The two kittens peeked out from behind their mother, their tiny tails swaying as they curiously observed Hao.
Slowly, they inched forward. One boldly pawed at Hao's sleeve, while the other sniffed his fingers before letting out a tiny, high-pitched meow.
Hao blinked. His hand twitched.
"…Too cute."
He scooped up one of the kittens. It was so small that it fit perfectly in his palm. The little thing blinked up at him, then immediately began gnawing on his finger with its barely-there baby teeth.
Hao let out a helpless chuckle. "Oi, I'm not food."
The mother cat let out a soft mrrp, and Hao felt a tap on his knee.
He looked down.
The other kitten had climbed onto his lap, its tiny paws pressing against his clothes as it stared up at him, tail swishing.
Hao sighed. "You too?"
The kitten answered by rubbing its head against his chest, clearly demanding attention.
Mo Xixi watched silently as the fearsome spiritual beast's family turned Hao into their personal climbing post.
