The Unlucky Black Cat

chapter 24

This evening, He Wen and Jiang Sheng played wildly together.

There was no alcohol or music that young people enjoy, nor any extra passion or intensity. There wasn't even much emotional stimulation.

They were like two children, chasing and playing around, eventually collapsing on the grass, exhausted.

The night breeze was exceptionally cool. On such a hot summer day, sweating all over and then feeling the wind blow for a while made it seem as if one could forget all their troubles.

It was a kind of comfort that penetrated deep into the muscles.

He Wen felt the wind blowing, noticing the "prickling" sensation of grass leaves against his neck. Suddenly, he realized that he hadn't experienced this feeling for a long time.

This feeling of gradually calming breath and evaporating sweat.

Probably because he hadn't been this sweaty and exhausted for a long time.

In the past, he didn't dislike exercise for this very reason.

Perhaps it was because he enjoyed lying down after exhaustion and letting his body function on its own.

Feeling the heartbeat in his chest, the blood flowing through his arteries, and the warmth rising from his collar.

There were no passersby nearby. The city's night was quiet, and even the sky seemed lonely.

The moon was nowhere to be seen, leaving only one star blinking alone, seeming somewhat at a loss.

"Sigh, I've been fooling around with you for so long, I still have work to do."

With a helpless sigh, He Wen suddenly picked up the black cat from the ground and placed it on his chest, supporting its back with one hand.

"But thank you, I feel much more relaxed."

"Mew..." Jiang Sheng was also tired and just lay on the young man's chest, its whiskers drooping.

This time, it was its turn to feel the young man's heartbeat.

The heartbeat was a bit quick and restless.

A bit hurried and confused.

To ask how a heartbeat can be confused is hard to explain. However, it should be just like the young man's expression right now—empty, not knowing what to think.

"So tired."

He Wen suddenly said without any context.

"Every day, I worry about my writing not being good enough, about the plot being boring, about using words awkwardly."

As he spoke, the young man's hand stroked Jiang Sheng's fur.

"Little guy, do you think it's worth it for me to keep writing like this?"

"Should I give up already?"

"Mew." Jiang Sheng couldn't understand what He Wen was saying, nor did it know how to respond.

So it just called out and continued swaying its tail.

The streetlights by the roadside were dim, dotting the edge of the grass, mumbling quietly.

But when people looked at them, they found them blinding.

Just like He Wen, who found it hard to look away.

Without a doubt, compared to the dazzling brightness, the deep night sky made him feel more at ease.

He always liked to hide when he was afraid.

Ordinary appearance, so he shied away from others looking closely.

Not good at talking, so he tried to record his thoughts in writing.

Tired of socializing, so he cut off many connections with the outside world.

However, deep in He Wen's heart, there was something he could always be proud of.

That was, he had never completely compromised. He had always been striving to live in his chosen way.

Even though countless people had advised him to be confident, to integrate into society, to get used to communication.

But he stubbornly chose to stay in the corner, in a place where no one could see him. Thinking, imagining, recording, and narrating alone.

He almost spent all his time in solitude.

In junior high, high school, and college, he always buried himself in writing things that no one understood, under the strange gazes of others. Unlike those enjoying their youth, he lived a reclusive life but found joy in it.

Gradually, he began to earn considerable income and saved a substantial amount before graduation.

He seemed to be slowly proving to the people around him.

Even if he couldn't learn social skills, even if he stumbled over his words, even if he avoided the grind of society, living quietly could still bring peace of mind.

Then, due to an accident, he broke his arm and underwent two major surgeries, lying in bed for a whole year.

After that, he developed obsessive-compulsive disorder and a series of mental issues.

Life seemed to have fallen into the depths of the sea, cold and troubled at present, vast and unknowable in the future.

Recently, he would suddenly imagine himself sinking without warning. Sinking into a darkness where there was no light, unable to breathe, and not knowing what was below.

Just staring blankly at the gradually fading lights above, allowing the fear in his heart to slowly grow.He began to fear an unstable life, imagining what else he could do besides writing.

He tried to start anew but didn't know how to begin.

Everything seemed to be stuck in a vicious cycle.

Tormenting him, questioning him, mocking him.

Making him doubt himself, deny himself, despise himself.

So, He Wen finally thought of giving up.

If I start now and become someone who meets societal needs, it shouldn't be too late, right?

"Miao."

However, in the next moment.

Jiang Sheng slapped the young man's face with its paw.

The force wasn't heavy but wasn't light either, at least tilting that face to one side.

"You..."

He Wen stared blankly at the black cat, unsure if this was an unintentional act or deliberate.

In any case, he felt for the first time that someone was stopping him from heading towards the crowd.

Even pulling him back a bit.

"Do you also think I shouldn't give up?"

Suddenly, He Wen, looking down, asked the black cat eagerly and happily.

Unfortunately, Jiang Sheng had no intention of acknowledging him this time, merely curling up in his arms and closing its eyes to nap.

But that was enough, wasn't it?

The smile on the young man's face grew even wider.

Finally, he held the black cat.

And amidst its startled cry, lifted it into the air.

At night, the evening breeze on the grass seemed a bit cooler.

...

When He Wen returned to the apartment with Jiang Sheng,

he unusually turned off his computer and then washed up early to rest.

Before sleeping, Jiang Sheng used its paws to tuck a corner of the blanket over him.

He Wen neither showed surprise nor shock; he simply reached back to touch the black cat's head. In response, he was glared at fiercely by Jiang Sheng.

Tch, if you don't want me to touch you, fine, why be so mean?

Reluctantly, he withdrew his hand under the blanket.

But at this moment, He Wen's timid heart felt particularly peaceful.