Shang Xuci’s expression suddenly softened. He bent his long legs slightly, patted the little kitten’s head, and said, “I’m back.”
The feeling of having someone waiting at home for him was unfamiliar, yet warm.
He took off his coat, changed into indoor slippers, and set the gift box on a chair. Jian Xun curiously leapt onto it, sniffing all over.
What is this?
The cat’s natural instincts made his paws itch—he wanted to tear the packaging.
Reason won out over instinct.
Jian Xun tentatively stretched out a paw to scratch the bag, glancing quickly toward the big boss. Seeing that the other was in the kitchen boiling water for tea, he continued his movements. He mustn’t let the boss catch him!
The little white cat shifted his butt, hiding behind the gift box, using its slightly larger size as cover. From there, he extended a paw to begin his mission.
Poke, poke, poke. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Claw, claw, claw!
Shang Xuci heard the faint rustling sounds. Carrying a cup of water, he stepped out to see a small cat head and a pair of sneaky paws scratching at the top of the gift bag.
After his tireless efforts, the ribbon had come undone and fallen to the floor. The packaging bag now bore several holes and claw marks…
Shang Xuci took a sip of tea, silently walked over to the table, and fixed his gaze on the little cat.
The white kitten, still having the time of his life with the box, was fully focused on scratching it—until a clear, magnetic voice sounded from above.
“You like it that much?”
Caught in the act, Jian Xun froze on the spot in frustration.
Don’t run, don’t run!
The kitten didn’t dare move his head, only sneaking a glance upward, the very picture of a guilty thief.
Shang Xuci set down his cup and easily opened the box. Inside the white velvet lining lay a sapphire and an emerald necklace bordered with diamonds—both newly released designs from a top-tier designer.
Jian Xun’s deep blue eyes stared unblinkingly at the gemstones.
So pretty.
Are they real?
He couldn’t tell, but he was deeply captivated, forgetting the awkward scene from moments ago.
Seeing that Sui Sui couldn’t tear his eyes—or paws—away from the jewels, Shang Xuci picked up the necklace and asked, “Sui Sui, do you like it?”
Without hesitation, Jian Xun let out a loud meow.
Yes!
His tail swished back and forth.
This was even prettier than the glass marble he’d picked up before!
If Shang Xuci knew Jian Xun was comparing the gemstones to a glass marble, he would definitely laugh and call him a little fool. But this was his cat—and a cat’s words were something he couldn’t understand.
“It’s yours now.”
When Jian Xun came back to his senses, the mysterious, dazzling necklace—one that sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight—was already fastened around his neck.
After adjusting it for him, Shang Xuci picked up his cup and headed toward the study.
[Intimacy +20. Acquired Key Plot Item. Unlocked “Host a Banquet” quest. Gained points.]
Jian Xun just stood there in a daze, not noticing the system prompt at all. His head still felt dizzy.
The warmth of the boss’s fingertips lingered on his neck, and just two or three inches below was the little cat’s heart. Right now, that heart was beating at an abnormal, frantic pace—thump-thump-thump—like it might burst out of his chest at any moment.
A huge, swift, and utterly real sense of happiness enveloped him, holding Jian Xun hostage for a full three minutes!
Oh my god!
This was a gift from Shang Xuci—just for him!
That “heavy” feeling he couldn’t get enough of!
Jian Xun collapsed onto the floor.
All four paws spread wide.
He really was the happiest little cat in the whole world!
He wanted so badly to cuddle up to Shang Xuci!
Stretching his front paws forward in surrender, back legs splayed, paw pads spread like little blossoms, he rolled joyfully—yet carefully—across the floor a few times, like a happy cat stick toy.
Hehe, let’s go find the big boss. Rubbing against his legs would be nice too.
Shang Xuci noticed that ever since he’d put the gemstone necklace on Sui Sui, the kitten’s head hadn’t lowered once—chest puffed out, head held high, marching forward in a proud little strut.
Eyes half-closed in bliss, he nearly bumped his head against a chair leg.
He likes the gemstone necklace that much?
Shang Xuci hadn’t thought cats would enjoy wearing such things. After a brief pause in thought, he dialed a number.
“Yes, send them all over.”
After just a few words, he hung up, then looked at the little cat—who was holding his head, dizzy, eyes sparkling with stars—stumbling unsteadily toward him.
Still remember the way, huh.
Shang Xuci’s heart softened, the silly little moves of Sui Sui soothing him. He let out a small chuckle.
Perhaps as a way of returning the favor, the little cat liked to show off how capable he was—helping him carry things sometimes, like dragging clothes over. With his mild cleanliness obsession, Shang Xuci would sigh when accepting clothes that might have cat hair on them. But for things like books or tissues, he was more than happy to say “thank you.”
And wherever he went, the cat followed—sticky as glue.
It was a rare sunny but not-too-hot day. Shang Xuci was in good spirits, and after taking his medicine, he removed the necklace from the kitten’s neck. Wearing such an item for too long wasn’t good for a cat’s neck.
He then took Sui Sui downstairs for a walk around the neighborhood. The moment they stepped outside, a group of neighborhood committee aunties spotted him, their eyes lighting up as they pulled him aside for a cheerful round of small talk.
Meanwhile, Jian Xun was finally getting his wish to play outdoors. Gathering his courage, he approached a group of other cats.
He wanted to make friends.
In front of him were five cats. Aside from an orange tabby, the rest were foreign breeds—delicate-looking, beautiful, and seemingly easy to get along with.
“New here?” A silver tabby gave his paw a lick and looked him over.
Jian Xun nodded and took two steps forward.
“Oh, a lame one, huh,” said a British Shorthair.
“What’s that smell on you? Is that the stench of two-legged beasts? How awful.”
These cats looked down the most on weak, fragile types like Jian Xun, and at the scent on him, they backed away in distaste.
“Better leave now. This is our boss’s turf.”
The reason these cats gathered here was that the neighborhood had set up a fixed feeding spot for strays, stocked with kibble, freeze-dried treats, and water.
Seeing the pitiful way Jian Xun walked, the cats assumed he had come to steal food.
But Jian Xun had only wanted to see what they were eating. He wasn’t hungry and wouldn’t fight for it, but his approach still made the others wary.
The orange tabby finished his last bite, chewing while sizing up Jian Xun. His gaze brimmed with disdain. With a stocky “gas cylinder” build and an ear with a missing tip, he was clearly not someone to mess with.
“What do you want?” the orange cat asked.
Intimidated by his presence, Jian Xun took a few steps back. “I’m just looking. I’m not here to steal your food. I have an owner.”
“Tch, so what if you have an owner?”
“I know his owner—wasn’t that the man just now? Reeked of medicine!” another cat sneered.
The orange tabby gave a cold snort. “So he’s a sickly one. Looks weak just by standing there.”
And now he wanted to show off in front of stray cats? The orange tabby despised pet cats who humbled themselves for a mouthful of food, flattering humans, and even submitting to live with them. His half-missing ear had been cut by a human—he hated them, and his words were all the sharper for it.
“Say that again?!” Jian Xun’s legs no longer trembled; his paws planted firmly, his voice tinged with anger.
“I said your litter-scooper is a sickly, frail weakling—doesn’t even look like he’ll survive—”
Meow—!
Jian Xun pounced straight at him, delivering two hard slaps across the orange cat’s face!
He could take insults directed at himself.
But no one was allowed to insult Shang Xuci!
The orange cat saw the lame, crippled feline with ears flattened and tail lashing, charging at him full force. Caught off guard by the first hit, he quickly leapt away, each jump and turn filled with strength and agility.
He was going to teach this reckless crippled cat a lesson—for daring to challenge and strike him!
The two cats collided, claws and teeth flying, rolling across the grass. Sharp hisses and low growls filled the air, tufts of yellow and white fur drifting down, proof of how fierce the fight was.
Jian Xun had never fought another cat before. He relied purely on instinct—on anger—lashing out without any technique. But his lack of experience and agility was no match for a street-hardened stray like the orange tabby. It didn’t take long before he was soundly beaten, on the receiving end of the fight.
Even so, Jian Xun refused to admit defeat. The anger in his chest hadn’t lessened one bit, and he looked for any chance to fight back.
The orange tabby’s moves grew even more vicious, unleashing a flurry of hard, heavy cat punches. The little white cat was pinned under his paws, letting out several pitiful cries of pain.
Suddenly—no one knew when—a tabby cat darted in and joined the fight, making it even more intense. Jian Xun finally got a moment to breathe. Stars swam in his vision as he collapsed to the side, clenching his paws tightly.
If it weren’t for his injured leg, he would have paid them back double—this fight wouldn’t end until one of them was down for good!
Shaking his head to clear it, Jian Xun focused again—and saw the cat who had saved him.
Xu Tutu!
It was the tabby big brother!
With Xu Tutu joining mid-fight, the orange cat’s bulky frame put him at a disadvantage. He backed up a few steps, arched his back, fur bristling, eyes locked on the tabby.
“Brother. Stay out of this,” the orange cat growled.
“The little white cat is my brother. This isn’t ‘none of my business.’” Xu Tutu’s gaze stayed fixed on him, though his posture had loosened, looking completely at ease. His peripheral vision swept over the few cats still watching the commotion, and he said calmly, “If you want to come at me, come together. Hurry up—I can take ten of you.”
He planted himself in front of the white cat, steady as a mountain, radiating dominance. His eyes pressed down with invisible force—daring anyone to take even a single step forward. Whoever did, he’d destroy them.
Jian Xun stared, wide-eyed. So cool!
The other cats, intimidated by the tabby’s presence, stopped watching and slipped away into the grass.
“What’s going on? I thought I heard cats fighting just now.” A burst of human voices came from nearby. The orange tabby sensed trouble and quickly fled.
Jian Xun stepped forward, ready to praise his big brother, when suddenly Shang Xuci’s voice came from behind.
“Sui Sui.”
With his fur in a complete mess, it was obvious what he had been up to. Jian Xun felt like crying, and in a panic, he dashed into his carrier at the fastest speed of his life, trying to use his paw to zip it shut.
Please, heavens—don’t let me be found out.
Shang Xuci had only called Sui Sui’s name once, yet the white cat bolted into the carrier like a flash of lightning. He couldn’t help but pause in surprise.
Such a big reaction… did he not like being outside?
He approached the carrier, half-squatting to peer inside. The little kitten looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, letting out soft, babyish meows.
“All right, let’s go home.” Next time, he’d pick a quieter time to come down—he had only just finished updating some information at the community office and had already been cornered by some chatty aunties.
Man and cat soon disappeared into the apartment building.
Left behind, the tabby who had helped—still standing there without even getting a single “thank you”—let out a confused meow?
What just happened?!
Once home, Shang Xuci unzipped the carrier, stroked the white cat’s head, and said, “I’m going to the school for a bit. I’ll be back soon. Be good.”
The kitten stretched into a comfortable pose and pretended to be asleep. “Mrrp.”
Okay. Now hurry up and go.
Shang Xuci grabbed his things and left.
Bang—
The door closed softly, and Jian Xun instantly leapt out of the carrier, darting into the bathroom to inspect his “dignified appearance.”
Ugh.
His once-sleek fur was now puffed up and tangled, clumped in messy knots. White fur was speckled with bits of dust and debris.
He looked… indescribably ugly.
And now he’d have to clean the floor later too.
“Meow—”
A cat’s call came from outside, followed by the sound of paws tapping on the window glass.
Feeling glum, Jian Xun ran over to see Xu Tutu sitting on the windowsill.
“Sorry for ignoring you earlier—I was hurting from the fight!” The little white cat held his head with a pitiful expression. “And… thank you.”
The tabby clicked his tongue.
“No big deal. I’ll teach you how to fight next time.”
After comforting Jian Xun for a while, the tabby finally talked about his own situation.
Originally, he had taken a lot of cat food from Jian Xun—enough to keep him going for a while on the streets—but on the way, something happened. He ended up giving the food to other cats who needed it more.
He had also seen his own “wanted poster” on TV and had been cursing and hiding everywhere since. Not his fault—he was too handsome and distinctive-looking!
That nasty Xu Huai just couldn’t stand to see him doing well—and wanted to drag him back!
But he would never surrender!
There was another thing—he felt something was wrong with his body. Logically, this season shouldn’t be a cat’s mating period, yet he still felt uncomfortable, full of pent-up frustration with nowhere to release it. All of it ended up vented on that unlucky orange tabby today.
A cat that isn’t feeling well isn’t suited for long trips, so Xu Tutu decided to rest in the area for a while, using the time to avoid Xu Huai.
Jian Xun brought him a few more bags of cat food.
“Brother Tutu, if you ever have any trouble, you can always come to me.” Jian Xun was truly grateful to Xu Tutu, treating him like a real big brother in his heart.
Hearing the nickname, Xu Tutu corrected him. “Either call me ‘Brother’ or ‘Xu Tu.’”
Why the reduplicated nickname? He was clearly dignified and strong, okay?!
He even took the trouble to tell Sui Sui that his name was Xu Tu, but the little cat still ended up calling him by the cutesy version by sheer coincidence…
“Alright, Brother Tutu.”
Xu Tutu: “…”
Meanwhile, Shang Xuci returned to school to attend an academic conference. The senior sister sitting beside him kept staring at her tablet, and when Shang Xuci glanced over unintentionally, he noticed she was looking at cats.
During the intermission, a short-haired junior pulled her neighbor into an animated discussion about their cats, sharing pictures of their pets.
“What! You have a cat but didn’t buy it any toys?!” the short-haired girl exclaimed, nearly knocking her book to the ground in shock.
“Kittens need to burn off their energy. Otherwise, if they get too bored, it’s bad for their health.”
“I only bought a teaser wand and a laser pointer—nothing else. You know, this is my first time raising a cat.”
“Let me recommend you some cat toys. This new cat tree—my cat Feihuan hasn’t been as clingy ever since I got it… And there’s the running wheel, wobble toys, cat balls…” The short-haired girl launched into an enthusiastic lecture about cat toys and how hers had changed her cat’s behavior.
Shang Xuci silently listened for quite a while.
After the meeting ended, the girl packed her things, when suddenly her phone buzzed.
She opened it to see a friend request.
Looking at the name, she drew in a sharp breath—
It was Senior Shang Xuci!
He was a legend at their school—record-breaking GPA, starting his own business in college, career thriving, handsome, wealthy—basically the perfect high-class prince.
Swallowing nervously, the girl’s hands trembled as she hit “accept,” waiting for the big shot to send her a message.
Soon, a message popped up from him.
Shang Xuci: [Hello, could you send me the links to those cat toys you mentioned? Thank you.]