“Your home?” Shang Xuci asked, emphasizing each word.
Jian Xun, his expression serious, repeated, “I’m not going back to Ludao Garden.”
Shang Xuci’s tone darkened, his good mood for the afternoon vanishing in an instant. He hadn’t seen anyone—or a cat—last night, and he was already dissatisfied. “Going back to your shabby rental?”
He was still upset about Sui Sui running away from home, living under a bridge, and staying in a dilapidated house. Was he not rich enough? Did he really prefer hardship?
Jian Xun felt a pang of guilt for not returning with his boss after only three paychecks. Hearing Shang Xuci’s displeasure, he stressed, “It’s not a shabby rental!”
Seeing the man’s cold, unhappy face, Jian Xun’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He lowered his eyes and dared only to say, “I’m staying at my brother’s tonight.”
Ever since learning Jian Xun was Sui Sui, Shang Xuci had thoroughly investigated him. His household registration listed him alone—so where did this brother come from?
“Just tonight?”
Jian Xun’s gaze drifted, and he stayed silent.
“Tomorrow night? Or the day after?” Shang Xuci asked patiently.
When the young man remained silent, Shang Xuci’s heart sank.
“Have you forgotten what we just added to the new contract?”
“No,” Jian Xun answered slowly. “I’ll be back.”
The man stayed silent, his expression cold.
Jian Xun added, “Didn’t the new contract say there are no restrictions on freedom?”
Shang Xuci narrowed his eyes, staring at him for a long moment before finally saying, “Whatever.”
He turned and left. Jian Xun let out a quiet sigh of relief, staring at the pile of documents with a tearful face. Even if he worked overtime tonight, he wouldn’t be able to finish them. He should leave first—he still had to cook for Brother Tutu when he got home.
Overtime came with a transportation allowance, so Jian Xun hailed a taxi and gave the driver his address.
A low-profile Maybach followed closely behind. Shang Xuci was at the wheel, lips pressed tightly together as he calmly wondered where Jian Xun lived—and where he had found this so-called brother.
The taxi drove for about forty minutes before stopping. Shang Xuci pulled over and found a parking space, watching as Jian Xun carried a cake box into a nearby supermarket.
More than ten minutes later, Jian Xun came out, shopping bags in both hands, and headed toward the adjacent residential complex.
Shang Xuci slipped on his sunglasses, got out, and followed him, his gaze fixed on what he was carrying—vegetables.
He lowered his eyes, a faint frown forming.
…
Grocery shopping.
Had their relationship already grown this close?
Jian Xun greeted every acquaintance he met on the street. Handsome and adorable, he was well-liked by the women in the neighborhood. Seeing him carrying groceries, they praised him, and Jian Xun happily chatted with them. This ordinary, peaceful life was what he had envied in his previous one—without any scorn or ridicule.
The house was on the sixth floor, and Jian Xun usually took the elevator. But when he saw the long line of people waiting, he silently chose the stairs. By the time he reached the last step, he was already fishing for his keys.
Around the corner in the hallway was Xu Tutu’s home. Jian Xun opened the door and called inside, “Brother Tutu, I’m back!”
Shang Xuci peeked around the corner.
A tall, handsome man appeared at the door. He carried a distinctive air, his eyes touched with rebelliousness, but when he looked at the young man, a hint of gentleness softened his gaze, his lips curving slightly.
Shang Xuci silently studied him. He looked rather young, leaning on a cane, which suggested a leg problem.
The two men kept a distance at first, and Shang Xuci let out a quiet breath of relief.
But in the next instant, Jian Xun threw himself into the man’s arms, their embrace close and intimate.
Shang Xuci’s face darkened, his fingers curling into a fist.
The young man handed over the gift he carried, smiling brightly. “Brother Tutu, I brought you this cake. It’s delicious.”
“Come inside first,” Xu Tutu snorted, annoyed. “Why do you smell so strongly today?”
The young man turned to close the door, his gaze flicking toward the hallway.
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Shang Xuci stood alone in the hallway for a long time.
Inside the door—
As Jian Xun put his things away, he asked, “Ah, is it heavy?”
He sniffed at his clothes.
“Maybe I slept with him at noon.”
Xu Tutu dropped the orange in his hand.
“What did you say?” Xu Tutu’s voice nearly cracked.
“Oh, I’m being kept by my boss.” Jian Xun walked over, picked up the orange from the floor, and placed it back in his hand. “Didn’t I tell you? I quit housework and became his assistant. Besides work, I eat and travel with him, and even turn into a cat to sleep with him at night.”
“I know that,” Xu Tutu said as he peeled the orange. “There’s nothing wrong with turning into a cat and sleeping with a human. But why did you turn into a human and sleep with him? Did he discover your real identity? Or does he have bad intentions toward you?”
Jian Xun shook his head. “I hid it well. He probably doesn’t know I’m Sui Sui.”
He was confident of that.
“You said he had ulterior motives. What does he want from me?”
“Your body!” Xu Tutu declared, staring at Jian Xun. “Look at your face and figure. You’re so pretty and gullible at such a young age…”
Jian Xun shook his head like a rattle and said seriously, “No, he didn’t touch me. Just like with Sui Sui, we only cuddled and slept together.”
“Oh, then maybe he just doesn’t like you,” Xu Tutu blurted out.
The room instantly fell into a deathly silence. Xu Tutu looked up at Jian Xun. The young man’s cheeks puffed up, his expression on the verge of breaking. His eyes were slightly red, fixed on him with aggrieved stubbornness.
Xu Tutu immediately backtracked. “Or maybe he’s just… not capable enough.”
Hearing this, Jian Xun sniffled, struggling to hold back tears.
“You know, men at that age tend to find someone to relieve their loneliness. Does your poop scooper have anyone around?”
Jian Xun quickly shook his head. “No.”
Jiang Yuanqing was already gone. Shang Xuci and Meng Jingxue had some interactions, but it didn’t seem like things had progressed that far.
“Shang Xuci is a clean man. He doesn’t have casual relationships. He respects women and treats the female colleagues at the company well. He never discriminates against them and doesn’t force them to attend drinking parties…” Jian Xun rambled, showering him with praise.
Xu Tutu knew he could go on all night and quickly cut him off. “Okay, okay, I get it—your boss is a good man.”
“Let’s not talk about this anymore. I’m hungry,” Xu Tutu said, rubbing his belly on the sofa.
Jian Xun stood up. “I’ll make dinner. It’ll be ready soon.”
After dinner, the two sat on the sofa playing games. Before nine o’clock, they each went back to their rooms. But Jian Xun kept thinking about Xu Tutu’s words—that Shang Xuci might not like him.
How could he not like him?
Before, Sui Sui couldn’t enter the house freely, sleep in the bed, or curl up on a man’s lap.
He also hadn’t liked close contact.
But now—even kissing was allowed.
How could I not like him?
But his human form certainly didn’t seem attractive to men. The guys in the office always complimented his looks, saying he had delicate skin, and would occasionally touch his hand in jest.
Shang Xuci was completely different with him. He looked at him as if he were his own pet—and slept with him like a cat.
Shang Xuci liked Sui Sui.
Shang Xuci treated him like a cat.
Sui Sui equaled Jian Xun, so how could that not be love?
Jian Xun didn’t even know what he was struggling with; he just felt unhappy.
Tossing and turning, he couldn’t fall asleep. He remembered how Shang Xuci had seemed angry when he said he wasn’t going home today.
Yeah, triple the salary.
Was Shang Xuci asleep by now? Was he looking for the cat? Was he lying awake with insomnia?
Either way, Jian Xun was. He pulled out his phone—it was only a little after ten.
No messages. He hadn’t sent the stand-in cat. Wasn’t Shang Xuci anxious? Or had he simply stopped paying attention to the cat?
Jian Xun checked the progress bar. The plot changes had stalled. He had accumulated plenty of intimacy points, but his Darkness points hadn’t moved at all.
Why was this happening?
He turned over again, shut his eyes, and forced himself to sleep…
Still tossing and turning, unable to rest, he checked the time again. Just past midnight.
Jian Xun had already marked a stand-in location in Ludao Garden. He re-placed the stand-in and used points to “swap” the location.
The next second, a plump white lion cat appeared in Ludao’s back garden.
The big white cat shook itself, padded to the villa, and pushed at the door, but it wouldn’t budge.
Turning around, it slipped into its private cat den.
He came back to the entrance, pulled out a foot towel, and stomped on it like sifting through litter. Then he groomed himself carefully, licking until his fur gleamed, before heading upstairs.
He stood, leapt, and turned the doorknob.
The door opened. The room was pitch-black. The cat tiptoed onto the bed, sniffed the man, and found a good spot. Its head rested on his arm, its front paws on his chest, its tail draped across his arm—its whole body pressed tightly against him.
The familiar scent, the warm crook of his arm, the steady heartbeat. The cat matched its breathing to his, closed its eyes contentedly, and drifted off.
Soon, soft purring filled the quiet room.
In the darkness, the man—ever a light sleeper—stirred at the furry weight on his arm. Shang Xuci stiffened, switched on a dim light with his free hand, and glanced down. Nestled against him was the cat, fast asleep.
He couldn’t be sure if it was the real Sui Sui or the stand-in, so he leaned closer and whispered, “Jian Xun.”
The cat in his arms clung to him tighter, eyes still closed, and let out a soft “Meow.”
Shang Xuci’s lips curved instantly. He’d tried calling Jian Xun before, but the fake cat never responded. Only the real Sui Sui would.
Shang Xuci rolled over with the cat in his arms, holding it against his chest. He buried his nose in its fur, inhaling its fragrance and warmth. At that moment, he finally understood why his cousin always loved to cuddle and sniff—it was truly heartwarming.
Cradling the cat, his restless heart finally found peace, and he slept soundly through the night.
The next morning, the big white cat stretched, its paw pads brushing against a soft, smooth surface. Its paw reached out, but before it could touch further, it was caught.
“Sui Sui,” the man’s deep, husky voice came from above.
The cat looked up, saw his hand pressed to its paw, and quickly retracted it, barking out a soft meow.
Shang Xuci scooped up the cat, carried it out of bed, washed, changed, and went downstairs. The lion cat followed close behind, keeping him company through breakfast.
Just as Jian Xun was waiting for Shang Xuci to leave so he could transform into a human and catch the bus to work, he was suddenly lifted and tucked under an arm, his expression bewildered.
“Meow?”
“You’re coming to work with me today.”
It was over.
Buckled into the passenger seat, the cat drooped its head, looking utterly dejected.
Shang Xuci glanced at it, eyes still on the road, and asked, “Sui Sui doesn’t want to go to the company?”
The big white cat let out a pitiful purr, clutching its head with its paws.
That was right—he had to be human to go to work and a cat to keep Shang Xuci company. Who was supposed to nap at noon, Sui Sui or Jian Xun?
Jian Xun was on the verge of tears.
It was troublesome.
Still, it was a free ride. Jian Xun consoled himself, muttering inwardly, When the enemy comes, we’ll fight them with our troops.
Xinyu Group.
Jian Xun immediately felt more eyes on him than usual and couldn’t help clutching Shang Xuci’s clothes, puffing up his chest. Employees saw the chubby lion cat nestled against Mr. Shang’s neck, clinging to him with intimacy. The sight screamed of pampering.
Seeing was believing. So this was the boss’s favorite cat—and what a gorgeous one at that!
In an instant, Sui Sui became the company’s hot topic. Cat lovers were already secretly placing bulk orders for cat snacks.
It wasn’t until they reached the office that the big white cat was finally set down. Jian Xun began worrying about how to sneak into the break room for his spare clothes, clock in, and report back to Tu Tu.
Fortunately, Shang Xuci let him be and turned to his own work. Jian Xun stole a few glances at the door. Seeing his chance, he stretched out a paw—
The door opened!
He could escape!
Yay!
But his joy lasted only a second before he was lifted into the air, a familiar voice exclaiming, “Sui Sui! You’re finally here!”
The lion cat’s expression lit up at Fu Qian’s otherwise expressionless face. Its usually cold, fierce features softened into a warm, gentle glow.
Jian Xun exclaimed inwardly, Is this the legendary face-changing?
It was obvious that Fu Qian truly adored him; his smile never wavered. But Jian Xun noticed the clock on the wall—only two minutes until work started, and he still hadn’t clocked in…
He began to meow and squirm, his cries catching Shang Xuci’s attention.
“Fu Qian.”
Hearing Shang Xuci call his name, Fu Qian gently set the cat down and quickly told Sui Sui, “Be good and wait here. I’ll take you to eat something delicious later.”
Patting the cat’s head, Fu Qian handed the documents to Shang Xuci.
The big white cat seized the chance to slip away.
He darted into the lounge, grabbed some clothes, and transformed.
He managed to clock in at the very last second.
Jian Xun hurried to his workstation, turned on his computer, and poured himself some water—just as Fu Qian was asking nearby colleagues if they’d seen a large white cat.
Jian Xun quickly lowered his head, pretending not to hear.
At noon, before Jian Xun could bring Shang Xuci lunch, he had already turned into a cat. Fu Qian lovingly served him milk and dried fish, while Shang Xuci watched from the side.
“Mr. Shang, aren’t you eating with Jian Xun?” Fu Qian asked, wanting to pet the cat—but Shang Xuci’s stare made every cat-loving gesture feel awkward. For the first time, Fu Qian had the urge to tell them to eat alone.
The large white cat’s tail twitched nervously as he glanced at Shang Xuci.
The man said slowly, “Wait a minute.”
The cat let out a silent sigh of relief, his tail relaxing against the floor.
Seeing the cat unmoving, Fu Qian asked again, “Sui Sui, don’t you want some milk today? Or dried fish?”
The white cat lifted his chin proudly, pushed the bowl back toward Shang Xuci, and turned his head away in a dignified huff.
Hmph. Man, I’ll beg you not to feed Jian Xun milk!
Sui Sui rejected him.
Fu Qian’s heart shattered.
He stood up. “I’ll go check on Jian Xun. If he hasn’t eaten, I can cook something for Mr. Shang.”
The big white cat froze in surprise, stomping his paws. He hadn’t had time to cook today, nor had he prepared anything.
Sui Sui padded over to Shang Xuci, rose onto his hind legs, and placed his front paws on his thighs.
“Meow.”
No food today.
Shang Xuci reached out and hugged the cat, smiling. “Let’s go out for dinner today.”
The big white cat’s azure eyes sparkled as it rubbed against him furiously, meowing coquettishly.
During lunch break, the cat called out to Shang Xuci right in front of him, then crawled into the cardboard box as if to say, “I’m asleep.”
Once hidden, it furtively checked whether the man was watching, then quietly slipped out and transformed.
He didn’t notice the surveillance feed on Shang Xuci’s computer desktop, which clearly showed the cat carrying clothes into the bathroom—and a moment later, a young man walking out.
Jian Xun returned to his workstation to grab his phone and saw a missed call from Fu Qian. He called back, but the other side only asked a few cold questions before hanging up.
That afternoon, Jian Xun was called into the office. Gu Zhen’s birthday was coming up that weekend, and he was expected to help at Ludao Garden.
Jian Xun hesitated, remembering he had already promised to accompany Xu Tutu to the hospital for a follow-up checkup that day. He hadn’t realized the eldest brother’s grandmother’s birthday fell on the same day.
“I might need to go to the hospital with my friend first.”
“It’s okay,” Shang Xuci said, staring at him. “You can invite him along.”
Jian Xun’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really?”
He had always wanted to bring Xu Tutu to his new place—show his eldest brother the cat room, taste Uncle Zhao’s snacks, go fishing together at Mingyue Lake, even admire the flowers…
Of course, all of that assumed they went in cat form, making it easy to come and go from the manor.
But this time, it was a formal invitation from the owner. The thought that Xu Tutu could come in human form made Jian Xun happy. After all, Uncle Zhao’s cooking was made for humans first.
Shang Xuci nodded. “Yes. I’ve already had his name added to the guest list.”
Jian Xun glanced at it. The list was only a single page. Some guests were the old lady’s friends, but there were two names he recognized: Gu Ming and Meng Jingxue.
Meng Jingxue is coming too?
Perhaps the old lady was trying to match her up with Shang Xuci—he’d overheard such talk before.
A strange discomfort welled up inside Jian Xun.