At the critical moment, Song Yu suddenly spread his limbs, placing his front paws on Fu Yuqian’s shoulders. Using the strength of his core, he rubbed his little belly back and forth, using the fur on his body to clean up the mess.
Thankfully, there wasn’t much—wait, what kind of outrageous thoughts were these? Song Yu felt his moral integrity crumble. He was no longer pure!
After erasing all the evidence of his crime, Song Yu quickly jumped off the bed and fled the scene at lightning speed, almost crashing into the doorframe on his way out.
Throughout it all, Fu Yuqian maintained his impeccable acting skills, keeping a perplexed and innocent expression. Only after Song Yu left did he cover his forehead and laugh uncontrollably.
His little kitten was adorably out of line.
He really wanted to devour him.
Moreover, Fu Yuqian keenly observed that Song Yu didn’t seem repulsed or disgusted by his actions. Perhaps even Song Yu himself hadn’t realized this yet—he simply hadn’t considered the possibility, being so carefree and clueless.
He recalled a saying he’d read online: How can you be sure you don’t like the same gender if you haven’t met the boy who makes your heart race?
Maybe Song Yu was in that kind of situation.
If so, Fu Yuqian resolved to work hard to become the boy Song Yu would fall for.
After bolting out of the room, the sticky sensation on Song Yu’s belly made him want to turn on a faucet and take a shower. But being a cat, he obviously couldn’t do this himself without arousing suspicion from Fu Yuqian. No, licking himself was absolutely out of the question—he’d rather die than do that. But if Fu Yuqian helped him clean up, he’d definitely figure out what had happened. After all, that man, whose mind was perpetually filled with unspeakable thoughts, dealt with these things every day. He would recognize it immediately!
Song Yu anxiously paced back and forth in the living room, his mind a tangled mess. He had actually reacted just from hearing Fu Yuqian’s voice…
Shaking his head vigorously, Song Yu dismissed the strange emotion. The most pressing issue now was how to eliminate the evidence. Glancing outside the door, a solution finally came to him.
When Fu Yuqian finished tidying up the bedroom and came downstairs to look for the little cat, he was greeted by the sight of Song Yu rolling around in the garden flowerbed, covering himself in dirt. He had turned into a nearly black little kitten.
Fu Yuqian: “…” Truly unexpected.
Song Yu had slimmed down considerably and become much more agile. He could now leap a meter high, so opening the door was a breeze. After rolling around in the flowerbed to mask the evidence, Song Yu suddenly remembered he might as well take this opportunity to escape.
For a brief moment, he hesitated. To his surprise, the thought of running away had gradually lost its appeal.
No, he couldn’t allow himself to fall for this. He couldn’t be swayed by sweet temptations. Reviving his resolve, Song Yu prepared to squeeze through the fence once more, only to discover that a fine silver net had been added over it at some point.
It was, admittedly, quite pretty.
Song Yu wasn’t particularly surprised. Fu Yuqian was meticulous in his planning. To prevent the cat from running away, he must have considered this possibility long ago. Song Yu had only noticed it today.
When Song Yu saw Fu Yuqian, who looked impeccably handsome in his light gray loungewear, exuding a calm and serene aura, he felt an inexplicable surge of frustration. His current plight was all because of this man. With no reservations left, Song Yu leaped like a tiger, pouncing onto Fu Yuqian’s legs, rubbing his dirty paws against him and leaving visible dirt marks.
“You…” Fu Yuqian sighed with indulgent amusement, showing no hint of disdain as he picked Song Yu up and carried him to the bathroom. “You’re getting naughtier by the day.”
Song Yu swished his tail smugly. I do as I please. It’s not my fault you’re a salted egg—completely rotten on the inside.
If your fans knew about this, they’d all abandon you.
Cats shouldn’t bathe too often; it disrupts the natural oils on their skin and could cause skin problems. Fu Yuqian usually just cleaned the dirty spots on Song Yu and limited the frequency of baths. He used grooming products with skincare benefits, followed by fur maintenance steps. However, perhaps because Song Yu’s feline body now housed a human soul, his fur was remarkably glossy, enhancing his already adorable appearance, with no skin issues in sight.
After another bath, Song Yu shook himself off, feeling refreshed. He mentally gave himself a thumbs-up for masterfully resolving the crisis.
Fu Yuqian’s deep and narrow eyes glimmered with amusement as he teased, “Yi Yi, from now on, you’re not allowed to pee on me, okay? It makes me sad.”
See? Song Yu’s clever plan worked flawlessly—Fu Yuqian didn’t suspect a thing.
Song Yu lazily meowed in response. Of course, it won’t happen again. Honestly, I suspect Fu Yuqian’s nerves are made of steel—nothing rattles him.
By afternoon, Song Yu was feeling hungry after all the commotion and righteously demanded that Fu Yuqian make him a delicious meal as compensation. Over the past few days at his mom’s place, Song Yu had only eaten cat food after his meals of homemade dishes. While the cat food wasn’t bad, it was cold, and he did miss Fu Yuqian’s cooking.
Fu Yuqian obliged, preparing a seafood feast for Song Yu. All the ingredients were high-quality, handpicked and delivered by his personal assistant, making every meal a small fortune.
Watching Song Yu eat with such focus that he didn’t even lift his head, Fu Yuqian felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
After the meal, Song Yu reverted to his usual scoundrel-cat tendencies, turning to leave without a second thought. He didn’t want to see Fu Yuqian for now, but Fu Yuqian’s quick reflexes caught him. Song Yu struggled in vain as Fu Yuqian held his two front paws and said, “Yi Yi, the Emperor’s Beloved Pet production team is taking character costume photos tomorrow. You’re required to attend.”
Hearing this, Song Yu remembered the BL script. He hesitated, unsure whether to accept. However, his role in the story wasn’t extensive—mostly slapping the emperor occasionally. The director and writer didn’t expect a cat to deliver Oscar-worthy performances; it was practically just playing himself. Plus, as a cat, life was rather dull, so attending might be a good diversion.
After a moment, Song Yu meowed, signaling his agreement.
Fu Yuqian gave him a kiss on the head. “Good boy, Yi Yi.”
He was promptly rewarded with a slap—on both cheeks.
Didn’t see that coming, huh? I’m already in character.
Fu Yuqian: “…”
That night, Fu Yuqian didn’t insist that Song Yu sleep with him, worried that the day’s events might have been too much. Instead, he pretended to look dejected, muttered a few bitter remarks, and let Song Yu go.
Song Yu couldn’t believe how easily he got away.
The cat room was spacious and quiet. Song Yu curled up in his luxurious cat villa, trying to sleep. Yet, he remained restless—perhaps because he had napped too much during the day, or perhaps because he missed the warmth of a human embrace.
In the darkness, Song Yu opened his round cat eyes and gazed toward the door. He couldn’t quite understand what he was hoping for. Was he wishing Fu Yuqian would sneak in and carry him back to bed? But when he strained to listen, Fu Yuqian’s breathing was steady—he was sound asleep.
No, I won’t grow attached to anyone’s embrace, especially Fu Yuqian’s.
I can fall asleep on my own.
Closing his eyes, Song Yu began counting sheep. It wasn’t until the latter half of the night that he managed to drift off, but his sleep was troubled by dreams.
In the dream, he was a teenager again, watching as his mother was taken away. He lunged to stop them but was kicked aside, writhing in pain and unable to get up. His mother cried out in anguish, and he seethed with hatred, wishing he could destroy them all. He wasn’t carefree or naive, despite how he appeared—he just buried it all deep, trying to forget. Any misstep might have made his mother suspect something was wrong.
During that time, he always put on a happy front for his mother’s sake. Eventually, he found a chance to report the criminals, and the casino boss was arrested for far more severe crimes. The casino was shut down, the boss sentenced to death, and his mother was finally free.
When his mother sought treatment, the psychologist uncovered the mental scars he had hidden. Through intervention, he was able to heal; otherwise, his past would have shackled his spirit.
Tonight, for some reason, that buried past resurfaced in his dreams. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t wake up, as though paralyzed.
Song Yu’s limbs trembled, his eyes welled with tears, and faint whimpers escaped him.
Until warmth enveloped him, dispelling the cold. He finally opened his eyes to meet Fu Yuqian’s concerned gaze.
“Baby, did you have a nightmare? Don’t worry, I’m here.”
With a soft cry, Song Yu buried his head into Fu Yuqian’s chest, clutching his clothes tightly as though afraid of being abandoned.
He hated the feeling of nightmares.
Fu Yuqian, who had woken up in the middle of the night and heard noises from the cat room, couldn’t help but check. Seeing Song Yu trembling and softly crying in his sleep, his heart ached terribly.
Carrying Song Yu back to the bedroom, Fu Yuqian noted that the little cat, for once, didn’t struggle. Song Yu kept looking at him, seemingly confirming his presence. Fu Yuqian kissed the top of his head, restraining himself from kissing his lips. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have left my little master to sleep alone in the cat bed. Please punish me.”
He looked so serious when apologizing that Song Yu couldn’t help but laugh; he never expected Fu Yuqian to have such a side.
Seeing Song Yu’s mood improve, Fu Yuqian gently scooped the cat into his arms. “Baby, sleep now. I’ll stay with you.”
Song Yu closed his eyes, and this time he quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, when they got up, they discovered it had snowed heavily overnight. Everything outside was blanketed in thick, pristine white snow. A warm golden sun hung in the sky, casting a crystalline glow over the snowy landscape.
Fu Yuqian asked, “Yiyi, do you want to build a snowman?”
Song Yu perked up immediately. It had been so long since he’d built a snowman—probably not since he was a child with his mother.
Just as Song Yu excitedly darted toward the door, Fu Yuqian stopped him. “Yiyi, it’s cold outside. Let’s put on some clothes first.”
Song Yu thought back to yesterday’s chilly weather and figured it had been fine thanks to his fur coat.
Ah, the classic case of ‘your servant thinks you’re cold.’
Fu Yuqian brought out some clothes, and to Song Yu’s surprise, instead of a festive red vest with white fur trim, it was a sleek black sweater made of coarse wool with a hood. On the front, two characters in white stitching spelled out “Big Boss.”
This is amazing! Song Yu instantly fell in love with the outfit. The “Big Boss” label was perfectly suited to his vibe.
After cooperatively putting it on, Song Yu strutted to the full-length mirror. The reflection showed an orange tabby with a refined little V-shaped face, bright yellow-green eyes, and a sleek, elegant physique—not too chubby, not too thin. The black sweater added a touch of mystery and coolness, perfectly complementing the bold “Big Boss” inscription.
I look incredible. All I’m missing is a pair of sunglasses.
Fu Yuqian chuckled, letting Song Yu bask in his self-admiration for a bit before changing into a matching black outfit with white letters spelling out “Sidekick” on the front.
When Song Yu turned and saw the word “Sidekick,” he nearly laughed himself into a puddle on the floor. What on earth has gotten into this guy? This is too hilarious!
Fu Yuqian put on gloves, gathered some equipment, and smiled. “Master, after you.”
With a jaunty step, Song Yu led the way outside to conquer the world—or, rather, to build snowmen.
Once outside, the crisp air brushed past them, but Song Yu felt warm and cozy in his sweater. Fu Yuqian set up a camera and called Song Yu over to start building a snowman.
Actually, it was more like Fu Yuqian doing the work while Song Yu flitted around. Watching Fu Yuqian seriously roll snowballs, Song Yu felt an urge to pelt him with a snowball, but his paws couldn’t manage the task.
In about an hour, the two of them managed to build two beautiful snowmen—complete with faces, detailed features, and a certain charm. Song Yu looked on, satisfied.
Then Fu Yuqian suggested, “Yiyi, stand still for a moment. I’ll build one that looks like you.”
Song Yu obediently perched on a snow-free step and watched as Fu Yuqian’s clever hands sculpted a tiny cat-shaped snowman and placed it beside the other two.
Circling behind the snowmen, Fu Yuqian wrote two words with his fingers: one was Qian (骞), and the other was Yu (钰).
Song Yu clicked his tongue in his heart. What’s with this sudden sentimentality? Writing like that makes it look like a family of three.
Afterward, Fu Yuqian pulled out his phone, scooped Song Yu into his arms, and took a selfie in front of the snowmen. Song Yu instinctively struck his best pose for the camera, resulting in a photo where Fu Yuqian gazed at him lovingly while Song Yu exuded sheer self-confidence. The effect was surprisingly harmonious.
After finishing with the snowmen, Fu Yuqian headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, while Song Yu wandered back to the yard. Seeing the names written on the back of the snowmen, he raised a paw to erase his own name but hesitated. The memory of Fu Yuqian’s focused, earnest expression as he wrote those characters stopped him.
Fine. I’ll let you have your fun just this once. But I’m never admitting it.
Shaking his cold paws, Song Yu went back inside.
After breakfast, Fu Yuqian went to his study to edit the videos and photos from the morning. Song Yu watched, mildly impressed. This guy has so many talents. Even if he quits showbiz, he’d do just fine.
That same morning, Fu Yuqian’s long-dormant Weibo and TikTok accounts suddenly updated. His Weibo featured an extravagant nine-photo collage, while his TikTok had two new videos. Fans, thrilled by the notifications, eagerly clicked in. The moment they opened the posts, they were hit with a beauty overload. Many clutched their hearts, overwhelmed.
But when they noticed the “Big Boss” on the cat’s sweater and the “Sidekick” on Fu Yuqian’s, they burst out laughing.
Online Comments:
- “Hubby’s awakened his inner cat servant! This is too funny; I’m laughing so hard my head’s about to fall off!”
- “I want to be hubby’s cat so badly. He spoils his cat so much! I’m turning into a lemon spirit over here!”
- “Wait a minute. Am I the only one who feels like there’s a weirdly romantic vibe in the way he looks at the cat? Is it just me?”
- “Lemon sisters, focus! The real point is that he built two snowmen and one cat. That’s totally giving ‘family of three’ vibes!”
- “Didn’t he say he wanted to date someone back when he was filming TOS? What’s taking the paparazzi so long to find this lucky person?”
- “Fu Yuqian’s family background means he’ll probably end up in an arranged marriage someday. What if he retires from the entertainment industry?”
- “Nooo, don’t leave! I still want to see his performances, listen to his songs, and watch his acting!”
And then, one fan’s comment stirred things up even more:
“Do you think his crush might be Song Yu? After all, he never denied it last time…”
This sparked a wave of speculation, though most fans brushed it off, believing the two were too opposite to ever get along. Yet some shippers eagerly began promoting the pairing, fueling the discussion further.
Upon closer inspection, something seemed off—this orange tabby cat bore an inexplicable resemblance to their idol, as if Song Yu had turned into a cat, and this was exactly how he would appear.
These fans were intimately familiar with Song Yu’s every expression, capable of recognizing him even in the most unlikely circumstances. If it weren’t for the sheer absurdity of a person transforming into a cat, they might have believed that Song Yu had actually become Fu Yuqian’s pet.
Immediately, they felt an inexplicable affection for this orange cat. Look at it—how confident it was in front of the camera, how nimble its movements were in the video. They wanted nothing more than to cuddle it and give it a good rub.
Song Yu had been unconscious for so long that the fans, after their initial deep sorrow, had gradually calmed down, though they still worried about him deep in their hearts. Without updates on Song Yu, life felt a bit empty, much like elderly people living alone. So, when they saw a cat resembling their idol, they were instantly captivated. They reassured themselves: “I’m only obsessed with this cat, not Fu Yuqian. I haven’t betrayed Song Yu. I’m still a loyal fan of his.”
Their mindset mirrored Song Yu’s, confirming the saying, “Fans mirror their idols.”
Thus, the orange tabby cat named Yiyi quickly amassed a huge fan base.
The production team of The Tyrant’s Beloved immediately contacted Fu Yuqian’s team, asking if they could ride the wave of popularity. Fu Yuqian readily agreed, and the production team swiftly posted on Weibo, announcing that Yiyi would soon join the crew in a role, asking for everyone’s support.
This news delighted Song Yu’s fans. With their idol still resting, they could now pass the time watching cat videos, all the while staying loyal. They vowed to return to Song Yu’s side the moment he woke up, without missing a beat.
Once the snow on the road had been cleared, Liu Le arrived with a driver to pick Fu Yuqian up. Fu Yuqian carried Song Yu to the bed. Since his previous outfit was wet from the snow, Song Yu changed into a new one—an elegant, traditional-style garment with wide sleeves and long hems, adorned with gold-threaded cloud patterns in intricate embroidery. It was a custom-made outfit, expensive and tailored by none other than Fu Yuqian.
Fu Yuqian’s indulgence in spoiling his beloved knew no bounds. Simply having Song Yu wear a cat collar engraved with his name no longer satisfied him; he had now begun commissioning custom outfits for Song Yu. He even ordered two little dresses—one in a Barbie princess style and another in an exotic dancer style—just waiting for the right moment to dress Song Yu up.
It would be even better if Song Yu could wear them himself in human form.
Song Yu originally thought they were heading straight to the set, but to his surprise, they arrived at Huacan Entertainment’s headquarters instead. Huacan, a well-established entertainment company, owned an entire office building with the golden words “Huacan Entertainment” prominently displayed on the exterior. Song Yu was a bit puzzled and let out a questioning “meow.” Fu Yuqian patted his head reassuringly. “I need to handle something first. Be patient, Yiyi.”
Song Yu didn’t ask further and obediently stayed in Fu Yuqian’s arms as they entered the reception room.
Yin Lang was already there. Upon seeing Song Yu’s attire, he began to tease, “You’ve really gotten addicted to dressing up your cat. Even his outfit matches yours now.”
Song Yu let out a proud “meow,” as if to say, “Don’t you think I look dashing in this outfit?”
“Yiyi looks the coolest,” Fu Yuqian immediately praised, fully understanding the sentiment.
Yin Lang suddenly felt an inexplicable toothache.
Walking alongside Yin Lang, Fu Yuqian asked, “Have they arrived?”
“Yes, they arrived five minutes ago. Manager Mo is receiving them, and President Qian from the Qian Corporation is also present. He has significant clout in the industry, so try not to come across as too cold. We don’t want Huacan to seem overly aggressive,” Yin Lang whispered a reminder to Fu Yuqian.
President Qian didn’t have the best reputation, but his influence was undeniable. He had an exceptional eye for investments, and every project he backed turned a profit. Although he had a notorious reputation as a playboy who liked to get involved with male celebrities, he was known for treating them well and parting on amicable terms. Despite having had numerous relationships with male artists, his reputation in the industry was still relatively decent.
While Fu Yuqian wasn’t afraid of offending him—his family’s wealth surpassed that of the Qian Corporation—Huacan wasn’t solely under Fu Yuqian’s control. Moreover, most of the Fu family’s influence was abroad, making it difficult to exert immediate power domestically. Hence, Yin Lang’s caution.
“I understand,” Fu Yuqian replied calmly.
Song Yu, however, was utterly confused. What were they planning to do?
Upon entering the reception room, they were met with an opulently decorated space in a classical style. As soon as Fu Yuqian entered, the people inside stood up, smiling and greeting him, “Young Master Fu, it’s been a while.” It was President Qian who spoke.
President Qian’s eyes gleamed with interest as he looked at Fu Yuqian. Both Fu Yuqian and Song Yu were his preferred types. Unfortunately, Fu Yuqian’s background made him untouchable, and Song Yu, being a top-tier celebrity, was also out of reach. Thus, he had long regretted not being able to approach either of them. Fortunately, he had recently found someone new, a fresh face named Ye Tiansi, who was inexperienced and shy in bed, providing him with some consolation.
Fu Yuqian frowned slightly, his expression remaining indifferent as he greeted curtly, “President Qian.” He did not extend a hand for a handshake, merely nodding.
Once seated, Ye Tiansi, who had been standing beside President Qian, looked nervous and scared at the sight of Fu Yuqian. He hesitated before moving forward, urged on by the deputy director of Xingyue Entertainment. “Ye Tiansi, what are you waiting for? Didn’t you say you wanted to apologize to Young Master Fu in person? Go on, don’t be afraid. Young Master Fu is reasonable—he won’t eat you.”
Biting his lip, Ye Tiansi stepped forward and bowed deeply to Fu Yuqian, his voice trembling as he said, “I’m sorry, Young Master Fu. I shouldn’t have spoken ill of Senior Song Yu behind his back, nor should I have tried to slander you. I truly know I was wrong. Please be generous and forgive me.” He was only beginning to make a name for himself, and now, because of one disparaging remark about Song Yu, he was on the verge of being blacklisted.
Though he harbored resentment, he realized after associating with President Qian that without influence and popularity, it was all too easy for others to crush him like an ant. He silently wished that Song Yu would remain in a coma forever and never wake up.
Fu Yuqian cast a brief glance at Ye Tiansi, then looked away without offering any words of forgiveness.
President Qian chuckled and said, “Young Master Fu, give me some face and don’t take offense to a child’s foolishness. If there’s anything you need in compensation, just say the word—I’ll make sure it’s done.”
Song Yu didn’t feel much hostility toward Ye Tiansi. The entertainment industry was full of such characters. Many people had badmouthed Fu Yuqian in front of him before, and he had found it amusing, even giving them minor opportunities as a result. Looking back, it now seemed childish compared to Fu Yuqian’s calm demeanor.
Fu Yuqian remained silent, focusing solely on holding his cat. Gradually, the smile on President Qian’s face faded, and the atmosphere became tense. Song Yu, worried that President Qian might secretly cause trouble and that Fu Yuqian might fall into a trap, quickly pushed Fu Yuqian, urging him not to be too difficult at this moment. It was just a single remark, and the person responsible had already suffered online backlash, so it wasn’t worth holding a grudge.
After being nudged by Song Yu, Fu Yuqian finally spoke, “I’m a petty person, and I hold grudges. Generally, once I make a decision, I don’t go back on it. However, out of respect for President Qian, I’m willing to let this go. As for compensation, I don’t need anything. President Qian can coordinate with Manager Mo. As for him, just make sure he doesn’t mess with Song Yu or me again.”
Manager Mo smiled and tried to ease the tension, “We at Huacan have always wanted to collaborate with Qian Group. Let’s stay in close communication moving forward.”
President Qian also smiled and agreed.
Originally, Fu Yuqian was ready to leave, but the deputy manager of Xingyue suddenly spoke up, “Young Master Fu, we’re very grateful that you arranged for an assistant to help when Song Yu’s agent Zhao Hua visited him earlier. Even though Song Yu didn’t know better in the past and often spoke harshly toward you, it’s admirable that you didn’t hold it against him. I’d like to apologize on his behalf.”
“Speak plainly.” Fu Yuqian frowned slightly, his expression cold.
Song Yu, perched on Fu Yuqian’s lap, watched the deputy manager being rebuffed and felt delighted. He had no fondness for anyone from Xingyue but never dared to resist them. Now, seeing them embarrassed brought him some satisfaction.
The deputy manager was momentarily flustered but had no choice but to keep smiling despite the awkwardness. After all, President Qian wasn’t going to help him. “Although Song Yu has been in a coma for a long time, Xingyue has never given up on him. He’s a key figure in our company, and we can’t do without him. We hope you won’t poach him away.”
So that’s what they’re here for—to test Fu Yuqian’s intentions.
Song Yu perked up his ears, eager to hear Fu Yuqian’s response.
As expected, Fu Yuqian didn’t disappoint him. “If I ever wanted to poach anyone, it would only be because I care about Song Yu. What happens to the rest of you is none of my concern.”
Yin Lang nearly broke character and laughed on the spot. This guy was impossible—except for Song Yu, no one else could ever hope to get a positive response from him.
The deputy manager’s expression became strained. What did Fu Yuqian mean by that? Was he planning to poach Song Yu or not? Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead as he forced himself to continue, “Song Yu has deep ties with Xingyue, so I’m afraid he’ll have to decline your kind offer.”
They held leverage over Song Yu, so as long as he didn’t agree, no matter how tempting Fu Yuqian’s terms were, it wouldn’t succeed.
“Oh.” Fu Yuqian gave a perfunctory response without elaborating.
The deputy manager gritted his teeth in frustration, wishing he could grab a knife and stab this smug guy.
Uninterested in continuing the discussion and concerned that it might upset Song Yu, Fu Yuqian stood up with Song Yu in his arms. “Since the apology has been made, I’ll be leaving. You can continue your conversation.”
With that, he and Yin Lang left the meeting room without looking back.
As soon as they were outside, Yin Lang covered his mouth and laughed for a long time before saying, “You’ve got a sharp tongue! Did you see his face just now? It turned purple with rage. But seriously, are you really planning to poach Song Yu?”
Song Yu was also curious.
Fu Yuqian glanced down at the little cat, who was listening intently, and a smile appeared in his eyes. “When he marries me, he’ll naturally come over.”
Yin Lang: “…” This guy had evolved into a smug show-off.
Song Yu: “…” His paws itched to scratch someone.
Still, Song Yu was quite satisfied with how Fu Yuqian had handled the people from Xingyue today. He patted Fu Yuqian’s arm with his paw, signaling that he had done well.
Fu Yuqian said, “This afternoon, the crew of Tyrant’s Beloved Pet is taking costume photos. You don’t need to come along. Liu Le will accompany me.”
Yin Lang replied, “Fine, you go ahead on your own.”
After that, Fu Yuqian took Liu Le and Song Yu to Sheng’an.
Song Yu’s mother, upon seeing Song Yu dressed in ancient-style clothing, beamed with joy and immediately scooped him up for a cuddle. “Yi Yi looks so beautiful today, just like a little lady cat.”
“Meow?” Mom, that’s too much!
Fu Yuqian suppressed a laugh and didn’t rescue Song Yu. Instead, he said with a smile, “Auntie, I’ll be performing at Mango TV’s New Year’s Eve show. My segment is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. After that, I’ll come straight back to join you and Yi Yi for a late-night snack.”
Song Yu’s mom was a bit surprised. “Xiao Fu, you don’t have to be so considerate of me. I’ll be fine on my own. Spend more time with your family on New Year’s Eve.”
“Auntie, my parents are abroad. If you don’t take me in, I’ll have nowhere else to go and will have to spend the night alone.”
Hearing this, Song Yu’s mom immediately softened. “Alright then, I’ll sleep a bit more during the day and wait for you at night.”
“Thank you, Auntie.” Fu Yuqian smiled and glanced at Song Yu on the bed. “Auntie, Song Yu will definitely wake up. He can’t bear to leave you or his fans.”
“I know.” Song Yu’s mom had previously asked Ying Qi why Song Yu hadn’t woken up yet. Ying Qi was also puzzled, as tests showed that the blood clot in the back of Song Yu’s brain had almost completely disappeared. Logically, he should have woken up by now.
However, the human body is a mysterious thing, and modern medicine still has its limitations. Even the medical team sent by Fu Yuqian’s mother admitted they were at a loss after conducting examinations.
Fu Yuqian silently apologized in his heart. He knew Song Yu had become his cat, but out of selfishness, he hadn’t told Auntie Song.
Song Yu clung to his mother’s arm and let out a soft meow.
“I sometimes think maybe Xiao Yu’s soul has traveled somewhere,” Song Yu’s mom suddenly said. “Don’t they have plots like that in your dramas? A person gets into an accident, and their soul travels to the past. After experiencing love and hardship in the ancient world, they return here. A year there is a day here, and once the girl they loved dies, they find her reincarnation and continue their love story.”
Fu Yuqian: “…” Sorry, but there’s no such girl—though there is a boy.
Song Yu: “…” Mom, what kind of shows have you been watching?
Song Yu’s mom laughed at herself. “Anyway, thinking that way makes me feel a bit better.”
Fu Yuqian fell silent once again.
Before coming, Fu Yuqian had asked Liu Le to order lunch, which arrived on time. After having lunch together, he rested on the sofa with Song Yu in his arms for a while before driving to the set.
When they arrived, it was exactly ten minutes before the scheduled time for the costume photo shoot.
The director, surnamed Guo, was named Guo Mao. In his thirties, he had a baby face that made him look like a college student. Upon seeing Fu Yuqian, he immediately walked over with a smile and greeted him warmly, “Hello, Teacher Fu. Thank you so much for allowing your cat to participate in the shoot. We originally planned to use CGI effects, but after seeing Yiyi, we were amazed by how stunning he looked, so we took the liberty of contacting you.”
Song Yu curiously observed Director Guo, feeling that he seemed a bit unreliable.
In fact, Guo’s team did seem rather amateurish. No, to put it bluntly, this was more like a makeshift group. The lead and supporting roles were all selected from college students, and the entire budget for the web drama barely reached ten million yuan.
Nowadays, the production quality of web dramas was becoming increasingly sophisticated, with pre-production budgets rivaling those of prime-time TV dramas. Therefore, for such a modest setup, neither Fu Yuqian nor Song Yu had encountered anything similar before. However, after observing the actors, Fu Yuqian had to admit that Guo Mao had a good eye. Though the actors were inexperienced, they perfectly matched the character profiles. Moreover, Fu Yuqian had read the script—it was well adapted, with lively interactions involving the cat and sophisticated palace intrigue. If executed properly, it had the potential to be a breakout hit.
Thus, Fu Yuqian decided to stay and observe, intending to check the costume photos and filming plans. If the photo shoot turned out well, he wouldn’t mind investing more, because it was Song Yu’s project, and the production quality couldn’t be too shabby.
All the actors had already gathered, and some of the leads had finished their makeup and were ready to begin shooting.
The actor playing the emperor, Leng Yunlin, was named Zhu Mingkun. He was tall and handsome, with a prominent hooked nose and a naturally cold demeanor. Yet when he smiled, he exuded warmth and cheerfulness. Upon seeing Fu Yuqian, he enthusiastically stepped forward to greet him with a student’s refreshing candor, devoid of any slickness.
Dressed in costume, Zhu Mingkun’s expression was grim and brooding, perfectly fitting the character in the drama. Director Guo had him begin the photo shoot. Standing in front of the backdrop, with the light illuminating half of his face and the other half shrouded in shadow, Zhu’s gaze appeared lifeless yet manic, embodying a tyrant.
Fu Yuqian silently approved—Zhu Mingkun’s acting was quite good.
After a few photos were taken, Guo felt something was missing. He jogged over and asked Fu Yuqian, “Teacher Fu, do you think Yiyi could join the shoot now? I’d like to take a few photos with Mingkun and the cat together.”
Song Yu, having watched Zhu Mingkun’s performance, was eager to participate. He scratched Fu Yuqian’s arm, signaling his interest.
Fu Yuqian readily agreed and placed Song Yu on the table. Guo was pleased with Song Yu’s outfit and felt that keeping the costume on would enhance the portrayal of a cat with a human soul. The only thing that needed removal was the cat tag around Song Yu’s neck.
As Guo reached out, Fu Yuqian instinctively stopped him. Still, realizing the tag couldn’t stay, he personally unfastened it and held it in his hand.
Song Yu trotted over to Zhu Mingkun, who, being a cat lover with a British Shorthair at home, lit up at the sight of the beautiful and lively cat. He immediately picked up Song Yu and leaned in as if to kiss his forehead.
Watching closely, Fu Yuqian strode over and snatched Song Yu away. Puzzled, Zhu Mingkun asked, “Teacher Fu, what’s wrong?”
Holding back his annoyance, Fu Yuqian replied, “Nothing, just don’t kiss him—he might scratch you.”
“Oh, okay. Sorry, I was being impulsive,” Zhu Mingkun apologized, clasping his hands together.
After Fu Yuqian returned with Song Yu, Zhu Mingkun refrained from any further attempts at intimacy. Instead, he placed Song Yu on the desk, knelt beside him, and gently lifted the cat’s chin, maintaining his character’s cold expression but adding a trace of warmth in his eyes.
Song Yu returned his gaze.
The scene was beautifully composed.
Yet, Fu Yuqian felt an inexplicable irritation, his possessiveness surging. When Zhu Mingkun held Song Yu again, Fu Yuqian called for a stop. He instructed Liu Le to take Song Yu, then beckoned Guo Mao to step outside.
“Give Zhu Mingkun a different role. He can’t play Leng Yunlin. Don’t worry—I’ll compensate him fairly,” Fu Yuqian said bluntly.
Guo Mao was taken aback, his mind immediately jumping to various unspoken rules. Cautiously, he asked, “Then who will play the emperor?”
“I will.”
Author’s Note:
Thanks to everyone who read this far! Love you all! 💕
Special thanks to Xilou Xieyu for the suggestion of “salty duck egg boy” for Little Fu. I found it hilarious! 😆 Also, thank you to the lovely readers for the encouragement and support. Much love!
[mfn]If you enjoy my translations, you can show your support by leaving a comment or donating to my Ko-fi. It will be much appreciated. Thank you! -TL: YSIAD
⚠️ Do not copy or repost my translations. Please read exclusively on knoxt.space[/mfn]
