Shen Muzhi truly looked like a cat.
Except, unlike ordinary cats, he had nine tails and was entirely black, with only a pair of amber-like yellow eyes. He didn't seem like the Nine-Tailed Spirit Cat described in myths.
Liu Buli had a personality that adored cats. Seeing Shen Muzhi's elegant and noble demeanor, he was practically salivating.
However, he knew Shen Muzhi was someone else's Dao companion. As You Siqi's friend, he couldn't just reach out and touch him. So, he could only swallow his saliva, looking longingly, and quietly asked You Siqi beside him, "You Siqi, when you were writing, why did you make him black?"
"Because it's cool!" You Siqi was no better off than Liu Buli. His eyes were sparkling, and he looked utterly captivated.
But he had one advantage over Liu Buli: he could reach out and touch without hesitation. Both his hands were stroking the sleek, smooth fur of the black cat. You Siqi felt this was the most glorious moment he had experienced since transmigrating.
Writing this Nine-Tailed Spirit Cat was absolutely the right decision!
Look at this physique! Look at this appearance! This beautiful, noble black fur, and those amber eyes! To be able to pet him, isn't this the pinnacle of life?
You Siqi hugged him, absolutely unwilling to let go!
Liu Buli's envious eyes were about to pop out!
Meanwhile, Lu Wuming, standing nearby, finally couldn't resist. He walked a few steps to Liu Buli's side. He didn't speak but took Liu Buli's hand and pressed his palm onto his own head. Then, mimicking You Siqi's current action, he gently stroked twice.
His actions were so unexpected that Liu Buli was stunned, unable to comprehend what he meant for a long time.
Lu Wuming pouted, his tone laced with sourness. He coughed lightly, "Don't touch him. I can't transform into that form. Touching my hair should be pretty much the same. If you think it's too different, I can cut it short. If it's short like his, and you touch it, it should be the same."
He said this with utmost seriousness.
He seemed ready to cut off all his hair right then if Liu Buli nodded.
This made Liu Buli pause again, and then he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
He slung an arm around Lu Wuming's neck, pulling his head down to bury it in his embrace. Liu Buli then boldly and forcefully ruffled the man's hair for a while. The well-combed hair became messy, but Lu Wuming remained quietly there, submitting to Liu Buli's actions, showing no intention of dodging at all.
Only when Liu Buli had finished ruffling his hair to his satisfaction and released him did Lu Wuming straighten up, looking back at Liu Buli's eyes with a pitiable expression.
Pouting, his tone sounded extremely wronged. He said, "Shizun, are you happy now?"
Liu Buli's eyes curved into crescents as he smiled, "Of course, I'm happy."
Lu Wuming reached out and pulled him into his arms, one hand cupping his head, forcing him to face his chest. Then, in a low voice, he mumbled, "Then stop looking at him. Just look at me."
These words were incredibly sour.
Honestly, for a grown man to act like this, it could make one think he was too petty.
But Liu Buli was completely taken with it.
He reached out and hugged Lu Wuming, his eyes narrowing even further as he smiled.
Shen Muzhi, watching them, would be lying if he said he wasn't envious. But now that he had transformed into a cat, You Siqi was uncharacteristically holding him tightly and refusing to let go.
His thoughts stirred, Shen Muzhi asked in a low voice, "Siqi, do you like cats very much?"
"Yes, of course I like them!" You Siqi answered without hesitation. He said, "If I didn't like them, why would I have written about a black cat? I love cats that are this cleanly black. They're incredibly beautiful!"
This was the first time You Siqi had so unequivocally declared his affection for him.
Shen Muzhi was taken aback. A flicker of emotion, unnoticed by You Siqi, passed through his eyes.
He stared intently at You Siqi for a long time, then slowly shifted his gaze back to the misty entrance of the secret realm ahead.
His nine tails swayed behind him. Shen Muzhi took a step forward, and the spiritual energy around him suddenly surged to its peak. All that spiritual energy rushed forward, like a gust of wind, instantly dispelling all the mist.
A narrow path, just wide enough for one person, was revealed before them.
This was exactly as described in the book.
Liu Buli glanced at it and raised his eyebrows with a smile.
You Siqi, however, looked at the Nine-Tailed Spirit Cat beside him with a hint of reluctance. In his mind, now that the secret realm's gate was open, Shen Muzhi should revert to his original form.
Every moment of petting was a moment less. Shen Muzhi didn't like maintaining this form in the novel, so it was likely that the next time he saw it would be a long time from now.
You Siqi thought this, and then squeezed the black cat's front leg again.
The next second, Shen Muzhi's form indeed rapidly shrank. Just as You Siqi thought he was about to transform back into a human, he became the size of an ordinary black cat. Then, with a powerful leap of his hind legs, the little cat sprang directly into You Siqi's arms.
You Siqi's eyes lit up, feeling incredibly honored.
Seeing his reaction, Shen Muzhi curved his lips into a smile and said, "You like cats that much? Call me 'husband,' and I'll let you hold me all day."