making him even more cautious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wasn''t until before the New Year that Lian Tong learned a bit of personal information about the boss - apparently, the boss had a daughter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This hospital was bought for the daughter, as a surprise for the precious child.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong: You rich people...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Perhaps the young miss studied medicine? He spected that she was probably still in university, or pursuing a master''s or doctorate degree. In any case, she temporarily couldn''t manage the hospital''s affairs but would eventually take over.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He also suspected that those somewhat outrageous funding orders might have been the young miss''s requests.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, he kept these spections to himself, and then received new orders from the boss: to establish a private medical team, primarily focused on orthopedics, one that could mobilize for the young miss at any time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong: You rich people...........<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But why would they need to mobilize for the young miss? This wasn''t ancient times where doctors traveled around making house calls. Doctors stayed in their hospitals, asionally going out only for emergency surgeries, right?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Because my little one loves extreme sports.]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong: "?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So it was about having 24-hour readiness to treat the young miss''s bones!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He pped his forehead, silently deciding not to make random assumptions anymore. Anyway, theboratory was busy spending funds, the private medical team was still being organized and vetted... The rooftop helipad had already been built, but Lian Tong went up to check every day and still hadn''t seen a single helicopter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Until a few days ago, when the boss sent... a robot vacuum cleaner?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It looked like a robot vacuum cleaner, but not entirely -<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong could tell it had been modified from a robot vacuum cleaner temte, equipped with front-view cameras and omnidirectional wheels for climbing stairs, along with other things he didn''t understand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
These days, even toys costing a few dozen yuan came with obstacle avoidance systems, so what was strange about the boss enjoying modifying robot vacuum cleaners and controlling them to tour the hospital?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He didn''t know what the boss''s ultimate purpose was. Recently, the hospital had renovated its surveince system, apparently adding some AI intelligence to the main monitoring system, which was being implemented throughout the hospital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After touring with the robot vacuum cleaner, the boss had them continue modifications, adding several more surveince points.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At such times, Lian Tong usually had to apany the whole process. Today, although it was New Year''s Eve, high-level workers could forgo holidays for the sake of money. At one in the morning, he calmly crawled out of bed and personally carried that robot vacuum cleaner to the hospital''s main entrance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But unlike before, a ring of light around the robot vacuum cleaner shed joyfully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...How could he perceive "joy" from a machine?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The front-view camera mounted on the support rod was foldable, now automatically opening, and then the robot vacuum cleaner''s disc projected... a cat?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A kitten whose fur color kept changing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
[Choose this one! There''s no cat in the world with this color!]<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As the world''s only human-cat, shouldn''t the color be more unique?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu: "=="<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course there wouldn''t be purple cats in this world.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yes, from Lian Tong''s perspective, it was the boss demanding meticulous and strange modifications, constantly adjusting the positions of surveince cameras. But in reality, the system was simultaneously connecting all devices, creating a way for Chu Tingwu to "unwrap her gift" as if she were physically present, despite being far away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Letting Chu Tingwu see the world without blind spots, as if she had truly arrived in Guman City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Because it knew Chu Tingwu had decided to spend the New Year in Fallen Phoenix City, it never mentioned having her visit in person, even though all the modifications cost far more than a ne ticket to Guman City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0Aliali: 674ba5cbc4f3f33ac4a52bcf
Then, in the dream, it let her descend into reality -<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the form of a "little cat."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, the little one didn''t like being too shy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chu Tingwu settled on a color, able to see herself appearing as a projected kitten on the robot vacuum cleaner.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She noticed the people around her, and even ordinary people appeared very tall. Instinct made Chu Tingwu restless, wanting to jump directly onto the shoulders of nearby humans to gain a better view, but she held herself back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
—And due to the projection range limitations, she couldn''t leave the robot.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then, Lian Tong saw this sleek, bright-eyed little cat stand upright, supporting herself with her front paws on the pole in front, looking left and right before pointing forward with her paw.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The cleaning robot immediately started moving with a whoosh.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lian Tong, left behind: "..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
You rich people are truly amazing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0