No one knew that Gu Jianing could understand the language of animals—not even Sheng Zexi.
This ability to comprehend animal speech was something she had gained after saving Amber the last time.
So far, she had only used this ability to communicate with Amber.
In this era, most people were still struggling to make ends meet, so it was rare for anyone to keep cats or dogs as pets.
Only wealthy families could afford them.
Back then, when Gu Jianing saw Li Shuyao keeping a cat, she simply assumed it was because Li Shuyao liked cats and that the Li family had the means to raise one.
But she never expected that Li Shuyao’s reason for keeping a cat was actually for this purpose.
“What, are you interested in my cat? Do you want to hold her?” Li Shuyao spoke, her tone seemingly gentle but laced with a barely detectable malice.
Gu Jianing noticed that Li Shuyao patted the cat a few times, as if giving some kind of command.
The next moment, Gu Jianing heard the cat’s voice:
【Ah, my owner wants me to scratch this fragrant-smelling beauty. I don’t want to scratch her, though…】
【No, no, if my owner gave the order, I have to obey.】
【So fragrant, so fragrant… don’t want to scratch…】
……
Gu Jianing watched as the cat fell into deep conflict.
Suddenly, it dawned on her—she remembered that after rescuing Amber, she had also gained an “Animal Affinity” aura.
That must be why the cat was so hesitant now.
But she never imagined that Li Shuyao would actually try to use the cat to harm her.
Especially considering she was heavily pregnant.
“No, thank you. Grandma and I are about to leave.” Now that she knew Li Shuyao intended to use the cat to hurt her, why would she stick around?
“Oh, really…?” Li Shuyao drew out her words, but just as Gu Jianing turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of Li Shuyao patting the cat again, issuing another command to scratch her.
【Fragrant lady, no scratching, no scratching!】
Gu Jianing: Is Li Shuyao treating me like I’m dead? She keeps provoking me like this!
Without hesitation, Gu Jianing quickly exchanged for a “Misfortune Buff” in the system shop and threw it onto Li Shuyao, setting the duration for one month.
It was the same as the misfortune aura she had cast on Li Shuyao back when she was in the Northwest Military District.
This Li Shuyao must be having too easy a life lately.
Seeing that the cat still refused to obey her commands despite being told twice, Li Shuyao grew furious.
What’s so great about Gu Jianing? Even a cat favors her?!
Seething with anger, Li Shuyao watched as Gu Jianing turned away. In desperation, she pinched the cat hard in a sensitive spot.
Go and scratch Gu Jianing! Better yet, make her go into premature labor—let her and the baby both die!
The malice in Li Shuyao’s eyes was now almost undisguised.
Grandma Sang, who happened to catch a glimpse of it, was inwardly shocked.
She subtly moved to shield Gu Jianing. What is Li Shuyao trying to do?
Is she trying to harm Ningning?
If she dares lay a finger on Ningning, she’ll have to get through me first!
After Li Shuyao’s vicious pinch, the cat finally moved.
【It hurts! It hurts so much!】
The cat let out a sharp, piercing cry and suddenly leaped—but not in the direction Li Shuyao had commanded.
Instead, it jumped straight at Li Shuyao, its sharp claws raking across the back of her hand.
Li Shuyao’s hand had already been scratched by the cat before.
Now, in the exact same spot, the unhealed wound was torn open again, worsening the injury.
Several deep, bloody gashes appeared.
Li Shuyao felt an excruciating pain in her hand, and her heart burned with fury.
“You damned little beast! How dare you scratch me?!”
She never expected that this wretched creature would not only disobey her but also attack its own owner.
Blinded by rage, Li Shuyao reached out to strike the cat.
But the cat, now defensive, leaped up again, claws bared.
Then-misfortune struck.
Li Shuyao’s foot slipped, sending her crashing to the ground right in front of the cat.
Her face landed directly beneath its raised claws.
“Ah-!!!”
A bloodcurdling scream tore from Li Shuyao’s throat.
The sound was so horrifying that a crowd quickly gathered around her.
“Oh my god, that cat just clawed her face!”
“Good heavens, those gashes are bleeding so much-she might be disfigured!”
“Is that cat rabid? Shouldn’t we kill it before it hurts someone else? Stay back!”
“Miss, you need to get to a hospital, now!”
While Li Shuyao was still struggling in her “battle” with the cat, Gu Jianing had already been led away by Grandma Sang.
By now, the crowd surrounding Li Shuyao was so thick that no one could even see what was happening inside.
“Ningning, we shouldn’t get involved in this. You’re heavily pregnant,” Grandma Sang fretted. “Were vou frightened by what happened?”
The sight of the cat mauling Li Shuyao had been terrifying.
“No, Grandma, I’m fine.”
“Good, good.”
“Grandma, we’ve already bought everything we needed. Should we head back now?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Before leaving, Gu Jianing cast one last glance at the commotion in the department store, then turned away without hesitation.
Truthfully, if not for the Misfortune Buff, the cat might not have scratched Li Shuyao’s hand and face.
But Gu Jianing felt no regret.
The viciousness in Li Shuyao’s eyes had been unmistakable.
She had wanted Gu Jianing dead.
And now, with Gu Jianing pregnant-
She wanted both me and my unborn child to die.
So why should she feel remorse?
Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself.
If Li Shuyao was willing to go so far as to kill a pregnant woman, then showing her mercy would make Gu Jianing a saint-and she was no saint.
Gu Jianing had a clear conscience.
Putting Li Shuyao out of her mind, she returned home with Grandma Sang.
While Grandma Sang busied herself organizing their purchases, Gu Jianing retreated to her room to reflect on what had happened.
“One thing is certain-Li Shuyao is a spy!” she murmured.
She recalled the mission Sheng Zexi had carried out some time ago.
Though it had succeeded, it was only because Sheng Zexi had anticipated the danger, worn the invisibility bulletproof suit, and used the universal bandages to save his comrades.
In reality, the mission had been compromised-someone had leaked intel.
In her past life, without those high-tech aids, the team had paid a devastating price due to that betrayal.
Back then, wasn’t Li Shuyao at the Northwest Military District for the Spring Festival performance?
Could she have been the one who leaked the information?
Did she somehow obtain classified intel and pass it on?
Gu Jianing found the possibility highly plausible.
“Zexi mentioned that the investigation into the leak has hit a dead end. Could it be because Li Shuyao’s status as a member of the Li family provides the perfect cover?”
After all, given the Li family’s prestige and influence, no one would suspect them.
But if you eliminate all other possibilities, whatever remains-no matter how improbable-must be the truth.
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