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Chu Zeshen went downstairs with the pet wipes, and Gu Bai breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Bai had been unpacking for quite a while before Chu Zeshen brought Mocha upstairs. He wasn't sure whether he was imagining it, but Chu Zeshen's hair looked a little messier than before, and his collar was unbuttoned.

The moment Mocha saw Gu Bai, he rushed over and nuzzled against him.

Gu Bai gave Mocha a rub. Finding himself in unfamiliar surroundings, Mocha wandered around spreading his scent.

Seeing Chu Zeshen standing in his doorway, Gu Bai said, "Go do what you need to do."

"The kitchen is already preparing lunch. You can go downstairs to eat in a bit," Chu Zeshen said. "I'll be working in the study next door. Call me if you need anything."

Gu Bai nodded. "Okay."

Chu Zeshen stood in the doorway and glanced at Gu Bai before leaving.

Gu Bai put Mocha's feeding things in the small sitting area on the second floor. They actually needed another set downstairs, too, so he planned to buy one online in a little while.

Gu Bai had no intention of touring the enormous Chu Family Villa, nor was he particularly interested. He would rather lie down for a while.

Mocha had tired himself out running around earlier and was now resting on the floor.

His sleeping mat was still in the suitcase, but Gu Bai was already lying on the bed and didn't really want to move.

Man and dog lay there like that until lunchtime.

"Young Master Gu, lunch is ready. Would you like to come downstairs to eat?" A knock came at the door.

Gu Bai hadn't fallen asleep. He got up, smoothed his hair, and went to open the door. "I'll be right down."

Mocha woke at the noise and nuzzled against him from behind.

When Gu Bai reached the first floor, he didn't see Chu Zeshen. As he sat down, Uncle Li began having the food served.

"Chu Zeshen hasn't come down yet."

Uncle Li arranged the dishes in front of Gu Bai. "The young master just went out. He won't be eating at home."

Gu Bai asked no further questions.

For the moment, there was only a man and a dog in the dining room. Mocha liked to nuzzle affectionately against Gu Bai's legs while he ate, a way of begging for food.

Uncle Li came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of vegetables. "Young Master Gu, has Mocha eaten? The young master asked me to prepare some raw meat and bones and some vegetables."

Mocha had an established feeding schedule: two meals a day. He had already eaten that morning.

Gu Bai glanced at Mocha by his feet. "He can have the raw meat and bones tonight. You can give him a little of the vegetables."

Then he lowered his head and said to Mocha, "Go upstairs and bring your bowl down."

Uncle Li quickly said, "There's no need to get it from upstairs. The young master just had someone buy a set of pet bowls, along with some treats and everyday supplies. As for dog food, he said he wasn't sure what brand Mocha eats. You can let me know. If there's anything else missing, I'll have someone buy it."

Looking in the direction Uncle Li pointed, Gu Bai saw a full set of pet supplies in a corner of the living room, along with toys Mocha liked and, of course, pee pads for him to relieve himself on. At home, though, Mocha was used to using the bathroom.

None of these things had been in the living room when he arrived. Clearly, Chu Zeshen had arranged for them at short notice. There hadn't been much time, but everything had been thoroughly prepared, all to welcome a new master into the Chu Family.

It could also be considered a sign of acceptance, intended to let him live well with the Chu Family for the year.

Uncle Li continued, "The young master really likes Mocha. I saw him crouching by the door earlier, wiping Mocha's paws. Mocha had just come back from outside and was probably still a little excited, so he kept nuzzling him. The young master has never had a pet, but his first time getting along with one was quite harmonious."

Gu Bai thought of Chu Zeshen's slightly disheveled collar earlier. Mocha had probably caused it by climbing against him for affection.

Gu Bai said to Mocha, "You little troublemaker."

Mocha was entirely focused on the food in Uncle Li's hands. Unable to divide his attention, he ignored Gu Bai.

Mocha's feeding routine couldn't be disrupted, so these vegetables could only be given as a reward.

Gu Bai gave Mocha another command. "Mocha, bring me the tissues from the table."

Mocha wasn't very familiar with the Chu Family home. He dawdled his way into the living room, put his paws up on the table, and picked up a box of tissues in his mouth.

Gu Bai took the tissues from Mocha's mouth, then said to Uncle Li, "Uncle Li, you can put the vegetables in his bowl."

This was probably Uncle Li's first time seeing such an obedient dog, and he couldn't hide the affection in his eyes. "Come on, Mocha. Let's have some vegetables."

Mocha followed Uncle Li. He looked puzzled for a moment at the unfamiliar bowl, until some broccoli and carrots were placed inside.

One very good thing about Mocha was that he was never picky. He ate whatever he was given.

Uncle Li was a little puzzled to see Mocha standing motionless. He turned to ask Gu Bai, "Young Master Gu, why isn't Mocha eating?"

Gu Bai turned to look. Mocha was licking his lips and gazing expectantly at Uncle Li. Rewards were usually given to him directly, whereas food placed in his bowl was a meal and required a command.

"Uncle Li, give him a command. Count to three."

For the first time in his life, Uncle Li gave a pet a command. "One, two, three. Eat."

Only after hearing the command did Mocha begin eating.

Uncle Li's gaze grew increasingly warm as he watched Mocha.

Chapter 10

An urgent meeting had come up unexpectedly, and Chu Zeshen had returned to the office without eating lunch at home. He didn't finish work and come back until eleven that night.

In the car, the driver glanced at President Chu in the back seat, his eyes closed, and tactfully switched on the car's music. Working until this hour generally left one exhausted in both body and mind. The music in the car was the instrumental music Chu Zeshen liked.

As he listened to the slow music, Chu Zeshen's tightly furrowed brow relaxed a little.

After being tense all afternoon, Chu Zeshen developed a slight headache as he finally relaxed a little. His temples throbbed, sometimes faintly and sometimes heavily, irritating him.

The headaches were a longstanding problem. Chu Zeshen thought little of it and kept his eyes closed all the way home.

The music stopped, and Chu Zeshen opened his eyes. In the dimly lit car, his eyes looked particularly deep.

"We're here, President Chu." The driver opened the rear door.

Chu Zeshen looked at the pitch-dark entrance to his home without a trace of emotion in his eyes. He had long since grown used to that darkness.