Peach-Orange! – Chapter 109 – The Mask Called “Normal Person”

Moist, warm, and soft.

Su Tao ultimately couldn’t resist the temptation, indulging in that addictive sweetness.

In this moment, she even forgot her original purpose.

—I’m only pretending to like her.

—This is to soothe her emotions.

—A necessary part of treatment.

Such thoughts seemed to gradually fade away unnoticed… accompanied by a fleeting camera flash from the bar counter.

A silver thread connected them.

Su Tao’s face flushed red, not daring to look at Chi Xiaocheng.

A soft, adorable voice sounded in her ear again: “Do you like a kitten like me?”

“Like….”

Almost instinctively about to answer, she belatedly realized something and quickly stopped herself.

The unspoken words slowly transformed into a nod.

After a tender moment, Chi Xiaocheng released Su Tao and looked around.

That pitch-black Xiaocheng was indeed nowhere to be seen.

The unease in her heart gradually settled.

‘What nonsense about me being inferior to a kitten? Look how Tao-Tao is with me, how could she not like me?’

‘So what if I’m pretending to be obedient? So what if I’m not acting yandere?’

‘As long as she slowly grows to like me like this, that’s enough.’

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Moving away from Su Tao, several kittens approached again.

Though all cats, their behavior clearly showed who ruled this place.

A slightly plump brown tabby cat walked elegantly toward Chi Xiaocheng, head held high as if waiting for chin scratches.

When Chi Xiaocheng reached out, the tabby squinted contentedly.

The cat even gave her hand a little pat with its paw as if this was its reward to her.

Xu Ran approached, looking at Chi Xiaocheng in amazement. “This is the first time King has been friendly with anyone.”

“King?”

“That’s this tabby’s name.” Xu Ran beckoned to the tabby, but even she, the caretaker, received no favorable treatment.

Yet the cat luxuriated under Chi Xiaocheng’s strokes.

“She does have some attitude.” Chi Xiaocheng’s intermediate affinity skill was overwhelmingly effective on small animals.

The other cats practically fought to squeeze into her arms.

Xu Ran asked, “So, want to take her home?”

Chi Xiaocheng first glanced at Su Tao, then at the tabby.

The proud cat named King seemed to understand their conversation, extending a paw like a royal granting an audience.

Chi Xiaocheng asked Xu Ran, “Really, is it okay?”

Xu Ran smiled. “We regularly send batches of cats for adoption. It gets hard to care for too many. You two clearly love cats and wouldn’t mistreat them. That’s all that matters.”

Chi Xiaocheng turned to Su Tao. “Tao-Tao, what do you think?”

Su Tao seemed to snap out of a daze. “I…I’m fine with it.”

Apparently still savoring that earlier sweetness.

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Chi Xiaocheng’s lips curved up as she gently shook the tabby’s paw. “Then it’s settled. Thank you, sister.”

“No problem.” Xu Ran smiled mysteriously. “For girls, having a cat really helps deepen bonds~”

Then she stood and approached Su Tao, taking out a photo from her pocket.

“Here, for you.”

The photo handed to Su Tao instantly reddened the girl’s cheeks.

It captured that earlier moment perfectly.

Chi Xiaocheng on her lap, both lost in each other’s tenderness, the angle and lighting flawless.

Xu Ran wore a knowing grin, whispering, “She’s adorable, so she must have lots of admirers, hee. Better keep her close.”

Su Tao glanced at Chi Xiaocheng holding King, awkwardly accepting the photo. “T-Thanks.”

“Want the digital copy? Makes a great wallpaper.”

“Wallpaper….”

If her phone wallpaper was this, she’d die of embarrassment if anyone saw.

Way too shameless.

Xu Ran pretended to leave. “If not, I’ll delete it then.”

“Wait—”

Su Tao grabbed Xu Ran’s sleeve, murmuring, “Add my WeChat… send it to me.”

“Hehe~”

After transferring the photo and completing King’s adoption paperwork, Chi Xiaocheng received a heap of free supplies: litter, treats, and toys worth nearly two thousand yuan.

Even an adult man would struggle carrying it all.

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This earned Dongfang Yang another “nice guy” point from both girls.

Not just a free cat, but accessories worth a small fortune.

Despite the haul, Su Tao proved stronger than most men.

She had Chi Xiaocheng carry King while she easily lifted everything, canceling her plan to go to the mall in favor of heading straight home.

Yet upon entering downtown, Chi Xiaocheng’s Alertness skill warned her again. Looking around revealed no sign of the blackened doppelganger.

They arrived home without incident.

Setting up the cat tree and organizing supplies.

Thanks to Chi Xiaocheng’s affinity, King adapted quickly, soon exploring every corner.

But true to form, the cat remained aloof, allowing hugs only on her terms.

By evening, as the day wound down after dinner, Su Tao prepared to leave. “Xiaocheng, I’ve got things to do, so I’ll head out now.”

Chi Xiaocheng looked reluctant. “Tao-Tao won’t stay tonight?”

Su Tao reassured her, “I’ve got the night shift at my part-time job, plus need to get an excuse note from the advisor. I’ll come back tomorrow, okay?”

Pausing, Su Tao stroked Chi Xiaocheng’s hair. “Be good. Tomorrow I’ll make you breakfast. You must be tired after today. Take a bath and sleep early.”

“Okay.”

Hearing that word “good,” Chi Xiaocheng nodded gently.

She could easily play the yandere, forcing Su Tao to stay for days.

But she didn’t.

That would only upset Tao-Tao.

Just as she said—

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‘Stay well-behaved, and she’ll keep liking me, staying by my side.’

After Su Tao left, Chi Xiaocheng sat on the sofa with King napping on her lap.

Beside her, the blackened Xiaocheng materialized again.

Always appearing during calm or low moments like a mirror, or a friend, taking a seat nearby.

After a long wait without hearing the usual temptations, Chi Xiaocheng frowned. “Aren’t you going to say anything this time?”

The specter smoothed her gown’s wrinkles. “I’m just here to keep the lonely you company.”

Chi Xiaocheng scoffed. “You know you can’t sway me. Tao-Tao liked me today, and I’ll keep believing in her.”

“Don’t be so tense.” The doppelganger said coolly, “We’re one and the same. Without you, Su Tao isn’t lonely.

“She has admirers, close friends, caring mentors, and supportive coworkers. She’s never lacked company.

“But you?

“Without this new cat, when Su Tao leaves, only loneliness remains.

“Didn’t you remember how you pitifully begged her not to go?

“You trust Su Tao? Just like you trusted your ex-girlfriend in your past life? How did that end?”

The earlier calm gradually gave way to agitation.

Chi Xiaocheng glared. “You still want me to wear the yandere mask? I won’t be fooled!”

The deeper the trust, the deeper the wound.

‘Haven’t you suffered enough from that pain you chose to forget?’

The blackened Xiaocheng smiled meaningfully. “Tell me, is ‘yandere’ the mask, or is the current ‘you’ the mask?”