Cat 222: The Final Farewell

Chapter 222: The Final Farewell

Whether they’d have to stand in line for six hours remained uncertain. The four remaining in the queue looked anxiously ahead, hoping Qi Feng and Wen Ye would return soon with their findings.

It was unclear if the NPCs felt the cold, but the players truly did.

Snow was falling, with temperatures at least two or three degrees below zero. They wore little, only Su Qiuming had managed to snatch the shopkeeper’s coat before leaving, yet he looked colder than the rest—being injured and losing blood made it worse.

Before long, Qi Feng and Wen Ye returned, bringing one piece of good news and one of bad.

Qi Feng asked, “Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?”

Yan Jiyun replied, “The bad news.”

Qi Feng disregarded the rest’s opinions. “The bad news is, there are three long lines at the center of the plaza—three Santas handing out Christmas gifts.”

The four maintained a calm front; they had known the game would continue to toy with them.

Su Qiuming asked, “And the good news?”

Wen Ye answered, “The other two lines aren’t as long. We can switch over.”

Yan Jiyun raised his hand and quietly asked, “Has anyone tried queuing up for gifts twice?”

Wen Ye explained, “The game considered that. Each line has NPCs stationed there—if any greedy NPC tries to double up, they’re dragged away immediately.”

Yan Jiyun thought, isn’t this just like getting a free egg via QR code—everyone wants a second helping? This meant everyone could only receive one gift.

Wait. Hold on.

If you simplified the situation—

He looked ahead. “Wait, if we find Santa and get the present, does that mean we can leave the game?”

No one had considered things that way; they’d made it too complicated. It was like suddenly being handed a basic arithmetic problem after struggling with advanced mathematics—unable to believe the answer could be that simple, they’d insist on proving one plus one wasn’t two.

Su Qiuming, who’d spent considerable effort reasoning and fighting relics and clones within the game, now found it hard to trust that merely receiving a Christmas gift would allow them to leave.

Qi Feng was the first to respond to Yan Jiyun’s interpretation of the main quest. “Not unreasonable. We can try queuing for a gift.”

Qi Yunchu’s reaction matched Su Qiuming’s. “Could it really be that simple? But we’ve six hours until the instance ends.”

Yan Jiyun recalled how, in the zoo instance, he’d ended it three days early and spent the remainder idling about—what were six hours compared to that?

Must they always cling to the final second before leaving an instance?

If so, he’d be best not to say much else, lest he expose himself.

Qi Feng was trustworthy, but Yan Jiyun barely knew the others; there was no reason to reveal unnecessary information.

Chu Mo: “I also prefer not to overcomplicate things.”

Wen Ye and Chu Mo were of one mind.

Qi Feng said, “Then let’s queue up for the Christmas gifts first. Only after receiving them will we know if the story will continue or if there’s another fight ahead.”

For now, no urgent crisis had appeared. Receiving Christmas gifts seemed the sole clear task before them.

Aside from Yan Jiyun and Qi Feng, the others felt that leaving the game by simply taking the gift was just a guess, not reality.

Qi Yunchu said, “Let’s line up now, and regroup at the plaza after.”

Regardless of anyone else’s skepticism, Yan Jiyun was certain they’d be leaving the game soon.

Three lines—currently their queue was the longest. After discussion, the six split into groups of two to get their gifts, while also keeping full awareness of their surroundings.

Qi Yunchu and Su Qiuming stayed in the original line; Su Qiuming, still injured, was temporarily supported by Qi Yunchu.

Qi Feng teamed up with Yan Jiyun, Chu Mo with Wen Ye. They each went to different lines to queue afresh.

Without the overhang of an urgent quest, the plaza was lively. NPCs queued up for Christmas gifts, while others weren’t.

The shops lining the street were all brightly lit, bustling with people, and everything radiated the atmosphere of a joyful festival.

Qi Feng rubbed his hands and asked Yan Jiyun, who was holding Little Nine, “Aren’t you tired holding Caramel? Want me to take it for a while?”

Yan Jiyun immediately replied, “No need, it keeps me warm. If you’re cold, you can hold me—we’ll keep each other warm.” He inwardly applauded his own quick thinking. He’d rather let Qi Feng hug him than let him notice anything wrong with Little Nine.

The snow globe containing the other eight cats was with Chu Mo—they hadn’t brought it over. He hoped they’d be careless enough not to check on the remaining eight.

Qi Feng had meant to say he wasn’t cold—just that, after a while without interacting with Caramel, he wanted to hold his cat. But Yan Jiyun’s suggestion tempted him—if he hugged Yan Jiyun, he could also hug the cat, which seemed much warmer.

“Alright, then,” Qi Feng agreed. In his whole life, he’d never taken the initiative to hug anyone.

Standing behind Yan Jiyun at the end of the queue, a cold breeze and falling snowflakes made them shiver—Yan Jiyun, lightly dressed, shrank his neck against the chill.

Qi Feng reached both arms around from behind, hugging loosely: “Is this any warmer?”

Yan Jiyun took his hands, resting lightly on his arms, and drew them closer: “Hug me tighter; it’s warmer that way.”

Qi Feng: “…” Well, since he’d asked, he’d do it—he enclosed Yan Jiyun more fully in his arms.

Despite rushing around the game all day, Yan Jiyun’s scent remained startlingly fresh, not even a trace of sweat. How did he do that?

Neither spoke. All Yan Jiyun could hear was Qi Feng’s breath near his ear, warm against his skin. His heart beat a little faster, worried Qi Feng might suddenly discover Little Nine’s true identity and be startled.

Huddled together against the winter wind, they minimized conversation to conserve their body heat, unconsciously drawing closer to the Christmas gift distribution area.

Although the queue ahead stretched nearly a hundred meters, Santa’s gifting was relatively fast. Sometimes the Santas got playful; with small children, they’d play with them a bit before handing over presents.

Suddenly, Yan Jiyun turned his head, letting it rest against Qi Feng’s neck. “Could it be that one of the three Santas is the real Santa?”

Amid the noise, only by drawing close could Qi Feng hear him—though, his attention was more on Yan Jiyun’s lips.

For the first time in an instance, Qi Feng lost focus. “What?”

Yan Jiyun, thinking the wind had drowned him out, pressed closer, leaning fully into Qi Feng. Repeating, “I mean, what if only one of the three Santas gives the real gift, and the other two are fake?”

Qi Feng pulled his thoughts back, replying, “It’s possible. Let’s see what everyone else thinks. If they sense anything off, they won’t accept a fake—everyone here’s an experienced player; they’re wary.”

“How can we be sure this Santa gives the right gift?” The line sped up—they’d soon receive theirs.

“Didn’t you just say not to complicate things? That taking the gift might let us out? Don’t overthink.” Qi Feng was calm and unconcerned.

“I know, but I still worry the game will play tricks on us with the three Santas,” Yan Jiyun replied, adding, “Think of our luck stats.”

Qi Feng said, “If only one of the three gives the real gift, that means two others will leave the game first.”

He had another reason for not worrying—a special item he hadn’t yet used.

If a choice were forced upon them, he could send Yan Jiyun and Caramel out of the instance first. He was a seasoned player; leaving later wouldn’t affect him.

“What are you thinking?” Yan Jiyun sensed he was plotting something that might exclude him—and disliked seeing Qi Feng frown. “We’ll face everything together.”

Qi Feng patted him on the shoulder. “Thank you.”

Yan Jiyun replied, “No, it’s I who should thank you for saving me.”

He knew Qi Feng had used his ID from the nameplate to save him. In such a scenario, an error would have cost Qi Feng his own life; back then, Qi Feng had no idea he was Caramel. Of course Yan Jiyun was moved, but he didn’t know how to show it. If he’d truly been Caramel at the time, he’d have flung himself into his arms. Sometimes, being human was exhausting—unlike animals who could simply nuzzle and hug those they loved.

Qi Feng said, “You shielded me from the printer’s attack—”

He was about to say more, but at that moment, it was their turn to get Christmas gifts.

Ahead of them stood a family of three. Santa handed out three gifts, raising them playfully to tease the child, who nearly cried before finally receiving his present. True to character, the Santas didn’t speak.

Then came Yan Jiyun’s turn. Each Santa wore a bushy white beard and an oversized suit—identical in dress and manner; there was no telling them apart.

Would they really reduce a complex problem to something simple?

Yan Jiyun reached out for his Christmas gift.

Santa offered a box about 30 by 30 centimeters.

Gift in hand, Yan Jiyun chose not to overthink. When the boat reaches the bridge, it’ll naturally straighten. He accepted the present and, like every other NPC, said, “Thank you.”

Yet as the gift touched Yan Jiyun’s hands, Santa suddenly tried to pull it back, but Yan Jiyun was faster, locking the box firmly in his arms.

Qi Feng instantly stepped forward and pulled Yan Jiyun behind him, taking his place. “Hello, I’m here for my Christmas present.”

It was unclear why Santa seemed to regret giving the gift; perhaps it was just part of the act?

Hidden behind Qi Feng, Yan Jiyun cradled the now-silent Little Nine—its body felt heavier and colder, as if it would never wake up. Lost in his sorrow for a moment, he was drawn away from the crowd by Qi Feng, still carrying the gift box.

Qi Feng pulled Yan Jiyun toward Chu Mo’s line.

Yan Jiyun asked, “Aren’t we going to open the presents now?”

Qi Feng kept a firm hold on him. “Let’s wait until everyone’s here. No one knows what’s inside—better to have backup in case anything happens.”

Yan Jiyun nodded, “Good point. Safety in numbers.”

If their gifts turned out to be bombs, at least they’d have company on the road to the Underworld.

No, no—what an unlucky thing to say.

Weaving through the crowd, the box in their hands became a hot potato.

They found Chu Mo and Wen Ye, both having also collected their presents, and the four made their way to Qi Yunchu and Su Qiuming’s line.

Strangely, though their queue had been the longest, they didn’t spot Qi Yunchu or Su Qiuming on their way.

Except for Yan Jiyun, the other three immediately checked their systems.

Chu Mo: “No change in player count.”

Qi Feng: “There are two fewer active players—they must have left the instance.”

Yan Jiyun pointed to some discarded wrapping paper on the ground. “They’ve already unwrapped their presents.”

Without another word, the four began opening their gifts.

Yan Jiyun, occupied with Little Nine in his arms, was slower than the rest.

Chu Mo was the first to open his box—a sudden beam of light whisked him away before he could react.

Wen Ye disappeared right after him, vanishing before Qi Feng and Yan Jiyun’s eyes.

Qi Feng was about to open his box, but at the last moment said, “Yan Jiyun, you open yours first.”

Yan Jiyun’s face beamed with the joy of imminent escape. “Okay.”

But as he prepared to open it, he seized the chance while Qi Feng was distracted and pried open Qi Feng’s box instead!

He offered a quick apology, “Brother Feng, I’m sorry! You go first—I’ll be right behind you.”

A look of disbelief flashed across Qi Feng’s face. “You—Caramel—”

Yan Jiyun swore sincerely, “Don’t worry—as long as I’m here, Caramel is here. If Caramel’s gone, I won’t stay behind either!”

Qi Feng’s gaze was full of confusion—why would Yan Jiyun do this? He didn’t have time to say anything else before a beam of light carried him away as well.

Yan Jiyun was left alone in the middle of the street. He unzipped his coat—the small body nestled beside him, now completely cold.

Cradling the closed-eyed Little Nine in one arm and the Christmas present in the other, he made his way to the curb and found the snow globe that had been kicked aside.

He set Little Nine down beside the orb.

Inside the snow globe, all eight black cats were already lying down.

“Thank you, Little Nine. Thank you, Little White. Thank you, Little Yellow. Thank you, Little Green. Thank you, Chatty Little Six. Thank you, Little Seven, Little Eight, Little Ten. Thank you all for helping me through.” Yan Jiyun pressed his hands together, intoning, “Boss is leaving soon—may you find a world free from hunger and thirst, with endless cans and treats, always happy, always healthy, always pain-free—”

With that, he opened his Christmas present: inside was a black cat keychain. He smiled softly.

[Congratulations, player, for completing the task of rescuing the main account. You will now be transferred from the “Sweet Christmas” instance to “Hearts With Pets.”]

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