In the evening, Little Mushroom hesitantly approached the door of Jiang Songshi’s room.
Should he tell Jiang Songshi about his job? Little Mushroom was torn.
“Tell, don’t tell; tell, don’t tell…” Little Mushroom counted on his fingers, muttering.
“What are you doing?” Jiang Songshi opened the door first, and Little Mushroom nearly bumped his drooping head against it before Jiang Songshi swiftly stopped him. The tiny mushroom on his head swayed twice, then slowly retracted its umbrella-like cap.
Jiang Songshi found his Little Mushroom so obedient.
So Jiang Songshi softened his tone, “Why aren’t you asleep yet? Did you rest too long this afternoon and can’t sleep now?”
“Or is something bothering you?” Jiang Songshi noticed Little Mushroom’s closed cap, looking sluggish.
Little Mushroom tilted his head, not understanding Jiang Songshi’s meaning.
Jiang Songshi poked the closed cap atop the little mushroom’s head, “If anything’s wrong, you can tell me.”
“Are you not used to human society? Or do you miss home?”
Jiang Songshi spoke gently. Putting himself in the other’s shoes, he’d surely feel anxious surrounded by all kinds of plants in a forest. Thinking this, Jiang Songshi felt Little Mushroom needed his care even more.
“If you miss home, we can visit the forest anytime, get some fresh air. I can accompany you. Just tell me if you’re unhappy.”
A certain little mushroom, far from unaccustomed, had already been mingling in the bar like a fish in water: …
But humans are indeed stupid, Little Mushroom thought smugly, unlike ordinary mushrooms.
He was a little mushroom learning human routines! At night, he would close his own cap.
Little Mushroom wasn’t feeling down at all, but seeing the stupid human so concerned made him happy.
Little Mushroom shook the tiny mushroom on top of his head, and the umbrella cap opened again.
Might as well comfort the stupid human.
Ah, if only this stupid human understood mushroom language, communicating wouldn’t be such a hassle, the little mushroom thought.
Little Mushroom: Of course, I’m not unhappy; I just didn’t want to scare you.
But of course, Little Mushroom wouldn’t say that, always considerate of the stupid human.
Little Mushroom said, “Thank you, I appreciate the kind thought, stupid human. I’ll take care of you from now on!”
Little Mushroom: @#…thank you, %#@kind thought, ##@#human*, #@#take care#%…
Jiang Songshi thought he “understood” the little mushroom’s meaning: “Thank you, human, for taking care of me.”
Little Mushroom was so adorable, even a grateful little mushroom. Jiang Songshi’s heart melted further, deciding to bring different nutrient solutions for the little mushroom tomorrow.
Compared to lab-grown fungi, Little Mushroom was really much cuter, Jiang Songshi thought.
Jiang Songshi: “No need to thank me.”
The miscommunication somehow aligned for a brief moment.
Jiang Songshi took Little Mushroom’s hand and led him to the sink. Earlier, when Little Mushroom stood at his door, Jiang Songshi noticed his hands seemed stained with some fluorescent substance.
Many bars had recently adopted fluorescent decor, dubbed “fluorescent graffiti bars,” and word was the newly opened bar in South City followed this trend.
Jiang Songshi didn’t understand why he suddenly thought of the newly opened bar but guessed he was probably influenced by his friend.
After all…no matter what, Little Mushroom couldn’t be associated with bars, right?
He didn’t know where these fluorescent stains came from, but Jiang Songshi deduced the plump ginger cat was likely responsible. It roamed the streets all day, flirting with cute little cats from other homes. Maybe it picked up these things during its dates.
Little Mushroom was innocent. He was attracted to any kitten he saw and wanted to hug them. The ginger cat was always running into their home, too.
Jiang Songshi affirmed that neutering was probably a good idea.
He squeezed hand soap onto the little mushroom’s palms and scrubbed thoroughly, working up a rich lather.
Jiang Songshi washed the little mushroom’s hands diligently – palms, backs, between fingers – all meticulously cleaned.
“All done, want to rest now?” After thoroughly washing the little mushroom’s hands, Jiang Songshi dried them with a towel. ” Or do you want me to stay with you for a while?”
Little Mushroom answered, “I want to rest.”
The little mushroom: ##@want#@%
Jiang Songshi: “Then I’ll stay with you for a while!”
Author’s Note:
Jiang Songshi (feeling touched by himself): My mushroom is so cute~
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