The Unlucky Black Cat

chapter 17

Today is the fourth day Jiang Sheng has been at He Wen's home. The black mist around He Wen's neck has already faded by half.

The progress is about what Jiang Sheng initially estimated; it would take another three to four days to completely dispel this wisp of resentment.

At the same time, in its vision, the layers of mist around itself have become slightly more tangible, with a grainy texture.

This made it feel a faint stirring.

As if it had formed some indescribable connection with the wisps of mist before it.

Why do I have this feeling?

It's like if my mind were a bit sharper, I could interfere with these black mists...

Honestly, Jiang Sheng doesn't quite like such an ambiguous sensation.

It feels as if there's a veil between us, making everything seem uncertain until the true face is revealed.

In comparison, it undoubtedly prefers concrete answers based on evidence.

But that's just talk.

After all, given the current situation, for something as unknown as resentment, having a clue is better than being completely lost in conjecture.

Moreover, if I can indeed interfere with the behavior of resentment,

does that mean that when my mind becomes strong enough, I could try to control it too?

As long as my soul remains dominant, achieving this seems possible.

The only problem is where to find so many lingering spirits for growth.

And helping incomplete souls fulfill their wishes isn't easy either.

"Mew..."

I somehow feel like I've gotten myself into a lot of trouble.

Lying weakly next to the potted plant that looks almost dead but isn't quite, Jiang Sheng droops its ears, looking somewhat exhausted.

"What's wrong?"

He Wen, holding half a bowl of cat food, came out from the kitchen and placed it along with a cup of water gently in front of Jiang Sheng.

"You've been sighing since early morning."

"Mew..." Though unsure how He Wen discerned its sigh, Jiang Sheng still made a sound out of politeness.

"Not happy?"

Eyebrows raised, the bespectacled youth scrutinized the listless black cat. Having just taken a shower, his hair looked quite fluffy, no longer messy, making him appear more refreshed.

"If you're not happy, come meditate with me."

Meditation?

Hearing this word, Jiang Sheng curled its tail in confusion, glancing at the youth.

Like sitting in meditation?

You have such a habit?

Before it could ponder further, He Wen had already picked up the black cat from the windowsill.

He then operated the computer and sat cross-legged on the floor with the cat.

The computer began playing soothing music. As He Wen gently stroked the cat to calm it, he slowly closed his eyes.

Meditation, essentially, is a means of resting the mind by emptying it. While it may not have practical effects, it can effectively regulate emotions.

Typically lasting ten to twenty minutes, one can listen to guiding words or other calming sounds, or nothing at all.

There are no specific requirements for posture, environment, or location.

One simply needs to calm the mind and empty the brain.

Then maintain bodily stillness, allowing internal and external factors to interact, bringing the whole body and mind into a stable, singular state.

Afterward, while the body might feel slightly stiff, the mind will be calmer.

Held in the youth's arms, Jiang Sheng felt the hand on its back and blinked helplessly.

To be honest, it probably doesn't need to practice composure. Whether as a person or a cat, it has always been too calm.

Few have ever seen it in a state of panic.

Its emotions rarely fluctuate, and even when they do, it's usually fleeting.

However, the black cat doesn't mind sitting with the youth for a while.

After all, it usually has nothing to do, and the "misfortune" on its body is currently busy devouring other resentments, leaving no time to bother the youth.

So, it doesn't need to keep its distance.

Admittedly, the song the youth chose is quite pleasant.

Listening to it, Jiang Sheng gradually relaxed and didn't want to move much.

...

He Wen discovered that he seemed to have developed a new hobby: using his hands to "listen" to the cat's heartbeat.It might sound strange to say, but he could indeed feel a sense of familiarity akin to resonance in such contact. This is why he suddenly decided to meditate today. He wanted to experience once more that feeling as if they were "blood-connected."

"Thump, thump, thump..."

The first rays of sunlight pierced through the deep blue curtains. He listened intently to the heartbeat beneath his palm. In the cluttered yet almost unchanged room, the young man smiled faintly and spoke to the black cat in a calm tone.

"Little guy, did you know? Your heartbeat seems slower than most cats, giving a very steady feeling."

After a moment of silence, he placed his hand on Jiang Sheng's head and stroked it gently.

"If you were a person, we might become friends."

This was the second time the young man had mentioned the words "if" and "perhaps" to Jiang Sheng. The last time was when he said Jiang Sheng might get along well with his former cat.

"Mew."

In response to the young man's monologue, the black cat rolled its eyes silently. To it, perhaps only someone without friends would think of befriending a cat.

But then again, his way of making friends by listening to heartbeats probably wouldn't work in human society either.

"What's with that meow? You look down on me?"

With a playful scolding, he tousled Jiang Sheng's fur even more. The young man closed his eyes and fell silent. He began to meditate. But at this moment, what he was listening to wasn't music, but the black cat's "breathing." It was the interval between the blood flowing through the arteries within its body. That was the most sincere rhythm of life, devoid of any bias or personal interest, incapable of being deliberately twisted or actively avoided. It was simply there, surpassing thousands of words.