Cat 312: Tang Yan’s Background

Chapter 312: Tang Yan’s Background

It was only afterward that Qi Feng, belatedly realizing what had happened, found himself stunned.

It wasn’t because Yan Jiyun had kissed him; rather, it was because he realized something—Yan Jiyun liked him too, not with the affection of an owner for a pet, nor a friend for a friend, but something much deeper.

Qi Feng was nearly overwhelmed with joy. This wasn’t unrequited love—Yan Jiyun shared his feelings!

Even though the current Yan Jiyun had no memory of anything between them, they were, after all, the same person. As long as they were one and the same, all the preferences he displayed would be identical.

Why had he chosen him out of everyone at their very first meeting? Because they’d gotten along well in the zombie instance. Was it that Yan Jiyun already liked him even then?

The more Qi Feng considered it, the more astonished and delighted he felt. So he hadn’t been pining alone—Yan Jiyun liked him too.

He was absurdly happy.

Looking back, everything was traceable. He had just never dared to believe it, nor to confirm it.

Yan Jiyun really had hidden it too well.

Once his excitement faded, Qi Feng felt his heart ache for the other. He understood now.

Yan Jiyun was so clever—how could he not perceive Qi Feng’s feelings? All along, Qi Feng had thought Yan Jiyun’s closeness was just because of their bond developed while Yan Jiyun was a cat. But in truth, it wasn’t that at all. He hadn’t spoken up because he was worried.

First, he’d only been a cat; then, Yan Jiyun discovered he was an NPC—not a real person—so perhaps he knew he might never leave the game, and that was why he held back.

How could someone be so good?

As Qi Feng’s mind replayed all the details of Yan Jiyun’s love for him, Tang Yan noticed his lack of response—just a dazed, silly look.

Tang Yan leaned back, pushing Qi Feng against the tree, eyes full of doubt. “You don’t like me?”

Qi Feng shook his head, touching the lips that had just been kissed. “It’s not that—I like you. I’m just so happy I don’t know what to do.”

In the “Beloved Hearts” instance, he’d acted the part of a battle-hardened boss. In reality, though, he was inexperienced at love. To be kissed so suddenly was overwhelming, especially since, more than the kiss itself, he was startled to find how much Yan Jiyun cared for him.

Tang Yan eyed Qi Feng suspiciously. “So why don’t you kiss me?”

Qi Feng recalled his earlier embarrassment over his actions toward Yan Jiyun in the “Beloved Hearts” world. Now, though his soul hadn’t changed, his face had, which made it harder to adjust all at once. Yet now there could be no doubt—Tang Yan was Yan Jiyun. In fact, on closer look, Tang Yan and Yan Jiyun did share some resemblance; their eyes were both so bright and expressive. They really were the windows to the soul—one only needed to look to know he was Yan Jiyun.

The longer he gazed, the more alike Tang Yan looked to Yan Jiyun. Was he just seeing things? Why did it feel as if their faces were blending together?

He rubbed his eyes. The person before him was now Yan Jiyun!

Qi Feng couldn’t maintain his usual composure, pulling Yan Jiyun into a tight embrace.

How could this be?

Could it be that, in this world of consciousness, when an NPC and a player’s feelings resonated, the player would see the NPC’s true appearance?

There was no denying it—this Yan Jiyun was still an NPC within the instance.

Was this a built-in mechanic? He’d never heard that spiritual union with an NPC could reveal the truth.

But then he remembered—Yan Jiyun had said they were different; as consciousness-beings, they were much stronger than ordinary people, and could serve as advanced NPCs in the instances, using their minds to confront players. That was why the hardest levels were so often unbeatable.

No one had ever cleared the zombie instance because its final boss was Yan Jiyun. With his temperament, there was no way he’d let any player “clear” him. And he had ultimately broken free of the game’s shackles—a mind stronger than any before.

“More than a kiss, I just want to hold you. Honestly, I’ve been searching for you for so long,” Qi Feng murmured, his voice rough.

Those brief days together in the zombie instance—afterwards, for years, he’d searched for an NPC. That alone explained why he’d stayed in this game for so many years.

The zombie instance had been classified as advanced from the start—explaining why he’d always avoided venturing into top-tier worlds.

He wanted to give Yan Jiyun a hug.

Tang Yan was silent for a while, then pushed Qi Feng away. “Searching for me for so long? You’re not here to assassinate me, are you?”

Qi Feng shook his head, laughing. “Of course not. Just now I told you I’m looking for a traitor—what would that have to do with you?”

Tang Yan cocked his head slightly. Was he just nervous, jumbling his thoughts?

But as befit the prison boss, he stood his ground: “Whatever the case, from now on, you’re mine. If I catch you with ulterior motives, I’ll personally throw you to the sharks.”

Qi Feng found Yan Jiyun’s way of expressing things oddly endearing. It didn’t matter if he’d lost his memories—he was even a bit cute.

As they talked under the trees, someone in the distance finally picked up on the intimate atmosphere, and suddenly the surroundings grew still.

When Qi Feng glanced over, he saw a group of people wearing mischievous grins, all straining to eavesdrop.

Realizing they’d been spotted, Tang Yan stood up, pulling Qi Feng up with him and declaring, “From now on, he’s—”

Blue Hair jumped in: “Sister-in-law!”

Qi Feng: “…”

Tang Yan, however, appeared delighted by the title. When he saw Qi Feng at a loss for words, he said, “What, you don’t like it? Fine, they can call you Brother Feng instead.”

Qi Feng nodded. “As you wish.”

Tang Yan clicked his tongue. “So stubborn, but you still give in to me.”

To Qi Feng, even Tang Yan’s words sounded sweet. He thought, Surely, this meant they were in love.

Now that he’d suddenly become the prison boss’s beloved, the barbecue party grew even more lively. Blue Hair and the others came over one by one to drink with him, but they all ended up under the table. Qi Feng, whose tolerance was decent, finished the night with Tang Yan asleep in his lap.

He’d never imagined life in prison could be so comfortable—there wasn’t even any forced labor.

No sooner had he thought it than the wind suddenly picked up across the lawn. The weather was changing.

Tang Yan was roused by the cold breeze. He hadn’t been drunk—just tired.

Just as Qi Feng was about to ask if he wanted to head back, Tang Yan suddenly sobered completely, staring at the now-cloudy sky. “My time here is running out.”

“What do you mean?” Qi Feng failed to grasp his meaning.

Was he Yan Jiyun again?

“My time in District Nine, obviously. Or are you planning to stay here forever?” Tang Yan replied.

“Of course not,” Qi Feng answered smoothly. “But how do we get out?”

Based on Tang Yan’s role as big boss, leaving shouldn’t be hard for him, right?

Then again—wasn’t he said to have robbed three banks in one night? He might have managed special privileges, but not escape.

Given the setting, did he have other identities in this world?

The last time the weather had shifted so suddenly in an instance was in Professor Qu’s “Mermaid” split-personality scenario.

A powerful NPC’s shifting mood could affect the weather within the world. If Tang Yan’s emotional state had changed, what had caused it?

How could he restore his memories?

This world was fundamentally different from the one in “Beloved Hearts,” which he’d entered on his own initiative.

At that moment, a group filed out from the building, heading directly towards them. The man in their midst walked with an arrogant air, disdaining all around him.

Just a short while ago, Tang Yan’s underlings had been drunk and rowdy. Seeing this group approach, they instantly sobered up.

The atmosphere changed—completely unlike the scuffle with Lin Yushi earlier. That had been trivial, mere sport for a dull prison life; this was a real threat.

Could Tang Yan’s comment about limited time be related to this man and some old grudge?

While drinking, Qi Feng had taken the opportunity to get a read on Tang Yan’s circle. Everyone had seemed genuine; no one struck him as a traitor.

Despite the summer heat, the man strode over in a three-piece suit, making Qi Feng feel hot just looking at him. Yet now he understood why, back in the day, men who wore suits in summer inspired awe—“He’s impressive, not even afraid of the heat.”

“Who is he?” Qi Feng couldn’t guess, so he asked directly.

“A shameless bastard,” Tang Yan replied.

But Qi Feng could sense how deeply guarded Tang Yan was around this man.

The plot in this scenario unfolded without their needing to seek it out.

Yet their real goal was to find the traitorous NPC. This man was clearly a villain—could the answer really present itself so easily? That would make it an open-book test. Why even bother entering at all?

“Xiao Yan.”

The man’s tone was warm and genial—anyone would assume he was related to Yan Jiyun.

“Second Uncle,” Tang Yan replied.

Qi Feng: “…” So he really was family?

Blue Hair whispered, filling in the details: “He’s Tang Qing, Brother Yan’s uncle. But they never got along. In fact, he’s part of why Brother Yan’s here.”

Tang Qing studied Qi Feng’s upright figure. “I hear you’ve found yourself a partner?”

Qi Feng, as always, kept his face expressionless. “Hello.”

Tang Qing smiled. “I don’t like you.”

Blunt as could be.

Tang Qing looked about thirty, his expression always refined and gentle, the same toward everyone. Yet whether he was truly blackhearted or not, he was the sort who’d knife you the moment your back was turned—the most dangerous kind.

With his hand at Tang Yan’s back, Qi Feng offered a soothing stroke. “Doesn’t matter. As long as Xiao Yan likes me.”

Tang Qing burst out laughing. “Bold. Xiao Yan’s always valued his friends—but when you have too many, you have to tell good from bad.”

Tang Yan’s spine slowly relaxed. “My affairs don’t concern you. Don’t flatter yourself.”

Since Blue Hair had revealed the family connection, Qi Feng thought he understood what this instance was about.

It wasn’t just Yan Jiyun’s world. It might be tied to his origins.

Tang Qing. His uncle.

Tang Qing tolerated Tang Yan’s willfulness with the air of an elder: “You—let me look out for you, can’t I? Your parents are gone now.”

“Don’t mention my parents!” Tang Yan’s good mood was ruined by a handful of words.

“Fine, fine, I won’t. I just came to check out your partner. I’ve seen him now—carry on.” Tang Qing smiled pleasantly.

Then, he left with his men.

A man in his early thirties insisting on acting the elder—though he never put on airs, the subtext of those words was needling.

First, he raised the issue of Tang Yan’s friendships; then, he brought up Tang Yan’s parents—no doubt Tang Yan’s sorest spot. That Tang Qing would mention it now could only be deliberate cruelty.

Wasn’t Tang Yan from a family of thieves?

Had his parents died because of something?

Once Tang Qing was gone, Tang Yan wore a stifled look. Qi Feng drew him close. “Don’t pay any mind to what he said.”

Tang Yan: “Which part?”

Qi Feng: “All of it.”

At last, a smile returned to Tang Yan’s face. “Barbecue’s boring now. Let’s go find the traitor.”

Qi Feng felt a sudden clarity.

If he wanted to find the traitor who’d betrayed Yan Jiyun, he needed to start with family.

This uncle seemed highly suspect.

Tang Yan pulled Qi Feng away, heading towards the far side of the lake.

“So how did things get so bad between you and your uncle?”

Tang Yan halted, staring intently at him. “Are you just getting pushy because you know I like you? Think you can meddle in anything?”

Qi Feng admitted he did want to meddle. “Your business is my business.”

He expected Tang Yan to get angry. Instead, Tang Yan said, “Alright. I’ll tell you.”

To Qi Feng’s surprise, Tang Yan wasn’t upset at all.

Tang Yan picked up a small stone and tossed it across the lake, sending ripples through the once-still surface.

“He killed my parents.”