Chapter 195: A Devoted and Lovesick Kitty

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: A Devoted and Lovesick Kitty

Even though Michelle didn’t finish her sentence, Renee instantly understood what she meant.

Renee put her arm around Michelle’s shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "In that case, why don’t you buy a place at Eastgate Villa?"

"Shh!" Michelle immediately made a hushing gesture. "Don’t even say it. I can’t afford that. It’s more likely you’ll be the one buying a place near me."

Renee shushed back. "Let’s just agree to save a room for each other and drop the subject. No need to make this awkward."

Michelle nodded in agreement and held out her hand. "Deal."

Sylvia Brooks watched them with a smile and stood up. "I’ll go get some more bowls for the soup."

After dinner, she went back to the kitchen and cut up a plate of fruit.

"Have some fruit," Sylvia Brooks said, placing the fruit platter on the coffee table and sitting down next to Michelle. "I’m going to call my friend now and have her bring the cat up."

"Okay." Renee speared two blueberries with a small fork.

Sylvia Brooks picked up her phone to make the call.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Sylvia Brooks got up and answered the door. "Serena."

Serena Tucker was wearing a loose white T-shirt and yoga pants, with a silver-shaded cat cradled in her arms.

Sylvia Brooks led her into the living room and said with a smile, "Serena, this is Renee Jennings and Michelle Fuller."

Then she turned to Renee and Michelle. "Renee, Michelle, this is Serena Tucker."

After they exchanged greetings, Serena Tucker sat down next to Renee, still holding the cat.

Before she could even explain the cat’s situation, it suddenly leaped, its chubby body landing squarely in Renee’s lap.

Serena Tucker tensed up. "Potato, no bad manners!"

She then looked at Renee apologetically. "I’m so sorry, Ms. Jennings."

"It’s okay." Renee settled the furry creature in her lap, gently stroking its back with a soft laugh. "Please, call me Renee."

Potato lay lazily on her lap and let out a contented meow. ’This human smells so good! I love it!’

Serena Tucker was exasperated by her pet’s behavior and couldn’t help but complain, "Oh my god, you guys have no idea. At home, Potato just mopes around with this look like he’s lost the will to live. But the second he sees a pretty girl, he’s a completely different cat!"

Michelle burst out laughing. "You can’t really blame your Potato. It’s all Renee’s fault for being such an animal magnet."

Potato, nestled comfortably in Renee’s arms, couldn’t agree more. ’That’s right, that’s right! It’s the pretty lady’s fault for being so irresistible to cats!’

Hearing the cat’s thoughts, Renee’s eyebrow twitched slightly as she asked with a grin, "How old is Potato?"

"Almost three."

"Two years old."

Serena Tucker and her furry companion answered at the same time.

Renee nodded, looking down at the little creature in her arms. "You’ve taken very good care of him," she said tactfully. "He’s gotten so big."

"Everyone says I’ve raised him well, but for the past two weeks, he’s suddenly refused to eat. I’m worried sick," Serena Tucker said, her voice filled with concern. "Renee, please, can you help me figure out what’s wrong with Potato?"

"I will." Renee rubbed Potato’s head, her voice tinged with amusement. "Potato, can you tell me why you don’t want to eat?"

’Do I have to?’ Potato’s meow-like thought sounded glum, as if he wasn’t very happy about it.

Renee raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. "You don’t want to tell me?"

Potato buried his fluffy head deeper into her arms. ’Not really,’ he thought mournfully. ’It’s too embarrassing for a cat.’

A hint of a smile crept into Renee’s eyes, and she couldn’t suppress the upward curl of her lips. "Why would it be? I promise I won’t laugh at you. Besides, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong."

Hearing this, Potato lifted his head and looked at the others.

He furrowed his brow in thought for a moment, then sighed. ’But the others haven’t promised.’

Looking amused, Renee turned to the others. "Potato wants you all to promise not to laugh at him. Only then will he tell us why."

Serena was both exasperated and amused. "You little brat, you actually want *me* to make a promise to *you*."

But despite calling him a brat, her actions were doting, and she immediately made her promise.

Sylvia Brooks and Michelle also quickly promised they wouldn’t laugh.

Renee smoothed the furrows on the little cat’s brow and asked softly, "Potato, everyone has promised. Can you tell us now?"

Finally satisfied, Potato began to explain why he hadn’t wanted to eat lately.

’That day, Yara’s Mom took me out to play, and I met a girl cat there. Her name is Puff, and she’s really pretty.’

When he paused, Renee prompted, "And then?"

’She’s so pretty, and I really, really like her!’ Potato’s thought was tinged with a hint of shyness.

Renee blinked, confused. "But what does liking her have to do with you not wanting to eat?"

’Of course it’s related!’ Potato’s tone turned dejected. ’I liked her, so I told her. I asked if she wanted to be my girlfriend.’

Renee said aloud, "Such a brave cat, going after love."

Potato sighed. ’But... Puff doesn’t like me.’

Renee quickly comforted him. "It’s okay, don’t worry. You’ll find a kitty princess who appreciates you someday."

’After she rejected me, I tried hanging out with other female cats, but it just wasn’t the same. Puff is still the best,’ Potato thought with a sad meow. ’I just like Puff.’

Renee couldn’t help but remark, "What a loyal and devoted cat."

’Yes, this cat is very devoted!’ Potato thought, sounding proud.

"Did you ask Puff why she doesn’t like you?" Renee steered the conversation back on track.

’I did!’ Potato’s mood soured again. ’Puff said I’m too fat. She doesn’t like chubby male cats.’

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Renee’s eyes, and it all clicked into place. "So, you’re not eating because Puff said you’re too fat, and you’re trying to lose weight for her?"

’Yes!’ Potato nodded his fluffy head, his round pupils filled with determination. ’I have to get skinny! I have to become a male worthy of Puff!’

From Renee’s words, Serena Tucker finally pieced together the whole story.

"You little brat!" She was getting angry now, glaring at Potato with wide eyes. "I thought you were sick! I’ve been so worried I can barely eat or sleep, and it turns out you’ve been on a diet for some other girl!"

Sensing her anger, Potato immediately leaped between Renee and Michelle to hide.

’Why is Yara’s Mom so mad?’ he asked, trembling.

"Don’t be scared," Renee soothed him gently. "She’s only like this because she was so worried about you."

"Potato, get over here right now!" Serena Tucker grabbed a slipper and stood up, yelling, "I swear I’m going to give you a thrashing today!"

Potato curled into a ball, peeking out timidly with one eye.

"Serena, calm down," Sylvia Brooks said, laughing. "Potato’s still just a kid."

Serena retorted irritably, "He’s old enough to go on a diet for a girl! What kind of kid does that?!"

Potato let out a small, whimpering meow. ’If you keep being this mean, this cat is going to run away from home!’