The Missing Piece: 貌合神离
Extra Story 13: Wishes
Ji Ning had only two birthday wishes.
The first was to own an adorable kitten. The second was for his dad to spend more time with him.
After finishing his cake, he fell fast asleep, hugging his little dinosaur. The next day, just after the sky brightened, he heard a loud noise from next door. It sounded as if something had fallen on the ground.
Ji Ning woke up, still drowsy, and called, “... Daddy?”
No one replied.
Even Uncle Shen, who always spoiled him the most, was nowhere to be seen.
Ji Ning rubbed his eyes. He put on his small coat and ran out of the room, his slippers pattering.
The next room was unlocked, so he pushed the door open and poked his head in to take a look. It was dim inside. The blanket on the bed was bunched up in a ball. Uncle Shen was the only one sitting on the messy bed.
Uncle Shen waved at him, so he ran over and asked, “Where’s Daddy?”
Somewhat guilty, Shen Mo glanced at the bunched-up blanket. “He… went to work.”
“He has to go to work even though it’s the weekend?”
“Yeah. There was something urgent.”
Ji Ning revealed a disappointed expression. “But Daddy promised to play with me today.”
“I’m sorry. It’s really a special situation this time. How about I play with you?”
Shen Mo stroked Ji Ning’s hair and said, “It’s still early. Go back and get some more sleep, Xiao-Ning.”
Ji Ning had always been an obedient kid. He didn’t throw a tantrum, only walking away dejectedly. Shen Mo finally sighed in relief.
The bunched-up blanket on the bed wriggled slowly. Then, out came an odd-eyed white cat. Its fur was snowy and soft, while its fluffy tail swished left and right. Its different-coloured eyes looked especially beautiful.
Shen Mo was so mesmerised by the big white cat’s beauty that he didn’t return to his senses until a while later.
Staring eye-to-eye with the cat, he asked, “Mr Ji, what should we do? Do you want to go to the hospital? Hm, or maybe an animal hospital?”
The big white cat ignored Shen Mo. He only raised his chin and gracefully leapt down the bed.
Shen Mo grabbed his phone and ran after the cat. Having experienced such a shock on the first day of the new year, he really wanted to post a Moment on WeChat, asking, What should I do if I woke up and found out that a family member turned into a cat? Urgent! Waiting for answers!
After all the trouble of stopping his hand from posting the Moment, Shen Mo followed the big white cat into the study.
He saw the cat dexterously jump onto the desk, reach out its paw, and pat the computer on the desk.
Three seconds later, Shen Mo understood what he meant and immediately turned on the computer. He then watched as the big white cat, sitting on the keyboard, started to wave its squishy paws and type. It was quite a bizarre scene.
Shen Mo didn’t say anything to disturb the cat. In silence, he decided that his second Moment would be: What should I do if a family member’s still a workaholic even after he turned into a cat? Still waiting for an answer!
Right then, scurrying footsteps sounded outside the door. Ji Ning, who had already dressed himself, barged in and called,
“Uncle, play with me…”
His voice faltered before it rose instantly, turning into an ecstatic cheer.
“Kitty!”
Shouting, he rushed over and hugged the big white cat, who was still busy with work.
Shen Mo’s eyelid twitched. He was sure that Mr Ji… no, the big white cat’s face had darkened.
Ji Ning, of course, was completely oblivious. He asked, “Did Daddy buy this for me?”
“Um, you can say that.”
Ji Ning fell in love with the big white cat at first sight. Now that he had seized the cat, he refused to let go no matter what.
“Uncle, what should we name the kitty?”
“Oh? What do you think?”
“What about Xiao-Baiix?”
“Uh... Shen Mo sneaked a glance at the cat’s expression. “I don’t think he’d like it…”
But Ji Ning was already running to his bedroom, holding the big white cat in his arms. He said as he ran, “Xiao-Bai, let’s play fetch.”
Ji Ning had a pretty little ball that he really liked, given to him by Ji Mingxuan. Now, he took it out as if he was presenting a treasure and tossed it toward a corner, yelling, “Xiao-Bai, fetch!”
The big white cat crouched elegantly on the ground, wagging his tail lazily.
“Oh.” Ji Ning scratched his head. “I’ll fetch it, then.”
As he said this, Ji Ning scampered over to pick up the ball.
Shen Mo found this quite funny, so he let them play. It wasn’t until lunchtime that he called Ji Ning out of his room.
Hugging the big white cat, Ji Ning asked, “Uncle, what is Xiao-Bai gonna eat for lunch?”
“Hmm…”
This was also what Shen Mo was thinking about. In the end, he made some noodles and put them into a small bowl for the cat to eat.
The big white cat had an expression of distaste, as if he’d kick over the small bowl in front of him anytime. Eventually, however, he ate a few mouthfuls out of respect.
After lunch, the big white cat slipped into the study again. But just as he jumped onto the computer desk, Ji Ning came in with a picture book in his arms.
“Uncle gave this to me yesterday for my birthday. I wanted to read it together with Daddy today, but…” Ji Ning waved at the big white cat and asked, “Xiao-Bai, can you read it with me?”
“Meow—”
The big white cat glanced at the computer on the table, and then at Ji Ning, who looked ever so pitiful. Finally, he jumped off the computer table and nimbly walked toward Ji Ning.
At once, Ji Ning was beaming. He sat down by the windowsill and opened the picture book that Shen Mo had given him.
With an effortless leap, the big white cat got onto Ji Ning’s lap and lay down. Ji Ning didn’t mind the cat’s weight either. Holding him, he continued to turn the pages.
“Once upon a time, there was a shepherd boy…”
“Meow.”
“Oh no, I forgot how to pronounce this word.”
“Meow!”
“Okay. I’ll write it down first and ask Daddy when he comes back.”
“Meow meow.”
The two of them didn’t speak the same language, but they still seemed to be communicating well. Shen Mo saw this from outside the door. He didn’t go in so that he wouldn’t disturb them; he only closed the door gently.
The big white cat read the picture book with Ji Ning all afternoon. They played hide-and-seek in the evening too. Only when Ji Ning started to yawn sleepily did Ji Ning reluctantly go to bed.
Shen Mo and the big white cat both stayed beside the bed, helping Ji Ning fall asleep. Once Ji Ning was asleep, Shen Mo whispered, “You didn’t work at all today, Mr Ji. Is that okay?”
The big white cat didn’t reply. He only bit a corner of the blanket and tried his best to pull it up, tucking Ji Ning in.
Shen Mo couldn’t help but smile. He said,
“I wonder if you can turn back tomorrow, Mr Ji. What if you never turned back?”
“Meow—”
The big white cat gave Shen Mo a stern glare.
Shen Mo immediately said, “I’m sorry. You’ll definitely turn back!”
Hmph.
The white cat flicked his tail and raised his head proudly. Then, he curled up into a ball and lay down beside Ji Ning.
He was probably going to sleep beside Ji Ning, then.
The corners of Shen Mo’s lips lifted. He stroked the cat’s soft fur and turned off the wall light.
Good night, Mr Cat.