Chapter 30 “The Pride of Heaven”

Chapter 30 "Heaven's Favorite"

Another sleepless night of passion.

Early the next morning, Zhou Yu rose, refreshed and energetic. He stole a kiss from the still-sleeping Lin Yunshu and quietly slipped out of the bedroom.

The moment he opened the door, a colorful little creature came hurtling toward him.

"I@?%#!"

Zhou Yu cursed under his breath, barely stopping himself in time.

A closer look revealed it was the kitten.

He breathed a sigh of relief—he had almost stepped on the little thing.

The kitten pressed anxiously against his legs, executing a smooth maneuver as it tried to slip through the door crack into its owner’s bedroom.

Zhou Yu coolly shut the door.

"Meow!"

The kitten bared its teeth.

Zhou Yu tsked. "What's your problem with me? Hissing at me first thing in the morning?"

Yu Shu sat crouched by the door, puffed up angrily as it stared at the tall figure, as if blaming him for not letting the cat into the room.

Humans are bad!

This guy had Dad all to himself all night, and now it was daylight, he was out, yet still wouldn’t let the cat reclaim its spot on the bed.

So cruel!

Zhou Yu didn’t say anything. After a moment of standoff between human and cat, he was amused.

This cat was quite cute—even when angry, the corners of its eyes drooped, giving it a sorry expression. The longer he looked, the more it resembled Lin Yunshu.

Zhou Yu chuckled and crouched down, tapping the kitten’s head. "Want to go in?"

The kitten rose on its hind legs, anxiously raising its front paws.

"Hmm..." Zhou Yu pretended to ponder, stroking his chin, then teasingly raised an eyebrow. "Not allowed."

"Meow!"

The kitten completely bristled, raising its claws to swipe at the villain.

But it was too small, and the human was huge—it wasn’t even as big as his shoe. No match at all. It was defeated instantly.

Zhou Yu grabbed the kitten by the nape of its neck, lifted it effortlessly, and carried it out as he walked.

The kitten struggled in indignation.

Zhou Yu pressed it down with a large hand, subduing it again.

"Yu Shu, little Yu Shu." Zhou Yu, feeling quite powerful and completely unaware of the kitten’s disdain, cooed its name affectionately.

He pinched the kitten’s face, remarking with wonder, "How do you look exactly like Lin Yunshu? Don’t tell me you’re his biological child?"

In Zhou Yu’s eyes, the only difference was that the cat was colorful, while Lin Yunshu was pale-skinned.

He imagined if Lin Yunshu painted a few patches on his face—they’d be truly identical.

The cat rolled its eyes and ignored him.

Zhou Yu found it even funnier. "When you’re angry, you turn into a mute bride—even more like him!"

Cat: "Meow!"

Zhou Yu quickly petted it. "Alright, alright, quit making a fuss, okay? All you think about all day is finding Mom. I’m your dad too—why don’t you ever cling to me for a while? Seriously."

As he spoke, he brushed the kitten’s fur. Long-haired cats need daily grooming, or their fur will mat soon enough and become unmanageable.

Zhou Yu’s grooming skills were decent, and the kitten squinted comfortably.

Zhou Yu snorted. "Exactly the same."

After grooming, he refilled its water and food and cleaned the litter box, like an experienced father.

Once done, he tried to hold the kitten again, but it refused, acting aloof.

Zhou Yu: "..."

"Fine, what a temper," he sighed. "Was it just because I didn’t let you into the room? I just wanted your mom to get more sleep. This kid, so unreasonable."

As he spoke, Zhou Yu took on a fatherly tone and began lecturing: "Cat, you should learn to be content. You have no idea how good your life is. Do you know how expensive those cans you eat are? The price would shock you!"

"Look at those stray cats outside—how pitiful," he exaggerated. "They don’t have enough to eat or wear, they’re skin and bones. Not like you, plump and shiny. So appreciate what you have."

He got straight to it: "Come on, let your dad hold you."

The cat ignored him and focused on eating its canned food.

Zhou Yu: "..."

Heartbroken.

"Fine," he stood up, looking weary. "If you won’t let me hold you, forget it. As if I care. I’ll go hold your mom instead."

Yu Shu: "..."

The kitten didn’t understand, only sensing that a huge dramatic one had drifted away.

Zhou Yu returned to the bedroom and kissed Lin Yunshu again.

Lin Yunshu, still drowsy, didn’t resist, only frowning slightly as if tickled where Zhou Yu nuzzled.

Zhou Yu loved it, kissing him several more times, thinking that people were indeed better than cats!

.

After showing enough affection, Zhou Yu went out feeling content for exercise and even bought ingredients for breakfast for Lin Yunshu.

When he pushed the door open, the aroma of food hit him.

He raised a surprised eyebrow and quickened his pace—Lin Yunshu was already awake.

On the coffee table were two bowls of wonton soup, gently steaming.

Lin Yunshu sat on the sofa, resting his eyes with his forehead in his hand.

He was still in his pajamas, the collar open, revealing scattered kiss marks across his fair collarbone.

Zhou Yu’s heart softened, and he dove onto the sofa, only to realize there was a cat curled up in Lin Yunshu’s arms.

The little one, full and content, was purring loudly, dead to the world.

Zhou Yu scooted this way and that but couldn’t squeeze in—it was as if the two of them were the real couple.

For a moment, he even doubted himself.

“Why do I feel like the third wheel?”

But if breaking them apart was what it took, so be it.

He picked up the cat, and Lin Yunshu immediately opened his eyes. Looking up at him, Lin Yunshu smiled, his eyes crinkling. “You’re back?”

Zhou Yu’s heart melted into a puddle.

He plopped the cat onto the sofa and squeezed in next to Lin Yunshu, gently stroking his face.

“Why didn’t you sleep a bit longer? I was gonna wake you when the food was ready.”

Lin Yunshu chuckled. “I woke up suddenly, so I got up. You came back just in time—it’s fresh off the stove.”

“I told you not to cook,” Zhou Yu said, feigning annoyance.

“It’s just some frozen wontons,” Lin Yunshu replied helplessly. “Just boiled water and tossed them in. Let’s eat quickly.”

“No next time,” Zhou Yu gave in, sitting on the floor. “I’m going to finish them all.”

Lin Yunshu shook his head with a smile.

He also sat on the carpet, picked up his chopsticks, ate a few bites, and then stopped when he’d had enough. He then pulled two documents from the sofa, placing one beside Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu paused. “What’s this?”

He set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, picked up the document, and opened it. His eyes widened in surprise. “A contract?”

Lin Yunshu nodded. “You don’t need to read the front part—it’s the same as before. You can skip to the last page. I added a supplementary clause.”

Zhou Yu thumbed to the last page, his eyes fixed on the text. He was floored.

“Once a month?!”

He almost thought he was seeing things, double-checking several times. “It really says once…”

“I think we need to exercise some restraint,” Lin Yunshu said seriously.

Zhou Yu: “O.O”

He held that expression for several seconds before stammering, “Y-yes, I’m not denying that a little restraint is good, but this much?”

He closed the folder, grabbed Lin Yunshu’s hand earnestly, and said, “Sweetheart, if you want me to become a monk, just say it. Let’s not beat around the bush.”

“What nonsense are you talking?” Lin Yunshu said, amused and exasperated.

“Once a month—isn’t that like being a monk?” Zhou Yu looked utterly defeated. “Even emperors had to visit the empress’s palace on the first and fifteenth of the month—that’s twice! We can’t just throw away tradition, sweetheart!”

The more he spoke, the more absurd it became. Lin Yunshu sighed helplessly. “I’m not an emperor.”

“I wish you were,” Zhou Yu said excitedly. “At least then I’d get twice a month.”

Lin Yunshu couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re really something…”

“Fine then,” he relented. “Let’s make it twice.”

He did need Zhou Yu’s pheromones, but it didn’t always have to be in that way. A temporary mark once in a while was more effective than he’d expected.

So, usually, all he really needed was for Zhou Yu to hold him more often. Too much of *that* would eventually take a toll on his body.

“Twice…” Zhou Yu hesitated. “Maybe you should reconsider?”

Lin Yunshu feigned hesitation, lowering his head.

He wasn’t actually planning to stick to once or twice. He just had a basic understanding of Zhou Yu’s personality.

When negotiating with this guy, you had to start with a high initial ask—the higher you aimed, the closer you'd get to what you actually wanted.

“Is twice not enough?” he asked softly.

Zhou Yu’s heart softened. “Then how about six times? Alternating weeks.”

Lin Yunshu: “Three times.”

“Five times, that’s the lowest I’ll go.”

Lin Yunshu lowered his head and gently rubbed his lower back.

Zhou Yu caved. “Alright, alright, you win. Let’s meet in the middle—four times.”

Lin Yunshu immediately signed the document.

Zhou Yu: “?”

.

At the company, Zhou Yu walked into the office looking utterly defeated.

Guo Shengyao followed behind the two of them, peeking around curiously.

Bang!

The boss slammed the door shut.

“What’s going on?” Guo Shengyao gossiped. “Why is the boss like this today? Did something happen?”

“What could possibly happen to him? Don’t overthink it,” Lin Yunshu said. “Tell me about today’s schedule.”

“Oh, right,” Guo Shengyao straightened up. “Later, you and the boss have a joint interview for a feature by Cassi. It’s scheduled for 10:30.”

Lin Yunshu nodded.

Cassi had just released their quarterly new products and next year’s plans, and Zhou Yu and Lin Yunshu had announced their marriage. Their harmonious relationship was great for the brand image, so arranging interviews was only natural.

“Okay, what’s next?”

“Then at 3 p.m.,” Guo Shengyao reported smoothly, “you have a meeting with President Tan from Starlight Entertainment to discuss investment in the new project.”

“Alright, I understand,” Lin Yunshu said. “Prepare a summary and send it to me.”

"Got it!" Guo Shengyao replied, full of energy, then checked Lin Yunshu's reaction. "Master, shall I order lunch for you too later?"

Meaning they'd eat together.

It had been so long since she last eaten with her master.

Back when she first joined the company, her master took her along for everything. But now that he was married, Zhou Yu had monopolized him entirely, and Guo Shengyao was fuming.

She didn’t really have any big problems with the boss—after all, he was the boss.

The only thing she couldn’t accept was how completely he had taken over Lin Yunshu. Her master belonged to everyone!

Lin Yunshu had no idea that a single sentence from her could set off so many thoughts.

"Sure," he agreed without much thought. "You pick the place, and I’ll cover the bill."

"Yay!"

Guo Shengyao was so thrilled she spun around in delight.

Caught up in her excitement, she hugged her folder and winked mischievously. "Master, tell me the truth—how did you manage to wrap the boss around your finger?"

Lin Yunshu had just taken off his suit jacket and was about to hang it on the coat rack. At her words, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How could I possibly have that kind of power over him? I don’t have that ability."

He was tall and slender, looking particularly slim in just a white shirt, his tie neatly fastened up to the collar, his neck still delicate and graceful.

Casually hanging his jacket on the rack, he sat down leisurely, his expression calm and relaxed.

He had a certain charm—no matter what nonsense he spouted, people would believe him wholeheartedly.

Guo Shengyao was briefly mesmerized before shaking her head vigorously to snap out of it.

"Hey," she squinted, "Master, don’t try to trick me. Did you see how dazed the boss looked this morning?"

Usually, when the two of them came to the office, the boss would be refreshed and cheerful, while Lin Yunshu would look pale and exhausted.

Although her master had always been frail and his complexion had never been great, Zhou Yu was as strong as an ox—Guo Shengyao had never seen him like this before.

Grinning mischievously, she added, "And you say you didn’t do anything? The boss looked completely worn out!"

"Hush," Lin Yunshu quickly pressed a finger to his lips. "Don’t talk nonsense."

He glanced subtly at the tightly shut office door, assuming Zhou Yu couldn’t hear, then relaxed and looked at Guo Shengyao with resignation.

"Act professionally while at the company," he said. "Don’t gossip about your superiors behind their backs."

Guo Shengyao quickly covered her mouth, and both of them stared nervously at the dark metal door.

"He can’t hear us, right?" she whispered anxiously. "I’ll make sure to speak softer next time."

"Never mind," Lin Yunshu chuckled. The office had decent soundproofing—unless Zhou Yu was pressed against the door, there was no way he could overhear.

But just to be safe, he added, "The boss is a prodigy—how could he possibly be worn out?"

On the other side of the wall, in the chairman’s office.

Zhou Yu was pressed against the door like a gecko, his ear tightly pressed to the cold surface, squinting intently.

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Heaven’s fool: Hehe, my wife praised me! [Dog head holding a rose]