Chapter 2
Shi Xiaowang had always been a hardcore lover of all things fluffy. Back at the base, besides raising a whole bunch of stray cats, dogs, and squirrels, he’d even planted a tiny patch of dandelions just because he found them cute.
Now, standing before him was the elegant and regal king of beasts — a magnificent lion. How could he possibly resist the urge to reach out and give it a good rub?
Jian Mo was made a little uncomfortable by his overly direct gaze and gave a low growl toward Uncle Ye, who was still watching with amusement.
Uncle Ye chuckled and stepped in to ease the tension.
“Young Master, the Marshal has already responded regarding the marriage alliance. How about we take care of that business first, and then we can talk about the lion?”
“Okay.”
Unable to touch the fluffy fur, Shi Xiaowang regretfully gave the white lion another longing look before obediently following Uncle Ye.
The white lion sighed softly. Just as it was about to follow, it met Shi Xiaowang’s burning gaze — he couldn’t even take three steps without looking back. So the lion changed direction, padding gracefully to the farthest sofa and sitting down with regal composure.
Shi Xiaowang, unwilling to give up, lightly patted the empty seat beside him, trying to catch the lion’s attention. But the lion simply turned aside, lay down on the couch, swished its tail, and faced him with calm, unbothered defiance — as if to say, “No means no.”
…Fine then.
After all, it was a predator. Being aloof was natural. Shi Xiaowang consoled himself.
Uncle Ye cleared his throat to hide his smile and took out the agreement from Jian Mo.
“After understanding your situation, the Marshal has agreed to the union. However, there will be no wedding ceremony. You may reside in the Marshal’s Mansion until you inherit your title. Once you are independent, you can dissolve the marriage at any time. If you agree, just sign here.”
Shi Xiaowang came back to his senses and carefully read the agreement. Perhaps to ease his concerns, it even included a clause specifically stating that there was no need to fulfill any spousal obligations.
Rather than a marriage contract, it felt more like a temporary adoption agreement — a way to give him a safe home until he officially inherited his dukedom.
“Is that really okay? Won’t this cause too much trouble for him…?”
This kind of benevolent protection was far beyond what he’d expected.
“The Duke and Duchess, like the Marshal’s own parents, sacrificed their lives in the war against the Zerg,” Uncle Ye said. “Now that the Marshal knows of your situation, there’s no reason for him to stand by and do nothing.”
Shi Xiaowang pressed his lips together.
“Can I meet the Marshal? I want to thank him in person.”
Uncle Ye glanced toward the white lion. The lion shook its head slightly.
Uncle Ye understood immediately.
“I’m afraid not in the short term. The Marshal isn’t in a condition to meet people.”
After seeing Shi Xiaowang’s affection for the lion and his mild stubbornness, Jian Mo decided against revealing his true identity for now. Shi Xiaowang’s obedient and eager-to-please nature was just a survival mechanism developed from years of pressure. If interacting with “the lion” helped him relax, then there was no need to make him wear a mask around “the Marshal.”
Though they couldn’t meet, Uncle Ye lifted all restrictions from Shi Xiaowang’s personal terminal and added the Marshal’s contact.
After Uncle Ye went upstairs with the signed contract, Shi Xiaowang sent a message to the Marshal.
“Hello, I’m Shi Xiaowang. Thank you so much for helping me. I’ll grow stronger as quickly as I can and try not to trouble you too much.”
No reply came. So Shi Xiaowang turned his gaze back to the white lion, who was still watching him.
He cleared his throat and gave the lion a friendly smile, trying to break the ice.
“Hi there, my name’s Shi Xiaowang. I’ll be living here from now on. Let’s get along, okay?”
The white lion flicked its ears uneasily.
Shi Xiaowang’s voice was already soft and youthful, but he deliberately added a coaxing tone, sweet enough to melt sugar. Jian Mo glanced at the faint pink mark on his forehead—it had almost completely faded—then gave a low, rumbling response.
Hearing the lion reply, Shi Xiaowang’s smile brightened.
“You’re such a good boy.”
The lion shot him a look and stayed silent.
Sensing a flicker of irritation, Shi Xiaowang chuckled.
“Okay, okay, let me rephrase that. You’re super cool.”
The lion stiffened, then shut his eyes, resting his head on his paws, tail flicking dismissively.
Shi Xiaowang laughed outright. Typical feline—couldn’t hide that tsundere attitude.
“Can I touch you?”
He asked while tentatively extending a hand, watching closely for any sign of aggression, ready to retreat if needed.
The lion glanced lazily at him, then closed his eyes again—granting silent permission. Its ears, however, instinctively flattened as his fingers approached. When his warm hand finally brushed against its forehead, the lion gave a subtle twitch.
It was Shi Xiaowang’s first time touching such a majestic big cat. He was ecstatic—he wanted nothing more than to bury his whole face in that soft belly—but since this was their first meeting, and it was still a predator, he restrained himself.
Still, his hand disobeyed him, sliding from the lion’s head to its ear. He gently pinched it and murmured affectionately:
“You’re such a good boy, baby.”
The moment the word “baby” left his mouth, the space beneath his hand went empty.
Shi Xiaowang froze as the lion bolted away. The lion glanced back once, then bounded upstairs in a few strides.
Shi Xiaowang blinked at its retreating figure, bewildered. Was being called “good” that offensive?
Upstairs, Uncle Ye had just stepped out of another room when the lion charged past him. Before he could say anything, the door slammed shut with a loud bang.
Puzzled, Uncle Ye adjusted his glasses and went downstairs.
“Young Master, the paperwork is all done. If you wish, you can move in today.”
Shi Xiaowang nodded immediately.
“Of course I can.”
“Then…”
Uncle Ye glanced at the closed door upstairs.
“I’ll accompany you back to pack your things.”
“Will the lion be okay?” Shi Xiaowang asked, glancing up as well.
“It’s fine,” Uncle Ye smiled. “Just throwing a little tantrum. It’s happened before.”
Though, truthfully, it had been a very long time.
Only after the surveillance screen showed the two leaving the courtyard did Jian Mo finally relax his tense muscles and exhale deeply. He really didn’t know how to handle that young duke.
He could tell Shi Xiaowang genuinely liked the “lion,” but…
Thinking of the touch on his ear and that whispered “baby,” the majestic lion’s ears twitched again—and his fur bristled uncontrollably.
“Did you see the Marshal?”
As soon as Shi Xiaowang entered the house, the couple rushed over eagerly, completely ignoring Uncle Ye behind him.
Shi Xiaowang instinctively took a step back and shook his head softly.
“No.”
The woman rolled her eyes in disappointment, about to say something—until she noticed the man behind him. She frowned and scanned him up and down.
“And who’s this? You went out and brought someone home?”
“This is the Marshal’s butler—”
Before Shi Xiaowang could finish, the woman’s face changed instantly. She beamed and hurried forward.
“Oh my, the Marshal’s butler! Such an important guest, and Xiaowang didn’t even warn us in advance! We should’ve prepared a proper welcome.”
She started ordering the housekeeper to serve refreshments.
Uncle Ye politely stepped aside and bowed slightly.
“No need for that. Although they haven’t met, the Marshal holds great regard for the young duke. The marriage contract has already been signed and submitted to His Majesty. From today, the young duke will be living in the Marshal’s residence. I’m here to help him pack his belongings.”
“…Oh my!”
The couple stared at each other in shock for several seconds before grinning ear to ear.
“I knew it! Our Xiaowang is beautiful and well-behaved. Of course the Marshal would like him! Since it’s settled, we should start planning the wedding—”
“The Marshal has given instructions—there will be no wedding ceremony,” Uncle Ye interrupted calmly.
Their smiles froze.
“What? That won’t do!”
The entire purpose of this marriage was to announce it—so they could boast about their connection to the Marshal. If the union remained a secret, what use was it to them?
“Even though my sister and brother-in-law are gone, you can’t just treat our Xiaowang like this! No wedding at all? That’s humiliating!” the woman snapped righteously.
Uncle Ye ignored her protests and turned to Shi Xiaowang.
“Please, go ahead and pack. I’ll handle this.”
“Thank you, Uncle Ye.”
Shi Xiaowang nodded and went upstairs.
As he reached the second floor, he heard a young man’s whiny voice.
“You guys don’t know how dramatic my cousin was when he found out he had to marry the Marshal! He threw such a fit—threatened my parents that if they didn’t cancel the engagement, he’d kill himself! But what could we do? It was the Emperor’s decree! He even said if it came to that, I could marry in his place. I wasn’t against it, but before I could say anything, he tried to bash his head on the wall. Scared me to death!”
By the end, the boy was sniffling dramatically.
Following the voice, Shi Xiaowang found his cousin’s room. The boy had his light-brain open and was live streaming, completely unaware of the person standing at his door.
From where Shi Xiaowang stood, he could even read the scrolling comments on the screen:
[What right does he have to make you marry instead? Why doesn’t he give you the duke title too? He hogs all the good things and dumps the bad on you!]
[Don’t cry, Huanhuan! That guy’s so ungrateful. Why didn’t he just die when he hit the wall?]
[Ha! Cold-hearted Marshal and heartless little duke — honestly, kind of a perfect match. Lock it in!]
Shi Xiaowang let out a short, cold laugh.
When the cousin finally noticed him, his expression faltered for a moment—but remembering he was still live, he quickly pasted on a look of concern and walked over.
“Brother, are you okay? Does your head still hurt? I heard you went to the Marshal’s mansion—he didn’t give you a hard time, did he?”
The camera was still aimed only at himself, with half of Shi Xiaowang’s shoulder in view.
Wang Huanhuan had been streaming for a long time, but he’d never shown his cousin’s face. Publicly, he claimed it was to protect his privacy, but in truth, he knew full well—if Shi Xiaowang ever showed his face, he’d lose all his fans.
[Huanhuan! Don’t be so nice to him! What if he sells you to the Marshal himself?]
[Yeah, Huanhuan, stop being soft-hearted!]
Shi Xiaowang glanced at the screen and smiled faintly.
“I heard you just now—you said you’d be willing to marry the Marshal in my place. Is that true?”
Wang Huanhuan’s eyelid twitched. He stared, stunned.
“What?”
“I said, I heard what you said.”
Shi Xiaowang’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Wang Huanhuan glared at him but forced a sweet, innocent smile for the audience.
“Of course I would if I could—but the Marshal wouldn’t agree, right? The Emperor’s decree specifically said you had to marry him…”
Shi Xiaowang pointed toward the stairs.
“Actually, I brought the Marshal’s butler back with me.”
“What did you say?!”
Wang Huanhuan’s face instantly cracked. But mindful of the still-running camera, he forced himself to say, “I’ll go greet the guest,” and hurriedly ended the livestream.
The moment it was off, he snapped, “What the hell do you mean by that, Shi Xiaowang?! You trying to piss me off?”
He shoved him hard, “You seriously think you can pawn me off on that damned Marshal? Just because you dragged his butler here doesn’t mean you can make me take your place! Forget it—my parents will never let you!”
He shoved again, harder.
Shi Xiaowang let himself fall, eyes reddening as he clutched his arm, looking pitiful and hurt.
“Brother, what are you saying? You must be misunderstanding me…”
“Misunderstanding? Then tell me—why’d you bring the Marshal’s dog home, huh?!”
He raised his foot to kick him—
But before his foot could land, he was the one thrown backward, crashing to the floor with a cry of pain.
The woman rushed up the stairs in alarm, opening her mouth to yell—but Uncle Ye’s icy, murderous gaze stopped her cold.
“Is this how you’ve been raising the young duke?”
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