Chapter Twenty-Two: The Adorable Cat Maid

The meeting place was a cat maid café nestled in the heart of the shopping district, a high-profile, luxurious establishment that had been open for several years. Its LED sign was eye-catching, and the exterior boasted a modern flair. Through the transparent glass windows, one could glimpse the refined, upscale ambiance within.

Outside the entrance, Cheng Feng stood, buffeted by the wind and feeling a little lost. He had set out early in the morning, brimming with determination to hunt monsters, so why had that woman chosen such a place for their rendezvous? Was the cat maid herself the monster?

After hesitating for a moment, Cheng Feng exhaled softly, stepped forward, and pushed open the glass door to enter.

As the door swung open, a tiny cat-shaped wind chime by the entrance rang with a clear, delicate sound.

“Welcome, Master~!”

Behind the reception desk, an employee dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit greeted him with a businesslike smile. The sweet, soft call of “Master” sent a wave of embarrassment through Cheng Feng, raising goosebumps all over his skin. It was, after all, his first time in such a place, and he wasn’t quite used to it. Fortunately, he had a thick skin; after a few seconds, he adjusted and glanced inside. It was still early, a workday, and there didn’t seem to be many customers.

Two or three maids in black-and-white uniforms moved about, serving dishes and pouring water for guests, each wearing a pleasant smile and providing the most comfortable, high-quality service.

Table 10 was positioned by the left window. Cheng Feng chose this spot, basking in the gentle sunlight streaming in, feeling a touch of warmth. The soft, warm-toned light from the ceiling added an air of elegance and romance.

No sooner had Cheng Feng sat down than he overheard a conversation at the table behind him between a customer and a maid taking his order.

"Respected Master, may I take your order?"

“Wow, you’re so cute! Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Not yet, Master. What would you like to eat? We’ll provide the most satisfying service and dishes to meet all your needs.”

“Heh, can I eat you?”

“Master, you do love to joke.”

...

Cheng Feng’s lips twitched. He couldn’t have imagined that the maids would have to deal with such harassment, all while smiling and using their sweet voices. Their professionalism impressed him, and he silently gave them his respect.

But why hadn’t that woman arrived yet? They were supposed to be out hunting monsters together.

He picked up the menu and browsed through a page absentmindedly.

Wait, what were these things?

Wobbly Sweetheart Juice, Cute Pink Curry Rice, and... Heart-Shaped Omelette Rice?

Was this the legendary Heart Omelette Rice, where the maid would cast a “sweet, delicious magic spell” right at the table?

Imagining that scene made Cheng Feng freeze in embarrassment.

“Hello, Master~”

A short-haired maid floated over to his table, holding a small order pad made of a wooden frame and sticky notes, about the size of a phone.

Seeing the girl, Cheng Feng was startled.

Her hair was adorned with a white wavy crown. Over her perfectly tailored black corset dress, she wore a short white apron, the straps tied in a large bow at her back. The sleeves and hem were trimmed with exquisite lace. Her slender legs, clad in white thigh-high stockings, ended in black round-toed shoes.

But it wasn’t her adorable face or outfit that stunned Cheng Feng.

It was the pair of fluffy orange cat ears on her head that didn’t look like accessories at all.

And they moved, almost as if they were real.

“Master? May I take your order?”

“Ah, sorry, I got distracted. Your cat ears are so lifelike.”

Prompted by the girl, Cheng Feng snapped back to reality and randomly ordered, “Just a hot cocoa, please.”

“Yes, Master. Please wait~”

With her hands folded at her lower abdomen, she gave a polite bow and turned to walk toward the counter.

From Cheng Feng’s angle, he couldn’t see that her smile had vanished, replaced by a look of panic: “Oh no!”

In the kitchen, a middle-aged man in a manager’s uniform, kindly and gentle, was cleaning trays at the sink.

The girl dashed in hurriedly, her voice urgent. “Manager... there’s a problem!”

The manager’s expression was calm as he wiped the gleaming tray with a cloth. “Little Tangerine, I often remind you not to panic in a crisis. Anxiety solves nothing. Tell me, what happened?”

The maid named Cat Little Tangerine was deeply remorseful, her orange cat ears drooping weakly. “I forgot to hide my ears just now, and a customer noticed.”

Other guests had assumed her cat ears were just cute accessories and hadn’t paid them much attention. But moments ago, a high school student had spotted them instantly, alerting her to the fact that her ears were exposed.

She’d only used her mystical powers to hide her tail today, completely forgetting the ears.

Sensitive and anxious, the more she thought about it, the more afraid she became.

If that student guessed she was a catgirl and spread the word, the Disaster Association’s demon hunters—merciless as ever—would descend and doom the entire maid café.

Even though these cat demons never harmed humans, kept their identities hidden, and lived peacefully among people, the demon hunters would still exterminate them.

To harmless monsters like them, the demon hunters were notorious, evil fiends.

Not only would they be in danger, but the manager’s ten years of hard work would be destroyed, and their tranquil lives would be lost forever.

The manager sighed, not blaming her, his face solemn. “Where is that customer?”

Little Tangerine lowered her head, timidly replying, “At table 10.”

“I understand. Go back to your duties.”

...

Meanwhile, Cheng Feng had waited at table 10 for quite some time before Liu Shiyu finally arrived, a little late.

She wore frameless glasses and a white mask, dressed in simple, casual clothes, her skirt revealing shapely legs wrapped in sheer black stockings. With elegance and composure, she took the seat opposite Cheng Feng.

The morning sun streamed through the left-hand window, bathing the girl in light. Her glossy black hair seemed to glow with a soft, ethereal radiance.

As she entered, guests all around cast frequent glances her way—she certainly attracted attention.

Yet Cheng Feng found nothing remarkable about her. His first question was, “Why are you dressed like that?”

Liu Shiyu removed her mask and glasses, revealing a pair of clear, flawless eyes. “We’re on a mission, so I can’t be too conspicuous.”

Cheng Feng: “...”

He understood now—she’d worn glasses and a mask to tone down her looks, but even so, people still turned to stare.

Clearly, she’d done her best to appear ordinary, but her beauty remained impossible to conceal.

Cheng Feng asked, “Why did you choose this place for our meeting?”

“Because our target is here.”

After ordering a coffee, Liu Shiyu glanced pointedly in a certain direction. “Look.”

Cheng Feng followed her gaze and saw the same maid from before.

She was smiling warmly as she took orders from other guests. One customer even couldn’t resist harassing her pretty legs, and she responded with professional, silent smiles.

“That girl?” Cheng Feng was surprised.

Liu Shiyu shot him a glance, a hint of disdain in her eyes. “You claim to be a decent person, but your eyes are always on pretty girls. I meant the customer she’s serving.”

“...”

Cheng Feng looked again.

At table 2 sat a pale-faced, frail young man, who looked as if he’d spent too much time on certain pastimes.