Black uniform shoes clicked against the floor, the sound echoing deep in his mind and heart.

Her dominance moved like polished leather trampling all beneath it—leaving not a speck of dust behind.

Gu Chuan’s eyelid twitched. Calmly, he lied.

“Instant noodles on Pinduoduo—nine yuan twenty a box. Super cheap.”

“You short on cash?”

“No. Just too lazy to make breakfast.”

“So you had a whim, then decided wasting a beautiful morning on food wasn’t worth it… and crawled back to bed.”

Ji Gewei sat behind him.

By his bedside.

“Think whatever you want.”

“You bought a body pillow?”

“Mm. A 1.3-meter-tall ‘loli’—not wearing a thing. Want a peek?”

His tone stayed flat, but tension coiled inside him.

He subtly tightened his arms around Xuechun.

Pressed against his chest, he could hear her faint, suppressed breaths.

Trapped under the covers, her breathing softened into quiet pants.

He wanted to lift the blanket just a sliver—but feared any movement would make Ji Gewei turn.

*As long as I don’t look… she won’t either.*

“You should cut down on anime,” Ji Gewei murmured, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Gu Chuan was a walking contradiction.

Who’d believe it?

Fresh off breaking up with the school’s most famous beauty, An Qianmeng, he was now buried under blankets, clinging to a new body pillow.

*1.3 meters… a loli… does she even have cat ears?*

Xuechun’s long white tail swayed, tapping gently against Gu Chuan’s leg—a sign a kitten might be angry. But Xuechun had never been angry. Only hurt.

*Why must I hide just because this woman came?*

Still, it was her master’s order… and his arms were warm. She’d half-reluctantly curled into them.

*So uncomfortable… suffocating under here… meow…*

Her master’s heartbeat pounded faster.

*Is it… because of her? This woman who barged into our home?*

A strange feeling stirred in Xuechun’s chest. Tears welled. Her shoulders trembled.

Even risking scolding—she had to be heard.

Yet timidly, she softened her voice.

Just a whisper.

“Meow…”

Pitiful. Like a tiny kitten ignored by its owner, raising pink paws to whimper.

Gu Chuan’s heart skipped—then hammered wildly.

Ji Gewei’s sharp ears caught it. Her brow furrowed.

Puzzled, she tucked a stray strand behind her ear. Every gesture, every glance, radiated quiet charm.

“Where did that meow come from?”

Her eyes landed on the cage in the corner, the torn cat food bag, the tiny bowl.

They lit up.

“When did you get a cat? Where is it? Here, kitty… kitty!”

*Call “kitty”—nine out of ten will answer.* Her foolproof method.

Sweat dampened Gu Chuan’s palms.

Why was obedient Xuechun causing trouble now?

Or… was it his fault? Trapped, overheating—cats had little patience. Catgirls, perhaps, even less.

She couldn’t speak. Only “meow” to beg for air.

But the damage was done.

His domineering sister’s full attention had shifted—to the cat.

*She won’t stop until she finds it.*

Gu Chuan blinked fast, weaving words.

“…She’s shy. Probably under the bed. Ji Gewei—even if I’ve no right to say this—the freshman ceremony’s near. Isn’t it… inappropriate for the student council president to linger alone in a junior’s bedroom?”

*Under there: dust, crumpled paper, a few doujinshi from that con I barely glanced at.*

Ji Gewei was too refined to crawl after them.

*She used to make me hunt for hair clips under there… stand right at the exit, looking down.*

*Did she know… I’d see her bunny-print panties? Or… did she?*

“You called my name?”

*Wait—shouldn’t the issue be you, alone with a guy in his room?*

“Don’t bother me. I’m sleeping.”

Gu Chuan yanked the blanket over his head—and met two faintly glowing pupils in the dark.

Eyes brimming with hurt. Tiny claws, sharp-tipped, curling toward his chest.

Her breathing quickened; her petite chest rose and fell like aching sorrow.

His breath hitched. Sweat bloomed on his palm against her slender back.

*Since I shoved her under here… I never asked. Just “be good,” “listen.”*

She couldn’t understand words—only his tone, his face.

And she’d obeyed.

*This isn’t comfortable for her.*

His gaze dropped. Uncertain what she saw.

But in his eyes—concern. Care.

*Permission.*

Catgirls didn’t overthink. Their logic wasn’t human.

Maybe she chose to be spoiled.

Xuechun curled tighter. Breath grew heavier. Chest rose, fell.

Then—clearer, sharper, laced with feline displeasure—

“Mrow~!”

Unmistakably from beneath Gu Chuan’s blanket.

His lie shattered.

*Thanks for the assist, mole.*

Ji Gewei’s expression? Probably priceless.

But Gu Chuan didn’t dare look.

He valued his life too much.