The room was utterly silent.

Jiang Qingli’s face was pressed against the young man’s chest, her hands wrapped unimpeded around his waist. She could clearly feel the smooth texture and warmth of his skin.

The pleasant scent from Yuan Shimo’s body, mixed with a hint of bitter medicine and the inky fragrance of the room’s books, created a unique aroma that enveloped Jiang Qingli’s senses.

The skin her lips were pressed against tightened like a taut string. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Jiang Qingli’s face grew hot. She spoke awkwardly, "Um... if I said I didn’t mean to take advantage of you, would you believe me...?"

As she spoke, she started to pull back.

But just as she moved, the young man she was holding suddenly raised a hand, pressed it to the back of her head, and pulled her toward him.

At the same time, a slight weight settled on top of her head.

Yuan Shimo rested his chin on the crown of her head, bending slightly to wrap his arms around her.

His slightly hoarse voice sounded. "It’s okay. My female master can do anything to me."

’Saying something like that right now is just unfair...’

Jiang Qingli struggled to keep a clear head. "Did your dad teach you this, too? You really don’t have to..."

She truly had no intention of forcing Yuan Shimo.

Yuan Shimo seemed to chuckle, but his tone was serious. "If I said no, would my female master believe me?"

He used her own sentence structure back at her.

Jiang Qingli turned her head slightly and heard his heart beating fast, like the rhythm of a drum.

It ignited her own heartbeat in turn.

The room was well air-conditioned, but Jiang Qingli’s face was burning up.

Although she was admittedly a bit slow when it came to these things, Jiang Qingli wasn’t a complete idiot. Of course she knew what this meant.

Especially since Yuan Shimo was someone who wasn’t good at expressing his feelings.

Therefore, for those words to come from him, their true meaning was likely double what was on the surface.

Her hands on his waist felt a little weak.

Her hand seemed to brush against something soft and furry that tickled her fingers.

Jiang Qingli blinked and grabbed it.

The young man holding her let out a muffled groan and sagged against her shoulder as if he couldn’t take it.

"Female master..."

Jiang Qingli broke free from his hold, felt around, and realized it was Yuan Shimo’s tail.

’I was able to touch his tail without anything in the way, so that means... he’s... he’s completely bare underneath?!’

’Right, he came out halfway through his shower, so of course he must be...’

Jiang Qingli abruptly let go of his tail, suppressing the urge to let her imagination run wild. "Y-You should finish your shower first, we can talk about other things later..."

She had just taken a step back when Yuan Shimo lowered his eyes and agreed.

Yuan Shimo turned and took a few steps, but his gait was unsteady, and he sank directly onto the sofa.

Noticing he seemed unwell, Jiang Qingli quickly walked over. "What’s wrong?"

Yuan Shimo pressed his lips together and didn’t speak.

Jiang Qingli sat beside Yuan Shimo and raised a hand to his forehead. "You’re a little hot. Do you have a fever?"

Yuan Shimo: "..."

The young man lowered his gaze, his voice hoarse. "No."

"Don’t try to act tough." Jiang Qingli leaned closer, switching hands to feel his forehead again. "You’re burning up."

Her hand was cool and felt very nice.

Yuan Shimo’s breathing deepened. He closed his eyes, his eyelashes trembling.

"I’m sorry, female master."

’Why is he apologizing now?’

Jiang Qingli asked, puzzled, "What’s really going on?"

The young man whose forehead she was touching seemed unable to face her. He turned his head away, his voice low, magnetic, and hoarse.

"I..."

"I’m in heat."

Yuan Shimo forced the words out, raising an arm to cover his face. His Adam’s apple bobbed, a sight that looked both vulnerable and sensual from Jiang Qingli’s perspective.

Like a kitten’s tail, just waiting to be petted.

Seeing his discomfort, Jiang Qingli asked, "Is it your pollution value? Do you want me to perform Spiritual Healing on you?"

"It’s fine." Yuan Shimo slowly sat up. "I took some medicine just now. It’ll pass soon."

"So you were in the shower to... cool down?" Realizing she had disturbed him, Jiang Qingli felt a little apologetic. "Why don’t you go on?"

Yuan Shimo was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Female master, can you hold me?"

"Will it help?"

Yuan Shimo looked down, his lashes fluttering. "Mhm."

’If it’s because of his pollution value, then physical contact should help alleviate it.’

Without a second thought, Jiang Qingli hugged him.

Yuan Shimo wrapped his arms around her in return.

He wanted to squeeze her tightly, but he didn’t dare. He only held back, his arms resting loosely around her waist.

Jiang Qingli took her duty seriously. Not only did she hold him, but she also stroked his ears, trying her best to help lower his pollution value.

Yuan Shimo rested his face against Jiang Qingli’s body and quietly apologized again.

’He had just lied.’

’His heat wasn’t an uncontrollable result of his rising pollution value; it was because she had touched him.’

’In the past, Yuan Shimo had always looked down on males who got worked up the moment a female came near.’

’Now, however, he had to admit that his own bestial instincts were hard to change.’

’But Yuan Shimo no longer wanted to change.’

’He even felt a sliver of gratitude. It was only because of the beast within his genes that he had the chance to be soothed by her like this.’

Yuan Shimo gently nuzzled his cheek against Jiang Qingli’s shoulder, his tail swaying lightly against her fingers.

Just like that stray cat from earlier today.

After it swayed for a while, Jiang Qingli did indeed notice his tail and casually took hold of it.

Yuan Shimo’s knuckles tightened. He bit his lip gently, suppressing the tickle in his throat.

’In truth, being held by her only made the discomfort more intense.’

’But he gladly accepted every sensation she brought him.’

’Including this torment.’

-

During the long, warm embrace, the temperature in the air slowly began to drop.

Jiang Qingli’s hand, which had been stroking his cat ears, paused.

She thought for a moment. "Oh, right. I just thought of something."

Yuan Shimo’s tail twitched. "What is it, female master?"

"I was just thinking, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you call me by my name," Jiang Qingli said. "You always call me ’female master,’ and it feels too formal."

In truth, Jiang Qingli had wanted to talk to Yuan Shimo about this for a while but never found the right opportunity.

Hearing this, Yuan Shimo’s breathing became a little lighter.

"Of course, if you prefer calling me ’female master,’ then just forget I said anything." Thinking back to the beginning, Jiang Qingli felt a little unhappy. "It’s just that, when you first started calling me ’female master,’ you were a bit cold about it..."

Knowing he would indulge her, a bit of her petulance surfaced, and she started to bring up old scores.

Yuan Shimo recalled that time, feeling both embarrassed and guilty. "I’m sorry, female master."

Realizing he had called her ’female master’ again, he pressed his lips together in a fluster and looked at her nervously.

’So he has his obedient moments, too.’

Jiang Qingli gave his tail a gentle tug. "So, hurry up and say it."

Pressing a hand to his heart, Yuan Shimo asked in a low voice, "May I?"

He licked his lips. "Call... your name."

He was always like this, needing repeated confirmation and an affirmative answer before he dared to proceed.

Jiang Qingli had more or less come to understand the Cat Teacher’s awkward personality, so she once again gave him a generous, affirmative nod. "You may."

She suggested, "Say ’Qingli’ for me. Let me hear it."

"Qing..."

Yuan Shimo opened his mouth.

The top student, who had always been articulate and eloquent, now seemed to have lost his ability to learn, appearing somewhat clumsy.

Jiang Qingli waited patiently, her eyes filled with a smile that shimmered like fine starlight.

Taking a deep breath, Yuan Shimo slowly said, "Qingli."

His tone was even more solemn than when he gave his first academic presentation.

"I’m here, Cat Teacher."

Jiang Qingli beamed.

Those two words again.

The cat ears on Yuan Shimo’s head twitched, and he moved closer to her.

Just like that morning in the library.

This time, Jiang Qingli didn’t push him away. Instead, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Meeting his astonished gaze, she said with a smile, "A reward."

Growing up, Yuan Shimo had received countless awards and endless praise.

But not a single commendation had ever made his heart surge with emotion as this one did now.

He stared at the girl’s lips for a long time, but in the end, he only held her tighter.

...

The two of them hugged for so long that Jiang Qingli’s arms started to ache. Finally, Yuan Shimo stood up to finish his shower.

The Cat Teacher’s expression was calm.

It was just that the way he walked... was a little strange.

The sound of splashing water filled the room.

Jiang Qingli was resting on the sofa when her terminal suddenly vibrated.

She opened it and saw a message from an unknown number.

Although it was an unknown number, the tone made it obvious who it was—

[Get out of his room and come to mine.]

Jiang Qingli was puzzled. Didn’t Ye Linyuan go to the Lower District? How could he come over? Teleportation?

It was as if he’d read her mind.

A second later, another message from Ye Linyuan arrived:

[Video call me tonight.]

[Wear the nightgown I bought you.]