Chapter 4: Redoubling Efforts

Between his own butler and a strange stray cat, which was more important? If left to Jiang Xiaoyu to choose, he would definitely pick the former. Moreover, after calming down, he felt that he was the one at fault first.

After all, the other party didn’t know he had turned into a human, so naturally didn’t know he’d have such a big reaction to getting his butt groped. Counterattacking after being attacked was perfectly normal—he’d even clawed back himself, hadn’t he? Jiang Xiaoyu tried hard to console himself, but he still couldn’t hide his frustration.

Over there, Ye Lian watched with great interest as the cat’s newly perked-up ears drooped listlessly again. This simple, straightforward reaction was intriguing. He spread open the towel and drawled slowly, “Little kitty, come here.”

Jiang Xiaoyu glanced at him, and sure enough, he walked over from the dryer.

This time, the other man didn’t spout any more flowery words that made his paws itch to scratch. He just carefully and gently wiped down his body.

Watching the cat body under his control obediently, Ye Lian’s rippling eyes curved slightly. “Poor little thing, what to do if you can’t come inside?” He was referring to his mission, but Jiang Xiaoyu thought he was just talking about not being able to adopt him.

Jiang Xiaoyu was human after all, not really needing to be adopted by him—it was just that he had to complete this mission. He hesitated and meowed, “How about I go back to the place where you were running and pull another scam on you?” He’d seen plenty of similar stories online: someone encounters a cat or dog and struggles over whether to adopt it, saying to it, “If I see you again, I’ll take you home.”

Usually, these stories ended with them meeting again and getting adopted. Jiang Xiaoyu perked up at the thought. He rubbed his head back and forth in the towel, then said, “If one day doesn’t work, try two; if two doesn’t, try three. No one could be so heartless to a little kitty, right?” He was full of confidence.

Ye Lian laughed. This little guy’s thought process was refreshingly simple. He draped the towel aside and sighed lightly. “Sigh, Uncle here really wants to take you in, but you just had a fight with Uncle Chen. I have to consider his feelings.”

Jiang Xiaoyu tilted his head, thought for a moment, and figured the man had a point. From the current situation, Ye Lian could accept him—if Uncle Chen could too, then it should be fine.

It looked like he needed to switch scam targets. “Alright then, let me think about it.” With that, he shook out his now dry and fluffy fur and ran off toward the courtyard entrance.

In the time that followed, Ye Lian observed the little cat through the courtyard surveillance cameras.

“Should I say you’re obedient or just stubbornly thick-headed?” He tapped on Jiang Xiaoyu on the screen. “You’re just a cat—if I don’t let you in, you won’t come in? Even if you snuck in at night, who’d know? Are you really a cop and not some kindergarten kid?”

Ye Lian’s lips curved slightly. “Interesting.”

Jiang Xiaoyu had no idea what Ye Lian was thinking. His own plan was simple: the man had said no entry, so sneaking in rashly and getting caught would ruin any chance of getting close. Better to be accepted and walk in openly.

He flexed his paws, deciding to help with something he could do to maybe cheer the guy up.

So the next day, on the road delivering supplies up the mountain, Chen Yiqu ran into this curly-furred little cat.

The delivery driver set down a delicate basket with a few eggs, wiped his sweat, and asked, “Is this Mr. Ye’s new pet?” Before, when delivering, he’d only seen a Husky—what was this black cat?

Chen Yiqu glanced at the black cat sneaking its head toward the basket nearby, shooed it away with a couple “shoo shoo”s, then turned back to the driver, “No, stray cat that wandered over from who-knows-where.” He bent down to pick up the basket, not giving Jiang Xiaoyu a chance to approach.

“It looks pretty nice—how’s something this pretty a stray?” The driver’s warehouse had rats; a cat would be handy. He squatted down and whistled at Jiang Xiaoyu. “Come on, follow me.”

“Pretty where?” Chen Yiqu shot Jiang Xiaoyu a glance, recalling his boss’s words that this cat was a shapeshifter spy investigating a case. He cut off the driver’s action. “Alright, goods are placed—head out.”

The driver wasn’t surprised; folks here valued privacy. Normally, deliveries were handed off at the drop point to whoever came to receive them—this was his first time going up the mountain.

Once the man left, Jiang Xiaoyu crept forward stealthily, head low to the ground, trying to grab the stuff.

Chen Yiqu watched his sneaky probing and felt the theft vibes strongly. He grumbled disdainfully, “You’re smaller than the box—think you can carry that? Go on, don’t make trouble.”

This went on for several days: Jiang Xiaoyu tried carrying veggies (rejected), picking up trash (rejected), dragging the hose (rejected). This old butler was impervious; Jiang Xiaoyu was stumped. He didn’t like dealing with people to begin with—forcing it and getting the cold shoulder anyway, he slunk dejectedly into the woods halfway up the mountain, changed back into his hidden clothes, pulled out his phone, and glanced at the cat-and-dog screensaver.

He lived in the suburbs; Ye Lian’s place was in the opposite direction’s mountains. Though same city, the distance was practically cross-city. In low spirits and really missing home, he ended up taking a ride back.

Entering the yard, he was surprised the cats and dogs weren’t there. Such hot weather—had they all run off for food? Walking further, he spotted an AC outdoor unit on the brick wall, blasting hot air.

Pushing open the door, he saw a pale yellow leopard with black spots sprawled belly-up on the floor. The pack of cats and dogs, craving the cool but scared of it, huddled in the corner eight yards away.

Jiang Xiaoyu called out, “Master.”

Jin Ge twitched an ear, lifted one eyelid to glance at him, yawned hugely, and asked, “Didn’t I tell you not to come back?”

Jiang Xiaoyu pursed his lips, bent to scoop up the rubbing Little Milk Cow into his arms. “Where’d the AC come from?”

Jin Ge scratched an ear with his paw, irritably replying, “Master stole it.” How else? Not buying it—his piddly earnings from odd jobs all went to feeding these little critters. Couldn’t just tough out this heat.

Jiang Xiaoyu wasn’t afraid of beatings or scoldings, but he hated accepting favors. He pulled out his phone awkwardly. “How much? I’ll transfer it.”

“Save it, will ya? You don’t use AC, but I do?” He knew his disciple’s personality—classic avoidant attachment, always uncomfortable with kindness. The leopard sank down, stretched lazily, and changed the subject. “Deal with your dogs—they’re baring teeth at me. Definitely cursing me out.”

Shapeshifters usually only understood their own species’ language, but Jiang Xiaoyu was special—he got cats and dogs. He reassured the wary dogs in the corner staring at the leopard. “It’s fine—this is my master.” The fluffballs didn’t get “master,” but seeing their boss act like he knew it, they gradually relaxed, scattering to enjoy the cold air blissfully.

Jiang Xiaoyu’s mood lifted a bit. He found Jin Ge’s chat and prepared to transfer: “No money this month—sending a bit first.”

Jin Ge tsked, licked his chops—wanting a smoke. He prowled over cat-like and smacked Jiang Xiaoyu’s shoulder. “Take it back—don’t piss off Master. Spill: why’re you back?”

The transfer had already gone through. Jiang Xiaoyu pocketed his phone and sat down. “Can’t get in.”

“Why? That big house—can’t enter anywhere?”

Jiang Xiaoyu mumbled, “I scratched up Ye Lian’s butler. Sneaking in and getting caught would be worse trouble.”

“Fair enough.” He asked again, “Why’d you scratch him for no reason?”

“He groped my butt and cussed me out.” Jiang Xiaoyu sounded a bit aggrieved.

Jin Ge’s eyes widened as he heard the whole story, then burst into exaggerated laughter. He guffawed, doubling over, tail thumping the floor boom-boom. Jiang Xiaoyu fumed, shifting to cat form to pounce and grab his ear.

“Alright, alright.” The leopard wiped tears from his eyes, scooped up Jiang Xiaoyu with a big paw, pinning him down to lick his fur. “Your awareness sucks, kid. Cops gotta do anything for a successful undercover op, right?”

Jiang Xiaoyu muttered, “Wasn’t my choice…” He recalled high school, being sweet-talked into police academy: study it to better protect animals, even help make protection laws. That hooked him. Only in uni did he learn ideals and reality were worlds apart. Legislation? Law school might be faster.

“Say that again!” Jin Ge smacked him once more. “Young punk, always so negative.”

Jiang Xiaoyu wriggled free indignantly. “It is what it is.”

Jin Ge eyed him. “Then quit. Do whatever you want.”

Jiang Xiaoyu clammed up, thinking stubbornly: I’m only sticking it out for the paycheck—not ’cause I like being a cop.

“Brat.” Jin Ge snorted at him. “Hurry back—shamelessly worm your way in.”

Jiang Xiaoyu dove into the nearby fluff pile, letting out a big meow. “That butler’s impossible—whaddya want me to do?”

Meanwhile, that impossible old butler was standing by Ye Lian, serving tea.

“Where’s that cat?” Ye Lian asked.

“Given up, probably—haven’t seen it since afternoon.” Chen Yiqu eyed his boss’s face. “Should we notify upstairs to deal with him quick?”

Ye Lian lowered his gaze without a word, using the lid of his teacup to skim the surface before taking a shallow sip. Chen Yiqu probed the thoughts of this tiger-like lord, carefully choosing his words: “Young Master, are you thinking of letting him in? But his intentions are impure. If we really let him in and he causes some entanglement, it won’t be good for our reputation.”

Ye Lian laughed. “What kind of entanglement could he cause? But after all, he did scratch you. I’ll go with whatever you say.”

Chen Yiqu understood. He had watched Ye Lian grow up, so his understanding of him wasn’t a perfect ten out of ten, but seven or eight out of ten was within reach. These words meant he was interested in this person and wanted to see how others handled it naturally, just for his amusement.

“I understand.” He refilled tea for his master.

Thus, the next day, under Jin Ge’s oppressive authority, Jiang Xiaoyu rallied his spirits and prepared to try again. The moment he encountered the old butler, he heard him call out, “Little Slob, come here.”