Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The orange tabby’s mouth and tongue were in a lot of pain. The large ulcer made it such that it could only leave its mouth open to use the cool air to reduce the burning pain on its tongue and in its mouth. It was continuously salivating.
It was twisting its body around in Zhang Zian’s hands, struggling to get free and revealing its tiger teeth in a threatening manner. Zhang Zian was prepared. How could he let it escape from his hands?
“What is it? It isn’t some big illness, right?” Wen Li asked worriedly. Even if Zhang Zian was a professional, she felt that he would hurt it by pressing too hard.
Zhang Zian put it down, his expression serious, and said, “The situation is not good. This cat needs to be quarantined and quickly sent to the veterinarian, otherwise it could spread it to the other stray cats.”
“Ah? Ah?” Wen Li did not think that the situation was so serious and was so shocked that she did not know what to say.
On the other hand, she hoped in her heart that Zhang Zian’s judgment was wrong. Even though he was a professional in the pet world, he was still not a veterinarian.
“It… What illness does it have? Is it not the normal flu?” she asked, still having a bit of hope.
Zhang Zian shook his head. “I can’t determine what kind of sickness it is exactly. It needs to be sent to a veterinarian to be checked out, but I think it could be one of these three things: cat calicivirus, cat herpesvirus, or cat HIV.”
When he said the first two names it was still all right, but upon hearing the scary last one, Wen Li was so shocked that her face lost color. She was not able to help; she backed away with two small steps.
AIDS was something that would make people’s whole expression change, and hearing about it was as scary as hearing that it was rabies. No wonder Wen Li was scared.
Zhang Zian could guess what was going on in her mind and comforted her, “Don’t be scared. Cat HIV is different from human HIV. It won’t be spread to humans or dogs. Furthermore, it is just one of the three options, so it might not be that.”
Cat HIV was usually spread through cats biting each other, and the group that was high risk was adult, male stray cats. The orange tabby met the requirements.
No matter which of the viruses it was infected with, it could not be judged on the spot. It had to be tested before it could be diagnosed, and it had to immediately be isolated from the other cats.
“Then… then will it die?” Wen Li calmed down a bit, then worriedly asked the question she was most concerned about.
“The situation is not that serious. These three kinds of viruses are not fatal viruses. Even if it is a fatal cat HIV, in recent years there have been some new medicines that have been discovered. The medical facilities in the capital are definitely very good. As long as you do your best to treat it, it could greatly increase its lifespan,” he answered truthfully.
“I understand.” Wen Li looked like she was very determined. Her gaze became very certain. “Forbidden City employees have a Cat Lovers Fund that we donate to. We will definitely give it the best medicine and we won’t give up on it!”
Zhang Zian nodded his head in encouragement. He did not say any more because it was more suitable for a veterinarian to speak on the subject. They knew more about how to tell people when it was time to let go. Euthanasia was a kindness to cats who suffered terribly from illness.
“I have a metal cage in my office. I’ll bring it over right now, then I’ll see if I can get leave from work. If it is not possible, I’ll bring it to a veterinarian office after work… It seems like I can’t go see Dog Warrior anymore,” she said.
“Here, I still have many extra gloves. After you touch it, if you do not disinfect your hands, it’s best not to touch other cats.” Zhang Zian handed her a pair of gloves.
She took them with gratefulness, not thinking that the gloves were given out for free by the breakfast stall.
“I’m sorry. I was planning on bringing you to walk around a bit more, but it seems like I don’t have time anymore…” she said apologetically. “How about this––if you stay a few more days in the capital, I’ll wait for the next time you come to the Forbidden City again to pay back the debt I owe you.”
Zhang Zian knew that she was rushing to bring the cat to the vet, but she could not let him, a tourist, stay in the restricted area alone. If anything happened, she could not deal with the consequences, so she was telling him to leave.
On hearing that, he smiled. “It’s not some big debt. I’m very satisfied with having been able to see the restricted area of the Forbidden City.”
He was saying it in a heartfelt manner. After all, it was a rare experience to be brought by a professional to tour the Forbidden City, and here she was promising him that when he came again, she would bring him into the restricted area to look around. The only pity was that on the way there he did not find any trace of the elfin, because he did not see the one that ran away again. Who knew if when he came two days later, he would see it again…
Wen Li wore the gloves and carefully carried the orange tabby. She was very worried and her posture was very strange. She wanted to make sure that the orange tabby’s saliva did not drip onto her clothes or shoes. It was not because her heart ached for her clothes, but because she was scared that it would spread to the other stray cats because of that.
The orange tabby’s attitude towards Zhang Zian was not that good, but it was quite well-behaved in her hands. Although there was a burning pain in its mouth, it did not resist.
“I’ll send you to the public areas,” Wen Li said. “You can continue touring around.”
At that moment, the public area had to have been very crowded with people, and Zhang Zian had no interest in continuing to look around. It was better to come another day, so he automatically suggested, “It’s all right, I’ll just cut my visit short today. There will be a chance in the future to come again.”
The two of them brought the orange tabby to the outdoors.
The calico cat, Snowy, wanted to come over and rub her head against Wen Li, but Zhang Zian stopped it. He did not want to let it get close to her. At the same time, he made a warning signal with his mouth at the elfins, signaling for them to stay away from the orange tabby.
“Where’s the exit? I’ve gotten lost.” Zhang Zian looked at his surroundings. The Forbidden City houses and courtyards all looked the same, especially since the restricted areas had no signs and it was even easier to get lost.
“That way. Come, I’ll bring you out. The tourists can only leave from Gate of Godly Prowess.” Wen Li carried the orange tabby and walked in front.
Zhang Zian signaled for the elfins to follow behind.
Walking a few steps, his body suddenly stiffened. The feeling of being watched came back again!
Practically at the same time, Old Time Tea lowered its voice and called, “Zian, look at the top of the wall!”
Zhang Zian suddenly raised his head, seeing that on the wall not far away, within the shadows of the eaves, sat a black animal, almost completely hidden in the shadows. It stared straight at him.
He instantly raised his phone, pointing the camera at that thing, but its reaction was very fast. In an instant it twisted its body and flipped over the wall, jumping outside.
“Haha! If you have the ability, come and chase me!” It laughed arrogantly.
“Eh? Where did that cat sound come from?” Wen Li stopped, confused. She turned back to look, but besides for the calico cat Snowy, she did not see any traces of any other cats.
“There was a cat on the wall just now, but it ran away,” Zhang Zian said calmly.
He lowered his head to look at the phone screen.
[Game Hints]: Target confirmed––Warding Off Evil Cat!
