Chapter 5: Mom, Can I Have a Kitten?
Lin Meiling blinked rapidly, entirely unable to believe her own eyes.
There was Coco, squatting on the floor, happily playing with the four kittens inside the incubator. The little creatures were lively and cute, letting out soft, sweet meows.
Lin Meiling stood rooted to the spot, utterly dumbfounded. Weren’t those soft, fluffy, and vibrant kittens the exact same ones she had seen in old documentaries?
“Did I… did I walk into the wrong shop?” she muttered to herself. She subconsciously stepped backward out of the store, closed the door, and pushed it open again.
Yet, the scene before her remained unchanged.
The four snowy-white kittens were still right there, waving their tiny furry paws and staring out at her curiously with their large blue eyes.
Lin Meiling raised a trembling hand, pointing at the kittens in utter disbelief. “My God… has technology really advanced this far? This is way too realistic!”
How much would a high-fidelity simulated pet like this even cost? It still didn’t cross her mind that they could be real, living animals. She remembered seeing top-tier simulated pets back on the Capital Star. They hadn’t been half as vivid as the ones before her, yet they carried price tags in the millions.
Coco, who was having the time of her life, noticed her mother’s stunned expression. Her eyes lit up, and she shouted excitedly, “Mom! I want this kitten!”
Lin Meiling nearly fainted on the spot. She rushed forward and clamped her hand over her daughter’s mouth. “What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Do you have any idea how much something like this costs?”
They wouldn’t be able to afford it even if they sold their entire house! Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down and remembered her original purpose for storming in.
Lin Meiling turned to her husband and daughter, her face turning stern. “Did you two sneak out here first thing in the morning just to buy Xiaomi’s cloud backup?”
Lan Tianwei shook his head. Beside him, Coco’s mouth was still covered, but she shook her head wildly in tandem.
Hearing this, Lin Meiling’s expression didn’t soften; instead, a wave of sheer panic washed over her. “We’re doomed,” her voice began to shake. “You… don’t tell me you want to buy one of these simulated pets? We couldn’t afford one even if we sold the house!”
“Simulated pets?”
Lan Tianwei finally caught on and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It turned out his wife thought these were just highly advanced animatronics. He quickly corrected her, “Meiling, you’ve got it all wrong. These aren’t simulated pets. They’re real.”
Lin Meiling refused to buy it. She stared at her husband incredulously. “Stop lying to me. Living pets went endangered and vanished ages ago. How could they possibly show up here?”
They lived in a remote, fourth-tier sector. They barely even saw high-end mechanical pets here, let alone real ones.
Lan Tianwei explained patiently, “It’s the truth, Meiling. These little guys were incredibly sick last night, and we managed to save them with some medication. They are one hundred percent real pets.”
Lin Meiling froze. No way. Am I dreaming?
She shot a look at the young shop owner, only to see Su Wudeng nodding with a warm, confirming smile.
Right at that moment, one of the kittens let out a soft meow right at her. Lin Meiling instinctively reached a hand forward. Seeing her gesture, the kittens inside the incubator extended their tiny, pink-padded paws toward the glass—a trick they had just mastered while playing with Coco.
Lin Meiling swallowed hard, finding her voice with great difficulty. “Shopkeeper… may I touch them?”
“Of course you can,” Su Wudeng replied.
Lin Meiling slowly squatted down, her hand trembling as she reached into the incubator. The moment her fingertips brushed against the kitten’s velvety fur, a profound wave of warmth surged through her.
Thinking a new playmate had arrived, the kitten leaned into her hand, nudging Lin Meiling’s palm with its soft little head. The touch was warm, real, and vibrant—something no simulated pet could ever replicate, let alone a cold, rigid machine.
“Oh my God…” Lin Meiling whispered, the truth finally sinking in. “They really are… real…”
She was actually touching a living, breathing pet. The kitten before her was the picture of innocence and curiosity, its snowy fur seeming to cast a gentle glow under the shop lights, its round blue eyes staring up at her without a single trace of fear.
“How can a little cub be this adorable?” Lin Meiling murmured to herself, her hand moving automatically to gently stroke the kitten’s head.
Never mind her husband and daughter; even the hardened heart of an old mother like her was completely undone.
However, harsh reality quickly snapped her back to her senses. Lin Meiling stiffened. “Wait, if they’re real pets, wouldn’t they be astronomically expensive? We definitely can’t afford them!”
But Coco was too young to understand financial strain. She looked up with wide, hopeful eyes. “Mom, can I please have a kitten?”
Lin Meiling immediately shut her down. “Stop talking nonsense! Something this precious is way out of our league. We can’t afford it.”
Coco’s eyes dimmed instantly. She didn’t throw a tantrum or cry; she merely lowered her head in silent disappointment. Her quiet compliance only made Lin Meiling feel a sharper pang of guilt.
Watching them, Su Wudeng was already weighing her options. Sooner or later, these kittens would need to find good homes. But how should she choose the right buyers?
First, the adopting family had to be genuinely kind, truly love the animal, and agree to post-adoption check-ins. Second, the kitten itself had to like them!
With so many criteria to meet, she had no intention of setting a ridiculous price. She refused to treat these animals as mere cash cows or bar passionate owners from the door just because of a number. Looking at Uncle Lan’s family, they easily cleared her first requirement.
“Uncle Lan, why don’t we step over to the front counter to chat?” Su Wudeng suggested.
The family of three followed her out of the breeding room.
Directly across the street, at the Iron Wolf War Pet Shop.
Xiaowei was venting furiously to her boyfriend. “I am completely done caring about Su Wudeng!”
“I tried to give her a generous way out of pure kindness, and she throws it right back in my face! That was a hundred thousand credits!”
Her boyfriend, Zhao Zhengzhi, sneered. “Don’t let it get to you. Once our grand opening happens, her pathetic little shop will go under anyway.”
Xiaowei nodded, looking around their spacious, three-story facility spanning hundreds of square meters. Absolute satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. “Exactly. Our inventory consists entirely of high-end, imported mechanical beasts. How can her cramped little shack compete?”
“Once we open for business and she feels the squeeze, she’ll regret it. She’ll come begging us to buy her out.”
Zhao Zhengzhi threw an arm around Xiaowei’s shoulders. “Tell you what, for your sake, I’ll offer her a job as a shop clerk when that happens. What do you think?”
Xiaowei smiled, pleased. “Sure. We can consider it a favor for the sake of old times.”
When that happened, Su Yulan would definitely feel indebted to her. As a top student at the prestigious Beast Taming Academy, Yulan’s thank-you gift was bound to be something magnificent.
Back inside Pet Love Home.
Uncle Lan scratched his head, looking deeply embarrassed. “I’m so sorry, boss. Coco is still young and doesn’t understand the true value of a Snow Crystal Cat. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“I know an authentic pet must cost a fortune, far beyond what our family can manage.”
“Honestly, just being allowed to come over and visit them like this makes us incredibly happy.”
Coco seemed to piece things together—her parents simply couldn’t afford the kitten. But she didn’t let it get her down. She resolved that she would study extra hard, make tons of money in the future, and then she would raise a kitten of her own!
Su Wudeng spoke up, breaking their thoughts. “Actually, the price isn’t my primary concern.”
“The most important factor is whether one of the kittens actively chooses you and Coco.”
The family froze in unison. “What do you mean? The cats take the initiative to choose their owners?” They were utterly stunned; they had never heard of such a concept.
Su Wudeng nodded. “Yes. If a kitten chooses you, then it’s meant to be. If that happens, I will sell it to you at a price you can actually afford.”
“Of course, there will be certain terms and conditions attached. For now, would you be interested in a one-month trial fostering period? If, after a month, the kitten is genuinely happy and wants to leave with Coco, then it officially becomes hers.”
Uncle Lan and his wife exchanged looks of absolute shock, so overwhelmed with excitement that they were temporarily lost for words. They never expected such a breathtaking twist of good fortune. This was practically a miracle dropping straight from the heavens!
Uncle Lan’s voice shook with pure emotion. “Shopkeeper… are you being serious?”
Lin Meiling beat him to the punch, her response immediate. “Yes! Of course we’re willing!”
If they took the trial, they at least had a chance. If they walked away now, they would have nothing. She made up her mind instantly. “Just tell us how much the deposit is, and we’ll transfer the funds to you right this second!”
Su Wudeng pondered for a moment. “How about a deposit equal to twice the cost of a mechanical Xiaomi?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Lin Meiling gasped, her voice trembling. “Really?”
Uncle Lan quickly nudged his wife. “Don’t go trying to haggle. The price the owner gave us is already beyond generous. Being able to secure a Snow Crystal Cat for that amount is practically a steal!”
Lin Meiling chuckled, giving him a playful look. “Who said anything about haggling? I actually think it’s too low! I want to pay the shopkeeper more.”
Hearing this, Coco finally understood—her mom and dad could afford it! She jumped up and down in pure ecstasy. “Yay! I’m going to have a kitten!”
An automated smile tugged at Su Wudeng’s lips, but she made sure to establish the boundaries beforehand. “The final outcome still depends entirely on the kitten’s choice a month from now. Furthermore, during this month, you will all need to learn how to properly care for a living animal. There will also be a specific adoption agreement with terms you’ll need to sign when you officially take her home.”
Uncle Lan nodded repeatedly. “No problem at all! We’ll follow your rules to the letter, boss!” He let out a profound sigh. “It’s a dream come true just to have an opportunity like this.”
Su Wudeng let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Alright, why don’t you head back in and see which one catches your eye?”
Overjoyed, the trio hurried back into the breeding room, surrounding the incubator to inspect the four kittens with newfound adoration. Each one was a perfect ball of fluff, practically begging to be held.
Lin Meiling gently patted her daughter’s head. “Go ahead, Coco. You choose.”
Coco nodded happily. She pressed a small finger against the glass. “I want this one! Its eyes are the deepest blue, just like the sky.”
“Alright, then this is the one!” Lin Meiling agreed.
Once Lin Meiling transferred the deposit, Su Wudeng retrieved a small nameplate and gently fastened it around the chosen kitten’s neck. Seeing her own name inscribed on the tag filled Coco with an unprecedented sense of pride and joy.
She carefully reached out, softly stroking the kitten’s head. “So warm, so soft.”
“From now on, your name is Xiaoxue, and you’re my kitten.” She made a silent vow in her heart. Little kitten, no matter what happens in the future, I will protect you.
As if understanding her vow, the kitten lifted its head and leaned up into Coco’s palm, its bright blue eyes blinking softly.
Coco gasped, turning to her parents in pure delight. “Mom, look! It’s actively nudging my hand with its head! Does that mean Xiaoxue likes me too?”
