—

Though he didn't understand, Ji Su had a hunch the cat tail wouldn't be simple to put on. He shook his head: 'No, I don't want to know.'

When he shook his head, the little cat ears on top wobbled along with him — unbearably cute.

Gu Zhao took the cat tail from his hand, leaned in to kiss him, and coaxed in a low voice: 'Be good, put it on yourself.'

Ji Su naively thought the tail didn't need to be worn, and bent down to gather up the box: 'Then I'll go to the bathroom to put it on.'

Gu Zhao didn't stop him: 'Go ahead.'

Ji Su walked into the bathroom, set the box on the sink, and began studying how to put everything on.

He knew how to fasten the bell collar — Qiao Jin had taught him before — and he'd worn all manner of lace garter stockings plenty of times; he could do it with his eyes closed.

Ji Su lifted a piece of fabric that looked like a top from the box, blushing as he put it on, then picked up another two-piece piece of fabric.

He examined it carefully in his hands and realized it seemed to be a short skirt, except the front and back were both open…

Ji Su held the flimsy scrap of fabric at a loss, his fair cheeks flushed all the way through — he simply couldn't bring himself to put it on.

Where on earth had Gu Zhao found such strange clothes — and insisted on watching him wear them? Truly such a wicked sense of humor…

Perhaps he'd dawdled in the bathroom too long — Gu Zhao's voice came from beyond the door: 'Can't figure out how to put it on? I'll come help you.'

'No need!' Ji Su's fingers tightened, and he stammered back, 'I-I'm almost done…'

One way or another he'd have to wear it out — he closed his eyes, steeled himself, and put on the last skirt too.

With a click, Ji Su turned the door handle and shuffled out slowly.

Gu Zhao sat at the foot of the bed, lifted his eyes at the sound, and his breath caught instantly.

Before him stood a little cat, snowy white all over, the rouge on its cheeks as pretty and tempting as the cat ears, a bell collar fastened around its slender neck, two thin straps hanging from the delicate hollow of its collarbones, fluffy chest pads barely covering its chest.

His gaze traveled further down — lace ties crisscrossed around the slim, pale waist and belly, fastening down to a two-piece tulle skirt, lace leg bands connecting to white stockings; the middle was completely open, with only one slender, beautiful hand blocking the view, which somehow made it even more inviting in its half-refusal.

It made one want to move that hand aside, then roughly part those long, straight legs, to admire the scenery hidden within…

Ji Su stood barefoot on the floor, his pale pink toes curling inward from embarrassment and unease.

Gu Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed audibly.

'I…' Ji Su lifted his lashes, looking at him pitifully. 'Can I take it off first?'

'No.' Gu Zhao picked up the cat tail behind him. 'You haven't put this on yet.'

Ji Su hesitated, stepping back: 'But there's no way to wear that…'

Gu Zhao said nothing, pulled open a drawer, took out a tube of ointment, and smeared it over the teardrop-shaped metal ball at the tip of the tail.

The large, well-defined hand gripped the long, thick tail, its fingertip constantly circling the small metal ball, while the dark, deep gaze never once left the shy little cat.

Ji Su burned all over under that stare, the vast expanses of pale skin showing flushed, as if steamed by hot air.

Only when the surface of the metal ball grew slick and smooth did Gu Zhao speak: 'Come here.'

Ji Su inched toward him, a vague sense of something wrong stirring inside.

That thing — it couldn't be…

Gu Zhao's patience seemed to have finally run out — he stretched out his arm, scooped the little cat into his embrace, and pressed him down across his lap.

Ji Su lay across those firm thighs, feeling a cold draft behind him, and instinctively began to struggle: 'Gu Zhao, what are you— mmph…'

With a sharp slap, a burning palm came down, making the plump, full buttocks quiver.

Ji Su let out a soft cry from the slap: 'It hurts…'

'Baby, behave.' Gu Zhao picked up the long little cat tail, his voice low and rough. 'Didn't you want to know how to put it on? Let me teach you…'

The little cat was so well-behaved and pretty, only its strength was too small — the soft pink pads of its paws sinking into bulging muscle felt more like a tickle; bullied by the big dog, it could only whimper and cry.

The fluffy little cat tail grew damp, and together with the unceasing jingle of the collar bell, it swayed up and down, swaying until one grew dizzy.

As his vision flashed white again and again, Ji Su suddenly remembered a trick Qiao Jin had suggested.

He lifted his weak, limp arms, looped them around that sweat-damp neck, and called out in a trembling voice: 'Laogong…'

Gu Zhao's large hand on the slim waist tightened abruptly, veins standing out at his temple: 'What did you call me?'

Ji Su was too embarrassed, biting his lower lip and refusing to say it again no matter what.

Gu Zhao's eyes reddened, like a ravenous beast sinking its teeth into its prey…

*

From Friday evening onward, Ji Su spent most of his time in bed — someone gave him water when he was thirsty, fed him when he was hungry, and even bathed him.

It wasn't until Sunday noon, when he woke again and found Gu Zhao not in the room, that he immediately dragged his weak, soft legs back to his own room and locked the door behind him.

Gu Zhao returned to the Main Bedroom and didn't find him, so he came to the Secondary Bedroom door and knocked: 'Baby?'

'I need to work on my drawing assignment.' Ji Su lay sprawled on the soft comforter, replying weakly.

Gu Zhao reached for the door handle: 'Eat something first.'

The handle didn't turn — he laughed: 'Didn't I tell you I have a key? Why did you lock it again?'

Ji Su thought about it and figured that was true, got up, went to the door, opened it, and hid warily behind it: 'You can't come in again.'

'I won't.' Gu Zhao squeezed through, swept him up into his arms, and carried him toward the living room.

After the meal, Gu Zhao carried him back to the room and set him down in the chair at the desk: 'Draw your picture. Call me if you need anything.'

Ji Su tilted his head: 'Are we going back to School tonight?'

'We're not.' Gu Zhao lowered his head and kissed those red, swollen lips. 'I'll wake you tomorrow morning. There's still time.'

Ji Su: 'But I don't want to be late again…'

'You won't be late.' Gu Zhao promised with a smile. 'Tonight I'll let you sleep properly.'

Ji Su was dubious, but chose to trust him one more time.

In the evening, Ji Su bathed first, then lay on the bed scrolling through his phone.

A moment later, Gu Zhao emerged from the bathroom carrying the scent of water vapor.

He lay down on the bed and, out of habit, drew the other into his arms.

Ji Su lifted his face in his embrace: 'Gu Zhao, can I ask you a question?'

Gu Zhao answered absently: 'Mm.'

'Are you…' Before the question was even out, Ji Su's face reddened first. 'Are you maybe a bit… addicted…'

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly: 'Addicted to what?'

Ji Su buried his face in his chest like an ostrich: 'Just… that…'

Gu Zhao didn't answer, just laughed in a low, muffled way.

Ji Su's ears burned: 'Stop laughing.'

'I'm not.' Gu Zhao tightened his arms and kissed the top of his head. 'I'm only addicted to you.'

'Oh…' Ji Su, still a little shaken but with a trace of pleasure, asked softly, 'Then can you hold back a little?'

Gu Zhao pinched the back of his neck and asked: 'Don't you like it?'

Ji Su couldn't lie and say he didn't like it, but he didn't want to give the other more leeway either, so he chose to close his eyes and pretend to sleep.

Getting no answer, the smile at Gu Zhao's lips deepened: 'Since you're not talking, I'll take that as you secretly really like it.'

Ji Su punched him in embarrassed annoyance: 'I'm sleepy, let's sleep!'

*

Monday morning brought the big English lecture, and Ji Su stepped into the lecture hall five minutes ahead of time.

Qiao Jin had already saved a seat and waved vigorously at him: 'Here!'

Ji Su walked over, greeted him, sat down, and pulled out his English textbook from his bag.

With his movement, his shirt sleeve rode up a bit, revealing a slender, fair wrist.

Qiao Jin, sharp-eyed, noticed a ring of red marks on his wrist and asked in a lowered voice: 'Susu, what happened to your hand?'

Ji Su pressed his lips together and exchanged a glance with him.

Qiao Jin understood: 'I get it, Gu the campus heartthrob did it.'

Ji Su flushed and tugged his sleeve down, covering the marks on his wrist.

'Gu Zhao's really fierce.' Qiao Jin clicked his tongue. 'Didn't you follow the moves I coached you on?'

Ji Su: '...'

It was precisely because of that 'husband' that Gu Zhao was more excited than usual and worked him over even more thoroughly.

The red marks on his hands were nothing — his chest and legs were covered in marks too unsightly to name, fortunately clothes could cover them...

Qiao Jin pressed relentlessly: 'Did you not call him, or did it not work?'

Just then, the class bell rang.

Ji Su turned his face away and reminded him softly: 'Class is starting, pay attention.'

Monday evening, the school basketball team had practice; after dinner at the cafeteria, Ji Su parted from Gu Zhao and planned to head back to the Dormitory first.

He walked with Qiao Jin toward the Dormitory, chatting as they went, and spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

Ji Su's steps faltered, his brow creasing slightly.

Qiao Jin wondered aloud: 'How did your brother find his way to School again?'

Ji Su shook his head: 'I don't know.'

Ji Chen spotted him too and ran over in long strides: 'Ge!'

Ji Su stood where he was: 'Is there something you need?'

'Ge...' Ji Chen stopped, hesitated. 'How have you been lately?'

'I'm fine.' Ji Su's tone was cool. 'I've already cut ties with the Ji Family, so you don't need to call me ge anymore.'

'Ge! Are you serious?' Ji Chen grew anxious, raising his voice. 'Dad was just angry in the moment. If you apologize to him, this whole thing will blow over — we're a family forever!'

'Apologize?' Qiao Jin's face was incredulous. 'Are you out of your mind? Why would Susu apologize to that old bastard?'

Ji Chen instinctively defended his father: 'Who are you calling names?'

'I'm calling Ji Zhenghai names!' Qiao Jin stepped forward. 'And not just that — I'm going to call you out too, you little green tea bitch!'

'You—' Ji Chen had never endured such an insult and lunged at him.

Without a word, Ji Su pulled Qiao Jin behind him and shielded him.

Ji Chen's flying fist froze mid-air, his face flushed with rage.

'I'm cursing you out — do you still think you're the innocent one?' Qiao Jin seized the chance and let loose. 'Innocent my ass! Are your eyes blind or your ears deaf? You've been in the Ji Family all these years and you really couldn't see your brother's situation at all? You've got a father who loves you and a mother who dotes on you, you can have whatever you want — what does your brother have?'

Ji Chen's clenched fist loosened as he tried to defend himself: 'I—'

'Do you have any idea that every time you so much as sneeze, your father pushes your brother to handle it? How dare you keep coming to bother your brother? If you liked him, you'd know he's allergic to seafood; if you liked him, you'd know he doesn't want to go back to that Ji Family at all?' Qiao Jin grew more and more furious, not giving the other a chance to speak. 'And you actually have the nerve to ask Ji Su to apologize — what did he ever do wrong? If this is what your liking looks like, your liking is dirt cheap! Let me tell you—'

'Xiao Qiao.' Ji Su cut him off. 'That's enough, stop.'

Qiao Jin closed his mouth, still unsatisfied, and continued to glare daggers at Ji Chen.

He was, after all, only a teenager; Ji Chen's face went pale at the tirade, and he looked at Ji Su with eyes both pitiful and wounded: 'Ge... do you think so too?'

'Xiao Chen, I've told you, this isn't your fault, and I don't dislike you.' Ji Su lowered his lashes. 'But I don't want to have anything more to do with anyone from the Ji Family. Do you understand?'

Ji Chen, clinging to his last hope, asked: 'Ge, will you really never come home again?'

Ji Su's tone was firm: 'No.'

'My mom...' Ji Chen lowered his head, the words coming with difficulty. 'My mom wants to see you. She has something to tell you...'

'What does your mom want?' Qiao Jin couldn't help but interject. 'Is she here to cry crocodile tears?'

Ji Su knit his brow: 'Did something happen?'

From what he knew of Qin Auntie, she could play the part of perfection on the surface, but in her heart she had never once treated him as family.

So Qin Auntie couldn't possibly be here to persuade him to return to the Ji Family — the only possibility was that something had happened to the Ji Family.

'Seems like it, I'm not sure either...' Ji Chen lifted his head, his tone pleading. 'Ge, just go see mom once.'

Ji Su was silent for a moment, then refused: 'The Ji Family's affairs have nothing to do with me. Go back.'

With that, he stepped forward, going around Ji Chen toward the Dormitory entrance.

'Ji Su.' After only a few steps, a woman's voice came from behind. 'Can you give Auntie a few minutes?'

Ji Su turned back and greeted her politely: 'Qin Auntie.'

Qin Auntie's makeup was as immaculate as ever, but it couldn't conceal the weariness in her expression: 'Just a few minutes, I won't take too much of your time.'

Ji Su agreed: 'Alright.'

The two walked aside with unspoken understanding, and Qin Auntie began: 'Susu, your father's company has run into serious trouble. It's on the verge of bankruptcy.'

Ji Su couldn't help being surprised: 'When did this happen?'

'It's complicated to explain, but in short, the company has run into malicious business competition.' Qin Auntie summarized the crisis in a few sentences. 'Several major contracts were snatched away in succession, then they were reported for substandard production and hit with a massive fine — the cash flow is completely broken.'

Ji Su asked calmly: 'Then what do you mean by coming to find me?'

The money owed to the Ji Family had already been paid back by Gu Zhao on his behalf; he couldn't possibly go to Gu Zhao again now to fill the company's holes.

Qin Auntie continued: 'Your father was at his wits' end, and after investigating layer by layer through his contacts, he finally discovered that the one behind it all was someone from the Gu Family.'

Ji Su's heart gave a lurch: 'The Gu Family?'

'Your father couldn't figure it out — the Gu Family and us have no old grudges, no recent conflicts, so why would they strike at us?' Qin Auntie's gaze fixed on him. 'Until yesterday, when your brother let slip that you're good friends with Old Master Gu's grandson, Gu Zhao.'

At this point, the situation was basically clear.

Ji Su also remembered that afternoon during summer break, when Gu Zhao had stood on the Balcony making a phone call to the eldest of the Gu Family — he had probably been talking about this very thing.

'Ji Su, Auntie is begging you, please have mercy.' Qin Auntie's tears came on cue, leaving two pale tracks down her face. 'I know you resent your father in your heart, but he's still your biological father — without him there'd be no you. Can you really bear to drive your own father to ruin?'

Ji Su clenched his teeth and offered no defense.

Whether he knew about it or not, what Gu Zhao did and what he did were no different.

In a sense, they were one.

'If you have any anger, take it out on Auntie.' Qin Auntie stepped closer, reaching for his hand. 'Hit me if it makes you feel better, just as long as you let him off—'

But she didn't even manage to touch a corner of Ji Su's sleeve.

Gu Zhao swept him into his arms in one motion, pulling him back two steps.

Ji Su gazed up in a daze at the man who always seemed to descend from the heavens.

Qin Auntie stumbled, barely steadying herself: 'You're...'

Gu Zhao held the person in his arms with one hand and replied coldly: 'I did it. It has nothing to do with Ji Su. If you have the guts, tell Ji Zhenghai to come find me.'