Chapter 27
Nina thought about it and agreed that the “little kitty” really did need a nest of its own.
“Alright then—let’s start making a cat bed right now p>
Sal wanted to protest. He shook his head and kept meowing, trying to tell Nina that he didn’t need one.
He didn’t want a cat bed. He wanted to sleep on the bed with the little female.
Nina looked at the “little kitty” with some confusion. Wasn’t this cat a bit too human-like? It felt as if it could understand everything she said.
Mino also eyed the “kitten” suspiciously. Was this really a wild cat cub? It didn’t quite seem like one. Were wild cats really this smart?
Noticing their strange looks, Sal realized his behavior might be raising suspicion and immediately stopped expressing himself.
He deliberately covered his face with his paws, shook his head, and let out two soft, pitiful “meows p>
Nina had just been pinching the “cat’s” cheeks and assumed it was unhappy about that. Her doubts faded. She stroked the back of its neck instead.
“Alright, alright, don’t be mad. I won’t pinch your face anymore p>
She set the “little kitty” down and went to fetch the animal hides for the cat bed.
Holding up three pieces of hide in front of it, she asked, “Little Flower, which one do you like p>
Sal casually pointed at one. Nina took that piece and began making the cat bed, with Mino helping beside her.
“Does this stitching look okay here?” Mino asked.
“Yes, that works. Mino, your hands are really skillful p>
“Do you want a roof on the nest, or should it be open p>
“Let’s add a simple roof, just in case p>
Nina and Mino chatted back and forth like this, completely ignoring Sal on the side.
Sal grew unhappy. He ran over to Nina and knocked the hide out of her hands. Stop making things for that stinking male—come keep me company instead.
Nina patted him. “No grabbing. This is your own little nest p>
Sal swatted again. Nina gently pushed him away.
“Don’t make trouble, or you won’t have a comfy little nest to sleep in p>
Angry, Sal scratched at the table again and again with his little paws, venting his frustration. I don’t want a nest. I want to sleep on the bed with you.
While Nina wasn’t looking, Mino shot the “little kitty” a provocative smile.
Sal scratched even harder.
After more than two hours of work, Mino went to reheat food for Nina.
These days, he sometimes cooked two meals’ worth at once—so when Nina got hungry later, he could just heat it up.
Seeing Nina eat again so soon, Sal realized she must need several meals a day. Yet he couldn’t understand how she was still so thin—aside from her belly, the rest of her body was still slender.
It seemed the cub was draining a lot of energy from its mother.
Still, seeing Nina looking healthy eased him a little. But he began worrying whether Mino’s hunting would really be enough to feed her.
Suddenly, Sal felt useless. He couldn’t even provide prey for the little female and their cub—he was being raised by her instead.
He slumped on the table, looking dispirited.
Nina finally noticed him. “What’s wrong, Little Flower? Are you hungry too p>
Sal shook his head to say he wasn’t, then lay there watching Nina eat.
Seeing that he truly didn’t seem hungry, Nina didn’t press further.
At noon, Mino made boiled meat slices and braised pork. They ate this meal outside.
He deliberately set aside a small plate and placed it in front of Sal, smiling maliciously.
“Here, this is specially for you. Don’t steal food from Nina again p>
Sal leaned in to sniff. It smelled good—but mixed with a sharp, irritating scent.
He figured Mino wouldn’t poison him in front of Nina. Given how favored he was right now, if anything happened, Nina would definitely never forgive Mino.
Sal tried a bite. After chewing twice, he suddenly jumped up and spat the meat out.
What had that stinking male added to it? His mouth felt like it was on fire, as if it were burning.
He glared furiously at Mino, growling low in his throat and baring his teeth.
Mino was very satisfied with Sal’s reaction. The first time he ate chili peppers, he’d been burned too. This time, he’d added extra on purpose—to teach this attention-stealing “cat cub” a lesson.
Seeing the “little kitty” all puffed up, Nina quickly picked him up and said helplessly,
“I forgot to tell you—cats can’t handle spicy food. Next time, make his food lighter p>
Seeing that Nina didn’t scold him, Mino smiled. “Alright p>
The “cat cub’s” status wasn’t all that high, after all.
“Mm, thanks for your hard work,” Nina added.
Mino cooked for her every day—of course she wouldn’t blame him over something so small.
But Sal was hurt. That stinking male had clearly tricked him, yet the little female didn’t scold him at all—not even once.
He turned his head away, looking aggrieved.
Nina comforted him, gently stroking the “little kitty p>
“Mino didn’t mean it. Don’t be mad, okay p>
Sal glared at Mino. He absolutely did it on purpose.
Mino didn’t care at all and leisurely ate his meat.
Nina continued soothing him.
“Alright, don’t be upset. Later, Mommy will have Mino make you tastier little dried fish p>
She didn’t realize she’d slipped into a modern term.
Mino’s eyes widened. Nina actually wanted to be the cat cub’s mother? Shouldn’t she be its owner instead?
He couldn’t quite understand her thinking.
Sal, on the other hand, completely exploded inside. The little female wanted to be his mother? Absolutely not!
He was her male—not her cub.
In Nina’s arms, Sal flailed his paws, shaking his head hard and letting out indignant, babyish “aow aow” protests.
Nina thought he was still angry at Mino and hurriedly held a piece of braised pork to his mouth.
“Alright, don’t be mad. Are you hungry? Mommy has other meat here—let’s eat this. It’s tasty p>
Hearing that word again, Sal slapped Nina lightly, let out an angry “aow,” kicked his legs, and jumped out of her arms. He flopped onto the table with his back to her, turning his butt toward her. When Nina tried to touch him, he dodged away.
Nina sighed helplessly. This kid really has a bad temper.
Suddenly, Mino thought of something and curled his lips into a sly smile.
“Then does that make me his father p>
Nina thought for a moment. “I guess so p>
After all, Mino had helped save the “little kitty.” It wasn’t wrong to count him as a father.
Mino raised his eyebrows at the “little kitty p>
“Hey, little cub, hear that? I’m your father now. You’ll have to listen to me from now on p>
That was the final straw for Sal.
That stinking male dared to take advantage of him like this. I’ll fight you to the death!
With a furious “aow,” Sal lunged forward and swung a paw straight at Mino.