A Young Woman's Heart

Speaking of which, the meat rations have been increasing lately, and they're much better than what we ate at our old master's house.

And that uncle's wife... um... let's call her Auntie?

Sometimes the older woman who owns the fish will bring me some cold fish bones, or fish entrails that she's dug out.

Although it's not as delicious as fish, it's better than nothing.

But it seems the two-legged creatures still don't understand that my favorite food isn't fish, but chicken!

Meow! Please, next time you eat chicken legs, don't eat all the meat so cleanly!

I'm not a dog!

I can't bite through that damn chicken bone!

Although I never wanted to give up and could actually manage to get a little bit of meat, it would always get stuck in my teeth.

Damn it, when will humans and cats ever understand each other?

Just then, Xiaoyao's owner returned.

She was holding a beautiful and exquisite box in her hand.

It contained a small human-shaped toy.

Let's just call it humanoid, since it's bipedal.

Hmm, it looks like someone wearing armor?

Hey, what are you questioning? Of course I know what armor is!

When we were old enough to run, Mom would sneak us into the abandoned blacksmith shop in the village to play. Even though the armor was rusty, it still looked really impressive!

But now there is no war between the two-legged creatures, so they no longer need armor.

This is what my mother told me.

But I heard from Uncle Huang next door that the reason why the two-legged creatures don't use armor is because the new weapons are completely ineffective against them.

That new weapon was called a gun.

Uncle Huang said that next time Old Chai's black dog goes hunting with its owner, it will secretly use a hunting rifle. He also said that he has already spoken to Uncle Black Dog and asked him to take us along on the next hunt to see what it's like.

Unfortunately, before that time came, I was taken out by my old owner and handed over to a new owner.

Perhaps she was too poor to support us.

Yes, I understand.

After all, it's much easier for a family to raise one cat than for a family to raise a dozen cats.

I wonder how my other brothers and sisters are doing.

Just then, Xiaoyao's owner reached out and touched my tail.

She seems to really like touching my tail, especially when I hold it up.

It feels like I'm reminiscing about something.

Did she have a tail before?

I have no idea.

After all, I've never actually seen a newborn two-legged creature before, and I wonder if they have tails when they're born.

If it exists, why cut it off?

It looks quite nice with a tail, doesn't it?

"Meow~" I greeted Xiaoyao's owner and let her pick me up.

She felt so warm.

But I still reached out a paw to touch the new toy that was placed aside, asking her what it was.

Or rather... can I touch it?

"Oh, does Crispy Sugar like this too? It's called Dragon God Ship, um... never mind, you wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you."

Who says I don't understand?

I tried to argue with her, but she pulled me into a tight embrace.

Oh no, the scariest thing is being held in Xiaoyao's owner's arms.

Because her chest... was so hard.

It hurts!

I wagged my tail hard, but I held back.

Oh well, being held by Xiaoyao's master, I don't care if it hurts.

Because she smells so nice, like milk!

……

Chapter 115 Winter Solstice

Monday, November 8, 1999 (Gregorian calendar).

It is also the first day of the tenth lunar month, corresponding to the Beginning of Winter, one of the twenty-four solar terms.

When the calendar turns to this day, it means that the Winter Maiden has finally arrived, bringing with her the cold wind.

Winter has officially arrived, and cold air has swept through Hangzhou. Although it didn't rain, the cloudy weather over the past few days has caused the temperature to drop considerably.

"Mom—!" Mo Xueyao shivered as she pulled on her stockings. The thick cotton skirt didn't offer much warmth; at least her legs felt completely cold, even though she was at home. "It's so cold! I'm going to freeze to death if I don't put on pants!"

"How can you wear a skirt and pants at the same time?" The mother walked past Mo Xueyao's bedroom door with a mop, turned to Mo Xueyao inside and said, "There are two bags at the bottom of the wardrobe. One bag contains slightly thicker pantyhose, and the other bag contains fleece-lined leggings. Open the left bag and put on a pair of slightly thicker pantyhose."

"Aren't you cold? How about we make it with a fleece lining?"

"It's sixteen degrees today. You'll be too hot wearing a fleece-lined coat," my mother said irritably. "If you're so afraid of the cold, what will you do when it drops below zero?"

"If it's below zero, we won't wear skirts anymore. Why does this school insist that girls wear skirts?!"

"Wouldn't you look nice in a skirt? It can also help you integrate into the identity of a girl more quickly. Don't always be so carefree."

"Come on, it's not comfortable at all. It's not summer, so it'll be cooler." Mo Xueyao rolled her eyes, opened the plastic bag, and took out a pair of thick leggings to put on.

I don't know if it's because I've gotten so used to wearing stockings that I don't feel anything when I wear leggings anymore.

Or perhaps it's because leggings feel no different from the thermal underwear I used to wear as a boy?

Hmm... the texture feels quite comfortable to the touch.

It wasn't so cold anymore; in fact, a slight warmth began to emanate from the bottom up.

It felt as if my legs were wrapped in something very warm and comfortable.

Of course, if there is a breeze, some of the heat will dissipate quickly.

It really is cheap stuff from a street vendor.

The windproof effect is too poor.

Mo Xueyao stretched lazily, wiped her bangs that were wet from washing her face, and was about to leave the bedroom when her mother blocked the doorway with the head of a mop in her hand: "Stop! Make your bed before you eat breakfast! Didn't I tell you before? You can't be so sloppy. You're all grown up now, you need to pay attention to personal hygiene and your appearance—it's the same for both men and women!"

Mo Xueyao pouted, swallowing back the words she was about to say. She could only walk back to the bedside, neatly spread out the bedding, and then be allowed to leave before going to the living room.

Because my mother is always busy in the mornings, and my father hasn't been eating breakfast at home lately, she usually makes simpler breakfasts than before in order to save time.

Although plain porridge with various pickled vegetables is convenient, you can't eat like that every day.

So now we've changed it to cooking vegetable porridge or egg porridge.

Today's dish is egg porridge.

That's right, it's made by boiling eggs and leftover rice.

It's fast and efficient, and tastes good with a sprinkle of salt and chopped green onions.

At least Mo Xueyao didn't dislike this kind of breakfast.

It feels like a nutritious breakfast that only kindergarten children would eat...

"Don't rush when you eat, chew slowly and thoroughly, understand?"

"Mom, you yourself don't eat slowly and carefully, do you?"

"Are you busier than me? You get up so early, it's no big deal if you go to school a little later!" The mother glared at Mo Xueyao with her hands on her hips. "I have to sweep, mop, do laundry, cook, and tidy up the room in the morning..."

"Yes, yes, yes—" Mo Xueyao covered her ears, her head aching. "I'm listening, I'm listening, can't I just take my time and read carefully?"

However, eating slowly and chewing slowly was too slow. Mo Xueyao couldn't stand it anymore, so she took advantage of her mother's inattention and finished her breakfast in a few bites.

He rinsed the bowls and chopsticks with water, grabbed his schoolbag, and ran out as if fleeing a disaster.

"Let's go!"

"Why are you running so fast? Be careful!"

Before her mother could start nagging again, Mo Xueyao escaped from home and went downstairs in the apartment complex.

It's Monday again, and as usual, I'm heading to school, breathing in the fresh morning air.

However, it was getting dark later and later. In summer, it would have been sunny by now, but the sky was overcast. It was bright, but the sun was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps it's because it's cloudy today.

Arriving at school early in the morning, unsurprisingly, Li Wanyan was the first to arrive.

Mr. Xue was a regular at arriving at school early, and he was currently sitting by his window reading a novel.

His position looked like it was blocked, because Li Hongran always liked to chat with Zhou Yong, so she pulled her desk down. When her body was right next to Zhou Yong's desk, her desk blocked Mr. Xue's way out.

Fortunately, Li Hongran is usually not in her seat when get out of class ends, otherwise going to the toilet after class would be more troublesome than for others.

"Good morning, Wanyan, good morning, Mr. Xue!" Mo Xueyao greeted the two of them cheerfully.

"Good morning." Mr. Xue waved the novel titled "Russian Matryoshka Dolls" in his hand, looked up and smiled at her.