Douluo Dalu: Starting With Tom Cat

Zhu Zhuqing spoke first, her voice cold and direct:

"Last night... were you the one who treated and bandaged my wounds?"

She already had her suspicions. In her mind, there was no way it wasn't Shen An. Tom was just an ordinary cat, and what would a cat know about medical treatment?

"Not me! I don't know the first thing about medicine—it was Tom who treated you!" Shen An quickly waved his hands, trying to explain.

Zhu Zhuqing's expression immediately darkened. Her eyes turned icy, and there was a trace of disappointment in her gaze. Shifting the blame onto a cat? Who are you trying to fool?

She could have accepted Shen An's explanation if he had admitted to treating her. After all, it was a matter of saving her life; she wasn't the type to repay kindness with hostility. But Shen An's refusal to take responsibility disappointed her deeply.

Just another coward like Dai Mubai, she thought bitterly, recalling the man who had fled from his obligations.

"Meow," Tom yawned lazily, flipped over in Shen An's lap, and continued sleeping like the most unremarkable of cats.

Shen An glanced at the napping Tom and then at Zhu Zhuqing's frosty expression. It didn't take long for him to put the pieces together.

Oh, crap. She thinks I was the one who treated her injuries, and worse, that I must have seen her body! But I didn't! It was pitch black last night; the only thing I touched was her clothes—honest!

No way I'm owning up to something I didn't do! Shen An's inner monologue raced, and he hurriedly clarified:

"It was really Tom who bandaged you! He's not an ordinary cat. I'm just a regular guy—I don't know anything about medicine! I didn't take off your clothes, and I definitely didn't see your body!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Shen An realized his mistake. Instead of clearing things up, he had only made things worse. Now it sounded like he was trying to cover up the truth.

The best solution would be to wait for Tom to wake up and perform a demonstration of his medical skills. That was the only way to clear his name.

Sure enough, Zhu Zhuqing shot him a cold, skeptical look. Her eyes seemed to say, Go ahead, keep making up stories.

Shen An sighed. No matter what I say, she's not going to believe me.

Zhu Zhuqing's frustration mounted. She couldn't stand people who lacked the courage to face their actions. Her mind drifted to Dai Mubai—someone who had fled from the family's oppressive traditions, leaving her to bear the weight alone.

Her childhood had been anything but easy. Born into a family with cruel rules, she had been betrothed to Dai Mubai since childhood. The family's customs forced members to compete for the position of heir, with the losers being either killed or imprisoned to prevent internal strife.

Unlike Dai Mubai, who had fled to Shrek Academy to indulge in women and drink, Zhu Zhuqing stayed behind to face the brutal competition alone. At just twelve years old, she was already locked in a deadly rivalry with her elder sister.

This was the root of her icy demeanor. She had long since grown accustomed to facing challenges alone, wrapping herself in a shell of indifference. However, it also left her deeply resentful of cowards.

Shen An noticed the awkward atmosphere and decided to break the tension. "How are your injuries? Are they feeling better—"

His question trailed off as his gaze drifted toward the bandaged areas on Zhu Zhuqing's body. His eyes instinctively scanned her from head to toe, and then...

Wait a second... feet?!

He found himself staring at her bare feet, which had been left exposed after Tom removed her shoes and socks to treat her injuries.

Wow... so delicate. So soft. Like flawless jade... Shen An's mind briefly blanked out.

Zhu Zhuqing, noticing Shen An's dazed look, followed his gaze and immediately realized where he was staring. Her face flushed crimson.

"Scoundrel! Pervert! Lecher!"

Mortified, Zhu Zhuqing grabbed the bottles and jars Tom had left by her side and began hurling them at Shen An.

Shen An, having sat guard all night, was too stiff to dodge. He could only brace himself as the projectiles rained down.

"Hey, this isn't my fault! How was I supposed to know Tom took your shoes and socks off?!"

The sound of bottles hitting flesh echoed through the air. Some jars even struck Tom squarely on the head, jolting him awake.

The cat blinked groggily, then glanced around, utterly bewildered. On his head was a comically large red bump, which Tom promptly pressed down with a paw until it disappeared.

Shen An, despite his own pain, couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, Tom... you really are something else."

Tom, still dazed, turned his attention to Zhu Zhuqing, who was now sheepishly stroking his head in apology.

"Sorry, Tom. I didn't mean to hit you," she said softly. "Does it hurt? Let me rub it for you."

Tom squinted happily, letting Zhu Zhuqing pet his head for a moment before pulling away and gesturing wildly with his paws.

Zhu Zhuqing tilted her head in confusion and glanced at Shen An. She didn't want to admit it, but the chemistry between Shen An and Tom was undeniable. If anyone could interpret Tom's gestures, it would be him.

Shen An, still nursing his bruises, sighed. Why am I always the one getting blamed?

However, seeing Tom's gestures, Shen An couldn't help but grin. This was his chance to clear the air.

"Tom says it's time to replace your bandages and reapply the medicine. He wants you to cooperate so he can help you recover faster. Don't worry—his methods are excellent, and there won't be any scars."

Zhu Zhuqing's face immediately darkened again. Still insisting that a cat knows medicine?!

Her voice turned frosty. "Fine. Let Tom change my bandages, then. Let's see how far you're willing to take this lie, you scoundrel!"

Shen An remained unfazed. "Heh, just wait until Tom shows off his skills. Then you'll know why he's called Tom the Almighty."

"Should I step outside?" Shen An offered, still grinning.

"No need. Stay right here."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't believe for a second that Tom could perform any medical treatment. She was determined to expose Shen An's lie, right here and now.