Cat 228: Utterly Absurd

Chapter 228: Utterly Absurd

Yan Jiyun never imagined that Lord Jiu would stride straight into Liu Rongzhi’s bedroom, nor that the beauty’s bed would be so filthy—one sneeze and his hiding place was betrayed.

Jumping onto the bed was also an instinct, for if he started racing around the room he’d gain nothing—he’d only waste energy, and there were sharp objects everywhere, no suitable corner to squeeze into, and the dust under the bed was damaging his respiratory system.

He glanced at the clean, lavender silk pillow now smudged with several black paw prints, feeling a tinge of embarrassment. Then he swiftly rubbed at his front paws; in all fairness, someone really needed to do a proper cleaning under that bed.

Both Lord Jiu and Liu Rongzhi stared at the unafraid black cat before them, hesitating for several seconds.

Liu Rongzhi let out a small cry, “Ah, how did this cat get into my room? Cat, get down from there.”

At this moment, she was near tears; the clean bed was speckled with black footprints, and the romantic atmosphere from her earlier presentation of the shirt had completely vanished.

Yan Jiyun ignored her, his eyes fixed on Lord Jiu’s every move. He was only a short distance away, and Lord Jiu’s scent was no longer the most pressing question. Far more troubling was his apparent lack of recognition; if he really were Qi Feng himself, his eyes would have shown a subconscious flash of recognition upon seeing his own cat. But Lord Jiu’s expression showed not a trace of that—how could this be?

Lord Jiu smelled faintly of soap and an unknown smoky scent, while the alcohol-stained shirt had been changed for a fresh one only half-buttoned.

If this was Qi Feng, having recently left the previous instance, he ought to carry Yan’s scent—but up close, nothing of the kind clung to him.

Had everything changed in just those two or three hours apart? Had Qi Feng showered, eaten, changed clothes, and thus washed away every trace?

Or was it the worst possibility: Lord Jiu was simply Lord Jiu, with no connection to Qi Feng—just a human copy of his likeness?

Yet if so, it raised broader questions about the very game design. Could there be NPCs in other instances with the exact appearances of players?

Yan Jiyun gave a silent shake of his head. If that were the case, players entering any copycat instance would go mad. Besides, if such a mechanic existed, word would have spread outside the game by now. He had played the game for some time and never heard a single rumor of a living or vanished player reappearing as an instance NPC. Thus, the hypothesis didn’t stand; Lord Jiu wasn’t a copy, and such a quirk would not appear in more than one instance. So, was he Qi Feng after all?

Lord Jiu, for his part, was studying the small black cat sprawled on the bed. The way the cat regarded him seemed almost excessive in its seriousness, as if pondering some weighty matter of feline destiny.

Seeing Lord Jiu staring at the cat expressionlessly, Liu Rongzhi glanced at the open balcony doors and, realizing, said, “It must have climbed up through the pipes, Lord Jiu. I’ll have someone come shoo it away, and then put on fresh bedding.”

She started toward the bed to drive out the black cat who’d so thoroughly spoiled her carefully crafted romantic ambiance. How could she possibly like cats—they were filthy. She had worked so hard to win Lord Jiu’s favor, with wealth and handsome men beckoning to her; she couldn’t let a cat ruin her big night. By tomorrow, surely, she would be Lord Jiu’s woman, cherished at his side!

But just as she moved closer, Lord Jiu called out, “Leave it be. I’ll handle it.”

Liu Rongzhi’s face instantly lit up; was Lord Jiu softening toward her? She’d heard that he was unsparingly strict, no one below him dared disobey, and his own people were utterly loyal.

Yan Jiyun, meanwhile, still kept his watch trained on Lord Jiu—at this moment, the man posed the greater threat, while Liu Rongzhi’s presence faded to the background.

As Liu Rongzhi approached, Yan Jiyun prepared to leave the bed; the woman’s heavy perfume was enough to make him faint.

But now it was Lord Jiu drawing closer, and he still needed to resolve his doubts.

Lord Jiu reached for Yan Jiyun, skillfully scooping him up and making sure to support his hindquarters—a practiced move—though he remarked, “Too filthy, needs cleaning.”

Liu Rongzhi quickly added, “Then I’ll have someone come and wash it for you, Lord Jiu?”

She wasn’t stupid; Lord Jiu hadn’t just grabbed the cat by the scruff, but was cradling it, a sign of some affection. Clearly, he didn’t dislike the black cat at all.

This only increased Yan Jiyun’s confusion. Lord Jiu indeed lacked his scent, but his handling was astonishingly familiar.

Yan cocked his head, laid a front paw on Lord Jiu’s chest, and stared coldly at Liu Rongzhi trailing behind.

Liu Rongzhi: … She felt as if the black cat had glared at her. Wasn’t that the move she herself had meant to make? A strange pang of jealousy shot through her for a creature that could snuggle straight into Lord Jiu’s arms, but she still had to force a bright smile. “Lord Jiu, you and this cat seem fated for each other.”

Unexpectedly, Lord Jiu turned with Yan Jiyun in his arms, nodded, and said, “You’re right, we are fated. Turn on the water—I’ll wipe off its fur and paws.”

Liu Rongzhi: … No, she had only meant to be polite—how had he agreed in earnest?

Not knowing if he was joking or not, she asked carefully, “Shouldn’t I have someone take it away? It might disturb your rest.”

Finally meeting Lord Jiu, she hadn’t even started displaying her charms—how could a single cat spoil her carefully awaited opportunity? She couldn’t accept it.

Nestled in Lord Jiu’s arms—his favorite position—Yan Jiyun found that the only unresolved issue was this: Lord Jiu’s embrace was exactly the same as Qi Feng’s, his features indistinguishable, even down to the tiny mole beneath his jaw, visible only at this angle.

How could that be? Apart from not recognizing him, everything else overlapped with Qi Feng at least eighty percent.

Lord Jiu carried Yan Jiyun into the bathroom.

Liu Rongzhi dutifully handed him a damp towel.

Lord Jiu wiped Yan Jiyun’s face, then his body, finally scrubbing all four limbs with care.

For some reason, Liu Rongzhi felt almost like they were a family of three—the fleeting jealousy she felt toward the black cat shifted into envy. Animals truly had a way of winning people’s hearts.

Seeing the towel was dirty after just one round, Lord Jiu went over him again until the towel finally came away clean.

He looked at the black cat with satisfaction. “There, all done.”

Liu Rongzhi said, “Lord Jiu, your clothes got dirty.”

Lord Jiu suddenly asked, “This is the biggest room in the ballroom, isn’t it?”

Liu Rongzhi nodded at once. “Yes.”

He gave a small nod, appearing pleased. “Good. Have Liang Er bring me a fresh set of clothes—I’ll stay here tonight. Have him get someone to change all the sheets and bedding as well.”

Liu Rongzhi replied, “Of course. The cat left a lot of paw prints just now.”

Holding the cleaned black cat in his arms, Lord Jiu abruptly dismissed her: “It’s late. After calling Liang Er, you go and rest.”

Liu Rongzhi thought she must have misheard. “I should go rest? Then tonight—?”

Before she could press him, Lord Jiu cut her off: “I’d intended to rest briefly this evening, but it’s gotten late. I’ll remain here—tomorrow the room is yours again.”

For a long moment, Liu Rongzhi forced a smile as she looked at the black cat in Lord Jiu’s arms. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.” So used to being adored, she found the sudden coldness a bitter pill.

Yan Jiyun watched Liu Rongzhi, reluctant, shuffle toward the door, not having moved even a meter after all that time. Only now did he get a good look at her.

Liu Rongzhi had a face as beautiful as any modern star.

And?

Yes, she was beautiful. But she was an NPC. Yan Jiyun couldn’t be bothered to waste flowery adjectives on her. No need.

Seeing how she still lingered, Yan Jiyun let out a sharp yowl, neither wheedling nor cute.

Lord Jiu glanced at Liu Rongzhi. “If it’s inconvenient, I’ll take another room.”

She hurriedly shook her head. “No, of course not.” But she was baffled; did she actually hear meaning in the cat’s cry? Was she misinterpreting its look—was it driving her out?

Was this a contest for Lord Jiu’s love? To lose to a black cat—it made no sense at all!

They say cats are famously territorial and jealous creatures.

After she left, Liang Er soon arrived. He was Lord Jiu’s subordinate, and brought a bodyguard whose job was to serve Lord Jiu’s personal needs. The man changed out the bedding in quick, efficient movements, replacing everything with a deep blue set; the fragrant originals were all taken away.

Liu Rongzhi entered again, and saw that the seductive, carefully-curated ambiance of her bed had been replaced by one utterly lacking in romance. Her heart thudded with disappointment.

She gazed into the room—and there was the black cat, already spread out and entirely at ease atop the freshly-made duvet, while Lord Jiu instructed his people quietly.

Liu Rongzhi was speechless. Utterly absurd—simply too absurd!

The wine Yan Jiyun had absorbed was taking effect; he was becoming drowsier, not least because Lord Jiu showed no hostility. As his guard dropped, his long-restrained sleepiness surged over him.

The surroundings grew ever quieter. Liu Rongzhi left, confused and powerless. Lord Jiu’s subordinates took their posts at the door. Only Lord Jiu, preparing for bed, and Yan Jiyun, half-asleep, remained.

Lord Jiu changed into a set of fresh pajamas and was puzzled by the black cat who had moved to the head of the bed, tucked itself in, and was waiting for sleep.

“So you’re quite the self-aware one.”

“How about I give you a name? Let’s call you Caramel.” This was a statement, not a question.

Half-asleep, Yan Jiyun buried his head in the pillow. Finally, he could sleep!

The next second, he fell into sweet, deep dreams.

Meanwhile, the ‘Becoming Human’ live broadcast chat exploded into a frenzy.