Douluo Dalu: Starting With Tom Cat

With Ning Rongrong's support, Shen An secured yet another victory without suspense.

Of course, even without that tower, Shen An could have annihilated the enemy forces just the same.

The audience erupted into thunderous cheers. This match was simply unbelievable—such young teenagers had effortlessly defeated the seasoned Chishi duo.

In fact, the Chishi duo had barely been able to fight back. That boy's sword was too fast, too sharp!

Ning Rongrong noticed that every time she assisted Shen An, her soul power was being consumed at an alarming rate—far more than when assisting three people simultaneously.

Tilting her head slightly, Ning Rongrong said, "Shen An, I'm so tired. Help me down." A strange glint flickered in her eyes.

She had made up her mind. Last time, Shen An had scolded her so badly that she was reduced to tears. She had to get her revenge—after all, she was a little devil at heart.

She planned to trick Shen An into reaching out his hand to help her, only to slap it away in front of everyone and walk off with a proud, aloof demeanor. That would be a fitting act for the notorious little devil.

But if Shen An actually did reach out… would she really go through with it? Even she wasn't sure.

Shen An shot her a sidelong glance. "Who spoils you like this? Hurry up and walk down yourself. It's late—go get some rest."

Ning Rongrong puffed up her cheeks in frustration. Her delicate face looked even more adorable as she stomped her foot angrily and marched off. What a blockhead.

Tonight's moon was beautiful, casting a silvery glow on the path back to the teahouse.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was walking with them, and a bad feeling crept into her mind.

"Is your hotel on the same route as ours? Do you want me to walk you back?" she asked.

Ning Rongrong tilted her head in confusion. "I didn't book a hotel. I'm staying at Shen An's place. My room is already set up. What about you?"

Up ahead, Shen An suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Even Tom's fur bristled in alarm. Danger! Killing intent detected!

Suppressing the irritation in her heart, Zhu Zhuqing said calmly, "What a coincidence. I'm staying at Shen An's teahouse too. Let's go together."

Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes. "Oh? What a coincidence indeed. Well, at least we can return to the academy together tomorrow."

"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly.

Ning Rongrong wasn't surprised by this revelation. After all, she had first seen Shen An and Zhu Zhuqing together.

She told herself it didn't matter—they were all friends. But for some reason, she kicked every stray pebble in her path along the way.

Tom glanced at Shen An, who remained completely unfazed, and spread his white-gloved paws helplessly. Kid, you're really something. So calm.

But little did Tom know, it wasn't just that Shen An was dense—he simply hadn't thought about it that way at all.

After all, Zhu Zhuqing and the others were only twelve or thirteen. While their bodies were mature, their minds were still young.

As someone who had received a proper education back on Earth, Shen An couldn't possibly develop any inappropriate thoughts about underage girls, no matter how grown-up they looked.

Shen An opened the door to the teahouse. Zhu Zhuqing entered smoothly and headed straight for her room, which Shen An had prepared for her long ago.

No one had been inside recently, but the furnishings remained pristine and spotless—thanks to Tom, who cleaned every day. (PS: Tom is a cat, not a person.)

However, Zhu Zhuqing didn't see it that way. She cast a quiet glance at Shen An, the corners of her lips curving up slightly.

The ice melted. The snow lotus bloomed.

She assumed Shen An had been the one diligently cleaning her room all this time. Little did she know, Shen An had long since developed a reliance on Tom, leaving most of the work to the cat.

Just as Ning Rongrong reached the top of the stairs, she happened to witness Zhu Zhuqing opening her door—and immediately exploded.

"Shen An! Why is her room so pretty while mine has nothing but a bed?! I refuse to accept this!"

Shen An explained, "Zhuqing's room was set up beforehand. You only arrived tonight. Be grateful you even have a place to sleep."

Ning Rongrong pouted angrily at Shen An and huffed. I'm the little devil, and you dare treat me like this?

She instinctively wanted to fire back with a sharp remark, but then she remembered how scary Shen An could be when he was serious and hesitated.

Lowering her head like a scolded quail, she sulked into her bare-bones room, grumbling under her breath:

"Hmph! I'll let this slide since you beat that Shrek bunch today. Otherwise, I'd definitely make you pay."

Tom looked from side to side, then suddenly dashed to Ning Rongrong's door before she could enter. With a wide, mischievous grin, he—

SLAM!

Shut the door right in her face.

A second later, loud thuds and crashes came from inside the room.

Ning Rongrong stood there, stunned. Even Tom is treating me like this? He even shut me out of my own room?

Her expression turned even more pitiful.

Should I just leave…?

Shen An coughed. "Ahem. Tom is probably helping set up your room." He figured he should clarify before the little devil misunderstood.

Just as Shen An finished speaking—

BANG!

The door swung open.

Shen An was dumbfounded. Tom really doesn't follow the laws of physics, huh? How did he set up the whole room that fast?

Even minions in King's Canyon take at least 30 seconds to reach a turret!

Everyone turned to look inside, wondering what kind of room a cat could arrange.

Their jaws dropped.

The once-empty room was now adorned with beautiful patterns, and the bed was covered in soft, pink, princess-like bedding.

The desk was elegantly arranged with exquisite decorations. A crystal-clear vase sat on the bedside table, holding a fresh, dewy rose.

Shen An immediately recognized the vase—it was the same one Tom had used during that candlelit dinner setup. Now, it was sitting in Ning Rongrong's room.

But the most outrageous thing?

Tom had repainted the walls a delicate pastel pink and decorated them with stunning landscape paintings.

Not only was there no lingering paint smell, but the room was also filled with a soothing floral fragrance.

Ning Rongrong staggered inside in a daze. Is this my room?

Moments ago, it was a barren space. Now, it had transformed into a princess's chamber. She flopped onto the bed—it was so soft and cozy.

Tom puffed out his little chest proudly, a smug smile on his face. This household would fall apart without me.

Ning Rongrong got up, overjoyed, and hugged Tom tightly. "Tom, you're amazing! You're the most incredible cat I've ever met!"

Tom possessed a mysterious power. Whenever he did something impossible, people would first be shocked—but then they would simply accept it.

Shen An called this phenomenon: The Might of Emperor Tom.

"Alright, it's late. Everyone, go rest," Shen An announced.

After multiple intense battles today, he was utterly exhausted. He had only participated in the later fights for the reputation boost—otherwise, he would have gone back to rest much earlier.

Tom strutted off to his little den. Who understands my pain? A house cat's true happiness is lying around doing nothing…

Everyone returned to their rooms.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at her unchanged, familiar room, then at Ning Rongrong's extravagant one. Hmph.

With a quiet thud, she shut her door.

Her room might not be as fancy, but it was personally prepared by Shen An—and that made it perfect.