A week later, Shang Xuci returned home to recuperate, with Meng Jingxue, his attending physician, staying to take care of him.

Jian Xun was being closely tended to by the veterinarian Gu Ming had introduced. Every evening, when Meng Jingxue wasn’t around, he would sneak back to Shang Xuci’s house on three legs and howl at the window.

Shang Xuci would open the door for him. He always told the cat not to come while he was recovering, but Jian Xun never understood. The very next day, whenever Meng Jingxue was away, the cat would sneak in again.

That day, Jian Xun’s leg had improved slightly, and he could even open the door himself. Without meowing, he walked in, intending to surprise his boss.

In the living room, Shang Xuci had turned on the TV to listen to the local news. The broadcast was about a recent surge in cat thefts, with many residents reporting their pets missing.

The interviewees, both men and women, spoke through tears as they described their stolen cats, their voices full of worry for their furry companions’ safety.

Some of the owners of these missing cats had even formed a team dedicated to rescuing animals stolen by cat dealers.

The host advised cat owners to keep doors and windows securely closed and not allow their pets to roam freely.

Shang Xuci felt an inexplicable worry creep in. His fingers twitched, and he stood to pour himself a glass of water.

The cat padded toward him quietly.

Shang Xuci suddenly turned and stepped on something soft. He immediately lifted his foot.

Jian Xun stifled a cry, holding his tail and blowing on it.

It hurt.

“Sui Sui.” Shang Xuci’s heart raced in panic. Instinctively, he squatted down to check the cat. Remembering he had just stepped on him, he stroked his round head and asked, “You’re here again? Does it hurt?”

“Meow.”

Jian Xun held his tail and leaned closer, wanting to touch him.

Shang Xuci stepped back to avoid it.

“What’s wrong?” Meng Jingxue had returned to retrieve something. She hadn’t yet noticed the cat hiding in the corner, but as she approached, she began sneezing repeatedly.

“It’s fine. Sui Sui snuck in again.” Shang Xuci took out his phone and called Dr. Deng.

After he hung up, he beckoned the cat over and petted him again.

In a stern tone, he said, “Don’t wander around. What if you run into bad people again? What if those cat traffickers kidnap you? Can you outrun them?”

“And your leg—if you don’t let it heal, do you want to be crippled for life? Don’t make people worry.”

Shang Xuci was furious with himself for stepping on the cat, and his words came out sharper than he intended.

The lion cat’s ears tilted back. His white front paws pressed together, his head lowered as he looked at his tail.

He wanted to open his mouth to defend himself, but all that came out was a meow.

I just wanted to see if your eyes were feeling better.

There was no reply. After calming down, Shang Xuci sighed and stroked the cat, his voice low and gentle.
“Just stay at Dr. Deng’s house and recuperate. I’ll come get you when you’re better.”

Jian Xun was taken back to Dr. Deng’s.

Because of Shang Xuci’s harsh words, Jian Xun behaved more docilely over the next few days. One day, he saw on his dashboard that he still had some points left and decided to go back to the boss’s house. He planned to slip the candy he had saved into Shang Xuci’s pocket and then leave.

To avoid dirtying the candy, Jian Xun wrapped it in a handkerchief, picked it up, and limped determinedly toward Shang Xuci’s home.

Dr. Deng’s house was very close, which was why Jian Xun dared to “commit the crime” again. But this time, he was more cautious—he would only leave his gift, take a quick look from afar, and then head back.

In the yard, Xiao Sanhua was gone, likely taken away by Grandpa Sanhua.

Without stopping, Jian Xun slipped into the house through the cat hole. As he emerged, a fragrant aroma drifted from the kitchen.

On the sofa, Shang Xuci was resting. In the kitchen, Meng Jingxue, wearing an apron, was cooking.

After dinner, Meng Jingxue wheeled Shang Xuci outside for a walk.

“Do you want to see Sui Sui? I can take you there.”

“No, thanks.” He was afraid to see Sui Sui—the cat’s coquettish meow would make him want to take him home. He wanted to kiss the cat, sleep with the cat, and spend time with the cat.

Shang Xuci never thought this day would come.

Sui Sui wasn’t even a year old yet, and he had already injured his leg twice.

Shang Xuci touched the sandalwood bracelet on his wrist, his hand resting on his lap.

After this round of treatment, he decided, he would spend more time playing with the cat.

“Hey, there’s a candy stall across the street—it looks just like the ones we had when we were kids. Wait here, I’ll go buy some.”

Three minutes later, Meng Jingxue returned and placed a piece of candy in his hand.

“The packaging is exactly the same as when we were kids. I remember Aunt Shen loved stuffing these into your pockets.”

When Meng Jingxue was little, she rarely saw Shang Xuci eat snacks—not even desserts. In elementary school, everyone brought homemade lunchboxes from their mothers, but Shang Xuci always ate alone in the cafeteria.

Later, during a PE class, Meng Jingxue fell while running, tearing her skirt. Her classmates laughed, and she couldn’t help but cry. Only Shang Xuci, expressionless, walked over, helped her up, and gave her a piece of candy.

From then on, Meng Jingxue also fell in love with buying candy. Even now, as an adult, she would instinctively pick up a pretty piece to try.

But she had never again tasted the kind Shang Xuci once gave her.

Today, by chance, she came across it—and ended up buying an entire bucket.

“What color is this one?”

Shang Xuci pursed his lips and shoved his hands into his pockets, finding them empty.

In the past, the cat would always slip a piece of candy into his pocket. Now, there was none.

“This one has a deep red wrapper…”

Shang Xuci unwrapped the candy and tossed it into his mouth. The sweetness spread across his tongue, but something still felt missing.

Behind a tree, the cat watched as Meng Jingxue carried the bucket of candy. His eyes flickered, the light in them dimming as he lowered the candy bag to his paw.

He only had one.

The lion cat lifted his front paws, stamping them in slight embarrassment.

Last time, he had spent nearly all his points saving Shang Xuci, leaving him with only a few candies to redeem. He also knew treatments took a long time—if something happened to the boss later, all his efforts would be for nothing.

Even though he knew the two candies had different effects, he still couldn’t suppress his frustration.

Cooking.

Walking.

Changing dressings.

Meng Jingxue took meticulous care of Shang Xuci.

The two of them truly looked like a perfect match.

But no matter how hard he tried, he was still just a cat.

He couldn’t give the same companionship Meng Jingxue could.

The snow-white cat cautiously pulled back his forward paw, his ears drooping. Lowering his head to sniff the candy, he picked it up and turned to leave.

Jian Xun didn’t want to cause any trouble for the veterinarian, worried she might panic if he went missing.

But just as he turned around, a group of children crowded near.

“Wow! It’s a lion cat! What’s that thing in its mouth?”

“So cute! Is he hurt? His leg is bandaged.”

“What should I do? I want to steal it and keep it.”

Jian Xun wasn’t alarmed by the first few comments, but when he heard them talk about stealing him, he leapt up and bolted.

Not far away, Shang Xuci heard the words lion cat and turned toward the noise.

“Is that Sui Sui?”

Meng Jingxue glanced in the same direction but saw nothing.

“No way. Sui Sui’s at Dr. Deng’s house. How could she be out? The kids must’ve seen another lion cat.”

Even so, Shang Xuci’s heart was restless. He fiddled with his beads and murmured softly, “Let’s go back.”

People always like to act like scoundrels.

When he had sent Sui Sui to Dr. Deng, he’d thought it would just be a temporary stay—a treat for both the cat and the humans.

Now there were no meows, and Sui Sui hadn’t sneaked over, leaving him uneasy. He wondered why the cat hadn’t come to see him today. Perhaps it was still frightened by his harsh tone the other day—Sui Sui was so timid.

Shang Xuci reached for his phone, intending to call Dr. Deng to confirm.

He had just started to turn his wheelchair when Meng Jingxue interrupted him.

“Wait, I think I see someone I know.”

She stared intently at the man and woman entering the cinema arm in arm, nervously pulling out her phone to take a photo.

Zooming in, she saw that it was indeed the woman she suspected.

“Huh? Who?” Hearing the surprise in her tone, Shang Xuci looked up slightly.

“Shang Ye, and…” Meng Jingxue hesitated.

When she had just started elementary school, Meng Jingxue noticed Shang Xuci smiling less and less. Later, she learned he had a half-brother—an older brother. Wasn’t this the result of infidelity?

It was one of the reasons she disliked Shang Ye.

After their encounter on the cruise ship that day, Meng Jingxue realized she still liked Shang Xuci just as much as before, and she quickly searched for information about him.

That was when she discovered he had a fiancée.

Her heart had dropped instantly.

Curious about what kind of woman Shang Xuci liked, she had looked up Jiang Yuanqing’s profile.

Later, she found out their engagement seemed to be purely for marriage arrangements—Shang Xuci didn’t truly like her.

That knowledge had brought her relief.

Now, seeing Jiang Yuanqing and Shang Ye walking together, their gestures intimate, she felt surprised, angry, and—deep down—secretly pleased.

Did Shang Xuci know? Did he care?

“You’re hesitating. That’s not like you. Who else could it be besides him?”

“Your fiancée,” Meng Jingxue said at last, pausing and glancing at Shang Xuci’s expression.

Unfortunately, the man’s eyes were covered with a cloth, his lips pressed into a straight line, revealing no discernible emotion.

“Let’s go back.”

Shang Xuci didn’t care about Jiang Yuanqing at all. Right now, his unease was for another reason—he had a strong feeling that the cat earlier had been Sui Sui.

Meanwhile, after his panicked escape, Jian Xun had headed straight for Shang Xuci’s house. This time, he slipped in through the cat hole, went straight to the study, quickly placed the candy on the table, and then returned to Dr. Deng’s treatment center.

Whether Shang Xuci would notice the candy remained uncertain.

Jian Xun was preoccupied, walking and thinking. When he returned to the house, he saw Dr. Deng sprawled across the table, asleep.

The cat breathed a sigh of relief and curled up on the cat mat he had brought from home, wrapping his tail around himself.

He soon drifted off.

A few minutes later, the phone rang. Half-asleep, he heard Dr. Deng say the cat was still there, and the camera panned over to him.

Then a gentle female voice followed.

“Sui Sui is asleep.”

After a period of recuperation, Jian Xun’s injuries had healed back to their previous state.

He happily jumped and spun around in the yard.

Dr. Deng filmed the scene as requested by her employer.

The cat could finally go home.

Jian Xun purred excitedly, imagining himself leaping onto Shang Xuci’s lap, wrapping his front paws around the man’s narrow waist, and rubbing his head against his belly.

He missed the faint scent of alpine pine snow on him.

When the time came, he would meow sweetly, and a pair of large hands would gently stroke him—from his head, down his neck, along his back, to his belly—before softly patting his rump…

The cat looked up, picturing that heartwarming scene, and couldn’t help but close his eyes.

“Sui Sui, come on. I’ll take you to see Boss Shang first. You must miss him too.” Dr. Deng, having packed her things, smiled as she walked over to him.

She still remembered the first time she had come to pick up Sui Sui—how he had waited nervously, clutching a cat mat in his mouth, looking distraught at the beautiful couple behind him.

Boss Shang had agreed to bring some cat toys. But instead of choosing Qiuqiu’s or the others, the white cat had struggled to pull a shirt from a cardboard box and place it on his cat mat.

At night, he would sleep with the shirt in his arms.

It seemed the cat really liked Boss Shang.

Hehe, she liked Boss Shang too. Handsome, rich, and kind.

Most importantly, he was generous—one month’s pay from him was worth three years of her usual salary.

“Don’t you agree, Sui Sui? Your master is so handsome!” Dr. Deng looked at the cat with motherly tenderness. “And Dr. Meng is such a beautiful woman. Aren’t they a perfect match?”

Jian Xun, who usually meowed at every question, remained silent this time.

He lowered his head, staring at his paws.

But the thought of meeting Shang Xuci quickly lifted his spirits.

Eager to see him, the cat followed as they headed out.

…

Shang Xuci’s house.

The yard.

Dr. Deng waved at Meng Jingxue with a smile. “Dr. Meng, what are you busy with in the yard?”

Meng Jingxue, squatting on the grass, looked up and smiled. “I’m planting flowers.”

She set down her shovel, stood, dusted the dirt from her hands, and added, “I want the first thing Xuci sees when his eyes heal to be a yard full of flowers.”

“Dr. Deng, what brings you here now?”

“I came to drop off the cat.” Dr. Deng turned and lifted the carrier she was holding.

“Oh, I forgot,” Meng Jingxue exclaimed.

“It’s fine, I’ll just bring him over.”

“No,” Meng Jingxue said, a little embarrassed. “I’m allergic to cat hair.”

“Huh?!”

Just as Dr. Deng began to take the cat out, her hand froze.

“Wait here, I’ll go get Shang Xuci.”

As Meng Jingxue left, Dr. Deng’s hand resumed its motion.

“Poor Sui Sui.”

The hostess was allergic to cat hair. She could already imagine what Sui Sui’s future life here might be like…

But the peaceful cat in her arms suddenly wriggled free, leapt to the ground, and darted inside.

Why didn’t you come get Sui Sui?

Jian Xun ran into the house and found no one. He headed straight for the bedroom and study, moving faster than Meng Jingxue. He reached the study first.

Shang Xuci sat in his office chair, a cup of coffee in hand, his tone sharp and displeased.

“Why has Liji’s project been halted again?” He paused. “I want to hear the truth.”

The coffee cup had just landed on the table.

Thump, thump, thump—

A heavy ball landed on his lap. Before Shang Xuci could even register what it was, a pitiful meowing sound continued without pause.

The cat stretched its head forward, waiting for him to touch it.

Shang Xuci tentatively extended his hand, and the furry head leaned in to meet it.

Purr—

A look of satisfaction and comfort spread across the cat’s face.

At the doorway, Meng Jingxue paused. She saw Shang Xuci smiling—a smile she hadn’t seen in a long time. It was a joy so unguarded, so genuine.

She quietly stepped back and went downstairs to greet Dr. Deng.

….

The study.

Shang Xuci stroked the cat’s ears, rubbed the top of its head, and lightly kneaded its paw pads. With a smile, he asked, “Baby, why didn’t you wait for me to pick you up?”

His gentle smile and warm voice carried across the video conference, and on the other side of the ocean, the employees froze in horror.

Baby?

The boss’s… baby?!

Before Jian Xun could make a sound, Shang Xuci’s tone suddenly turned cold.

“The person in charge will write me a report and a remedial plan, and send it to Secretary Fu Qian within three days.”

With that, he ended the meeting.

Jian Xun was still lost in the bliss of being petted. When he heard that affectionate nickname, tears welled in his round eyes. Hugging Shang Xuci’s waist, he whimpered and rubbed his head against him.

I really missed you so much.

---

Shang Xuci was furious.

He clenched his fist, then unclenched it, his voice hoarse and filled with agony. “I don’t know.”

He hadn’t even known Sui Sui was injured.

The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet and heavy.

Jian Xun instinctively glanced at Shang Xuci. The man had lowered his eyes, his face dark, suppressing his anger.

The cat began to struggle. He didn’t want Shang Xuci to know about his injury, blaming it all on his own wandering.

Jian Xun thought it was a bit much for a human, but kittens were naturally curious, free-spirited, and lively creatures. Who could really blame a kitten?

“Who’s so cruel as to target a cat’s injuries?” Gu Ming frowned. The technique clearly suggested someone with medical training.

Shang Xuci almost immediately replied, “My former doctor, Fang Xiuyuan.”

“It was him?!” Gu Ming was stunned for a moment, then realized it was exactly the sort of thing that person could do. Only someone with a twisted heart would have the urge to destroy something so cute.

Shang Xuci’s accident had also been caused by that person.

“I’ll give Sui Sui a thorough check later to see if he has any other hidden injuries.” Gu Ming quickly sent a message on his phone. “You won’t be able to move around for a while, so I’ll find someone I can trust to take care of you.”

Shang Xuci said solemnly, “Sui Sui, I’ll trouble you.”

He closed his eyes, and the image of Fang Xiuyuan smiling on the deck, holding the cat in his arms, returned to his mind. The cat in his arms had been silent too.

So, he had been enduring it all that time.

Shang Xuci couldn’t imagine how Sui Sui, with his tattered body, had dragged himself alone to find water and catch fish, silently enduring the pain just to accompany him every day on the isolated island.

The cat was so patient. He had petted its ears, its head, its back, its belly, its tail, its paw pads countless times…

The only thing he had never touched was its hind legs.

He took a deep breath.

Shang Xuci slowly opened his eyes.

He didn’t want to wait any longer.

Shang Xuci took out his phone and made a call.

“So you’re studying medicine?” Shang Xuci, his eyes covered with a cloth, addressed the newcomer, listening to the voice and pinpointing the person’s location.

The acquaintance Gu Ming had mentioned was Meng Jingxue, whom Shang Xuci had met at the sea concert.

“Are you surprised?” Meng Jingxue smiled, wearing a white coat. “I thought you knew.”

“I thought you worked at your father’s company.”

“Maybe it’ll be like that in the future. For now, I’ll stay a doctor for as long as I can. After all, that’s what I majored in.” Meng Jingxue continued, sitting in a chair beside the bed. “After you disappeared, Uncle Shen and the others disembarked at the stopover.”

“What exactly happened that day?” Meng Jingxue asked curiously. “Did you really jump into the sea for a cat?”

She didn’t believe what Senior Brother Gu had told her. In Meng Jingxue’s eyes, Shang Xuci had always been indifferent to animals since childhood. There had been other people on the boat with cats, yet Shang Xuci hadn’t even spared them a glance when they passed by—despite owning a cat himself.

When Shang Xuci recalled jumping into the sea, his memory flashed back to the cat’s panicked, helpless fall. He never wanted to relive that despairing scene.

Meng Jingxue, noticing his expression, tactfully avoided further questioning and changed the subject. “I ran into Uncle Shang on the way here.”

“Yeah.” Shang Wei had brought Jiang Yuanqing to see him, but Shang Xuci declined, citing illness as a reason not to visit.

He didn’t need any false concern.

He was genuinely surprised that someone like Xu Rong, who thrived on appearances, hadn’t shown up. Shang Yi’s situation was already overwhelming enough for her.

Furthermore, he had taken such a drastic measure.

Shang Xuci’s lips twitched into a sarcastic smile.

Meng Jingxue knew that Shang Xuci and Shang Jia had a strained relationship, so she didn’t press the matter. Instead, she went to check on the cat—through the glass window.

That night, a small bed was added to Shang Xuci’s single room, placed right next to his own. The cat, having undergone treatment, lay on its side, facing the bed, perfectly positioned to see him. The anesthesia hadn’t worn off yet, leaving it barely able to move. Its round eyes stared at him blankly, and it struggled to open its mouth, as if trying to greet him.

The soft, limp sound was barely audible. Shang Xuci called out to the cat, but there was no response. Anger flared, and he reached for the bell.

Gu Ming entered and explained Sui Sui’s condition. He had already given the cat medicine, and after some rest, it would be lively again—its life unaffected.

“Fang Xiuyuan caused you and Sui Sui so much suffering. How are you going to deal with him?”

“He disappeared on the cruise ship,” Shang Xuci said coldly. “I’ve sent people to look for him.”

Whether they found him alive or dead didn’t matter.

Shang Xuci would not let Fang Xiuyuan go, no matter where he hid.

He would make Fang Xiuyuan repay Sui Sui a hundredfold—no, a thousandfold.

“Oh, Shang Jia has been busy lately. Just in case you’re bored, I’ll tell you something interesting.”

Shen Xiu only discovered Shang Xuci was missing the next day. He knew his nephew, Xi Jing, hadn’t bothered him much, but it wasn’t until Shen Huan visited, found no one there, and called without getting an answer that he began searching.

The cat had also disappeared. Fortunately, Shen Huan knew the gemstone necklace on the cat had a tracking function, which allowed them to locate him.

After Shang Jia learned of Shang Xuci’s disappearance, no one except Shang Jue showed any real concern. Everyone else was preoccupied with Shang Yi’s affairs. If Shang Yi hadn’t been in trouble, Xu Rong would have been the happiest person alive.

She had received the exact information from Fang Xiuyuan and couldn’t help but hope Shang Xuci would completely disappear from the world. Then she could focus solely on cleaning up Shang Yi’s mess.

Shang Yi’s plagiarism scandal had erupted online, exposing Xu Rong’s shameless use of money and power to help her son get into a prestigious university, pour resources into the music industry, and ultimately enter the entertainment world to suppress his peers.

What the public despised most was the children of capitalists climbing the ladder by stepping on the backs of ordinary people, then reaping the wealth, fame, and admiration from them.

Shang Yi’s fans felt utterly betrayed. They had worked hard to boost his numbers and buy his albums, only to find out—none of it was his original work?!

The music industry was no stranger to buying songs or hiring ghostwriters for lyrics; that was perfectly normal. But plagiarism—that was something else entirely.

In any field, stealing someone’s hard work is intolerable.

Tang Mu’s family came from humble origins, which struck a public nerve. The internet flooded with sympathy for him and harsh criticism of Shang Yi. People demanded he quit the music industry and apologize to Tang Mu.

Soon after, netizens began exposing Shang Yi’s bullying of classmates, complete with videos and pictures that clearly captured his arrogant expression.

The worst part was that despite the seriousness of the scandal, Shang Yi refused to issue a statement and even strolled through a mall without a care. When paparazzi caught him and asked about the incident, he impatiently demanded to know why he should apologize.

No remorse whatsoever—a textbook spoiled brat.

The video went viral, and public outrage only intensified.

Even Xu Rong and Shang Jia, who stood behind her, were dragged into the criticism.

Old Shang had just boasted to his friends about his “promising” grandson, Shang Yi, only to be humiliated shortly after. Upon learning about Tang Mu’s situation, he was furious, refusing to leave the house and demanding that Xu Rong resolve the matter immediately.

But the scandal dragged on, and the trending topics refused to die down. Worse still, Xu Rong’s entertainment industry background made her the target of endless conspiracy rumors—among them, leaked photos of her entering and leaving a hotel with Fang Xiuyuan.

When she saw the photos, the woman nearly collapsed.

All endorsements and commercial activities for Shang Yi were halted, and the merchants’ stock was also affected. When Xu Rong went to find Shang Wei, he was lying on top of a woman at the club, casually watching the trending news.

Seeing that Xu Rong no longer looked guilty, the man—usually gentle with his wife—erupted into accusations. He then went home to find his father.

Shang Jue, aware of his daughter-in-law’s recent misconduct, was visibly distraught. Since his semi-retirement, he had turned a blind eye to his son and daughter-in-law, but he hadn’t expected them to be so brazen. He threw a thick stack of documents from his desk into the shredder.

After a long silence, Shang Jue picked up the phone and called Shang Xuci. That was when he learned Shang Xuci was blind and hospitalized—and that the culprit was his daughter-in-law’s lover.

Shang Jue could no longer sit still. The elderly man, over seventy, attended a press conference, accompanying Xu Rong and Shang Yi to offer an on-site apology. He also announced Shang Yi’s permanent retirement from the music industry.

An apology and compensation were essential.

In front of the media, Shang Jue had already given Xu Rong and her son the utmost respect.

After the incident, he summoned Shang Wei and Xu Rong and said coldly, “Shang Yi is still young. He shouldn’t be like this—bullying classmates, lying, and being arrogant.”

“I don’t even know who he learned this from.” Shang Jue’s gaze swept over Xu Rong, his voice turning stern. “You’ve spoiled him. He doesn’t need to stay with you anymore. Send him abroad to study and learn independence. He can return when he’s finished.”

Xu Rong’s face paled instantly. She parted her lips and spoke with difficulty. “Dad, he’s still young. He—”

“How is he young? He’s already an adult!” Shang Jue cut her off.

Xu Rong understood immediately that “studying abroad” was just a polite term for exile. She looked at Shang Wei, sitting silently on the sofa, her face filled with disappointment.

She sat down beside her husband, seeking his support. Always doting on Shang Yi, Shang Wei spoke softly, “Dad, Xiao Yi just needs to change if he’s done something wrong. You’ve watched him grow up. Do you really want to send him away?”

“I’ve made up my mind. There’s no need to explain.” Shang Jue glanced at them both and said firmly, “Mind your own business.”

The two lowered their heads in silence.

The matter was settled.

Xu Rong gritted her teeth, a flicker of resentment in her eyes.

After delivering his decision, the old man stood with the aid of his cane. “I’m going to the hospital to see Xiao Ci. We’ll settle his affairs later.”

He directed the words at Xu Rong, who bit her lip and clenched her hands in her lap.

Shang Jue snorted and left, and the couple on the sofa finally exhaled in relief.

Ever since Shang Wei caught Xu Rong cheating, the two had been at loggerheads, maintaining only polite appearances in front of the old man.

Xu Rong, preoccupied with her own thoughts, didn’t want to sit with Shang Wei. She stood and started toward the stairs, but Shang Wei stopped her.

“Wait. I have something to ask you.”

Leaving her husband’s place, Xu Rong wandered the streets in a daze before eventually stepping into a coffee shop she frequented.

Finding a quiet corner, she ordered a cup of coffee and sat there, lost in thought.

She hadn’t yet told Shang Yi about this. If he found out, she had no idea what might happen.

The very thought gave her a headache.

“Miss, please enjoy.”

A plate of exquisite pastries was placed before Xu Rong—her favorite dessert at the shop.

“I didn’t order that,” Xu Rong said, puzzled.

“That gentleman ordered it for you.”

Xu Rong looked up and saw an elderly man sitting across the room. She had seen him before in Business Daily. His name was Du Guan, and Shang Ye had once mentioned a potential collaboration with him. The old man nodded at her, and Xu Rong returned the gesture with a polite smile.

After a while, Du Guan stood and walked over.

“Do you mind if I sit here?”

“Please, go ahead.”

Du Guan handed her a business card and began introducing himself. Xu Rong listened absentmindedly—until he said something that made her freeze.

“You and your mother look so much alike.”

“You… know my mother?”

Du Guan smiled and nodded. “More than that.”

He pulled a document from his briefcase and handed it to her.

Xu Rong opened it—and froze in shock.

Her voice trembled. “You’re… my father?!”

Xu Rong was incredulous. She had lived with her mother since childhood, and her mother had always told her that her father died in an accident long ago. Later, out of curiosity, she had secretly investigated and discovered that her mother had given birth out of wedlock. Fearing gossip from her family, her mother had taken her from their small county town to the big city to work.

She had never expected her father to seek her out in person.

And it turned out to be Du Guan.

Xu Rong examined his face carefully. Their features were indeed similar—her eyes took after her mother’s, while her nose and mouth resembled Du Guan’s.

“Have you always known this?” Xu Rong asked. “Why recognize me only now?”

As a child, Xu Rong had often been mocked as a fatherless wild child. She had longed for her father’s love, and because both she and her mother endured so much bullying and injustice, she learned to read people’s expressions early on. From then, she became determined to climb the social ladder—no matter the cost.

Du Guan sighed. “I looked for you, but the town said you’d moved away. I went to the address they gave me, but it turned out to be fake—something your mother had given them. Still, I never gave up searching for you.”

“From the first time we met at that business dinner, I felt a strange connection to you. You look so much like her. I suspected you might be my daughter, so I arranged for a test. Only with this proof will you believe me.”

Du Guan had researched Xu Rong’s past and knew her personality. Now, he had come simply to make amends.

Seeing Xu Rong remain silent, he added, “I also know about Shang Yi’s situation. If you’re willing, I can help.”

“I’ve been working overseas for years and have built up quite a few connections…”

Xu Rong interrupted eagerly, “Can you help Xiao Yi?”

“Well, after all, I am his grandfather.” Du Guan nodded, knowing children were Xu Rong’s weak spot.

“If you need help, I can help you.” A strange glint flashed in his eyes.

Hua pai shu

Gu Ming and Meng Jingxue were both in Shang Xuci’s ward. They were chatting while Mao Mao lay in the bed next to them, listening intently. He had been unbearably bored over the past two days—his boss didn’t like to talk, and he could only meow. Shang Xuci kept him under strict watch, making it impossible for him to get out of bed and play.

Usually, he would stick to Shang Xuci’s bed and watch him play on his phone. Sometimes, he would beg for Tom and Jerry.

After hearing Meng Jingxue tell the boss that she and Gu Ming had attended the same school, Jian Xun suddenly realized they were actually senior and junior schoolmates. No wonder Meng Jingxue had been assigned to care for Shang Xuci.

The lion cat turned, tilted his head, and slid closer to the bed. He hadn’t forgotten that women were allergic to cat hair.

“What I mean is, you can rest at home and let Jingxue take care of you. She’s very professional.” Gu Ming had some family matters to attend to abroad and wouldn’t be back for another two weeks.

Shang Xuci understood this as well. He nodded and said, “I’ll hire the best lawyer to help my uncle and aunt.”

Gu Ming had helped him a great deal. If it weren’t for his eye problems, he would have gone there himself.

“Is Doctor Meng okay? I have a cat that’s very clingy.”

Jian Xun’s ears perked up, and he looked at the two of them with wide eyes.

Was Meng Jingxue coming to his house?

Hearing Shang Xuci’s words, the tips of his ears twitched, and he let out a meow.

I’m not clingy.

If Meng Jingxue wanted to come to the boss’s house, he would only approach Shang Xuci when she wasn’t there.

As long as Shang Xuci’s eyes could be healed, he would put up with anything!

Meng Jingxue smiled. “It’s fine. I’ll wear a mask and minimize contact with Sui Sui.”

“Besides, Sui Sui is very well-behaved.” She glanced at the cat. “Isn’t that right, Sui Sui?”

The cat shoved his hands into his pockets and whispered, “Meow.”

He’d just hide when Meng Jingxue came.

No problem.

The cat wiggled his butt and scooted back a little.

He’d keep his distance.

Glancing at the two people who seemed so well-matched, a flicker of dejection passed through the cat’s eyes.

Is everything really destined?

Shang Xuci couldn’t see the cat’s pitiful expression, but he was thinking about Jian Xun’s injuries and made a quick decision.

“No need. I’ll find someone else to take care of Sui Sui.”

He remembered the frightened look the cat had when it first arrived at his home and was sent away, and the aggrieved expression it wore whenever he was gone on business. He wouldn’t send the cat away again.

He would heal his own wounds first. Once he recovered, he would take care of the cat himself.

He recalled how Sui Sui had wandered over to his bedside without permission the day before, catching him off guard. He had accidentally stepped on the cat’s paw, nearly frightening it to death.

Besides, the cat was injured as well—and loved to run around. He needed someone to watch over him and help Sui Sui recover as quickly as possible.

Knowing how smart cats were, Shang Xuci looked in its direction, his expression serious, as if making a promise.

“I’ll bring him back when my eyes heal.”

Jian Xun opened his mouth, wanting to refuse, but…

He glanced at Meng Jingxue, then at Shang Xuci.

He immediately lowered his head, resting it on his front limbs.

He didn’t want to cause the boss any trouble.

But…

But he didn’t have much time left.

Shang Xuci leaned forward slightly, waiting for the cat to protest—but it didn’t.

“That’s good. You’re both injured again, so resting will help you recover faster,” Gu Ming said. “Then we won’t disturb your rest.”

Gu Ming and Meng Jingxue had just left when Shang Jue entered the ward.

“Grandpa,” Shang Xuci greeted, pursing his lips.

It wasn’t the first time Shang Jue had seen him lying in bed, and he sighed inwardly.

He stepped forward and said, “I know everything. Grandpa knows you’ve been wronged. From now on, you can ask for anything you want.”

“Anything.” He paused, his tone weighted with meaning. Shang Jue had been a powerful figure all his life, with only one child and numerous grandchildren—but with the exception of Shang Xuci, none of them had ever brought him peace of mind.

What he meant was that power could be placed in Shang Xuci’s hands—but Shang Xuci didn’t care.

Knowing his condition, Shang Jue stayed with him for a while. When he noticed a snow-white ball poking out from under the quilt beside him, he exclaimed in surprise, “Sui Sui?!”

The kitten had a splint strapped to its leg.

“Is he injured too?” Shang Jue asked.

---

There was no one else on the island, and Shang Xuci couldn’t see him. Unafraid to strip off his clothes, he called out to Sui Sui and prepared to gather some firewood nearby.

Jian Xun wanted to tell him there was still some sturdy wood left near the cabin. Considering the boss’s mobility issues, he planned to go along and help collect it.

Waving his cat paw to reassure the man who couldn’t see him, Jian Xun gave up the pretense. He had been physically abused by Fang Xiuyuan, and now that he had relaxed, his left leg began to ache.

He walked on three legs, hopping and skipping, avoiding the use of his left foot as much as possible.

The boss needed him.

No matter how painful it was, he would endure it.

Hold on, Sui Sui.

Jian Xun mentally encouraged himself, raised his head, and felt a rush of energy.

He led Shang Xuci to a spot with dry sticks, using his cat ears to scan the surroundings for safety. He checked for any dangerous creatures, like worms, and only after confirming there were none did he return to Shang Xuci’s side to help gather small pieces of firewood.

Man and cat collected sticks together. On the way back, the cat trotted ahead, holding one in his mouth to lead the way, afraid the other might fall.

He walked for a while, then stopped.

Looked back to see if the boss had caught up.

They didn’t venture deep into the forest, instead sticking to the flat areas.

Shang Xuci walked slowly back and forth three times before stopping. His clothes and pants were now dry, so he changed and sat down in front of the cabin again.

Jian Xun began licking his paws. After cleaning them, he set them back on his legs and gave a scratch. When he felt his clothes were dry, he leaned against Shang Xuci, hands in his pockets, and dozed off.

After a nap, he woke up to patrol.

The cat’s head drooped sleepily. As soon as he closed his eyes, he thought about catching fish for Shang Xuci to grill that night.

Yes, he’d catch a big, fat one.

Two, actually—one for each of them.

With two smacks of his lips, the cat drifted into a deep sleep.

Shang Xuci lowered his eyes, his dull gaze fixed on the cat in his arms. With a gentle expression, he pinched its ears and soft paw pads.

Luckily, Sui Sui was there to keep him company.

Unconsciously, Sui Sui’s place in his heart had grown beyond that of a mere servant. When consciousness returned, he realized his unusual behavior and joined in with the others.

If it had been the old Shang Xuci, he would have scoffed at the idea of jumping into the sea for a cat, calling it suicidal. But now, it had actually happened.

Sui Sui was his family.

Shang Xuci even selfishly entertained another thought—he might as well have the cat neutered when they got home. He couldn’t imagine Sui Sui finding a partner and no longer revolving around him.

The man lowered his eyes, gently squeezing the cat’s paw pad.

Sui Sui was his.

Jian Xun didn’t sleep for long. Curled up entirely in the man’s arms, the “soft” paw pad made him stretch in pure comfort.

He completely forgot about his surroundings.

After resting, he jumped off Shang Xuci’s lap, stretched like in a yoga pose, and gazed at the sea.

He wanted to catch two fish before dark.

He didn’t know how to tell the boss.

Jian Xun meowed twice, then stayed close to him. He waited until the man stopped petting him, then looked up to make sure he was dozing with his eyes closed. Only then did Jian Xun leave the cabin.

Tonight’s dinner depended on the cat!

The cat walked alone toward the beach, his body swaying unevenly.

If Shang Xuci hadn’t been blind, he would have seen that the cat was limping badly on his hind legs. His left leg, which had almost healed, had been crushed again by Fang Xiuyuan, making the limp all the more obvious.

Jian Xun endured the pain, not wanting Shang Xuci to notice his condition.

Just wait for help to arrive.

The lion cat found a spot on the shore with good visibility, shallow water, and plenty of fish. He squatted low, four legs together, body crouched, eyes locked on the fish gliding beneath the surface.

Keep your eyes on the target. Choose the moment. Reel it in.

Despite his injured hind leg, the cat’s speed wasn’t hindered. With his agility, he quickly caught his first fish.

Then, he went for the second.

Shang Xuci closed his eyes for a moment, then instinctively reached for the cat beside him. It wasn’t there. He waited patiently for a bit, then called Sui Sui’s name—but there was no response.

He frowned. In his haste to find the cat, he banged his head against the wooden shed, gasping in pain.

Without the cat, he was visibly unsettled. In his current state, Sui Sui was the only companion who could give him courage. Without him, Shang Xuci felt as if he had been abandoned by the world.

Even though he knew the cat wouldn’t leave him—perhaps it had only gone off to take care of a natural need—he still felt a sudden wave of loss for no apparent reason.

That sense of loss, tinged with loneliness and panic, was swept away by a soft, cat-like whimper.

The white lion cat appeared, head held high, a large, bobbing fish clamped in its mouth. Limping slightly, it dropped the fish at the man’s feet.

“Meow!” It patted the fish with a paw, its tail brushing against Shang Xuci’s hand.

I’m back from hunting!

The puffing of the fish caught Shang Xuci’s attention. Trusting Sui Sui, he reached for the object, only to discover it was indeed a fish.

“Sui Sui, you went fishing?” Shang Xuci calmly hid his earlier panic, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Is this for me?”

“Meow!” Jian Xun replied with a crisp cry, turning to fetch his own catch.

The little guy had caught two fish, and Shang Xuci couldn’t help but praise him. “Sui Sui is amazing.”

Jian Xun happily stepped forward and rubbed his head against the man’s hand.

Shang Xuci set about trying to start a fire.

The lighter made things easier, but with the sea breeze and damp wood, it wasn’t simple to ignite. Jian Xun fetched more dry grass and stood on the windward side to block the gusts.

At last, the fire caught, and Shang Xuci began grilling the two fish.

The process took a long time and was rather difficult, but the aroma that filled the air made it worthwhile.

Shang Xuci hadn’t eaten all day. On the boat earlier, he’d only had some wine and a piece of birthday cake for his uncle’s celebration. He was already starving, and the smell of grilled fish made his mouth water.

He tore off a piece of roasted fish and offered it to the cat first.

Jian Xun meowed, took a bite, then called out to Shang Xuci, urging him to try it too.

Shang Xuci took a bite. Though it wasn’t salty, it had a distinct, refreshing fragrance.

Thanks to the cat’s timing, the fish was grilled to a golden brown—its skin crispy, its flesh tender. Surprisingly, it tasted quite good.

“Your fish is delicious.”

Jian Xun had cooked fish for Shang Xuci many times before, but this was the first time he’d been praised for it. Pride swelled in his chest, and he puffed himself up, tilting his head to watch the man eat.

Shang Xuci was starving, yet he ate gracefully—slowly and methodically, one bite at a time—as if the fish were a rare delicacy.

Jian Xun couldn’t understand it. How could he enjoy a simple grilled fish without any seasoning so much? He’d tasted it himself; it wasn’t even as plump as the ones he used to catch in the neighborhood pond.

Gradually, his focus on Shang Xuci’s eating shifted into open admiration for his face.

A young master like Big Boss, raised in luxury, must have tasted every kind of delicacy. And yet here he was, savoring this plain grilled fish—a sight so satisfying that the cat almost wanted to catch two more right then and there.

But night had fallen, and he didn’t want to leave Shang Xuci alone. He stayed by his side, his tail brushing lightly against the man’s hand.

He remembered how unwelcome he’d been in the Jian household. Once, when he’d been sick and no one was home, he had woken up in complete darkness. The feeling of being unable to cry out, yet terrified of the dark, had left a deep mark on him. He figured Big Boss must feel the same way now.

Companionship was something he excelled at.

Besides… he had promised Grandpa Sanhua that he would go with him. He didn’t know the old man’s intentions, but since Grandpa Sanhua had helped him save Shang Xuci, he would go along and see what happened—hoping to return to Big Boss as soon as possible.

His mission wasn’t complete yet.

Thinking of this, Jian Xun checked the panel again. The plot had already shifted by 60%. Shang Xuci’s premature blindness still aligned with the original plan, but it was unexpected. His subsequent actions would now change—at least he wouldn’t be blinded and disabled again.

The sea breeze blew, the stars shone brightly, and the waves gently lapped the shore. The crackling of burning wood added a touch of warmth to the quiet island.

Shang Xuci used the temperature to tell day from night. The difference here was significant, and he felt a chill beneath his suit, but fortunately, there was a fire.

He bent his knees and held the cat in his arms, covering it with his clothes. It was a natural blanket for the cat and kept his own waist and legs warm. The cat purred comfortably in his lap, and sleep soon claimed him.

Man and cat depended on each other for survival. With the cat catching fish and leading him to clean water, life wasn’t too difficult.

At night, he would warm himself by the fire, enjoy the breeze, and imagine the stars—though he could not see them.

Jian Xun, however, remained a little anxious. He didn’t know when the rescue team would arrive, and he worried that Shang Xuci’s eye treatment would be delayed. While fishing, his gaze lingered a little longer than usual on the vast ocean.

Back home, I transformed into a chatty cat, meowing to myself to ease my anxiety.

On the third day, the rescue team arrived.

Before leaving, Shang Xuci had a few photos taken of the cat. He wanted to see the island once his eyesight returned—especially Sui Sui on the island, the sight that had given him immense courage.

Hua pai shu

Gu Ming examined Shang Xuci and said, “Your head hit a reef, and there’s a blood clot in your brain, causing temporary blindness.”

He let out a breath of relief. “Fortunately, your eyesight will return after surgery. It’ll take about a month to recover.”

Shang Xuci nodded, his tone calm. “When will the surgery begin?”

“The day after tomorrow,” Gu Ming replied. “It’s not difficult—leave it to me.”

He then handed Shang Xuci his clothes and pushed a wheelchair toward him.

“I need to talk to the little one, too.”

“Sui Sui has been squatting at the ward door, waiting for you.”

As the door opened, a white cat pounced on me, rubbing against my legs.

“Meow.”

After rubbing against me for a while, it looked up at Gu Ming, as if asking about Shang Xuci’s condition.

Gu Ming raised an eyebrow and squatted down to pet the cat’s head. “He’s fine. He’ll be able to see again soon after the surgery.”

Jian Xun’s eyes lit up, and he rubbed against Gu Ming ingratiatingly.

Gu Ming smiled and said to Shang Xuci, “Your cat is quite intelligent—and he really cares about you. If I’d known you’d refuse my suggestion of getting a cat, I would’ve gotten one myself.”

He scratched the cat’s chin, his petting hand skillfully moving all the way down.

Jian Xun narrowed his eyes in pleasure, but when he heard Gu Ming say Shang Xuci had refused to raise him, he immediately opened them wide and looked at Shang Xuci with a wronged expression. Seeing that his eyes were lifeless, the cat’s aggrieved gestures felt like striking soft cotton—powerless.

“Huh?” Gu Ming touched the cat’s leg, paused, and frowned.

Shang Xuci “looked” in his direction.

Gu Ming’s voice deepened. “Sui Sui’s leg is broken.”

---

It was worth it.

Jian Xun thought to himself: the boss would injure his arm over a cat—proof that he truly had a heart.

He didn’t want to become the boss’s weak spot. This was good. No one could threaten Shang Xuci…

Ah, but Grandpa’s mission still hadn’t been completed.

Meng Jingxue had already appeared, and Shang Xuci seemed stronger than the character in the book. He hadn’t joined the Shang Group right after graduation like in his previous life, so he shouldn’t end up as miserable as in the book.

What about him, though?

After drowning, would his soul wander around again like before?

Would it be in human form—or cat form?

Gurgle.

In a daze, he heard a thud as a dark figure sank to the bottom of the sea.

Jian Xun took a closer look, his heart pounding in panic.

It was Shang Xuci!

Idiot—doesn’t he have a fear of the deep sea? Didn’t he know he couldn’t make it to shore even if he jumped? Why did he jump?!

If he was trying to save him, then he was an idiot!

Idiot, idiot, idiot!!!

Stupid human!

Jian Xun, who had nearly given up, took a deep breath, kicked his legs hard, and swam toward the man, his front paws twisting in a spiral.

Oh, right—the system.

He still had another panel. Jian Xun quickly tried to exchange points for a small lifeboat to rescue Shang Xuci.

The man was exactly as Jian Xun had imagined: a poor swimmer, and with his fear of the deep sea, he was already overwhelmed by suffocation.

Seeing the cat swimming toward him, Shang Xuci took a deep breath and swam over, hugging his cat as they floated toward the surface.

Unfortunately, the huge waves of the deep sea kept draining Shang Xuci’s strength. There were no ships nearby. The sky was dark, the sea darker still. The cruise ship far behind them hadn’t noticed their absence. Shang Xuci held the cat tightly…

A flash of dizziness washed over Shang Xuci, and he could no longer hold on—he fainted.

Jian Xun panicked, using all his points to redeem anything that might save Shang Xuci.

A small island.

“Meow!” The lion cat nudged Shang Xuci’s head, but his eyes remained tightly closed.

He leaped onto the man’s chest, jumping and pressing down, trying to force the water from his stomach.

The cat endured the pain, leaping and pressing hard, but the man still didn’t respond.

The cat whimpered weakly, refusing to give up. From time to time, it tilted its head, occasionally pressing its nose close to sniff, checking for breath and confirming he was still alive.

The moonlight was bright, the stars twinkled, the waves roared in the distance, and the small pond before them shimmered.

Three cats suddenly appeared in the moonlight. The lead cat was perched on the reef, looking down at Jian Xun from above.

“Shang Sui Sui, do you want to save him?” the tortoiseshell cat asked in human language.

Jian Xun stared at the cat in the moonlight, bewildered—then his eyes widened in realization.

“You’re Xiao Sanhua Grandpa!”

“I am.” The tortoiseshell cat hopped off the rocks and walked over to him. “Thank you for taking care of my granddaughter, Xiaohua. I can help you save this human.”

Jian Xun didn’t know why Grandpa Sanhua had suddenly appeared on this island, but it seemed he had come especially for him. And why was he speaking human language?

Not bothering to question it, Jian Xun squatted beside Shang Xuci and said hastily, “Save him.”

“Okay,” Grandpa Sanhua said, “but you have to come with us.”

“Why?”

“It’s the custom of the cat tribe,” Grandpa Sanhua said with a smile. He turned aside, and in his place stood an old man with a white beard.

After observing him for a while, the old cat was very satisfied with Jian Xun. As long as he showed up, the day Xiao Sanhua had been longing for would finally come true.

“I promise.” Jian Xun was surprised to see him transform into a human. He sniffed, eyes determined. “But not now. I can’t leave him here—he’ll die.”

“Okay.” Grandpa Sanhua patted Jian Xun’s shoulder with his paw, and Jian Xun suddenly felt much lighter.

“This is a promise token. No matter where you are, we will find you until you fulfill your promise.”

Jian Xun said seriously, “I keep my word.”

“Good.” Grandpa Sanhua squatted in front of Shang Xuci and fed him a pill. “Don’t worry, he’ll wake up soon.”

Before leaving, he dried Jian Xun’s wet fur.

On the roiling island, only Jian Xun, the cat, and Shang Xuci remained.

Tension kept Jian Xun’s focus on Shang Xuci.

He shuffled his feet, afraid to lie directly on Shang Xuci’s chest for fear of crushing him. Circling once, he crouched beside the man’s neck, pressing his soft head against Shang Xuci’s, his fluffy tail draped across the man’s neck in an effort to keep him warm.

Time passed. The sun rose, seabirds chirped softly, and a slightly damp sea breeze—carrying a salty, wet scent—blew gently. The white lion cat curled up with his head in his paws.

Shang Xuci’s fingertips twitched, brushing against the soft fur on his neck. He opened his eyes, only to find darkness.

Was it still night?

He reached out and touched the fur, confirming it was Sui Sui. Warm. Breathing.

The touch made the alert cat open his eyes instantly.

“Meow?”

Jian Xun was overjoyed to find him awake. Wrapping his paws around Shang Xuci’s neck, he meowed nonstop, rubbing his head against him with all his might.

Shang Xuci didn’t push the cat away. Instead, he held him close, his voice hoarse. “Sui Sui, I’m sorry.”

Jian Xun tilted his head.

Meow?

What’s wrong?

Shang Xuci took a deep breath. His whole body ached. His head throbbed as if struck by a rock, pain tearing and churning inside.

Fang Xiuyuan’s words echoed in his mind:

“Shen Yanran always knew I poisoned you.”

“She knew your father was cheating on her, knew Shang Ye’s identity, and that Xu Rong was pregnant.”

“…She knew everything, yet she chose to stand by and watch.”

“Do you know why?”

“Because she didn’t love Shang Wei at all. In fact, deep down, she hated you.”

…

“Likewise, you can’t keep this cat.”

Fang Xiuyuan’s revelation about Shen Yanran’s past surprised him. His mother had known everything. If it had been the old Shang Xuci, he might have been heartbroken. But having already died once, he felt little. At least Shen Yanran’s outward show of love had been enough.

It turned out that no one in this world truly loved him.

The moment the white long-haired cat fell into the sea, Shang Xuci’s heart nearly stopped. Without hesitation, he jumped in after it.

Fang Xiuyuan was stunned.

For the first time, Shang Xuci felt the panic of losing something precious.

Now, Sui Sui was beside him, keeping him company, even meowing with worry.

The cat was still alive—and with him.

Shang Xuci, having found him again, hugged the cat tightly, buried his face in its soft chest, and murmured, “I lied when I said you weren’t important back on deck. You are important.”

He held the cat close, carefully and tenderly, and said earnestly, “In this world, you’re the only one who trusts me unconditionally and loves me. You’re the most important.”

My treasure.

Jian Xun nudged Shang Xuci’s head to comfort him, patting him with his tail as if to say, It’s okay—you still have me.

But he was stunned by the man’s sudden confession. He even caught a faint sob in Shang Xuci’s voice…

The favorability value on the dashboard shot up to 99.

Jian Xun: !!!

Then, he felt a kiss on his forehead.

A kiss! A kiss!!!

The cat was shocked.

The cat froze.

The cat was happy!

He had finally conquered the boss!!!

“Meow!”

Jian Xun hugged Shang Xuci and kept rubbing against him, whimpering softly.

Woo, Shang Shang, I love you the most, too!

Jian Xun pouted and closed his eyes.

Can we kiss on the lips this time?!

The imagined kiss didn’t happen. Puzzled, Maomao opened his eyes—only to find the man’s sharp gaze dark and unfocused!

He stretched out his paw and waved it in front of Shang Xuci’s face, but the latter didn’t react.

Shang Shang couldn’t see?

“Meow! Meow!” Jian Xun spun around in panic, scratching at his clothes and biting his hair.

“What’s wrong?” Shang Xuci also sensed something was amiss.

If it were night, there wouldn’t be no light at all, and he could feel the warmth of the sun on his body.

A familiar feeling.

Shang Xuci instinctively looked down at the cat, but couldn’t see its eyes.

If it were night, Sui Sui’s eyes would be glowing like two bright lights!

He immediately concluded—

He was blind.

“I can’t see,” Shang Xuci said calmly, unshaken by the revelation. His tone was as casual as if he’d just finished a bottle of mineral water.

Upon hearing this, the rapid meowing faded.

The little head stayed still, pressed tightly against him, its claws clutching his collar as it whimpered softly.

“Meow~”

Jian Xun’s heart ached even more.

In the novel, Shang Xuci had also been blind—unable to move around easily, short-tempered, and unpredictable. He had grown even more gloomy and ruthless, offending many people.

During that time, Xu Rong had been secretly plotting against him, and Shang Xuci had been utterly alone, with no one he could trust…

Looking up at the man, Jian Xun saw his expression was calm, without a trace of anger, as if he had simply accepted the fact.

“Are we on a deserted island now?” Shang Xuci asked. There was no sound around them, only silence. Soft, fine sand was beneath his feet, coconut trees swayed behind him, and the slightly bitter sea breeze brushed past… a sudden guess formed in his mind.

“Meow.”

Yes.

Shang Xuci felt around for anything useful. His phone was gone, but his watch still had a signal. He reached for the cat’s neck—the gem was still hanging there.

This way, if his uncle discovered he was missing, he could quickly locate the island using GPS. He just didn’t know how long he’d have to wait.

The man stayed silent, and the cat nervously rubbed its head against his hand.

“Don’t worry, help will arrive in the next couple of days.” Shang Xuci petted the cat with his backhand. Its fur was dry, soft, and smooth—pleasant to the touch.

His clothes were still damp. Shang Xuci took them off and hung them on a nearby rock. At this temperature, they would dry quickly.

But being blind made it difficult to navigate a strange island.

The temperature difference between day and night was significant, so he needed to be self-reliant and make sure the cat was cared for.

Having been truly blind in his previous life, being blind now was nothing new.

Adaptable and capable—

As long as he had the cat by his side, Shang Xuci felt he could overcome any obstacle.

“Meow.”

Jian Xun slowly placed something in Shang Xuci’s hand. He had found it in a simple wooden hut not far away.

It looked like it had been left by a streamer who had once been livestreaming his survival on the island. Besides the lighter, there was also a knife. Judging by the wear, it must have been there for quite some time.

Shang Xuci felt the object in his hand. It was long, and as he fumbled with the button, he realized it was a lighter.

“Sui Sui, where did you find this?”

“Meow.” Jian Xun hopped over, picked up a wooden stick, and placed it in Shang Xuci’s hand to use as a walking stick. Wrapping his tail around the man’s leg, he led him toward the temporary shelter.

If there were rocks or obstacles, he would cry out to warn Shang Xuci, acting as a guide cat.

When they arrived, Jian Xun led Shang Xuci to a flat spot to sit.

He placed all the useful items in Shang Xuci’s hand. Since he couldn’t talk, he could only hope the man would be careful with the knife.

Shang Xuci used the stick to survey the surroundings. His guess was the same as Jian Xun’s: it was a makeshift shelter built by someone long ago. Though empty, it could shield them from wind and rain.

With a lighter, a knife, and some firewood, they could handle the cold nights.

If they had food, even better.

Unfortunately, being blind made things much harder.

Ignoring his obsessive-compulsive tendencies, Shang Xuci sat down on the ground, surrounded by wood and straw, to rest. Aside from a slight pain at the back of his head, he had no major injuries.

Now that he could finally relax, a lingering fear still gripped him—the memory of the cat jumping into the sea before he lost his sight. Holding the cat close, he enjoyed a rare moment of quiet together.

Jian Xun was sensible enough not to lie directly on his lap. His damp paws rested on the man’s pants.

“Meow~”

He continued to pat his pants.

He gestured for the other person to take it off and dry it in the sun to avoid catching a cold. Shang Xuci understood and did as instructed. The cat meowed occasionally beside him to make its presence known, then meticulously licked its paws clean.

Now, the male god was wearing only his underwear.

Jian Xun shyly covered his face with a paw, not daring to look—yet still managing to peek through the gap between his toes.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he lowered his paw to stare openly.

---

He finally spoke.

Tang Mu quietly scanned the audience, his gaze settling on the reporter who had asked the question. His tone was calm yet firm.

Xu Rong’s expression twisted into a grimace. She glanced at Fang Xiuyuan. The man, standing a few meters away, gave her a small nod, then got up and walked out of the theater.

Shang Yi was furious, glaring at the person on stage.

Who was he?

How dare he claim his piece as his own?!

The camera focused on Shang Yi—a young man filled with doubt, yet his expression remained remarkably calm.

“You knew all along?” Shen Xiu turned to look at Shang Xuci.

Shang Xuci stayed silent. He had only promised Tang Manwen that Tang Mu would get the spot. He had said nothing about what Tang Mu was supposed to do.

But this was to be expected.

Shen Xiu shifted his gaze back to Tang Mu. Shang Yi’s performance wasn’t the complete piece. Tang Mu’s rendition, however, had seized the audience’s attention from the very beginning, and he had extended it, making the composition fuller and more moving. No wonder Shang Xuci had asked him to add another spot. So that was the reason.

Under the crowd’s watchful eyes, Tang Mu began telling a story.

In short, it was about a thief who stole delicious apples.

The audience—mostly foreigners—watched intently, though most of them couldn’t understand Chinese.

The livestream chat was exploding, and the media were snapping photos of the two of them.

[“Oh my god, this is gossip!”]

[“What? What the hell?”]

[“Who is this guy? He just accused me of plagiarism—where’s the evidence?”]

[“Calm down, just watch.”]

The livestream went viral, and the scene itself spread even faster.

The audience in the theater were either musicians or music enthusiasts, and upon hearing his words, the place erupted in an uproar.

Curious, inquiring eyes turned toward Shang Yi, their earlier praise now replaced by surprise and contempt.

Shang Yi frowned slightly, glancing at Xu Rong from the corner of his eye.

Tang Mu noticed and, seeing Shang Yi’s bewildered expression, pursed his lips before saying sarcastically, “You have a good mother.”

“What do you mean?” With so many people watching, Shang Yi was confused, but he knew he couldn’t lose his composure—or people might think he had plagiarized.

Xu Rong frowned, a little irritated. She had checked the list, and there was no such person as Tang Mu. Yet he was the last to appear, and his confidence on stage suggested someone was backing him.

She glanced behind her and saw Shang Xuci smiling at her.

Xu Rong’s heart sank.

Suddenly, the lights in the theater dimmed.

Outside, people were unsure what was happening, and the scene began to grow chaotic.

A cell phone screen lit up in the darkness. Shen Huan sent a message saying Sui Sui was looking for him and running around.

Shang Xuci exchanged a few words with Shen Xiu and left.

Just as he stepped out of the theater, a white shadow pounced on him.

“Meow~”

Jian Xun clutched Shang Xuci’s clothes tightly with his paws, standing upright for a hug.

Meow, meow, meow—a childish, aggrieved sound.

Woo… you didn’t even take me with you when you went out to play.

Shang Xuci pulled out a wet wipe and expertly cleaned the cat’s paws before picking it up.

The theater lights were still on, and people had begun streaming out, making the narrow hallway suddenly crowded.

Shang Xuci took a long step forward and walked out. As he turned the corner, a hurried woman accidentally bumped into him.

“Oh, excuse me.” The woman had long, milk-tea-colored hair and delicate features, but her voice carried a regal, queenly tone that contrasted with her seemingly fragile appearance.

As she apologized and started to leave, her arm was caught.

“Meng Jingxue.”

Meng Jingxue looked up, her eyes widening in surprise before she exclaimed with joy, “Shang Xuci?!”

Then she sneezed.

The familiar tone of her voice made it clear they knew each other.

The two of them walked out together, talking as they went.

The moment Shang Xuci spoke the woman’s name, Jian Xun was stunned.

He popped his furry head out and stared blankly at her.

Is that really Meng Jingxue?

The original heroine of the novel—Shang Xuci’s soulmate. According to the old man’s words, and in the original, unaltered plot, they were truly in love.

They had been childhood sweethearts. After Shang Xuci became disabled, they reunited by chance. Heartbroken over his condition, Meng Jingxue ignored her parents’ objections and chose to be with him, vowing to care for him for the rest of his life.

It was precisely because she appeared at his lowest point, like a ray of light that saved him, that he was able to let go of his hatred and find a happy ending with her.

But… wasn’t Meng Jingxue supposed to appear later?

Jian Xun fixed his gaze on her.

The woman kept sneezing.

Meng Jingxue glanced at the cat in his arms and instinctively stepped back.

“Ah, sorry. I’m allergic to cat hair.”

The lion cat shuddered, then jumped down from Shang Xuci’s arms. He gave the two of them a look before backing away obediently.

Her early appearance meant Shang Xuci’s death was no longer inevitable. He wasn’t crippled yet—and with her by the boss’s side, he could definitely avoid danger.

Jian Xun meowed at Shang Xuci, nudging his leg with his head, signaling him to move closer and talk to Meng Jingxue.

He could entertain himself for a while.

But…

Jian Xun stared at his own snow-white paws, a little crestfallen. If Meng Jingxue and Shang Xuci ended up together, he wouldn’t be able to stay by the boss’s side as often.

Meng Jingxue was better than him in every way. She was human, spoke the same language as the boss, was beautiful, capable, gentle, and considerate. A truly wonderful woman—a perfect match—who could help Shang Xuci in countless ways.

Most importantly, she loved him and was wholly devoted to him.

Her presence wouldn’t disrupt the plot.

Unlike him, who could only meow and ask for affection.

The white cat lay on the ground, ears drooping at its sides, its pouting mouth pressed against its paw as it tried hard to suppress its sadness.

Meng Jingxue had noticed the cat’s expression. From a distance, she observed it intently for a moment, then, with a touch of regret, averted her gaze. She said to Shang Xuci, “Ever since we were little, I noticed you weren’t interested in cats. I thought you’d never keep one.”

Seeing him cradle the cat as if it were a precious treasure, Meng Jingxue thought perhaps she had been mistaken.

Shang Xuci shrugged. “People change.”

“A-choo—That’s true.” Meng Jingxue covered her nose with a fair hand and slipped a business card into his palm. “I didn’t expect we’d meet here. I thought you’d forgotten me. My phone number’s on the card. Let’s talk tomorrow—are you free?”

The snow-white cat shifted position, crouching on the ground and furtively watching her.

Glancing at the cat, she smiled lightly. “It would be better if you didn’t bring that little cutie. I’d hate to be rude.”

Touching her nose, Meng Jingxue studied Shang Xuci’s expression.

Shang Xuci nodded. “The concert at sea hasn’t started yet. Contact me when you’re free.”

They parted ways, and Shang Xuci turned to look at the cat. Sui Sui refused to let him pick him up again, so Desolate followed behind him.

Shang Xuci suddenly stopped and scooped the cat into his arms.

“Why aren’t you happy, hmm?” His magnetic voice murmured against the tip of the cat’s ear, the last word trailing off with a hint of teasing allure. “She’s allergic to cat hair, not me. What’s Sui Sui afraid of?”

Jian Xun buried his head in the man’s chest, his little nose twitching.

She would be the mistress of the house in the future.

If the mistress couldn’t live with a cat, then the man certainly wouldn’t either.

If they got married, Shang Xuci would probably “abandon” him—keeping him somewhere else with plenty of food and entertainment, only visiting when he remembered. But with his busy work schedule, the chances of seeing him would be even fewer. Jian Xun would count the days by the door, waiting for him to come.

That daily cycle of anticipation and disappointment wasn’t the life Miao wanted.

He couldn’t imagine living without Shang Xuci’s care and attention.

Perhaps from now on, he needed to learn to adapt.

He would help bring the two of them together—but he himself would stay out of sight. By the time they were officially together, the story would already have changed.

Then he would live alone, surviving on the money he had saved…

Shang Xuci had no idea that, in just a few minutes, his cat had already decided the course of his life.

After making the bed, Shang Xuci lay down. The cat padded over and flopped down beside him.

…

The next day.

A fresh wave of gossip was circulating on the cruise ship. Shang Yi’s plagiarism scandal had already been trending the night before. Although Shang Yi had worked to suppress the trending topics, doubts still lingered.

His haters exaggerated the story and spread negative rumors online——claims that he had relied on family connections to get into a prestigious university, that he had somehow broken into the music industry by writing songs and composing for unknown amateurs, and that he had even expressed disdain for the lives of the poor during an interview.

Jian Xun slipped out for a walk, his cat ears pricked to catch the gossip.

When he learned Shang Xuci had attended the concert, he was furious.

Oh, so the big guy went to the concert without his cat?

After a few seconds of sulking, he stamped his paws and continued strolling. Occasionally, someone who liked cats would crouch down to pet him, but he quickly dodged away.

It was nearing lunchtime, and the crowd on the deck was gradually dispersing. Jian Xun turned his head, sniffed the air, and glanced around, hoping to spot Shang Xuci. He wondered how things had gone with Meng Jingxue yesterday. Had he gone out alone—locking him in the room again—to meet her?

The lion cat circled the hall several times, even returning to his room once, but saw no one. Guessing that Shang Xuci had probably gone to eat, he headed for the dining room, his long, fluffy tail held high.

The dining room was on the fifth floor. The elevator was crowded and took a winding route, so he decided to take the stairs.

He climbed to the fifth floor with a huff and a puff, pausing to catch his breath. The door ahead led into the cafeteria.

Jian Xun stepped forward and froze, his nose twitching.

The aroma of canned food.

Following the scent, he finally spotted a can. Who put this here?

Wasn’t anyone eating it?

Then it hit him—this was the cafeteria. The food was free. Since Shang Xuci had already paid for everything, it should be fine for him to have one.

Licking his lips, he glanced around to see if anyone was watching. He reached out a paw to hook the box beside him, pulled it closer, and carefully pried open the can using the edge of the box. Then he found a quiet corner and focused on licking it clean.

He completely forgot the reason he had come to the dining room in the first place.

The long-haired cat licked away diligently, completely unaware that someone had been standing behind him for a while, silently watching.

The restaurant was bustling with people eating and chatting, the atmosphere lively and noisy.

Just as Jian Xun was about to finish the last of the can, he felt a sudden poke on his backside. Before he could turn around, he was flipped facedown onto the floor.

Fang Xiuyuan lifted the heavy cat, examining him with a soft hum. “Is this the cat?”

His gaze lingered on the necklace around the cat’s neck for two seconds before he yanked it off.

…

That day was Shen Xiu’s birthday, and a small party was being held on the cruise ship. The guests were all friends of Shen Xiu, including Meng Jingxue and Shang Xuci.

Before the party even began, Meng Jingxue approached Shang Xuci to chat.

The two had sat at the same desk in kindergarten and had been classmates in elementary school. Shang Xuci was quiet and kept things to himself, while Meng Jingxue was outgoing—the complete opposite. She would share everything with him, big or small, and their relationship had been good.

Later, Meng Jingxue’s parents divorced, and she moved with her mother to another city. They never saw each other again.

“My mom remarried last year and just had a baby, so she’s been super busy. After graduation, I worked in a private hospital, but lately my dad has been pushing me to manage the family business…” She stirred her coffee and continued, “That’s how things are now. How about you? How have you been these past few years? You look pretty good.”

She knew that Shang Xuci had been in poor health since childhood. Back then, she would bring him homework, test papers, and new books, then tell him all the interesting things that had happened in class while visiting him in the hospital.

“Mm. I’m much better now.”

Meng Jingxue smiled. “I can tell.”

Shang Xuci’s lips also curved into a faint smile.

The birthday party lasted well into the evening. Shang Xuci drank a little and sat back in his chair, eyes closed.

The phone on the table vibrated. He reached out, picked it up, and answered.

“Shang Xuci, this is Fang Xiuyuan. I’m waiting for you on the deck next to the golf course on the 7^th floor.” Fang Xiuyuan introduced himself, then rattled off a string of words before saying to someone—or something—beside him, “Why don’t you meow?”

Shang Xuci’s pupils contracted.

He heard a faint, weak whimper from a cat.

Fang Xiuyuan looked down at the cat, which was staring at him but refusing to make a sound. He kicked it hard, and the cat finally whimpered and tried to hide under the bed.

Pulling on the rope in his hand, he yanked hard, dragging the cat out so that half its body was exposed.

The cat didn’t give up. Using all four paws, it clawed at the rope around its neck and bit down hard, desperate to break free from its restraint.

“Your cat is truly… quite clever and adorable,” the man said, deliberately emphasizing his words.

Shang Xuci’s expression darkened, his tone turning icy. “Say that again?”

On the other end of the line, Fang Xiuyuan replied slowly, “I said… I’m holding your cat.”

Shang Xuci shot to his feet, gripping the chair so hard it cracked. Without hesitation, he said, “I’ll be right there.”

He grabbed his coat and strode out, warning in a low, deliberate voice, “Don’t you dare touch my cat.”

After hanging up, he checked the surveillance feed. The screen was pitch black, but the location matched the place Fang Xiuyuan had named—and along with it came the real-time video Fang Xiuyuan had sent.

The lion cat was caged, its body hunched. Its snow-white paws were dirty, its face covered in dust. It curled into a tight ball, clutching its tail, its expression a mix of fear and helplessness. It looked heartbreakingly pitiful.

Shang Xuci’s breathing grew heavy, and his fists clenched tight.

His cat!

Sui Sui!

What had Fang Xiuyuan done to his cat?!

Was Sui Sui injured?! Was he abused?!

Shang Xuci didn’t dare close his eyes, his feet pounding against the ground as he ran.

It was already completely dark. The guests had all retired to their rooms, and the medium-sized court was deserted.

The sea was eerily calm, the only sound the crash of waves against the rocks.

Jian Xun lay trapped in his cage, anxiety churning inside him, his beautiful cat eyes filled with regret and apology.

Mao Mao stared silently down the hallway, praying that Shang Xuci wouldn’t come—at least, not alone.

Based on his interactions with Fang Xiuyuan that afternoon, he knew the man was without a doubt mentally unstable and a sadist.

Thinking back to when Fang Xiuyuan had held him—just after he woke from anesthesia—he remembered the man’s gaze roaming over him, noticing the wounds on his hind legs and the newly grown fur on his tail and rear. Then he kept pinching and fiddling with them.

“Meow~”

Jian Xun stretched out his paws in defense, but found he couldn’t muster any strength. Instead, the man pinched his paw pads and pressed down hard.

The cat let out a fearful cry, but it was weak.

He flipped over and fell heavily to the floor.

Then Fang Xiuyuan stepped on his injured left foot and pressed down hard, like a heavy stone, crushing it again and again.

The cat trembled in pain, his pupils dilating for a moment.

Fang Xiuyuan slowly squatted down, grabbed the cat by the neck, and roughly turned him over. He gently stroked his head, then down his neck, over his belly, and to his tail.

He cupped the cat’s face and muttered to himself, “I once had a cat. It was so cute… so cute you wanted to destroy it. Just like a cat’s eyes.”

“They’re watery, big, and round.”

“What do you think they feel like when you pinch them?” the man asked seriously. “Bouncy? Soft like bubble tea? Or hard?”

Jian Xun’s cat-like eyes widened in fear.

“Meow~”

The soundless cry made Fang Xiuyuan laugh.

“Then it ran away. I caught it and broke all four of its legs. From then on, it couldn’t even crawl out the door…”

You pervert, you cat abuser—go to hell!!!

The lion cat’s ears flattened as he struggled.

The man sat on the bed, watching him silently. Jian Xun instinctively tried to drag himself away to find a place to hide, but there was nowhere. He could only watch helplessly as Fang Xiuyuan pulled out a rope and tied it around his neck.

Fang Xiuyuan kindly let him go until dusk, then grabbed the cat’s tail and lifted it high in the air. As the cat began to struggle and claw at him, he dropped it into the cage.

“Stay quiet.”

The memory ended, and Jian Xun knew he could only escape by lowering the man’s guard.

Now, what worried him most was how he would face Shang Xuci.

Shang Xuci stood before Fang Xiuyuan, his gaze first fixed on the cage, then shifting to Fang Xiuyuan himself.

Fang Xiuyuan, wearing a white coat, had one hand in his pocket and the other holding a baseball bat, his foot resting on the cat cage as he stared at Shang Xuci with a smile.

“Young Master, how many years has it been since we last met?” Fang Xiuyuan studied his face and expression. When he didn’t answer, Fang Xiuyuan kicked the cage twice and asked, “Do you know why I called you here?”

“To avenge the illegitimate child you had with Xu Rong?” Shang Xuci sneered, staring him down.

“Oh, so you know.” Fang Xiuyuan looked relieved as he squatted down and pulled the cat out of the cage.

“If you kneel down, kowtow, and admit your wrongdoing, I’ll return this little cutie to you.”

Jian Xun’s eyes widened. He didn’t dare make a sound, fearing the boss would be hurt because of him.

Shang Xuci’s expression didn’t change; he didn’t even look at the cat. His hands clenched at his sides, a dark, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

“Is this how you threaten me?” Shang Xuci whispered. “Even though it’s my cat, it’s not worth throwing away my dignity.”

Fang Xiuyuan’s expression shifted slightly.

“If you don’t care about the cat, why are you here?” Fang Xiuyuan asked.

“Doctor Fang, what did you do to my grandfather, to me, and to the Shen family?” Shang Xuci’s tone was cold as he paused briefly. “Do you think I’ll let you go?”

“The child was just a warning.”

“Oh? It seems negotiations have failed,” Fang Xiuyuan said carelessly. “I—”

“You weren’t acting alone in what happened to my grandfather. Who ordered you?” Shang Xuci cut him off, his voice sharp.

“The truth is… no one ordered me,” Fang Xiuyuan said lightly, smiling. “I was the one who poisoned you since childhood, and I was the one who killed your grandfather. But you’ve never had any evidence. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten away with it for all these years.”

“Really?” Shang Xuci’s eyes narrowed.

“This cat is quite heavy,” Fang Xiuyuan remarked, lifting the cat—now nearly slipping—by one hand. He glanced toward the sea beyond the railing, then tossed the baseball bat to Shang Xuci.

“How about this: if you won’t kneel and kowtow, you’ll use this stick to smash the hand you used to call Shang Wei the other day.

“Well, I’m not a devil. I won’t kill you. I just want you to feel the pain of losing my son. How about it?”

Shang Xuci snorted coldly. “And I’m supposed to believe you?”

“It’s just a cat. What use do I have for it?” Fang Xiuyuan replied indifferently.

“He hasn’t even meowed. What did you do to him?” Shang Xuci asked gravely.

“I only gave him anesthesia, nothing more.” Fang Xiuyuan waved the paw he had stepped on earlier. “Right, little cutie?”

Jian Xun shuddered, not daring to look at Shang Xuci, and let out a soft meow.

He wanted to be rescued, but he didn’t want Shang Xuci to get hurt.

Shang Xuci remained silent.

He knew Fang Xiuyuan was a lunatic. Even if he broke his hand, there was no guarantee he would let Sui Sui go.

“Look, little cutie,” Fang Xiuyuan said, fiddling with the cat’s soft ears. “He doesn’t really care about you.”

Pa-pa-pa!

The cat gathered all its strength and swiped at his face with its claws!

He exhaled sharply in anger.

No way!

He had been hurt for him!

Woo-woo!

You wicked man!

You big bastard!

Unforgivable!

Fang Xiuyuan was incredibly strong. The rope tightened around the cat’s neck, constricting with each pull. The cat’s hind legs kicked frantically, its eyes gradually closing.

“Don’t—” Shang Xuci shouted, then paused before saying, “I’ll do it.”

He didn’t dare gamble.

Shang Xuci squatted down, gripped the baseball bat in his right hand, and struck his left hand with a sharp, powerful blow. He bent over, groaning, his face turning pale.

“Very good. Five strokes,” Fang Xiuyuan said in a mock-compassionate tone.

Jian Xun, who had endured in silence through the pain, could no longer hold back. He thrashed violently, biting and scratching.

The sudden outburst made Shang Xuci look up at the cat.

“Sui Sui.”

Fang Xiuyuan savored the pained expressions of both man and cat, his smile deepening.

After Shang Xuci finished as ordered, Fang Xiuyuan clicked his tongue twice at the man’s pale face and murmured, “It’s not enough.”

Rather than merely witnessing Shang Xuci’s physical pain, Fang Xiuyuan wanted to see his mental collapse after losing something precious.

He smiled, then suddenly loosened his grip—

The cat was thrown into the sea.

Jian Xun’s body plummeted, hitting the water hard before sinking into the depths. He faintly heard Shang Xuci scream his name, a sound filled with heartbreak.

As he fell, the cat closed his eyes in regret and remorse.

I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have run out of the room.

I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have been greedy for that bite of food.

I’m sorry… I let the bad guys catch me and use me as a threat.

In truth, I wasn’t even a good cat.

---

Xiao Sanhua’s grandfather wasn’t home today, leaving her alone in the yard. She didn’t recognize these cats, so she crouched behind the tires, nervously watching them.

“Who are you?”

“We’re the bodyguards of the Southern Cat Demon Lord. We’ve come to fetch Princess Sanhua.”

What princess? She had only heard her brother Sui Sui talk about princesses in stories. In real life, cats were just lying when they said such things. She couldn’t go with strangers.

Xiao Sanhua said warily, “But I don’t know you.”

“We have a token.”

The leading orange cat guard pulled out a ball of cat fur. Xiao Sanhua cautiously poked her head out. Even from a distance, she could smell her grandfather’s scent on it.

“You’re just a little kitten. If we were bad cats, we’d simply take you away. Why would we bother treating you politely?” the orange cat said. “Your grandfather should have told you.”

Xiao Sanhua tilted her head and thought for a moment. That must be it.

Still, she wanted to wait for Jian Xun to return so she could say her final goodbyes…

But before she could, several cats lifted her into a sedan chair and carried her out of the courtyard.

The cats transformed into humans, and the sedan chair turned into a car.

Only Sanhua, sitting in the back seat, remained in cat form, watching the unbelievable scene with wide, nervous eyes.

She suddenly regretted getting into the car with them.

Terrified, Sanhua called out frantically for Brother Sui Sui. “Help me!”

Jian Xun, lying back in his expensive suit pants, seemed to sense something. He opened his eyes and looked up.

A deep, pleasant male voice reached his ears.

“Awake?”

The two syllables were swallowed by the cheers of the audience.

Jian Xun lifted his gaze. Inside the theater, the stage blazed with lights. At its center stood a magnificent grand piano, flanked by a full symphony orchestra—violins, cellos, flutes, and more.

The night’s first act was the opening performance by a band invited by the organizers.

Passengers gradually took their seats. Dressed in elegant evening gowns, they smiled and chatted excitedly about the upcoming musical performances.

In the crowd, Jian Xun spotted Xu Rong, and beside her, Shang Yi.

Everything on the cruise ship was unfamiliar to Jian Xun. It was his first time on one, and the map showed restaurants, arcades, gyms, casinos, bars—everything you could imagine—a massive floating entertainment complex.

His round, cat-like pupils widened with curiosity.

Jian Xun tightened his grip around Shang Xuci’s neck.

He was a socially anxious cat.

Night fell, and the ship blazed with lights. Passengers wandered through various areas, but the two theaters—the concert hall and the opera house—drew the largest crowds.

…

Bar.

The lighting was dim, and a group of people gathered around the bartender, ordering drinks.

In an unassuming corner, Xu Rong smiled and chatted, holding a glass of fruit wine. Sitting across from her was none other than Fang Xiuyuan.

“Tomorrow is Xiao Yi’s home game, all day. Mr. Wade is very optimistic about him.”

Wade, a renowned international musician, was known for focusing solely on music rather than people. Yet, he was very interested in Shang Yi—something that left Xu Rong both surprised and excited.

Fang Xiuyuan’s expression darkened. “I just saw Shang Xuci.”

“He’s here too?” Xu Rong frowned, her tone displeased, and subconsciously touched her belly.

“Did you forget? Shen Xiu is also on the cruise. He’s celebrating his birthday with his family this time, so naturally he’d invite Shang Xuci.” She hadn’t expected Shang Xuci to actually come.

Fang Xiuyuan clenched his fists and shut his eyes. A face resembling Shen Tianlei flashed in his mind. He took a deep breath. He was determined to return both the pain of losing his son and the humiliation his grandfather had dealt him.

Xu Rong saw the pain on his face and secretly shook her head. She was still surprised that he valued the child she had aborted so much. For her, it would have been best if the child could help her claim Shang Yi’s fortune. If she couldn’t keep it, then it was simply fate.

Besides, Shang Wei had already discovered the affair. Aborting the child had been the best option—it was only the loss of a hope. Everything else was fine; they could start over.

Xu Rong maintained a positive attitude and recovered quickly. Unexpectedly, the one she couldn’t let go of most was Fang Xiuyuan.

Seeing the hatred and anger in the man’s eyes, she rolled her own, her lips curling slightly as she poured him a glass of wine. She brought it up—intentionally or not. “Did you see that cat that’s always following him around?”

Fang Xiuyuan looked up at her.

Xu Rong smiled. “That cat is clever. Shang Xuci likes it so much he takes it everywhere—even to work. It seems he cherishes it greatly.”

Fang Xiuyuan took a sip of wine, listening intently.

“I used to think Shang Xuci didn’t care about anyone except his grandmother. I didn’t expect he’d value that cat more than his own eyes.”

Fang Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes. He remembered seeing something in Shang Xuci’s arms earlier but hadn’t gotten a clear look. Now, a long-suppressed darkness began to rise within him.

He held his wine in one hand, the other slipping into his pocket to feel for the scalpel he always carried.

The last time he saw Gu Ming in the hospital, he had realized that Shang Xuci was beginning to suspect him. He had accepted the medicine from Shang as usual, but hadn’t taken it.

This was the perfect opportunity to make his move. He couldn’t wait to see the man’s heartbroken, pained expression.

He shifted from his proper sitting posture, spreading his legs and draining his wine in one long gulp.

A slow, sinister smile crept across Fang Xiuyuan’s face.

…

The sun rose above the sea, the sound of waves softened by the wind. Now and then, a seabird or two flew past, perched on the cruise ship’s railings, and chirped.

Some passengers woke early to watch the sunrise, while others still slept soundly in their cabins.

Shang Yi was backstage at the theater, preparing for a post-breakfast performance.

This sea concert would be livestreamed on various video streaming platforms. He had already teased it on his social media accounts, encouraging fans to tune in and support him.

Whether he could bridge the social divide depended on the success of this performance.

Nine o’clock.

The concert theater was packed.

After the host’s announcement, today’s star took the stage.

Shang Yi walked gracefully to the piano. The crystal chandelier overhead shone brilliantly, just as he did now—at the center of attention.

He leaned forward slightly, greeting the audience with a small gesture. Then he turned, sat on the piano stool, and with a smile, placed his fingertips on the keys, beginning to play a piece he had composed himself.

A gentle piano solo filled the hall, its melodious sound like a sea breeze drifting through a ship’s cabin, softly caressing everyone’s hearts…

Then the symphony orchestra joined in, the tempo quickening—a melody at once plaintive and passionate, sometimes subdued—resonating in the air.

The audience was mesmerized, unwilling to let the music end.

When the final note faded, applause thundered through the hall.

The livestream chat erupted in cheers.

During the intermission, Shang Yi was surrounded by admirers, all praising the young musical prodigy. It was rare for someone so young to compose original works of such quality.

“As expected of the Shang family’s youngest son—his musical talent is truly moving.”

“You have great potential! I haven’t heard such emotionally charged music in a long time. What kind of state of mind did you have when you composed it?”

…

Shang Xuci sat down, one leg crossed over the other.

Shen Xiu sighed. “I didn’t expect your stepmother’s child to be so impressive.”

“Really?” Shang Xuci smiled faintly. “You’ll find out later.”

The best part was yet to come.

Shang Yi performed throughout the day, while the other teenagers each had only one chance to take the stage.

His latest hit song was saved for the finale.

During the day, passengers passed their time enjoying the sea breeze, drinking, chatting, and playing cards in the recreation room. But at night, as darkness fell, they flocked to the theater. Tonight was the first day of the charity event, featuring a variety of musical performances. The crowds were huge, and every seat was taken.

Backstage at the theater.

The young performers were all getting ready in the dressing area. When Shang Yi appeared at the entrance, some came forward to introduce themselves and ask for advice.

Some were even his fans, professing their admiration with enthusiasm.

“Shang Yi, I really love your piece Empty Moon! My whole family does. I even learned a section…” The young man immediately hummed the melody.

“I knew you’d come to the concert at sea! So cool!”

“Yes, you’re amazing! Every time I listen to Empty Moon, I feel healed.”

Shang Yi basked in the young man’s sincere praise. Having just been surrounded and lauded on stage, he now felt completely flattered—as young people often do.

Little did he know, in the corner, a young man dressed in black with a hat watched the scene coldly, a flicker of disgust in his eyes.

“Keep going, everyone,” Shang Yi encouraged with a smile.

A new round of performances began.

The others lined up with their numbered tickets, not interested in sitting to wait.

The dressing room suddenly emptied. Shang Yi pulled out a chair and sat down, noticing someone seated not far away. He looked over, but the person was wearing a mask and a hat, making their face impossible to see.

The one who had tried to approach him earlier wasn’t this person.

Shang Yi glanced at him a few more times.

Never mind. He would find out who it was once they went on stage. He had already looked through the youth group’s roster, and no one on it seemed threatening at all.

Shang Yi withdrew his gaze and waited for the makeup artist to style his hair.

The music began to play in the theater. Shang Yi changed into his performance outfit and returned to the stands.

Ten o’clock in the evening.

The final piece.

Xu Rong, sitting next to Shang Yi, helped her son straighten his clothes and said with a smile, “Go ahead.”

Shang Yi replied proudly, “I won’t let you down.”

He sat on the piano stool and played the song that had recently brought him fame.

When the last note faded, thunderous applause erupted and lingered for a long time.

Suppressing his elation, Shang Yi stood to bow. He saw his mother’s face lit with excitement, Wade nodding at him, and cameras frantically filming.

He slowly smiled at the camera.

This was the perfect ending to the show.

Shang Yi politely turned and bowed to the symphony teachers behind him.

Having saved face, he left the stage. When he saw Wade motioning him over, Shang Yi felt a rush of excitement mixed with nervousness.

Rumor had it that Wade would soon select a young man from China to be his apprentice and personally train him. Every one of his students had achieved fame in the music industry, and his connections spanned the globe.

If Shang Yi’s musical sensibility had once been merely average, the discovery of his talent—and his parents’ support—had transformed it into a powerful tool for proving and showcasing his abilities.

The musicians’ eyes were on him, and Shang Yi felt a surge of fulfillment.

“Sit down. We’ll talk after the last song,” Wade said.

Shang Yi nodded without hesitation. “Okay.”

Wait—what did he mean by after the last song?

Wasn’t he the last song?

Bewildered, Shang Yi sat beside Wade, only to realize that another man was taking the stage.

The lights dimmed. Shang Yi frowned and instinctively glanced at Xu Rong, who was seated just behind him. Her expression changed drastically the moment she saw the young man at the piano.

Could someone please tell her why that man’s child was here?!!

A sense of foreboding gripped her. Her heart raced, her breathing grew unsteady.

The final performer was Tang Mu. Dressed in black, he sat before the piano, his fingers gently sliding over the keys.

The audience’s whispers faded, and the concert hall fell into silence.

Tang Mu took a deep breath, raised his hands, and with a barely perceptible motion, placed them on the keys.

The first note rang pure and crisp, like morning dewdrops falling into a tranquil lake. His fingers danced across the keyboard—sometimes softly, sometimes with force—telling a story both mysterious and elegant.

Melodies intertwined with harmonies, and Tang Mu’s face reflected both concentration and ecstasy. The audience was captivated by the beauty of his playing.

The cries of seagulls and the rolling of waves seemed to echo through the hall, blending with the music and adding a vibrant, natural energy.

Passengers closed their eyes, surrendering to the emotions the music stirred—a beauty tinged with mysterious power. They couldn’t help but sway gently to the rhythm.

The sea breeze, the music, and the subtle movements formed a moving scene, as if everyone had fallen into a dream.

When the song ended, the audience realized that this piece was exactly the same as the previous one—but played with greater technical mastery, richer emotion, and a deeper artistic vision.

Someone asked why he had chosen to perform this piece. Didn’t he know its style was similar to Shang Yi’s?

“Of course I know,” Tang Mu replied calmly, looking up. “Because I’m the original composer.”

---

…There seemed to be something wrong with your little cat.

Jian Xun hugged his cat’s tail, feeling dizzy before fainting.

Time went back to nine in the morning.

Jian Xun woke up feeling lightheaded and glanced around. The room was quiet—he was the only cat at home.

Feeling restless and overheated, Jian Xun decided to take a walk in the yard to get some fresh air. Just as he was leaving, he saw Xiao Sanhua squatting by the doorway, licking her fur.

The two cats sniffed at each other, exchanging scents.

“Sui Sui, you smell so good these days.”

“You smell good too.”

“Can I lick your fur?” Xiao Sanhua asked shyly. “I’ll lick it for you.”

Fearing she had been too forward, Xiao Sanhua quickly explained, “My family is coming to take me home. I’m really grateful for your care.”

As she spoke, she leaned closer, and Jian Xun’s restlessness grew stronger. He couldn’t help wanting to get closer—to push her down, even to bite the back of her neck.

Jian Xun dug his claws into the ground and said with authority, “Let me lick you instead.”

He began licking the top of her head and the back of her neck with great focus—when suddenly, a cat’s paw appeared before his eyes.

Looking up, Jian Xun saw Xiao Sanhua’s grandpa staring at him with a stern expression, as if to say, Xiao Sanhua is so small—how could you even think of doing that to her?

Realizing he had gone beyond simply grooming her, Jian Xun quickly pulled away.

Before leaving with his group, Xiao Sanhua’s grandpa turned back and said meaningfully, “Boy, just you wait.”

Jian Xun: ???

It’s not a big deal for cats to lick each other’s fur… right?

Grandpa Sanhua’s aura was completely different from before. Jian Xun glanced at him and immediately felt a sudden sense of authority.

Baffled, Jian Xun watched the two cats disappear from view before continuing his stroll through the yard.

A delicate fragrance caught his attention—it came from a clump of lush green grass. He approached and sniffed, his mouth already watering.

Swish!

He opened his mouth and took a fierce bite.

Chew, chew, chew.

Sweet and soothing.

Another bite.

Chew, chew, chew.

Crisp, fragrant, and sweet. More importantly, it eased the restlessness in his body. Feeling much lighter, he hopped and skipped while nibbling his way through a large patch of grass, taking only a bite from each blade.

What fine grass!

The morning sun was still blazing. After grazing all morning, Jian Xun began to feel dizzy. He staggered back inside to cool off at the sink. Still afraid of water, he used only a small amount to wash his paws. Once his paw pads were thoroughly clean, he trotted elegantly into the living room, leapt onto the sofa, and curled up with his sweater in his arms.

It was exactly noon.

The cat on the sofa suddenly vanished—replaced by a naked teenager, curled up in the sweater, sound asleep.

When Jian Xun opened his eyes, he discovered he had grown arms and legs—human arms and legs!

This wasn’t the first time he had transformed into a human, so he wasn’t overly shocked. He quickly checked his points and intimacy values; they hadn’t changed.

Lowering his head, he carefully examined himself: long limbs, a reasonably toned build. He touched his face—smooth, delicate skin and a fair complexion.

Da da da—

Jian Xun ran barefoot to the bathroom, eager to see his reflection.

Still clumsy from the transformation, he stumbled to the mirror and looked up. To his surprise, he looked exactly like his former self—except for his hair and eye color, now golden-blond with bright azure eyes. He resembled a mixed-race youth.

“Meow.” Startled by the catlike sound that slipped out, he tried again.

“Hello… Hello.”

That was better.

“Shang… Xu… Ci,” Jian Xun slowly pronounced the boss’s name.

When he got home from work, Jian Xun could greet him like this—then leap into his arms and say, You’re back.

He studied his face, arms, and legs once more, then practiced smiling and speaking again.

The blue gem around his neck felt heavy. He removed it, put it away, and left the bathroom, pacing around the room in excitement.

After a few laps naked, Jian Xun began to feel cold and quickly went to find something to wear.

Grabbing the clothesline, he pulled down a row of clothes from the balcony and chose the smallest set. Even so, the clothes were still a bit too big, and the pants hung loose. With a slight tug forward and a glance down—he could see Xiao Sui Sui.

No underwear.

Although he now had a human body, he was still a cat at heart. His big, fluffy tail felt awkward stuffed into the pants, and he couldn’t retract it. The cat ears on his head drooped sideways in annoyance.

I’ve worn them… so the boss probably won’t want them back, right?

After a moment’s hesitation, Jian Xun took a pair of scissors and cut a small hole in the back of the pants, just big enough for his tail to pass through.

Now he owed Shang Xuci two pairs of pants—he still remembered the pair he had lent to Xu Tutu.

When he had enough money later, he’d buy the boss two brand-new ones.

The cat rubbed his backside, deftly threaded his fluffy tail through the hole, and swished it happily.

He was now dressed in a man’s white shirt and black pants, with short, curly blond hair and a pair of white furry ears. The shirt was buttoned tightly from top to bottom, leaving no skin improperly exposed…

Jian Xun nodded in satisfaction. Now I smell like Shang Xuci!

Hehe… I wonder why I suddenly turned into a human? Jian Xun thought for a moment and decided it must have been the grass in the yard.

Excited to test his theory, his human self ran out, took a bite of the grass… and almost threw up.

He returned to the room, still full of energy. Cats and humans saw the world differently, so he carefully examined every corner of the house.

This time, he didn’t dare touch Shang Xuci’s belongings without permission. Once the novelty wore off, he hugged his dried-fish pillow, turned on the TV, and waited for Shang Xuci to come home.

After a while, Jian Xun felt a slight itch on his arm and scratched it.

Then the other arm started to itch.

He scratched that too.

Five episodes of Tom and Jerry later, he finally realized something was wrong.

His whole body was itchy, and the dizziness from that morning had worsened.

Enduring the discomfort, Jian Xun walked to the mirror, unbuttoned his shirt, and saw his skin covered in dense red spots.

When most people felt unwell, their first thought was to go to the hospital—but he… he held his furry tail, his cat ears trembling.

Having watched far too many monster movies, Jian Xun shivered.

I dare not.

Calm down!

Jian Xun took a deep breath and slowly returned to the living room, planning to buy medicine online.

First, he decided to check the cause of his illness.

He opened Baidu on his tablet, typed in his symptoms, and tapped Search.

…

Click.

Jian Xun closed the tablet, inhaled sharply, and felt his eyes sting.

How could he fall seriously ill right after becoming human?!

The page even said to seek medical attention within 24 hours—otherwise, he could die…

Jian Xun shuddered in fear. Only one thought came to mind: he needed Shang Xuci.

He didn’t have a SIM card, so he could only use the landline. Heart pounding, Jian Xun hurried to the phone and awkwardly picked up the receiver.

This time, no need to meow.

Silently reciting the phone number, Jian Xun sniffled, clutched the hem of his shirt, and pressed the digits.

Two beeps, then the call connected—and a familiar male voice came through.

With a hint of tears in his voice, Jian Xun cautiously asked if he could come home right now.

…

In the A University research lab…

Shang Xuci was replying to his advisor’s message when a call from his home number flashed on the screen.

Was it the cat calling again?

He answered. This time, there was no soft meowing—only a young boy’s voice.

Leaning back in his chair, Shang Xuci’s eyes flickered with impatience. His tone was cold.

“Who are you?”

Not only was the voice unfamiliar, but the boy was calling from his home phone.

Why was he there?

Why was he using that phone?

And most importantly—where was his cat? Where was Sui Sui?

Shang Xuci frowned and switched to the surveillance feed.

Hearing his boss’s voice, Jian Xun quickly wiped his tears and whispered, “Sui Sui, I…”

He hiccuped, stammering, “I… I’m Sui Sui.”

“Nonsense,” Shang Xuci said icily. “Sui Sui is my cat. Who are you, and why are you in my house?”

The surveillance screen was pitch black—as if the camera had been removed.

Shang Xuci stood up, grabbed his car keys and the documents on the table, and strode out.

A classmate, noticing his hurried pace, called out, “Brother Shang, it hasn’t started yet!”

Shang Xuci didn’t even look back, his long legs moving briskly.

The call was still connected.

Jian Xun heard Shang Xuci’s cold voice and wasn’t sure he would appreciate his transformation. Suppressing his discomfort, he changed his tone and said, “I’m calling on behalf of your cat. He’s… he’s sick.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hung up, slumped onto the sofa, and curled up with his legs pulled tightly to his chest.

It was so hot…

When Jian Xun opened his eyes again, he heard Shang Xuci calling him. He opened his mouth to say, You’re back, but what came out was a series of meows.

Jian Xun: ??

Looking down—he was back to being a cat!

Shang Xuci held the cat and looked him over.

Jian Xun groggily struggled to get down.

He was sick now, so he shouldn’t be too close to him.

Perhaps because his body was so light, Jian Xun jumped twice and realized the discomfort was gone.

He felt energetic again, his eyes bright—it was as if all the symptoms from before had just been a dream.

It was still better to be a cat.

Jian Xun quickly stood on his hind legs, tugged at Shang Xuci’s clothes with his front paws, and asked for a hug.

Shang Xuci couldn’t help but sigh at his expression.

He checked the surveillance footage.

From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, no one had entered his house. Nothing was missing—except for the clothes on the balcony that had been taken, and two pieces of clothing left on the sofa.

Who had made that call?

His cat?

Shang Xuci gave him a suspicious glance. Sui Sui’s eyes were clear and innocent, focused solely on getting a hug. He didn’t look sick at all.

The phone rang.

“Cousin, I told my dad you’re going to the concert at sea too. We’ll be together the day after tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

Jian Xun wrapped his arms around Shang Xuci’s neck, his cat ears perked up, listening intently.

Concert.

A concert at sea.

He was going too.

“Meow, meow, meow!” Jian Xun voiced his request into the phone.

Shen Huan immediately raised his voice. “It’s Sui Sui, sweet cat. Do you want to go too?”

“Meow.”

“Cousin, are you taking Sui Sui with you? Cats are allowed on cruises.”

“He gets carsick.”

Jian Xun reached out, lifted the man’s chin, and held it between his paws, looking straight into his eyes.

“Meow.”

You looked into Meow’s eyes.

“Carsickness doesn’t necessarily mean seasickness. There’s a veterinarian on the cruise who can prescribe medicine for Sui Sui,” Shen Huan said gently. “If he wants to go.”

Shen Huan: “Sui Sui, if you want to go, meow twice.”

Jian Xun: “Meow.”

Shang Xuci narrowed his eyes. “If you want to go, meow.”

Jian Xun: “Meow.”

“See? I told you Sui Sui understands human language,” Shen Huan said excitedly. “Now—say, I want to go. Meow three times.”

“Meow, meow, meow.”

Shang Xuci gave the cat a meaningful look. “Meow twice.”

“Meow, Meow.”

Shen Huan was about to speak again when Jian Xun reached out and ended the call.

You two are training a dog, right?! Making me meow like this…

After that small internal complaint, he looked up at Shang Xuci expectantly, unleashing his full catlike charm.

Shang Xuci patted his forehead affectionately—

“Meow.”

I want to go.

“Okay, I’ll take you with me.”

After what had just happened, Shang Xuci still wasn’t comfortable leaving the cat home alone.

“I’ll take you to meet Grandma tomorrow.”

Ever since Grandma found out he had a cat—and met him once—she’d been urging Shang Xuci to bring the cat to her whenever he had time. It was as if she were welcoming her grandson, not a cat.

Jian Xun let out a soft purr and rubbed his head against him.

The next day, Shang Xuci found the cat’s carrier and took Sui Sui to the nursing home.

Before leaving, Sui Sui squatted on the counter, gazing into the mirror. He lifted a paw to adjust his clothes, flicked his tail, and inspected his appearance. Then he straightened the jewel necklace around his neck and, satisfied, slipped back into the carrier.

Once in the car, he scurried out of the bag, hopped onto the passenger seat, and squatted there, gripping the seatbelt tightly with his paws.

Shang Xuci didn’t stop him. He simply leaned over to fasten the belt and closed the window.

…

Flower Archway

Holding the cat, Shang Xuci knocked on the door beside the bed.

The old lady’s gentle voice floated from inside.

Shang Xuci pushed the door open, and the cat leapt onto the bed, meowing sweetly at her with an air of familiarity.

Gu Zhen beamed, picked up the cat treats she had prepared in advance, and whispered, “Sui Sui, such a sweet, adorable little darling! Can Grandma pet you?”

Before she could finish, Jian Xun had already rubbed his head against her hand and thoughtfully pulled the corner of her quilt.

The old lady’s face lit up, and she gently stroked his back.

Turning to Shang Xuci, she said, “I can’t believe you’ve raised Sui Sui so well.”

There had once been many stray cats on their street. Gu Zhen had wanted to adopt one, but out of consideration for her grandson’s feelings, she had simply asked him to feed them—something Shang Xuci refused to do.

Once, while they were out grocery shopping, they had come across a pitiful-looking kitten. Shang Xuci had walked past without even a glance, showing no interest in cats whatsoever.

And yet, when he came in just now, he had been holding a cat.

Gu Zhen smiled knowingly.

Jian Xun listened closely to her gentle teasing of Shang Xuci, his tail wagging happily when she said she had broken her own rules.

Shang Xuci asked Sui Sui to stay with his grandmother while he went to speak with her attending physician about her back pain.

He headed to the adjacent treatment room, but just as he reached the stairs, a man stepped out of the elevator.

The man paused, moving slightly to the side as he stared at Shang Xuci’s back.

When Shang Xuci returned to the ward, Gu Ming was there. The old lady was happily telling him stories—mostly about Shang Xuci’s childhood.

Back then, Shang Xuci’s health had been poor, and he often fell ill. Even as an adult, he still had to visit the hospital frequently. But after Gu Ming returned, Shang Xuci was discharged. Aside from taking his medication regularly, he seemed to be in good health, and her fondness for Gu Ming only grew stronger.

Gu Ming was stroking the cat when he saw Shang Xuci come in. He smiled and said he had just dropped by to see her.

The three of them chatted for a while, and at noon, Gu Ming invited Shang Xuci out for lunch.

“Xu Rong will be discharged the day after tomorrow,” he said.

“Yeah.”

“She came to see the old lady after finding out they were in the same hospital, but she got kicked out.”

“Did Shang Wei tell her?”

“No, it was your old doctor.”

Shang Xuci pursed his lips and sneered. “How bold. Aren’t you afraid of running into Shang Wei?”

“I ran into Fang Xiuyuan once at the hospital,” Gu Ming said. “He’s a vindictive, merciless man. Xu Rong lost her baby, and he’ll probably blame you for it. You’d better be careful around him.”

When things turn ugly in their industry, it can be terrifying.

“Okay, I get it.”

…

Sea Concert

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a golden sheen across the sea, the calm surface shimmering. A gentle breeze caressed the cruise ship’s deck, while soft lights cascaded down the sides, blending with the distant stars to create a dreamlike atmosphere.

Passengers sat outside on the deck, enjoying the sunset with glasses in hand.

Shang Xuci stood quietly for a few minutes, his expression somber, before turning to walk inside.

Still taking photos, Shen Huan muttered to himself when he saw Shang Xuci leave, “Cousin doesn’t get seasick, but he looks so pale.”

“Don’t you think so, Sui Sui?” Shen Huan glanced down at the cat.

“Meow,” Jian Xun replied softly.

The novel had described the boss as someone with a fear of the deep sea, someone who disliked boat rides.

Jian Xun also disliked water—the vast ocean made him feel unsafe.

With a short meow, the lion cat turned and padded inside, spotting Shang Xuci speaking with a middle-aged man.

“Xiao Ci, you’re really here? I thought it was that girl Shen Huan trying to help me,” the man said.

Shang Xuci smiled. “Uncle, long time no see.”

“Meow~” Jian Xun rubbed against his leg.

Shang Xuci picked up the cat and held him on his lap as he reminisced with Shen Xiu.

…

Shang Xuci’s Home

Xiao Sanhua lay curled on the cat mat Jian Xun had given her, gazing up at the sky.

Brother Sui Sui, when will you be back?

Hearing an unusual noise from the roadside, Xiao Sanhua turned toward the courtyard.

A group of cats—each walking on their hind legs—marched in carrying a sedan chair, heading straight for her.

“Dear Princess Sanhua, we’ve come to take you home.”

---

He saw the search bar:

#Pretty Little She-Cat#

Little… little she-cat?!

Jian Xun was shocked and heartbroken. He’d thought that if he tried his best to be a good cat—doing his chores and earning money—Shang Xuci would completely accept him and fall in love with him! He’d believed he had achieved that, judging by his recent behavior.

He never imagined Shang Xuci would secretly be looking at other kittens behind his back.

And a pretty little she-cat, no less!

The lion cat’s eyes dimmed.

Was he being overly sentimental?

Jian Xun recalled the recent “coldness.” Why didn’t the boss want him to be intimate anymore?

Why didn’t he pat his butt?

Was it because the fur on his butt was thinning and not soft enough to touch?

Or did Shang Xuci think his own cat’s butt wasn’t round enough to be satisfying? The fur at the base of his large tail had grown in a bit, and from the middle to the tip it was as white as a dandelion—beautiful and fluffy…

Had men’s demands become so high?

The lion cat turned and ran to the mirror, examining himself carefully.

A round, delicate face. Clear blue eyes. Long, curving, sexy whiskers. Except for the base of the tail, his fur was as soft as cotton. A round, firm butt. Tender pink paw pads. Sharp claws that were never shown to his owner...

Oh, and his graceful, slow walk made his limp invisible.

Wasn’t all that enough?!

He was offering his whole body to be touched—his face, his legs—and Shang Xuci wasn’t even willing to take a look?

He wasn’t willing to pet the cat more, which would help ease the cat’s discomfort…

Jian Xun craned his neck to examine the cats on the screen. None of them looked as good as he did!

But they had still caught the boss’s eye. Jealousy once again twisted the cat’s expression.

Jian Xun had no interest in watching the video. He angrily jumped onto Shang Xuci’s lap, pinning him down with his paw as he swiped the screen.

“Meow!!”

The cat pouted for a kiss, but the man remained indifferent.

The cat tried rubbing against his hand. The man coldly refused.

“Soon, you won’t feel so bad anymore.” Shang Xuci patted his head and continued scrolling through the cat dating platform photos.

Ever since he realized what Sui Sui was doing when she rode his hand, he could no longer tolerate the cat doing it. Especially that one time, when he felt the intense wetness and stickiness on his arm—Shang Xuci’s eyes had darkened, and he’d taken a deep breath.

Every time afterward, he would go to the bathroom and wash his arm for a long time.

He’d been busy these past few days trying to find a girlfriend for Sui Sui, hoping to quickly resolve the cat’s discomfort.

But he didn’t realize that his actions were sending signals of rejection and indifference to Jian Xun.

He had no idea the cat was deeply hurt.

The cat crouched to the side, its tail twitching listlessly, occasionally casting a mournful glance at the man.

Shang Xuci hadn’t liked being petted lately.

He had even secretly touched the little calico cat in the garage!

Could it be that he liked the little female cat?

Jian Xun rolled over, exposing his white belly and meowing at Shang Xuci.

“Meow~”

Shang Xuci ignored him.

Unwilling to give in, Jian Xun tearfully rubbed his head against Shang Xuci’s.

Ding Dong—

The doorbell rang, and Shang Xuci stood up to get his package.

Jian Xun, not missing the chance, quickly jumped to the ground and followed behind him. He wanted Shang Xuci to hold him, to cuddle him.

Shang Xuci immediately opened the package and replaced the cat’s litter.

He’d try it out to see if it worked.

The little tail behind him started following him again. Since Sui Sui could open the door, Shang Xuci had bought a latch to keep it shut, just in case.

After fixing the door, Shang Xuci prepared to go to school that afternoon.

When he left, Jian Xun picked up his tablet in his mouth and searched:

[Cat initiates affection, but is rejected. What to do?]

Six o’clock in the evening.

Shang Xuci returned home and opened the door to see Sui Sui sitting in the hallway, looking aggrieved and waiting for him.

He squatted down to pet the cat. It rubbed its head against him—then suddenly bit him.

The pain was mild, almost negligible.

Shang Xuci was surprised; Sui Sui had never bitten him before.

After Jian Xun took the bite, he immediately backed off, licking the back of Shang Xuci’s hand in a flattering manner and meowing.

Shang Xuci didn’t mind. He sat on the sofa, took out his tablet, and adjusted the format of his paper, preparing to send it to his teacher.

Jian Xun also jumped onto the sofa and lay across his lap, staring eagerly to see if he was looking at the little female cat again. Seeing only densely packed words, his tense nerves relaxed, his tail stilled, and his expression settled into quiet displeasure.

Work.

Work again.

Study.

Study again.

Jian Xun could understand that weekdays were spent working and attending school—Shang Xuci had to support his family.

But shouldn’t he have more personal time after work, to rest and do other things?

Like… playing with the cat more, watching him more!

Jian Xun could understand Shang Xuci’s speech, but Shang Xuci couldn’t understand his meow language. Even if he got angry, meowed, and scolded, Shang Xuci wouldn’t know he was the target.

The cat’s punch felt like hitting cotton—soft and ineffective.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Jian Xun pressed his paw to search—

[How to find a good cat owner.]

[How to scam rich people and become a rich second-generation cat.]

[How to find a cat lover and make him willingly spend money on you and spend time with you.]

After searching, he prepared for bed. This time, out of spite, he didn’t go to sleep in the bedroom with Shang Xuci. Instead, he squeezed into a cardboard box, his butt facing the door.

Ten o’clock in the evening.

The cat couldn’t sleep, so he dug a hole in the litter box to relieve himself, then wandered around the living room.

Had he not noticed the cat wasn’t sleeping with him tonight?

Unconsciously, he reached the bedroom door.

Squatting there, staring—

Jian Xun made a startling discovery: the bedroom also had a latch. Was it to stop him from opening the door?

He stretched out his paw to touch it, but pulled back mid-air.

He continued to stare.

After a long time without finding a hole, the cat lay on the ground, pressing his ear to the door to listen carefully. He caught faint movements from inside the bedroom.

“Lao Wuuuu~” A weak meow.

The cat’s ears trembled.

Listen again.

No sound.

Wait again.

No one opened the door.

Jian Xun walked downstairs with heavy steps, feeling aggrieved.

Angry, aggrieved, and sad!

It was the first time the cat had been overwhelmed with so many emotions. He walked downstairs slowly, tail drooping.

Back in the cat bed.

Can’t sleep.

The cat’s mind was filled with images of Shang Xuci looking at that little female kitten…

Getting up to drink water, he accidentally knocked over the bowl, quickly soaking a large area of the floor.

Jian Xun quickly grabbed the mopping towel, ears drooping, placed his front paws on the towel, and began stretching.

Sadly, he mopped the floor—yes, even the wet parts.

Oh, if only he were human, he could have directly reprimanded Shang Xuci for having his cake and eating it too!

Bedroom.

Shang Xuci opened his eyes. The space beside him was empty—no sound of a cat purring.

He lay on the bed, his eyes slightly downcast. He glanced at the door several times, lips pursed, mind focused. There was no scratching, no meowing.

Shang Xuci reached for his phone on the bedside table.

He checked the surveillance camera for Sui Sui.

He turned it on and saw the kitten, butt sticking out, diligently mopping the floor.

By the time he was watching, the cat had almost finished.

He watched Sui Sui put the cloth back in the bathroom, then snatch one of his thin sweaters from the laundry bag and head into the living room. Even though he’d grown up, she hadn’t forgotten his clothes-stealing skills. He walked unsteadily, tripping several times.

Finally, he brought the cardboard box back and stuffed it inside.

With the clothes stuffed inside, it became harder for the large cat to get in.

Jian Xun nudged the edge of the box with his nose and carefully inserted one front paw, then the other, slowly inching his chubby body inside.

With every movement, a soft friction sound could be heard between the box and his squeezed fur, as if the box were being forced to double in size.

Worryingly, the cat’s hindquarters still remained outside the box, twisting and turning as he tried to squeeze into the small space.

His tail wagged in the air, dragging along the ground. His ears tilted back, eyes slightly narrowed, and his face showed a mix of concentration and resignation.

How could this be?

It was just one extra piece of clothing.

Yet the moment he tried to force his voluptuous body into the cardboard box, it seemed ready to burst at the seams. Still unwilling to give up, the cat pushed until he could barely fit—until a distinct crack made him stop.

He stepped out of the box, pulling the clothes out with him, and reluctantly left, clutching them in his mouth. Then he jumped onto the sofa, cradling the clothes with his front paws like a small dried-fish pillow, rubbing his head against the sweater and licking it with his tongue, as if verifying the texture and smell.

The next second, the cat suddenly opened his mouth, bit a corner of the sweater, and tugged with his teeth. He patted the clothes like a watermelon, then clung to them like a baby, completely absorbed in the comforting scent of his owner…

Shang Xuci stared at the cat in silence until Sui Sui fell asleep, hugging his sweater.

He figured that if Sui Sui was still feeling unwell after the concert, he’d wait until the fever was over and then have the cat neutered.

These days, whenever he had free time, he had been browsing cute pet dating platforms. Most of them were either seeking to marry into a family or looking for a mate for their precious daughters—often at a significant cost. The rest were all profiles Shang Xuci wasn’t interested in.

…

September marked the start of school. The weather was crisp and cool, with a refreshing chill finally setting in.

He had spent the summer focused on work, and now that school was back in session, he needed to devote some time and energy to his studies.

Shang Xuci withdrew his plan to study abroad for a doctorate. Instead of going straight to work at Shang Group headquarters as he had originally intended, he chose to complete his doctorate at his home university.

He wanted to balance study and work.

With his current perspective, he no longer had to endure the arduous struggles of his previous life. Whatever he wanted to do, whatever he wanted to handle—as long as the timing was right—he could make it happen with a flick of his fingers.

Now that he had a cat, his life felt a bit more relaxed.

The next day, Shang Xuci went to school. Before leaving, he saw Sui Sui sleeping soundly on the sofa. He didn’t disturb her and gently closed the door.

At three o’clock that afternoon, Shang Xuci received a call from home. On the other end, a crisp, young voice asked cautiously: “Shang Shang, can you come home?”

---

“In heat?” Shang Xuci became slightly agitated. He took a deep breath and said, “He’s only seven months old.”

“To humans, seven months is still a toddler. But don’t forget—he’s a cat. At seven months, a cat is already grown up,” Gu Ming said bluntly. “In the cat world, that’s when they first start developing feelings and are ready for relationships. Think about it—has Suisui been looking at that little female cat a lot lately? Has he been sticking close to her?”

Shang Xuci fell silent. He hadn’t noticed Sui Sui peeking at the little female cat. If Sui Sui was clingy, it was only towards him, always liking to—

His expression shifted. He remembered how Sui Sui loved rubbing against his hand, and especially enjoyed being patted on the butt… Were Sui Sui’s actions towards him actually an attempt to ease the discomfort of being in heat?

Was he treating him as a heat target?

Shang Xuci shook his head.

Impossible. His Sui Sui was still a naïve child—no, a young man—who didn’t understand such things.

Well… it was precisely because he didn’t understand that he sought him out when he felt uncomfortable.

“My suggestion is to wait until this period is over, then take Sui Sui to the hospital for sterilization,” Gu Ming said. “It’s better for the cat, too.”

Shang Xuci was still reeling from the shock of his kitten growing up. Hearing Gu Ming’s words, he frowned slightly and lowered his eyes in thought.

Spaying a cat right after it becomes an adult felt a bit cruel.

He thought it over. Sui Sui came from a single-cat household and, even during his heat, hadn’t urinated or roamed. Shang Xuci didn’t want to deprive him of his reproductive rights—he respected Sui Sui’s choice.

We’ll wait and see.

If Sui Sui wanted to fall in love, wanted to be a father… Shang Xuci could already picture a bunch of kittens swarming around Sui Sui, the little guy spinning in circles. Oh my god. Shang Xuci closed his eyes—he wasn’t sure he could handle so many cats.

After all, he wasn’t that passionate about cats; he only liked Sui Sui.

Still, he had the money to let Suisui live the life of a rich cat. If Sui Sui wanted to be a scumbag, he could even introduce him to a few girlfriends.

Shang Xuci was still lost in thought when Gu Ming, on the other end of the line, patted his chest and reassured him that, as a bomb disposal expert, he could “defuse” Sui Sui’s situation just fine.

But Shang Xuci simply said, “Not for now.”

“Oh? You’re not going to have Sui Sui neutered?” Gu Ming sounded surprised, but after a moment’s thought, he added, “We encourage responsible sterilization for pet cats, but that doesn’t mean it has to be absolute. Let’s wait until Sui Sui’s heat period is over, then do a checkup to see how he’s doing.”

“Okay,” Shang Xuci agreed. Then he asked, “Before then, is there anything I can do to help Sui Sui when he’s feeling uncomfortable?”

Study.

Shang Xuci sat in his chair and read through the “relief methods” Gu Ming had sent him.

First—prevent the cat from running away. Lock the windows and close the doors.
Sui Sui had been sticking near the door these past few days, but he hadn’t tried to escape.

Second—keep the litter box clean, reduce his food intake, and minimize his urination and defecation.
He had already adjusted the automatic feeder.

Finally—place the cat in a dimly lit room to slow down his estrus.
Shang Xuci immediately got up and drew the study curtains.

You can also use toys like cat teasers to help your cat burn off energy.

Or—patiently patting the cat’s butt can effectively relieve the discomfort of heat.

But the simplest and most direct way… is to arrange a blind date for your cat.

Shang Xuci decided to follow the first few suggestions, but when it came down to helping personally or setting up a blind date, he chose the latter.

He also researched additional precautions for cats in heat—such as their tendency to be irritable during this period, meaning owners should keep a bit of distance while still providing comfort and companionship.

…

Jian Xun wondered whether his frequent late-night trips in and out of the bedroom had disturbed Shang Xuci. His husband refused to let him crawl into bed, and wouldn’t even offer a cuddle or nuzzle.

Even the butt pats had stopped. As if disgusted by any touch, Shang Xuci now left him to pout and trail after him relentlessly.

That day, Jian Xun carried his tablet to his desk, hugging a small dried-fish pillow while diligently replying to backstage messages. The last time Shen Huan had posted a video of him mopping the floor, it had gone viral—his account gained a flood of new followers, and countless private messages poured in, expressing their love for him. He lifted his paw pads and gently scrolled through the comments.

It was the only comfort that eased his pain.

He hadn’t left the house for days. Every morning before school, Shang Xuci would tell him not to wander around, and only in the evenings would he take him out for exercise.

Gym.

Jian Xun also wanted to distract himself with exercise. He didn’t bother Shang Xuci and jogged on the treadmill by himself.

He ran with a majestic air.

Completely unaware, he was being secretly observed by a cat not far away.

After a while, he returned to his usual routine—yoga.

A cat focused on its workout is truly captivating, and Jian Xun drew the attention of many two-legged onlookers, who took photos.

A little female cat even approached him, sniffed him, then lay on the ground, exposing her soft belly. She rolled around in front of him and meowed coquettishly.

Jian Xun, brimming with energy, couldn’t resist the temptation and walked over to sniff the unfamiliar female cat. Just as he was about to lick her forehead, a kitten shot out like lightning, meowing angrily at him.

Jian Xun understood immediately—Xiao Sanhua was scolding him.

She glared at him, then turned to curse the foreign female cat, who was scratching her head and swishing her tail on the ground.

…

Shang Xuci walked over to check on Sui Sui and stumbled upon the cats’ triangular standoff.

He instantly recognized the angry little calico as Sui Sui’s “girlfriend” from the garage.

The American Shorthair, upon seeing the little calico, ignored the immature kitten. She continued radiating warmth, lying on her back, purring, and winking suggestively at the handsome young man.

Meow~

Come on, ravage me! Throw me down!!

This American Shorthair was also in heat. Her owner had tried introducing her to several promising males, but she hadn’t been interested in any of them. She couldn’t bring herself to pursue those greasy Ragdoll types. What she wanted was a reliable local cat.

The tabby was too fierce. The orange cat was too sly and mischievous. She liked neither. Unexpectedly, she had found her true love here.

Look at those clear, resolute eyes.

Look at those battle-worn legs and that fluffy tail.

Look at those impressive balls.

Tsk. Spending a night with him would be a bargain.

The American Shorthair licked her paws, and seeing the lion cat’s blank, bewildered eyes, her animal instincts surged—she pounced.

Jian Xun instinctively dodged.

She pounced again.

He dodged again.

What… what’s going on? Why does it feel like the little female cat is going to eat him?!

No matter how slow Jian Xun was, he understood—the American Shorthair had taken a fancy to him and was trying to force herself on him!

Seeing Sanhua staring at him with an aggrieved expression, he wanted to go over and explain. But then he suddenly saw Shang Xuci walk up to Sanhua, lean down, pick her up, and start petting her.

Jian Xun’s eyes widened.

How could he… how could he secretly look at other kittens? How could he pet other kittens?

Why wasn’t he petting Sui Sui?!

Mad with jealousy, Jian Xun growled a warning at the American Shorthair who had rushed toward him.

“Meow!!!”

Don’t touch me!!!

He turned and bolted to Shang Xuci’s side, standing up on his hind legs, his front paws clutching at the man’s sweatpants.

You can’t hold other cats!

Put her down!

Put her down right now!!!

In Shang Xuci’s eyes, this scene meant:

You can’t hold his cat!

Put her down.

But in the confused gaze of Xiao Sanhua, the man who suddenly picked her up wasn’t threatening. She often smelled this same scent on Sui Sui, who had once told her that his master was a kind man who never hurt cats.

So Xiao Sanhua didn’t dare move.

Eventually, Shang Xuci set the little calico down, and Jian Xun finally stopped his “attack.”

He pouted, staring up at the tall man, then crouched down dejectedly, glancing back at Xiao Sanhua.

She rubbed against him affectionately, but Jian Xun ignored her.

Shang Xuci, watching from the side, assumed he was just being sulky.

Hadn’t he let Xiao Sanhua go?

Actually… shouldn’t he introduce him to his feline friend?

The two cats followed Shang Xuci home. When they reached the courtyard, his cat—Sui Sui—parted ways with Xiao Sanhua and waited at the door for him to wipe his paws.

After cleaning his paws, he scurried over to the cardboard box, squeezing himself in after a long struggle.

Shang Xuci noticed the box was now too small for Sui Sui and decided to head to the utility room to find a bigger one.

When he came back, the cats were gone. Heading back out to the courtyard, he saw Jian Xun licking Xiao Sanhua’s fur.

What a sweet bond, he thought.

If Shang Xuci could understand cat language, he probably wouldn’t think so.

Buzz buzz buzz.

Why does Xiao Sanhua still smell like the boss? She’s not his cat!! I’ll lick it!

I lick, I lick, lick, lick!!

Jealousy makes cats ugly. Jian Xun licked a little too hard, and Xiao Sanhua quickly cried out to her brother to stop…

Shang Xuci leaned lazily against the wall, watching the two affectionate cats, his feelings mixed. On one hand, he was certain Sui Sui could take good care of kittens—he probably loved the idea of being a cat dad.

On the other hand, cats were truly different from humans. In just a year, they could start a family, and a decade or so would be their whole lives. Humans, in contrast, didn’t need to follow reproductive instincts—they could choose the life they wanted.

He remembered bringing Sui Sui home, when the cat had been small enough to fit in his palm. Now, he had grown so quickly. Once he had a cat of his own to love, her attention would shift to his mate and kittens.

Would Sui Sui stop hanging around him? Stop working with him in the study? Stop tucking him in late at night, or whimpering softly to him…?

He clenched his hands, then relaxed them, resting them on his chest, his narrow eyes slightly lowered.

His usually indifferent gaze carried a faint trace of loss.

It lasted only a few seconds before he saw Suisui stop and hop into the house.

Shang Xuci calmly stepped back inside.

Jian Xun, unaware he had been watched, was now jumping for joy. He had sniffed Xiao Sanhua several times, waiting for the familiar scent to completely fade before returning in satisfaction.

Hehe, now the boss has to make it up to me!

I want to smell like the boss!

And I want the boss to smell like Sui Sui!

Jian Xun didn’t see Shang Xuci on the first floor, but there was a larger box next to his own.

He glanced at it—it was twice the size of his box—and saw it was empty. After circling around it once, he decisively returned to his original box.

After squeezing his butt in with some effort, he finally fit. But his tail… his tail needed to be held.

Yes, this box was still the best.

After testing it and finding it still manageable, he hopped out, shot the bigger box a disdainful look, and kicked it away with his hind legs.

Hmph, I don’t need you.

Jian Xun headed straight for the second-floor study—only to realize he had been so busy kicking boxes that he’d forgotten his tablet!

Today’s game day!!

Thump, thump, thump!

He bounded back down the stairs, found his tablet in its usual spot, scooped it up easily, and sprang upstairs in two steps.

At first, he sat quietly and watched the game from the side. But after a while, his eyes drifted to the boss’s hand, and his butt began to itch.

Jian Xun’s eyes grew hazy, but his body moved on its own—he wanted to straddle the boss’s hand and flop down flat.

Unfortunately, the man didn’t indulge him like before. He coolly pulled his arm away and only rubbed his furry head twice.

Jian Xun tried to cuddle against his hand, but the man shifted, and he missed.

Meow??

…

The next day

The cat sat on the sofa next to Shang Xuci, watching TV. His round, watery eyes sparkled. A casual glance caught sight of the boss’s phone screen—

A Napoleon shorthair, sitting with her legs together, posture prim and ladylike.

Jian Xun’s pupils shrank in shock.

---

She was about to upload the photos she had taken to Sui Sui’s video account, wanting to show off a little.

“Oh, cousin, happy Mid-Autumn Festival!” Shen Huan, remembering her errand, took something for Shang Xuci and held out her hand for a gift.

Shang Xuci simply shoved a card at her.

Shen Huan accepted it excitedly. “I knew you were the best to me!”

“And about Sui Sui’s salary—the director asked me to check. Will it be deposited directly into your bank account?”

Shang Xuci turned to look at the cat, who was also staring at him.

“No, I got Sui Sui a cute pet account.”

He pulled out a Bank of Communications savings card. It had a yellow background and a custom photo of a white lion cat holding its tail.

Sparkling lights decorated it, which excited Jian Xun so much that he rushed over to try and grab it.

Shang Xuci pinched the cat’s ears, inadvertently revealing that the password was the cat’s birthday—the day he had brought it home.

Jian Xun whimpered, burying his head in his arms and acting coquettishly. His tail brushed against the hand holding the card, snagging it in an attempt to take it.

Who knew how much money was inside?

The two of them discussed it as they chatted.

Within a month, Jian Xun had finished filming all his scenes as the spectator cat. He had received the first large sum of money in his life—no, the first large sum in his cat’s life—a full fifty thousand yuan!

The cat gulped. What a lot of money!

In addition, Director Kang Gai even held a wrap-up party specifically for the cat. Many people from the crew attended, all grateful for Sui Sui’s companionship.

Especially Chen Chi—Sui Sui had saved his life. In the film, he was his mother’s cat, but according to seniority, he was still Chen Chi’s younger brother. They had spent the most time together, both on and off screen, and the cat loved to cling to him.

After the last incident, Chen Chi had gone to see Shang Xuci to visit Sui Sui. The man told him about the sulfuric acid attack and that the murderer had not been targeting him.

Once he understood the situation, Chen Chi did not pursue the matter further, leaving it in Shang Xuci’s hands—especially since Shang Xuci still had a partnership with Yinfeng Entertainment.

Even so, he truly could not bear to part with Sui Sui.

Of course, that’s all for later.

Ever since filming wrapped, the cat’s life had returned to its simple daily routine: after eating his cat food, he would lick his “grandma,” then follow the big boss wherever he went. In the afternoons, the cat would do housework, and after dinner, he would accompany the man to the gym.

Once the workout was over, he would obediently let Shang Xuci wipe his little paws clean, patiently wait for his paw pads to be trimmed, and then have his fur brushed…

Finally, he would go to the study to keep Shang Xuci company while he worked. The cat would hold his tablet in his mouth and watch game livestreams beside him. Before long, he would start nodding off and be carried to the bedroom to sleep.

Sometimes, when the man wasn’t around, he would secretly nibble on a dried fish—so fragrant and delicious. Somehow, stolen food tasted even better than when Shang Xuci fed him by hand!

After spending so much time together, Jian Xun had begun to notice the big boss’s attitude toward him. He felt that he now had a certain place in the man’s heart.

Now, he could freely open any door in the house—especially the bedroom. He no longer had to sleep at the doorway or under the bed like before. Even when his shedding was bad, Shang Xuci wouldn’t drive him out; instead, he would just change the bedsheets more often.

Like any other pet cat, Jian Xun liked to leave his “scent marks” all over the house—especially on things related to Shang Xuci, such as the wardrobe, bookshelf, bed, sofa, and chairs.

Anywhere Shang Xuci spent time, Jian Xun would make sure to sleep there.

The big boss didn’t like bringing people home, so the whole house carried only his scent—and now, with the addition of the cat’s scent, it was simply the perfect home.

But lately, Jian Xun felt that something about him had become… strange.

According to his plan, he had already “conquered” the big boss’s feet, legs, and stomach!

His intimacy level had risen from 70 to 79. But no matter how affectionate he was afterward, the intimacy score wouldn’t go up even a little.

His body also felt strange.

He was no longer satisfied with just snuggling with the big boss…

The cat was full of energy every day—doing housework, cooking, catching mosquitoes and bugs, picking up shed fur. His body had become more agile and flexible; in just two or three hours, he could finish an entire day’s worth of chores. The rest of the time, he spent waiting for Shang Xuci to come home.

If he waited too long, his temper would inexplicably turn irritable.

At night, Jian Xun didn’t obediently sleep through the night with his boss. Once the man fell asleep, Jian Xun would often wake up in the middle of the night. His ears and nose were sharp—through the windows, across the yard, and even past the front door, he could clearly hear stray cats and dogs fighting on the street. He could even catch the distinct feline scent of Xiao Sanhua from the garage…

That scent seemed to lure him, tempting him to go outside.

Jian Xun resisted.

He leapt onto the window sill and stared outside in silence.

His vision sharpened, and his range of sight widened.

The next day, Jian Xun took Xiao Yugan to see Xiao Sanhua, watching her closely for any changes. He sniffed her scent but found nothing unusual. Instead, Xiao Sanhua kept nudging him and actively licking his fur.

It was normal for friendly cats to groom each other, but when she tried to get close for a kiss, Jian Xun instinctively pulled back.

He still had human sensibilities—there were differences between males and females, and kissing, especially mouth-to-mouth, was not allowed. His rejection was so blatant that Xiao Sanhua looked hurt.

To make it up to her, Jian Xun gave her a few more dried fish.

Xiao Sanhua was instantly happy again, completely absorbed in chewing her snack.

Jian Xun jumped onto the fence, his tail swishing as he began counting the stray female cats on the main street.

One little female cat.

Two little female cats.

Three little female cats.

Four little female cats.

…

Wait—why was there a male cat meowing at him?

The sound carried a clear “in heat” signal, startling Jian Xun so much that he immediately leapt back into the yard.

He wasn’t gay.

Crouching in a corner, he watched the kittens, breathing in their mature scent.

Ah… why hadn’t I noticed anything different before?

Sui Sui’s attention was half-distracted by the stray cat outside, and it wasn’t until the boss came home from work and opened the door that he remembered to greet him. Then, without warning, his body seemed to move on its own—tail held high, he ran straight to the man’s side, circling his legs. He rubbed his head against them with vigorous enthusiasm, meowing coquettishly all the while.

I really want to be a koala—clinging to the boss’s legs with all four limbs so I can cuddle with him.

Do real cats ever want to act like dogs, licking their owners nonstop? Jian Xun didn’t think he was fully cat-like—there was still a touch of human nature in him. His longing for the boss wasn’t just about physical closeness; he wanted something more.

It was hard to put into words. It was like when he looked at kittens—his eyes stuck to them, his body craving intimacy, but his mind holding him back, telling him to restrain himself.

Feeling restless, Jian Xun’s gaze lingered on Shang Xuci’s strong, fair arms. He licked his paw, swallowed, looked away, and pretended to be bored, his tail swaying lazily.

Time to show off my cat charm!

Jian Xun delicately licked the water droplets from Shang Xuci’s hands, then moved on to his damp hair.

See? I can make you even cleaner.

But humans were different from cats. No matter how hard Jian Xun tried, his efforts only dulled the fire a little—they didn’t extinguish it.

When Shang Xuci touched him, a tingling sensation spread through his whole body, cool and soothing, easing the discomfort. But the boss couldn’t keep petting him forever.

So Jian Xun could only keep meowing, trying to hold Shang Xuci’s attention a little longer.

When the man sat down in his chair, the cat’s large, fluffy tail swished once before he pounced, brushing off stray fur as he landed neatly in the man’s lap. Wrapping his front paws around Shang Xuci’s neck, he fixed his deep blue eyes on the man’s face and began meowing.

Can I kiss you?

Can I kiss you?

A broad, warm hand gripped his waist, while the other slid from the top of his furry head down along his back…

The soft touch startled Shang Xuci for a moment.

His mood instantly lifted.

Shang Xuci’s hand moved a little lower, and the cat let out two happy hums.

“Meow!”

A burst of urging.

Shang Xuci’s hand brushed over the cat’s slightly warm buttocks…

Then, over its scorching-hot balls.

“Woof!” The cat suddenly barked in excitement.

Shang Xuci: “…”

His gaze shifted from the screen to the cat.

The cat arched its back, butt raised high, rubbing insistently against his hand. Its massive body leaned entirely on his arm, tail swishing like a metronome.

Jian Xun was startled by his own bark. He scratched his ear in embarrassment, then quickly found a more comfortable position—hugging the boss’s arm tightly so that his body fit perfectly against him.

He decided to call it the upgraded version of clinging.

Perhaps it was the cat’s unwavering gaze, or maybe it was the pitiful look of someone abandoned by a scumbag, but Shang Xuci eventually put down his phone and pulled out a cat toy.

The cat didn’t budge.

Instead, it turned around—presenting its butt to him.

So Shang Xuci reached out and scooped the cat into his arms, trying to soothe it. After some coaxing, he found the cat still acting the same as before—rubbing against him with eager, impatient movements, as if it couldn’t find any outlet.

Shang Xuci had never owned a cat before, so he didn’t know what this behavior meant, but something about it felt… off.

He held the cat and carefully examined its snow-white body, parting the fur to check for worms or ringworm.

The cat hummed from head to toe, especially when he patted its rump. Sui Sui closed her eyes and purred in bliss, her tail curling into a flower shape as she let out a soft meow.

Shang Xuci began to wonder if this was an aftereffect of the sulfuric acid incident—otherwise, why would he enjoy being patted so much? His fur was as snow-white and soft as ever, his body perfectly healthy, and he still carried that unique feline fragrance. Was he just overthinking it? As usual, when he turned the cat over, there were no suspicious marks on his skin.

“You’re so smart—you can use a tablet, make phone calls, and even act—so why can’t you talk?” Shang Xuci sighed, gently patting her rump. “It would be great if you could talk.”

That way, he could tell where the cat was feeling uncomfortable.

As soon as Jian Xun was patted on the butt, he immediately closed his eyes and meowed, his soft cat ears drooping to the sides, looking innocent and adorable.

Could words solve this problem?!

He himself couldn’t figure out what was wrong—just that his body felt itchy inside, with nowhere to vent the feeling.

This was Jian Xun’s first time being a cat, and Shang Xuci’s first time raising one; both were equally inexperienced.

The cat had been without a mother since kittenhood, and no one had ever taught him about feline physiology. In the beginning, he just felt uncomfortable, but Jian Xun didn’t think much of it. Silly and naive, he simply stuck close to Shang Xuci, which made him feel a little better.

Then he remembered his friend, Tutu, and immediately described his condition, sending a text to his “cat big brother.”

During the waiting period, Jian Xun realized he was starting to lose control over his body. His usual reserve disappeared—he couldn’t sleep at night, couldn’t stay still, and would even knead the soft bedsheets while lying next to his boss. He even developed the urge to pee on them.

Afraid he might actually do it, he would run out of the house in the middle of the night to cool down in the night air. One time, he ended up following some female cats, only to be treated like a pervert by them.

When he came to his senses, he returned home in frustration, sat at the doorway, and howled uncontrollably at the moon.

At those moments, Jian Xun thought, Great, that’s it. I’m not even a wolf, and here I am howling at the moon. Could there really be something wrong with my body?

When morning finally came, the fragrant canned food, the crunchy kibble, and even the dried fish that cats were supposed to love—

All of it!!

None of it smelled appetizing anymore.

Especially the dried fish—it was so greasy!

Why had he ever liked eating that stuff?

Even if the big boss fed him personally, he still had no appetite.

He didn’t want to eat.

His appetite worsened, but his bathroom trips became more frequent. Shang Xuci even saw him digging and kneading at the bed, then pausing to look at him before hopping down.

Jian Xun went to the litter box and strained to poop. Afterward, he glanced back, then buried it with a wronged expression.

Come on, Sui Sui. You’re a strong, good cat.

Still, he couldn’t take it anymore—he needed the big boss’s touch.

If only the boss would pat his butt more often…

…

Shang Xuci noticed Sui Sui’s behavior getting stranger. He wasn’t just clinging to him; his eyes and movements were different. He liked to use the tip of his fluffy tail to hook his hand or leg, and sometimes, he would even spread his legs slightly to secretly rub against his arm.

At first, he didn’t think much of it. But after two days of observation—and noticing that Sui Sui was eating less—he took notes and called Gu Ming, describing the cat’s symptoms in detail.

Gu Ming said, “Your cat has matured.”

Shang Xuci: “?”

Gu Ming: “He’s in heat.”

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