Meow Meow Meow

Chapter 147: Moment of Togetherness

I dreamed. In my dream, I was an ordinary girl. I wore plain clothes like elder sister-in-law. I washed clothes, cooked, and raised pigs. When Xiang Qing left the house every morning to work, I would hurriedly come out of the kitchen to straighten his clothes, tidy up his hair, and then watch his departing figure. Then, I would go to the cool and refreshing river to wash clothes and happily play and joke with other girls.

After I finished washing clothes, I would wipe off my sweat. Following the small, gravel road, I unhurriedly walked home. By the time I reached home, it was almost noon. At the entrance, the sun shined down between the gaps of the parasol trees’ leaves. The ground was dappled by sunlight. Many plants were flowering in the back garden. The soft, green plants and golden light tempted many blue, green, and red butterflies to happily fly around the garden and house.

Mother-in-law had a black cat on her lap while she dozed in a chair by the entrance. The black cat slowly woke up. With half opened eyes, it helplessly looked around and then jumped down. It walked to the threshing floor for an unused space, and then the black cat rolled around and revealed its tummy to soak up sunshine.

Elder sister-in-law was also outside. She was embroidering a pair of pomegranate flowers. Its brilliant red was very beautiful.

It was currently the off-season in farming so no one was too busy. I hung up the clothes I had washed today to soak up the sunshine. I picked some beautiful wildflowers, and then I sat near the doorway to enjoy the sunlight. The neighbors’ children ran over here to ask me to play house, jump rope, and hopscotch with them. I energetically played these simple games. Without me noticing, dusk had arrived.

The dark crows called out and the cattle came home. The setting sun was blood red. And everything was stained blood red by the setting sun.

Mother-in-law and sister-in-law had suddenly disappeared. The neighbor’s children also disappeared. Only the black kitten remained. It meowed a few times. I didn’t understand what had happened. I hurriedly stood up to look for everyone, but no matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find anyone.

The simple clothes that I was wearing changed into a gorgeous silk dress. The ribbon in my hair had changed into precious, gold beads. I grew out cat ears and a tail. Everything about me was completely incompatible with this ordinary village.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to find Xiang Qing. But, I couldn’t speak or move. The beautiful silk dress felt like the underworld’s cold iron chains. It bounded me in place. The gold beads were so heavy. It was if Mount Tai was pressing down on me.

Dark clouds suddenly densely covered the sky. Lightning flashed. Thunder rumbled. I wanted to run, but I could only numbly stand there letting the cool rain soak my clothes. My fur was puffed up from stress.

In the midst of this coldness, a warm pair of hands stretched out to tightly embrace me. The steady and gentle heartbeat and the familiar scent calmed me down from my frantic emotions.

“Miao Miao, wake up.”

With great effort, I opened my eyes. Xiang Qing’s gentle face greeted me. His strong arms were tightly wrapped around me. There was delight and fondness in his smile.

“Why were you sleeping at the entrance? It’s cold at night. You should be sleeping inside.”

“Where am I?” In a daze, I couldn’t differentiate between reality and dream. I didn’t return to my senses until I looked up to see the night sky filled with stars.

I somewhat embarrassedly said, “I was waiting for you.”

“Fool.” Xiang Qing helplessly said, “Didn’t I ask someone to bring a message for you to not wait for me? If I didn’t come back until tomorrow morning, you would have been waiting here until then.”