Shang Xuci’s body stiffened.
The young man patted his back twice, reassuringly.
Jian Xun quickly returned to his seat, his thick eyelashes trembling. His neck flushed red as he turned his head to look out the window and muttered, “I can hug Sui Sui when we get home.”
The red light turned green, and Shang Xuci started the car.
Jian Xun stole a glance at the man. He was looking straight ahead, not blaming him for his recent transgression, his face expressionless. Jian Xun was deeply concerned and about to say something when a voice came from beside him.
Shang Xuci pursed his lips and spoke softly. “Just pity?”
Jian Xun was startled by the question and quickly shook his head. “No.”
Another red light, and the car stopped. Shang Xuci leaned slightly to the side, staring at him intently. “Then what is it?”
Jian Xun suddenly grew nervous. Of course, he couldn’t say that he was Sui Sui, that their relationship wasn’t just superior and subordinate. And he was too embarrassed to admit that he simply felt sorry for him. His head felt like it was about to explode. “I… I just want to hug you.” It took him a long time to squeeze out those words.
Shang Xuci looked at him—head bowed, hands fiddling with the seatbelt, his little gestures exactly like Sui Sui’s—and waited patiently for him to finish.
Jian Xun said softly, “Although I don’t know your father, I know you. You’re not cold-blooded. You gave Sui Sui a home. How can someone who loves cats be cold-blooded?”
“Mm. What else?”
“The boss treats his employees very well. You come to and leave work on time, and you even give high overtime pay, with plenty of benefits and a good salary. You’re also straightforward and generous. You’ve even given a small assistant like me a 500 yuan raise several times. You’re not cold-hearted at all, okay?”
Jian Xun, as if addicted to praising him, stole a glance at the man and noticed the faintest quirk of his lips. Encouraged, he continued happily: “Boss, you’re handsome, well-educated, from a good family, and you have long legs. You’re self-disciplined, you don’t play around with girls, and you focus on your own life. You have your own career… and you even have a super handsome lion cat. Your life is amazing!”
He sighed sincerely. “If people in the business world treat you badly, that’s because they’re blind. There will always be people who treat you sincerely, for your whole life.”
Shang Xuci, flattered by his words, couldn’t help the smile that reached his brows. He asked, “And who will treat me well for the rest of my life?”
“Sui Sui!” Jian Xun answered matter-of-factly. A cat ear popped out from his head and twitched, but he didn’t notice. “No one loves you more than Sui Sui. People may betray, but cats never will!”
As if making an oath, Jian Xun clasped his hands earnestly. His other furry ear also appeared.
Shang Xuci’s breathing quickened. He took a deep breath and said slowly, “You seem to know my cat very well?”
“I… I… cats are just like that!” Jian Xun stammered. “Even though I don’t have much contact with Sui Sui, I can tell Sui Sui really likes you!”
The second half of his sentence rang with certainty.
Shang Xuci gave him a meaningful look, his gloomy mood gradually lifting.
…
Ludao Garden.
Seeing Shang Xuci go upstairs to the cat house, Jian Xun quickly slipped back into his room and transformed into a cat. He trotted upstairs, eagerly throwing himself into Shang Xuci’s arms and meowing coquettishly.
That night, man and cat shared the same bed—and Shang Xuci dreamed.
A tall man sat in a wheelchair, shoulders broad, waist narrow, back straight, his bearing striking.
He had a pair of long legs he couldn’t use, still clearly unaccustomed to the wheelchair.
The banquet hall was brightly lit, filled with clinking glasses and bursts of laughter.
The hallway, by contrast, was silent, broken only by the click of high heels and the murmurs of escorts.
“Isn’t the Second Young Master here today? I haven’t seen him in ages. This is his home, yet he’s not showing up? I’d really like to see him.”
“You didn’t hear? He was in a car accident—injured badly. He’s probably still recovering.”
“He’s so handsome, but it’s really tragic. Didn’t he go blind not long ago? And now this. His legs are completely useless. He’ll be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”
“Yeah, blind and disabled—so pitiful.”
“Right, that’s why it makes sense Miss Jiang broke off the engagement. Who would want to marry a cripple?”
Another woman added, “And a blind cripple.”
“The eldest young master will inherit in the future, won’t he?”
“Of course. How could the business be handed to a blind man who can’t even read?”
“… “
The room was pitch black. A hand slipped from the doorknob, fumbling toward the wheelchair. The man bumped into a table, let out a low groan, and steadied himself.
His calves were numb, but his thighs burned with searing pain.
Alone, he groped for his phone and called his family doctor. Before help arrived, he fainted from the pain. When he woke again, only his housekeeper was at his side.
Expressionless, he asked, “Where’s Shang Wei?”
The housekeeper replied, “He went to a concert with the young master.”
The man’s heart sank.
His legs felt unbearably heavy, as if filled with lead, and sharp pain cut through them like a saw.
Shang Xuci’s forehead was drenched with sweat. He woke instantly from the nightmare, gasping for breath. Throwing back the blanket, he examined his legs.
They were whole.
They moved freely, muscles strong and toned. His brain responded, his legs flexing with ease.
“Meow?” The big cat tilted its head, startled as its “bed” suddenly rose beneath it. It tucked its paws in and looked up, its sky-blue eyes meeting the man’s.
The man’s expression was grim. His brows furrowed slightly, his thin lips paler than usual. A closer look revealed the sheen of sweat on his face.
Something was wrong.
Was it a nightmare?
He saw Shang Xuci reach out to touch his calf, then his thigh. Startled, the cat quickly leapt off his lap, meowing at him.
Did I crush you?
The white cat sat upright and let out a soft meow, thinking its weight had numbed the man’s legs. Guilt flickered in its eyes as its head drooped, ears flattened in confusion.
Sensing Sui Sui’s dejection, Shang Xuci reached out and stroked the cat’s head. “It has nothing to do with you,” he said gently.
When Shang Xuci lay back down, the cat perked up again. It scurried over to his legs, resting its front paws on them, gaze firm and determined.
Sui Sui No. 1 Masseur—activated!
The cat first kneaded the man’s chest lightly, watching for his reaction. Shang Xuci was absorbed in his phone, completely unaware.
The cat continued its massage, this time applying the perfect amount of pressure, instinctively finding the right acupuncture points.
It didn’t just knead—the motions varied. Sometimes it patted with open paws, sometimes pressed with the soft pads, sometimes pushed firmly. Every touch was filled with care and concentration.
As the massage deepened, its paw pads tapped rhythmically against his legs, like a gentle, playful melody, each stroke grazing over tense muscles.
Shang Xuci, chatting with Gu Ming, finally noticed the cat’s intent focus. His heart softened instantly. The phantom pain and pressure in his legs seemed to ease beneath Sui Sui’s touch.
His Sui Sui was truly a treasure.
Setting his phone aside, Shang Xuci rubbed his temples. Was it because he hadn’t seen Shang Wei for so long? He had actually dreamed of Shang Wei’s first life as a cripple. The pain he’d felt upon waking hadn’t seemed real.
Memories stirred. Around this time in his last life, his grandmother’s accident had occurred. Back then, he had been too busy with work, waiting until the company was more stable before handling personal matters. But Grandma and Sui Sui should always come first.
Daylight gradually broke. Shang Xuci lingered in bed, cuddling the cat for a while. When the alarm went off, he saw a message from his grandmother. Rising, he told the cat, “Sui Sui, I’m taking you to Grandma’s today.”
Cat: !
But today isn’t the weekend!
He has to go to work!
Jian Xun hurried out of the bedroom and returned to his own room with a sigh.
He had accumulated some intimacy points over the past few days, but since the plot hadn’t progressed, he didn’t dare use them recklessly. As long as Shang Xuci didn’t call him and didn’t restrict the cat’s freedom, he preferred not to use a body double. Now, with the boss taking him along to Grandma’s house, he was torn.
Will I get fired if I take just one day off?
Although he had a good relationship with his boss, Jian Xun sighed as he thought of Fu Qian, who was always watching him from the sidelines.
Knock, knock—
The housekeeper’s voice came from outside the door: “Xiao Xun, the boss said you don’t need to go to the company today. You have the day off.”
Jian Xun: “!!”
The shock left him stunned for two full seconds before he blurted, “Okay, got it!”
After the housekeeper’s footsteps faded, Jian Xun rolled around on the bed in delight.
Before long, a large, energetic white cat padded gracefully out of the room.
Upstairs, Shang Xuci was watching the screen. The boy stripped naked and transformed into a cat. The cat then carried his clothes to the bed, folded them neatly, hopped down, opened the door, and walked out…
Shang Xuci’s fingers froze on his Buddhist beads, his eyes trembling. He tapped the tablet twice, then pulled out his phone to send a message to the housekeeper—
[Remove the surveillance cameras I previously activated.]
Just then, a chubby cat darted past his feet, leaping onto the bench with a comb in its mouth and pushing it toward him.
“Mia~”
Shang Xuci obliged and combed the cat.
The stylist had trimmed Sui Sui’s scarf into a stylish, bold cut. A pigeon-blood ruby rested against his moon-white neck, making him look even more elegant and regal.
Grandma loved taking pictures of Sui Sui, always praising him as the most beautiful cat in the world. Only for photo sessions would she let the cat choose his own necklace. Without hesitation, Sui Sui chose the newest one. He pranced about happily in it, his tail puffed up like a dandelion, rustling as he moved.
Gu Residence.
Hearing the sound of a car pulling into the drive, Gu Zhen hurried out to the yard and reached for the cat in her grandson’s arms.
“Oh, Sui Sui, our little darling, why have you only come to see Grandma now? Let Grandma hold you and see if you’ve gotten heavier.”
The cat placed his paws on Gu Zhen’s shoulders and sniffed frantically. He remembered the old lady in the book—healthy on the outside, but in truth already battling cancer. It was still in its early stages, but progressing quickly.
Is Grandma okay?
Jian Xun inhaled her scent; the unpleasant odor was much weaker than before.
He remembered that around the time the big boss in the book faced trouble, his grandmother’s condition had already progressed to a late stage. Gu Zhen’s death had directly triggered Shang Xuci’s descent into darkness, marking the turning point of the tragic plot.
He had to find a way to make Shang Xuci take his grandmother to the hospital for examination and treatment.
The cat rested its forehead against the woman’s chin and meowed softly in greeting. It didn’t struggle or resist, obediently allowing her to hold and caress it.
“You’re so sweet.” She pinched the cat’s paw and added, “You’ve gotten a lot heavier.”
“It seems our Xiao Ci is taking good care of you.” When Gu Zhen first learned the cat was missing, she suspected her grandson had mistreated it and lost it. Later, seeing Shang Xuci’s haggard expression, she became certain her grandson truly loved Sui Sui.
Shang Xuci, carrying his belongings, watched his grandmother cuddle Sui Sui as she murmured to herself. He smiled and said, “If you like him, come home to see him. I’ll have someone pick you up.”
Gu Zhen shook her head. “I’m used to staying at home. I just like planting flowers and tending plants. When I’m bored, I play cards with some of the ladies nearby. I’m too lazy to bother with anything else. Just bring Sui Sui back to see me more often.”
“Okay.”
“Grandma, you still need to go for regular checkups. Gu Ming is back. I’ve already made an appointment for him. Remember to go to the hospital,” Shang Xuci said after a pause. “I’ll have someone make sure you go.”
The first thing Shang Xuci had done after emerging from the flower card tree was arrange for Gu Zhen to go to the hospital for a checkup. The results were the same as in his previous life: cancer, but still in the early stages and treatable with proper care. He breathed a sigh of relief. At last, there was meaning in starting over.
When Jian Xun heard this, his eyes widened. He hadn’t expected the boss to have already arranged an examination before he could act. He instantly felt relieved, hoping the same mistake would not repeat itself.
“Don’t worry, Grandma’s not a child. I remember to take my medicine,” Gu Zhen said with a smile. “And you—have you had any relapse?”
“I’m completely healed.”
Gu Zhen let out a breath of relief. “That’s wonderful.”
She lifted the cat, smiled at Jian Xun, and said, “Thanks to Sui Sui, Xiao Ci has regained his spirits. You must have suffered a lot out there during that time.”
The old woman’s expression was gentle, her voice soft. Even the way she held and caressed the cat was full of tenderness. Jian Xun felt as though he were soaking in a mountain spring, warmth and comfort welling up in his heart.
He chattered on, wanting to tell her about his experiences. His ears twitched as he scratched them unconsciously. At this moment, he wished he were human again.
“I’ll cook tonight. Come with me to buy groceries,” Gu Zhen said.
Shang Xuci: “Okay.”
“Also, don’t throw a birthday party for me. Let’s just celebrate together. Invite Gu Ming, and I’ll ask a few of my friends. We can simply spend the evening at home.”
“Whatever you say, Grandma.”
After being set down, Sui Sui began running around the house, inspecting the surroundings and checking every corner for potential dangers.
In the afternoon, Shang Xuci went grocery shopping with the old lady. Jian Xun, meowing nonstop, insisted on following. As soon as they entered the supermarket, he darted straight to the vegetable section.
Gu Zhen, startled, said, “You’ve taken Sui Sui to the supermarket often, haven’t you? Look how familiar he is with the place.”
It was a weekday, and at this hour the supermarket wasn’t crowded. On this floor, only the cashiers were on duty.
A large white cat glided gracefully between the few shoppers, tail held high, sapphire-clear eyes scanning the area like a noble inspecting his territory.
He reared up, resting his front paws on the vegetable shelves, scanning from left to right.
The vegetables varied in size, shape, and freshness. His nose twitched now and then as he sniffed to test their quality.
Suddenly, he caught a sweet scent. He gently pawed at a plump, red fruit. Curiosity gleamed in his eyes—it was red and round, just like his toy ball! No, wait. This wasn’t a toy. This was food!
His paw pads tingled with the urge to touch. He reached as far as he could, certain this must be delicious.
Turning around, the cat wagged his tail and called out to the two behind him.
Shang Xuci pushed the cart over, and the cat stretched out his paw to pat the fresh produce. The old lady picked up the tomato Sui Sui had chosen and compared it with the others. It was indeed the best in both color and freshness.
Gu Zhen exclaimed in delight, “Oh, Sui Sui really knows how to pick!”
She stroked the cat’s head, her face beaming. “Then we’ll eat Sui Sui’s selections today.”
Shang Xuci raised an eyebrow. He had taken Sui Sui to the supermarket before, but the cat had only been obsessed with the seafood section, never paying much attention to vegetables. He hadn’t realized his cat was such a discerning eater.
Praised, Jian Xun proudly raised his tail and leapt into the shopping cart. Each time they stopped in the produce section, the big white cat twisted his body with excitement, heating up the atmosphere.
When he spotted especially good ingredients, he jumped from the cart onto the counter, carefully avoiding the vegetables. He scampered over to the fresh carrots, sniffing them gently. After glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he stealthily extended his pink tongue and gave one a quick lick.
This taste!
This is it!
The cat nodded to himself, satisfied, and pushed the carrots he had “approved” into the shopping cart.
The old lady completely forgot about her own shopping, busy recording and photographing the cat on her phone. Shang Xuci trailed behind, picking up whatever the cat chose, his eyes full of affection.
The cat suddenly perked up when they reached the lush green spinach section. A pile of leaves overflowed from a basket, and Jian Xun, in a playful mood, couldn’t resist. Seeing the outer leaves swaying under the supermarket’s air-conditioning, he pawed them aside, lifted his butt high, and poked his head in to see what lay inside.
Gu Zhen and her grandson exchanged smiles, waiting for the cat to explore—until they saw a large mantis dangling from his mouth.
Gu Zhen: “…”
Shang Xuci: “…”
“Hey, we don’t want that,” Gu Zhen said, patting her chest.
It wasn’t that she was afraid of insects, but seeing a cute, pristine little cat holding such an unsightly bug was a bit unnerving.
Jian Xun noticed Shang Xuci’s expressionless face and instantly realized neither of them liked insects. With a sharp “pffft,” he spat the mantis onto the ground and patted the spinach he had chosen with his other paw, as if to say: This one’s fine.
By the time they’d finished in the vegetable section, the slightly tired cat reached out, asking to be carried.
Shang Xuci calmly pulled a wet wipe from his pocket. The cat obligingly extended his paw, letting him clean it. Once wiped, he couldn’t wait to snuggle into Shang Xuci’s arms to recharge his energy.
Shang Xuci lifted the cat’s hindquarters and settled him securely in the crook of his arm, making a mental note to increase the weight of his dumbbell workouts at the gym.
“Sui Sui is so clingy with you,” Gu Zhen sighed. From the way her grandson had pulled out the wipe so naturally, she could tell he did it often. He was a germaphobe, yet he still insisted on cuddling a cat. He truly loved him.
Hearing this, the cat puffed up with pride, beaming and cooing as he tilted his face, asking for a kiss.
The man swiftly covered the cat’s mouth.
Jian Xun: “?”
Then Shang Xuci said coolly, “Did you forget what you just had in that little mouth of yours?”
The cat froze in disbelief.
He despised him!
He despised the cat!