Chapter 21
The storm outside had subsided, leaving only a gentle drizzle.
The faint rustling sound by the door was exceptionally clear to the kitten’s sensitive ears.
The moment the door opened, Wei Yuan instinctively jumped off Lu Dingyun’s chest and hid behind his pillow.
Its emerald green eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, its excellent night vision allowing it to clearly see the stranger’s movements.
The man carefully closed and locked the door.
Then, under Wei Yuan’s watchful gaze, he turned on his phone’s flashlight, aiming it at the floor.
Perhaps afraid of waking Lu Dingyun, he didn’t shine the light directly on the bed.
Wei Yuan recognized him. It was the same waiter who had delivered their late-night snacks.
It also immediately understood why Lu Dingyun was sleeping so soundly. He had been drugged.
A stalker!
That damn stalker!
A surge of anger, shock, and disbelief washed over Wei Yuan.
Its eyes burned with fury. It wanted to tear that disgusting stalker to shreds.
The man also seemed agitated, staring at the bed, his chest heaving, his hands trembling as he held his phone, the flashlight beam shaking.
He took a few deep breaths, then spoke in a hoarse, trembling voice. “Teacher… Teacher Lu?”
The sleeping Lu Dingyun didn’t respond.
The man seemed emboldened, cautiously approaching the bed.
As he walked, he continued to test the waters.
“Teacher Lu, are you asleep?”
“Brother Yun?”
“Lu Dingyun?”
“Husband?”
Wei Yuan’s fur bristled at the last term of endearment.
What the hell!
Husband? Husband your ass!
It gritted its teeth, its small body hidden beside Lu Dingyun, its tail stiff, its gaze fixed on the man.
Its sharp claws extended, and it lowered its body, ready to pounce. As soon as the man came within striking distance, it would attack.
One step, two steps…
Seeing Lu Dingyun’s lack of response, the man grew bolder, his eyes filled with a fanatical adoration as he looked at the figure on the bed.
He eagerly raised the flashlight, wanting a clearer view of his beloved’s face.
But as the light reached Lu Dingyun’s face, the first thing he saw was a pair of glowing cat eyes.
Simultaneously, the owner of those eyes darted towards him and leaped, aiming straight for his face.
“Ahhh!!!” The man screamed, dropping his phone, which hit the wall and then the floor, landing in the gap between the nightstand and the wall, plunging the room back into darkness.
Lu Dingyun, startled by the loud noise, frowned in his sleep but couldn’t wake up.
The man, also afraid of waking Lu Dingyun, remained silent.
He knelt on the floor, his hands trembling as he covered his face.
A burning pain and warm liquid covered his hands.
It was the cat, that damn cat that had Lu Dingyun’s undivided affection!
Consumed by jealousy, he ignored the pain, looking around frantically, trying to find the cat.
The darkness was the cat’s domain. It paced slowly, watching the man thrashing around silently.
Wei Yuan jumped back onto the bed.
It sat beside Lu Dingyun’s head, like a guardian, its gaze fixed on the man on the floor.
The man’s target was Lu Dingyun, so he would definitely try again.
Wei Yuan knew it was too small. A direct confrontation with a human would be risky.
So, it had to be strategic.
As expected, the man, unable to find the cat, gave up.
A stupid cat, probably hiding somewhere, not worth his time. He had to seize the opportunity with Lu Dingyun.
Once they were intimate, his relationship with Lu Dingyun would definitely change.
No, that wasn’t right.
From tonight onwards, Lu Dingyun would be his, and his alone!
He wanted to laugh, but the movement pulled at his wounds, making his smile even more twisted.
“Husband,” he whispered, his voice tender, trembling with excitement.
“You must like me, right?” he mumbled, as if in a trance. “If you didn’t like me, why would you talk to me? Why would you eat the snacks I brought you?”
“I… I like you too.” He slowly approached Lu Dingyun, starting to undress.
“Let’s be together tonight, and we’ll announce it tomorrow, okay? Your fans, those bitches, they dare to say they like you. But it doesn’t matter, they’ll never have you, how pathetic.”
He chuckled darkly, his expression suddenly turning vicious. “But how could you smile at a cat so tenderly? You should only be nice to me, only smile at me. You’ll get rid of that damn cat for me, right?”
Wei Yuan trembled with rage, its fur bristling.
You idiot, you should rot in a ditch!
How dare you covet Lu Dingyun, you piece of shit, you don’t deserve him!
No, you’re not even worthy of being compared to a dog.
You disgusting excuse for a human, you want to kill me?
The kitten bared its teeth, its sharp canines exposed.
This cat will teach you a lesson today!
The man was now completely naked, slowly approaching the bed.
Wei Yuan jumped onto Lu Dingyun’s chest and attacked the moment the man came within range.
“Ahhh!” The man screamed even louder than before, thrashing around in the darkness, but he couldn’t even touch the cat.
Wei Yuan, however, landed blow after blow, its sharp claws leaving deep scratches on the man’s exposed skin.
Having stripped naked out of his perverse desires, the man was now reaping what he had sown.
The man’s screams finally roused Lu Dingyun, who frowned, his mind still foggy, unable to open his eyes.
Outside in the hallway, Dou Dou was dragging a sleepy Xiao Zheng towards Lu Dingyun’s room.
After being drenched in the rain, she was worried Lu Dingyun might develop a fever, so she had asked Xiao Zheng to come with her to check on him.
As they walked, they heard muffled screams coming from a room.
The sound was clear in the quiet hallway.
Dou Dou was startled, and Xiao Zheng instantly woke up.
They exchanged a look, then ran towards the source of the sound.
Having been in the industry for a while, they had witnessed all sorts of scandalous incidents, especially Dou Dou, whose mind raced with wild speculations.
Her heart sank when she realized the screams were coming from Lu Dingyun’s room.
Xiao Zheng, impulsive and naive, immediately assumed Lu Dingyun was in a fight.
He grabbed a trash can from the hallway and swiped the keycard. Finding the door locked, he took two steps back and kicked it open, rushing inside. “Brother Yun, I’m here to help!”
Wei Yuan, hearing the voice, was instantly relieved. It jumped back onto the bed and curled up by Lu Dingyun’s neck, pretending to be an innocent and harmless kitten, as if it hadn’t done anything.
The open door allowed light from the hallway to illuminate the room.
Xiao Zheng immediately saw the naked man lying on the floor.
He froze, momentarily confused, still holding the trash can. “Who are you?”
Dou Dou entered, looking at the man, then at Lu Dingyun on the bed, a suspicion forming in her mind.
Her face darkened, and she took the keycard from Xiao Zheng. “Keep an eye on him.”
She inserted the keycard, and the room was flooded with light, revealing everything.
The movie emperor on the bed, the kitten beside him, and a naked, bleeding man writhing on the floor.
Xiao Zheng was dumbfounded. Remembering there was a woman present, he quickly grabbed a blanket from the sofa and threw it over the man, covering his body.
Whatever this was, he couldn’t let Dou Dou see it.
Lu Dingyun, his eyes stinging from the sudden light, finally opened them.
He frowned, his mind slowly clearing, struggling to sit up.
Wei Yuan, also squinting from the light, was relieved to see him awake.
It had been worried that the stalker had used too much of the drug and that Lu Dingyun wouldn’t wake up or would suffer some adverse effects.
Dou Dou, clearly experienced in handling such situations, told Xiao Zheng to call an ambulance and record everything as evidence. She then notified the director and called the police.
“Hello, I’d like to report a crime.”
The man on the floor, hearing the word “police,” jolted as if struck, his mind clearing.
He had to escape.
He knew he had committed a crime and couldn’t be caught!
But Xiao Zheng wouldn’t give him the chance, blocking his path with the trash can.
The tall, athletic young man looked much stronger than the chubby man, and indeed he was. The man, wrapped in the blanket, tried to escape several times but was stopped by Xiao Zheng.
The man, realizing he was trapped, became desperate.
He might as well go out with a “bang,” taking advantage of Lu Dingyun one last time, making sure Lu Dingyun would never forget him.
So, Xiao Zheng, still blocking his path, suddenly saw him turn and lunge towards Lu Dingyun.
“Brother Yun!” Xiao Zheng tried to stop him, but he was too late.
But just as the man reached Lu Dingyun, a small figure shot out like an arrow.
The man screamed again and collapsed to the floor.
The kitten returned to the bed and, seeing Lu Dingyun sitting up, curled up in his arms.
When Xiao Zheng and Dou Dou looked over, it meowed innocently.
The kitten hadn’t done anything. The kitten was very gentle.
Xiao Zheng, snapping out of his shock, dropped the trash can and tried to restrain the man.
But people in desperate situations often found hidden strength. Xiao Zheng struggled to control him, almost letting him escape.
Lu Dingyun, holding the kitten, was pale and covered in cold sweat, the room spinning.
He bit his lip, trying to stay conscious.
Seeing the two figures struggling on the floor, he wanted to help but couldn’t move, only able to lean against the headboard, gasping for air, his vision darkening.
Dou Dou, after calling the police, anxiously called Director Li again, then went outside to wait.
Fortunately, Director Li had arrived quickly, along with several staff members and martial arts choreographer Han Sui.
Han Sui, upon entering, immediately helped Xiao Zheng subdue the man, pinning him face down on the floor.
The man struggled frantically, then, realizing he was trapped, glared at Lu Dingyun with bloodshot eyes, shouting, “Lu Dingyun! Are you just going to watch?! I’m your fan!”
“Aren’t you supposed to be nice to your fans? Why aren’t you saying anything?!”
“Who do you think you are? You’re nothing without your fans!”
Xiao Zheng, his head throbbing, punched the man in the face. “Shut up!”
The man shrieked, “Lu Dingyun! If anything happens to me, I won’t let you off!”
Han Sui grabbed the man’s shirt from the floor and stuffed it into his mouth, finally silencing him.
Director Li, seeing the scene, felt his world crumbling, his face ashen.
Directors weren’t known for their good tempers.
He stormed out of the room, shouting, “Manager! He Zhaowen, get your ass over here!”
Wei Yuan, sitting on Lu Dingyun’s lap, looked at his pale face and sweat-soaked body, worried.
Would he be okay?
If it was just sleeping pills, the fact that Lu Dingyun had woken up so quickly meant the dosage hadn’t been high.
But it could have been something more dangerous.
They had to go to the hospital.
Fortunately, there was a hospital near the film studio, and the ambulance arrived quickly.
The paramedics took Lu Dingyun away, Xiao Zheng carrying the kitten, while Dou Dou stayed behind to handle the aftermath.
Since the opening ceremony had just taken place, many reporters and fans were still around, so the incident couldn’t be kept secret.
And with the police involved, it couldn’t be easily suppressed.
The film crew and the hotel would have to answer for their negligence.
So, at 2 am, several hashtags were trending.
Initially, the media didn’t know the details, only reporting that an ambulance and police cars had been called to the film set, speculating about injuries or a possible crime.
Then, someone filmed Xiao Zheng carrying Wei Yuan out of the ambulance, confirming that the injured person was likely Lu Dingyun.
Night owls, who had been preparing for bed, stayed up all night, finally piecing together the story.
A stalker, disguised as a hotel staff member, had drugged Lu Dingyun’s food and then entered his room in the middle of the night.
So, when unsuspecting fans and netizens woke up the next morning, they were horrified by the news.
Speculations and condemnations flooded the internet.
Reporters and local fans gathered outside the hospital, waiting for updates.
Inside a private hospital room, Lu Dingyun leaned against the headboard, holding the kitten and feeding it a cat treat.
Wei Yuan, as always, devoured the treat in two bites.
This was its third treat, after a can of cat food and a small bowl of kibble.
After the third treat, it finally burped.
Lu Dingyun chuckled, discarding the empty package and petting the kitten.
Wei Yuan sniffed the air, then looked up at his face.
Although Lu Dingyun was still pale, he looked much better than during the night.
And animals were sensitive to such things. Wei Yuan could tell that he was probably fine now.
Xiao Zheng was sitting on the sofa, browsing the news and complaining to his colleagues, the group chat filled with angry denunciations of the stalker.
Dou Dou was still at the police station but should be back before lunch.
Liu Ying, having received the news, had also arrived.
He sat beside the bed, having just ended a phone call, and handed Lu Dingyun a bowl of porridge.
Lu Dingyun took the bowl and ate slowly.
His stomach was upset, and he had no appetite, but the doctor had insisted he eat something.
Liu Ying, no longer young, looked exhausted after being woken up in the middle of the night and working non-stop since then.
He rubbed his face, then addressed Lu Dingyun. “His name is Li Shan. He was the one who almost forced you to stop on the highway before. He got away last time, and since it was just attempted assault, we couldn’t find him. But now he’s walked right into our trap.”
“How did he get into the hotel?” Lu Dingyun asked.
“His uncle works in the hotel kitchen. Li Shan’s parents died early, leaving him some compensation money, and he just plays video games all day, waiting for the money to run out.”
Liu Ying continued, “So, a while ago, he told his uncle he wanted to find a job, and his uncle got him a cleaning job at the hotel. His uncle thought it was strange at the time, but now it seems this bastard had planned everything.”
The filming location of Lu Dingyun’s new drama wasn’t a secret. It was entirely possible that Li Shan had known in advance and had come to the hotel to wait for him.
And although stalkers’ methods were despicable, they were often effective, succeeding in making celebrities’ lives miserable.
Last night, Director Li had arranged for late-night snacks and ginger tea for everyone who had been out in the rain. Li Shan, seeing his opportunity, had knocked out a waiter, stolen his uniform, and delivered the drugged food to Lu Dingyun.
Lu Dingyun had been cautious, checking the group chat to confirm everyone had received their snacks before eating his own.
But he hadn’t expected that only his food had been drugged.
Fortunately, Li Shan was just an ordinary person, with no access to dangerous substances, so he had only used sleeping pills. And since he wanted Lu Dingyun to be conscious during the assault, the dosage hadn’t been high.
Otherwise, Lu Dingyun would have been in serious danger, possibly requiring his stomach to be pumped.
But even so, everyone was disgusted.
Wei Yuan, whose nerves had been on edge since the middle of the night, hadn’t slept a wink. Now, seeing that Lu Dingyun was safe, it couldn’t help but yawn.
The kitten’s soft whimper drew the attention of the two men.
Lu Dingyun adjusted his position, making the kitten more comfortable, then gently stroked its fur. “Go to sleep.”
“Meow~” Wei Yuan closed its eyes and quickly drifted off.
Liu Ying looked at the kitten with affection.
He lowered his voice. “Xiao Gui Yuan is a hero. If it hadn’t intervened, Li Shan’s plan might have succeeded.”
Both Liu Ying and Lu Dingyun were grateful for the kitten.
They were lucky to have it, and lucky it hadn’t been injured. Otherwise, Lu Dingyun would have been devastated.
The kitten’s bravery had truly impressed everyone.
Even the experienced police officers had been surprised by the extent of Li Shan’s injuries.
They had seen protective dogs and aggressive cats, but a kitten as fierce as Wei Yuan was a first.
If the circumstances were different, they would have asked Wei Yuan to join the police force.
Apparently, Li Shan was demanding compensation for his injuries at the police station.
But not only had he been injured by a kitten, but he had also been the perpetrator of a crime. The kitten’s actions were considered self-defense.
“Alright, get some rest,” Liu Ying stood up. “Xiao Zheng will take you home after your IV drip. Don’t worry about this, I’ll handle it at the company.”
Lu Dingyun nodded. “It’s still raining, be careful on the road.”
“I know.” Liu Ying patted Xiao Zheng’s head. “I’m leaving. Take good care of Brother Yun.”
Xiao Zheng quickly stood up, saluting playfully. “Yes, sir!”
“You rascal.” Liu Ying glared at him, then waved at Lu Dingyun. “I’m off.”
Lu Dingyun finished his porridge, and Xiao Zheng took the bowl, then went to the coffee table to eat his own takeout.
Lu Dingyun lay down, still feeling exhausted.
He turned, carefully adjusting the kitten’s position, making it comfortable in his arms.
The kitten purred, nuzzling closer, its paws wrapped around his arm as it slept soundly.
Lu Dingyun’s eyes softened with affection, and he kissed the kitten’s round head. “Thank you, Xiao Gui Yuan.”
A while later, Xiao Zheng looked over and saw Lu Dingyun fast asleep, holding the kitten.
He quietly walked over, pulling the blanket up to cover Lu Dingyun’s shoulders and the kitten.
He also adjusted Lu Dingyun’s IV drip, preventing him or the kitten from accidentally pulling it out.
He glanced at the IV bag. Half full.
Xiao Zheng quietly returned to the sofa and ate his meal as quietly as possible.
He opened his phone, which was on silent. His colleagues in the group chat were still fuming about the incident.
Then Mian Mian from the publicity team shared a link. “Everyone, look, our Xiao Gui Yuan’s heroic deeds are spreading!”
Everyone immediately clicked on the link.
Xiao Zheng, having witnessed Wei Yuan’s attack, knew how brave the kitten was and eagerly joined everyone in browsing the news.
[Lu Dingyun Studio Official Weibo]:
Thank you for your concern. Our boss @LuDingyun is out of danger and will be discharged this afternoon. The details of the incident have been released by @QingCityPublicSecurityBureau. Thank you again for your attention and concern. Please continue to support the “Beast Tamer” drama crew. (Lastly, special thanks to our little hero, Gui Yuan baby!)
The post included a photo of Lu Dingyun holding the kitten while sitting on the hospital bed.
Xiao Zheng, like everyone else, clicked on the police bureau’s Weibo page.
The post detailed the entire incident, confirming that Li Shan was the same stalker who had tried to stop Lu Dingyun on the highway before.
Although the events were summarized briefly, fans could imagine how dangerous the situation had been.
If Li Shan had used a higher dosage, if the kitten hadn’t been with Lu Dingyun that night, if Xiao Zheng and Dou Dou hadn’t checked on him, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
It was a series of fortunate events that had ensured Lu Dingyun’s safety.
The fans’ anger wasn’t appeased by Lu Dingyun being out of danger but intensified after learning the truth.
Angry fans dug up all the information they could find on Li Shan, but they discovered he had no immediate family, no friends or partner, and hadn’t even graduated from college.
No career, no family, no love life, nothing.
Everyone: “…”
They didn’t even know how or where to attack him.
So, frustrated fans and netizens flocked to the police bureau’s Weibo page, demanding severe punishment.
Someone like Li Shan must have committed other despicable acts.
Unable to vent their anger directly at Li Shan, the fans shifted their focus to the hero of the incident: the kitten.
Since the video Xiao Zheng had recorded had been submitted as evidence, it couldn’t be released publicly, even though it captured the kitten’s attack.
So, fans could only glean information from the written report, speculating about the kitten’s fighting prowess.
[“The suspect, Li, sustained thirty visible wounds and seventy-five scratches, classified as minor injuries.” Hahaha, Baby, you’re so strong!]
[Wuwuwu, our Xiao Gui Yuan is so small, it must have been so scared, but it still protected Teacher Lu, I’m crying T_T]
[During the livestream, Xiao Gui Yuan looked smaller than Teacher Lu’s palm, so cute and well-behaved, but it turns out Baby has another side. Truly amazing!]
[I’ve decided, I’m a dual stan now! Joining the Kitten Cult!]
Xiao Zheng, reading the comments, felt it was a shame that they couldn’t see the kitten’s heroic actions. He was itching to share the video.
He contacted Dou Dou, asking her to ask the police if they could blur Li Shan’s image and release the part where the kitten protected its owner.
Five minutes later, Dou Dou replied with a video.
The video quality was good, but the figure wrapped in the blanket was blurred, only Lu Dingyun and the kitten in his arms clearly visible.
The blurred figure lunged towards the bed, and the camera shook as Xiao Zheng tried to intervene.
Then, the kitten, which had been nestled in Lu Dingyun’s arms, suddenly sprang into action, jumping onto the blurred figure’s face, its claws flashing.
As the figure collapsed, the kitten gracefully returned to the bed, curling up in Lu Dingyun’s arms again, looking innocent and harmless.
Dou Dou: [Post it, post it! The police officer even edited it for us. Let everyone worship our Xiao Yuan.]
Xiao Zheng’s eyes lit up, and he immediately forwarded the video to Mian Mian.
Soon, the studio’s official Weibo account posted the video.
Caption: Here it is! Don’t dwell on the unpleasantness, let the kitten cheer you up~ [Video]
Fans watched the video countless times, finding it incredibly satisfying.
Many dedicated fans, moved by the kitten’s protective actions and now officially smitten, quickly created a fan club and a super topic.
The leader, naturally, was the die-hard shipper, Leaky Cotton Jacket.
Soon, the fan club and super topic gained traction, with over one hundred thousand followers.
Screenshots from the livestream, fan art, and clips of the kitten interacting with Lu Dingyun went viral.
The hashtag #GuiYuanIsAwesome also trended.
The fans’ enthusiasm was high, and the topic’s popularity remained strong.
Confused passersby clicked on the hashtag, and the fans eagerly explained the kitten’s background, making it an instant internet sensation.
Wei Yuan’s fans, browsing online, also learned about the incident.
Initially, they didn’t think much of it, only finding Lu Dingyun incredibly lucky.
Targeted by stalkers twice, escaping the first incident unscathed, and being saved by his kitten in the second. They felt a mix of emotions.
If only their Young Master had been so lucky.
This was the majority of the fans’ sentiment. But some noticed the kitten’s name.
In a Wei Yuan fan group chat, a long-time fan posted a picture of the kitten in its wizard outfit, looking haughty.
Everyone knew it was their rival’s kitten, but the kitten was so cute, and it hadn’t done anything wrong.
So, they all gushed over the picture.
The original poster, while everyone was chatting, suddenly said, “Doesn’t anyone think the kitten resembles Young Master somehow?”
Logically, a human and a cat wouldn’t look alike.
But after the comment, everyone instinctively looked closer, and they were surprised.
“You’re right, its eyes are very similar to Young Master’s.”
The fan then posted a picture of Wei Yuan.
Someone immediately combined the two pictures, and the resemblance was uncanny.
“Holy shit, they look like twins!”
The fans were stunned.
“Wait, doesn’t anyone remember the kitten’s name?”
“Gui… Gui Yuan?”
“And Young Master’s nickname?”
“It’s also… also…”
“As everyone knows, the kitten’s name wasn’t chosen by the rival, but suggested by Sister Cotton Jacket and then chosen by the kitten itself. So, it’s just a coincidence, right?”
With their idol still unconscious and medical science failing to provide answers, many fans had turned to superstition, following Leaky Cotton Jacket’s example, fasting and praying at temples.
Some consulted Buddhist monks, Taoist priests, or tarot readers.
This had created a mystical atmosphere within the fandom.
Seeing the comparison picture, although they claimed it was a coincidence, they couldn’t help but wonder, was it really?
“And the kitten appeared after Young Master fell into a coma.”
“Although Movie Emperor Lu said Gui Yuan was a stray, no one knows how long it had been wandering the streets…”
A strange silence fell over the group chat.
Meanwhile, several luxury cars were parked within a large private garden in Jing City.
Inside the main house’s living room, intricately carved beams and rosewood furniture complemented the antique decorations, creating an atmosphere of traditional Chinese elegance.
About ten people were seated, men and women, old and young, all prominent figures in their respective fields.
The most influential were the two elderly gentlemen sitting at the head of the table.
On the left sat the patriarch of the Jiang family, a family whose wealth and influence in Jing City had spanned centuries.
The Jiang family was notoriously low-key, their accumulated wealth impossible to calculate.
People only knew that during the past two economic crises, they had made substantial donations to the country, stabilizing the domestic economy. They were truly wealthy beyond measure.
On the right sat the patriarch of the Wei family, dressed in a dark Tang suit, exuding an aura of scholarly elegance, his family’s lineage also spanning centuries.
Below them sat the younger generations.
The handsome young man seated second to the left bore a striking resemblance to Wei Yuan, but compared to Wei Yuan’s delicate features, he had a more composed and reserved demeanor, his presence more commanding.
This was Wei Yuan’s older brother, Jiang Su.
Wei Yuan’s mother was the only daughter of the Wei family, so he had taken her surname.
Jiang Su, despite his young age, had already taken over half of the Jiang family’s business and was the future heir.
Wei Yuan was the apple of his grandfather and grandmother’s eyes, and their businesses would eventually be passed down to him.
And Wei Yuan, always clever and mischievous, was more outgoing than his reserved older brother, earning him even more affection from his elders.
Although Jiang Su often worried about his younger brother, being eight years older, his love for Wei Yuan was no less than that of their elders.
With their precious golden child in such a state, no one in the family had been at peace lately.
In just over a month, Wei Yuan’s mother had become worryingly thin.
The usually well-maintained elders had visibly aged.
Only Wei Yuan’s father and older brother were still holding things together, as the family businesses couldn’t be neglected.
They had consulted top doctors worldwide, spending exorbitant amounts of money and owing countless favors, but Wei Yuan showed no signs of waking up.
Until this morning, when the three of them received the email, a new possibility emerged, leading to the current discussion.
“Grandpa, Maternal Grandpa,” Jiang Su said. “I’ve traced the email to Qing City, but further investigation requires official authorization due to data privacy regulations.”
Old Master Jiang nodded. “Regardless of who sent the email, it has given us a new lead.”
“Indeed,” Old Master Wei agreed. “The car accident blinded us, making us focus solely on medical experts. Perhaps we should consider alternative methods.”
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else, but Master Renhui suddenly entered seclusion yesterday.” Old Master Jiang even suspected that Master Renhui had foreseen something and had chosen to avoid them.
But he didn’t dare dwell on it. His grandson’s fate was in the master’s hands, and he needed hope.
“Dad,” Wei Yuan’s father rubbed his temples. “Master Renhui is indeed remarkable, but we can’t just wait for him indefinitely. Who knows when he’ll come out of seclusion? We can’t risk delaying Xiao Yuan’s treatment.”
“So, I suggest we consult other masters. What if they have a solution?”
Old Master Jiang frowned. “But how can we be sure they won’t harm Xiao Yuan? Can you guarantee that?”
They were all strong-willed individuals with their own considerations, and no one could convince the others.
Upstairs, in a spacious bedroom, the handsome young man lay motionless on the soft bed, dressed in light blue silk pajamas, seemingly asleep.
His emaciated mother sat beside the bed, holding his hand, tears welling up in her eyes.
Old Madam Qiu, her hair completely white, her eyes also red-rimmed, said softly, “Nan Nan, Xiao Yuan will be fine. You have to take care of yourself too.”
Wei Qingyao wiped her tears, looking at her mother’s aged face, and more tears streamed down.
“Mom, I know,” she forced a smile. “The doctor said Xiao Yuan’s condition is stable. Look, his complexion has improved these past few days. He even has some color in his cheeks.”
The door opened, and Old Madam Wen, Jiang Su’s mother, entered with a tray, a bowl of steaming noodles on it.
She placed the noodles on the table. “Qingyao, it’s your birthday today. I made you some longevity noodles. Do you want to eat some?”
Ever since her grandson’s accident, her usually cheerful and gentle daughter-in-law hadn’t been eating properly.
Even when she did eat, she would often throw up. Old Madam Wen felt heartbroken but couldn’t persuade her, so she tried her best to cook her favorite dishes, hoping she would eat at least a few bites.
“Yes. It’s Nan Nan’s birthday today. Let’s be happy.”
Old Madam Qiu led her daughter to the table, handing her the chopsticks. “You have to eat longevity noodles on your birthday. Make a wish, and it will definitely come true.”
“Make a wish…” Wei Qingyao’s cheeks were sunken, the once elegant beauty now a shadow of her former self.
She suddenly seemed to regain some energy. “Yes, make a wish. I have to make a wish.”
She walked to the window, closed her eyes, and prayed fervently, begging the heavens to return her child.
Even if it meant trading her own life.
In Qing City, Lu Dingyun, after his IV drip, returned home with the kitten.
Xiao Zheng, also sleep-deprived, went home to rest after dropping them off.
Lu Dingyun, carrying the kitten, entered the elevator and suddenly stopped, lifting the kitten to meet its gaze.
Wei Yuan: “?”
“Gui Yuan,” Lu Dingyun said seriously.
Wei Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.
Why so serious?
And why was he calling it by its full name?
He usually called it “baby” or “Xiao Yuan.”
The kitten, still wearing its fluffy onesie, looked even more confused.
Lu Dingyun couldn’t help but smile.
“???” Wei Yuan tilted its head back, eyeing him suspiciously.
Had he gone crazy?
Maybe the drug dosage had been too low after all!
Lu Dingyun’s usually aloof eyes were now filled with affection as he looked at the kitten.
He said softly, “Thank you.”
Wei Yuan froze, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
So, it was a thank you. Why so serious?
“I know you understand, so thank you, truly.” Lu Dingyun insisted on expressing his gratitude, treating the kitten as an equal.
Wei Yuan, uncomfortable with such heartfelt expressions of gratitude, fidgeted with its paws.
Seeing that Lu Dingyun seemed to expect a response, it meowed, avoiding his gaze.
The meow had no particular meaning.
It had saved Lu Dingyun because it hated stalkers, not to protect him.
So, it wasn’t being shy or awkward, it just felt unworthy of his gratitude.
Yes, that was it!
The kitten regained its composure.
Lu Dingyun, hearing the meow, assumed the kitten had accepted his thanks.
He hugged the kitten closer, his mood better than ever.
The stalker incident hadn’t fazed him at all.
Wei Yuan, nestled in his arms, suddenly felt a sense of injustice.
It had saved Lu Dingyun. He should be thanking it!
He should make it more delicious food, buy it more beautiful clothes, and most importantly, finish filming quickly and take it back to Jing City to find its family!
Why had it been so awkward just now?!
Like someone who had lost an argument, it regretted not being more assertive.
As Wei Yuan plotted how to make Movie Emperor Lu treat it even better, they arrived home.
Lu Dingyun stepped out of the elevator and was about to change his shoes when he paused.
Wei Yuan jumped down from his arms and, seeing what he was looking at, followed his gaze.
The shoe rack, usually filled with men’s shoes, now had a pair of conspicuous silver high heels.
What a rollercoaster!! Thank you for the update!