The anchor I was supposed to meet turned out to be my student.

"But it's not time for me to leave work yet... Besides, I've waited all day, what's an hour more?"

Then she hung up the phone. Before I could react, she called me on WeChat video. When I answered, I saw my room, and then a pack of cigarettes appeared in the frame—a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes that I had always been reluctant to smoke.

"Hmph, if you don't come back right now, I'm throwing it away!"

"Don't be impulsive! I'll be right back!"

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."

That cost over a thousand yuan to buy, and I could only look at it and couldn't bear to smoke it.

Half an hour later, I rushed home. As soon as I opened the door, I didn't even glance at Bi Antong in the living room before heading straight to my room. Fortunately, it was still intact.

"Look how anxious you are, I was just joking with you."

I turned around to look at Bi Antong behind me, and was about to scold her for being unreasonable, but I was stunned because she was wearing makeup today.

(The book's sales are rather dismal--)

Chapter 17, Section 17: A woman adorns herself for the one she loves.

She actually wore makeup!

Although it was just light makeup, it was still clearly recognizable compared to her usual bare face. Her lip color was brighter, she had eyeliner drawn, and she also had a thin layer of foundation on her cheeks. In addition to the makeup, her hairstyle was also changed. Her previous long hair was cut into medium length, and the ends were permed into outward curls, making her look much more playful than before.

Generally speaking, when girls change their outfits, what they look forward to most is being noticed and praised by others. I understand this, but I don't want to, because she just teased me and made me anxious for a full half hour.

"You have no idea how many documents and applications I had to process at the beginning of the semester, and you even made me skip class and come back!" I said irritably, looking away from her.

Bi Antong's expectant gaze dimmed, and she said aggrievedly, "How was I supposed to know you were so busy? You haven't sent me a single message all day. I thought you forgot to come with me to buy the cat..."

"Then just tell me directly, why do you insist that I leave work early and come back?" I walked past her, went out of the room to get a glass of water, and drank it. It was too hot outside, and I had argued with this girl for a bit, so my throat was dry.

"That's good too, you can leave work earlier and rest..."

I almost spat out the water in my mouth, and said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Your perspective on this issue is truly unbelievable..."

I was the one who should be feeling wronged, but she acted even more aggrieved than I was. My heart softened, and I said, "Alright, stop acting like a wronged little wife. I won't hold it against you. Let's go to the pet store before dark."

"What?! You were just yelling at someone, and now you say you didn't hold it against them..."

"Where did I yell at you, my dear aunt..." I was so angry at her that I jumped up and down.

“You were speaking louder than usual just now… so much louder, about ten decibels!” She gestured with two fingers to show me.

Oh my god, I've discovered that girls, women, and girls in between are all equally unreasonable.

"Are you still going or not...?" I was getting a little impatient.

"Yes, of course I'll go!"

……

I checked Gaode Maps and found a pet store 1.5 kilometers away from the apartment. It wasn't necessary to take a taxi there, so Bi Antong and I walked there.

As I walked down the street, Bi Antong was right next to me on my left. Having such a beautiful girl by my side made me feel very proud and cheerful.

"Could you check if there's anything on my hair? Why is it itchy?" Bi Antong asked me.

I glanced at it casually and replied, "There's nothing there."

"Impossible, there must be something there, take another look!" Bi Antong was somewhat dissatisfied with my perfunctory attitude.

I chuckled to myself, thinking, "You just want me to compliment your new hairstyle, don't you...?"

"Maybe you've gotten lice because you haven't washed your hair in a long time."

"You're the one with lice! You're covered in lice!"

Bi Antong seemed unwilling to give up, so she quickened her pace a few steps to stand in front of me, turned around, and walked backwards, facing me as she said, "Do you think it will rain tonight?"

This topic is so hasty! It's a clear blue sky, and you're asking me if it's going to rain... If you want me to compliment your makeup, just say so.

I deliberately pretended to be slow to react, not wanting her to have her way, and said, "I don't think so, I checked the weather forecast."

Bi Antong's face darkened, and she was about to explode when she realized there was a telephone pole behind her. I quickly put my hand on the back of her head and pulled her towards me. Apart from my hand hitting the telephone pole hard, Bi Antong was not injured.

"You better watch where you're going, you idiot!"

After a moment of stunned silence, Bi Antong finally realized what had happened and stepped out of my arms with lingering fear.

"He's obviously incredibly slow-witted himself, yet he calls others idiots..."

Bi Antong walked back to my side, but she looked a little sulky.

"It's just a change of makeup and hairstyle, I'm not blind," I said, speechless.

Upon hearing this, Bi Antong stopped in her tracks. I turned around and saw her biting her lip and looking at me with a resentful expression.

Oh no, I have to coax her again. I'm not her boyfriend, why should I bother...

Helpless, I turned around and stood in front of her, saying, "But this light makeup suits you very well. You're pretty even without makeup, but it makes you look more feminine."

This isn't just polite talk; it's the truth. I still think girls are more attractive with a little makeup, as long as it's not the kind of heavy makeup that can't be washed off.

After hearing my generous praise, Bi Antong blushed and looked away, saying, "Who, who asked for your evaluation? I didn't put this on for you to see!"

"Oh, I was just being presumptuous..." I said, feigning disappointment.

Seeing my appearance, Bi Antong quickly said, "No, it's not that. This is only my first time wearing makeup today. I just wanted you to see a better version of me..."

My face flushed red, and I suddenly felt guilty for pretending not to see her, as I had let her down.

"I thought you just had a sudden whim, so I wanted to see you get really worked up..."

Bi Antong, recalling what I had just done, reacted and delivered a Pegasus Meteor Fist to my chest.

"You're so bad! So bad..."

Passersby, however, assumed it was a couple flirting...

......

After much persuasion, we finally arrived at the pet shop on the map. The owner, a young woman, greeted us warmly as we entered, asking, "What kind of pet would you like to buy, you two?"

"We're not a couple!"

Bi Antong and I said in unison.

The proprietress was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I understand."

"Madam, she wants to get a cat. What breeds of cats do you have?"

“We have quite a variety here, let me show you around.”

Then the proprietress led us to the cat house, and Bi Antong's eyes widened in amazement. It seemed that so many adorable cats had charmed her. Perhaps girls are just naturally drawn to cute little animals.

"Tusheng, look how cute this Ragdoll cat is! It's so fluffy."

With the proprietress's permission, Bi Antong reached out and scratched the cat's chin.

I looked at the cat. Except for the gray-black fur around its eyes and ears, most of its body was white. Its most striking feature was its pair of purplish-blue eyes, which looked quite handsome.

"She seems to be ignoring me; she doesn't react when I scratch her."

The proprietress explained with a smile, "Ragdoll cats have a very gentle temperament."

I glanced at the other catteries, which had nearly ten different breeds of cats.

"I'm going to check on the other cats now, I'll come see you later~"

Bi Antong left the Ragdoll cats and went to the cattery next door that catted short-legged cats.

"Hehe, don't be afraid, little short legs, let your big sister give you a hug~"

I stood behind her, shaking my head and chuckling. It seemed she was completely powerless against these cute things and had totally forgotten I was there. I didn't care what kind of cat she got, as long as she liked it. So I went outside the cattery for some fresh air.

"Ouch, bunny, you're so mean! You bit me!"

As soon as I left the cattery, I saw a girl squatting in front of the cage, teasing the rabbits. She was wearing a black mask, so I couldn't see her face clearly.

She was stunned for a moment when she saw me, then her eyes filled with joy.

What a coincidence!

(The signed contract is almost mailed out, please support me with your monthly votes as usual~)

Chapter 18. This woman kissed me...

Who are you, beautiful lady?

While I was still trying to recall, she suddenly stood up and threw herself into my arms, hugging me tightly.

As the soft jade embraced me, my body was excited, but my mind was blank. I couldn't make sense of the situation. Was this a freebie?

Although she was wearing a mask, you could tell from the part of her face that she was a very beautiful girl. I thought about it carefully and realized that there were very few girls around me with such good looks, and they were obviously not the girl in front of me.

"Um...you might have mistaken me for someone else, right?"

I felt it was inappropriate to hold her like that, so I gently pushed her away, and then I saw her gaze gradually change from surprise to disappointment.

"That's true, how could anyone recognize me..." the girl muttered to herself.

Although I didn't understand what she meant, I couldn't bear to see her looking so downcast, so I said, "I'm sorry, maybe it's because you were wearing a mask that I didn't recognize you..."

"It's not your fault, I mistook you for someone else..."

Damn, now it's my turn to feel disappointed. This gorgeous girl isn't someone I know...

After a while, the girl's eyes lit up again, and she took a step forward.

"Is this gentleman here to buy a pet?"

"I guess so, to be precise, I bought it with a friend."

Is she your girlfriend?

For some reason, I sensed that her gaze had become wary.

"No, just friends of the opposite sex."