Chapter 21
Mu Feiyi was entirely unlike the typical heirs of the wealthy elite; he paid remarkably little attention to external trappings.
Three years ago, when his grandfather gifted him that unique luxury car, the elderly patriarch had also formally placed the helm of the entire Mu Corporation into his hands. From that pivotal moment on, the car became inextricably bound to his public identity—it was the only personal vehicle Mu Feiyi ever used.
Anyone of status in T City knew that whenever that sapphire-blue Bentley appeared on the streets, the young chairman was sitting inside.
Standing by the roadside, Yu Xiaoyuan stared in utter disbelief at the distant accident scene. “How is that even possible?”
He had seen Mu Feiyi only this morning. At the time, he hadn’t detected the slightest shadow of misfortune across the man’s features, nor on the assistant seated up front. There had been no ominous dark cloud over his brow, no signs of an impending catastrophe whatsoever.
“How could this happen?” Driven by instinct, Yu Xiaoyuan began striding toward the highway. “We have to go check.”
“Wait, do you know him?” Qian Mingtian had only brought it up as casual roadside gossip. Seeing Yu Xiaoyuan’s face instantly drain of color, he grew cautious.
“We’re… acquaintances, I suppose.” A knot of dread tightened in Yu Xiaoyuan’s chest. “Hurry, take me there.”
“Follow me, this path is faster.”
Without another word, Qian Mingtian guided him down a narrow dirt trail through the brush. The overgrown path was seldom used, riddled with hidden ruts and difficult to navigate. Qian was accustomed to the rugged terrain and moved with practiced agility, while Yu Xiaoyuan huffed and puffed behind him, struggling to keep pace but refusing to slow down.
Pushing through a dense wall of tall reeds, Yu Xiaoyuan finally caught sight of the highway’s crumpled guardrail.
What met his eyes made his breath catch.
The custom Bentley sat mangled on the asphalt, its passenger side completely crushed inward. A luxury car of this tier boasted exceptional structural reinforcement and superior impact resistance; it was practically impossible for a standard passenger car or light pickup to inflict such catastrophic damage.
Unless…
“A heavy freight truck,” Qian Mingtian muttered, his brow furrowing deeply. “At least twenty-four tons. Stay put, Xiaoyuan—I’ll go find out what happened.”
Yu Xiaoyuan stood frozen, his eyes landing on a scatter of crushed peanuts strewn across the pavement beside the shattered glass. A sudden pang of sorrow struck his heart.
He nodded numbly, his mind spinning. Why hadn’t his spiritual senses caught any omen this morning?
Yet even if he had foreseen it, would Mu Feiyi have ever believed him? They were little more than passing acquaintances. If he had run up to the man out of nowhere and warned him of a fatal crash, Mu Feiyi would likely have dismissed him as a lunatic.
With dusk settling over the outskirts, traffic was light, sparing the stretch from a massive pileup. In the distance, the wail of approaching police sirens echoed through the valley.
Yu Xiaoyuan lowered his head, his shoulders slumping in genuine grief. “I actually really liked him…”
That human had stroked his hamster fur with such a gentle touch, making him feel so wonderfully safe and warm.
Pouting in quiet misery, the boy mumbled, “What a waste…”
“A waste? Hmm?”
A pair of long fingers pinched his soft, puffed-up cheek like tweezers. “A waste that your precious peanuts ended up scattered all over the asphalt? Is that it?”
“Ow, ow, ow! That hurts! Be gentle, please!” Yu Xiaoyuan winced, batting at the hand while clutching his stinging cheek.
Spinning around, he came face-to-face with the very man he had been mourning.
Mu Feiyi stood before him, immaculate and unharmed, wearing a faint smirk as he pinched the boy’s cheek with teasing firmness. In his other hand hung a brightly colored grocery bag.
“Y-you… you’re alive?!” Yu Xiaoyuan looked up with wide, disbelieving eyes, nervously swallowing his breath.
“Fool,” Mu Feiyi scoffed quietly.
Looking at the bewildered youth, he finally understood why Yu Yuanzhou kept this nephew sheltered from high-society banquets. How could anyone let such an innocent kid roam free among wolves? In their elite circles, every heir juggled hundreds of calculating schemes behind smooth smiles. This little fellow, on the other hand, barely possessed a single thought at any given time—and even that was an achievement.
Mu Feiyi had never cared for naive people, yet looking down at this wide-eyed simpleton, an unexpected sense of comfort washed over him. Being around someone so transparent felt remarkably peaceful.
The tall man stood in the twilight, his tailored suit sharply outlined against the dimming highway. Before him, the young man’s eyes shimmered with pure, unvarnished relief—sparkling like the first stars emerging against the deep evening sky, radiant and impossible to look away from.
“I’m fine,” Mu Feiyi heard himself say, his voice surprisingly raspy. “Don’t look so tragic. I’m completely fine.”
“That’s wonderful!” The boy’s face instantly bloomed into a bright, innocent smile.
The sheer warmth in that expression caught Mu Feiyi completely off guard, making it difficult to pull his gaze away. Feeling a sudden heat rise to the tips of his ears, he quickly turned his head aside, clearing his throat as he shoved the crinkling plastic bag into the boy’s chest.
“Take it. Consider it compensation for your stolen sack of peanuts.”
“Hooray!” Yu Xiaoyuan tore open the top, his eyes lighting up. “Wow! Chocolate-coated sunflower seeds with candy shells!”
The little hamster adores these!
Seeing the boy’s eyes sparkle like polished gems, Mu Feiyi let out a soft snort of laughter. “Happy now?”
“Of course I am! Who doesn’t love getting gifts, especially snacks they love?” Yu Xiaoyuan declared with righteous satisfaction. He grabbed a generous handful of the candy seeds and tossed them into his mouth, crunching happily. “Fine. I officially forgive you for taking my buttered peanuts.”
Mu Feiyi opened his mouth to tease him further, but found himself letting it go. Instead, he reached out again and gave the boy’s cheek another affectionate squeeze, giving it a gentle shake. What was the point of arguing with a kid?
Besides, his own survival truly felt like a stroke of inexplicable fortune.
Mu Feiyi had intended to drive straight back to the capital that afternoon, leaving his assistant behind to coordinate the business details. When his vehicle stopped at a highway service plaza, he had stepped out to stretch his legs. Inside the convenience store, he spotted an artisan confectionery counter crowded with children begging their mothers for colorful chocolate-coated nuts and seeds.
For some reason, the sight made him wonder if that little fellow back in the city would whine like a child if he saw such sweets.
Amused by the thought, Mu Feiyi bought two massive bags under the envious stares of every kid in the shop. The purchase held him up by several minutes.
When he finally stepped out into the parking lot, his car had already pulled onto the access ramp without him.
Standing by the curb with two bags of candy, Mu Feiyi had been utterly baffled by his driver’s sudden departure—until his phone buzzed minutes later with news of his own fatal crash.
Looking at the crushed wreckage of the Bentley now, cold reality sank in. Had he been inside, he would have suffered catastrophic injuries, if he survived at all.
It was this boy’s sweet tooth that had inadvertently saved his life.
Mu Feiyi’s hand lingered on Yu Xiaoyuan’s soft hair, a shadow of melancholy flickering deep within his dark blue eyes. He had poured every ounce of his youth into pulling the crumbling Mu Corporation back from ruin, and this cold, orchestrated murder attempt was how his family chose to repay him.
“Xiaoyuan! I just spoke with the state troopers!” Qian Mingtian came jogging back through the grass, panting for breath. “The driver was killed on impact, but the passenger wasn’t in the car—”
He skidded to a halt, blinking in confusion at the sight of the younger boy protesting playfully while an exceptionally handsome stranger ruffled his hair.
Qian Mingtian’s sharp instincts kicked in. “Wait… is this your friend?”
He let out a relieved laugh, clapping his hands together. “What incredible luck! It’s a miracle you’re safe! Xiaoyuan was sick with worry over you just now. Are you coming back to the village for dinner, or do you need to wait here for the authorities?”
Mu Feiyi glanced back at the flashing sirens and recovery flatbeds pulling up to the guardrail. Slipping one hand into his trouser pocket while his other gripped his phone, he replied in a low, weary murmur, “Let’s go.”
He had no desire to return to the cutthroat city tonight; he simply wanted to be somewhere quiet. His corporate legal team and personal assistant could handle the police reports and press inquiries.
Qian Mingtian took the lead, with Yu Xiaoyuan and Mu Feiyi walking side by side in silence.
As the boy had admitted, they barely knew each other and had little to talk about. Still, knowing the man was alive and well lifted a heavy weight from his chest. Mu Feiyi, on the other hand, seemed deeply shaken by the brush with death, looking withdrawn and lost in thought.
Yu Xiaoyuan stole a glance at the tall, solitary silhouette beside him and discreetly tapped out a message on his phone.
Yu Xiaoyuan: Senior Qian, my friend will probably need to stay the night in the village, but please don’t let anyone know he’s here.
Yu Xiaoyuan: I’ll keep an eye on him tonight. Let’s give him some space to process things.
Qian Mingtian glanced at his screen and replied swiftly:
Qian Mingtian: Understood, say no more. My mom and I have watched plenty of prime-time family dramas; we know the drill.
A bitter inheritance feud, Qian thought with a quiet sigh. Rich families really are a nightmare. People will stop at nothing for money.
Mu Feiyi skipped dinner entirely. Instead, he wandered down to a quiet, grassy bank by the river outside the village, sitting alone on the rocks in the dusk, listening to the early summer frogs calling across the reeds.
After showing him the path back to the house, Qian Mingtian ushered Yu Xiaoyuan toward the dining hall.
“Leave him be for a while,” Qian advised quietly along the way. “Surviving something like that is devastating. He needs time to think.”
Looking back at the solitary figure seated by the dark water, looking so terribly out of place in his tailored city clothes, Yu Xiaoyuan murmured, “He really does look sad.”
“Of course he is. Now come on—my mom made braised chicken for you tonight. Don’t worry, Big Orange isn’t getting a single scrap!” Qian Mingtian chuckled, giving the boy’s shoulder a nudge. “Who told that fat tabby to pick on you, eh, Little Dumpling?”
“Hmph!” Yu Xiaoyuan grumbled, puffing his cheeks. “He started it!”
“Exactly, so you get the chicken and he gets nothing!”
Qian Mingtian deposited the boy into the warm kitchen, where Auntie Qian happily piled drumsticks and braised potatoes into his bowl until his stomach was stretched completely tight.
Leaving the table, Yu Xiaoyuan patted his round tummy. His thoughts drifted right back to the solitary man sitting alone by the dark river.
When a human is that sad, the little hamster concluded solemnly, he desperately needs a fluffy companion to heal his wounded soul!
Down by the river, Mu Feiyi had tossed his suit jacket over a boulder, sitting in the cool evening breeze.
The quiet solitude felt remarkably grounding. The massive machine of the Mu Corporation spun on without his presence. The world continued turning; he wasn’t indispensable after all.
That crushing sense of absolute duty had been drilled into him by his grandfather since childhood. Yet in reality? His own relatives wished for nothing more than his sudden demise.
Resting his elbows on his knees, Mu Feiyi rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhaling a long, exhausted breath.
Suddenly, he felt a delicate tug at the cuff of his dress shirt.
Looking down, he froze.
Sitting right on the rock beside him was that very same milk-tea-colored hamster!
Surprise flickered across Mu Feiyi’s face. Cupping his large hands, he gently scooped the tiny creature into his palms. “Did your master bring you all the way out here to play?”
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
The little hamster nodded enthusiastically.
Soft, warm, and remarkably gentle, the hamster wrapped his tiny front paws around the man’s index finger, letting out a series of soothing, melodious squeaks.
Mu Feiyi watched him in quiet wonder. It felt as though this clever little creature understood his grief and was clumsily, earnestly trying to console him in the only way it knew how.
A faint sigh escaped his lips. “Sometimes, humans aren’t half as decent as a tiny hamster.”
Holding the creature securely in both hands, his thumbs gently kneaded the plush, velvety fluff along the hamster’s back and chubby cheeks.
The little hamster squeaked softly under the strokes, his tiny pink paws batting feebly against the large thumbs.
Mu Feiyi let out a dry, amused chuckle. “Now that you’ve walked into my hands, did you really think you could escape? Hmm?”
Looking down at the puffed-up, thoroughly massaged furball, a genuine laugh finally broke through his heavy mood. The dark cloud that had hung over his chest all evening began to disperse.
“Chubby little thing.”
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
The little hamster is not fat! A proper hamster is supposed to look like this!
“What’s that?” Mu Feiyi arched an eyebrow, slowly removing his silver-rimmed glasses and setting them aside on the grass.
His deep blue eyes shimmered with playful amusement. “Did I say something wrong? You’re resting in my palm like a plump little dumpling,” he murmured, his fingers gently stroking the soft, pinkish-white tummy, “round as a ball, and I’m not allowed to call you chubby?”
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
The little hamster waved his tiny fists in passionate protest.
Human, you are completely unreasonable!
I braved the terrifying threat of the village guard cat and traveled through the tall grass just to bring you comfort, and you have the nerve to call me fat?!
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!!”
Doesn’t your conscience hurt even a little bit?! The little hamster is not fat at all! I am simply fluffy!
Fluffy! Do you understand the word, human?!
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
Oh, of course you wouldn’t understand—you don’t have fur! Not a single patch! You probably spend your days worrying about going bald before your time. How could a hairless ape like you ever appreciate the majesty of a little hamster’s fluff?
Hmph!
Mu Feiyi looked down at the tiny creature resting in his palm. The little hamster was squeaking up a storm, practically vibrating with righteous indignation, clearly protesting the remark about being fat.
“I called you chubby once, and you’re still lecturing me?” Mu Feiyi asked, on the verge of laughing. “Are you really this petty?”
“Hmm? What do you have to say for yourself?”
He lightly poked the creature’s delicate pink nose, then playfully pinched one of his tiny front paws. “You won’t even let me tell the truth? Don’t you know the truth hurts? If you’re this round, a cat will catch you in no time.
“Take that fat calico cat outside your master’s apartment, for instance. It was so overweight it couldn’t catch you. But if…”
Mu Feiyi glanced toward the brush and suddenly froze. A pair of eerie, glowing green eyes was peering through the tall grass, fixed intently on his hand.
“…See? If it were that big ginger cat over there, you wouldn’t even make a decent mouthful.”
Mu Feiyi gently turned the hamster around. “Now, that cat looks truly vicious. It’s nothing like those spoiled city pets that get fed three meals a day and rely purely on being cute to survive.”
The little hamster turned his head, followed the man’s gaze, and instantly spotted the imposing ginger cat lurking in the shadows. A violent shiver ran down his spine.
That orange monster was like an inescapable ghost! The little hamster had slipped all the way out of the village to comfort this grieving human, yet that relentless hunter had followed him without making a sound!
He was terrified, but he was also furious!
Still, survival came first. He clung tightly to the man’s finger with both front paws, burying his plush cheek against his warm palm.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak…” Hey… could you please chase him away for me?
Watching the hamster’s dramatic change in attitude, Mu Feiyi nearly burst out laughing. “Terrified now, are we?”
The little hamster flicked his pink tongue out to wet his nose, casting a disdainful sideways glance at the man. “Squeak, squeak.”
Of course I’m scared! I’m a little hamster! It’s completely natural for a mouse to fear a cat, isn’t it? Besides, that ginger beast is genuinely lethal. We had a scuffle earlier today, and I didn’t exactly win. But this venerable mouse would never admit something so humiliating to you.
The hamster snorted indignantly in his heart, but his front paws held on to the man’s finger with utter sincerity.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!” Don’t just stand there laughing—hurry up and chase him off! Drive that orange monster away!
Mu Feiyi wasn’t cruel enough to leave him in danger. He closed his fingers gently around the little creature, keeping him secure so he wouldn’t panic, bolt into the dark, and end up in the predator’s jaws.
Stepping forward, he waved an arm to shoo the lingering feline away. “Go on! Shoo! Get out of here.”
“Meow-ow…”
The ginger cat flicked its tail reluctantly, its sharp eyes still locked onto the pampered hamster cupped inside the human’s hand.
Mu Feiyi stood his ground, watching until the cat finally retreated into the distance before returning to his perch beside the stream. “All right, the cat is gone. You don’t have to hide anymore.”
The little hamster cautiously poked his round head out from the man’s fingers, staring after the retreating silhouette.
The ginger cat, glancing back over its shoulder every few paces as it padded toward the village, caught the hamster watching him. Taking it as a direct provocation, the cat abruptly spun around and charged straight back!
“MEOW-OW!!”
To a predator, being stared down by its prey was nothing short of an open challenge.
The little hamster let out a frantic squeak and shoved his head right back into Mu Feiyi’s palm.
Too scary! This is way too much for a little hamster to handle! That beast is crazy—I only looked at him twice, and he’s already trying to tear me to shreds!
Mu Feiyi was caught between exasperation and amusement at the sight of the feisty cat and the cowardly hamster. “Shoo! Go home!”
Even so, he naturally favored the sensible little creature in his hand—after all, the tiny furball had braved the night just to keep him company.
He suspected that Yu Xiaoyuan had probably released his pet nearby to cheer him up. Yet having this soft, chubby creature voluntarily waddle over and snuggle against him provided a rare, gentle warmth. In a moment when his spirit felt bruised and utterly alone, this small companionship was more comforting than words could express.
Deciding to settle the matter once and for all, Mu Feiyi gently slipped the hamster into his coat pocket. This time, he marched after the hissing, growling ginger cat, escorting the beast all the way back to the village entrance before turning back.
“All right, it’s truly gone now.”
Returning to the grassy bank, Mu Feiyi reached into his pocket and lifted the hamster back into the open air.
The sudden, bumpy ride in the dark pocket had left the little creature completely disoriented. Looking dazed and thoroughly ruffled, the hamster lay flat across the man’s palm, his tiny tongue poking out as he let out a pitiful, breathless sigh.
Mu Feiyi cradled him with one hand while gently stroking his tiny head with the other.
Under the soft glow of the moonlight, he studied the milk-tea-colored creature in detail.
The hamster’s ears were neat and round, spaced wide apart on either side of his skull. The delicate outer edges were dusted with very fine fur, revealing a soft pink interior. They were undeniably charming; whenever a fingertip brushed against them, they twitched with sensitive grace. If stroked too much, the creature would cast a grumpy, disdainful glance upward.
“Hmph,” Mu Feiyi murmured with a quiet smile. “You really are quite handsome.”
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!” Naturally! I am exceptionally handsome.
The little hamster lifted his chin with supreme pride.
However, when Mu Feiyi reached down to scratch beneath his jaw, his fingers met only a plush roll of fur. “Wait… you don’t even have a chin.”
The little hamster wriggled his front paws free and swatted the offending finger away in protest.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!” What nonsense are you talking about?! A proper mouse is supposed to be plump and round—what would I need a chin for? A little hamster doesn’t need a sharp jawline or washboard abs; a little hamster only needs to be cute!
“Mind you, that was a compliment. You look great for a hamster,” Mu Feiyi murmured, teasing the squirming furball in the quiet of the night. “Still, even with my praise, you ought to remain modest. Don’t let it go to your head, understand?”
The hamster rolled his dark, glossy eyes at him.
“Squeak, squeak.” Human, there is definitely something wrong with your head.
Mu Feiyi naturally didn’t expect a hamster to grasp human speech. In his experience, creatures with brains that small barely recognized their own names. Yet this little guy was remarkably perceptive—he actually knew how to offer comfort.
With a soft sigh, Mu Feiyi reclined against the grassy bank, resting one arm behind his head while letting the other settle over his chest, keeping the hamster secure.
The little creature was remarkably well-behaved, sitting quietly over his heart.
When Mu Feiyi glanced down, he saw the round furball patting his cheeks before pulling a single pumpkin seed straight out of his pouch.
Crack, crack, crunch.
The hamster nibbled neatly around the outer edge, pried the husk apart, and fished out the tender green kernel inside.
Without warning, Mu Feiyi reached down and plucked the shelled kernel right from under the hamster’s paws.
The little hamster froze in absolute shock.
Staring at his empty paws, he looked up at the man with wide, disbelieving eyes.
Seeing that stunned expression brought a wave of childish amusement to Mu Feiyi’s chest. Right in front of those betrayed eyes, he popped the stolen kernel into his mouth and chewed.
“Not bad,” he murmured, patting the fuzzy head with a smirk. “Keep up the good work.”
“Hmph!”
Puffed up with indignation, the chubby hamster spun on his heels, turning his back entirely to the thief.
In the stillness of the night, Mu Feiyi soon heard the quiet crack, crack, crunch of another seed being shelled.
He leaned forward, intent on stealing the next treat, but the little hamster had grown cautious, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds to check on him.
Whenever those dark eyes turned around, Mu Feiyi looked away, whistling innocently.
Reassured, the hamster resumed his peeling. The moment his guard lowered, Mu Feiyi lifted his head to spy on his progress.
Sensing a shadow, the hamster snapped his head back.
Mu Feiyi instantly dropped back onto the grass, acting as though nothing had happened.
After several rounds of this silent game, Mu Feiyi couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer. Reaching out, he scooped the hamster up and announced with an easy grin, “This is a robbery!”
No more stealth—just open, shameless theft.
Fuming, the hamster flung an empty shell right into the man’s face, squeaking fiercely in protest.
Mu Feiyi laughed so hard his chest shook, thoroughly entertained by the furious, bristling creature. “All right, all right, don’t be mad. I won’t steal your seeds anymore.”
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!!”
Hmph! Deceitful human, I see right through your schemes!
The little hamster crossed his front paws over his chest, glaring with big, dark eyes while puffing out his cheeks in a massive pout.
Unable to resist the sheer cuteness, Mu Feiyi cupped the furball in his hands, brought him close, and nuzzled him gently against his cheek.
“How can you be this adorable?”
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!” I am not adorable! I am a formidable, powerful beast!
Before he could finish his silent boast, he was pinned gently against the man’s cheek for another deep, affectionate cuddle.
“Squeak, squeak…”
Hey, hey, that’s enough! If you keep sniffing me like that, I’m going to go bald!
By nine in the evening, Mu Feiyi finally stood up and walked back toward the village.
He sent a brief message to his personal assistant, requesting a car to pick him up at dawn, and switched his phone off the moment the text went through.
Accompanied by the little hamster, he made his way through the quiet dirt roads, stopping right before the front gate of Qian Mingtian’s courtyard.
The young man who let him in seemed to be Little Yuan’s senior, Qian Mingtian. Without prying or asking a single question, he led Mu Feiyi upstairs to a clean guest room. Setting down a steaming bowl of hot food on the side table, he gave Mu Feiyi’s shoulder a comforting pat.
“Don’t dwell on it too much tonight. Stay as long as you need,” Qian Mingtian said warmly. “Our village might lack luxury, but if you want peace and quiet to clear your head, there’s no better place.”
With that, he quietly closed the door behind him, leaving Mu Feiyi alone with his thoughts.
Mu Feiyi still had little appetite, but the young host’s honest, unpretentious warmth moved him deeply. In the cutthroat corporate circles where he usually operated, everyone treated him with calculated deference. To the world, he was Second Young Master Mu—omnipotent, untouchable, the brilliant titan standing at the very peak of the commercial empire.
Outsiders often assumed he was born under a lucky star simply because Old Master Mu had chosen to groom him from an early age. Yet Mu Feiyi knew better than anyone that he had never truly been favored in the Mu household. In reality…
A quiet rustle at the corridor window pulled him from his brooding thoughts.
A youthful head popped in through the frame.
“Here, eat this,” Yu Xiaoyuan urged, sliding a plate holding a massive braised chicken drumstick across the sill. “Eat up and get some sleep. Tomorrow at sunrise will be a brand new day, and everything will work out.”
Placing the dish neatly on the aged wooden desk, the boy pulled his arm back, hurried down the corridor, and slipped into the opposite room with a soft click of the latch.
Before Mu Feiyi could even say thank you, another familiar, fluffy figure appeared on the ledge.
The milk-tea-colored hamster—who had vanished the moment they entered the house—was now clinging to the window’s iron security bars, staring at him with bright, expectant eyes.
“Do you want some chicken?” Mu Feiyi asked, unlatching the pane to let him inside.
The hamster shook his head frantically. He certainly wasn’t here to beg for meat; he had brought it specifically for the man.
Auntie Qian had ladled an enormous drumstick into his bowl at dinner. Having already been stuffed to the brim at lunch, Yu Xiaoyuan simply couldn’t swallow another bite. He had stashed it away intending to nibble on it later, but running into a famished Mu Feiyi was the perfect solution.
Hehehe! Your honorable little hamster brought you dinner!
Sitting on the desk, the little creature watched contentedly as Mu Feiyi picked up his chopsticks and slowly finished the meal.
Afterward, the man stepped into the adjacent washroom to wash his face and brush his teeth before returning to lie down on the firm cot. Even in a modest farmhouse, his habits remained meticulous.
The hamster hopped onto the pillow, gently pressing a tiny front paw against the man’s cheek. “Squeak, squeak, squeak.”
You still look so sad. Do you need a soft, fluffy friend to sleep beside you?
Mu Feiyi couldn’t understand the squeaks, but he could tell the little furball was trying to be affectionate. He stroked the creature’s head and reached up to switch off the bedside lamp.
“Go to sleep,” he murmured in the dark. “Your master said tomorrow will be a brand new day.”
“Squeak, squeak.” All right, then! The little hamster will generously share your pillow tonight!
Though sleep did not come easily, running his fingers through the hamster’s silky fur brought Mu Feiyi a deep sense of calm. The creature was remarkably plump, feeling pleasantly plush and fleshy beneath his palm.
“You certainly eat well,” Mu Feiyi whispered, closing his eyes to quiet his racing mind.
A faint, rhythmic purr soon rose from the pillow: gulu-lulu, gulu-lulu. It sounded like a tiny, gentle snore, infinitely softer and sweeter than any human’s. Mu Feiyi had to lean close just to hear the delicate rumble. Like the creature itself, the sound was warm, pure, and disarmingly tender.
Lying in the dark, Mu Feiyi felt as though he had stepped into an enchanting fairy tale. There were sweet treats, hidden danger in the form of a villainous barn cat, and a magical little hamster who seemed capable of understanding human grief.
If it were possible, he would gladly linger in this peaceful dream forever.
Leaning over in the pale moonlight, he brushed a gentle kiss against the top of the hamster’s fuzzy head. “Good night, little one.”
“Squeak, squeak.” Good night, human.
Plop. The hamster rolled over onto his back.
His sweet, polite demeanor had lasted exactly three minutes. The moment sleep claimed him, all dignity vanished. Sprawled out with his soft pinkish-white belly exposed and his four tiny paws flung wide, he even kicked a hind leg out in his sleep, pushing Mu Feiyi’s chin away.
“Heh. Two-faced little rascal,” Mu Feiyi chuckled softly under his breath.
Curling slightly around the sleeping furball, he finally closed his eyes and drifted off.
The next morning, crystal beads of dew clung to the emerald-green leaves across the fields, catching the early sunlight like scattered diamonds.
Holding a paper cup of freshly brewed local tea, Mu Feiyi strolled down the damp dirt path. His dress shirt was slightly rumpled from travel, and his dark hair was casually swept back rather than immaculately styled. Walking through the muddy farm lanes in bespoke Italian leather shoes, he cut a striking, aristocratic figure against the rustic backdrop.
From a stone pathway nearby, Jiao Yuwan froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat.
She couldn’t tear her eyes away. Lifting the hem of her white summer dress, she picked her way through the muddy weeds, completely forgetting her usual fear of dirt, insects, and snakes.
As she drew closer, her heart hammered against her ribs. She recognized him instantly from high-profile corporate interviews.
It really is him!
Why was someone of his towering status walking alone in this rural backwater? Shock gave way to a surge of wild ambition. This was the opportunity of a lifetime!
“H-hello,” Jiao Yuwan stammered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear and offering her most delicate, practiced smile. “Are you out here to watch the sunrise too?”
Mu Feiyi glanced at the stranger with cold, indifferent eyes, not bothering to offer a word in reply. Instead, he pulled out his phone. His assistant had just messaged to confirm that a replacement car would arrive shortly.
He wondered whether it was poor form to depart without saying goodbye to his young hosts. Then again, he planned to visit the Yu estate in a couple of days to see the hamster and the boy in person.
Having eaten Yu Xiaoyuan’s drumstick last night, he needed to bring a proper return gift. A single chicken? Or several?
A faint smirk touched the corner of his lips. Perhaps he should deliver fifty live, clucking hens straight to the Yu villa. Watching that naive young master chase fifty squawking birds around the manicured lawn would be pure entertainment.
“Is Mr. Mu visiting Qian Family Village to unwind?” Jiao Yuwan pressed, desperate not to let the moment slip away. “I know several scenic trails around the valley. Would you like me to show you around?”
Mu Feiyi slipped his phone back into his pocket and turned on his heel, walking away without a shred of gentlemanly courtesy. He had zero interest in entertaining an unfamiliar woman who practically radiated an unsubtle desire to climb the social ladder.
“Mr. Mu! Please wait!” Jiao Yuwan panicked, picking up her pace.
Her family was in shambles. Her parents were locked in a holding cell facing grand theft charges, and she had no idea how she would pay her tuition next semester. She had only agreed to join this countryside trip with Wang Wei to clear her head, but that useless hiking plan had been completely derailed by Yu Xiaoyuan’s explosive revelations in the group chat!
If she couldn’t secure a wealthy backer before the new term began, would she truly be forced to settle for a mediocre boy like Wang Wei?
The mere thought sickened her. Wang Wei was plain, and his family’s modest savings were laughable compared to real wealth. Even her stepfather’s former in-laws, the Yu family, outclassed him by miles. The man she married had to be the undisputed heir to a major corporation!
Now that Mu Feiyi stood before her—handsome, brilliant, and wielding absolute control over the massive Mu Corporation—she was entirely dazzled. Even starting out as his secret mistress would be an upgrade!
Steeling her nerve, Jiao Yuwan hurried forward, preparing to feign a stumble so she could fall delicately into his arms. A fragile beauty collapsing into his chest was bound to stir his protective instincts…
Before she could execute her little performance, she spotted a figure standing ahead on the path.
Yu Xiaoyuan was standing by a wooden fence, yawning lazily as he waved in their direction.
Assuming the gesture was aimed at her, Jiao Yuwan’s blood boiled. Who does he think he is?! If she weren’t trying to maintain a graceful image in front of Mr. Mu, she would have marched over and slapped that insolent look right off his face!
“You’re up early,” Mu Feiyi said, completely ignoring the woman behind him as a genuine smile softened his cold expression. Stepping up to the young man, he asked, “Your little hamster was still sound asleep when I got out of bed. Have you seen him?”
“I saw him,” Yu Xiaoyuan replied vaguely, covering another yawn. “Did you notice the porch when you came downstairs? Big Orange caught eight or nine field mice last night and lined them up neatly across the flagstones.”
The ginger cat had spent the entire night hunting to prove a point. He had arranged his grisly trophies right in the center of the hall, circling the pile and refusing to let anyone sweep them away. Even when Senior Qian tried to bribe him with leftover chicken, the stubborn mouser had hissed and guarded his prizes, determined to show off his superior prowess.
Tsk, what a petty cat. No wonder humans don’t like him!
Mu Feiyi paused, mildly surprised. “Did he do that because of the hamster?”
“Yep!” Yu Xiaoyuan beamed smugly. And because a certain little hamster snitched on him!
He had made Qian Mingtian confiscate Big Orange’s chicken yesterday, sending the furious feline out on an overnight hunting spree to salvage his pride. Yu Xiaoyuan felt entirely justified—if a cat dared to bully a mouse, the mouse had every right to strike back!
Before the boy could gloat further, a soft, cloying voice drifted from behind Mu Feiyi.
“Little brother, is this your friend?”
Jiao Yuwan stepped forward, grinding her teeth in frustration at being ignored, yet still forcing an elegant, composed smile as she brushed back her hair. “Aren’t you going to introduce him to your sister?”
Mu Feiyi glanced sideways, mildly intrigued by the form of address. “You know each other?”
This shallow woman could hardly be Yu Yuanzhou’s daughter; he knew the eldest daughter of the Yu family to be sharp, capable, and decisive.
“Not a chance!” Yu Xiaoyuan snapped, refusing to grant her an ounce of face. “Who does she think she is, trying to claim kinship with me?”
Seeing the timid, easily intimidated boy suddenly turn so sharp, Jiao Yuwan’s heart plummeted. “You…”
Yu Xiaoyuan didn’t let her finish. Raising his voice so that every farmer working in the nearby fields could hear, he announced clearly:
“My deadbeat father married into the Yu family years ago. The second my mother passed away, he took a massive settlement check and ran back to his hometown. This woman is the stepdaughter he acquired afterward.
“Just a few days ago, that shameless father of mine dragged his whole family to the city, trying to extort money and real estate from me, and they even tried to loot my family’s safe! He’s currently sitting behind bars at the police station!”
