Chapter 355: Is It Sick?
Chapter 355: Chapter 355: Is It Sick?
When Glenn Zane saw Renee come downstairs, she quickly stood up to greet her. "Miss Renee, you’re still up."
"I was just about to head to bed," Renee said. "And please, just call me Renee."
"Alright," Glenn Zane agreed with a nod.
Renee then asked, "Why are you still up so late? Shouldn’t you be asleep?"
"I’m not sleepy." Glenn Zane offered an earnest smile. "I figured I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, so I might as well get some work done."
"How could you not be sleepy?" Renee said with a helpless sigh. "Just lie down in bed. You’ll drift off eventually."
She took the rag from Glenn Zane’s hand. "Go on, get to bed."
"It’s dirty! Don’t take it, Renee." Glenn Zane quickly snatched the rag back.
Renee took a deep breath and said in a serious tone, "Zane, I know you’re diligent, but this is rest time. You can’t be working. Understand?"
"I understand." Glenn Zane nodded emphatically. "I’ll just wash this rag, and then I’ll go to sleep."
"Okay." Only then did Renee turn and head upstairs.
Glenn Zane was staying in a spare room on the first floor.
There was actually a separate small building on the property for staff, but Renee hadn’t asked her to stay there.
After washing the rag and returning to her room, Glenn Zane looked around the exquisitely decorated, gorgeous space. It still felt like a dream.
Just yesterday, she’d been crammed into a damp, dark youth hostel. Today, she’d met a benefactor and was now living in a house this luxurious.
She lay on the soft mattress, wiggling comfortably. ’I have to do my best,’ she vowed to herself, ’so I can stay and work here for a long, long time.’
Even though it was only her first day, Glenn Zane could already tell her employer’s family were all good people.
**
The gazebo offered shade from the scorching sun, and a gentle breeze drifted by every so often.
Renee had taken a nap in the rocking chair. When she opened her eyes, she saw Blueberry, Cici, and Pudding perched on the stone table, staring at her.
"Renee, you’re finally awake," Blueberry said.
"What’s up?" She raised an eyebrow, joking, "Am I that pretty when I sleep?"
The three cats didn’t answer her question. Their furry little faces were surprisingly identical, etched with seriousness and concern.
Seeing this, Renee’s own attitude became serious. She sat up in the rocking chair. "What happened?"
"Blossom’s been acting a little strange lately," Pudding said.
Blueberry chimed in, "Ever since the kittens were adopted, Blossom hasn’t been herself."
"Renee, Blossom has been sleeping constantly the past few days and isn’t eating well. Do you think she’s sick?" Cici asked, deeply worried.
"Sleeping constantly?" Renee frowned slightly and stood up. "Come on, let’s go check on Blossom."
Blossom wasn’t in her own cat bed. Renee found her in the orange cat’s bed.
She was curled into a ball, her back slightly arched and her tail wrapped tightly around her side. She looked completely insecure.
"Blossom," Renee whispered, crouching beside the bed. "Are you asleep?"
Blossom’s delicate ears twitched. She stirred, slowly opening her eyes to look at her. Her voice was muffled. "Renee."
Renee reached out and stroked her back, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you really tired?"
"I don’t know," Blossom answered, remaining listlessly in the bed.
"Can I hold you?" Renee asked.
Blossom gave a small nod.
Renee lifted her into her arms, asking in a gentle voice, "Blossom, are you feeling sad?"
Blossom didn’t make a sound.
Renee thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you miss the kittens?"
Blossom whimpered softly. "Are they doing okay?"
Renee figured Blossom must have separation anxiety. After all, back when she was a stray, she’d always been with the orange cat, Badger, and the kittens.
She wasn’t used to being separated from them so suddenly, and she missed them.
"I’ll contact their new owners," Renee said gently. "We can set up a video call. How does that sound?"
At these words, Blossom’s dull, listless eyes instantly lit up. "Really?"
"For real," Renee said, stroking her little head. "I’ll ask their new owners when they’re free."
"Okay." Blossom’s furry little face was filled with anticipation.
Renee gave her a little scratch with her finger and smiled. "In that case, you have to eat your food and get your spirits up, alright?"
"I will," Blossom nodded. "I’ll get my spirits up."
"Good girl." Renee’s lips curved into a smile. "I’ll go get you a can of fish right now."
Blossom immediately declared, "I’ll eat every last bite!"
Renee replied, "Just eat until you’re full. It’s okay if you don’t finish it."
She opened a few cans of fish for the cats to share, then took out her phone and created a group chat.
She added the kittens’ adopters—Peanut, Phyllis, and Coke Alien—to the group and sent a message: "When is everyone free for a group video call? Blossom misses her little buddies."
Peanut replied instantly: "I’m free anytime~"
He also sent a ten-second video of the kitten playing with a toy.
About five minutes later, Coke Alien replied: "I won’t be free until after work tonight. I’m slaving away right now."
Another half hour passed before Phyllis appeared: "Same here, +1 on the slaving away. Just got out of a meeting. I won’t be home until ten tonight. Would that work?"
Renee: "That works. Let’s do the group video call at ten tonight. I’ll let you all get back to work."
She turned and told Blossom, "We can have the video call with them at ten tonight."
"That’s wonderful!" Blossom was overjoyed, now eating with great relish.
Renee smiled, feeling a little conflicted.
’Was letting the other three kittens be adopted the right thing to do?’
A little before ten that night, Renee went to find Blossom.
The little cat had been waiting for her and got incredibly excited the moment she appeared. "Renee, is it time? Am I going to see Big Orange and the others?"
"Yes." Renee scooped her into her arms, walked over to the rocking chair in the gazebo, and sat down. The other three cats followed.
Blueberry and the others also wanted to know how the kittens were doing in their new homes, and whether they missed them.
Renee started a video call in the group chat, inviting Peanut, Phyllis, and Coke Alien.
As expected, Peanut, who was free anytime, answered instantly. He greeted her enthusiastically, "Hey there, dear Renee! Good evening~"
"Good evening, Peanut," Renee replied.
Phyllis answered next. She was still walking outside. "I just got off the subway. Got a little delayed on the way, but I’ll be home soon."
The invitation for Coke Alien timed out, but he joined the call on his own. "Sorry," he said, "my phone was on silent. I didn’t hear it ring."
After saying that, he immediately flipped his camera around to show the orange cat.
When Blossom saw her former companions, she started meowing excitedly. "Kitten! Badger! Big Orange! How have you all been these past few days?"
"Great!" the kitten chirped. "Blossom, I have a new name now! It’s Art. And let me tell you, my new owner is the best! They hold me and kiss me every day, and they even buy me new toys!"