Chapter 22: Business Trip

Ever since Mu Jingyi realized that the cat language confession he had painstakingly learned actually meant “I am gravely ill and about to die,” he became determined to secretly study the confidential language of the Cat Kingdom right beside Ning Jiu.

He recorded conversations between the two cats on his phone and then asked Ning Jiu to translate them.

The phone on the coffee table rang.

The ringtone was Ning Jiu’s soft, sweet voice saying “a mi” (like you), clipped from one of his chats and specially set by Mu Jingyi.

The cat’s voice echoed through the entire living room.

Ning Jiu felt goosebumps rise all over.

Embarrassment and irritation flushed his face.

In the kitchen, Mu Jingyi was experimenting with a new dessert recipe as if he heard nothing at all, letting the ringtone repeat again and again.

Unable to stand hearing his own voice looped endlessly, Ning Jiu grabbed the phone and rushed into the kitchen.

“Sir, your phone is ringing.”

Only then did Mu Jingyi turn around, a smile he couldn’t quite hide curving his lips.

“My hands are wet. Help me answer it.”

Ning Jiu lifted the phone, unlocked it with Mu Jingyi’s face, and pressed answer and speaker.

“Brother Mu! You’ve been so slow answering calls lately!”

A bright young male voice rang out from the other side.

Mu Jingyi glanced sideways at Ning Jiu.

The cat immediately turned his head away to avoid eye contact.

His cheeks, pink like the insides of his ears, were dusted with a faint blush that made him look even prettier.

They understood each other without words.

This human probably let the phone ring longer every day just to hear a few more seconds of that soft, coquettish cat voice.

Mu Jingyi smiled lightly and avoided the question.

“Yubai, what’s up?”

The young man on the other end sounded excited.

“Christmas tradition! It’s my family’s turn to host this year. Brother Mu, you’re coming, right?”

“Of course.”

“Professor Pei’s back. He helped you connect with the district chief in the suburbs. Did he tell you the dinner time?”

Mu Jingyi multitasked smoothly, handling ingredients with practiced ease.

“The day after tomorrow. I’m going on a business trip there tomorrow to take a look.”

The boy cheered.

“Great! It’ll be lively this year. Professor Pei is bringing the omega he’s seeing. Brother Mu, you’ll introduce your omega too, right?”

Mu Jingyi turned and looked at Ning Jiu, who was holding the phone obediently.

His tone softened.

“If he’s willing to come, I’ll bring him.”

“Wow, that tone is so sweet it’s cloying. Alright, see you then! Brother Feng and I will be waiting!”

After hanging up, Ning Jiu lowered his arm and stood quietly behind Mu Jingyi.

“Xiao Jiu, would you like to come with me?”

The nickname felt unfamiliar.

It took Ning Jiu a moment to realize Mu Jingyi meant him.

At home, he was usually just called “cat.”

“I… I’ll go with you?”

Mu Jingyi slid the baking tray into the oven and turned to face him.

“Yes. You’re my only omega.”

To Ning Jiu, omega and cat were different things.

Meiqiu was also a cat, but not an omega.

He remembered what Mu Jingyi had said when he brought Meiqiu home.

They were different.

“Do you want to meet my friends?”

Ning Jiu’s tail swayed nervously.

“I might behave badly…”

“In front of friends, there’s no such thing as good or bad behavior.”

Mu Jingyi dried his hands.

“Besides, even if you just sit there and do nothing, everyone will like you.”

He patted Ning Jiu’s head and began listing softly.

“You’re cute, brave, beautiful, and se—”

His voice stopped abruptly.

The hand on Ning Jiu’s head froze.

The cat blinked, staring at him, waiting for the unfinished word.

Mu Jingyi coughed awkwardly and changed course.

“In short, don’t worry. Everyone will like you.”

Having spent so long in the factory, Ning Jiu felt lost.

He had never been treated so well before.

Receiving so much affection all at once left him overwhelmed.

Mu Jingyi ruffled his hair gently.

“Go rest. Dessert will be ready soon.”

Ning Jiu walked out with the phone.

He turned back and called out, “Sir, can I change your ringtone?”

“No.”

Not only was the ringtone Ning Jiu’s voice, even the morning alarm was the same.

Waking up to that sound made even morning irritation lighter.

The cat pouted but gave up the idea of secretly changing it.

“Cat, I’m going on a business trip tomorrow. If anything happens, call me.”

Mu Jingyi handed him a new phone, already loaded with his number.

“How long will you be gone?”

“I’ll definitely be back before Christmas.”

The house suddenly felt empty.

Each night, only Ning Jiu and Meiqiu remained.

Fortunately, the little ball of fur kept him company.

Normally, Ning Jiu enjoyed playing with Meiqiu.

Most toys worked equally well for both cats.

Except tonight.

Ning Jiu lay on the beanbag chair, his large white tail swaying lazily.

The enormous “cat teaser” caught Meiqiu’s attention.

The kitten chased the swaying tail happily.

Then the kitten’s sharp nose caught a strange scent.

A rich, sweet, creamy aroma.

“Wau, mi wao?” (Boss, are you okay?)

Meiqiu parted the fluffy tail fur and felt abnormal warmth.

He meowed anxiously, nudging Ning Jiu’s limp hand.

Ning Jiu pointed weakly toward a cabinet.

“Nao… ma’a…” (There… help…)

Meiqiu reacted instantly, scrambling onto the cabinet and tugging open a drawer.

He dragged down a plastic bag, stumbling slightly on the way back.

Inside were leftover suppressant injections.

Ning Jiu grabbed one and injected it into his gland without hesitation.

“Wu en… hurts…”

He curled into himself on the beanbag.

The suppressant was strong.

Stronger than ever before.

The attempt to force down the rising heat only made the discomfort sharper.

Still… wanting…

He staggered up, clinging to the wall, and made his way into Mu Jingyi’s bedroom.

The alpha scent in the room had faded after so long.

Half-conscious, he opened the wardrobe and squeezed inside among neatly hung suits and shirts.

He tore open his clothes and pulled down a shirt, covering himself.

“En… sir…”

He bit the collar, voice soft and trembling.

No matter how he tried to soothe himself, relief did not come.

The fine fabric brushed against sensitive skin.

The conflicting sensations tangled together, neither easing nor escalating fully.

He felt miserable and wronged.

Curled among the clothes, he began to cry.

“Wau!” (Boss!)

Meiqiu climbed up with the phone clutched in his mouth.

The screen lit up.

“Sir” was calling.

He shouldn’t answer.

He couldn’t speak normally now.

But the yearning overwhelmed reason.

He pressed accept.

“Cat? Why did it take so long? What happened?”

The familiar voice made him tremble.

“Why aren’t you speaking? Are you okay?”

“Wu… sir… I…”

“Ning Jiu?”

“Cat misses you…”

His voice was softer, more fragile than usual.

Even without knowing the situation, Mu Jingyi was struck silent for a second.

He coughed lightly, forcing composure.

“Be good. I’ll be back very, very soon. Do you want to video call? I miss you too…”

The rest blurred.

Ning Jiu pressed mute.

The screen went dark, reflecting his flushed face.

“Sir…”

The concern in Mu Jingyi’s voice lingered in his ear.

Gradually, the sharp edge of discomfort softened, leaving only a fading wave of exhaustion.

At last, he slumped among the clothes, breath slowing.