Song Suiyuan always had extra patience for things he was interested in.

After the little white cat occupying the bed fell asleep, he instructed, under Sui Mo’s puzzled gaze, “Prepare a small bed and place it in the side room.”

The summer rain was fierce, dispelling the heat, but it left people with nowhere to go.

These days, Song Suiyuan, who went out for fun every day, found himself bored and could only take Sui Mo along the corridor into the study.

Unlike ordinary scholars, his study was quite empty. A row of rare books, two or three storybooks, and a few stacks of familiar rice paper.

Sui Mo skillfully started grinding the ink, while Song Suiyuan casually flipped through the papers placed beside him and picked up a fresh sheet: “Let’s draw a cat today.”

In his previous life, few knew that Song Suiyuan, who was passionate about collecting rare paintings, had drawing skills akin to a child’s, showing no talent at all.

Now, he firmly believed that diligent practice could make up for his shortcomings, but in the eyes of ordinary people, it was just a waste of time.

With long fingers holding the brush, his wrist exerted force, and the ink-soaked wolf hair brush glided smoothly over the paper, like clouds and flowing water.

Sui Mo’s gaze followed the tip of the brush, gradually zoning out in a state of hopelessness.

The young master had exceptional skills with the brush, as long as he gave up on drawing.

Time passed, and Ah Yan, not knowing when he woke up, followed the scent into the study, hearing Sui Mo stammering, “…Young master, I think, I think it doesn’t quite look right.”

He lifted his round head, and the two of them were discussing something around a piece of paper, with Song Suiyuan in serious contemplation and Sui Mo being cautious.

Ah Yan’s eyes lit up, and he joyfully leaped onto the table, greeting with a cheerful “Meow?”

What are you looking at?

Earlier, Song Suiyuan had drawn a black cat, and the result was decent, so he thought of trying to draw Ah Yan.

This was indeed a bit challenging for him.

Ah Yan saw the upside-down drawing on the table, circled around with his little paws, looked at the pile of white, pondered for a moment, and came to a conclusion: “Meow meow?”

Is this a talisman painting used in Shengjing to ward off evil?

Wow, it really looks fierce and menacing.

Song Suiyuan was well aware of how this painting turned out. He was just deeply pondering where the mistake started, and suddenly seeing the real life reference made him feel a bit guilty.

He picked up the little white cat, speaking gently, “Ah Yan, you’re awake. How’s the bed?”

“Meow~” Ah Yan responded perfunctorily, twisting his round head to look at the table, still curious about the unseen talisman painting.

Song Suiyuan paused, letting it be, knowing it wouldn’t recognize it anyway.

Sui Mo took a step back, secretly laughing, just as a sound from outside covered his laughter. It turned out that a guard from the side door had come, and Sui Mo went out and returned with a message: “Young master, Wang San invites you to gather at Liuxiang Pavilion.”

Liuxiang Pavilion, the most famous brothel in Shengjing.

The little white cat’s ears twitched, and its small body lying on the rice paper suddenly stood up, its round pupils sparkling, with “want” and “go” written in them.

Song Suiyuan noticed its demeanor, his brow slightly moving: “Want to go?”

Ah Yan swiftly climbed onto his shoulder, one paw pointing outside, commanding mightily: “Aow!”

Let’s go!

Song Suiyuan, however, sat down leisurely, smiling with ill intent: “Hmm? How much do you want to go?”

At certain moments, like now, Ah Yan could always see the shadow of his father in this newly acquainted Song Suiyuan, that kind of demeanor where he clearly wanted the cat to act cute and close but wouldn’t say it, making the cat guess, and if guessed right, there’d be a reward, if not, a scolding…

Cats can bend and stretch, the warm white round cat face rubbed against his cheek once, then again: “Meow~”

——

At the first quarter of the hour of You, Liuxiang Pavilion.

The sound of hooves arrived, scattering the flowing light.

As they approached, only the bustling voices and the chaotic sound of silk and bamboo could be heard, penetrating the carriage. Song Suiyuan lifted the curtain, ignoring the sudden whispers from all directions, and followed the waiting attendant into the building.

Compared to his usual demeanor, Ah Yan was curiously turning his round head, looking around everywhere.

The three-story main building was intricately carved and painted, with deep eaves, and under the eaves and along the corridors, beauties played music, poets raised their cups to invite the moon, and a hundred bright lights shone like a galaxy, showcasing the prosperity of Shengjing.

A young man who grew up in the vast grasslands of the northwest, like a country bumpkin, still clung to Song Suiyuan’s shoulder after entering, until he heard a sweet “Greetings, Young Master Song” and instinctively turned his head.

Inside the building, it was as bright as day, and the scenery was beautiful, with red-sleeved guests everywhere.

The courtesan greeting Song Suiyuan was named Chen Xiangluo, who played an impressive pipa. She was carrying a pot of wine, about to go upstairs.

Nowadays, officials value appearance, so the officials or wealthy young masters who frequent Liuxiang Pavilion are all good-looking. However, the difference between good-looking and outstanding is like a chasm. Young Master Song was this “outstanding,” and aside from his looks, his talent was renowned throughout the land. Initially, most of the girls in this building were infatuated with him, and after he visited a few times, even more so.

Chen Xiangluo blushed, looking at him with deep affection as she curtsied, “Thank you for the pipa score you gifted last time. I… am very pleased.”

Song Suiyuan nodded, “Miss Chen, you’re too kind.”

His voice was clear and gentle, with a deep warmth, hiding his usual casual laziness.

Ah Yan noticed the difference, thinking he was putting on airs, moved his ears, and let out an ambiguous “Aow.”

Is this Song Suiyuan’s sweetheart?

His mind recalled those ruffians in the army back in the northwest, acting just like this in front of their sweethearts.

Song Suiyuan, holding the cat, chatted briefly with several beauties he encountered, until he reached the third floor, walking straight to the familiar side room without looking around.

“Just now, when Wang San entered, Chen Xiangluo was carrying a pot of wine up and down, and they bumped into each other.”

“Next time, I’ll go too!”

“So envious of being a girl…”

“Look, how cute is the cat in Young Master Song’s arms.”

“I always feel that today, with the cat in his arms, Young Master Song seems even gentler than the last few times…”

The door to the side room opened, revealing only a white, chubby young man dressed in luxurious clothes, adorned with pearls and jade, lounging with his legs crossed, listening to music, both leisurely and comical.

Hearing the sound, Wang San put on a fawning smile, “Boss, you’re here!”

The sound of the guqin stopped, and he respectfully led Song Suiyuan to the seat, continuously saying, “Boss, I was wrong. I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot to send an invitation to your mansion, so I had to send someone to invite you at the last minute. I am at fault, but the delicacies are not. It’s their fortune to be eaten by you.”

He pointed to the ten dishes already prepared on the table, some still steaming, and the two jars of wine.

Song Suiyuan said nothing, slightly raised his eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.

This kid from the Wang family, only gold and silver can make him so diligent. Their friendship began when he discovered this kid’s ability to make money and read people.

Sure enough, Wang San tried to put on a serious face, but couldn’t suppress his wildly upturned mouth, so he gave up and suppressed his excitement, saying, “Thanks to your idea, last month my business profited this much.”

He gestured a five with his hand, and even though his eyes hadn’t opened, talking about this made his demeanor as mature as a wealthy merchant.

Song Suiyuan, holding the cat steadily, said, “Congratulations.”

Wang San chuckled, “Congratulations to both of us.”

They had an agreement in the past that for any new gambling method opened, Song Suiyuan would take a seventy percent commission, which Wang San readily agreed to, because after deducting this large sum, he could earn even more.

It seems the revenue was indeed good.

Song Suiyuan slightly curled his lips, pouring himself a cup of wine.

Wang San wanted to say something, but suddenly noticed the little head poking out from his arms, instantly forgetting what he wanted to say, “Boss, you have a cat now? I recently got a few cats from the Western Regions, all sorts of colors. Whatever color you like, I’ll send it to your mansion.”

One moment praising him for being mature, the next moment lacking awareness.

Originally focused on the wine cup, Ah Yan slowly raised his head, angry: “Aow!”

This heir is not one of those stupid cats!

Song Suiyuan put down the wine cup, stroking the round head to comfort, refusing the offer, “No need, no other cat can compare to Ah Yan.”

The words were pleasant, and the top of the head felt comfortable. Ah Yan settled down, his tail sweeping over the wrist holding him, not giving the person opposite a glance.

Cats hold grudges.

Wang San scratched his head, this cat indeed seemed more spirited than the ones he had.

As expected of the boss!

Their conversation paused, and from behind the landscape screen, a beautiful figure gracefully emerged, kneeling to greet, “I greet Young Master Song.”

The person playing the guqin behind the screen was Shi Wan, the top courtesan of Liuxiang Pavilion, renowned throughout Shengjing.

Although her gaze was restrained, this eager greeting… she was clearly one of those infatuated with Song Suiyuan.

The cat could see it at a glance!

“Aow aow~” The cat’s meow sounded first.

Hmph, Song Suiyuan is a flirt! Bad!

Song Suiyuan nodded slightly at her, using chopsticks to feed Ah Yan a bite of fish, teasingly saying, “Why so fierce.”

He noticed that when Ah Yan was in a good mood, it meowed “meow,” but when it was a bit off, it turned into “aow.”

Ah Yan ignored his words, biting the fish, his small body standing up, round eyes eagerly looking at the beggar’s chicken, a small paw trying to make a gesture to pull it over: “Aow…”

Delicious, give the cat some fragrant chicken.

Song Suiyuan, following its wishes, started feeding it, picking from wherever the little paw pointed.

Shi Wan lowered her head, eyes filled with disappointment, hesitating to speak as she looked at Young Master Song for a long time, not receiving a glance, she could only retreat behind the screen.

Wang San looked left at the dishes he ordered, almost all going into the cat’s stomach, and right at the courtesan twisting her handkerchief, gulping down cup after cup of entertainment wine.

After a few ancient tunes, Wang San took his leave first. It was already evening, and he needed to go back to count his silver, mainly not to disturb the boss listening to music. He had dozed off earlier, waking up to his own snoring.

It seemed he forgot to mention something, but his slightly drunken mind couldn’t recall.

Hmm, he talked about the revenue, so nothing else was important.

“Be careful on the way back,” Song Suiyuan said, still feeding the cat.

He enjoyed the food and guqin performances at Liuxiang Pavilion and often came here to eat and listen to music. Now, feeding the cat was more interesting than eating the food, and he only drank the wine Wang San ordered.

He didn’t know what kind it was, but the wine was more refreshing and fragrant than before.

Unknowingly, a jar of wine was empty, and the beggar’s chicken was down to the bones.

Song Suiyuan put down his chopsticks, frowning as he turned the little white cat over to check its tender belly, worriedly asking, “How does your stomach feel?”

Ah Yan flipped over, both paws on the table edge: “Meow meow…”

The stomach feels fine, quickly give the cat some shrimp.

“Don’t eat anymore, we’ll bring you next time,” Song Suiyuan stopped, holding the little paw back, afraid it wouldn’t know its limits.

Ah Yan didn’t care, whether he ate more or less, he’d be fine, rolling around in protest for a while, then suddenly stopping.

Why let Song Suiyuan feed? The cat can eat by itself!

It’s all Song Suiyuan’s fault!

His mind was focused on the movements behind the screen, Shi Wan played a few wrong notes.

Song Suiyuan watched the little white cat, unrestricted in its eating, observing for a moment, roughly guessing this was one of its extraordinary traits.

After feeling reassured, he spoke to another person in the room, “Miss Shi, let’s end it here today.”

The guqin music abruptly stopped.

After a moment of silence, Shi Wan came out to apologize.

Her red lips opened and closed, but Song Suiyuan didn’t hear a word.

The sweet fragrance from her body brushed past his nose, and his usually calm desires suddenly stirred.

He half-closed his eyes, a storm brewing in them.

——

Wang San, checking accounts, sneezed, his newlywed cousin looking at him with concern.

Soft fragrance and warm jade close by, he suddenly remembered what he forgot to mention today.

He had spent a fortune ordering two jars of Xianxian Drunk today.

Shengjing’s famous wine, Liuxiang Xianxian Drunk. It arouses and excites, making one feel like floating in the clouds.

It should… not be important, right?