When Logan Bennett returned to the family compound, he saw a car parked on the open ground over there, a familiar face with a military license plate.

So, that means Fatty has also finished visiting relatives and come back.

While Mr. Carter went to park the car in the shed, Logan Bennett jumped onto the balcony on the first floor and peeked inside.

On the desk by the window sat a bag of instant noodles, and on top of the noodles squatted a slightly chubby tabby cat.

Chapter Four: Black Charcoal, Go for It!

Three months ago, when Logan Bennett first met Da Pang, it was still small and skinny, but now it was growing in the direction its name described, so Logan Bennett really admired the old lady who named Da Pang. She was truly amazing.

Apparently sensing some movement from the balcony, Da Pang, who was squatting on the instant noodles, turned to look out the window. Because it moved a bit too much, the instant noodles under its butt made a crisp "ka" sound.

Hearing this, Da Pang immediately froze in place, then drooped its ears, slowly turned back, and stopped looking toward the balcony, its back looking utterly desolate.

Logan Bennett twitched his mouth, feeling a bit guilty. Well, it seemed Da Pang's late-night snack would be cut down again tonight.

The old lady who fed Da Pang had a son working in the provincial military district. Every month, she would spend a week or two living with her son, and Da Pang would go along. Sometimes, her son would come over and stay for a few days, and whenever that happened, it was Da Pang's time of suffering.

Logan Bennett remembered that back in his freshman year during military training, if you made a mistake, the instructor would make you stand at attention as punishment. But for a "soft-boned" cat, standing at attention was impossible, so Da Pang was often punished by being made to squat on instant noodles. Afterward, the degree of noodle breakage would determine how much food was deducted.

Over there, Mr. Carter had finished parking. Logan Bennett turned and jumped down from the balcony railing, following Mr. Carter into the building and back home.

When they entered, Mrs. Carter was already back, but she looked at Logan Bennett with a strange expression that made him feel uneasy. He quickly ran into Violet Grant's room and hid behind the door, listening in.

"What happened?" Mr. Carter asked.

"Sigh, Ah Huang passed away!" Mrs. Carter sighed.

Logan Bennett was stunned. That silly Ah Huang was still bouncing around energetically just a few days ago, how could...

After listening to Mr. Carter and Mrs. Carter's conversation, Logan Bennett finally understood—it was "neutered," not "passed away." So, Ah Huang had become a eunuch?!

"Ms. Lane said this could help Ah Huang get rid of some bad habits. Ah Huang is already eight months old, so it's time for the surgery... Today, Ms. Lane even asked if we wanted to send our Black Charcoal to Little Parker's place for the same thing, but I refused," Mrs. Carter said.

Behind the door, Logan Bennett broke out in a cold sweat, but after hearing the last part, he felt much relieved.

"Our cat doesn't need it," Mr. Carter decided. "Every family's cat is different. Her cat is suitable, but ours might not be. In the future, if Ms. Lane tries to persuade you, just refuse."

"Mm, that's what I thought too." With Mr. Carter's support, Mrs. Carter smiled again.

And Logan Bennett, crouching behind the door, let out a long sigh of relief. If he really got sent for surgery, he'd rather run away—he'd never let anyone touch his manhood.

Logan Bennett silently mourned for that silly Ah Huang. He'd heard before that Ah Huang liked to pee everywhere. Even at home, if you put him in the litter box, he could still manage to spray every drop outside. That's why Ah Huang's family used a double-layer litter box, with the outer layer being the key. As for outside, Ah Huang was even happier—there were many places in the family compound where you could smell his stinky pee. Logan Bennett had smacked him countless times for this, but that guy was clearly the type who never learned his lesson.

Since Ah Huang's life wasn't in danger, Logan Bennett didn't need to worry anymore. Cats have their own fate. Ever since he found himself in this form, Logan Bennett kept telling himself to adapt as best he could.

The next day, the homebody from across the way came over to knock on the Carter family's door with dark circles under his eyes.

It was Saturday, and Ryan Carter and the others were all home, having breakfast.

"Yo, Little Reed, you're up so early!" Mrs. Carter was a bit surprised.

So early? It was already past nine, wasn't it?

Violet Grant glanced at the bright sunshine outside, exchanged a look with Ryan Carter, and the two continued to silently battle the egg noodles in their bowls.

But for Little Reed, who always slept late and woke up late, this really was early. Mrs. Carter knew this, which was why she was surprised that Comrade Little Reed had actually gotten up before noon!

Little Reed forced a smile, looked around the living room, and asked, "Carter isn't here?"

"He has to teach a lab class today, so he left early. Do you need to see him? If it's urgent, I can call him," Mrs. Carter said.

"Well... haha, it's not that urgent." Little Reed's gaze fell on a small stool by the dining table, where a black cat was eating noodles. He said to Mrs. Carter, "Ms. Grant, um... could I... borrow your cat for a bit?"