Douluo Dalu: Starting With Tom Cat

Shen An was completely confused. Was this girl really that uninhibited?

"No, no, no, there are differences between men and women. I should leave."

"Don't leave! Stay right here and don't make me repeat myself," Zhu Zhuqing said, glaring at Shen An.

Shen An helplessly spread his hands. Family members, this is not my choice, she's forcing me to stay. Please, don't go spreading rumors about me.

"Alright, then should we start with Tom now?" Shen An asked, turning to face the outside, voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Mm, let's go ahead and start with Tom," Zhu Zhuqing said absentmindedly.

"Stubborn, still pretending that Tom knows any medical skills!"

"Meow~"

After receiving the go-ahead from the two, Tom quickly took out a variety of bottles and jars, even putting on brand-new white gloves for its cat paws. It also donned a medical mask—an N95 one, at that.

Zhu Zhuqing felt a sense of unease at the sight of Tom, wondering: could it really know medical skills? Wait—!

Zhu Zhuqing was about to speak, starting to believe Tom might actually be skilled, and she was preparing to send Shen An out.

But Tom had already entered the zone. The white gloves blurred into a phantom-like speed, and in the blink of an eye, all the bandages on her upper body were undone without her feeling any pain.

No way, it really knows how to do this! Zhu Zhuqing's face turned crimson, despair appearing in her eyes as she closed them, choosing to ignore Shen An.

"This is so embarrassing!"

Since receiving the soul power from the system, Shen An's overall abilities had slightly improved, including his hearing.

"Shush, shush, shush."

Shen An quickly heard the sound of clothes rustling as they were removed.

A certain image suddenly flashed in Shen An's mind from yesterday, and without thinking, he turned around.

Oh my God! The proud figure, the smoothness and softness... there's no more to say. If I keep talking, I won't be able to continue.

Shen An quickly glanced again, then turned his head back, slightly trembling. How exciting.

It's not that Shen An lacked self-control, but after living two lives, this was the first time he had seen such a scene in real life, not on a phone screen.

When Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes again, Tom had finished bandaging her up. If it weren't for Shen An being there making things embarrassing, she would have said that Tom's technique was as soothing as a gentle spring breeze.

Tom even tied a delicate bow with the extra bandage.

Zhu Zhuqing clenched her teeth, feeling weak. She looked down and saw that Shen An's ears were flushed, and his body was slightly trembling.

"You just—"

"It wasn't me, I didn't, stop making wild guesses!" Shen An suddenly exclaimed, his voice filled with emotion.

Though Zhu Zhuqing hadn't finished speaking, from Shen An's reaction, she already understood everything.

Shen An cursed himself in his mind. Why did he turn around? Why did he have to look?

Ugh, very white, very pink—damn! What am I thinking?!

Shen An's expression was a complex mess as his mind waged a battle between admitting or denying what had happened.

"Looking at your body is my fault, but putting facts aside, let's take a step back. Didn't you know how good your figure is? Why did you make me stay?"

A dangerous thought flashed through Shen An's mind.

Cough, no, this is too dangerous. As a man, I need to take responsibility.

"Well, sorry, I accidentally saw it earlier. I'll make it up to you." Shen An thought for a moment and decided to be straightforward. Since he had done it, he should admit it, instead of acting like a coward who refuses to own up.

When Zhu Zhuqing heard the first part of his words, she felt very mixed emotions, thinking Shen An was embarrassed and self-deprecating, but when she heard the word "compensation," all her feelings immediately turned into pure anger.

What does he think of me?! Zhu Zhuqing thought furiously.

"I don't need compensation, it was me who asked you to stay," Zhu Zhuqing said stiffly, trying to suppress her emotions.

At that moment, Tom's stomach suddenly growled, breaking the tense atmosphere. Shen An, seeing this as a sign of hope, immediately seized the opportunity.

"How about we eat something? It's been from yesterday until now, and we haven't had anything to drink."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded coldly, then reached for her soul guide device, the small pink pouch. However, when she infused her soul power into it, she found it empty, which left her puzzled.

"Huh?"

Shen An awkwardly pointed to some scattered objects nearby. "Yesterday, Tom wanted to clean your wound, but there was no water around, so I took the liberty of opening your soul guide. I've never used this thing, so I ended up taking everything out without thinking."

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath. Don't be angry, don't be angry. He did it to help me. It's just a soul guide, nothing important inside, right? Well, whatever—wait!

"My personal clothes are in there! This is way too private!!!"

Zhu Zhuqing's breath became rapid, her chest heaving with emotion. Her thoughts were in turmoil. How could he casually look at a girl's private items? And why couldn't he put them back where they belonged without making it known? Why did he have to tell me?!

Zhu Zhuqing didn't know what social death was, but everything that had happened today made her feel like she wanted to dig a hole and never face Shen An again.

——

After some time, the three of them—two humans and a cat—ate and resumed their journey. Though Zhu Zhuqing's wounds weren't fully healed, they didn't prevent her from walking normally.

After all, the wilderness was still dangerous, and supplies were limited. Once they ran out, resupply would be a hassle.

Shen An wasn't sure whether to marvel at Tom's medical skills or the incredible recovery power of soul masters in the world of Soul Land.

Just as they were about to leave, Zhu Zhuqing spoke up.

"My name is Zhu Zhuqing."

Then, without looking back, she walked ahead.

Shen An smiled faintly. She wasn't as cold as described in the original, huh? She's actually easy to approach. Looks like we've become friends now. Shen An and Tom followed behind.

"Where are you headed, Xiao Zhu?" Shen An asked casually.

" Xiao Zhu?"

Zhu Zhuqing's forehead twitched. Are we that familiar?

Having grown used to being alone, Zhu Zhuqing wasn't comfortable with such a familiar address.

She spoke coldly, "Soto City."

"How coincidental! I'm also going to Soto City. It'll be nice to have some company on the way," Shen An said with a smile. It didn't really matter to him where they were going. That was just an excuse.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't respond and continued walking by herself.

Fine, Shen An thought, retracting his earlier assumption. It doesn't matter, I'll just keep up with her.

The three of them continued on their journey. Two days later, Tom scouted ahead and found a safe place to rest. The further they went toward Soto City, the safer it became. After all, Soto City was a human city, and powerful soul beasts had long been cleared from the area. Encountering wolf packs had become an exception.

Though Zhu Zhuqing rarely spoke, she would give Tom food and water from her soul guide device, but only to Tom. She never directly handed anything to Shen An.

Shen An felt like he was being kept by Tom. Could Tom be the real protagonist? Am I just the pet?

As they passed through a dense forest, Shen An looked ahead at the tall city in the distance. Was this Soto City? The place where the protagonists' dreams began in the original.

But my legend, Shen An's, would begin here. Shen An thought with great pride.