Jian Xun became even more attentive—serving him tea and water, fetching his clothes, and eager to bring every meal right to him.
Shang Xuci’s illness had struck with a vengeance. His fever subsided quickly, but his cough had worsened. He had already been hospitalized once, and now his illness had relapsed, so Gu Ming rushed over to treat him.
Jian Xun stayed by Dr. Gu’s side, caring for Shang Xuci with all his heart.
For the first time, he felt truly grateful to have become human. If he had still been a cat, he would have been left alone, anxiously waiting.
Just as Dr. Gu left, Jian Xun saw Shang Xuci reading the documents Fu Qian had brought. He marched over angrily and said, “Work again! You’re sick—why are you still looking at work…”
When Shang Xuci looked up at him, Jian Xun’s momentum instantly faltered, but he still dared to mutter, head lowered, “Who doesn’t take care of their body?”
Using the excuse of going out, he transformed back into a cat and set out to cause trouble. With great energy, he leapt into Shang Xuci’s arms, blocking the documents and meowing wildly.
The meaning was exactly the same as his earlier scolding.
Even his expression was the same.
Shang Xuci’s lips curled at the cat’s adorable behavior. He set the documents aside and focused on petting him.
Jian Xun wasn’t sure whether to be happy or not.
Cats are truly irresistible, after all.
For the next few days, Jian Xun stayed by his side, taking care of him. When he was bored, he watched Tom and Jerry on his phone or read game commentaries. During breaks, he would transform back into a cat, carry a small dried fish pillow to the bedroom, jump onto the bed, and find a cozy spot next to Shang Xuci to nap.
Whenever Shang Xuci woke up, he would see either Jian Xun or Sui Sui—always close by. However, when Meng Jingxue came to visit, the cat was nowhere to be found.
As soon as the visitor left, Sui Sui reappeared, carrying his tablet to the bed and asking for the password.
The cat’s claws tapped at the screen with practiced ease. The tablet had two main pages: one with Apple’s default apps, and another with office software—no entertainment videos, no games.
The cat pouted and glanced at Shang Xuci, who was reading a book. He opened WeChat, scrolled down to a mini-program game, and then searched for Tom and Jerry on the video account.
The sound from the video caught Shang Xuci’s attention. The big white cat scooted closer, leaning side by side with him against the pillow as they watched the cartoon together.
“You like Tom and Jerry that much?”
“Meow!”
The cat meowed happily.
Shang Xuci let him be.
During the day, Jian Xun didn’t dare play games openly. He waited until Shang Xuci was asleep before playing on his phone—until he himself dozed off at the edge of the bed.
When Shang Xuci woke from his nap, he picked a hair off the bed. He placed it, along with some cat fur, into a transparent bag and asked the housekeeper to mail it.
By the time Jian Xun woke up, he found himself covered with a thin blanket. Instinctively, he checked the bed and realized Shang Xuci had gone out for some fresh air.
It had rained that morning, and the ground was still wet. The temperature was low. Seeing that Shang Xuci’s coat was still hanging on the hook, Jian Xun hurried downstairs to ask the housekeeper where he had gone. Then, grabbing the coat, he went out.
Shang Xuci and Gu Ming were fishing.
Jian Xun ran over, breathless, and froze when he saw Shang Xuci wearing a coat.
Gu Ming noticed him, his gaze lingering on the clothes in Jian Xun’s hands, and teased Shang Xuci, “You’re not hiring a housekeeper.”
Jian Xun blushed. “Doctor Gu, the boss is still sick.”
“Don’t worry. Even if he’s not feeling well, I can still take him fishing,” Gu Ming said with a smile before turning to Shang Xuci. “How thoughtful.”
The young man stood tall and slender, his skin pale and tender, his eyes fixed solely on one person.
That night, after returning to the villa from fishing, Jian Xun’s role shifted—from housekeeper to assistant.
The next day, Jian Xun and his boss took the car to the company. Sleepy, he clutched the canvas bag he had once carried to work at the factory and dropped into the passenger seat.
Shang Xuci glanced at him, still holding the medicine in his hand.
Jian Xun wore a loosely tucked white shirt. One button was missing from the collar—the very one he had given to Sui Sui.
He was wearing Shang Xuci’s clothes.
Clothes carrying Shang Xuci’s scent.
The collar lay slightly open against his skin, revealing a fair collarbone.
Shang Xuci’s gaze lingered. Jian Xun sat with his legs pressed together, trying to sit upright, his hands resting awkwardly on his knees. A faint pink flush still tinged his fair cheeks from the rush over.
Starting the car, Shang Xuci leaned over to fasten the boy’s seatbelt. The shared scent of their laundry detergent caught in his breath.
“Ah, I’ll do it.” Seeing Shang Xuci pause, Jian Xun hurried to buckle himself in, his hand brushing against Shang Xuci’s face by accident.
Shang Xuci’s eyes grew heavy with an inexplicable emotion.
Even his hands carried that same scent—truly, his entire body was marked by it.
When Jian Xun quickly pulled his hand back with an innocent expression, Shang Xuci withdrew his gaze, sat upright, and fixed his eyes on the road before driving off.
Noticing the glance at his clothes, Jian Xun asked, “Boss, I didn’t bring a suit. Is this okay?”
He sounded unsure. After all, he had only worked in a factory before and had no confidence about fitting into a big company.
Whether human or cat, he was just a young man fresh out of high school—nervous about his abilities and eager to make a good first impression on his first day.
His hair was loosely tied into a small bun, revealing a smooth forehead. A few stray strands softened his delicate face. His fine brows, rosy lips, and bright, clear eyes looked straight at Shang Xuci.
Shang Xuci almost said it didn’t suit him—but the clothes were his. He pressed his lips together and instead asked, “Why are you wearing this?”
“I like it,” Jian Xun replied softly, tugging at the hem of the shirt. “Isn’t it okay?”
At the word like, Shang Xuci’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Our company doesn’t have a dress code. Don’t worry.”
“Great!”
The young man’s eyes lit up. Relaxing, he clasped his hands together like a cat holding onto a seatbelt. Tilting his head, he closed his eyes to rest.
…
Office.
Fu Qian entered the room carrying a package and found his boss staring intently out the window. Following his gaze, he spotted Jian Xun happily chatting with someone.
Slacking off on his very first day at work—how audacious! Fu Qian frowned. Who had hired this guy? Could he really be Mr. Shang’s assistant?
His eyes flicked toward Shang Xuci’s coffee cup. It was almost empty.
So careless. Shouldn’t that be the assistant’s job as well?
He could have handled it all himself.
Still, Fu Qian didn’t complain. His workload had lessened, and his salary hadn’t been cut. That was something to be grateful for.
Collecting himself, he said, “Mr. Shang, this is your package.”
Shang Xuci withdrew his gaze, accepted the package, and placed it on the table.
When Fu Qian instinctively reached for the coffee pot, Shang Xuci intercepted him. “I’ll go myself.”
There was a coffee machine in the CEO’s office, but Shang Xuci walked out to the staff area instead. His eyes swept over the crowd gathered around Jian Xun. Just like when Sui Sui had first joined the company, everyone was eager to welcome the newcomer—especially one with such striking looks.
The young man stood in a crisp white shirt and black trousers. His skin was fair, and his eyes were as clear and bright as the summer sky.
At first reserved, Jian Xun gradually relaxed under the warm greetings of those around him.
A small smile curved his lips, and his movements brimmed with energy. Whenever someone spoke, he gazed at them earnestly, listening with full attention and nodding in agreement.
He was undeniably endearing.
And in just one morning, people were already flocking to him nonstop.
Shang Xuci lowered his gaze, dark and unsettling thoughts swirling in his chest. For a moment, he even regretted his decision.
What was the point of bringing him here? Wouldn’t it have been better to leave him at home?
Turning back, Shang Xuci told Fu Qian, “Assign some tasks to Jian Xun.”
Fu Qian nodded solemnly. “Understood.”
It was a warning.
After all, it was his first day at work, and there was a lot to learn.
Shang Xuci sat back at his desk and opened the documents. Just as he had suspected—Jian Xun was Sui Sui, and Sui Sui was Jian Xun.
Sui Sui hadn’t changed since the day he ran away from home, but after his return, he had. Shang Xuci carefully reviewed his experiences after running away and found that he had spent his time wandering before eventually working in a factory.
As for why he had run away, one day, Jian Xun would have to tell him himself.
From now on, whether human or cat, he would never let him go.
…
Jian Xun, the young assistant, sat at his workstation reviewing company information. With a heavy thud, a thick stack of documents landed on his desk.
He looked up to see Fu Qian saying sternly, “Finish these forms.”
“All of them?” Jian Xun swallowed hard as he saw the pile nearly towering over him.
“Yeah.” Noticing a few employees glancing over, Fu Qian cleared his throat and added, “These are just basic forms—you would have learned them in college.”
“Well, I…” Jian Xun began to explain he hadn’t been to college, but Fu Qian cut him off.
“There’s plenty of time. If you don’t understand something, you can ask Xiao Liu—he’ll be guiding you for now.” With that, Fu Qian returned to his desk.
Jian Xun looked at the daunting pile, then went to find Assistant Liu.
Assistant Liu, a short-haired girl sitting next to him, scooted her chair over as soon as Secretary Fu was gone. “I’ll help you take a look,” she offered.
…
Shang Xuci finished the last document in his hand and glanced toward Jian Xun’s workstation.
The young man was sitting close to a young woman. She held a document in one hand while pointing at the computer screen, explaining things to him. Jian Xun listened attentively, eyes fixed on the monitor, occasionally asking questions.
Assistant Liu guided him step by step. When Jian Xun’s hand brushed against hers, his fingertips, cheeks, and ears turned red, his gaze shifting restlessly.
Shang Xuci’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of displeasure passing through them.
What was Fu Qian doing? Assigning work—assigning people to other people?
Shang Xuci pulled out his phone and sent a message.
Moments later, Jian Xun entered the office, carrying documents.
He immediately noticed a private photo of himself—crouched down, looking up at a cat on the table. His fair face flushed instantly, and an inexplicable flutter rose in his chest.
When he glanced up at Shang Xuci again, the man sat with an air of aloofness, radiating quiet authority, his head lowered over the documents. His cold, unsmiling face, his thin, tightly pressed lips, and his sharp focus on work were all sides of him Jian Xun had never seen before.
But when Shang Xuci looked up and saw him, his voice and expression softened in an instant—like a snowy mountain beginning to melt.
“Have you been settling into the job?”
Jian Xun nodded. “Everyone’s been very nice to me.”
He set the documents on the table, closed the door, and returned to his workstation to continue his battle of wits and endurance against the spreadsheet. It wasn’t until he checked the time on his phone that his gloom lifted.
“Lunch time!” he said excitedly.
Picking up his canvas bag, Jian Xun walked over to the microwave to heat his food. Ding! He happily carried the lunch box toward Shang Xuci’s office.
…
As Shang Xuci reached the door, he noticed a familiar figure. Nearby, a group of female colleagues were whispering.
“Is that Miss Meng? Here to have lunch with Mr. Shang again?”
“What else?” another replied enviously. “Miss Meng and he are childhood sweethearts. Of course they’re close. Have you ever seen him approach any other woman? I think they’re about to get married.”
“They’re a perfect match.”
“Hurry, they’re coming out. I’m leaving before they see me.”
Click—
The moment the door opened, Jian Xun quickly hid his lunch box behind him and stepped aside.
“I happened to be here today for some work. Want to have lunch together?” Meng Jingxue asked as she approached.
The Meng family had signed a contract with Xinyu, and her father insisted she handle the initial negotiations. Even though Meng Jingxue repeatedly reminded him she was a doctor, not a businesswoman, he ignored her. She often came to Xinyu to avoid work—and after a few visits, she had fallen in love with the cafeteria. Whenever she came for lunch, she always brought Shang Xuci with her.
This time, however, Shang Xuci didn’t leave with her. Instead, he took out his phone and dialed a number. The ringing sounded close by, and within moments, he walked over and found Jian Xun hiding nearby.
“Let’s have lunch together,” he said.
Jian Xun looked up. “I brought lunch.”
Glancing at the elegantly dressed Meng Jingxue, he set the lunch box down on the table and said, “I won’t go to the cafeteria with you.”
“Where’s mine?” Shang Xuci asked, raising an eyebrow.
Slowly, Jian Xun pulled another lunch box from his hiding spot and looked at him expectantly. “I made it. Do you want some?”
Turning to Meng Jingxue, Shang Xuci said, “Sorry, I can’t go to the cafeteria with you.”
He lifted the lunch box slightly in her direction as explanation.
“Oh, I’ll go by myself then.” Meng Jingxue didn’t mind, but her curiosity piqued—she glanced toward the figure behind Shang Xuci.
Shang Xuci calmly stepped half a pace to block her view.
He reminded her, “If you don’t go to the cafeteria now, there won’t be a seat.”
Meng Jingxue smiled. “Then I’ll leave.”
Shang Xuci took Jian Xun to a lounge so they could eat alone. As they opened their lunch boxes, the aroma of rice filled the air.
Tomato, corn, and shrimp; honey-glazed chicken wings; pumpkin; and sweet potato rice.
No fish?
Shang Xuci glanced at Jian Xun.
Jian Xun opened his own lunch box: basa fish, braised fish, and sweet potato rice.
“No fish for me?”
Jian Xun paused, chopsticks in hand, and asked in confusion, “Don’t you dislike fish?”
“Who said that?”
“Then I’ll give you mine!” Jian Xun beamed, selecting the largest piece of fish and placing it in Shang Xuci’s bowl. He watched as Shang Xuci began eating quietly.
Shang Xuci chewed gracefully, met Jian Xun’s eyes, and said, “It’s delicious. You’ve made progress.”
“Really?” Jian Xun pursed his lips. “Compared to the cafeteria?”
Shang Xuci: “Hmm?”
“If you think it’s better than the cafeteria, I’ll make lunch for you every day!” Jian Xun thought for a moment, then added, “Not in the evenings or on weekends. Uncle Zhao’s cooking is amazing—I can’t compare.”
“You don’t have to compete with him,” Shang Xuci said, his gaze soft. “Just be yourself.”
“Then… do you agree?” Jian Xun asked, his eyes sparkling.
“Hmm.” Shang Xuci paused. “Do you like cooking?”
“Not really,” Jian Xun admitted shyly. He was too embarrassed to say, in front of a man, that he simply liked cooking for him. After all, it was the only thing he could offer.
When Shang Xuci continued staring at him expectantly, Jian Xun bit his lip and said, “I’m saving money, and it’s convenient to cook for myself.”
Unexpectedly, Shang Xuci asked, “Are you short on money?”
Jian Xun nodded seriously. “I want to save money to buy a house later.”
At that, Shang Xuci’s expression shifted slightly. Was the villa he had bought not big enough? Or… did Jian Xun still want to leave him?
Shang Xuci frowned, and suddenly even the food in his mouth seemed to lose its taste.
After finishing the last piece of basa fish, Jian Xun noticed the boss’s expression darken. Hesitating, he held the shrimp paste with his chopsticks but didn’t put it in his mouth. Nervously, he asked, “Isn’t it delicious?”
Shang Xuci shook his head, then took the shrimp paste and popped it into his mouth himself.
When would he tell Jian Xun that he wasn’t short of money, didn’t need to save, and didn’t need to buy a house—that he could give him whatever he wanted?
“Great! This is my first time making shrimp paste. I thought it wouldn’t taste good.” Jian Xun smiled brightly. In Shang Xuci’s eyes, it was as if he could see an invisible cat’s tail swaying behind him—swaying before flopping lazily to the side.
Forget it. Take your time.
At 5 p.m., Shang Xuci left for an impromptu dinner. Jian Xun was still busy at his workstation, racing against the clock, his phone lying to the side, unchecked.
Moonlight Club, Room 3801.
A comprehensive entertainment center combining dining, karaoke, and a bar.
As Shang Xuci reached the door, he heard the clinking of glasses and bursts of laughter from inside. Pushing the door open, he was met with a room full of handsome young men and beautiful women.
They were holding various items—most often wine bottles—hoping customers would place an order, or at least stay and drink with them.
The waiters all knew tonight’s guests were wealthy; the tips alone could easily match their annual salaries. Naturally, they rushed to put on their best smiles.
Shang Xuci scanned the room, his brow furrowed. He hated dining in places like this. Having to eat while surrounded by people wearing such lustful expressions was utterly revolting.
Seeing the man who entered with distinguished poise and striking features, someone boldly tried to approach. But Shang Xuci’s stern expression and cold glare quickly discouraged them.
He walked in and spotted his great-uncle, Shang Yan, who waved at him. Without breaking his gaze, Shang Xuci crossed the room and sat down on the opposite side.
Yun Qing glanced at Shang Yan—whose face had noticeably darkened—and asked softly, “Your great-uncle doesn’t look happy. Is that alright?”
“Don’t worry about him.” Shang Xuci’s eyes swept over the people at the table. “Isn’t Mr. Du here yet?”
Yun Qing checked his watch. “It’s already dinner time. He organized this meal—he wouldn’t stand us up, would he?”
Just as he finished speaking, the door opened and Du Guan walked in, smiling. “Sorry, I ran into something on the way.”
Following behind him was Shang Ye.
Shang Xuci narrowed his eyes, his gaze instantly locking on Shang Yan. As expected, Shang Yan’s expression shifted dramatically before he quickly regained composure.
According to the timeline, Shang Yan—the great-grandfather—had been trying to rope Shang Ye into investing. But amid the economic crisis, Shang Yan’s tourism resort project failed. Shang Ye’s involvement caused the Shang Group’s stock price to plummet.
For now, Shang Yan could still hide the problem, but within a few days the media would blow the news wide open. By then, Shang Ye would understand the severity of the situation and have no interest in attending dinners like this.
There was still one empty seat beside Shang Yan and another next to Shang Xuci. Du Guan glanced around the table before smiling and taking the seat beside Shang Xuci.
“Mr. Shang, long time no see,” Du Guan greeted him.
“Mr. Du.”
…
At ten o’clock that evening, Shang Xuci returned home and opened the door. The young man on the sofa turned at the sound.
Their eyes met. Hugging his knees, the young man’s eyes were faintly red, tears slipping down like tiny pearls, his expression full of grievance.
Shang Xuci felt his heart seize.