Chapter 35

The New Year brought a fresh atmosphere. From the first day of the lunar calendar through the sixth, the weather remained clear and sunny, and the temperatures rose significantly.

As a family of demons, they had no relatives or friends to visit, so they had not prepared any gifts. Bored with staying at home, they occasionally wandered through the shopping malls, which were lively with the festive spirit. Besides the malls, they also made a trip to the place where the cat and dog had previously lived.

A number of cats still lived in the basement. The two great demons had never restricted the cat and dog’s movements, so they visited every few days, bringing meat they had saved from their own portions.

In fact, Lang Xiao and Hu Yuanfei had both discovered that the two were intentionally hiding meat during meals. It wasn't exactly "stealing," as everyone ate at the same table and it would be easy to spot; rather, the two would keep the meat in their mouths without swallowing, spitting it out secretly once they left the table. Since it was hard to hide things inside the house, they stored the meat in a snowdrift downstairs.

This kept the meat from spoiling quickly. By saving together, they could accumulate a decent amount in a day or two, which they would then wrap up and carry back to their old neighborhood to feed the stray cats.

For those stray cats, their usual diet consisted mostly of low-quality cat food. To get meat, aside from the occasional kind stranger, they had to rely on scavenging leftovers or catching the odd mouse or bug. Fresh meat was something they never tasted.

Li Bai and the Yellow Dog knew this well, which is why they wanted to provide extra meals. However, as they were essentially under someone else’s roof, they felt it inappropriate to take food away. They knew the great demons earned the money for the meat through their own hard work, and they were too sensible to make such requests. After all, the stray cats had no connection to the great demons, so why should they be expected to provide for them?

In truth, Lang Xiao and Hu Yuanfei had noticed the pair’s little scheme long ago. They said nothing, but simply prepared extra meat at every meal so the cat and dog could help the others after filling their own bellies.

The two great demons had always been solitary, and even when smaller demons had tried to attach themselves to them in the past, they had ignored them. But now, with a cub to tie them together, they finally began to understand the actions of the cat and dog.

That day, Lang Xiao bought a significant amount of chicken breast, along with several pet beds and a cat tree. Once the items arrived, she said to the unsuspecting cat and dog, "Do you want to go back and visit today? Let’s go together. I bought some things for them."

Li Bai stood up abruptly, looking from the pile of supplies to Lang Xiao, her round eyes shimmering with emotion.

Lang Xiao ignored her teary gaze and said coolly, "Consider it a New Year’s gift."

The Yellow Dog wagged his tail vigorously and couldn't help but rub against Lang Xiao's leg. Seeing the fur left on her trousers, Lang Xiao shook her head with a smile. She didn't use her demonic powers to remove the hair, but instead picked up the supplies and strode outside.

The basement remained much as it had been when the cat and dog left. Along with the kittens and cats with disabilities, there were two healthy strays: an orange tabby and a tuxedo cat. Since the cat and dog had left, the tuxedo cat had become the new leader. Whenever strangers approached, it would be the first to jump onto the window ledge to stand guard.

It was a sunny afternoon, and the two cats were basking in the light. Hearing footsteps, the tuxedo cat lifted its head instantly. Upon seeing Li Bai and the Yellow Dog, Li Bai darted forward, rubbing noses and tangling tails with the tuxedo, letting out a sweet, coquettish cry that sounded like both a complaint and a request for praise. Li Bai licked its head as a reward.

The other cats, hearing the commotion, swarmed over. The last time they had visited at night, the two great demons had been so focused on Qing Yao that they hadn't seen the other cats clearly. Now, they noticed that several of the cats were in poor condition—one was missing its hind legs and dragged itself along, while another was missing an eye. The kittens, however, were plump and round, playing with a gray puppy.

Li Bai licked each cat's head, checking their bodies, while the Yellow Dog went inside to see if there were any changes. After finishing her rounds, Li Bai realized one was missing. "Where is Little White?" she meowed.

The tuxedo cat replied, "She was adopted yesterday by a human—the same one who took the one-eyed cat to the doctor before."

Li Bai breathed a sigh of relief. That human was kind; Little White would be well cared for.

Seeing all the cats and dogs, Qing Yao was the most excited. As soon as she was put down, she tugged on Lang Xiao’s hand and lunged toward the cats. But the cats were not as indulgent as the ones at home; they scurried away as soon as she approached, and she couldn't catch a single one. Qing Yao pouted and began to circle the room.

Li Bai wagged her tail and walked over to her. Qing Yao hugged Li Bai, suddenly forming a new realization: the cats outside were mean, but her own cat was good.

They stayed until sunset before leaving. The cats clearly enjoyed the new cat tree, and the meat was completely devoured. Before they left, Lang Xiao said to Li Bai, "In the future, if you want to bring them food, just tell me. I’ll buy extra meat for you. We’re a family; there’s no need to be so reserved."

Li Bai’s eyes widened, and finally, she couldn't help but rub against Lang Xiao’s leg just like the Yellow Dog. They had truly found a home where they could stay for a long time.

With no new orders in the following days, the family remained idle, and the four of them were fully occupied as playmates for Qing Yao.

Qing Yao could now walk while holding onto the wall, and she was quite steady. Being bold, she had already learned to let go and take steps on her own. Li Bai and the Yellow Dog guarded her front and back nervously, always rushing to act as a cushion whenever she was about to fall. Without adults to stop her, she was allowed to tumble onto her bottom, which helped her learn to walk faster than other children. Now, she could move a few steps without holding anything.

Whenever she moved, the two great demons would clap and cheer her on. "Qing Yao is walking! So good, come here to me!"

Hu Yuanfei sat some distance away, clapping. The toddler took shaky steps toward him, falling onto her bottom several times before reaching him. Fortunately, she had extra padding in her trousers, so it didn't hurt. Falling was a daily routine, and Qing Yao never cried. She would just push herself up with her hands and toddle toward Hu Yuanfei again.

But this time, Lang Xiao also clapped to grab her attention. As both called her name, Qing Yao’s gaze wavered between them, and then, without hesitation, she abandoned Hu Yuanfei and walked toward Lang Xiao.

Seeing the toddler throw herself into Lang Xiao’s arms, Hu Yuanfei pouted so hard his lips nearly touched the ceiling. "Why! Does Qing Yao not like Daddy anymore? My sweet girl, *waaaah*, why didn't you come to Daddy?"

Hearing the fox’s fake crying, Qing Yao looked up immediately. Her face filled with distress, and she quickly left Lang Xiao’s arms to walk toward him. She hugged his head, pulled away the arm he was using to pretend to hide his face, and tried to wipe away his tears.

But there were no tears—Hu Yuanfei’s face was perfectly dry. Qing Yao blinked in confusion and tried to pull away.

Since that didn't fool the toddler, Hu Yuanfei squeezed out two fake tears for her to see. Qing Yao frowned, gently wiped the tears away with her small hand, and patted his head and back, murmuring unintelligibly, "Hug."

Hu Yuanfei pressed his head against her chest and scooped her up, rolling on the floor with her. "Hahaha, why is our little Qing Yao so sweet!"

The house was filled with laughter.

Just as the family was enjoying their leisurely New Year, they received a phone call. It wasn't for business, but an invitation. Officer Yan Kai had reached out; Qing Yao’s maternal grandparents wanted to see their granddaughter.

Having lost their daughter half a year ago, the elderly couple’s health had deteriorated. They had spent the last six months in and out of the hospital, and only recently had they stabilized. The two old people longed to see how Qing Yao was doing, but they weren't able to travel, so they hoped the family could visit them.

The child had been adopted out, and the grandparents only knew she was with someone who had saved her, but they did not have contact information or an address. With the New Year, their longing grew, and they had sought out Yan Kai for help.

It was up to the two demons to decide whether to go. Hu Yuanfei scratched his neck and asked Lang Xiao, "What do you think? Shall we go?"

Lang Xiao looked at the toddler in his arms, her cheeks flushed red from playing. After all, they were Qing Yao’s blood relatives. Humans had short lives; if they didn't go now, there might not be another chance. "Let's go."

Once decided, they agreed to visit the next day. The place was not far; the grandparents lived in a villa in the most prosperous part of the city.

The next morning, the family of five set out, dressed neatly. It was the first time meeting Qing Yao’s relatives, so the two demons had dressed formally. The cat and dog, accepted as family members, also wore clothes and small accessories.

Traffic was light during the New Year, and the grandparents were waiting at the gate early on. Qing Yao’s grandfather, unable to walk well, sat in a wheelchair, while his wife stood beside him, peering out. She was a thin, tall old woman with an elegant bearing; even in her old age, one could see she must have been a beauty in her youth.

After half a year, they missed the child dearly. After waiting for a long time, they finally saw a car pull up. The first to hop out wasn't a person, but a spirited Yellow Dog, followed by a sleek Li Bai. Then came the two adults holding the child.

The old couple didn't pay much attention to the adults; their eyes were fixed on the child. In half a year, she had grown so much. Her cheeks were chubby, her complexion rosy, her eyes bright, and she looked full of life—clearly, she was very well cared for.

The child looked more and more like their departed daughter, and the old woman immediately began to wipe away tears. She held back her sorrow and stepped forward, saying to Lang Xiao and Hu Yuanfei, "Hello. I am Qing Yao’s grandmother, just call me Auntie Yang. This is her grandfather, Old Fan. Thank you for coming; I’m sorry to trouble you. It’s cold outside, please, come in."

After greeting them, she looked at Qing Yao. The toddler didn't have much memory of this woman, but she felt she looked kind and familiar.

Seeing Qing Yao staring at her, the old woman reached out. "Qing Yao, do you remember Grandma? Do you want a hug?"

Qing Yao reached out her arms without hesitation, embracing the old woman. The grandmother was crying, looking very sad. Just as she had done to comfort Hu Yuanfei, Qing Yao gently patted the old woman on the back.