Chapter 30: Lick It Yourself Lesson?!

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The snow leopard suddenly leapt, caught midair just as the strong stream from the shower hit the thick fur on his belly, flattening a patch into a soggy dent. Lu Yao tugged on the leash, trying to pull him back.

All four paws hit the floor, and the snow leopard fought with all his strength. Cats generally hated water. Lu Yao was already used to forcibly restraining Torque during baths. He stepped forward, grabbed the snow leopard’s front legs, and dragged the great cat in front of him.

He cradled his head in one arm, keeping him firmly under control, while the other hand held the shower to wet the snow leopard’s back.

The black-spotted fur collapsed instantly under the water. The snow leopard thrashed in Lu Yao’s arms, trying desperately to break free, but Lu Yao moved quickly, wetting the animal all over. He scooped up a generous amount of foam mousse and started working it into the fur. The snow leopard let out a sharp, incredulous exclamation.

Normally, Zhou Yunchen would have thought nothing of Lu Yao touching the snow leopard through his thick fur. In fact, as a snow leopard, he might have even found it pleasurable. But now, with the soaked fur plastered to his body, the cold wind blowing freely from outside, it felt as though he was naked.

Lu Yao continued, running his hands over the fur in all directions, lathering it again and again. The snow leopard’s head was trapped in his arms. Steam and fragrance swirled around it, and it collapsed inward, overwhelmed and unable to move.

Lu Yao quickly massaged the wriggling snow leopard’s back, moving his hands down the hind legs toward the belly. The warmth of his hands sent the snow leopard into a shiver of panic.

Help! Lu Yao! Where are your hands going?! Zhou Yunchen’s mind exploded. The snow leopard thrashed violently, making Lu Yao’s arms nearly lose control.

He gripped the snow leopard’s neck. “Don’t move! You’ve soaked me already.”

But the snow leopard was only thinking of escaping. He toppled to the side, trying to use his weight to wriggle free from Lu Yao’s hold. Lu Yao refused to let go. Neither noticed that their struggle had brought them to the edge of the sunken bathtub. The snow leopard’s fall dragged Lu Yao with him into the water.

Splash!

A huge wave erupted in the center of the tub. Steam rose, and the smart system detected the water level had dropped below the preset line. It automatically refilled and heated the tub. Water jets from all four walls hit the snow leopard, creating countless depressions in his fur. Sensitive nerves trembled, and he leapt out of the water several times.

He shook himself vigorously, sending droplets flying. After a moment, his ears twitched—why was it suddenly quiet behind him? The snow leopard turned and saw Lu Yao still submerged, his black hair fanning like thick, silky seaweed beneath the water. But why hadn’t he surfaced?

Panicked, the snow leopard returned to the edge of the tub, crouched, and tentatively extended a front paw toward the water. His black paw pad felt the rising steam just as it was about to touch the surface.

Suddenly, a pale hand shot out of the water, grasping the snow leopard’s paw and yanking it down.

“Ah-wooo!!!” The snow leopard shrieked, resisting in terror.

Lu Yao surfaced, sending a wave of water splashing over the snow leopard’s head and neck, drenching the fur he had just shaken dry. The snow leopard, a non-solid kind of cat, seemed to shrink as the water soaked it, fur clinging to his bones. His ears drooped. He looked frightened, pitiful… and even a little shy.

“Ah…” he whined softly, shaking his head and sending droplets flying everywhere. Lu Yao raised his arm to shield himself and stepped back a few paces.

When he looked again, the snow leopard had bolted, leaving a long trail of wet paw and tail prints across the floor. Lu Yao frowned, pulling up the monitors. The snow leopard had run into the indoor bathroom, activating the rapid clean-and-dry mode.

A water-fearing cat, indeed. Lu Yao’s clothes were soaked. He refilled the bathtub, quickly cleaned himself, and let the snow leopard fluff his fur back into softness. Cautiously, the snow leopard returned to the open-air bathroom, now bathed in pink sunset light. His steps were slow, as if afraid Lu Yao might suddenly rush and drag him back into the water.

Then he saw him—completely naked. Zhou Yunchen froze. The snow leopard’s tail stiffened mid-air.

Along the inner side of the bathroom, a row of white sofas waited for post-bath relaxation. Lu Yao stood behind them, tilting his head to wipe droplets from his long hair with a towel. Cold white indoor lights mixed with the rosy reflections from the sunset-lit pool, falling across his pale shoulders, back, and arms. The contrasting warm and cool tones made the scene feel both artistic and surreal. Even in summer, Lu Yao always wore long sleeves, sensitive to the cold.

Zhou Yunchen had never seen… never imagined anything like this. How could one even envision a god?

Lu Yao’s build was slightly larger than the average omega, though lean. Zhou Yunchen realized today that beneath this slender frame lay smooth, defined muscles, especially in the arms and shoulders. Yes. Despite all the ailments Lu Yao had endured, he often carried heavy welding guns and saws for hours in front of mecha. He wasn’t fragile.

The household robot slid past the snow leopard, delivering a set of dry home clothes to Lu Yao. The soft whir of his wheels jolted Zhou Yunchen awake from his daze. He buried his head in his paws, holding his breath, afraid to move. What had he been doing just now? Staring at Lu Yao like a fool and a pervert?

Zhou Yunchen closed his eyes, yet the pale pink and cold white light still seemed to drift behind his eyelids, faint and blurred—just flickers of light. Mixed in with the distant rustling of trees in the courtyard, it made his back and brain tremble, as if a soft, sweet-scented breeze was swirling through his consciousness.

Humans could not imagine the unimaginable. Yet once they had witnessed it, they could never erase it from their minds.

“Purr… purr… hrmm…”

Lu Yao looked at the snow leopard making strange noises. He had finished putting on his pants, but his hand froze over the buttons of his shirt. He didn’t know why, but the snow leopard lay on the floor, head tucked into his paws, yet his tail remained high in the air, tip twitching.

Lu Yao raised an eyebrow and walked over to the sofa. “Come here, good boy.” The tail stopped mid-swing.

“Baby?” The snow leopard lifted his eyes just slightly, peeking at Lu Yao like a cautious thief.

Lu Yao had worried the snow leopard might still be scared, but seeing him act guilty rather than terrified, he relaxed slightly. Large felines didn’t frighten easily; their strength made them far less skittish than kittens.

“Come sit with me.” Lu Yao patted the empty space beside him. His voice remained calm, like a clear mountain spring, softened by the night wind and sunset glow that wrapped him.

The snow leopard rose slowly and, following his gesture, jumped onto the sofa. Lu Yao retrieved a pair of scissors from the household robot’s pouch. He gently took one of the snow leopard’s paws, turning it over and holding the pads to expose the claws.

He had noticed a few scratches on his office floor earlier and realized it was time to trim the snow leopard’s claws. Only the tips needed to be cut. Worried the snow leopard might fear the scissors, Lu Yao first stroked the fur along his neck, softening tense muscles before beginning.

Fortunately, the snow leopard stayed still. His body tensed slightly when he trimmed the hind claws—probably uncomfortable with the sensation of the sharp tips—but otherwise cooperative.

In truth, Zhou Yunchen could see the whole snow leopard cradled in Lu Yao’s arms, scented with warm steam. It felt as though the fragrance had drifted into the snow leopard’s fur, sending a faint shiver down his spine.

After finishing the claws, Lu Yao retrieved an electric trimmer. While washing the snow leopard’s paws earlier, he noticed the fur between the pads had grown too long, risking slips on indoor floors. It would be best to trim it. He switched on the trimmer. The buzzing noise made the snow leopard freeze. Lu Yao pressed his forehead gently against his chin. “Good boy… don’t be afraid.”

His voice resonated through the bones, tickling the skin it touched. Damp, unblown hair carried a rich fragrance.

“Mrr…” The snow leopard gave a low, cautious response. Lu Yao lifted his paw again, carefully trimming the fur between his pads. At that moment, Torque appeared, sprinting from the corner and leaping onto the sofa back. The white cat watched as Lu Yao held the snow leopard’s dark paw pads. Torque lifted his own paws, licking his small pink pads with pride, unaware of any malice in the world.

When Lu Yao finished trimming the snow leopard’s claws and moved to the white cat, it was too late to escape. He let out a sharp, pitiful meow as Lu Yao clipped and trimmed. The snow leopard even assisted, pressing a paw down to help hold the struggling Torque, making it easier for Lu Yao to trim the tiny cat’s claws.

“Meow! Meow! Meow!”

After the “punishment” ended, Torque dashed away but returned within minutes, brushing against Lu Yao’s pants and leaping into his lap, licking his fur. Lu Yao combed him with his fingers, watching Torque’s rough little pink tongue move over his fur, then glanced at the snow leopard, struck by a thought.

He had bathed the snow leopard personally because his fur seemed coarse and dry, needing care. But why didn’t the snow leopard groom himself?

Could a cat really be a cat if he didn’t lick his fur?Torque was diligently cleaning his paws, then washing his face. Lu Yao tried to teach the snow leopard. He lifted his front paw and brought it close to his mouth. Zhou Yunchen blinked in confusion.

Lu Yao guided the snow leopard with his voice. “Ah—”

The snow leopard paused, then imitated him. “Aw—”

His large pink tongue peeked between his sharp teeth. Lu Yao pointed at Torque, still licking his paws, and nudged the snow leopard’s paw closer to his mouth, hoping he would understand. The paw was in place. The tongue appeared. But…

“Aw-oo.” The snow leopard closed his mouth and, under Lu Yao’s guidance, bit down on his own paw. He tilted his head in puzzlement.

Torque looked up, watching the two massive creatures as if they were playing some incomprehensible game. His blue eyes widened in confusion. “Meow? Meow? Meow?”

Lu Yao was equally puzzled. “?” His snow leopard seemed… a little silly. Was he really going to have to personally teach him how to groom himself?

 

 

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