Chapter 25
“If you’re that fond of hamsters, go buy one yourself,” Yu Yuanzhou said with an amused chuckle. “I was waiting upstairs forever, wondering where you’d disappeared to. Turns out you were down here playing with a hamster?”
“He’s just…” A soft tenderness flickered across Mu Feiyi’s eyes as he looked down at the tiny creature. “…rather cute.”
Mu Feiyi was genuinely grateful to this little furball for silently keeping him company by the stream that night, letting itself be cradled, and quietly listening to him talk. Even though the creature had squeaked the entire time in a language he couldn’t understand, he had felt a distinct sense of reassurance, as if the little thing were actually listening and responding.
The hamster was remarkably well-behaved. Even when it grew grumpy and threw a tiny tantrum, it never scratched or bit; it simply batted at him with soft pink paws and let out high-pitched squeaks. It pushed earnestly against fingers that were dozens of times its size, careful never to truly hurt the human.
Although Mu Feiyi intended to ask where they had bought the pet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there wasn’t another animal in the entire world quite this clever and perceptive.
He gently rubbed the creature under its tiny chin. The hamster let out soft, discontented little snorts, its dark eyes watching him warily. It looked ready to bolt at any moment, squeaking in protest, yet it remained completely trapped in place.
The more it resisted, the more endearing Mu Feiyi found the whole display.
Without overthinking it, he scooped the hamster into his trouser pocket, grabbed his chilled bottle of mineral water, and said, “Let’s head upstairs and talk.”
“Take him out of there! He’ll suffocate in your pocket!” Yu Yuanzhou bolted up the stairs after him. “If you like him that much, go buy your own!”
“What do you say, Uncle Yu? Would you be willing to part with him?” Mu Feiyi asked smoothly, sounding entirely serious.
“Ha! Keep dreaming.” Part with his own nephew? Parting with this brazen young wolf was more like it. Yu Yuanzhou’s voice turned stern: “Put him in your pocket again, and I won’t let you touch him at all.”
Mu Feiyi gently cupped the hamster in his palm before placing it into the front pocket of his tailored dress shirt instead.
The little creature stood upright inside the pocket, resting its two front paws over the fabric’s outer edge. Tilting its round head, it glanced curiously at the tall young man, then over at its uncle.
Yu Yuanzhou had to admit, seeing that tiny head peeking out with its velvety ears twitching was utterly adorable. It was no wonder Mu Feiyi was so smitten; the boy was simply too charming for his own good.
Once inside the third-floor study, the hamster lingered in Mu Feiyi’s shirt pocket for a short while before clambering onto the mahogany desk to play on a wooden slide.
Yu Yuanzhou watched the little furball slide down with a joyful whoosh, then reached out to place him back at the top. “What are your plans now?”
“Hard to say. Maybe catch up with a few old friends and travel,” Mu Feiyi replied, watching the creature with a faint, relaxed smile. A crushing weight had finally lifted from his shoulders, leaving him feeling lighter than he had in years.
Yu Yuanzhou understood the unbearable pressure the Mu family had placed on the young man. Recognized for his razor-sharp intellect, Mu Feiyi had been handpicked by Old Master Mu at the age of six to be groomed as the sole successor.
He was the son of the eldest branch’s third wife. Tragically, his father had divorced his mother while she was still recovering from childbirth. The vast clan didn’t mind feeding another mouth, but before the age of six, the boy had been virtually invisible, eating alone in his room and only appearing as a quiet shadow in the corner during family banquets—until the patriarch finally noticed his brilliance.
“Are you planning to go abroad?” Yu Yuanzhou asked offhandedly. “Within the next week or so?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but a few friends mentioned a ski trip.”
Mu Feiyi watched the hamster stick out its round behind, grunting as it tried to scramble up the smooth wooden slope. Unable to resist, Mu Feiyi leaned in and gave the plump rear a gentle nudge.
Smack!
Yu Yuanzhou slapped his hand away immediately. “Where do you think you’re touching?!” That’s my nephew you’re poking!
The slap stung, but Mu Feiyi merely shook his head with an easy laugh. “Uncle Yu, are you raising a pet, or an actual child?”
“Pretty much the same thing!” Yu Yuanzhou bluffed, unable to reveal that this truly was his nephew, whom he had raised like a son. “Isn’t that how young people live nowadays? The pets they bring home become the elders’ spoiled little prince or princess. My daughter isn’t interested in marriage anyway, so doting on this little guy saves us plenty of trouble.”
A completely airtight excuse!
“If my grandfather saw you like this, he’d lecture you for neglecting business for frivolous distractions,” Mu Feiyi remarked, swiftly extending a finger to give the hamster’s rear another playful tap.
Startled, the little creature lost its footing, flipped over onto its back, and began chattering furiously at him, its soft belly heaving in indignation. It slid all the way down to the bottom of the ramp with a soft whoosh.
“Why do you keep provoking him?” Yu Yuanzhou grumbled in fond exasperation. “Does it make you happy when he yells at you and refuses to let you near him?”
Cupping the furball gently, Yu Yuanzhou set him back at the top of the ramp, guarding the edges until the little creature slid down safely twice. Only then did he stroke the boy’s head and settle him onto a plush velvet cushion on the desk.
Mu Feiyi had mentioned a ski trip, which almost certainly meant flying overseas. Yu Yuanzhou was unsure whether staying domestic or leaving the country would be safer once the cataclysm struck. Still, he had far more connections and influence domestically, whereas starting from scratch abroad with scarce gear and provisions would be a nightmare.
Besides, he trusted Mu Feiyi’s integrity. If possible, he wanted to bring the capable young man into their survival circle.
“Why not ski domestically?” Yu Yuanzhou suggested casually. “I happen to own a private mountain lodge up north; feel free to use it whenever you like. But before rushing off, get some proper rest and think about your next move. In a couple of days, I plan to take Tianwei and Little Yuan out to Mount Qingyan for a quiet retreat. It’s secluded and peaceful out there. Would you like to come along?”
“No, I won’t intrude on your family’s quality time,” Mu Feiyi replied. Still, his fingers drifted toward the cushion, lightly brushing against the hamster as it curled into a ball to nap. “Though if you ever need someone to look after the little one, I’m happy to help.”
The message was clear: if the hamster needed babysitting, he was more than willing to step up.
“Hah! Our Little Taro Ball doesn’t need your babysitting; we take wonderful care of him ourselves.” Yu Yuanzhou brushed his hand aside without ceremony.
Having his sleep repeatedly interrupted pushed the little hamster past his limit.
Sitting bolt upright on the cushion, the creature shot a poisonous glare at the human who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. With a decisive huff, it scrambled onto the desk-to-floor slide, zipped down to the rug, and strutted out the door with its head held high.
Mu Feiyi tracked the creature’s waddling behind with amused eyes. As the hamster passed his chair, it even shot him a grumpy, sidelong glare, letting out two sharp squeaks before scurrying away.
“See that?” Yu Yuanzhou said smugly. “You kept pestering him, and now he’s fed up with you. He left to find some peace and quiet.”
Mu Feiyi couldn’t help thinking that if the creature belonged to him, he would have scooped it right up, slipped it into his pocket, and kneaded those soft cheeks until it squeaked—without any intention of letting go.
Look at that haughty little walk, he thought with a grin.
He was tempted to follow and give that round tail another tap, but under Yu Yuanzhou’s watchful gaze, he simply leaned back on the sofa and raised his hands in surrender. “It seems there’s a slight misunderstanding between us.”
“A misunderstanding?” Yu Yuanzhou scoffed. “A misunderstanding so severe that he refuses to stay in the same room with you?”
Mu Feiyi noted that Yu Yuanzhou truly doted on the creature like a spoiled child. Still, he understood the sentiment; had the pet been his, he would have pampered it just as shamelessly.
Reaching into his jacket, Mu Feiyi pulled out a large, sealed pouch of premium roasted peanuts and tore open the corner. “Look what I brought him.”
The little hamster, who had just strutted to the study’s threshold, skidded to a dead halt.
Whipping its head around, its eyes locked onto the bag with pure longing.
Peanuts! The little hamster’s absolute favorite roasted peanuts!
“And some artisanal peanut butter for Little Yuan,” Mu Feiyi added casually. He had picked it up on an impulse while shopping, remembering the thick, generous spread on the sandwich the boy had handed him that morning.
Mu Feiyi felt as though he still hadn’t fully digested the rich butter by lunchtime; everything he tasted seemed to carry an earthy peanut aroma. He was certain the sandwich was something the boy adored himself. With the Yu family heir’s wonderfully simple, uncomplicated mind, there was no chance it had been a deliberate prank.
Yu Yuanzhou’s expression grew increasingly guarded. He couldn’t help wondering if his daughter’s wild suspicions actually held some truth. Was Mu Feiyi trying to win over the entire household? Why else would a notoriously cold business titan bother bringing personal treats for a sheltered nephew he had barely spoken to?
“How very thoughtful of you,” Yu Yuanzhou muttered, his eyes narrowing at the hamster, who was already scampering back across the rug as fast as its stubby legs could carry it.
The little creature was practically bouncing around Mu Feiyi’s polished leather shoes, begging for a treat.
Utterly shameless! Yu Yuanzhou thought, exasperated. Are you really that desperate for a handful of peanuts? You were glaring daggers at the man five seconds ago, and now you’re dancing around his ankles!
Thoroughly entertained, Mu Feiyi scooped the eager furball up and set him on the wide leather armrest. He selected the largest, most flawless shell from the bag, pinching the seam between his thumb and forefinger.
With a crisp crack, the shell split open.
“Do you want it?” Mu Feiyi asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
The hamster nodded with frantic enthusiasm, its dark eyes blazing with pure determination.
Mu Feiyi let out a low chuckle. “Then show me how much you want it.”
The little creature stared intently at the golden kernel. Placing two soft pink paws against the man’s knuckles, it began swaying its plump body gently from side to side.
Sway, wiggle, sway.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak~” Don’t be cruel to the little hamster! The little hamster wants the peanut!
It looked up with wide, liquid eyes, its pink paws resting politely against his skin while the stub of its tail wagged back and forth with unmistakable charm.
Its velvety ears, set delicately on either side of its cheeks rather than perched high like a cat’s, fluttered with excitement. Resting flat across the man’s broad hand, looking up with obsidian eyes that sparkled like stars, the milk-tea-colored hamster was an absolute picture of trust and innocence.
A wave of effortless warmth washed over Mu Feiyi, chasing away the lingering gloom of the past few days.
In that quiet moment, the cutthroat politics of the Mu Corporation felt entirely meaningless. Even if the patriarch fell to his knees begging him to return, he had no interest in looking back. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to linger in this quiet room, shelling sweet peanuts for the adorable little creature gazing up at him so adoringly.
Mu Feiyi selected a plump roasted peanut and offered it to the well-behaved little hamster. The creature eagerly reached up with both paws, caught the prize, hugged it tightly against his chest, and rubbed it affectionately against his cheek.
Taking advantage of the moment, Mu Feiyi extended his index finger. The hamster shot him a brief, wary glance, but relented and gave the knuckle a reluctant, soft nuzzle.
Then, with an eager little gulp, the hamster popped the nut into his mouth, causing his left cheek to puff out instantly.
Noticing the lopsided swell, Mu Feiyi chuckled. It seemed the little creature really hadn’t been hiding any snacks in his mouth earlier. Right now, he was so comically round that he looked completely top-heavy.
For the sake of symmetry, Mu Feiyi cracked open another shell and offered a second peanut.
The hamster gave him a calculating look, took the nut, and promptly stuffed it into his opposite cheek.
“Perfect,” Mu Feiyi said, dusting off his hands with immense satisfaction. “Balanced at last.”
Now came the fun part: reaching out with both hands to give those swollen cheeks a thorough massage.
The little hamster threw his head back, refusing to let him touch. Pushing firmly against Mu Feiyi’s palm with both front paws, he wriggled his head free and gave his entire body a vigorous shake.
Rrr-shhk!
In an instant, the fur that had been flattened down by all the petting fluffed back up, soft and voluminous.
The hamster shook himself so hard that his velvety ears flapped wildly against the sides of his head. Then, bringing both paws up, he kneaded his own cheeks in frantic, circular motions.
Poof.
His cheeks were completely flat again!
Mu Feiyi paused, bewildered. He gently cupped the hamster and stroked his jawline. “Wait… where did the peanuts go?”
Both pouches were flat as paper!
The little hamster opened his mouth wide with an exaggerated Ahhh~, letting the man see for himself that there was not a single crumb left on his tongue.
Then, letting out a chorus of high-pitched squeaks, he waved his front paws. The little hamster wants more! Give me another peanut!
Mu Feiyi stared suspiciously at the innocent-looking furball resting in his palm. A strange feeling crept into his mind. Could it be that this little hamster wasn’t truly as simple-minded as he looked, but was actually playing him for a fool?
He brushed the thought aside. He slowly peeled another shell. Even if the little creature was scheming, what harm could a tiny hamster do? He was only trying to trick him into handing over more treats. And to get those treats, didn’t the little rascal still have to sit there obediently and endure being petted?
“Where did Little Yuan run off to? Is he out today?” Mu Feiyi asked casually, remembering to check in on the delightfully naive young heir of the Yu household.
“He went out to have some fun,” Yu Yuanzhou replied, watching his disguised nephew squeak and squirm under Mu Feiyi’s relentless strokes with a very conflicted expression.
He could hardly blurt out that the boy was sitting right inside Mu Feiyi’s hand, actively being bullied.
“What a shame. I wanted to thank him properly in person,” Mu Feiyi murmured. While he was deeply grateful for the hamster’s quiet companionship that night by the stream, he knew full well who had sent the creature to comfort him.
“There’ll be plenty of chances later,” Yu Yuanzhou said, rubbing his face with a weary sigh. Watching his nephew let himself be stroked from ears to tail just for a single peanut made the uncle itch to smack Mu Feiyi across the room. Yet, on the other hand, the silly boy was practically offering himself up voluntarily.
Besides, Mu Feiyi remained one of the most promising young men in their social circle. If Tianwei wasn’t a match, then perhaps…
Mu Feiyi lightly tapped the hamster’s pink nose. The little hamster swatted the offending finger away with an impatient squeak.
Smirking, Mu Feiyi showed him the golden peanut kernel resting on his open palm, and then snapped his fingers shut into a tight fist.
The little hamster scurried forward, tugging and prying at the closed fingers with his tiny claws. After struggling in vain, he realized the human had no intention of opening up.
Placing both front paws over the man’s knuckles, the hamster leaned back, tilting his head with pure bewilderment. He shot the man a mix of confusion and irritation, as if demanding: Why aren’t you giving the little hamster his peanut?!
Because everything in this world came at a price—namely, letting him cuddle the furball a little longer.
“Hmm?” Mu Feiyi poked the soft, pale tummy, giving a pointed nudge. “Do you get it now?”
The hamster looked down at his own belly, then glared up at the shameless human towering over him.
Yu Yuanzhou, who had been speaking, suddenly realized that his guest had stopped paying attention entirely and was wholly absorbed in teasing the pet.
What had this young man come here for today anyway? Was he trying to abduct his nephew’s hamster, or had he just stopped by to play games?
Yu Yuanzhou was caught between irritation and laughter. “Feiyi, are you so fascinated that you’ve forgotten you have a home of your own?”
“You made a fair point earlier, Uncle Yu. I really should take a few days off to clear my head,” Mu Feiyi replied offhandedly, though a genuine glint of calculation flashed behind his glasses. For instance, he could easily stay at his private villa nearby and drop by every morning to play with the hamster.
With that thought in mind, he reached out to tickle the soft tummy once more.
The little hamster shoved frantically with his pink paws, but who was Mu Feiyi? He wasn’t the type to back down so easily. Dodging the tiny paws with ease, his fingers slipped underneath to gently stroke the warm fluff. “Let me pet you, and the peanut is yours.”
Opening his palm, he offered a glimpse of the prize.
Yu Yuanzhou looked on in disbelief. Am I really sitting here watching this scoundrel bribe my nephew with a peanut? Is this appropriate? In what world is this appropriate?!
“Enough, that’s plenty,” Yu Yuanzhou snapped, grabbing a handful of unpeeled peanuts from the gift basket. “Little Yuan—er, little hamster, come over here! Uncle has plenty of peanuts for you. Don’t waste your time with him; all he wants to do is take advantage of you!” He shot a sharp, protective glare at Mu Feiyi on the last sentence.
Mu Feiyi shrugged with complete innocence. “I’m just playing with him.”
He watched with mild disappointment as the little hamster instantly abandoned his hand, scampering across the cushions straight toward Yu Yuanzhou to watch the older man crack open the shells.
Yu Yuanzhou had no interest in playing mind games. He cracked open several nuts and lined the golden kernels along the edge of the coffee table, letting the creature feast at his own pace.
Seeing his leverage evaporate, Mu Feiyi casually tossed the prize into his own mouth. He had to admit, the butter-roasted peanuts were remarkably fragrant.
Across the table, the fluffy little hamster was snuggled affectionately against Yu Yuanzhou’s forearm, gazing up with wide, adoring eyes as his uncle peeled another shell.
It was the exact same posture the creature had held moments ago—the only difference was that someone else was on the receiving end.
Hmph. A strange prick of jealousy stirred in Mu Feiyi’s chest. It turns out anyone with a peanut can win him over.
While Yu Yuanzhou reached for another shell, Mu Feiyi discreetly extended a finger and gave the hamster’s round behind a retaliatory flick.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!!”
The little hamster leaped into the air like a startled spring, clamping both paws over his rear as he spun around to glare at the culprit in sheer outrage.
“Hey!” Yu Yuanzhou clicked his tongue, glaring at Mu Feiyi. “Why are you always picking on the little guy?”
He gently tucked the freshly shelled nuts into the hamster’s paws, stroking the ruffled fur on his head. “There, there, Uncle is here. It doesn’t hurt, does it?”
The little hamster clung to his uncle’s sleeve, hopping up and down while squeaking out a passionate stream of grievances.
“All right, all right, Uncle will teach him a lesson!” Yu Yuanzhou lightly slapped the back of Mu Feiyi’s hand. “He flicked you, so he’s a troublemaker. Uncle will get even for our little hamster!”
Mu Feiyi stared down at his reddened knuckles in sheer disbelief. “Uncle Yu… are you really going to spoil a pet like that?”
“If you kept your hands to yourself, would there even be a problem?” Yu Yuanzhou rolled his eyes.
Pulling a clean linen handkerchief from his pocket, he piled the remaining shelled peanuts inside, tied the corners into a neat little bundle, and slung it gently over the hamster’s back like a traveler’s pack.
“Off you go now. Take your snacks downstairs to play.”
Yu Yuanzhou personally carried the little creature to the study door and gently set him down in the hallway. He understood that as long as the little furball remained in the room, Mu Feiyi would never focus on serious business.
Did this kid never have pets growing up? Is he trying to make up for a deprived childhood all at once?
Muttering under his breath, Yu Yuanzhou shut the heavy wooden door behind him. Turning back, he caught the lingering trace of disappointment in Mu Feiyi’s eyes.
“My dear nephew Mu, if that little fellow stayed in here, do you honestly think we’d get around to our main topic today?” Yu Yuanzhou sighed, settling back into his executive chair. “Let’s talk about your real plans.”
“Taking a few days off, like I said,” Mu Feiyi answered smoothly, raising an eyebrow.
“And after that?” Yu Yuanzhou pressed. He knew the young man far too well to believe he would simply retire into obscurity.
Yu Yuanzhou had prepared for multiple contingencies. While he took the impending disaster seriously, he was a pragmatic businessman who never put all his eggs in one basket. He had no intention of burning his bridge with the Mu Corporation or losing his connection with Mu Feiyi.
The legacy Mu family was crumbling from within; without Mu Feiyi at the helm, the conglomerate would struggle to survive the coming storms. Yet if Mu Feiyi struck out on his own, he was entirely capable of building an empire of his own within a few years.
“As long as the Old Master breathes, I cannot restructure the corporate board the way it needs to be done,” Mu Feiyi said with an indifferent shrug. “I intend to rest for a few days, gather a core team of trusted partners, and leave the region entirely. I’ll build operations abroad for a few years and see where the dust settles.”
Yu Yuanzhou nodded slowly. He had always recognized the man’s extraordinary talent; freeing himself from the clan’s dead weight was like a dragon taking flight into an open storm.
Rising from his seat, Yu Yuanzhou walked over to the safe, retrieved an untraceable high-limit corporate card, and wrote out a substantial cashier’s check.
“Your Uncle Yu can’t fight your battles for you, and with your pride, you wouldn’t accept charity anyway,” he said, sliding the card and draft across the mahogany surface. “Take this as a token of support from an elder to a younger generation.”
Yu Yuanzhou understood the reality: resting quietly was fine, but launching an independent venture was another matter entirely. The moment Old Master Mu caught wind of his grandson setting up a rival firm, the old man would pull every string in the domestic market to strangle the startup in its cradle. Only by leaving the province and stepping outside the family’s sphere of influence could Mu Feiyi rise unhindered.
And when a founder broke away under hostile conditions, the liquid capital he could carry was inevitably limited. Mu Feiyi’s mention of meeting old friends was almost certainly a quiet effort to rally investors. Offering timely support right now was the smartest investment Yu Yuanzhou could make.
Mu Feiyi looked down at the check, a flicker of genuine surprise softening his sharp features.
Their two families were business associates, but he had never shared a close personal bond with Yu Yuanzhou. For the older man to offer such unreserved backing at a moment when the rest of high society was betting against him spoke volumes.
Slowly picking up the draft and the card, Mu Feiyi slipped them into his breast pocket. “I will remember this kindness, Uncle Yu.”
“You’re still young. Stepping away from that gilded cage to see more of the world and figure out what you truly want is a blessing in disguise,” Yu Yuanzhou said warmly, patting the younger man’s shoulder.
They spent the next hour discussing regional market dynamics, though Yu Yuanzhou made sure to weave in a subtle warning: if Mu Feiyi planned to leave the city over the coming days, he should retreat to a quiet, scenic domestic area with low population density, and firmly avoid international travel for the time being.
His stated excuse was simple: “Who knows? Perhaps the Old Master will come to his senses in a few days.”
Both men knew the old man would never see reason—only bitter regret once the conglomerate began to fracture, which would take years to play out.
Mu Feiyi offered a noncommittal smile, checking his watch as noon approached before standing to take his leave.
“Go on, then,” Yu Yuanzhou said, escorting him to the study threshold. “Head downstairs and say goodbye to the little hamster yourself. I won’t walk you all the way to the front door.”
Letting him see himself out was a deliberate courtesy, giving the young man a chance to bid farewell to his little favorite.
Mu Feiyi smiled, waved to Yu Yuanzhou, and immediately began scanning the lower floor. Since the Yu family allowed their pet to wander freely through the villa, there was no telling which quiet corner the creature had slipped into.
“Little hamster?”
“Where are you hiding, little hamster?”
“I’m leaving now. Aren’t you coming to see me off?”
Down in the basement, the hamster—who had just finished packing several crates of fresh ice blocks into his spatial pouch—pricked up his ears at the sound of his name. Scampering up the stairs, his tiny paws went pat-pat-pat across the hardwood.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak?” You’re leaving already?
The little hamster hopped onto the dining table, standing on his hind legs and politely waving his front paws to bid the guest farewell.
Looking at the obedient, perfectly poised furball perched on the wood like a tiny plush toy, Mu Feiyi felt his self-control crumble.
He glanced up at the firmly shut study door on the landing, leaned in close, and dropped his voice to a hushed murmur.
“Hey, little hamster… do you want to come out and play with me?”
“Squeak?!”
The hamster froze, his paws suspended in mid-air.
What did he just say? What on earth is this human plotting now?!
Before he could react, Mu Feiyi had already pulled open the wide front pocket of his jacket, whispering with a soft, coaxing grin:
“Hop inside. I’ll take you out for an adventure~”
