Humans, Let the Cats Take Care of You

An Zhou is a little cat demon.

Fresh down from the mountain, he is taken in by a human.

His new owner is a tall, handsome man with broad shoulders and a slim waist. In public, he's stern and taciturn, but when they're alone, he goes "kitty, kitty, kitty" at An Zhou.

The house is full of meows, but not a single one comes from An Zhou.

Lately, An Zhou's human hasn't been doing too well. He's even gone bankrupt.

He starts coughing up blood and sleeping for long stretches, and sometimes he can't see.

They move from their upscale city apartment to a simple little house in the countryside.

A visitor advises him, "Huo Chi, don't give up on treatment. There might still be something they can do."

The blind man smiles and strokes An Zhou's head. "No need. I want to spend the time I have left with An An."

An Zhou is his human's sole legal heir, meow.

Hugging his fluffy tail, An Zhou feels a little sad. Stray cats have told him it's hard to find a reliable human owner.

Huo Chi senses the little cat's disappointment and comforts him. "Don't worry, An An. A caregiver will come help us with daily life."

*

The new caregiver is young and lively, with a warm, sunlit scent.

Huo Chi hears the caregiver's clear, confident voice. "My hometown is full of capable people. I'll round them up, and we'll definitely find a way to cure you."

A cousin from the old hometown sends over a prescription. The decoction smells bitter, so the caregiver coaxes him, "Drink a bowl and you can have a sweet jujube."

Huo Chi: "..." He drinks it.

An older relative from the old hometown brings a folk remedy. The snake's hissing sounds terrifying, so the caregiver coaxes him, "Let it bite you, and you can have some blood-nourishing soup."

Huo Chi: "..." He lets it bite him.

A cousin's boyfriend from the old hometown shows up with a whole set of ritual gear, decorating the courtyard with bells and red cords. The caregiver says, "Let's pray for a blessing, and then you can have some rice cakes."

Huo Chi: "..." He does the ritual.

Everyone they can call in from the old hometown has come and gone. Huo Chi knows the illness he's had since birth can't be cured, and he's accepted his fate long ago. At least he can try his best to stay with An An.

A xianxia drama plays on the TV. An actor's coy voice says, "It would be my honor to heal my lord through dual cultivation."

An Zhou is amazed. "A Chi, so that's how it works! Let's try it!"

"("^▽^")"

"!!!"

Huo Chi covers his face. Some folk remedies really shouldn't be used carelessly. Holding down the caregiver squirming in his arms, he stalls. "Look, in the show they need a cultivation technique for dual cultivation. We can't just try it. It could make us go berserk."

He doesn't have much time left. He can't let An An get dragged down with him.

An Zhou thinks that makes sense and nods.

Huo Chi has just breathed a sigh of relief when An Zhou says, "I'll ask around back home and see if there's a suitable technique."

Huo Chi: "..."

Who on earth is back home?

*

Wave after wave of demons arrive in the little town. The relevant authorities sound the alarm and go on high alert.

They discover the source is An Zhou, a little cat demon who has cultivated into a spirit.

They sit down for a face-to-face talk with the little cat demon. "Let's not bother the old demons in the mountains. If you're having any trouble, you can come to us."

An Zhou's round eyes are full of anticipation. "Do you have a dual-cultivation technique?"

The staff member: "...We're legitimate civil servants. We really do get two days off each week."

After they leave, An Zhou pushes Huo Chi down, sits on his firm, muscular stomach, and says excitedly, "A Chi, I've found a way to support you!"

Notes:

1. Farming, food, and a mostly slice-of-life story.

2. Huo Chi's illness isn't ordinary. It can't be cured by conventional means.

3. An Zhou is a feifei, a catlike creature.

4. The staff member, looking utterly worn out: Jobs with two days off a week and no 24/7 work really do exist!

5. Updates at 10 a.m.

Theme: Stay true to your original aspiration, remember your mission, and strive for a bright and glorious future!