The Cat Who Farms in the Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland – CH27

 Chapter 27 – Meow and Ow!

The two brothers looked at the tomatoes, lost in thought.

Xia Huo Qu glanced at the little cat at his feet.

The little cat still hadn’t come to his senses, squatting with his hind legs and his front paws raised, maintaining a posture as if he wanted to touch the tomato branches, completely stunned.

Xia Huo Qu squatted next to the cat, reached out to pet the little cat, and softly asked, “How did you do it?”

“Meow?” Xia Lu Nong replied, confused. He hadn’t felt anything; he just imagined it for a moment and didn’t do anything else.

Could it be that if he imagined the tomatoes turning red, they would turn red?

Xia Huo Qu picked up the little cat and held him in his hands.

The brothers wandered around the field a few times. Besides the tomatoes, there were no unusual signs in the other crops.

Xia Huo Qu lowered his head to his little brother in his palm and said, “Let’s not worry about it for now. Tomorrow, we’ll come back to the field, and you can try repeating today’s actions with another tomato plant to see if it has any effect.”

“Meow.” Xia Lu Nong scratched his head with his paw, completely fine with that. After all, even if he shook his leg, he couldn’t come up with any ideas today.

Xia Huo Qu chuckled and rubbed the little cat’s head.

The tomatoes were already ripe. Xia Huo Qu brought over the hat and picked the tomatoes from the branches, gently placing them in the hat.

The little cat squatted beside him, stretching his neck to watch his brother’s actions.

Every time his brother picked a tomato, the little cat meowed beside him, a total of seventeen times.

Seventeen bright red tomatoes were placed in the hat, piling it up high.

Since the disaster, Xia Lu Nong had never eaten a tomato, and this was even his first time seeing a ripe tomato.

This was the first batch of tomatoes he had encountered.

He gulped and thought, “I want to eat!”

Xia Huo Qu heard the sound of him swallowing and reached out to pet the cat’s head again, placing the hat next to the kitten. “You watch over it and don’t let any little bugs harm it. Once I finish weeding and watering, we’ll go back.”

The kitten nodded earnestly, staying by the hat’s side, not blinking at all.

Occasionally, if a careless little bug flew by, it would be swatted away by his paw.

Once Xia Huo Qu cleared all the weeds and watered the plants, he returned to see the kitten lying on the hat, its pair of bright green eyes intently watching something nearby.

From the side, the kitten’s eyes, which were green at the edges and dark green in the center, looked like glass orbs reflecting the entire universe. Even a straight-laced guy like Xia Huo Qu felt his heart soften at this sight.

He reached out and rubbed the kitten’s head, then picked it up, intending to place it on his shoulder.

But halfway through, he paused. “Huh?”

“Meow?” The kitten curled its claws, confused.

Xia Huo Qu shook the kitten gently by the scruff.

This little brother of his, while cute with a sweet face like a fairy cat, had its snowy white belly covered in a layer of wet mud, turning it from white fur to a brownish color.

Not to mention its four paws, which had pink pads now turned to the color of mud.

Xia Lu Nong looked down and realized his belly was all dirty, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Meow.”

He forgot how he got dirty, probably from accidentally rubbing against something since his legs were too short.

Xia Huo Qu held him up for a few seconds before placing him down. “You’re too dirty; you walk on your own.”

“Meow.” Fine, I’ll walk on my own.

Xia Lu Nong followed behind his brother, not feeling anything wrong.

However, the little kitten, with its short legs and delicate body, would trip over the grass stems after just a few steps.

His fur was thick, so getting tripped over didn’t hurt, but rolling around took a lot of time.

After walking just a few steps, his brother couldn’t take it anymore, reached down, and lifted him back onto his shoulder, giving him a warning look. “This is the last time.”

Xia Lu Nong sweetly “meowed” at his brother.

Today, he even used his powers, showing that he was mastering this body quite well.

Maybe in just a couple of days, he’d learn how to freely switch between human and beast forms without needing his brother to carry him.

The two brothers returned home.

Yan Xi Nian was currently fertilizing the grapes in the yard.

Through several fluttering green leaves, Yan Xi Nian spotted them. His gaze swept over, landing on the kitten on Xia Huo Qu’s shoulder. “What happened? Did you roll in a mud pit?”

“Meow!” Xia Lu Nong protested, refusing to add fuel to the fire.

Yan Xi Nian laughed, “Whether it’s true or not, it’s pretty much the same effect as rolling in a mud pit. Shouldn’t you wash up before the sun sets?”

Xia Huo Qu was unsure. “Should we ask Doctor Ou first? The kitten is still small; bathing might make him catch a cold.”

“It’s fine. Xia Nong just transformed into a cat; he’s not a real cat. His physical condition is much better than an ordinary cat. This little thing won’t catch a cold from a bath.”

“Alright, I’ll go get some warm water.”

Xia Lu Nong didn’t take bathing seriously at first.

He was so dirty that not washing would make him uncomfortable.

He obediently squatted in place, waiting for his brother to fetch the water.

Soon, a basin of water at a comfortable temperature was ready. Xia Huo Qu scooped up the kitten, controlling him gently with one hand while splashing water onto him with the other.

The moment the water hit Xia Lu Nong, he reflexively let out a wretched scream, so loud that it startled even himself.

Next, his body seemed to have a mind of its own. As soon as his brother loosened his grip, he dashed away several meters in a flash, using his claws to grab at the side of a cabinet. Before he could even register what had happened, he sprang up onto the top of the cabinet in one swift motion.

“Meow?”

The kitten was stunned again, looking down from a height at his brother and Yan Xi Nian.

Then he quickly realized that if he sat on the cabinet, he wouldn’t have to take a bath!

Oh my, bathing was way too scary.

When the water hit him, if he were still human, all the hair on his body would have stood on end.

Xia Huo Qu walked over to the bottom of the cabinet. “Afraid of water?”

The kitten tucked its paws in, nodding honestly—not just afraid, but very afraid.

Xia Huo Qu said, “It’s okay; I’m afraid of water in beast form too. You’ll get used to it.”

“Meow—” Is that even something to get used to?

“Come down,” Xia Huo Qu repeated. “I’ll catch you.”

“Meow!” Xia Lu Nong meowed to his brother, suggesting they just forget it. He could sleep in the drawer for a couple of days instead.

Xia Huo Qu tried to reason with him.

Yan Xi Nian walked to the bottom of the cabinet, smiling. “Let me handle it.”

Xia Lu Nong: ???

Before Xia Lu Nong could figure out what he meant, he suddenly saw Yan Xi Nian crouch down, jump, and effortlessly lift himself up by a meter and a half, easily sweeping the kitten from the top of the cabinet into his hands.

“Meow meow meow?”

Xia Lu Nong’s view spun, and the rapid changes in his perspective made him unable to tolerate it, causing him to protest.

Yan Xi Nian ignored his complaints and playfully ruffled the kitten’s fur.

“Meow—!!”

Since becoming a cat, Xia Lu Nong had never felt his fur so intensely.

With Yan Xi Nian rubbing him like that, he felt as if thousands of hairs embedded in his skin were being simultaneously moved, loudly reminding him of his presence.

He wanted to curse!!!

The kitten glared at Yan Xi Nian, looking like he wanted to scratch him.

Yan Xi Nian just smiled.

Stimulated by the unexpected fur rubbing, Xia Lu Nong’s fur stood on end. After glaring at him, he reflexively stuck out his tongue to lick, but just before his tongue touched his fur, he halted.

His fur was covered in dirt, dust, grass, and other debris. As a human, he just couldn’t bring himself to lick it!

Realizing this, he looked up at his brother with green eyes, feeling dejected. “Meow.”

Xia Huo Qu looked down at him. “Time for a bath?”

“Meow.”

Xia Huo Qu picked him up to give him a bath.

Yan Xi Nian, behind them, comforted, “Wash well, don’t make a fuss. I’ll make you fish to eat tonight.”

“Meow!” Xia Lu Nong turned his head and let out a loud meow, deciding to unilaterally sever ties with Yan Xi Nian for a day.

Yan Xi Nian finished the fertilizing work in the yard and then brought out a red bucket from the house, which contained two large crucian carp.

He took out a cutting board, knocked the fish out, and swiftly scaled and gut them, then cut them into pieces.

The two fish heads were chopped in half, while the rest were left untouched.

After cutting the fish heads, he smashed some ginger pieces and ground some pepper, then carried the cutting board back to the kitchen.

He heated the fish heads in a pan, frying them until they were golden brown on both sides, then poured in a little wine to remove the fishy smell.

As the rice wine entered the pan, a fragrant fish aroma mixed with the scent of wine rose, swirling in the kitchen.

Xia Lu Nong was being held by his brother as he washed his paws.

Drenched from head to toe, he looked like a tiny fluff ball with big eyes.

While being held down by his brother for the bath, the aroma of the fried fish heads wafted over, and his eyes gradually lit up with excitement.

It smells so good!

“Meow!” Xia Lu Nong’s stomach grumbled, and he placed his soft paw on his brother’s wrist, reminding him that he was hungry.

In the kitchen, Yan Xi Nian finished frying the fish heads but didn’t take them out right away. Instead, he placed five chopped large tomatoes along the edge of the pot.

As the tomatoes cooked, they softened and released their juices, a sweet and sour fragrance wafting up.

The tomatoes gradually disintegrated in the pot, mixing with the fried fish heads to create a uniquely aromatic sauce.

The flavors of both began to merge together, becoming intertwined.

Yan Xi Nian methodically sprinkled some crushed pepper into the pot, then added a small spoon of salt before dishing it out.

The white plate was filled with tomato fish heads, beautifully colored.

The fish bodies were also easy to prepare, just sprinkled with a bit of salt, coated in batter and egg, then made into pan-fried fish pieces, filling a large bowl.

The rest were just plain rice and stir-fried cabbage.

After his bath, Xia Lu Nong was rubbed dry to a very comfortable state and then laid in the sun for a while, making his fur soft and fluffy, with a faint scent.

After the bath, the little cat looked sweet again, giving off a fairy-like aura.

Except for the expression on his face.

Xia Huo Qu found it amusing how expressive a cat could be; the whole cat seemed to radiate gluttony.

Xia Lu Nong had no idea of the expression on his face. His cat ears twitched as he basked in the sun while focusing all his attention on the kitchen.

The moment there was silence in the kitchen, he immediately turned around and got onto all fours, dashing toward the kitchen.

Yan Xi Nian had already brought the tomato fish head soup to the table. Seeing him rush in like a gust of wind, he smiled and said, “Dinner’s ready; the soup has cooled down just right.”

“Meow.” Xia Lu Nong nudged his brother’s pant leg with his paw, and once he made space, he jumped onto the chair, then onto the table.

Xia Huo Qu leisurely brought over the bowls and chopsticks, serving Xia Lu Nong a small bowl of tomato fish head soup next to him. “Watch out for the bones.”

“Meow.” Xia Lu Nong tried to hold back his eager paws, refraining from eating until his brother had finished serving and sat down at the table.

After what felt like forever waiting for everyone to pick up their chopsticks.

Xia Lu Nong couldn’t hold back anymore and buried his head in the bowl that was bigger than him, taking a taste of the tomato soup—

Not letting a drop escape, the flavor of the fresh tomato soup burst in his mouth, the unique taste of the tomatoes instantly igniting on his cat tongue.

The perfect blend of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors harmonized beautifully.

Xia Lu Nong could hardly tell whether he was tasting the tomato or the fish, the soup intertwining in a delightful blend, the only thing he felt was deliciousness.

The broth slid down his throat, a warm sensation rising from his chest and abdomen, along with the satisfying feeling of fullness.

He never knew that tomatoes and fish could pair so well!

Especially with the pepper, it was truly the finishing touch!

Xia Lu Nong couldn’t resist taking another big gulp, looking up at Yan Xi Nian and letting out a satisfied meow.

“Meow!”

Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian laughed at the tomato foam circling Xia Lu Nong’s pink lips.

Xia Huo Qu asked, “Do you like it that much?”

Xia Lu Nong eagerly nodded, his bright green cat eyes filled with sincere approval.

This was his favorite dish since turning into a cat!

While his brothers were still laughing, Xia Lu Nong ignored them, lowered his head, and licked another big spoonful of tomato soup, happily squinting his eyes.

He decided to unilaterally forgive Yan Xi Nian for messing up his fur.

With a mix of unilateral anger and unilateral forgiveness, Xia Lu Nong’s face revealed a satisfied expression.

It was so delicious, meow!