Cat 311: Collecting a Little Interest

Chapter 311: Collecting a Little Interest

Qi Feng was focused in the ring, intent on discerning the true identity of “Yan Jiyun.” He could never have guessed that Tang Yan would utter the harshest words in such a calm tone—nor was he aware of how clear Tang Yan was about his own orientation.

He knew Yan Jiyun’s skills and habits well; just from a person’s moves, he could tell who he faced.

Yan Jiyun and Jiaotang were two bodies of the same person, though different species, but inwardly the same. Yan Jiyun excelled at observing, then waiting for the right moment to act—never rash or impetuous. This “Yan Jiyun,” though, was impatient, much like Lin Yushi—both were always in a hurry.

“Yan Jiyun” was the aggressive, impatient type. Qi Feng played defensive—he could attack or defend as needed, but for now, he was testing his opponent.

“Yan Jiyun’s” style was nothing like the real Yan Jiyun’s. If they were the same consciousness, there would surely be some resemblance. Qi Feng saw none at all; the attacks were powerful but harmless, all thunder and no rain. After enduring a long series of punches, Qi Feng defended successfully every time.

Had this been the real Yan Jiyun, even if they didn’t recognize each other, the attacks would have been sharp and deadly.

“Yan Jiyun” realized Qi Feng was toying with him and grew vicious, cursing. “Come on—what are you, a coward hiding in his shell?”

Qi Feng was now sure that “Yan Jiyun” bore none of Yan Jiyun’s consciousness. But faced with the man’s familiar face, he was at a loss. He couldn’t bring himself to strike in earnest, his reluctance giving “Yan Jiyun” a chance.

The crowd began to jeer—including at Qi Feng—but their target was really Tang Yan. Qi Feng was, after all, fighting on Tang Yan’s behalf, not his own. Tang Yan was the real Yan Jiyun; the “Yan Jiyun” in the ring was a fraud.

“Tang Yan, is this new guy of yours not up to much?”

“Hah, he picked Yan Jiyun by name—guess he’s been bewildered by those looks.”

“So tall and strapping, but a soft touch once he’s in the ring? As if our Xiao Yunyun would ever fancy him.”

Each jeer was more humiliating than the last. As Qi Feng blocked an attack from “Yan Jiyun,” he glanced at Tang Yan in the crowd. Tang Yan’s lips were slightly upturned, but his eyes remained cold. For a moment, Qi Feng felt as though Tang Yan and the real Yan Jiyun overlapped. Of course, he also saw the disappointment in Tang Yan’s eyes.

Qi Feng’s heart gave a jolt. He struck suddenly, landing a punch squarely on the impostor’s face. With a thud, the fake Yan Jiyun went down hard, and even after the referee counted to ten, he didn’t get up.

Some in the crowd couldn’t believe that the Qi Feng who’d been dodging so long had suddenly won so cleanly.

“Not bad, huh.”

“How’d he even end up in District Nine?”

“Tang Yan, this lover of yours isn’t half bad.”

Qi Feng looked to Tang Yan—the word “lover” shouted so boldly. He was afraid Tang Yan would be angry. But it seemed Tang Yan didn’t care, much more satisfied with his victory over the imposter.

As long as he was satisfied.

Qi Feng leapt from the ring to stand in front of Tang Yan. “Didn’t embarrass you, did I?”

Tang Yan raised a brow and stuffed the black cat into his arms. “Only so-so.”

He glanced at the “Yan Jiyun” being carried off and was more than content.

Consider that Qi Feng’s rite of passage—he could raise a cat and fight. Not bad at all. Most importantly, he was perfectly in line with Tang Yan’s aesthetic.

Pleased, Tang Yan swung himself over the ropes and into the ring, turning to say, “Watch carefully. Next time, don’t go easy on anyone else.”

Qi Feng’s gaze was full of affection. He smiled and nodded. “Alright. I understand.”

Only on Yan Jiyun’s face could such self-assured pride appear—he was certain now, this was Yan Jiyun.

Blue Hair, standing nearby, couldn’t help but cover his eyes. This mutual devotion was so intense, he was almost choking on the dog food.

Qi Feng, for his part, saw only Yan Jiyun. Outwardly different, true, but knowing this was a world of consciousness left nothing to fear.

If they could make it out—well, then a greater question remained: What did the real Yan Jiyun actually look like?

Unnoticed, more and more people had crowded around. Even District Nine’s see-through wardens had come to watch. Tang Yan, standing in the ring, was clearly the center of attention. For no real reason, Qi Feng felt a sense of pride. His mood soared with each of Tang Yan’s moves. But he did not lose his head—now that he’d found Yan Jiyun’s consciousness, how could he awaken him? And how could he contact their NPC allies?

Tang Yan climbed into the ring. Lin Yushi followed.

Though he knew Yan Jiyun’s capabilities, Qi Feng still felt strangely anxious, wishing he could take his place. Yet this version of Yan Jiyun dazzled—one couldn’t help but stare.

Tang Yan said evenly, “Lin Yushi, remember, after you lose today, stop bothering me.”

A vein bulged on Lin Yushi’s forehead. “That’s rich, accusing me! Who’s the one doing the bothering here?”

Tang Yan: “Of course it’s you. Distracting me from my retirement cat-pampering.”

Lin Yushi: “So the heir to the great family of thieves is really just retiring? Would your family’s men approve?”

Tang Yan: “That’s none of your business. Just remember to sign over the land when you lose.”

Lin Yushi attacked at once. “We’ll see if you have what it takes.”

Tang Yan didn’t waste words. As they fought, he showed razor-sharp skill—this was truly the real Yan Jiyun coming through.

Lin Yushi’s speed increased, seeming to gain the upper hand, but Yan Jiyun—though apparently at a disadvantage—barely altered his breathing. He kept his gaze on his opponent, never once revealing a weakness.

Lin Yushi could find no opening. Suddenly, Yan Jiyun slowed; Lin Yushi thought the time was right and aimed a heavy blow.

But in the instant Lin Yushi’s fist flew out, Tang Yan ducked, landing a punch in his stomach, then another to the jaw. A rapid-fire combination followed, thoroughly suppressing Lin Yushi.

Wiping blood from his mouth, Lin Yushi demanded, “The hell’s wrong with you today? Last time you couldn’t even beat your own guys!”

Tang Yan replied carelessly, “Oh, last time? That was just for fun, didn’t mean a thing. I’m in good spirits today, figured I’d take it seriously.”

Just to show a certain someone how the pretty-boy imposter compared—to remind him just who was the best. It was, essentially, a peacock flaunting his tail.

Lin Yushi: “…”

Had he really been fooled by appearances?

Lin Yushi’s skills weren’t up to Tang Yan’s—but he wasn’t about to hand over victory easily, and they fought into the second round.

Tang Yan took the first round. As he came down, Qi Feng offered him a towel, but he didn’t take it.

Instead, Qi Feng handed the black cat to Blue Hair and carefully wiped the sweat from Tang Yan’s brow.

All of Tang Yan’s hangers-on were shocked.

Brother Yan’s hand crippled, or what?

So fierce in the ring—off it, so dainty.

The flirtatious atmosphere between Qi Feng and Tang Yan practically enveloped them. For Qi Feng, it was a mix of habit and willingness; the motions came as naturally as breathing.

Tang Yan took the chance to ask, “Have you wiped sweat for anyone else before? You’re really good at it.”

Qi Feng replied, “Only for you.”

Tang Yan murmured assent, appearing wholly satisfied.

The second round began. Having figured out Lin Yushi’s tactics earlier, this time Tang Yan went on the offensive, knocking Lin Yushi to the ground in no time.

For all the intensity, the match lacked a personal vendetta—no blood feud here.

As the match ended, Tang Yan even hauled Lin Yushi up from the ring. “Don’t forget to transfer the land to my name.”

Lin Yushi rolled his eyes, panting, unable to say a word.

Qi Feng doubted Lin Yushi was the traitor Yan Jiyun had mentioned.

Was the traitor in his crew? Or masquerading as someone else here? A traitor would hardly just show himself.

How, then, to find him?

The afternoon wore on, wearing even Tang Yan out.

Blue Hair announced, “Brother Yan, we’re having a barbecue party by the lake—are you coming?”

Tang Yan: “When does it start?”

Blue Hair: “We can start now if you like. Everything’s ready. Just waiting on your word.”

Tang Yan turned to Qi Feng. “Barbecue?”

Qi Feng: “Sure. I grill a mean dried smelt. Want to try?”

Tang Yan was immediately intrigued. “Hm, sounds good.”

Blue Hair mused that Brother Yan now resembled an emperor dazed by his fox-spirit consort.

At the party, Shanzhu basked in the attention (and treats) of a dozen men, utterly content, spurning Qi Feng’s attempts to care for him—leaving Qi Feng to mind Tang Yan’s appetite instead. Meanwhile, Qi Feng watched closely, searching for any NPCs he recognized among Tang Yan’s friends.

Tang Yan had only just picked the flesh off a Pacific saury when he noticed Qi Feng scrutinizing his associates. He frowned. “What are you staring at? Sizing up your target?”

Qi Feng replied, “Not a target. I’m looking for a traitor.”

Tang Yan glanced around—the crowd was made up of prisoners, most of whom he knew. “A traitor? Did he betray you?”

“In a way.” He’d wanted to say no, but to avoid any misunderstanding, changed it to “he betrayed me.”

“What’s he look like? I can have my guys toss him into the sea—get him out of your sight.” That anyone still occupied Qi Feng’s thoughts was, frankly, an offense to Tang Yan’s own charisma.

Qi Feng had to admit, it was exactly the sort of thing Tang Yan would do—a natural fit for the role of prison boss.

He said, “I’ll have to search slowly. I don’t know what he looks like. He should be someone here in District Nine—could be anyone.”

Only in District Nine could someone get close to Yan Jiyun. Between prisoners and guards, there were nearly two hundred people—who could it be?

Tang Yan: “You could use process of elimination.”

Qi Feng quickly ruled out cooks and other service staff. “Do the guards in Ninth District often hassle you?”

Tang Yan: “Not really. They rarely bother us.”

Even without Yan Jiyun’s memories, Tang Yan would choose to trust himself. This comforted Qi Feng immensely.

Pointing at the luxury tower housing all the inmates, Qi Feng added, “Then the traitor must be in this building.”

Tang Yan: “So how do you plan to find him?”

Qi Feng: “Can you help me?”

Tang Yan’s gaze fixed on Qi Feng’s lips. “I can help—but I’ll need some interest.”

Sitting together beneath a crooked-necked tree, the two were shielded from others’ view.

Qi Feng assumed he meant money. “I probably don’t have—”

He never finished the sentence—Tang Yan cut him off.

It seemed to be the first time Yan Jiyun had initiated a kiss—in human form.