Solstice Secrets

I'm an identity cat.

Really, I kid you not.

My father has lived in a country house away from the hustle and bustle since he was a child. Its owner is said to be the most famous jeweler in the area.My mother is a pet raised by the best friend of the rich businessman's wife. She and my father fell in love at first sight at a reception, and then...cough...then I was born.

These romantic pasts were all told to me by my first owner.I don't remember her appearance anymore, but I always remember the serious look on her face when she said these words.However, when I told Dong Zhi about this period of history, Dong Zhi squinted at me and said mockingly: "There is a story called "The True Story of Ah Q", you probably haven't heard of it. Ah Q is a poor bastard , delicious and lazy, doesn’t even have a roof tile to cover the rain, and usually lives in a dilapidated temple. He likes to tell others: Our ancestors are much richer than you.” He said while pinching his throat, Squeeze out a strange tone.

"Is that... true?" I asked him curiously.

Ling Dongzhi sneered from his nose, "Of course it's bragging, Cat Q."

"I'm not a cat Q!" I realized that he was sarcasm at me, and I was suddenly angry and anxious, "I'm not bragging! That's what my first owner told me. She was so nice to me, You won't lie to me!"

Ling Dongzhi smiled and touched my head, "Is it so important that you are a child of a rich family? Anyway, no matter if you are a rich young master or a little beggar living in the bushes, I love you all the same." you."

I originally planned to continue to get angry with him, but after hearing what he said, the anger in my heart disappeared unconsciously.

After I grew up, I also began to doubt the authenticity of this history.Because I began to know that rich people are unlikely to raise local breeds like me.They prefer rare breeds like Little Grey, not tabby wild cats like me.

This realization made me a little depressed.

But Dongzhi said that he loves me, which is better than any comfort.

The first time I saw the winter solstice was on a winter afternoon.

At that time, I was almost one year old, and I would dig through the trash can and pick out edible things from it to feed myself.But the winter that year was extremely cold. Even though I had newly grown fine down, it was still difficult to resist the sudden drop in temperature in winter nights.It wasn't warm in the sewers, and many places were frozen.When I huddled up and hid in the tree hole under the flower bed and shivered, I suspected that I would not survive that winter.

At noon that day, I was very lucky. I found a fish head from the garbage bin. The fish head was stained with some seasoning that I couldn't name. It tasted very strange.But I'm still very happy that lunch is settled.When I was about to take it to the back of the tree hole, there was a strange sound in my ear, as if something was being torn apart.I knew it was the sound of someone nearby, which meant that I might be about to be beaten again.But cold and hunger dulled my reflexes.And my lunch is still here, it doesn't seem to make a difference whether I run or not.Even if I turn around and run away, I still have to continue to be hungry.

So I stood there dumbfounded and didn't move.If I really want to be beaten, there is nothing I can do. I am already so hungry that I have no strength.But the expected beating and scolding never happened.I raised my head hesitantly, and before I saw anyone, I saw a tin box with the lid lifted and it was being pushed towards me along the ground.

A seductive fragrance suddenly diffused.

I know that thing is called canned cat food.Once when I was digging through the trash can, a stray cat kept licking an empty jar, and this smell came out of the empty jar.The wild cat told me that this food is delicious, but only cats with owners can eat it.It also generously allowed me to lick a couple of mouthfuls. In fact, the tin jar had been licked clean at that time, but the alluring aroma persisted and lingered for a long time.

I swallowed, trying to resist the temptation.Where in the world would there be such a good thing as eating canned food for free?

I try to keep my eyes off the top of the can, and the hand that holds it belongs to a young man.There was a smile on his face, as if he was looking at a naughty and cute child.

But I don't know him.

"The little guy is quite suspicious." The man laughed, "Eat this, although canned food is not so healthy, but it is better than the fish head you picked up. There is pepper on the fish head, and the pepper stimulates the stomach. You It will hurt your stomach if you eat it."

I subconsciously took two steps back, looking at the can and then at him.The smile on his face made me less intimidated, but I still couldn't believe that something this good was for me.

"Let me eat?"

The man nodded, a smile widening on his lips.

I tentatively took two steps towards the can, the man probably saw my guard, and took the initiative to back away.

I plunged headlong into it, grabbing the can and gobbling it up.

To this day I still think it is the best thing I have ever eaten growing up.

When the man left, he left me an old tin bucket.He carefully fixed the tin bucket in the thickest part of the bushes.On the leeward side of the tin barrel, there was an opening just enough for me to go in and out. Inside was a fluffy blanket folded in half, which made it very warm to lie on.

I know, I won't freeze to death this winter.

Later, I found out that all the stray cats and dogs around here knew his name, and his name was Ling Dongzhi.He lives in the yard surrounded by big trees, which is the building near the flower bed.The cats all said that there is a window on the balcony of his house that is open all year round, you can hide in it when the weather is bad, and he will prepare a lot of delicious food.However, there are many cats who know about this matter, but few take the initiative to come to the door.In the process of wandering, we have seen too many injuries and calculations. Even if there are such good people in this world, we don't believe it.

When the weather warmed up, I left the bush and went out a long way with a black cat in the next street.Man, always go out and wander, take risks, fight, see the world.Unfortunately that time, I got into a fight with a new male cat just after I got back to the city.It used to be my territory, but after I left, it took it as its own, and now it is trying to drive me out as its master.

This battle is inevitable.Unfortunately, one of my front paws was scratched.This tom was even stronger than I imagined.I ran desperately along a courtyard wall, and the male cat was chasing after me.In a panic, I plunged into the half-open iron gate.

Behind the door is a very quiet neighborhood, and the scenery seems familiar.I limped along the path for a while, and suddenly realized that this is the building where the legendary...Ling Dongzhi lived.

I waited downstairs for a long time before I saw him drive back.It's still the face that makes people feel warm when they see it, and I don't feel any surprise when I see me lying on the edge of the flower bed, as if I should appear in front of him at that moment with such a posture of asking for help.

He asked me, "What's your name?"

My first owner once held me in his arms and said to himself, "Look at you, you are so cute", that is the most tender memory in my short cat life.So I licked my mouth and said, "Xiaomianer, my name is Xiaonianer."

Ling Dongzhi pinched the back of my neck, carried me upstairs in a very ungentle way, and put me on the balcony of his house.There are warm blankets on the balcony and many beautiful flowerpots.An old cat with a half-broken tail was lying in the corner basking in the sun, snoring.

Ling Dongzhi said, "It's called Xiaohui."

When he was disinfecting and applying medicine to my paws, Xiao Hui had been sleeping, and it didn't wake up until Midwinter Solstice came in with a scented pot.Xiao Hui is very beautiful, but it keeps a serious look on its face.The inexplicable majesty that age has given it makes me a little afraid of it.

"Hi," I try to make friends with it, "hello. I'm a pussy."

Xiaohui glanced at me lightly, but didn't make a sound.

Ling Dongzhi squatted beside him, put the rice mixed with fish meat and vegetable puree into two small bowls, and pushed it in front of us, "Small Hui, don't be so reserved, there is a little guy with you Isn't it great?"

Xiao Hui glanced at me again, as if considering his words.

There seems to be something wrong...

Ling Dongzhi said again: "I have to go to work during the day, and you are at home by yourself, how boring. It's just a good time to chat with it. You are the same kind, and you must have many common topics."

I looked at him, then at the thoughtful big gray cat, and suddenly realized something was wrong: he was talking to it!Not my previous owner talking to himself like no one else, but he was really talking to it!

I was shocked by this discovery and found it extremely incredible.How could anyone be able to talk to a cat?Can he really understand?

Xiao Hui looked at me, with a mocking look in his eyes, "Amazing, isn't he? He can really understand what we say."

I stared at him with wide eyes.

Ling Dongzhi smiled and said, "Little guy, I've been with you for so long, haven't you found out?"

Of course I found out.But discovery is discovery, who would think in that direction?

Ling Dongzhi patted my head, "Eat well, I'm busy too."

He closed the glass door as he left.I saw him go through the small living room and into the kitchen.

The gray cat said lightly behind me: "The inside is his territory. He is a very clean person, and we are not allowed to enter without taking a bath."

Although I am very interested in Lingdongzhi's territory, if I take a bath... forget it.

"Then do you know why he can understand us?"

"do not know."

"Have you been here long?"

The gray cat said bluntly: "It's longer than you."

"You also... don't have a home?"

The gray cat looked at me strangely, "Leave when I need freedom, and come back here when I need a familiar place to rest. No matter what time, the winter solstice will not drive me away. This is my home. "

I kind of envy it.

The gray cat probably saw what I was thinking, shook its tail and said, "You can do it too."

"what?"

"If you want, you can stay here too. Dongzhi is very good at taking care of small animals, but he also needs our company most of the time. If the balcony is always empty, he will be very disappointed."

I glanced in the direction of the living room, and my heart felt warm for no reason.

"He's a good friend," said the gray cat, "but he's not our master. He doesn't limit our freedom, and he never makes us listen to him. Little one, you'll know in time. He's the best, best guy in the world."

He gave me canned food, and he also left me a nest in that cold winter to avoid the wind and snow. When I was injured, he took the initiative to take me home, applied medicine to my wound, and returned to me eat for dinner.With so much evidence in front of me, I don't doubt the truth of Gray Cat's words at all.

I think he might really be a nice guy.

Later, I found out that he is indeed a very good person.

I began to feel that what Xiaohui once said was true: he is not our master.Maybe not exactly a friend, a partner.His identity is much more complicated.

He is our family.