Doctor Gu’s Orange Cat Boyfriend - Chapter 9

“Dr… Dr. Gu? So late… Is something wrong?” He forced his voice to sound low and weak, promptly clutching his stomach with one hand while hunching his body slightly. Perfectly embodying the image of a “patient.”

Outside the door, Gu Chaoyu held a takeout insulated box. Seeing Lin Mucí’s “frail” appearance, his brows furrowed slightly, his tone filled with genuine concern.

“Seeing you like that earlier really worried me. You probably haven’t eaten dinner yet, right? Taking stomach medicine on an empty stomach isn’t good.” He pushed the insulated box forward. “We ran out of millet at home, so I went out and bought you some millet porridge. It’s light and easy on the stomach. Drink some while it’s warm; it’ll make you feel better.”

Lin-Actor-Mucí froze on the spot.

【He… He actually came to bring me porridge?】

【I used such a lame excuse to trick him, yet he didn’t get angry—he even bought porridge and brought it over?】

【How could someone this wonderful exist in this world! Waaah, I want to marry him!】

Overwhelmed by emotion and guilt, Lin Mucí felt a lump in his throat and his eyes stung. He stared blankly at Gu Chaoyu, his mouth opening but no words coming out.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Gu Chaoyu’s voice snapped him out of his daze.

“Ah! Please… come in!” Lin Mucí snapped out of his daze, hurriedly opening the door wide and stepping aside to let Gu Chaoyu enter.

“Eat while it’s hot.” Gu Chaoyu handed the bowl of porridge and a spoon to Lin Mucí.

The grains were simmered soft and tender, the porridge slightly thick and viscous, emitting a clean, sweet rice fragrance.

Lin Mucí mechanically accepted it, sitting down at the table, still completely dazed. He stole a glance at Gu Chaoyu. The man was seated directly across from him, watching quietly, showing no intention of leaving.

【Is he… going to watch me eat?】

【This is so stressful! Should I act like a stomach patient with a healthy appetite?】

【Should I take tiny bites, furrow my brow, and pretend to have no appetite but force myself? Or should I wolf it down, showing gratitude for finally getting food after starving?】

In the end, Lin Mucí chose a compromise. He scooped a small spoonful of porridge, blew on it carefully, then brought it to his mouth.

The warm rice porridge slid down his throat, banishing the chill that had crept in from his earlier nervousness.

【Huh, this porridge tastes so much better than what I usually make myself… Not sure… One more spoonful.】

He couldn’t resist taking another large mouthful.

“Eat slowly, don’t burn yourself.” Gu Chaoyu’s voice was so gentle it could melt butter.

“Mm…” Lin Mucí responded vaguely, his cheeks flushing slightly. He wasn’t sure if it was from the hot porridge or the man before him.

A bowl of porridge, consumed in an atmosphere both sweet and strangely charged, was soon finished. Lin Mucí felt warmth spreading from his stomach to his heart.

“There,” Gu Chaoyu said, watching Lin Mucí. “Now that you’ve finished this bowl, I can rest easy. Get some good rest. Tomorrow, I’ll need to ask you for advice on cat care.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Gu Chaoyu’s voice carried a hook that gently tugged at Lin Mucí’s heart before he turned and left.

Lin Mucí exhaled a long breath, then dashed back to the sofa, snatched his phone, and swiftly found the contact labeled “That Bastard” in his list.

The call connected almost instantly.

“Hello? Mr. Big Shot Writer? Checking up on me in the middle of the night? Your man’s out having a blast, don’t bother…” Zhou Yang’s slacker voice came through, accompanied by loud music.

“Blast my ass! Help! It’s an absolute emergency!”

Zhou Yang seemed to have moved to a quieter spot, his voice clearer now: “What’s up? Getting chased by someone? Or did your manuscript get rejected and you’re ready to jump off a building?”

“Way worse than that!” Lin Mucí spoke rapidly. “I’m sending you a link. You need to go buy that orange cat in the link right now.”

“What the hell?” Zhou Yang thought he’d misheard. “You want me to go get you a cat in the middle of the night? Dude, have you gone mad writing your novel?”

“Don’t ask questions!” Lin Muci stomped his foot in frustration. “Money’s no issue—I’ll pay whatever it takes! Buy it, or just snatch it… No, snatching is out! Whatever it takes, get it to my place ASAP! You know my door code, right? Just walk right in!”

【Please, bro! My lifelong happiness depends on you!】

“Hold on, Lin Mucí, what the hell are you up to?” Zhou Yang was completely baffled.

“Just please, it’s a matter of life and death! It’s about whether I can finally get a boyfriend! If you help me with this, I’ll name the main character in my new book after you!”

“Get lost! Who wants to be the unlucky protagonist in your story!” Zhou Yang grumbled, but relented. “Fine, fine, fine. You’ve got me. I’ll get in touch right now. But I’m warning you if they’re already asleep, I can’t exactly drag them out of bed, can I?”

“Throw money at them! Win them over with sincerity! Anyway, my cat… I mean, my friend… I’m counting on you!”

Hanging up the phone,

Lin Mucí glanced at the time. There was no more delay.

He dashed to the balcony at top speed, took a deep breath, and pictured the orange cat in his mind.

The familiar sensation of weightlessness washed over him as his body rapidly shrank, bones realigning, warm orange fur covering his entire form.

“Meow~”

A light cat’s meow echoed as a plump orange cat deftly leaped onto the balcony railing. With one agile bound, it landed precisely on the neighboring balcony.

He pushed open the slightly ajar balcony door and slipped into Gu Chaoyu’s home.

A warm floor lamp still glowed in the living room; Gu Chaoyu hadn’t gone to sleep yet.

【Phew, made it just in time.】

The plump orange cat strode elegantly to the center of the living room and meowed at Gu Chaoyu, who had just emerged from the kitchen.

“Meow~ (I’m home!)”

Watching the little cat with its strong desire to perform at his feet, a smile involuntarily curved the corners of Gu Chaoyu’s mouth.

He had actually seen everything just now.

The urgent ringing of a phone coming from the neighboring balcony, followed by that tiny orange figure leaping with all its might… Every detail had been clearly etched into his eyes.

【My husband’s plan… is truly… straightforward.】

He bent down, scooped up the plump orange cat, and tickled its fluffy chin with his finger.

“Orange, where did you run off to? Why didn’t I see you when I came back?”

“Meow~ (The guilty cat attempted to bluff its way out with a milky meow).”

Then it comfortably closed its eyes, rubbing its head against Gu Chaoyu’s warm palm.

…

On the other side, Zhou Yang, though full of complaints, was exceptionally efficient.

Armed with his silver tongue and a little “cash power,” he managed to buy that plump orange cat which bore a striking resemblance to “Orange” from its original owner before midnight.

Carrying the cat carrier and humming a tune, Zhou Yang skillfully entered the code for Lin Mucí’s apartment.

“Ci-zi, your life-saving benefactor has brought your life-saving divine cat!”