Gu Chuan cradled his cat in one arm while scrolling mindlessly through Bilibili on his phone with the other.

Twenty minutes of free time. If he wasted it like this, he’d only feel more drained afterward.

His brain knew better.

But his hands kept swiping down—devouring one hollow, forgettable short video after another until the minutes slipped away.

Compared to that, petting Xuechun at least gave positive feedback, drawing her closer to him.

He tossed the phone aside and flopped backward onto the bed, Xuechun still nestled in his arms.

Xuechun tucked her tiny paws. She felt the urge to knead Gu Chuan again… Wait, that sentence is ambiguous.

It was just kneading. Period.

Don’t project human thoughts onto a little cat—kneading is perfectly normal feline behavior.

And for both Gu Chuan and Xuechun, it was deeply comforting.

After all, Xuechun was so petite—like a kitten barely months old. Her kneading felt like a soft, fluffy massage.

But if it were a twenty-pound orange tabby… well, that sensation would be a strangely intense tingling that steals your breath.

“Meow~"

Master’s belly feels so firm.

Xuechun couldn’t help voicing her thought.

If you misread that, please face the wall in shame, meow~ Obviously, it’s his abs! His abs!

Naturally, Gu Chuan had defined abs. His physique was lean, and wearing only a thin shirt made the texture unmistakable.

Xuechun adored them, chirping frequent, delighted “meows.”

Though Gu Chuan barely understood her cat speech—only catching hints from her tone.

His feigned nap didn’t last. A sharp, urgent *ping* cut through the quiet—the only contact he’d set for priority alerts.

Ji Gewei.

Without hesitation, he snatched the phone, unlocked the screen.

Ji Gewei: “…I suppose I have no choice but to accept this reality.”

Ji Gewei: “How’s life with the catgirl?”

“…"

Gu Chuan had expected her to fixate on Qiu Muzhe’s public confession during the freshman ceremony.

But if she knew Qiu Muzhe now lived right next door…

How would she react?

A mischievous flicker crossed his mind.

He hesitated—then dismissed it. Not dislike. Just… not his style.

Gu Chuan: “She’s obedient, helps with chores, and is napping on my stomach right now.”

Ji Gewei: “Heh. Like keeping a little maid… I’ll keep it quiet for you.”

Ji Gewei: “But—is she in catgirl form or kitten form?”

Predictably, she still worried about a petite, lovely girl clinging to her younger brother.

Gu Chuan: “Kitten.”

Ji Gewei: “Figured out the transformation pattern?”

Gu Chuan: “No. Heading to school. Where are you?”

Ji Gewei: “Student Council office.”

Gu Chuan: “Then… you must be working hard, President.”

Ji Gewei: “I wouldn’t be if you’d joined the Council. I’d nurture you… even pass my position to you…”

Gu Chuan: “Just accept I’m a lost cause, Ji Gewei.”

He sent it with a wry chuckle.

The chat showed *typing…*

But before she finished, he powered off the phone.

He drew a slow, deep breath—filling his lungs—then released it gently.

“Xuechun.”

She hopped off his stomach, scampered to her food bowl, and buried her face in kibble. *Crunch, crunch.* Her tiny teeth worked happily.

Gu Chuan changed, packed his bag, and headed for the door.

A familiar knock echoed.

His expression stayed calm, as if expected. Slipping on indoor slippers, he reached the door just as it sounded again—

accompanied by a soft, melodic voice through the wood:

“Senior, time for school.”

Qiu Muzhe.

She knew her boundaries.

She’d walk him to and from school, never intruding beyond that.

In time, she wove herself into his routine—a quiet, steady presence.

Gu Chuan slipped on his shoes in the narrow entryway and opened the door.

The moment she saw him, Qiu Muzhe’s cheeks flushed crimson like a shy maiden.

“Mew~"

Xuechun darted to the doorway, circling Gu Chuan’s feet with insistent meows—pleading him to stay.

“Is this your cat, Senior? So adorable!”

Every gesture and expression mirrored an ordinary girl enchanted by cuteness.

Gu Chuan didn’t engage her warmth.

Instead, he knelt gently, stroking Xuechun’s head.

“I’m leaving. Be good. Wait for me at home.”

“Senior’s so gentle! What’s her name? Can I…?”

“Meow-roar!”

“No.”

They answered almost in unison. On this, master and cat stood firm.

She’d never let strangers touch her.

The woman this morning… this one at noon…

Was Master always surrounded by women?

*So* annoying for a cat!

(Though her irritation targeted only them—never Gu Chuan.)

Qiu Muzhe’s smile—genuine or not—froze for a heartbeat.

To ease the awkwardness, Gu Chuan added lightly:

“She only bonds with me. She’ll bite anyone else.”

On cue, Xuechun bared her tiny fangs in a playful threat.

She truly understood him.

Telepathy?

Since meeting Xuechun, Gu Chuan had started believing in the mystical.

“Mm… What a pity. I’ve always wanted a kitten.”

Her tone brightened swiftly after a flicker of disappointment.

“Then why not?” Gu Chuan asked softly, rising.

As the door closed, he waved through the narrowing gap to Xuechun.

Parting with a clingy kitten hurt—but duty called.

“Because my longing to pet cats is outweighed by the responsibility of raising one.”

They walked side by side toward the elevator.

“So you weigh costs and benefits clearly.”

“Then why,” Gu Chuan asked, blunt as ever, “does someone so rational choose to approach me?”

“Because my feelings for you, Senior,” Qiu Muzhe replied without pause, her eyes clear and sincere, “surpass everything.”