The small shelter stood proudly in the corner of the balcony, warm and protected against the winter air. The mother cat had already curled up inside, but Yun Hu had boldly claimed the softest pillow as his own.
Chen crouched down and gently scooped Yun Hu into his arms.
"You little…" he murmured, poking the kitten lightly on the nose. "Now you're taking someone else's territory too?"
Yun Hu blinked up at him, completely unapologetic.
Chen sighed dramatically. "Shameless."
The kitten responded by pressing his tiny paw against Chen's sweater as if claiming him instead.
Behind them, Zhou Kai pretended to gag.
Juri elbowed him. "Quiet."
Chen stood up and turned toward the people that were beside him helping him whole the day, smiling in that soft, absent way he always did when he was happy.
"Let me treat you guys today," he said. "To thank you for helping me."
Juri's eyes immediately lit up. "Thank you, Professor."
Zhou Kai clutched his chest. "See? This is why we help."
Xiao just smiled faintly. "Let's go before it gets colder."
The cafeteria was nearly empty, only a few students scattered around with steaming cups and quiet conversations. The winter light filtered through the large windows, pale and soft.
They chose a table near the corner.
Chen sat down first, and Yun Hu, without hesitation, climbed straight onto his lap as if it was his assigned seat.
Zhou Kai pointed. "Look at him. He's not even pretending to be cool anymore."
Xiao leaned forward slightly, observing. "He really likes you."
Chen looked down at the kitten, who had already curled up comfortably against his sweater. "He's just clingy."
"Sure," Juri muttered.
Chen placed one hand on the table, and that's when Xiao noticed a smudge of dirt still on the back of his hand from building the shelter.
"You've still got dirt there," Xiao said casually.
Without thinking much, he reached forward to wipe it off.
At that exact moment—
Flash.
Yun Hu's head snapped up.
His ears flattened slightly.
He let out a low warning sound and glared at Xiao's approaching hand.
Everyone froze.
Before Xiao's fingers could even touch Chen's skin, Yun Hu leaned forward and deliberately licked the dirt off Chen's hand himself.
Slowly.
Possessively.
As if saying: Mine. I'll handle it.
The table went silent.
Chen blinked in surprise. "Yun Hu?"
Xiao awkwardly pulled his hand back.
"…I was just helping."
Yun Hu narrowed his eyes at him.
Zhou Kai tried so hard not to laugh that his shoulders started shaking.
Juri calmly took a sip of water. "Rejected."
Xiao leaned back in his chair, clearing his throat.
As expected.
The cat of that Xu Jin.
"Tch."
Chen, completely unaware of the tension, gently stroked Yun Hu's head. "Don't be rude," he scolded softly, though there was no real firmness in his tone.
Yun Hu simply curled back into his lap, tail flicking once in quiet victory.
Zhou Kai leaned toward professor xiao and whispered, "Owner like cat."
Xiao nodded. "Exactly."
Meanwhile, Chen smiled at them, warm and grateful. "Really. Thank you for today."
After eating, they moved to the campus garden.
golden light over the grass. Fallen leaves rustled under their shoes as they found a quiet bench near the trees.
Chen sat down first.
Yun Hu immediately adjusted himself on Chen's lap, tail wrapped neatly around his own body like a prince surveying his land.
Juri crouched in front of them and extended his hand slowly.
Yun Hu sniffed him.
Paused.
Then—unexpectedly—stepped forward.
He climbed from Chen's lap onto Juri's.
Juri blinked. "He… came to me?"
Chen smiled faintly. "That means he liked you."
Zhou Kai looked personally offended. "Why you?"
Juri smirked. "Because I have character."
Xiao gave a quiet hum but stepped forward anyway. "Let me try."
He carefully reached out to stroke Yun Hu's back.
The kitten looked at him.
Blink.
Then turned his head away dramatically.
Rejection.
Zhou Kai refused to accept defeat. "Move. I'll do it properly."
He crouched down and tried to pat Yun Hu gently.
Yun Hu stood up.
Walked back to Chen.
And sat down with his back facing Zhou Kai.
Clear message delivered.
Zhou Kai gasped. "This cat has attitude."
Xiao crossed his arms. "Like owner."
Chen sighed softly. "Yun Hu, don't be rude."
The kitten ignored him.
Chen narrowed his eyes slightly. "If you keep acting like this, no treats tonight."
That got his attention.
Yun Hu's ears twitched.
He slowly looked back at Xiao and Zhou Kai.
Then at Chen.
Chen maintained a calm, serious expression.
"Be polite."
Yun Hu seemed to weigh his options.
Treats.
Or pride.
After a long, dramatic pause—
He hopped down again.
Walked toward Xiao first.
Sat.
Allowed one gentle pat.
Then shifted slightly toward Zhou Kai.
Allowed another.
Both men looked victorious for exactly three seconds.
Yun Hu's expression clearly said: This is temporary.
"Tch," Zhou Kai muttered.
Juri laughed openly. "You two had to be negotiated into acceptance."
Chen shook his head, amused.
"Good boy," he said, scratching Yun Hu's chin.
The kitten immediately leaned into Chen's touch more than anyone else's.
Of course.