Cat 160: Time to Break a Bad Habit

Chapter 160: Time to Break a Bad Habit

[Wannabe Human] Livestream:

“……”

“Wasn’t someone just calling Yan Weilan the BOSS? Now all the new main quests are centered around him!”

“So what about the old main quest? Who was that focused on? What exactly are the players investigating? Who says Yan Weilan can’t be the BOSS?”

“The plot has already completely diverged from the original instance’s main thread. I think I’m starting to get it—”

“Me too! The kitten is at it again, he’s at it again!”

“What’s going on? What did the kitten do this time?”

“The NPC’s hidden favorability must’ve increased—didn’t you all notice? As soon as the kitten starts farming NPC affection, the plotline goes wild and off the rails. This is the kitten’s standard move! Isn’t this his sixth instance? Actually, counting his multi-carry this is the eighth, just out of order with other newbies, hahaha.”

“I wondered why the game suddenly got so sneaky with the kitten, not even displaying NPC affection anymore—now it’s hidden.”

“Heard there’s a cat-player here, I’m new—do players really farm NPC affection? Where can you view it?”

“Player-to-NPC affection is now hidden by the system; the kitten can’t see it anymore. I suggest the game lets the viewers see NPC affection—I’m dying of curiosity!”

[The system thanks the enthusiastic livestream viewers for their suggestion and is calculating whether to enable NPC affection data for viewers.]

[Calculation complete. All viewers may choose to view NPC-to-player affection levels in 3 seconds.]

“Whoa, we can view it now! Yan Weilan’s favorability to the kitten is already 50/100!”

“The BOSS of a level 5 instance and the kitten got it that high? Insane! How’d he do it?”

“No surprise—been a fan since his first instance, love the kitten streamer! Smooches! (╯3╰)!”

While the viewers were marveling over the favorability stats, Yan Jiyun was troubled with how to resolve Yan Weiqing’s elementary school bullying.

An eye for an eye wasn’t out of the question—it was just an instance, after all. He’d already stomped out a few of Teacher Qu’s personalities; what’s a few more?

But he’d already used his only Luck Card.

Checking his pet item tab again, though, he realized the Luck Card was still there, just on cooldown—he could use it again tomorrow.

So it wasn’t one-time use after all—a pleasant surprise. That meant he could play with it again soon.

But it could only be used while in cat form, and what sort of “luck” it would bring was always a gamble.

This game was trash—he cursed it again.

Still, while constrained by his main account, he did have a pet item tab that didn’t count against carry-in item limits. So he wasn’t really at a disadvantage—it was just that Luck Cards dropped so rarely, and he got his first only after four instances. Odds were low. Getting more was probably tied to boosting NPC favorability?

Since he’d agreed to help, Yan Jiyun waved for Qi Feng to come over—his litterbox attendant had way more practical fighting experience.

Qi Feng came over, and Yan Jiyun had him join in: “So, doable? I don’t have much experience with this sort of thing.”

Qi Feng asked the brothers, “How do you want to solve the problem—direct and simple, or a more complex approach?”

Yan Weilan jumped in: “I want to handle this peacefully—I don’t want to use violence. Extorting my second brother was already violent; if we retaliate the same way, it hurts his reputation. I hope he’ll be able to continue with school peacefully and grow with us.”

Yan Jiyun hadn’t expected him to be so righteous. “Then switch classes?”

Yan Weilan: “We already transferred once. The teachers probably won’t allow it again.”

Got it—since Yan Weilan was the “master” of this personality world, his answer was the rule.

He wanted a peaceful solution.

Yan Jiyun poked Qi Feng’s hand with his finger. “Should we just challenge them? Winner takes all, and no one can bully anyone anymore.”

Yan Weilan hesitated, “But—”

Qi Feng interrupted, “Sounds good. We’ll lay down three rules—if we win, they have to call me boss, and there can only be one boss in the school: me.”

Yan Jiyun hadn’t expected Qi Feng to follow his lead so closely. Soulmates—maybe that’s what it meant.

Yan Weilan doubted, “Will that work? What if—”

Yan Jiyun draped an arm around his shoulders. “Why wouldn’t it? Just think: solve it all at once, and then everyone can focus on their studies for years to come. Got a better idea?”

He knew Yan Weilan was smart and might have a backup plan, but those would be last resorts. Right now, Yan Weilan was like a startled little rabbit—push him, and he might retaliate, which is exactly what they must not let happen, giving the destructive personality any opening.

He’d grasped the storyline; likely, Qi Feng had as well, or he wouldn’t be playing along.

Sure enough, Yan Weilan couldn’t think of a better fix and went with the flow.

He shook his head. “We’ll go with what you say.”

Yan Weiqing cheered, “But there are only three of us—they have a lot more people!”

Yan Jiyun slung an arm around Qi Feng’s shoulders: “We’ve got three more friends—they can bring as many as they like.”

Qi Feng’s whole body went stiff. Leaning in, he whispered, “I’m scared—they’re all NPCs.”

Yan Jiyun muttered back, “My boasting’s already out there—just follow my lead. If we can’t win, we run.”

Qi Feng: “Mhm.”

He expected it—it’s just the art of war: thirty-six stratagems, and running is on top.

With the plan set, they tasked Yan Weiqing to issue the challenge to Shao Xin and Big Guy.

What began as schoolyard bullying escalated into an official duel—the details would depend on the actual contest.

They agreed to meet after lunch in the dormitory grove.

With two hours to go, Qi Feng and Yan Jiyun went off to gather Lan Mo and Gu Wenzhu.

Yan Jiyun decided to find a spot to wait out the two hours; there was no sense wasting his transformation time.

He turned back into a cat and perched on a tree outside the boys’ dorm, which overlooked the woods—perfect for observing both students and staff.

NPCs were heading back to class; players trekked around the campus.

The current main quest was clear, and all players could pick up side quests. The food poisoning case was still the hottest topic.

Lan Mo, Gu Wenzhu, and Qiu Xi were following up on that thread.

Yan Jiyun already had a working theory and a rough direction, but it wasn’t time to act yet.

He loved the sunshine—lazing under a dappled tree couldn’t be beat.

Resolved to lounge there until lunch break, he went half asleep.

After the second class came PE; the third period was about to start.

Stretched out on the branch, he was on the verge of a nap when he felt a breeze. At first it was pleasant—a hint of early autumn—but after third period ended, the sky grew ominously dark. Startled, he opened one eye.

What’s going on? It was sunny a moment ago; why the sudden gales? Who upset Teacher Qu’s inner child?

Sure enough, someone had triggered Yan Weilan’s dark side. Children’s moods truly changed as quick as the weather.

He jumped from the tree.

There was no doubt Yan Weilan was the “personality” of this world—someone had finally lost patience and was making a move.

It had to be a student, since the timing fit.

Yan Weilan was a model student—no teacher would target him.

Who then?

A flash: a child’s image in his mind.

He worked his way to the teaching block; NPCs were everywhere at this hour. Not yet back in human form, he couldn’t risk going inside.

So Yan Jiyun found a flowerbed near the building’s entrance, hoping the rain wouldn’t start. Soon the drama unfolded.

Students were shouting, “The teachers have found out why the other class monitors fainted—it was Class 3’s Yan Weilan! He poisoned his classmates, and the principal and homeroom teacher found a packet of poison in his desk!”

“I heard it’s because the other class monitors went out over the weekend and didn’t invite him.”

“Really? So that’s what Yan Weilan’s like?”

“Can’t believe our class monitor would do that. He always has that scary look—I never dared talk back.”

This plot was beyond melodramatic—even elementary kids wouldn’t say these things.

Someone had gotten ahead of them, framing Yan Weilan for the food poisoning. Now it was plain why the game had set him up as “the smart one”—in-game logic held that a clever kid might just be capable of a “scientific” crime. Planting evidence in his desk left him no way out; framing him depended on faith he couldn’t or wouldn’t fight back.

“So that’s what ‘Yan Weilan’s Request’ meant,” Yan Jiyun realized.

What had provoked this sudden move? Was arranging the duel with Shao Xin and his gang a step too far? Was a primary schooler really capable of this level of plotting? Why did the principal lead the search in person?

He remembered Shao Xin was the principal’s nephew. Maybe time to make use of that?

But kids’ matters ought to be dealt with by kids. Not always true in life—but within the instance, Qu’s personalities could handle it.

The weather worsened further—howling winds spun plastic bags high overhead.

Over the din, he traced Yan Weilan’s voice from the office.

Flustered, Yan Weilan told his teacher, “It wasn’t me, teacher—I never did anything like that, teacher, I—”

The homeroom teacher replied, “We’ll check the security cameras. If it’s not you, nothing will happen.”

Yan Weilan asked, “Will you call my parents?”

He sounded scared.

The teacher replied, “Of course. You’re still a minor—adults have to handle these things.”

Yan Weilan pleaded, “But teacher, I didn’t do anything wrong, someone’s framing me.”

The teacher said, “Just wait here. The teachers will deal with it.”

Yan Weilan truly couldn’t defend himself.

First: he was a child; teachers wouldn’t listen.

Second: the powder was found in his desk—no defense.

Third: someone had framed him, but he couldn’t prove it.

Watching the storms outside, Yan Jiyun knew just how tangled Yan Weilan’s heart must be. He still didn’t know who would go so far to corner him.

If the poisoning “stuck,” Yan Weilan would be branded for life—a good, well-behaved child would be lost to anxiety, isolation, and resentment.

Perhaps this was how “Innocence”’s BOSS came to be.

All the players were upstairs, waiting for the outcome.

Yan Jiyun knew things would not go in Yan Weilan’s favor. The school acted self-righteously, already confident he was guilty; the “call to parents” was no more than a formality before punishment.

Why wouldn’t the parents defend their child? Because given surveillance “evidence” and ill classmates, parents prefer to settle quietly.

If even his father chose damage-control, the next step was for Yan Weilan to change forever.

[Wannabe Human] Livestream:

“Why isn’t the kitten making a move? Ahhh, the Squad Leader’s favorability is dropping!”

“Damn, never seen favorability fall before. Fascinating—until now, no player had enough to even see this happen!”

“It’s true—the favorability is plummeting! From 50 earlier to just 30 now! And still falling!”

“Good thing the kitten can’t see it, or he’d be heartbroken.”

“I remember in his second instance, the kitten’s favorability dropped to negative. I think he has a strong heart—he can take it, I’m the fragile one.”

“I’m the one devastated now! I watched him grind that favorability, and now it’s just thirty. Argh. At least there’s time to recover it—wait, it’s at twenty—now fifteen! What’s going on inside Yan Weilan to cause such a plunge?”

The wind outside felt like it could sweep even Yan Jiyun away.

He couldn’t withstand Yan Weilan’s emotional swings indefinitely.

With the bell, students raced back to class; Yan Jiyun slipped into the restroom, reemerging as a young boy.

The wind still raged outside; dead leaves and branches blew in, forcing teachers to close every window.

He dashed to the third floor and nearly collided with Qi Feng.

“You’re looking for Yan Weilan too?”

“Yeah, I think the teachers locked him up.”

“Let’s get him out.” He instinctively grabbed Qi Feng’s wrist, pulling him along toward the office.

Qi Feng: “……”

Why does Yan Jiyun keep treating me like an elementary schooler? Though he thought it, he didn’t pull his hand free.

Lan Mo and Gu Wenzhu emerged from the building at just that moment.

Yan Jiyun tossed over his shoulder, “Wait here!”

He barged into the office.

Inside, Yan Weilan wasn’t crying—just sitting silently, lips pressed tight, his whole demeanor shrouded in gloom.

He hadn’t done any of this, yet classmates accused him, and teachers whispered that he was sinister, doomed to become a criminal.

Why did everyone say such things?

Would no one defend him? Would no one seek the truth?

No one believed him—not his big brother or second brother either.

It hurt.

It hurt so very much.

Why was this happening?

He’d always been so well-behaved; he never did anything wrong—

Bang!

The office door was thrown open by two students in uniform.

Yan Jiyun, like a little ball of sunlight, burst into Yan Weilan’s darkness. He declared, “Monitor, I believe you!”

Stunned, Yan Weilan looked up.

Qi Feng echoed plainly, “Yeah. We all know you didn’t poison anyone.”

Tears rimmed Yan Weilan’s eyes as he wiped his nose. “You really believe me?”

Yan Jiyun nodded firmly. “We all do. You study hard, love the class—how could you do something so awful?”

Yan Weilan nodded vigorously. “I never did it.”

Yan Jiyun, hands on hips: “Since you didn’t, what right do they have to keep you here?”

Yan Weilan hesitated. “But—”

Yan Jiyun brushed his worry aside. “Forgot we’re the Detective Squad? Let’s solve the case ourselves—find out who framed you and clear your name.”

They had to solve things before the parents arrived, before things grew permanent.

Without hesitation, Yan Weilan said, “Okay! I’ll find the truth myself!”

Yan Jiyun spun, taking Yan Weilan by the hand, ready to go.

The gloom in Yan Weilan’s face vanished. He also reached out and grabbed Yan Jiyun’s hand.

Perplexed, Yan Jiyun thought, Why did he suddenly grab me??

Qi Feng wiggled his own captured wrist.

Too late, Yan Jiyun realized: “Hand in hand—good friends.”

This habit of always grabbing his litterbox attendant’s hand was one he really had to break!

[Wannabe Human] Livestream:

“Hahaha, I was on the edge of my seat, and the kitten’s over here singing about friendship. Also, what is this favorability rollercoaster? It nearly hit zero, but now he’s pulled it back—it’s already over 70!”

“Since I started watching the kitten’s stream I feel cleansed. Now seeing a mini-boss redeemed has me in tears. I should want him to turn evil, but…I think I’m not right either.”

“Yeah, me too. Never thought I’d pity the mini-boss. If the kitten hadn’t shown up, the Squad Leader might have gone dark and become the boss! I get it now—this is where the plot unravels!”

“The kitten’s done it again—totally upending the script. Can’t wait to see what happens next.”

“I suspect the kitten’s already found Teacher Qu—the Squad Leader is just a split personality, right?”

“But didn’t Teacher Qu want to destroy the other personalities? If you protect the Squad Leader, aren’t you helping the opposition? Can the kitten even finish his new main quest?”

“Why not? He’s already onto Main Quest 3—his logic’s sound.”

“I’ve read the plot, but now I’m lost. The Squad Leader wasn’t always the boss? Isn’t the game supposed to be fixed?” [Best Video Game Console]

Yan Jiyun whisked Yan Weilan away; the two dashed downstairs.

At that moment, Yan Weilan felt true happiness—so this was what it was like to be believed. He would remember it.

The homeroom teacher had gone to phone his parents, but returning to the office and finding Yan Weilan gone, rushed out in pursuit.

Gu Wenzhu and Qiu Xi blocked her in the hallway—Gu Wenzhu, feigning an injury, sat right in her way.

Clutching his leg, he wailed, “Teacher, you bumped into me! Ow, it hurts!”

Class 3’s homeroom teacher snapped, “I didn’t bump you—you fell by yourself!”

Gu Wenzhu looked aggrieved, “You hurt me—I shouldn’t have been careless, now you ran into me. Teacher won’t take responsibility!”

Class 3 teacher: “I told you, I didn’t!”

Qiu Xi flashed his language card: “Teacher, that’s exactly what Yan Weilan told you earlier, and you didn’t listen.”

They’d been watching, but hadn’t rushed in until they had a plan.

Gu Wenzhu’s antics drew the attention of Class 2’s tough old teacher: “Wang Ru, how could you bump my student and then deny it?”

Ms. Wang tried to explain, “I said I didn’t, he fell on his own.”

Gu Wenzhu continued squeezing out tears, “Ms. Zhao, it’s all my fault for not looking where I was going, or I’d never have run into Ms. Wang.”

Ms. Zhao, growing angrier, barked at her colleague, “My student has a lame leg, Wang, how can you, a teacher, set such a bad example? If you did wrong, apologize.”

Ms. Wang: “……” What a manipulative little student!

With the teachers distracted, Yan Jiyun, Qi Feng, and Lan Mo spirited Yan Weilan back to the dorm.

Behind them echoed the pounding steps of the principal, dean, and grade coordinator—Yan Jiyun could hear all of them scrambling up the stairs.

Qi Feng whipped out the painting from last night: “Get in and hide.”

Yan Weilan grabbed Yan Jiyun’s hand, and in a blink they were inside the painting.

Lan Mo moved to take Qi Feng’s hand: “Come on, let’s go!”

Qi Feng coldly flung him off: “Get lost.”

Lan Mo: “But that’s how Yan Jiyun and Yan Weilan did it…”

Qi Feng shot him a look: he was him, and you are you.