Chapter 55: The cat was taken away!

After Xie Yan posted his Household Register Book on Weibo, the online atmosphere instantly flipped—from casual onlookers eating popcorn to outright worship of the CEO brother.  

Xie Xiaobao had risen from a small-time streamer little by little, never once mentioning his family background before.

Fans simply assumed he came from an ordinary middle-class household.  

But no one expected that once his identity was revealed, he turned out to be a second-generation rich heir.

There were many second-generation rich kids, but having an older brother who was the Feng Sheng President and a close friend who was the CEO of He’s Entertainment—that was something you couldn’t easily find anywhere else.  

Netizens flooded Xie Xiaobao’s Weibo, switching from topics like “How to flirt with a male idol” to trending hashtags such as #HowToBeRebornWell#.  

Even under the personal Weibos of He Yu and Xie Yan, all the comments were about paying respects to the older brother, asking if he needed a younger brother, and that there was one who was obedient and could even be scolded at will.  

“Brother.”  

Finding it annoying, Xie Yan simply logged out and shut down Weibo, but Xie Xiaobao happily scrolled through the comments on his phone.  

“They’re all jealous that I have a big brother.” Xie Xiaobao chuckled, tilting his head up at Xie Yan.

“They don’t know I also have a second brother.”  

“Ah, and Meili too,” Xie Xiaobao added, suddenly remembering Xie Meili from their clan.  

Having a reliable older brother, a cute little sister, and a good friend—he really was a winner in life.  

Xie Xiaobao’s lips curled into a confident smile as he replied to the latest popular comment below.  

[Xie Xiaobao: Being reborn is a skill you can’t learn / cute]  

Fans wailed in disbelief, insisting this couldn’t be their soft and adorable Xiaobao!  

Xie Xiaobao laughed heartily, and seeing his happiness, Xie Yan suddenly asked, “Do you want to enter the entertainment industry someday?”  

With Xie Xiaobao’s current popularity and the backing of Feng Sheng and He’s Entertainment, he could easily sail through the entertainment world.  

But Xie Xiaobao had no interest in that life.

He shook his head and looked toward Xie Feifei and Lu Xiaoyue, who were surrounded by cameras.

“Being an actor is too tiring. I’ll just livestream to earn some living expenses. Later on, if I have time, maybe I’ll open a handicraft shop.”  

His thoughts had never changed.

He’d become a streamer first because he found it fun, and secondly, since he had run away from home, he needed a job to support himself; otherwise, it would be too embarrassing.  

Xie Yan neither opposed nor agreed, simply nodding, “As long as you like it.”  

At six in the evening, Paper Doll Cat’s scenes were finished.

Xie Xiaobao held the cat as he went to the restroom for a quick blood test, then went out to eat with Xie Yan.  

No sooner had they left than the entire crew exploded with excitement.  

The camera operators, stagehands, and extras were all stunned, and even the vice director, clutching his round belly, went to ask Director Luo Qin about the news.  

Luo Qin shot him a glare and said, “I didn’t know beforehand either. Less gossip, more studying.”  

The vice director rubbed his nose and sulked away to spread rumors elsewhere.  

Not far from the crew’s location, Yang Qifei sat on the hotel floor, lost and dejected, surrounded by empty bottles.  

A day and a night had passed since the revelation.  

He had gone from smugly steering public opinion to panic and horror upon learning the truth, all within less than thirty hours.  

His life had plummeted from the heights of success to rock bottom in an instant.  

Though he was still sitting there for now, no one knew what awaited him in the next moment.  

The financial backer had blocked him, his manager’s calls were unreachable, and the last remaining assistant was kicked out half an hour ago.  

He sat there dazed, replaying the past half month in his mind, feeling his misfortune grow ever since Xie Xiaobao appeared.  

If only he had known Xie Xiaobao’s identity earlier…  

If only he had listened to his manager and not leaked the news…  

If only… There were too many “if”s, and Yang Qifei’s regret twisted inside him like a knot, aching terribly.

He wished he could go back and strangle his leaking self the day before, but everything was already decided.  

Now, all he could do was hope that Xie Yan wouldn’t discover he was the one who leaked it.  

While Yang Qifei was tangled in his worries, Xie Xiaobao and Xie Yan were eating dinner together.  

The private dining room was filled with dishes Xie Xiaobao loved.  

Xie Xiaobao’s mouth watered as he set the Paper Doll Cat aside, clasped his chopsticks tightly, and watched Xie Yan expectantly, waiting for him to start eating first so he could eat too.

After all, he had just caused trouble for his big brother and wanted to behave well.  

Xie Yan’s lips curled slightly as he picked up his chopsticks and offered him a shrimp, “Eat.”  

“Waiting for you first.”  

Xie Xiaobao’s eyes lit up, and he finally began to eat.  

Xie Yan took a bite and put down his chopsticks, watching Xie Xiaobao eat happily, his smile growing wider.  

The Paper Doll Cat, left unattended, glanced around, then nimbly jumped down from the chair and trotted over to Xie Yan’s legs.  

A soft meowing sound came from at his feet.

Xie Yan looked down and saw the round, orange cat sitting by his leg.

When it noticed him, it rubbed affectionately against his calf.  

Xie Yan looked down at it for a moment before bending to pick it up.  

The Paper Doll Cat loved him, meowing softly as it rubbed its head and paws against his arm, its small voice especially cute.  

Xie Yan pinched its fluffy paws and smiled, “It really does look like you.”  

Xie Xiaobao gobbled down another shrimp, then saw the cat go over to act cute for big brother again and complained unhappily, “Not at all. It’s not dignified. If anyone pets it, it immediately flips over on its back.”  

Xie Yan smiled faintly and replied, “You were like that when you were little too. Not shy at all.”  

“!!!” Xie Xiaobao’s eyes widened in disbelief, retorting, “No way.”  

Xie Yan rubbed the Paper Doll Cat’s belly contentedly and said, “If you don’t believe me, go ask Mom, Dad, and Xie Qi. Meili should remember too.”  

Xie Xiaobao: “…”  

He huffed angrily, took a bite of fish, glared at the cat, and continued eating with a fierce expression.  

After finishing the meal and preparing to leave, Xie Yan suddenly asked, “Is there more Paper Doll Cat?”  

Xie Xiaobao didn’t understand at first and answered foolishly, “Yeah, Second Brother prepared a lot for me.”  

“That’s good.” Xie Yan nodded, holding the cat as they walked out. “Let’s go.”  

Back at the hotel, Xie Xiaobao finally understood what Xie Yan’s question meant.  

“You want to take it home?” Xie Xiaobao’s eyes went wide.

“The Paper Doll Cat only lasts five hours. It’ll disappear soon.”  

Xie Yan pinched the cat’s ears and paws again by saying, “It’s okay, just play with it for a bit.”  

Xie Xiaobao could only fume silently as he watched Xie Yan carry the meowing Paper Doll Cat into the car and leave.  

Annoyed, Xie Xiaobao returned to his room and threw himself onto the soft, big bed.  

After lying there a while, Xie Xiaobao felt better.

He got up, grabbed his phone, and looked through it.  

A string of missed calls—all from He Yu.  

Xie Xiaobao called back, and the line was picked up quickly.  

He Yu had called because he worried Xie Xiaobao was upset by the chaotic rumors online.

But Xie Xiaobao was far more optimistic than He Yu imagined.

Less than two days after the incident, he was already laughing and sharing online jokes with He Yu.  

“Don’t worry, I won’t get mad. I’m not money; I can’t expect everyone to like me.”  

He Yu chuckled softly, “Hmm, as long as we like you, that’s enough.”  

The voice on the other end was slightly hoarse, scratching at Xie Xiaobao’s heart like sandpaper—ticklish and stirring.  

Xie Xiaobao rubbed his ear hard and changed the subject, “Are you tired?”  

He Yu’s tone was a bit weary.

Five days ago, he went to the United States to negotiate a project.

He had already gone through three rounds of back-to-back talks over profit sharing with the other company.

Then Xie Xiaobao’s scandal broke, making He Yu worry that Xiaobao wanted to return early.

He had been working until three or four in the morning for three consecutive days.  

“You noticed?” He Yu chuckled, “Yeah, negotiating in the US is a bit tiring, but it’ll be finalized soon.”  

“Then get some rest quickly.” Xie Xiaobao urged, “I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll treat you to dinner when you get back.”  

After saying this, he hung up immediately, as if afraid He Yu would keep talking and disturb his rest.  

He Yu stared at the disconnected call in disbelief, muttering, “Who’s ever been this anxious?”  

But he didn’t lie to Xie Xiaobao.

By noon the next day, the US project was finalized.

He left a representative there to handle the remaining contract details and set off for home the same day.  

He arrived in Shen City at dawn.

The company driver was already waiting at the airport.  

He Yu got into the car and said, “To the film base.”  

The driver turned the car around and headed toward the film base.

He Yu rested during the drive, but his jet lag hadn’t worn off yet.

He pinched his brow and leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed, trying to catch some rest.