Chapter 120: The Kitten on Its Last Breath
As Vivian Lowell and Julian Faulkner left the cafeteria, Vivian could still feel the blazing fires of gossip following them out.
She felt a bit helpless but didn’t look back.
’Hmm...’
’After all, they’re just gossiping. They haven’t done anything to affect Julian and me, so I can’t really say anything to them.’
After leaving the cafeteria, Vivian Lowell led Julian Faulkner on a walk along the lake.
The lakeside was cool on the spring evening, and the occasional scent of flowers wafted over from a distance. Though she couldn’t see the shimmering surface of the water, Vivian could still picture it.
Aethelburg University was always this beautiful during the day.
"Back when I first started here, this was where I met Eleanor Rhodes. She was sitting on a rock, watching the wild ducks in the lake."
"I accidentally bumped into her and knocked her earbuds into the water. We added each other on WhatsApp afterward, and we became good friends. Hmm... and then, unexpectedly, we ended up as roommates in the same dorm!"
"It was fate, wasn’t it, Julian? Don’t you think?"
Vivian Lowell recounted some stories about her and Eleanor Rhodes at Aethelburg University, like how they first met and the times they rescued cats.
Julian Faulkner listened, captivated.
But he also felt a tinge of regret.
That was a critical period for the Faulkner Group. He was working almost day and night with little time to rest, so he’d never had such happy, carefree moments.
He felt it was a great pity.
’The Vivian of back then, the Vivian who hadn’t gone through so much... she must have been absolutely radiant, right?’
’A girl like her was destined to never be ignored.’
"You can also play the piano and the cello?"
Julian Faulkner seemed to have seized on a key detail.
Vivian Lowell nodded and said, "Mhm. A daughter of the Lowell Family is naturally expected to be virtuous and talented. Looks and artistic skills were essential. Even if her grades were a little subpar, it didn’t matter."
When Vivian Lowell showed exceptional talent for design, Robert Lowell and Sharon Galahad’s opinion was that it was unnecessary for her to go to Aethelburg University at all!
At the time, with Vivian Lowell’s grades, she could have had her pick of many excellent universities abroad. They thought it would be better for her to "get a foreign polish," which would bring the family more prestige.
Besides, there were plenty of wealthy men abroad. If she could help the Lowell Family connect with overseas business, that would be even better.
Staying in the country was really just an opportunity to meet more people in high society. In the end, once Vivian married into a wealthy family, she was expected to stay at home, support her husband, and raise children.
Back then, they never thought of relying on Vivian to support the family; they only wanted to use her to improve the Lowell Family’s standing.
But Vivian was too outstanding. Her design skills were so formidable that she forged a completely different path for herself.
"..."
Vivian fell silent for a moment.
Julian Faulkner clearly noticed and said, "I can play, too. How about I play with you at home next time?"
"Okay."
Vivian Lowell nodded in agreement.
’Hmm... although the original reason I learned these instruments was that Robert Lowell and Sharon Galahad hoped I could add to the family’s glory, now that I’ve learned the skills, they belong to me.’
’All in all, it’s still a good thing.’
’After all, in life, having an extra skill might create more opportunities when it matters most, right?’
The two of them walked along the path for a while and soon neared the main gate of Aethelburg University.
Julian Faulkner’s car was parked near the entrance.
Just as Julian was taking out his car keys, a voice called out from behind them.
"Senior Lowell!"
’Huh?’
Hearing the somewhat familiar voice, Vivian Lowell instinctively turned around and saw that it was Caleb Quinn who had called out to her.
"Caleb?"
Vivian was a little surprised to see him. "What are you doing here? Did something happen? Are you here looking for me?"
"Yeah!"
Caleb Quinn looked a little out of breath. He said, "Senior Lowell, do you have a minute? Behind a rockery by the lake, a mother cat just gave birth to kittens, but she’s not doing so well."
"Could you come take a look and see if there’s anything we can do?"
"..."
Vivian Lowell nodded immediately. She was about to ask for Julian Faulkner’s opinion, since there was no telling how long rescuing the cat would take.
They would definitely be getting home late. If Julian wanted to go back first, that would certainly be...
"Julian, if you..."
"I’ll go with you."
Julian Faulkner was clearly resolute. He didn’t even have to think about it. After speaking to Vivian, he took her hand, and the two of them followed Caleb Quinn.
As they walked, Caleb finally had a chance to explain the situation.
Aethelburg University had always had an animal protection club. After Caleb started at the university, he saw Eleanor Rhodes around and naturally chose to join the club as well.
However, he was a freshman when she was a senior. They barely spoke before Eleanor graduated. But Caleb worked hard, and now he was a very important member of the club.
Back when Eleanor was still a student, almost all the cats at Aethelburg University had been caught and, through crowdfunding, spayed or neutered.
Of course, it was inevitable that a few would slip through the cracks. For example, some strays from outside would come to Aethelburg University and eat with the campus cats.
Over time, they became campus cats, too.
This cat was also from outside. According to what Caleb had heard, she was already pregnant when she arrived, and they estimated she would give birth in the next couple of days.
So, for the past few days, someone from the club had been coming out to patrol every night, hoping to provide the cat with a good environment for giving birth, as well as enough food and water.
Well, the person on patrol tonight happened to be Caleb. He also happened to discover that the mother cat was being a bit difficult, and then he heard that Vivian Lowell had come to Aethelburg University today.
It was just that much of a coincidence.
Caleb had no experience delivering kittens, and he knew that newborns would have a hard time surviving without their mother. That’s why he came to find Vivian for help.
By the time Caleb finished explaining, he had already led Vivian and Julian to the so-called rockery.
’Hmm...’
The mother cat had given birth behind a large rock. Someone had placed some clothes there for cover, so it shouldn’t be cold.
"Senior Quinn!"
As soon as Vivian walked over, two girls who looked like they were from the club and were standing near the rockery came up to them. One said anxiously, "The mother cat just gave birth."
"But she abandoned the kitten outside! Then she went back behind the rock to give birth again. We were afraid the weather was too cold and the kitten would freeze, so we used our clothes to wrap our hands and put the kitten back with her."
"But... it’s like the mother doesn’t recognize this kitten anymore. She just pushed it out again! Senior Quinn, what should we do now?"