A Golden House Concealing a Cat, Roommate's Secrets

Chen Jue’s expression was indeed somewhat grim, but it wasn’t because he hadn’t rested well the night before—it was because he had never expected his university roommate to suddenly drive all the way over.

In Wang Biao’s old tile-roofed house in the village, a wild tiger weighing over 400 pounds was still crouching inside! His sudden appearance startled Chen Jue so much that he nearly had a heart attack. How could he not look displeased?

His current predicament was just like the old song said: “The quietest moment is the most terrifying, and the most dreaded is a friend’s sudden concern.”

“...”

“Biao, what are you doing here?”

“Don’t you have work? And Biao’s wife is heavily pregnant—how could you just come out so casually?” Chen Jue’s heart was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, yet he kept his composure, reached out to open Wang Biao’s car door, slid into the passenger seat, and tossed the two large bags he had bought into the back.

“I just happened to have the weekend off,” Wang Biao said.

“You came all the way from Wen City by yourself. It must be boring without anyone to hang out with. Luckily, my workplace gave me two tickets to the Gongshan Scenic Area yesterday, so I sent my wife and child back to her parents for a couple of days and came over to keep you company.”

“The six of us from the dorm have scattered all over since graduating, making it harder and harder to reunite. Since you’re here, I thought it’d be a good chance to relax for a couple of days. You haven’t married yet, so you don’t know how exhausting it is juggling work and kids,” Wang Biao chuckled, but the cigarette clutched in his hand betrayed his weariness.

Listening to his words, Chen Jue felt a warmth in his heart. Though the dorm mates had parted ways, their bonds remained intact.

Glancing again at Wang Biao’s slightly tired face, Chen Jue sensed he was troubled and decided to be a good listener from the passenger seat.

On the drive back to the village, they reminisced about all the mischief and funny moments from their university dorm days, both wearing expressions of nostalgia.

During those four carefree years, the six of them lived without a worry.

Some, like the now-entrepreneur Cheng Wei, spent their days skipping classes to play games, his skills so good he reached the King rank in the top server of LOL.

Others, like Biao, sweet-talking and kind-hearted, made many female friends, volunteered occasionally, and took on part-time jobs to earn some pocket money.

Some barely scraped by, dating casual partners and constantly paired off, indulging in their own little worlds.

They attended a modest university, studied ordinary majors, and were all average young men who mostly let loose during college.

Fortunately, their grades were decent enough that none failed or missed out on graduation.

But stepping into society after university—finding jobs, starting families, and for Wang Biao, supporting elderly parents and raising children, with another life on the way—the pressures came one after another.

Getting a chance to unwind for a weekend was a rare luxury for Wang Biao.

Yet, he clearly had something on his mind. After a few puffs of his cigarette, he began talking to Chen Jue about the small shops in town and how tourists’ business worked.

“Biao! You’re not thinking of opening a store, are you?” Chen Jue asked, hands behind his head, leaning back in the passenger seat.

“Kind of,” Wang Biao admitted. “My parents are idle at home, so I’m thinking of having them open a small specialty products shop in town. After my wife gives birth, she can come help manage it.”

“You’ve seen my situation. My salary won’t cover expenses for six people in the future,” Wang Biao sighed, exhaling smoke inside the car, his face full of worries.

“What’s your budget? How much have you saved?” Chen Jue guessed what was on his mind and asked directly.

“About 300,000 yuan. Mainly the cost of stocking up on mountain goods and the shop rent in town, which isn’t cheap. You saw how well other shops are doing—good small shops can cost 50,000 yuan a year.”

“I took a 200,000 yuan loan from the credit union, and with some family savings, I have about 250,000 yuan now. It’s just enough to get started.”

“Old Cat, you Wen City people are sharp and known for your business sense! Help me figure out if opening a shop here will make money.” Wang Biao gripped the steering wheel, earnestly seeking advice.

Chen Jue considered his recent experiences in town, then thoughtfully analyzed: “Tourists nowadays are savvy. They won’t buy overpriced specialties that they can easily find online. Gongshan’s tourist resources are average and not very famous. Most visitors are ordinary tourists.”

“If you really want to sell specialties, I suggest you focus on small-margin, high-volume mountain goods—like sliced ham or beef jerky. You could price them at ten or twenty yuan per pack, and with volume, your business will surely thrive!”

Wang Biao liked this advice, smiling brightly as he stubbed out his cigarette and drove on with renewed energy.

Ordinary people starting businesses often hesitate, fearing losses before even taking a step. Listening to others can sometimes give courage to move forward.

Chen Jue’s advice wasn’t baseless; he had paid close attention while dining around town these days.

Among the few local specialty shops near rustic eateries, only one selling twisted fried dough sticks and flower cakes was bustling with customers. Others selling high-end mountain goods, medicinal herbs, and jade products lacked foot traffic.

Thinking about Wang Biao’s financial concerns, Chen Jue felt that, with his own cultivation achievements, money mattered less to him now.

He had ample opportunities to earn later and wanted to help his old roommate out of his predicament.

So he continued, “You’re still short on budget, right? I happen to have some spare cash. I’ll lend you 50,000 yuan, consider it as an investment.”

“Screech!”

The car braked sharply and stopped on the mountain road.

Wang Biao turned to Chen Jue, noticing his casual demeanor, and asked, “Old Cat, you saw through me?”

“Biao, you might as well write ‘loan’ on your forehead. How could I not tell? We all know each other too well. If I couldn’t see through you, then what was the point of spending four years in the same dorm?” Chen Jue rolled his eyes, replying with mock annoyance.

Though they were ranked by age in the dorm, they usually called each other by nicknames. Wang Biao was often called Biao or Ah Biao. Calling him ‘Brother Biao’ was purely teasing.

“Ha! I knew I couldn’t fool you, Old Cat! You’re the most thoughtful and perceptive in the dorm. I was planning to hang out with you for a couple of days before bringing it up,” Wang Biao laughed and restarted the car.

With his friend’s support, Wang Biao felt invigorated, eager to open the shop in town and solve his family’s financial worries.

But when the car finally pulled up to the old tile-roofed house, Chen Jue was the first to get out, carrying the two large bags and stepping in front of Wang Biao, who was about to enter.

“Biao, I need to warn you—no matter what you see inside, don’t be surprised. With me here, you’ll be safe!” Chen Jue said with a stern expression.

“What danger could there be in this old broken house? Safe, huh?”

“Why all the mystery and secrecy?”

“Oh! Don’t tell me you took advantage of me being away and brought home a secret lover? Come on, spill it! You snuck in a little tigress, didn’t you?” Wang Biao teased, suspicious of Chen Jue’s sudden change in tone.

“...”

“There really is a tigress, but she’s a bit temperamental. Just don’t scream when you see her inside,” Chen Jue said, rolling his eyes. Without further explanation, he pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the door of the old earthen house.

“Old Cat, you’re something else! I’m only gone a few days, and you’ve already had an affair? Be honest—did you meet a female internet friend here and come to meet her?”

Wang Biao imagined Chen Jue repeating his own youthful flirtations at university, and with Chen Jue’s sunny, handsome looks, he was even more popular now.

But when they entered the courtyard, it was empty—no sign of anyone else. Only Chen Jue’s laundry hung on two clotheslines, no women’s clothes mixed in.

“Old Cat, you sure know how to hide things! Where’s this little tigress you mentioned? Hiding?” Wang Biao, puzzled, slowly approached the door of an inner room.

Just as he neared, through the glass window filtered sunlight, he saw a wild tiger napping on the bed.

A living, breathing wild tiger was sleeping inside his old family home!

And it was lying on the very bed Wang Biao had once slept in, its body rising and falling with life—definitely not a stuffed animal.

The shocking sight stunned Wang Biao’s mind, his heart thudding violently, nearly causing him to freeze.

His legs weakened, and he collapsed backward, only caught by Chen Jue’s timely support from behind, preventing a fall.

Still, his lips trembled as he stammered, “Ti… tiger! There’s a tiger!”

“Old Cat! Quick… quick… let’s drive away!”