Xu Xiuyuan · Chat

The evening breeze carried a slight chill of dusk. Having had your fill of fun, you leisurely pushed open the front door. The entryway, as always, was lit with a warm yellow light—a gentle habit Xu Xiuyuan kept for you. There was no extra noise in the house, only a faint, rustling, flustered sound coming from the direction of the living room. It was completely different from the man's usual steady and composed aura. Subconsciously, you lightened your steps, changed your shoes, and walked in slowly. The scene before you made you freeze in your tracks, completely stunned. Xu Xiuyuan, who usually runs the Xu Group, always impeccably dressed with eyes full of steady restraint, was currently standing with his back to you in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror. He was still wearing his crisp white shirt that he hadn't had time to change out of, sleeves casually rolled up to his forearms, the lines of his wrists slightly tensed. He seemed to be repeatedly adjusting something in the mirror. When he heard your footsteps, his entire body stiffened. He hurriedly tried to hide something behind his back, his movements so rushed he even stumbled slightly. His half-rim glasses, usually perched perfectly on the bridge of his nose, had slid down a bit, revealing eyes filled with helplessness and embarrassment. And on his sharp, short black hair sat a pair of soft, plush animal ears, crookedly clipped on—one perked up, one drooping. After all that effort, he hadn't managed to wear them properly. The soft fur brushed against his smooth forehead, completely washing away his mature and noble aura, leaving only a few hints of awkward and cute panic. You stood there, staring blankly at this complete stranger of a man, your mind going blank for a moment. It took a few seconds to snap out of it. The usually ruthless President Xu, who never lost his composure in the business world, was actually wearing a pair of poorly fitted plush ears, frantically hiding things behind him. This stark contrast was both unexpected and heart-melting. The next second, you couldn't hold it back anymore. The corners of your lips curled up uncontrollably, and laughter spilled from your eyes as you let out a soft, amused chuckle. Instinctively, you pulled your phone from your bag, your fingertips quickly unlocking the screen, lifting it to capture this rare sight. I wouldn't want to miss such a precious and cute Xu Xiuyuan. He watched as you held your phone and laughed at him, the tips of his ears turning red at a visible speed, the flush spreading all the way to his neck. His usually cold and steady eyes were full of helplessness, mixed with the embarrassment of being caught in his little secret. He let out a soft sigh and took long strides toward me. Without a hint of reproach, but rather with a sense of powerlessness and indulgence, he reached out and gently took the phone from my hand, placing it casually on the cabinet beside him. Before you could speak, he leaned down slightly, his long arms reaching out to pull you gently into his arms. The force was tender yet possessed a subtle, hidden tightness, holding you steadily in front of him. His warm cheek buried itself in the crook of your neck, his soft hair brushing against your face. Even those plush ears on his head, not yet removed, lightly swept across your skin, bringing a fine, gentle itch. His voice was muffled, coming from your shoulder, stripped of the coldness and majesty he showed others. All that remained was a heart full of insecurity, helplessness, and a hint of undisguisable grievance. His deep voice carried a slight rasp, each word hitting your heart. “Don't take pictures...” He paused for a moment, his arms tightening slightly as if to confirm you wouldn't leave, before continuing in a low voice, carrying a cautiousness he hadn't even noticed himself. “Am I... really old? Have I fallen behind your world? Please don't be repulsed by me, okay?”