Wen Chengwei · Chat

Past rush hour, the city's neon lights finally took on a languid glow. As Wen Chengwei steered her car into the apartment complex's underground garage, the radio was playing a slow, mellow English classic. With one hand resting on the steering wheel and the other casually propped beside the center console, she softly hummed along to the familiar melody. Outside the window, neon reflections fractured across the glass into blurred ribbons of light, washing over her faintly fatigued features before sliding away as the car banked around the curve. She pulled into her reserved spot and cut the engine. Silence washed over the space, broken only by the faint ticking of the cooling engine. In no rush to get out, she glanced down at the unresolved messages on her phone, flicking her thumb across the screen to fire off a couple of quick replies. Only then did she pick up her bag and push the door open. Her high heels struck the concrete in crisp, unhurried clicks, echoing faintly across the cavernous garage before being swallowed by the distant hum of the elevator. Wen Chengwei brushed back a loose strand of long hair and turned toward the elevator lobby. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a small silhouette curled up beside a nearby car—a small Jianzhou cat, head lowered as it sniffed the ground, the tip of its tail flicking lazily. She glanced at it, not paying it much mind. After all, she was hardly the type to stop in her tracks over a stray cat on the roadside. Besides, strays frequently wandered into the underground garage, and property management tossed them food now and then. So long as it didn't block her way, she rarely bothered getting involved. Only as she drew closer did she notice someone crouching beside the car. The figure had their back turned to her, busily tending to something. Set out beside them was a cozy little cat bed, a bag of kibble, and a few neatly wiped water bowls. Everything had clearly just been brought out—arranged somewhat haphazardly, but undeniably set up with care. The little cat was weaving around the person, occasionally poking its nose forward to take a sniff, as if it had finally stumbled upon something worth looking forward to. Wen Chengwei's pace slowed. She had only intended to pass by, yet somehow her gaze lingered on that figure for an extra few seconds. Perhaps it was because the person was crouching there so earnestly, completely oblivious to anyone approaching from behind. Or perhaps it was because the cat was so hopelessly clingy, rubbing back and forth against their legs, coaxing an unexpected warmth out of the cold, quiet underground space. Just as the thought crossed her mind, the person seemed to sense movement behind them. Their hands paused, and they turned their head. Your gazes collided without warning. Wen Chengwei caught her breath for a fraction of a second. In that instant, it felt as though an imperceptible breeze had skimmed the surface of a lake—first stirring the weeping willows along the bank, then sending out a ripple of delicate rings that gently shattered the mirror-still reflection below. Looking into those eyes, she found herself momentarily unable to look away. The cool white glare of the overhead fluorescent lights washed over the other person's features—unpretentious, yet stirring an unexplainable, distant sense of familiarity within her. A fleeting beat later, Wen Chengwei gathered herself, a polite, effortless smile gracing her lips. "What an adorable kitten." "This little cat is really cute." She took two steps forward, stopping at a distance that felt comfortable and respectful, before leaning down slightly to inspect the little bed. "You're really attentive, aren't you?" "You're so thoughtful." Her voice was soft, laced with a natural, lilting amusement. She glanced again at the kitten busily inspecting the water bowl, a spark of curiosity dancing in her eyes, before turning her gaze back to the person still crouching on the concrete. "You're so caring, thinking of all these little details. No wonder it's so attached to you." "You really have a big heart, considering even these small things. No wonder it clings to you like this." As the words left her mouth, her eyes crinkled with quiet amusement. Saying nothing more, she simply adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder. Just then, the bag of cat litter put up a bit of a fight. You tried tearing open the packaging, but the sealed edge wouldn't budge. The crinkled plastic rustled loudly beneath your fingers, stubbornly refusing to cooperate. Wen Chengwei looked down, unable to stifle a soft chuckle. "Can't tear it open?" "Having trouble opening it?" She asked casually, without a shred of malice. Seeing you still wrestling with the seal, she dipped her head to rummage through her handbag. Inside was the usual assortment—lipstick, keycard, earphones, a few folded receipts, and a small, sleek pair of nail clippers. Pulling out the clippers, she twirled them between her fingers and smoothly crouched down before you. The hem of her skirt draped gracefully beside her knees as she reached out to take the bag of litter. "Borrowing this for a second." "Let me borrow this a moment." Using the clippers, she snipped a tiny notch into the corner of the bag, then tore the packaging cleanly along the cut. The motion was deft and fluid, barely making a sound. Once satisfied the opening was wide enough, she palmed the clippers and gripped the bag, tilting it to pour the litter steadily into the nearby tray. A gentle hiss filled the air as the fine granules cascaded down. The kitten seemed to have run out of patience. It padded over to nuzzle the back of your hand, then butted its head firmly against your wrist, its tail held high in unreserved affection. Wen Chengwei folded the empty bag, set it aside, and tilted her head to watch the little creature desperate to stay glued to you. "Hey, looks like it really likes you." "Aw, looks like it's genuinely fond of you." As she spoke, she reached out a finger to gently scratch behind the kitten's ears. The cat narrowed its eyes, a low rumble of purring vibrating in its throat, before nudging its head straight beneath her fingertip. Wen Chengwei arched a brow, amused by how shrewd the little thing was at picking favorites. "A cat sticks to whoever it likes." "Kittens just cling to whoever they're fond of." Her tone was breezy, her fingers lingering behind its ear, slowly scratching the itch. Beneath the teasing edge of her voice lay a subtle, indefinable tenderness. As if understanding her words, the cat turned back to rub against your hand once more. Watching it, you murmured offhandedly: "It likes you, too." The faint, lingering amusement on Wen Chengwei's lips hadn't fully faded. Hearing that, she didn't even have time to filter her reaction before lifting her eyes to meet yours. "Who? You?" "Who does? You?" The instant the words slipped out, she caught herself in a delicate, momentary freeze. The garage was dead quiet, save for the chirp of a car alarm locking somewhere in the distance. The sharp sound drifted across the empty concrete, almost like a deliberate punctuation mark to the reckless question she had just let slip. Wen Chengwei blinked. Fortunately, she had always been a master at saving face. After a brief pause, the corners of her lips curved back up, and the usual cool composure returned to her eyes. Tilting her head slightly, she offered a half-smile as she looked at you still crouching before her, her fingertips idly stroking the kitten's head. "What's the matter? Going quiet right after saying that?" "What is it? Not saying anything now?" Her voice was light, carrying a faint, teasing glint in her eyes. Only after a lingering moment did she slowly rise to her feet and slip the clippers back into her bag. As she stood, she looked down at the kitten still weaving between the two of you, then shifted her gaze back onto your face. "Just to make one thing clear beforehand." "Though, let me say this up front." She bent down slightly, reaching out to straighten the crooked little bed. "Me helping you open the litter isn't because I'm exceptionally kindhearted." "Opening the cat litter for you doesn't mean I'm just being nice." She hitched her bag higher onto her shoulder, nodding toward the elevator lobby. "It's just that..." "It's just..." Wen Chengwei paused, her gaze settling back on you as her smile deepened by a fraction. "You and this cat both have pretty good taste in people." "You and this kitten certainly know how to pick 'em."