A Stray Kitten’s Dilemma

Jiang Yan placed the bowl on the nightstand, choosing not to force Lin Yu.

Lin Yu sensed Jiang Yan’s anger. Although the man maintained a gentle smile, Lin Yu knew his mood had been affected by him.

Feeling deeply uncomfortable, Lin Yu disliked causing discomfort to others because of himself.

He bit his lower lip, then reached for the bowl and took a small sip of the thick porridge.

The taste was indeed good, yet he had absolutely no appetite; the mouthful of porridge stubbornly refused to go down his throat, making him feel an overwhelming urge to vomit.

Nevertheless, he willed himself with fierce determination not to further trouble Jiang Yan.

‘He had already been so thoughtless.’

After several strenuous attempts, he finally managed to swallow that single mouthful of thin porridge, then spoke again to praise it, “It’s delicious, I’m full.”

Jiang Yan, with the tender solicitude of an old father, felt both relieved and deeply pained. “Even a little sparrow eats more than you. Have a couple more sips, take your time.”

Just then, Jiang Yan’s phone chimed, signaling a WeChat message from Dr. Wang.

He tapped to open it, a slight frown creasing his brow.

Dr. Wang: [My curiosity got the better of me, so I snuck a peek at your computer.]

The second message immediately followed: [To use a somewhat inappropriate analogy, this handsome little boy is especially like a stray kitten you’ve brought home. Highly wary, he doesn’t trust you, reacts with stress in unfamiliar surroundings, and acts fierce despite being so soft. After smashing the bowl, he worries you’ll hit him and tries obediently to appease you. Kind of cute, isn’t he? Seriously, what’s going on with you? Why are you so invested in him?]

Jiang Yan let out a self-deprecating chuckle as he replied, [I’m also worried I’m developing some immoral thoughts. In my 28 years of life, no one has ever captivated me like this. What should I do? Are you well-versed in psychology, Dr. Wang? Give me an analysis.]

Watching the monitor, Dr. Wang chuckled, then replied, [Unbelievable! The sole heir of the Jiang family, a scion of a wealthy house, the great Film Emperor Jiang has fallen in love at first sight? If I tip off the paparazzi, will I make a few million?]

Jiang Yan earnestly sought his help: [Is this what love at first sight feels like? I feel it’s more largely compassion.]

Dr. Wang: [Perhaps. How would I know what you’re thinking? But I do want to say, if you don’t like him, let me pursue him.]

Jiang Yan: [Get lost.]

Dr. Wang: [I’m very serious about relationships!]

Jiang Yan: [Dr. Wang, you’re fired.]

Dr. Wang: [Hey, hey, hey! I’m certain now, you’ve definitely fallen in love at first sight! Look at you! Aren’t you ashamed?]

Jiang Yan: [I’m happy to!]

His foul mood was largely dispelled by Dr. Wang’s remarks. He put down his phone to look at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu quickly averted his gaze, his cheeks flushing instantly.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yan was rather pleased to see the poor little thing secretly looking at him. “Have you counted how many eyelashes I have?”

He teased.

Lin Yu’s face grew even redder.

He turned his head away, remaining silent.

He deeply admired Jiang Yan’s appearance. In the past, when he couldn’t see him in person, he loved to stare at videos of him repeatedly. Now… he couldn’t help but stare in a daze while Jiang Yan was messaging.

“You’re very handsome, but I don’t have any improper thoughts. It’s just… I never dared to imagine my idol would be so kind to me,” Lin Yu awkwardly explained.

His admiration had always been pure, a heartfelt appreciation.

It concerned nothing else.

“I’m your idol?” Jiang Yan grew even happier. “Since when have you been a fan of mine?”

He had found a topic for conversation.

“Three years ago, when I first came to the city, there was a very tall building, and an entire wall displayed a huge advertisement of you holding a watch. That was the first time I ever saw you,” Lin Yu recounted, turning his head, rubbing his reddened ears, and glancing at Jiang Yan, who was eagerly awaiting him to continue. “Your eyes held starlight, so bright, imparting a sense of unwavering conviction to move forward.”

“Love at first sight for me?” Jiang Yan’s eyes crinkled with a smile.

“No, not really… it’s not that kind of liking. It’s just… I just thought you were very handsome, very pleasant to look at, someone not easily forgotten once seen, someone you’d want to glance at a few more times.”

‘How could he dare to like Jiang Yan? He wasn’t worthy. He was a bumpkin who hadn’t seen the world, hadn’t read many books; how could he harbor any thoughts about Jiang Yan? Secret admiration was enough.’

‘Now… he felt utterly defiled, as if his secret admiration alone would taint Jiang Yan.’

Having said this, his mood dipped slightly once more.

Jiang Yan watched him curl up, pulling his knees to his chest, and felt that Dr. Wang’s “inappropriate” analogy was, in fact, quite apt.

Lin Yu truly resembled a stray kitten that had been harmed, harboring suspicion towards humans yet yearning for genuine affection.

He wavered, lost in the dilemma of whether to trust others or to flee and hide alone, his face etched with confusion.

“Lin Yu, do you have a place to stay in H City?” Jiang Yan surmised he did not.

Lin Yu remained silent.

Jiang Yan took his silence as confirmation. “I’m in need of someone to look after my house. Would you be interested in this job? The salary is one hundred thousand a month.”

“One hundred thousand?” Lin Yu’s eyes widened slightly. Such a high salary?

“Then how about two hundred thousand?” Jiang Yan offered. “The villa is quite large, and it might be a lot for one person to manage. Three hundred thousand a month would also be fine.”

“No, no, no… that’s too much,” Lin Yu quickly shook his head. “I really do need a job, but I’ve never worked since coming to H City. I might be very clumsy, but I’ll diligently learn how to look after the house.”

Jiang Yan successfully used this method to keep Lin Yu, feeling delighted.

“How does one ‘look after’ a house? Do I clean it every day?” Lin Yu asked earnestly.

“There are dedicated cleaning staff; you won’t need to clean,” Jiang Yan clarified. “You’ll be given your specific duties when the arrangements are made. It won’t be difficult.”

“Oh… okay,” Lin Yu nodded, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes. “Then I’ll start work now.”

Jiang Yan chuckled aloud; he was simply too adorable.

“Work in the middle of the night? We’ll work six hours a day, during the daytime.”

His phone rang at an inopportune moment. Jiang Yan glanced at it, and it was Dr. Wang again.

Dr. Wang: [Film Emperor, your emotions are showing too much! Your public persona is about to collapse!]

Jiang Yan: [Stop watching the surveillance! Do you understand privacy?]

Dr. Wang: [Surprised cat.jpg]

Dr. Wang: [Privacy between you and me? I’ve examined your most private parts.]

Jiang Yan: “…”

Jiang Yan: [Are you so eager to be fired?]

Dr. Wang: [Hey, how did I instantly return to the bedroom? Who am I, where am I? Hahahah.]

Jiang Yan sent a furious panda holding a knife emoji and ignored him.

“Lin Yu, listen to me, you need to be careful with this Dr. Wang. He’s smooth-talking and loves to tease. If he says anything unnecessary to you, don’t indulge him.” Jiang Yan gestured. “After you hit him, I’ll hit him too.”

“Mm,” Lin Yu nodded, responding obediently.

But suddenly, he clutched his forehead, his face contorted in pain, letting out a pained groan, before curling into a ball. “It hurts so much.”

His voice trembled violently.

“Lin Yu!” Jiang Yan was caught completely off guard.

Lin Yu’s forehead began to bleed again under his own pressing.

“It hurts so much… it hurts so much…” Lin Yu’s voice was laced with a sob, and his entire body began to twitch faintly.

“Wang Jian! Dr. Wang!” Jiang Yan pried Lin Yu’s hands away, preventing him from unconsciously scratching himself due to the immense pain.

Hearing Jiang Yan’s frantic cries, Dr. Wang’s professional instincts kicked in, and he rushed in, carrying his medical kit.

“What’s going on?” He surveyed the scene in the room, then quickly moved to help restrain Lin Yu from harming himself.

“It hurts so much… it hurts so much…” Lin Yu’s voice was weak, pitiable and helpless.

“This won’t do; his condition requires hospitalization. I can’t manage this alone; my equipment is insufficient for examination,” Wang Jian stated with a grave expression. “We need to go to my father’s private hospital.”

“Alright!” Jiang Yan lifted him, even as Lin Yu’s fingernails dug fiercely into his arm.

“Hiss…” It truly hurt. Jiang Yan gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as he carried Lin Yu to the car, then sped through red lights, rushing towards Wang Jian’s father’s hospital.