The Wang family, one of the five most powerful families in the country because of their automobile industries set up right after the war period by the elder Wang Jun Hie and Wang Li Jing -the grandfather and grandmother of Mu Chen respectively.

They succeeded in becoming wealthy and affluent in no time as the profits they brought contributed almost one-third of the tenth economy of the country.

Later, it was handed over to his both sons - the eldest Wang Zi Xin, and the youngest Wang Ruo Xuan who were competent enough to run the automobile industry they inherited from his father. He even established several other branch companies throughout the world making it globalised.

Wang Zi Xin (Mu Chen's father) expanded Wang's ascendency into the pharmaceutical industry with the help of his wife Wang Shi Han who was that generation's prodigy drug scientist and renowned for her accomplishments in inventing several marvel drugs.

While the youngest Wang Ruo Xuan married his lover Eu Meh who was an orphan.

His father Wang Zi Xin didn't approve of the marriage at first as he already arranged the marriage with his friend Feng Hui Fen's daughter(Xin Yi's aunt).

Thus the youngest Ruo Xuan lost his favor by going against him and marrying the poor woman.

Elder Wang started talking with him after Wang Bai Hu was born.

And the third generation heir, Wang Mu Chen who was a born genius has shown his capability to the world by owning several buildings and lands in the country at the age of fifteen growing the Wang's mark into the fields of real estate and finances making the Wangs unrivaled and the most influential.

Finally, Wang Bai Hu - a famous idol known for his out-of-the-world handsome looks has the nickname 'Genius Musician' in the entertainment industry.

He started his career as a solo artist under Li Entertainments and flourished as the heartthrob of the country in no time.

As Bai Hu was the youngest in the whole Wang family, he was spoiled by all of them even by Mu Chen.

Wang's relationship with another prominent family Fengs was deep with three generations of friendship making those two business worlds par excellence.

The two families thought to deepen their relationship even further by the marriage of their children, but as Ruo Xuan married Eu Meh it didn't happen and so they decided to marry Wang Mu Chen and Feng Xin Yi.

But unfortunately, they too couldn't do it as both of them were opposed to the idea of marriage and wanted to just stay friends forever.

That was how the planned engagement ceremony was canceled.

The other reason for breaking the pre-determined engagement between Mu Chen and Xin Yi was because of Bai Hu.

As he had been in love with Xin Yi since his childhood and when Bai Hu proposed he accepted it readily and they became lovers even though they met frequently due to Bai Hu's tight schedule as an idol they never missed calling each other every night.

That was how Mu Chen escaped the wrath of his grandfather and everyone agreed to the relationship of Bai Hu and Xin Yi but didn't make it official yet as their youngest was an idol and fooled the media making them think that Mu Chen and Xin Yi were still engaged.

Then there came a proposal of marriage from the Li family to the Wangs in the meantime giving a breather to Mu Chen from his grandfather's search for his marriage partner.

Li family, -the formidable one among the five great families in the country. Their ancestors were known to be from King's family who ruled over for a long time. Thus had long-standing and were proclaimed to be diamond spoons.

They have a strong footing in the entertainment industry and politics of the country.

The elders of the Li family, Li Yu Ze and Li Yi Ran were known for being the greatest politicians of the century and also for being romantic even in their eighties.

Their only son Li Zhao Yang chief judge in the supreme people's court was a respectable person in the country and known for his uprightness.

But he was also famous for his epic love story with his wife Li Xia Dan who was the famous top actress at that time.

It was an understatement to say that the whole country cheered for their love and blessed their marriage.

Their eldest daughter Li Hui Ying, just like the meaning of her name clever beauty, a prodigous business woman, currently taking care of Li's business in the Europe branch.

Their youngest son Li Feng Mian despite having the reputation of a philanderer, his skills in the business world were unparalleled to none except his only friend Wang Mu Chen with whom he became a business partner at the age of fifteen.

All these prominent figures were having a small party of the youngest generation or we could also call it an unofficial meeting of the eldest generation in the Wang family's farmhouse located at the outskirts of S city.

At first, it was just a causal families meeting over a dinner between Wangs, their branch family Caos(maternal family of Mu Chen's mother Shi Han), and Lis, their branch family Qis(maternal family of Feng Mian's mother Xia Dan) to discuss the marriage between Qi Li Fan and Cao Shen Yu.

But due to the recent uproar over the secret engagement between Wang Mu Chen and Song Xiao Bo, it became a small-sized party between the three powerful families of the country, the Wangs, the Fengs, the Lis, and their branch families Caos and Qis.

Song's family was invited to it as a guest. Wang Mu Chen as promised called Song Yi Ming to inform him about the party and then asked him to refrain from asking Xiao Bo to go home as he was planning to go on dates with his youngest son.

Greedy Song Yi Ming immediately agreed to it.

Xiao Bo was relieved and grateful for the elder's help. The week passed by in a blink of an eye and the day of the party arrived.

The Wang's farmhouse was filled with noises of the servants moving here and there hurriedly to complete their given task by the time of sunset when the guests start to arrive one by one.

Later in the evening, almost all the guests had arrived roughly and were chatting with each other about business while having sips of the cocktails and enjoying the starters in the lawn.

"WHAT THE HELL??"

A loud noise coming from the inside broke the peaceful atmosphere and grabbed the attention of everyone outside on the lawn.

Inside, Cao Shen Yu's corners of eyes were glossy.

His face was flushed and he was looking at his parents furiously that the smoke was coming out of his ears.

Let's rewind to know what happened. A few hours before the start of the party, Xin Yi, Shen Yu, and Xiao Bo were getting ready for the party in their dorm room.

Mu Chen arrived there to pick up the three of them.

As soon as his eyes landed upon Xiao Bo who was looking ethereal in his Dior men's white loose shirt with a deep V neck and above it the black wool jacket with Marini flower brooch, straight cut pants tightened with Saint Laurent's monogram belt.

He wore a few accessories such as Louis Vuitton's pendant chain LV turquoise necklace and look it black bracelet on his left hand.

He was looking simple yet elegant that Mu Chen was charmed by his beauty.

Xiao Bo's face instantly turned bright red by the elder's stares. He covered his warm cheeks with his palms and looked at his friends,

"I am looking weird in this, right? I told you I don't want to wear all this-"

He was cut off by Xin Yi, "Even though it's a normal gathering between families, you are the star of the evening. You have to look decent to make a good impression on everyone, especially Mu Gege's grandfather."

"S-Star...of the evening? Me?"

Xiao Bo's muscles tensed upon hearing it. He plopped on his bed,

"Can I not go?" He looked at Mu Chen with pleading eyes.

But Mu Chen couldn't hear what the younger was saying as his eyes were ravishing the exposed collar bones of Xiao Bo which became more evident as he sat.

He gulped his saliva and cleared his throat looking away,

"Don't you think the neck is too deep?" He pointed at Xiao Bo.

The younger looked down and immediately covered his exposed upper chest becoming bashful,

"I think so too. But this Shen Yu isn't listening to me. I am looking weird in it...I know. It doesn't suit me."

Mu Chen turned to face him and blurted out,

"No, it's not weird, you are looking pretty in it."

Xiao Bo was stunned to hear praise from the elder's mouth.

If he was tomato red before, now he was totally in the dark red shade of a beetroot.

Shen Yu and Xin Yi looked at each other and at them with a teasing smile.

"I never knew Mu Gege knew how to compliment anyone. It's like a miracle," Xin Yi commented.

"I know right? And it will be so good if he doesn't say 'You're looking pretty in it' with such a straight face. Gege, how about you put some expression on that stone face of yours, huh?" Shen Yu imitated the elder.

Mu Chen glowered at his cousin who shut his mouth instantly.

"Mu Gege, stop scaring him. He is right, if you don't show any expression your face will become stoned permanently, I am telling you," Xin Yi stated.

"Not you too, YiYi," Mu Chen sighed defeatedly.

Xiao Bo blinked his eyes in confusion...

>>>But in my past life he used to smile heartfully whenever he talked with Xin Yi...and how can I forget the disdainful expression on his face whenever he saw me...

>>>He wasn't a stone-faced person. Maybe because he isn't in love yet in this life... that's why...

"We are just stating the facts, Gege."

Shen Yu giggled having fun teasing his elder brother.

Mu Chen rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Come down after you finish, I will be waiting in the parking lot." That said he left the room after taking a quick glance at the Younger who was looking at him with big doe eyes.

>>>He looked just like a rabbit with those reddish cheeks and sparkling eyes.

The corner of his lips deepened into his cheeks as he remembered the Younger's surprised blushy face.

Soon after, the three of them came down to their dorm and walked towards the parking lot.

"Yuyu, didn't your roommate come back yet?"

Xin Yi asked getting curious cause Shen Yu had been sleeping in their room for the past five days as he was scared to sleep alone.

"No, he is attending the classes but isn't coming to the room. The last time I was about to yell at him to come back to the room but he was in a hurry to leave the University. Maybe he is busy with something," Shen Yu answered.

Xiao Bo wasn't paying attention to their conversation at all as his entire focus was on Mu Chen who was standing a few meters from them leaning to the side of the car with his hands in his pockets looking ever so handsome.

Just then he was startled by a kitten that crossed their path.

It meowed seeing Xiao Bo who looked terrified seeing the feline.

"Aww so cute, did you get lost, little kitty?" Shen Yu crouched down and petted it.

"It seems so. I saw a cat that lives behind the dorm which was pregnant a few days ago. Maybe it is one of its litter. Let's take it back," Xin Yi suggested.

But hearing Xin Yi, the younger became even more scared.

His body was visibly shaking, as he felt suffocated and breathless.

He stepped back holding his chest trying to breathe,

His mind was wandering around the words,

...Pregnant cat...

...Kittens...

Xiao Bo felt dizzy. He started hyperventilating.

Xin Yi and Shen Yu didn't notice him as they were playing with the kitten but Mu Chen who saw something was wrong with the Younger immediately ran towards him.

As Mu Chen passed them and held Xiao Bo in his hands, Xin Yi and Shen Yu looked back only to see their friend in a bad condition.

"Xiao Bo, breathe."

Mu Chen covered his mouth and rubbed the Younger's back to calm him down.

"Xiao Xiao!"

"A'Xiao!"

Both of them rushed to his friend looking worried,

"What is happening to you?"

"He was alright just a few seconds ago."

Xiao Bo couldn't hear either Mu Chen or his friends. He could only remember one of the traumatic pasts of his past life.

✄⋆✄⋆✄⋆✄⋆✄

It was an isolated place behind Shanghai University which was filled with trees and bushes that led to a small forest.

No one used to go there in fear of ghosts except one person who was squatting behind a tree and was smiling brightly looking at the orange cat rolling down on the ground and asking the person to rub its belly.

That person gently stroked the cat's belly with so much affection in his eyes and it was none other than Xiao Bo.

During break time Xiao Bo used to sneak out from the eyes of his bodyguards to come and play with the cat which was his only way to relieve all his stress and think of nothing else.

"Oho, Maple! You will get all dirty if you roll around like that. Stand up and eat these treats I brought for you."

Xiao Bo patted her head as he opened a tuna can and placed it on the ground.

As soon as it smelled, the cat started eating in a hurry. Xiao Bo gently caressed its head.

He remembered how when he found the cat when it was so little and scrawny almost dying from lack of food.

Xiao Bo secretly ordered the old maid in their mansion to bring the cat food and he fed it daily without letting his bodyguards know about it.

It has been nearly six months since Xiao Bo started raising the cat hiding from everyone's eyes.

He named the cat 'Maple' as it always loved to roll on the fallen maple leaves on the ground.

Now Maple was two months pregnant and was due soon.

It started being more affectionate and wanted more attention from Xiao Bo who was elated to give her that.

He was so looking forward to seeing the kittens and playing with them.

>>>I hope Maple has an easy labor. If I could I would have taken her to the veterinary doctor but those bodyguards will harm her if they know I am raising her.

But he didn't know then that his worries would be reality a week later he would find Maple's burned dead body along with its burned newly born litter lying on the ground when he excitedly visited them to see the kittens.

He was petrified to see the scene.

Then he saw the head of the bodyguard smirking at him and mouthing him.

"Know your place."

Xiao Bo fell to his knees and cried his heart out that day in front of the dead Maple and her kittens.

>>>If it wasn't for me...Maple would have lived happily with her kittens *hic* it was all because of me...all because of...*hic* of me...

He blamed himself for the death of Maple. He buried her and her kittens,

"I am sorry *hic* Maple...I should have never gotten close to you...*hic*...how much pain you must have been...*hic*...I am sorry. Please, God, if you are there let Maple and her kittens rest in peace...I beg of you," he prayed while sobbing hard.

He couldn't recover from it no matter what even after months passed. But then one day, a rumor started circulating in the University that Xiao Bo brutally killed a cat and its newborn kittens for his entertainment.

"You mean that cute orange cat that used to wander around the University grounds?"

"Yes, I heard that he waited for the cat to give birth and then burned her along with her kittens to death."

"And you know what it was bone-chilling that he laughed while the cat and kittens screamed as they burned to death."

"Ew, such a psychopath. Shouldn't he rot in jail!"

"Ugh! Disgusting, I hope he never dies a peaceful death. I want him to experience the torture the cat went through before dying."

"Me too! I curse him, that psychopath would never be happy."

Xiao Bo got more hateful glares at him from that day onwards.

But he accepted every hatred that came his way as he thought it was his fault for Maple's death.

He couldn't even eat the little amount of greens he was given as every time the image of Maple's and her kitten's dead bodies came to his mind.

His anorexia became more severe as he vomited out even before eating anything.

He couldn't sleep as he read all the hate comments on the University forum against him.

From then on he decided never to get close to anyone neither animals nor humans as he thought he was a jinx that led his loved ones to death.

✄⋆✄⋆✄⋆✄⋆✄

Mu Chen hugged him tightly and continued rubbing his back. Xiao Bo broke down in his arms,

"Maple...she is alive *hic*...her babies are alive..."

The three of them didn't understand what Xiao Bo was referring to but they knew he was in so much pain to cry like that.

He continued crying and mumbling the same thing for a long time until,

"Meow~~" he heard the kitten.

It looked just like Maple when it was a kitten.

He broke the hug and looked at it wiping his tears. He wanted to take it in his arms but,

>>>Am I even worthy to touch her after I caused so much pain to them...what if they die because of me again?

Xiao Bo's whole body trembled just at that thought.

He dared not to approach the kitten and just then a big orange cat followed by four kittens mewled louder as it was in search of her fifth kitten.

The kitten in front of Xiao Bo hearing her mother started running with tiny legs towards her while stumbling.

Xiao Bo's eyes widened,

"Maple..." he couldn't control his tears as he saw her all healthy and happy with her kittens this time.

The three of them looked at each other,

>>>Does Xiao Xiao know this cat?

>>>Is A'Xiao raising the cat?

Mu Chen patted Xiao Bo's back,

>>>It seems that cat's name is Maple...and this little one somehow seems happy and regretful seeing it.

"Maple..."

Xiao Bo called but the orange cat didn't look at him as it was busy licking her kittens.

>>>Right, she doesn't remember me now...but now she is happy...she will be as I am not in her life now.

Xiao Bo wiped his tears after taking a last glance at Maple and stood up with the support of Mu Chen,

"Let's go."

"Are you sure you are okay, Xiao Xiao?" Xin Yi asked looking worried.

"I am sorry for worrying you all...I...had a past with cats...I am sorry for overreacting," Xiao Bo apologized.

"A'Xiao! Why are you saying sorry to us? It's okay. We are just worried for you," Shen Yu gave him a side hug.

Mu Chen just silently stood by the Younger's side observing him,

>>>Just how much have you suffered for you to become breathless just by seeing a kitten?

"If you are not feeling well, we don't have to go to the party. I will tell Father about it, we can always meet later," Mu Chen suggested.

Xiao Bo bit his lower lips,

"No, I am fine...it will rude of me if I don't go in the last minute. I don't want anyone to hate me."

"No one will hate you, Xiao Xiao. Uncle and Aunt are very understanding. So if you are feeling unwell we can just stay back,"

Xin Yi stated and Shen Yu nodded, "That's right."

Xiao Bo smiled, "Thank you, guys. But I am really fine because I have you all beside me. So, shall we go?"

"If you put it that way, we can't say anything now, can we?" Xin Yi sighed.

"Yeah. But if you feel anything wrong you have to tell us and we will come back, okay?" Shen Yu asked.

"Right, you don't have to push yourself," Mu Chen said squeezing the Younger's hand.

Xiao Bo nodded, "I promise. I will tell you all if I feel sick."

They all nodded and just when they were about to leave,

"Meow~~~"

Maple was rubbing her body to Xiao Bo's leg.

Xiao Bo was shocked by that,

"Maple..."

"Meow~!"

She mewled at him with a smiley face.

He crouched down to hold her hesitatingly and as soon as he touched her, a bright light sparkled blinding his eyes and when he opened his eyes the location changed.

It was the white void hall his soul was summoned when he died which has neither a start nor an end.

"Why am I here again?"

Xiao Bo looked here and there scared carrying Maple in his arms.

>>>Did I die again? But...

"Bobo, nya~~" Maple spoke.

Xiao Bo looked at her shocked,

"Y-You...can speak?"

Maple nodded as she rubbed her nose to Xiao Bo's nose.

The Goddess of souls, Valeria appeared before them,

"So, finally you met your owner," she smiled at Maple.

"Yes, thanks to you, nya~"

Maple bowed her head to the Goddess.

Valeria then looked at the surprised Xiao Bo,

"Don't worry. You didn't die. This pure soul asked me for a favor when she died. Her will was so strong that I couldn't refuse," she patted Maple's head.

"Maple asked you for a favor?" Xiao Bo was shocked.

"That's right after she was killed she saw you blaming yourself and crying in front of her grave every day. She asked me if there is a chance for her to meet you again she wanted to talk with you and I granted her last wish at that time," Valeria explained.

Xiao Bo looked at Maple with tears in his eyes,

"I am sorry Maple. Because of me...you and your kittens...I am sorry."

Maple lifted her forearms and wiped Xiao Bo's tears.

"It wasn't your fault, Bobo. Remember you are the one who saved me when I was lost from my mother. You treated me like your own child, gave me food, and played with me, if not for you I wouldn't have lived in the first place, to meet my lover and have babies Nya~~!"

"Still... it's because of me they killed you in such a horrifying way. You didn't deserve that," Xiao Bo wailed.

"It was them who did that, not you. And they will get their karma soon enough. So please stop blaming yourself. I waited for you all this time to show my babies to you. You were excited to see them, right Nya~~"

Xiao Bo nodded.

"I had five babies two boys and three girls. They are very naughty and energetic, Nya~. I can't get a hold of them, so help me in raising them, if you still feel guilty, Nya~~"

"Maple..."

Xiao Bo hugged her tightly and cried. Hearing her freed him from the guilt he had been carrying for a long time.

Valeria, the goddess of souls smiled at both of the pure souls,

>>>Everything is going in the right path for now. I hope the World Tree has done its part by now.

She clapped gaining their attention,

"Now, you can do the reunion later. I can only keep you here for a few more minutes. But before I send you back, Xiao Bo I would like to give you a gift."

"A gift?"

"Yes. As you have shown great affection towards Maple. I grant you the gift of understanding the animals. From now on you can speak with any animal you wish to talk to."

Valeria blessed him as he sparkled brightly for a minute.

Xiao Bo smiled widely,

"That means I can talk with Maple and her babies too, right?"

Maple too smiled seeing Xiao Bo happy again and nodded.

"We can talk with each other Nya~"

"And I am looking forward to seeing the changes you bring to this world, Xiao Xiao. Live happily, " Veleria then backed off as she snapped her fingers.

Xiao Bo opened his eyes, Maple was in his arms and he was surrounded by Mu Chen, Xin Yi, and Shen Yu.

"We are back, Nyaa~~" Maple cuddled in Xiao Bo's arms.

"Yes," Xiao Bo beamed happily.

TO BE CONTINUED...

⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉⑉

Mini theatre:

>>>A serious meeting between Ms. Villainess, Veleria, and Maple to discuss what power should be given to BoBo.<<<

Ms. Villainess: How about giving BoBo the power of Necromancy? He can call the undead and kill Song Yi Ming. ( ๑‾̀◡‾́)σ»

Valeria: *facepalms* The novel is a romantic fantasy, not a horror fantasy, you idiot!(￣^￣)

Maple: How about giving him the power to shapeshift, Nya~? He can become a cat and we can live forever together, Nya~~(=^-^)

*Out of nowhere...MuMu appears*

Mu Chen: BoBo is mine! Take your filthy hands away from my wifey!((╬◣﹏◢))

Maple: Grrr~ I have paws, not hands, you filthy human, Nya~!
(๑ↀᆺↀ๑)✧

Mu Chen: You! *grits teeth*(Ò⺫ Ó )೨

Maple: What me? Nya~ *bears teeth*(ↀДↀ)⁼³₌₃

Ms. Villainess & Veleria: This MuMu and his possessiveness *looks at each other and slowly disappears out of the scene*

Ms. Villainess has something to say:

Ugh, I wish to oil-fry that damn bodyguard who killed Maple! What say my little death traps,

One Vote and comment = +One torture add to that bodyguard in hell!

[P.S. I know it's confusing to remember all the names of the Wang, Li and Feng family. But don't worry...you will get used to them
(❀❛ ֊ ❛„)♡.]