Shang Xuci filled the bathtub with water, adjusted the temperature, and checked the items he would need. Then he walked out of the bedroom and called out to Sui Sui.

Jian Xun, exhausted from a day of filming, was slumped over a cardboard box, sound asleep. Listening closely, Shang Xuci could even hear faint snores.

He knocked on the box, but there was no response, so he reached out to pick up the cat.

If he didn’t wash him now, Jian Xun would probably wake up in the middle of the night, sneak out, and crawl onto the bed in a dusty mess. Shang Xuci couldn’t stand that.

The cat in his arms felt the “earthquake” and the water droplets hitting him, trembling as he opened his eyes.

A strange ceiling… a familiar figure. Jian Xun found himself in Shang Xuci’s arms, meowing softly and acting affectionate. No matter how he looked at it, it was a heartwarming scene.

But then he turned his head and realized—he was in the bathroom!

And right in front of him was the bathtub, the one he’d only used once.

It was filled to the brim, faint mist curling upward.

Jian Xun shuddered in fear.

He wasn’t afraid of injections or of having his fur trimmed, but he was truly terrified of water!

He was a landlubber through and through—having drowned before, water was something both humans and cats instinctively feared.

His small, fragile body made the basin of water seem even more menacing.

Shang Xuci set him down on the floor, and Jian Xun immediately clung to his clothes. The harmonious scene ended the moment Shang Xuci reached out to remove his little skirt.

Tonic! Tonic!!

The lion cat tilted his head back and let out a sharp cry, claws flailing in protest.

But Shang Xuci was faster—he held the cat by the scruff of the neck and poured a wet towel over his fluffy back.

Another explosive, high-pitched yowl followed.

By now, even Shang Xuci’s head was wet.

Neck, back, belly, butt, tail— Water dripped down Jian Xun’s body, soaking his legs before flowing into the bath mat…

Every inch of him was drenched.

Apply body wash, rub, rinse.

The cat didn’t give up, letting out intermittent, low, unhappy whimpers—wailing in agony…

No, please, please!

He tried to stop Shang Xuci by rubbing his hands, whimpering, and begging for mercy, but the man remained unmoved.

He thought sadly, Is this retribution for stepping on the big boss?!

The book didn’t even mention it.

I didn’t mean it.

“Meow, meow, meow.”

I’m sorry— isn’t my apology enough?

No matter how much he meowed, Shang Xuci didn’t stop.

The cat’s body went stiff, his limbs feeling like they weren’t his own. If the man hadn’t been holding him with one hand, he might have collapsed to the ground.

When the shower was finally over and Shang Xuci let go, his first instinct was to run.

But the man caught him again and carried him straight to the dryer.

…

Half an hour later

Jian Xun squatted in front of the mirror, gazing at himself. He couldn’t help but lick the fur on his chest.

A fluffy, white, soft, smooth, and fragrant cat had been born!

He shook his fur instinctively, feeling his body become lighter. When Shang Xuci called him, he didn’t get upset—instead, he scurried over and leapt into the man’s lap.

The pink pads of his front paws pressed against Shang Xuci, and he meowed in grievance, rubbing his soft head against him.

“Meow.”

Just now, Shang Xuci had gone too far—he didn’t care about the cat’s life or death!

The cat gave an accusing look. Shang Xuci stroked his nose and pulled out a can of fragrant canned food to comfort him. Immediately, the cat’s expression brightened, and his meows turned into a cheesy, squeaky tone.

While combing the cat’s fur, Shang Xuci realized Sui Sui was growing incredibly fast.

From a palm-sized kitten to a full-grown lion cat, his frame had filled out, his mane had thickened and fluffed, making him look majestic and beautiful.

Jian Xun cherished this transformation as a sign of his growth. Whether crunching on cat food or licking canned food, he no longer needed to hold little dried fish in his paws. Instead, he leaned over carefully to eat, afraid even the tiniest crumb would stick to him and ruin his beauty.

The first thing he did every morning when he woke up was run to the mirror.

However, beauty always came with its own problems, and Jian Xun had another worry. His fluffy body was like a newly opened white dandelion—one flick of the hand sent white hairs floating into the air, drifting to every corner with the slightest breeze.

The shedding was so severe that Shang Xuci’s housekeeping efforts were practically useless, and even a robot vacuum couldn’t reach every corner of the house.

Shang Xuci gradually began combing the cat’s fur more often, and his rules about the cat entering the bedroom became increasingly strict.

Fearing he wouldn’t be allowed to sleep with him, Jian Xun would carefully groom himself before bed. In the mornings, he would take the initiative to change the sheets and put them in the washing machine. At night, he would pull out fresh sheets and skillfully spread them over the bed, smoothing them until they were neat and spotless.

After such diligent effort, he could confidently curl up and sleep with his arms around Shang Xuci’s neck.

The weather in early September was still scorching hot, and it wasn’t until the week before the Mid-Autumn Festival that the temperature finally began to cool.

Jian Xun was taken to filming by Shen Huan every day, finally finishing all his scenes the day before the festival.

…

Mid-Autumn Festival.

Shang Xuci didn’t return to the Shang family estate, instead sending Old Master Shang a box of mooncakes and some fine tea.

He stayed home—reading, watching movies, watering flowers, and playing with the cat…

To Jian Xun, it felt like Shang Xuci was living like a retiree, enjoying a quiet early retirement.

But the cat didn’t mind. The more time Big Brother spent at home with him, the happier he felt.

The night before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jian Xun was playing on his tablet when he came across pictures of mooncakes. Remembering that he hadn’t cooked for Big Brother in ages, he immediately ordered ingredients online, planning to cook the next day.

No—mooncakes!

Both sweet-filled and meat-filled.

Jian Xun decided on his homemade dried fish filling.

That day, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

Upstairs, Shang Xuci was reading. Downstairs, Sui Sui was kneading dough for mooncakes.

Hearing clanging sounds from the kitchen, Shang Xuci came downstairs with a teacup in hand.

Jian Xun was working diligently on a bench, completely oblivious to the curious gazes from outside.

One plate, one pancake.

He had just finished a plate when he turned and saw Shang Xuci, his plate nearly slipping from the meat cushion he was holding.

“Meow?”

Why did you come down?

Jian Xun had no idea how ridiculous he looked—his snowy white figure was draped in a pink apron, and since he had no chef’s hat, he wore the lace headscarf Shen Huan had given him, pinned back over his cat ears. A jeweled necklace hung around his neck, and his large, watery eyes were clear yet tinged with a hint of silliness…

Shang Xuci stared silently at the cat’s ears, his palms itching.

“You don’t have to make too much.” He took the plate from Jian Xun and patted his head. “I’ll just eat this.”

A flicker of confusion crossed Jian Xun’s face. What does he mean? Is my cooking bad? He hasn’t even tasted it yet!

He quickly tried a piece himself. The crust was crisp, and the fish filling inside was fragrant. He wanted more! Boss, don’t you like it?

Dislike the pancakes made by a cat?

Jian Xun looked at his paw. A dusting of flour still clung to his pink pads. He wiped them on his apron.

He had washed them.

Shang Xuci had no idea that his casual words had just shattered a cat’s dream.

The cat followed him closely, determined to watch him eat. He was sure that one bite would make the man take back what he’d said.

The cat stared at him intently. The pancake in Shang Xuci’s hand seemed to grow hotter under the scrutiny. He took a bite—then paused.

Turning away, Shang Xuci pulled out a tissue and spat it out.

He frowned. What kind of filling is this?

Looking back, he met the cat’s eyes.

Tears welled up in Jian Xun’s eyes, brimming with grievance.

He had just seen the boss spit it out!

The cat tore off his apron and scrambled into the cardboard box.

Shang Xuci immediately crouched down and knocked on the box, coaxing softly. “Sui Sui, do you have any other fillings? Take them out and let me try them, hmm?”

“Meow meow meow!” Jian Xun’s large body nearly filled the whole box, his butt facing the entrance, tail hanging out as he angrily spoke in cat language.

I just saw you spit it out!!!

The cat was angry, and Shang Xuci couldn’t do anything about it. He sat on the sofa outside with a book.

He cast an occasional glance at the cardboard box and sighed. “I’ll just have to order takeout myself.”

What takeout? That stuff isn’t clean!!!

The cardboard box shook a few times, and Jian Xun tugged at his ears with his paws, trying not to listen to what the man was saying.

The room was completely silent.

Jian Xun opened his cat pupils and twitched his ears, but there was no movement. Unable to hold back, he shifted his position and changed direction.

He nudged the box door open just enough to peek out, leaving only his big eyes visible.

Big Boss’s shoes, Big Boss’s legs, Big Boss’s belly, Big Boss’s…

He saw Shang Xuci looking right at him with a smile.

Snap.

The box door closed.

Ten seconds later, Jian Xun stepped out.

The cat simply didn’t have that much patience.

A phone lit up on the table. The lion cat walked over, pretending to glance at it casually, and let out a sigh of relief when he saw no order had been placed.

Okay, everyone has different tastes. Maybe the boss just doesn’t like fish?!

He remembered that whenever he cooked for Shang Xuci, the dish the man touched the least was fish.

Hmm! It must not be the cat’s fault!

In less than a minute, Jian Xun had convinced himself. With his paws in his pockets, he slowly inched closer to Shang Xuci.

Then he felt a hand resting on his back.

Jian Xun immediately rubbed against it.

…

Noon.

Jian Xun delivered his carefully crafted fish mooncakes to Xiao Sanhua, Grandpa Hua, and the kitten. They all gave unanimous praise. Puffing out his chest, he proudly lifted his little cat face.

See? My cooking skills are just fine!

The cat, his confidence fully restored, strutted back with a proud and majestic air.

Back to accompany Shang Xuci for a nap.

Oh no—no lazy afternoons! I have to work hard and get our intimacy level up to 80!

Eyes shining with determination, the cat busily began mopping the floor and picking up loose fur.

Shen Huan came to visit. When she saw Sui Sui mopping the floor with a towel, her mouth dropped open in shock, and the mooncake box in her hand slipped to the floor.

“Oh my god! Sui Sui, you can actually do chores!!” Shen Huan exclaimed. She set the cat snacks on the counter, quickly pulled out her phone, and began taking pictures.

Click—click—

Not content with just photos, Shen Huan also recorded a few videos.

As she filmed, she felt an odd urge to cry. How could one cat be so different from another? She was just thankful her rebellious son didn’t even mess up the sheets—let alone do housework.

Shen Huan took a deep breath. This… this, isn’t it enviable?!

“You can’t possibly cook too, right? Woohoo…”

After the cat finished mopping the last patch of floor, he put the towel back in its place, folded it neatly, and reached out a paw toward her—as if asking her to take a photo.

Shen Huan sat on the living room sofa, biting her handkerchief fiercely.

Shang Xuci came downstairs and found her glaring at him resentfully.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Cousin, is this really your first time getting a cat?”

“Yeah.”

“What did you teach him? I just saw Sui Sui mopping the floor.”

Shang Xuci took a sip from his coffee, his tone faintly amused.

“The kitten learned on its own.” He paused, glanced toward the kitchen where the cat’s shadow moved, and added, “It has many skills.”

Just then, Jian Xun came over with a bag of mooncakes in his mouth. He set it in front of Shen Huan, filled the water dispenser with warm water, and called out to her.

Shen Huan froze, emotions churning.

Damn, now I want to steal the cat even more.

Flattered, she took the cup, curiously opened the bag, and took a sip—under Shang Xuci’s half-smile.

…The taste was indescribable.

With both menacingly expectant eyes fixed on her, Shen Huan swallowed it with gritted teeth.

She didn’t take a second sip.

“What’s this stuffed with?”

“Fish.”

“!!!”

Shang Xuci hadn’t told her it was made by a cat.

“What a weird cake. I don’t like it,” Shen Huan said, shaking her head.

But then she unintentionally met the cat’s gaze—his expression dimming as he stared at her—and quickly raised her voice. “This is delicious! There’s even a mooncake just for cats!”

Shen Huan opened one for him, but Jian Xun simply turned his face away.

Jian Xun scratched at the blanket, ignoring her. Another tasteless person!

He picked up the fish mooncake she had tossed aside and ate it right in front of her.

Shen Huan stared and said blankly, “It really is a cat.”

---

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Fang Xiuyuan finally murmured, “I understand.”

He clenched the can tightly in his hand, squeezing it until it was misshapen, and most of the carbonated drink fizzed out.

Leaning back in his chair, he opened a drawer and pulled out a medical record folder. Inside was a photo of Shang Xuci.

Shang Wei hadn’t been having a good time these past few days. The partners in the private room were all acquaintances—high-class people. They’d picked up some gossip from somewhere and were mocking him behind his back.

He’d never been particularly capable to begin with, and it was only thanks to his father-in-law’s loyal subordinates and talented people working at Shang’s that the family business remained stable.

Now that he’d lost face, frustration surged through him, and he wanted to vent. The best way to relax was to visit an entertainment venue.

A high-end club.

Shang Wei went out drinking with his buddies. As soon as he entered, a voluptuous woman approached and grabbed his hand. Her long hair brushed against his face. He touched his cheek, feeling a flicker of displeasure—but when he saw her beautiful face, his irritation instantly melted away.

“New here?” Shang Wei asked, stroking her smooth hand.

“Yes.”

“What’s your name?”

“Zhizhi. The ‘Zhi’ from Lingzhi.”

“First day on the job?”

“Yes.”

She had been bold and confident when she approached him earlier, but now her face flushed and her voice softened. She looked mature, yet carried a hint of youthful innocence. Shang Wei took a liking to her and asked a few more questions.

“Out of all the people just now, why did you choose me?”

“Because… because you look rich,” Zhizhi replied, blushing and stammering—clearly not used to lying.

Shang Wei immediately imagined that someone in her family must be sick and in desperate need of money, which was why she had come here. Her eyes were so pure, unlike those of the other women in the industry.

Accustomed to flattery, he found her honesty refreshing. That night, he ordered her exclusively and paid generously.

As they chatted, Zhizhi shyly buried her head in his arms, hiding the flicker of disgust in her eyes.

After he took her to a hotel room and promptly fell asleep like a dead pig, she reached for her phone to send a message.

Acting is so exhausting these days… but making money is even harder.

Turning off her phone, Zhizhi glanced at Shang Wei, rolled her eyes, got up naked, fetched her clothes, and went to shower.

As she moved, Shang Wei’s phone rang. He answered, spoke a few words, then hung up.

Zhizhi smiled again and asked if he wanted to shower. Shang Wei agreed.

The woman thoughtfully turned on the water for him.

Just a few minutes after Shang Wei entered the bathroom, his phone rang again. Zhizhi ignored it, playing with her own.

Ding—

The ringtone kept going, as if it wouldn’t stop unless someone picked up. Annoyed, she walked to the bathroom door, phone in hand.

“Brother Wei, your phone keeps ringing.”

Shang Wei turned down the water and said nonchalantly, “Please answer it for me.”

That guy—hadn’t he said he wouldn’t invest? And now he was calling nonstop. Shang Wei was already considering blocking him.

“Hello, Mr. Shang is in the shower and can’t answer right now. You can call him later,” Zhizhi said, not even bothering to ask the caller’s name before hanging up.

Before she could even set the phone down, the same number flashed on the screen again.

“Who are you? Why are you answering my father’s call?” a young man on the other end demanded, his tone sharp and venomous.

Zhizhi didn’t reply.

She simply listened as the young man continued to scold her.

When Shang Wei came out, she handed him the phone. “Someone claiming to be your son just called you.”

She then picked up her bag, maintaining a professional distance. After leaving a business card, she said, “Mr. Shang, I’ll be leaving now.”

Shang Wei nodded and immediately called Shang Yi.

The moment Shang Yi answered, he launched into a barrage of accusations—demanding to know why Shang Wei had treated his mother that way and how his brother was now gone.

Shang Wei coaxed him a few times, not bothering to explain.

Shang Yi hung up and turned to his mother, anger in his voice. “How could he do this to you?”

The whole family had kept the truth from him. Shang Yi only learned of his mother’s accident after finishing filming his guest role.

He rushed over, but Xu Rong was evasive and her father remained indifferent. The young master was furious.

Xu Rong was still recovering in the hospital. Seeing Shang Yi’s concern warmed her heart, and she didn’t want to bring up the miscarriage again.

That night, someone else returned home.

She knew Shang Xuci had done it on purpose—deliberately letting Shang Wei catch him cheating… Xu Rong closed her eyes.

If she had known, she never should have let Shang Xuci go.

A glint of malice flashed in her eyes. She blamed Shang Xuci for her miscarriage and only told Fang Xiuyuan about it.

Shang Yi was still too young, and she didn’t want to drag her son into this—he couldn’t stand up to Shang Xuci.

Xu Rong deliberately changed the subject. “Do you have any plans after filming?”

“Yes!” Shang Yi, sitting beside her, pulled out his phone and showed her some photos. “Look—the organizers of this sea concert have invited me.”

The sea concert was a charity fundraiser jointly organized by renowned music associations from home and abroad. It invited celebrities and acclaimed musicians from all walks of life who loved music to gather on a luxury cruise ship for a musical “exhibition.”

Performing at such an event would showcase Shang Yi’s talent, and Xu Rong was genuinely happy for him.

What she couldn’t figure out was whether Shen Feng would actually allow her son to participate.

Yinfeng Entertainment.

Shen Huan took the elevator, carrying two bags filled with cat treats and toys. When she entered, she saw the elite-looking man, Fu Qian, and greeted him with a smile.

Fu Qian glanced at the items in her hands and paused. “The boss has been helping Sui Sui lose weight lately.”

After a month on set, all the gym visits had gone to waste—Shen Huan had put on weight in all the wrong places, and the kitten had grown into a plump-faced cat.

As the boss’s assistant, Fu Qian had personally bought cat supplies and kept them in the office. Freeze-dried cookies and dried fish—known as the “three dry things”—were lined up on his desk. They had successfully helped him bridge the gap with Sui Sui. Now, the cat was always at the boss’s beck and call, and Fu Qian often accompanied him on visits to the esports floor.

“Huh? Is my cousin really that strict with Sui Sui?” Shen Huan asked. Last time, she hadn’t supervised the cat well enough, which led to Sui Sui getting hurt. Shang Xuci hadn’t blamed her, but she still felt guilty. Buying food and toys for the cat was the only way she could think to make it up to him.

Even after stocking up, Shen Huan didn’t give up. When she entered the CEO’s office and didn’t see her cousin, Sui Sui came running over, drawn by the scent, and pawed at the plastic bag.

When Shen Huan saw the cat in its little skirt, his gaze shifted to its backside, and his nose prickled with emotion. He didn’t dare touch the cat, so instead, he opened the bag and said, “Take a look—see what you want, and I’ll open it for you.”

Jian Xun inspected the snacks, sniffing here and there, pushing most aside until he finally placed a paw on a bag of dried fish.

“Meow.”

I want this.

Shen Huan immediately took out a cat-shaped plastic plate, tore open the bag, and placed the dried fish on it.

Jian Xun inhaled deeply, began chewing with enthusiasm, and glanced toward the door.

Lately, his stash of dried fish at home had been running low. Little Sanhua and Sanhua’s grandfather also loved them. As a cat who respected the elderly, loved the young, and enjoyed sharing, Sui Sui had quickly emptied his stockpile of snacks.

Shang Xuci knew cat treats were hard to hide. Since Sui Sui ate too much every day, he stopped buying dried fish altogether. Now, the cat could only rely on people on set or at the company to feed him.

But enjoying being fed came at a price—being petted, being cuddled. Even Fu Qian, a cold-faced, intimidating man, would secretly rub him a few times. Clearly, no dried fish came for free.

He could tolerate all of this.

Even kisses—though those, he only wanted from the boss.

This was a cat virtue Jian Xun had memorized.

“Wawawa~”

The white cat sighed contentedly as he ate.

Recently, Shang Xuci had announced at the company that no one was allowed to feed Sui Sui at will. Jian Xun hadn’t eaten this heartily in a long time. He transformed into a digging machine, gobbling down everything, and by the time the boss returned, there would be nothing left.

If Shen Huan hadn’t seen the auto-feeder upon entering, he would have thought Sui Sui had been starving for days. Watching the cat absorbed in its snacks, he couldn’t help but say, “Take your time—these are all yours.”

Hearing this, Jian Xun ate even faster, scooping up the remaining treats and hiding them in various corners. Then he drank some water, licked his mouth, and began grooming his fur.

By the time Shang Xuci returned, the cat had returned to its pristine state and was curled up in Shen Huan’s arms, asleep.

Shen Huan was deeply moved by Sui Sui’s adorableness. Holding the cat, he took out an invitation.

“My dad is having a concert in Shanghai, and he’d like to invite you to join him.”

“He’s back home? I thought he was staying with Auntie?”

“My mom is planning to return to China soon. She supports my dad in this endeavor,” Shen Huan said. “I never imagined he’d come back with a concert—or a luxury cruise. Cousin, why don’t you come with me and see it?”

“Really? Working every day is exhausting—both mentally and physically. And you have a cat. You should relax and take care of yourself.” Shen Huan rubbed the cat’s paws until they spread like little blossoms, then lowered his head and said to Jian Xun, “Isn’t that right, Sui Sui?”

Jian Xun complied.

He had to juggle work and school, and then still play with his cat when he got home. Wasn’t that right?

Shang Xuci looked at the cat with a gentle gaze, twirling the pen in his hand before shifting his eyes to Shen Huan. “Is my uncle’s birthday coming up soon?”

Shen Huan smiled. “Yes, it’s a concert at sea.”

“Okay, I’ll go.”

Although he wasn’t interested in music, his uncle Shen Xiu and his family—who had emigrated abroad—had always been very kind to him. He hadn’t seen them in a long time.

“Great.” Shen Huan waved the cat’s arm and asked eagerly, “Will you bring Sui Sui?”

Jian Xun suddenly looked up at Shang Xuci with bright, expectant eyes.

“Mia mia mia!”

He blinked his big, watery eyes, his voice sweet and pleading, staring at him intently—as if he’d burst into tears if he said no.

Shang Xuci tapped the table lightly, and Jian Xun turned into a flash of white lightning, springing to his feet.

He stretched out his claws, hooking them into Shang Xuci’s expensive suit pants.

Rubbing against his leg. Clinging.

“Stop it.” The man pinched the cat’s pink paw pads.

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

Fu Qian walked in carrying coffee and milk tea. He placed one cup on the boss’s desk and handed the milk tea to Shen Huan. Then he turned around and, out of Shang Xuci’s line of sight, gestured to the cat.

Jian Xun, already enjoying Fu Qian’s company, understood immediately. He stopped clinging and casually followed Fu Qian out.

“Wait here.”

Fu Qian walked out into the office area. Employees who had been gathered in groups, chatting and slacking off, immediately turned back to their workstations, typing so fast their keyboards were practically on fire.

The administrative office instantly fell silent.

Everyone exhaled in relief once he passed.

Secretary Fu was ice-cold. No one had ever seen him smile, and no one had ever seen him take a lunch break. Rumor had it that he boxed in the company gym. Beneath his tailored, elite attire was a muscular build. Combined with his perpetually expressionless face, his “badass” aura was only amplified, making him look even more intimidating.

A loner who only talked about work, Yinfeng Entertainment employees had only two impressions of him: “Not easy to mess with” and “The boss’s man.”

Fu Qian didn’t care what others thought. He grabbed two cat plates from his workstation and headed to the CEO’s office lounge.

He squatted down and poured some milk and cat biscuits.

“Eat.” Fu Qian nudged the plates toward the cats. “Good boy, good boy.”

Jian Xun had just finished the dried fish Shen Huan had given him, and now he began to chew his food slowly, licking his chest afterward.

Then he stood up and patted Fu Qian’s hand. Without hesitation, Fu Qian took out a comb and began grooming the cat’s fur.

Was this… the legendary “cold-faced male mother”?

Jian Xun closed his eyes in bliss.

Mmm… I’ll have to get the boss to give Secretary Fu a raise!!

The cat under his hands purred with pleasure. If an employee had walked in with documents at that moment and seen Fu Qian’s sinister smile, they would have screamed.

Meanwhile, Shen Huan was still describing the sea concert her father had organized, mumbling, “I don’t understand why he sent an invitation to Shang Yi. Didn’t he know…”

Shang Xuci interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “Was Shang Yi invited by your father too?”

“Yes,” Shen Huan replied helplessly, spreading her hands. She had also learned an instrument. When she was younger, she and Shang Yi had taken exams together, and both had been described as “mediocre”—technically competent but with no emotional connection.

Her father was very strict when it came to his profession. To impress him meant someone was truly skilled. Was Shang Yi really that impressive now?

Shen Huan was still lost in thought when Shang Xuci pulled out his phone and sent a message to Tang Manwen. A moment later, a reply came.

Shang Xuci’s lips curled faintly. This would make the concert much less boring.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a cat slipping in through a crack in the door. It expertly hooked its hind legs to close the door and strutted toward him, tail raised high like an antenna.

“Is Sui Sui’s filming almost finished?”

Shen Huan nodded. “Yes, in the next two days.”

“Very good.” Shang Xuci’s gaze stayed locked on the white cat.

He spotted milk foam on the cat’s mouth and a suspicious speck of biscuit crumb. His narrow eyes narrowed even further.

Fu Qian, who had just finished washing the cat’s handkerchief, noticed his boss’s gaze and immediately spotted the “evidence” on the cat’s mouth. He strode over quickly and wiped the milk foam away with the handkerchief.

“Mee~”

The lion cat blinked its large, innocent eyes. Once Fu Qian withdrew his hand, it turned its back to Shang Xuci and licked its lips, then its paws.

What a close call! I was almost caught.

Secretary Fu, why didn’t you wipe Mie’s mouth before Mie came in?

The cat meowed at Fu Qian.

Fu Qian folded the handkerchief and tucked it into his pocket. Looking down at the cat, he said sternly, “You’re welcome.”

Jian Xun: “…”

That afternoon, Shen Huan took Jian Xun to a performance.

Today’s scene took place in the fields. The protagonist’s family faced their first rebellion. The wife fled with the cat, stumbling into the fields. The cat bravely defended its master, taking an arrow to the leg, but the protagonist arrived just in time.

This was the cat’s most action-packed scene yet, making it quite challenging. Fortunately, Jian Xun was an exceptionally intelligent and clever cat. Under the guidance of his martial arts coach, he executed each move in the script with precision.

The fake fall, however, had to be repeated several times. His snow-white fur became caked with mud, turning the white lion cat into a mud cat.

Shaking off dirt and gravel, and despite wearing a skirt, he fixed the masked men with a majestic glare—body low, fur bristling, and a low, warning growl rumbling in his throat.

The warning didn’t work. The cat charged forward, launching himself at the villains, slashing with sharp claws and darting around with agility.

An arrow whistled through the air, aimed at the wife, who was sitting on the ground with a sprained ankle. The cat leapt to block it.

The arrow pierced his right leg. He let out a cry of pain and collapsed, fainting from the injury. Horrified, the lady scrambled over and gathered him into her arms.

The sound of horse hooves thundered behind them as the hero appeared—silver spear in hand—rushing to their aid…

Crack!

The “injured” cat instantly sprang back to life, leaping from the lady’s arms and bounding straight to Shen Huan to eat some freeze-dried treats.

Kang Gai gave him a thumbs-up.

“Sui Sui is amazing!” Shen Huan praised.

If only her kitten could act in a real movie—her mother would be overjoyed!

The shoot wrapped at four in the afternoon. Shen Huan took the cat home, promising to bring plenty of dried fish next time she visited.

Jian Xun, touched by her thoughtfulness, clung to her for a long time before seeing her out.

After sending Shen Huan off, he ran to the courtyard to play with his pet, then returned just in time to wait outside for Shang Xuci to come home.

He glanced down at his feet—they were caked in mud.

Jian Xun couldn’t bring himself to lick them. He decided he’d wipe them with a wet tissue first, then give them a proper cleaning at home.

Five-thirty.

Shang Xuci arrived.

As he pushed open the courtyard door, a cat’s meow greeted him.

“Meow~”

Shang Xuci looked up. The white cat with a small, variegated face met his gaze. Its expression was blank, hind legs spread wide but tucked discreetly behind its gray front paws.

“Mia~”

You’re back!

The lion cat knew he was filthy, so for once he refrained from rushing over to rub against Shang Xuci’s legs. Under the boss’s gaze, he looked embarrassed and gave a quiet shiver.

“How did you get so dirty?” Shang Xuci asked as he took out his key and unlocked the door.

Jian Xun followed him inside and squatted obediently by the entrance, waiting for the man to wipe his feet.

After about two minutes, Shang Xuci returned, now in light home clothes. He wore a black apron and carried a small stool in one hand. Setting the stool down by the door, he picked up the cat and held him in his arms. He began wiping his paws with a pink handkerchief, checking the rest of his body as he went.

Jian Xun tilted his head toward Shang Xuci’s stomach, staring curiously at the black apron with a cat pattern. He stretched out a paw and pressed down on it.

What’s this?

What a huge bump.

Does the boss have a little belly too?

With mischievous intent, he pressed harder and stomped down.

The man hissed in pain and groaned, “Don’t move.”

Shang Xuci quickly pinched the cat’s paw.

Jian Xun: Meow?

He glanced carefully at where he had stepped.

It seemed to be… his crotch. !!!

Realizing what he’d done, the cat bolted, darting into the cardboard box…

---

“Mia~” A low whisper echoed, and the cat’s nose blushed slightly.

The cat felt the guilt of being caught doing something wrong.

Shang Xuci picked up the cat and, without even glancing back toward the room, typed a few words on his phone with an expressionless face before driving home with the cat.

The lights on the third floor remained on.

Half an hour later, a Rolls-Royce pulled up to the garage, and the person who got out was none other than Shang Wei.

The two had just finished, and Xu Rong lay on the bed, trying to persuade him to stay.

“Xiuyuan, it’s late. You should just stay here tonight.”

Fang Xiuyuan shook his head. “No. The longer I stay, the more danger you’ll be in. I’d better go back to my room.”

“It’s always like this,” Xu Rong muttered. She wanted nothing more than to sleep in her beloved’s arms until dawn.

Fang Xiuyuan put on his underwear and gently kissed her forehead. “I’ll wait until next time you come to my house.”

Xu Rong reached for her phone and complained, “Shang Wei won’t be home today.”

She opened the tracking app she had secretly installed for her husband, ready to show him—when she noticed the dot was already near Shang Wei’s old house. Her face suddenly changed.

Xu Rong threw back the covers and hurriedly gathered her husband’s things.

“Shang Wei’s back.”

Fang Xiuyuan quickly put on his shoes and grabbed his belongings. “Didn’t he say he wouldn’t be back?”

“Now’s not the time for that. Go.”

Xu Rong nudged him toward the stairs while she quickly cleaned up both the house and herself.

She stood by the bed, watching the man leave safely. Breathing a sigh of relief, she gathered her clothes and put on another coat.

How could Shang Wei have come back so suddenly? Xu Rong sat at the dressing table, her gaze fixed on her phone. The two location markers drew closer and closer until they overlapped.

She closed her eyes and turned off the phone.

Shang Wei’s expression was grim. He hurried into the elevator, pressed the button for the third floor, and went straight to the bedroom.

Bang—

The door was kicked open.

Xu Rong looked startled, turned toward the man, and feigned surprise.

“Husband, you’re back? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her delicate, chastising tone did nothing to endear her to him.

Shang Wei snorted coldly.

“Telling you so your lover can escape?”

He strode into the room and began searching everywhere.

Under the bed, in the closet, behind the curtains, under the desk—anywhere a person could hide—he looked with a sullen expression.

Xu Rong didn’t dare move. Tugging at the hem of her clothes, she asked in an aggrieved tone, “What do you mean by this?”

Catching the scent of alcohol on him, she offered gently, “You’ve had too much to drink. I’ll go downstairs and make you some sobering soup.”

Unable to find anyone, Shang Wei grew even angrier. He glared at her.

“I’m not drunk. I don’t need it.”

“You brought a man home.”

It wasn’t a question—it was an accusation.

Xu Rong’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and denied it.

“No.”

Shang Wei narrowed his eyes.

“Do you want me to take you to see the surveillance footage?”

There were no cameras in the bedroom, but there were in the garden and at the main entrance—anyone entering would have been caught on video.

He grabbed her hand and started pulling her toward the door.

“You’re hurting me,” Xu Rong bristled.

Shang Wei turned back, his voice icy.

“Take off your clothes.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She clutched her hand tightly, tears welling in her eyes.

“You don’t believe me?”

Shang Wei’s tone was grim.

“Since you don’t want to talk and don’t want to see the evidence, I’ll use the simplest and most brutal method.”

Earlier that evening, during an important dinner, someone had knocked on the door and—right in front of several company CEOs—told him he was being cuckolded and urged him to go home and catch the adulterer.

His face had darkened. The others stayed to watch the drama unfold, while he forced himself to remain calm and feign ignorance. But inside, a storm of images ripped through his mind.

Excusing himself to the bathroom, he had in fact been seething. He hadn’t even called Xu Rong. The housekeeper told him that his mistress had given him the day off—his suspicions deepened.

Shang Wei was adept at catching lies. From the moment he entered the bedroom, he had smelled something unfamiliar.

It wasn’t Xu Rong’s scent.

When she refused to undress, he took matters into his own hands, practically tearing her clothes off.

Xu Rong had never been treated this way before. Ever since she became pregnant, Shang Wei had always been patient with her and treated her with respect.

She clutched her belly, resisting fiercely, using the baby as leverage, sobbing as she begged him to stop.

He had drunk heavily at the banquet, and though he could usually hold his liquor, tonight he acted like a man possessed, heedless of his words or actions.

Xu Rong was shoved onto the bed, her fear turning to terror. After Fang Xiuyuan left, she had not had time to shower—only to wipe herself hastily—praying Shang Wei wouldn’t touch her.

But the very thing she feared… happened.

Shang Wei, like a madman, began his rough “inspection.”

…

Shang Xuci’s house.

As soon as the man unlocked the door, Jian Xun jumped out of his arms and squeezed through the gap. He looked up at Shang Xuci obediently, waiting for him to bring out the special foot towel for cats.

It was a snow-white square handkerchief embroidered with a few small pink plum blossoms.

Shang Xuci held out his hand, and Jian Xun placed his paw in it without hesitation, watching intently as the handsome man focused on wiping his feet.

The cat couldn’t help but purr.

“The other one.”

The little white cat lifted his left front paw cooperatively.

When it came to his hind legs, he lay on the ground, tail tucked in, shyly covering his balls while stretching his legs to make them look longer.

A cat wearing a little skirt—so long as it didn’t flare up and reveal the bald spot—wouldn’t draw anyone’s attention to its rear.

But his kitten was clearly shy.

After wiping his feet clean, Shang Xuci gave the cat’s plump, perky butt a rather inappropriate pat and said, “Alright, come in.”

Jian Xun turned to look at him in disbelief.

You actually patted that vulnerable spot!!

Before he could even glare at him, the man—taking advantage of his long legs—was already inside.

The cat stamped his feet.

…

The next day, Shang Xuci learned from Gu Ming that Xu Rong had been hospitalized.

Xu Rong’s child was gone.

Gu Ming gossiped as he spoke.

During the physical examination, he had asked what had happened. Xu Rong looked grim and hesitated for a long time. Under Shang Wei’s cold glare, she told Old man Shang that it had been an accident—she had slipped and fallen down the stairs.

The bruises on Xu Rong’s body did match injuries from a fall. At first, Gu Ming dismissed any suspicion. But later, while examining her lower body, he discovered signs of intense sexual activity. While this alone wouldn’t necessarily harm the child, he had overheard Shang Wei muttering about “infidelity” and “cuckoldry,” and began to suspect that Xu Rong’s miscarriage wasn’t as simple as she claimed.

Of course, it was a family matter. After Shen Yanran’s death, his family had cut ties with Shang Wei. If it weren’t for Shang Xuci, Gu Ming wouldn’t have paid it any attention—there were plenty of such cases.

Curiously, Gu Ming asked, “Who wrote the report?”

Shang Xuci, reviewing the document in front of him, typed: “Me.”

Gu Ming: ???

…

Hua Pai Shu Nursing Home.

Xu Rong lay on the hospital bed, flanked by two men.

She looked deeply saddened. Shang Jue knew she valued the child more than anyone else, and, given her advanced maternal age, such a loss would take a serious toll on her health. Not wanting to pressure her further, he offered a few words of comfort and told Shang Wei to take good care of his wife before leaving.

Shang Wei held his breath. He had drunk too much the night before and hadn’t considered the consequences. But his actions had confirmed one thing—Xu Rong had indeed betrayed him.

That realization made him question whether the child she had been carrying was even his.

But it was a life, after all. He still remembered how much he had once longed for the birth of this child. Although he hadn’t slept with Xu Rong, he often rubbed her belly and lay beside her whenever he had the time.

Anything else could have been fake, but his genuine affection for the child was real.

Shang Wei thought back to what Xu Rong had said the night before.

She had accused him of having affairs, and now this had happened. Xu Rong hadn’t told Old Man Shang that he was the one who pushed her down the stairs. Because of that, Shang Wei relented and compromised.

“The child is gone. You should take good care of yourself. I’ll pretend nothing happened last night.” Shang Wei lifted the blanket over her, staring at the woman and speaking slowly, each word deliberate. “I don’t care who he is, and I won’t investigate. But you must break up with him.”

“If there’s a next time, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do,” Shang Wei warned.

Deep down, he couldn’t tolerate betrayal. Perhaps he only admired Xu Rong’s face, which resembled his ex-wife’s in her youth. Perhaps it was her delicate and considerate nature, which catered to his chauvinistic streak in a way Shen Yanran never had. His true feelings for Xu Rong weren’t love; at best, she was like a well-behaved child he had raised—pleasing to the eye and obedient.

Xu Rong remained silent. Once Shang Wei discovered her affair, the child would be sent for a paternity test. She knew that when he saw the results, he wouldn’t let her go—he would divorce her and all her efforts would be for nothing.

Abortion had been the best option.

What a pity.

For now, she could only insist that the poor child had been Shang Wei’s.

After Shang Wei left, Xu Rong clutched the bed sheets tightly, her eyes filling with resentment.

She had always kept track of her husband’s whereabouts; that was why she’d dared to call Fang Xiuyuan over. But Shang Wei’s return had been so sudden, it was as if someone had deliberately tipped him off.

Who could it be? Xu Rong frowned. She had given the servants the night off, so even if someone had seen what was happening, they wouldn’t have dared report it to Shang Wei without her permission…

Just as she was pondering this, Fang Xiuyuan called.

Xu Rong’s eyes welled up.

“Shang Wei knows about us,” she said sadly. “I’m sorry… we couldn’t save the baby.”

---

Shang Xuci smiled faintly, stroking the cat’s head with his cold fingertips.

Yes—nothing about the Shang family mattered to him. Based on his experience from his past life alone, he could toy with every single member of the Shang family.

However, in that past life, everything he had was fought for with his own hands. In this life, he refused to be manipulated by anyone. What he wanted, he would obtain personally.

After dinner, Shang Jue played with the cat in the living room. When it got late, he said to Shang Xuci,
“I know you’ve been busy lately, so I won’t keep you here at the old house. You—and the cat—will keep me, an old man who fears loneliness, company.”

Shang Xuci: “…”

Shang Yi sat obediently on the other side. Seeing that a cat had stolen his favor, he gritted his teeth and said sourly, “If Grandpa likes this kind of lion cat, I’ll buy you one. Why steal my second brother’s?”

After saying this, he glanced at Shang Xuci.

Shang Jue shook his head. “You don’t understand. Raising a cat depends on chemistry. Sui Sui and I get along, so I like him.”

Teasing the incredibly adorable cat, his voice softened: “Isn’t that right, Sui Sui?”

As if by magic, he pulled out another small red envelope.

The little white cat’s soft, tender voice grew even louder.

“Meow~”

Grandpa, you truly are my family!

For the first time, Jian Xun used the same technique he reserved only for the elder—on the old man.

Sui Sui’s number one masseur is online—!!

The little white cat expertly placed his front paws on Shang Jue’s legs, kneading them with a gentle touch.

Shang Jue was surprised, then said cheerfully, “See? The little one knows how to care for Grandpa and give massages. His technique is clearly professional!”

He looked at Shang Xuci with a hint of envy.

“Does he usually treat you like this?”

Shang Xuci raised an eyebrow slightly.

More than that.

Sui Sui would learn much more.

“Alright, here’s the deal. Sui Sui, play with Grandpa for two more days, and Grandpa will give you a big red envelope. How about it?”

Jian Xun responded without hesitation.

“Meow!”

Shang Xuci saw that the cat had already been corrupted by money, and his lips curved slightly.

How could such a small cat love money so much?

Walking over, Shang Xuci squatted down and looked the cat in the eye.

“Then stay here with Grandpa and don’t run around. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night.”

“Meow.”

Shang Jue, seeing the usually serious Shang Xuci being so gentle, found the scene heartwarming. He thought to himself, Sui Sui really is special. He should stay for a few more days!

Ah, what a mistake.

Jian Xun was very obedient at the Shang residence, even seeming to actively curry favor with Shang Jue.

He thought of himself as the boss’s cat—if he behaved well and acted sensibly, Grandpa would like him more and, in turn, care for Shang Xuci more.

In the story, Shang Xuci had climbed the corporate ladder of the Shang Group, reaching the pinnacle of power. But now, Jian Xun couldn’t understand why the boss seemed less invested in the group’s headquarters.

Was it because Grandpa was unwilling to delegate power?

But among the younger generation of the Shang family, Shang Xuci was the only one capable of competing.

Jian Xun’s cat brain had limited capacity, so he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he spent the entire day being adorable under Grandpa’s watchful eye, keeping Shang Jue entertained.

…

Five o’clock, Sunday afternoon.

The snow-white cat, tail held high, trotted toward the door with an elegant feline gait.

He sat obediently at the entrance, gazing down the cobblestone path, ears twitching, eyes fixed expectantly ahead.

He was waiting for Shang Xuci to pick him up.

Until the sun set and the clock tower struck six, the winding path remained deserted. The cat’s legs were numb from squatting there.

That evening, Shang Jue had a party to attend. He wanted to bring Sui Sui along to show him off, but the cat’s body language made it clear he refused, intent on waiting for someone.

It went without saying who that someone was.

Shang Xuci had also called earlier, saying he would pick up Sui Sui later.

The old man, seeing he couldn’t persuade him, brought over a cushion and placed it beside the cat.

“Sui Sui, Grandpa’s going out. Are you really not coming with me? I even had someone prepare a special cat cake,” Shang Jue coaxed.

Jian Xun held onto the door frame with his paws, showing his determination.

Shang Jue sighed regretfully.

“Is that so? Then Grandpa’s leaving. Xiao Ci will pick you up later.”

Hearing this, the little white cat wagged his tail, sending the old man off. Then he turned away and found a secluded corner of the garden to relieve himself.

Xu Rong stood by the window, looking down. When she saw the old man and the cat disappear into the garden, she confirmed with the gate guard, dismissed the servants, and made a call on her cell phone.

…

Night fell, and the vast manor grew silent.

Jian Xun lay on the silk cat mat Shang Jue had prepared for him. He rolled over and let out a sigh.

Without his cardboard box and without Shang Xuci, he simply couldn’t sleep.

I miss the boss so much.

I wonder if he’s asleep… if he’s taken his medicine… if he misses Sui Sui.

Will he pick me up tonight?

Or did he just forget?

The cat’s beautiful eyes stayed fixed on the door as he let out a sigh.

If only he were human—then he could call the boss and ask when he’d be back.

Jian Xun silently recited the familiar numbers in his mind.

Suddenly, a thought struck him. There’s a phone upstairs!

He might be a cat, but even a cat could call Shang Xuci!

I’m so smart!

Jian Xun excitedly clenched his paw, eyes sparkling, and scurried upstairs.

…

Third floor.

Xu Rong had her own room.

Fang Xiuyuan, medical kit in hand, knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

He pushed the door open and saw a woman in a lace halter dress, reclining seductively on a Simmons bed. Her legs gleamed pale under the light, and her eyes were bright and inviting.

“Didn’t you say you had a stomachache?”

Why did she look so… flirty?

Xu Rong met his gaze with a faint smile and gently stroked her slightly bulging belly.

“The baby wants to see his father, and his mother wants to have a deeper conversation. Is that okay?”

Fang Xiuyuan glanced around the room, his brows knitting together.

“Don’t worry,” Xu Rong said, stepping forward slowly. “It’s just the two of us in this yard today, and there’s no surveillance in the room.”

“Grandpa’s out, Shang Wei’s out of town, and Shang Yi’s at school.” She traced circles on the man’s chest with her fingers. “Here, it’s just you and me.”

Fang Xiuyuan finally relaxed his guard. With a gentle motion, he caressed her belly, lowering his head and whispering, “So the stomachache was really just an excuse? Or do you actually miss me?”

“You’re a doctor—you’d know best.” Xu Rong wrapped her arms around him, breathing in his scent with longing.

Since she became pregnant, Shang Wei hadn’t touched her. She knew he was having affairs, and as a wife, she was naturally upset. Why should only men be allowed to cheat, but not women?

If her husband was enjoying himself outside, then she would enjoy herself at home.

Especially with a man as capable as this one.

Xu Rong was truly hungry for intimacy and began moving her hands over him.

Fang Xiuyuan caught her hand and said gently, “Wait. Let me examine you first.”

“I’m fine. I only told the old man that so I could see you.” Xu Rong pointed to her belly and teased, “This little brat just loves to cause trouble. Do you think it’s because A Yuan was also naughty when he was little?”

Only in front of Fang Xiuyuan did Xu Rong show her genuine, affectionate wifely side. At first, she and Fang Xiuyuan had been drawn together purely by physical attraction, but over more than a decade of knowing each other, they had developed a real emotional bond.

Fang Xiuyuan was already over forty—a late-born child in his family. He valued this baby greatly, and so did Xu Rong.

…

Jian Xun headed straight for the second-floor living room, where the phone was kept. Spotting the vintage black rotary phone, his eyes lit up, and he hopped over on his short legs.

Jumping onto the table, he silently recited:

135xxxx9327

Jian Xun stared at the phone for a moment. Then, feeling slightly nervous, he reached out with his paw and began dialing the number.

…

At a high-end restaurant—

Shang Xuci shook hands with his business partner. Fu Qian opened the door, and the representatives from both sides walked out together. Out of the corner of his eye, Shang Xuci caught sight of a familiar figure.

“Is that Shang Wei?”

Fu Qian also noticed and nodded.

“It’s President Shang.”

Wasn’t he supposed to be on a business trip? Why was he back?

And… he was hugging a woman.

Fu Qian didn’t dare ask, but seeing his boss staring at Mr. Shang, he ventured, “Should we go over? The man next to him looks like the head of Aishile.”

“Xu Yuan?”

“I think so. I’ve only seen him once.”

Shang Xuci narrowed his eyes, pursed his lips, and started walking toward them.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

He paused and pulled it out—it was a call from the old house. More than once, in fact. Who would be calling him from a landline at this hour?

A slender finger slid to the right, and a pale fingertip tapped to connect the call.

“Hello?”

“Meow, meow, meow, meow!! Woo“

Shang Xuci froze.

Fu Qian and a female employee behind him exchanged glances. Had they just heard… a cat meowing?

…

At the Shang old house

Jian Xun had called several times, but the other party hadn’t answered.

Beep, beep—

“Hello?”

Upon hearing that familiar, melodious voice, Jian Xun meowed excitedly.

“Meow—”

You finally picked up!

“Meow, meow, meow?!!!!”

It’s Sui Sui! Why haven’t you come to pick me up yet?

Shang Xuci couldn’t understand the words, but he could hear the aggrieved tone, the rhythmic cadences of the meows—clearly urging him to come home.

Great, you’ve learned how to use the phone now.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He gestured to Fu Qian, who understood and immediately called for a driver from the nearby parking lot.

The female employee nudged Fu Qian’s shoulder and whispered, “The boss is smiling. Who’s he talking to? He looks so happy… his expression is so gentle.”

Fu Qian just shook his head.

Don’t gossip about the boss.

“Sui Sui, good boy. I’ll be back right away. Wait twenty minutes.”

At his gentle tone, Jian Xun’s voice grew even more coquettish—soft, slow, and tinged with sweet playfulness.

“Meow, mua~”

This was the first time Shang Xuci had ever received a phone call from a cat, and he immediately hit the record button.

The image flashed through his mind: the cat dialing numbers, paws neatly placed in his lap, tail twitching slightly. His little face must have been full of excitement, right? Or maybe pouting when he felt wronged?

It was a strange, yet oddly pleasant feeling.

The three of them left the restaurant together. Fu Qian’s strides were longer than before, his pace noticeably faster.

…

After hanging up, Jian Xun sighed and sat on the table, staring down at his soft white belly.

Twenty minutes…

He should be here after a nap, right?

Adjusting his posture, he curled up on the table, paws tucked neatly in his lap, and prepared to sleep.

I’m so hungry! I want dried fish! When I get home, I’ll eat some cat food… and then steal a few snacks.

Smacking his lips, the little white cat hugged his tail and closed his eyes.

Outside the window, the breeze rustled the leaves—a refreshing night wind that occasionally brushed against the glass. The patterned, translucent curtains swayed gently, casting shifting shadows on the wall.

From time to time, the cat’s ears twitched, as if listening to the wind… and to footsteps.

The moonlight filtered through the curtains, draping the cat’s snow-white fur in a silver sheen, adding a quiet warmth and serenity to the dim room.

The sound of hurried footsteps upstairs roused Jian Xun. He rolled over, stretched, yawned, stood, shook out his fur, and pricked his ears.

There was movement upstairs.

Is it the boss?

Then he remembered—he hadn’t told Shang Xuci where he was waiting. Could the boss already be here?

Jumping to the ground, Maomao prepared to head upstairs.

Xu Rong finished her shower, her eyes fixed on Fang Xiuyuan as he examined her. Sometimes she wondered what it would be like if she divorced Shang Wei and lived with Fang Xiuyuan instead.

They wouldn’t be as wealthy as they were now, but perhaps life would be a simpler kind of happiness.

Still, she wanted more—better—for herself and for their child. Shang Yi needed Shang Wei’s wealth, and the one in her belly needed it even more.

Fang Xiuyuan was intelligent, and she was no less capable herself. Their child would surely be just as smart. By the time the old man died, Shang Ye’s abilities would be limited, and Shang Wei—that lustful, wine-soaked dandy—would eventually wear himself out. Shang Yi would eventually fall into her hands.

The only variable was Shang Xuci.

The old man clearly had high hopes for him.

For now, Shang Ye could still compete with him, but once Shang Xuci grew up, the child in her belly would have far fewer chances.

“Will the poison you gave Shang Xuci really wear him down? When I saw him this time, he seemed even more radiant and full of energy.”

Fang Xiuyuan paused, his gaze dropping slightly.

“All medicine is toxic. He’s been taking it since he was a child, and you’ve seen the effects. It’s just that he hasn’t been getting it from me lately.”

“Do you think he knows something?” Xu Rong asked, her voice tinged with worry. She recalled how he had looked at her—like she was already dead—when they visited the flower tree. Every time she met his gaze, a chill ran down her spine.

“What does he know? What could he know? The prescription was prepared exactly as the old man requested.” A sinister glint flashed in Fang Xiuyuan’s eyes. “If you want to blame someone, blame the old man.”

Outside the door, Maomao’s eyes widened as he eavesdropped.

He nudged the door open just enough to peek inside. Through the crack, he saw Xu Rong sitting by the bed, and a man standing with his back to him.

It was clearly Xu Rong’s bedroom. The man wasn’t Shang Wei. Could this be Doctor Fang Xiuyuan—the one she was having an affair with? Maomao craned his neck for a better look. He had never seen Fang Xiuyuan before. What did he look like to make Xu Rong so taken with him?

The two were sitting close together, their heads inclined toward each other.

“Well, let’s not talk about this anymore.” Xu Rong reached over to turn on the record player, then slipped her arm around the man’s waist.

The room filled with elegant, pleasant music—not loud enough to drown out the sounds she would soon make.

Fang Xiuyuan didn’t refuse again. One arm circled her, while the other began unbuttoning his shirt.

The next scene made the little white cat’s jaw drop. He straightened up, eyes wide in shock.

Oh my god, they’re eating mouths!!

In his previous life, Jian Xun had only just reached adulthood. He had no experience with this sort of thing, no knowledge, and had never even seen a movie. This live performance left him completely at a loss—both confused and curious.

…

Shang Xuci drove back to the old house, finding it empty except for the security guard at the gate.

No—there were still lights on the third floor.

As was his custom, the cat liked to wait for him at the door.

He stepped inside but didn’t see the cat. Shang Xuci went to the telephone room on the second floor—still no sign of him.

Quietly, he walked up to the third floor.

The dim orange light in the hallway was on. Shang Xuci glanced over and saw his cat standing in front of his stepmother Xu Rong’s door.

The cat’s usually fluffy tail wasn’t wagging. Its ears stood erect, head motionless. It leaned against the wall in a stealthy posture, as if frozen after seeing something shocking.

Shang Xuci calmly walked over, stood behind the cat, and peered inside.

The “fight” was in full swing…

Shang Xuci clenched his phone and lifted his hand slightly.

He looked down at the cat. The usually alert feline hadn’t noticed anyone behind it. It was staring intently at the two people “fighting” on the bed, mouth slightly open in an O shape, eyes focused and dead serious.

“…”

How could such a little kitty be watching this?!

Shang Xuci frowned, glanced at the scene with disgust, then squatted down and covered the kitty’s eyes with his broad, pale hand.

Jian Xun froze for a moment, startled. His chubby body sagged into the man’s sturdy arms, and he turned his head—

The man’s face was sour, his expression full of displeasure.

---

Embarrassing… so embarrassing!

Jian Xun collapsed to the ground.

Shang Xuci helped him remove the things from his head and put the cat’s clothes back on.

The cat was already dead tired, its limbs sprawled out on the table, letting Shang Xuci do whatever he wanted.

That night, sulking at himself for not eating the dried fish, the cat squatted on the cardboard box to sharpen his claws.

His butt was no longer bare, and now he had something to protect him, so he should have been happy. But Jian Xun couldn’t be. Was he stupid in Shang Xuci’s eyes? He patted the cat’s head, then lay alone on the cardboard box, reciting multiplication tables.

Shang Xuci also had trouble sleeping. He took a book from the study and read it in bed, glancing at the bedroom door several times, but the cat didn’t come.

He recalled the moment he saw the cat after coming out of the bathroom. After he’d finished speaking, Sui Sui had completely shut down.

I didn’t expect cats to care about their pride, either.

Shang Xuci sighed inwardly. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have said it. If Sui Sui liked being a headscarf, so be it.

Even when the lights went out, Sui Sui still didn’t show up. Shang Xuci’s mind kept drifting outside. He closed his book, stood up, and went into the living room.

He squatted in front of the cardboard box, knocked gently on the door, and called Sui Sui’s name.

No meow came. Shang Xuci lifted the curtain and peeked inside. The cat was curled up in a ball, snoring softly.

A kitty’s worries are only fleeting, after all. Even if they’re sad, they won’t lose sleep.

Shang Xuci’s eyes softened with regret. He lowered the curtain and went back to his room.

The next day, Jian Xun had already accepted the situation. He squatted proudly at the bedroom door, waiting for Shang Xuci to wake up.

It was the weekend, and the boss wasn’t working.

When Shang Xuci opened the door, he saw the cat’s clear gaze and the dark circles under his own eyes reflected in the glass.

It seemed the cat had already accepted the headscarf. He meowed.

“We’re going to the ancestral home today. Do you want to come?”

Jian Xun stood up, front paws resting on Shang Xuci’s leg.

Meow!

Yes!

Shang Yi’s ancestral home.

Shang Xuci sat in the living room, holding the cat. He had just replied to messages from Chen Chi and Shen Huan on his phone. He pulled out cat supplies from his bag and began meticulously combing the cat’s fur.

…

Shang Yi’s front door.

The security guard saw Shang Yi and greeted him with a smile. “Hello, young master.”

Shang Yi noticed a car parked in a nearby space and asked, “Shang Xuci is back too?”

“Yes, the second young master arrived just over ten minutes ago.”

“Tsk.” Shang Yi floored the accelerator and sped inside.

Two minutes later, he got out of the car, turning the key as he walked in, subconsciously glancing toward the living room.

Shang Xuci sat on the sofa, casually combing the cat in his arms. Shang Yi couldn’t help but stare a few times, the familiarity growing until it clicked.

“Ah! It’s the cat from the crew!” a4x

Shang Yi immediately reached out to pet the cat and asked, “Is he your cat?”

Shang Xuci pressed the spray mode on the cat brush. Jian Xun closed his eyes in contentment, burying his head in Shang Xuci’s arms, kneading his legs and purring.

Looking indifferent, without even glancing at Shang Yi, Shang Xuci said, “That’s how Xu Rong taught you? Don’t you know any manners?”

Shang Yi clenched his fists. Ever since Shang Xuci had moved out of the Shang family, Shang Yi had become the most favored child, getting whatever he wanted. Shang Wei and the old man doted on him, and no one ever spoke harshly to him.

Who had the right to criticize his mother? Who had the right to call him impolite? Shang Yi snapped back, “Yes, my mother didn’t teach me well because I didn’t want to learn. Unlike some people who don’t have mothers…”

The man—white shirt buttoned to the collar, cuffs neatly fastened—lifted his head slightly, fixing him with a cold stare. An invisible pressure filled the room.

Shang Yi froze, instantly silenced. The other man’s dark gaze seemed to pierce straight through him, making his soul tremble. Fear washed over him, but he forced himself to meet that gaze.

At that moment, Xu Rong entered, one hand resting on her stomach. She had just overheard her son’s words and immediately scolded him. “Xiao Yi, how could you speak to your second brother like that? Why don’t you thank your second brother’s cat for saving you?”

A few days earlier, her youngest son had come home and, like a child, complained about how boring filming was and how he had nearly been injured. Feeling wronged, he told her about the sulfuric acid incident.

Xu Rong instantly realized it wasn’t an accident—someone had been trying to harm her son. Her nerves tensed as she asked about the investigation. How could plain water turn into sulfuric acid? It had to be a targeted attack.

Her mind immediately turned to Tang Manwen. For the past few days, Tang had been pestering her like a madwoman. Then, using some underhanded trick, she had driven her away. Could she have been behind this?

Still, these were only suspicions. Xu Rong narrowed her eyes, already planning to have a serious talk with Tang Manwen—ideally silencing her once and for all.

Seeing that her youngest son didn’t move, Xu Rong patted him gently. “Xiao Yi!”

Shang Yi’s face flashed with displeasure and impatience.

A cat wasn’t a lifesaver. Besides, given the circumstances at the time, even without the cat, that thing wouldn’t have actually splashed on him.

The young man hesitated and muttered, “I don’t want to.”

Xu Rong felt helpless. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the old man walking toward her and sharpened her tone.

Jian Xun felt the soft fingertips on his cat ears pause. He turned around and saw Shang Yi and Xu Rong glaring angrily.

Meow!

You bad girl again! And a bad boy!

Jian Xun hadn’t forgotten how, on their first day on set, Shang Yi had called him a lame cat. He had even told everyone they’d see him walk faster—infuriating him even more!

He didn’t like him. And now, mother and son, don’t even think about bullying the boss in front of him.

The little white cat arched its back, fur bristling, and growled a warning.

Shang Xuci stroked the cat. Seeing the mother and son putting on a show, he suppressed his impatience and anger. Instead of showing it, he smiled faintly, his tone laced with venom. “That’s enough. Stop being so hypocritical.”

“What’s wrong?” Shang Jue walked in.

Xu Rong quickly moved to support the old man, smiling. “Nothing.”

The old man’s sharp eyes lit up when he saw Jian Xun. He went straight to Shang Xuci and stared at the cat.

“Sui Sui, let Grandpa hold you?” Shang Jue took a red envelope from his pocket.

Shang Xuci coolly dodged the old man’s hand as he tried to pet the cat.

“Grandpa, he’s very aggressive. Better not hold him.”

Jian Xun’s furious eyes instantly brightened when Shang Jue pulled out the red envelope, and his expression changed in a heartbeat. He meowed sweetly and even extended his front paws.

Shang Xuci lightly flicked the cat’s head.

“Money is a big deal.”

Shang Jue chuckled and hugged the cat, speaking fondly. “Our Sui Sui is a lovely, brave cat. How could she be aggressive? Let Grandpa hold you. You’ll have a share of Grandpa’s fortune in the future.”

The casual tone made Xu Rong and Shang Yi’s expressions change.

Giving the family fortune to a cat? What a joke!

Xu Rong kept her thoughts to herself, not daring to speak, but Shang Yi blurted out, emphasizing, “Grandpa, he’s just a cat!”

“What’s wrong with a cat? Have you ever seen a cat that hates evil, bravely stands up for justice, and can spot a bottle of sulfuric acid, kick it away, and save your life?” Shang Jue said in a deep voice.

Shang Yi was taken aback. “Grandpa, you knew about that?”

“Someone told me. How could I not know?” Shang Jue thought Sui Sui was a smart, perceptive cat. After hearing about his heroic deed, he liked him even more—so much so that he even wanted to steal him from Shang Xuci and raise him himself.

Xu Rong didn’t know exactly what the old man had heard, but fearing it might implicate her youngest son, she said cautiously, “Our Xiao Yi was a little naughty, but he had no intention of harming anyone. I don’t know who could be so cruel as to want to harm Xiao Yi.”

Her tone carried genuine worry. Ever since she became pregnant, Shang Wei hadn’t paid as much attention to her as before, and their marriage had grown strained.

Shang Wei still held a grudge against her, leaving her with only Shang Yi and the child in her belly to rely on.

Xu Rong touched her stomach, her expression softening.

Shang Jue looked at her coldly and snorted. “You know what you’ve done.”

He wouldn’t let just anyone come to his house without reason. The old man’s gaze flicked to her belly. After all, it still carried Shang family blood.

He glanced around and asked, “Where’s Shang Wei? Didn’t I tell everyone to come back for dinner? I’m not asking you to dine with an old man like me every day, but don’t you have any filial piety?”

Xu Rong quickly replied, “A Wei is out of town on business. You only notified me last night, so I guess he couldn’t make it. He also asked me to spend more time with you, Father.”

“That’s not necessary. Young people have their own lives.” Shang Jue paused, then added, “Besides, you’re pregnant now. Take good care of yourself.”

Xu Rong smiled. “Okay.”

“That kid in Mom’s belly is very fussy. He kicks my belly every day. He’s obviously going to be a naughty one.”

“You’re the naughty one. And you have the nerve to call me your younger brother?”

“Me? What’s naughty about me?” Shang Yi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Okay, if you’re not naughty, then who is?” Shang Jue said. “Tell Uncle Yu if you need anything. If you feel unwell, have Shang Wei take you to the doctor. Work is important, but your wife and child are more important…”

“Ah.” Xu Rong suddenly groaned, clutching her stomach.

“What’s wrong?” Shang Yi and Shang Jue both tensed.

Xu Rong bit her lip and shook her head helplessly. “The baby just kicked me.”

Shang Jue turned to the housekeeper. “Have Doctor Fang come over later.”

Housekeeper: “Okay.”

Jian Xun, who was playing in the living room, froze when he heard Doctor Fang. He immediately padded a few steps toward the dining table.

Doctor Fang? That Doctor Fang?

His gaze swept over Shang Xuci before settling on Xu Rong, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

The three of them were talking to Xu Rong and her husband. It might have sounded like a lecture, but in reality, the old man was showing his concern and care for Xu Rong’s unborn child.

Jian Xun rested his paws on a stool, watching the boss sit there quietly like an outsider, head lowered, expression emotionless. His heart ached.

He trotted over to Shang Xuci, ignoring etiquette, and lightly leapt onto his lap. He grasped each of the man’s arms with his paws and buried his head against his stomach, without meowing or rubbing.

When the man’s touch turned gentle, more like a caress than a rejection, Jian Xun cautiously raised his head to meet the boss’s gaze.

His round, cat-like eyes fixed on him.

With undivided attention.

Only him.

Jian Xun extended his right paw, pressing the soft pad against the man’s chest.

Meow.

You still have me.

---

It’s the butt again!

The cat curled up—not because it felt comfortable, but because it was heartbroken, clutching its chest in agony.

Life felt hopeless.

Thinking of that protection mechanism, Jian Xun immediately turned to the control panel for help, swiping to see if there were any compensatory measures.

He couldn’t create cat hair immediately.

But could he shorten the hair’s growth time?!

He exchanged ten points for a small, hairy dried fish, his total instantly dropping.

Heartbroken, Jian Xun gnawed on the dried fish.

It had to grow quickly!

But growing hair took time.

The afternoon felt unusually long. Whenever the cat lay down, he’d think of his bare butt, and nothing seemed fun.

So he numbly began to do his chores.

Huffing and puffing.

The floor was mopped over and over again.

The dishes were washed again and again.

Laundry was hung out to dry, one piece at a time.

After feeding his little sister, Sanhua, he inevitably bumped into her while patrolling the yard.

She happened to see his butt first, and was so shocked she stuttered.

“Sui Sui, you—you… your butt!!”

Sanhua’s grandfather followed behind, frowning as he stared at his rear end.

It was too late to cover it. Jian Xun’s heart collapsed, and he stood frozen for five seconds.

“Ahem. I can explain.”

He recounted the whole story, making sure to emphasize the highlights of his cat life.

“So that’s how it is!” Sanhua’s round eyes filled with admiration as she softly said, “Brother, you’re so awesome and brave!”

Sanhua’s grandfather squatted down, carefully examining Jian Xun. He nodded in agreement with his granddaughter’s words, his gaze full of approval.

When his eyes flickered to the bald spot, there was no trace of disdain. On the contrary, it was like a medal of feline heroism!

Jian Xun felt deeply flattered by the praise.

Yinfeng Entertainment

Shang Xuci pushed the documents he was working on aside, resting his elbows on the table. His slender index fingers interlocked, his graceful chin resting lightly on the backs of his hands as he stared intently at the surveillance camera.

The jewel necklace he had given Sui sui not only had a tracking function but also allowed him to view surveillance footage.

What happened on set was exactly as he had expected—the culprit had deliberately avoided the camera, and no suspicious individuals were captured.

Sui sui had seen the murderer with her own eyes. Even if she hadn’t gotten a clear look at his face, his figure, clothing, and gait were enough to identify him.

Fu Qian had handed the lead over to professionals for investigation, and they had now located the man’s residence. After receiving the photo, he headed straight for Shang Xuci’s office.

Shang Xuci opened the first page expressionlessly. His narrow eyes widened slightly; a flicker passed through them before he lowered his eyelids. His calm demeanor finally betrayed a hint of self-mockery, mingled with anger.

Huh.

It was her.

Shang Xuci laughed inwardly, recalling a similar incident from his past life. Who had thrown the sulfuric acid? Was it intentional or unintentional? No one investigated at the time; someone had played it down and exaggerated Chen Chi’s injury.

They had simply said it was an accident—a cat had bumped into it.

That scene had originally been intended for Jiang Yuanqing and Shang Yi’s guest roles, but it ended up involving her and Chen Chi. The water was replaced with sulfuric acid, and Jiang Yuanqing, stunned by the sight of the man writhing in pain, just stood there.

That scene had originally been intended for Jiang Yuanqing and Shang Yi’s guest roles, but it ended up involving her and Chen Chi. The water was replaced with sulfuric acid, and Jiang Yuanqing, stunned by the sight of the man writhing in pain, just stood there.

That scene had originally been intended for Jiang Yuanqing and Shang Yi’s guest roles, but it ended up involving her and Chen Chi. The water was replaced with sulfuric acid, and Jiang Yuanqing, stunned by the sight of the man writhing in pain, just stood there.

This time, Shang Xuci discovered who had taken the blame for the boy’s death. The boy’s mother turned out to be Tang Manwen—the maid he had been desperately searching for over the years. She had done countless dirty deeds for Xu Rong.

The chronic, debilitating poison in his body had been administered by Tang Manwen. Later, she realized she had witnessed his grandfather’s death. Fearing Xu Rong would silence her, she resigned and sought help from her ex-husband, changing her name and moving to another city to start anew. It took years before Shang Xuci finally found her.

At that moment, Shang Xuci lost his patience entirely—his temper swinging to the opposite extreme as he carelessly stepped into the abyss.

I never imagined life could be so easy… If it weren’t for his cat, it probably wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.

Thinking of Sui Sui, Shang Xuci couldn’t help but check the surveillance feed.

Just then, he saw the cat staring at its own butt in the mirror, tears welling in its eyes.

Shang Xuci’s heart was inexplicably stirred. The unpleasant memories that had just surfaced burned with irritation, yet the sight of the cat instantly soothed him.

He lowered his gaze to check the time—it was exactly three o’clock. After reading the last page of information, Shang Xuci looked up at Fu Qian and said calmly,

“Thank you for your hard work. I hope you can get off work early today.”

His phone vibrated. The old man had sent a message asking him to return to the old house for dinner. He had apparently heard about something—and wanted him to bring the cat along.

Shang Xuci replied casually, planning to wrap things up and get home early.

…

Half an hour later

Huilong Street

Shang Xuci walked with his hands in his pockets, surveying the old neighborhood, now nearing the end of its renovation. To his left were newly rebuilt low-rise concrete buildings; to his right stood formerly dilapidated structures that had been refurbished and now looked far more presentable.

Outside the neighborhood, vegetable stalls lined both sides of the street, a constant stream of people passing by. At a glance, most were middle-aged, elderly, or children, all dressed simply.

Though renovated, the neighborhood’s planning and management remained chaotic. The gates to every building stood wide open, and even the unit doors beyond them were left ajar during rush hour.

Construction was still ongoing, and even with the map on his phone, Shang Xuci couldn’t pinpoint the exact location in this confusing maze. As he stood checking it carefully, a helpful woman approached, asking a few questions before giving him directions.

Shang Xuci’s lips curled faintly. In the sunlight, his handsome face gleamed with a luster like polished jade. His skin—untouched by sunlight for years due to illness—was pale and translucent. When expressionless, he seemed gloomy and unapproachable; but when he smiled, his demeanor was gentle and refined.

After several turns, Shang Xuci finally reached the house number.

He raised his hand and knocked.

A woman’s voice came from inside, her footsteps quick.

“Who is it?”

Jian Xun lowered his eyes slightly but didn’t answer.

The woman cracked the door open and looked up.

“Young… Young Master.” The woman’s face paled, and the apron in her hands slipped to the ground.

Shang Xuci didn’t even glance at her. He strode into the house, his eyes narrowing slightly as he surveyed the small, sixty-square-meter apartment. It wasn’t large, but it was neat and cozy, though the furniture looked a bit dated.

“Why are you staying here?”

Seeing him standing in the living room, Tang Manwen felt uneasy. She picked up her apron and clutched it, her heart racing. After Shang Xuci spoke, she hurried into the kitchen to pour tea, eagerly ushering everyone toward the sofa.

Shang Xuci gave her a look, and she sat stiffly across from him, as if he were the master of the house.

She knew exactly why she felt so evasive and uneasy under his gaze.

As they faced each other, Shang Xuci finally focused his attention on Tang Manwen.

Compared to over a decade ago, she had aged considerably—her hair was streaked with white, her features worn, her face etched with sorrow. She had grown thin, her slightly yellowed, withered hands resting in her lap. Shang Xuci remembered those hands striking him before.

As Xu Rong’s loyal dog, he had assumed she must have reaped many benefits. But now, it seemed she had not.

“Xu Rong treated you like this?”

Shang Xuci’s tone was dull, almost mocking.

Tang Manwen, knowing she was in the wrong, simply murmured, “I’m sorry,” and lowered her head.

If Xu Rong hadn’t been so ruthless, she might have said a few good words for him to save face. But now she truly regretted believing his lies—and causing his son to fall into depression.

The woman kept her head lowered, not daring to meet his eyes. Jian Xun sneered softly.

“I’m not here to hear you apologize.”

Shang Xuci, who had been sitting upright, leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on his knees as he fixed his gaze on her.

“Last Friday—was it you who brought sulfuric acid to the Jing Teng crew to commit the crime? The plan failed halfway through, didn’t it?”

At his words, Tang Manwen’s eyes widened, panic flickering in them. She swallowed hard.

“You’re here to ask me that?”

You’re not here to settle old scores?

Tang Manwen hadn’t forgotten how she had treated this legitimate young master at Xu Rong’s command.

Then she remembered—the Jing Teng crew was filming on Shang Jia’s land. Rumor had it that Shang Xuci was now the owner of Yinfeng Entertainment and had invested in this project. If anything went wrong, the company would surely be held responsible.

Her brow furrowed, agitation in her expression.

“I didn’t mean to… I just wanted revenge on Xu Rong. I gave her a chance!”

“So you wanted to destroy Shang Yi?”

Tang Manwen bit her lip, looking at Shang Xuci before speaking slowly.

“Young Master, don’t you want to? Shang Yi has taken everything from you.”

“No one can take what’s mine.”

Unless he no longer wanted it.

Tang Manwen’s expression twisted, uncertain of his intentions. She tried to defend herself.

“I was just furious at the time and wanted to teach Shang Yi a lesson. The sulfuric acid wasn’t concentrated enough, and no one was hurt at the scene.”

Shang Xuci almost laughed in anger at her forced composure.

If anyone had been hurt, she wouldn’t be sitting here right now—and he wouldn’t be speaking to her so calmly.

“No one was hurt,” the man said, his face dark, his presence oppressive. “But my cat was hurt.”

Tang Manwen stared at him in disbelief, her voice sharp.

“That cat is yours?!”

Shang Xuci had always hated furry animals as a child. Now, all this for a cat? She found it hard to believe.

“Nonsense,” Shang Xuci snapped.

Tang Manwen quickly processed his words. If he had found this place, then he must know everything she had done. Without another word, she dropped to her knees.

“Master, I’m so sorry your cat was injured. I’ve let you down before. I know an apology is meaningless, and I know I’ve broken the law, so I kowtow to you.”

Tang Manwen bowed her head and struck the floor hard.

Shang Xuci narrowed his eyes, his brows drawing together.

“Please be magnanimous and let me go—for now. I just want to help my son get back everything that belongs to him. I also want to make peace with Xu Rong. I beg you to grant me this.”

Shang Xuci’s expression didn’t change.

“I warned you before—Xu Rong is not a good person. She’ll do anything to achieve her goals. You didn’t believe me. Now that it’s backfired on you, isn’t it a little late to seek revenge?”

“I didn’t understand before. I didn’t see clearly. It’s my fault.”

A trace of pain and regret flashed across Tang Manwen’s face.

“But my son is innocent. I don’t want to implicate him, nor do I want him to know about the awful things I’ve done. My fault is—”

“Of course it’s your fault,” Shang Xuci cut in, his eyes flicking to the family portrait hanging on the wall. “You let your son witness you beating and kicking another child, and you still expect to be a kind mother in his eyes?”

Tang Manwen’s head jerked up, her expression shifting suddenly.

“You poisoned me as a child at Xu Rong’s behest. Every time she told you to pull my hair, hit my arm, or force me to kneel—he was there.”

His tone was cold and calm, as though he were recounting someone else’s past.

Tang Manwen froze. She hadn’t known. No wonder her son had asked if he could change jobs, and no wonder his attitude toward her had gradually grown cold.

Pa—

Tang Manwen slapped herself hard across the face.

“It’s my fault!”

Another loud slap followed.

“I deserve to die!”

“I’m not human!”

…

Without another word, she slapped herself.

Shang Xuci frowned.

“That’s enough,” he said unhappily.

Tang Manwen froze, her expression blank.

“If you truly want to repent, then tell me everything—about my poisoning and my grandfather’s death.”

…

The weather suddenly changed. The sun slipped behind the clouds, and a dark layer hung low in the sky. A few raindrops, as big as beans, landed on the floor—followed by heavier and heavier rain.

When Shang Xuci left, the rain wasn’t too heavy. Without an umbrella, he walked straight toward the parking space.

What Tang Manwen had told him was almost exactly what he’d guessed in his previous life: Xu Rong had removed his grandfather’s oxygen tube, hastening his death—and his father had been involved.

His fingers curled slowly into fists.

Sitting in the car, Shang Xuci’s face was dark. He searched his pockets for a long time before finally finding half a pack of cigarettes.

After finishing one, he restarted the car and set the navigation for home.

On the way, he passed a pet supply store, pulled over, and went inside to buy a few things.

…

At five p.m., Jian Xun was lying in the porch, waiting for Shang Xuci to return.

When the door opened, the little white cat lashed its tail wildly and meowed sweetly at him, as if eagerly showing off the fruits of its labor to claim credit.

It patted the floor, the cupboards, and the washing machine.

The floor gleamed, the cupboards were spotless, and the rows of clothes drying on the balcony were neatly arranged.

Shang Xuci picked up the cat with one hand. Feeling the smooth curve of its butt, he narrowed his eyes, tapped its nose with his fingertip, and smiled.

“Sui Sui is really capable.”

A praise for the cat.

He carried it into the living room and set it down.

From the shopping bag, he took out the items he’d bought.

“Take a look—do you like them?”

Jian Xun froze. A gift for me? Bought just for me?!

“Mia, mia, mia, mia!”

The cat hopped around like a little rabbit, desperate to cuddle with him.

It rubbed its head vigorously against his legs, his hands—anything it could reach. The plum-blossom paw pads were placed neatly on the white fluffy decorations; it grabbed them, examined them, then happily dragged them into the cardboard box.

He wanted to wear them himself!

Seeing the cat, tail held high, purring as it walked off with the gift in its mouth, Shang Xuci suddenly felt a strange sense of satisfaction—more fulfilling than buying luxury goods for his grandmother. The joy Sui Sui brought him made him forget the day’s unhappiness.

No wonder some people love cats.

He brushed a hand over the slightly damp hair on his forehead, then froze. This hand had just been holding a cat.

Staring at his clean palm, Shang Xuci fell into thought. It seemed his tolerance for cats had grown without him realizing.

Never mind—he had to shower anyway.

Shang Xuci stood and headed for the bathroom.

…

Cardboard box.

Jian Xun was still fiddling with the gift the boss had given him, turning it over and over, trying to figure out how to wear it. Then, with a flash of golden light, his claws began to move.

The cardboard box swayed—thump, thump.

Once he had it on, Jian Xun strode toward the bathroom with an exaggerated gait. First, he wanted to check himself out in the mirror, then run to the boss to show him!

Jian Xun stared into the mirror, admiring himself.

It fits perfectly. It fits perfectly!

He couldn’t wait for the boss to see and praise him again.

Jumping down to the floor, he padded briskly to the bathroom door and squatted there obediently, tail twitching.

The sound of running water faded. Seeing the figure inside getting dressed, Jian Xun took a few steps back.

Click—

The door opened, letting out a wave of mist. Shang Xuci’s tall figure emerged, wiping his hair with a towel. Feeling a light brush against his legs, he said,

“The floor inside is wet. Let’s get out first.”

Jian Xun quickly followed him out.

Look at me, look at me!

…

In the hallway, the clingy little cat meowed non-stop. Shang Xuci looked down—

—stunned.

Jian Xun was like a butterfly, strutting like a crab with his head tilted back, ears twitching, his expression full of pride.

After his brief “runway show,” he became too shy to look at the boss. He closed his eyes and struck a pose, waiting for praise.

When no words came, he cracked one eye open.

Why is the boss smiling?

The cat tilted his head, puzzled.

Shang Xuci suppressed his laughter, squatted down, and tugged at the cat’s “hat,” his voice rich and low.

Instantly, the tips of the white cat’s ears turned crimson, and he covered them with his front paws. But the man’s voice still rang in his ears—

“That’s the clothing I bought you…”

Shang Xuci’s eyes were deep as he coughed lightly, adding politely,

“It covers your butt.”

…

Jian Xun: What?

Huh?!

What!!!

This wasn’t a cat headband—this was cat underpants?!

The cat was horrified.

---

At least not for now.

He didn’t know anything.

What if Shang Xuci didn’t want him anymore? What if one day he wanted to leave?

The world was so big— even a cat would want to go out and see it.

Besides, he still had a mission.

There was no other way. Jian Xun was inherently timid and sensitive. When he was human, he had never been as clever as his brothers and sisters. If he did nothing, people would only dislike him more!

Only by working hard would his parents give him a little more love.

Although, in the end, the outcome hadn’t been good.

He couldn’t just settle down and enjoy the pampering a pet cat would normally receive.

He had dreams! He had plans!

And he wanted Shang Xuci’s affection— the kind that belonged to him alone!

The little white cat’s expression went blank. It pouted in protest when its ears were pinched, its look clearly aggrieved.

Then he saw the boss extend his arm.

That was a sign he wanted to hug him— a rare and proactive gesture.

Jian Xun stood up and awkwardly climbed up.

The boss cupped his cat face and leaned in, their noses almost touching. His gaze sharpened, his expression grew serious, and when his thin lips parted, Jian Xun could already imagine how stern his next words might be.

He was afraid.

He was afraid the boss would scold him.

Anyone else could scold him— but not Shang Xuci. He was so fragile right now that a single reproach from him would make the cat burst into tears… and yet he still wanted to be close to him.

In fact, when he kicked the bottle earlier, he had been terrified, and it had really hurt. Back at the hospital, he had longed for the boss to hug him, comfort him, kiss him…

And to praise him for foiling a plot without letting anyone get hurt.

But when he met the man’s worried gaze, he gave up.

Jian Xun trembled as he extended his tender pink paw pads, tentatively pressing them against the tip of the man’s nose.

A uniquely feline scent, the damp tip of his nose and the soft wet cat snout brushed against the man’s straight nose, accompanied by a soft mewl.

“Mua~”

I’m sorry for making you worry.

Soft coaxing wasn’t working, and the cat still shook its head. He was ready to escalate—raise his voice and unleash harsh words.

Shang Xuci’s heart softened almost instantly at this act of submission, and even the harshest criticism died on his lips.

He took a deep breath and said, “This won’t happen again.”

The cat visibly brightened, its ears flicking back and forth, moist almond-shaped eyes sparkling.

“Meow.”

It rubbed frantically against his face.

“Meow, meow, meow, meow!”

I knew you were the best for me!

Jian Xun moved his legs and found his body much more relaxed, the pain barely noticeable. He immediately stood up and briskly strolled in front of Shang Xuci.

A smug expression and graceful steps seemed to say, See? I’m fine.

Shang Xuci sighed helplessly.

Then the little white cat went to the living room and fetched his tablet.

Meanwhile, the panel in Jian Xun’s mind flickered. He checked and saw that his favorability had increased by another 10 points, but the plot change had reached 45%, and the darkening value hadn’t risen at all. The total points for the three of them had reached 58.

He looked down and saw that his own points were only 38.

Jian Xun: Meow?

What’s going on?

He clicked the red exclamation mark next to it, and a string of text appeared:

[Host is in danger. Protection mode has been activated. 20 points will be deducted for this protection.]

Ah!

The white cat’s ears, which had been perked up, immediately drooped. He’d mentioned that he’d felt a few splashes when he kicked something and experienced sharp pain—yet somehow he’d gone to the hospital, gotten an injection, and was perfectly fine afterward.

So it was a protection mechanism.

No wonder he’d heard that mechanical sound in his mind earlier.

He’d never noticed any protection mechanism before, but now that it had been triggered, he had a lot of questions. However, when he meowed and tried to talk to it, there was no response.

It was a bit like a game’s chat AI—you could only type or select specific questions before it would answer.

Forget it. It wasn’t very useful anyway.

Jian Xun came to two conclusions:

1. Points can be exchanged for items.
2. Points can activate protection mechanisms, with the cost depending on the difficulty of the task.

Well, it seemed he would have to rely on himself.

The little white cat focused on carrying the tablet upstairs. Its strides were long, but because of the bandages, its front and back were uneven, making its gait unsteady.

It jumped onto the table, passed the tissue box blocking its way, and without so much as a glance, kicked it aside without mercy before continuing toward its new cat bed.

The boss’s desk was large and very tidy—pencil, inkstone, paper, teacup, computer, documents, books, tissues—just these few items, all neatly arranged.

Jian Xun had to take everything he’d brought with him, including the tablet he was using and the dried fish pillow he was hugging.

Cat snacks for watching TV shows weren’t allowed in the bedroom or study—it was a rule, and he understood it.

Seeing such a soft and beautiful cat bed on the table, the little white cat was overjoyed, eager to experience the super VIP treatment.

Leaving the tablet in its usual spot, he walked over to the bed, stepped onto the pad, and found the best vantage point and sleeping position.

Leaning against the basket, he half-sat up and looked up.

It was too high… he could only see Shang Xuci’s feet resting on the basket frame.

Jian Xun turned and called out to him.

From the moment the cat had come in, the man’s eyes hadn’t left him.

Seeing him treat the tissue box so ruthlessly, and then look at the new cat bed with such a completely different expression, Shang Xuci raised an eyebrow.

In the past, the cat had propped the tablet next to the computer, sitting very close to the edge of the table. Fearing it might fall, Shang Xuci had placed a tissue box behind it, letting Jian Xun lean against it while playing games.

Now that he had a new bed, he didn’t want the old setup anymore.

Shang Xuci placed a few books under the tablet. The cat stretched its neck, and when it was done reading, it meowed at him again.

The little guy seemed quite content.

…

The next day

Shang Xuci drove the cat to the hospital.

Gu Ming noticed Shang Xuci’s tightly pressed lips and tired face. He glanced at the cat in his arms and asked, “What’s wrong with Sui Sui?”

“He’s injured. I’m worried about other people examining him, so I want you to check him again.”

Shang Xuci briefly explained the situation. Gu Ming was surprised. He stroked the cat’s head and said softly, “What a good cat. Let me take a look.”

Gu Ming examined the cat and found nothing wrong. He removed the bandage, and to ensure a thorough check, he shaved all the fur around the wound, expanding the area he had shaved the day before.

The results matched what the other doctors had said—it wasn’t a serious problem. With a bit of rest, he would be fine.

Running his hand over the cat’s smooth, soft fur, Gu Ming sighed. “Sui Sui is getting better and better. What a beautiful cat.”

“Meow.” The white cat tilted its head back. The long, fluffy, snow-white fur around its neck looked like a thick scarf, making the cat appear even larger.

With a brisk gait and a proud expression, the cat sauntered majestically over to his side, meowing sweetly and nuzzling his hand, as if thanking him for the compliment.

Shang Xuci asked Gu Ming to prescribe the most expensive, highest-quality medicine and then asked, “How long will it take for the fur to grow back?”

“Depending on the cat’s condition, it should take about three to four months. Some cats recover faster.” Gu Ming paused, sighed, and continued, “Although the contact was minimal, it still injured some skin. This patch might be the end of it.”

It was amazing. Normally, an injury like this would spread rapidly, but Sui Sui’s wound had healed quickly, almost like a scar forming overnight. In just one day, Gu Ming began to wonder what kind of miracle drug the doctor who treated the wound yesterday had used.

Shang Xuci’s dark eyes dimmed, and the hand stroking the cat’s ear stilled.

The room suddenly fell silent.

Meow?

What are you talking about?

Jian Xun’s large, round eyes were clear and beautiful, his face full of confusion. Why couldn’t he understand human language?

After the examination, Jian Xun squatted on the table, listening to the two talk while stretching out a front paw to hook the jewel necklace around his neck.

This one hasn’t been checked yet!

Jian Xun treasured the gift Shang Xuci had given him. He lowered his head to lift the necklace, wanting Gu Ming to check it for any damage.

Gu Ming misunderstood, thinking Sui Sui was offering the jewel necklace as a token of gratitude. He looked up, ready to tease Shang Xuci about how a worthless gift could be given so easily.

Upon hearing his words, Jian Xun immediately dropped the jewel, turned his back to him, fluffed up the long fur on his chest, and fiddled with the necklace to hide it. He even glanced over his shoulder at Gu Ming, wary that he might try to steal it.

When did I ever say I was going to give you my necklace?!!

Seeing Sui Sui’s little gestures and startled expression, Shang Xuci couldn’t help but laugh. He rubbed the cat’s head and said, “It’s his. It’s always his. He can give it to anyone he wants.”

He would buy the cat another one.

Jian Xun, even more agitated than Gu Ming, meowed at Shang Xuci.

How could you say that!

He would never give away something Shang Xuci had given him!

Their angry expressions brought a smile to both men’s faces.

After the examination, Jian Xun went home.

As Gu Ming had instructed, the stitches could be removed, and there was no need to bind the wound anymore, as it would only hinder fur growth.

Jian Xun was delighted—he could wag his tail again..

Upon landing, the cat heard the boss answering the phone and burrowed into his cardboard box to rest, listening intently to the conversation.

Director Kang Gai asked Shang Xuci about the cat’s condition, and the man told him the truth. Kang Gai praised him for his bravery and told him to let Jian Xun rest at home for a few more days, even delaying his scenes.

After hearing this, Jian Xun found himself with some free time.

Shang Xuci no longer brought him to the company. No matter how coquettishly he acted, the man wouldn’t budge. Before leaving, he gave Jian Xun’s tail a meaningful look and closed the door.

As a cat, Jian Xun played with toys, watched TV, played games, and stole snacks… living with unbridled joy.

Degenerate again.

His paw pads were covered in snack crumbs, a little sticky, and he couldn’t bring himself to lick them. So, he shook his rear and trotted to the bathroom.

Wash your hands with just a little water!

Washing paws wasn’t a big deal—plus, he could look in the mirror and admire them up close.

Lately, the humans around him had been praising him for being beautiful, cute, and adorable.

Jian Xun carefully examined his appearance: a round, delicate face that was both soft and voluptuous, beautiful azure eyes, and a blanket of fluffy, snow-white fur…

All over…

His gaze drifted to his lower body, and Jian Xun froze. He stared in the mirror, round eyes wide open, at his bare bottom and tail, his mouth hanging open.

Stunned.jpg

Incredible.jpg

After staring in the mirror for a while, he turned his head to check his bottom directly, trying to confirm that the patch of missing fur was really his.

On the left—completely bald.

On the right—also completely bald.

Oh my god! His butt was entirely bare.

It was as if he wasn’t wearing pants.

How embarrassing!!!

Jian Xun collapsed onto the cold marble sink, wailing in despair—

Meow, why am I bald again?!

---

Jian Xun devoured three cat strips in one go.

He had never tasted cat strips so delicious before; the flavor was beyond description.

Seeing the cat’s obvious fondness for the treat, Sister Zhang thought to herself that the snacks her son had brought back from abroad were truly special.

Smiling, Sister Zhang told Xiao Zhao to hold onto the rest of the treats while she busied herself petting the cat, expertly squeezing the strips. The soft, furry texture under her hands felt so comfortable. No wonder Chen Chi loved cuddling cats.

If Sui Sui liked her, she’d be happy to hold him in her arms all day long.

Jian Xun slurped up the strips, smacking his lips to savor them.

He glanced several times at the woman stroking him so gently.

Hmph. For the sake of the strips, I’ll show you my belly.

Jian Xun rolled over, revealing his soft belly.

This was a privilege even Chen Chi had never enjoyed. Even though Jian Xun was clingy and often lay on her lap for pets, he always followed the rules of cat etiquette: only the older man was allowed to touch his belly.

Sister Zhang, seeing the cat tumble over, covered her mouth in excitement. With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone to snap a picture.

Jian Xun tilted his head.

Didn’t people usually want to take a picture with him? Why was she just taking a picture of him exposing his belly? Couldn’t she have asked someone nearby to help?

While the woman was busy taking the photo, Jian Xun calmly covered his private parts with his tail.

Then he looked toward the young man who had come in with her.

The cat’s round eyes darted about. Not seeing him, Jian Xun instinctively glanced at the shelf.

That spot was empty.

The cat stood up, scanned the room quickly, and, upon confirming that the items were gone, leapt to the ground and dashed out the door.

Oh no! Someone stole from me!

Jian Xun, ignoring his injured leg, shot toward the set like lightning.

Sister Zhang froze for a moment, stunned. Did he just run off after eating?!

She stood, a little disappointed, brushed off the cat fur on her clothes, and slowly followed him outside.

On the quaint street, the crew huddled together, reviewing their movements and positions. The lead actor, Chen Chi, the female lead, Jiang Yuanqing, and Shang Yi, the guest musician, were all present.

After rehearsing their lines, the filming officially began.

During the scene, the director changed the musician’s role on the spot. Since the original actor had taken leave, Shang Yi, who had been playing a background musician, had to step into the part.

The change caught Shang Yi off guard. His character—a musician bullied for his low status—had to convey several emotions after being splashed with water: bewilderment, surprise, humiliation, forbearance, and finally, a return to composure.

Having never acted before, he was a little nervous. Fortunately, Chen Chi reassured him, telling him to just express himself naturally—neither too forced nor too stiff.

Shang Yi nodded.

In the crowd, Jian Xun could still smell the cleaning lady!

She was here too!

Was she behind all this? Was she trying to discredit Chen Chi? Or harm Shang Xu?

Did she want to witness the outcome firsthand?

Jian Xun didn’t have time to dwell on these questions. A cat’s abilities were limited, after all. He wanted to find the bottle and bring the evidence to the boss for investigation.

Now, his mind was set on destroying it. He couldn’t let her harm anyone here.

The moment he squeezed into the crowd, he stretched out a paw to grab the bottle—but suddenly, his body froze.

…

Yinfeng Entertainment

The President’s Office

Shang Xuci had just finished reviewing a document when his right eyelid twitched violently.

He paused his pen, closed his eyes, and rubbed them.

Fu Qian, bringing in tea, noticed and set the cup down gently. Just as he was about to speak, Shang Xuci opened his eyes.

“Does Sui Sui have a scene to film today?”

“It’s a scene where she just sleeps on the lead actor’s lap. Only about a minute of screen time,” Fu Qian replied. “Miss Shen Huan is with her, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Mm, I know.” Shang Xuci took a sip of tea. “I’ll pick Sui Sui up myself after work today.”

“Okay.”

Shen Huan was still in the bathroom when she received the message.

Damn it—she wasn’t sure if it was just overeating lately or a stomach upset, but she was a little constipated and had been in there for nearly half an hour.

Her legs had gone numb and weak.

She found a chair, sat down for a while, and then went to look for the cat.

Fortunately, someone spotted Sui Sui running toward the filming location, so Shen Huan headed straight there.

She had heard that last time Sui Sui ran to the esports building to watch the players, her cousin nearly went crazy when she couldn’t find the cat. After that, he gave her strict orders to keep the cat within her line of sight at all times.

Shen Huan, tempted by the generous salary, had solemnly sworn in front of her cousin to keep Sui Sui safe.

You’ve got to be kidding me! Sui Sui was such a well-behaved little cat—how could she just sit there and collect money for nothing?! She could even chase after celebrities!

The director had already called for action when Shen Huan saw the cat—who wasn’t supposed to be on stage—dash right onto the set. She lunged and caught it with the quick reflexes of an eighteen-year-old.

“Sui Sui, my sweet Sui Sui, don’t run around!” she said, hugging the cat and pressing her face against it.

Jian Xun, however, had no interest in playing with her. He kept his eyes fixed on the set, struggling in her arms, even baring his claws in a flash of panic.

As the director signaled for the props to be brought over, he glanced at the nervous look on the musician’s face. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Chi said, “Let me demonstrate.”

Chen Chi gestured for someone to bring him some water—and it happened to be that bottle.

Jiang Yuanqing, playing the role of the person splashing the water, pursed her lips, brushed a strand of hair from her fair cheek behind her ear, and slowly walked over to hand him the bottle.

“No need,” Chen Chi said. “Just stand there and splash it on my face, according to the script.”

“That’s not a good idea,” Jiang Yuanqing insisted. “This water is flavored.”

Chen Chi shook his head. “Just splash a little on my face. Don’t get my clothes wet. We’ll wipe my face off and keep filming.”

Seeing he was determined, Jiang Yuanqing nodded.

She slipped into character, picked up the bottle, and lifted her hand to make the move.

Jian Xun’s breath caught.

I can’t let anyone get hurt!

In a split second, he slashed at Shen Huan’s arm with his claws. She cried out and released him, and Jian Xun took the chance to bolt forward.

As he ran, his sharp eyes scanned the set, his mind working at full speed.

The moment Jiang Yuanqing pulled the cork out and was about to splash the water, he lunged like lightning.

A blur of white—fast as a phantom—shot through the air. Its massive tail whipped down hard on their hands, sending both the bottle and the white blur flying through the air before they crashed to the ground.

“Ao—!!!”

The cat’s tail jerked violently as his body arched, a sharp, pained cry ripping from his throat.

Oh no! I’ve been hit!!

The little white cat’s eyes widened, its body trembling, tail tucked tightly between its hind legs as it tried to ease the burning pain.

[Drip—]

An invisible light instantly enveloped the cat. Jian Xun felt a warm sensation, but the searing pain still lingered.

A sharp, piercing meow drew everyone’s attention.

Acid splashed across the floor with a harsh, sizzling sound.

Hiss—

The highly corrosive liquid spread rapidly, releasing heat. The wooden floor emitted puffs of white smoke as it was eaten away, leaving deep pits and scars.

In just a few seconds, it was like a bomb had gone off in still water—everyone froze in shock before erupting into frantic discussion.

Sister Zhang and Xiao Liu’s eyes widened in disbelief.

How could this happen?!

How had that smelly water turned into sulfuric acid?!

Oh my god.

If even a little of that water had splashed on someone…

Sister Zhang didn’t dare think further.

The director and other crew members in charge broke into a cold sweat.

While everyone else was stunned, Jian Xun endured the pain and stood, limping toward the crowd. The woman had fled in panic, and he was determined to catch her!

It had all happened so quickly—he hadn’t had time to confirm her identity. But since no one else was hurt, his gaze locked onto the culprit.

Unfortunately, before he could get far, Shen Huan caught him.

Hearing the cat’s cries and seeing the corroded floor, Shen Huan’s face went pale and her body trembled. She couldn’t bear to imagine what would have happened if the entire bottle had been poured over Sui Sui.

She held the cat tightly, checking him over.

Jian Xun stared after the fleeing figure, unwilling to give up. The light in his eyes dimmed, but reassured that no one had been hurt, he lay quietly in Shen Huan’s arms.

When he had leapt, he’d caught the bottle mid-air to stop any leaks that could harm bystanders. With a quick, rolling maneuver, he had thrown himself clear as the bottle hit the ground. But the spot where his tail met his backside still burned.

It hurt.

And yet—he hadn’t even touched the water inside the bottle.

Damn it.

The cat in Shen Huan’s arms was still trembling, his meows growing weaker. The fur at the injured area was slightly corroded, the skin beneath flushed red.

Miraculously, the pain began to fade.

“Oh my god, oh my god!” Shen Huan gasped, her voice shaking. Without another thought, she rushed the cat to the hospital.

The set was in chaos. Both the person meant to throw the liquid and the intended target were still pale with fear.

Sensing the suspicious stares, Jiang Yuanqing shook her head. “It has nothing to do with me,” she muttered. Her hands trembled violently. If she had known what was inside, she would never have touched it.

Chen Chi’s assistant, initially frozen in terror, quickly rushed over to comfort her.

Chen Chi himself remained calm, merely pondering the intent behind the attack. He had an impeccable reputation in the industry and had never offended anyone. Who could possibly want to harm him?

What a vicious trick.

Chen Chi turned his gaze to Shang Yi, who bit his lip hard, his legs weak as he leaned against the wooden table behind him. His body trembled, and his face was pale.

Today, he wasn’t the only one involved in the water-throwing scene—anyone could have been the target.

No matter who it was meant for, today’s “accident” would have happened to them. If it hadn’t been for Sui Sui, he couldn’t even imagine the consequences…

Chen Chi’s fists had been clenched so tightly that only now did he notice the sweat on his palms. The cat who had saved him was being hurriedly carried out by Shen Huan. Without a second thought, he followed.

The head of venue security immediately ordered all relevant personnel to stay in place as the investigation began. The scene was chaotic, but fortunately, no one was injured, and the tension in the air began to ease. The director led them to review the surveillance footage.

The prop in question had been prepared by the props team and became the key focus of the investigation. Sister Zhang and Xiao Zhao nervously insisted that it hadn’t even been on the purchase order…

…

Shang Xuci’s home

Jian Xun slowly opened his eyes, finding himself lying in his cat bed. Looking again, he realized the bed was placed on the boss’s large desk.

The room was empty. The study door stood open, and a cup of hot coffee on the table was still steaming—Shang Xuci must have just stepped out.

Jian Xun stood and glanced down at the necklace around his neck. Suddenly, he noticed his hind legs felt stiff. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that his backside and tail were wrapped in bandages.

Then it came back to him—being rushed to the veterinary hospital by the panicked Shen Huan, with Dingli also present. The doctor had examined him, given him painkillers and anesthesia. He had reached out and grasped someone’s hand with his paw, then his eyes had closed, and everything faded into darkness.

Before closing his eyes, he seemed to see Shang Xuci walking straight in.

When he opened them again, he was back at the boss’s house.

Outside the window, night had already fallen. Jian Xun, head tilted, lay limply on the soft cashmere blanket, like someone floating in a breaststroke position.

He tried to wag his tail, but it wouldn’t obey—as if it were detached from his body, completely numb.

What was going on?

Jian Xun lifted his plump, soft hips and turned his head to look.

His tail was wrapped up!

“Meow? Mrrrow?!”

Jian Xun tried to recall. He remembered that he had accidentally splashed a little sulfuric acid, and it had landed on the tail at the base of his buttocks.

Right now, he just wanted to hug his tail!

But since he couldn’t, Jian Xun buried his head deep into the fluffy blanket.

Shang Xuci went to the bathroom, and when he came back, he saw a pair of pointed, furry ears poking out of the kitten’s nest on the table. The little cat was twisting its body coquettishly, staring dazedly at its own backside before slumping down with a discouraged expression.

Shang Xuci quickened his pace into the room. His clenched fists finally relaxed; his usual graceful movements were no longer so composed, and a faint, fleeting smile tugged at his lips.

Hearing footsteps, Jian Xun looked up to find Shang Xuci already beside him, staring intently.

Out of habit, Jian Xun leaned over to rub against his hand affectionately—but the man dodged him.

There was no gentle touch, no tender gaze. Expressionless, Shang Xuci turned him over, avoiding the area wrapped in gauze, and carefully examined him from head to tail.

While inspecting, he observed Sui Sui’s expression—obedient, clear-eyed, and looking at him with complete trust, allowing him to do as he pleased. At that, Shang Xuci’s expression finally softened.

“Anywhere else uncomfortable?”

Shen Huan had called to tell him something had happened on set, and that Sui Sui was injured and at the veterinary hospital. The news nearly made Shang Xuci stop breathing.

He hadn’t even asked for details. His car had been forcibly stopped midway, and the rest of the job was handed over to Fu Qian while he drove straight to the hospital.

Shen Huan and Chen Chi were waiting in the hospital corridor, both looking grim.

Even though the doctor said it was only a minor injury and nothing serious, Shang Xuci still wasn’t reassured. He called Gu Ming, who was away on a business trip and would only return the next day.

By then, the anesthesia had worn off, but the cat was still fast asleep, which worried him even more.

On the way home, Shen Huan explained what had happened and apologized repeatedly for not keeping a closer eye on the cat.

Thankfully, Sui Sui woke up once along the way, let out a big yawn, shifted positions, and went right back to sleep.

Once home, Shang Xuci took out the handmade bamboo basket he’d ordered online, placed a soft cat mat inside, spread a small plush blanket on top, and carefully settled the kitten inside. He then carried the basket into the study—he wanted to be there the moment the cat woke up.

When Shang Xuci greeted him with concern, the little white cat lifted its head and meowed sweetly, patting his arm with its paw.

A classic cuddle-seeking move.

Seeing the kitten looking alert and spirited, Shang Xuci let out a breath of relief.

He began to lecture the cat. “When it comes to bravery, just do what you can. If it’s too dangerous, hide. Let humans handle human justice. What can a little kitten like you really do?”

Shang Xuci pinched the cat’s ear without mercy.

He continued, “Kittens only need to do kitten things—eat, drink, play, and sleep every day. Isn’t that good enough?”

Jian Xun held his slightly pinched ear, thought it over carefully, then shook his head with determination.

No.

He refused to be a lazy cat!

---

The room was utterly silent. One man and one cat remained frozen in place, as if time itself had stopped.

Shang Xuci’s mind went completely blank. He was in shock—he had actually been kissed by a cat, and once again experienced that strange and unique feeling: not dislike, but rather a quiet joy deep inside.

Silence. A deep breath.

It was the first time he had been kissed by a cat. Warmth lingered on his chin as the little kitten brushed him lightly, like a dragonfly touching water, its dewy eyes cautiously observing his expression.

The man came back to his senses, his brows relaxing, the corners of his lips curving ever so slightly into a gentle smile. His fair fingertips touched the top of the kitten’s head, stroking it softly.

Ding—

[Intimacy level +50.]

Jian Xun: !!

I can kiss him!

The little white cat immediately acted out the phrase “flying over eaves and walls”—and if you exaggerated it a bit more, it would be “tearing off the roof!” The whole cat spun around in circles with joy.

Over the next few days, whenever there was a filming schedule, Jian Xun would be sent off to the set. Shen Huan eagerly volunteered to be the “cat escort,” taking him to the crew.

When there was no filming, Jian Xun would sprawl at home playing games.

If he went to the office with the boss, he would head to his newly discovered territory—the eSports floor—to watch professional players compete. One look, and the whole afternoon would slip by.

Shang Xuci waited for the cat to come home, but after a long time there was still no sign of him. He began searching, but after making a full round without finding even a whisker, he grew anxious.

Normally, when the cat went out to play, Sui Sui would always be back at the office before the end of the workday to urge him home. But now, with no cat in sight, Shang Xuci worried someone might have taken him.

The entire company joined the search. Finally, Shang Xuci checked the security footage and saw that the kitten had taken the elevator to the eSports floor.

When he found the cat, the kitten was clutching a dried fish snack, sitting on an eSports desk, mimicking the posture of the player beside him, eyes glued to the screen.

A successful kill in the game—man and cat high-fived.

“Meow!” That was amazing!

Crunch crunch crunch!

The kitten gnawed on the dried fish.

Shang Xuci’s fists tightened with a crack, and he silently walked up behind the cat.

“Sui Sui, have you played enough?”

The kitten’s body went stiff. Everyone else immediately stood up to greet the boss, while Jian Xun trembled for a long moment before slowly turning his head to look at him.

“Meow~”

A soft, timid mewl. Upon seeing the man’s dark and chilling expression, the kitten instinctively reached out and covered his own little head with his paws.

Fu Yi frowned slightly and reached out to pet the cat. “He’s just a kitten.”

Their teammate across the desk, who had rarely ever heard Fu Yi speak more than a few words, was stunned to see him actually stand up to the boss over a cat. Silently, he gave a thumbs-up.

Shang Xuci glanced at Fu Yi without saying a word, then took a long stride and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Jian Xun jumped up with a thump, meowed gratefully at Fu Yi for speaking up for him, then bolted off after Shang Xuci without a backward glance.

Is the boss angry?

He didn’t even hug him.

Inside the car.

Jian Xun sat in the back seat, not lying on the cushion. Just like the time they left the Huapai tree, he sat with his paws on the carpet, head lowered, staring at his feet in self-reflection.

He shouldn’t have run off today. He shouldn’t have been late coming back. He had wanted to tell the boss where he went to play, but he could only speak “cat,” and the boss couldn’t understand him.

Feeling dejected, Jian Xun began thinking about how to coax the boss into a good mood once they got home.

Through the rearview mirror, Shang Xuci caught sight of the drooping head and the faint air of gloom clinging to the kitten. He sighed helplessly.

Just because I made him walk a bit, he’s already sulking?

Well… maybe he had overestimated Sui Sui’s cleverness. He’d thought the kitten could sense time like a human, but now he realized he was wrong. A cat was still a cat—endlessly curious about the world. Once they became absorbed in something, they focused so completely they forgot all about the time.

When they arrived home, Shang Xuci took two wet wipes from the car, walked to the back door, opened it, bent down, and carefully wiped the kitten’s paws. The little white cat obediently cooperated—until the moment the man scooped him up by the hips. Then his fluffy tail gave a swish, and in an instant, he transformed into a clingy maniac, rubbing his head against the boss like crazy.

Not angry anymore~

…

Film Crew.

A young man with slightly long hair, dressed in a shirt and black trousers, walked into the room, complaining to his assistant, “I really don’t get it—why did Luna insist on meeting here instead of in a recording studio?”

The female assistant quickly reminded him, “Little ancestor, there are too many people around—watch what you say~”

“I know, I’m just saying.” Shang Yi frowned slightly. He truly didn’t understand Luna—she had invited him to compose for Director Kang Gai’s work. If she trusted him, why not have him do the theme song or the ending song? Why choose a minor insert song instead?

And his mother too—always pushing him to flatter foreigners, when clearly Hua music was the real top trend.

“Xiao Yi!”

“Sister Yuanqing!” The young man turned toward the voice. When he saw the woman, his eyes lit up and he quickly walked over.

“Are you filming right now?”

“Yes, just a small supporting role.” Jiang Yuanqing smiled, taking Shang Yi’s hand and leading him to her seat. “But our Xiao Yi is really doing well now—already a music producer!”

As she praised him, she took out some snacks to feed him. “Can you eat this flavor?”

“Yes.” Shang Yi’s pale cheeks turned slightly red. Modestly, he said, “It’s nothing really—just an insert song. And it’s not all my own work; the whole team contributed.”

Jiang Yuanqing smiled faintly. She began unboxing a new set of cosmetics she had just bought, tossing the packaging aside. When she saw the cleaning lady enter, she waved and called out, “Auntie, could you throw this away for me?”

The cleaning lady walked over slowly to take out the trash. She picked up the garbage bag, moving sluggishly, her gaze sneaking a cautious glance at Shang Yi from the corner of her eye.

Shang Yi didn’t notice at all and continued in a low voice, “It was Luna who asked me to come, said she wanted me to look for inspiration. Director Kang Gai also offered me a cameo—he said there’s a role for a qin player that would suit me. It’s not a big part, so I came to take a look.”

“That’s great. You’re welcome to come find me anytime.”

“Mm.”

The cleaning lady froze in place, her hands clutching the black plastic bag tightly, a flash of coldness passing through her eyes.

“Auntie, there’s nothing else to throw away,” Jiang Yuanqing said stiffly when she noticed the cleaning lady hadn’t moved.

The woman adjusted her mask and nodded, then quickly turned and left.

Autumn had already arrived some time ago, but the weather was still sweltering and stiflingly hot.

Jian Xun lay sprawled out on the floor, basking in the air conditioning. He had even called over Little Calico and Grandpa Calico. The two cats didn’t want to come inside, so Jian Xun left the door slightly ajar, letting the cool air pour out. Side by side, the big and small cats tucked their paws in and squinted their eyes in bliss, enjoying the breeze.

After lunch, Shen Huan came by to pick up the kitten. Today, Sui Sui had a scene to film—right during the most favored moment of the female lead’s cat—so the kitten would also get to enjoy a life of luxury.

Knowing Sui Sui would be wearing a gemstone necklace, Shang Xuci had a real one sent over. Inside it was a tracker, so there would be no fear of the kitten wandering off and getting lost while playing.

Jian Xun knew it was his gemstone necklace. He strutted with confidence, and whenever the gem disappeared into the thick fluff of his chest, he would adjust his posture and use his paw to pull it out into view, proudly showing off his treasure.

Today, however, he wasn’t in the mood for that. Upon arriving at the set, he lazily sprawled across Chen Chi’s lap.

These past few days, whenever he was on set, Chen Chi would feed him until his little belly was round and full. Back home, he would pass his untouched cat food directly to Little Calico and her grandpa.

Chen Chi was handsome, his voice pleasant, and his expression gentle whenever he stroked the cat’s fur. Whenever he had free time, he was either feeding the kitten or playing with a yarn ball or teaser wand. Photos of the two of them together had made the trending search list several times.

The top-tier celebrity’s team didn’t mind—hype with a cat was much easier to handle than hype with a person.

But Jian Xun wasn’t as lively and playful as before. He had even begun to feel a little anxious. The book hadn’t specified the exact time of the incident, but judging by the filming schedule, it should be around this period that Chen Chi would be harmed. He had to stay on high alert, paying close attention to every sound and movement around them. Only when he had already cleared an area of danger would he allow himself to relax like this.

He had memorized the scent of everyone on set. If a suspicious stranger appeared, the cat would immediately notice.

That day, after finishing his scene, Jian Xun was enjoying a massage from Shen Huan. Once Shen Huan’s attention was no longer fully on him, he slipped away to patrol and inspect the surroundings as usual.

He didn’t know the exact time the incident would happen, but any scene involving “water” made Jian Xun especially cautious.

The props department was a key area!

His pink nose sniffed at all the gourds, ladles, water jars, and kettles in the props room. Finding nothing unusual, he leapt to the floor and padded toward the restroom.

Suddenly, as the cleaning lady passed by, a strange scent hit his nose.

That smell!

Jian Xun took several deep sniffs of the air, but couldn’t catch the scent again. Still, seeing how hurriedly the cleaning lady was moving, he quietly followed her.

Sui Sui Detective No. 3—on the case!

The four soft pink paw pads landed silently on the floor as he crept after her, watching as she slipped into the props room and closed the door.

Two minutes later, she emerged, lowering her cap and mask, hunching her shoulders, and walking along the wall—seemingly avoiding the surveillance cameras on purpose.

The kitten paused at the doorway for two seconds, then stood up and opened the door. Click—easy entry. Guided by his sharp nose, he began sniffing row by row.

Just as he caught that unusual scent again, someone entered the room.

Jian Xun quickly hid.

The props department head, Sister Zhang, and Xiao Zhao walked in—a man and a woman, chatting as they entered.

“Didn’t expect the role of the musician to be played by Shang Yi. I remember he’s President Shang’s younger brother? He didn’t get in through connections, did he?”

“You’re overthinking it. Jiang Yuanqing is the boss’s fiancée, and you saw for yourself she had to go through an audition just to land a supporting role. How could she possibly open the back door for a younger brother she’s not even close to?” The two talked as they checked the props needed for the afternoon’s shoot.

After gossiping for a bit about the rumors between the two Shang brothers, they circled back to the main topic.

“True. I heard Shang Yi is the music producer for our drama. Why would someone like that bother taking on a tiny supporting role? It’s just a cameo.”

“Yeah, exactly. Not like the extras running around with everyone else,” Sister Zhang said. “Director Kang is very strict. For the scene this afternoon where someone gets splashed with dirty water, he specially had harmless but foul-smelling water prepared to make the reactions realistic. Do you think those young actors can endure that?”

Xiao Zhao, a tall, broad-shouldered man, paused his work and replied seriously, “If Director Kang picked them, they must be professionals with solid work ethics. Everyone values this opportunity.”

Jian Xun was standing on an unsteady cardboard box, eavesdropping. Maintaining such an awkward position wasn’t easy, and both cat and box wobbled precariously, creaking.

Xiao Zhao caught the faint sound, glanced toward the noise, but, uncertain, continued, “Besides, Chen Chi is in that scene. If a big star like him isn’t complaining, no one else will either. They’ll just hope the smell doesn’t linger too long.”

Hearing that key name, Jian Xun, crouched behind a pile of miscellaneous boxes, looked up. He saw a strong, muscular arm reaching for a bottle, and he hurriedly leapt out.

“Meow!” The lion cat planted himself in front of the bottle, eyes serious, letting out a low, warning growl.

You can’t take that suspicious bottle!

Xiao Zhao froze for a moment, then, recognizing the cat, snapped out of it and laughed. “Oh, it’s Sui Sui. What are you doing here, huh? Be good, listen to Uncle, and come down.”

Sister Zhang spotted the cat too—snow-white fur, beautiful eyes, and an expensive gemstone necklace hanging around his neck. Her heart skipped a beat.

So it was true—rich people’s cats were rich too!

“Sui Sui, come down from there, alright? What if you fall? Look, Auntie’s got a cat treat for you!” Sister Zhang, delighted that the treat she’d been carrying finally had a use, felt her heart itch at the sight of the boss’s adorable cat. She had long wanted to pet him for some good fortune.

Jian Xun kept meowing at them, but in the next moment, he was scooped up. A pleasant, intoxicating scent surrounded his nose. When the woman tore open the cat treat and held it to his mouth, he turned his head away in refusal.

And then—his soft pink tongue betrayed him and moved on its own!

Damn it.

After finishing the treat, Jian Xun meowed earnestly, scolding the woman and the cat treat for ruining his mission. The very next second, another cat treat appeared in front of him.

Pat-pat.

Slurp-slurp.

The kitten clutched the cat treat, licking it as if the world had faded away, utterly unwilling to part with it.

It smelled so good.

---

“Perfect,” Kang Gai murmured, then asked the photographer to take a few more shots.

Whether it was the leaping motion, the moment when the owner left, the cat’s instinctive paw reaching out to stop them with a sense of foreboding, or the sight of the owner’s back disappearing as the cat watched—its expression full of loneliness and sorrow—everything was vivid and lifelike, as if the cat truly were that cat, living in that era.

“Very good.”

The entire sequence of cat-related shots was now complete.

The moment the director called “Cut!”, Jian Xun immediately sprang to life, like a cannonball shooting toward Shang Xuci, who had been standing nearby watching. He threw himself against Shang Xuci’s legs, rubbing against him enthusiastically.

The lively behavior was completely different from the anxious, worried cat just moments before.

The bright sapphire-blue cat eyes were now clear and lively, the almond-shaped frame brimming with joy.

Shang Xuci picked him up, using a wet wipe to clean his paws. Once they were clean, he held the cat in his arms and gave him a gentle pat, while the cat shamelessly begged for attention.

“Meow~”

Let’s see if the intimacy level has changed!

Hehe, not bad, not bad—it’s gone up a little.

Shang Xuci lightly rubbed the soft, tender, pink paw pads with the tip of his finger.

“So this cat belongs to President Shang?” Kang Gai walked over with a smile.

“Mm. He’s very playful.”

“Yes, a very clever cat indeed. No wonder you signed him up for the audition.”

Shang Xuci simply smiled without answering. He couldn’t exactly say it had nothing to do with him and that the cat had signed itself up, could he?

And had even been chosen at first sight.

The little white cat wrapped his paws around the big boss’s neck and patted his shoulder proudly.

The next group stepped onto the set, and Jian Xun noticed a familiar figure—the big boss’s fiancée, Jiang Yuanqing.

He thought so. How could such an important drama not have Jiang Yuanqing in it? He’d heard from the office ladies that she had even approached Shang Xuci personally for the role, but was turned away at the door.

Jian Xun had also heard that Director Kang Gai was very strict, and there was no way the crew would allow anyone to buy their way in. That meant Jiang Yuanqing must have gotten in purely on her own merits.

Backstage.

Jiang Yuanqing stared at the female lead’s back, her fingers clenching white. She hadn’t expected the role she’d been eyeing to be taken by a completely unremarkable woman. She’d checked the woman’s information—just an eighteenth-tier minor star—while she herself had only managed to secure a supporting villain role through her own efforts.

Fortunately, this supporting role still had plenty of scenes. In the early stages, the character was portrayed as the male lead’s first love, beautiful and pure. As long as she seized the opportunity, she could still stun the audience with this role.

In fact, it was Shang Ye who had secured it for her. That day when she went to find Director Kang Gai, she had left a bad impression, but Shang Ye not only got her a chance to audition for another group, he also gave her a new female-lead script from another famous domestic director. Either way, once the new drama aired, her career would rise.

With that thought, Jiang Yuanqing’s heart finally regained balance.

But just now, when she saw the lion cat auditioning and Shang Xuci standing there watching, her dislike for him deepened yet again. He claimed he would never abuse his power, but wasn’t he still putting his own cat into the show?

In comparison, Jiang Yuanqing gave a cold laugh.

After finishing his scene, Jian Xun obediently stayed in Shang Xuci’s arms. When he saw Shang Xuci not leaving, and Jiang Yuanqing taking the stage again, he nodded slightly.

So, it was to watch his fiancée, huh?

That thought was broken just over ten minutes later.

“Wow, it’s Chen Chi!”

“Ahhh, it’s really him! I knew he’d be in this drama too!”

A burst of excited chatter came from the doorway.

The man was strikingly handsome, dressed in the battle armor of an ancient general. His long, flowing hair was tied into a high ponytail, radiating youthful energy. He carried both an imposing presence and a spirited vitality, his gait and gaze as if he had stepped straight out of an ancient painting.

Everyone present smiled in admiration—no wonder he was Chen Chi, he was just too handsome!

Director Kang Gai also nodded in satisfaction. These days, finding a young male actor with both skill, popularity, and a strong sense of conviction was incredibly difficult, but Chen Chi had not let him down.

Jian Xun’s eyes lit up—it was Chen Chi, the male lead from Love 100%! He was even more handsome in person than on TV.

In an instant, Jian Xun leapt from Shang Xuci’s arms and ran toward Chen Chi. In the drama, he was the cat Chen Chi’s mother had taken in, and they had a great relationship. He loved nothing more than being Chen Chi’s little shadow.

A crowd gathered around Chen Chi, and Jian Xun wanted to squeeze in for a closer look.

Shang Xuci called out “Sui Sui,” but the cat ignored him, choosing instead to rub against Chen Chi’s leg.

Seeing this, Shang Xuci pressed his lips tightly together, his eyes growing dark.

Hearing the meowing, Chen Chi instinctively looked down. A white cat was clinging to his pants leg, softly mewing.

He picked up the cat and smiled. “You’re the actor cat, Sui Sui, right? You’re so cute.”

After praising him, he took a packet of cat biscuits from his bag, tore it open, and asked, “Smell this—want to try?”

To be complimented right after meeting someone, and with such skilled petting—it was obvious this man had practice. Feeling so comfortable under his touch, Jian Xun narrowed his eyes in bliss, purring softly. When he heard the man offering food, he was overjoyed, meowing as he buried his head against the man’s chest.

“Handsome man with a beautiful cat—so pleasing to the eyes!”

“Hehe, secretly shipping this CP!”

“Look at Mr. Chen’s expression—he really loves cats. He even carries cat snacks with him.”

“Of course. Mr. Chen is good with all animals.”

Seeing Chen Chi interact with the cat, everyone started taking out their phones to snap photos.

Kang Gai even patted a staff member on the shoulder and said cheerfully, “Take a few more shots.”

Perfect for marketing.

Shang Xuci lowered his head, staring at his cold fingertips, lost in thought.

So, it wasn’t as if the cat had to cling to him.

He was pretty savvy, knowing exactly who to stick close to in order to get treats.

Shang Xuci’s narrow, phoenix-like eyes squinted slightly as he slipped a hand into his pocket, giving the candy the cat had hidden there a squeeze.

Some people, seeing how close the cat was to Chen Chi, assumed it must be his cat. But when they voiced their guess, they suddenly felt a chill. A tall, handsome man standing nearby had swept his gaze over them, and for some reason, that one look made them stand at attention, as if they had said something they shouldn’t have.

4 p.m.

Shang Xuci made a quick trip back to the office. The lion cat followed him, wanting to be picked up, mewing coquettishly, but the man ignored him. Though the little white cat felt wronged, he had no choice but to trot after him.

…

For the past few days, the big boss’s office had been stocked with cat treats. The cat would stand on tiptoe to hook them down with his paw, expertly tearing open the packaging, inhaling the scent in bliss, then taking a big bite.

A large hand suddenly slid under his chin, ruthlessly snatching the treat away.

Jian Xun looked up at the owner of the hand. The man’s gaze remained fixed on the computer screen, as if not sparing even a sliver of attention for the cat.

Jian Xun stared at him, then began moving with one paw, feeling around the desk until he found a small piece of cake. He hooked it over with his sharp claws.

Plop—

The small cake accidentally fell to the floor, startling Jian Xun. He looked down at it, while Shang Xuci also glanced over. The little white cat, caught red-pawed, awkwardly shifted his body, trying to cover the “corpse” of the cake with his body. But the man scooped him up with one hand, flicking his plump belly with just enough force to make a point.

“You’ve even got a belly now.” Shang Xuci bent down to pick up the small cake. Since it was still in its wrapper, it was fine to eat.

His long fingers tore open the packet, then used the little fork inside to spear a piece and feed it to the cat.

The little white cat purred twice, opened his mouth, and flicked his tail high into the air.

After that, the man didn’t watch the cat as he fed him piece by piece. Instead, he kept his head down, eyes fixed on the documents, yet the cake in his hand still found its way precisely to the cat’s mouth every time.

Returning the favor, after finishing the cake, Jian Xun unwrapped a piece of candy and pushed it onto the document Shang Xuci was reading.

“Meow.”

It’s freshly opened—just peel the wrapper and you’ll see the candy inside!

Shang Xuci raised an eyebrow and said casually, “Feed me.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the candy wrapper on the document was picked up by the cat. Thump—

The cat landed lightly on the desk, reaching out a paw.

A piece of candy was delivered right to Shang Xuci’s lips.

Shang Xuci was momentarily stunned. He had only been joking, yet Sui Sui had actually fed him. He bent down without thinking, licking and taking the candy into his mouth.

The sweet taste spread through his mouth. Realizing what he’d just done, Shang Xuci gave a silent laugh.

When had he started acting this childish?

He looked at the cat’s head rubbing frantically against his palm, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. Pushing the documents aside, he opened a drawer and took out a yarn ball.

The cat saw the ball and let out a spoiled meow, urging the man to play with him.

Just then, the phone on the desk vibrated. Shang Xuci glanced at it—it was a message from his cousin, Shen Huan.

[Cousin, did you let Sui Sui go act in a drama?]

Shang Xuci: [?]

Shen Huan: [It’s trending! Sui Sui’s on the hot search! I knew he was going to be popular!]

Shang Xuci opened Weibo. The hashtag #TopStarAndHisCat was ranked second on the trending list.

The first spot was also a post from Chen Chi.

He clicked into the second tag.

A nine-photo collage—all of them were of a man holding a cat. The title read “Top Star and Cat.” Shang Xuci browsed through each image before finally looking at the comments.

[Lion cat! Chen Chi and the cat look so good together!]

[Uwu, the cat is so well-behaved—especially in the fifth photo. They’re looking at each other, and in the cat’s eyes there’s only Chen Chi, and in Chen Chi’s eyes there’s only the cat. Love it, love it.]

[Serious question—Is this cat the top star’s cat?]

[In the drama, yes. In real life, not sure. Haven’t seen Chen Chi post any photos of the cat before.]

[I don’t care, I’m shipping Chen Chi and the cat! They’re the best pair in the world.]

[Right? A cute, soft, adorable cat with a cold, rugged general—ship, ship, ship!]

[Quick, look—Chen Chi just posted an official Weibo with the cat. @ChenChi]

Shang Xuci clicked directly into Chen Chi’s account and happened to see six photos of Sui Sui he had just posted—solo shots of the cat from every angle.

Someone even asked if they were taken at his home.

The comments section was filled entirely with people praising how perfectly matched the cat and Chen Chi were.

Tsk.

Shang Xuci, without a word, posted a photo of himself with the cat on Sui Sui’s account. He also quietly changed the account name—to Shang Shang’s Cat.

The profile picture was of the cat hugging the man’s neck, acting spoiled.

Jian Xun was lazing around at home when he saw a voice message from Big Brother Tu Tu.

Xu Tutu: “Meow meow meow meow!”

[Sui Sui, you’ve made it! Already acting now? Is the pay good? Do they still need more cats?]

Jian Xun tapped the voice message with his paw pad: “Meow meow meow?”

[Huh? How do you know about it? I don’t even know how much it is yet. If they need other cats later, I’ll tell you.]

Xu Tutu: [smoking.jpg]

Shang Suisui: [lighting-cigarette.jpg]

Xu Tutu: [You’re trending. You should check. I thought you’d gotten together with that handsome guy.]

Shang Suisui: [What are you talking about? I’ll go see.]

Aside from memes, the two cats communicated mostly in meowing voice messages. After exiting the chat, Jian Xun went to check Weibo.

And there it was—his own trending topic!

Jian Xun scrolled through the comments. So many people were shipping him and Chen Chi, and quite a few claimed he was Chen Chi’s cat. Jian Xun shook his head hard.

No! Absolutely not!

He was not Chen Chi’s cat.

It took him a while to remember his account password, but once he logged in and saw his new nickname, he froze for a moment. Had Shen Huan changed it?

The cat jabbed at the blank post editor with his paw.

He posted a new update:

[My name is Shang Suisui.]

Along with a cat ID photo.

After sending it successfully, Jian Xun closed the tablet, bounded upstairs in two steps, thud thud thud, and ran into the study.

He jumped onto the desk, fixing his gaze on the big boss.

He wondered if Shang Xuci had seen the trending topic. If he saw people saying he was someone else’s cat, what would he think?

Jian Xun sat on the desk, his little paws shifting slightly. He thought, It’d be nice if human and cat were chasing each other equally.

But even if it was one-sided, it didn’t matter—he would always be Shang Xuci’s one and only cat.

“Meow~ meow~” The white lion cat lifted his head to stare at Shang Xuci. Then he stepped closer, stood up on his hind legs, placed his front paws on the man’s shirt, and patted him to signal him to bend down.

Smack—

The moment Shang Xuci lowered his head, the little white cat puckered up and planted a quick kiss on the man’s chin.

---