Chapter 23
Editor: SleepyMango123
Proofreader: Lore
Although Xia Rong was turbulently ranting in his heart, it only took him a few seconds to observe and understand his current situation . He had just finished twisting around without moving his buttocks when he heard the staff murmur in a low voice outside, “Why hasn’t Xia Rong given a response at all? There hasn’t even been a sound . ”
Xia Rong could only be thankful that the partition’s color was rather deep and that it wasn’t easy to see through from the outside . Moreover, the partition was only temporarily set up . Aside from the spot that the camera was filming, everywhere else was dark with miscellaneous items stored about, which was also where the camera was physically placed . As for how he disappeared into the thin air, the staff certainly wouldn’t immediately think of the supernatural . Instead, they would either think that they had a moment of blurred vision or that Xia Rong went to stand in the shadows .
…However, even if he wasn’t immediately discovered, there was still the next minute and the minutes after that . As long as Xia Rong stayed in this cat form, he would still be discovered sooner or later .
On the other side of the partition, Meng Xuan had already stopped her dancing and from her silhouette, she seemed to be looking in his direction . Xia Rong was so anxious that he had already turned in circles several times, completely oblivious to the fact that his clothes were now crumpled underfoot . In a bit, should he pretend to be a stray cat and run out? Or should he just stay put and wait for the production team to discover him?
No, no, no! Definitely can’t just sit here! Who knew whether the production team would connect this cat with him once they found it… If his transformation was seen by too many people, it would certainly be bad for him… Sure enough, it would be better to pretend to be a stray cat and run away first, so that everyone would think he was missing . Then afterward, go look for Xiao Zhou or Su Chi… Probably?
At any rate, the variety show wouldn’t be able to continue filming as scheduled . Furthermore, he still didn’t know when he could change back or even whether he would be able to change back . And if he couldn’t revert back to his human self, then it would be a breach of contract where the penalty would be a pretty large sum… But who would pay it for him? If Shu Yi couldn’t find him and he went home to find his parents, would they even believe he was Xia Rong?
Just casually thinking about it, there were only countless headache-inducing questions . Xia Rong only understood now how frightening such a thing it was to suddenly shift from a man to a cat . Confused… Helpless… Didn’t even know who he could trust…
…How exactly did Su Chi make it through this?
Xia Rong the cat’s imagination ran wild, but his “hands” never stopped . After taking a look around, he picked up his clothes with his mouth and dragged it to a corner of miscellaneous items . Truthfully, the clothes for ancient costumes were rather heavy . Although the costume designer had considered the weather and had tried his best to allow them to wear only one layer underneath with a long gown on the outside, the clothes were still a little too cumbersome for this freshly-debuted orange cat .
He finally managed to hide his clothes after all his effort, but as soon as he turned his head, he could hear the clear footsteps of people coming towards his direction . Step by step, it was as if they were stepping on his fragile cat heart .
Obviously not very proficient, the orange cat version of Xia Rong slowly flexed his claws before he arched his body, ready to fly out and quickly run away the moment the staff lifted the curtain so he could catch them by surprise .
One step, two steps, the footsteps were getting closer and closer… Xia Rong held his breath and hid in the shadow . His cat body arched taut like a bow, abnormally tense as he waited for his cat life’s first desperate escape for life .
A hand was placed on the screen, and it would soon be lifted open! One, two, three, prepare to run—!
The movement of the screen being opened was unexpectedly light and gentle . However, at this moment, Xia Rong already could no longer pay attention to this as his claws dug into the ground, ready to flee at the next second . Surprisingly, when he had already half a foot outside, he suddenly heard a familiar voice that was deliberately lowered . “Xia Rong, it’s me . ”
Hearing that voice, Xia Rong instinctively made a sudden hard brake . He raised his head to look over, only to find that the person who came in was Su Chi!
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Su Chi looked at Xia Rong’s current appearance and was also a little surprised, but he quickly raised his hand to place a finger against his lips, giving Xia Rong a ‘stay silent and don’t move’ gesture . Then, he deliberately walked to the side where the miscellaneous items were stacked, as if Xia Rong was there, and asked aloud, “Xia Rong? Are you still okay?”
The orange cat version of Xia Rong quickly slid and ran back to the foot of Su Chi to find a sense of security . And he heard Su Chi feign from above and answered, “Um, en, got it… I’ll go out and tell them . ”
Su Chi immediately lifted the curtain, went out, and spoke to the people outside, “Xia Rong suddenly felt unwell and had a little difficulty continuing . Let him rest inside for a while; he’ll be okay soon . ”
The staff members were all worried about Xia Rong’s health, but they were also concerned about the progress of the program . Allowing artists to rest would disrupt the schedule of the filming . But on the other hand, if an artist’s health really was affected by the program… Especially if it was someone with Xia Rong’s popularity, they would definitely be drowned to death from all the fans spitting at them . Moreover, the media requirements for variety shows have become stricter regarding ‘positive content’ and ‘promoting positive energy’ . If Xia Rong’s fans felt heartache for their idol and blew up the matter of how the program was ‘disregarding artists’ health for the program’s effects’, they might end up being treated as a negative model, then suffer bouts of name-calling and criticisms . It really wouldn’t be worth the loss .
Therefore, no one dared to forcefully ask Xia Rong to continue filming but just flocked to ask, “Is Xia Rong okay?” “Does he need to go to the hospital?” “Have him come out to sit and rest for a while, it’s so crowded and stuffy inside . ” “How long will it take for him to get better?” “Su Chi, why don’t you film first? Then we can save some time . ”
Su Chi replied to them one by one, “It’s nothing serious . He doesn’t need to go to the hospital . Staying inside will be enough . He doesn’t want to move . Give us half an hour, I’ll go in and give him a massage then it should be fine… No, half an hour won’t matter too much . We can just speed up the progress later . Just let Xia Rong have a good rest for now . ”
Xia Rong then heard Meng Xuan’s voice that held a hint of surprise, “You’ll give him a massage? You two…”
Su Chi replied, “The two of us are good friends . Whenever Xia Rong felt unwell before, I would often give him a massage . He would get better quicker . ”
Meng Xuan: “…Oh . Haha, good friends . ”
……
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Xia Rong was inside as he listened to Su Chi spouting his nonsense all so seriously, then he silently covered his face with his paws… He just knew that Meng Xuan’s thoughts had more or less gone astray! In what situation would one ‘feel unwell’, but the other would also happen to be around? Forget about a regular massage, but it was even an ’often helped him massage’ . To say that they were good friends, even if the bystander was Xia Rong himself, he also wouldn’t have believed it!
Although it was well known that Xia Rong had several girlfriends before, the entertainment circle had always been rich in homosexuals, where many well-known stars’ sexual orientations were already open secrets within the circle . When Xia Rong worked with a few magazines before, he had also met a few photographers who liked to take advantage and be overly touchy . Furthermore, he often enjoyed browsing Weibo and online forums, so his understanding of ‘gay culture’ wasn’t much worse than that of those rotten men and women on the Internet .
Although he believed that he and Su Chi only had an innocent, open, and frank relationship, it wouldn’t be able to compete against Su Chi’s explanation, which could easily be misunderstood! Moreover, after careful consideration, it seemed that this really was the only explanation that would logically allow Xia Rong to stay inside while Su Chi could also go in to accompany him for half an hour… Justified and irrefutable, truly a tragedy .
When Su Chi entered again, what he saw was a little orange cat slumped listlessly in the shadows, as if there was nothing left to live for .
Su Chi deserved to be called ‘experienced’ . After he came in this time, he first took a look around when he noticed that although the camera nearby was covered by a black cloth, the small red light was still on, so he reached out to turn it completely off . Only after he had confirmed that it was safe that he squatted down and stretched out his hand to scratch Xia Rong’s revealed belly while asking with a smile, “An orange cat?”
“Meow!” Xia Rong slapped him away with his claw and turned over with a roll . What about being an orange cat? Not like I’m eating your family’s rice!
Because filming was suspended for half an hour, the staff members scattered to find a cool and shady place . Those that wanted to play on their phone, played on their phones and those that wanted to rest, took a rest . It seemed that no one would pay attention to Su Chi and Xia Rong’s side for the time being . However, Xia Rong still regretted it a little once he opened his mouth and ‘meowed’ out . Subconsciously, he took a few steps back, trying to shrink further towards the inside .
“Come here,” Su Chi beckoned him over and allowed him to jump onto him . “It’s okay . An orange cat is also quite nice, still very cute . ”
Originally, Xia Rong had still wondered whether his ability to understand Su Chi’s meowing only worked one way . But now, it has been proven that Su Chi could also understand his own words . Thankfully, fortunately… Xia Rong had been in a state of anxiety since he changed into a cat, but now, he could finally feel a trace of stability .
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Xia Rong jumped onto Su Chi and, while feeling unreconciled, lowly meowed, “Why have I also become a cat? Is shifting into a cat also contagious?!”
Su Chi comfortingly touched his head, then pulled the orange cat version of Xia Rong into his bosom1 and stood up . As Su Chi was wearing a rather loose ancient costume, if Xia Rong were to sit inside his clothes, he could be perfectly propped up by the belt . Xia Rong then placed two paws on Su Chi’s chest and used it to steady himself as he looked up at him with his cat face .
In a breathy voice, Su Chi responded, “I’m sorry, I also don’t know why you’ve become a cat . Let’s find someone to investigate after we get back later . We can think about that after getting through this first . ”
As soon as he finished saying this, Xia Rong remembered the question he had been wanting to ask . “How could you be so sure that we would be able to continue filming in half an hour? Will I be able to change back within half an hour?”
After hearing his question, Su Chi took him out of his clothes and placed him on the camera . Although Xia Rong’s cat form was an orange cat, it had not yet begun to gain weight but had a very healthy and light figure . So even as he wobbled a few times after being placed on the narrow platform, he was gradually able to sit there stably .
“I can’t guarantee it…” Su Chi lowered his eyes to look at Xia Rong, his expression unusually serious, “But I do have a suspicion that, maybe, we can try . ”
“What is it-meow?” A rare occasion of patience from Xia Rong, he raised his head and waited for Su Chi’s following words .
“Physical contact,” Su Chi replied in a low voice . “Limited to the physical contact between the two of us, the more intimate the better . ”
He stared at Xia Rong to take in his expressions and continued, “If you want to change back quickly, I’m afraid, as intimate as you can manage… Is how intimate we need to be . ”
“…”
Xia Rong stared at Su Chi stupidly as he(XR) kept opening and closing his mouth while feeling that his furry cat face was suddenly a little bit hot .
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