Purrfect Romance

Although Fenix's concerns seemed a bit wild, he firmly believed that they were necessary. To avoid offending his boss and losing his job, Fenix felt it was essential to be proactive.

Fenix was deeply troubled.

But Fenix couldn't talk about it.

Fenix sighed: "It's a long story."

Lancelot: "Make it short."

Fenix: "Because, therefore, although, but, ultimately, oh dear!"

Lancelot: "..."

Alright.

He realized it was a delicate topic.

Lancelot thought about it and figured that if Fenix found it hard to discuss, it must be significant.

Lancelot was a bit worried: "Is it something that would get you fired by Lion?"

Fenix: "Not exactly."

It's my conscience and sense of shame that can't handle it.

Every time Fenix thought about the various possibilities that might arise, he felt like hanging himself right away.

To hell with it!

Lancelot noticed that Fenix didn't perform the usual crying, screaming, and threatening suicide this time, so he thought it wasn't too bad.

Given his understanding of Fenix, as long as he hadn't gone completely overboard, there was still room for maneuver.

Having already acted out once in front of Lion and gradually calmed down, Fenix closed the chat window and went back to looking at cat care guides.

Understanding oneself and one's Awakened form.

He wanted to see just how much more unpleasant surprises this damned awakening could bring.

Fenix's eyes gleamed fiercely as he flipped through the posts, as if he was skinning an enemy alive.

Cats cannot taste sweetness.

Cats cannot eat chocolate.

Cats shouldn't eat too much salt, or they'll lose hair severely and it could affect their kidneys and urinary system.

Most cats are lactose intolerant, so don't give them milk that hasn't been de-sugared.

If you don't comb their fur regularly, feed them some cat grass or hairball gel to help expel hairballs...

As Fenix flipped through the posts, he made notes and crossed out the points that didn't apply to him.

He could taste sweetness and didn't seem to be lactose intolerant. When he ate red velvet cake before, although he didn't eat much, he did find it too sweet and disliked it. He didn't have diarrhea afterward either.

However, regarding hair loss from salt intake, chocolate, and hairballs, Fenix wasn't sure how to tell.

He looked down at his fur, hesitated for a moment, and decided to cut out salt just in case.

Better safe than sorry.

Fenix casually searched and found news about a canine Awakener who, while in his Awakened form, ate a piece of chocolate and foamed at the mouth, requiring hospitalization for stomach washing.

Upon closer inspection, the Awakener's name was Ferran.

Fenix: "..."

Grass.

Fenix was shocked.

Ferran, you're one of the popular main characters, why are you acting like a fool?

But it made sense.

Being Athena's puppy, making silly mistakes only made him seem cuter due to the contrast.

Fenix thought about it, remained silent for two seconds, and mentally crossed out the word "cute."

No.

No matter what, getting hospitalized for eating chocolate was too foolish.

Wow!

No wonder he's a golden retriever!

Fenix finished reading the report in amazement, labeled Ferran as a fool, and returned to the cat care thread, scrolling down further.

The author waxed eloquent, and Fenix gained a lot of insights.

At the end of the thread, Fenix saw the conclusion.

"As a seasoned pet owner, I recommend the following cat products, guaranteed quality! Use the discount code below to join the group buy and share with friends for a 30% discount~"

Fenix: ?

Damn.

Turns out it's a sponsored post!

You're taking this too seriously.

Fenix looked at the supposedly beloved treats like dried fish, jelly, canned food, and sugar-free milk tablets, and couldn't help but smack his lips.

They... are pretty cheap.

Roommates United (4)

Fenix: "Shared link - Mijijia ~ Deep Sea Dried Fish for Cats at Big Discount"

Fenix: "Shared link - Mijijia ~ Chicken Canned Food for Cats at Big Discount"

Fenix: "Shared link - Mijijia ~ Jelly Milk Tablets for Cats at Big Discount"

Fenix: "Dads, please click for Fenix, love you guys."

Alfred: "? Clicked, did you get a cat?"

Fenix, seeing Alfred's question, felt a pang in his heart: "Do I look like I have the money to keep a cat?"

Alfred: "Not really."

Derek: "Mom said if you dare keep a pet, you or the pet has to leave the house."

Lancelot: "Auntie also said if you bring home something furry, she'd hang you in front of it."

Fenix: "..."

... Damn.

You didn't have to remember that so clearly!

Fenix: "Buying it for Lion's brother."

Lancelot: "You're giving Lion's brother group-buy stuff? Lion won't kill you?"

Fenix: ?

What do you mean by group-buy stuff?

Do you look down on group buys?

I... myself...

... will eat it.

Grass.

Thinking about it this way.

Fenix really was pitiful.

He could only buy trendy snacks at a discount for himself.

Poor thing!

Fenix was almost choking with emotion.

He sniffed and, with great fortitude, typed: "You don't understand, rich people haven't tasted these cheap goods, they find it novel!"

Alfred: "I see."

Derek: "Eye-opening."

Lancelot: "True to life."

Fenix: ":)"

After sending the smiley face, Fenix felt increasingly sad.

He held back his tears but couldn't stop a whimper.

Wah!!!!

This world is so cruel!

Poor Fenix!!!!

QAQ

...

By the time Lion finished half a book on cat-related mythology of a certain civilization, it was dinner time.

Fenix was already sitting by the dining table, looking dejected. His fur lacked luster, and his posture was slumped.

When Lion sat down, Fenix only raised his head feebly and meowed softly.

Lion raised an eyebrow.

Was the blow that severe?

He glanced at the little app installed on Fenix's terminal and saw the keyword alerts flashing wildly.

Lion opened the details and immediately saw the youngster planning to switch jobs.

Lion looked up at Fenix, who was squatting across from him, poking the manor control panel with his fluffy paw and issuing a comprehensive pest control command.

Watching him, Lion felt a bit surreal.

Whether it was the Lionheart Pirate Group or Lion Corp., over the years, only people clamored to get in, and no one ever thought of leaving after getting a position.

Though the risks were high, the rewards were equally substantial.

Encountering someone like Fenix, who planned to quit before officially starting work, was a first for Lion.

He shifted his gaze away from Fenix, sipped his soup, and continued scrolling.

After reading, Lion understood.

The salary he offered wasn't high enough.

Look at this kid, buying himself some snacks and settling for discounted items.

Next time, he'd find a reason to give him a raise.

Lion thought about it and promptly bought a set of cat supplies he previously intended for the office, choosing different styles.

This set would go in the manor.

With some toys, the kitten wouldn't be thinking about other things.

Lion closed the window and began eating calmly.

After dinner, Lion received a video call request from the third fleet captain, so he went to the study and activated the confidential mode.

Fenix, a little kitten, sat in the living room, checked the shipping notification, and, hearing the housekeeper say pest control was complete, left the house to wait at the gate.

His group-buy items were stored locally in Marina City, so even without express shipping, they would arrive within two hours.

...

Sunnyfields Manor was located in a famous affluent area of Marina City. The entire community consisted of independent manor residences with complete security and beautiful scenery, even becoming a tourist attraction in Marina City.

Creating a "peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle" in the city center was no small feat.

Naturally, many successful people chose to live here.

Ferran was one of them.

After finishing an engagement, he saw the familiar kitten sitting at the gate playing with its tail.

Ferran was surprised.

He hadn't expected to live so close to Lion.

Ferran wasn't interested in why the Awakener wasn't sent to an Awakener school. He knew Lion's secrets couldn't be probed lightly. That man wasn't one to mince words.

Talk business with him, and he might only talk about space pirates.

However, this didn't stop Ferran from liking Lion's little brother.

Who doesn't like cute kittens?

Especially one that can help order desserts!

Ferran parked his car and rolled down the window. He wanted to greet the kitten but realized he didn't know its name.

So he honked the horn.

Fenix stopped chasing his tail and looked at the car nearby.

He saw Ferran, whom he had just labeled as a fool, get out of the car and walk over.

To be honest.

Ferran really didn't suit slicked-back hair, dark formal attire, or a stern expression.

The pictures of him smiling in casual wear on forums looked much better, exuding youthful charm.

Unfortunately, to portray a dignified CEO, Ferran had hidden his true self.

"I don't know your name," Ferran said.

Fenix touched his terminal, ready to type his name, but quickly changed his mind.

He hesitated for two seconds and shamefully changed his surname: "Linix."

Ah ah ah ah ah!!!

Dad, I'm sorry!!!

Mom, I'm sorry!!!

Fenix was suffocating.

Fenix didn't do it on purpose!

It's all the pressure of life!!!

Ferran seemed more relaxed than when he met Fenix with Lion, probably because he was facing a kitten.

Given the size, it looked like the kitten had just Awakened, typical of teenagers aged 13 to 15.

Teenagers always made people relax a bit.

Ferran showed Fenix the familiar smile: "Can I call you Fenix?"

Fenix was momentarily dazzled by the golden retriever's smile: "Sure."

Ferran: "You live here with Lion?"

Fenix: "Yeah."

Ferran: "Have you eaten dinner?"

Fenix: "Yes."

Ferran paused, showing a hint of regret.

Fenix: ?

What are you regretting?

Regretting that Fenix can't go out to eat with you and order desserts?

You need to be more careful.

That piece of chocolate didn't leave you with an indelible psychological scar; it died in vain.

Ferran, unwilling to give up: "Next time, I'll treat you to something delicious. Have you heard of Yunjian House? Their little cakes are especially yummy; I'll take you there."

Fenix: "..."

Your intentions are too obvious.

Fenix pretended politely: "Sure."

Ferran was delighted.

He happily pulled out his terminal and exchanged social media accounts with Fenix.

Fenix's dried fish arrived, and Ferran glanced at the receipt, seeing a row of different flavors of dried fish.

He pondered.

Seems the reason he was refused when he offered gifts wasn't because Lion didn't want him to contact his brother, but because the gifts were wrong.

Fenix watched the service robot receive the delivery and hurriedly tried the "cats' favorite" treats.

He looked up and meowed at Ferran.

Without typing, Ferran understood his meaning, nodded, waved at the kitten, and said: "Bye."

Fenix darted back into the house.

Ferran got back into his car and seriously looked up the reservation number for Yunjian House.

Meanwhile, Fenix urged the service robot to open the dried fish.

Eagerly, he bit open the packaging, inhaling the fragrant aroma and feeling his appetite whetted.

He pulled out a piece and took a bite.

In the study, Lion was in a video conference and unexpectedly heard a cat's cry from the living room.

He paused, signaling the fleet captains to hold on, and rushed out of the study.

His voice rose slightly: "Fenix?"

Fenix whimpered: "Meow!"

Following the sound, Lion saw Fenix with a bit of pink blood on the corner of his mouth, a fluffy paw stepping on a piece of dried fish.

And on the dried fish, two tiny, jade-like incisors were embedded.

One on each side, perfectly symmetrical.