I don't know if that's supposed to be a "this is what good people do" type thing, or a "this is how cats behave" thing. :-)

I took it for a "doing one bad thing doesn't define a person" kind of thing - Da Qing knows Lao-Li better than that. But it's probably a bit of both the things you mention!

maybe he'd become entitled, wanting to be respected for his seniority, and to have someone bring him snacks for a change! :-)

Wow, that would have been fascinating to see!