Rebirth: My Life as a Cat in the Forbidden City III

What? You’re going to suck out my brain? I knew you were up to no good, you sneaky cat!

God help me, everyone knows that a talking cat from the East must be the villain. What should I do? Should I protect my brain with a knee strike or a headbutt?

I envisioned a hundred different ways to attack it in my mind, finally knocking it to the ground and quickly escaping from the Forbidden City, where a wealthy family adopted me. From then on, I’d reach the pinnacle of a cat’s life—eating, sleeping, and living out my short existence in blissful happiness.

However, as an old Chinese saying goes, “The ideal is full, but the reality is bony”. At this moment, my body wasn’t obeying my mind’s commands. I stood wide-eyed, staring dumbly at the evil tabby cat before me.

“I’m going to suck out your brain. Oh wait, you don’t have one. Nothing to suck.”

What the hell?

"Do you think you're funny?"

"Why not?"

If I weren’t a cat right now, I’d shave your tail bald, so you'd be too ashamed to show your face to any other cat.

"Alright, enough with the jokes. I can tell you're not the brightest human, but you don't seem like a bad one, just like this silly cat."

Well, thanks for the compliment, though it doesn't exactly make me feel any better. The same goes for Papa, I do believe.

"Now’s not the time to talk. There are too many eyes around here, and I don’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble. For now, just keep playing the role of the cute little creature you are, and finish your meal quietly. Tonight, when the moon is at its highest, meet me on the highest eaves in the inner courtyard. I'll answer some of your questions then."

As soon as those words were spoken, the sinister tabby cat took a step back, slightly lifted itself, and with a swift leap, jumped onto the steps. It continued with a few more agile jumps, landing on a tree branch, then onto the palace wall, and finally disappeared.

Everything happened so quickly that my mind couldn’t keep up with the pace. All I could do was follow its movements with my eyes, watching as it disappeared. I stood there, dazed for a few minutes, staring at the spot where it vanished. Suddenly, I noticed it poking its head out again, wearing an expression that warned against offending it. I quickly lowered my head and began eating my food with extra vigor.

At this moment, I finally had time to grumble inwardly: What was that fool even talking about? What on earth is it? Why can a cat talk, and what does it want to tell me tonight? And wait, which one is the highest in the inner court? I’ve never climbed a wall before—how am I supposed to get up there?

What just happened might take a while to explain, but in reality, only a few minutes had passed. There weren't many traces left in the world, just some photos and videos taken by a few fans and tourists. Imagine it: a chubby orange tabby, pitifully curled up at the entrance of a tiny hole, while another cat places its paw on its head. How adorable, how amusing. Cats have it so easy—they just need to be cute, and that cursed charm does the rest.

Nightfall—it’s all I know. I don't have a watch, a phone, or even a clock hanging around, so there's no way for me to know the exact time. I remember seeing some Chinese movies where people would bang on gongs and shout something about the time. But now, there's nothing like that. Even if someone did shout, I probably wouldn't understand a word of it anyway.

Alright, the cat is on the move!

I picked out a particularly tall tree, extended my claws, and firmly gripped the trunk. With a few swift leaps, I reached the top of the tree. After a quick survey, I spotted a building that might have the highest eaves and quickly dashed toward it. Like a streak of yellow lightning, I sprinted and leaped across the rooftops, nothing could slow me down, not even for a second. Thankfully, despite Papa’s chubby appearance, he was surprisingly fit—agile and strong. Otherwise, I might have had to sneak into the security guard’s room to steal a ladder tonight.

Emergency stop. I've reached my destination for the night. My mind is much clearer now, and it dawns on me that the food in the Forbidden City is not served without a price. The highest point here, of course, is none other than the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the tallest building during the Ming and Qing dynasties in Beijing, and the largest surviving ancient wooden structure in China.

In the hall, there is a giant Chinese dragon carved above the emperor’s throne, holding a pearl in its mouth. The pearl, known as the "Xuanyuan Mirror," is a large bronze ball surrounded by six smaller pearls. Legend has it that if someone whom heaven does not destine dares to sit on the throne, the Xuanyuan Mirror will fall and strike them dead.

Do foreigners get smashed too?

"You’re late, ."

Just as I was enjoying the night breeze of the Imperial City and letting my thoughts wander, an annoying voice echoed in my ear.

"Enough already. I’m just a foreigner, not a Lycanthrope, and I don't know when the moon will reach its peak." After a day of absurdity, my strong adaptability had come into play; I was no longer as frightened as I had been at first. "You brought me here to tell me something, right? Do you know why I came here? Do you even know how I can return to normal?"

At this point, I felt a surge of excitement, my teeth chattering slightly.

"Maybe yes, maybe no. I can answer some of your questions, while also possibly introducing new ones. But first..."

As it spoke, shadows flickered around us, the sound of breaking air and footsteps on the tiles echoed, and ghostly lights flickered in the night sky, drawing closer.

"Welcome to the world of cats."