Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 104: The Cat's Collar

Saturday morning.

Hua Qing suddenly sat up in bed, panting heavily, her face flushed.

The sky outside the window was just beginning to lighten, and the morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting soft shadows on the floor.

It's the same dream again.

Lately, Hua Qing has been having the same nightmare repeatedly.

In my dream, it was a dimly lit space, with ambiguous light and shadow, and a misty atmosphere.

She stood in the corner, like a transparent bystander, watching everything that was happening not far away.

A strong tiger, with glossy fur and bulging muscles, pinned a cute cat beneath it.

The kitten was small and soft, struggling helplessly against the tiger's aggression.

The tiger's claws held the cat down tightly, its heavy breathing causing the cat to whimper with each bite.

The cat's whimpering was strange; it sounded like it was in pain, but also like...

Every time Hua Qing sees this scene, her heart races and her cheeks burn. She wants to look away, but she can't.

Unbeknownst to her, the cat pinned under the tiger in the scene suddenly transformed into Hua Qing herself.

The tiger brought a heavy sense of oppression, its wild, heavy breathing falling on her ears... and then she woke up.

Hua Qing covered her face and sat for a while until her heartbeat calmed down before lifting the covers and getting out of bed.

She went into the bathroom and took another shower.

Warm water washed over my body, cleansing away the lingering traces of my dream...

After taking a shower, she went to the kitchen in her pajamas, boiled an egg, heated a bottle of milk, and sat down at the table to eat while scrolling through her phone.

She received a message from a friend inviting her to go out with friends over the weekend.

She received greetings from her parents, asking if she was tired from moving and if she had eaten well.

Other suitors sent her messages of concern, asking what she had been busy with lately and if she had time to meet up.

She scanned the lines one by one, expressionless.

Then she went back to the top of the message list and opened the pinned chat window.

The last message was "Goodnight" from Ding Heng last night.

Hua Qing bit into the egg and stared at it for a long time.

She had only known Ding Heng for less than two months.

But now, Ding Heng's every move can evoke all sorts of emotions in her.

Frustration, fear, joy, anticipation, shame, anger... yet a strange sense of peace.

Hua Qing sighed deeply. Like Hua Yue's two best friends, had she finally fallen for him?

【Flower Sea Sunny Day】: What are you doing?

A few seconds later.

[Ding Heng]: Senior, is there something you need?

Hua Qing bit her lower lip and continued typing.

【Sunny Day in a Sea of Flowers】: Another batch of furniture is arriving today. I don't know how to assemble it. Can you help me?

[Ding Heng]: Can I come over around 10 o'clock?

【A Sea of Flowers Under a Sunny Day】: Okay.

Normally, their conversation should end here.

But today, for some reason, Hua Qing felt like she was being scratched by a cat.

She continued typing.

【Flower Sea Sunny Day】: Aren't you going to spend time with Yan hope today?

A moment later, an image popped up.

The flowers bloom in the sunshine.

In the video, Zhao Yanxi is leaning against Ding Heng's chest, still fast asleep.

Her long, light blue gradient hair was spread out on the pillow, her face showed a satisfied laziness, and the corners of her mouth were slightly curved, as if she was having a sweet dream.

The blanket covered her collarbone, revealing her fair, smooth shoulders and slender neck.

Around her neck, she wore a black and red choker that clung tightly to her skin.

The choker has a metal buckle in the center, from which hangs a long leather cord, the other end of which appears to be held in the hand of the person taking the photo.

The whole scene looks just like an adorable kitten, nestled peacefully in its owner's arms, fast asleep.

[Ding Heng]: Yan hope is celebrating her roommate's birthday, so I can come and keep her company later.

"Scumbag."

Hua Qing muttered something under her breath, put down her phone, picked up the milk, and quietly concealed the upturned corners of her mouth.

……

At the same time, at the Chujiang Hotel, in the presidential suite.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, falling on the messy bed.

Zhao Yanxi slowly woke up, and groggily snuggled into Ding Heng's arms, burying her face in his chest like a sleepy kitten.

Ding Heng reached out and gently patted the girl's delicate face.

"Little lazybones, it's time to get up."

Zhao Yanxi mumbled with her eyes closed.

"Um... I don't want to go..."

"Don't do that, you've already promised them."

Zhao Yanxi opened one eye, looked at Ding Heng for two seconds, and then sighed mournfully.

"All right……"

She sat up, her long hair disheveled, stretched, got out of bed, and walked barefoot into the bathroom.

Half an hour later, Zhao Yanxi returned to the bedroom, having changed her clothes.

A loose-fitting, off-white knit sweater, soft in texture, with a neckline that opens just right, revealing a fair neck and a black and red choker.

She wore a light blue long skirt that reached above her knees, showcasing her straight and slender legs, paired with pink sneakers.

Her long, light blue gradient hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her look like a cute, lazy, and sweet college girl.

She twirled in front of Ding Heng, her skirt fluttering gently.

"Brother Ding Heng, how do I look in this outfit?"

Ding Heng looked him up and down and nodded.

"nice."

Then his gaze fell on Zhao Yanxi's neck: "Why are you still wearing this?"

Zhao Yanxi lowered her head and touched the choker around her neck, a smile appearing on her lips.

"Just wear it, consider it an accessory."

She tiptoed and whispered in Ding Heng's ear, her voice soft and suggestive.

"And this way, everyone will know that the kitten has an owner!"

…………

After seeing Zhao Yanxi off, Ding Heng drove to Hua Qing's house, knocked on the door, and called out, "Senior, I'm here."

Readers are hotly debating: What exactly happened? Join the discussion at Cola Novels.

A voice came from inside the house: "Don't you know the password? Just come in."

Ding Heng entered the password, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.

There was no one in the living room, but you could faintly hear music coming from the dance studio.

He followed the sound and pushed open the slightly ajar door.

Hua Qing is holding a prop sword and practicing a certain move.

Her long hair was tied up in a bun, revealing her slender, fair neck.

She was wearing a pink and white dance dress, a very simple style.

The dress features spaghetti straps, a cinched waist, and a knee-length hem, all made of lightweight material.

Her lower body was covered by white tights, a common choice for dance students, which tightly hugged her legs, extending from her toes all the way to her waist.

Ding Heng leaned against the door frame, quietly admiring Hua Qing's practice.

Ten minutes later, Hua Qing turned off the music, wiped her sweat with a towel, and turned to Ding Heng, slightly out of breath: "You're here?"

Ding Heng walked in and stood beside Hua Qing: "Senior, are you working so hard?"

"There's a competition coming up soon."

Hua Qing paused for a moment, then added, "There really is a competition this time, in December."

Ding Heng smiled and turned to look at the prop sword in Hua Qing's hand. The sword was made of wood, but its design was simple and had a certain charm.

"Is Senior Sister going to perform 'Asking the Sword Across Heaven and Earth' again this time?"

"I want to choreograph a new dance myself this time, but I don't have any ideas yet."

She tossed the prop sword to Ding Heng and walked out of the dance studio.

"I'm going to take a shower, wait for me."

"OK."

Ding Heng caught the sword and swung it twice lightly.

Although it was just a prop sword, a strange feeling suddenly welled up in Ding Heng's heart, and a thought inexplicably flashed through his mind.

The world is full of surprises.

I, Ding Heng, possess only one sword, capable of moving mountains, overturning seas, subduing demons, suppressing monsters, and commanding gods…

Ding Heng coughed lightly twice, pulling himself out of his thoughts.

Is it the effect of the skill [Sword Heart Clarity]?

Half an hour later, Hua Qing finished showering, changed into a simple sweatshirt and casual pants, and went downstairs to the express delivery station with Ding Heng.

One trip, two trips, three trips.

Hua Qing bought more things than she had imagined.

A simple wardrobe, a massage chair, a few flower stands, a huge cat tree, and several bags of cat litter.

Ding Heng unpacked the express delivery and began assembling the massage chair.

Hua Qing handed over tools from the side and occasionally helped to support him.

"Are you planning to get a cat, senior?"

Ding Heng asked while tightening the screws.

Hua Qing nodded: "I've always kept cats, but I've been busy moving these past few days, so they're temporarily staying at a friend's house. She'll bring the cat over later."

"What's your senior's cat's name?"

"Black Bean, a tabby cat."

Speak of the devil, and he appears! Just as Hua Qing finished speaking, the doorbell rang, and she ran to open the door.

"Here it comes!"

The door opened, and a girl stood outside, holding a tabby cat in her arms.

"Hua Qing, your precious little darling has arrived!"

"Thank you, thank you!"

Hua Qing took the cat, held it in her arms, and affectionately rubbed it.

"Black Bean~ Do you miss Mommy~ Do you miss her~"

She carried the cat back to the living room, sat in the newly assembled massage chair, put the cat on her lap, and stroked and teased it.

"Black Bean! Have you been a good boy/girl? Have you missed Mommy?"

A tabby cat named Black Bean lay on Hua Qing's lap, its eyes squinting as she petted it.

Then it looked up and surveyed its new home, and suddenly noticed the strange man beside it.

Then it jumped off Hua Qing's lap, ran straight to Ding Heng's feet, rubbed against his trouser leg, and then leaped onto his lap and lay down.

"???"

Hua Qing felt as if she had been betrayed by her closest relatives.

"Black Bean! What are you doing!"

Hua Qing got up and walked over, forcibly pulling Hei Dou back into her arms.

"Black Bean, I'm your mother! Who does he think he is, jumping on his lap like that!"

Black Bean struggled a couple of times in Hua Qing's arms, then gave up resisting and obediently lay down.

Hua Qing sat back down in the massage chair, stroking Hei Dou's head while muttering to herself.

"You heartless little kitten, I've wasted my time raising you..."

She took a pet tag from the bag next to her and put it on Black Bean.

The nameplate was made of metal and had her phone number engraved on it.

"From now on, you must behave well in the new house and not run around, understand?"

Black Bean licked its paws and ignored her.

After assembling the last shelf, Ding Heng squatted down next to Hua Qing and gently touched the nameplate on the black bean.

"Won't it be uncomfortable for cats to wear collars?"

"Thankfully, this one is adjustable and can also repel insects. Besides, Black Bean is too mischievous, so there's a locator inside the nameplate to prevent it from running away."

Ding Heng stood up: "I just remembered, I have a gift for my senior."

Hua Qing raised her head and looked at Ding Heng warily.

"What mischief are you up to now?"

"Sweetie, close your eyes first."

"abnormal……"

Hua Qing looked reluctant, but still obediently closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Soon, Hua Qing felt a slight touch on her neck, cool and soft, pressed against her skin.

"Alright, open your eyes now."

Ding Heng's voice rang out, and Hua Qing reopened her eyes, subconsciously looking at the dressing mirror not far away.

In the mirror, she saw something new on her neck.

A choker.

It was pure white, made of fine leather, and clung tightly to the skin of her neck.