My Dao Companion Is So Fuzzy

[This is my first time writing, so there are plenty of flaws. If anything feels off, run for the hills!

Blurb:

Known throughout Xishan for his "peach-blossom face," Gu Shizhuo has been surrounded by admirers for as long as he can remember.

One careless mistake leaves him poisoned by a love toxin. He kills the only antidote with a single stroke of his sword, and the only way to survive now is to cultivate with someone.

As soon as word gets out, the entrance to Weijian Sect is mobbed.

Gu Shizhuo is promptly bound hand and foot by his senior sister and stuffed into a hastily prepared bridal chamber.

The man sitting inside is extraordinarily handsome, a rare beauty. But the moment he sees Gu Shizhuo, he recoils in disgust. A gruesome knife wound gapes across his long, pale neck.

Gu Shizhuo's vision goes black. The last thing he sees before passing out is the man gritting his teeth and closing his eyes as he clings to him, his trembling fingers unable to undo Gu Shizhuo's collar.

I'm done for, Gu Shizhuo thinks.

He's been forced to bond with the mute little guy from Hehuan Palace, and the other man's clearly in an even worse state than he is. What should he do?

Gu Shizhuo has no choice but to keep his distance and give the other man the best compensation and freedom he can manage.

But before long, he starts to feel that there's something off about the mute little guy.

He supposedly hates Gu Shizhuo and has someone else in his heart, yet whenever thunder rumbles, he lowers his head and clutches Gu Shizhuo's sleeve so tightly he won't let go. When he's upset, he looks at Gu Shizhuo, his eyes glistening without him even realizing it. And, for no apparent reason, he'll write on a piece of paper, "Can't you stay with me for a while?"

Gu Shizhuo is utterly bewitched, his eyes drifting to the other man without him meaning to.

Not long after, he watches in disbelief as his wife sprouts fluffy ears and a tail right before his eyes. Gu Shizhuo's gaze darkens, and the sight of that flash of white leaves his mouth dry.

But the mute little guy turns and runs, leaving behind a farewell letter saying he's going to find the one he loves. He thanks Gu Shizhuo for looking after him and asks him to honor their agreement and set him free.

The missing strokes in the handwriting are all because Gu Shizhuo taught him to write by guiding his wrist, one stroke at a time.

Gu Shizhuo's face goes cold as he crushes the letter to pieces.

When they meet again, he discovers that the person he had pampered with the finest immortal silk, precious spirit materials, and treasures, and still thought wasn't being cared for enough, is now dressed in rags and living in a shack that can't even keep out the rain and wind.

Gu Shizhuo's veins bulge as he suppresses his anger. His senior sister was right: a spouse shouldn't only be doted on. A little discipline now and then is essential, too.

The person he's caught is clearly frightened by Gu Shizhuo's dark expression and threatening presence. He backs away in panic, still holding both hands protectively over his slightly rounded belly.

Gu Shizhuo instinctively looks down. The anger surging through him suddenly catches in his throat.

????

!!!!!

Theme: Grow through hardship and become a better version of yourself.