Kaleidoscope of Death

Print Extra: Qiushi and His Cat

Kaleidoscope of Death by Xi Zixu

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Why should he use human standards to make demands of a wild creature?

Lin Qiushi owned a very pretty cat.

Cats were typically very proud animals, which was true for the one at Lin Qiushis. This cat was very picky about its food; if Lin Qiushi didnt make it, it didnt eat it. Its favorite thing to do was, as the sun set, lie indolently along the long garden bench. Soft illumination would gild the cats body in a layer of beautiful gold, and Lin Qiushi would approach the cat, scratch under the cats chin, and ask what it wanted to eat for dinner.

The cat said nothing. It gave Lin Qiushis fingers a lick, and Lin Qiushis figure was reflected back in its black pupils.

Lin Qiushi understood the cats meaning, and laughed, okay.

There likely wasnt anybody in this world who could dislike such a cute creature. It was sometimes cold and sometimes warm, but its enigmatic personality was so very difficult to put down.

After dinner, Lin Qiushi sat on the sofa, and so the cat laid on his leg.

The TV in front of them played a scary movie, but no matter how gory the scene, neither Lin Qiushi nor the cat looked the slightest bit scared.

Some time later, the cat seemed to get a bit bored. It yawned, climbed onto Lin Qiushis shoulder, and nudged at the top of Lin Qiushis head with its chin.

Sleepy? Lin Qiushi asked the cat.

The cat nodded, fitting its chin over Lin Qiushis shoulder. Lin Qiushi turned and smelled the fragrance of hair wash. The shampoo they used at home was a mix of fruits quite mellow in scent, just like the cat currently leaning into him.

Lin Qiushi scritched the cats chin, and the cats pretty black eyes nearly closed, its expression one of satisfaction.

Lin Qiushi laughed, what about the movie then? Are we not going to finish it? Youre the one who picked it out.

The movie was actually pretty well-made, but compared to the things theyd been through, it was honestly kind of dry. Of course the picky kitty was unsatisfied.

The cat bit onto Lin Qiushis finger, slowly grinding its teeth in disgruntlement. It seemed to be both begging for affection and also chastising.

And as a perfect slave to the cat Lin Qiushi could only give in. He sighed and nodded, agreeing to the cats proposition with his eyes brimming with indulgence.

Alright, well stop watching then.

He lifted a hand and turned off the TV.

The cat sidled closer, calling softly in his ear.

Lin Qiushi instantly understood the cat. his kitty was saying, is the movie better-looking than me?

He turned, and saw his kittys beautiful profile. Even after so many years, Lin Qiushi had never seen a face prettier than his cats.

He answered the cats question with a smile, of course not.

The cat was satisfied, and left teeth prints on Lin Qiushis cheek.

Lin Qiushi actually quite liked the way the cat left its mark like this. Wild animals and humans had their differences, after all.

Why should he use human standards to make demands of a wild creature? Even if this creatureappeared to have been completely tamed by him, and had gotten used to the life of a house cat.

But a wild animal was a wild animal in the end. Even if it normally looked like a lazy kitty, the moment it opened its mouth, it revealed its sharp teeth.

Lin Qiushi grinned. As for him, as long as he knew those teeth would never bite him, that was enough.