Chapter 328 - 184: You Just Want to Touch Feet, Don’t You?
It was pretty much as Shen Yuan had expected.
Around 7:30, a young woman from the hospital staff came over to inform Shen Yuan that the two little cats had woken up.
Hearing this, Shen Yuan and Li Zhi immediately stood up and hurried downstairs.
A nurse was already waiting in the lobby, holding two pet carriers.
Inside the two carriers, San Geng and Naonao were huddled, each wearing a secured surgical suit and an Elizabethan Collar, a hint of panic in their eyes.
The moment she saw the two little cats, Li Zhi immediately crouched down.
"Genggeng? Naonao?" she called softly to the two cats.
But the two little ones had only just woken from the anesthesia and obviously hadn’t fully recovered yet.
Just then, the nurse standing nearby took two small packets of medicine from her pocket.
"These are anti-inflammatories. Give them for two days, two pills a day."
Shen Yuan took the pills and listened as the nurse explained the post-operative care instructions.
"Don’t take off the surgical suits; just come back in seven days to get the stitches removed. And try to keep them from jumping around or licking their wounds."
"When you get home, keep an eye on their condition and appetite. Don’t give them too much food and water all at once. It’s normal for them not to eat or drink for a while post-op."
After the series of instructions, Shen Yuan and Li Zhi left the pet hospital, each carrying one of the cats.
Old Shen drove, and the group was soon back home.
Li Zhi didn’t even drop her schoolbag off at home, coming straight to Shen Yuan’s house.
Carrying the two carriers, Shen Yuan brought the little cats over to a cage.
To keep the two cats from pulling at their stitches by jumping around, the cage Shen Yuan bought wasn’t very tall, but it was big enough for all their needs—eating, drinking, and using a litter box.
However, since Shen Yuan was home at the moment, he didn’t actually need to put the two of them inside.
The cage was for when Shen Yuan wasn’t home, or for times when he was showering or sleeping.
After opening the carriers, Shen Yuan didn’t urge the cats to come out. He just set the carriers aside, letting the two little ones decide for themselves.
Before long, Naonao was the first to emerge from her carrier.
Wearing the collar, the little cat was clearly having some trouble adjusting.
As she walked across the floor, the collar made it look like she was nodding with every step.
A faint smile appeared on Shen Yuan’s face as he watched.
"From the looks of it, she’s going to be fine."
"Mm-hm." Li Zhi nodded lightly.
As they watched, Naonao, still wearing her collar, padded step by step over to San Geng’s carrier.
In contrast to Naonao, San Geng was still in a state of fearful withdrawal.
Shen Yuan sat on the edge of the bed and said with a smile, "Looks like she wants to play with San Geng again."
Hearing Shen Yuan’s words, Li Zhi immediately shot him down.
"No playing! What is there to play? She just had surgery. She needs to stay put and be good."
Shen Yuan smiled at Li Zhi’s stern expression. "Yes, yes, stay put and be good."
With that, Shen Yuan said to Naonao, "Go on, little lady. Go lie down over there."
His intentions were good, but Naonao was deaf.
Li Zhi looked at Naonao, crouching down to gently stroke her back in an attempt to comfort the little cat.
As she petted her, Li Zhi suddenly noticed a patch of fur had also been shaved on Naonao’s front leg.
"You poor little thing."
The girl extended a finger and gently scratched the little cat under her chin.
Before long, Naonao started to purr.
"You’re such a good girl, Naonao."
A gentle smile spread across Li Zhi’s face as she listened to Naonao’s purring.
Perhaps influenced by Naonao’s purring, San Geng soon rose from his carrier and slowly walked out.
"Genggeng, we’re home now. Don’t be scared anymore."
Li Zhi reached out her other hand to stroke San Geng under the chin.
Shen Yuan watched quietly from the side. Li Zhi’s fingertips gently caressed the two cats’ chins; her look of deep Concentration and gentle movements made the entire scene feel exceptionally warm.
Her fingers traced gentle circles under the cats’ chins. Naonao squinted in enjoyment, purring contentedly, and even the cowering San Geng gradually relaxed, nestling his head into Li Zhi’s palm.
Watching this scene, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
’Tsk. I kind of wish Li Zhi would scratch my chin, too.’
Just then, something occurred to Shen Yuan, and he asked, "Li Bao, did you let your family know where you are? You don’t want to make your parents worry."
Without looking up, Li Zhi replied casually, "Don’t worry, I already messaged Old Li and my mom. They know I’m at your house checking on the cats."
Shen Yuan nodded. "Okay, good. I’m going to go drop off my schoolbag."
Li Zhi hummed in reply, her attention still focused on the two little cats in front of her.
Dropping off his schoolbag just meant tossing it onto the desk in the study.
It was only four or five steps away, so he was done in a second.
Peeking his head out of the study, Shen Yuan saw Li Zhi was still crouching on the floor, stroking San Geng’s and Naonao’s chins.
He reminded her softly, "Li Bao, don’t crouch for too long; it’s not good for you. Let the two of them walk around on their own for a bit, too."
Li Zhi looked up at him. "Got it."
After speaking, Li Zhi looked at the two cats. "Alright, you’re home now. Go on and walk around. Mommy’s going to sit down for a bit, too."
She reluctantly pulled her hand away from the little cats, then stood up and sat down in the chair she usually occupied.
Deprived of Li Bao’s petting, the two little cats immediately snapped out of their peaceful stupor.