Why am I, a cook, always involved in cases?

Caiwei resolutely took on the temporary mission of taking care of the stray kitten and was determined to notify the relevant responsible persons.

This seems to be the most appropriate arrangement at the moment.

"It's really strange."

Wang Dahai commented casually in a nonchalant tone, without seeming to think deeply about why the kitten appeared here.

He saw the kitten shivering and trembling, and with sympathy in his eyes, he whispered softly:

“It’s really painful.”

Then he started to make a fire and boil water.

He poured hot water into a wine jug, wrapped it tightly with a cloth, and placed it in the basket containing the kitten.

"You are truly well-informed."

Lin Zhiruo exclaimed sincerely.

"I once rescued a stray cat. It was a beautiful calico cat."

Wang Dahai fell into deep memories.

Coincidentally, this kitten is also calico.

Although it looked a little dirty at the moment, after wiping it gently with a cloth, its reddish-brown and black markings became faintly visible.

It has grown its baby teeth, but its body is so thin that its ribs are clearly visible.

"Can you find a way to get some milk?"

Lin Zhiruo asked.

Although a female cat's milk is the most suitable, its mother is obviously unavailable at this time.

Also, there were no other cats around.

"Well, I'll find a way."

Wang Dahai took a step forward without hesitation.

Thanks to his work, he made many connections in the kitchen.

Lin Zhiruo gently wiped the kitten's body with a handkerchief, while soaking the fleas in oil to kill them.

Although bathing with hot water is more effective in removing insects, considering the kitten's fragility, this is the only way to wipe it for now.

Soon, Wang Dahai hurried back with a pot of steaming goat milk.

Lin Zhiruo used her fingers to test the temperature and found it was just right.

She dipped a little milk and put it near the kitten's mouth, and the kitten immediately began to suck gently.

Lin Zhiruo repeated this action several times, while Wang Dahai watched her gently from the side.

"It's really adorable."

He admired sincerely.

Lin Zhiruo didn't want to disturb this warm moment, but still had to ask Wang Dahai to make another trip.

"Could you get some livestock intestines?"

she asked.

Considering the large number of people in the harem, livestock were slaughtered every day.

Sometimes sausages are also included in the meals, so the internal organs should not be discarded casually.

"You... you mean intestines? What do you mean? What are you going to do with them?"

Wang Dahai asked curiously.

Seeing that the kitten is so weak, it may take some time before it can lick the milk on its own.

But feeding it little by little with your fingers is too tedious.

So Lin Zhiruo thought that perhaps the intestines of livestock could be used to replace the nipples of the female cat.

After explaining to Wang Dahai, he hurried to the kitchen.

This eunuch is really kind-hearted.

Lin Zhiruo continued to feed the kitten with goat milk dipped in her fingers.

After a few days, the kitten's body had been roughly wiped clean and its fur had become more shiny.

I was worried that consuming goat milk would cause discomfort, but now it seems that there is no problem.

The kitten should have been sent out of the harem as soon as possible, but whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the emperor happened to visit the Liuli Palace on the night the kitten was picked up.

The princess meowed and asked him for the kitten, and the emperor couldn't bear it.

So, the task of taking care of the kitten naturally fell on Lin Zhiruo.

"As the name suggests, this mission is perfect for you."

the emperor quipped.

Lin Zhiruo didn't know whether she should laugh or not, but when she saw Concubine Yuyao laugh, she laughed too.

She planned to find an opportunity to pass this task to Wang Dahai in the future, and in fact, she had already handed over half of the responsibility to him.

However, before the princess can see the kitten, the fleas must be removed first, and most importantly, it is an animal after all.

Lin Zhiruo tried to persuade the princess for the time being and let the kitten meet him when she was in better spirits.

After the kitten gradually recovered its strength, Lin Zhiruo filled a basin with hot water and gave it a bath.

It may seem clean at first glance, but once washed with detergent made from soapberry powder, the hot water becomes turbid.

It seems that there is still dirt under the hair.

Its white fur was extremely soft. Lin Zhiruo said it seemed like it could be made into a good brush. As a result, Wang Dahai hugged the kitten tightly in his arms, shaking his head with tears in his eyes.

Wang Dahai said that this did not sound like a joke, but later he gave Lin Zhiruo two brand new brushes and the matter was dropped.

They fed the kitten milk for a while, and after it recovered its strength, it began to eat shredded chicken; as for defecation, they placed it in a wooden box filled with sand, and it quickly learned to go to the toilet on its own.

However, when it was defecating, it still seemed that it needed help from others to stimulate its anus. Wang Dahai always patted its buttocks with a wet cloth and took care of it meticulously.

It didn't matter that the kitten's teeth were still small, but Lin Zhiruo trimmed its nails and polished them carefully with a file.

Although it may seem a bit unnecessary for a kitten, it would be really unbearable if it used its claws to greet people when it was slightly unhappy.

(That's easy to say.)

While Lin Zhiruo was sighing and taking care of the kitten, someone came to the Shangshi Bureau.

"Is raising a cat going well?"

Wang Dahai asked leisurely.

As usual, Gao Zhongcheng followed with a bag under his arm.

"I think it's almost time for the princess to see the cat. However, if the cat scratches someone or escapes, I cannot bear the responsibility."

"Don't always worry about these trivial things."

Although Wang Dahai said so, once something unexpected happens, it is always the people present who are punished.

Inadvertently, Lin Zhiruo looked towards the kitten and saw Gao Zhongcheng taking out some dried fish from the bag he brought and waving it in front of the kitten.

His usually furrowed brows had relaxed, and the corners of his eyes were slightly drooping.

"Guard Gao, that's a bit too hard for a kitten. Why don't you let me cook it?"

This attendant looks serious, but unexpectedly he is so funny.

Wang Dahai seemed impatient and had already started preparing the pot for cooking the dried fish.

Wang Dahai's ability to handle affairs is poor, but he is quite proactive in this matter.

Wang Dahai grabbed the kitten under its armpits, and the kitten stretched its body straight, revealing its round belly.

"female?"

"Yes, fortunately there is no need for sterilization."

Lin Zhiruo spoke too quickly and looked at Wang Dahai.

"Please forgive me, sir."

"No, never mind."

Wang Dahai said with an indescribable expression.

Lin Zhiruo felt guilty and searched the house for alternative snacks, but she only found sausages made from leftover intestines.

Lin Zhiruo felt it was a pity to throw away this sausage, so she stuffed it with minced meat and herbs and cooked it.

"..."

"what happened?"

"No problem."

Lin Zhiruo quietly put the sausages deep into the shelf and served the pancakes instead.

By the way, the Sausage King Dahai continued to eat, but his eyes were always drifting away.

Wang Dahai teased the kitten and shook the tassel hanging around his waist in front of it.

Behind him, Gao Zhongcheng kept peeking at him with an itchy look on his face.

Lin Zhiruo decided to turn a blind eye.

Perhaps noticing Lin Zhiruo's gaze, Wang Dahai turned the tassel towards Lin Zhiruo, as if asking, "Do you want to play too?"

"I don't like cats very much."

"You don't like the name?"

Wang Dahai asked a question that Lin Zhiruo had heard countless times.

"Butler Quan seems to be quite fond of cats."

"It's okay."

As soon as he finished speaking, their eyes were focused on Gao Zhongcheng, who was busy with Wang Dahai.

Under the light of the fire, the water boils in the pot and the dried fish emits an enticing aroma in the hot steam.

These two elderly gentlemen actually showed unprecedented diligence for a kitten, which made Lin Zhiruo observe quietly with a calm and deep gaze.

"I really don't understand what magic this kitten has."

There was a hint of curiosity and confusion in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

The look toward the sea seemed to say, "It's really hard for me to pay as much attention to a kitten as they do."

There was a barely perceptible hint of helplessness in his eyes.

Then, the conversation between the two elderly gentlemen began to become strange. Their conversation was punctuated by the sound of "meow". This strange tone made people feel uncomfortable, but unexpectedly added some fun.

"I'm feeling it too."

Lin Zhiruo said softly, her eyes inadvertently sweeping over the free little cat.

"But cat lovers seem to have a soft spot for their unpredictable personalities."

She continued, a hint of exploration in her tone.

"Oh?"

He responded curiously towards the sea.

“They’re so fascinating, you can’t look away from them.”

Lin Zhiruo explained.

"Um……"

He nodded thoughtfully towards the sea.

"After looking at it for a long time, I couldn't help but want to reach out and touch it."

There was a hint of softness in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

"I see."

Looking out to sea, I suddenly realized.

"He's usually cold and indifferent to people, but only becomes flattering when asking for food. He's really something you both love and hate..."

Lin Zhiruo continued, with a hint of helplessness in her tone.

"Ah, indeed."

Xiang Hai echoed with deep sympathy.

"But even so, seeing their resolute appearance, the cat's owner seems to have no choice but to accept it, and even can't help wanting to forgive them."

There was a hint of emotion in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

It is said that cat lovers always can't help wanting to kiss those resistant kittens and longing to touch their soft pads, even if they know they may be attacked by cat claws.

They long to bury their faces in that soft belly hair and enjoy the unique warmth and comfort.

Lin Zhiruo thought it was unhygienic to be so close to a creature whose past was unknown.

But cat lovers have said that they simply cannot resist the temptation.

Lin Zhiruo didn't care and turned her gaze towards the sea, only to find that he had already held the kitten against his face, enjoying the softness and warmth from the cat's belly.

"Manager Quan, what are you doing..."

Lin Zhiruo looked at him in surprise.

Going to the sea, I seemed to be immersed in my own world, enjoying the unique happiness.

He said as if he had suddenly realized something:

"It's okay, I just understand that state of mind a little bit."

Lin Zhiruo ignored his sudden realization and simply said:

"That's good. The dried fish seems to be cooked."

"Oh yes."

He came back to his senses and looked at the dried fish in the pot with a satisfied smile on his face.

In this way, the kitten lived safely in the harem and became a touch of warmth and comfort in everyone's hearts.