Chapter 22: Me, the Cat? Never in My Dreams Did I Think This Meal Wouldn't Be Free

He hadn’t taken two sips when he felt a tap on his pant leg.

Turning his head, he saw a squatting cat, blinking its big, watery eyes and looking at him with its paws tucked in.

“Still not full? I can’t believe you’re such a small cat with such a big appetite.” The man chuckled, stroking Li Li’s head, and shouted to the barbecue stall, “Boss, do you have crucian carp? Get me a plate of iron plate crucian carp, just brush it with oil, no other seasoning.”

“Alright! Just a moment, handsome.” The boss replied, his fingers pinching skewers dancing over the charcoal fire, and then had someone bring the carp.

“Meow~ （ Big Brother, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. You’re a kind soul. ）” Li Li said happily, hearing this, and sat down next to the man’s feet, waiting to eat the fish.

“Do you eat bugs, little cat?” The man, sipping his wine, asked, holding a skewer of grilled locusts in front of Li Li.

“Meow~ （ Of course, I’m not a picky eater. ）” Li Li replied and started nibbling.

“Good, good, you’re easy to feed.” The man said with a smile, seeing this, put down his glass, picked up Li Li, and placed him on his lap:

“Come on! The ground is cold, sit on Uncle’s lap.”

“Qiang Ge, I wouldn’t have thought you, a big guy like you, would be so fond of small animals.”

“Yeah, Qiang Ge is so thoughtful. You’ve never been this careful with your wife, right?”

“Exactly, exactly, if your wife sees this, she’ll be jealous.”

The man’s drinking buddies couldn’t help but tease him after seeing this.

It was rare to see a big, tough guy speaking so softly to a cat.

“What do you guys know? Cats are man’s best friend, you know? Didn’t your teachers teach you that in school?” Qiang Ge said, pinching a skewer of Spanish mackerel and placing it by Li Li’s mouth: “Good kitty, don’t listen to their nonsense. Come on! Have a skewer.”

“No way, bro. You’ve become a cat slave.”

“Yeah, Qiang Ge, why didn’t you say you liked cats earlier? I would have caught one from my house for you.”

His companions spoke up one after another, seeing how he was acting.

They never would have thought their Qiang Ge would be this kind of person.

“Don’t be silly, you’ll scare the little cat.” Hearing their teasing, Qiang Ge looked at the chicken wings on the table and said, “Are you guys still eating those chicken wings? If not, I’ll give them to the little cat.”

“Here, here, we’re tired of eating them anyway.” The group said, looking at Li Li:

“Yeah, but you gotta admit, this cat is really friendly. Look at those cheeks, they’re like grapefruits.”

“Right, and his fur is so sleek. I bet he’s a good rat catcher.”

“Of course, our little cat is the best. Look at those thick paws, he’s like a little tiger.” Qiang Ge laughed, pulled over a chair, and threw his jacket on it. Then, he placed Li Li on top, put a bowl in front of him, and said: “There! Little cat, you can chat with us too.”

“Boss, do you have soy milk? Get me a bottle.”

“Sure, handsome.” The boss replied, grilling chicken frames, and instructed a worker beside him.

A bottle of soy milk was brought over. Qiang Ge took it, unscrewed the cap, poured it into a bowl, and drank it all in one go.

“Alright, little cat, if you find it too salty, just have some soy milk.” Qiang Ge smiled and raised his glass to the others: “Come on, come on! Let’s celebrate the little cat joining our dinner.”

“Cheers~”

“Clink!!”

With the sound of clinking glasses, the drinking continued.

“Meow~ （ This is quite the ceremony. ）” Li Li was very pleased, looking at the tableware placed in front of him.

He had to admit that he had really struck gold by coming here to freeload. Not only did he have a seat, but whenever his plate was empty, someone would refill it with food.

This was much better than freeloading anywhere else.

“Here, handsome guys, your grilled fish is ready, where should I put it?”

“Just put it in front of the little cat, it’s for him.”

“Alright!” The boss, hearing this, placed the grilled fish on the plate in front of Li Li.

Looking at Li Li sitting there, the boss couldn’t help but sigh that cats these days were treated so well.

If it were the cats from their childhood, daring to get on the table? They would have been beaten.

“Be careful, little cat, it’s hot, don’t eat it yet.” Qiang Ge stroked Li Li’s head, reminding him, seeing the steaming fish.

He didn’t want the little cat, in his hunger, to eat the fish as soon as it was served. He might burn his mouth and have a layer of skin peel off.

“Meow~ （ Don’t worry, I’m not that stupid, I’ll wait a bit. ）” Li Li replied, slurping noodles, and his mouth watered as he looked at the lamb skewers being served in large handfuls.

Seeing this, one of the men grabbed a small handful and placed it on Li Li’s plate: “You really are a cat that looks at what’s in the pot while eating what’s in your bowl, no wonder you’re so fat.”

“Nonsense, this isn’t fat. This is strong, you know? Don’t badmouth him in front of the little cat, or he won’t eat.” Qiang Ge said, stroking Li Li’s head, to his companion.

How could he say the little cat was fat in front of him? Where was he fat? He was clearly thin, wasn’t he?

“Alright, alright, Qiang Ge, just spoil him.” The companion laughed and raised his glass. The group continued to drink merrily.

The night deepened, and the cold moonlight shone on the quiet streets. Qiang Ge, holding Li Li, waved to the others and said, “Alright, alright, I’m going to take a taxi back now. You guys find your own rides, okay? I’m taking the little cat home to sleep. We’ll catch up again sometime.”

“Okay, okay, see you later, Qiang Ge.” The others replied, hearing this, and got into their waiting cars.

“Meow~ （ Big Brother, can we talk about this? You can go home, but don’t take me with you. ）” Li Li tried to wriggle free in Qiang Ge’s arms, but found he couldn’t break free.

His whole body went numb. Was he really going home with this guy today?

Then wouldn’t he be unable to return to the young lady’s house tonight?

As he was thinking this, the taxi had already started and was driving away.

“Good kitty, let’s go home and sleep. Don’t run around after you’ve eaten and drunk your fill. Uncle will take you home for a good night’s sleep.” Qiang Ge, reeking of alcohol, said, holding Li Li tightly. From time to time, he rubbed his stubbled face against Li Li’s head.

“Meow~ （ This cat knew there’s no such thing as a free lunch. I hope this isn’t too far away. ）” Li Li said, resigned to his fate. He never thought there would be a day when he would be kidnapped like this, and taken further and further away from familiar territory.

He could only hope that this guy’s house wasn’t too far away, otherwise, he would have a long way to run.

Ignoring Qiang Ge’s affectionate gestures, Li Li scanned the outside, memorizing the route they took so he could find his way back.