Chapter 28: Pet
“Yes, that’s a very good question.”
Gu Zhi put down the textbook in her hand and slowly walked down from the stage. “Since everyone is interested in this, let’s talk about this topic.”
She was wearing a floral long dress that was suitable for early spring. Her intellectual maturity was tinged with a hint of playful gaudiness. The hem of her dress, which was adorned with lace, swayed and fell to her ankles. Her jade-like feet, wrapped in flesh-colored stockings, were in flat, pointed leather shoes. The smooth and translucent instep barely revealed her alluring toes.
Gu Zhi smiled, her voice soft and gentle. The gentle smile in the long corners of her eyes was filled with a growing spring atmosphere. A dark red mole was dotted under the corner of her eye. With a smile and a frown… it was breathtakingly alluring.
“Love at first sight will lead to feelings of like, and like is more often dominated by a certain chemical substance. For example, a chemical substance like phenylethylamine will make us feel love at first sight. The peak duration of phenylethylamine in the human body is about the duration of a relationship. But love… is different from like.”
Gu Zhi tucked the loose hair by her ear behind her ear and said slowly, “Love should be controlled by something more lasting, almost surpassing the effect that any chemical substance secreted by the human body can achieve. If you fall in love with someone, you will no longer be easily swayed by emotions, and love is not something that can be worn away by time.”
“This is why we often say that humans are not long-term creatures. A love that lasts until death is against nature. It is a miracle, more like a… gift from the gods.”
“Teacher, then… do you have someone you like? Or someone you love deeply?”
“No wonder you asked me a question. So you were waiting for me here?”
A curve appeared on Gu Zhi’s lips. She raised her long, narrow eyes and glanced at the student who had asked the question. The boy, whose thoughts had been seen through, lowered his head in embarrassment.
“But I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll make an exception and answer you.” Gu Zhi smiled, without a hint of blame. Her red lips parted. “I do… have someone I like very much. It started with love at first sight and has grown into a deep and bone-chilling love. I love him very much. He is my lover. He is…”
Ring ring ring!
The dismissal bell suddenly rang. Gu Zhi’s expression remained unchanged. The chalk in her palm broke and shattered, and the white dust scattered from between her fingers. The crisp bell sound covered her gentle final words.
“My everything.”
“Alright… students, let’s dismiss. See you next class.”
Gu Zhi turned and went back to the podium, announcing the end of the class. She packed up the textbooks on the podium. “Teacher, teacher, I saw you feeding a stray cat at the school gate last time. Are you also interested in these small animals?”
A girl with pigtails squeezed through the crowd of students who were leaving and came to the side of the podium.
“Is that so? Let me think… is it that little tabby cat, the one with a little black on its ears?” Gu Zhi squinted her eyes in recollection and asked with a smile.
“Yes, yes, that’s the one. Its name is Mili. It’s very good…” The girl touched the hair that was falling on her shoulder and winked playfully.
“I see. What a cute name. So… is there something you need from me?”
The girl’s eyes rolled. The worries she had had disappeared when she saw the gentle and soft smile that was always on the woman’s lips. She puffed out her cheeks and then asked, “Then do you think these small animals are cute, teacher?”
“Of course they are cute. Fragile, small, and simple… who wouldn’t like such a small life?”
Gu Zhi answered without much thought. She looked down and carefully wiped the chalk dust from her hands with a wet tissue. Her smiling eyes reflected the bright red polish on her nails. There were no flaws… everything was so perfect. She curled her lips, and a fire seemed to be lit in her heart. The surging excitement was so strong that she wanted to tear off this hypocritical and gentle skin right now.
Enduring it… was really too hard.
“Well, I’m from our school’s stray cat protection association. I wanted to ask if you have any thoughts of adopting a kitten, teacher. Mili hasn’t been adopted yet. Actually, I’ve always felt that you’re a very loving person, teacher. Mili will definitely find a good home with you. So…”
The girl’s eyes suddenly lit up, thinking she had a chance. She continued to say, “Can you support us, teacher, and adopt a kitten?”
“I see. I’m afraid…” Gu Zhi shook her head, her words tactful. “I’m afraid not. I already have a little guy at home. I love him very much, and I’m afraid I don’t have the energy to raise another one.”
“I see. That’s a pity. But if you can help us promote it, teacher, and if you have any friends who want to adopt a kitten, you can contact me.”
“Okay, if I do…”
The girl didn’t pester her anymore. She expressed her regret and left the classroom.
The classroom was soon empty. Gu Zhi stood alone at the podium.
I’m done with this for now. It’s time to pick up the little guy.
She couldn’t help but feel happy. She suddenly remembered that there seemed to be a pet store nearby. Before she picked up the little guy… it would be good to buy some things and tidy up his little nest.
…
The pet store was not far from the school. Gu Zhi walked along the commercial street and soon saw a shop with a sign with a cartoon pattern of a few kittens and puppies playing together.
She gently pushed open the door, and the wind chime on the door jingled. The waiter at the door quickly and enthusiastically came up to her.
“Welcome. Can I help you with anything?”
Gu Zhi thought for a moment and asked, “The collar at home is broken. I want to get a new one. I don’t know what’s suitable.”
“A collar? What’s the specific model? We have a very complete collection here, with all kinds of styles and models.”
“Mine… is probably a bit big.”
“If it’s convenient, can I see a photo?” the waiter asked with a smile.
“A photo…” Gu Zhi shook her head and smiled helplessly. “I don’t have one for now. Just give me the biggest one. He should like black.”
“Then… as for the name tag, we can do personalized engraving here. What’s the little guy’s name? You can also choose your favorite pattern.”
“Yeah, his name is Xiao Chan. The ‘Chan’ from ‘cicada’.”
“What a nice name.” The waiter said a few polite words and took out a few good products for Gu Zhi to choose from. He then went back to ask the master in the back to help with the engraving. “Here are a few very good ones. The quality is very good, and the extensibility is also good. They basically won’t hurt the pet.”
Gu Zhi ran her slender fingers along the exquisitely textured items. She casually picked two models with a more satisfactory color scheme. The phone in her bag suddenly vibrated. She put down the things, took out her phone, and scrolled through the messages. A few photos were slowly enlarged on the screen.
She squinted her eyes and stared at the sickly pale boy in the photo, who was curled up in a corner. His thick, smooth black hair was greasy and drooping, and his hair was messy and tangled. The once-gentle and handsome young man now looked particularly pathetic.
So pitiful… like a beautiful piece of jade with a few flaws.
The gentle and soft spring water in the depths of her eyes instantly froze into inches of solid ice, which spread and grew in her eyes. Her sharp fingertips inadvertently slid over the surface of the collar strap, leaving a few clear white marks.
“What are you doing, customer…”
The waiter looked at the few scratches and thought that the woman was here to cause trouble. He was about to argue with Gu Zhi, but the moment their eyes met, he couldn’t help but shiver. The cold and indifferent look in the woman’s eyes seemed to have gripped his heart. His teeth chattered uncontrollably, and the words in his mouth were swallowed.
“I’ll take them all. Send them to this address. I…”
Gu Zhi looked down and replied to the message. A few words… wrote the tragic end of some people.
The coldness in her eyes suddenly melted, and a gentle smile appeared.
“I’m in a bit of a hurry. I’m so sorry.”
