Chapter 16 Colorful Cat

Chapter 16: Little Colorful Raccoon

Mu Zhang's grandmother, Geng Xuelan, now lives in a nursing home on Cloud Harbor Star.

The nursing home has many elderly residents from various planets.

Geng Xuelan enjoys making friends and thrives in this environment.

A few years ago, when Mu Zhang suggested moving her to Cygnus Star, she refused without hesitation, saying Cygnus Star wasn’t as fun or lively as Cloud Harbor Star.

But now, Geng Xuelan was starting to have some regrets.

When she was younger, traveling by starship was no problem, but old age has inevitably weakened her physically. She couldn't travel by starship anymore, so she couldn’t attend her grandson’s wedding. She could only wait for Mu Zhang to bring his partner to see her.

Many days have passed, and Geng Xuelan still hasn’t received any news of Mu Zhang’s visit.

She’s growing increasingly annoyed, feeling that her grandson has become more and more independent—getting into a relationship without even telling her and even quietly getting married!

In the past, Geng Xuelan would dance or practice calligraphy with friends in the morning, gather newcomers for murder mystery games in the afternoon to bond, and enjoy massages and beauty treatments in the evening. Her schedule was always packed. But lately, she’s been spending her days in the library, glued to her terminal waiting for news.

When others asked what was wrong, noticing her distracted state for several days, she waved them off, saying, “Who knows? Don’t worry about me, I’ll work through it myself.”

Geng Xuelan has never been so eager for her grandson to visit. Although her main reason for urgency is to see what Mu Zhang’s partner looks like, it’s been half a year since Mu Zhang last visited—doesn’t he miss his old grandmother at all?

Mu Zhang, of course, had no idea what his grandmother had been thinking these days.

On the way to Cloud Harbor Star, Mu Zhang warned Lin Juangui, “My grandmother has always been popular and has met many people. Don’t try to act clever around her—she’ll see right through it.”

Lin Juangui quickly grasped the meaning behind Mu Zhang’s words. “You mean we don’t need to pretend to be affectionate?”

“Yes. I appreciated how you acted at the wedding, but my grandmother is no fool.”

Before setting off, Lin Juangui had asked Mu Zhang about his impression of his grandmother. Mu Zhang shook his head, indicating he didn’t know much.

“I only know which nursing home she lives in. Later, when I sought revenge against Mu Zhang, I never considered targeting his grandmother, so I didn’t learn much. Anyway, Mu Zhang never publicly acknowledged my existence, and I’ve never met his grandmother.”

Since that was the case, Lin Juangui decided to improvise. He also asked Butler Yang to prepare a gift—not guaranteed to please the old lady, but at least he wouldn’t arrive empty-handed.

Cloud Harbor Star’s landscape is quite different from Cygnus Star’s. The sky is clear and spacious, dotted with cutting-edge skyscrapers and winding rivers.

At the landing pad, Lin Juangui saw numerous starships and spacecraft coming and going. Before arriving, he’d looked it up online: Cloud Harbor Star is close to the Federal Capital Star, making it a hub for frequent trade. Many wealthy individuals choose to settle here, earning it a reputation as one of the wealthiest planets in the Federation.

The nursing home where Geng Xuelan resides not only boasts an excellent environment but is also conveniently located. From the outside, it looks like a university.

As soon as Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui reached the entrance, facial recognition technology identified them and sent a notification to Geng Xuelan, informing her that her family had come to visit.

“The old lady asked us to go straight to her dorm,” Mu Zhang said suddenly.

The dorm was still some distance away. Lin Juangui followed Mu Zhang onto an automated sightseeing vehicle and was impressed by the nursing home’s surroundings.

Noticing Lin Juangui’s curious expression, Mu Zhang unexpectedly asked what he was thinking.

Lin Juangui replied, “I’m curious about what the fees are like to stay in a nursing home like this.”

He had visited some nursing homes in the past, but their facilities and environments were always lacking, and the caregivers often seemed impatient, even intimidating. It made him worry about his own old age as a single person.

“It’s by membership only. You can’t just pay an annual fee to live here—they also assess your assets.”

Lin Juangui nodded. “I see.”

Mu Zhang didn’t understand why Lin Juangui was so interested in this, but he found it amusing to see Lin Juangui’s curiosity about everything.

Geng Xuelan’s dorm was on the second floor. The moment Lin Juangui saw her, he broke into a warm smile, his eyes lighting up.

He handed the gift to the caretaker robot beside Geng Xuelan and affectionately called her “Grandmother.”

“I’m Mu Zhang’s partner, Lin Juangui. I’ve been wanting to visit for a long time, and I’m glad I finally have the chance today.”

Geng Xuelan had been worried, but her expression softened completely upon seeing Lin Juangui. She ignored Mu Zhang and stepped forward to take Lin Juangui’s hands, saying, “My… what a handsome young man.”

Lin Juangui’s beauty was striking at first glance. Even someone as well-traveled as Geng Xuelan couldn’t help but praise his looks.

“You flatter me. You yourself are elegant and full of vitality, aging gracefully.”

Though over a hundred years old, Geng Xuelan still had a youthful glow and vibrant energy.

Mu Zhang stood quietly to the side, waiting until Lin Juangui and Geng Xuelan finished exchanging pleasantries before asking, “How have you been?”

“Fine! It’s been so long since the wedding, and you only come to see me now. I’m only not scolding you because of Juangui. You always make your old grandmother worry.”

Mu Zhang was used to his grandmother’s temperament and smiled faintly. “I was in my sensitive period. You should cut me some slack.”

Geng Xuelan rolled her eyes at Mu Zhang, wagged a finger at him in the air, and led Lin Juangui to the living room.

Lin Juangui was surprised by the old lady’s lively personality.

When Mu Zhang took off his coat, hung it up, and headed to the kitchen, Lin Juangui felt he had glimpsed a rare side of Mu Zhang.

Geng Xuelan’s questions were the usual ones—nothing unexpected. When Lin Juangui mentioned that he had sought Mu Zhang’s help due to family issues and that was how they met, Geng Xuelan sighed with feeling. “I know. If Mu Zhang didn’t have his wealth and passably good looks, no Omega would like him.”

As the primary Alpha character in the story, Mu Zhang’s appearance was undeniably exceptional—tall and well-built. Aside from his scent, which Lin Juangui found hard to accept, Lin Juangui acknowledged Mu Zhang’s qualities as the leading Alpha.

So Lin Juangui stuck up for him: “He’s actually quite good. I can tell he’s very considerate toward me.”

“It’s best if you don’t mind him.”

After adding Lin Juangui as a friend, Geng Xuelan immediately transferred him a sum of money, noting it as “spending money for Lin Juangui.”

Lin Juangui was taken aback by her generosity and was about to decline when Geng Xuelan leaned in and whispered, “I know my grandson better than anyone. It must be hard putting up with his temper and scent. If you ever need anything in the future, come to me. I’ll always have your back.”

Touched by her words, Lin Juangui said gratefully, “Thank you, Grandmother. I’ll visit you often from now on. I hope you won’t find me bothersome.”

“How could I? I’d be delighted if you visited more often.”

The doorbell rang suddenly. Geng Xuelan said it was probably the wine she’d ordered. “Little Ting can get it, but it’s not great at aerating. Juangui, do you know how?”

“A little. I’ll give it a try and hope I can do it properly.”

“Good.”

After sending Lin Juangui away, Geng Xuelan went to the kitchen and said to Mu Zhang, who was cutting vegetables:

“You once told me you’d never accept a marriage without love. You’ve broken your promise.”

Geng Xuelan shook her head. “It’s not about whether I’m reassured. An Omega will suffer without an Alpha’s love and care! I know what you’ve experienced… but that’s no excuse to be so careless with someone’s life.”

“Grandmother, he’s only with me for a life of luxury. We each get what we need, and he’s much tougher than you imagine.”

“You!” Geng Xuelan wanted to say more, but hearing Lin Juangui return to the living room with the wine, she quickly added, “I gave him some spending money. Don’t mistreat him, and always respect Omegas, understand?!”

The only Omega Mu Zhang didn't dislike was perhaps Geng Xuelan, so he grunted "Hmm" to show he understood.

Geng Xuelan turned around with a smile again and said to Lin Juangui, who was looking for the decanter, "Come, let me show you how to instruct Xiao Ting to find things."

Most of the lunch dishes were prepared by Mu Zhang, while Lin Juangui also steamed an egg to showcase his own cooking skills.

Watching this pair busily working in the kitchen, Geng Xuelan felt genuinely pleased. However, recalling Mu Zhang's attitude toward Omegas over the years, she couldn't help but worry about Lin Juangui.

An Omega's appeal to an Alpha is innate. Mu Zhang's pheromones weren't particularly attractive, and even if Lin Juangui didn't mind now, what about in the future?

All Geng Xuelan could do was give Lin Juangui more spending money, hoping that this comfortable lifestyle would make him more tolerant.

In the afternoon, Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui accompanied the old lady for a walk.

Many people at the retirement home knew Geng Xuelan, and upon seeing Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui by her side, they praised her good fortune, saying how good-looking the younger generation was.

Geng Xuelan was very pleased and smiled cheerfully the entire way.

As the three of them reached the lake, a tabby cat from nowhere quietly followed and rubbed against Lin Juangui's pant leg.

Lin Juangui smiled and quietly watched the tabby cat fawn over him. Geng Xuelan remarked beside him, "There are many stray cats around here, but most of those who stay are fed by people, so they aren't afraid of humans."

Since Geng Xuelan had cleanliness OCD, Lin Juangui refrained from petting the cat. The tabby stared at Lin Juangui for a while, tail hooked, and when it got no response, it scampered off.

On the way back, Lin Juangui brought up the topic of the spending money with Mu Zhang. "I don’t recall any clause in the contract about how to handle this money. Should I transfer it to you now?"

"It's a gift from an elder. Keep it."

Mu Zhang didn’t care about that bit of money, as long as Lin Juangui did what he was supposed to do.

Lin Juangui looked at the eight-figure spending money Geng Xuelan had transferred and silently turned off his light brain screen.

Since the client's relative had paid him hardship compensation, there was no need for him to keep complaining about Mu Zhang's ridiculous pheromones.

As long as the money was sufficient, everything was manageable.