Li Lianhua's honesty is unexpectedly and greatly rewarded. Despite the mask, Cat's utter relief and joy are palpable, radiant even. Indeed even he feels a little lighter hearing Cat confirm that the recipe has a good chance of being real.
True joy is a rare and precious look on the boy, one that Li Lianhua is deeply grateful to have gotten a chance to see. But it's bittersweet, too. Hope... is not always a kindness. Not for something so unsure, something Li Lianhua still fears is more likely to fail than not. He may very well have just handed Cat a more terrible heartbreak than anyone should have to suffer. Taking this chance with Cat's heart feels as wrong as keeping the recipe from him would have been. Basking in the warmth of his hope feels like stealing from the boy, who just doesn't know the cost yet.
Li Lianhua is still caught in this dilemma when something even more unexpected happens; Cat reaches for his arm and invites him back to his home. For a moment, on instinct more than anything, he resists being moved. He knew Cat would be happy, but he never thought it would change his stance on keeping his company again. A Cat isn't so easily bribed, or at least shouldn't be. A Cat usually guards his heart better than that.
But a Cat has always been more generous than anyone would get away with accusing him of, ever since they first met. Fondness tugs at the corner of Li Lianhua's mouth, spiting his worries. It would be hard to deny him anything while he's so happy, and it would, selfishly, be nice to steal a little more of that joy...
Li Lianhua relents, exhaling some of his tension and letting himself be turned around. His steps remain a little reluctant, though, like he's expecting Cat to think better of it soon enough. Only a small smile curves his lips, guarded enough for both of them, since Cat is slacking.
"Alright, if you say so. I suppose my other errands can wait a while."
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True joy is a rare and precious look on the boy, one that Li Lianhua is deeply grateful to have gotten a chance to see. But it's bittersweet, too. Hope... is not always a kindness. Not for something so unsure, something Li Lianhua still fears is more likely to fail than not. He may very well have just handed Cat a more terrible heartbreak than anyone should have to suffer. Taking this chance with Cat's heart feels as wrong as keeping the recipe from him would have been. Basking in the warmth of his hope feels like stealing from the boy, who just doesn't know the cost yet.
Li Lianhua is still caught in this dilemma when something even more unexpected happens; Cat reaches for his arm and invites him back to his home. For a moment, on instinct more than anything, he resists being moved. He knew Cat would be happy, but he never thought it would change his stance on keeping his company again. A Cat isn't so easily bribed, or at least shouldn't be. A Cat usually guards his heart better than that.
But a Cat has always been more generous than anyone would get away with accusing him of, ever since they first met. Fondness tugs at the corner of Li Lianhua's mouth, spiting his worries. It would be hard to deny him anything while he's so happy, and it would, selfishly, be nice to steal a little more of that joy...
Li Lianhua relents, exhaling some of his tension and letting himself be turned around. His steps remain a little reluctant, though, like he's expecting Cat to think better of it soon enough. Only a small smile curves his lips, guarded enough for both of them, since Cat is slacking.
"Alright, if you say so. I suppose my other errands can wait a while."