A Aloof Beauty Becomes a Tiny Kitten / Transmigrated as the Disabled Tycoon’s Tiny Kitten - Chapter 5

Xu Yi’s expression was blank for a moment.

Slowly, those dull, ashen dark eyes began to glow like stars suddenly ignited in a pitch-black night, shining brilliantly. It was just the simplest of explanations, yet he felt something within his chest revive; that dead heart began to beat powerfully once more.

Xu Yi struggled to open his mouth, trying to say something. However, the moment his gaze landed on the tall man standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lin Xingmo, the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

Standing beside Lin Xingmo was, naturally, Wu Liangyu. His light brown hair was tied in a loose ponytail, his tall, slender frame wrapped in a long trench coat. He was handsome, possessing the unique temperament of an artist. Just standing there with Lin Xingmo, it made people feel like they were the ones who belonged together.

Xu Yi instantly composed himself. His ink-black pupils gazed at them gloomily as he controlled his wheelchair to slowly turn around. The hand gripping his armrest had veins faintly bulging, perhaps from too much force.

Wu Liangyu’s gaze shifted between the two of them. Sensing the sudden, strange atmosphere and the hostility emanating from the man’s dark eyes, he raised an eyebrow and hesitated. “Xingmo, these two gentlemen are…”

Without waiting for Lin Xingmo to answer, Xu Yi tilted his head slightly and reached out his hand with poise.

“Hello. I am Xu Yi.”

“His husband.”

Sitting in a wheelchair, Xu Yi clearly had to look up at others, yet he managed to give off a sense of looking down from above. He was like a wounded, dormant lion, ready to strike at any moment. This could, of course, be called the “Official Spouse Aura.”

Wu Liangyu was indeed stunned. “Husband?”

He instinctively looked at the youth beside him. Seeing no reaction from Lin Xingmo, he hesitantly reached out to shake Xu Yi’s hand. “Hello…” He looked dazed, as if he had been dealt a blow, appearing somewhat disheveled.

A glint flashed in Xu Yi’s eyes, though his face remained unreadable. His gloom and coldness had vanished, replaced by a polite, gentlemanly mask. “And you are?”

“Oh, Wu Liangyu.” Wu Liangyu barely regained his composure. He glanced at Lin Xingmo again, and seeing his indifferent expression, he whispered, “I am… Xingmo’s friend.”

“Is that so? I’ve never heard Xingmo mention you.”

Xu Yi’s eyes curved slightly as he smiled at the youth. His intimate, familiar tone gave absolutely no hint that the two of them were currently in the middle of a divorce.

Beside them, Su Zhuoyang observed Lin Xingmo quietly. He had to admit, this face was truly flawless, if only a bit too cold. Even in such a tense atmosphere, he maintained a look of indifference, as if none of this concerned him. Only when Xu Yi claimed to be his husband did his gaze flicker slightly, but after a glance at Xu Yi, he silently looked away.

Su Zhuoyang ate his “gossip melon” in silence, analyzing the situation in his head. So what’s the deal? Does my cousin still have a shred of hope?

Faced with Xu Yi’s casual yet stinging remark, Wu Liangyu’s eyes betrayed a hint of bitterness. He forced a smile and said, “We knew each other in university. We haven’t been in touch much since graduation; we only recently reconnected.”

Xu Yi: “Oh, I see.”

The man wore a smile that, in Wu Liangyu’s eyes, was purely the posture of a victor. Wu Liangyu’s complexion worsened. He turned to Lin Xingmo again, about to say he wouldn’t disturb them, but the youth spoke first in a soft voice: “Senior, where are your paintings? I want to see them.”

Lin Xingmo hadn’t expected to run into Xu Yi here. He had originally intended to walk away, but happened to hear them talking about cats. Having been sensitive about cats lately, he couldn’t help but speak up to explain.

As for Xu Yi’s self-introduction… he wasn’t wrong. They hadn’t officially divorced yet; legally, they were still partners. To Lin Xingmo, their exchange seemed fine, so out of social etiquette, he waited patiently for them to finish before making his request.

“Ah?” Wu Liangyu blinked, pointing to the adjacent gallery. “Over there. Do you want me to take you?”

Lin Xingmo nodded and began walking. Wu Liangyu looked at him, then back at the slightly pale Xu Yi. Sensing something, he gave a polite nod to Xu Yi and Su Zhuoyang and followed after Lin Xingmo.

Left behind, Xu Yi’s dark eyes stared fixedly at their retreating backs. A trace of sinister gloom flashed in the depths of his eyes, his earlier composure completely gone.

Su Zhuoyang: “Cousin, are we following?”

Xu Yi’s jaw tightened. He forced a word through his teeth: “Yes.”

As they approached, they heard Wu Liangyu asking, “Xingmo, you and that Mr. Xu… are you really married?”

Xu Yi gripped his armrests, his aura turning cold. However…

“Mm.”

The youth’s response was light, yet it was like a warm breeze that swept away all of Xu Yi’s chill.

Detecting footsteps behind him, Wu Liangyu stopped his questioning and looked back. Seeing Xu Yi and Su Zhuoyang following, he wasn’t surprised. Xu Yi, having heard the answer, adjusted his mood instantly. He met Wu Liangyu’s gaze and smiled.

“It seems Mr. Wu suspected I was lying?” Although he was smiling, there was clearly no mirth in his deep, dark eyes.

Wu Liangyu, having realized there was friction between the two, countered, “I was just surprised. I always thought Xingmo liked girls.”

Xu Yi’s body stiffened for a second, then he smiled faintly again. “Mr. Wu is indeed not that close with my Xingmo.”

Wu Liangyu: “…”

As the two were at each other’s throats, poking at each other’s sore spots, Lin Xingmo only felt they were being noisy. He frowned slightly and offered a piece of “kind” advice: “If you two want to chat, you can go outside the exhibition hall.”

Thwack. One-hit KO.

Both men shut their mouths obediently. Only Su Zhuoyang, watching the drama from the front row, struggled to suppress his laughter. He only composed himself after receiving a strange look from Lin Xingmo.

In this bizarre atmosphere, the three of them accompanied Lin Xingmo as he finished the exhibition. By this time, Xu Yi had completely forgotten about buying a painting for his uncle. Even knowing that Wu Liangyu was Master Ruan’s star disciple didn’t move him one bit. Anyone with eyes could see this guy had designs on Lin Xingmo.

“I have something to say to you.”

At the entrance of the exhibition hall, Xu Yi got straight to the point. Lin Xingmo looked at him and didn’t refuse. Wu Liangyu wanted to follow, but Su Zhuoyang pulled him away with a smile.

Seeing his cousin finally being useful, Xu Yi gave him a rare look of approval. He then controlled his wheelchair, moving slowly to a quiet corner of the Arts Center foyer. Lin Xingmo followed unhurriedly behind him.

Xu Yi turned his wheelchair to face him. One standing, one sitting—it was just like that day at the villa.

Inside the gallery, Xu Yi had been suppressing a surge of emotions. He had so much to say, so many questions to ask. But now that they were alone, facing the youth’s persistent indifference, he suddenly found himself unable to speak.

After a long silence, Xu Yi asked, “You said… you’re allergic to cat hair?”

Lin Xingmo: “Mm.”

Xu Yi raised an eyebrow. So, the reason Lin Xingmo refused to live with him after the wedding was this? He wanted to ask why he hadn’t said anything sooner, but thinking back… even if Lin Xingmo had said it, could he have found it in his heart to send away the elderly Snowball?

Xu Yi let out a bitter laugh. “I never heard your brother mention it.” If he had known then, he would have handled things better instead of assuming Lin Xingmo loathed him.

“They don’t know.” Lin Xingmo didn’t really want to discuss this. He tilted his head and asked, “Xu Yi, what do cats eat besides fish and cat food?”

He asked so seriously that Xu Yi was momentarily stunned. He answered anyway: “Various meats. Cats don’t have to eat fish, but they must eat meat.”

Lin Xingmo made a mental note and asked, “What about milk?”

“Better not,” Xu Yi shook his head. “Some cats are lactose intolerant and will get sick. For kittens, goat milk can be used as a substitute.”

Seeing how intently Lin Xingmo was listening, Xu Yi couldn’t help but ask, “Are you going to raise a cat?” Didn’t you say you’re allergic?

“I’m not raising a cat,” Lin Xingmo said vaguely. “Just in case.”

Xu Yi didn’t quite understand, but he didn’t dwell on it. He fell silent for a long time, hesitating, before finally grit his teeth to voice the plea he hadn’t been able to say before.

“Come back and stay—”

“The divorce papers—”

They spoke at the same time. Xu Yi felt his heart, full of affection, doused in the coldest winter snow water. He lost his voice, while Lin Xingmo finished his sentence without a hitch: “—I haven’t received them yet.”

The divorce papers haven’t arrived yet…

Those few words felt like they were tearing through Xu Yi’s soul. He stared blankly at Lin Xingmo. The spark of hope in his dark eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a humiliation he tried—and failed—to hide. It eventually turned into self-mockery. His dignity had been thrown to the ground and crushed by Lin Xingmo once again.

Lin Xingmo looked down at Xu Yi’s suddenly reddened eyes. In his pure, light blue eyes, a trace of confusion appeared. He was fine just now, why suddenly… did I say something wrong again?

“Fine. I understand,” Xu Yi said, his voice raspy. His head was lowered, but his back was ramrod straight, as if nothing could break it. Without another look at Lin Xingmo, he turned his wheelchair and left, his back looking stubborn and unyielding, like someone fleeing to hide their disarray.

Lin Xingmo watched the man’s retreating back. He couldn’t comprehend Xu Yi’s emotional shifts, but… his heart felt a little uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to call out, and saw Xu Yi, who had been leaving so resolutely, suddenly stop.

Xu Yi sensed the gazes from the gallery and, his eyes darkening, changed his mind. He turned his wheelchair around slowly, forcing himself to look up through his humiliation, only to be met by the youth’s beautiful, clear blue eyes. The youth was gazing at him quietly, as if he were the only thing in his world.

Xu Yi’s heart stirred, but he quickly and painfully warned himself: Don’t be sentimental again.

“Crouch down,” he commanded coldly in a low voice.

The youth did as he was told, crouching before him. Those blue eyes were still watching him, looking almost… obedient. It made Xu Yi’s fingers tremble imperceptibly.

What is he doing? Lin Xingmo met his gaze without flinching, his mind flashing back to that kiss at the villa.

Then, he saw the man unwind his scarf and reach out to wrap it around his neck. After two loops, Xu Yi pulled it tight at the front. The fabric brushed against his cheeks—warm, carrying Xu Yi’s body heat.

As Xu Yi adjusted the scarf, his fingertips accidentally brushed against the side of Lin Xingmo’s face. The skin was warm and soft, unlike its owner. Xu Yi pursed his lips and retracted his hand with restraint.

“It’s cold. Dress warmly when you go out.”

Xu Yi didn’t know what he was doing. He could only tell himself this was the last time. From now on, whatever happened to Lin Xingmo had nothing to do with him…

“I wore gloves today.”

Xu Yi paused and looked up in surprise. Lin Xingmo, still crouching, showed him his hands in their knit gloves. It was as if he were saying… See? I listened to you.

Xu Yi stared at him, feeling that he was truly beyond saving. Just a moment ago, he had been in agony because of the rejection, yet now he felt “healed,” and the embers in his heart began to glow again. He closed his eyes, forced himself not to look at Lin Xingmo anymore, and wheeled himself away.

Lin Xingmo stood up slowly. He watched Su Zhuoyang come over to push the wheelchair. Su Zhuoyang waved at him with a smile, and the two entered the elevator. Throughout the process, Xu Yi didn’t look at him again.

“Xingmo…” Wu Liangyu walked over. Seeing the new scarf, he paused, then put on a gentle smile. “Are you not going back with Mr. Xu?”

Lin Xingmo gave a soft “mm,” pulled out his phone to call Assistant Xiao, and said, “Senior, I’m leaving.”

“I’ll see you down.” Wu Liangyu walked ahead and pressed the button. Watching the numbers rise from the basement, he suddenly asked, “Did you and Mr. Xu have a fight?”

Lin Xingmo tilted his head and thought for a moment before saying firmly, “No.”

Gleaning the scarf once more, Wu Liangyu gave a bitter smile and nodded. “Mm, that’s good then.”

The elevator arrived. Lin Xingmo said, “I can go down myself. Thank you for the invitation today, Senior.” Wu Liangyu opened his mouth but ultimately stayed where he was, watching Lin Xingmo disappear behind the closing doors.

Lin Xingmo was alone in the elevator. He stood in silence, hands in his pockets, as he always had. No one else, just himself.

Ding—

The doors opened on the first floor, and a gust of cold air rushed in. Lin Xingmo instinctively shrunk his neck. As he lowered his head, the bottom half of his face buried into Xu Yi’s scarf. The man’s lingering scent enveloped him. He blinked softly.

Only when the doors were about to close did he look up and walk out of the building.

The night in a major city was bustling despite the cold. Lin Xingmo waited by the street and soon got into Assistant Xiao’s car. When he arrived home, it was 10:00 PM. He changed into his slippers and put his boots away. Just as he was about to take off his coat, he heard a knock, knock, knock at the door.

The author says:

CEO Xu: You actually want a divorce?!

Mo-zai: Weren’t you the one who wanted it? [Confused cat face.jpg]