Chapter 65: The Struggle of Naming

Yuan Man took five seconds to process, then understood. “A distant cousin isn’t a close relative, so that means you can date her, right?”

Nangong Ao decided not to debate this further. “Just focus on your own work!”

Yuan Man fell silent.

Tch, Young Master is boring again!

When Xianyu Zhen woke from her slumber and found herself still lying on the recliner in Yuan Man’s clinic, she was somewhat surprised.

“Ah, Sleeping Beauty, you’re finally awake!” Yuan Man, sitting to the side, stretched and rubbed her calves.

If Young Master Ao didn’t pay so well, she would never have agreed to play nurse like this!

“How long did I sleep?” Xianyu Zhen was still groggy.

“About four hours.” Seeing Xianyu Zhen’s downcast mood, Yuan Man couldn’t help teasing, “What, not happy that Young Master isn’t here waiting for you?”

Xianyu Zhen was troubled by her illness. “Has big brother gone back to the company?”

“Young Master Ao is a workaholic, you know. He once went an entire month without sleep! But…” Yuan Man grinned slyly, “Today he actually left his work to wait outside for you!”

Xianyu Zhen didn’t understand what Yuan Man was getting at; she just quickly got up and tidied her clothes, eager to leave.

If her illness delayed Young Master Ao’s work, Madam Nangong would probably blame her. She still didn’t know how to bring this up to Madam Nangong!

“There’s no need to rush,” Yuan Man joked, “A man waiting for a woman is only natural! The longer you make him wait, the more you’ll see how much he cares.”

Xianyu Zhen didn’t really listen; this woman’s words were always offbeat anyway.

When she exited the clinic, Nangong Ao was on the phone with a client. Seeing her come out, he hastily ended the call.

“Feeling any better?” Nangong Ao walked over to her.

“Yes, much better.” Xianyu Zhen, having slept so soundly, looked visibly healthier than before.

Nangong Ao considered for a moment, then said, “I’ll have Luo Mei come stay at the mansion. With her here, you won’t have to worry about another episode at night.”

“Sister Bai is probably very busy, isn’t she?” Xianyu Zhen felt a bit uneasy. Bai Luo Mei was Nangong Ao’s trusted aide; having her look after her felt like a waste of talent.

Nangong Ao had already thought it through. “It’s fine, she’s free for now. In a couple of days, I’ll have Xinxin move back; the rooms on the second floor are more spacious.”

Xianyu Zhen said nothing more, but thanked him sincerely. “Thank you, big brother!”

Young Master Ao now felt much warmer than when they’d first met. Looking back, she used to be so intimidated by his domineering and sharp tongue!

“We’re family. No need to thank me.”

Just then, Yuan Man, who had just come out, couldn’t help but chime in, “Tsk, being called ‘family’ by Young Master Ao is the dream of so many women! Zhen Zhen, you’re really lucky~”

Xianyu Zhen was left speechless.

---

After leaving the research department, Nangong Ao didn’t return to the company; he had a cocktail party to attend. Cui Hao came to pick him up, while Jiang Mohe drove Xianyu Zhen back to the mansion.

As they were nearing home, Jiang Mohe suddenly slowed the car and pulled over on a street in the Fuhua district.

Xianyu Zhen watched as he got out and walked into a corner. Soon, he returned holding a cardboard box, hesitating before getting back in the car.

She got out to look and found inside the box a soft little blanket, wrapped around a blue kitten, already a few weeks old.

The little blue cat poked its head out, glanced at Xianyu Zhen, and then burrowed back into the blanket.

“It’s an abandoned cat,” Jiang Mohe explained. “It’s been here for days now.”

He’d never cared much for animals, but lately, for some reason, he’d started paying attention.

“Do you want me to keep it?” Xianyu Zhen asked.

“Do you like it?”

Having found this little blue cat, Jiang Mohe thought it might bring some joy to the girl before him; but it was only a stray, and he wasn’t sure if she would mind.

Xianyu Zhen recognized it as a Maltese Blue, known for its aloof temperament. The look it just gave her was clearly saying, “Don’t bother me!”

She found it amusing and nodded. “Yes, I like it.”

She wasn’t used to overly clingy pets, so this one was just right.

Hearing her answer, Jiang Mohe placed the box in the car’s trunk.

When they got back, Aunt Rong’s expression turned odd when she saw the blue kitten. “Miss Zhen, you want to keep a cat?”

“Yes.” Xianyu Zhen nodded, “Is that alright, Aunt Rong?”

“Young Master probably won’t object, but Miss Xin…”

Before Aunt Rong could finish, Nangong Xin returned from school, sneezing repeatedly before even entering the house.

Aunt Rong quickly whispered to Xianyu Zhen, “Miss Xin is allergic to cats, so don’t let her see it!”

Cradling the box, Xianyu Zhen slipped out the side door.

From inside, Nangong Xin called out, “What’s going on? Did some cat sneak in again? What are the guards even doing?”

Xianyu Zhen carried the box to the security room and handed the little blue cat to Jiang Mohe. “Xinxin is allergic. Until she moves out, keep it here for now.”

Jiang Mohe had heard the commotion inside and nodded, taking the box.

At that moment, the little blue cat poked its head out and mewed softly.

Xianyu Zhen couldn’t resist reaching out to pet it, but the kitten immediately pulled back in.

“What should we name it?” Jiang Mohe asked.

---

Xianyu Zhen was at a loss—she was terrible at naming pets. After thinking for a moment, she said, “How about Blue?”

Jiang Mohe didn’t object. “Alright.”

“Blue.” Xianyu Zhen tried calling, and the kitten hiding in the blanket whimpered in protest.

She looked a bit awkward. “It doesn’t seem to like that name.”

Jiang Mohe was silent.

“Maybe… Lanny?”

“Meow…”

“Still no?” Xianyu Zhen spotted the box labeled “Imported Natto.” “How about Natto?”

“Meow!” The protest grew louder.

Oh dear, she really couldn’t come up with names.

“Well then…” Xianyu Zhen tilted her head, thinking hard, looking a bit adorably foolish.

“Meow!” The little blue cat suddenly poked its head out with a lively cry.

Xianyu Zhen looked at it uncertainly. “Nana?”

“Meow!” Yes, Nana!

“Alright, Nana it is.” Xianyu Zhen let out a relieved sigh.

Throughout this exchange, Jiang Mohe watched the girl and the kitten, a gentle light always present in his eyes.

When Xianyu Zhen looked up, she saw her own shadow reflected in that gentle light.

---

That night, before falling asleep, Xianyu Zhen was still debating whether to set an alarm, when she heard a commotion downstairs.

She threw on a coat and stepped outside, just in time to see Jiang Mohe helping Nangong Ao into his bedroom, Aunt Rong following behind.

“What happened?” Xianyu Zhen asked.

Aunt Rong’s face was clouded with worry. “Young Master seems to be having an episode.”

An episode? What kind of episode?

Xianyu Zhen was puzzled. The Nangong family were known for their extraordinary genes and robust health. How could he be sick?