Chapter 71: Turning into a Little Cat

Zhou Jianghao was surprised. “You’re coming with me?”

“What’s the matter? Do you have a childhood sweetheart stashed away back home, and you’re afraid I’ll spill the beans if I tag along?” Tan Qingya couldn’t resist teasing her.

“It’s just that I’m worried you won’t be able to adjust.” Zhou Jianghao remained serious, her mind filled with thoughts of Tan Qingya accompanying her back to her hometown. She wasn’t amused at all. She chose her words carefully. “My hometown is very underdeveloped. It’s in a small mountain village. After so many years, even I might have a hard time readjusting to life there.”

“We’re not staying there long. We’re just dropping someone off and picking up some things. It’ll be fine.”

Zhou Jianghao prepared for the worst. “It might be a tight schedule. We may have to spend the night there.”

Tan Qingya frowned. “That’s all the more reason for us to go together.”

It would be too dangerous for a young woman to stay there alone. She couldn’t rest easy.

“Think of it as a trip for the two of us. I’ve never been to an underdeveloped little mountain village before. It sounds kind of interesting.”

Seeing that Zhou Jianghao still looked disapproving, Tan Qingya chuckled. “Your reluctance to let me go feels just like my worry about you going alone. Baby, do you think I could just lie at home peacefully if you went by yourself?”

Zhou Jianghao was stumped.

“Alright, it’s settled.” Seeing Zhou Jianghao fall silent, Tan Qingya made the final call. She hugged Zhou Jianghao and spoke to her affectionately. “Don’t keep that straight face, Little Doctor Zhou. I have no experience with this. You’ll have to tell me what to prepare.”

With such a stern expression, she was saying something so vulnerable. Zhou Jianghao’s lips curved up. She almost laughed.

So Little Doctor Zhou came up with a rare bit of teasing herself. “If you come with me, I might just sell you off when we get back home.”

Tan Qingya played along perfectly. “Sure, and I’ll even count the money out for you.”

With Tan Qingya joining her, Zhou Jianghao started taking the trip back home even more seriously.

The temperature in the small mountain village would be lower than in the city, so they definitely needed to stay warm and dress in thicker layers.

The place had been uninhabited for so long. It was bound to be dirty and messy by now. After the long journey, they probably wouldn’t have the energy to clean. They could prepare a tent instead and set up a simple indoor one.

Tan Qingya was a clean freak with delicate skin. She might not adapt well to the lower-quality bedding there, so they should bring their own cotton quilts.

They would need spare clothes for changing.

Toothpaste and toothbrushes too.

There might not be much in the way of food, so they should pack some snacks…

The more she thought about it, the more things they needed to bring. Her original plan of traveling light clearly wouldn’t work.

With so many items, Zhou Jianghao’s head began to ache. In the end, would they have to rent a big truck to get back home?

Christmas arrived even earlier than New Year’s Day.

Zhou Jianghao had never celebrated such holidays before, but this year she had planned ahead. She placed the finished scarf into a prepared gift box and quietly set the box on the bedside table near Tan Qingya’s side early on Christmas morning.

These past few days, Tan Qingya had been working overtime and returning to the room very late to sleep. By the time she woke up, Tan Qingya was still catching up on sleep.

Zhou Jianghao had learned not to disturb her. She moved lightly and quietly, and Tan Qingya didn’t wake up even as she headed out the door.

At noon, however, Tan Qingya showed up to bring her lunch.

And she was wearing the scarf Zhou Jianghao had knitted herself.

The brick-red scarf made Tan Qingya’s skin look even creamier and whiter, like a patch of snow melting into the soft scarf.

“Aren’t you busy today?”

Zhou Jianghao hid her delight and shifted slightly to block the curious gazes of the others.

Tan Qingya hadn’t been to the hospital lately, and there were vague rumors floating around that she had been dumped by some rich heir. Liu Zhiyi had worriedly told her about it once, but she didn’t really care.

She just thought those people were too bored.

Always gossiping behind backs. Now that Tan Qingya was here, who knew what wild stories they would spin.

Tan Qingya sighed. “I woke up this morning and saw the gift you left me. I was so happy I couldn’t focus on work.”

She reached up and touched the scarf around her neck, looking at Zhou Jianghao. “You knitted this yourself?”

The scarf was thick and sturdy. Compared to store-bought ones, it had some subtle handmade imperfections, but her fondness for it surpassed any expensive gift she had ever received.

After living for over twenty years, it was the first time she had felt this excited, like a hyperactive monkey. Bursting with joy and nowhere to vent it, she had put on the scarf and rushed to the supermarket herself. She hadn’t even eaten breakfast before starting to prepare lunch for Zhou Jianghao.

She had busied herself all morning and timed it perfectly to wait outside just as Zhou Jianghao got off work.

“It was my first time knitting. It’s not that great.”

“How could it not be? I think it’s perfect.”

The two found seats. Just then, Liu Zhiyi walked by with her tray. She could have kept walking, but her gaze stuck to Zhou Jianghao like taffy.

Tan Qingya called out to her and tugged at her own scarf, her tone light and amused. “Doctor Liu, this is a scarf my wife knitted for me by hand. I think it’s great, but she says it’s not good. What do you think?”

Liu Zhiyi: “…”

After a few seconds of silence, she nodded. “I think it’s great too.”

Tan Qingya’s smile widened. “Doctor Liu, there’s an empty seat here. Want to join us?”

Though she said it casually, as if just asking, her high status and outstanding presence made it hard for anyone to refuse, even though it was phrased as a question.

By the time Liu Zhiyi realized it, she was already seated next to Zhou Jianghao’s wife. Across from her sat Zhu Sui, who had joined them. Ever since the cafeteria incident, Zhu Sui shrank away from Zhou Jianghao like a mouse seeing a cat. She had been on edge, constantly worrying that Zhou Jianghao’s wife would come after her. She had been meaning to apologize in person again, but now that she saw her, she didn’t even dare lift her head.

Her good friend had offended people because of her. Liu Zhiyi sighed inwardly and began smoothing things over for her. “Mrs. Zhou, Doctor Zhu offended you and Jianghao last time. I’m truly sorry. She’s calmed down since then and has been wanting a chance to apologize.”

Zhu Sui hurriedly chimed in. “Yes, yes. I’m so sorry. That day, I got too worked up and emotional. I said some thoughtless, idiotic nonsense. I hope you can be magnanimous and forgive me this once.”

Tan Qingya leisurely handed Zhou Jianghao her bowl and chopsticks before giving Zhu Sui a cold sidelong glance. “Idiotic nonsense? Are you an idiot?”

She quickly looked away, as if even one more second would hurt her eyes. “Since you’re an idiot, there’s no need to be afraid. After all, no matter how petty I am, I wouldn’t hold a grudge against an idiot.”

Considering they were Zhou Jianghao’s colleagues, Tan Qingya’s tone wasn’t too sharp, but her words still drained the color from Zhu Sui’s face.

Fortunately, Zhou Jianghao spoke up in time. “I remember you already apologized back then. It’s in the past. No need to bring it up again and again.”

“Thank you.” Zhu Sui visibly relaxed.

Zhou Jianghao furrowed her brow, feeling a bit puzzled.

Zhu Sui had approached her several times lately and even tried to give her gifts—completely opposite from her previous attitude. Zhou Jianghao didn’t quite understand this woman. How could she have confronted her and Tan Qingya in front of so many people back then, only to change her tune so easily and apologize so eagerly now?

Was it because Tan Qingya had funded the hospital cafeteria’s expansion?

Or because Tan Qingya could call in favors from the hospital’s top brass?

Lost in thought, she ate the food from the covered bowl and recognized the familiar taste. She looked at Tan Qingya in surprise. “You cooked this yourself today?”

“Of course.” Tan Qingya nodded aristocratically, looking utterly nonchalant. “It’s a special reward for you. My wife worked hard knitting that scarf for me.”

Being called “wife” in front of others made Zhou Jianghao’s face heat up slightly. “It wasn’t that hard.”

She was clearly shy. Tan Qingya suppressed a laugh. Considering there were others present, she didn’t press her with more teasing.

But even without speaking, the two of them eating in perfect sync looked so well-matched. Liu Zhiyi’s gaze darkened, and the food in her mouth lost all flavor.

Glancing up, she saw Zhu Sui staring at the pair, lost in who-knows-what thoughts. Her heart tightened, fearing more trouble. She quickly nudged Zhu Sui under the table.

Zhu Sui snapped back to attention.

The two exchanged a glance and, without a word, sped up their eating. In just a few minutes, their plates were clean.

Liu Zhiyi and Zhu Sui said in unison, “We’ll head out first.”

Watching them leave in such a hurry, Zhou Jianghao turned to Tan Qingya. “Doctor Zhu seems really scared of you.”

Tan Qingya gave a soft hum. “She’s not afraid of me. She’s afraid of power.”

She summed it up. “Typical bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong.”

As she spoke, she adjusted the scarf with one hand and awkwardly shoved another bite of food into her mouth.

Seeing her struggle to eat, Zhou Jianghao asked curiously, “Why don’t you take the scarf off?”

It was so inconvenient to eat with it on.

“Cold,” Tan Qingya replied curtly.

Zhou Jianghao doubted that answer. Tan Qingya wasn’t the type to feel cold easily. Getting her to wear an extra layer was harder than climbing to the heavens.

She was about to ask more when her phone buzzed.

Seeing Zhou Qiaoqiao’s name on the caller ID, she looked at Tan Qingya. “It’s a call from Zhou Qiaoqiao.”

She fell silent after that.

Ever since Zhou Qiaoqiao had made those passive-aggressive remarks about Tan Qingya last time, she had deliberately distanced herself. They hadn’t been close to begin with, and after she pulled back, their interactions dwindled even more.

This was the first call from Zhou Qiaoqiao in all those days. To avoid missing a real emergency, she would answer it.

Sure enough, Zhou Qiaoqiao’s call was about something important. She had heard from Zhou Qiu that they were heading back to their hometown, so she called specifically to hitch a ride with them.

“I can’t give you an answer right now,” Zhou Jianghao said, glancing at Tan Qingya. “Can I message you tonight?”

Once Zhou Jianghao hung up, Tan Qingya spoke up. “She’s going back too?”

“Yeah. She said it’s been ages since she last went home. Her wages double over New Year’s, so she skipped it then and wants to tag along with us this time.” As she spoke, Zhou Jianghao looked to Tan Qingya for her opinion. “Do you want her to come?”

Ever since Tang Tiantian had brought up that possessiveness thing, Zhou Jianghao had been paying close attention. Sure enough, she noticed Tan Qingya did have a strong possessive streak—especially around Liu Zhiyi and Zhou Qiaoqiao.

Zhou Jianghao felt possessive of Tan Qingya too.

Maybe it was normal for wives to feel that way about each other, so there wasn’t any cause for alarm. But Tan Qingya gave her such a profound sense of security that her own possessiveness had nowhere to go. To return the favor, she wanted to give Tan Qingya that same security in turn.

She would prove it with her actions: that her wife belonged to her and her alone. No one else would do.

“It’s just a little sister. I’m not that petty,” Tan Qingya said casually, touching the scarf around her neck. If the girl behaved herself the whole way, Tan Qingya wouldn’t mind a bit. But if she tried any funny business, Tan Qingya wouldn’t hesitate.

The one who should be scared was the girl—because Tan Qingya would stuff her full of dog food until she was sick to her stomach.

Her tone softened even more. “Let her come.”

She wanted to give the girl a front-row seat to just how solid she and Zhou Jianghao were—thick as thieves, dripping with sweetness.

Time flew by, and soon it was the day to head back home.

Zhou Qiu was thoroughly displeased about returning to the countryside. Luxury had dazzled her eyes; after months of being waited on hand and foot in the city, the thought of going back to farm work was too big a comedown. She couldn’t stomach it.

But in front of Tan Qingya, she didn’t dare complain.

She swallowed her dissatisfaction and climbed into the car with a sulk. And it wasn’t even the same one as Zhou Jianghao and the others—her anger boiled over.

Had marrying into a good family made her start looking down on her own mother?

The car door opened, and another person got in. Recognizing her, Zhou Qiu reined in her emotions and put on airs. “Oh, it’s Qiaoqiao. Hey, watch those dirty shoes of yours. Don’t go scuffing up my car’s interior.”

Zhou Qiaoqiao plopped down boldly beside Zhou Qiu, utterly unconcerned. “What’s there to worry about? We’re heading to the countryside anyway—this ride’s gonna get filthy no matter what, and it’ll need a wash soon enough.”

Zhou Qiu was left speechless, choked by the retort.

She muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Zhou Qiaoqiao to hear, “Freeloading a ride home and still so rude about it.”

Zhou Qiaoqiao bristled immediately. “Auntie, are you sick of me already? If you are, I’ll just go tell Big Sis Hao and her wife—I’ll buy my own ticket back!”

Zhou Qiu couldn’t risk her blowing up to her daughter and daughter-in-law. She grabbed her at once. “Hey now! Kid, Auntie was just joking around. How’d you get all worked up over that?”

“Because that joke wasn’t funny at all,” Zhou Qiaoqiao shot back with a sideways glare. “If Big Sis Hao had a problem with me, she wouldn’t have let me on the car in the first place. Big Sis Hao likes me plenty—Auntie, don’t go talking nonsense.”

The intimate way she referred to Zhou Jianghao threw Zhou Qiu completely off balance.

After all, Zhou Jianghao had always been cool toward her. Who knew if she was warmer with Zhou Qiaoqiao?

From then on, Zhou Qiu behaved herself the whole ride, not daring to stir up any more trouble.

In Zhou Jianghao’s car, there was just the two of them besides the driver up front. A partition separated them from him, and soothing music played softly in the cabin. Add in a bit of unexpected insomnia from the night before, and Zhou Jianghao felt drowsy the moment she settled in. Before long, she had drifted off into a hazy sleep.

Tan Qingya, who was used to working on the go during her frequent business trips, looked up from her seat across from Zhou Jianghao in the middle. She saw those eyelids drooping and instantly set her tablet aside on the table between them, too captivated to keep working. Instead, she began studying the girl intently.

She looked so utterly defenseless.

It made Tan Qingya itch to play a little prank.

She was a woman of action. The thought had barely formed before she pulled out her lipstick. Leaning in carefully, she closed the distance between them.

The lipstick tip brushed lightly against Zhou Jianghao’s dainty nose, and Tan Qingya twisted it gently, applying a neat coat.

When she pulled back, that fair, lovely face now sported a cute little red smudge.

Tan Qingya couldn’t help but chuckle softly, her gaze lingering. Seeing Zhou Jianghao still fast asleep, her mischievous side flared up again. With deliberate slowness, she drew three whiskers on each cheek of that beautiful face.

Perfect.

Little Dog had turned into a little cat.

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