The Unwanted Disabled Kitty Just Wants Some Love – Chapter 25

Airport.

Shang Xuci pulled his suitcase through the security check.

While waiting, he posted an announcement in his class’s part-time job group, looking for students to visit his home to feed and play with his cat. The pay he offered was generous, and in no time he received many messages from cat-loving students.

After finishing the selection, it was just about time to board.

He won’t be coming home tonight. Will Sui Sui be waiting for him at the door?

Shang Xuci crossed his legs, staring out at the sky, lost in thought…

He planned to shorten his business trip and finish his work as quickly as possible.

The man frowned slightly. He had only just left, yet he already found himself missing the cat. He took out his phone and looked at the photos of it.

As soon as he got off the plane, two men—one tall, one short—waved at him.

The tall blond spotted him first and rushed over, eager to help with his suitcase.

“Boss, you finally made it.” The blond greeted him warmly. His Chinese was clumsy, so he quickly switched back to his more familiar English.

The other man said nothing, immediately pulling out his phone to call the driver, instructing him to take a shortcut and wait nearby.

It was this man, however, who caught Shang Xuci’s attention. In his previous life, this business partner had given him tremendous help. Unfortunately, Shang had poured too much of his effort into the Shang Corporation, leaving this other company in the hands of Yun Qing, a fellow countryman.

Yun Qing’s family had once been well-off, but his older brother was a spendthrift, and after his father’s failed investments, they had fallen into ruin not long ago.

After his rebirth, Shang Xuci deliberately sent someone to invite this fallen young master to work for him early on, bringing such talent directly into his company.

He trusted Yun Qing a hundred percent. In his previous life, Yun Qing had already proven his loyalty, and his abilities were beyond question. Otherwise, Shang wouldn’t have gone out of his way to “poach” him.

The company, founded overseas with funds from his grandfather, was now in Shang’s hands. He was also considering moving its headquarters back to China, though that wasn’t urgent.

After all, there were still hidden messes waiting in the Shang family.

Once the three got into the car, the blond cheerfully scrolled through hotel listings on his phone. Knowing his boss was coming, he had already booked a fine restaurant to welcome him.

Who would have thought that the moment they sat down, Shang and Yun Qing would wordlessly open their laptops and dive straight into work?

Ba Luo instantly slumped in defeat.

Although the three of them didn’t often meet in person, they held online meetings every day and were already familiar with each other’s temperaments.

Shang Xuci glanced at Ba Luo, who looked a little dejected like a lost kitten, and asked softly, “So, where are we eating?”

Ba Luo’s eyes lit up at once, and he quickly told the driver the restaurant’s name.

He then launched into an enthusiastic introduction of the local specialty dishes.

The atmosphere instantly became more relaxed.

After the dinner gathering, Shang Xuci returned to the hotel. By then it was already dark. Once he had washed up and tidied everything, he lay down on the bed.

But again, he couldn’t fall asleep.

He blamed it all on not being used to the bed.

Yes. Definitely not because of the cat.

The next day, Shang Xuci went to the headquarters. When the employees saw the big boss in person, they whispered among themselves that he looked even younger than he did on video calls.

This time, the company was preparing for a full transformation, aiming at the future market in high technology and artificial intelligence.

With both experience and a partial “god’s-eye view” from his past life, Shang Xuci’s ideas were now much more mature. His purpose in coming personally was twofold: to make appointments and to carve out the market in advance.

Halfway through the work reports, Shang Xuci’s mind began to drift—he was only thinking about the cat back home.

What was Sui Sui doing at this time?

Did it cry when he wasn’t home last night?

Would it still carry its little cushion to sleep by the bedroom door?

He should have asked the student feeding the cat to send him pictures. No—he should have just installed cameras in the living room. That way, he could watch what Sui Sui was doing at any time.

“My report ends here.”

The man finished presenting his PPT and looked at the boss, who was even younger than him. Holding a pen in one hand, his gaze lingered on the screen. The sharp look he’d had when first entering the room gradually softened, and after a long pause, he finally spoke.

“Does the Marketing Department have any ideas?”

One of the sharp-dressed men quickly stood up to give his report.

…

On Shang Xuci’s first day away, the cat had been pawing at his slippers in the entryway, curling up on them to wait until ten o’clock. Overcome by drowsiness, it finally lay down. Even when the smart lights automatically turned off, its bright eyes continued to stare at the door…

At seven the next morning, tap tap tap—footsteps came from the hallway outside.

The cat lying on the slippers instantly sat up straight, tail wagging left and right across the floor in delight.

Sure enough, the footsteps stopped outside the door.

The sound of the password lock clicked open.

The little white cat was ready to dash over, but a bright female voice startled him.

“Is this Sui Sui? I’m coming in now.” The young woman crouched down to pat the kitten’s head and introduced herself, “My name’s Li Xue. Senior Shang asked me to come over to feed you and keep you company. Please take care of me~”

As she spoke, she even lifted the kitten’s front paw for a handshake.

Jian Xun quickly pulled back, his little cat brain spinning—Companion? Feeding?

Where’s the big boss?

Did the boss not want him anymore?

When will he come back?

Jian Xun anxiously paced in circles. He hated that he could only meow. The college girl couldn’t answer him. She was already checking his food bowl and litter box, while the little white cat lay flat on the floor, miserable.

Was it because he had secretly run into the bedroom the past few days? Was the boss angry?

But the kitty hadn’t meant anything bad. He just wanted to snuggle closer to the boss, to raise their intimacy level, so he could exchange it for candy—so the boss could be healthy!

The kitty had no ill intentions at all.

Wu wu…

I’m sorry, really sorry. At worst… at worst, I won’t sneak into the bedroom again.

Please, just come back. Don’t abandon Sui Sui.

The snow-white paws patted the floor. Resting his chin on them, the cat’s beautiful blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Thinking carefully, this was the boss’s home—it was impossible that he’d abandon him. But still, leaving without saying anything… didn’t he know that made the kitty feel insecure?

Li Xue added some kibble into the automatic feeder, then opened a can of wet food and tapped it lightly. “Sui Sui, come eat your canned food.”

But Jian Xun had no appetite. He slipped into his cardboard box instead, missing Shang Xuci’s scent. Yet the shirt he had borrowed was gone, so he could only clutch the button and pine for its owner.

Still, knowing the girl had been sent specially by Shang Xuci, the well-behaved kitten forced himself to nibble a little of the food she fed him, played half-heartedly with the teaser toy, and only after she finally left did he head to the laundry room.

The little white cat stood upright, pressing his front paws against the laundry basket to peer inside.

Mm… not a single piece of the boss’s clothing. He looked up at the drying rack—completely bare. Even the one pair of trousers that had always been there had been secretly lent to Xu Tutu…

“Meooow-ooooh…”

Now there was really nothing left but the button.

The kitten clutched the button firmly, eyes full of determination.

It’s okay, Sui Sui. You’re a strong cat. You can wait until the boss comes home!

Day 1, 6:00 p.m.—

Lying by the entryway, waiting.

Day 2, 6:00 p.m.—

Sitting on top of the shoe cabinet, waiting.

Day 3, 6:00 p.m.—

Trying to paw open the shoe cabinet, to drag out the slippers and curl up inside, waiting.

Day 4, 6:00 p.m.—

Sharpening claws on the scratch board, stretching lazily, staring at the door, waiting.

Day 5, 6:00 p.m.—

Playing with a ball of yarn, getting tired, curling up beside the sofa, waiting.

Day 6, 6:00 p.m.—

Finishing a dried fish snack, jumping onto the windowsill, waiting.

Day 7, 6:00 p.m.—

Gulping down kibble, dragging the little cat mat to the door, waiting again.

“Meow~oooh.”

I finished all my food already. When are you coming back?

Jian Xun had never known that one single day could feel so unbearably long, that every second of waiting could be so torturous.

Each day dragged on like a year.

Shang Xuci, when will you finally come back?

Another week passed just like that. Perhaps the heavens had heard his prayers, because that day, the one who opened the door was no longer the college girl, but the very person he had been yearning for—Shang Xuci.

The man wore a black suit, exhaustion etched between his brows. His tall frame swayed unsteadily, and as he closed the door, a gust of wind carried in the heavy scent of alcohol, spreading through the room.

Hearing the noise, Jian Xun looked up—and this time, it wasn’t a disappointing silhouette. The instant he saw Shang Xuci, the cat’s round eyes went wide, and he nearly launched himself into his arms.

“Meow, meow, meow, meow!!!”

His urgent, clinging kitten cries spilled out, as if he had finally found a long-lost treasure, rubbing against the man with all his might.

Wu wu, you’re finally back!

When he felt a hand gently pat his head, Jian Xun only grew more aggrieved. He circled tightly around Shang Xuci’s legs, only letting out a relieved sigh after confirming the man wasn’t hurt.

Thank goodness—safe and sound.

He contentedly leaned into the man’s touch.

But unexpectedly, Shang Xuci didn’t cuddle him back, nor did he head to the bathroom as he usually did after coming home. Instead, with a posture Jian Xun had never seen before—so languid and careless—he slumped against the doorframe and fell asleep right there.

“Meow~”

Don’t sleep here… you’ll catch a cold.

Jian Xun tried tugging at the man’s clothes… but he couldn’t move him.

What should I do? I can’t carry him.

If only I could turn into a human.

That thought crossed Jian Xun’s mind.

He leaned closer, sniffing at the man’s nose, breathing in his scent. The heavy alcohol seemed to spread to him too, and soon Jian Xun felt a dizzy wave of drunkenness.

The little cat grew lightheaded, and then—suddenly—his body began to expand. He couldn’t tell whether it was reality or a dream. Bewildered, he stared at the long arms and long legs in front of him. Slowly, he stood up and struggled to haul the man to the bedroom door.

He stood there, frowning in hesitation for a long time, before finally stepping inside. Removing the man’s coat and shoes, he hugged him tightly onto the bed. Then he went to the kitchen, cooked sobering soup, and fed it to him. Afterward, he placed his chubby little paws on the bed, staring anxiously at him, unwilling to look away for even a second.

He had waited so long for him to come back, and this was the result?

Not a single word for him, just falling asleep the moment he got home.

No cuddles, no hugs, no kisses, not even calling his name…

Jian Xun’s eyes grew red as he started crying sadly, pouring out all the grievances he had bottled up these past days.

“Meow, meow.”

How could you be gone for so long? And when you came back, you reeked of alcohol. I was so worried about you.

“Meow-ooo.”

How could you leave the little kitty all alone for so many days, without a single phone call, without a single video chat? Even now, you come home and don’t call for Sui Sui. Why?

If it was because I sneaked into your bedroom… I’ll apologize, okay? I didn’t mean it, I just wanted to be close to you.

Wu wu… all these days, do you even know how worried I was? Did you eat well during the day? Did you sleep properly at night? Did you kick off the blankets again…? I couldn’t help but think of you constantly.

I waited for you at home every single day. Time passed so painfully slow. I didn’t even dare fall asleep. Do you know how terrifying an empty house is for a little kitty? No sounds, no scent of you, everything so hard to endure… I was really so scared you wouldn’t want me anymore.

The more he spoke, the sadder he became. He knew the boss must have had important matters to handle while he was away. Work and school were never easy things. But what could he do? Fifteen whole days—fifteen days!

And in all that time, he had no word of Shang Xuci. No idea if he was safe, if something had happened to him, if anyone bullied him, if he remembered to take his medicine, if he was taking care of himself.

Tears fell one after another. Between sobs, he went on: “In a cat’s world, I only have you.”

The more he thought, the more aggrieved he felt. He lay down on him, wrapping his front paws around Shang Xuci’s neck, resting his head against the man’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as he choked out quiet sobs.

Suddenly, a white light enveloped them. The cat lying on Shang Xuci’s body transformed into a boy, completely bare.

His skin was pale, his silver curls tumbling like moonlight, covering the smooth line of his back. From within that fluffy hair, a pair of soft cat ears peeked out.

Completely unaware of his transformation, the boy continued to lie on the man’s chest, crying miserably.

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