LAVW – Chapter 143 One Arrow, Two Birds

The car pulled over to the side of the road.

Shi Qian, who had insisted on getting out, ended up sprawled at the corner of the cat café, refusing to take even one more step.

Even tucked away in a small corner of the café, people outside could still see the cats inside through the glass, all busy “on duty.”

The passageway beside them was temporarily empty—otherwise, Merlin would never have dared to let the little tiger down.

This area was fairly chaotic and usually not under regular police supervision. But if they wandered around outside and scared someone, once a report call was made, someone would still be dispatched remotely to deal with it.

Deanna patted Shi Qian’s head. She thought the little tiger had made a cognitive mistake and explained, “Hey, little tiger, you’re not a kitty.”

“Qian, you’re a tiger. You know what a tiger is, right?”

Merlin stretched out her hand and compared it to Shi Qian’s big paw, then gestured again toward the small orange cat sleeping on the climbing frame behind the nearby glass wall.

Good grief—one of Shi Qian’s paws was bigger than the entire cat.

“You’re not the same species, Tony.” In her anxiety, Merlin slipped back into calling Shi Qian by his old name.

After the last shoot, Shi Qian had stopped responding to the name Tony once he got home. Under Shi Qian’s subtle guidance, Merlin and Deanna now called him Qian far more often.

Seeing that neither of them had guessed his intention, Shi Qian lifted his paw and pointed at a ragdoll cat that was currently posing for photos with customers, lowering his voice. “Ao ao.”

Look at that one—working hard!

Learn from its business mindset.

Merlin followed his gaze, her eyes lighting up. “What a beautiful cat! Its eyes look like glassy crystals, and its little mouth is such a cute pink…”

To see more clearly, she almost pressed herself against the glass.

That was when a staff member inside noticed her. Merlin flushed red and fled in embarrassment.

Shi Qian was taken back into the car, letting out a disappointed sigh.

“Roar…”

Making money is so hard.

Merlin coaxed him, “Qian, how about we raise a little kitty to keep you company later? You can’t be with those cats—they’d be scared.”

Shi Qian’s eyes widened.

Raise… another one?

Immediately, his face turned solemn as he shook his head hard. “Roar roar.”

Get a grip. We can’t afford a second cat at home.

The human and the tiger talked completely past each other. At last, Deanna had a sudden inspiration, just as Shi Qian hoped.

“Can we take Qian out to make money? Like those little cats?”

“Qian has received quite a bit of training, but it seems he’s never performed on stage.”

Merlin thought about what she knew. “And circuses have all kinds of acts… it even feels like they’re bordering on animal abuse.”

Deanna shook her head. “Not circus-style performances. Something really simple would do.”

That suited Shi Qian perfectly.

Just do something simple.

Merlin still had some concerns. “But most timid people like me would be afraid of Qian, wouldn’t they? Everyone is scared of freely moving wild beasts. People usually see tigers only in zoos.”

Deanna rubbed her nose—she was an outlier.

“There are plenty of brave people too. I think tigers are cool.”

“Some people like kittens; of course, there are people who like tigers.”

“You’re right.” Merlin was convinced. “So where should we do it? What paperwork would we need? What kind of service could we provide…”

Deanna smiled. “I just remembered—a friend of mine runs a photography studio that specializes in professional shoots for actors. Sometimes they need to show expressiveness, approachability, and so on. Some shoots even require posing with animals.”

“I’ve done shoots like that!”

Merlin had taken countless actor portraits and could still recall some details. “Photos with animals are indeed more expensive, and outdoor shoots cost even more.”

For a poor household, decisiveness was always off the charts.

There was no need to go home at all. Deanna drove straight to her friend’s photography studio.

“Deanna, tigers aren’t as docile as small animals. What if it goes berserk? We wouldn’t be able to handle it. What if someone gets hurt?”

“Hey, don’t you want to be more novel? The studio next door clearly has way more customers than you.” Deanna used a bit of provocation.

“Then let’s just take a look first. It’s only a little tiger under one year old—there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of.” Deanna said confidently. “Once you see him, you’ll know how cute and gentle Qian is. Shall I have them bring the little tiger up?”

“…All right.”

After much persuasion, Deanna finally convinced her friend. She stuck her head out the window and shouted downstairs, “Merlin! Bring Qian up!”

“OK, right away.”

Merlin grabbed the leash, and Shi Qian quickly followed.

They went straight up the stairs to the second floor, with countless eyes fixed on the little tiger.

The first sensation for everyone was tension. After a while, as they got used to it, some people whispered:

“God, it really is a tiger. I thought Deanna was joking.”

“That girl… can you control it? Make sure the leash is tight!”

“To be honest… I’m still scared.”

Shi Qian responded gently: “Aoo aoo.”

Don’t be afraid.

I’m a good tiger; I won’t eat anyone.

Shi Qian didn’t stare at the crowd. Instead, he started playing with Deanna, lowering everyone’s guard.

Fortunately, his size was small—still a cub—and soon a strong man approached, leaning in to take a closer look at Shi Qian.

“What a beautiful creature… looks harmless too. Can I touch it?”

Shi Qian stepped forward and rubbed against his hand.

“Oh…” The man let out a strange sound, feeling a mix of amazement and excitement, though mostly curiosity satisfied.

“I just touched a tiger!”

Deanna made a dry joke: “Go tell your mom then.”

Being chased by friends.

They played around, but Shi Qian stayed put, crouching obediently. When Deanna almost got caught, he stretched out a paw sideways to block her.

Deanna’s friend braked abruptly: “Oh! You little biased tiger, are you trying to trip me?”

“The mischievous little tiger will be caught and photographed.”

Shi Qian nodded straightforwardly: “Howl.”

Photo it is.

Just remember to pay.

After three or four days of mingling, Shi Qian got familiar with everyone. Meanwhile, the neighboring photo studio became increasingly popular, and their own studio couldn’t resist—they began offering high-end “Walk with the Tiger” photography services.

The first customer was a male actor—ordinary handsome, but very muscular, with complex tattoos on his arms, exuding a big-brother aura.

The first time he saw Shi Qian, the strong “tattooed big bro” was a bit dissatisfied: “Why is it a little tiger?”

“Oh, God, a grown tiger can’t provide this service. But if you prefer a big one, we can go to the wildlife area for a close-up challenge.”

“Never mind.” The tattooed big bro waved, “The little one is fine, looks safer. You guarantee safety, right?”

Shi Qian nodded.

Absolutely safe.

Biting you would cost me money, so there’s no way I’d try anything.

“You nod, but that doesn’t count, little tiger.”

Shi Qian: “Howl.”

I’m the one who counts.

“Alright, alright, you speak for sure.” A slightly scared tattooed big bro turned to Merlin, acting as the part-time safety monitor for the day: “Can I skip the photos? No need to refund me.”

Merlin: “Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Then why are you trembling?” Merlin reassured him. “Don’t worry, Qian is friendly.”

Wanting long-term earnings, Merlin crouched patiently and played a simple shell game with the little tiger.

A coin was hidden under one cup, then the cups moved quickly, switching positions, dizzying the spectators.

“Which cup has it?”

Shi Qian extended his paw, gently placing it in front of the wrong cup.

No one else joined the game; the tattooed big bro politely guessed the other cup.

Merlin lifted the cup, announcing: “Wow, you won! Your ears are even sharper than the little tiger’s!”

Then Merlin pointed to Shi Qian: “You have to shake hands with him.”

Shi Qian extended his paw.

With claws retracted, the white tiger paw looked fluffy and still very appealing.

The tattooed big bro bravely reached out.

Soon he got absorbed in the playful routine of Merlin and Shi Qian, gradually forgetting his fear.

After the photoshoot, as he walked out, his posture was more confident.

Stronger than a tiger! Plenty to brag to his friends.

About half a month later, patrons who experienced “Walk with the Tiger” bragged at a bar and found—they all won against the tiger.

No one ever lost the first cup game.

Clearly, Shi Qian really worked hard for human confidence.

“Thank you for your visit, and welcome next time!”

Of course, making money was just the first surprise.

As photos of the actor were sent out, the director of Apocalypse Humans & Snakes, who once promised Shi Qian a role, finally remembered the little tiger after seeing many photos and recommended Shi Qian to industry insiders who needed an animal actor.

After receiving the call, Merlin agreed cheerfully: “Qian is available. Please send me the relevant details.”

Shi Qian: Earning money and getting work—perfect.