Chapter 473 - 472: IF Storyline: Did the Big Shot Compete for Favor Today? 41

Chapter 473: Chapter 472: IF Storyline: Did the Big Shot Compete for Favor Today? 41

In front of an elder, Yan Huoshui could still maintain his usual elegance and politeness. A slight smile touched his lips. "Auntie, it’s the least I could do. Besides, I came to visit He Hanshi. I couldn’t possibly arrive empty-handed."

Mrs. He’s expression had been tinged with worry at first, but her mood had instantly brightened upon learning that there was great hope for her son’s leg to recover.

"Thank you for your concern. But this boy of mine... all he does is work from morning till night. Even with his injured leg, he doesn’t know how to rest. When he’s not in physical therapy, he’s working. He’s in a meeting in the study as we speak."

"He should be finishing up soon. I’ll have the butler go hurry him along."

After speaking, she looked at the butler standing to the side, who immediately went upstairs.

Just then, a plump, chubby orange cat sauntered over lazily. Having lived in the He Family’s home for so long, Pumpkin had grown quite bold. It wasn’t shy around the newcomer at all, even approaching Yan Huoshui to sniff around with its little black nose before rubbing against his leg.

Yan Huoshui quickly pulled his leg back. Aside from his Benefactor, he really disliked other cats getting so close to him.

Pumpkin, not understanding the complexities of human nature and accustomed to being doted on by Mrs. He, assumed all people enjoyed such affection from cats. It continued to approach Yan Huoshui’s withdrawn leg, its tail perked up in delight.

Yan Huoshui pressed his lips together, stiffly pulling his leg back even further.

Perhaps sensing his discomfort, Mrs. He quickly scooped up Pumpkin’s heavy body and laughed. "Oh, I’m so sorry. Our cat is rather bold and not shy around strangers, so he can be a bit clingy."

Yan Huoshui let out an imperceptible sigh of relief. He glanced down at the orange fur clinging to his pant leg, hiding the displeasure in his eyes. "My apologies. I have a cat of my own, and he probably wouldn’t like me getting this close to another one."

"Not at all, not at all. Is that white cat from the magazine yours?"

Mrs. He asked curiously. She still couldn’t get that white cat out of her mind.

Yan Huoshui keenly noticed the sparkle in Mrs. He’s eyes. He nodded, emphasizing, "Yes. I’m very fond of him."

"Oh, I see."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. He looked a little disappointed.

Pumpkin was getting bigger and heavier. Although the vet confirmed his weight was still healthy, Mrs. He found him too heavy to hold after just a moment. She set him down beside the sofa, and to keep him from bothering Yan Huoshui again, she had a maid take him to the back garden to play.

Yan Huoshui watched the cat disappear. "Is that He Hanshi’s cat?"

"Yes, it is. At first, he absolutely doted on this cat, but they grew distant after it scratched him. It’s strange, really."

"Still, Pumpkin is quite cute."

Hearing the word "scratched," Yan Huoshui’s pupils contracted slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.

At that moment, He Hanshi came down in the elevator. This time he wasn’t using crutches, but was seated in a wheelchair.

Upon seeing Yan Huoshui, his eyes immediately scanned the man’s arms and surroundings. When he didn’t see the white cat from the magazine, an imperceptible flicker of disappointment crossed his dark eyes.

Yan Huoshui walked toward him. "He Hanshi, how’s your leg?"

He Hanshi’s lips curved slightly. "Thanks for your concern. It should be fully recovered soon."

He paused, then asked casually, "You mentioned last time that you’d bring your cat with you. Did you not bring him?"

"Oh, my cat wasn’t feeling well, so I left him at home to rest."

"What’s wrong? Aren’t you taking good care of him?"

A hint of worry and tension, mixed with displeasure, instantly appeared in He Hanshi’s eyes.

’Pumpkin chose Yan Huoshui, and this is how careless he is?’

Yan Huoshui met his gaze and pursed his lips slightly. "He’s fine, just throwing a little tantrum. I’m sure he’ll be fine once I go home and coax him a bit."

As he spoke, he took hold of He Hanshi’s wheelchair. "Why don’t we go for a stroll in the garden and chat?"

"Alright."

He Hanshi had been thinking the same thing. If Yan Huoshui hadn’t suggested it, he would have.

But hearing the affectionate tone Yan Huoshui used when talking about the cat made his heart ache with a sour, bitter feeling.

’That’s clearly my Pumpkin.’

Once they were in the garden, Yan Huoshui didn’t beat around the bush. "Mr. He, I get the feeling you’re very concerned about my cat."

"Your cat? Hah. You should bring him here and see who he’s known longer."

He Hanshi was surprised by his perceptiveness, but he had no intention of hiding his feelings. Since he had already decided to take Pumpkin back, this confrontation was inevitable.

He continued, "What will it take for you to give Pumpkin back to me?"

"Give him back to you? Are you kidding me, He Hanshi? When I found my Benefactor, he was clearly a stray. How could he possibly know you?"

"Besides, if you knew him, how could you bear to let him wander around as a stray, and even go through something as dangerous as being caught by cat snatchers?"

Hearing that Pumpkin had even been caught by cat snatchers, He Hanshi’s eyes filled with self-reproach and regret. He hadn’t initially considered that Pumpkin might become just another stray. He had assumed he would come home, or perhaps that the cat had developed a split personality. It wasn’t until he saw Yan Huoshui’s white cat that his initial suspicion was confirmed.

’It’s my fault. I should have found a way to get him back sooner. I let him suffer.’

’No wonder he wants nothing to do with me.’

At this thought, He Hanshi lost the confidence to try and take the cat back.

His hands on the armrests of his wheelchair tightened, his lips pressed together until they grew pale. After a long moment, he asked, "Is he happy?"

"Of course. I give him the best food and drink every day. But that’s not something you need to worry about, Mr. He. I will naturally take good care of my own cat."

Yan Huoshui’s words were sharp, and with every sentence, he seemed to emphasize the two words "my cat."

He Hanshi completely understood his feelings. He, too, would never be willing to give his Pumpkin to someone else.

’Maybe I really did do something wrong, and that’s why Pumpkin abandoned me.’

With this in mind, he lowered his gaze to hide the dejection in his eyes and said slowly, "I hope you’ll treat him well. He has a stubborn personality and can hold a grudge sometimes, but he’s easy to win over if you give him lots of treats and praise. He’s a very special cat. I hope you don’t lose him."

’I’ve already lost him once. At least now I know where he is. I can find out how he’s doing from Yan Huoshui from now on.’

’As reluctant as he was, He Hanshi didn’t want to disrupt the current peace. He didn’t want to interfere with Pumpkin’s happy life. As long as the cat was happy, that was enough.’

"I’m well aware of all that."

Yan Huoshui sensed the concession in He Hanshi’s words, and his own tone softened slightly. They had been classmates, after all, and he didn’t want to keep arguing with a man who was still recovering from an injury.

But he couldn’t help but ask, "I heard from your mother that you have an orange cat. Why do you keep saying my Benefactor is your cat? Isn’t your Pumpkin at home?"

He Hanshi answered without hesitation, "No. They’re not the same. Their souls are different. The cat here is not the Pumpkin I originally found."

"So, you’re saying the soul inside my cat is your Pumpkin?"

Yan Huoshui’s pupils dilated, his eyes wide with shock.