System Xiao Hao 2.0 still issues tasks every morning, and Gu Zhendong has diligently completed the tasks from the past few days.

Today, however, Gu Zhendong kept putting it off and refused to finish it.

Isn't it supposed to be a villain's self-rescue system? Why is he calling someone to confess his feelings?

What does this have to do with the villain?

Xiao Hao 2.0 couldn't give a specific answer to this, only saying that it had just been upgraded and that other functions of the system were still to be explored and discovered.

However, that's how it's arranged from above, and a small system like this cannot disobey the tasks issued by higher authorities.

The man's face darkened completely. The task had been delayed until now, and it was almost past midnight. Xiao Hao 2.0 kept yelling in his mind.

—Host, you have thirteen minutes to complete the task. If you fail to do so, there will be a penalty.

Xiao Hao 2.0 reminded Gu Zhendong in a cold, emotionless, mechanical voice, like a small alarm clock, reminding him almost every minute as the time approached midnight.

If Gu Zhendong fails to complete the task on time, he will not only be punished, but his points will also be deducted.

Without points, it cannot continue to upgrade.

Even without this broken system reminding him, Gu Zhendong knew he should complete the task.

He doesn't want to become a cat or any other animal again.

Gu Zhendong hesitated for a long time, choosing from among the candidates.

He originally chose Kong Xun, but the thought of a grown man telling another grown man "I like you" made him assume Kong Xun was gay, based on Kong Xun's wild imagination.

As for his family, he thought about it for a moment and quickly put it aside.

Finally, two minutes ago, I opened Lu Huan's WeChat and initiated a voice call.

He wanted to marry Lu Huan, so of course he wouldn't remain indifferent forever.

After the call connected, Lu Huan's gentle voice came through the other end, calling out "Mr. Gu" a few times.

The words "I like you" that were on the tip of my tongue suddenly stuck in my throat. Would saying it so directly scare her away?

She seems quite bold, but in reality, she's very timid.

In a flash, he thought of that thunderous night. Lu Huan was terrified of thunder and lightning. The girl's soft body was nestled in his arms, exuding a faint fragrance that made him feel restless and aroused.

Just recalling the scene from that time feels like stepping back in time, and that inexplicable feeling of excitement surges up again.

Lu Huan could indeed cure his headache, but he made his other ailments even worse.

Just as Lu Huan suspected there was a problem with the network and was about to hang up the phone, Gu Zhen suddenly spoke up.

No, I'm here.

The simple four words gradually calmed Lu Huan's rapidly beating heart.

Oh, so he was there.

"Mr. Gu, is there something you need from me?"

Lu Huan found it strange; her voice was calm and relaxed, but her hands kept stroking Gun Gun uncontrollably to relieve her tension.

One of his men got nervous and used too much force, accidentally hurting Gun Gun.

The cat, lying uncomfortably on Lu Huan's lap, opened its eyes, tilted its fluffy little head back, and meowed at him.

The kitten meowed loudly, as if protesting that Lu Huan had hit it too hard. Even Gu Zhendong on the other end of the phone heard the meow.

Gu Zhendong feels uncomfortable whenever he hears a cat meowing.

The reason is simple: he once truly became a cat, and all he ever did was meow.

"Is it your cat?"

Lu Huan exclaimed "Eh!" and realized that Gu Zhendong had also heard Gun Gun's cries, so she quickly chimed in, "Yes, Mr. Gu, you still remember!"

Gu Zhendong: "..."

It would be a miracle if I didn't remember that cat.

Two more minutes passed, and Xiao Hao 2.0 reminded him again to complete the task.

Gu Zhendong frowned, feeling impatient. He truly didn't know how to bring it up.

Before making the call, he didn't think it was a difficult problem, believing that as long as he spoke up, there would be no problem.

“Lu Huan…”

"What's wrong, Mr. Gu?"

Lu Huan responded very quickly. She was filled with doubt and didn't quite understand why Gu Zhendong wanted to call so late at night.

If you don't complete the task, you might have to accept some kind of punishment.

Gu Zhendong took a deep breath and said slowly and earnestly, "I like your...cat!"

When Gu Zhendong tried to say "I like you" directly, he found himself unable to say it and was afraid of scaring Lu Huan away.

Upon hearing those meows, a sudden inspiration struck the man, and he added two more words after "I like you": "the cat."

Xiao Hao 2.0 immediately popped up.

—Host, this does not count as completing the task.

—How can it not count? Didn't I already say "I like you" as per the assigned task?

That's not what I meant...

—Then tell me, what does this mean?!

—The task assigned by the higher-ups is "I like you," but how can you add anything else after that, host?

—The task didn't restrict me from adding any other words before or after "I like you," so I consider this a completed task.

Xiao Hao 2.0 remained silent for a while, wanting to refute Gu Zhendong's words, but it was just a small system, and its thinking logic was not as convoluted as that of humans.

Moreover, Gu Zhendong is eloquent, and Xiao Hao simply cannot argue with him.

—Then it can be considered that you, host, have completed the mission this time.

--Um.

However, at this moment, Lu Huan, who was sitting on the sofa, blushed and felt her heart pound because of the man's words.

This... damn heavy breathing!

The man's voice was deep and seductive. If she hadn't heard the word "cat" later, she would have almost thought that Gu Zhendong was confessing his love to her.

The man's deep voice seemed to carry warmth as it brushed against her earlobe, the warmth spreading to her heart, making her feel hot all over.

Lu Huan was dazed, her mind filled with all sorts of random thoughts. Gu Zhendong called her name several times, but she didn't hear him.

Gu Zhendong called out to Lu Huan again, his voice rising slightly at the end, which pulled Lu Huan back to reality.

She quickly snapped out of her daze and replied, "I'm here!"

Last time, he said he liked his own voice; this time, he said he liked her cat. Every time, he said he liked her in a sweet and flirtatious voice, which always made her misunderstand.

Next time...

Stop!

Lu Huan, please don't flatter yourself!

Gu Zhendong is the main villain in the book. He doesn't have any romantic relationships. He didn't even fancy the female lead, Ye Sangsang, so how could he possibly like you?

After repeatedly telling myself it was impossible, my restless heart gradually calmed down.

Gu Zhendong must love her cat!

Yes, that's right!

Wait a minute, she clearly remembered that Gu Zhendong had only looked at Gun Gun once. At that time, Gun Gun was all dirty, and the man even showed disgust. How come he suddenly likes her cat?

Lu Huan looked puzzled and tentatively asked, "Mr. Gu, do you still remember my cat?"

Gu Zhendong remembered it all, but he absolutely could not tell Lu Huan about such an embarrassing thing.

So the man calmly hummed in agreement, “Gungung is the cutest calico cat I’ve ever seen.”

Gu Zhendong was stunned for a moment. He remembered that during the two days he transformed into a cat, Lu Huan hugged him tightly and said, "Gungun is so cute, Mommy loves you so much!"

The cutest cat?

Lu Huan glanced down at the cuddly creature lying on her lap; it was indeed quite adorable, there was no denying that.

But... Lu Huan hesitated and asked, "Um... how did you know my cat's name is Gun Gun?"

She seems to have never mentioned this to Gu Zhendong, right?

Gu Zhendong was slightly taken aback; they had never mentioned cats before.

He knew the cat's name was Gun Gun, but only because he had turned into a cat.

How did you know?

The man thought for a moment and quickly came up with an excuse, "I saw you posted pictures of Gun Gun on your WeChat Moments."

Lu Huan frequently updates her WeChat Moments, mostly showing off her cat.

Lu Huan sent so much content that she momentarily forgot about it.

I think they mentioned Gun Gun's name.

Lu Huan was easily fooled by the man, and Gu Zhendong had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the little woman on the other end of the line ask him in a crisp voice, "Mr. Gu, did you call just to say you like my cat?"

Is that all?

Calling late at night specifically to say you like her cat is suspicious.

Fortunately, Gu Zhendong had another excuse: "The day after tomorrow is your birthday. What I want to ask is, have you decided what birthday present you want?"

This is also a headache for Gu Zhendong.

Birthday gift.

Previously, Kong Xun handled all these matters himself; he did not personally participate.

But Lu Huan is different; she is, after all, her own medicine.

Gu Zhendong had never given a girl a birthday gift before, and after thinking about it, he still didn't know what Lu Huan wanted, so he simply asked her directly.

Lu Huan hadn't expected Gu Zhendong to still be hung up on this matter. She paused for a moment before replying, "Actually, Mr. Gu, I'm already very happy that you could come to my birthday party. I don't need any gifts."

She doesn't lack anything; if you really want to know, the only thing she probably lacks is a home.

Gu Zhendong frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. "Then what do you like?"

Knowing what she likes is the best way to start.

Without thinking, Lu Huan blurted out, "Money!"

If you were to ask her what she likes most in this world, the answer would be money and beautiful things.

Of course, money is the most important thing in comparison.

Lu Huan's answer was too honest, and Gu Zhendong couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing it.

After answering, Lu Huan realized that her answer was a bit cliché, and blushed as she retorted, "That's not funny, everyone likes money!"

He hadn't laughed so genuinely in a long time. After laughing, he was even stunned for a moment, the smile still lingering on his lips. "Yes, I understand!"

Um?

Lu Huan muttered under her breath, "What do you know?"

"I know you like money."

"..."

＊

After ending the call, Lu Huan collapsed weakly onto the sofa, thinking about the embarrassing situation she had made in front of Gu Zhendong, and wished she could find a hole to bury herself in.

This is so incredibly embarrassing.

When Gu Zhendong gives her a birthday present, he won't actually give her a bunch of RMB, will he?

Because of Gu Zhendong's words, "I like your cat," Lu Huan didn't sleep well all night.

She had an indescribable dream: a man's hot hand pressed against her waist, and he kept whispering "I love you" in her ear.

When she woke up, Lu Huan buried her face deeply in the pillow, her face flushed from head to toe.

So embarrassing!

Lu Huan: I cried! So you wanted to marry me just to pet my cat!

Gu Zhendong: No...

Lu Huan: I won't listen.

Author's note: I'll be updating twice a week in May!

Also, please add my next novel to your reading list: "Transmigrated into the Male Lead's Dramatic White Moonlight Substitute." You can find it in my author page, my little darlings. And while you're at it, please give this poor author, Jiang Shiyi, a follow (poor, weak, and helpless TAT~).

Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Daydream (1);

Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Mu (10 bottles);

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!