Back when Xia Lening had still been human, the last time he saw Gu Yucheng, the latter had been perfectly fine.
At that time, Gu Yucheng had seemed to have his future all planned out. He had even provocatively asked Xia Lening about his own future plans.
It was probably just to show off—after all, the career plan he had written in his freshman year practically read like a prophecy.
But on the very first day Xia Lening became a cat after his death, he had run into Gu Yucheng crying.
Who knew if he had been crying at home every day?
Xia Lening grew frantic.
Suddenly, a flash of realization struck his mind.
What had Chen Wenlu said on the phone that day at the hotel?
“Xia Lening is dead. You must be falling apart, right?”
…Holy crap.
Xia Lening knew people shouldn’t be so self-absorbed.
But right now, he was a cat.
What if? What if, in Gu Yucheng’s eyes, he wasn’t just a rival, but also the very pillar that kept his fighting spirit alive?
No wonder—no wonder the moment he died, Gu Yucheng wanted to quit his job and go traveling!
So it turned out that he had lost his competitor?
Xia Lening constructed an entire dramatic scenario in his head and became even more worried about Gu Yucheng’s mental state.
Gu Yucheng’s current life seemed entirely centered around him—the cat.
He was even worried that if he ran away, Gu Yucheng might completely fall apart.
But if that really was the reason, then if he turned back into a human… would Gu Yucheng get better?
Xia Lening glanced at the tightly shut door and opened a news page, searching for the Xia Group.
He needed to move his plan forward.
As for whether to tell Xia Xiaoyao… or tell Gu Yucheng—
He needed to think carefully.
…Tell Gu Yucheng?
The moment that thought appeared, Xia Lening was startled himself. When had he come to trust Gu Yucheng this much?
Who would have thought that the word “trust” would one day apply to them?
Xia Lening pressed his forehead and gave a bitter smile. These past days of living together as human and cat had influenced him far too deeply.
Outside the room, Gu Yucheng, who was researching new recipes for cat food, cast yet another glance at the closed door.
He restrained himself again and again, reminding himself to give Xia Lening some personal space—as a cat.
Finally, the door opened. Xia Lening ran out, pointed outside the window, and declared, “I want to go out and play!”
Helpful netizens had said that in situations like this, one should gently encourage him to spend more time outdoors.
So he decided he would take Gu Yucheng out every day.
“Go out and play?”
Xia Lening nodded. Recently, Gu Yucheng’s understanding of cat language had become increasingly accurate, which made him quite pleased.
“Then how about wearing something? It’s cold outside.”
“Don’t underestimate a cat’s fur, okay? It’s very warm.”
“You’re saying you want to wear a scarf? Sure.”
Xia Lening took back everything he had said about Gu Yucheng understanding cat language.
Gu Yucheng still wrapped a red scarf around him before going out, and even put on a black scarf himself.
When Xia Lening looked at him, he explained, “Matching outfits.”
Xia Lening gazed at him with indulgence. “Fine, your dad will spoil you this once.”
Today, Xia Lening didn’t build a snowman. Instead, he led Gu Yucheng around the neighborhood three times.
When he got tired of walking, he simply had Gu Yucheng carry him.
“Well? After exercising, do you feel refreshed?”
Gu Yucheng placed a flower on Xia Lening’s head.
Xia Lening was unusually tolerant today and didn’t argue.
So gradually, more and more flowers were added to the cat’s head.
Xia Lening closed his eyes and endured it, but eventually couldn’t hold back. “Gu Yucheng, are you trying to marinate me into a flower cake? Take them off!”
That’s what he said—but his head remained perfectly still.
Not a single flower fell.
Stubborn words, soft heart—perfectly demonstrated.
Gu Yucheng smiled. “Pai Pai, how are you this cute?”
“Idiot.”
When they reached a fruit stall, Gu Yucheng crouched down. “Let’s buy some fruit for Pai Pai.”
Xia Lening didn’t even lift his eyelids. “This young master only eats imported fruit.”
Gu Yucheng chuckled. “Suddenly remembered your previous owner was a regular at fruit-cut shops.”
Xia Lening: “…”
That was because the shop owner was interesting. What did he know?
With great reluctance, Xia Lening nodded toward the cherries.
The old vendor immediately grabbed a spray bottle and sprinkled water over them. “Good choice! Look at these cherries—bright and shiny, crisp and sweet!”
Gu Yucheng lowered his head. “Cats can’t eat cherries. Pick something else.”
Xia Lening pointed again. “Crunchy peaches!”
“Can’t eat those either.”
“I hate you.”
In the end, Gu Yucheng bought a few boxes of berries.
“Going home?”
Xia Lening stared at him. The man wasn’t even out of breath, despite carrying a cat for so long.
“No,” Xia Lening declared. “Keep walking!”
Today, he was determined to exhaust Gu Yucheng!
Carrying a cat in one hand and fruit in the other, Gu Yucheng continued walking until Xia Lening was finally satisfied. Only then did they head home.
As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Gu Yucheng stopped.
Xia Lening was confused. “Didn’t bring your keys?”
Before he could finish speaking, a voice laughed. “You’ve been out of contact for so many days—I thought you were out there doing something earth-shattering.”
Xia Lening turned his head and came face to face with Chen Wenlu. His ears instinctively flattened like airplane wings.
Two flowers fell from his head.
Gu Yucheng picked them up and soothingly stroked him, then calmly said to Chen Wenlu, “I already arranged a lawyer. The follow-up work has been handed over. Why are you here?”
Chen Wenlu smiled gently. “I’m your mother. Do I need a reason to visit my son?”
Goosebumps rose all over Xia Lening.
Honestly, he had been afraid of Chen Wenlu since childhood.
Especially when she smiled warmly at him.
Gu Yucheng opened the door, set Xia Lening down inside, and propped up a tablet in front of him. “Play in the room for a while, okay?”
Xia Lening nodded solemnly.
The moment Gu Yucheng left, he teleported to the door to eavesdrop.
Chen Wenlu frowned as she surveyed the apartment, now practically transformed into a cat paradise: climbing platforms installed on the walls, a low mirror by the entrance clearly meant for the cat, transparent corner protectors on all furniture, pots of cat grass and catnip on the balcony. The sofa was still there, but covered in various cushions and blankets, one of which—a sheepskin mat—was full of cat fur.
The last time she had come, the place had been cold and empty.
Now it was so… “baby-like” that she almost thought the cat was Xia Lening.
Gu Yucheng poured her tea and said flatly, “What do you want?”
Chen Wenlu wasn’t surprised. She got straight to the point. “Why did you withdraw halfway?”
“I don’t care anymore. I don’t want to be involved in your matters,” Gu Yucheng said. “I’ve done what I could. Everything’s been handed over. You can succeed without me.”
Chen Wenlu set her teacup down with a sharp clink. “Of course I can. I want him to see his beloved son personally send him to prison.”
Gu Yucheng sighed lightly. “He doesn’t love me. He loves you. Seeing his beloved woman send him to prison would hurt him more.”
Xia Lening blinked. He seemed to have stumbled upon some serious family secrets.
Should he keep listening?
If his identity were exposed, would Gu Yucheng silence him?
After hesitating for a while, Xia Lening decided not to meddle in someone else’s family affairs and slipped back to watch the tablet.
In the living room, Gu Yucheng glanced at the now-empty corner and quietly relaxed.
Chen Wenlu’s voice suddenly turned cold. “He loves me? You call coercion love?”
Gu Yucheng didn’t respond.
Chen Wenlu sneered. “Did you withdraw because you understand that bastard now? Because of that boy’s death? Did you realize you’d make the same choice—locking someone up, forcing them, keeping them by your side even if they don’t love you?”
Xia Lening only half understood, but he could tell Gu Yucheng was being scolded—and wasn’t talking back.
Her words grew sharper, like blades stabbing into him.
“You share the same filthy blood. Even if you despised him growing up, you’ll still develop the same disgusting mindset!”
Xia Lening: “…”
Great. Loud enough that he couldn’t not hear it.
Chen Wenlu glanced at the scattered cat toys on the floor and mocked, “Do you think raising a cat will distract you? Dead is dead. They’ll never come back.”
Xia Lening couldn’t hold back anymore and rushed out.
Gu Yucheng looked calm, but from Xia Lening’s angle, he could clearly see the suppressed emotion in his eyes.
This was too much!
Gu Yucheng was practically a suspected depression patient!
Even he didn’t scold him anymore!
Xia Lening rushed forward and kicked his leg, signaling him to pick him up.
Gu Yucheng froze for a moment, then immediately lifted him into his arms, stroking his fur as if to comfort him.
Xia Lening was speechless. The one who needed comfort was Gu Yucheng!
He gently bit the web of his hand and said, “Gu Yucheng, don’t listen to your mom’s nonsense. What ‘filthy blood,’ what ‘disgusting mindset’? Aren’t you type A blood? Same as this Feral Cat Prince—anyone with this blood type is sweet-blooded. Sure, you’re a bit pretentious, but didn’t you help a few girls who were being blackmailed? Didn’t you beat up some school bullies? What’s disgusting about that? Your mom doesn’t even know you.”
Gu Yucheng’s hand unconsciously tightened. Chen Wenlu’s voice faded into background noise as his mind filled only with the boy’s awkward, soft comfort.
He even found himself wishing she would keep scolding longer—so Xia Lening would comfort him a bit more.
He had heard his mother’s insults for decades; they no longer stirred much in him.
Chen Wenlu looked at his distracted expression and suddenly smiled. “I suggest you don’t get too attached. Think about it—what kind of ending do the ones you fall in love with usually meet?”
Gu Yucheng stiffened.
Xia Lening froze. He had just managed to comfort him, and with one sentence, everything collapsed again.
He turned and hissed at Chen Wenlu, then turned back to comfort Gu Yucheng, patting his abdomen. “Falling for me is only natural, no need to panic. I never do bad things. My ancestors accumulated virtue—what bad ending could there be? If anything, it’s your family’s ancestral graves that are questionable. But don’t worry, I’m lucky—I’ll share half my luck with you. Whatever you raise in the future, it’ll have a good fate.”