“Which Mr. Shang?”
Which Mr. Shang? Of course, it was Shang Ye. She wasn’t an employee of the Shang Corporation, so for her to get into the company’s VIP meeting room, she obviously relied on personal connections. Jiang Yuanqing hadn’t approached Shang Xuci; she went straight to Shang Ye, who agreed without hesitation.
She had always thought this project belonged to Shang Ye. But now, upon hearing that familiar male voice, Jiang Yuanqing instinctively froze. Her gaze met a pair of cold, piercing eyes, and her heart skipped a beat as a chill ran down her spine.
Was this the gaze of a sickly man? Jiang Yuanqing looked utterly baffled—Shang Xuci had never looked at her with such an unfamiliar expression before.
Awkwardly, Jiang Yuanqing stood up, her emotions shifting quickly as she smiled and warmly called his name.
Shang Xuci gave Fu Qian a glance. Understanding immediately, Fu Qian politely gestured for Jiang Yuanqing to leave.
Without so much as glancing at her again, Shang Xuci walked over to Kang Gai and politely extended his hand. “Director Kang.”
Kang Gai shook it.
He heard Shang Xuci say, “For this drama, I’m only responsible for the investment. Everything else is up to you—you’re the professional here.”
With just one sentence, he washed away any hint of nepotism.
Kang Gai was momentarily stunned. Judging from the confident attitude of that young lady earlier, he had assumed their relationship was anything but ordinary.
Lingering by the doorway, Jiang Yuanqing overheard their conversation. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she turned to glare at Shang Xuci. How could he!!
“Let’s go, Miss Jiang,” Fu Qian said gently, closing the door.
Jiang Yuanqing had never suffered such humiliation. In the past, Shang Xuci had always accommodated her, and the rest of the Shang family had treated her politely and kindly. He owed her, so what right did he have to give her that kind of attitude?
The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Biting her red lips, Jiang Yuanqing headed for the restroom—only to run into Shang Ye along the way.
Shang Ye handed her a handkerchief and asked softly, “Why are you crying?”
He couldn’t bear to see a woman cry, especially a beautiful one.
Jiang Yuanqing’s eyes were rimmed with red, but she smiled and said, “It’s nothing.”
She averted her gaze, not looking at Shang Ye.
“Did you run into Shang Xuci?” Shang Ye didn’t even need to guess; he could roughly tell what had happened.
Jiang Yuanqing nodded slightly. “Nothing else—just that I lost control of my emotions. It’s not a big deal.”
She forced herself to appear strong. It really wasn’t much—she was only angry at Shang Xuci’s attitude. But with Shang Ye speaking to her so gently, her composure nearly broke.
She didn’t want Shang Ye to see her looking so pitiful. It was embarrassing.
Shang Ye’s lips curved faintly. “How about I treat you to lunch?”
He understood her situation well. He knew exactly what effort she had put in for today. For just one role, it really wasn’t worth going to such extremes.
“We could discuss the role for this collaboration with Director Kang Gai.” He gave the file in his hand a little shake.
Jiang Yuanqing, still somewhat hesitant, widened her eyes. Her gaze locked on the script in the man’s hand for a brief moment before she quickly looked away and nodded lightly.
…
VIP Meeting Room.
The two spoke freely about the project, though most of the conversation was Kang Gai explaining the script while Shang Xuci listened intently. In the end, Shang Xuci never once opposed Kang Gai’s suggestions—he believed that professionals should handle professional matters.
He had arranged for this meeting to be held at the group’s headquarters not only as a gesture of sincerity, but also to assert Yin Feng’s absolute authority—no one could interfere without his say-so.
The discussion went very well. Kang Gai could feel Shang Xuci’s sincerity and respect toward him, and he was pleased with the prospect of this cooperation.
For years, Kang Gai had been living abroad, carrying an air of semi-retirement as if he were detached from the film and television industry. Many thought he was gradually withdrawing from the scene, but unexpectedly, this time he had prepared something big.
Kang Gai was also well aware of Shang Xuci’s background. His company, Yin Feng Entertainment, specialized in the entertainment business and had cultivated many artists. Although Shang Xuci never engaged in capital-driven casting, Kang Gai was willing to approach Yin Feng Entertainment first and have their actors audition.
Shang Xuci understood his intention and thanked him for giving his artists the opportunity. Both men knew that whether they could seize this chance to make a comeback would depend entirely on the actors’ own abilities.
When the meeting ended, Shang Xuci invited Kang Gai to lunch. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator to the lobby, they were met with a large crowd blocking the entrance.
Shang Xuci frowned and looked ahead. There, a woman wearing long sleeves, long pants, a mask, and a baseball cap was clutching the hand of another richly dressed woman, her posture low and pleading.
“Madam, madam, you can’t do this! That’s the fruit of my Mu’er’s hard work—if you take it away, you’ll ruin him!” The woman’s voice was desperate, her tone begging bitterly.
Xu Rong, wearing sunglasses, had one hand lightly resting in front of her abdomen. Seeing the crowd gathered to watch, she felt humiliated and signaled the company security at the entrance to remove the “crazy woman.”
She lowered her head and quickened her pace inside. What rotten luck—running into Tang Manwen here.
Tang Manwen, a frail woman, was no match for the security staff. She could only watch helplessly as Xu Rong walked away, her own body going limp as she knelt on the ground, sobbing as she stared at Xu Rong’s retreating back.
The employees at the entrance, catching sight of Xu Rong’s displeased expression, immediately scattered like startled birds.
Xu Rong spotted Shang Xuci. Her expression soured, and she pretended not to see him, the click of her high heels growing faster and louder.
Ever since that banquet last time, she had become a laughingstock. No matter how she tried to explain herself, the old man in the family looked down on her even more, and her husband had neglected her for a time—off to find his “white moonlight.” But with the passing of time, that so-called white moonlight had long since faded to gray—her looks were gone, her personality had drastically changed, and apart from money, she recognized nothing… and would recognize anything for it.
Shang Wei hadn’t found the same feeling with her as before, and later slunk back in defeat.
Meanwhile, after meeting Lin Yunsu alone, Shang Ye realized she didn’t love him at all—she only wanted money. His hopes for his mother became even more negligible.
Xu Rong, thick-skinned as ever, played the victim after the incident. She acted as though nothing had happened, behaving just as before, though a bit more discreetly.
After finishing her business at the company, Xu Rong stayed cautious and had someone check if that crazy woman was still lingering at the entrance. In the end, she had Shang Ye’s driver take her home through the back door.
That night, her son had a live-streamed award ceremony, and she needed to hurry home to witness this glorious moment!
Originally, she had planned to fly to Country H, but the doctor had warned her that her pregnancy was unstable and required bed rest, making long-distance travel inadvisable. Xu Rong immediately dropped the idea.
The woman instinctively touched her belly and smiled softly. “Little Treasure, when you grow up, you must be even more amazing than your big brother.”
Tang Manwen waited until seven o’clock in the evening, but Xu Rong never showed up. After asking around, she learned Xu Rong had already left long ago.
Distraught, the woman returned home. The lights were still on, and her eyes lit up. She glanced toward the living room and saw her son, Tang Mu, sitting on the sofa, staring intently at the television.
Tang Manwen quietly closed the door and followed his gaze. On the screen, a young man stood on an international music stage, holding up a trophy, smiling graciously as he gave his acceptance speech.
Her face instantly went pale. She rushed forward, snatched the remote control, and turned off the TV.
Tang Mu’s mind seemed to go blank. He turned his head slowly, his eyes vacant, his voice weak. “Mom, what are you doing?”
“Son, let’s not watch that. We won’t watch—it’s all fake!”
Tang Mu’s face twisted in pain as he murmured, “Why? Why? Why…?”
Tang Manwen hugged him and whispered comfortingly, “Don’t worry, Mom will get justice for you.”
…
Over the next few days, Jian Xun stayed home, working hard to practice acting. He studied cat-like movements, making all kinds of expressions in front of the mirror.
It was the first time he had ever really looked at himself, and Jian Xun could hardly believe it—this… this beautiful cat in the mirror was really him?!
He was stunning!
Back when he was just a little kitten, Jian Xun had once caught sight of himself in a broken mirror among the trash.
A frail body, filthy fur, a scrawny tail, a patchy little face, gray paw pads, and a hoarse meow—he had looked utterly pitiful.
But now? The boss had raised him into something beautiful.
Look at that snow-white, glossy fur. Look at the soft, fluffy ruff around his neck. Look at those bright, sparkling “Kashilan” eyes. Look at that clean, handsome face. Look at that full, bushy tail. Look at…
The cat stuck his rear in the air, turning to try and see his own backside. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he plopped down on the floor, hugging his tail.
With this much fur, he shouldn’t go bald again, right?
Jian Xun winked at the mirror, letting out a bubbly, milk-sweet mewl. He was thoroughly pleased with himself, and his confidence in playing the role he wanted shot through the roof.
This time, he was determined to get the boss to take him to the company—and hopefully meet that famous director. He was sure he’d perform the role perfectly!
And he could make money too!
After admiring himself for a while, Jian Xun reluctantly left the mirror. He put on his kitty headscarf—his scarf—climbed up on a little stool, and started cooking.
When Shang Xuci returned home and opened the door, his cat pushed a pair of slippers toward him, then carried over a hand towel, meowing in the direction of the dining table.
Today, the kitty had cooked.
Shang Xuci changed his shoes and sat at the table.
Sui Sui seemed a little unusual today—there was a constant hint of a smile on his face, and even his fawning gestures had a slightly comical touch, as he watched Shang Xuci eat.
When the meal was over, the cat took out a piece of candy and placed it in front of him, signaling for him to take it. Shang Xuci slipped the candy into his pocket and watched as the cat focused intently on the dishwasher, washing dishes while meowing happily.
Shang Xuci sat on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the television, though his attention was completely drawn to the clinking of pots and pans coming from the kitchen.
When the sounds gradually faded, the cat suddenly darted upstairs, heading straight for the study.
The man, quiet until now, raised an eyebrow and called in a deep voice: “Sui Sui.”
At once, the pretty cat, who had just reached the last step, skidded to a halt and turned to look back at the sofa.
“Meow—!” A sweet, sticky cry of protest.
He bounded back down the stairs and rushed to the man’s side.
Why are you sitting here?
Not working overtime? Not busy? Not in the study?
The cat leapt onto the sofa, rubbing enthusiastically against Shang Xuci’s outstretched palm, purring and snuggling. His soft, affectionate act swept away the man’s work fatigue—and then the cat began to put his plan into motion.
Masseur No. 1, Sui Sui, reporting for duty—
Jian Xun clenched his little paws into “kitty fists” and diligently patted at the man’s leg. Tap-tap, massage. Then he lifted his head, glanced up at Shang Xuci, and gave another meow.
As if to ask: Is this pressure okay?
All he got in return was a gentle pat on the head.
When Shang Xuci went to the bathroom, the cat followed to help carry things. He even busied himself with laying out the bedsheets…
He was far too attentive.
Shang Xuci had no idea what he was up to.
Until the next day, when he was about to leave the house and found a cat clinging to his leg—then everything from yesterday suddenly made sense.
“You want to come to the company with me?”
“Meow!” came the crisp, clear reply.
So that was it.
Shang Xuci picked him up and placed him in the passenger seat. The cat stretched out a paw and tapped his thigh.
“Meow.”
Then he patted the seatbelt again.
Shang Xuci was busy fetching his medicine and keys, so he didn’t notice the cat’s actions. When he finished taking his medicine and looked over, he saw the cat pouting, tangled up in the seatbelt in a complicated position—the black belt and his white fur intertwined in sharp contrast.
Once again, Shang Xuci marveled at just how flexible the cat was.
The moment the car shot forward, the white cat gripped the seatbelt tightly with his paws, eyes squeezed shut.
Shang Xuci had been keeping an eye on Sui Sui’s movements. Seeing him like this, he assumed the little cat was carsick and slowed down.
It hadn’t even been half an hour since the boss brought a cat to work, and the news had already spread through the company.
“The boss actually has a cat! No wonder he never gives our company cat, Zhaocai, a second glance—he’s already got one of his own!”
“Exactly! Last time, Zhaocai even ran to his side, and he didn’t touch him once—just told me to take him away. I thought the boss hated cats!”
“Same here! Zhaocai always gets shut out, but now we finally know why!”
“Unless my eyes deceived me, he’s holding a Lion Cat, right? So cute!”
“Of course President Shang’s cat is gorgeous—look at that figure, that fur, those bright, lively eyes. It’s making me itch to give the Lion Cat one of the treats I bought for Zhaocai!”
“One minute! I want every detail about that cat! Where’s the secretary? Quick, find out the boss’s cat’s name!”