Chapter 6
Sounds came from the entrance.
The visitor was clearly someone Lu Dingyun knew, because he didn’t even turn his head, simply placing the cloth used to wipe the kitten’s mouth aside and picking up the bowl to wash it in the kitchen.
Wei Yuan was curious who it was.
In its memory, Lu Dingyun was always solitary and aloof, with no close friends in the industry.
Someone who could come to his house early in the morning and knew the code must have a close relationship with him.
Could it be a boyfriend or girlfriend?
That would be explosive news!
Wei Yuan was thrilled.
It craned its neck, all four paws pushing against the cart.
Its eyes were wide, fixed on the entrance, its triangular ears perked up.
Lu Dingyun was about to leave, but glancing over, he was captivated by the sight and couldn’t resist petting the kitten’s head before heading to the kitchen.
The person at the entrance was changing their shoes, their movements quiet, perhaps thinking Lu Dingyun was still asleep.
But the visitor soon rounded the corner and saw Lu Dingyun heading towards the kitchen.
Slightly surprised, they asked, “You’re awake? I thought you were going to rest for a few days.”
Wei Yuan recognized the visitor.
It was a middle-aged man of average height, with a round face and a slight paunch that stretched his smooth shirt, making it shine.
It was Lu Dingyun’s manager, Liu Ying.
He was also the gold-medal manager of Shanshui Entertainment. Every artist he signed became a top star, and every one he mentored became a powerhouse. He was known as the industry’s “Midas touch.”
Before entering the industry, Wei Yuan had met him at a dinner party at a relative’s house. Liu Ying had wanted to sign him then.
But Wei Yuan was only sixteen at the time, just starting high school, and hadn’t considered his future career, so he had declined.
The following year, Liu Ying signed the then twenty-year-old Lu Dingyun.
Unsurprisingly, Lu Dingyun became that year’s biggest dark horse, rocketing to fame with his role as a young general.
Since then, Liu Ying seemed to have semi-retired, not signing any other artists and focusing solely on Lu Dingyun, guiding him to his current position.
Lu Dingyun, already in the kitchen, casually replied, “I didn’t sleep much last night.”
Liu Ying placed his bag on the coffee table and followed him to the kitchen, concerned. “Why not? Insomnia again?”
“No.” Lu Dingyun quickly washed the bowl and spoon, placing them in the pet-specific sterilizer.
“Then what?”
Lu Dingyun dried his hands, a rare smile playing on his lips, his voice laced with emotion. “You’ll see.”
Liu Ying relaxed, chuckling. “What’s so mysterious?”
Lu Dingyun didn’t reply, instead striding out of the kitchen towards the window, bending down to pet the kitten.
The kitten was so well-behaved, quiet and observant, its large eyes darting around, captivating Lu Dingyun.
Liu Ying followed, understanding when he saw the small cart. As he approached, he saw the small, bandaged figure lying on it.
“You picked this up yesterday?” he asked casually, as if it were commonplace.
Lu Dingyun hummed in agreement. “Someone followed me after the dinner last night. I lost them in the old town and found a little tabby.”
“Tabby?” Liu Ying poked Wei Yuan’s small head, puzzled. “This is a cow cat, right?”
“The tabby led me to it.” Lu Dingyun looked at the kitten with tenderness. “It was dying, so I brought it back and operated on it.”
“I see.” Liu Ying wasn’t surprised that Lu Dingyun could perform surgery.
He watched Lu Dingyun, seeing the affection in his eyes for the kitten, and couldn’t help but probe, “Are you sending it to the animal hospital again, or…”
“I want to keep it this time, Uncle,” Lu Dingyun said, looking at Liu Ying.
Uncle?!
Wei Yuan looked back and forth between Lu Dingyun and Liu Ying, shocked.
What uncle?
A nickname, or his actual uncle?
They were related? How had no one uncovered this huge piece of gossip?!
But looking at their features, they didn’t resemble each other at all.
Wasn’t there a saying that nephews resembled their uncles? Lies!
And…
Wei Yuan looked at Lu Dingyun.
Even if Liu Ying were just an ordinary manager, after so many years, they should be quite close, let alone being relatives.
But Lu Dingyun’s attitude towards Liu Ying was only slightly warmer than towards strangers, still tinged with aloofness.
This was completely different from his gentle patience with the kitten.
So, what kind of person was Lu Dingyun, really?
Wei Yuan couldn’t figure him out.
Liu Ying looked at Lu Dingyun, his smile deepening, wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes.
He agreed almost eagerly. “Good, it’s perfect timing since you won’t be as busy anymore. Having a little companion at home will be good for you.”
He knew his nephew was solitary and socially anxious. If not for certain circumstances, Lu Dingyun wouldn’t have chosen to be an actor.
After all, this child preferred the company of animals to humans.
Only when facing these innocent creatures could he truly relax.
This had led to Lu Dingyun’s deteriorating mental state over the years: insomnia, loss of appetite, lethargy, and various negative symptoms gradually becoming more apparent.
He had long advised him to take a break, not to push himself so hard, but Lu Dingyun was stubborn, not even listening to his parents, let alone his uncle.
So, only now, having achieved his initial goals in the industry, had Lu Dingyun finally seen a therapist and decided to take a break from his relentless work schedule.
Lu Dingyun had often rescued animals before, but fearing he couldn’t care for them due to his busy schedule, he had never kept any as pets.
This little cow cat had arrived at just the right time.
Lu Dingyun felt a connection with the kitten.
He looked down and saw the kitten’s eyes darting around, as if deep in thought, looking lively and intelligent. Once it recovered, it would probably be quite a handful.
Thinking of this, Lu Dingyun couldn’t help but smile, his expression softening.
If it was a cute kitten, being a handful was acceptable.
Liu Ying watched from the side, feeling secretly relieved.
He asked with a smile, “Have you named the kitten yet?”
Wei Yuan’s ears perked up, and it immediately looked at Lu Dingyun.
Although it had its own name, it was curious what Lu Dingyun would call it.
Hopefully, it was something nice, or it wouldn’t acknowledge it.
Lu Dingyun smiled. “I have. It’s called Programmer.”
Wei Yuan: “?”
Excuse me?
Who would name a cute kitten something like that?!
Liu Ying: “…”
Liu Ying looked at the kitten sympathetically, but his gaze landed on the bald patch on its head, and he burst out laughing. “Actually, it’s quite fitting.”
Lu Dingyun chuckled softly.
The kitten had been covered in glue, which couldn’t be completely washed off. So, in some areas, Lu Dingyun had shaved its fur.
And there was a bald patch right on top of its head.
Wei Yuan didn’t understand what they were laughing about, but it definitely wasn’t anything good.
It had to protest. It absolutely couldn’t let itself, a handsome cat, be called “Programmer.”
So, Wei Yuan, with its “meow shame,” spoke up.
“Meow, meow!” Not this name!
The kitten’s soft cries attracted the attention of the two humans, who both leaned closer.
Wei Yuan: “…”
They didn’t need to act like they were actually related at this moment.
“You like the name too, don’t you, baby?”
Movie Emperor Lu, oblivious to his questionable naming skills, asked happily.
“Meow, meow, meow, meow!” Like your big head!
The kitten waved its paws frantically.
Lu Dingyun quickly caught its paws, frowning. “Be careful of your wound.”
Wei Yuan’s small flicker of anger instantly vanished.
While it protested, he was still concerned about its injury, making it seem ungrateful.
Although the kitten had been a stray for a week, for some reason, its paw pads weren’t rough at all but soft and incredibly pleasant to touch.
Lu Dingyun’s eyes lit up, and he instinctively squeezed them.
And squeezed them again.
Then, he saw sharp claws slowly extending from the fluffy paws.
He paused, looking up at the kitten.
The kitten narrowed its eyes, staring at its rival with what it thought was a menacing look.
Man, you better know your place. Some places are off-limits.
Lu Dingyun: “…”
Tsk, so cute!
He couldn’t resist, bending down to kiss the soft paw.
Wei Yuan: “!”
