Chapter 119: Caring for Stray Animals
Xu Youyou was utterly confused.
Aunt Liu explained, “Back then, in order to pay off their debts, they sold their house. Now, she’s living in her parents’ old home from over ten years ago. But her parents never officially transferred the property to her. They only said she could live there, and they didn’t leave a will before passing away.”
“Her older brother and sister-in-law have been arguing with her about it for over a decade. She didn’t want trouble, so she’s been giving them a few thousand yuan every year as rent. But now, her brother’s grandson is getting married, and they’re pressuring her to move out. In the end, it’s just because she has no children to back her up.”
Xu Youyou couldn’t help but feel emotional—this woman was in such a dire situation, yet she could still give up something as valuable as that newspaper without hesitation. She didn’t know whether to admire her strong principles or feel that she was being too stubborn.
Since this woman had no children, Xu Youyou couldn’t offer her a high-paying job for her family.
“Aunt Liu, is your friend especially good at taking care of cats and dogs?” Xu Youyou asked.
Aunt Liu nodded. “She doesn’t have any other hobbies; she just loves taking care of these little creatures. Almost all the money she earns from odd jobs and collecting recyclables goes to feeding them. She’ll eat plain food herself but won’t let them go hungry.”
“She never buys purebred pets—she only takes in stray cats and dogs. She always says they’re pitiful and need a home, so she does her best to care for them.”
Xu Youyou had gathered enough information. She knew that even if she insisted on paying tens of thousands for that newspaper, the woman would probably spend it all on her animals.
“Aunt Liu, I also love cats and dogs and want to give strays a home. But as you know, I’m usually in Shanghai and don’t stay in the capital for long. So, I’d like to hire someone to help me take care of stray animals in the capital. I think your friend would be a perfect fit. What do you think?”
Aunt Liu was taken aback. “Miss Xu, you could just adopt stray animals in Shanghai…”
Xu Youyou casually came up with an excuse. “The capital is a place of great fortune. I’m a businesswoman, and I’m a little superstitious. I feel like doing charity here might bring me more luck.”
Aunt Liu didn’t question her further. She just needed an excuse to convince her friend.
“I… I’ll call her right now and try to persuade her!”
Xu Youyou smiled. “Aunt Liu, I plan to visit her in person tomorrow. If I’m asking for help, I should show proper respect.”
She genuinely respected this woman and wanted to meet her personally.
Aunt Liu sensed Xu Youyou’s sincerity and quickly agreed.
The Next Morning
Xu Youyou ditched her casual clothes in favor of a more formal outfit. She tied her hair neatly, making herself look sharp and professional.
Li Laotai’s home wasn’t far—near the airport, about 30 miles from Xu Youyou’s hotel.
Even though they avoided rush hour, it still took nearly an hour to reach Pi Village.
Despite being in Chaoyang District, Pi Village looked nothing like a part of the capital. It had none of the city’s grandeur and felt more like a small, remote town.
Li Laotai’s house was deep in an old alley where cars couldn’t enter. At the alley’s entrance, Xu Youyou’s assistant, Xu Fang, parked the car. Xu Youyou, accompanied by Aunt Liu and four bodyguards carrying health supplements and high-quality pet food, strolled deeper into the alley.
The four bodyguards were all tall and dressed in black suits, making for an imposing sight.
The neighbors stretched their necks to watch the commotion.
“Whose relatives are these? They look rich!”
“They seem to be heading to Li Laotai’s house.”
“No way! She’s just a scrap collector. Who would visit her?”
“I saw that woman yesterday. She came by, and Li Laotai didn’t go out to collect junk. The two old ladies just sat and chatted all day.”
Nothing stayed a secret in the alley. Within minutes, everyone had figured out where Xu Youyou was headed.
Meeting Li Laotai
Li Laotai lived in the smallest courtyard at the end of the alley. Since Aunt Liu had told her about Xu Youyou’s visit the night before, she quickly ran to open the door when she heard the knock.
“Hello, Auntie Li. I’m Xu Youyou. Sorry to bother you,” Xu Youyou greeted her respectfully.
Li Laotai’s face lit up with a kind smile. “Miss Xu, having you here is an honor! To be honest, it’s been years since I’ve had a new visitor.”
Xu Youyou smiled as well. Li Laotai was exactly as she had imagined—gentle, kind, and incredibly resilient. She also spoke with remarkable grace. The elderly woman’s silver hair was neatly tied up, and though her clothes were old, they were spotless.
However, despite being the same age as Aunt Liu and never stopping work, Li Laotai looked at least ten years older.
Her courtyard was just as Aunt Liu had described—neatly stacked recyclables filled one side, while cats and dogs lounged in the sunlight on the other. None of them were expensive breeds, and some were even limping or missing eyes. But despite their conditions, they all looked relaxed and well cared for, a sign of the love she gave them.
Even Xu Youyou’s dog, Guai Guai, barked in approval.
“Owner, I like this old lady! She smells warm and kind!”
Xu Youyou patted Guai Guai’s fluffy head. Animals always had a keen sense of good and bad.
“Miss Xu, Aunt Ping told me about your offer last night. But it’s just a newspaper—I didn’t realize its value, and that was my own mistake. You don’t need to hire me because of it. I’m old and might not be fit for the job,” Li Laotai said.
Xu Youyou shook her head. “Auntie, I truly want to do something good. It just so happens that you’re the perfect candidate, so please don’t overthink it or feel pressured.”
Li Laotai had lived her whole life without asking for help. She wouldn’t change now, even when faced with homelessness.
Xu Youyou continued to persuade her. “Auntie Li, even if you don’t take the job, I’ll still hire someone else. I want to give stray animals a home, but I’m afraid of hiring the wrong person—someone cruel who might mistreat them. Instead of doing good, I’d end up causing harm.”
Li Laotai, who had dedicated her life to animals, immediately grew concerned.
Xu Youyou patted Guai Guai’s head again. “This little guy was once a stray. He had a home, but his caretaker abused him. He ran all the way from Suzhou to Shanghai, suffering who knows how much along the way. I don’t want other animals to go through that.”
Hearing this, Li Laotai finally relented. “Miss Xu, I’ll take the job. But I don’t need a salary—just food and a place to stay.”
Xu Youyou would never let her work for free.
But before she could respond, a sharp voice interrupted from outside:
“No salary? Who said no salary? I won’t let my sister work for nothing!”
