Commander Xiao hadn’t made a phone call like this in ages, and in the end, he slammed the phone down to conclude the conversation himself.

Xiao Zong, while rubbing Gu Yin’s earlobe, lowered his head and chuckled, “See, it’s Xiao Jingchuan who has a one-sided grudge with me.”

“My suggestion was so reasonable.”

Gu Yin: …

With the two of us this close, what’s the point of covering my ears?

Gu Yin’s expression must have been too hard to describe, because Xiao Zong raised a sharp, elegant eyebrow, and asked warily, “Secretary Gu, do you have any comments after the meeting?”

“No, no comments.”

Gu Yin murmured softly, trying to slip away, but Xiao Zong quickly grabbed him and pressed him down on the sofa.

The off-white leather sofa sank slightly under the weight of the two men. Xiao Zong subdued the struggling Gu Yin, pinning him down and leaning over him, looking down with a playful smirk, “Gu Xiao Yin, is your husband good to you?”

Xiao Zong’s long, strong fingers ran through Gu Yin’s soft, clean hair, teasing him like he was petting a cat.

Gu Yin loved taking baths. Sometimes, he’d bathe several times a day. Once, he almost fell asleep in the hot water, and it was Xiao Zong who fished him out of the bathtub.

The sudden pull between them startled the cat, making it arch its back and pace nervously along the edge of the sofa.

The omega, sunken into the sofa, tried hard to lift his face, looking innocently at Xiao Zong.

Gu Yin’s lips were a healthy rosy color, though they looked best when slightly swollen from being bitten. Paired with his dewy, doe-like eyes, he seemed so pitiful that it made people want to bully him even more—to push him to the point of tears.

Gu Yin gazed at him obediently, his voice a bit hoarse as he asked, “How should I answer so my husband will let me off today?”

In the past, when he looked at Xiao Zong like that, his expression seemed both clueless and all-knowing at the same time.

Now, showing that look again in front of him, Xiao Zong chuckled lowly, “—You can’t escape anyway. It’s the same no matter how you answer.”

**

Spring had arrived, and the cat had recently fallen into some unknown depression.

It was still more attached to Gu Yin, only meowing in front of him to get attention, but there was always a lingering sense of melancholy in its cries.

Gu Xiao Yin suspected deeply that their improper behavior on the sofa last time had given the poor cat psychological trauma.

Xiao Zong glanced at the cat, listless in Gu Yin’s arms, and coldly said, “It’s one year old, time to go into heat.”

Who knew what Xiao Zong was thinking when he bought Commander and didn’t have it neutered, and now he didn’t seem to have any plans to find it a mate either.

Commander had lived in the penthouse since birth, and before Gu Yin came along, it had never left the skyscraper.

Because of the building’s height, Xiao Zong had installed a cat barrier, and Commander wasn’t allowed on the garden-style balcony. Given the altitude, it couldn’t see any stray cats, only the occasional bird that would stop briefly before flying away.

Every day, the cat would sit sadly by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the sky. Sometimes, it would even “stand up” on its short legs—since it was a Munchkin cat, its view wasn’t great unless it stood.

Gu Yin felt deep sympathy for the CEO’s pampered cat, thinking that perhaps the snow leopard “Hades” would make a good companion… if Commander wasn’t so timid.

The cat’s pitiful meows were enough to break Gu Yin’s heart. Omegas naturally had a stronger sense of empathy for the weak. Seeing Gu Yin’s mood dip along with the cat’s, Xiao Zong finally relented and agreed to find Commander a companion, letting Gu Yin choose.

So Xiao Zong and Gu Yin made plans to visit a cattery together after the exams.

**

Nancheng University’s spring recruitment exams were highly efficient. The written test results were released on the spot, and the interviews were scheduled for that same afternoon to reduce the hassle of students making multiple trips.

Xiao Zong had set aside an entire day to accompany him, which Gu Yin still found surprising.

“Once I start going back to work at the company, I won’t have as much free time,” Xiao Zong explained with a straight face, “If I’m on vacation, I should enjoy it properly.”

—Who was the one working eight hours a day at home and holding emergency company meetings at night?

—It must’ve been Si Xiaoling.

Gu Yin knew that whenever Xiao Zong left the house, the security level would immediately be raised. Even the police would be more on edge, as Xiao Zong was the future of the Xiao family. The Xiao Corporation’s economic influence stretched across the entire main star, and affected the development of the whole H Nation.

And standing behind Gu Yin was Xiao Zong.

Xiao Zong had allocated all his security resources to surround Gu Yin. From the moment he entered the exam hall until he left, Henghua bodyguards were stationed throughout the building.

Nancheng University had been informed in advance. The bodyguards would fully cooperate with the school’s operations, with just an additional security check at the entrance for the day.

As compensation, Xiao Zong donated a laboratory building to the school. Since Nancheng University was a nearby tech university with an ongoing talent partnership with Henghua Group, the arrangement was settled quickly.

Xiao Zong didn’t even need to handle it personally. The general manager of the tech company took care of everything: Today’s “Cash Power” achievement (1/1).

Thus, early in the morning, Wu Yong and the rest of the Henghua security team were once again reunited with Secretary Gu.

Gu Yin kept a low profile in public, and few knew he was about to marry into a wealthy family. But within Henghua… at least in the security department, he was already a legend.

The “if you know, you know” viral meme couldn’t brainwash everyone, but within Henghua Security, Gu Yin was now considered the future young madam. Plus, he held Xiao Yan’s military ID tag.

To them, the military tag of the Federation’s founding general was like the imperial sword. Any military Alpha who sought refuge with the Xiao family would idolize Old Master Xiao.

Any remaining doubts among the bodyguards were put to rest after the incident at Xianyuan Manor. After all, the security team had almost been compromised. It made sense for Xiao Yan to have his grandson’s future spouse take over. Who would trust an outsider with security at such a critical moment?

First, the Xiao family had produced the formidable Lady Fang, and now this omega was proving to be just as impressive.

Maybe others didn’t know, but some of the bodyguards had seen firsthand how ruthless Secretary Gu could be when he smashed the control panel. The Xiao and Leng families were already distantly related, and in crucial moments, they were both known to hesitate. It was decisive actions that these battle-hardened bodyguards lacked.

And yet, this omega had not only won over Xiao Zong but also Old Master Xiao. Some couldn’t help but lament being born the wrong gender. (Xiao Zong: …?)

People see things through a filter, and with this filter, Secretary Gu looked like someone who was quietly formidable.

As for the boss…

Everyone who had worked with Xiao Zong for a while knew just how fierce of a scholar he could be.

His real name wasn’t famous, but the pseudonym Anthony X. Fitzgerald was well-known in academic circles. He had published over a hundred SCI papers in Nature Fed while pursuing his master’s and doctorate simultaneously. Rumor had it that this man had photographic memory and a brain as sharp as a quantum computer.

Because his name was too long, students at the nearby university town nicknamed him “Dr. A.”

If it weren’t for having to return home to inherit billions, he’d probably have continued as a full-time academic.

Besides the gap between a genius and a regular student, most of the military Alphas were rough-and-tumble types who could fall asleep on their beds without even showering after a grueling day of training. But their boss was a pampered young master accustomed to luxury. While he was generally easygoing, his nitpicky habits sometimes made people want to curse.

But Secretary Gu had a certain… how should one put it? An inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Just standing there, he made them think back to their days as rookies, when they were relentlessly drilled by their instructors.

That might be the magic of youth, the military A’s thought.

**

The resistance Gu Yin faced when taking over the security department was less than expected, which made Xiao Zong secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

He said he wouldn’t help, but if Gu Xiao Yin had really been bullied by a group of Alphas, Xiao Zong would’ve been seething with anger. He couldn’t bear to let anyone mistreat his omega, whom he himself couldn’t even bring himself to upset.

That morning, they had gotten up a little too early. Xiao Zong was in a bit of a bad mood. Normally, his grumpiness didn’t show when he was busy with work, but on slower days, it became apparent.

Secretary Gu had somehow heard that sugar could help alleviate morning irritability, so while preparing breakfast, he had made a small dessert just for him.

Xiao Zong, after finishing the sweet, returned to his contented, radiant self, turning back into the pampered, fluffy cat he was. He rubbed Gu Yin’s head and pinched his cheeks.

Wu Yong, seeing this for the first time, was left speechless, utterly stunned.

Wei Mian, however, wasn’t surprised at all. He calmly walked over and greeted them, “Morning, boss. Morning, Yin Yin.”

“Morning, Wei ge,” Gu Yin greeted him sweetly, his tone soft and obedient. He hadn’t seen Wei Mian in over half a month. “How’s your stomach?”

Wei Mian replied, “My stomach’s fine. It’s my teeth hurting these days.”

Gu Yin asked with concern, “Why’s that?”

Xiao Zong came over, pulling his little secretary into his arms, and huffed, “Because he eats too much sugar.”

Wei Mian had inherited Fang Chi’s talent for banter. Previously, in Gu Yin’s mind, the ranking of who dealt the most damage went to Fang Chi, then Wei Mian, and lastly Xiao Zong, who was much more elegant.

But ever since Xiao Jingchuan’s phone call, Gu Yin had quietly switched the positions of Xiao Zong and Wei Mian.

Only little Fang Chi remained forever unbeatable.

**

Today, Xiao Zong was driving his “Suited Thug.”

One of Xiao Zong’s few widely known hobbies was cars. He didn’t just collect them; he liked modifying them. His garage had been expanded multiple times to accommodate his vast collection, which people joked was like an emperor’s harem.

But his latest favorite was this special alloy hover sports car. Since getting it, he hadn’t had a chance to take it out. In a few days, when he returned to work, this fierce beast would be stuck in traffic during the morning rush again.

“…Unless ‘UNNAMED’ fires a rocket into the city center, this is basically an armored car,” Wei Mian explained the car’s performance to Gu Yin, glancing at the boss and tactfully omitting some of its hidden features. “But if they had that kind of firepower, they might as well start a revolution.”

“Yin Yin, you’re studying AI software engineering, right?” Wei Mian activated the AI control system in the back seat. The screen was blank. “The system hasn’t been activated yet because the boss hasn’t decided which chip to use.”

Xiao Zong corrected him, “This car is a gift for Gu Yin. He decides.”

No way was he taking back a gift. After all, Xiao Zong had already received so many returns, and his little secretary was now his entirely. There was no way he’d take the car back.

However, the next second, he heard Gu Yin happily say, “Then can I install ‘Zheme Feixi’ (What’s Going On)?”

Wei Mian clapped his hands, “Great! The madam has good taste!” He even sneaked a glance at Xiao Zong, whose expression was slowly freezing.

Xiao Zong: …

It felt like watching his little wife being wrecked by his other wife.

(Desperately silent.jpg)

“Wait, Yin Yin,” Xiao Zong tried to salvage the situation, “I don’t mind you keeping more cats. Even though it’s a bit of a hassle, I can still provide plenty of fish snacks…”

But could you not keep a virtual pet?!!

“Oh, is that not okay?” Gu Yin thought for a moment, then casually said, “Then forget it.”

Wei Mian suddenly remembered the time Gu Yin had asked if he could work for Fang Chi’s company and whether Xiao Zong would be upset. He couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.

It was commendable how steadfast Gu Yin remained, despite the huge changes in his status. He had never let it get to his head, and he had always stayed true to himself.

Wei Mian wondered if he would have been able to maintain such composure if he had gone through the same experience.

So he became curious about the time when Gu Yin had been “unemployed” at home.

He’d have to find a chance to ask the boss. After all, he was practically half a matchmaker in this, so getting some juicy details up close wouldn’t be too much, right?

Besides, Wei Mian had the privilege of being the host of the #How to Please Your Boss# super topic on the StarNet platform.

Xiao Zong, meanwhile, was gently rubbing the back of Gu Yin’s neck, coaxing him, “The company has two thousand types of AI chips. Take your time picking. If none of them suit you, we can discuss it further, alright?”

Gu Yin happily agreed.

He leaned against Xiao Zong, staring at the trees flashing by outside the window, the corners of his mouth curving up softly.

**

At Nancheng University, near the janitor’s storage room.

The large campus was quiet in the early morning. After a string of rainy days, a few early-blooming cherry trees in the school had suddenly blossomed, making the once-bare branches look full of life.

Occasionally, an early-rising student heading to the library would ride past on a hoverboard, the morning breeze ruffling the hair of these teenagers, aged seventeen or eighteen.

A group of people wearing gray uniforms, with hats labeled “Janitor,” streamed out from the storage room. Inside, a burning furnace was slowly consuming a photograph.

The young man in the photo had a pair of peach blossom eyes, slightly squinting, with a lazy yet dangerous smile. Soon enough, everything was reduced to ashes.