If he were in China, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to appear anywhere. Even sneaking into Shang Xuci’s car to go to the company would have been a reasonable explanation.
But for a cat to leave the country under strict customs regulations—unless the owner had checked in their pet for international transport—it was impossible for a cat to sneak onto a plane, let alone appear in such a place.
The little cats all travel abroad with visas and fly properly. Their presence here was indeed suspicious.
The cat remained motionless for a long time, its long legs stretched out in the air, not daring to move. Its mouth hung open, eyes darting around, as if it were pondering a strategy.
A flight attendant came over to pour Shang Xuci a drink. Noticing the cat, her eyes lit up and she smiled. “Your cat is so cute.”
Jian Xun finally realized.
Yes, he was a cat now.
All he could do was meow.
How could he confess honestly?
The big white cat, feeling guilty, didn’t dare look at anyone. It rolled over and pretended not to understand.
Shang Xuci watched his reaction and lowered his eyes, deciding he’d settle the score once they got home.
Cats can’t speak human language.
But Jian Xun always could.
He was just trying to trick him now.
…
Three o’clock in the afternoon.
Ludao Garden.
Shang Xuci had just stepped into the living room when the housekeeper came over and said, “Sir, the Shang family has called you several times.”
Shang Xuci replied coldly, “Don’t answer. I’m not seeing any guests this weekend.”
Chef Zhao had just brought in some fresh ingredients. Seeing Shang Xuci, he smiled and asked, “Mr. Shang, you’re back? Shall I start cooking now?”
Aside from breakfast, Shang Xuci hadn’t enjoyed any of the food on the plane. He had kept an eye on the cat the whole time. The doctor had said it was just tired and needed a nap, but it had slept all day and night. Shang Xuci was still worried.
After hearing Uncle Zhao’s words, he felt hungry and nodded. “Make something light.”
“Okay.”
Shang Xuci set the cat down in the living room and went back to the bedroom.
The cat didn’t follow. Instead, he walked up to the housekeeper, tucked his four legs neatly together, sat upright, and meowed with his head lifted.
The housekeeper understood right away, quickly taking out Sui Sui’s bowl and filling it with food.
The cat began to nibble intently.
By the time Shang Xuci came down to eat, the big white cat had already groomed himself clean and was staring at the tempting aroma drifting from the dining table.
The cat’s pink nose twitched nonstop, and a rich fragrance spread through the room like an explosion. Drawn to the scent, Jian Xun leapt onto a chair, sniffing around in search of its source.
So good.
It was coming from a wine bottle. The big white cat glanced at Shang Xuci, who was quietly eating beside him, then turned his eyes back to the bottle, his mind stirring with mischief.
He wanted to lick it too.
To his surprise, Shang Xuci didn’t stop him.
The cat reached out and hooked the bottle. It was heavy and wobbly, and he didn’t dare try again. Turning his attention to the wine glass beside Shang Xuci, the cat stood up, bracing his front paws on the table. Shuffling his paws and backside closer, his plump body tilted to the side until his paw “accidentally” tapped the glass.
Liquid splashed onto the table. The big white cat darted forward and licked it up.
Sweet.
And a little spicy.
It even gave him the illusion of catnip.
“Like it?” Shang Xuci pushed the glass toward the cat.
The cat lowered his head and lapped at it eagerly.
Ton, ton, ton.
Halfway through, he grew dizzy, his vision doubling. He tumbled down onto all fours, nearly rolling onto his back.
Luckily, a blanket was spread across the floor. The cat scrambled to adjust himself, swaying unsteadily. In Shang Xuci’s eyes, he looked unbearably cute, and a soft laugh escaped him. The cat, thinking he was being mocked, stood up on his hind legs in protest—but toppled over to the side anyway.
After a clumsy round of drunken antics, the cat gave up and sprawled across the floor.
…
Night fell.
On the bed lay a boy in loose sleepwear, the neckline unbuttoned to reveal his delicate collarbone and pale skin. His cheeks were flushed, his eyelashes quivered faintly, and his eyes moved restlessly beneath closed lids, as if he might wake at any moment.
Shang Xuci sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze deep and fixed firmly on the boy.
“Shang Shang…” the boy murmured in his sleep, trapped once more in a nightmare. Startled, he opened his eyes wide.
A figure sat by the bed, watching him intently. Jian Xun froze and stammered, “Shang… Boss.”
Shang Xuci spoke slowly. “Your ears.”
Jian Xun tilted his head. What was wrong with his ears?
He reached for his ears, his expression nonchalant—until a pair of cool hands touched his head, sending a tingling, electric-like shiver down to his feet.
Jian Xun finally understood which ears he meant.
Shang Xuci pinched his furry cat ears, a sensation both itchy and strangely pleasurable.
Jian Xun swallowed, at a loss for how to explain.
“Where’s the tail?” Shang Xuci’s long, narrow eyes narrowed further, his gaze fixed on the quilt.
Jian Xun: “?”
Belatedly realizing he’d been exposed, Jian Xun clutched his head and ears, his body stiff, his round eyes staring at Shang Xuci in shock. Panic surged the next moment—how could he explain this?
He’d hidden it so well. How had it been discovered?!
Real alcohol ruined everything.
Jian Xun carefully studied Shang Xuci’s expression. Seeing no surprise or disgust, his mind raced.
“Jian Xun is Sui Sui,” Shang Xuci spoke first. “How long were you planning to keep this secret from me?”
“I wasn’t trying to hide it from you.” Jian Xun lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes.
Shang Xuci pressed his thin lips together, clearly unconvinced.
Jian Xun lifted his gaze, his round eyes locking onto him. When he saw a flicker of disappointment in Shang Xuci’s eyes, his heart lurched.
He immediately threw back the covers, revealed the cat’s tail, and stammered, “Tail… you can touch it.” Please don’t be angry.
Shang Xuci’s hand rested on the large, fluffy tail, though he didn’t move. As Jian Xun leaned in closer, a refreshing fragrance mingled with the faint scent of wine.
The room faced the sun and stood by a window. The afterglow of sunset cast a fairytale-like dream. Fiery crimson, veiled in a golden haze, painted half the sky beyond the window.
Jian Xun bent forward, instinctively reaching out to hook his hand. Bathed entirely in sunset glow, his pale skin gleamed with a soft golden tint, highlighting the shimmer of his golden hair. His lips glowed a vibrant, tempting red.
On black sheets, his unbuttoned white shirt revealed glimpses of skin. The boy looked like a pure white rose swaying in a dim dream. Yet this rose was in full bloom, waiting to be plucked.
His body leaned against Shang Xuci’s, his neck exposed, a faint red mole resting there—quietly exuding endless allure.
Shang Xuci’s gaze fixed on the mole, his breath turning heavy. He restrained himself, pushed Jian Xun away, and abruptly stood.
Jian Xun thought he was angry, about to leave. Panic flashed across his face, and he cried out desperately, “Listen to me! I didn’t mean to hide this from you.”
Shang Xuci stood tall and slender, his handsome features sharp. His downcast eyes carried a cold, oppressive weight as he looked down.
Jian Xun felt a strange unease, as if Shang Xuci would truly turn away unless he explained everything clearly.
“Don’t be angry.” Jian Xun watched him closely. Shang Xuci leaned against the wall, legs crossed, head bowed. “Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you.”
Shang Xuci had many questions, but the first words that finally came out were, “Why did you run away from home in the first place?”
Sui Sui’s disappearance had been a heavy blow to Shang Xuci; even now he feared Jian Xun might leave him again. At the very least, he needed to know the reason.
At that, Jian Xun looked up immediately, his voice full of grievance. “Because of you.”
Shang Xuci frowned, fingers clenching. Of course — it was because of him.
“We nearly died at sea and finally washed ashore. You were unconscious; my clansmen found you,” Jian Xun said. “When you recovered, I planned to repay you.”
“Repay?”
“Yes.”
Jian Xun briefly recounted the whole incident, his face wounded and indignant, as if to say, Look — I almost became someone’s son-in-law for you.
Shang Xuci stared at him, his dark eyes deep and intent, drawing Jian Xun in. Jian Xun’s heart skipped. “I left a note. I said I’d come back for you.”
Recalling how distant he’d been after they met, Jian Xun began to clear the air. “I don’t like owing people, so I followed the cat tribe to meet their leader. After I repaid what I owed, I couldn’t turn back into a cat. I didn’t know how you felt about the cat people, so I stayed with Brother Tutu for a while.”
“You turned out not to like cats. I thought you didn’t want to—” Shang Xuci cut in quickly. “I’m sorry.”
He stepped forward and held Jian Xun gently, his voice muffled against him. “I won’t abandon you.”
He was the one terrified of being abandoned.
“Are you afraid?” Jian Xun slipped his thin arms around Shang Xuci’s waist and buried his face in his chest. He whispered, “Your cat will turn back into a human.”
Shang Xuci shook his head and smiled faintly. “How could that be?”
“Have you always been a cat?” It wasn’t Shang Xuci’s fault; Jian Xun simply gave him an unusual, unsettling feeling. The change from cat to human was enormous.
“I used to be human,” Jian Xun whispered. “When I died, I became a cat.”
Shang Xuci’s pupils narrowed; he clenched his fingers but kept his voice gentle. “Is your real name Jian Xun?”
Jian Xun nodded obediently.
Shang Xuci inhaled slowly and asked, “How old are you?”
“Do you mean in human years?” Jian Xun said. “I only just became an adult.”
Before Shang Xuci could ask more, Jian Xun took the initiative. “I fell ill right after my college entrance results came out.” Then, in a single sentence that made the room colder: “I died that night.”
“Did it hurt?”
Jian Xun shook his head. “I don’t remember.”
“After I became a cat, you were the first to feed me,” Jian Xun said softly. “At that time, I only hoped you would take me in.”
Shang Xuci also recalled the first time he had seen the cat. At that time, he’d been in a terrible state and mood, and feeding the cat had been nothing more than a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even after he gave in and brought it home, he still wanted to give it away.
Shang Xuci thought bitterly—he had been a complete jerk back then.
In truth, he felt that everything he had ever done for Jian Xun was far less than what Jian Xun had done for him, whether as a cat or as a human.
Jian Xun had given him his wholehearted devotion.
Shang Xuci leaned over and gently lifted Jian Xun’s chin. With a faint smile in his eyes, he said sincerely: “Thank you for coming to me.”
Jian Xun’s heart thudded violently. He held his breath, his lips parting slightly, trying to ease the tension in his chest. He was nearly breathless.
Lowering his head, Jian Xun felt Shang Xuci’s low, unhurried voice brush against his neck, warm breath grazing his skin. The scent that lingered around him seemed to envelop him from head to toe, making him inexplicably dizzy.
I never even knew how to sleep peacefully in someone’s arms before…