Chapter 2 SUMMER RAIN

Summer has never been my favorite season. In my opinion, summertime is extremely hot and humid. Every time it rains severely, I will have to rush around the house looking for objects to collect the droplets falling from the roof. After all, any condition of summer torments humans.

Nevertheless, winter is not like summer, even though it makes people tremble with chilling winds or extended snowstorms; yet, it is undeniable that because of the cold, humans came up with a definition called "warm", because no one uses the word "warm" in the hot summer.

Or is it simply because I was born in the bitter cold of winter that I have a soft spot for this season? Since I was a child, I've loved winter-related activities, especially watching the snowfall through the window. I enjoy the feeling of tenderly stroking the cold, fragile snowflakes that land lightly on my hand and quickly melt into drops of water.

But... Was it possible to find a little, lonely snowflake amid a torrential summer rain?

That strange existence made it difficult for me to believe my eyes. Because, if my eyesight served me right, there was a little dusty snowflake across the way.

How curious. Despite the umbrella over my head swinging back and forth as if to block my footsteps, I chose to stop and observe rather than continue on my way home. If I was given another chance to do it again, I'd probably listen to the unusual warning from my umbrella and continue on the path I'm on. But unfortunately, if mankind could go back in time, things would not have been so difficult. Perhaps, once it is a given fate, if we avoid it in one way or another, it will still appear and approach us at another time.

I gradually lowered the umbrella while approaching and slightly bending over to get a better look.

It turned out to be a little white cat lying in the bushes alongside the road. The green tint of the tree contrasted with his white coat, which was slippery with mud and wetness.

When someone asks me about pets, the first thing that comes to mind is dogs and cats. They are four-legged creatures with soft, fuzzy fur, continually waving their clumsy tail to display their charm when asking for food and swooping into the owner's lap fearlessly.

Well, I don't detest them, and I don't find them particularly irritating. Pets, on the other hand, are a simple species that will develop affection for anybody who feeds and treats them well. They aren't plotting and planning like humans. But, from the time I was a child till now, I have never raised an animal. There are two basic causes behind this. To begin with, my family is impoverished; it is a marvel that a minor can support her grandma and herself. The second reason is that cats and dogs live far shorter lives than humans. For someone who has never owned anything, I'd rather have nothing than lose it. Once individuals fall in love with anything, they will become greedy.

I cast a peek at the small cat. Despite the small size, the necklace he was wearing constricted around his little neck, giving him anguish and a sound as if someone was choking him.

It seemed that the kitten's previous owner was very indifferent, so the necklace had never been changed since he was bought, leading to the fact that it is now too big for his neck.

My suspicions were verified when I stepped closer to have a better look. The cat's old owner is not only irresponsible, but also callous because the cat's body was covered with wounds, one ear was chipped, and his eyes when he looked at me were terrified.

Why there were still so terrible individuals in the world? Even a ferocious tiger does not eat its young; how can people be so cruel to such a weak being? I shooked my head softly.

According to my prediction, the poor cat ran away from his cruel and cruel owner, because the broken string remained on the collar. Looking at his crouching appearance, I suddenly had the impression that this little cat was extremely similar to me.

Anyway, this necklace was too tight so the first thing I had to do was to free him from the pain, otherwise, the cat would suffocate and die within a few days. I approached him with one hand, thinking about it.

However, his reflexes quickly destroyed my goodwill. On the back of my hand, two precise scratches were etched. Judging from his alert appearance, the kitten seemed to be very afraid of people. It was true since he had been tormented several times before, so if the cat saw someone approaching, he will automatically avoid them. I even didn't touch his white fur; the cat scratched me twice before leaping out onto the main road.

Suddenly, a car sped up with its headlights flashing when the cat crossed the road. My eyes were weak, so I was affected by the sudden light. I didn't respond quickly enough, just stood there watching the car speeding towards the unfortunate kitty.

"He was probably hit by that vehicle." Such ideas flew through my head as I closed my eyes, not daring to look at the sight in front of me.

However, when the car drove away, what attracted my attention was a young man with damp hair and a wet shirt sticking to his charming collarbone. He had a snowflake-white cat in his hand, the cat was still uninjured, and I heard a quiet growl coming from its throat.

The blue umbrella was pushed out and smashed by the car's movement, generating a cracking sound.

That boy standing in the rain is truly a masterpiece of nature. Ever since I was born, I have never seen anyone with such a perfect face, a high nose bridge, long amber eyes, and drooping eyelashes.

The cat obediently lay in his arms, gently, without resistance, even slightly rubbing against him. Smart, he knew how to please the benefactor to save his life.

The handsome guy didn't stand there for long, but slowly approached me. He shook his wet hair with one hand, and hold the reckless cotton ball with the other, looked at me then raised a low voice with a bit of pride and asked:

"Is this your cat?''