A sleepless night.

At dawn, Shang Xuci changed and headed out.

Before getting into the car, he called Fu Qian.

“Today’s schedule has been postponed. The afternoon meeting has been canceled.”

Fu Qian replied, “Okay, Mr. Shang. Are you planning other activities?”

“No.”

“I’m going to buy a house.”

Shang Xuci paused, then added, “Ludao Garden.”

“Buy a house?” Fu Qian was surprised. He had been to the large house in the Shang family’s old residence, as well as the cozy little villa where his boss now lived. He knew his boss lived alone and disliked overly large houses, so why was he suddenly buying one now? And in Ludao, City A, where there were luxurious manor villas?

On second thought, his boss was wealthy enough to buy as many luxury villas as he wanted. That wasn’t Fu Qian’s concern—what worried him was that his workload might double today.

“Okay, I’ll have my personal assistant arrange it for you.”

…

Time flew, and before long, the new year arrived.

Jian Xun found a new job. Because he could understand cats, he thrived at a cat café.

The boss, impressed by his exceptional ability, gave him a small raise. Delighted, Jian Xun bought tons of food and cooked every day. Xu Tutu, the cat-shaped human, grew plump and content from eating so well.

The days passed with increasing hope—yet the cook’s appetite dwindled, and his sighs became more frequent.

I miss Shang Xuci so much. When will I see him again? Will he miss the kitten?

Xu Tutu glanced at the TV. The person on the screen was none other than Shang Xuci. He suggested, “Since you miss him so much, why not go back after the New Year to see him?”

Jian Xun bit his lip. “But I can’t turn into a cat yet.”

“That’s not a problem,” Xu Tutu said. “I know someone who should be able to help you.”

Jian Xun’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yes.” Xu Tutu nodded. “I’ve just taken my annual leave. I’ll go back to City A with you.”

Overjoyed, Jian Xun rushed over and hugged him. “Thank you, Brother Tutu.”

…

The snow came late in the north that year. Jian Xun had only slept for a short while when he woke to see a vast expanse of snowflakes outside the window—white feathers drifting lightly down.

Countless pure-white flakes swirled and danced in the air, slowly settling on power poles, rooftops, car roofs, tree branches, and the streets, as if wrapping the world in a white coat.

Jian Xun was stunned.

He had lived in the south before and had never seen snow.

Standing in the doorway, a gust of cold wind hit his face. He shivered and held out his hands to catch a snowflake.

He quickly ran back inside, found Xu Tutu, and said excitedly, “Brother Tutu, it’s snowing outside!”

Xu Tutu, snuggled beneath the warm covers, yawned and turned over. “It’s so cold.”

Seeing his lack of interest, Jian Xun didn’t disturb him further and went out to play in the snow alone.

…

A week later, warm light streamed through every household’s windows, a stark contrast to the snowy white scenery outside. Red strings and blessing characters were pasted on doors, and the occasional blast of firecrackers heralded the arrival of the Lunar New Year.

Jian Xun had never experienced such a lively scene before. In past winters, his health would deteriorate, and he spent most of his days either at home or in the hospital—alone and lonely.

This time, both he and Xu Tutu were excited.

Xu Tutu recalled how Xu Huai would carry him on his back each year to buy New Year’s goods, take him on strolls through the alleys steeped in festive atmosphere, and then return home to cook meals—and even cat food—himself.

Because of this, he held fond and warm memories of the human Spring Festival. The company had also granted him a two-week holiday, and combined with his annual leave, Xu Tutu could rest for quite some time.

This year, he took on the role of parent, taking Jian Xun shopping.

Jian Xun returned home with two large bags of fish, bouncing and skipping, his face full of satisfaction.

Although it was just the two of them for the New Year, Jian Xun was very happy—eating New Year’s Eve dinner, watching the Spring Festival Gala, and even watching fireworks.

“Shang Xuci, Happy New Year!” With the last burst of fireworks, New Year’s Eve came to an end.

On the third day of the New Year, Xu Tutu took Jian Xun to visit a senior, who lifted the spell preventing Jian Xun from transforming into a cat. Jian Xun stayed there for a few days, learning how to switch between human and cat form.

Although his cat ears and tail occasionally popped out, he could at least retract them now. All that was left was to master the technique.

Finally, he didn’t have to wear a hat anymore.

He could go back to his boss.

…

City A

Jian Xun looked up directions and took the bus to Shang Xuci’s house. When the familiar small house came into view, he stopped to peer inside, his eyes wide.

The yard was overgrown with weeds, and the cat bed outside had vanished. The empty courtyard looked desolate, its doors and windows tightly shut.

Have you gone to work?

But today is the weekend.

Jian Xun waited in a nearby park until five p.m., then strolled slowly back to the small house and squatted by the roadside, waiting for someone.

By the time it grew dark, he still hadn’t seen Shang Xuci.

He did run into a neighbor walking her dog. Jian Xun recognized the woman—when they had first moved in, he had once gone fishing in her small fish pond. He’d been caught, but the woman hadn’t been angry; in fact, she had occasionally even fed him. She was a kind person.

Jian Xun shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced at the dog trailing behind her. While the dog was busy pooping, he hurried up to the woman and whispered, “Hello, is the owner of that house away?”

The woman, seeing that Jian Xun was pretty and harmless-looking, answered without hesitation, “Ah, that family moved away a while ago. Do you know them?”

Jian Xun nodded.

The woman continued regretfully, “It’s a pity I don’t know where they moved to.” She and Shang Xuci had never been close—just passing acquaintances who felt vaguely familiar.

“It’s okay, thank you,” Jian Xun said politely. He glanced at the dog, which was excitedly leaning toward him after digging in the dirt, then quickly took his leave.

Moved away.

Jian Xun, bewildered, walked down the street, feeling lost. He decided to try his luck at Shang Xuci’s company tomorrow.

Back at the hotel, Jian Xun found Xu Tutu looking dejected. When he asked, he learned that the company boss had seen the message Xu Tutu sent to his friends and, upon learning he was in City A, had arranged a temporary business trip for him there—offering flexible hours and the option to extend his vacation.

“I have to meet the person in charge at the branch office tomorrow, so I can’t accompany you. You’ll have to go around on your own.”

“No problem.”

The next day, Xu Tutu set off before dawn. Jian Xun stretched, washed up, and took the bus to his destination.

Yunhua Second Street was a popular gathering spot for office workers, packed with dense crowds, heavy traffic, and a bustling commercial area.

Jian Xun wandered around until noon, then found an affordable restaurant and ordered a large plate of fish.

As he savored the delicious, tender meat, a group of white-collar workers at the next table whispered about financial matters. The gist of their conversation was that a foreign company had recently emerged, its owner a powerful figure rumored to have ties to the Shang Group, and that he frequently visited the company. Several businesses hoping to collaborate were waiting in the wings.

Jian Xun didn’t recognize the name they mentioned, so he treated it as idle gossip while eating, not taking it seriously. But when he heard that the man’s romantic interest was Meng Jingxue, his ears perked up, and he quietly moved his chair closer.

Isn’t Meng Jingxue fond of Shang Xuci? Isn’t she the heroine? Or is she just pretending to flirt? Could it just be a rumor?

Hearing these people praise a stranger made Jian Xun uneasy.

Wasn’t Meng Jingxue supposed to be the destined one? Why had another man appeared? When the topic shifted to Shang Ye, the president of the Shang Group, Jian Xun became even more annoyed—Shang Xuci was clearly the more powerful one!

Listening with growing irritation, he decided he had to see for himself what this man looked like.

The man they were talking about was young, decisive, and cold in temperament—not only toward his friends, but even toward his family. Yet in business matters, he was impartial and valued merit above all. Any skilled employee could see their rank and salary soar under his leadership, earning him both fear and respect.

Furthermore, he came from a prominent family and had an extensive network of contacts. No one dared to offend such a powerful figure.

After listening for a while, Jian Xun felt their description matched the villains in the book—a strangely familiar feeling.

He remembered that the boss rose to prominence later in the novel, also cold and ruthless, launching a revenge campaign against the Shang family. Besides taking over the Shang Group, he had also founded a company abroad using his grandfather’s funds, which had recently been relocated back to China.

The villain’s fame was immense, and Jian Xun couldn’t help but feel sorry for his own boss. He heard there would be a dinner party near his hotel in three days and decided to attend.

…

Three days later

Jian Xun arrived at the banquet hall entrance. He craned his neck to watch the men and women entering, all holding invitations. Unauthorized guests were barred from entry.

Without hesitation, Jian Xun transformed back into a cat and slipped inside unnoticed.

The banquet hall was enormous, with guests mingling in the garden, courtyard, and main hall.

Jian Xun looked around. When someone nearby mentioned that Shang Xuci was on his way, his heart raced and his eyes sparkled. He wanted to see that person in his most beautiful, perfect form.

So he found a quiet corner and began grooming himself diligently.

He lifted his front paw with elegance, licking it carefully. The barbs on his tongue acted like a fine comb, cleaning the soft pink pads, which he then used to wash his face. Half-closing his eyes, he gently patted his cheeks with his paw after the first wash. He licked his pink nose, his ears twitching back occasionally.

Then he meticulously smoothed every strand of fur until it lay perfectly in place.

After grooming himself several times over, the cat stood and stretched gracefully, then padded toward a spot with a mirror. With each step, the gorgeous scarf around his neck swayed gently with his movements.

The cat looked in the mirror, a look of contentment and ease on its face.

Under the warm light, its fur was fluffy and lustrous, as smooth as finely woven silk, each strand radiating a healthy sheen.

Its large, luminous blue eyes—like two dazzling gems—gazed with purity and depth, captivating in their beauty.

Tilting his head left and right, twitching his ears, and flicking his tail, Jian Xun—utterly satisfied with his feline appearance—walked confidently and lightly back into the crowd.

He skipped along, choosing the cleanest path, his large, soft, curved tail swaying gracefully and carefully avoiding flowers and leaves, determined not to get dirty.

He headed straight for the upstairs balcony, where the view was expansive.

The white cat leapt onto the windowsill and peered down, immediately catching sight of a familiar figure.

The man stood tall, his handsome face thinner than before. His lips were pale and slightly pursed, and his phoenix eyes held a sharp, piercing light. An icy, unapproachable aura radiated from him.

Jian Xun froze. His impression of Shang Xuci was that he was only a little aloof with others, but always gentle with him—his gaze filled with unwavering doting. But the man before him seemed different.

Then he heard that name again from someone nearby, and realization struck: it wasn’t a stranger they had been praising that day—it was Shang Xuci all along.

He remembered thinking, How could the person the old man favored be so unpromising? My boss has always been ambitious, exceptionally capable, and intelligent, with a well-deserved family background. Even the books mention him as a true boss. How could he possibly be inferior to someone whose name I’d never even heard before?

Jian Xun was shocked, delighted, and then filled with pride.

Look—this is my boss.
My master.
The best and most wonderful master in the world.

The big white cat couldn’t help but purr with pleasure, his tail wagging involuntarily. He watched with amusement, paws tucked in neatly.

As if sensing something, Shang Xuci—surrounded by the crowd—glanced up at the balcony. Startled, the big white cat quickly tucked his tail between his legs, hid from view, and leapt down.

Shang Xuci’s gaze was cold and calm, as still as a deep pool. He caught only a fleeting glimpse of something fluffy and white, like dogtail grass swaying in the wind. His otherwise unmoved heart beat steadily—slow, yet powerful.

A dog?
Or… a cat?
Or was I mistaken?

“Mr. Shang?” Someone called him several times before he came back to his senses, his expression once again blank.

After a bit more polite conversation, Shang Xuci found his mind completely occupied by that brief, furry glimpse. He walked back inside.

Ever since he began cultivating his mind, he had forced his surging longing deep into his heart, constantly reminding himself to suppress it. Immersing himself in study and work had kept his emotions in check, and his mood swings had grown rare.

As he entered the hall, Shen Huan spotted him, hurried over as though finding a savior, and shoved a small white kitten into his arms.

“Cousin, please help me. Watch the kitten for a while—I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

Before Shang Xuci could refuse, Shen Huan vanished without a trace.

The man caught the whimpering white kitten in his arms and tutted in disdain.

Elsewhere, Jian Xun, still hiding, clung to the balcony pillar and peered down—only to discover that the boss had disappeared.

He took two steps back and overheard a man and a woman behind him discussing him.

The woman exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, it’s a lion cat.”

The man scoffed. “How can there be a cat in this place? Can just any cat or dog get in?”

“Don’t say that. Several of the bosses here have cats at home.”

She stepped closer, studying the lion cat. Then she suddenly froze, quickly pulled out her phone, compared some photos, and nudged the man twice.

“Oh my god, check if this cat is the one Mr. Shang lost?!”

The man’s demeanor changed instantly. He carefully compared the photos with the cat in front of him. Aside from being a bit thinner, the resemblance was striking—especially the identical black mark on the tip of its tail.

His heart began pounding with excitement.

He was merely the owner of a small, unknown business, attending tonight’s dinner only thanks to his girlfriend’s connections. As for talking to Shang Xuci, he had never dared to dream of it—but now, his opportunity had come.

The woman urged eagerly, “Quick, catch him! If we can capture him and give him to Mr. Shang, the company’s future will be assured.”

The two exchanged glances and began edging closer to the lion cat.

But Jian Xun had already overheard their plan. He cautiously stepped back.

He didn’t want to be used as a bargaining chip again—captured to threaten the boss.

Relying on his agility and nimble body, Jian Xun seized an opening and bolted. With the pair chasing close behind, he darted toward a more crowded area.

From upstairs to the outdoors, he sprinted—stepping onto a flower bed before leaping down onto the wet gravel path.

…

Shen Huan sipped her milk tea as she scrolled through her phone. Ever since she learned Sui Sui had gone missing, she had joined the search for the cat.

Seeing her cousin growing thinner and more haggard by the day—staring at photos of the cat while holding Sui Sui’s toy ball—made her feel both distressed and anxious.

The cat had recently given birth to a single white kitten, which Shen Huan had brought today to test her cousin’s feelings, hoping it might serve as a substitute for Sui Sui.

But she knew in her heart that every cat was unique and irreplaceable to its owner.

Still… how could she know without trying?

“Oh my god, what was that?”

“It suddenly jumped out and startled me.”

“It looks like a cat!”

Surprised cries echoed from the women nearby. Shen Huan looked over and spotted a familiar figure—though she wasn’t entirely sure. She stood up and followed it, chasing from the courtyard into the hall, until she finally got a clear look at the cat.

It was a lion cat.

The cat suddenly stopped, wagged its tail, and squatted on the ground, its gaze fixed to the left.

Shen Huan followed its line of sight and saw her cousin. She lowered her head to look at the lion cat again, exclaiming in surprise, “Sui Sui?!”

Jian Xun turned sideways and looked up. Recognizing Shen Huan, he opened his mouth and meowed softly.

The lion cat seemed tense. Shen Huan didn’t dare to rush forward. She looked Sui Sui up and down, her expression full of astonishment.

“That’s right—it’s Sui Sui!!”

Her excited voice rang out sharply.

Jian Xun had just meowed when he noticed Shang Xuci, standing a distance away, slowly approaching. The cat froze, unsure what to do.

Would he hug him?
Would he scold him?
Or… would he happily take him into his arms?

The cat licked his lips nervously.

Shen Huan’s eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed at the touching reunion.

Shang Xuci, however, remained calm—his brows drawn in a cold line as he looked at the cat.

A man nearby broke the silence. “Is this your cat?” he asked Shang Xuci.

“No,” Shang Xuci replied coolly.

The cat was stunned—confused, and then utterly lost.

His tail, once held high, drooped; his ears flattened; and the light in his eyes dimmed.

---

Liang Xue understood the situation, and she couldn’t stand it any longer. She stood up and spoke.

Liang Wei looked back and saw his brother glaring at him.

“Brother, why are you here?” Didn’t he say he was inspecting this area today? Why hadn’t anyone announced it?

Liang Wei instantly cowered.

“If I hadn’t come, how would I have seen this?” Liang Shuang snorted. “Do you always use your authority to bully your subordinates?”

He turned his gaze to Jian Xun—a thin, small man with clear eyes and an innocent, harmless expression. He didn’t look like someone who would steal anything.

Knowing his brother’s nature, Liang Shuang was certain the young man was being wrongly accused.

Liang Wei argued, “That kid’s a complete liar. Brother, don’t believe him.”

“Then how much is missing?” Liang Shuang asked, speechless as his eyes fell on the bags of dried fish scattered on the ground. There weren’t many—worth less than a hundred yuan. A fight over such a trivial matter was undoubtedly caused by his spoiled younger brother.

It was clear he must have taken a dislike to this kid.

Just thinking about it gave Liang Shuang a headache. He stood up and said, “It’s just a few bags of dried fish. No need to make such a big deal out of it. Let’s just forget it.”

Xu Tutu frowned, his previous good impression of the man gone. “What do you mean, ‘just forget it’? He hit my brother! Shouldn’t he apologize? Besides, my brother didn’t steal anything. Shouldn’t he be cleared of all charges?”

Jian Xun caught the boss’s displeased smile, quickly tugged at Xu Tutu’s sleeve, and whispered, “Brother, let’s forget it. The boss said so.”

“You fool! It’s one thing for the master to bully you, but how can we let these people take advantage of us?” Xu Tutu said angrily. “No matter what, an apology is necessary.”

Liang Shuang glanced at Liang Wei, who immediately said, “I was beaten too. Shouldn’t he apologize as well?”

Seeing his brother getting truly angry, Liang Wei—feeling frustrated—stepped forward and said to Jian Xun, “Little boy, I’m sure you didn’t steal it. Liang Wei is just like that. Don’t take it personally. Just work hard. Our factory won’t mistreat anyone.”

Xu Tutu let out a sarcastic chuckle. “Won’t mistreat anyone? What a statement… tsk.”

Jian Xun shook his head, looked at Liang Shuang seriously, and said, “I’m just a part-time worker. After something like this, if my name isn’t cleared, I’ll have to leave. Besides, he’s your relative—the boss’s family. If you leave today, he’ll definitely make things difficult for me. I just hope you can have my wages paid.”

He spoke his mind, completely oblivious to the possibility of offending others.

This matter could be serious or minor, but Jian Xun valued his reputation. If Liang Wei dared to treat him like this now, who knew what he might do later?

After what happened, Jian Xun had no intention of continuing to work at this factory.

The money had to be taken.

Liang Shuang knew her brother’s temper, and seeing Jian Xun’s insistence, she decided not to keep him here any longer.

Coincidentally, someone from the Finance Department was following him today. He waved them over, had them fetch the cash, and put it in a bag, which he then handed to Jian Xun.

The heavy bag felt substantial. Jian Xun, who mentally calculated his earnings every day, could tell from the weight that it was quite a bit.

He opened the bag in front of everyone, counted out twenty bills, and handed the rest back to Liang Shuang. “I’m working part-time—one hundred yuan a day. I’ve worked exactly twenty days this month, so a total of two thousand yuan.”

The boy’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes blinked, his long, curly eyelashes fluttering. His clean demeanor and upright behavior made this skinny child’s soul seem even more noble.

“I just want the money I earned through hard work—the money I deserve.”

It was the first time Liang Shuang had ever been refused money, and he found himself admiring Jian Xun even more. Taking back the extra cash, he smiled and said, “I remember you wrote on your employee list that you have a cat. Go pick up a few bags of dried fish from the front desk later. They’re not worth much, so consider them payment for your work this morning.”

Jian Xun nodded firmly, dumped the bag of dried fish from his backpack onto the table, packed up his things, and—without so much as a glance at the people he’d just argued with—slung his backpack over his shoulder, tugged at Xu Tutu’s sleeve, and walked out.

The sun was setting, its fiery red light slipping quietly behind the mountain peak. The dim moon hung hazily in the sky, patiently waiting for night to fall.

Jian Xun walked side by side with Xu Tutu, clutching his purse.

He said, “Although cats like dried fish, we don’t usually steal it.”

Xu Tutu nodded. “It’s okay. We’ll boycott this factory and buy dried fish elsewhere.”

“Yeah.” Jian Xun still felt it was a pity; he’d quite enjoyed this easy, slacking job.

The young cat’s ears drooped, his tail motionless. His voice was low. “You’ll have to find me a new job.”

Xu Tutu comforted him. “Take your time. It’s fine if you can’t find one. I’ll support you.”

Jian Xun’s eyes brimmed with gratitude. “Brother Tutu, you’re so kind!”—words he had repeated countless times.

Xu Tutu patted his head. “Come on, I’ll treat you to fish.”

…

Xinyu Office Building

The desk was cluttered with documents; a cell phone was carelessly tossed aside, and a fine mist of steam rose from the coffee cup.

Shang Xuci reached for the cup, his narrow eyes narrowing slightly. A hint of annoyance flickered in his gaze, and his demeanor grew even colder.

After reviewing the last document, he stood, grabbed his bag, and left work.

Driving home, Shang Xuci stopped at a nearby supermarket for groceries. Passing by an overpass, he spotted a fortune teller.

The man was young, wearing sunglasses and the latest designer clothes. He sat at a small stall, cracking sunflower seeds.

Because his presence felt so out of place among the sleazy crowd around him, Shang Xuci gave him a longer look—and was promptly stopped.

“Sir, you look troubled. Have you lost something?” The young man straightened, met Shang Xuci’s eyes, and smiled. “I can tell you anything.”

Shang Xuci glanced at the sign indifferently. Just as he took a step forward, the man said, “Lost cats, for example.”

Shang Xuci paused and turned to look at him. The man pointed at the sign and said, “I’ll be setting up here every Friday this month. You’re not allowed to come looking for me. No charge.”

Shang Xuci sat down in front of him and got straight to the point. “Can you find my cat?”

“Of course. But you’ll need to tell me roughly when your cat went missing, as well as your birth chart,” the man said confidently.

Half-doubtful, Shang Xuci wrote down the information on a piece of paper.

After a few minutes of thought, the man began, “Your cat is male, white, and should be a lion cat that’s just reached adulthood.”

“There’s more?” Shang Xuci asked. This wasn’t hard to guess—anyone who knew him knew he’d lost a lion cat. The story had been in the media just a few days ago, and the high clue reward had gone viral.

“Your cat… huh?” The man’s expression shifted slightly. After a few seconds, he continued, “He’s in good health. You haven’t had him neutered yet, have you?”

“No.”

“Where can I find him?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not the right time to meet him yet. You’ll see him on the weekend after the Lunar New Year holiday.”

Shang Xuci lowered his eyes, frowning slightly. The Lunar New Year was still nearly a month away.

“He left home on his own and will return on his own.”

“Left on his own?” Shang Xuci repeated, then asked, “Why?”

“You can’t predict a cat’s thoughts. Maybe he wants freedom, maybe he’s been wronged, or maybe he’s just out playing for a while,” the man speculated casually. Then, noticing his guest’s serious expression, he glanced back at the divination and said in surprise, “Oh, check your study when you get home. You might find something unexpected.”

“How much?”

The man pulled out a payment code. “First-time special. Don’t pay 888—just 88.8.”

Shang Xuci took out his phone and paid.

“Come again next time.”

After shopping, Shang Xuci went home and answered a call from his school advisor.

Once he finished, he went to the study to get his things. Remembering the fortune teller’s words, he carefully checked the floor around his desk and found a note near the table leg.

It was addressed to him.

Shang Xuci’s face darkened, his eyes cold as he unfolded it.

In crooked, bug-like handwriting—

I’m leaving, but I’ll be back.
Don’t worry.
Oh, I borrowed a pair of your pants. I’ll return them. ^＿^*

The signature was a red, plum-shaped cat paw print.

Shang Xuci sat for a long time, clutching the note.

His cat had left on its own.

They had promised not to be apart.

He couldn’t remember how many clothes and pants he’d bought over time, but when he checked his closet, he found that a pair he often wore was indeed missing.

Taking inventory of the cat’s belongings, he found some food missing, and the cardboard boxes—save for a small blanket—were empty.

A premeditated departure.

A cat leaving a message was absurd. Shang Xuci didn’t want to dwell on its meaning; all he could think about was that the cat had left on its own. He couldn’t understand why Sui Sui had run away.

His gaze drifted to the cat’s toys, then settled on his tablet.

It was no longer possible to judge Sui Sui’s thoughts using ordinary feline logic. He opened the tablet and checked the browsing history of the few websites the cat had visited.

[How to be cute and endearing?]

Shang Xuci’s eyelashes fluttered. He remembered how Sui Sui used to collapse in front of him just to act cute—scratching his ears, winking, tilting his head, and making those sticky, clingy little cat sounds.

One post read: If my cat could cook and do chores for me, I don’t know what a happy and blessed poop-shoveler I’d be! I love cats so much!! —and it had received a like.

Then came related searches for [cooking and housework].

Obviously, the results were unimpressive.

Shang Xuci’s heart gave an involuntary tremor when he saw the post [What if your cat initiates affection, but is rejected?]. His chest felt tight, and his fingertips—gripping the tablet—turned pale. He closed his eyes, then opened them again.

[Cat toy prices.]

[How much does it cost to raise a cat per month?]

Shang Xuci fell silent. This cat knew everything.

His long, beautiful knuckles flexed as he scrolled further, clicking through more of the browsing history. The next few posts made him pause.

[How to find a good cat owner?]

[How to scam rich people and become a wealthy second-generation cat?!]

Shang Xuci’s eyelids twitched several times, and he fell into deep thought.

What? Was this what Sui Sui really wanted?

…

After being given a new life, few things could stir Shang Xuci’s emotions. Even his hatred for Shang—the vengeful feelings that came from a god’s perspective—brought him no pleasure.

The only variable was his cat.

Others might simply say to get a new cat when one is gone, but they don’t understand how wonderful Sui Sui is. He makes his bed and curls up to sleep soundly in his arms at night—utterly adorable.

He knows he likes cleanliness, so he mops the floor, learns to cook, and accompanies him at work. Even when he’s in a bad mood after his rebirth, the cat can sense it and stays quietly by his side, baring her belly.

A kitten’s heart sparkles like a diamond—precious, beautiful, and the most endearing thing in the world.

Now that he’s gone, his heart feels empty.

He still has his grandmother and his friends, but in Sui Sui’s world, he seems to be everything.

Cats can’t speak; they use their actions to please and care for their humans. Unlike people, they can only read their owners’ moods through emotions and gestures.

He knows Sui Sui is special—different from other cats.

What kind of mood was he in when he searched for all that information?

Where is he now?

Is he hungry?

Is he cold?

Will stray cats bully him?

Will I… miss him?

---

Jian Xun loved his job. It didn’t require much brainpower, and he could slack off while working. The only downside was that he could touch, but not eat.

Just as he was about to get off work, the data on the dashboard in his mind quietly changed—

The plot had been stuck at 70% with no progress. The intimacy value of the character he was trying to capture had dropped to zero, while the darkening value—long stagnant at zero—had been steadily increasing every day since he left.

Jian Xun felt a faint sense of worry.

The start of January brought him to a new team. Sitting at his workstation, Jian Xun subconsciously tucked his tail between his legs and checked that his hat was secure.

Beside him sat a young man of similar age. He had just graduated from high school and started working, but due to his lack of education, he could only find work in the factory.

This was Xiao Mi. With his good looks and tall frame, he was popular among the factory girls.

Yesterday in the dormitory, Xiao Mi had heard that a part-time employee had arrived who was supposedly even more handsome than him. He had scoffed at the idea. Nowadays, too many people relied on plastic surgery or makeup, and not everyone looked as good bare-faced as he did. He disdained cosmetics and had no interest in the newcomer.

That was, until now—when he saw men, women, young and old gathered around chatting. Curious, Xiao Mi walked over and laid eyes on the new employee.

Delicate features, fair skin, and a soft, beautiful appearance—especially those bright, clear eyes, so charming and full of life. His entire aura was pure and clean, brimming with youthfulness, making one instinctively want to treat him kindly.

Xiao Mi couldn’t help staring, his face shifting from pale to red in embarrassment.

Someone noticed him and teased, and Xiao Mi, feeling humiliated, shoved them away.

“What are you doing? Get back to your workstations! It’s time to work! If you don’t leave, I’ll report you to the boss.”

His tone was slightly irritated, his demeanor arrogant. Some workers, already displeased with him, began whispering as he walked off.

“Tsk, who does he think he is? Does he really think he’s that handsome? The new guy is a thousand times better looking than him—and with a nice personality, too. You can tell at a glance he’s some young master out here to experience life. There’s no comparison.”

“Isn’t it just because he hooked up with the boss? Look how smug he is, always showing off.”

“Forget it, don’t provoke him. We all work in the same factory.”

The others left as they talked. The workers on their assembly line looked away and returned to their seats.

“Hello, my name is Jian Xun,” Jian Xun greeted warmly.

Xiao Mi glanced at him and replied with a smile, “I’m Xiao Mi.”

During the lunch break, Xiao Mi took Jian Xun to eat. He subtly probed for information about Jian Xun’s background, and upon learning that he was an orphan, he felt both superior and disdainful.

He remarked that even rich kids didn’t come to their factory just to ‘experience life.’

Over the next few days, Xiao Mi treated Jian Xun like a lackey, and Jian Xun happily obliged, not feeling exploited in the slightest.

Those who had once given Xiao Mi gifts now began giving them to Jian Xun instead. More importantly, Jian Xun was unfailingly polite—he not only smiled sweetly in thanks but also returned the favor.

This touched the hearts of the girls who had grown used to Xiao Mi’s attention. Xiao Mi had always been aloof, only accepting expensive gifts and rarely offering thanks.

When Xiao Mi saw something on Jian Xun’s desk that had once belonged to him, he was filled with envy. But the moment Jian Xun turned to speak to him, he quickly put on a friendly smile again.

A fortnight later, during a team meeting, the team leader announced that the boss would be coming to inspect their work and urged everyone to stay alert and show their best attitude.

Everyone responded in unison.

Then they slumped back into their usual lifeless state.

Work was misery.

Looking across at the “factory beauty” on the opposite line, the pretty young woman was brimming with energy—the kind of hopeful enthusiasm that comes with just starting a job. She worked hard and earnestly, unlike the rest of them, who had been drained of all spirit by the daily grind, with no hope for the future.

…

On the day of the inspection, the manager, while taking inventory, discovered a discrepancy—something that had been happening every week. He immediately called the team leader for an explanation.

The team leader stammered, unable to give one. He usually preferred to delegate work to his subordinates and keep himself out of the way, but he hadn’t expected a problem like this.

To make matters worse, CEO Liang Wei was standing right beside him.

The team leader summoned Xiao Mi, who was in charge of the weekly inventory. Surely he would know what had happened.

Xiao Mi walked over and saw Liang Wei. His face paled. Lowering his head, he bit his lip, his expression a mix of innocence and confusion.

“How could that be? It’s always matched up before!”

The handsome young man frowned and sighed, instantly drawing Liang Wei’s sympathy.

“Hey, isn’t this Team Leader Zhao’s responsibility? This has nothing to do with Xiao Xiao!” Liang Wei said.

Zhao Man, knowing full well about Xiao Mi’s affair with Mr. Liang, quickly echoed his words. “Think about it—has anyone seemed suspicious lately?”

Xiao Mi’s eyes darted around, and after a moment’s hesitation, he said, “There is one person who seems suspicious.

…

When Jian Xun returned from the restroom, he sensed that something was off. Everyone was looking at him strangely.

“Jian Xun, the team leader wants you in Office 107.”

“Okay.”

Jian Xun took a sip of water at his workstation and hurried to the office.

“Jian Xun, if you have any difficulties, just tell me. Don’t be sneaky,” Team Leader Zhao said.

Jian Xun was bewildered.

What do you mean by sneaky?

He looked at the man sitting in the executive chair, head bent over a document, then noticed Xiao Mi and the team leader standing nearby.

“What happened?” he asked.

The disdainful looks from the others made him frown, and a bad feeling welled up in his chest.

Xiao Mi spoke first. “Jian Xun, did you steal something?”

Jian Xun’s eyes widened. “How is that possible?!”

He had always been a good kid—he could barely tell a lie, let alone steal.

“You’re accusing me of stealing?” Jian Xun muttered. “I didn’t.”

His voice was clear and crisp, melodic even when tinged with anger. Liang Wei finally looked up, his eyes widening as he stared at him in surprise.

The team leader, watching the two, said calmly, “Check the surveillance.”

Xiao Mi was a veteran employee, and nothing like this had ever happened before—at least, never to him. He had even recommended Jian Xun internally, so if something went wrong, he would be implicated.

That he was willing to check the surveillance showed confidence. But the team leader already knew the truth—the cameras in their section had been broken for a long time, and no one had come to fix them. Checking would be pointless.

Deputy General Manager Liang Wei, his face round and fleshy, stared at Jian Xun with rapt attention. In his entire life, he had never seen someone so good-looking, and for a moment he was stunned.

He also happened to like men—and in a factory dominated by women, attractive men were rare. Looking at Jian Xun, only a few thoughts crossed his mind: So beautiful. So pure. I want him.

The team leader noticed the vacant, heated look in Liang Wei’s eyes, and his expression darkened instantly. He had known from the start that this newcomer was trouble. Not only had he caught the attention of the female employees, but now he was even drawing in Vice President Liang. If Zhao didn’t get rid of him today, he wouldn’t be worthy of his own name.

His gaze flicked to Xiao Mi. Xiao Mi, brimming with confidence, caught the signal and focused on Jian Xun’s small bag.

Zhao Man immediately understood and nodded.

Xiao Mi’s tone turned smug. “That’s funny! I can buy as many dried fish as I want—why would I steal them? But you… you’ve been drooling over them countless times!”

Jian Xun was incredulous and retorted sharply, “Nonsense! I didn’t!”

He admitted that the first time he had come here, his eyes had lit up at the smell and he had smacked his lips in anticipation—but he had controlled himself! The little cats were professionals, after all, wearing masks while working and never drooling.

Liang Wei interrupted with a smile. “If it wasn’t you, would you dare take off your pants and show us?”

Why did he notice a bulge in the boy’s pants? Was his backside really that raised?

Jian Xun’s cat tail twitched, his face paling. “You’re being rude! How can you make someone take off their pants?!”

In his agitation, his tail—hidden in his pants—couldn’t help but lift. Looking down, it was clearly visible.

“We’re all men here. What’s wrong with it? Your pants are bulging—what’s in there?” Liang Wei stepped closer, slapped a large hand against Jian Xun’s backside, and asked in a lewd tone, “Could it be dried fish?”

Jian Xun instantly bristled and slapped him backhandedly, making Liang Wei stagger to the side—small backpack now in his grip.

Liang Wei, rubbing his stinging cheek, kept his expression unreadable.

Zhao Man, who stepped forward to support him, was furious. He barked orders to grab Jian Xun, cursing and insisting they strip off his pants.

Liang Wei, far from being angry about the slap, smiled at Jian Xun and said, “If you’re shy about undressing in front of everyone, that’s fine. You can come to my room alone to prove it, and I’ll—”

“I’m not going! I didn’t steal!”

Eager to clear his name, Jian Xun turned out his pants pockets and opened his small backpack—only for several dried fish to tumble out.

“Ha! It really is you!”

“See? I told you it was him.”

“You’re so young, and you still won’t admit it.”

Jian Xun’s eyes widened in shock, tears welling up. “I didn’t do it! Who slipped these into my bag?!”

Then, as if recalling something, he looked up sharply at Xiao Mi—who was grinning at him with smug satisfaction.

Pointing an accusing finger, Jian Xun shouted, “I saw you take my bag! You put them in there! You’re framing me!”

The boy felt wronged and furious. He knew Zhao Man and Xiao Mi were working together, and from Liang Wei’s attitude, he wasn’t any better. Standing in a defensive posture, Jian Xun tried his best not to be bullied.

Liang Wei’s tone was deceptively casual, but his words carried a threat. “If you won’t admit it, we’ll just call your parents.”

Sure enough, the boy’s expression flickered with panic.

Liang Wei said to someone behind him, “Bring me his personal information sheet.”

Jian Xun bit his lip and frowned. “You can’t do this.”

All this humiliation over a few missing dried fish—and calling his parents on top of it. Jian Xun could see through Liang Wei’s intentions. Perhaps Xiao Mi had already told him who he really was, and Liang Wei was using this as an excuse to trap him.

“Your brother and father are the only ones at home?” Liang Wei took the opportunity to glance at Jian Xun’s personal information, his tone dripping with implication.

“What’s it to you?” Jian Xun shot back fiercely.

“Hmph. You stole from our factory—how is that none of my business? Since you won’t come with me, I have no choice but to call.”

Liang Wei switched on the speakerphone.

Jian Xun bit his lip, regretting that he had filled out the form truthfully that day. He should never have given his real phone number.

Liang Wei dialed the first number—Xu Tutu’s—but the line only beeped for a long time without anyone picking up.

He glanced at the boy, whose eyes were red like a rabbit’s as he glared at him. Then Liang Wei grinned and slowly dialed the second number.

Jian Xun didn’t know who he was calling this time. He kept his eyes fixed on him, clutching his bag tightly in his hand.

“Hello? Who is this?” The voice on the other end was hoarse and cold, with a trace of anxiety.

“I’m Liang Wei. Are you Shang Xuci?”

The moment he heard that familiar voice, Jian Xun’s heart leapt into his throat. He felt even more nervous than when calling Xu Tutu—his chest tightening with a mix of grievance and anticipation.

Noticing the young man’s eager gaze, Liang Wei deliberately raised his voice. “Your son, Jian Xun, was caught stealing from me—”

Before he could finish, the other party cut him off impatiently. “You’ve dialed the wrong number.”

Beep beep.

The call ended.

Everyone looked at one another in confusion.

Liang Wei glanced down at Jian Xun. The young man lowered his eyes, lips pressed tight in annoyance, and said slowly, “He’s not my father.”

“One’s surname is Jian and the other’s Liang—how could they be father and son? Unless he took his mother’s surname?” Zhao Man added fuel to the fire.

Another worker chimed in, “You know, the only person I’ve heard of in City A named Shang Xuci is the son of the Shang Group. He was just on TV recently. He’s a single, wealthy bachelor—how could someone that old be related to him? You’re probably joking.”

Jian Xun opened his mouth to respond—but Liang Wei’s phone rang.

“Hello, this is Xu Tutu. What was that call about?”

It was Xu Tutu calling back.

“Your brother’s in trouble. Come over immediately,” Liang Wei said.

The other person froze for a moment, about to ask more, but the call was abruptly ended.

Liang Wei stepped forward, but Jian Xun snapped angrily, “You’re bullying the weak with your numbers, turning a blind eye to the truth, and slandering me. When my brother gets here, we’ll go to the police station and have this investigated.”

“Sure, I’ll wait,” Liang Wei replied nonchalantly. “We already have all the evidence. Let’s see how long you can keep denying it. Haha.”

Let’s see who outmaneuvers who.

Xu Tutu had just finished work when he received a strange phone call saying that Jian Xun was in trouble. Anxious to the point of pacing in circles, he tried calling Jian Xun, but no one picked up. Without wasting another second, he ran to his boss’s office to ask for leave.

Then he hailed a taxi straight to the factory.

…

Greedy Cat Company

Boss Liang Shuang was leading a group of people on an inspection tour of the branch office.

Walking beside him was a young woman—his daughter, Liang Xue—who had recently earned her master’s degree.

Liang Xue’s major wasn’t in food science, and her repeated job applications had been rejected. She hadn’t been accepted by the company she most wanted to work for, so her father had brought her to the family’s factory to unwind.

“Actually, our factory’s doing pretty well,” Liang Shuang tried to console her. “You could come work for Dad’s company after graduation and jump straight to vice president—that would be fantastic.”

“Forget it. I’d rather try working at my classmate’s company.”

“Classmate?” Liang Shuang asked. “What does your classmate’s family do? What company?”

“Shang Group. Dad, you really don’t know?”

“Shang… Shang Group?” Liang Shuang’s eyes lit up. He leaned in eagerly. “Daughter, do you know someone from the Shang family?!”

“Didn’t I tell you? Shang Xuci is my classmate—we’re in the same department and the same class.”

“Oh my God! Are you close with him? What’s your relationship like?”

“Just ordinary classmates. Shang hardly ever comes to school, and none of us are particularly close to him,” Liang Xue replied honestly. Seeing her father’s excitement, she frowned. “Why are you asking?”

“To be honest, Dad’s company has been expanding lately, but we’re short on connections. If I could build ties with Shang, then…”

The future would be limitless.

It would be the perfect solution to their current predicament.

“Well… I probably can’t help you. We’re barely more than names in the same class group chat.”

“That’s enough,” Liang Shuang said, suddenly remembering a news article he’d seen a few days ago. He gave his daughter a speculative look. “I wonder what kind of girl Mr. Shang likes. My daughter is so outstanding…”

“Dad, what are you thinking? He already has a fiancée. Don’t set your sights on me,” Liang Xue interrupted quickly, a touch of irritation in her tone.

Shang Xuci was the most popular boy at their school—backed by a strong family background, excellent grades, good looks, and a spotless reputation. He was the unattainable ideal of every girl on campus.

How could someone like that possibly be interested in her?

Liang Shuang laughed heartily. “That’s nothing. Mr. Shang just called off his engagement with his fiancée a few days ago. He’s single again—so you both still have a chance.”

“Never mind, seriously.” Liang Xue quickened her pace. “There’s only one factory left. Let’s hurry and go home after we finish here.”

“Hello, is Factory 304 here?” an urgent male voice rang out.

The man who answered shook his head. “I’m collecting trash today, so I’m not sure. You should ask someone else.”

The young man looked visibly disappointed. He started toward the next factory but was stopped.

“Young man, we’re headed to Factory 304 too. Want to go together?” Liang Shuang called out to Xu Tutu.

“Okay.”

“What are you doing at Factory 304?”

“My brother works there. Something happened.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know.”

The young man’s anxiety was palpable, and the group quickened their pace.

When they arrived, a commotion was underway inside, with a crowd of onlookers gathered at the door.

The foreman at the front checked his watch and barked, “What are you all doing here?! Why aren’t you at your workstations?”

The onlookers turned to see their supervisor, tugged at the sleeves of those next to them, and scurried off in shame.

“Sui Sui!”

Xu Tutu spotted Jian Xun in the middle of the crowd—his hair disheveled, shirt half-unbuttoned with several buttons torn off, and his fair face smeared with dust. Xu Tutu’s pupils contracted sharply. Then, with a sudden movement, he crouched and sprang forward like a cat, forcing his way into the crowd and positioning himself protectively in front of Jian Xun, teeth bared and claws out.

The abrupt scene left everyone stunned.

His posture was odd, like a beast shielding its cub, his voice low and threatening. The primal edge in it startled those nearby, making them think he was unhinged and prompting them to step back.

Jian Xun’s eyes lit up at the sight of him. “Brother Tutu!”

The two embraced.

Liang Shuang and Liang Xue exchanged a glance and frowned. They pulled the foreman aside, shaking their heads, trying to make sense of the situation.

Nearby, the HR representative flipped through the documents in her hands until she found several information sheets for the latest batch of employees.

She leaned over to the boss and whispered, “Boss Liang, this new employee is Jian Xun—we just hired him.”

Liang Shuang glanced at the papers. Just as he had guessed, the young man’s background was simple and clean.

Withdrawing his gaze, Liang Shuang continued to watch the crowd.

Liang Wei hadn’t even noticed the growing crowd behind him. He assumed they were just nosy onlookers from next door and was now intent on teasing someone. Spotting Xu Tutu, he looked the cool-looking newcomer up and down.

“Hey, you’re this kid’s younger brother?”

“I am,” Xu Tutu said, stepping in to defend Jian Xun. “Why are you people bullying my younger brother?”

“Bullying?” Liang Wei let out a hearty laugh, glancing at the people on both sides. “Ask them who started it first!”

Jian Xun shot back angrily, “You accused me of stealing—and you even tried to strip me!”

“What?!” Xu Tutu exclaimed in disbelief.

Had humans really sunk to this level of shamelessness?!

Slandering a kitten—and then humiliating it.

Xu Tutu crouched low, head raised and teeth bared. “Whoever bullies my younger brother, I’ll bite him to death!!”

Everyone: ???

Someone close to Liang Wei leaned over and whispered, “Brother Liang, just forget it. This kid’s brother doesn’t seem… normal.”

Liang Wei shot him a glare, his expression saying loud and clear: This is my business. What the hell do you care?

Jian Xun noticed Xu Tutu’s strange posture. He was more worried that Xu Tutu might lose control and transform into a cat to attack these people—that would be a disaster, considering his secret.

He crouched down and tugged at Xu Tutu’s arm, whispering, “Brother, don’t forget you’re human right now. Don’t get angry yet. Stand up.”

Xu Tutu, still radiating aggression, forced himself to calm down and said, “You accused my brother of stealing. Show me the evidence.”

Xiao Mi pointed to Jian Xun’s schoolbag. “That’s the evidence.”

Jian Xun immediately retorted, “You’re the one who framed me! There was nothing in my bag. You touched it, and suddenly something appeared inside!”

He added sharply, “The surveillance cameras weren’t working. Someone tampered with them on purpose!”

Xu Tutu glanced at the ten or so bags of dried fish on the ground and sneered, turning to Liang Wei. “Let’s not even talk about the goods for now. Just these few bags of dried fish—are you trying to take advantage of my brother?” It was obvious Liang Wei was deliberately looking for trouble and trying to frame him.

He pulled out his phone. “You people are just making baseless accusations. You can’t even explain yourselves, and yet you think you can rob decent men and women? Look at what you’ve done to my brother!”

Xu Tutu grabbed Jian Xun’s arm, and Jian Xun rolled up his sleeve. His delicate skin bruised at the slightest touch, and the sight was even more shocking now.

“Call the police! They’ll stand for justice and make an impartial judgment!”

“Call the police? You think that’ll work?” Liang Wei said arrogantly. “I’m the boss here. If I don’t let you leave, do you think you can walk out?”

“Uncle, since when did you become the boss? Don’t you still answer to my father?”

---

“He’s still injured. You can’t take him away!” Xu Rong said, blocking the bed. “He’s been wrongly accused!”

“Don’t worry about that. We have a hospital inside,” the leading man replied. “As for whether he was wrongly accused, we’ll investigate thoroughly. We’ll handle this matter impartially.”

The man and the bed were carried away together.

Xu Rong stood frozen in disbelief.

“Instead of worrying about that, why not think about how long Doctor Fang can last in there?” Shang Xuci rose to his full height, pausing as he passed Xu Rong. He cast her a sidelong glance and said casually, “Aunt Xu, we still have plenty of time together.”

Tang Manwen followed behind Shang Xuci. She looked back at the distressed Xu Rong, then at Shang Xuci, who had already pulled away. Quickening her pace, she caught up to him and thanked him.

Only after having her own child did Tang Manwen truly understand the pain she had inflicted on Shang Xuci. Regret could never undo it. After all, she had fed that child bowls of poison, and one day she would stand trial alongside Xu Rong and the others.

Shang Xuci said nothing in response to her gratitude. He walked to the parking lot, then turned to her and said, “Now that you and Xu Rong have completely severed ties, I’ve arranged a new place for you. Think about how to persuade your son—and be patient.”

He had no intention of letting Xu Rong go so easily. The bait had been set; it was only a matter of time before the fish bit.

Tang Manwen nodded, watching as the car slowly disappeared from view.

…

Shang Group

Shang Ye hurried to the reception room with a folder in hand. Scowling, he asked his secretary, “Why didn’t you tell me my uncle was here before letting him in?”

Secretary Zhao looked embarrassed. “The receptionist recognized him, but before we could call to inform you, President Shang had already arrived.”

Secretary Zhao was new to Shang Ye’s team. He hadn’t previously worked at Shang Group headquarters—he had been transferred from a subsidiary after Shang Ye took over. Still unfamiliar with Shang Yan, he had only just realized the man was the president’s uncle and quickly relayed the news to Shang Ye.

Shang Ye didn’t bother getting angry. As he reached the office door, he immediately put on a smile.

“Uncle, why didn’t you let me know you were coming? I could’ve welcomed you properly.”

Shang Yan waved a hand dismissively, his expression unchanged. “I’m here to talk business. No need for formalities.”

The female secretary accompanying Shang Yan set two copies of a document in front of them.

“Congratulations on taking over my uncle’s position,” Shang Yan said. “I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”

Shang Ye smiled. “I was only able to join the core decision-making team thanks to you, Uncle.”

“No need to thank me. Uncle’s health is declining, and you three are the only descendants of the Shang family left. Shang Yi refused to take the job and was sent abroad by Uncle. Shang Xuci is frail and blind. Who else but you can shoulder this responsibility right now?”

“Is my great-uncle in good health?”

Shang Jue’s generation had only one son, Shang Wei, but Shang Wei had two brothers—one older and one younger. Their relationship broke down early over a dispute about the family fortune, and they had remained estranged ever since. Even now, the three brothers rarely met.

Shang Yan, the eldest son of Shang Ye’s great-uncle, had been running the investment company spun off from the Shang Group. According to one of his uncle’s casual remarks, the company’s operating profits were considerable.

“Alright, enough chit-chat,” Shang Yan said, placing a document on the table. “Here’s the business proposal. You know our company is planning a major tourism project and needs investment. You haven’t made any progress within the group, so this is a great opportunity for you.”

Shang Ye fully understood the implications behind Shang Yan’s seemingly “kind” offer. Knowing his uncle was never this generous without reason, he nodded cautiously. “I’ll consider it.”

“Once you read it, you’ll see it’s a rare opportunity. I’ve also left the contract here. Take your time to review it—but don’t keep me waiting too long.”

“I’ll get back to you in a month,” Shang Ye replied.

“Alright.”

After chatting for a while longer, Shang Yan said, “Next week is your second uncle’s birthday. We’re having dinner at Jiangjin Garden. You should come too—he hasn’t seen you in a long time.”

“I’ll go,” Shang Ye said with a nod.

…

A week later.

Shang Ye kept his appointment.

When he entered the private room, he saw six or seven people seated in an elegantly decorated space.

The only familiar faces at the table were his eldest uncle, his younger brother, and his second uncle. Shang Dao, the second uncle, had a completely different personality from Shang Yan—more approachable and refined. In the past, when others argued that Shang Ye, an illegitimate son, should not join the Shang Group, Second Uncle had supported him. When Shang Ye was younger, Shang Dao even gave him New Year’s red envelopes.

As adults, they had met less and less frequently, so seeing Shang Dao now made Shang Ye a little nervous to greet him.

Shang Yan then introduced him to the other guests—well-known entrepreneurs who, judging by their attitude toward his eldest uncle, had likely come to expand their business connections.

At the mention of Shang Ye’s name, they began to praise him.

“Taking over the family business at such a young age is no easy feat.”

“I’ve met Boss Shang Jue before—you and he look a lot alike, both with an extraordinary presence.”

“The young are to be feared; the young are to be feared.”

“We old men are truly aging—it’s the young who have the courage and capability to take risks.”

“Mr. Shang, please give me your guidance. Let’s stay in touch; I look forward to working with you.”

“No, no, you flatter me,” Shang Ye replied politely.

After the introductions, Shang Dao smiled and motioned for him to sit beside him. Looking him over, he said, “The last time I saw you, you were still in school. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown tall, handsome—and now you’re the boss.”

“How’s it going? Taking over the group at such a young age must be tough, right?”

Shang Dao sighed at how quickly time passed. His warm words helped Shang Ye loosen up, and the atmosphere became more at ease.

Shang Ye accepted the wine his second uncle poured for him, took a sip, and smiled. “Not bad.”

The old man had left behind a capable team. They might not excel at growing the company, but at least they could keep it running smoothly.

Shang Ye, handsome, gentle, and polite, joined in the small talk. The old men mostly spoke about family matters, and the question they asked most often was whether he had a girlfriend.

Thinking of Jiang Yuanqing, Shang Ye’s eyes softened. He smiled and replied, “Yes.”

The others laughed and said, “Mr. Shang is so outstanding—of course he has a girlfriend. Is there any need to ask?”

“Hahaha, that’s right.”

Shang Ye laughed along, then leaned toward Shang Dao. “Second Uncle, I heard from First Uncle that your company has been doing very well in recent years.”

Shang Dao waved his hand dismissively. “I’m not cut out for business. Thanks to your First Uncle, I’ve made quite a bit over the years through your Big Brother’s company.”

He then refilled Shang Yan’s glass. “Big Brother, I want to invest in this project as well.”

Surprised, Shang Ye asked, “Second Uncle, you want to invest too?”

He didn’t know much about his First Uncle Shang Yan, but he knew Second Uncle had a sharp eye for investments; otherwise, he wouldn’t have relied on it for his livelihood for so many years.

Shang Dao raised his glass, and Shang Ye clinked his own against it.

“Of course. This is a rare opportunity.”

Shang Yan stayed silent while Shang Dao spoke at length, explaining the investment project and outlining its potential benefits.

Shang Ye’s earlier flattery had already gone to his head. Moreover, he had promised his second uncle that he would work with him after helping him secure his current position. Now the deal had shifted toward his first uncle. Under the watchful eyes of those present, Shang Ye drank several glasses of wine, feeling more and more emboldened. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Uncle, I’ll sign the contract.”

“Hahaha, good.” Shang Dao grinned and poured him another glass.

…

Xinyu Group

Two months passed, yet nothing was found about the cat. Instead, many people brought Shang Xuci lion cats that looked vaguely like Sui Sui, claiming they had found him. Each false lead left him feeling more overwhelmed and frustrated.

To numb himself, Shang Xuci relocated Xinyu back to China. This coincided with the country’s new policies that placed cutting-edge technology at the forefront, and the company quickly released a series of smart products.

The decision-makers at Xinyu were bold, seizing major projects from the Shang Group almost overnight. Before long, Xinyu became a household name in the domestic business world.

The company’s true boss remained a mystery, represented in public by President Yun Qing. People were eager to know who he was, but no one could uncover any information.

Shang Xuci, the man behind Xinyu, threw himself into work, operating almost mechanically and with no trace of emotion. The company temporarily relocated to a building across from Yinfeng Entertainment, and Shang Xuci’s constant running back and forth—never stopping for a moment—soon became a source of complaints among employees.

Fu Qian was the only one who knew why his boss worked so hard. Whenever Shang Xuci had a spare moment, Fu Qian would catch him staring at Sui Sui’s photos with a sigh.

In the early days, following tips from detectives and leads from others, Shang Xuci had gone nearly mad—rummaging through sewers, checking trash bins, and spending entire nights searching. Even now, he refused to give up, sending people to comb through every inch of City A.

His biggest fear was that the cat was no longer in City A. China was so vast that there was no telling when—or if—it would be found.

Fu Qian still had several boxes of canned cat food and dried fish in storage.

The search for Sui Sui continued. To prevent his boss from spiraling further, Fu Qian avoided mentioning the cat unless he had concrete news.

Gradually, the word cat became taboo around Shang Xuci.

One day, Fu Qian brought coffee to his desk. Seeing Shang Xuci put down the documents in his hand, he said, “Boss, someone at the Shang Group says Shang Ye has agreed to cooperate with Shang Yan’s team. They’ve invested heavily in a luxury tourism project—food, drink, entertainment, the works.”

“Got it,” Shang Xuci replied expressionlessly, rubbing his temple.

Things were moving faster than he had anticipated.

In his previous life, Grandfather had stepped down to recuperate, officially handing the group over to him and Shang Ye to compete for leadership. Because of health issues, Shang Xuci missed that chance, and Shang Ye became a director. But due to his inexperience and lack of ability, the group soon fell into crisis, and Grandfather asked Shang Xuci to step in and resolve it.

Later, that same tourism project nearly destroyed Shang Group. On top of that, the scandals involving Shang Wei and Xu Rong pushed the company into an even deeper crisis. In the end, it was Shang Xuci who saved the day and, through his own ability, reclaimed the company.

Yet, no matter how things ended, he still found himself making life difficult for others.

Shang Xuci lowered his gaze, his slender, pale fingers tapping lightly against the table, determined not to interfere this time.

He no longer needed the Shang Group in this lifetime.

…

Elsewhere, Xu Rong called Shang Wei, trying to pressure him into intervening in the relationship between Jiang Yuanqing and Shang Ye. She had never expected them to end up together—let alone that Jiang Yuanqing would break off her engagement with Shang Xuci.

The old man was so furious that he was immediately hospitalized. Upon his release, he convened a family meeting, demanding that Shang Ye, Jiang Yuanqing, Shang Xuci, Shang Wei, and Xu Rong all return to the ancestral home.

In the end, only Shang Xuci didn’t go.

Shang Jue, concerned about his reputation, firmly stated that Shang Ye and Jiang Yuanqing would not be together. Shang Ye, brimming with confidence, refused to yield.

Shang Jue scowled at his son and daughter-in-law. “Do you think I’m stubborn too?”

Shang Wei had always been a playboy. In his eyes, Jiang Yuanqing’s beauty and obedience made her hard for any man to resist, so he implicitly sided with Shang Ye.

Xu Rong, watching Shang Jue’s expression, instinctively spoke in his favor. On the way back from the ancestral home, the couple suddenly began arguing over the matter.

Even so, Xu Rong endured it. Now that she had her own backer, she refused to lose her temper and continued to maintain the outward image of a good wife and mother.

Since sending Shang Yi abroad, she had only seen him once—at the airport. Shang Wei hadn’t been home recently, claiming to be on a business trip. Xu Rong knew he had a new partner, but she pretended not to know.

Her greatest concern now was Shang Xuci. He had sent Fang Xiuyuan to prison right in front of her, and now he held something over her.

Xu Rong couldn’t figure him out, and she worried that Fang Xiuyuan might betray her while in prison. After some thought, she arranged a meeting with Du Guan.

A fierce glint flashed in Du Guan’s eyes, and he made a swift decision.

The people around Shang Yi all had their own agendas, while Jian Xun—far away in another city—was living an entirely different kind of life.

In just three days, he had already adapted to work.

During bathroom breaks, he would chat with Xu Tutu.

This time, it was Xu Tutu who sent him a message.

Xu Tutu: [Sui Sui, are you getting used to the job?]

Jian Xun: [Yeah, I really enjoy it.]

Xu Tutu: [That’s good.]

He had worried that Jian Xun wouldn’t be able to adapt. After all, life in China was competitive and high-pressure.

Jian Xun: [Hey, after your morning shift, Brother Tutu, is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll make it for you.]

Xu Tutu: [Fish, please! I like it steamed, braised, or both.]

Jian Xun: [Sure! Cats love fish the most.]

Back at his workstation, Jian Xun touched the fragrant fish and wiped away his drool.

It smelled so good.

After getting off work, Jian Xun, wallet in hand, went straight to the supermarket, headed for the seafood section, and picked out his favorite fish.

On the way home, he ran into Xu Tutu, snapped a photo, and made the first post of his life on WeChat Moments—

Slacking off at work, slacking off after work too ^＿^

---

It seemed like things were really going the way he’d hoped. Meng Jingxue was back with Shang Xuci, but he hadn’t expected Shang Xuci to break off his engagement with Jiang Yuanqing so quickly.

The man on TV slowly raised his eyelids, his thin lips parting.

“My mind isn’t on this.”

He was actually a little unhappy. He had just dealt with Jiang Yuanqing’s situation, and now he was being saddled with rumors of an affair with Meng Jingxue. There was only one thing on his mind.

“Instead of talking about that, why don’t we talk about something that’s been bothering me lately?”

The reporter’s interest was piqued.

“Oh? Mr. Shang, what else is bothering you?”

Shang Xuci’s gaze shifted from the female reporter to the camera, as if looking through it at the person watching.

“My cat’s gone missing…”

Jian Xun swallowed subconsciously, his eyes fixed on the man on the screen. Although Shang Xuci didn’t show much emotion, Jian Xun could sense his unhappiness.

Was it because he had run away?

Sitting on the sofa, Jian Xun pinched the corner of his shirt. His phone vibrated beside his leg—it was a message from Xu Tutu. Quickly regaining his composure, he stood up and went to the kitchen to start cooking.

…

Yinfeng Entertainment Company

Shang Xuci saw the guests off and sat in his office. The setting sun streamed through the glass, casting a warm glow. He picked up the remote and closed the curtains, shutting out the vast cityscape and the intoxicating sunset.

He clasped his hands in his lap, lay back on the sofa, feeling a little weary, and took a sip of water, finding a moment of relaxation.

Ever since the cat had disappeared, he had searched frantically, hired others to look for it, and even tolerated the help of the entertainment media he so disliked—just to find it.

With no useful leads, he had thrown himself into work, numbing his mind. Now, finally, he had a brief moment to rest.

Soon, there was a knock at the office door.

Fu Qian stepped in, followed by Jiang Yuanqing.

Shang Xuci frowned. Fu Qian led his men out tactfully, leaving them alone. Jiang Yuanqing set her bag down and sat across from him.

“According to your wishes, I’ve already broken off our engagement. Are you satisfied now, Miss Jiang?”

Shang Xuci had never harbored any feelings for Jiang Yuanqing. Because of the incident with her mother and brother, he hadn’t stopped her from using their connection for career advancement, nor would he have taken the initiative to end their engagement.

But after he went blind, and Old Master Shang abdicated in favor of Shang Ye, Jiang Yuanqing had grown restless—desperate to break free from him and be with Shang Ye. She had taken the initiative to end things herself.

It had happened sooner than he expected.

Jiang Yuanqing truly didn’t want to see Shang Xuci, but she still wanted to help Shang Ye. Under Xu Rong’s instructions, she had no choice but to step forward.

“Shang Ye wants you back at the Shang Group.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Shang Xuci raised an eyebrow. Sure enough—she’d come reluctantly, and only because of another man’s affairs.

“Did Xu Rong ask you to come?” Shang Xuci asked, fixing her with a steady gaze.

Although Shang Ye was his elder brother, they were only a few years apart in age. Yet, at such a young age, Shang Ye wanted to take control of the entire Shang family business. He lacked the capability, but he was unwilling to admit defeat. He feared that Shang Xuci—the legitimate heir—would return to the Shang Group and compete with him for power. How could he possibly allow that to happen?

Xu Rong’s motives were a mystery. Fang Xiuyuan had already been captured by him, yet she showed no panic at all. Instead, she even sent Jiang Yuanqing to provoke him.

How… foolish.

“Don’t worry about who asked me to come. Just answer whether you’re going or not.” Jiang Yuanqing’s gaze dropped to his hand. She felt that Shang Xuci had changed—he looked at her as if he could see straight through her, making her uneasy.

“Since Shang Ye wants me back, let him come and tell me himself.” Shang Xuci’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes gleaming with disdain as his tone turned cold. “Miss Jiang, are you that eager to become the eldest young lady?”

The two of them had never liked each other, and they had spent little time together. For some reason, however, his elder brother had become infatuated with Jiang Yuanqing—this playboy of a man—captivating her so completely that she was willing to end her engagement at any cost.

To Shang Jue, her breaking off the engagement with Shang Xuci to be with Shang Ye was nothing less than a public slap in the face to the old master.

If not for the fact that both he and Shang Jue were recuperating recently, the old man would have been the first to object.

Shang Xuci lifted his gaze to Jiang Yuanqing. She was beautiful—even her frown was delicate—like a fragile little white flower, quite suitable for his elder brother’s tastes. But Shang Ye’s appetite was voracious, and it was questionable how long he would be satisfied with her.

Jiang Yuanqing bristled under his scrutiny, as though he were appraising merchandise. She replied sharply, “Your brother and I are in love. We’re not like some people who lose their minds over a missing cat. Even the Shang family’s grandson is no exception.”

Shang Xuci’s expression froze, displeasure flashing across his features before he forced it down. He stared coldly at her, about to speak, when his phone vibrated on the table. He waved Fu Qian away.

“From now on, I have nothing to do with Miss Jiang. Don’t bring her to me again.”

Jiang Yuanqing’s eyes widened. “How dare you treat me like this?”

Shang Xuci’s voice was ice. “What do you think Shang Ye would do if he knew you came here today to beg me on his behalf?”

Jiang Yuanqing’s anger drained away instantly. Without another word, she turned and left, her high heels striking the floor in sharp, angry steps.

Fu Qian escorted her out, then returned to the office.

“Are you really not going back to headquarters?” Fu Qian couldn’t help but ask, puzzled by his boss’s intentions.

“Of course I will—just not now.” Shang Xuci recalled that soon, the group headquarters would be plunged into a major crisis at Shang Ye’s hands. In his previous life, he had helped the company weather that storm. But this time…

He wanted to show everyone that the Shang Group wasn’t a one-man show—and that he alone could turn the tide.

They could come and beg him.

After glancing at the message on his phone, Shang Xuci lowered his eyes. “Fang Xiuyuan still refuses to confess?”

“Yes. He’s been acting crazy lately.”

Shang Xuci stood. “Let’s go check it out.”

Fang Xiuyuan had been captured while fleeing toward the border. In the process, he had fallen down a steep slope, fracturing his right leg so badly he could no longer walk.

Fu Qian had arranged for him to be admitted to another private hospital under the Shang family’s control—ostensibly for treatment, but in reality, every person caring for him was tasked with monitoring his every move.

Shang Xuci had visited him once before—and crippled his other leg.

Whatever Fang Xiuyuan had done to the cat, Shang Xuci repaid it twofold.

Perhaps it was retribution, but Fang Xiuyuan had also suffered an eye injury—not enough to blind him completely. Shang Xuci ordered his surgery delayed so that he could experience the effects of partial blindness firsthand.

The last visit had been just a minor physical blow. This time, Shang Xuci came to see him again—and brought someone with him.

Tang Manwen followed anxiously. She had gone to the concert at sea with her son, witnessed him reclaim his rightful honor from Shang Yi, and had also heard about Shang Xuci’s disappearance at sea. But before she could even speculate, he had been found.

This time, when Shang Xuci said he was taking her to see someone, Tang Manwen didn’t dare ask questions. Shang Yi had merely been exiled, while Xu Rong and Fang Xiuyuan remained alive. Even so, she was terrified—afraid that Xu Rong might seek revenge.

It wasn’t until the door opened that Tang Manwen saw the man lying motionless on the bed. Her eyes widened in shock.

Fang Xiuyuan stayed alert. Though he couldn’t see who had entered, he was familiar with the footsteps of the staff who regularly changed his dressings—and this time, they didn’t match.

“Fang Xiuyuan, I’ve brought someone to see you,” Shang Xuci said coldly. “Guess who it is?”

Fang Xiuyuan had already heard the sound of high heels. When Shang Xuci posed the question, he didn’t bother guessing. Instead, he smiled bitterly.

“Mr. Shang, aren’t you embarrassing a blind man?”

After all, it wasn’t Xu Rong who had come to see him.

Shang Xuci scoffed, striding forward with long steps before settling comfortably into a chair. He shot Tang Manwen a look, and she understood, stepping forward.

Tang Manwen had no idea what had happened to Fang Xiuyuan. She knew Doctor Fang’s character—he would only act when fully prepared. When Shang Xuci had disappeared at sea for several days, she had tried to gather any information, but nothing had slipped through. Shang Xuci had arranged guards for her and Tang Mu, preventing Xu Rong from visiting.

Now, seeing Fang Xiuyuan in such a miserable state—both legs in plaster, his eyes shut and clouded by medication, dark as a veil—she couldn’t tell if he was blind. A closer look revealed that his left hand, the one he often used for delicate scalpel work, was also bandaged. It seemed there was barely an inch of healthy flesh left on his body.

Tang Manwen gasped.

She steadied her breathing and spoke with effort. “Doctor Fang, long time no see. It’s me.”

She didn’t give her name outright; she wanted to know if Fang Xiuyuan still remembered her.

As expected, the calm expression on his face shattered the moment he heard her voice.

“You… you’re Tang Manwen!”

“So Doctor Fang still remembers me,” Tang Manwen said slowly.

Fang Xiuyuan opened his mouth to speak again, but another sharp voice cut him off.

“Xiuyuan! Why are you here?” Xu Rong walked into the room, bag in hand. She caught sight of the woman standing with her back to her, and of Shang Xuci lounging lazily beside her.

Ignoring everything else, Xu Rong hurried to the bedside, her eyes darting over Fang Xiuyuan’s injuries in shock. “How did you end up like this? Did they do something to you?!”

In her mind, there was no doubt—Shang Xuci had caused Fang Xiuyuan’s condition. He was covered in wounds, trapped here without freedom. Now, she felt confident enough to accuse him.

“You’re committing a crime!” Xu Rong shouted. “I’m taking him away!”

“Did Aunt Xu see me committing a crime?” Shang Xuci’s lips curved faintly. “In fact, I saved his life and brought him to the hospital. If it weren’t for me, he would’ve died in the wilderness.

“Isn’t that right, Doctor Fang?”

Fang Xiuyuan gripped Xu Rong’s hand and shook his head.

“Good. Now that everyone’s here, it’s time to settle the score.” Shang Xuci’s gaze locked on Xu Rong.

Her body stiffened instantly, her voice faltering. “Settle… what score?”

Seeing her still feigning innocence, Shang Xuci said evenly, “The poisoning—and my grandfather’s death.”

Xu Rong’s face drained of color.

She understood why Tang Manwen was here today.

The drama had barely begun when Fang Xiuyuan eagerly took all the blame.

“Neither of these things has anything to do with Xu Rong. It was all my fault. I poisoned you and killed your grandfather.”

Xu Rong replied calmly, “It truly has nothing to do with me. I admit I punished you when you were young, but I never intended to kill you.”

Shang Xuci sneered. “I know it was my mother who poisoned me. She hates me. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have married my father—nor would she have fallen in love with this scumbag.”

“But it was still her child. She later regretted it and stopped giving me the medication. Doctor Fang, you should know about this, right?”

Shang Xuci turned to Fang Xiuyuan. The man was silent for several seconds before shaking his head in denial.

Tang Manwen glanced at him from the corner of her eye and immediately said, “Madam later found out. She told me to keep giving the Second Young Master the medicine—and to increase the dosage.”

Xu Rong suddenly realized that the woman standing by the door with her head lowered was Tang Manwen. Thinking that her youngest son’s condition was all her fault, hatred flared instantly. She lunged forward to slap her.

She moved so fast that Tang Manwen had no time to react. But having followed Xu Rong for so many years, she knew her vengeful nature—and she knew the fate Shang Xuci intended for her. Instead of cowering, she hurled the broken jar at him, laughing rather than getting angry.

“Madam, are you feeling guilty?”

Xu Rong was irritated by her calm expression, her fingers curling into a fist as she fought to control her anger. She had never imagined that she would raise such an ungrateful person.

“I’ve been good to you. You’re truly shameless to frame me like this.”

“Good to me?” Tang Manwen laughed coldly. “Even with my son in that state, I never betrayed you. I came to beg you—beg you—to give him a chance to live. I threw away my dignity and knelt at your feet. And what about you? How did you treat me?”

“Your son’s condition is your own fault. It was your idea to write songs for others. I offered you money, and you gladly accepted it. You’re the one who ruined your son.” Xu Rong’s tone was full of disdain. “Even if your son wasn’t there, I could have found someone else. If it weren’t for your greed, how could he have ended up like this? Hm?”

Tang Manwen shook her head. “Nonsense.”

She was a little emotionally shaken. At first, in order to please the hostess, she had indeed given Xu Rong her youngest son’s creation. Later, it became routine. She had protested subtly, but to no avail.

It was because she knew too much about Xu Rong that she was fired. Before leaving, she was handed a large sum of money—supposedly resettlement compensation—which later turned into payment for music. Tang Manwen recalled that conversation and how she had promised, in front of her son, not to say a single word. Thinking back now, it seemed that Tang Mu had lost his trust in her at that very moment.

“Are you talking nonsense, or am I?” Xu Rong asked calmly.

Shang Xuci, watching the scene from the side, pursed his lips and changed the subject. “Whether it’s nonsense or not is just talk—it doesn’t count.”

“Since she’s so eager to see evidence, Aunt Tang, show it to her.”

Xu Rong finally understood the purpose of the laptop on the table.

The video began to play, showing a man and a woman standing in frame, with an elderly man lying with his eyes closed on a hospital bed.

Because they spoke in low voices and the camera had been placed far away, the sound in the video was faint and indistinct.

The moment the footage appeared, Xu Rong panicked. She instinctively glanced at Fang Xiuyuan, but he couldn’t see—leaving her the only one feeling the weight of it.

She shouted at Tang Manwen, “Did you film that day?”

Fang Xiuyuan frowned. He had no idea how much the video had captured, but could only hope he had been careful enough.

The footage stopped before the end, lingering on the intimate gestures between the two and the malicious look Xu Rong had given Shen Tianlei.

Xu Rong knew exactly what came next.

The evidence was there.

She couldn’t understand why Shang Xuci hadn’t simply called the police on her and Fang Xiuyuan, instead choosing to bring them to this hospital…

Hospital…

707

Xu Rong’s eyes widened in horror.

Isn’t that the room number Shen Tianlei had stayed in?

Fear drained the strength from her legs. She collapsed beside the bed, hands trembling.

“You’ve only just realized this, Ms. Xu?”

Xu Rong’s face went from pale to ashen, then back to pale again.

Shang Xuci looked down at her, savoring her flustered, panicked expression. His thin lips curled into a cold sneer.

She gritted her teeth. “Since you knew all this, why didn’t you call the police?”

At that, Fang Xiuyuan felt pain shoot through his battered body. With his only uninjured hand, he grasped Xu Rong’s and said, “Rong, I did everything. This has nothing to do with you.”

Even now, the man remained confident—never forgetting to comfort her.

Shang Xuci, having seen enough of their display, said, “Whether it’s related or not isn’t for Dr. Fang to decide.”

He turned to Xu Rong, lips curling slightly in a mocking smile. “How do you know I didn’t call the police?”

A steady rhythm of footsteps echoed from outside the door. After two knocks, a group of uniformed officers walked in.

---

Xu Tutu: “Okay.”

“That guy behind you is a stranger, really handsome. Is he your friend?”

“My brother.” Xu Tutu quickly pulled Jian Xun into the hallway.

“Every time I see the landlord, something bad happens,” Xu Tutu complained, pulling his keys from his pocket and unlocking the door.

Jian Xun, following behind him, took off his hat, lowered his gaze, and pinched his cat ears.

Back home, Jian Xun pulled out his phone, connected to the upstairs internet, and began looking for jobs.

Because he had no education or ID, he only searched for part-time work—preferably ones that paid in cash, since he didn’t have a bank card.

After browsing various online social apps, he stumbled across a job posting for a large factory.

They produced pet food.

Muster­ing up the courage, Jian Xun sent the contact person a private message and arranged an interview.

He planned to check out the area in person.

While strolling down the street, Jian Xun noticed a sign in front of a small private restaurant: “Hiring Dishwashers” — salary 4,000 to 6,000 yuan per month, no education or experience required.

He peeked inside. It wasn’t lunchtime, so there were only a few customers. Pushing the door open, he walked in. The owner, speaking with a local accent from the kitchen, asked, “What would you like to eat?”

Jian Xun walked slowly over, placed his hands on the cash register, and whispered, “I’m not here to eat. I’m looking for a job. You’re hiring dishwashers, right?”

The owner glanced at the delicate, slender boy, then lowered his eyes to Jian Xun’s smooth, fair hands. He paused for a moment before calling for his wife.

The boss’s wife, noticing the boy’s gentle demeanor, guessed that something might have happened at home and that he was now looking for work.

The boy was truly adorable—his large, watery eyes fixed intently on her, intelligence shining in them, making it impossible to say no.

She had a child about Jian Xun’s age and told him to give it a try, explaining that dishwashing wasn’t as easy as it looked.

In the back kitchen, a large iron basin sat full of greasy plates and bowls.

Jian Xun sat on a small stool, rolled up his sleeves, put on dishwashing gloves, and began working. At first, everything went smoothly, but when he tried to speed up, his hands slipped and he accidentally broke a few dishes.

The crash of shattering plates was so loud that Jian Xun froze, startled. The boss’s wife came over to comfort him.

Half an hour later, Jian Xun stood on the street, looking dazed.

His job search had failed.

Two days later, Jian Xun’s interview day arrived. He planned to give it a try, but if it turned out to be a scam, he would run.

The main reason he chose this job was because it was close to Xu Tutu’s home, making both day and night shifts convenient. Jian Xun saw it as a temporary job—once he got his ID card, if it didn’t suit him, he would leave.

He waited until Xu Tutu had gone to work, then dressed and headed out himself.

With no money in his pocket, Jian Xun used his phone’s navigation and walked for about forty minutes.

His destination was a run-down, vacant lot under construction next to a high-rise commercial district. Construction had stopped for the day, leaving the old building empty except for the office. It was unusually quiet, the air heavy with a damp, musty smell from being uninhabited for a while.

After confirming the address again, Jian Xun adjusted his clothes, took a deep breath, and pressed the elevator button.

When he stepped out, the hallway was deserted.

Nervous, Jian Xun felt the urge to use the bathroom. He glanced at the clock—he still had half an hour before the interview—so he went. Afterward, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. It looked almost identical to his human self, except for his blue eyes and a pair of furry ears.

He blinked. He had put on black contact lenses before leaving, and still wasn’t used to the sensation.

He poked at one of his ears, then forced it down.

It would only stay that way for a short time—hopefully long enough to get through the interview.

“Excuse me, is this Greedy Cat Pet Co., Ltd.?” Jian Xun found the door number, cast a furtive glance, then traced the character 人 on his palm, “swallowed” it for luck, and knocked softly on the door.

Five or six people in the office looked up. Jian Xun pursed his lips and said, “My name is Jian Xun. I’m here for an interview.”

A middle-aged woman’s eyes lit up. “It’s Jian Xun.”

“Yes.”

“Come in and fill out the forms.” The HR representative handed him an information sheet and a pen, poured him a cup of hot water, and returned to her work.

“Thank you.” Jian Xun took a sip, scratched his head, and began filling out the form.

When he reached the family section, he hesitated, then wrote down Shang Xuci and Xu Tutu’s names—one as father and son, the other as brother.

For the address, remembering Xu Tutu’s warnings about safety, he filled in a vague, fake one.

He left the rest of the fields blank.

A few minutes later, the HR representative came over and asked, “Have you filled everything out?”

“Yes.” Jian Xun sat upright, trying to suppress the twitch of his ears.

Just a little longer… just a few more minutes.

The HR took a quick glance at the form and asked him to introduce himself. Jian Xun repeated, word for word, the self-introduction he had found online.

Not skilled at lying, when they asked about his education and family, he replied bluntly, “I don’t have any education. I already told you that when I messaged you yesterday. As for how many family members I have and what their occupations are… how is that relevant to the job?”

Jian Xun didn’t understand, so he simply asked.

His large, clear eyes and soft voice practically awakened the HR representative’s motherly instincts.

“Um, it’s okay. If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. We don’t require a degree to work at our factory. To cut to the chase, I’ll just ask you a few questions.”

“Okay.”

“Have you heard anything about our company?”

“I know you specialize in pet snacks, mainly for cats and dogs.”

“Not bad.”

“Do you like fish?”

Jian Xun’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he said, “Yes!”

His voice was soft and sweet, and his response was full of energy.

The HR representative smiled. “The position we’re hiring for involves making dried fish for cats. You’ll be around the smell of fish every day. You like fish, but can you handle the smell of dried fish?”

An employee had once vomited while packing dried fish, claiming the odor made him sick. He quit after just two days.

Jian Xun nodded enthusiastically, his tone light and airy. “Ah, I like it. I really like it.”

He quickly wiped away the saliva at the corner of his lips while the woman lowered her head to jot down notes.

This felt like a truly blissful job!

Seeing his happy, expectant expression, the HR representative was very satisfied. “Excellent! You meet our recruitment requirements. We’d like to hire you. Since you’ll be working part-time, we’ll sign a contract. We won’t provide social security, but we will schedule your shifts, provide meals, and pay you by the piece. If you’re happy with that, sign the contract and start next Monday.”

“…That’s about it. Do you have any questions?”

Jian Xun shook his head and said sweetly, “Thank you, sister.”

The HR representative was so charmed by his cuteness that she felt younger herself. “Since you’re inexperienced and still young, I’ll start you on the day shift, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the first few months. Is that okay?”

The young man smiled sweetly. “No problem.”

Jian Xun walked out of the building feeling light and carefree. He hadn’t expected to find a job so easily. Although it was manual labor on an assembly line, it required little thinking and wasn’t physically demanding—already quite a good find.

He also wanted to experience working life.

And—there would be dried fish for the cats!

Saliva slipped down his cheek again, and his tail wagged happily.

It was fine. Once he earned enough money, he would give Xu Tutu his share and use the rest to buy dried fish—if it tasted good.

Jian Xun missed the feeling of chewing.

That evening, Jian Xun excitedly told Xu Tutu about the job. Xu Tutu was also surprised. After confirming the factory was legitimate, he said firmly, “Give it a try. If you like it, work for a while. If you don’t, run. Your brother Tutu will always be here for you.”

“Brother Tutu, you’re so kind! If I were a little female cat, I’d definitely fall in love with you.” Jian Xun was so moved that his eyes filled with tears.

Xu Tutu raised his chin proudly. “You’re my little brother. It’s only natural.”

Jian Xun ran over to fix it.

While cleaning the house, he spotted two glass beads amidst a pile of miscellaneous items.

“Brother Tutu, is this the glass bead I traded with you at the flower tree?!”

“Yes.”

Jian Xun held it in his hand.

It was his first official day at work.

He arrived at the food processing factory, clutching his small backpack, and surveyed the place curiously.

The factory was neither large nor small—spacious, bright, and comfortably temperature-controlled. About a hundred people sat at intervals, wearing standard sanitary uniforms and blue dust caps, arranged in rows along both sides of the assembly line.

The roar of the machines mixed with occasional whispers from the employees. Even when their minds wandered, their hands never stopped moving—their motions quick, skilled, and rhythmic.

On the assembly line, various dried fish awaited packaging, moving slowly along the belt. Employees deftly manipulated the pieces, placing the different varieties and flavors into boxes, which were then quickly sorted by the machine next to them.

The next person checked the seals and organized the bags by color and flavor. At the end, the packaged products were neatly stacked, ready for the next step.

Innocent Jian Xun’s first impression: What fun!

The supervisor, a serious woman in her forties, immediately assigned the new employees to their respective teams.

Jian Xun appeared well-behaved, perfectly obedient, so the supervisor placed him in the team responsible for boxing.

Sitting in his internship seat, Jian Xun felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Working—what a novelty!

The team leader guided them to the changing room. Jian Xun memorized the maze-like layout, noting the locations of the cafeteria, restroom, and locker room—a little dizzy from all the new information.

He also glimpsed someone in the office next door, doing nothing but drinking tea.

Might be the boss.

Jian Xun pondered silently and couldn’t help thinking of Shang Xuci. He was also a boss, but extremely busy and working from home. It must be very hard.

It was his first day, and he was eager to try something new. He gained a general understanding of the process and familiarized himself with the tasks he would be assigned.

By six o’clock in the evening, Jian Xun returned home with a basket full of vegetables and opened the refrigerator to prepare dinner.

Feeling a little lonely, he turned on the TV and happened to see Shang Xuci. The man, dressed in a white shirt and black suit, looked neat and refined, leaning slightly to the side as he listened attentively to the reporter’s interview.

He answered questions flawlessly about his work. Later, when reporters hinted at his personal life, Shang Xuci stared back, eyes devoid of emotion, and calmly said, “Indeed, Jiang Yuanqing and I have broken off our engagement.”

“What about Miss Meng Jingxue?”

Jian Xun felt a sudden surge of anxiety in his stomach.

---

A thousand yuan is a lot for a cat.

When Jian Xun was a student, his monthly living allowance was three thousand yuan while living on campus. Although it wasn’t as much as his brothers’, it was enough for him, and he could even save up to buy things he liked.

Seeing Xu Tutu’s slightly proud expression, Jian Xun forced himself to hold back his words.

“How’s it going? Not bad, right?” Xu Tutu squinted at him.

Although Jian Xun didn’t know exactly what Tutu’s company did, the salary was ridiculously low.

Even scavenging scrap metal could make more than that.

His gaze grew a little complicated.

“My current salary is just base pay,” Xu Tutu explained. “The boss said there’ll be a raise later. And we even get free lunch in the cafeteria!”

In their line of work, commissions were the real paycheck. Although he hadn’t received any yet, his salary was going to increase starting this month.

“How much is your rent per month?”

“Four hundred.”

“Then there’s not much left.”

Seeing his younger brother’s worried expression, Xu Tutu gently patted his head and reassured him, “Don’t worry, supporting you won’t be a problem.”

At worst, he could just pick up some extra scrap after work to supplement the family income.

“Brother Tutu, you’re so kind.”

Jian Xun’s eyes lit up as he scooted closer, wanting to cling to him…

“Hey, stop being so clingy. Brother Tutu isn’t gay, okay?”

“Gay? What do you mean?”

“It’s when two guys have sex.”

“Can’t men have sex?”

What was the point of being gay? He’d run away precisely because he wanted to be fucked by a perverted shit-shoveler.

To be honest, he still didn’t quite understand.

It was clearly Xu Huai who was upset that he had turned human. He only wanted a cat, not a human glaring at him resentfully every day, complaining that he hadn’t had a chance to pet her fur in ages.

He despised his own incompetence. He would get scolded for eating his favorite instant noodles, ordering takeout, going out alone, and snacking on human food. Worst of all, his phone had even been confiscated—for watching a cat video. As if he didn’t know why men spend so much time in the bathroom at night!

Hmph.

As he wished, after a while, Xu Tutu turned back into a cat, constantly shoving his butt in people’s faces and bringing kittens home to groom whenever he felt like it.

Then the guy asked him to turn human again, still muttering, “Jie Fen.” Xu Tutu lost his patience and slapped him hard across the face. But instead of getting angry, the guy just smiled foolishly…

Xu Tutu fell silent, unpleasant memories surfacing in his mind. He knocked Jian Xun on the head and said angrily, “What are you thinking, kid? Stop thinking about things that aren’t appropriate for children.”

Speaking of which, Xu Tutu remembered the message Jian Xun had sent him a while ago asking for help.

“Have you had a fever?”

Jian Xun blinked, confused. “What do you mean by fever?”

“It’s when you feel uncomfortable—feverish, itchy all over, and everything feels wrong. In the middle of the night, you just want to squat on a wall and meow at a little she-cat. You can’t stand the loneliness…”

“Oh, I used to have that, but it’s gone now.”

“In human terms, that’s called estrus—moaning.”

Jian Xun’s fair face flushed instantly.

“You’re lucky,” Xu Tutu continued after a pause. “Many cats display what their owners consider undesirable behavior before estrus, and then get neutered.”

Jian Xun recalled how he had clung to Shang Xuci constantly during estrus, and his face flushed all the way to his neck.

Xu Tutu glanced at the time and said, “Ahem, before bed, let me tell you something about cat estrus.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Tutu, I haven’t even asked you yet. Didn’t you go home with Xu Huai? Why are you out alone again?”

Xu Tutu sighed. “It’s a long story.”

Although the two had naturally grown closer after resolving their misunderstanding, and he was genuinely fond of Xu Huai, he still couldn’t stand his perverse possessiveness and paranoia.

He wouldn’t let him leave the house or make friends with other cats.

He would lock him up all day and watch the surveillance cameras at work.

His condescending attitude, his insistence that Xu Tutu couldn’t live without him, and the fact that Xu Huai’s entire family bullied him—yet he still defended another cat—were infuriating. The more Xu Tutu thought about it, the angrier he became.

So one night, he sat up in bed, looked at the man sleeping next to him, took the cash and valuables, and ran away to make a living on his own.

“…That’s just how it is,” Xu Tutu said helplessly.

Jian Xun listened to him talk about possessiveness and swallowed hard. He felt a similar urge—he also wanted to lock Shang Xuci up at home, stop him from going to work, and never see him with Meng Jingxue.

If only I could always be with him, with only him in my eyes.

It turns out that thinking like that is wrong.

Jian Xun silently etched this into his mind.

For a moment, he forgot all the other questions he had wanted to ask.

Xu Tutu saw him dazed and thought he was frightened. Quickly ending that line of conversation, he returned to the original topic: “I’d better teach you some basic information about estrus, just in case you run into it again.”

After half an hour of teaching, sleepiness set in, and Xu Tutu transformed back into a cat. He yawned loudly, then flopped onto his back, belly up and legs in the air.

“Go to sleep. I have to work tomorrow.”

“Okay, good night.”

“Good night.”

A minute later, the cat was snoring beside him. Jian Xun curled up tightly, hugging his dried fish pillow, his eyes lowered, missing someone.

Would the boss suffer from insomnia without a cat to sleep with?

He realized he had run away. Was he angry now?

When he could grow his cat ears and tail back, when he could earn money and become independent, he would go back to see him. Would he then look at him differently?

Or would he still be angry and not want him anymore?

No problem. He could just turn into a cat and follow him around.

Jian Xun found many excuses to convince himself and slowly drifted off to sleep.

…

Shang Xuci’s home.

The man sat on the bed, eyes red, collar unbuttoned, hair messy, stubble on his face, and his expression listless.

He looked utterly dejected.

Since Sui Sui had been gone for a few days, he hadn’t slept at all. He hadn’t touched the sleeping pills on the cabinet, and his white-knuckled fingers clutched the photo frame of his cat.

His cat was gone.

He couldn’t find him.

At first, Shang Xuci still had hope. Sui Sui loved playing outside, and when he was in heat, he’d run to the roadside to look for female cats. He figured he was just out for a few days and would be back soon.

He was so timid—there was no way he’d stray too far. Perhaps he was just somewhere in the neighborhood.

But the autumn wind was bleak, and the weather was turning cold.

Shang Xuci spent money to check every surveillance camera in the neighborhood, including the streets outside.

There was no sign of the cat.

Because the cameras didn’t cover everything, and the upscale neighborhood was so large, there were still many blind spots. Shang Xuci spent the entire day searching every corner he could reach.

The neighborhood park, the gym, the swimming pool, the sports field, the flower beds, the nearby shops, the supermarket…

He searched everywhere, even posting missing cat notices.

As he searched, he called out for Sui Sui.

At nightfall, he saw a shadow in the flowerbed and quietly approached to check if it was him. But the stray cats, startled, let out low groans.

What kind of person is this?

In the day, he calls out “Sui Sui.”

At night, he calls out “Sui Sui.”

If someone’s missing, call the police.

Soon after, the cats in the neighborhood began pointing paws at Shang Xuci.

It was the one who kept calling out “Sui Sui”—he seemed a bit unhinged, nearly overturning the entire neighborhood in his search and seriously disrupting the cats’ lives.

After searching for the cat himself to no avail, he hired a private detective to comb through all of City A. But so much time had passed, and there was still no sign of Sui Sui.

Shang Xuci’s heart sank, his nerves tightening. It felt as if the situation was slipping out of his control.

The little creature who had so carelessly stepped into his world had vanished as if into thin air…

…The candy’s outer coating melted quickly in his mouth, releasing a sweet, refreshing strawberry aroma.

Very sweet.

Bitterly sweet.

Shang Xuci withdrew his hand from the medicine bottle.

His eyes closed slightly, his temples throbbing. He shook off the irritation and opened his phone to search:

#What to do if your cat is lost?#

The scissors technique. The upside-down cat bowl technique…

Shang Xuci tried them all.

At dawn, he took out his phone and sent a cold voice message:

“Bring Fang Xiuyuan to me.”

…

These days, Jian Xun had been staying at Xu Tutu’s house.

Brother Tutu worked late every day, didn’t earn much, and now had another mouth to feed.

Jian Xun secretly calculated that if things kept going like this, they might be sleeping on the streets in a few months.

He decided to wait until he had fully readjusted to his human body and obtained an ID card before looking for work. Jian Xun had been human before, but never a wage slave. He searched online for “job” and “recruitment,” and began checking job listings and requirements.

That was when he realized just how dire the job market had become in recent years—many university graduates couldn’t even find work after graduation.

Forget his lack of education; even finding a dishwashing job would be difficult.

Was it really as easy as some netizens claimed—working in cat cafés or shops run by monsters?

He had heard that monster-run companies also imitated human workplaces, complete with unscrupulous bosses.

The work schedule was “7:00–7:00,” they didn’t provide social security, and the pay was low.

Brother Tutu had said: Don’t work illegally unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Xu Tutu’s first job as a cat had been pressing paw prints. He had worked diligently for nearly half a month, with just one week left before earning a full-attendance bonus. But Xu Huai caught him and docked his pay for missing a single day, nearly making him explode in anger.

His current job, however, provided social security, two days off a week, no overtime, and free lunch.

Xu Tutu seemed quite content.

After some thought, Jian Xun decided that if all else failed, he’d just work at a cat café.

For now, he would do what he could to repay Brother Tutu.

Jian Xun cleaned the entire house from top to bottom until it was spotless, the sheets neatly made, and dinner cooked to perfection.

Soon, he knew the entire place by heart—every nook, cranny, and rat hole.

…

Weekend.

Jian Xun put on his freshly dried clothes, tucked his long cat tail into his pocket, pulled on a hat and mask, and sat quietly on the sofa, waiting.

Xu Tutu was taking him to get an ID card today.

The ID card handler was also a monster. Seeing the two cats, he asked for their basic information, as usual.

“Name?”

“Jian Xun.”

“Age?” The clerk pointed to a chart nearby. “Converted to monster years.”

“Eighteen,” Jian Xun answered without hesitation.

He had just reached adulthood as a human, and now, as a cat, he was past puberty—so he was considered an adult.

He filled out the form, had his photo taken, and stamped his paw print.

Click.

Seal pressed.

The clerk smiled professionally. “One thousand yuan handling fee.”

Jian Xun’s eyes widened. “So expensive!”

The other staff members glanced over.

Xu Tutu sighed, covering his forehead with one hand, and quickly pulled out his card.

“What’s the fuss? It’s just a small amount.”

Jian Xun: ???

Brother, that’s your monthly salary!!

Xu Tutu shot him a look, and Jian Xun instantly shut up.

After paying, the clerk said, “Come back in two to three months. We’ll text you when it’s ready.”

“Thank you,” Jian Xun replied.

Once they left the office building, Xu Tutu explained, “Only the Monster Management Bureau can issue ID cards to monsters. The procedures are complicated, and the inspection process takes a long time. The place I brought you to is off the record—if you want it quickly, you have to pay. A thousand yuan is already very cheap, and it’s like taking responsibility for you.”

“It’s easy to get into trouble if you don’t have money for food. Whether you’re broke or not, you need to look confident when applying for this ID, so you won’t be suspected or looked down upon.”

Xu Tutu spoke patiently—wisdom gained from personal experience.

“So that’s how it is.” Jian Xun nodded, his tone earnest. “Brother Tutu, thank you. Consider this a thousand-yuan loan from me. I’ll pay you back when I make some money.”

“No need.” Xu Tutu shook his head. “When I was wandering around, you gave me canned cat food. You even gave me your master’s pants. You helped me a lot—this is nothing. Come on, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

After dinner, Xu Tutu took him to buy a phone card.

“Can you memorize my phone number?”

Jian Xun nodded.

He already knew Shang Xuci’s and Xu Tutu’s numbers by heart.

“Good. Keep them saved—we can contact each other if anything happens.”

Jian Xun smiled and said, “Alright.”

On the way home, they ran into the landlady.

The elderly woman, smiling kindly, looked Xu Tutu and the young man behind him up and down. Beaming, she said, “Xiao Tu, the old residential complex is being renovated. Our building is getting an elevator, so the rent will be going up. It’ll take effect next month, but since I ran into you today, I thought I’d let you know in advance.”

Xu Tutu swallowed nervously and asked, “How much is the increase?”

“Not much—just an extra hundred.”

---

A week later, at Yinfeng Entertainment.

A group of private investigators stood in a line outside the president’s office.

The female employees gathered together, chattering about what had happened. Someone inside the president’s office, pouring tea, overheard them.

“Looks like the boss’s cat is missing!”

“Ah, is it Sui Sui?”

“No wonder the boss came to the office as soon as he was discharged from the hospital. Who can stand being at home without their cat?”

“What? Is Mr. Shang injured?”

“But I understand the boss’s feelings. Sui Sui is so well-behaved. If my cat went missing, I’d go crazy.”

“Isn’t he already crazy?” one colleague muttered, pointing toward the people lined up at their office door.

They were all professional cat finders.

“Stop talking! Didn’t you see how Secretary Fu’s brows were furrowed? The boss is in a bad mood, which means we’re in for a bad day too. The publicity department just finished a meeting and said they have to work overtime…”

“Ah, I don’t want to work overtime.”

A collective groan followed.

…

The CEO’s office

Shang Xuci turned on the projector, and a folder named Sui Sui appeared on the screen. Swiveling his chair, he projected the screen in front of him and clicked open the folder.

More than a dozen photos of a white lion cat appeared, each taken from a different angle.

It had a round face and large blue eyes, its fur entirely snow-white. Its left hind leg was injured, and it walked with a slight limp. Its most distinctive feature was a black spot, about the size of a sesame dumpling, on its fluffy tail.

It had a gentle temperament and would always respond when he called “Sui Sui.”

Shang Xuci had Fu Qian print out a clear frontal photo and hand it to each detective for reference.

After all, private investigators usually specialized in human cases. But this time, their target was a cat—and its owner had promised to pay them regardless of the outcome, with ten times the fee if they successfully found it.

Who wouldn’t be moved?!

This cat—I’ll dig deep to find it!

…

Jian Xun sat on the sofa, sipping a cup of pearl milk tea, his round eyes glued to the TV.

It wasn’t until the alarm rang at four in the afternoon that he hurried to the kitchen, put on his apron, washed the rice and vegetables, and began cooking.

One meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one soup—all landed on the dining table right on time. He gathered up the trash and was about to take it out when the door opened.

Jian Xun’s eyes lit up.

“You’re back!”

A man in a black suit, carrying a briefcase, stood in the doorway with his arms outstretched.

Jian Xun rushed over and hugged him.

“You cooked?” The man sniffed the air in surprise. “Great.”

“I washed all your dirty clothes and mopped the floor.”

Jian Xun, shorter than the man, craned his neck and leaned forward, as if asking to be petted. A pair of hands ruffled his hair.

“It’s so nice of you to come.”

Getting the head pat he’d hoped for, Jian Xun took his bag, his cat tail wagging happily.

“Brother Tutu, are you tired from work?”

When they first met at school, Xu Tutu had told him about his part-time job. At the time, Xu Tutu had simply sighed, his eyes still tinged with innocence.

Now, he seemed far more refined and reserved.

Xu Tutu, as if recalling something unpleasant, sank back into a dejected demeanor, looking like his energy and blood had been drained on the road. With a hopeless expression, he shook his head.

“It’s simply inhuman.”

As they ate, Xu Tutu recounted his tragic experiences working illegally.

Jian Xun was so shocked that his mouth fell open.

In his previous life, he had just reached adulthood, living a routine life between school and home. Although the Jian family didn’t dote on him, they had never let him face the darker side of the outside world.

Thus, Jian Xun remained innocent— a simple, prospective college student.

“I can’t just tell you. Tonight, you have to tell me how you ended up like this—and why you ran away from home.”

Jian Xun’s furry ears drooped instantly. He nodded obediently.

Xu Tutu finished his last bite of food, patted his chest, and said, “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you. You can stay here as long as you want.”

…As long as his salary arrived on time this month so he could pay next month’s rent.

Looking at Jian Xun—dazed, quiet, and obediently eating—he crossed his legs and glanced around the clean, tidy room.

This little brother was really capable, and the food was delicious, too.

Recalling the day Jian Xun had called him for help, Xu Tutu still felt a flicker of surprise. Under the resentful gaze of his foreman, he had taken half a day off to pick up the boy who was living in a bridge tunnel.

He had ridden a shared electric scooter, and without asking any questions, brought him straight to his old, run-down rental. It wasn’t big—just one bedroom and one living room—but it had all the basic appliances, came at a reasonable price, and even included free mouse-catching.

Now that Jian Xun was here, he—who was never good at housework—finally had a helper.

After dinner, the two of them lay side by side on the sofa. Xu Tutu rubbed his round belly, sipped his hot floral tea, and closed his eyes in comfort.

Jian Xun snored softly as he clung to his tail.

Luckily, his eldest brother had taken him in—otherwise, he would have been sleeping under a bridge again tonight.

…

A week earlier

Jian Xun had followed Dai Mao to the Cat Demon Clan to meet the king, where he also met Xiao Sanhua.

He had assumed the Cat Demon Clan lived in big cities, owning large villas and driving luxury cars. He hadn’t expected their home to be in a small town on the southern edge.

Green tiles, stone walls, small bridges, flowing water—the place had a charming, ancient atmosphere.

The town was inhabited by cat fairies who took human form during the day and returned to their feline form at night.

Because it was an ancient town, human tourists still visited. The cats ran guesthouses, set up stalls selling handicrafts, and the more daring ones even opened small noodle shops.

Life here was leisurely and comfortable.

A few years ago, some cats who had ventured into big cities couldn’t stand the pressures of human life and returned to sell salted fish instead.

Dai Mao acted as tour guide, eloquently extolling the town’s charm.

It might be poor, but it had water, fish, and was self-sufficient.

Dai Mao boasted endlessly, afraid that Jian Xun might not want to stay.

The king warmly welcomed him, preparing a fish feast that Jian Xun would never forget. Jian Xun was so busy eating that he didn’t even hear the king’s words.

Finally, he noticed the other cats staring at him in bewilderment, as if asking, What’s wrong?

The king repeated himself.

“Are you willing to be the little princess’s fiancé—to protect and cherish her, to always prioritize her happiness and well-being? No matter what happens, she’ll be your only little cat for life, and you’ll never betray her…”

The moment Jian Xun heard the first word—fiancé—his head began to buzz. He lowered his eyes to glance at the shy Xiao Sanhua sitting beside him.

Jian Xun: “…”

So they were looking for a son-in-law.

Jian Xun shook his head.

“I don’t want to.”

The instant the words left his mouth, the gazes around him turned strange, and the once-quiet hall erupted in whispers.

“Oh my god, a crippled cat dared to reject our Flower Princess!”

“How dare he refuse her in front of the king? He’s not giving her even the slightest respect.”

“Hmph, where did that bumpkin come from? Look at how shabby his clothes are. And yet the king praises him—what a jerk.”

“Didn’t you see that face? In human terms, he’s a handsome guy. It’s no wonder the Flower Princess is smitten.”

“Didn’t you say she fell for him because he saved her?”

“Shh—stop talking. Look, the little princess is getting heartbroken.”

Xiao Sanhua stared at him in disbelief.

Brother Sui Sui… didn’t like her?

She couldn’t understand.

If he became her fiancé, he could live in comfort and never again be a human’s pet. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

The king, however, was deeply embarrassed by the public rejection—especially since his youngest daughter had only just been found and he cherished her dearly.

Jian Xun’s refusal offended him. The king confiscated his bag and, dropping all pretense of courtesy, cast the Meow Curse upon him.

Neither fully human nor fully cat, Jian Xun’s ears and tail could no longer be retracted.

He tried every possible way to escape. Xiao Sanhua, noticing his unhappiness, pleaded for mercy on his behalf. A week later, she managed to return his bag—but most of its contents were gone.

His canned cat food, his dried fish… all confiscated.

The stingy king even made him pay for the fish feast he’d eaten earlier.

That one meal completely emptied his red envelope.

In the end, Jian Xun managed to slip away.

He took what little canned food he had left and hid under a bridge— until he contacted Xu Tutu, who took him in.

…

Night fell.

Jian Xun and Xu Tutu huddled together on a cramped bed. Xu Tutu had transformed back into a cat, and Jian Xun absentmindedly stroked his tail as he recounted his story.

What a weakness.

The poop scooper had found true love.

A cat’s return of gratitude.

A string of complicated reasons had driven Jian Xun to leave home.

Xu Tutu was dumbfounded. After a moment, he finally remarked, “You’ve got a lot on your mind.”

“I… I just don’t want to cause him any trouble.” Jian Xun grabbed the cat’s ears and leaned sideways, making the bed creak.

“He must hate me to death.”

“How dare he!” Xu Tutu instantly transformed back into human form and snorted. “Look at you! You’re just too obedient and well-behaved—you don’t even recognize your place in this relationship.”

Even though Xu Tutu already knew Jian Xun was like this, he couldn’t help lecturing him this time.

What cat is afraid of its owner?

“We cats are on top, humans are on the bottom. If we’re happy, we stay together. If we’re not, we just leave!
Cats can do whatever they want—who dares to interfere in cat business?! Why listen to humans?”

Sure, there were countless stray cats abandoned on the streets. But those were just the unlucky ones who had met the wrong people—there were still some good humans out there.

“You just care too much about him. Is he really that good?”

“Yes.” Jian Xun nodded. “He took me home, bought me lots of toys and food, took me to the gym, played with me, slept with me… and even jumped into the sea for me.”

Xu Tutu raised his chin.

“That’s what he should do.”

Jian Xun: “…Nothing is supposed to be done.”

Seeing him still speaking up for the man, Xu Tutu was furious. He knew exactly where Shang Xuci stood in Jian Xun’s heart, but he just couldn’t stand his younger brother’s cautious, protective, almost worshipful attitude toward a human.

“You… you’re just submissive and overthinking things.”

“Besides, would he dare hit a cat?!”

“I can live without him.”

Xu Tutu rolled over, pinching his round belly.

“Look at me! I became human and I’ve been living comfortably ever since. I work and earn money, I can eat as much canned food as I want, and I can shower if I feel like it—or not if I don’t!”

“We want to be new-age, independent-living cats!” Xu Tutu declared passionately.

Jian Xun wiped away the bit of spit that had landed on his face and whispered,

“But… your house…”

“What about my house? It’s a little small, sure, but it keeps me out of the wind and rain!” Xu Tutu perked up, speaking with confidence. “When I save enough money, I’ll buy a big car and a big house—with a garden and a fountain!”

And he’d catch fish in that fountain.

“Brother Tutu, can I ask you a question?”

Sliding into bed, his two round eyes peeking out, Jian Xun stared at him shyly.

“Anything.”

“How much do you make a month?”

“This number!”

Xu Tutu proudly held up ten fingers.

“One thousand yuan!”

---

Shang Xuci looked incredulous.

“Speaking of which, your cat is really interesting. He has all sorts of things piled on that floral blanket.”

“I saw him putting canned food, cat food, dried fish, and his toys into his backpack.”

“There’s a stray cat outside keeping him company. The two of them are hanging around together, and Sui Sui looks like he’s ready to go with them.”

Shang Xuci sat in his wheelchair and said calmly, “Impossible.”

The hand resting on his leg clenched.

He knew Sui Sui well. He was a clingy little cat, terrified of being abandoned.

He cooked, mopped the floor, and massaged his legs. Every day, he’d squat in the porch, waiting for him to come home.

Even when he didn’t leave the house, the cat would stay in the study, keeping him company.

If that wasn’t love, what was it?

He never treated Sui Sui badly—buying him the best food, clothing, and toys.

Sui Sui had no reason to run away.

Besides, Sui Sui had been sticking to him even more lately, even sleeping curled against his neck at night.

His tone was firm.

Meng Jingxue had never seen him so devoted to a cat before, and she said, “Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

She spread her hands and continued, “Wait until your stitches are removed the day after tomorrow, then you can see for yourself.”

…

On the day his stitches were to be removed—

Meng Jingxue hadn’t arrived yet, and Shang Xuci was alone in the room.

The cat that usually followed him everywhere was nowhere to be seen.

Shang Xuci’s right eyelid twitched constantly. He pursed his lips tightly, thinking of what Meng Jingxue had told him two days ago.

“Sui Sui?”

The empty room was eerily quiet; Shang Xuci could even hear his own breathing.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

“Mia~ Meow.”

A sweet meow echoed. Shang Xuci heard a thump, …

Only he knew how panicked he had been in those brief seconds.

The familiar cat’s head rubbed affectionately against his leg.

Shang Xuci picked up the cat and whispered, “Sui Sui, you won’t leave me, right?”

He had asked this once before, back on the island—and now, he was suddenly unsure.

What was the point of packing?

The kitten didn’t understand anything.

“Meow.”

Jian Xun, who had just told Dai Mao to wait a few hours, felt a little guilty. After a moment’s hesitation, he meowed in response.

He was only leaving temporarily. He would be back.

He pressed his forehead against the cat’s head in a gentle nudge.

After receiving that response, Shang Xuci felt relieved enough to proceed with the afternoon checkup.

This afternoon, he could see his cat in person.

At two o’clock in the afternoon, the sun was high in the sky.

Shang Xuci lay in bed.

A beam of light pierced the pitch-black world.

It grew brighter and brighter until it illuminated everything. Shang Xuci seemed to awaken from a dream, slowly opening his eyes. The light was dazzling, yet gentle.

His vision was still a little blurry.

He quickly shifted his gaze to the dim light inside the room. Above him, Meng Jingxue’s gentle voice reached his ears, but he listened absentmindedly.

The cat sat upright by the door, a small bag tied around its neck.

He couldn’t see its expression, but he could feel its gaze. It gave him a long look, then turned and walked away without looking back.

“Sui Sui!”

Shang Xuci shouted, leaping from the bed and accidentally knocking over the tray of medical instruments in Meng Jingxue’s hands.

His eyes hadn’t fully adjusted to the dim orange light, and the bandage on his arm hadn’t been completely removed, but he was in too much of a hurry to care.

Meng Jingxue quickly stopped him, saying, “Your eyes have only just recovered. You can’t go out—it’s sunny out there!”

“Sui Sui!”

Shang Xuci watched the cat walk out without hesitation or pause. His eyelids trembled, and he called out, “Sui Sui,” again.

The white cat ran even faster, practically stumbling out of the courtyard on three legs, disappearing from sight.

Shang Xuci’s emotions surged. His pale face, long deprived of sunlight, flushed with agitation.

He reached the door, his long legs about to take a step, but Meng Jingxue quickly blocked his path. “You’re crazy! You can’t be exposed to bright light right now—it’ll damage your eyes!”

The veins on Shang Xuci’s hands bulged as he gripped the door frame so tightly it felt as if he might crush it.

“I called him, but he didn’t answer! He didn’t even run toward me!” Shang Xuci gritted his teeth, his tone edged with paranoia.

Meng Jingxue hadn’t noticed the cat at the door and wasn’t even sure if it had been Sui Sui. Shang Xuci’s eyes had only just seen light again, and it would take hours for his vision to recover. The cat’s appearance was blurry to him now—he could only make out a rough outline.

“It might not be Sui Sui. Besides, he just went out; he didn’t run away. Calm down. I’ll have Sui Sui brought back right away,” Meng Jingxue said firmly. “You’re not leaving this room today!”

“He’s carrying a small bag.”

Meng Jingxue: “…”

This was what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot.

She now deeply regretted teasing Shang Xuci that day, telling him Sui Sui was leaving. Whether it was true or not, if he could jump into the sea for a cat, what else wouldn’t he do?

Meng Jingxue looked up at the man’s eyes.

Cold. Unhinged.

She felt he was capable of anything. Without another word, she took out the anesthetic and injected him swiftly and precisely.

The drug took effect almost instantly.

Shang Xuci collapsed into unconsciousness.

Meng Jingxue sighed and helped him back to bed.

“You’re a big tomcat, why are you crying?” Dai Mao couldn’t help but ask when he saw Jian Xun hesitating and rubbing his paw.

He was beginning to doubt his own judgment.

The kitten sniffled.

“He must hate me to death.”

He had originally intended to sneak a peek through the window, but just as he reached the door, he met Shang Xuci’s gaze—and his heart skipped a beat.

He turned and ran.

Shang Xuci called after him.

Dai Mao urged him on.

Jian Xun steeled his heart and fled.

Although he didn’t know how well the boss’s eyes had healed, the moment their gazes met, Jian Xun knew he had been recognized. He shifted from walking to running, the small bag bouncing on his back.

Once the reality sank in, a wave of sadness hit him.

His eyes had only just healed.

He wanted so badly to jump over and cuddle with him.

He was too reluctant to leave—yet he had to.

“Didn’t you leave a note?” Dai Mao said. “He’ll forgive you when he sees it.”

That was the note Jian Xun had written after transforming. Would Shang Xuci realize it was from the cat when he read it?

Jian Xun slowed his pace to small, hesitant steps.

Dai Mao looked down at him, lost in thought, then shook his head helplessly. “Forget it. I’ll take you on the high-speed train first.”

“Pets aren’t allowed on the high-speed train. You should find a place to transform into a human first.”

Jian Xun glanced at the backpack on Dai Mao’s back and nodded. He felt guilty for making an old man carry such heavy belongings.

“Can I buy a high-speed train ticket without an ID?”

“Wow, you know humans have IDs?” Dai Mao exclaimed in surprise. He had met many cats who had just transformed into humans, and most were terrified—

Lacking common sense about the human world, they weren’t used to eating, walking, or even behaving normally. Unless they had an older guardian, most cats would cling to their owners and refuse to leave the house.

If they met a kind person, they would be accepted. If they met someone who couldn’t accept their cat-to-human transformation, they would end up as strays.

In that case, cat tribes from different regions would take them in and help them start a new life.

“I like watching TV and surfing the internet,” Jian Xun said casually.

He clutched his small bag tightly and admitted, “I can’t transform into a human on my own yet.”

“I’ll help you.”

The man and the cat turned a corner and entered an abandoned building.

Half an hour later—

A young man in a loose white shirt, holding up his pants, stepped out.

His skin was fair, his features delicate, and his blue eyes were clear and beautiful. He looked like a naive young master from a wealthy family.

Jian Xun touched the furry cat ears still on his head and looked at Dai Mao. “I can’t seem to change back. What should I do?”

“Buy a hat later,” Dai Mao replied. “See if you can find something to cover them.”

Jian Xun’s fair face flushed like an apple as a thought struck him.

“Yes.”

He pulled something resembling a pair of briefs from his bag and cautiously put it on his head.

Seeing this, Dai Mao took a deep breath and said, “Don’t.”

“Just walk like this and keep your ears still. There’s a role-playing booth down this street—you won’t attract much attention.”

Jian Xun’s cat ears twitched, and his long eyelashes fluttered.

“Okay.”

…

Seven o’clock in the evening.

Hua pai shu Hospital.

Meng Jingxue sat by the bed, speaking to the nurse standing nearby.

Suddenly, her hand was gripped tightly.

“Where’s my cat?!”

Pain shot through her hand. She took a deep breath and struggled. “You’re hurting me. Let go.”

She hadn’t expected Shang Xuci’s first words upon waking to be these, and she sighed in frustration.

“Sorry.” Shang Xuci released her hand, threw back the covers, sat on the edge of the bed, scanned the room, then glanced at the two of them again before closing his eyes.

Now he could see everything clearly.

“Can I go home now?” The stinging pain from the needle prick in his arm lingered. Shang Xuci knew he had been a bit irrational that afternoon, and now that it was dark outside, he wanted to go home and make sure the cat was still there.

Meng Jingxue had stopped him once before, but this time she relented. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you the topical medicine, then you can go.”

After handing him the medicine, she looked at his arm and said, “Wait while I change my clothes, then I’ll drive you home.”

Shang Xuci shook his head. “My secretary is waiting for me at the door. You should go home and rest.”

“I—” Meng Jingxue started, but Shang Xuci cut her off.

“Thank you for your care during this time.” He forced a smile and turned to leave without hesitation.

…

Parking lot

Fu Qian nervously checked the time, wondering what congratulatory words he should say when his boss arrived.

Congratulations on your discharge from the hospital?

Pa.

Bang.

The car door slammed shut, and before Fu Qian could say anything, the man sat down and immediately gave the order.

“Drive faster.”

Fu Qian stayed silent and accelerated. He glanced in the rearview mirror at Shang Xuci’s anxious yet restrained expression, then looked away, debating whether to tell him about the incident.

“Mr. Shang, we’ve found Fang Xiuyuan.”

Shang Xuci gazed at the distant lights, lips slightly parted. “Interrogate him first. Bring him to me this weekend.”

“Okay.”

But Shang Xuci wasn’t in the mood to deal with Fang Xiuyuan right now. All he wanted was to get home as quickly as possible and see if the cat was still there.

The phone showed the surveillance camera had disconnected. He tossed it aside impatiently, regretting not having implanted a tracking device in the cat so he could find him no matter where he went.

…

Shang Xuci got out of the car and shut the door.

He walked into the courtyard alone.

The night was deep, the courtyard aglow with warm lights. A gentle breeze brushed past his ears. The doors and windows of the house were tightly shut, not a sound escaping from within.

Shang Xuci stopped, his throat tightening.

He could have called the cat’s name, but instead, his lips moved in silence.

He opened the door and switched on the light.

Automatic cat feeder. Cat climbing frame. Cat box.

Living room sofa. Kitchen. Balcony. Bathroom. Bedroom…

Shang Xuci placed his hand on the doorknob of the last room—the study—his eyelashes lowering. He pressed down gently and pushed.

Still empty.

There was no sign of the cat anywhere in the house.

He checked the outdoor surveillance footage. The white cat, carrying a small bag, had walked out of the courtyard and never returned.

Shang Xuci’s mind went blank. He had never faced such a dilemma before.

His cat had run away.

---

Jian Xun didn’t forget to check the candy spot on the table—it was empty.

Could the boss have taken it? He’d placed it next to the water cup so he could grab it whenever he wanted.

Jian Xun slowly nudged Shang Xuci’s hand.

“There’s only one left. I’ll put it on the bedside table.”

…

Shang Xuci sat on the sofa, legs crossed, holding the cat.

“…Sui Sui’s condition is like this.”

“Yes. Thank you, Dr. Deng, for taking care of Sui Sui.”

Dr. Deng shook his head, then pulled out a phone and handed it to Shang Xuci. “The photos and videos are all in there. Call me next time if you need anything.”

The woman finished with a smile, leaving the heartwarming scene undisturbed.

Meng Jingxue was also tactful. She stood at the door, wearing a mask, and said, “Today’s examination is complete. I’ll come tomorrow. Call me anytime if you have any questions.”

“Okay.”

Click—

The moment the door closed, Jian Xun and Shang Xuci were alone in the room.

The pink cat’s nose twitched; the scent of Meng Jingxue’s perfume still lingered in the air. Gorgeous flowers were arranged on the living room table.

Everything else—cat climbing frame, cardboard boxes, cat food feeders, toys, treadmills—had been put away.

Jian Xun’s eyes stung, and he sniffled. He looked up at the man, then squatted and rose on his hind legs, resting his front paws on Shang Xuci’s shoulders, spreading them wide in a deep embrace.

Shang Xuci stroked his back, whispering almost inaudibly, “Sui Sui.”

He turned on the TV and used voice commands to play Tom and Jerry, watching alongside the cat. Although he couldn’t see, he could hear. The cat held his hand like a seatbelt.

Through the music, he could roughly grasp the style and rhythm of the animation.

By now, he was familiar with the layout of the house, able to picture the general direction of each room even with his eyes closed. He got up to go to the bathroom, and the cat hurried after him—wanting to lead the way but feeling too small. He wished he were a guide dog.

He waited outside the bathroom door until Shang Xuci came out to wash his hands. Jian Xun still helped him squeeze hand sanitizer at the sink.

Looking up, he saw white cat hair all over Shang Xuci’s black shirt.

The cat reached out to scratch it off, but the pad of his paw hit the man’s firm chest, pressing the fur in tighter.

“What’s wrong?” Shang Xuci tilted his head in confusion, having just been struck by an unexpected cat punch. Jian Xun spread his paw pads, gently tapped his chest again, and meowed softly.

Shang Xuci thought he wanted a hug, so he picked the cat up and carried him back to the living room.

At bedtime, Jian Xun eagerly ran to the bedroom, spread the sheets, pulled back the covers, and let Shang Xuci lie down first. Then he rested his head against the man’s chin, his paw pad pressed to his chest, purring as he drifted off to sleep.

Jian Xun thought, If only I could become human, I could personally take care of him during this time.

A long-awaited drowsiness overtook him, and before long, the cat in the man’s arms transformed into a fair-skinned young man. Both of them fell into a sweet dream.

The next day, Jian Xun stretched lazily—then suddenly realized he had grown arms and legs and turned into a human. Startled, he jumped, tumbling to the floor beside the bed.

The sound was loud enough to wake Shang Xuci, and the spot where his hand had been touching the cat was now empty.

“Sui Sui?”

Jian Xun, naked, covered half his buttocks, completely at a loss.

Seeing the man reach out toward him, he quickly meowed.

“Did you fall?” Shang Xuci hooked a finger toward him. “Come up, let me see.”

“Meow.” Jian Xun mimicked a cat’s voice, pushing himself up to stand. His beautiful azure eyes lingered on Shang Xuci’s hand, but his body instinctively edged toward the door.

The doorbell rang, and Meng Jingxue’s voice sounded from outside.

As Shang Xuci swung his long legs off the bed, Jian Xun nervously backed into the living room courtyard, afraid of running into Meng Jingxue.

Just as he stepped into the courtyard, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

…

Jian Xun now sat squatting on the curb outside Shang Xuci’s house, a lunch box in hand, popping another dumpling into his mouth.

“Grandpa Dai, give me a little more time. Shang Shang isn’t well yet.”

“Your leg is injured too?” asked Grandpa Sanhua—now a seventy-year-old with a long, graying beard—his voice slow and deliberate.

“Well, it’s only just healed,” Jian Xun replied between chews. “I’m a man of my word. I can’t just run away.”

“Yes, I know that.” Dai Mao’s tone carried a hint of annoyance. The family was pressing him hard; the king insisted on seeing what his daughter’s savior looked like. He had even sent invitations to all the cat demons in the tribe who could transform into humans, asking them to attend his daughter’s engagement party.

“Grandpa Dai, what am I supposed to do about this?”

“I haven’t told you Xiao Sanhua’s life story yet. She’s the princess of our cat demon tribe.” Dai Mao launched into the tribe’s history, taking a long detour before circling back to the point. “The king wants to see you.”

Dai Mao didn’t mention the son-in-law matter. He didn’t want to scare Jian Xun—what if he refused?

Jian Xun blinked, wearing only Shang Xuci’s white shirt, which barely reached his knees.

He finished chewing the last fried dumpling, swallowed, and asked more about the Cat King. Finally, he requested another week.

Then he asked for instructions on how to transform back into a cat.

Following Dai Mao’s guidance, he still failed to change form, so the elder cast a spell to help him transform back into a cat.

Jian Xun hurried home.

Time was running out for him, so Jian Xun cherished every moment he had with Shang Xuci even more.

Meng Jingxue was checking Shang Xuci’s eyes while Jian Xun hid to the side.

When he returned, he found his cardboard box in the utility room and dragged it back to its original spot in the living room. Now it was much easier to climb in.

“Sui Sui is in the living room,” Meng Jingxue said when she noticed Shang Xuci’s worried expression. “Maybe she ran away when she saw me coming.”

“Yeah.”

After finishing the examination, Meng Jingxue received a call from her father and left Shang Xuci’s house early. Shang Xuci then began working.

He wanted to finish all his tasks quickly so he could take some time off to play with his cat.

Every day, Fu Qian would come to Shang Xuci’s study with his laptop and documents to report on work matters, and Shang Xuci would make the decisions.

Whenever Jian Xun saw Fu Qian, he would obediently perch on Shang Xuci’s lap and meow in greeting.

Even when Shang Xuci was busy, he never forgot to feed the cat—and even gave him tasks.

“Sui Sui, my pen.”

The white cat jumped onto the table and brought the pen to him.

“Sui Sui, my water cup.”

Shang Xuci placed his hand on the table, and the cat pushed the cup into his palm.

“Sui Sui, tissue.”

Jian Xun reached out with his paw pads, pulled a sheet from the tissue box, and pushed it in front of him.

Fu Qian’s mouth fell open.

This… this teamwork.

He gave the lion cat a thumbs-up.

After the boss went blind, Fu Qian had worried about the inconveniences in his daily life. He’d also feared his temper would worsen at work. But Shang Xuci turned out to be far stronger and more composed than he’d imagined. Even in this state, he never forgot his responsibilities. He truly deserved to be called the boss!

With a blank expression, Fu Qian silently grumbled inwardly, then continued watching as the boss gave instructions and Sui Sui followed them diligently—looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

Indeed, Jian Xun puffed out his chest, feeling like he’d reached the pinnacle of his life.

The boss needed him!

This feeling of being relied upon gave him a blissful sense of self-worth.

Every time he brought something over, he would look up eagerly and meow, earning the man’s quiet gratitude.

…

Two weeks later.

Two days before Shang Xuci’s stitches were to be removed, Dai Mao came again.

Jian Xun knew his departure was drawing near.

Dai Mao told him the journey would be long and asked him to start preparing two days in advance.

Jian Xun had no idea how long “long” meant.

Besides… would the boss be furious if he discovered he was missing?

He might as well leave a note—he would return after he had repaid his debt.

If Meng Jingxue hadn’t moved in yet… and if Shang Xuci still wanted him…

Jian Xun carefully groomed his fur until it was smooth and soft. He also swiped a pair of pants to keep for himself, just in case, and placed them together with the white shirt.

Since transforming into a cat, Jian Xun had rarely traveled far, mostly staying within the vicinity of Shang Xuci’s home. This would be his first long trip, so he needed to prepare well.

He remembered how Tu Tu had almost become a stray last time, so he decided to pack a small bag for the journey.

He quickly found a piece of floral fabric and began filling it with essentials. Then he pulled out his little cat bag and packed it with canned food, kibble, and the dried fish he’d earned from his livestreams—stuffing it until it could hold no more.

He planned to give this bag to Grandpa Dai Mao for safekeeping. After meeting the king, he would learn how to switch between human and cat form freely. That way, if he were ever kicked out, he’d still have a way to survive on his own.

Of course, he firmly believed the boss would never kick him out.

Spreading out the floral fabric, Jian Xun crawled into his cardboard box and began unearthing his hidden treasures.

The big red envelope he had saved—when he was away from home, he would definitely need it.

Buttons, a token of his bond with the boss—he liked to take them out when he was bored and think of him.

His little dried fish pillow—when traveling in unfamiliar surroundings, he needed it to fall asleep.

His phone—a new model his boss had bought for him. Communication was crucial these days; he needed it to go online and stay in touch.

His cat skirt—it had accompanied him through his most difficult time, when he was losing his fur. When it tore, his boss had carefully sewn it back together. It was deeply meaningful to him, so of course he wanted to bring it along.

…There were many other things that held deep meaning for him, but unfortunately, he couldn’t take them all.

His gaze reluctantly fell on the cardboard box.

This little home, which had been with him since he first entered his boss’s house, had given him countless moments of warmth and security, and had witnessed his growth from kitten to adult.

Jian Xun was most reluctant to part with it.

He extended a paw and gently patted the cardboard box, as if greeting an old friend. “Old man, wait for me!”

The cat packed neatly, folding his clothes and putting his belongings in order.

Finally, he carefully wrapped the floral fabric into a bundle suitable for hanging around his neck—unaware of the curious eyes watching him from the window.

Jian Xun counted the remaining cat food, canned food, and dried fish, lining them up neatly, ready to finish them before he left.

The next day, Meng Jingxue visited Shang Xuci’s home and happened to see the white long-haired cat pushing a heavy backpack toward the door.

An old man stood there, mumbling something. Meng Jingxue couldn’t hear clearly from a distance, but she could read his lips.

It was probably something like, “keep it for you,” “go far away,” and “leave together.”

A few minutes later, the old man left. The cat went back inside, picked up the bundle, slipped his head through the loop, and let the knotted fabric rest on his back. He adjusted his movements to make it more stable—and to test whether he had the strength to bear the weight.

Meng Jingxue had a suspicion.

She took advantage of the cat’s absence to bring something up.

“I’m curious and want to ask you a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Since you know Jiang Yuanqing has no feelings for you, why don’t you break off the engagement?”

“Her family has done me a favor. As long as she doesn’t initiate the breakup, I have no objection.”

“What if she does? I think she really likes your brother.” She knew Shang Xuci was blind, and Jiang Yuanqing knew that too—yet, as his fiancée, she had never visited him. She had only called to say hello.

“What are you trying to say?”

“If you two break off the engagement, would you consider me?” Meng Jingxue asked half-jokingly.

Her father only had her, and her marriage would likely be a matter of sacrifice and arrangement. Since that couldn’t be changed, she figured she might as well choose someone she loved and marry sooner rather than later, so she could balance her career and personal life.

“Not considering it,” Shang Xuci replied without hesitation.

Meng Jingxue’s face immediately fell. “So decisive? Why?”

Was he saying he found her completely unattractive?

“You’re allergic to cat hair.”

And he only wanted his cat.

Anyone could leave him—except the cat.

No.

It couldn’t be Sui Sui.

“I won’t let Sui Sui leave, and Sui Sui can’t leave me either.”

Meng Jingxue had never expected to lose to a cat.

Hearing the absolute conviction in his voice, she sat back on the sofa, shaking her head, her tone deliberately slow: “That’s not necessarily true.”

“What do you mean?”

“You can’t leave Sui Sui, but Sui Sui doesn’t necessarily need to leave you.” Meng Jingxue paused, then added, “I’ve seen the kitten packing its belongings these past few days.”

“Looks like it’s getting ready to leave.”

---