Here's how it all went down.

Fenix had accepted Ferran's invitation, and Ferran promptly arrived in his car. Lion knew that Ferran wouldn't carry Fenix around in his pocket, so he dressed Fenix in a small outfit to hide the unusually large tail.

With the outfit on, Fenix looked like any ordinary long-haired cat. Even as an Awakened being, he wouldn't attract too much attention.

Unaware of the effort Lion had put into disguising him, Fenix wore the outfit without complaint since it didn't hinder his movement at all.

Today was a rare day off for Ferran, who wore casual clothes, sans hair gel and without the slicked-back hairstyle that made him look ten years older.

In casual attire, Ferran was almost unrecognizable from his formal self.

Fenix jumped into the passenger seat, feeling that if Ferran were a flower, he would have blossomed right then and there. If Fenix were a golden retriever, his tail would have been wagging uncontrollably.

Just going out for some dessert, and it was worth getting so excited about?

"Hello..."

The waiter recognized Ferran, Marina City's well-known young entrepreneur, as he greeted him, "Mr. Ferran?"

Recognized, Ferran wasn’t surprised. He held Fenix with a stern face and nodded, "I'm here with my neighbor's little brother."

Fenix had no choice but to type shamelessly, "Hello, sister."

The waiter glanced at the kitten in Ferran's arms, realized the situation, and led them to a private booth.

The ambiance of Cloud House justified its price, offering excellent privacy, with most seating arranged in individual booths aside from a few in the main hall.

Once inside the booth, Ferran placed Fenix opposite him, picked up the menu, and asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Fenix: "..."

Bro.

In this private booth, you don't need to act out the whole routine.

Fenix had already accepted his role as a shield. He typed, "I know you like desserts, so order whatever you want. I'll have..."

Fenix was about to say medium-rare steak but remembered his teeth and felt a pang of sorrow.

Oh!

How pitiful Fenix was.

"Something soft like stewed meat strips..." Fenix’s face showed dejection, "I’m teething."

"Ah, you know about that..."

Caught in his indulgence, even Ferran felt a bit embarrassed.

But he wouldn't back down just because of a little embarrassment!

So Fenix watched as Ferran confidently pressed the 'ALL' button and chose natural materials over synthetic ones without hesitation.

???

Fenix was alarmed.

He recalled how Ferran ended up in the hospital after sneaking chocolate. He hastily tried to stop Ferran before he confirmed the order.

Ferran looked up, "What’s wrong?"

Fenix typed, "There's an entire range of cocoa products here!"

Even Fenix now understood that Awakened beings and Awakened entities could affect each other, including changes in physical constitution.

Ferran seemed serious as he examined the menu and assured Fenix, "Talking about toxicity without considering dosage is nonsense! In a non-Awakened state, one can consume a certain amount. I know my limits."

Fenix hesitated for a moment but still typed, "If you’re ordering the cocoa series, could you choose synthetic materials instead? The taste is the same."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Ferran frowned, "Synthetic materials are a desecration of desserts!"

Fenix: ?

What kind of blasphemy is this.

Bro, are you alright?

"Relax," Ferran patted the little cat’s head, assuring, "I can handle it."

He looked quite convincing when he was serious.

So Fenix nodded and withdrew his paws.

Ferran, who spoke so confidently of his ability, collapsed onto the table after consuming half the cocoa desserts on the menu.

And the medical staff arrived faster than Fenix could react.

According to the gentle nurse, Ferran had called the hospital ten minutes ago and pre-paid for treatment.

Fenix: ?????

Fenix was completely dumbfounded by Ferran's wild antics.

At that moment, he finally understood what Ferran meant by "knowing his limits."

He knew when he would end up in the hospital!

Damn!

What’s wrong with you, Ferran!!!

It was a shocking and baffling event, worthy of nomination for the Most Baffling Behavior Award!

Sitting in the ambulance, Fenix was filled with astonishment.

Then, in despair, he contacted Lion.

Lion had been in the kitchen learning how to make cat food. For the first time, he had deleted tutorials that merely involved arranging cat food and snacks, choosing instead to attempt recipes that required actual cooking.

Just as the robot delivered ingredients, Fenix’s message came through.

When Lion arrived at the hospital, Fenix was wearing the outfit he had put on earlier, sitting beside the bed.

Ferran lay on the bed, looking very peaceful.

Hearing the noise, Fenix turned his head. His feline face was full of confusion and chaos.

"How is he?" Lion asked.

Fenix typed instinctively, "The deceased is currently emotionally stable."

Lion paused, then gently tapped the kitten’s head, "Snap out of it."

Fenix recoiled slightly, raised a paw to cover his head, and slowly came to his senses.

Seeing Lion, he looked as if he had seen a relative.

Fenix complained, "Ferran has issues!"

Lion checked the virtual panel beside the bed, glanced over it, and sat down casually after confirming there were no major issues.

"What happened?" he asked.

Fenix typed fervently, "Ferran ordered every dessert on the menu! When I told him to choose synthetic materials for the cocoa series, he said he knew his limits! But those limits landed him in the hospital!!"

I tried to stop him!

I really did try!!!

How unreliable are these socialites?!

Citizen Fenix had never witnessed such a bizarre operation.

Fenix couldn't comprehend, "Synthetic materials were developed to prevent allergies; they taste almost the same!"

"For Awakened beings, the difference is significant," Lion picked up the kitten and scratched under its chin, "Especially for someone like Ferran, who is a canine."

After saying this, Lion glanced at Ferran lying on the bed.

Ferran seemed like a proper person, yet his actions were more unpredictable than Fenix's.

As a normal person, Lion began to wonder if he had been out of touch with the younger generation for too long.

Why were young Awakened beings so unconventional?

It made Lion feel out of place.

Watching Fenix furiously typing complaints, Lion's mood gradually improved.

Forget it.

Lion thought.

Seeing Fenix regain vitality, Ferran's sacrifice was worth it.

Fenix felt he had gained a new perspective.

He knew Ferran was naive, but he didn't expect him to be naive in this way.

Fenix took a deep breath, feeling that sharing space with Ferran had significantly elevated his IQ.

Thanks, Ferran.

Fenix felt that the teething period was nothing compared to this.

Trying hard not to, Fenix couldn’t help but type again, "What was he thinking?"

Lion answered casually, "Just doing what he likes."

Lion had seen many people go all out for their passions, and some were even crazier than Ferran.

Ferran hadn’t indulged in a long time, so he might as well go all the way and land himself in the hospital.

It was all about the thrill.

Fenix couldn’t understand it. He sighed and glanced at the estimated recovery time displayed on the virtual panel.

Three hours left.

By the time three hours passed and they got home, it would be nearly dinner time.

Lion followed Fenix’s gaze and paused, "Do you want to wait here?"

Fenix was taken aback, "Yeah..."

Lion frowned, "Ferran is a grown man; you don’t need to wait on him."

Fenix understood the logic.

After all, Ferran had already called the hospital and prepaid the fees, clearly planning ahead and not wanting to trouble Fenix unnecessarily.

But logic is logic, and human emotions are another matter.

Fenix typed, "But it’s different for a patient to wake up and see someone waiting, rather than waking up alone in an empty room."

Recalling how his roommates used to take turns watching over him and bringing meals during his illness, Fenix knew the difference it made.

Lion looked at Fenix and decided against taking him away.

Naive little one, Awakened beings aren’t so fragile.

Lion thought.

But the sentiment is cute.

Fenix laid on Lion’s lap, feeling a sour and itchy sensation in his mouth.

Feeling uncomfortable, he started gnawing on his paw, which relieved the itchiness a bit.

Noticing Fenix gnawing for too long, Lion pulled his paw away.

Fenix looked up at Lion, who cupped his head and said, "Open your mouth."

Fenix obediently opened his mouth, feeling Lion’s fingers probing the itchy spots.

It felt a bit uncomfortable.

Instinctively, Fenix nibbled on Lion’s fingers.

"You’re teething," Lion stated.

Fenix stopped, his eyes lighting up visibly.

"I bought something for you," Lion continued, watching Fenix perk up, "The items I ordered were being made, and they should arrive today."

Lion referred to the cat supplies he had ordered earlier.

The delay was due to the cat tree, for which Lion had chosen his favorite fragrant wood.

Its scent was soothing and calming.

And expensive.

Due to the rarity of the wood, the production and delivery took longer than usual.

Besides, considering Fenix was an Awakened being, the other toys had been specially reinforced for durability.

By the time Fenix returned home, everything should be installed.

Whether the kitten would like it remained to be seen.

Lion thought.

If he doesn’t like it, we can always replace it.

Lion petted the kitten, noticing Fenix gnawing on his hand, occasionally grinding his teeth. Eventually, he fell asleep, exhausted.

The ward was quiet.

Opening his terminal, Lion saw a string of urgent calls from his fleet captains.

He dismissed the calls without a second thought.

Raising a cat was far more interesting than being a space pirate.

The return could wait until he grew tired of this.

Lion nonchalantly blocked his fleet captains and slowly resumed reading his unfinished book on cat myths.

...

Ferran painfully opened his eyes, seeing the familiar ceiling of the private hospital.

Of course, the hospital’s gastric lavage equipment was advanced and painless.

His pain stemmed from the sensation of being pinned down.

Ferran moved his hand under the blanket and found something heavy weighing on his stomach.

Sitting up, he saw the object roll to the foot of the bed.

Upon closer inspection, it was a large pillow and a cat.

Fenix woke up from his slumber, wriggling out from under the pillow, and looked up at Ferran.

Ferran stared, "You didn’t leave?"

Fenix typed guiltily, "Taking care of the patient."

Though he fell asleep halfway through.

Realizing this, Fenix looked around the ward and noticed Lion was gone.

Ferran stared at the virtual panel in front of him, reading "Taking care of the patient," for a long while, his eyes shining brightly. He reached out and scooped up the curious kitten.

Then he buried his face in the kitten’s belly and inhaled deeply.

Fenix: ?

Fenix: ??

Fenix: ???

Damn!

What are you doing?!

Are you insane?!

Fenix panicked, pawing at Ferran’s face in a desperate attempt to push him away.

Without extending his claws, Ferran stayed still, his face showing pure joy.

Damn.

He really is a pervert!!

Fenix’s fur bristled, meowing warnings.

Lion emerged from the bathroom, seeing Ferran burying his face in Fenix, his expression darkened instantly.

"What are you doing?"

Lion swore that for a moment, he wanted to draw his gun.