The little white cat covered its eyes.
Jian Xun had already started crying. He’d worked so hard to build up his image as a well-behaved kitty, and now it was all ruined!
Sob sob sob.
Shang Xuci changed his shoes, placed his laptop bag on the entryway cabinet, and looked up to see the little cat standing perfectly still. For a moment, he thought a burglar had broken in. But after taking a closer look at the floor, aside from some cat fur and paw prints, there was nothing suspicious.
Forget it. He’d check the security footage later to see if anyone suspicious had been in the hallway.
“Sui Sui, come here.”
When he heard his name, Jian Xun flinched a little. He walked over sluggishly, dragging his perfectly fine right leg as if it were also injured. Not cat-like at all.
“Meow~”
Jian Xun walked up to the big boss and let out an apologetic mewl.
I didn’t mean to mess up the house like this.
The little white cat lowered his head to look at his paws. His ears, usually perky, drooped at a 45-degree angle. His tail, which normally swayed with pride, was wrapped neatly around his feet, completely still.
Shang Xuci crouched down and gently pinched his warm cat ears. His voice was elegant: “I’m back.”
Just four simple words—and Jian Xun’s head shot up in disbelief. All his pent-up grievance sprang up like wild grass in spring… and the moment Shang Xuci’s fingers left his ear, Jian Xun pounced forward and rubbed against his leg.
“Meow meow meow~ Meow!”
You’re back!
I missed you so much!
Half an hour later, the housekeeper arrived to clean. Shang Xuci also came back after checking the security footage.
There was no sign of any suspicious person.
Jian Xun lay on his cat mat, staring at the housekeeper as she cleaned—from the kitchen to the living room, then the bathroom, and finally the shower.
He watched every step of the process, from wiping down surfaces to mopping the floors, from start to finish.
When the boss went to pay, Jian Xun hurried over to check the price.
Three digits.
So expensive.
Fortunately, the big boss didn’t get angry.
Jian Xun’s ears drooped. Although there was a robot vacuum at home, it didn’t work very well. Shang Xuci had to juggle both his studies and work, deal with business contacts, and his health wasn’t great to begin with. Now, on top of everything, he had to take care of a cat. He could only spare a little time to play with him.
So wherever Shang Xuci went, Jian Xun followed closely, afraid of losing sight of him.
That evening, Shang Xuci checked the automatic feeder and discovered that in just two days, a surprising amount of food had disappeared. The dried fish snacks were completely gone, and several cans of wet food were missing too.
Eating this much?
But he didn’t seem to have gained any weight.
Looking over at the creamy-white little fluff ball curled up on the mat, lazily flicking his tail, Shang Xuci gave a light cough. The little cat opened his bright eyes and shot toward him like a cannonball, lifting his head and staring longingly at the man’s arms, paws tapping excitedly in place.
When will I finally get a hug?!
I want snuggles!
Hearing Sui Sui’s sweet and clingy meows, Shang Xuci’s slender, fair fingers scratched his chin and brushed gently over the tips of his ears. In a calm voice, he said, “Why are you so clingy? I was only gone for a little while.”
His expression remained cool, but there was a noticeable softness in his eyes.
Jian Xun let out a pitiful whimper.
It wasn’t just a little while—you were gone for two whole days!
Their intimacy level was rising. That meant the big boss must be enjoying his closeness too.
Sui Sui was very happy.
It’s not like he let just anyone pet him—when Shen Huan tried, she had to give him five whole bags of dried fish snacks!
Five entire bags.
Jian Xun had never seen so many dried fish snacks before.
When Shang Xuci headed to the study, Jian Xun followed.
Long time no see, Mister Study Room!
Even though it had only been two days, Jian Xun acted overly excited. He wandered leisurely around the room, exploring every corner before finally lying down at Shang Xuci’s feet.
It’s so late—is the boss still going to work?
Jian Xun curled up and tucked his paws in. After Shang Xuci returned to the bedroom, he went back to his cardboard box.
Later that night, Jian Xun counted the single-digit increase in their intimacy score over the past few days. He crouched just outside the hallway, watching the light spill from the crack under Shang Xuci’s bedroom door. The moment that light disappeared, he jumped down, stood up on his hind legs, and placed his front paws on the cardboard box, gently pushing it.
Tonight, I’m sleeping at the boss’s door.
He had to wake up early in the morning—couldn’t let himself be discovered.
No matter how quiet he tried to be, the sound of the cardboard box sliding across the floor couldn’t be completely silenced.
Inside the room, Shang Xuci was already used to the little kitten being active at night. He wore earplugs, took his medicine, and went to sleep.
Jian Xun spent the whole night dreaming—dreaming that he and the big boss were playing together. Shang Xuci had bought him a luxurious villa, with an entire floor dedicated to cat supplies. In the beautiful garden, the boss held him close, snuggled him while feeding him dried fish snacks, making all the stray cats passing by green with envy.
The sweet dream continued until morning. Jian Xun didn’t wake up from the chirping birds outside, but was instead alerted by the alarm clock sounding from behind the door—Shang Xuci was about to get up.
Jian Xun quickly crawled out of his warm and cozy cat bed, lifted his butt for a big stretch, and yawned with his eyes shut.
“Meow~”
Time to push the box!
From the hallway to the living room—he had just pushed it one step forward when the bedroom door opened.
Jian Xun, who had been pushing the box upright on two legs, immediately flopped down on top of it in a poor attempt to cover things up. After two seconds, he pretended he was just playing with the box.
He pushed it to the left wall, then to the right wall, and eventually ended up right at the feet of the man who had just stepped into the living room.
“Meow.”
I wasn’t pushing it to your bedroom door, nope—I was just playing!
Hehe.
Shang Xuci grabbed him by the scruff with one hand and looked him straight in the eye.
“What’s with this silly behavior?”
Jian Xun: ??
Two seconds later, he flailed his paws in the air: “Meow meow!!”
I’m not silly!
Let me go!
Shang Xuci quickly set him down and said gently, “If you keep pushing the box like that, it’ll break over time, okay?”
What he really wanted to say was: Don’t push the box every night when I’m trying to sleep. It’s hard enough for me to fall asleep as it is.
But the little kitten wouldn’t understand that, so Shang Xuci could only use hand gestures to try and explain.
He knew the little cat loved his cardboard box the most.
Sure enough, Jian Xun glanced at the bedroom door, then at the box under his paws. He hurried to push it back into its original spot, then flopped down on top of it.
Pushing boxes is so tiring…
The corners of Shang Xuci’s lips lifted slightly, and he went to wash up with a towel.
After breakfast, Shang Xuci checked the time on his phone. Today happened to be the day for Sui Sui’s regular check-up and vaccination. He fetched the pet carrier from the storage room and set it on the table.
Jian Xun had been watching him closely, and the moment he saw the familiar carrier, he tensed up and zipped into his cardboard box in a flash.
What’s the boss up to?!
Jian Xun anxiously flattened his ears and burrowed deep into his shirt.
Not seeing the cat in the living room, Shang Xuci walked straight to the box and tapped it twice like he was knocking on a door. “Sui Sui, come out.”
Sui Sui curled up tightly and covered his head.
“Meow!”
No!
I don’t want to!
Normally, a single call would have Sui Sui running over excitedly. But now, his meow sounded soft, with a tinge of grievance.
Why was he suddenly hiding in the box?
“If you don’t come out, I’ll come in there and get you myself.”
“Meow-owww!”
Noooo!
Neither the feather wand nor dried fish snacks worked. Shang Xuci glanced at the time on his wristwatch—if this kept up, they’d be late.
Left with no choice, he reached in to grab the cat. But the moment he touched a furry paw, the little white cat began to struggle. Once he managed to get him out and walk to the table, Sui Sui clung tightly to his sleeve and began to wail with heartbreaking cries.
No! No!
I don’t want to go in there!
Are you trying to give me away again?!
I only ate a bit too much… was a little noisy with the box… and the messy room was just an accident! Are you getting rid of me again?!
Jian Xun resisted with all four limbs—even his injured left leg was kicking forcefully, refusing to go into the carrier.
At the slightest loosened grip, he bolted away, fleeing far from the pet carrier like it was the plague.
Following Sui Sui’s gaze, Shang Xuci finally understood the reason.
Sui Sui was scared.
He was afraid of the carrier.
Inside, there was only a pee pad. Shang Xuci took one of his own shirts and placed it inside, then called out to Sui Sui again.
But Sui Sui wasn’t having it. He burrowed deep into the gap between the couch cushions and refused to come out.
With no other choice, Shang Xuci called Gu Ming.
Gu Ming got straight to the point: “Sounds like trauma. Remember the last time you tried to give the cat away? Wasn’t it the same carrier you’re using now?”
Shang Xuci froze. “You mean… he’s afraid I’m going to give him away?”
“Yeah. The way he’s reacting, it’s probably because of that unpleasant experience last time.”
“I see.”
After hanging up, Shang Xuci put the pet carrier back in the storage room and took out the soft-sided cat backpack instead. He hesitated briefly, then walked over to the sofa.
“Sui Sui, I’m taking you to the hospital for your regular leg check-up. We’ll come straight home afterward. Will you come out, okay?”
Jian Xun peeked his head halfway out from the gap between the cushions.
“Meow?”
Really?
“I’m not using the carrier—just the cat backpack. Is that alright?”
Shang Xuci rarely spoke to anyone so gently, let alone to a cat. Even he was surprised at how patient he’d become.
He didn’t know how to raise a cat, so he treated Sui Sui more like a child. A cat might be different from a human, but the principle was the same: sincerity is always the ultimate key. Whether the other party understands or not, things that need to be explained should still be said clearly.
Another bit of the cat’s head squeezed out from the couch cushions.
“Meow.”
I trust you.
Jian Xun stretched out a paw, and Shang Xuci gently held the soft, furry little paw.
This time, when he picked Sui Sui up and placed him into the cat backpack, the kitten didn’t resist.
…
Gu Ming put on rubber gloves and looked at the little white cat with a smile. “So, have you given him a name this time?”
“Sui Sui,” Shang Xuci replied. “His name is Sui Sui.”
“Mm, such a cute animal deserves a cute name.” He’d thought Shang Xuci would go for a more “human-like” name.
“Sui Sui, let me take a look at your leg.”
Gu Ming carefully examined the leg. “It’s healing very well.”
“While we’re at it, let’s give him all the remaining vaccinations.”
“Alright.”
Jian Xun understood what was being said and tried to comfort himself—it’s just one shot, it’ll only hurt for a moment.
He suddenly glanced over at Shang Xuci. The man walked over and gently covered the kitten’s eyes. “Don’t be afraid.”
Jian Xun did his best to stay calm.
Although Gu Ming didn’t often treat cats, he had to admit—this was the most well-behaved little kitten he’d ever encountered.
Without struggling at all, Jian Xun gripped the cloth mat beneath him and endured the shot like a champ.
“So well-behaved,” Gu Ming praised. “Now’s a good time to give him a reward—something he really wants.”
Shang Xuci’s fingers tightened slightly inside his pocket. He hadn’t brought any dried fish or treats.
Noticing the obvious reaction, Gu Ming chuckled softly.
He said, “It doesn’t have to be food. Just give him whatever it is he’s hoping to get from you.”
Jian Xun understood what Gu Ming meant. His almond-shaped cat eyes sparkled, and he smacked his lips. As Shang Xuci approached, he licked his mouth in anticipation.
Shang Xuci gave his leg a gentle pat. The little cat closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and puckered his lips.
Jian Xun: Go ahead. You may now kiss the kitty.
Shang Xuci froze, his hand—still holding the paw—suspended awkwardly in mid-air.