Ying Qi was about to intervene, but Fu Yuqian had already knocked on the hospital room door.
Mama Song opened it quickly, but the moment she saw Fu Yuqian, her face turned cold. “You brat, what are you doing here again? Do you really want me to kick you out?”
Seeing Mama Song’s reaction, Ying Qi, hiding in the corner, felt relieved. See? There’s no way Fu Yuqian could magically change her opinion in an instant.
But just as Mama Song was about to close the door, a clear meow came from the cat carrier.
“Mama!”
Mama Song froze.
A strange, indescribable emotion struck her heart like a lightning bolt. She followed the sound and looked down, seeing Song Yu struggling to stick his head out of the carrier, his face squished flat against the opening.
“Mama, meow~” Tears filled Song Yu’s eyes as he struggled to hold back his emotions. He missed his mother so much. She had lost so much weight and looked so tired—it was all his fault.
Mama Song hesitated, meeting Song Yu’s gaze. She then turned to Fu Yuqian. “Xiao Fu, can I hold this cat?” Her tone had softened, even changing how she addressed him.
Fu Yuqian appeared puzzled but replied, “Of course, Auntie.” He unzipped the carrier.
Like a small rocket, Song Yu shot out of the carrier and into Mama Song’s arms, loudly meowing as he nuzzled against her, alternating between cries of “mama” and playful whining, mixing his sorrow with a clear sense of affection.
Ying Qi was utterly stunned. Did Fu Yuqian, this scheming dog, find out that Mama Song loved cats?
But even if she was a cat lover, this transformation was happening way too fast!
Now, his ominous premonition was coming true—he might really have to streak, record it, and send it to Fu Yuqian’s elder brother.
Just the thought of the beatings he’d suffered from Fu Yuqian’s brother over the years made Ying Qi’s heart churn with mixed emotions.
Meanwhile, Mama Song was inexplicably drawn to the cat and found herself liking it immensely. Her opinion of Fu Yuqian softened slightly as well. Noticing this, Fu Yuqian seized the moment and said, “Auntie, may I go in and see Song Yu? I’m really worried about him.”
Song Yu also meowed in agreement, signaling to his mother that it was okay to let Fu Yuqian inside.
Mama Song hesitated but couldn’t resist the charm of the orange tabby in her arms. She reluctantly said, “Alright, but only for a short while.”
“Thank you, Auntie Song,” Fu Yuqian replied politely. Before entering, he turned and gave Ying Qi a faint glance. Ying Qi instantly felt a chill run down his spine. This cunning dog had actually managed to win over Mama Song within seven days! The heavens were clearly against him.
As the door to the hospital room closed again, Song Yu urgently tried to wiggle out of Mama Song’s arms. Sensing his struggle, she released him, and Song Yu gracefully leapt to the floor, heading straight for his own body.
However, as a cat, he was too short to see what was happening on the bed. He crouched, preparing to jump onto the bed, but Fu Yuqian stopped him and picked him up. “Yiyi, you can’t disturb Song Yu.”
Song Yu panicked, flailing his paws. Move closer to the bed, you mortal! I need to touch my body to return to it!
Mama Song still regarded Fu Yuqian with suspicion, but she couldn’t resist the kitten’s charm. “Xiao Fu, what does the little cat want to do? Don’t restrict it too much.”
Fu Yuqian obediently released him, and Song Yu immediately pounced onto the bed.
“Meow meow meow!” Nine days later, and I’m still so handsome! Look at this complexion—smooth as a peeled egg. Even the poor color I had before is gone. I’ve completely recovered!
Song Yu stood on the blanket, waiting expectantly. Yet nothing happened. He didn’t return to his body.
Confused, he sat still. It seemed like his soul and the cat’s body had completely fused. Did this mean he’d have to live the rest of his life as a cat?
And what about Yiyi, whose body he had taken over? Would it be fair to keep him in this limbo forever?
“Meow,” Song Yu cried out sadly toward his mother. Mama Song quickly walked over and picked him up. “Little cat, what’s wrong?”
“Mama,” Song Yu managed to meow, unable to utter anything more than that one word.
He wanted to ask his mom for her phone, thinking maybe he could type something out with his paws. But with Fu Yuqian present, he didn’t dare reveal himself. Even if Fu Yuqian weren’t there, he still wouldn’t risk it. He had considered the idea of seeking out a spiritual master or expert, but his mother didn’t know anyone like that here. Taking such a step blindly might expose them, and who knows what consequences that could bring for their safety?
Could he tell Fu Yuqian the truth? He didn’t dare take that gamble. While Fu Yuqian seemed kind on the surface, Song Yu’s gut instinct told him the man was highly calculating. If Fu Yuqian discovered that the soul in this cat’s body was actually his arch-nemesis, not only would he refuse to help, but he might even try to eliminate him.
So, Song Yu could only endure the situation silently.
Fortunately, his mother was a naturally strong woman. Even though he had been lying in the hospital bed for nine days, her eyes still held a spark of determination, despite the weariness in her expression.
Fu Yuqian, for his part, felt a bit nervous. Master Jiaye had mentioned that it wasn’t yet time for Song Yu to return to his body, but he still couldn’t help worrying. After all, he had just managed to break down Song Yu’s hostility toward him and even make him accustomed to his care. If Song Yu returned to his body now, everything would reset to square one.
Seeing that Song Yu couldn’t return to his body yet, Fu Yuqian relaxed slightly. It felt despicable, but he couldn’t suppress his desire to win over Song Yu’s heart.
Mama Song, meanwhile, was holding Song Yu, utterly smitten. She thought this little cat’s eyes were especially lively, reminding her of Song Yu when he was a child. Back then, Song Yu had been an adorable, chubby-cheeked boy with a natural charisma, born to be a star.
Song Yu kept meowing as if he were speaking, ignoring whether or not his mother could understand. He continuously reassured her, telling her he was fine, urging her to rest well, eat properly, and not worry. He promised he would return soon and begged her not to lose any more weight.
Surprisingly, Mama Song felt as though she could understand some of what the little cat was trying to say. Her face softened into a smile. “This little cat is so special, almost like it’s trying to comfort me.”
Fu Yuqian smiled gently. “Yiyi has always been very well-behaved. If you like him, Auntie, I can bring him to visit you often.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.” Mama Song felt a bit conflicted. She really wanted to ask if Fu Yuqian could sell her the little cat or let her keep it, but her shyness stopped her from voicing the thought.
Mother and son spent some warm moments together. Fu Yuqian also took the opportunity to glance at Song Yu a few more times. Despite lying in bed for so many days, Song Yu’s body hadn’t lost any weight, likely thanks to Ying Qi’s top-notch care and perhaps some mystical forces as well.
He recalled purchasing all the unedited photos from Song Yu’s cover shoots. Song Yu’s body had the perfect balance of slenderness and strength, and his legs—straight, fair, and smooth—had captivated him. He often fantasized about what it would feel like to have those legs wrapped around his waist.
Fu Yuqian maintained his calm expression, his tone still warm and polite. “Auntie, it’s getting late. I have work to do today, so I’ll take Yiyi with me now.”
Mama Song hesitated, reluctant to part with the cat. Song Yu, too, clung to his mother’s arm with his little paws as though it were a life-and-death farewell. In the end, though, Mama Song gently pried him off and said, “Bring him back whenever you’re free.”
“Of course, Auntie,” Fu Yuqian replied with a smile, carefully placing Song Yu back into the cat carrier.
“Meow!” Mama, I’ll come visit you again.
Mama Song’s eyes grew misty.
After leaving the room, Fu Yuqian first stopped by Ying Qi’s office, only to find it empty—probably an excuse to avoid him. Fu Yuqian found some paper and a pen on the desk, scribbled a quick note, and left with Song Yu.
He did, in fact, have work to attend to. To make it up to his fans, he’d asked Yin Lang to book him a spot on a New Year’s Eve TV gala. Once the news broke, various stations scrambled to secure him, and Yin Lang eventually chose Mango TV. After negotiations, Fu Yuqian was assigned a festive New Year song written specifically for the occasion. Yin Lang had arranged for him to visit a recording studio today to start rehearsing.
At the studio, only Liu Le was there to accompany him. Upon seeing Fu Yuqian, Liu Le quickly ran over, reaching for the cat carrier, only for Fu Yuqian to sidestep him. Catching on, Liu Le chuckled. “Brother Qian, the cat tag you asked me to design is ready.”
Liu Le pulled out a red velvet box, opening it to reveal a platinum tag encrusted with diamonds. The intricate design featured a small cat motif formed by the diamonds, alongside the character “Qian” engraved in calligraphy. On the back was a Pisces symbol.
“Not bad,” Fu Yuqian said, clearly satisfied as he picked it up.
“Thank you for the compliment, Brother Qian.”
The recording session was scheduled for 10 a.m., and it was only 9:40 now. The previous artist hadn’t left yet, but Fu Yuqian didn’t mind waiting. He opened the cat carrier and lifted Song Yu out, fastening the tag around his neck.
Song Yu tried to see what was around his neck but couldn’t. Frustrated, he stretched a hind leg to scratch at it, only for Fu Yuqian to grab his paw. “Yiyi, don’t move. There’s a tracking chip in this tag. You’re so popular now that people on Weibo are joking about what color sack they’d use to kidnap you. I can’t let that happen.”
“Meow,” Song Yu responded smugly. Of course, I’m adorable even as a cat.
Fu Yuqian stroked his head, already planning to make a custom necklace with his name on it—something for Song Yu to wear one day.
Soon, the previous artist finished their session. Hearing his assistant’s mention of Fu Yuqian, the artist came over to greet him. Holding the cat, Fu Yuqian only gave a brief handshake.
The artist, a young man with delicate features and a boyish charm, looked at Fu Yuqian with awe in his eyes. “Brother Qian, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Ye Tiansi. I’ve admired you for a long time and hope to collaborate with you someday.”
“Thank you,” Fu Yuqian replied, his tone as cold and distant as ever with outsiders.
“And congratulations, Brother Qian,” Ye Tiansi added with a sweet smile. “Now that Song Yu’s out of the picture, no one will be stirring up trouble for you anymore.”
Author’s Note:
Thank you to Xilou and Xie Yu for the nutrient solutions! Mwah!
[mfn]You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you and Enjoy reading! ❤️ -TL: Ysiad [/mfn]
