Chapter Two: The Cat Can Speak!
The tabby cat stared intently at the sausage in Mu You’s arms, its throat emitting a low, rumbling purr. It looked as though it was desperately hungry.
“Go ahead and eat…” Mu You struggled to tear open the sausage’s packaging and handed it to the tabby cat.
She hadn’t eaten enough for several days, had endured the cold for a long time, and now felt utterly exhausted and sleepy. Her vision had blurred just moments ago—she thought she had seen her father and mother!
“Poor little cat, once you finish eating, find a warm place to spend the winter,” she murmured softly.
“You’ll probably be reunited with your parents soon too, somewhere warm and bright…”
Mu You smiled faintly, reaching out to stroke the tabby cat’s head, but she found she had no strength left.
“Meow?”
After finishing the sausage, the tabby cat looked up. The little girl before it had already closed her eyes.
Its tail drooped as it slowly approached, gently nudging the girl’s forehead with its head.
A flash of golden light shimmered.
“Yoo Bao, Yoo Bao, wake up, wake up quickly!”
[Human cub, wake up! Don’t fall asleep!]
Mu You groggily came to.
A blast of cold wind swept by, making her shiver all over and instantly sharpening her awareness.
Had she been asleep just now?
She seemed to have dreamed of her parents and a circle of animals surrounding her—warm and fluffy.
“Meow~”
[You’re finally awake! I’ve nearly shouted myself hoarse!]
A furry tail brushed her cheek. Mu You finally realized there was a tabby cat curled up in her arms.
It was the very cat she had fed the sausage to!
“Did you say you woke me up?”
She was surprised. Could cats really speak human language?
But that voice had indeed come from the tabby cat’s mouth. There was no other creature nearby.
“Meow.”
[Human cub, you can understand my words?]
The tabby cat was equally surprised. It wriggled free from Mu You’s embrace, stepping lightly and elegantly as it paced around her, occasionally leaning in to sniff.
“Meow.”
[I sense there’s something different about your scent, unlike other bipeds. It feels familiar, making me want to be close to you.]
Mu You blinked, clearly not fully grasping the cat’s meaning.
She tried to lift her arm to sniff herself but found she had no strength.
“Thank you, kitty. Thank you for waking Yoo Bao and keeping me warm with your body. I’m really grateful!”
Mu You smiled, her two small dimples adorably showing.
The tabby cat shyly flicked its tail, its tone turning a bit proud.
“Meow!”
[You fed me, so you’re my biped to protect!]
[Therefore, I cannot leave you to your own devices.]
With that, the tabby cat brought over an apple.
It said it had climbed a tree to pick it while Mu You was unconscious.
“Meow.”
[Eat quickly! You need strength. I’m freezing, and we must leave here soon!]
“Oh, Yoo Bao will eat quickly!”
Mu You bit into the apple deeply.
Her father had told her animals possessed spirits; most were friends of humans and could foresee danger—they were an indispensable part of the natural world.
Humans should live harmoniously with animals, respecting and caring for them.
So, she would listen to the cat.
“Meow.”
[Don’t rush; eat slowly or you’ll choke.]
The tabby cat shook its head in exasperation.
It was truly a worry for an old cat!
“Thank you, kitty. Yoo Bao has strength now.”
Mu You stood up successfully.
Her clothes were soaked in mud and water, her hair filthy—she looked like a little mud doll.
The tabby cat, a lover of cleanliness, flicked its tail disdainfully yet tenderly upon seeing her disheveled appearance.
“Meow.”
[I remember that you bipeds are social creatures, and a cub like you should be pampered at home by adults.]
[Whoever brought you here must be heartless! Were they lost? I see no trace of them—so careless…]
As the tabby cat spoke, it suddenly fell silent.
Because it seemed to realize that the little girl had been “abandoned” by her family.
After all, in such terrible weather and in such a remote mountain, a frail little girl nearly freezing to death, with no one caring—what else could it be but abandonment?
“Meow.”
[I didn’t mean to upset you. Don’t take it to heart.]
Seeing Mu You bow her head in silence, the tabby cat softened its voice, cautiously caring about the child’s feelings.
“It’s okay, kitty. Yoo Bao is strong!”
Mu You lifted her head and smiled at the tabby cat.
She wasn’t lying—she really was brave and resilient!
Her father hadn’t been found yet. As long as he was still around, she wasn’t a forsaken wild child or a burden!
She had not been abandoned!
The tabby cat glanced around and finally fixed its gaze in one direction.
[Strong little cub, follow my lead!]
“Okay, kitty!”
Now filled with gratitude and trust in the tabby cat, Mu You set off, her small legs moving quickly.
The sleet had turned into a steady snowfall, large flakes drifting down, settling on her body and face.
It was chilly, cold, but Mu You no longer felt as afraid as before.
After what seemed like a long walk, the tabby cat stopped at the entrance of a cave.
Along the way, it had paused several times, turning to check if the little cub was keeping up.
Each time it looked back, Mu You was faithfully trailing behind.
“Meow.”
[You truly are a strong and stubborn little cub!]
[If you’re tired, won’t you say a word?]
Mu You suddenly felt awkward and tugged at the hem of her clothes.
After her mother left, she and her father lived cautiously in the Mu household.
After her father was taken away, her fears grew; she became even more careful.
She was afraid of making mistakes or saying the wrong thing, more afraid of truly becoming a burden and trouble for the Mu family, then being abandoned.
Now, she truly had been cast aside!
“Meow.”
[I’m not blaming you, so don’t be afraid to trouble me. I just don’t want you to hold me back.]
[I already consider you a friend. Friends help each other—that’s normal!]
The tabby cat looked at the still timid little girl before it, its heart filled with pity.
What had this cub endured at home to become so shy?
[Since we are friends, I will definitely protect you! You will never be wronged!]
[Let’s go. I’ll take you to soak in a warm bath and get a cozy rest!]
Seeing the tabby cat head into the cave, Mu You mustered her courage and followed.
As soon as she stepped inside, a wave of warmth enveloped her.
Mu You instantly felt a deep heat coursing through her body!
The cave housed a natural hot spring!
“Meow.”
[See? Following me never goes wrong!]
[I know this mountain like the back of my paw—there’s nothing here I don’t know!]
The tabby cat proudly lifted its head.
“Kitty, you’re amazing!”
Mu You smiled, then suddenly hesitated, as if wanting to say something.
“Kitty, do you know…”