Doctor Gu’s Orange Cat Boyfriend - Chapter 14

“It’s heading to the study,” Lin Mucí seized the perfect opportunity to divert attention. “Cats are incredibly curious. Best to put away any dangerous items or things you don’t want it to touch.”

“Hmm, there aren’t any dangerous items in my study—just books,” Gu Chaoyu followed behind, extending a natural invitation. “Care to take a look?”

“Sure.”

Lin Mucí was more than happy to oblige, trailing after Gu Chaoyu into the study.

Gu Chaoyu’s study was much as he’d imagined—neat, bright, and carrying a faint scent of ink and medicinal herbs. An entire wall was covered by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, filled with meticulously categorized volumes. From weighty classical Chinese medical texts to the latest medical journals, alongside investment guides and literary classics, the collection spanned an incredibly wide range.

【A scholar’s study… truly something else.】

【Now look at my own shack… Forget it, I won’t look. Comparing people is deadly; comparing goods makes you want to throw them out.】

The orange cat clearly had little interest in the books. It sniffed around beneath the shelves before its attention was caught by a small ornament beside Gu Chaoyu’s desk.

It was a handmade clay figurine, sculpted into a little boy wearing overalls, grinning foolishly while holding an unformed sun in his hand. The workmanship was rough, even a bit crooked—clearly the handiwork of a child.

The orange cat extended its paw, curiously reaching out to poke at the figurine.

“Don’t touch!”

Lin Mucí and Gu Chaoyu spoke almost simultaneously.

Lin Mucí feared the cat might break it—after all, it looked like some kind of important keepsake.

Gu Chaoyu, however, dreaded that his “token of affection,” cherished for so many years, might be ruined by a mere “cat substitute.”

Lin Mucí swiftly scooped up the cat, patting its back gently as he soothed, “No mischief.”

He then looked up at Gu Chaoyu, whose gaze lingered on the doll, softening his expression.

【He seems to treasure this little figurine…】

【Who is this modeled after? Could it be him as a child? It’s actually quite cute.】

【Wait… this little figurine, why does it look somewhat familiar?】

Deep within Lin Mucí’s memory, something seemed to stir. He felt like… he had once molded something similar.

It was during elementary school arts and crafts class, when the teacher taught them to sculpt figures with clay. Back then, he had molded his best friend—that quiet boy who rarely smiled, yet would silently share half his snacks with him.

He still remembered sculpting overalls for that little boy, because his mother had said boys in overalls were the cutest.

A hazy name flashed through Lin Muchi’s mind.

What was it again?

He couldn’t recall. Childhood memories were like photos washed by water, leaving only mottled patches of color.

“This… did you make this when you were little?” Lin Mucí asked curiously, cradling the cat.

Gu Chaoyu picked up the doll, gently stroking its head with his fingertips. His voice carried a hint of nostalgia: “I didn’t make it. It was given to me by someone very important.”

【Someone very important?】

Lin Mucí’s heart sank inexplicably.

【How… important was this person?】

【A family member? Or… a friend?】

【Was it… a female friend?】

He dared not think further, his heart twinging with a sour ache.

Gu Chaoyu heard every flicker of his thoughts, the smile on his lips deepening.

【Looks like my husband has forgotten already. What a silly little thing. This important person… isn’t it you?】

【A husband who gets jealous over me just gets cuter and cuter!】

【Too bad now isn’t the right time. After being absent for so many years, I need to get to know my husband better, make a good impression in front of him, slowly integrate into his life, and make him unable to live without me! Otherwise, right now…】

He didn’t elaborate further, simply returning the doll to its place before turning to look at Lin Mucí.

“It’s getting late,” Gu Chaoyu glanced at his watch. “Want to stay for dinner? I’ve got some leftovers in the fridge.”

“Huh? No… no need!” Lin Mucí was startled by the suggestion and waved his hands hastily. “I… I have to finish my manuscript tonight. My editor’s breathing down my neck!”

【Stay for dinner?!】

【Two men dining alone together… Isn’t this progressing way too fast!】

【No, no, my heart can’t take it. I’ve absorbed too much information today. I need to go home and process it all.】

“I see,” Gu Chaoyu wore a perfectly measured look of disappointment. “Well then, work comes first.”

“I’ll head back then. If the cat… if the cat has any issues, feel free to message me anytime.” With that, Lin Mucí scooped up the cat and practically fled the study.

Gu Chaoyu followed behind him, escorting him to the door.

Lin Mucí was about to say goodbye.

But Gu Chaoyu spoke first,

“It seems to really like being held by you.”

“Huh?” Lin Mucí froze, only then realizing he was still cradling Orange (No. 2)

Gu Chaoyu stepped forward, standing directly before him, looking down at him.

“So, to help it adjust to its new home faster, you can come over more often to hold it.”

His voice paused briefly before adding another sentence.

“You can come anytime you want.”

……

Lin Mucí practically stumbled back to his own place. The moment he closed the door, all his strength seemed to drain out of him, and he slid down the doorframe to sit on the floor.

He hugged his knees, burying his face deep into them, yet his ears burned like ripe peaches.

Everything that had just happened at Gu Chaoyu’s place now replayed in his mind like a slow-motion film, frame by frame.

Gu Chaoyu’s deep voice, his warm breath, the large hand pressed against his back, and that suggestive remark, “It’s very well-behaved.”

【Aaaaaah!】

Lin Mucí screamed wildly inside his head.

【He absolutely did that on purpose! Absolutely!】

【What “lost my balance,” what “just helping you up”? All excuses!】

【And that “anytime you want”! What kind of predatory line is that?! Is that what a proper neighbor says?!】

【What the hell does he think he’s doing?!】

Lin Mucí, a master of disguise, had completely lost his composure. He felt like a shrimp tossed into boiling water, thoroughly cooked through and through.

His fingers trembled as he pulled out his phone and tapped open the chat window with Zhou Yang.