Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu wandered through the narrow alleys of the neighborhood, anxiously calling out the same name: "Tuantuan! Tuantuan, where are you?"
"Could Tuantuan have run out of the neighborhood on its own?" Shen Jingqi frowned tightly, looking around, the community gate was open, seemingly offering Tuantuan an escape route.
Li Baiyu's face had turned frighteningly pale, she stopped, clenched her fists, her voice trembling slightly: "No, Tuantuan, I hope it hasn't gone far."
Shen Jingqi turned to look at Li Baiyu, her eyes full of panic and helplessness, making him feel a pang of sympathy. He gently patted Li Baiyu's shoulder, trying to offer some comfort: "Don't worry, we'll split up to search and surely find Tuantuan."
The two decided that Shen Jingqi would be responsible for searching along the street, while Li Baiyu would return home to check the surveillance footage, hoping to catch a clue of Tuantuan's departure.
Shen Jingqi walked on the quiet streets, stopping at every corner to softly call out: "Tuantuan, come on out, let's go home." But his only response was the low murmurs of the night wind.
On the other side, Li Baiyu sat in front of the computer, her fingers swiftly tapping the keyboard, as surveillance images flashed by, her heart fluttered unsteadily. Suddenly, a touch of orange appeared at the corner of the screen, Li Baiyu zoomed in on the image sharply, Tuantuan's figure clearly visible, quietly sneaking out the neighborhood gate.
"Jingqi! Tuantuan has left the neighborhood!" Li Baiyu grabbed her phone, almost shouting this sentence.
Shen Jingqi received the call and immediately turned to run outside the neighborhood, the two met at the community gate, their eyes filled with determination and urgency.
"Where should we search?" Shen Jingqi asked, in the night his eyes seemed exceptionally bright.
Li Baiyu pursed her lips, her gaze swept across the street, landing on the blurred mountain shapes in the distance: "Tuantuan likes places with lots of trees, let's check out the nearby park."
They jogged along, crossing several streets, finally reaching a small park on the city's edge. The park had sparse lights, with a few street lamps emitting faint light, the shadows of trees swaying in the night, seemingly hiding countless secrets.
"Tuantuan! Tuantuan!" Li Baiyu's voice echoed in the night, tinged with a hint of despair.
Shen Jingqi actively searched along the park paths, tree by tree, afraid to miss any corner.
As time passed by, they had scoured every corner of the park, but still no sign of Tuantuan.
"Tuantuan... Where are you?" Li Baiyu's voice had a cry-like tone, she crouched, covering her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Shen Jingqi stood nearby, feeling equally uneasy. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down: "Baiyu, Tuantuan is smart, it surely wouldn't go too far. Oh, didn't you mention Tuantuan really likes going to Shen University?"
Li Baiyu lifted her head, her eyes were red, voice hoarse: "Tuantuan... it loves sunbathing under the large ginkgo tree in the Shen University campus."
"No worries! Let's go to Shen University!"
They set off again. Passing through several familiar streets, the gates of Shen University gradually came into view. The campus was quiet, only a few academic buildings still lit, like watchful lighthouses.
Relying on memory, they headed straight for the large ginkgo tree. The tree's leaves shimmered with a faint silver light in the night, under the tree was empty, only the gentle wind swept by, the leaves rustling softly.
"Tuantuan!" Li Baiyu almost leapt under the tree, looking around, but her only response was the silence of the night.
Shen Jingqi scanned the surroundings, suddenly his gaze was drawn to a shadow under the tree. He quickly walked over, crouching down, gently brushing aside fallen leaves, where a silver cat was curled up, sleeping soundly, breathing evenly and peacefully.
"Baiyu, look!" Shen Jingqi's voice was filled with joy.
Li Baiyu rushed over at the sound, and upon seeing Tuantuan, tears welled up uncontrollably. She crouched, gently stroking Tuantuan's soft fur, her voice choked: "Tuantuan... you scared me to death."
Tuantuan seemed to sense its owner's emotions, drowsily opened its eyes, meowed once, then nuzzled against Li Baiyu's palm.
Standing nearby, Shen Jingqi watched this scene, a warm feeling surged in his heart. He gently patted Li Baiyu's shoulder: "Alright, we've found Tuantuan, let's go home."
The three walked back slowly along the road they came on to the campus. In the night sky, a bright moon hung high, its moonlight draping over them like a silver veil.
"Jingqi, thank you." Li Baiyu's voice floated gently in the night wind, carrying a note of gratitude and relief.
Shen Jingqi smiled slightly, shaking his head: "Do we need to say thank you between us?"
They continued onward, Tuantuan between them, occasionally jumping onto Li Baiyu's shoulder, sometimes racing to Shen Jingqi's feet, as if feeling excited by this small adventure.
"Tuantuan, you're not allowed to worry us anymore." Li Baiyu gently chided, though her tone was full of affection. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NovᴇlFɪre.ɴet
Tuantuan seemed to understand its owner's words, meowed once, then obediently curled up in Li Baiyu's arms, staying still.
Back home, Tuantuan found its little nest, curled up in it, soon falling asleep.
Li Baiyu sat by the bed, watching the sleeping Tuantuan, her heart a mixture of feelings.
She gently stroked Tuantuan's soft fur, her voice low: "Actually, when Tuantuan went missing today, I suddenly realized that it's no longer just a pet to me. It's like family, a friend, an indispensable part of my life."
The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight filtered through the curtains into the room, Tuantuan had already eagerly jumped onto the bed, using its soft little paw to gently scratch Shen Jingqi's cheek, as if saying: "Good morning, my owners!"
Awakened by this unexpected "alarm clock", Shen Jingqi hugged Tuantuan, feeling its warm body and lively spirit.
"Looks like Tuantuan can't wait to start the new day." Shen Jingqi said with a smile.
After freshening up, Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu sat at the dining table enjoying breakfast. Tuantuan played nearby on a mat with its toys, occasionally looking up at them, seemingly enjoying the warmth too.
After breakfast, they decided to take Tuantuan out for a walk in the park to enjoy the fresh outdoor air and sunshine. Tuantuan raced around them excitedly, occasionally stopping to chase a fluttering butterfly or to pick up and play with a fallen leaf.
In the park, they encountered many others who also brought pets for a stroll. Tuantuan quickly mingled with other cats and dogs, playing joyfully. Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu sat on a bench nearby, watching Tuantuan's joyful figure, hearts filled with satisfaction and happiness.
"You know, Jingqi, I feel like Tuantuan is our lucky star." Li Baiyu suddenly remarked.