Chapter 47 – Family
“Ahhhhhh!” Lin Yan collapsed onto the bed and started pounding the mattress like crazy, fist after fist slamming down onto the soft sheets.
“Because you deserve it.” Those words had actually come out of Lu Heng’s mouth.
Lin Yan’s mind went buzz—as if tens of thousands of bees had exploded from their hive all at once.
The sentence echoed over and over in his ears. Every word was like a red-hot branding iron, crashing heavily into the very center of his heart.
He suddenly bounced up from the bed, only to fall back again due to a powerful wave of dizziness. His whole body sank into the soft mattress, as if he were floating among the clouds.
In his mind, fragments of his past interactions with Lu Heng began flashing uncontrollably.
President Lu—who was always calm in front of others, even distant and cold—had spoken to him in such a firm, certain tone and said, “You deserve it.”
Those four simple words were more powerful than any sweet talk. They completely shattered the psychological defenses Lin Yan had been so carefully maintaining.
He recalled the hard-to-read look Lu Heng usually gave him. At this moment, it all seemed to take on a brand-new meaning—one that made his heartbeat spiral out of control.
After a long while, the intense physical reaction finally eased.
He raised an arm to cover his eyes, yet the corners of his mouth lifted uncontrollably into a foolish smile.
The smile grew wider and wider, until it turned into soft laughter filled with disbelief and overwhelming joy, gently echoing through the quiet room.
Lin Yan lay there quietly, letting this unprecedented warmth and euphoria wrap around him layer by layer.
He knew that from this moment on, something had completely changed.
Meiqiu sat nearby, pupils slightly shrinking as he listened to Lin Yan’s sudden burst of silly laughter.
What was wrong with this guy? He came back and suddenly became this happy.
Then again, now that everything from the past had been cleared up, it was only natural for him to feel happy.
“Meiqiu.” Lin Yan pulled him into a hug.
There was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Meiqiu let out a soft “Meow.” You’re really that happy, huh?
If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.
“Our big boss praised me. Lin Yan leaned close to Meiqiu’s small ear and whispered as if sharing a secret.
“President Lu praised me. He even said I’m worth it.”
Meiqiu raised an eyebrow slightly, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
Oh, that? I could praise you every day.
After that, Lin Yan picked up his phone and sent Lu Heng a message.
Lin Yan Yan Yan Yan~: [President Lu, have you eaten yet? Are you busy?]
He waited for a long time—but there was still no reply.
It was like riding a roller coaster—his emotions rising and falling.
All night long, Lin Yan waited, but still didn’t receive a reply from Lu Heng.
He couldn’t fall asleep.
Every hour, he checked his phone once. Meiqiu was disturbed by it too and didn’t sleep well either.
Meiqiu was just as gloomy.
Some things suddenly felt impossible to understand.
So tired.
The little cat’s mind worked slowly—he decided to let Lu Heng think about it tomorrow.
…
The competition results were sent to Lin Yan’s email.
He opened it to check, and when he saw the final outcome— All the emotions he had suppressed for so many years burst out at once.
At last, there was a return for everything he had endured.
He hadn’t actually expected to win the gold award. It felt as if something that should have belonged to him long ago had traveled through time and finally been returned.
The organizers also called to inform him that his project had been purchased, meaning he had brought profit to the company as well.
His emotions kept fluctuating, yet for some reason, Lin Yan couldn’t lift his spirits.
Was it because that person still hadn’t replied?
He stared at the other party’s profile picture again and again.
Then, the very next second, a small red dot appeared above the avatar.
Lin Yan instantly sat up and tapped it open.
Lu Heng: [Sorry, I didn’t see your message yesterday.]
The heaviness that had been lodged deep in Lin Yan’s chest immediately dissipated.
The corners of his lips lifted unconsciously—and along with them, his heartbeat.
A moment later, another message came in.
Lu Heng: [Congratulations.]
Lin Yan Yan Yan Yan~: [Thank you, President Lu. smile.jpg]
Looking out the window, Lu Heng felt a trace of worry.
What kind of identity did he hold now, exactly?
Should he be honest directly?
It seemed that not only the little cat reacted slowly—at this moment, Lu Heng’s own mind had crashed as well.
He put down his phone and turned around.
“Send out the documents. Lin Yan is officially appointed as Director of Technology Department Four,” he said to Secretary He, his thin lips parting slightly. Then he leaned back into his chair.
He raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, then rubbed his brow. Something weighed on his heart, yet he didn’t know how to deal with it.
After He Lingchen left, Lu Heng walked into the small inner office and stayed there for a long time.
Soon, a message was sent out from the president’s office:
Due to his outstanding performance in the competition, Lin Yan was officially appointed as Director of Technology Department Four.
When Lin Yan saw the appointment notice, he froze for a moment.
Was this personally approved by Lu Heng?
He had received too many good pieces of news in one single day—it felt as if he had suddenly been blessed by the gods.
Now, Lu Heng filled his thoughts entirely.
He sent another message to President Lu to express his gratitude.
Lu Heng saw the message.
He lowered his head, resting it in the crook of his arm.
After a moment, he lifted his head again. He had suppressed himself for so many years—now, he should follow his own heart.
Lin Yan had never imagined he would reach this point. Thinking carefully, ever since he picked up that little cat, his luck had never stopped.
After Meiqiu came into his life, everything seemed to go smoothly. More than once, Lin Yan felt that all his good fortune had been brought by Meiqiu.
Even the way Lu Heng looked at him differently had started after the cat appeared.
When he got home, he would have to give Meiqiu a proper hug.
“Congratulations, Engineer Lin.”
Everyone from Technology Department Four came over to offer their congratulations.
Although they hadn’t yet seen the official HR announcement, after so many years in the company, no internal movement could escape their notice.
In fact, the competition itself had a rule—one personally set by President Lu: anyone who won the gold award in the competition would be directly promoted to director.
The former director of Department Two had been promoted in exactly the same way.
They had all received the competition results email as well, so Lin Yan’s promotion was fully deserved.
“Well then, does that mean you’ll be changing offices now?” Wang Hao joked. “Our Engineer Lin isn’t the same as before anymore.”
Lin Yan swung his hand and smacked Wang Hao’s arm. “Too much talk.”
“Engineer Lin—when you get rich, don’t forget us!” Yang Yang bowed dramatically.
Their exaggerated behavior made Lin Yan laugh despite himself. Feeling both amused and helpless, he lowered his gaze—and noticed an unread message on his screen.
He opened it immediately.
Lu Heng: [I already told you—because you deserve it.]
Seeing this message, the joy already in his heart surged even higher. Without realizing it, Lin Yan’s smile became impossible to hide.
That subtle change was noticed by the people beside him.
Those who had been in relationships before had sharp instincts—like some kind of radar. They could precisely catch when something felt off.
Chen Xin leaned over. She didn’t see the screen clearly, but she did catch a glimpse of a very familiar profile picture.
What kind of message could make him smile like that?
Noticing the shadow beside him growing closer, Lin Yan quickly turned off his phone screen and pulled it back before her head leaned in too far.
He tucked his hands behind his back and turned to Chen Xin with a polite smile.
“Brother Yan, something’s not right with you,” Chen Xin said lazily.
“Huh? No, there isn’t.” The more guilty he felt, the more he tried to act natural. Lin Yan pressed his lips together and smiled.
“You—” Chen Xin leaned even closer, almost about to press up to his face, when Yang Yang pulled her aside. As she was dragged away, she added: “Are you in love or something?”
The words hit a little too accurately.
He didn’t want to admit it—yet it also felt like she wasn’t entirely wrong.
Lin Yan neither confirmed nor denied it. Even he felt that his reaction was strange.
Yes. He was very strange.
His emotions kept fluctuating just because one person hadn’t replied to his messages.
And a single compliment—along with words whose meaning wasn’t even fully clear—was enough to make his heart bloom with joy.
“No way— brother Yan has been single since birth for how long now?” Wang Hao shouted loudly.
That really didn’t need to be said at such volume. Lin Yan rubbed his forehead with a helpless smile, then lifted his head—and froze when he saw a familiar figure from behind.
With that single glance, his mind went blank.
The others, sharp as ever, followed his line of sight.
Isn’t that Lu Heng?
And that look in Lin Yan’s eyes—something’s definitely different.
Chen Xin immediately realized something. She covered her mouth at once, clearly shipping it.
The movement broke Lin Yan’s stare. He snapped back to his senses and saw Chen Xin pointing in that direction, then at Lin Yan.
“So… you two… huh.”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Lin Yan said, pointing at her, trying to use his newly acquired authority to threaten her into silence.
“Okay,” Chen Xin replied knowingly. “I get it. I totally get it.”
Sometimes Lin Yan truly didn’t understand how girls thought. How exactly did she “get it”?
He fled the scene, heading to the same balcony as before, planning to get some air and finally release the breath he’d been holding in his chest.
When he reached the balcony, he saw that President Lu was already there. He broke into a small jog toward him.
Lu Heng saw him as well and turned around. The wind brushed past him, lifting the hem of his coat slightly. Seeing Lin Yan’s smile, Lu Heng smiled too.
“Have you eaten yet?” he asked.
“Not yet.” Lin Yan shook his head. “President Lu… thank you.”
Hearing that, Lu Heng stepped closer. Lin Yan caught the familiar scent on him—it slowly slipped into his nose.
“There’s no need to thank me,” Lu Heng said softly. “You earned all of this yourself.”
Lin Yan smiled.
Unlike before, he didn’t lower his head when Lu Heng approached. Instead, he lifted his gaze and met his eyes directly.
Their eyes locked.
Looking at Lin Yan like this, Lu Heng felt an almost uncontrollable urge to lean closer—but he held himself back.
He raised his hand, curled it into a fist, and gently tapped Lin Yan on the head.
“Things weren’t easy for you back then, were they?” Lu Heng asked.
He wanted to know Lin Yan’s past—but more than that, he felt pain for him.
Pain that Lin Yan had gone through so much on his own.
“No.” Lin Yan shook his head, even though that period had been bitter.
It had felt like fate was playing tricks on him—like struggling in a muddy swamp, desperately clawing his way out.
He was grateful. Grateful that he hadn’t sunk completely.
“President Lu,” Lin Yan said softly, “I think I’m very lucky.”
Lu Heng’s heart stirred once again.
This gentle person—whenever someone treated him well, he would immediately offer back his sincerity without reservation.
And wasn’t that exactly what had drawn Lu Heng to him in the first place?
Yet even now, Lu Heng wasn’t certain.
He wasn’t sure what kind of feelings Lin Yan held toward him.
Was it only gratitude… or something more?
Was there really nothing else?
For everything he had done, Lu Heng had never wanted Lin Yan’s gratitude.
At this moment, it felt as though they were nothing more than superior and subordinate. Aside from that, did he mean anything special to Lin Yan at all?
If he told Lin Yan that he was actually Meiqiu— would Lin Yan be able to accept it?
He felt like a habitual liar, having lied beside Lin Yan so many times, putting on an act for so long.
Perhaps even he himself didn’t truly understand.
He wanted to ask, wanted to speak—but he no longer had the courage to open his mouth.
He wasn’t sure whether he could bear the answer once he heard it.
And so, he hesitated.
After a moment, Lu Heng finally spoke.
“Are you hungry? Let’s go eat.”
As expected, he couldn’t bring himself to ask. The thoughts in his heart were always different from the words he actually said.
…
After a long, exhausting day, Lin Yan returned home.
He didn’t know why, but today everything felt joyful to him. Meiqiu trotted over to his feet. He picked Meiqiu up and lifted him high into the air.
“Meiqiu, you really are my little lucky star.”
Meiqiu didn’t quite understand what he meant. He stared blankly at Lin Yan. Being held so high, he kicked out a paw and landed it on Lin Yan.
“Meow.”
“I got promoted to director today!” Lin Yan rubbed his face hard against Meiqiu’s cheek. “Meiqiu, my little treasure.”
Tickled by the rubbing, Meiqiu turned his head away.
Lin Yan pulled him into his arms. “Meiqiu, you’re my lucky star, aren’t you?”
The cat in his arms stiffened slightly, then pretended nothing was wrong. He stretched out a paw and began stepping slowly on the buttons of Lin Yan’s shirt.
His gaze drifted elsewhere.
Lin Yan was completely charmed by the sight. Without knowing why, he suddenly wanted to take a photo of the little cat in his arms and post it on his social feed.
Perhaps it was because there was now someone in his heart—someone he subconsciously wanted to notice him through such a post.
This kind of quiet, indirect approach suited Lin Yan perfectly.
He stared at his phone for a long time, yet still didn’t receive the attention he had been hoping for.
His head drooped at once.
Then the phone in his hand vibrated several times in a row. He immediately looked down.
The message was from Ding Yue.
His spirits instantly lifted.
Ding Yue: [Xiao Lin, this cat… it looks a lot like the one from my house.]
Lin Yan scrolled up through the chat history.
The message had actually been sent a few days earlier. At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it—but now, he couldn’t avoid thinking.
This little cat really did seem to be hers.
So… did he have to return Meiqiu?
She was Lu Heng’s mother. If he didn’t return the cat, would he leave a bad impression on her?
But he didn’t want to give Meiqiu back.
He and Meiqiu had already been together for nearly a month. Now suddenly being told to return him—
He couldn’t accept it.
After struggling internally for a moment, he didn’t reply.
He felt annoyed at himself for posting that photo earlier. If he hadn’t, she wouldn’t have recognized Meiqiu at all.
Ding Yue: [But it’s actually pretty good for him to stay at your place.]
Lin Yan didn’t know how to reply, so he left the message unanswered.
He wanted to delete that post he had made earlier, but doing so now would seem too deliberate.
Ahhhhhh.
He scratched his head wildly, messing up his hair with his fingers—completely on the verge of a breakdown.
Maybe if he didn’t reply, everything would be fine. So he didn’t reply and continued petting little Meiqiu.
After a while, there was a knock on his door.
Lin Yan opened it—and saw Ding Yue standing outside.
So… not replying didn’t help at all. He had almost forgotten that President Lu lived upstairs.
“Hi, Xiao Lin,” Ding Yue greeted him with a smile.
Meiqiu saw who it was and let out a meow.
Meiqiu: What are you here for?
Then Lin Yan watched as Meiqiu walked over to Ding Yue, stretched his neck, and rubbed affectionately against her leg.
Lin Yan had still been holding onto a bit of hope that she had mistaken the cat for someone else’s—but seeing this now, it was clear she hadn’t been wrong.
Meiqiu looked very familiar with her.
Ding Yue picked Meiqiu up and bounced him gently in her arms.
Meiqiu wore an indifferent expression, thinking it was no different from being held by Lin Yan. He didn’t move or resist.
“Thank you for taking care of this little guy for so long.”
Lin Yan felt reluctant, but there was nothing he could do. He could only watch as the little cat was taken away from him.
Before she left, Lin Yan asked softly, “Can I come see him often?”
“Of course,” Ding Yue replied. “I live upstairs—you can come anytime.”
She turned to leave, but after a few steps, she couldn’t quite bring herself to go. She turned back and asked, “Xiao Lin, do you really like this little cat?”
“Yes.” Lin Yan answered without the slightest hesitation. “I like him. He’s my family.”
At those words, Meiqiu’s eyes widened.
Even Ding Yue was visibly moved—yet she still tightened her grip on Meiqiu’s paws, not allowing him to jump down.
“What should I do then?” she said with a troubled frown. “He’s my family too.”
Lin Yan said nothing. He only looked at Meiqiu in her arms.
“I’ll take him back for the night,” Ding Yue said.
With that, she carried the cat away.
Lin Yan kept watching until her figure disappeared down the hallway— and along with her, the little cat disappeared as well.
So… did his good luck have to be exchanged for Meiqiu?
If that was the case, he would rather have none of it.
Back upstairs, Meiqiu was finally released. He broke free from Ding Yue’s hold, jumped down, and hissed at her.
Meiqiu: What are you doing?!
Then Meiqiu went into full zoomies mode—racing around the apartment, sprinting to the door and clawing at it, clearly shouting let me go back.
Ding Yue let out a sigh and shook her head.
Then she spoke quietly.
“Lu Heng… when are you planning to tell me?”
Author’s Note:
Babies, don’t panic—our President Lu is about to get exposed 😳
I’m a little dizzy while writing this chapter; it’ll probably be revised later 🥺