Chapter 128: In This Life, You’re Destined to Live with Cats

During the meal with Wen Hairou, Xu Anan realized that Wen was even more talkative than she had imagined and took the initiative to exchange contact information with Gu Yang. If Wen hadn’t taken the lead, Gu Yang probably wouldn’t have asked for her number. Gu Yang accepted out of respect for Xu Anan.

It was getting late, and as a gentleman, Gu Yang offered to drive Xu Anan and Wen Hairou home. Wen said she would take Xu Anan first.

“I’m fine; I usually stay up late,” Wen said.

“I’m sorry, but the route I planned is to drop you off first, then Anan,” Gu Yang replied.

Wen smiled and nodded, opening the car door for Xu Anan to get in first. Xu Anan didn’t think much of it and got in, only to see Wen close the door behind her and take the front passenger seat herself.

Even Gu Yang was momentarily surprised. Normally, when people aren’t very familiar with each other, the two women would sit in the back, as the front passenger seat can imply intimacy. But no one said anything.

Wen explained, “I tend to get carsick, so sitting in the front is better. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all,” Xu Anan waved her hand.

Gu Yang lowered the front passenger window slightly. “Is this okay?”

Wen smiled lightly. “Thank you, this is perfect.”

Although Gu Yang wasn’t particularly fond of Wen, he still drove smoothly to accommodate her, thinking it was basic courtesy.

To Wen, however, this was no ordinary gesture—it was a signal of favor.

When they got out of the car, Wen sincerely thanked Gu Yang again.

“Your driving is excellent. Actually, this is the first time I’ve been in a car without feeling uncomfortable. Thank you so much.”

“Please give me a chance to treat you to a meal one day so I can learn from you about driving,” Gu Yang said.

He was taken aback, not expecting such a response to his small favor. “Actually, it’s quite simple. But if you get carsick, I’d recommend not driving yourself—it’s safer for you and others.”

Rejected, Wen’s smile stiffened. His words sounded reasonable, even like advice, but the subtle sarcasm made her uncomfortable.

“Thank you,” Wen said, then left without even saying goodbye to Xu Anan.

Turning away, her expression instantly darkened.

Xu Anan, sitting in the back, had been barely holding back laughter throughout. Gu Yang reminded her a bit of Jiang Lie, though his sharp tongue was gentler.

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Gu Yang invited Xu Anan to switch to the front passenger seat. “It’s easier to discuss our collaboration this way.”

Since it was about cooperation, Xu Anan couldn’t refuse. Sitting alone in the back would make Gu Yang seem like her chauffeur.

As she moved to the front, Xu Anan noticed something on the floor mat—a lipstick. She picked it up and handed it to Gu Yang with a smile. “Here, this fell onto the mat.”

Gu Yang shook his head. “That must be Wen’s. My car was washed this morning and just came back from the dealership. It’s only carried you two.”

Xu Anan was surprised. “Maybe the zipper on her bag wasn’t closed properly.”

“I’m going to the hospital tomorrow anyway; I’ll bring it to her then.”

Gu Yang started the car. “Thanks for doing that.”

After driving for a while, Gu Yang suddenly spoke. “Anan.”

He paused briefly. “Can I call you that?”

“Of course,” Xu Anan said casually. Besides her friendship with Mr. Gu, they’d be working together, and she thought making friends with Gu Yang was a good idea. More importantly, he had a good character.

With her approval, Gu Yang’s eyes softened into a gentle smile. “Since I can call you Anan, you don’t have to call me President Gu. Just Gu Yang or Ah Yang will do.”

Xu Anan chose the former, feeling that calling him Ah Yang would imply a closer relationship.

“No problem.”

For safety, Gu Yang deliberately slowed the car. What should have been a half-hour trip stretched to over an hour.

Xu Anan felt that Gu Yang was very serious about this collaboration, which made her equally focused.

After getting out, Xu Anan hesitated for a moment before deciding to return to her detached villa. Who could resist playing with cats? Especially so many adorable ones.

She entered, but instead of immediately playing with the cats, she looked upstairs and saw the lights on, confirming Jiang Lie was home. He had said if he was around, the upstairs light would always be on.

Not finding her chubby cat, Xu Anan picked up a Siamese with her left arm, a Ragdoll with her right, and was soon surrounded by a milk-colored cat, a British Shorthair, a golden shaded cat, and a tabby—all vying for attention.

Perhaps due to past abandonment, these cats were particularly clingy.

“I’m back.”

Hearing the noise downstairs, Jiang Lie, who had been waiting with a book for some time without seeing Xu Anan, chose a good angle.

He came down with a look of disbelief.

“Are you planning to live with cats forever?”

“That’s not impossible.”

Surrounded by so many adorable cats, Xu Anan felt like the luckiest person alive. Who else would have so many cats at once? Cats were the greatest healers of the soul.

Jiang Lie raised an eyebrow and whistled.

Immediately, all the cats rushed to him, leaving Xu Anan stunned. She tried to whistle too but couldn’t.

“Have you been secretly training them at home? How else do they obey you so well?”

“Want to know?”

Seeing the mischievous smile on Jiang Lie’s lips, Xu Anan restrained her curiosity and stretched. “No, I don’t. I’m going to take a shower.”

Jiang Lie let the chubby cat in his arms down. “Coincidentally, I haven’t showered either.”

Xu Anan blushed and scolded him. “Stop joking. I’m really tired.”

Jiang Lie feigned innocence. “What are you thinking? There’s more than one bathroom upstairs. You wash yours, and I can begrudgingly come over to give you a back rub to relax.”

“No, I don’t need that! I really don’t!” Xu Anan dashed upstairs like she was escaping.

Behind her came laughter, warm and unrestrained, making her cheeks flush. He was an undeniable flirt, with nothing but lewd thoughts on his mind.

After a while, Xu Anan emerged from the shower to find Jiang Lie already done, sitting and petting the chubby cat.

An idea struck her. She pulled out the plan she had shown Gu Yang from her bag and nervously handed it to Jiang Lie. “Second Master, take a look.”

“What?” Jiang Lie said, still petting the cat.

Xu Anan rolled her eyes. “At least look up at it.”

Jiang Lie finally looked up—not at the document, but at Xu Anan’s fair face. “Can’t you read it to me?”

“Word by word?”

“Not a bad idea.”

Before Xu Anan could protest, Jiang Lie took the papers with a smile.

But after reading, his expression darkened considerably.