The Most Random System

From this reaction, it’s clear that this Big Cat isn’t the type of stray cat that survives solely by rummaging through garbage bins or catching wild rats. It must have received a good amount of feeding from humans, which is why it cares about its "image."

However, even though its meowing has softened, the Big Cat didn’t come closer nor retreat. Instead, it sat obediently in place, with its forelegs straight and hind legs bent, wrapping its tail around its body, looked up at Lin Li, and meowed again.

"Hello there."

As expected, upon hearing Lin Li’s words, the Big Cat was startled at first.

Lin Li squatted down, took out another can of cat food, skillfully opened it, placed it on the ground in front of him, and began to introduce himself.

The three cats beside him kept meowing, perhaps helping him explain.

The "pop" sound of the can opening and the rich aroma of meat instantly brightened the Big Cat’s eyes. Coupled with Lin Li’s natural charm buff, the low growl of threat in its throat disappeared, replaced by a purring sound with a hint of flattery.

It cautiously approached a few steps, its nose twitching.

"It’s for you." Lin Li held down the head of the orange cat next to him that wanted to eat, pushed the opened can a bit forward, so that the tabby could eat while still maintaining a "safe distance" with him before saying, "Eat, and we can talk."

The Big Cat quickly scooted over, buried its head, and started devouring the food, its tail tip happily flicking.

While the Big Cat ate heartily, Lin Li got straight to the point: "Tabby, I have something to ask you. Are there any humans nearby, or in places you know about, who are particularly mean to cats or dogs?"

The Big Cat paused its eating, its ears perked up.

Lin Li tried to use gestures to supplement in a way they could understand:

"The kind who would deliberately chase after you to hit, not let you eat or sleep peacefully, intentionally ruin or throw away the food others gave you, and use stones to hit or sticks to beat and hurt you?

Do you know any animals who’ve been hurt like this? Can you take me to see, or to areas where such bad things often happen?"

The Big Cat stopped eating, raised its head, and its whiskers, smeared with meat juice, shook.

Its pair of ghostly green eyes looked at Lin Li, as if seriously contemplating.

A few seconds later, it meowed with a tone of confirmation, then nodded.

OK, seems like it’s smarter than these three around me.

"Is there one? Can you take me to see after you finish eating? I mean no harm; I’m here to help you..." Lin Li once again expressed his sincerity by explaining his intentions.

The Big Cat quickly cleaned up the last bit of meat in the can.

It licked its paws, wiped its face, then stood up, gave Lin Li a short meow.

It turned around and started walking steadily towards a more secluded area, near a sparse forest.

Lin Li immediately followed, quickly deciding to let the Big Cat ride on him, extending its direction, himself serving as its "mode of transport" to save time.

In this way, after traveling for a while, they gradually arrived at a wasteland yet to be developed.

The Big Cat in his arms suddenly let out a rapid meow, as if declaring or summoning something.

Lin Li stopped in his tracks: "Here?"

A few cat cries Lin Li couldn’t understand ensued, followed immediately by something weighing on Lin Li’s heart—like the air was about to solidify. The Big Cat jumped from his embrace, landing on the ground, began clawing forcefully at the earth.

Lin Li furrowed his brow...Could it be...

A sense of severity surged in an instant.

What could be buried beneath might be other cats, known to the Big Cat, perhaps those it once protected, or those that were abused to death.

Is it leading me here to uncover this tragic truth?

Tears welled up.

A choked-up feeling.

Lin Li said softly, "...Sorry, I came too late."

He took a step forward, ready to kneel, helping the Big Cat dig, at least... to let the deceased companions rest more decently, or find some evidence.

Just as he extended his hand, not yet touching the soil...

Only to see the Big Cat quicken its digging pace, then stopped when the pit was about paw-deep.

Lin Li also halted his action, looking at it.

The Big Cat turned around, and under Lin Li’s puzzled gaze, it very naturally sat down into the shallow pit it just dug.

"Meow..."

It even adjusted its posture, letting out a satisfied sigh-like sound.

Then.

It began to exert force with both body and face.

Lin Li: "..."

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Wait a minute.

You goddamn.

A breeze blew past, swirling a few fallen leaves to the Big Cat’s side.

Watching the Big Cat sitting comfortably in the dirt pit, looking all natural, even starting to nurture expressions, the heavy and apologetic look on Lin Li’s face stiffened and quickly dissipated, turning to an impassive expression.

The corners of his mouth involuntarily twitched a few times.

"...So you just needed to take a shit."

Lin Li stated this cold reality with a deadpan tone of near-dead calmness.

"Meow~"

After a hearty, bold defecation session, the Big Cat used its hind legs to toss sand, burying both its poop and Lin Li’s sincerity in the soil.

Watching the contented face of the Big Cat diligently covering its poop, the corners of Lin Li’s mouth twitched again.

But respect.

Pooping is a sacred affair too.

But I must say, besides being sacred, pooping really is an eye-opening affair.