Five o’clock in the afternoon.
Shang Xuci drove Jian Xun home. On the way, Jian Xun asked, “What do you think of my work ability?”
“Tell me the truth,” he added seriously.
“You’re thoughtful and considerate, so being a personal assistant suits you perfectly.”
“What about regular clerical work?” Jian Xun continued. “I feel like I’m just doing chores and running errands—things anyone else could do.”
Sensing his low mood, Shang Xuci asked calmly, “Then what do you want to do?”
“Me?” Jian Xun said worriedly. “I don’t think I’m good at anything besides playing games and cooking.”
At the Jian family’s request, Jian Xun had learned many skills, like piano and ballroom dancing, but he never wanted to treat them as work.
Gaming was seen as a waste of time, and after hearing so much negativity, Jian Xun had given up on it.
“How about becoming an e-sports player?”
“Is that even possible?” Jian Xun’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Why not?” Shang Xuci encouraged. “You’re already so good at gaming as a cat—you’ll definitely be even better as a human.”
The compliment lifted Jian Xun’s spirits. “How do you know cats are good at gaming?”
“You posted a video on your account.”
“Oh, you saw that?” Jian Xun covered his face with his hands, mortified that a close friend had discovered such an embarrassing part of his past.
Shang Xuci stopped teasing him. “I had an e-sports room set up at home. You can try it yourself.”
At a red light, Shang Xuci brought the car to a halt. Jian Xun leaned toward the window, intently watching the nearby university. Students passed by in groups, chatting and laughing.
Shang Xuci remembered what Jian Xun had once said about dying right after getting into university. He asked softly, “Do you want to go to school?”
Jian Xun hesitated, first shaking his head, then nodding. “Yes.”
He just didn’t want to go through all the hardships again. Jian Xun had never been a top student, but he had worked hard to earn his place at a prestigious university—and only he knew the struggles behind it.
Now, in this life, he had transformed from a cat into a human and was searching for work. Yet without a strong educational background, he couldn’t land a decent job. He understood the importance of education. Even though he didn’t need it while working at Shang Xuci’s company, he didn’t want to depend on Shang Xuci for everything.
“Then go,” Shang Xuci said. “What about your major? Do you want to choose e-sports?”
Jian Xun thought about it and felt a spark of excitement. “Yeah!”
It seemed Shang Xuci also supported him going back to school. Jian Xun had never dared to imagine it. Not long ago, he had been worried about rent and daily expenses. Returning to school—and even choosing a major he loved—had once felt impossible.
But the problem was, he didn’t even have an elementary school diploma in this world.
He voiced his concerns, but Shang Xuci only curved his lips. “Don’t worry about that.”
As long as Jian Xun wanted to go to school, Shang Xuci would find a way.
The two of them talked about Jian Xun’s future plans until they reached his house. Shang Xuci pulled over and said, “I’m going back to the Shang residence.”
Jian Xun sensed that something unpleasant awaited him, so he asked anxiously, “Do you need me to go with you?”
Shang Xuci shook his head, patted Jian Xun’s head, and smiled. “There’s no good food or drink there, and it’ll just be boring. Wait for me at home—I’ll be back soon.”
Jian Xun hesitated for a moment, then nodded obediently.
After watching him go inside, Shang Xuci restarted the car and drove straight to the Shang residence.
“Young Master,” the butler greeted at the door. “Master said to come straight upstairs.”
Shang Xuci changed his shoes at the entrance and ran into Shang Ye on his way up.
The man looked uneasy, dressed in a slightly wrinkled suit that was unlike his usual immaculate attire.
Shang Ye’s expression darkened when he saw Shang Xuci. Forcing a smile, he said, “I heard you were attacked abroad?”
Shang Xuci frowned slightly, resenting the way Shang Ye sized him up, a sour feeling prickling across his skin.
“But I’m glad you’re all right,” Shang Ye added.
“Are you finished? Please move aside,” Shang Xuci said flatly.
With a long stride, he brushed past him.
Shang Ye suddenly raised his voice. “You must be very pleased with yourself, aren’t you? After all these twists and turns, the Shang Group has finally fallen back into your hands.”
“No—if you want it, it’s within your grasp,” Shang Ye went on, his composure cracking. “Everyone’s bullish on you! You must be thrilled now, aren’t you?”
Shang Xuci replied coldly, “I gave you a chance.”
“Ability is honed through self-cultivation. You should seize opportunities.” He continued walking up the stairs, then stopped, turned, and looked down at Shang Ye. His voice was merciless. “Grandfather must have told you the same thing: merchants don’t talk about feelings, only profit. Instead of whining, why not think about reconciling with that crazy woman?”
“What do you mean?”
“I always thought I was cold, especially toward Shang family members. I didn’t expect you to be even more ruthless.” Shang Xuci’s gaze turned glacial. He sneered, “You even struck your own brother. Do you really think others are blind?”
With that, Shang Xuci turned away and walked down the corridor.
Shang Ye stood with his head bowed, face pale, his fingers clenched into fists. He cast an unwilling glance toward the study before finally pulling out his phone.
Tea Room.
Shang Jue was half-reclining in a chair, reading, a thin blanket draped over him. When the door opened, he adjusted his glasses and looked at Shang Xuci.
“You’re here? Are you all right?”
“Fine,” Shang Xuci replied without hesitation. He pulled out the chair beside him, sat down with his legs crossed, and said, “I’m sure you already know everything.”
Shang Jue’s hand trembled as he turned a page, then froze.
He closed the book and remained silent for a long time.
“It was a rough trip. I’m glad you’re safe,” Shang Jue finally sighed. “Otherwise, I don’t know how I’d explain it to your grandmother.”
“Have you found the murderer?”
“Grandpa, you know him,” Shang Xuci spat out. “Du Guan.”
“His original name was He Guan.”
At the mention of that name, Shang Jue’s expression changed drastically.
Shang Xuci immediately understood—it wasn’t just business competition. Du Guan was targeting the Shang family itself.
Shang Jue’s face darkened. He closed his eyes, and old memories surfaced.
He and Du Guan had once been classmates, close friends, even like brothers. After graduation, Du Guan followed him into Shang Group. At that time, Shang Jue still had an elder brother above him, and the competition was fierce. He had to claw his way up from the bottom. Du Guan was by his side through it all, until Shang Jue finally reached the top.
It was thanks to Du Guan’s help that he secured his position and expanded Shang Group threefold. But that rapid rise also planted hidden dangers.
Later, an incident occurred, and Shang Group was framed. Shang Jue was imprisoned, and the company went into decline. Du Guan served several years in his place.
Shang Jue had promised to take care of his family and arrange work for him.
But by the time Du Guan was released, his grandmother had passed away—just a week before his release. No one had told him, and he couldn’t even attend the funeral.
Heartbroken, Du Guan went to find Shang Jue, but he wasn’t there. Within two days, Du Guan received notice that the company had fired him. With his criminal record, no domestic firm would hire him. He was left to rely on his savings—and his girlfriend, who soon broke up with him.
Du Guan had been betrayed twice, both times by the people he trusted most. Later, Shang Jue’s father arranged a private meeting with him, but Du Guan took the money and left the country.
When Shang Jue found out and confronted his father, he discovered Du Guan was already gone. He had even changed his surname, and all traces of his past with the Shang family had been erased.
Now that Shang Xuci had spoken that name, the memories returned in full. No wonder Du Guan had targeted the Shang family. Shang Jue knew both his father and Du Guan too well. Du Guan was a man of fierce pride, while his father believed that money could solve anything. It was easy to imagine him saying something humiliating during their conversation. Otherwise, Du Guan would never have turned his hatred on the Shang family itself.
He hated them to the core.
Shang Jue’s pale face twisted into a wry smile. “I knew someone as arrogant as him would seek revenge sooner or later.
I just didn’t expect he’d actually come after you and Shang Yi this time.”
“Shang Yi was an accident.”
Noticing Shang Jue’s surprised expression, Shang Xuci thought to himself that the old man had truly grown soft—soft-hearted, confused, and far too trusting.
No wonder Xu Rong had devoted half her time to caring for him after his fall. She had only been paving a way out for herself.
“Xu Rong must have come to see you, Grandpa,” Shang Xuci said, his eyelids drooping. “Did she tell you about Shang Yi, put on a pitiful act in front of you, hoping I’d let her off?”
Shang Jue lowered his voice. “She’s done nothing for our family, but she has worked hard. Shang Yi’s injury nearly cost her life…”
At this, Shang Xuci sneered and cut him off. “Where is Xu Rong now?”
What would Shang Jue have done if it had been him lying in that hospital bed?
Shang Xuci lowered his eyes, remembering his previous life. It had been the same. Shang Jue had only come to see him briefly—not out of love for his grandson, but to confirm whether he was still capable of inheriting the company. When the doctor said his legs were disabled, the old man felt regret, but not grief.
Shang Jue’s words pulled him back from his memories.
“She went abroad to see Shang Yi.”
“Grandpa, you let her go?” Shang Xuci’s eyes narrowed, his cold glare fixed on Shang Jue. Frowning, he spoke slowly: “You should know the grudge between her and me.”
Shang Jue’s cloudy eyes shifted away as he cleared his throat. “Xu Rong told me about your grandfather’s situation. I knew I couldn’t intervene, so I simply asked her to check on Shang Yi. Once his problem is resolved, you can deal with her as you wish.”
Shang Xuci gave him a long, hard look and instantly made up his mind. He had once believed the old man might change in this life, but he never did. He always took everything for granted. He loved no one but himself.
Hearing this now, Shang Xuci almost found it laughable. “Since when did you become so trusting of Xu Rong? Are you so certain she’ll ever come back?”
Shang Jue frowned. “Her family is here—why wouldn’t she come back?”
After saying that, he picked up his teacup and took a sip.
“Right, you don’t know her identity yet,” Shang Xuci said after a brief pause. “Xu Rong is Du Guan’s daughter.”
Shang Jue’s hand trembled. A few drops of tea spilled onto his dry skin, slowly soaking into the cuffs of his sleeve.
“I met Shang Ye on my way here. Didn’t he tell you Xu Rong colluded with Du Guan to sell the company’s trade secrets?”
Shang Jue set down his cup, his eyelids twitching. Only then did he grasp the gravity of the situation.
“Shang Ye didn’t tell me,” Shang Jue admitted, closing his eyes. “I won’t interfere in Shang’s affairs—including your father’s.”
“I won’t intervene in Xu Rong’s matters anymore either,” Shang Jue continued. “Shang Wei is your father. Family disgrace shouldn’t be aired in public. You should keep this matter quiet.”
“I’ll handle Shang Wei’s affairs.” Too tired to waste more words on the old fool, Shang Xuci replied perfunctorily, then stood up. “Take care of your health.”
He had never expected anything from Shang Jue.
From the moment he received Xu Rong’s call, he had known she would turn to the old man for help, at the very least to secure a large sum of money and flee abroad. He thought she would be satisfied with that chance to escape.
But she had overlooked one thing: her son Shang Yi was in his hands. Shang Xuci was deliberately using Shang Yi as bait to draw out both Xu Rong and Du Guan—so he could catch them in one sweep.
Now, all he had to do was wait patiently for the trap to spring shut.
By the time he finished his conversation with Shang Jue, it was already half past ten. The housekeeper urged him to rest, but Shang Xuci flatly refused.
He was no longer alone. Someone was waiting for him at home.
Thinking of Jian Xun, Shang Xuci’s heart settled, and a rare sense of ease washed over him.
He picked up his phone and sent Jian Xun a message.
Jian Xun replied: [Have you eaten yet?]
Shang Xuci: [No.]
Jian Xun: [I’ll cook for you!]
He finished his last game, then went downstairs to make fried rice.
When the fragrant rice was done, he covered the pot with a lid, left the kitchen, and sat on the sofa in the living room to wait.
The doorknob turned, and the cat’s ears twitched. Jian Xun quickly tucked his tail into his pants and fixed his gaze on the door.
“Sui Sui?” Shang Xuci’s voice carried into the room as the door opened. He removed his cashmere coat, his leather shoes clicking crisply against the polished wooden floor of the entryway. Bending to change his shoes, he straightened his back again.
Jian Xun’s eyes lit up, and he leapt into Shang Xuci’s arms. “You’re back.”
Shang Xuci held him close for a moment before Jian Xun took his hand and served him rice.
Sitting beside him, Shang Xuci ladled himself a bowl. “You haven’t eaten either?”
“Of course not,” Jian Xun said matter-of-factly. “I was waiting for you so we could eat together.”
“Try it! I learned how to make fried rice from Uncle Zhao. It smells the best right out of the wok.”
Shang Xuci smiled. “Okay.”
After the meal, Jian Xun hurried to wash the dishes, leaving Shang Xuci to shower first. Although Shang Xuci hadn’t told him what had happened at the Shang residence, Jian Xun knew it wasn’t good—the boss looked tired when he returned.
When Shang Xuci came out of the shower, a large white cat was squatting at the door.
“Sui Sui, you turned back into a cat again?”
“Meow!” The big white cat stretched out its front paws and tugged at his bathrobe.
In the bedroom, Shang Xuci dried his hair while watching the cat. When he finished, he used a wet wipe to clean the cat’s face and paws. The cat closed its eyes, enjoying the care, until he gave its rear a pat to signal he was done. Then the cat hopped off his lap and bounded onto the bed, motioning for him to lie down.
“Want me to sleep like a cat tonight?” Shang Xuci asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
The big white cat padded over, flexed its paws, and pressed them against his stomach, urging him to lie down.
The man didn’t quite understand. As they lay down together, he pulled the cat into his arms and sank into bed.
The cat nestled against his chest, kneading with its soft white paws. Its movements were firm yet gentle. It lifted its rear, tail straight like an antenna, while a deep purr rumbled in its throat.
It even tilted its head toward Shang Xuci, ears perked, hoping he would pinch them like he usually did.
That was when Shang Xuci realized—Sui Sui was giving him a massage.
He relaxed, letting the cat press down from his chest to his shoulders with practiced rhythm. The only drawback was that the cat was heavier than before, its entire body weighing on him, making his skin itch with each shift.
Jian Xun pressed carefully, not missing a single spot. With each push, his force was measured and steady.
The cat’s tail brushed faintly against Shang Xuci’s waist. His breathing slowed, eyes closing in a quiet endurance.
Just when he thought it was nearly over, Sui Sui suddenly extended a paw—pressing directly against Shang Xuci’s vitals through the fabric of his pants, steady and precise.
Shang Xuci’s breath caught.