Thursday's experiences left Sī Mùlí with very little enthusiasm for following Liǔ Cháoquè to school, yet staying cooped up at home felt thoroughly tedious as well.
A cat's innate love for play and freedom made him deeply impatient with being cooped indoors, so Liǔ Cháoquè suggested he wander around the neighborhood.
"This is a military residential compound. Chances are, an old grandpa you see playing chess is some retired military general. You don't need to worry too much about safety; there's a police station right next door as soon as you step outside. If you sense anything amiss, just call the police right away. Besides, I can have Bai Jiu and Kong Qing tag along with you. If anything happens, they'll step in and make sure you wait safely for me to come home," Liǔ Cháoquè said, tying her shoes and glancing at Sī Mùlí, who sat on the wool rug with a grievously wronged look on his face, trying to offer some comfort.
Chapter 26