Saturday.
Xu Tutu, dressed in a flowery dress and holding a cane, appeared in a corner of the garden and began surveying his surroundings.
A moment later, Jian Xun trotted toward him, followed by a man of distinguished bearing.
“Let me introduce you,” Jian Xun said cheerfully. “This is my elder brother, Xu Tutu.”
Then, pointing to Shang Xuci, he said, “This is Shang… my boss, Mr. Shang Xuci.”
Last time, Shang Xuci had only seen the young man’s profile, but this time, he saw his full face and could examine him openly.
From his height, appearance, and clothing, he left a good impression: he didn’t seem threatening, and he didn’t resemble Jian Xun.
“Mr. Xu is Jian Xun’s biological brother?” Shang Xuci calmly began to probe.
“No,” Jian Xun interrupted. “We’re not related by blood, but Brother Tutu treats me like a real brother.”
Xu Tutu stared at Shang Xuci and said slowly, “He’s not my real brother, but he’s better than one. Anyone who dares to bully Jian Xun is against me, no matter who it is.”
Shang Xuci frowned at his little cat standing so affectionately beside someone else, deliberately emphasizing his status. He lifted his hand and pulled Jian Xun away.
“There’s a way to sit and a way to stand,” Shang Xuci said coldly. How could a human still behave like a cat, clinging to others?
Jian Xun instinctively straightened his back and stood obediently at his side.
Xu Tutu sighed at Jian Xun’s obedient expression, then turned his gaze back to Shang Xuci.
Because Jian Xun had mentioned the contract—and because the man’s gaze toward his younger brother mirrored Xu Huai’s—Xu Tutu became wary. He didn’t want Jian Xun to be deceived again.
Humans were incredibly fickle and cunning.
Today, he had come to confront the man, to see what Shang Xuci’s attitude was. Sure enough, the man’s gaze was filled with possessiveness.
Fortunately, Shang Xuci had other matters to attend to, so he left after meeting Xu Tutu, leaving the two kittens to chat in the garden.
Ludao Garden, main gate.
The housekeeper informed Shang Xuci that someone claiming to be his brother wanted to come in to celebrate the old lady’s birthday. The call was transferred to Shang Xuci, who heard Shang Ye’s voice and instructed the guard to let him in.
Shang Ye soon appeared before Shang Xuci, a gift box in hand and a smile on his face.
“I heard Grandma Gu’s birthday is coming, so I came to congratulate her.”
Shang Xuci observed his tired expression, then glanced at Jiang Yuanqing, who followed behind him. He said calmly, “Unrelated people, please wait here. Follow me.”
He barely spared the woman a glance. Jiang Yuanqing, who had dressed up carefully, looked grim. Their relationship was already awkward, yet Shang Ye insisted on bringing her along, and she had no choice but to endure it for his sake.
When Jiang Yuanqing approached the housekeeper, she asked to be taken to see Gu Zhen.
The housekeeper only smiled politely and told her to wait. After all, the old lady wasn’t someone one could see at will. He remembered Jiang Yuanqing clearly: back when Mr. Shang was blind, she had visited Shang Xuci once—for the sole purpose of canceling their engagement.
Jiang Yuanqing sat alone on the sofa, growing increasingly annoyed. After waiting a long time without the housekeeper returning, she decided to look for him herself, beginning with a walk through the garden.
Study.
“Are you here about the Shang Group?”
Gu Ye nodded. “I don’t know what Dad told you, but Grandpa knows about it now. The company’s stock has plummeted, the funding chain is broken. If this continues, it’s probably doomed.”
“Grandpa gave you the authority. You can take Yinfeng Entertainment back.”
“Yinfeng Entertainment isn’t enough to cover the hole. I know you can help. Just name your terms—anything I can deliver, I will.”
Shang Xuci stood by the window, gazing out at the garden. He saw two people picking flowers. Instead of answering Shang Ye directly, he asked, “Shang Yi’s back. Did you know?”
Shang Ye’s peach-shaped eyes flickered. “I know.”
“I had a big fight with Xu Rong and ran away from home.”
Shang Ye didn’t understand why his younger brother was so resistant to going abroad. It was as if he had entered a rebellious phase, opposing the family in everything.
Ever since discovering Xu Rong wasn’t his biological mother, Shang Yi had quietly built a wall around himself. If Shang Ye had known this earlier, he might have treated Shang Xuci better. Yet even as brothers, Shang Yi remained the same spoiled young master, caring only about his own feelings.
Shang Ye asked, “Did you know he was back?”
“I just ran into him,” Shang Xuci replied. “Back to Xu Rong—she’s Executive Vice President now. Didn’t she help you?”
“You know she’s a latecomer,” Shang Ye said flatly. “Of course I wouldn’t let her make decisions.”
Still, Xu Rong had proposed a partnership with Aishile. Although she called it a partnership, it was really a financing and equity investment.
The Shang Group had always been a family business, never allowing outsiders to interfere—hence his refusal.
Shang Ye later learned from Shang Wei that Shang Xuci simply wanted shares. If it came to that, it might be better to give them to him. After all, Grandpa had promised all his shares if Shang Ye could take responsibility for the Shang Group. Shang Wei would do the same, so giving Shang Xuci a small portion wouldn’t matter.
He stared at Shang Xuci and said, “I know what you want.”
Shang Xuci leaned slightly to the side, staring intently at Shang Ye.
“I don’t need you to give me anything. If you want to save the company, investigate Xu Rong thoroughly. Let Shang Wei handle the rest.”
With that, Shang Xuci ended the conversation and headed downstairs.
Shang Ye, realizing Shang Xuci was targeting him with repeated mentions of Xu Rong, could no longer concentrate. He called his assistant and prepared to return to the office for overtime work.
He didn’t see Jiang Yuanqing downstairs, and no one answered his calls. After sending her a message, he drove away alone.
Garden.
Servants moved in and out of the doors and along the back garden path, preparing pastries and afternoon tea.
Jiang Yuanqing passed by, but no one came to greet her. She even asked where Gu Zhen was, yet no one responded. A spark of anger rose in her chest. Shang Xuci had never treated her like this before.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a man squatting in the flowerbed, pruning branches. Just as she turned toward him, a golf ball flew past, grazing her cheek and knocking the object from her hand.
Her phone tumbled into the flowers, vibrating a few times before going silent.
“Oh, sorry, Miss Jiang, I didn’t see you,” Meng Jingxue said in mock surprise as she walked over to pick up the ball.
“Who are you?” Jiang Yuanqing asked sharply, the other woman’s face vaguely familiar.
“My name is Meng Jingxue,” she replied with a smile, signaling for someone to help retrieve Jiang Yuanqing’s phone.
Gu Zhen had been looking for Meng Jingxue, but when he noticed Jiang Yuanqing there, his smile instantly vanished.
This woman… She abandoned his precious grandson during his darkest days. Not only did she break off the engagement, but she shamelessly attached herself to his elder brother, Shang Ye. Wasn’t that a complete slap in the face—and utterly disgusting?
He used to think well of Jiang Yuanqing. Her family owed Shang Xuci a debt, and she had once taken good care of him. But ever since she began entangling herself with Shang Ye, her mask had slipped.
No—she was just pretending to be pitiful.
“What are you doing here?” Gu Zhen asked coldly.
Jiang Yuanqing quickly regained her composure and forced a smile.
“I came with Shang Ye. I heard it was Grandma’s birthday, so I came to pay my respects.”
“You’ve seen me now,” Gu Zhen replied, her tone cool. She then softened, taking Meng Jingxue’s hand affectionately.
“When did you arrive? You didn’t even tell Grandma.”
Meng Jingxue pursed her lips in a smile.
“I just got here. I saw someone I know and was about to greet him, but I happened to run into Miss Jiang instead.”
“Who? Someone you know?”
“Shang Xuci’s assistant, Jian Xun.”
Jian Xun, who had been enjoying a melon nearby, stood up in confusion after being tapped by Xu Tutu.
Gu Zhen looked over. The young man was handsome, with bright blue eyes, fair skin, and slightly curly hair.
What caught his attention most was the gardener’s uniform, stained with flower petals and a bit of dirt at the corners.
His slightly long bangs had been lifted and tied into a small bun.
Gu Zhen immediately thought of Shang Suisui and couldn’t help feeling a fondness for him.
“Xiao Ci, what’s wrong? How could you let a guest do such a thing?” Gu Zhen looked at Jian Xun with affection and was about to lead them away.
Jiang Yuanqing was completely ignored. She was just about to speak when Shang Xuci’s voice came from behind her.
“Shang Ye’s gone.”
Jiang Yuanqing froze and instinctively looked over. Meng Jingxue had already approached the man, speaking to him in a low voice. Old Mrs. Gu gazed at the pair with a smirk.
At that moment, Jiang Yuanqing suddenly remembered who Meng Jingxue was—the one recently caught in a scandal with Shang Xuci. It was said they had known each other since kindergarten.
Meng Jingxue had also been the highlight of the recent socialite event, and people were already comparing the two women. After all, one was rumored to be the other brother’s “girlfriend,” while the other was his ex-fiancée.
Jiang Yuanqing’s expression stiffened as she realized she was the unnecessary one. She hurriedly excused herself. Her pace was brisk, almost a flight of escape.
No one paid any attention to her departure. Instead, Gu Zhen keenly noticed that when Meng Jingxue drew closer to her grandson, Shang Xuci quietly stepped back—his gaze fixed firmly on Jian Xun.
The next moment, he moved in front of the boy and gently wiped the small specks of mud from his face with a handkerchief. His voice was clear and unexpectedly tender: “How did you turn yourself into a little cat?”
“Huh?” Jian Xun blinked in a daze, standing still as the man wiped his face just like one would wipe Sui Sui’s mouth or paws. Tilting his head up, he pressed his cheek into the handkerchief with a catlike habit.
Shang Xuci froze, his cold fingertips accidentally brushing against the boy’s cheek. The touch was warm, soft, and delicate.
The boy’s long, feathery eyelashes trembled slightly. He stared at Shang Xuci without blinking, lips curved in a faint smile, dimples showing faintly at the corners of his cheeks.
Heat spread through Shang Xuci’s fingers, burning from the tips all the way to his palm, until his entire hand felt aflame.
The moment lasted only seconds. Shang Xuci quickly withdrew his hand and whispered, “Go back to the house and change clothes?”
Jian Xun nodded obediently.
Seeing this, Shang Xuci turned to Gu Zhen and said, “Grandma, everyone’s here. Let’s have lunch first.”
Gu Zhen, a little stunned, nodded. “Okay.”
As the group ahead moved away, Xu Tutu leaned close to Jian Xun’s ear and whispered, “Are you always this close?”
They walked in the other direction, and Xu Tutu added pointedly, “I mean in human form.”
Jian Xun tilted his head slightly, taking off his gardener’s coat as he walked.
“Is that considered intimate?”
“A grown man wiping another grown man’s face with his own handkerchief, and that’s not intimate?” Xu Tutu’s voice rose, tinged with disbelief.
“Do you think kissing doesn’t count as intimacy either?”
“No, we haven’t! The boss is just a germaphobe,” Jian Xun retorted immediately, his cheeks flushing at his own words.
He’s just a nice guy.
“Anyway, I think he treats you differently from others. You can think about it when you have time…” Xu Tutu said. Just then, an explosive aroma wafted from the kitchen, making his mouth water and his stomach growl.
He instantly forgot the rest of what he was saying, unable to move his legs. He urged Jian Xun, “Okay, enough teasing! Go change and let’s eat—I’m starving!”
He had agreed to come see Jian Xun mainly because he wanted to try Chef Zhao’s cooking. Jian Xun’s constant descriptions of the food’s aroma had made him crave it for a long time.
The spring sun shone brightly, filtering through the lush foliage of the garden and casting dappled shadows across the round table draped with an exquisite tablecloth.
A long, intricately carved dining table was covered with silk, and the silverware gleamed softly under the light. The aunts began serving dishes, starting with refreshing cold plates—crystal braised pork, crisp cucumber salad, vibrant braised vegetables, and fragrant five-spice beef.
Seated at the table, Xu Tutu swallowed hard. The mere smell was intoxicating, especially the braised dishes set before him, which immediately set his taste buds tingling.
Then came the hot dishes: feasts of roast duck, fish, and chicken, alongside homely favorites like braised lion’s head, braised pork, and finally, a whole steamed fish.
Both of them stared at the fish. Shang Xuci, seated next to Gu Zhen, had it placed right by Jian Xun. Seeing Jian Xun’s eyes fixed on it, he raised the corners of his lips and continued chatting with his grandmother.
Xu Tutu was desperate to start eating, but the dishes kept coming one after another, making the wait feel endless. Finally came light, healthy options and desserts: eight-treasure rice pudding, candied lotus root, red date glutinous rice cake, candied sweet potatoes…
One bite, and it was divine.
Throughout the meal, Xu Tutu never took his eyes off the table. He didn’t say a single word to Jian Xun, utterly absorbed in the food.
Later came snacks—steamed buns, fried spring rolls, even French fries.
For the first time, Xu Tutu experienced the extravagance of dining in a wealthy household. When he had first transformed into a human, Xu Huai fed him cat food every day—never letting him taste anything else. He had never enjoyed a real meal with him. Now, he suddenly thought that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if Jian Xun stayed with Shang Xuci. At least then, a chef would cook for him every day.
After dinner, the old lady brought up Sui Sui, and Jian Xun quickly excused himself to return to his room and transform into a cat. At the door, he ran into Shang Xuci, who carried him back to the garden.
Jian Xun had prepared a gift, but Maomao hadn’t. Seeing Xu Tutu present the old lady with a box of tea and his blessings, Maomao’s eyes darted around—finally landing on the flowerbed.
Shang Xuci had already handed over Jian Xun’s gift. Gu Zhen took one look and saw it was an A3-sized piece of handmade woolen knitwork. The background was a vibrant spring green, framed with colorful flowers. In the center was a red square embroidered in gold with the character for longevity. Below it, in small yellow letters, were the words: Long Life! The craftsmanship was all handmade, clearly showing the giver’s thoughtfulness.
“Is this from Jian Xun? Why don’t I see him?”
Shang Xuci pinched the cat’s soft paw pads and said, “He’s busy right now, so he’ll be gone for a while.”
“Meow!”
Grandma, I’m here!
Sui Sui looked up and called out to Gu Zhen in a sweet voice.
Gu Zhen’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and reached out to pick him up. But just as her hands touched him, the cat suddenly darted off the ground and scurried into the flowers.
“Sui Sui…” the old woman called, standing to look after him. The cat vanished without a trace among the blossoms. “Oh, why did he run away?”
“The little one is just playful,” Meng Jingxue said from the side.
Gu Zhen had been eager to show off her cat-grandson to her sisters, but now she felt a little disappointed.
Shang Xuci raised an eyebrow and poured his grandmother another cup of tea.
Gu Ming quickly stepped forward to offer his own.
The group continued chatting with Gu Zhen. Sitting in the middle, she beckoned Meng Jingxue to sit beside her. They reminisced about Meng Jingxue and Shang Xuci’s childhood, while the other old ladies chimed in, the conversation gradually drifting toward pairing the two as an unmarried couple.
Xu Tutu sat a little farther away. From Gu Zhen’s words, it was clear she was quite interested in bringing Meng Jingxue and Shang Xuci together.
Seems I still have a long way to go…
But are there really humans in this world who can stay devoted to cats forever? Even if a cat turns into a human, won’t they eventually grow tired of it—or change their hearts?
Xu Tutu thought of Xu Huai, and his eyes darkened. By now, Xu Huai must have completely given up on him. Jian Xun had even told him he’d seen other cats at Xu Huai’s house, including one of his own breed.
The young man clenched his fists. Even a cat can admit its mistakes! Unforgivable!
Don’t let me run into him…
“Hey, the cat’s back!”
“Look—what’s he holding in his mouth?”
Everyone turned their eyes toward the cat.
The plump white lion cat walked with elegant steps, its fluffy tail held high, swaying lightly from side to side. A bright red flower was clamped between its teeth as it trotted resolutely toward them, finally stopping before Gu Zhen.
The cat rose onto its hind legs and placed the flower in the old woman’s arms.
“Meow~”
Grandma, happy birthday! May you live a long life, and celebrate every birthday with Shang Xuci.