Jian Xun’s mouth formed an “O” shape, his emotions a jumble — happy, scared, and even a little sympathetic.
His great vengeance had been avenged!!
At the same time, he worried about being caught for sterilization.
Xu Tutu saw right through his thoughts and said matter-of-factly, “What are you afraid of? They’re not going to catch you.”
“That’s true.” Jian Xun let out a sigh of relief.
Only to have the tabby cat’s cold, heartless words pour cold water on him: “When the time comes, your poop-shoveling human will personally take you to get the surgery.”
The white “gloves” on the little white cat began to tremble.
Oh no.
Would the boss also take him to have his balls chopped off in the future?
His tail instinctively tucked between his legs.
Frightened, Jian Xun subconsciously grabbed the dried fish Xu Tutu didn’t want and started chewing furiously.
One apple was nowhere near enough. Aside from the three daily meals, Shang Xuci never kept any snacks at home, nor did he save leftovers.
That apple was something Shen Huan had bought the last time she came over — and it was the only one left.
Seeing Xu Tutu still licking his lips with relish, Jian Xun asked, “Are you still hungry?”
Xu Tutu nodded. He had gone without food for three meals; one apple was obviously not enough to fill him.
“Do you have any money?” Xu Tutu, now penniless, had always relied on Xu Huai to pay whenever they went out to eat. As his cat, he naturally never needed money. Thinking about it, Sui Sui probably didn’t have any either — but he still asked, just in case.
Jian Xun shook his head so hard it was like a rattle drum. “I don’t have money.”
The cat pondered with a troubled expression, then suddenly thought of something. “Wait here for me.”
Thud thud thud.
He ran back to the cardboard box, rump in the air, digging through things. The gift Shen Huan had given him last time might come in handy.
Jian Xun came back to the windowsill, holding a big gold chain in his mouth.
“Look, we can sell this for money.”
Xu Tutu picked up the chain and examined it carefully, his expression grave. “No.”
“Why not?”
“It’s fake.”
“Fake?!” Jian Xun’s eyes went wide. He started pawing at the gold chain, using the most primitive method — biting it.
Crunch!
The big gold chain now had a tiny dent from his bite.
It’s really fake!
Jian Xun awkwardly rubbed his paws together.
“Sorry, I can’t help you after all.”
“It’s fine. Sui Sui, you lent me clothes and pants, and even gave me food — you’re already the best cat ever.” Xu Tutu comforted him. “Don’t worry, I’ll go find a job today. I’ll definitely be able to support myself.”
“Really?”
“Really. When the time comes, I’ll buy you a real gold necklace.”
Jian Xun: “!!!”
After coaxing the little white cat, Xu Tutu said goodbye to him.
He turned around and — with those two long legs that didn’t move quite so smoothly — jumped down.
Taking advantage of the dim, almost-night darkness, he had to hurry and leave, spend the night under the bridge, and then look for work tomorrow.
Watching Xu Tutu leave, Jian Xun scraped the crumbs off the balcony and pushed them under the windowsill, then carried the untouched bag of cat food back inside and put it away.
He turned to the cat bowl and began eating in big mouthfuls. When the automatic feeder didn’t dispense any more, he licked at the cat milk. His belly slowly rounded out, and — preparing for a digestion-friendly “number two” later — Jian Xun started walking around the house.
By now, he knew this home inside and out; he could tell you what was in every single corner.
Except…
The little white cat stopped in front of the bedroom door and sat, looking up at it.
This was the only room he’d never entered.
What did it look like inside?
The cat’s curiosity began to stir.
He remembered everything Shen Xin and Xu Tutu had said.
Even though Shang Xuci didn’t allow anyone into the bedroom — and he had obediently stayed out — deep down, he still wanted to go in. Not just to take a look… he… he also wanted to step on the boss’s bed and see if it was as soft as Shen Xin had described.
But… how could he get into the bedroom?
He didn’t know how to open the door.
And he didn’t dare try.
After wandering around, Jian Xun returned to the entryway, easily hopped onto the shoe cabinet, and began grooming himself — all while keeping his eyes fixed on the door.
Another day of waiting for the boss to come home.
This time, he absolutely wouldn’t fall asleep. He had to get a look inside the boss’s room! Even if it was just a peek from the doorway!
Jian Xun clenched his little paws, silently making up his mind.
The moment Shang Xuci opened the door, the first thing he saw was Sui Sui waiting for him. He casually ruffled Jian Xun’s head. “Sui Sui, I’m back.”
“Meow~”
Welcome home.
After finishing class today, Shang Xuci had gone to the company for a meeting, then visited Gu Ming for a check-up. There was a faint trace of weariness between his brows — his body was still in recovery, and the intense pace of study and work was taking its toll.
Gu Ming had clearly instructed him to go home in the evening, play with the cat, make some tea, and rest early — no working all day nonstop. He needed to relax.
Shang Xuci agreed. In the past, he had spent most of his life working, practically living at the company 24/7. Now, with a young body and plenty of experience, he should be living a little more leisurely.
After changing his shoes, he went to the bathroom to wash his hands. Then, in the living room, he noticed the automatic feeder was empty, so he opened a few more bags of kibble and poured them in, replaced the cat’s water, and checked the smart litter box on the balcony to make sure it was working properly.
The food storage bin was visibly emptier than before. Squatting down, he touched the round, firm belly of the little white cat following at his heels — it almost felt like he could feel the kibble inside.
“Have you gained weight?”
The cat protested, “Meow!”
Absolutely not!
Realizing how much his little cat could eat, Shang Xuci immediately placed an order for more kibble and cat treats.
He then went to take a shower, putting the TV on for Sui Sui so he wouldn’t follow him.
He’d noticed the little guy liked watching TV — no matter the program, once he got into it, he’d forget about sleeping altogether, and sometimes would doze off sitting upright on the sofa, head tilted back.
Shang Xuci had caught him like that twice, then pinched the scruff of the little white cat’s neck and carried him back to his box.
Hearing the sound of water splashing from the bathroom, Jian Xun watched TV absentmindedly, his eyes flicking toward the bathroom again and again, afraid that if he let his guard down for even a second, Shang Xuci would head straight to the bedroom to sleep.
He had to see the boss’s bedroom today!
“Creak—”
Not long after, the bathroom door opened. The man had only a bath towel wrapped around his waist, a towel in hand rubbing at his damp hair. Droplets of water fell from his hair tips onto his broad shoulders, then slid down over his fair chest, rolling past the defined muscles of his abdomen…
Jian Xun stared without blinking — the boss actually had a faint set of abs!
But when he’d secretly peeked before, there were none. Could it be that the boss had been secretly working out behind his little kitty’s back?!
In truth, Shang Xuci went for a morning run every day and, when he had time at night, also hit the gym before heading home.
The moment he stepped out, the little white cat sprang to his side like a coiled spring, sniffing at him with his tiny nose.
Then—meow meow meow—he brushed the tip of his tail, ever so lightly and “accidentally,” against the man’s calf.
The boss smelled so good!
He wanted to snuggle.
The thought had barely lasted two seconds before the man mercilessly “rejected” him.
Shang Xuci sidestepped the little cat’s attempt to get close.
Fresh from the shower, his legs still had droplets of water on them, and getting too close to the cat would mean ending up covered in fur.
“Mrrrow~”
The little cat grumbled in displeasure.
When Shang Xuci reached out, gripped the doorknob, and began to turn it down, Jian Xun darted in front of his legs, eyes locked on the door, brimming with anticipation to see inside.
Click—
The lock turned, the door opening just a crack. Jian Xun’s eyes lit up, and he lifted a paw to step inside—only for his body to suddenly lift off the ground.
His short little legs flailed twice in the air.
“Meow-ow~ oww!”
Put me down!
Shang Xuci set him behind himself and quickly slipped into the bedroom.
Jian Xun could only watch as the bedroom door shut right before his eyes.
He plopped down on the floor with a sigh.
How hateful!
He’d been this close!
Jian Xun felt sad for a while, staring at the bedroom door unwilling to give up. He ran to the side of the door and patted it.
While scratching at the door, he called out—
“Meow—!”
Thump.
“Mrrrow—!”
Thump, thump.
“Meow-ow—!!”
Thump, thump, thump.
Whimper, whimper, whimper.
Mew, mew, mew.
Meow, meow, meow.
Woo, woo, woo.
Open the door…
Couldn’t the little kitty just take one peek?
Jian Xun didn’t dare be too brazen yet, so his cries were more on the coquettish side, and his scratching was gentle — just enough for the person inside to hear him, but not so loud as to be annoying.
Unfortunately, Shang Xuci didn’t open the door. Instead, his voice came from inside: “Sui Sui, go to sleep.”
His tone was deep, magnetic, but cool. Jian Xun’s courage immediately shrank, and he drooped his head, slinking back to curl up in his cardboard box.
He placed both paws on the edge of the box and gave it a push.
Huh?
It felt… heavier?
He had only added a few more toys — and now he couldn’t push it?
His ears twitched. Jian Xun licked a front paw, his gaze drifting toward the cat bed.
Forget it — he’d just sleep in the cat bed tonight.
The cat bed was much lighter than the box, and pushing it made only the softest sound, which gave him a sense of safety.
When he pushed it to the bedroom door, Jian Xun stood in it, kneading the bed to work up some sleepiness.
Purr-rumble.
Then he flopped onto his back with all four paws in the air, his tail tip dangling outside the bed, lazily swishing against the cool floor.
Until the tail stopped moving.
Inside the bedroom—
Click.
Shang Xuci switched on the light — once again, he couldn’t sleep.
The warm orange glow was like a filter, casting the man’s face in a mix of cold elegance and lazy indifference.
He raised a hand to rub his temples, then instinctively reached toward the pack of cigarettes on his nightstand.
Gone.
Shang Xuci lifted the quilt and got up to head to the living room.
The moment he opened the door—
From the darkness came a loud, pitiful cat cry, startling him.
The floor beneath his foot felt uneven, as if he’d stepped on something. Looking toward the doorway, a dark, blurry shape instantly cleared the fog from his mind.
“Mrrrow!”
The cat was still wailing, so Shang Xuci quickly switched on the light.
The little cat was sitting in the corner facing the wall, tail hugged tightly to his body, mewling and whimpering.
“Sui Sui?!”
Without another word, Shang Xuci scooped him up and focused entirely on checking him over, confirming that he’d only stepped on the tip of his tail.
The little cat gazed up at him with a pitiful expression.
Shang Xuci patted his head, meeting those watery eyes, and sincerely apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
Jian Xun gave a mew, wriggled out of his arms, and hobbled toward the bedroom door, clearly indicating he wanted to go inside.
Having stepped on the little cat, Shang Xuci felt guilty. Seeing him still staring at the bedroom, he sighed helplessly. “You can go in and play for a bit, but you can’t sleep there.”
“Mrrrow!”
The little cat limped inside — swaying so dramatically it looked worse than when they’d first met.
“Sui Sui, you hurt your tail tip, not your leg,” Shang Xuci reminded softly, lips pressed together, a trace of amusement in his eyes.
The cat froze mid-step, turned his head, and gave the man a reproachful glare. The look was so aggrieved it made Shang Xuci pause — he was certain Sui Sui could understand human speech, though he sometimes pretended not to.
Shang Xuci’s eyes lowered slightly. He decided to make an exception just for tonight and let Sui Sui sleep in his room — but not on the bed.
Picking up the cat bed, he walked into the bedroom.
The moment Jian Xun entered, he began taking it all in. The bedroom he had long dreamed of seeing was surprisingly simple. It was spacious, with a wardrobe and a single large bed.
The bed was covered in high-quality silk cotton, with white pillows and a white duvet. The lighting was soft, with only a warm orange lamp on the nightstand, while the main lights were recessed and hidden. On the wall, there was just a single ink-wash landscape painting.
Completely different from the luxurious image he had imagined!
The room went dark again, and Jian Xun was still savoring the joy of finally being able to “sleep” with the boss — even if it was on the floor beneath his bed.
Shang Xuci, still sleepless, lay on his side facing the cat bed. He had to keep watch for a while to make sure Sui Sui didn’t sneak onto the bed.
When a person can’t sleep, their mind starts to wander. And once it wanders, it begins to think. The night was long, breeding all sorts of unwanted, dark, violent desires.
Purr—
Gurgle—
Purr, purr—
The cat’s purring sounded like a lullaby, a hypnotic melody that made Shang Xuci’s body relax. He closed his eyes.
In his dream, there was no longer the unbearable, excruciating pain. Instead, he found himself in a place bathed in sunlight, tranquil as a fairyland.
Jian Xun woke after just over an hour of sleep. He stretched his limbs, yawned, and craned his neck to look at the bed.
Look.
He had made a discovery!
The blanket, which should have been neatly covering from foot to neck, had been mercilessly kicked to the foot of the bed, with one corner even hanging down onto the floor.
So the big boss also kicks the covers when he sleeps!
The cat was shocked.
No worries—I’ll help you.
The little white cat effortlessly hopped onto the bed.
Swoosh—!
The moment his paws touched the sheets, a jolt ran through him. His eyes went wide, his tail shot straight up like an antenna, and he squinted in bliss as his two snowy front paws began kneading the sheet involuntarily.
What a soft bed!
Jian Xun sprawled on the sheet, savoring the sensation.
No, wait!
He scrambled up.
He hadn’t finished his important task yet.
The little cat padded softly to the foot of the bed, gripped the corner of the blanket in his mouth, and tugged hard to pull the part that had fallen to the floor back onto the bed. Steadying himself, he let it go.
He found another corner, bit down, and step by step, backed away until the blanket was pulled straight and once again covered Shang Xuci.
Letting go, the kitten discreetly licked the slightly damp fabric, then, worried the man might push the blanket away, tucked his paws under himself and sat firmly on the corner, staring at the man’s elegant sleeping face. Unable to resist, he leaned closer, pressing his soft, slightly damp pink nose against the man’s cheek to sniff.
Hehe… the big boss smells nice.
In his heart, Jian Xun told himself he would only lie down for a moment, then leave.
The little cat lowered his head and closed his eyes.
…
Shang Xuci awoke to a faint, ticklish sensation brushing against his cheek.
When he opened his eyes, he found a furry cat head nestled against his arm, rubbing against him. Its tiny pink tongue peeked out to lick its mouth, eyes closed, sleeping sweetly.
Its beautiful long tail swished now and then, sending dandelion-like cat fur floating through the air before settling gently on the snowy white sheets, almost blending in completely.
Shang Xuci’s expression darkened slightly; his brows drew together. The thing he feared most had finally happened.
“Sui Sui,” Shang Xuci called, keeping his voice calm as he forced down the discomfort born of his obsessive cleanliness.
The little cat’s ears twitched sharply. Smacking his lips, he raised his two white-gloved paws over his head, stretching out into a long, lazy arch.
He cracked his eyes open just a little to look at the one who had called him.
Why was the room so bright?
Had the holes in his cardboard box gotten bigger?
Why was he even hearing things now—like the big boss’s voice?
His round pupils contracted into vertical slits, and when he looked closely—he almost lost his little cat soul on the spot!