Chapter 13: Teasing

After dinner, Jiang Xiaoyu was pinned down by the old butler for a thorough bath, curling up into a ball in the little nest by Ye Lian’s bed. He was a bit nervous, but as he listened to the pattering rain outside the balcony, infected by the pink noise, his eyelids drooped and he quickly felt sleepy.

He let out a yawn, resting his head on the edge of the nest as his limbs relaxed and he shrank back inside, looking no different from a black cat bug.

Ye Lian pushed open the bathroom door, sending a puff of steamy vapor drifting out. He tossed the towel into the nearby laundry basket, habitually walked to the bedside, and was about to lift the covers when his gaze fell on that soft-looking little kitten huddled in the cat nest.

Oh, almost forgot—there’s a fun little thing here. A smile tugged at Ye Lian’s lips as he reached out and poked Jiang Xiaoyu’s nose with a finger. Coal-ball-like lump, but the nose was pink.

“Mm…” Feeling itchy, Jiang Xiaoyu wrinkled his nose and extended a paw to pin down the finger messing around on his nose tip.

Ye Lian didn’t pull his finger away. Instead, he flipped it over to scratch the kitten’s paw pad—Q-bouncy and so very pinchable.

A tingling itch shot through his paw pad, making Jiang Xiaoyu shudder all over. He sprang up and swung his front paws at Ye Lian’s hand several times.

Ye Lian withdrew his hand, lowering his eyelashes in a look of pitifulness. “So fierce. It hurts Uncle.”

“I didn’t even use any force!” Jiang Xiaoyu flicked his ears at him, but seeing the man’s handsome brows furrow with worry, he started doubting whether he’d hit too hard.

Especially since Ye Lian held out his hand for him to see. “It’s red.”

A man in his thirties, yet with skin so white and delicate. Now, two faint plum blossom paw prints bloomed on the back of his hand—not deep in color, but strikingly visible.

Jiang Xiaoyu’s ears slowly perked back up. He meowed in annoyance. “I didn’t mean to.”

Ye Lian’s eyes curved into crescents as he slowly raised his hand above Jiang Xiaoyu’s head. His slender, pale fingers loosely curled as he asked softly, “Can Uncle touch your ears?”

His voice was low and magnetic, trailing off lightly—seductive to anyone who heard it. Jiang Xiaoyu felt his ears heat up rapidly. He awkwardly turned his head away, and only after a long moment did he nudge the top of his head into the man’s palm. “Just letting you touch it once.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Ye Lian’s large palm covered his head. The man’s fingertips carried a reassuring warmth as the pads gently rubbed his ears, his tone full of praise. “Our baby is so soft. The ears feel all meaty.”

Half-squinting his eyes in pleasure, his gaze fell on Jiang Xiaoyu’s short, round tail—which was trembling with pitiful flutters. “Can I touch the tail too?”

Jiang Xiaoyu went rigid all over, then immediately fluffed up. He flipped over, hugged Ye Lian’s wrist, and kicked fiercely. “I said only touch once!” He’d already rubbed so many times—now he wanted the tail too? Old rogue!

Ye Lian’s wrist went numb from the barrage of kicks. He chuckled good-naturedly and subtly withdrew the offending hand. “Alright, no touching then.”

With that, he climbed onto the bed, grabbed a book from the nightstand, and began reading nonchalantly.

Jiang Xiaoyu was still fluffed up. Seeing Ye Lian disengage so quickly left him blinking in confusion, his paw unconsciously scratching at the nest beneath him.

Is he mad… Jiang Xiaoyu couldn’t figure it out. Whatever—the cat didn’t want to figure it out. He was here to crack the case. Don’t overthink it. Whatever.

Over the next few days, new servants trickled into the mansion one after another. Jiang Xiaoyu carefully observed every aspect of the household and learned that, like Chen Yiqu, Yan Feilang stayed fixed on the first floor, handling security for the Ye Residence. Remembering the Trojan virus he’d planted in the monitoring room computer, he felt a twinge of guilt and planned to find time to restore the system.

But before he could act, the Dragon Boat Festival arrived. The old butler was clearly immersed in some joyful mood, shedding his usual stern rigidity to become enthusiastic and chatty—even his glares at Jiang Xiaoyu weren’t as piercing.

“Master, everything’s prepared. When do we head out to the Ji Family Old Mansion?” Chen Yiqu said delightedly while helping Ye Lian pack. “The Ji family is close to the city center—perfect chance to go…”

“Go what?” Ye Lian asked, adjusting his cuffs.

“Nothing.” Chen Yiqu schooled his face, but his expression twisted as he turned. I’m acting weird—why am I thinking of going to the CBD to buy cat clothes for Little Slob?!

Jiang Xiaoyu was completely unaware of Chen Yiqu’s inner turmoil. He’d already sneaked into the car they were preparing to take, curling up in a corner of the compartment and listening intently to the sounds outside.

It wasn’t long before he heard voices.

“Bureau Chief Shen.” That was Ye Lian. “What a coincidence. I’m just heading back to the Ji Residence—let’s catch up another day.”

“Good, definitely.” After Ye Lian hung up, Chen Yiqu asked Yan Feilang, “This one?”

“Yeah.” Yan Feilang grunted roughly. “Which other? The garage has plenty, but for the extended versions, there’s the one we lent Ji Wangan before and this one. Master has a cleanliness obsession—doesn’t like using things others have touched. And that one isn’t even clean. So, only this one with the extra seats.”

Ye Lian cast a light glance over. Though he didn’t see it, his intuition told him Jiang Xiaoyu had hidden in the car. A glint of mischief flashed in his eyes as he smiled. “Switch to that Phantom instead.”

Master sure comes up with one idea after another. Yan Feilang ruffled his hair and headed to the trunk. “I’ll grab the stuff.”

Hearing Ye Lian wanted to switch cars threw Jiang Xiaoyu into a panic. He clawed at the door but couldn’t figure out the luxury lock. With everyone about to leave, he desperately leaped to the window and patted the glass hard to get their attention.

But no matter how desperately he patted until his paws ached, no one outside noticed.

Ye Lian said, “All set? Let’s head out.”

Seeing the three turn away, Jiang Xiaoyu suddenly yelled, “Ye Lian!” He felt strange about it. It wasn’t a big deal—even locked in the car, he could just shift back to human form and get out. But an inexplicable fear surged up, as if being trapped inside meant he’d never see the light of day again.

“Ye Lian!” he shouted again. “Ye Lian…” A faint murmur, but the man’s footsteps halted.

“Did any of you hear something?”

Chen Yiqu said, “Nope? Did you, Feilang?”

“Nah.”

“Yes.” Ye Lian was certain.

“Let me see where it’s coming from.” He turned around and met a cat face reflected in the car window. His eyes curved as he smiled. “Found you, little guy.”

On the drive, Chen Yiqu kept griping about how undisciplined Jiang Xiaoyu was—running around wildly, jumping into cars, would starve if undiscovered, stupid, dumb. He threw every complaint he could think of at the old butler.

“Enough.” Ye Lian cut Chen Yiqu off. “He knows he was wrong.” He stroked the warm bundle on his lap. “Right, little guy?”

He’d originally planned to tease the little cop a bit more, but seeing those listless drooping ears and those green eyes holding a hint of expectation made his heart twinge like it had been pricked by a fine needle. It didn’t hurt, but the sensation was vivid and impossible to ignore, stirring a rare reluctance—not wanting to tease anymore.

Ever since meeting Ye Lian, Jiang Xiaoyu seemed to curl up more and more often. He balled himself up between Ye Lian’s legs and stayed silent as an ostrich even when spoken to.

Ye Lian rubbed his ears and coaxed softly, “Uncle was bad. Uncle shouldn’t have left you locked in the car without noticing.”

Yan Feilang was driving, his rearview mirror reflecting a ghostly expression on his face. And it wasn’t over—his usually strategizing lotus master spoke again. “Or was it Feilang’s fault? Did he lock you in the car, hmm?”

Yan Feilang slammed on the brakes, nearly sending the little electric scooter trailing far behind—terrified of rear-ending this walking multimillion-yuan disaster—into a panic. Sudden blame out of nowhere. Yan Feilang mentally lit a cigarette, feeling a pang in his chest.

The man’s nonstop rubbing of his ears was truly annoying—his ears were getting hot. Jiang Xiaoyu endured it for a bit but couldn’t hold back the inexplicable spark of irritation and grievance bubbling up. He grabbed the hand and chomped down. “I said only touch once!”

Ye Lian looked at the two tiny tooth marks on his finger. “No more being mad after biting Uncle, okay?”

Jiang Xiaoyu buried his head in his paws and retreated back into his shell.

Outrageous! Chen Yiqu thought. No matter how fun, don’t forget this Little Slob is an undercover! His face stern, his expression so severe that Yan Feilang actually saw a ghost in the rearview mirror and hit another brake.

Scaring the distant trailing scooter—which was rushing to work—into angrily detouring. Dammit, I’ll take another route then!

—

The car drove straight into the city center, passing the Pine City Public Security Bureau. Jiang Xiaoyu lifted his head to look at the scene. This area preserved mansions from the Republican era and remained a gathering place for dignitaries and social elites even today, with sentries posted at many doorways.

Continuing onward, the vegetation grew denser and denser. The car turned a corner and entered a verdant old Western-style house surrounded by greenery.

Ye Lian rubbed Jiang Xiaoyu’s head. “The old mansion will be crowded. Stay by my side and don’t run off.”

Jiang Xiaoyu mewed softly and was carried down from the car in his arms.

At the door stood a person. With just one glance, Jiang Xiaoyu understood what it meant for time to never defeat a beauty. She wore a deep purple cheongsam, her figure tall and richly curvaceous, with willow-leaf arched eyebrows and stunning red lips. Time hadn’t diminished her charm in the slightest; instead, it had added a mature, dignified grace.

With just one glance, Jiang Xiaoyu knew she must be blood-related to Ye Lian—they were simply too alike, especially those phoenix eyes and the high bridge of her nose.

“You’re back.” Her voice was icy cold as she spoke.