Cat 163: Unable to Feel Happy

Chapter 163: Unable to Feel Happy

[Be Human If You Can] Livestream Chat:

“They stopped him, they stopped him! The story’s so off the rails it’s unrecognizable—this is the complete opposite of the original scenario. It should have been Yan Weiqing falling, pushed by Yan Weicheng, but now no one has fallen.”

“I just realized something. The kitten must have known from early on that Yan Weilan was the one being framed, and guessed he was a personality of Mr. Qu. Only by saving Mr. Qu’s main personality can things be set right. Is it possible the main persona split into multiple personalities? All these split personalities share traits, and the ones always bullying the main persona are just another wave of splits trying to take over the body?”

“You mean the main personality got bullied and split repeatedly, while the vice persona, to kill off the main personalities 1, 2, and 3, also split into subordinate personalities 1, 2, and 3? Is that it?”

“I think that’s the content of the new main storyline—when you put all the scenarios together, it completes the whole plot.”

“Ha! The system really should pay Mr. Qu a bonus—he’s doing the work of several people. Every hero and every villain is all just him.”

“Thanks to the kitten, these scenarios don’t seem scary at all. Now I just want to know, who is Mr. Qu really? Has the kitten figured it out yet?”

“Someone said the original plot was Yan Weilan going on a killing spree—can anyone explain how?”

Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng dragged the out-of-control Yan Weicheng back just in time, stopping him from jumping off the rooftop and making things spiral further.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief—who could have imagined a child as young as Yan Weicheng could be so warped, so stubbornly evil.

There was a reason Mr. Qu’s main personality split off the sub-personality—he’s an embodiment of both good and evil. A step forward leads to an endless abyss, a step back, to heaven’s warmth.

Even with the two holding him down, Yan Weicheng kept struggling, intent on leaping.

He started lashing out—“Let go of me!”

Qi Feng deftly pinned him to the ground, giving him no more chance to act up.

Yan Jiyun lectured him, “You’re so young, yet so vicious—aren’t brothers supposed to get along? When you’re old, you’ll have someone to talk to. You’re just kids—why fight to the death?”

Yan Weicheng shot a glare at him, “Mind your own business!”

Yan Jiyun wanted to knock some sense into him, but held back—in the end, this was just a scenario, and Yan Weicheng was a fragment of Mr. Qu. He was born to be Yan Weilan’s natural enemy.

[Congratulations, player, for completing new main storyline quest 3: ‘Yan Weilan’s Plea for Help.’ Rewards will be issued after the scenario ends.]

The moment the quest cleared, Yan Weilan’s parents and other NPCs burst onto the rooftop. Next came a typical “parents regret everything” scene.

These parents weren’t the same two Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng met in the Nightmare scenario; it seemed the one they entered before was the main personality’s true nightmare, not Yan Weilan’s.

[System: All main storyline quests in ‘Childlike Innocence’ scenario have been completed. The scenario will close in five minutes, and will not reopen. The gateway to the next scenario is now open. Any players not exiting within five minutes will be trapped in this scenario forever.]

Time to search for the exit again?

Where would they end up next?

In the Mermaid scenario, he knew the path to Mingya High was through the music building, but here, no such channel had been found.

Yan Weicheng was led away by his belated parents. Yan Weilan and Yan Weiqing prepared to leave as well, but as Yan Weilan neared the door, Yan Jiyun called out.

He wanted to say something to the boy; perhaps it was a feline instinct, to return kindness: “Yan Weilan, wait a second.”

Yan Weilan paused. “Yes?”

Yan Jiyun hadn’t expected NPCs to answer after the quest was over. He stepped forward, rummaged through his pet inventory for the bracelet Mr. Qu had given him—he wanted to give it to Yan Weilan, but it couldn’t be removed. In the end, he just said, “I hope you don’t let this affect you. Brothers are supposed to help and support each other. Your big brother is a rare exception—not a normal state of mind.”

Warmth blossomed in Yan Weilan’s heart. “I understand. Can I give you a hug?”

Yan Jiyun opened his arms, “Of course.”

Yan Weilan hugged him tightly. “By the way, I finished embroidering that little black cat you asked for.”

It was as though he sensed Yan Jiyun was leaving; he took out the finished embroidery and handed it over with a smile, “Here, don’t forget to turn in your assignment.”

Suddenly the overcast sky cleared.

Yan Jiyun accepted the embroidery, stating his true purpose, “One more question for you.”

Yan Weilan obediently stood by, “Ask away.”

The sun was warm on Yan Jiyun’s back. He kept his voice gentle, as if in casual conversation. “If today everyone had kept misunderstanding you, or the misunderstanding only deepened, if no one believed you no matter what you said, what would you do?”

Yan Weilan was silent for a moment, seeming to make a heavy decision, then fixed his face with resolve. “I would repay them in kind. If everyone insists on blaming me, I’d make their accusations real. That way, there would be no more misunderstanding.”

It was a sincere and cruel answer, but Yan Jiyun knew that was the scenario “failure” ending: mutual destruction.

Yan Jiyun nodded. “Alright, but don’t ever hurt yourself just to take others down with you—it’s not worth it. Be braver next time.”

Up ahead, Yan Weiqing called back, “Brother, Dad’s calling you.”

“I’m coming,” Yan Weilan replied, then turned back for a last look at Yan Jiyun, and almost asked, “We—will we meet again?” He didn’t know why he wanted to ask, but in the end he said nothing, and followed Yan Weiqing downstairs.

Once he’d gone, Yan Jiyun examined the fine cat embroidery—just as he’d pictured, as if Yan Weilan knew exactly what he wanted. He stored it carefully in his inventory.

[Congratulations, player, for receiving the “Embroidered Piece” from Yan Weilan. This item cannot be used in this scenario.]

Yan Weilan gone, Qi Feng stepped up and clapped his shoulder. “Let’s go—you’ve got four minutes left to find the exit.”

Yan Jiyun slung an arm around his shoulder in return. “You don’t look too worried. Do you already know where it is?”

Qi Feng nodded. “That painting.”

Lan Mo turned to call out for Qi Feng to hurry, and then saw Yan Jiyun with his arm around Qi Feng’s shoulders, murmuring privately.

When had anyone ever seen Qi Feng let someone get so close? Unbelievable!

Yan Jiyun was truly bold—surely Qi Feng would be annoyed and shake him off. But instead, he let Yan Jiyun keep his arm there, and the two even chatted about the plot on their way downstairs.

[Where’s My Cat] Livestream Chat:

“I’m dying—Xiao Lanlan looks like he’s seen a ghost.”

“Has Feng-ge ever let anyone put an arm over his shoulder before?”

“Not the first time, I think, but in this scenario he’s let the same guy do it over and over. Who is Yan Jiyun to get this level of approval?”

“No way. My Feng-ge would never like that kind of clingy hanger-on. He’s just using Feng-ge for his own gain. Really, people like that ought to disappear from the storyline.”

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“I don’t feel like he’s leeching—who can say what’s really happening in the scenario? Besides, they found the exit together! Yan Jiyun never acted like he needed to keep it a secret from others. And since the two teams have been cooperating since the start, isn’t it good to have another friend?”

“Damn, this brother is really standing up for Yan Jiyun. Don’t forget, Feng-ge used to have another close friend—always clearing scenarios together. Lots of people shipped their CP, Feng-ge saved him many times, but in the end, that guy betrayed him. Let’s hope Feng-ge doesn’t get burned again.”

“Let’s hear the story—anyone care to tell?”

[Be Human If You Can] Livestream Chat:

“So according to the original plot, Yan Weilan gets framed and slowly darkens. Since they accused him of poisoning, he retaliates by poisoning everyone? Unless the players go without food or water for days, they’ll fall victim as soon as they eat. That’s brutal—a true ‘no survivors’ scenario!”

“That’s right—he poisons the whole school. There’s literally nobody left.”

“No one’s figured out how even the stale crackers in the school store wound up poisoned.”

“Defeating him doesn’t help—touch food or water, and you’re dead anyway. You could starve five days, but who could resist, especially if everyone tempts you with good food? No wonder the system calls this a level 5 hard scenario.”

“Ha! Meanwhile, the level 5 top-dog fans gripe about the kitten hitching a ride—they never think their favorite could survive without Yan Jiyun. Without the kitten’s team, you’d spend five days drinking your own urine!”

Lan Mo never did see Qi Feng shake off Yan Jiyun’s arm.

They headed for where Lan Mo had hidden the painting—in his desk drawer. The safest place is often the most dangerous. Luckily, no one had noticed the painting’s significance.

Five minutes really wasn’t much.

As the scenario ended, all NPCs acted mechanically—classes and breaks as usual, just as the class was receiving another lesson, leaving the classroom empty for them.

Having retrieved the painting, they studied it in the deserted classroom.

Gu Wenzhu had never entered the painting and wasn’t clear on how it worked: “This painting only lets us go in and out—how does that count as leaving?”

Qi Feng glanced at Yan Jiyun. “Any ideas?”

Yan Jiyun scratched his chin. “Let’s check it out first.”

He took Qi Feng’s hand and, at a thought, pulled them inside.

Lan Mo watched the two clasp hands and felt all sorts of ways; Feng-ge was playing favorites—he never let Lan Mo hold hands.

He turned to Gu Wenzhu. “Can I hold hands with you?”

Gu Wenzhu pushed up his glasses, scrutinizing him. “You sure?”

Lan Mo squirmed under the gaze as if stripped to his underwear. “Forget it, just kidding.”

Qiu Xi made a gesture—Mo-ge, you can hold my hand.

Lan Mo rubbed his arms, “Forget it, just kidding around.”

The idea of deliberately holding someone’s hand felt awkward—Feng-ge was a true stoic.

Inside the painting, Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng searched quickly.

[Time until scenario closes: 3 minutes, 20 seconds.]

Not much left.

Qi Feng told Yan Jiyun about the painting: “I tried cutting it, smashing it—nothing works.”

Yan Jiyun turned over every table and chair, even checked behind the sofa, but found nothing.

Unlike other scenarios, there didn’t seem to be a passageway connecting to the next one—or maybe they’d simply missed it while on their quest.

Time ticked away; tension mounted.

Finally, Yan Jiyun plopped onto the couch, chin in hand, thinking. Suddenly he had an idea, and exchanged a glance with Qi Feng. “Let’s go back out.”

Qi Feng nodded. They exited the painting together.

Gu Wenzhu’s group was still studying the painting.

Qi Feng called, “Hurry, let’s take it to the multipurpose building.”

Yan Jiyun agreed, “Go.”

The real reason the painting hung there was that it covered the true exit—its function obscured the multipurpose building’s secret. Only with serious thought would anyone guess.

Roughly three minutes left.

They all dashed pell-mell for the multipurpose building.

But with their short legs, they couldn’t run as fast as adults. The system also upped the challenge: in the Mermaid scenario they got ten minutes; here, only five. Much harder.

The other players, seeing Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng running, followed close behind—whether or not they found the exit, no one had other leads, and after all, Yan Jiyun triggered the scenario—they’d be lost without him!

So, the five of them ended up leading a string of players, like a gym class punishment run—hardly the picture of desperate escape.

Yan Jiyun was fit enough to handle the distance with just a little huffing. Gu Wenzhu, though, was out of breath after running from the classroom; Qiu Xi and Lan Mo had to help him up the stairs, or he wouldn’t have made it. Not his fault—a bad leg meant even less training than an ordinary person.

The team had their respective weaknesses, but each had unique strengths—Qiu Xi’s brawn, Gu Wenzhu’s brains, Yan Jiyun’s speed.

They reached the fourth floor just in time.

[Time remaining: 30 seconds.]

Qi Feng, cradling the painting, led the charge—but faced a new problem: they weren’t tall enough, and there was no time to fetch a chair.

He told Yan Jiyun, “I’ll lift you up. You hang the painting.”

No time for modesty now. “Alright, give it here.”

Qi Feng hoisted Yan Jiyun, Lan Mo bracing him, and together they rehung the painting.

Yan Jiyun gently slid it into place. “Done.”

The moment the painting was returned, the ground shook underfoot—the floor trembled, everyone swayed.

“Is the building collapsing?”

“This isn’t the exit?”

“Are we going into another scenario? I’m just a beginner, why am I in such a high-level scenario!”

Lan Mo cried, “Feng-ge, your cat!”

Qi Feng replied, “It’ll follow.” He was sure his cat was nearby, just keeping low with so many people about.

Yan Jiyun guiltily looked away, dodging the subject.

Qi Feng indeed had no reason to worry—his cat had never left his side.

No time for further thought—the multipurpose building collapsed entirely, and all players vanished from the Childlike Innocence scenario in an instant.

Yan Jiyun thought, At last I’ll face Mr. Qu directly—then he lost consciousness.

When he came to, he was lying on the floor of the music block classroom, alone.

It was quiet.

Yan Jiyun disliked sudden silences. He leapt up at once.

He found himself back in high schooler form, and from the look of the worn classroom, guessed he was in Mingya High.

The system interface confirmed his current quests.

The quests he’d had before had been completed by other players.

Now, only the mainline tasks for Mingya High remained, plus a new main storyline quest—he’d just completed quest 3, but the main line was unfinished. So those three were just part of the bigger new quest; the rest would have to be done at Mingya.

Strangely, though everyone exited Childlike Innocence together, he seemed to be alone.

Where had Qi Feng, Gu Wenzhu, and the others gone?

Would their tasks be the same as his?

Now that Mr. Qu had merged the three scenarios, Yan Jiyun was tired of questing.

Ah, so annoying!

Damn you, Mr. Qu—can’t you just show yourself?

For now, Yan Jiyun didn’t leave the old classroom. He had about ten minutes left of his human transformation card, so he decided to rest, then turn back into a cat before heading out.

He needed to review Mingya High’s plotline.

It was pretty clear who Mr. Qu was—once he switched back to a cat, he’d just go find him.

The whole music building was eerily quiet—probably, as with Childlike Innocence, players had been scattered at random.

But the Mingya scenario had already been in progress, and the other players would be halfway through by now, making it hard for newcomers to earn points on quests.

He glanced at the game time—it was already the evening of the third day. When that night was over, the fourth day would begin.

Every time he joined Mingya High, it was at night. Some fate.

Ten minutes later, the card’s effect ended and Yan Jiyun switched back to a cat.

Time to find Mr. Qu.

This time he slipped out of the music building without incident—no ambushes or sudden events, but also no other players or NPCs.

But once outside, everything was deserted and run-down, totally unlike a lived-in campus.

Wasn’t this Mingya High?

Yan Jiyun darted beneath a heap of dead leaves, fur bristling.

He double-checked his taskbar.

The quest line was active—no problems there.

He was certain that, in the Childlike Innocence scenario, Mingya High’s quest was grayed out.

All around, only the howling of the wind and the clawing, dancing shadows of sycamores—no one in sight.

Creepy.

[Be Human If You Can] Livestream Chat:

“Where’s the kitten going now, ha ha!”

“Still Mingya High, right? It looks the same inside and out—no change—”

“Look again! You call that ‘no change?’ Last time the kitten left the music block, the place was vibrant, full of life. Now it’s nothing but an empty husk.”

“So creepy! What’s going on—is anybody dropping a spoiler? I’m getting scared.”

“The kitten’s more scared than we are—curled up in the bushes, not daring to move.”

Truthfully, Yan Jiyun didn’t dare to move an inch. Who knew what hell Mr. Qu had thrown them into now?

This scene had come up twice already—could there be a third?

He wanted to call for help—why wasn’t anyone explaining the situation?

After much thought, he decided he had to leave his little ‘safe zone.’ If he didn’t clear the game soon, he’d run out of time.

Just three days left, and who knew what new scenarios might pop up? If he failed, he’d wind up telling jokes to Mr. Qu No. 1 every day—and his jokes weren’t even funny.

Yan Jiyun left the music block and headed for the school gate—at least that still looked new.

At dusk, Mingya High lacked even a single streetlamp; it was decrepit and bleak.

Suddenly, there came a screech of brakes at the gate.

Three full-length coaches and several nanny vans pulled up.

Doors opened; dozens of people got out.

Yan Jiyun squatted at the security booth as an NPC emerged to open the gate for them.

Someone handed the guard a cigarette. “Thanks, brother.”

He lit up. “No problem. Go ahead, but you’d better all be out in four days or my brother-in-law will give me hell.”

“We’ll be quick—shoot what we need and get out. You’re a good man.”

“Just keep it down, that’s all. Anyway, this dump’s been abandoned for years.”

“Thank you for the heads-up!”

That man then called out to the group, “All actors, inside! For the next few days, we set up tents in the classrooms. Each team, prep for tonight’s first shoot.”

Everyone filed in.

In the crowd, Yan Jiyun spotted Qi Feng in a suit and sunglasses—still wearing shades at dusk—while Lan Mo was talking over the shooting schedule with him, stressing about learning lines and not just reciting numbers.

He even saw Gu Wenzhu and the other original Mingya scenario players.

He should have felt happy to see them—but for some reason, he just couldn’t.

Damn, damn, damn—why was he the only one still in his high schooler’s body!