Song Qinian knew she shouldn't avoid it, but every time she saw a cute and cuddly cat, she couldn't help but recall that bloody and terrifying scene.
Those events had passed for nearly ten years, yet they still felt vivid whenever she thought of them.
Cats were fragile creatures, incapable of fighting back. A little force from a human and they would disappear from this world.
Xiao Hei watched Song Qinian intently. Perhaps sensing that pleasing Song Qinian would lead to more canned food, it let out two soft "meows" in her direction.
Song Qinian's heart gave a painful lurch, leaving her flustered.
"Qiqi, don't be scared. Xiao Hei won't hurt you, and it's not as fragile as you think. Come on, let's go say hello to it, okay?"
No.
Song Qinian shook off Shen Chi Yan's hand and turned to flee from the pavilion where Xiao Hei was.
"Qiqi!"
Shen Chi Yan's face changed dramatically, and he immediately chased after her.
When he finally caught up to Song Qinian, her face was so pale it was devoid of all color.
He pulled her into his arms, patting her back and murmuring softly, "It's alright, it's alright. It's okay not to say hello. Xiao Hei is very understanding and won't be angry with you."
Song Qinian knew Shen Chi Yan meant well and felt guilty for not being able to overcome her own inner struggle.
Given Song Qinian's condition, attending the gathering was out of the question. Shen Chi Yan took her straight home.
Song Qinian wasn't in good spirits and wanted to rest as soon as they got home. Seeing her state, Shen Chi Yan naturally didn't leave her to go to her room alone and stayed with her.
Once Song Qinian had fallen asleep, Shen Chi Yan quietly left the room and called Qiu Pu Yu.
"You've seen Qiqi's condition. She's very resistant to cats now. Forget about liking them and interacting with them; even seeing one frightens her."
"Even if she's scared, you have to find a way to get her to interact with cats, otherwise, she'll never overcome this trauma and might never be able to speak again. I just discussed it with Si Nian. He's willing to lend you Xiao Hei for a while."
"Okay, when Qiqi wakes up, I'll talk to her properly."
"Keep at it. Persistence pays off."
Song Qinian didn't sleep soundly. As soon as she drifted off, she would see those bloody images, as if she were reliving them.
She woke up with a start, completely terrified. Fortunately, this time, unlike before, there was no one by her side when she woke up. She was alone, scared.
Seeing Song Qinian awake, Shen Chi Yan kissed her forehead. "Did you have a bad dream?"
Song Qinian nodded lightly and reached out to hug Shen Chi Yan.
"Didn't you say earlier you wanted to eat Tom Yum hot pot? Shall we go to the supermarket, buy the ingredients, and make it ourselves?"
Shen Chi Yan's voice was incredibly gentle, and Song Qinian looked at him with disbelief.
He wanted to go grocery shopping with her?
"What's wrong? Don't you want to go? If you don't, it's okay, I can ask Gao Kunlun..."
Before Shen Chi Yan could finish, Song Qinian nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking for grain. She immediately gestured, "I want to go!"
They had been married for many years, and Song Qinian had always longed to be a normal couple with Shen Chi Yan, shopping together, buying groceries, and cooking meals side-by-side.
However, Shen Chi Yan was the CEO of Ding Sheng Group, so busy with company matters every day that he had no time for such trivial things.
This rare opportunity, she wouldn't miss it.
Besides, after the incident with Xiao Hei today, she felt she had wronged Shen Chi Yan and wanted to spend time with him.
After changing their clothes, they left. Song Qinian hadn't been grocery shopping in a long time and was somewhat excited.
As soon as they entered the supermarket, she pulled Shen Chi Yan to the snack aisle first.
In the past, she had always dreamed of going on a shopping spree once she earned money, buying whatever she wanted without looking at the price.
Song Qinian kept grabbing snacks and putting them into the shopping cart. Shen Chi Yan watched her dotingly, realizing how happy it was to shop with the one you love.
Song Qinian wanted a specific cookie, but it was placed too high for her to reach. She looked to Shen Chi Yan for help.
Shen Chi Yan curved his lips into a playful smile. "You want me to get it for you?"
Song Qinian nodded.
"Kiss me, and I'll get it for you!"
To make it easier for Song Qinian to kiss him, Shen Chi Yan even bent down.
Song Qinian glanced around. Seeing that everyone was busy shopping and no one was watching them, she quickly leaned in and kissed Shen Chi Yan's sexy thin lips.
Shen Chi Yan's mood lifted considerably. He picked Song Qinian up as if she were a child. "I don't know which flavor you like, so I'll carry you, and you can grab it yourself!"
Song Qinian felt mortified. Blushing furiously, she quickly grabbed a cheese-flavored cookie and then patted Shen Chi Yan's shoulder, signaling him to put her down.
However, Shen Chi Yan was reluctant to let her go. "There are more snacks on the higher shelves. I'll carry you, and you can just grab whatever you want to eat."
By now, people around them were starting to notice. Some elderly ladies were pointing and whispering at them. Song Qinian's face flushed a deep crimson, and she wished she could bury herself in a hole.
"We've bought enough snacks. Now let's go buy ingredients for the hot pot!"
"Then give me another kiss. You should see things through to the end."
Song Qinian: ...
This wasn't seeing things through to the end; it was clearly taking advantage of the situation.
Shen Chi Yan loved teasing Song Qinian. Every time he saw her blushing face, his mood would soar.
After teasing her for a while, Shen Chi Yan finally put Song Qinian down. They bought the ingredients for Tom Yum hot pot and returned home hand in hand.
Eating hot pot at home during winter was a warm and romantic affair.
Shen Chi Yan even found a movie starring Gu Zhi Yan, a story about a dog and its owner.
During dinner, Shen Chi Yan didn't mention cats again. Seeing Song Qinian affected by the movie and even shedding tears because she got too invested, he seized the opportunity. "Qiqi, whether it's a dog or a cat, they are humans' most loyal friends. Look at the dog in the movie; he was brave and intelligent, and he even saved his owner's life. They are like us; they have lives, and they aren't scary."
Song Qinian pursed her lips and lowered her gaze silently.
Shen Chi Yan walked over and pulled her into his embrace. "Qiqi, I want to discuss something with you."
Song Qinian looked at Shen Chi Yan with confusion.
"During the New Year, Si Nian is going abroad to be with his grandparents. Xiao Hei is difficult to travel with, so he's asked me to look after her for a few days."
Song Qinian fell silent again.
"Can we try to interact with Xiao Hei? Maybe a miracle will happen. Of course, I'm not forcing you. If you still can't accept it, then I'll refuse Si Nian."
As he spoke, Shen Chi Yan kissed Song Qinian's forehead. "Everything will be according to your feelings. Don't feel any pressure or burden."