Chapter Seventy-Two: The Cat Tamer

Zhang Congwen grew a little excited. Although he had encountered difficult dogs before, like Big Tiger or Snowy Mud, those issues were all related to training challenges. This was the first time he faced a situation where he had to painstakingly unravel the problem, searching for clues and racking his brain.

Now that he had found a breakthrough, his mind cleared, and his words became more organized.

He continued, “When interacting with it, your movements should be gentle, and at first, try to keep the interaction short, gradually increasing the time. Also, if it’s willing to play with toys on the floor, make time to join in. If you notice it’s lost interest, stop immediately. In short, the goal is to build a stronger bond with it. Once it feels secure, the other issues—including its stress responses—will ease up…”

Before Zhang Congwen could finish, there was a knock at Teacher Piaopiao’s door.

“Aunt Liu, what brings you here?” Teacher Piaopiao hurried to welcome the visitors inside.

There were two people: an elderly lady whom Teacher Piaopiao addressed as Aunt Liu, and a young man. The young man appeared a few years older than Zhang Congwen, but was strikingly handsome and energetic.

Aunt Liu took Teacher Piaopiao’s hand and said, “Xiao Bao, didn’t I tell you I had a relative who’s a cat trainer? He happened to be in the area today, so I brought him over to have a look. He’s a well-known cat trainer.”

Teacher Piaopiao looked a bit embarrassed and couldn’t help glancing at Zhang Congwen. “Aunt Liu, you should have let me know ahead of time.”

As the saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth. With Zhang Congwen already there, and now another cat trainer, Teacher Piaopiao didn’t know what to do. Although Zhang Congwen wasn’t strictly a cat trainer, he had been introduced by her own student, and it wouldn't do to offend him.

Aunt Liu didn’t notice Teacher Piaopiao’s discomfort and continued, “Xiao Wang is a busy man. He’s leaving tomorrow, so I didn’t notify you in advance and just brought him over.”

The cat trainer, Wang, picked up on Teacher Piaopiao’s unease and smiled kindly, “Is today inconvenient for you, Teacher Bao?”

Teacher Piaopiao hesitated, unsure how to explain. On one hand was Aunt Liu, who always looked after her; on the other, her own student’s acquaintance. No matter what she said, someone would be offended.

Just then, Zhang Congwen feigned a cough. He wasn’t good at socializing and didn’t know what to say, but after thinking for a bit, he managed, albeit awkwardly, “Before you arrived, I was helping Teacher Bao with her cat.”

Aunt Liu and Cat Trainer Wang were both surprised by the coincidence and felt a bit awkward. But Cat Trainer Wang soon offered a gentle smile, “No need for two people to handle one task. Since you’re here, we’ll take our leave.”

With that, he was about to leave with Aunt Liu.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Congwen suddenly spoke, “Wait a moment.”

Teacher Piaopiao and Aunt Liu were taken aback. Someone offering to leave would normally resolve the situation, so why was Zhang Congwen complicating matters? Was this a case of rivalry between people in the same trade?

Aunt Liu was known for her fiery temper and immediately bristled at the idea that Zhang Congwen was stirring things up. “What? Do you want to compete and show off your skills?”

Realizing Aunt Liu misunderstood him, Zhang Congwen hurried to explain, “Actually, I’m skilled at training dogs, not cats…”

Before he could finish, Aunt Liu cut him off with a raised brow, “Oh! So dog trainers are crossing over now? Are you saying you’re more expert in training cats than a cat trainer?”

Since Cat Trainer Wang was her own relative and Aunt Liu never liked to be on the losing side, she immediately offered a sarcastic remark.

Zhang Congwen was speechless—she wouldn’t even let him finish.

Cat Trainer Wang, unlike Aunt Liu, didn’t have a hot temper. He offered Zhang Congwen an apologetic smile and said to Aunt Liu, “Let’s hear him out.”

Aunt Liu shot Wang a glare. She’d only meant to stand up for him, but now he seemed to blame her. She said no more, waiting to see what Zhang Congwen would say.

Zhang Congwen said, “I’m not skilled at training cats. Since there’s a professional here, of course he should take over. Brother Wang, it’s better if you handle it.”

Cat Trainer Wang looked a little embarrassed. “Are you sure? Is that alright?”

Zhang Congwen laughed heartily. “There’s nothing wrong with it. I was only helping as a favor to a friend, just coming to take a look. Honestly, I’m not even sure if what I was doing was right.”

“If you put it that way, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Cat Trainer Wang replied with an apologetic smile.

At this point, Aunt Liu realized she had misunderstood Zhang Congwen, and awkwardly apologized, her attitude toward him softening noticeably.

Cat Trainer Wang then began to observe Jiao Jiao the cat and her surroundings, quickly coming to similar conclusions as Zhang Congwen.

But a professional is a professional. Cat Trainer Wang didn’t rush to make a judgment. Instead, he asked Teacher Piaopiao if she had any videos of Jiao Jiao’s usual behavior.

Teacher Piaopiao nodded at once and pulled up several clips of Jiao Jiao on her phone.

One video was taken when Jiao Jiao was still small—a soft, adorable kitten, happy to be petted or held.

Later videos showed Jiao Jiao as an adult, more withdrawn and easily startled.

Some videos, however, weren’t filmed by Teacher Piaopiao but by someone else—a cousin who had stayed with her for a while. This cousin loved cats and often tried to interact with Jiao Jiao.

In one video, the cousin reached out to pet Jiao Jiao as she hid in the litter box. At that moment, Jiao Jiao showed no fear and let herself be stroked.

In another video, Jiao Jiao walked out of the litter box in front of the cousin. The cousin tried to reach out, but as she crouched down, she startled Jiao Jiao, who turned and retreated to the litter box. Even so, the cousin managed a quick pet, and Jiao Jiao showed no unusual reaction.

After watching the videos, Cat Trainer Wang asked when Jiao Jiao began to grow timid.

Teacher Piaopiao replied, “There were some things going on at home, and I was in a bad mood for a while. I can’t remember exactly why, but I scolded Jiao Jiao once, and she’s been like this ever since.”

“Brother Zhang, how did you diagnose Jiao Jiao’s problem?” After gathering the facts, Cat Trainer Wang suddenly turned to the slightly dazed Zhang Congwen.

Seeing Zhang Congwen lost in thought, Wang smiled and repeated, “Brother Zhang? What’s on your mind?”