Chapter 353: A Match for House Cats
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Just as the poem goes:
"Pay the toll if you want to go through the mountain road built by me;
Pay the fare if you want to enjoy the shades under the tree planted by me."
It was also accurately reflecting the status of various competitions in all sorts of industries at home and abroad, including, but not limited to, the pet industry and the CFA.
If someone wanted to participate in the CFA Tournament, his cat must possess a studbook, proving that this cat had been registered with the CFA, a prerequisite to being eligible for the competition.
As the saying goes, the opportunities must not be given to outsiders. If an unregistered cat became the champion in the end, how would those registered cats and their owners feel? Who will pay the registration fees in the future?
Reminded by Tim, Zhang Zian remembered that his cat must have a studbook before it could participate in the CFA Tournament. If he wanted to place Fina in the game without the studbook, he might have to resort to fraudulent methods as the unscrupulous catteries’ owners did. Even if he was willing to spend the money to make a fake-studbook before the competition, Fina would never agree to this! Asking it to pretend it was the descendant of an ordinary cat?! The moment he mentioned this idea to her, he might be murdered by Fina immediately…
He could only blame himself for not considering everything thoroughly enough.
Seeing his regret, Lauren was very sympathetic for him and asked her husband, "So Jeff can only go to the CFA as an audience member?"
Tim thought for a moment, "If you want to participate in the competition, there might be another option."
"What is it?" asked Richard.
Tim explained, "In addition to the groups vying for the championship, the CFA also offers a competition for house cats that are not registered under it. In that competition, the cats don’t need to present their studbooks, and there is no specific appearance standard. Cats of different breeds are put together, the referees will grade them based on their fitness status and performance, and both purebred cats and non-purebred cats can attend. Jeff, if you want, you may participate in this way."
"A competition for house cats?" Zhang Zian gave it a thought. He just wanted to participate in the game for fun, not for gaining fame or fortune. So it didn’t matter to him which group Fina was put in or whether or not she could be the champion.
He nodded in agreement.
Tim was also relieved. He was very worried that this Qigong Master would come up with unreasonable demands that he couldn’t fulfill. At this critical moment, if the Master was pissed, the training of his Ragdoll kittens would be in vain… he looked out the window and saw that Fina was outside by herself. She was lying on the railing under the eaves, basking under the sun lazily.
Tim had to admit that this cat was beautiful, very beautiful with its elegant gestures and it’s pair of intoxicating green eyes—but it didn’t conform to the standard of CFA on identifying as an Egyptian Mau. Modern Egyptian Mau cats had no mackerel patterns on their bodies, but this golden cat did, which presumably indicated that it was not purebred. In addition, silver Egyptian Mau cats were highly valued. As for a golden Egyptian Mau… he had never met one before.
Even if Zhang Zian got a studbook from somewhere and took this golden cat to the game, it would be impossible to get the championship, not even if the sun rose from the west. However, if it took part in the match for house cats, there was hope for it to be a winner.
Since Zhang Zian had agreed with his proposal, Tim then said, "In general, the cat owners will bring something, such as food bowls, water basins, litter boxes, or canned food that the cats like to eat, and gadgets such as cat teasers to help make the cats relax… if you need anything, feel free to take stuff from our cattery."
Zhang Zian waved his hand to decline Tim’s kindness, "No need, just tell me how to get there."
Tim fetched a map, and marked out the route for Zhang Zian and gave him the map.
"Do you want me to drive you there? I have some acquaintances at the CFA who might help..." Tim reminded in an obscure way.
He had participated in many races with his own cats and had befriended many staff members and even some of the CFA referees. The competition for house cats was only for entertainment, rather than vying to win. Many people just wanted to have fun and make friends. If Zhang Zian wanted to win the championship in the competitoh for house cats, Tim would be able to provide some help. Besides, this golden cat itself also had the potential to become a champion.
"Thank you, but that would be unnecessary." Richard said for Zhang Zian, knowing that he was disgusted by these trickeries.
"Well, take care then. You can take my car, I’m not using it today." Because of Zhang Zian's integrity, Tim was a bit embarrassed. He took out the key for his minivan and threw it to him.
"Thanks." Zhang Zian caught the key, looked at the time, and decided to set off right away. Being new to the town and unfamiliar with the rules and procedures, earlier departure would buy him some time if anything unexpected occurred on the road.
He waved goodbye the Kellers. But when he opened the door to the house, he was startled greatly.
Outside the house was a large crowd of foreigners, including driving adults, jogging youngsters, and bicycle-riding children. The moment they saw Zhang Zian, they immediately applauded, cheered, and whistled louder and louder!
"Kung Fu Master!"
"Kung Fu from China!"
"Master Zhang!"
"Ni hao Master!"
What is happening? Perplexed, Zhang Zian quickly closed the door, and looked at the invisible Richard.
"Should we call the police, for the crowd is gathering illegally?" Richard asked thoughtfully.
Tim walked to the kitchen window, looked out and smiled, "Don’t worry. Jeff, did you forget? Yesterday you said that you would perform Kung Fu today! They are here for the show. I know most of them. They are all neighbors in the neighborhood... My God! That’s Victor! This old guy is over 90 years old, and he has been lying in bed for half a year, but now he is here with an oxygen tube stuck up his nose, sitting in a wheelchair and being pushed by his son…"
Zhang Zian went to the window. On the edge of the crowd, there was an old man as skinny as a skeleton. His hair and beard had gone completely white. He was wearing crumpled striped pajamas, with plastic airway tubes stuck in his nostrils. He was sitting in a wheelchair which was attached with a small oxygen bottle behind it, and happily waving his hands and cheering like others!
What the hell have I done?!
Zhang Zian was worried that this old man might die any minute from over-excitement! If that was the case, was he responsible for his death??
As it turned out, foreigners also liked watching the fun!
"Look! Allen is also there! Just when I wondered why this bastard is late again..." Tim cussed while putting on a jacket. "I'm going to pull him in."
Zhang Zian looked at the crowd again and found Allen. In front of several young ladies, he was imitating the Kung Fu actions from movies and uttered some weird sounds. Apparently, the ladies were not interested in his lousy parody. It was probably not the first time Allen had tried to play to the gallery like this.
Tim opened the door and strode out, pointing at Allen's nose to scold him. Allen was so embarrassed that he kept his head down, and the ladies moved away from him. Several people greeted Tim, as if they were asking when the Kung Fu Master would come out to perform. Tim shrugged and raised his hand, pointing to the house, indicating that he was not sure either.
Walking into the house with Tim like a prisoner, Allen yelled as soon as he saw Zhang Zian, "Master Zhang! I thought you went back to China! Everyone is waiting for you to perform!"
Tim cursed again, "This is all your fault by inviting your entire gang here! I’m warning you! If you are late again, you are fired! Now, get back to your work!"
Allen’s face had been sprayed by Tim’s saliva. He embarrassedly wiped his face, and went to attend to the chores of the cattery.
When he was gone, Tim said with worry, "There shouldn’t be so many people today. It’s Allen who has been telling everyone about you… Jeff, if you do not want to show up, I can go to tell them..."
Zhang Zian thought for a moment, and decided to go out. If he kept hiding in this house, he would miss the CFA competition.