Where was the boy in the room?
Shang Xuci switched on the dim light, leaned in to look at the adorable cat with its head tilted to one side, and called softly, “Sui Sui?”
At the sound of his voice, the cat excitedly wagged its tail, stepped forward, and rubbed coquettishly against his waist.
“When did you come?” Shang Xuci petted the cat’s head. “Did anyone else come into the room just now?”
He had always known Sui Sui was intelligent and could understand human speech, so he asked the question directly.
The cat, who usually meowed whenever spoken to, didn’t respond this time. Instead, it lay obediently at his waist, its claws gripping his pajamas tightly.
Shang Xuci lay back on the bed, lifted the cat, and tucked the blanket around them. He touched his left cheek, where the faint scent of flowers still lingered.
That wasn’t an illusion, nor a dream.
Jian Xun had indeed entered his room.
And… kissed him.
His long, narrow phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a strange emotion flickering within his calm gaze.
He’s not annoying!?
It’s only been such a short time, and he’s already this bold.
Shang Xuci still remembered their first meeting—the boy had been like a timid little rabbit, only daring to sneak glances at him.
Thinking of this, his hand reached out to grope for the warm, round ball beside him.
“Meow~”
The cat’s paw tapped his hand.
A furry head popped out from under the covers, gazing up at him with a pitiful look.
Shang Xuci lowered his head and touched the cat’s forehead. “Be good. Go to sleep.”
“Meow~”
The cat’s paw rested gently on the back of his hand.
Those beautiful azure eyes overlapped in his mind with the boy’s. Shang Xuci froze for two seconds, then lowered his head, lost in thought. That strange feeling stirred again… and the result was a seed of doubt buried deep in his heart, already beginning to take root and sprout.
After his breathing steadied, the cat—whose eyes had been tightly shut—suddenly opened them, stretched its neck, and lifted its chin to look around.
Scared to death.
It had almost been exposed.
Next time, he would just turn into a cat and climb onto the bed.
But he always worried that the transformation wouldn’t last long enough, and his true identity would be exposed.
Sigh.
He’d think about it later.
The cat tucked in its neck, pulled its paws close, and went back to sleep.
I’ll just get up early tomorrow.
Tomorrow, he had to stay at his big brother’s place.
Before long, the kitten was softly snoring, its familiar purr rumbling through the darkness.
Shang Xuci hugged the furry cat and drifted into a deep sleep.
…
Saturday.
Shang Xuci sat on the sofa, a magazine resting casually on his lap. A cup of coffee was in one hand, the other hand flipping through the pages.
His gaze occasionally flicked toward the kitchen doorway, whether intentionally or not. The housekeeper, seeing right through him, said, “Jian Xun went home today.”
“Home?” Shang Xuci raised his brows slightly. “Didn’t he move into the staff quarters? Or rent a place outside?”
The housekeeper replied, “I didn’t ask, but I saw Xiao Xun happily packing his things. He must be meeting someone important.”
Shang Xuci lowered his eyes, his fingers curling slightly on the page. He paused for a few seconds before continuing to flip through.
…
Completely unaware, Jian Xun was out shopping with Xu Tutu. They planned to have hot pot for dinner and a big meal for lunch.
Winning the lottery really made a difference—Xu Tutu’s energy had completely changed. He swiped his card without even blinking.
Still, most of what he bought were daily necessities, and he wasn’t the type to splurge. After buying the house, he hadn’t saved much.
But as a big brother, Xu Tutu was never stingy when it came to Jian Xun.
They bought new clothes, shoes, and a big bag of snacks. Carrying their heavy bags, they walked home side by side.
If they had been cats, they would have been pressed close together, moving in sync, their tails swaying in unison, with identical happy expressions.
…
Jian Xun told Xu Tutu about his part-time work at the big villa. When he mentioned the fish in the lake, he couldn’t help wanting to bring Xu Tutu along to catch them. Unfortunately, the time wasn’t right yet—he planned to invite him openly once he had built a good relationship with the boss.
Happy times always passed quickly. For two days, the “two cats” stayed in the room, watching Tom and Jerry and snacking on dried fish.
Jian Xun and Xu Tutu agreed that he would come back every weekend.
…
Monday came—the most dreaded of days.
Jian Xun got up early and hurried back to Ludao Garden.
The subway was packed with people, and it took considerable effort to squeeze in. When he switched to the bus, the heavy traffic caused a jam.
He was late.
Fortunately, there was no time clock to punch.
Jian Xun’s pace was quicker than usual.
The courtyard was unusually quiet. He returned to his room, put away his schoolbag, changed into casual clothes, and headed back toward the villa.
Pushing open the door, he stepped into the living room, looked around, but saw no one. Instinctively, he made his way to the kitchen.
Uncle Zhao should be back by now. What delicious food would he make today?
He also wanted to ask him how to cook tasty fish.
But the kitchen was empty as well. Voices drifted in from the garden, so Jian Xun ran to the window to peek outside.
A figure in a black tuxedo, with graying hair and a straight back—Jian Xun nodded to himself. Yes, that had to be the butler.
He was about to call out when he noticed someone staring right at him.
“Shang Xuci!” he blurted.
“No—Boss!” Jian Xun quickly corrected himself, pulling his head back, leaning against the wall, and patting his chest to calm down.
“Why isn’t he working today?” he murmured under his breath, clasping his hands and staring at his feet. After a pause, he started to stand—only to see a pair of polished black handmade leather shoes stop in front of him.
Jian Xun looked up to find two hands extended toward him. He placed his own in them, using the help to stand, then brushed himself off and asked casually, “Is the boss not working today?”
Shang Xuci glanced at him and pressed his lips into a faint line. “Have you ever seen a boss who works every single day?”
Jian Xun thought to himself, Today’s Monday… and he doesn’t work on weekends.
“Come on—Uncle Zhao’s about to start cooking.”
At that, Jian Xun instinctively glanced toward the door, where Chef Zhao greeted him.
After the boss left the kitchen, Uncle Zhao stepped inside and said, “Thank you for your hard work these past few days.”
“The housekeeper told me you’ve done a great job.” He patted Jian Xun on the shoulder before starting to tidy the kitchen.
“It’s not hard,” Jian Xun replied with a smile.
He was about to head out to work when Shang Xuci called him to the study.
It turned out to be more like keeping him company than serving him.
Jian Xun sat across from Shang Xuci, flipping through a beautifully illustrated book. In front of him was an assortment of freshly baked cookies and a steaming glass of sweet tea.
The chair was so soft that he could curl up and read. Whenever he felt hungry, he’d nibble on the crispy, fragrant cookies; when he was thirsty, he’d sip the hot, sweet tea.
Shang Xuci didn’t keep giving him orders. The quiet atmosphere was so comfortable that Jian Xun felt as if the weekend’s bliss had simply carried over into the week.
Of course, he never forgot his role. After finishing a page, he would glance at Shang Xuci’s snack tray and coffee cup. If either was running low, he’d immediately get up to refill it.
Unfortunately, even after he had finished his own biscuit and emptied his teacup—his belly slightly swollen—the other person’s plate still had all its biscuits.
There was even half a cup of coffee left.
Shang Xuci was wrapping up a meeting, instructing the staff to follow the plan. After turning off the video, he finally allowed himself to look at the other person in the room.
If he remembered correctly, this wasn’t the first time the boy had been caught staring at his plate. The boy’s own snack was long gone, and now his gaze was fixed on his.
Shang Xuci picked up a biscuit and said, “Take it.”
Jian Xun didn’t hesitate. He eagerly got up to accept it, adding with a smile, “Boss, I’ll refill your coffee.”
“No need.” Shang Xuci picked up the teacup on the table and poured himself more tea. “I’ll have tea instead.”
“Oh.” Jian Xun’s voice dropped, a hint of disappointment in it as he held the biscuit.
Shang Xuci’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the menu Uncle Zhao had sent, set the phone down, and asked, “What do you want for lunch?”
Jian Xun thought for a moment before answering, “Fish! I want fish the most.”
But with Uncle Zhao cooking, there would be no leftovers for him later—Shang Xuci didn’t like fish.
Jian Xun looked at him eagerly, wondering if lunch would be like a cat happily gnawing on dried fish. From the last time he had cleaned, he already knew where all the cat snacks were stored.
“I see,” Shang Xuci said simply.
He circled a few dishes on the menu and sent it back to Uncle Zhao.
…
Lunch time.
Jian Xun had just come downstairs when his nose twitched. The fresh aroma drifting through the air nearly made him lose his mind.
“Smells so good!” Jian Xun licked his lips, secretly praying for Shang Xuci to eat less so he could have more.
“Jian Xun, the master wants you to come eat.”
“Oh, me? Can I?” Jian Xun could hardly believe his luck.
So that was why the boss had asked him about his favorite food this morning.
Overjoyed, he hurried over. Uncle Zhao said, “We made a lot of fish.”
Jian Xun’s eyes stayed glued to the table. Once Shang Xuci told him to sit, he quickly served himself rice—then immediately turned his attention to the fish.
In front of him were three dishes: one grilled fish, one steamed fish, and a pot of spicy boiled fish.
The boiled fish dish was closest to Jian Xun. The sizzling pot bubbled with fragrant broth, and the fish inside was pristine—almost beautiful. Each fillet was sliced as thin as a cicada’s wing and perfectly portioned. On closer inspection, every tiny bone had been removed, leaving only tender, delicate flesh.
When he placed a fillet in his mouth, the smooth, savory flavor spread instantly, and the fragrance of the fish lingered long after.
“Delicious, so delicious!” Jian Xun gave Uncle Zhao a big thumbs-up, showering him with praise.
Then, with tears in his eyes, he turned to Shang Xuci. “No wonder you didn’t like my fish.”
I didn’t blame him.
I really didn’t blame him.
Uncle Zhao’s cooking was amazing!
Being praised for his food was the greatest compliment a chef could receive.
Without hesitation, Uncle Zhao said, “Next time I cook fish, you can watch and learn from me.”
Jian Xun’s grin widened as he happily returned to eating.
Only the housekeeper watched this scene with a thoughtful expression. Mr. Shang was treating this young man, who had only recently arrived, with unusual attentiveness—even inviting him to dine at the same table. Could it be that he had finally come to his senses?
Then again, Jian Xun had saved Shang Xuci’s beloved cat. Perhaps his fondness for the boy was only gratitude, and the housekeeper was overthinking it.
…
By afternoon, the weather had cleared. The gray sky gave way to sunlight that peeked through the clouds.
Shang Xuci sat on the sofa, playing with the cat using a laser pointer.
Jian Xun stood nearby, subtly trying to control the cat’s activity level—until Shang Xuci unexpectedly called him over.
Chasing the red dot was one of Sui Sui’s favorite games, and the cat played until he was nearly too tired to move.
Jian Xun kept his eyes fixed on the moving light, directing his “cat stand-in” to pounce at just the right moment. Floor, table legs, walls… the cat leapt about like a little tiger.
Shang Xuci bent his head, twirling the pen-like pointer in his fingers, drawing the cat’s attention.
He was playing with remarkable focus.
Jian Xun matched that intensity, his full attention locked on his double, eyes following every dart of movement.
Shang Xuci glanced over casually—then paused when he noticed the boy staring a bit too intently at the laser pointer.
The cat pounced, and the red dot landed squarely on its snow-white head.
“Sui Sui.”
Shang Xuci reached out, and the white lion cat trotted over to rub against his palm.
Then Shang Xuci lifted his gaze—meeting Jian Xun’s eyes. The boy, caught off guard, quickly looked away.
“Let’s go out and get some sunshine.” Shang Xuci carried the cat into the back garden.
The housekeeper instructed Uncle Zhao to prepare some afternoon tea snacks. Miss Meng Jingxue would be visiting today.
Jian Xun asked in surprise, “What’s Miss Meng doing here?”
The housekeeper smiled. “Miss Meng Jingxue and Master have been childhood sweethearts. They’re very close and should visit more often. I’ve never seen Master smile at anyone like that.”
Uncle Zhao joined the conversation, exchanging a knowing look with the housekeeper. “Perhaps soon, this house will have more than one mistress.”
“But… but,” Jian Xun said softly, staring at his toes and biting his lip. “Isn’t she allergic to cats?”
The housekeeper shrugged. “That’s why they built a separate floor just for Sui Sui.”
Jian Xun looked up in disbelief, his eyes dimming.
“Is that so?”
“Isn’t it?” The butler arranged the desserts Uncle Zhao had brought out, then turned to ask, “What do you think?”
Uncle Zhao had only met Meng Jingxue once. She was a beauty with a distinct personality and a forthright nature. He nodded.
“With a mistress and a child, the big house would feel much livelier.”
The butler agreed, and the two continued discussing the topic.
A dull ache formed in Jian Xun’s stomach. He didn’t want to linger with them any longer. Snatching up the dessert basket, he said, “I’ll take it.”
The afternoon sun spilled golden light across the garden, where a variety of flowers swayed gently in the breeze, releasing bursts of fragrance.
The garden path was paved with cobblestones, and an elegant fountain stood at its center. Surrounding the fountain were neatly manicured lawns, like a giant emerald.
Carrying the food box, Jian Xun glanced around—when he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Boss… Boss…” Jian Xun turned, bewilderment on his face.
“Just give me the stuff.”
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the lush green grass. Jian Xun quietly watched the man walk away.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through.
A faint, intoxicating fragrance drifted toward him, and the boy’s round, azure eyes instantly widened—his pupils narrowing like an animal’s for a brief moment.
He froze, as if catching an unusual scent. His nose twitched slightly, tracing the heady aroma.
Jian Xun’s attention locked onto a patch of green grass. He approached it with eager focus, only to discover it was catnip.
Crouching down, he inhaled deeply.
The stronger the scent of catnip became, the more his excitement swelled uncontrollably. He cradled a large clump of it in his arms, sniffing it as if it were a precious flower—greedily, almost reverently—until his expression melted into pure ecstasy, as though he wanted to absorb the fragrance into his very being.
When Shang Xuci returned, he was greeted by a startling sight.
The boy was squatting on the ground, clutching the catnip, eyes closed, breathing in its scent with unrestrained, almost possessive delight.
And perched atop his head… were a pair of furry cat ears, swaying gently, along with a large, fluffy tail.