When the Heartthrob Meets the Cold-Hearted Ex - Chapter 25

Staying overnight was something that became easier with practice.

Tang Yeran quickly settled herself in and moved Yuanbao along with his cat bed to the bedside of the guest room.

Yuanbao adapted to the new environment swiftly, already curled up in his little bed, contentedly grooming himself with an air of calm indifference.

In contrast, Tang Yeran was too excited to sleep, this was her first time raising a cat, and she couldn’t help feeling that this kitten was destined to be hers.

She leaned over the edge of the bed, one hand playfully fiddling inside the cat bed now tapping Yuanbao’s little paw pads, now teasing his tiny tail.

Fortunately, Yuanbao was a good-natured little cat. Despite the harassment, he didn’t extend his claws.

He simply withdrew his tail silently, flicking it against the bed as he continued grooming himself with unruffled composure.

Tang Yeran found it amusing and was thoroughly enjoying her playtime with the kitten, completely unaware of when another person had entered the room.

She followed the shadow by the cat bed and looked up, frowning slightly at the sight of the newcomer. “What are you doing here? You scared me, appearing out of nowhere!”

Su Yang lifted her eyelids, glancing first at the person on the bed, then at the cat in the bed, before speaking unhurriedly.

“I was worried someone might be tempted to bring the cat onto the bed, so I came to check.”

Tang Yeran, her cat-petting mood ruined, retorted irritably.

“Well, now you’ve seen it, my greatest virtue is keeping my word!

“Go on, get out of here. Don’t disturb my Yuanbao’s sleep.”

No sooner had she spoken than Yuanbao, spotting Su Yang, abandoned his grooming and tail-flicking. In a flash, he scrambled out of his bed and padded over to Su Yang, clawing at the hem of her sleep pants in an attempt to climb up.

Su Yang crouched down, plucking Yuanbao off her pants and placing him back in his bed.

As she stroked the kitten’s head, she cast a faintly mocking glance at Tang Yeran.

Her gaze might as well have been a taunt: See? Your Yuanbao seems to like me more.

Tang Yeran: …

Ungrateful little thing. Forgetting who just fed you cat food and nutrient paste!

Tang Yeran, suffering this unfair treatment but unable to take it out on the kitten, could only glare at Su Yang in frustration.

“Since Yuanbao’s given you the chance, hurry up and get him to sleep. It’s late, and I need to rest too.”

Her tone was downright imperious, a far cry from her usual polite “President Su” demeanor.

Su Yang, surprisingly, didn’t seem annoyed. She gently rubbed the kitten’s chin, humming a soft, nameless tune as she did.

Within minutes, she had actually lulled Yuanbao to sleep.

Tang Yeran watched in amazement. She’d only said it offhandedly, never expecting Su Yang to have such a skill.

Su Yang stood up, looking down at the person on the bed. “Your blanket’s slipped off.”

“Ah!” Realizing her current sprawl wasn’t the most graceful, Tang Yeran hurriedly tugged the blanket over herself, unusually silent for once.

Su Yang watched as she bundled herself back up. “Yuanbao’s asleep now. You should rest too. Goodnight.”

Tang Yeran watched Su Yang’s retreating figure and murmured, “Goodnight.”

Then she immediately felt awkward. Whatever, time to sleep!

At the break of dawn, Tang Yeran awoke to warm sunlight and instinctively reached for the cat bed by her side—only to find it empty.

After hastily wiping her face with a towel, she slipped on her slippers and began searching for the cat.

The master bedroom was empty, the bathroom was empty, the living room was empty, and so was the kitchen.

It wasn’t until she reached the balcony that Tang Yeran finally spotted Su Yang lying on a wicker chair with Yuanbao sprawled across her lap, basking in the sun.

The two of them looked so leisurely, as if carved from the same mold.

Tang Yeran: “…”

So much for her supposed germaphobia.

This troublemaker, she knew exactly how to sneak in and steal the cat while she was asleep!

Sensing someone’s approach, Su Yang stroked Yuanbao on her lap. “Have breakfast first. Xu You said she’ll bring the bag over in an hour.”

“Okay,” Tang Yeran agreed, then suddenly wondered: Why was it Xu You delivering the bag?

Without even opening her eyes, Su Yang answered her unspoken question. “She’s familiar with this address.”

Well, that made sense, she supposed.

After finishing her morning routine, Tang Yeran didn’t head straight for breakfast. Instead, she went to grab the nutrient paste to feed the cat.

Su Yang, holding Yuanbao, sauntered over. “Already fed him—cat food too.”

“Oh.” Tang Yeran set the nutrient paste aside and reached for the hydrogen peroxide instead, only to be interrupted again.

“Medicine’s already applied. It’s nine in the morning.”

“Ah.” A pang of defeat hit Tang Yeran. As the owner, she wasn’t doing her job well—Su Yang had beaten her to everything.

She glanced at Yuanbao in Su Yang’s arms. The little guy was purring with his eyes half-closed, completely ignoring her.

Even more defeated now.

She reached out to pet Yuanbao’s head, hoping to salvage some affection.

But Su Yang sidestepped, keeping the cat out of reach. “Wash your hands first, then eat.”

Tang Yeran held a sandwich in her hand, but her gaze remained fixed on Yuanbao in Su Yang’s arms.

In ancient times, Cao Cao held the emperor hostage to command the nobles. Now, Su Yang held Yuanbao hostage to command Tang Yeran.

With Yuanbao in Su Yang’s hands, she had to obey, no snatching allowed, since this was the kitten’s own choice.

Finally, after finishing breakfast and cleaning up, Tang Yeran got her chance for some quality time with Yuanbao.

She lifted the kitten by its armpits, letting it stand on her lap. “Yuanbao, did you miss me?”

Yuanbao blinked his big round eyes. “Meow~”

“I knew you missed me! Such a good boy.” Tang Yeran raised him up, leaning in for a kiss.

Just as her lips were about to meet fur, a pale, jade-like hand blocked her path.

Tang Yeran couldn’t stop in time her lips landed squarely on Su Yang’s palm.

A faint itch spread across Su Yang’s skin, though her expression remained calm. “He hasn’t been bathed. And he has ringworm.”

Tang Yeran recoiled as if electrocuted, flushing with embarrassment and anger.

“Who said I was really going to kiss him? I was just pretending! Now Yuanbao will think I’m rejecting him—do you know how much psychological damage that does to a kitten? You’re the worst!”

She snatched a tissue and scrubbed her lips furiously.

The friction left them red as blood, stark against the white tissue like a blooming datura flower.

Su Yang’s eyes darkened. Without a word, she turned and walked to the study.

Watching her leave in silence, Tang Yeran wondered for a moment if she’d been too harsh.

But she quickly dismissed the thought.

Fine. Maybe it was better not to see each other right now.

One stayed in the study, the other in the living room, each occupied with their own tasks.

Until half an hour later, when Xu You knocked on the door.

Tang Yeran went to open the door and saw Xu You wearing an eye-catching light pink shirt that paired rather peculiarly with her white blazer.

Xu You handed her the bag. “Check if anything’s missing.”

Tang Yeran gave it a quick glance—ID and keys were inside—then closed it. “Everything’s here. Thanks, President Xu.”

“Good. Now that I’ve delivered it, I’ll take my leave.” Xu You turned to go but was stopped.

“President Xu.” Tang Yeran’s gaze lingered on that garish shirt, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. “Aren’t you coming in?”

Xu You waved without looking back. “No, I have things to do.”

Tang Yeran watched as Xu You stepped into the elevator, only to hear a cool voice beside her.

“She’s long gone, yet you’re still staring. If you miss her that much, you could’ve walked her out.”

That trademark sarcasm could only belong to Su Yang. This time, Tang Yeran ignored it and reached out to stroke Yuanbao in Su Yang’s arms.

“I was just thinking. President Xu’s shirt was a bit.”

Su Yang had come out late and only caught a glimpse from the doorway. “It was definitely different from her usual style.”

Tang Yeran suddenly smacked her forehead.

“I remember now! Wasn’t that one of the shirts An Xin bought yesterday while shopping?

“I thought the color would be hard to match, but she actually gave it to President Xu. Those two, tsk—”

Su Yang glanced at her sideways. “You’re that interested?”

Tang Yeran faltered. “Aren’t you? President Xu is your friend, isn’t she?”

Su Yang lowered her head, idly teasing Yuanbao with a finger.

“I’m not as nosy as you. They’re adults, they can take responsibility for their own choices.”

Tch. Cold as ever.

Tang Yeran reached for Yuanbao. “Come here, Little Gold. Don’t stay with that ice block.”

But Yuanbao, as if not understanding, clung stubbornly to Su Yang’s sleeve with both paws.

Tang Yeran: “…”

Why was even the cat giving her the cold shoulder now?

In just one night, Little Gold had already joined Su Yang’s side.

Heartbroken, Tang Yeran left with reluctant steps, turning back every few paces. “I’ll leave Yuanbao with you for now. I’ll come pick her up in a couple of days.”

“Only if she’s willing to go with you.” Su Yang, as always, was succinct and brutal.

Tang Yeran sighed. “Kittens can feel insecure in new environments. Be nice to her. Don’t bully her.”

“Wasn’t it you who bullied her? You slept in till nine, she didn’t even want you to hold her.” Those pretty lips delivered icy words.

Tang Yeran: o(╥﹏╥)o

“We only got the basics for the cat last night. There’s still more to buy, remember to check for deliveries.”

Su Yang nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll get her things too.”

Tang Yeran kept rambling. “Post updates about Yuanbao on your socials when you can. I want to see how she’s doing.”

Su Yang frowned. “I only have one account personal and work. People might think I got hacked.”

Tang Yeran: (灬 灬)

Su Yang walked her to the elevator and finally said, “We’ll see.””

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