Chapter 478 - 477: IF Storyline: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 46

Chapter 478: Chapter 477: IF Storyline: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 46

"Huh?"

Shi Lan’s eyes widened a bit. Seeing her lively and expressive face now, Chen Xinyi finally felt a sense of relief. "Lanlan, to be honest, you always seemed so out of it before. At first, I was worried you were getting dementia at such a young age. Then, a few days ago, I happened to scroll past a post saying that this kind of condition is soul loss."

"Me?"

"Yeah."

As she spoke, Chen Xinyi listed a few examples. "Last time, I called and asked if you wanted to come hang out at the cat cafe. You said yes, but then you actually got lost near my cafe. If I hadn’t happened to be passing by to buy coffee and spotted you, you would’ve just kept wandering around."

"Oh, and another thing! One time I went to your place and found you lying right on the floor. When I asked you about it later, you said you just accidentally fell asleep."

"Honestly, you were never like this before. Especially the cat cafe—you’ve been there so many times, there’s no way you could get lost. And usually, when I’d tell you things, your reactions were always slow, and you were so forgetful. It was all just really weird."

"But you seem much more normal today. By the way, are you carrying the peace charm I gave you yesterday?"

After listening to her best friend, Shi Lan pretty much understood the situation. So, during the time she was a cat, her human body was still alive and going about its daily routine, just in a very strange state.

As for the peace charm, she paused. "Oh, I put it under my pillow."

She had seen it when she was making her bed that morning, but she hadn’t thought much of it and just tucked it under her pillow for the time being.

Chen Xinyi said earnestly, "Lanlan, I specially asked a master to bless that peace charm for you. He said people lose their souls either from a major shock or because they’ve been cursed."

She lowered her voice, perhaps finding it a bit creepy herself, and shivered. "Anyway, you seem to be in great shape today, so maybe the peace charm is working. You should carry it with you for two or three months, just to stabilize things."

"Okay, I get it. Thank you, Xinyi. I’ll put it on as soon as I get back."

Shi Lan was very grateful for her best friend’s help. Especially after experiencing something as incredible as turning into a cat, she believed that anything was possible in this vast world.

Whether it was the peace charm that brought her back or not, being human was definitely more comfortable and happier.

"Mhm, since you’re looking so much better, Lanlan, this hot pot is on me. Let’s call it a celebration."

"No way! If it’s a celebration, it has to be my treat!"

Shi Lan waved her hand magnanimously. "Eat whatever you want. It’s on me."

"Alright, alright, thanks, sis~"

The two happily had a huge meal at the hot pot restaurant. While they were eating, Chen Xinyi couldn’t help but keep trying to sell Shi Lan on her favorite celebrity. "Lanlan, do you remember Yan Huoshui? He’s the A-lister I’m backing, and for good reason! A few months ago, he caught two cat traffickers, and lately, his new drama, *God*, has been a huge hit. You have to watch it, it’s seriously so good!"

Hearing Yan Huoshui’s name from someone close to her again gave Shi Lan a surreal feeling, as if a lifetime had passed. Especially since she had actually been present for the events her friend was describing.

She knew how brave and decisive he was when facing the traffickers, and she knew how good his form was on the set of *God*. Everyone on the crew couldn’t help but be captivated by his acting.

But ultimately, that life wasn’t hers. She spaced out for a moment before snapping back to reality and smiling. "I remember. It seems like he really is a good person. I’ll watch his show."

Shi Lan used to think about badmouthing him to her friend, but now that she was back in her own body, her mind was filled more with his good qualities. His bad temper was, for the most part, harmless. In fact, during their time together, Yan Huoshui would only verbally chew out Zhang Chen and the others. Zhang Chen had even privately shared the good news with her about how much of a bonus he’d be getting that month.

Besides, Yan Huoshui was very protective of his own people. Only he was allowed to scold Zhang Chen and Xiao Li; if anyone else said a word against them, he would step up and defend them.

Most importantly, during her time as ’Benefactor,’ aside from occasionally teasing her, he had truly granted her every wish.

’So, he really is a good person.’

Chen Xinyi was delighted that her friend was finally on her side. She was also quite surprised, though. Before, when she tried to get her into Yan Huoshui, Shi Lan had said she wasn’t much of a celebrity fangirl, but this time she said outright that she would watch his show.

She couldn’t help but tease her a little. Shi Lan stared blankly for a moment, then tilted her head and blinked. "Well, when my girl brings up a guy over and over, of course I have to show some respect~"

"Hahahaha."

Chen Xinyi laughed even more happily. After finishing their hot pot, the two went to take some pictures. While they were taking photos, Chen Xinyi took a call. After a sweet, lovey-dovey conversation, she turned to Shi Lan and said, "Lanlan, I’ve been dating someone for three or four months now. You weren’t in a good state before, so I think you might have forgotten about it."

Shi Lan really didn’t have any memory of it. She had no idea about anything that had happened to her original body while she was gone. Thankfully, she was usually a homebody with few friends, so no major trouble had occurred.

She looked at her with pleasant surprise. "Congratulations! How did you meet?"

"Well, my family introduced us. You know, I’m at that age where I should be thinking about marriage. But you know me, I’m not the type to settle or force myself into a relationship. The guy I met this time is really great. Our families are on equal footing, and what’s more, it’s such a coincidence—I run a cat cafe, and he’s a veterinarian."

"Wow, that’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you guys."

Shi Lan was genuinely happy for Chen Xinyi.

Chen Xinyi’s face turned a little red. "I was thinking of setting up a meal sometime soon so you could meet him, but he’s been a bit busy lately."

"We’re complete opposites, really. Didn’t Teacher Yan launch that stray cat initiative recently? A lot of people adopted cats, so the foot traffic at my cat cafe has dropped quite a bit. I have a lot more free time lately. But my boyfriend is the exact opposite. The pet hospital is swamped, since most of the adopted cats are strays and a lot of them have health problems that need treatment."

Shi Lan knew about this. When Ye Ming had taken her to the pet hospital before, there were long lines everywhere.

She nodded in understanding. "No worries. There’s plenty of time."

"By the way, Lanlan, have you thought about finding a partner? I have a cousin who just came back from abroad. He’s a great guy, and his circumstances are good, too. Want to meet him?"

Shi Lan shook her head hesitantly. "Sorry, Xinyi, but I’m not planning on dating anyone right now."

Subconsciously, she was still averse to intimate relationships. Being a human and being a cat were, after all, completely different. As a cat, she didn’t have to think too much about responsibilities or struggle with how to get along with people. As long as she had food and water, she had no worries. But for a human, intimate relationships required effort.

’I’m still not ready,’ she thought.

"It’s okay, I get it."

Chen Xinyi gave her a sympathetic hug. She and Shi Lan came from different family backgrounds. Her own life was a happy one, but Shi Lan’s parents were terrible. Having grown up in an environment devoid of love, she understood her friend’s fear and apprehension.