Winning over the Novel's Male Second Lead

Given that I was just a junior assistant, my resignation request was approved swiftly, and I only had to wait five days before I could leave.

By the time I finished handing over all my work, it was already evening, and the entire company was silent.

Just as I stepped out, a sudden pang of anxiety hit me, making me break out in cold sweat.

An internal system or mechanism informed me that this was the emotional turmoil I had to face before returning home.

I stumbled to find a chair and sat down, watching cars speed by in front of me. Suddenly, I remembered the little cat waiting at home.

The cat was the first living creature I saw after my initial failed mission.

Although we were strangers at first, it greeted me by lifting its tail in a friendly greeting and meowing as it circled around me.

It instantly rejuvenated me and was a symbol of companionship in my loneliness before Gu Yunshen liked me again.

Without it, I might have already broken down.

The system mentioned that I couldn't take it with me when I leave.

Therefore, I needed to find someone who truly loved it within five days, ensuring that it would live happily even in my absence.

Once my heart settled, I hurriedly hailed a taxi and rushed home.

It had been a while since I last returned home, and as I unlocked the door from memory, I sensed something was off.

I looked down and noticed that the slippers I always kept to the side were missing.

As I scanned upwards past the shoe cabinet, the bouquet of orange flowers that was supposed to be there had vanished, replaced by a pot of succulents.

In that instant, I thought of Song Zhixia, who was allergic to flowers and had a fondness for succulents.

Looking further into the distance, the photo of Gu Yunshen and me had been swapped with one of him and Song Zhixia.

All these signs pointed to Song Zhixia having moved in.

But she hated cats.

Realizing this, my eyes widened in panic, and I rushed to the room where the cat stayed.

"Sui Sui!"

I flung open the door, calling out its name.

The cat that used to respond instantly was silent.

And I discovered that the entire room had been converted into Song Zhixia's dance studio, with mirrored walls and exercise equipment.

The cat was nowhere to be seen.

Frantically, I searched every corner of the house, calling out for it, hoping it was just hiding out of fear.

But it was nowhere to be found.

An overwhelming anxiety gripped me, my hands trembling uncontrollably.

In my disoriented state, I heard a click from the entrance, followed by a soft moan.

I saw Gu Yunshen, his face slightly flushed, holding Song Zhixia by the waist, his head buried in her neck.

Finding his tie too tight, he yanked it off with his other hand.

Song Zhixia, her eyes dreamy, smiled at Gu Yunshen, slowly beginning to undo his buttons.

Their breathing was so heavy that even I, standing a short distance away, could hear it.

"Yunshen!"

Just as Song Zhixia was about to remove Gu Yunshen's shirt, she caught my gaze.

"Why is there someone in the house!"

Gu Yunshen frowned deeply, clicking his tongue in annoyance as he hastily put on the jacket lying on the floor. His eyes glared at me as if he wanted to devour me, but upon recognizing me, the flush on his face faded, and he stood frozen.

"How... are you home?"

I walked over slowly, softly questioning him.

"Where is my Sui Sui?"

Gu Yunshen furrowed his brows, seemingly having no recollection.

"What's Sui Sui?"

"My little cat, a golden-hued cat!"

I stared at him intently, my fists clenched tight, my voice rising.

Gu Yunshen casually released Song Zhixia's hand, indifferent.

"It's just a cat. No need to get so worked up. If you can't find it, just keep looking. Yelling at me won't help."

In a fit of rage, I raised my hand and slapped him.

Song Zhixia shrieked and immediately pushed me away.

"I was the one who got rid of that cat. If you're angry, take it out on me."

Out of sheer frustration, I slapped her too.

"What right do you have to touch it? It's not yours!"

Tears fell alongside my actions, and for a moment, my hands and feet felt terrifyingly cold.

"Where did you throw it?"

I grabbed her collar.

My little cat has always been timid, never daring to venture outside.

That's why I set up a room for her, so she could play freely.

Now, she's missing.

I can't bear the thought of her huddled somewhere, trembling with fear.

"Speak up!" I glared at her intensely.

"Enough!" Seeing Song Zhixia's cheeks flushed from my grip, Gu Yunshen quickly pulled my hand away.

"If the cat's gone, it's gone. It's just a creature. At worst, I'll just get you another one!"

"I only want my Sui Sui!"

I pushed his hand away, my eyes reddening.

I remembered how, in the past, he looked at this little cat with nothing but affection.

Back then, he knew Sui Sui was more than just a pet to me—she was family.

"In the future, Sui Sui will be my cat too, and I'll love her just as much."

Sui Sui was attached to both of us.

Yet now, he had heartlessly conspired with others to abandon her.

Anger coursed through me, and I slapped him again.

"She's not just any animal!

She's my family, the most important family!"

Perhaps my tears fell uncontrollably, as Gu Yunshen seemed at a loss for words, his tone softening considerably.

"Alright, I'll help you find her.

Please stop crying."

The little cat had been forcibly taken by Song Zhixia.

I saw the tiny creature clinging desperately to the ground, crying out in distress.

But Song Zhixia, with a merciless glint in her eye, ignored the cat's pleas and shoved her into the car, slamming the door shut.

I stared at her coldly.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Song Zhixia averted her gaze, guilt evident.

"The animal shelter... "

The road to the animal shelter was long and riddled with potholes.

As soon as Gu Yunshen's car stopped, I sprang out, muddy water splashing onto my pants, the stench hit me like a wall.

I heard the cries of various animals inside, filled with misery and despair.

Struggling not to retch, I pounded on the door.

"Open up, please!"

Gu Yunshen, holding back his own nausea, stood behind me.

The owner opened the door, displeased.

"What do you want?"

I grabbed his hand urgently.

"Did you receive a small golden shaded tabby cat in the past two days? She's six years old, very small."

He frowned.

"I think so, but... "

"I'm willing to pay whatever it takes to get her back!"

Clinging to hope, my voice was earnest.

"Fine, we've received many cats recently. The newest ones are on the left side. Go check for yourself."

He opened the door wider, stepping aside to let me in.

I nodded repeatedly and rushed in to search.

The place was filled with cats and dogs, all disheveled and dirty, some with untreated bleeding wounds.

The sight made me even more anxious for Sui Sui.

The surveillance footage showed she was taken two days ago, and I had no idea how she'd been since.

With so many cats around, I searched from dawn till dusk but still found no trace of Sui Sui.

I bit my lip hard, afraid my tears would fall.

Gu Yunshen was visibly growing impatient.

"Yunqiao, let's go back. We've searched for so long and haven't found her. She's probably... gone."

"Shut up!" I turned and glared at him, furious.

"My Sui Sui will be fine!"

I refused to believe in some next life for my cat.

I just wanted her to be safe in this one.

Gu Yunshen, rarely seeing me this angry, looked displeased at being rebuffed.

"You've been making such a fuss over a cat."

"Yunqiao, when did you become so unreasonable?"