Cat 332: Extra: Return to Reality – Part 1

Chapter 332 Extra: Return to Reality—Part 1

Fifteen days had passed since the end of the “Destiny” game.

In a spacious, luxurious restaurant, all of Qi Feng’s companions from the game had gathered together.

Lan Mo, Sister Liang, Chang Ge, Shi Yan, Gu Wenzhu, Qiu Xi, He Yuanle, Zhuang You, Ahe, and Qi Feng himself—ten in total.

Only one person was missing.

Although each of them had made it out of the game alive, they had lost an important companion.

Qi Feng had used every connection and pulled every string to search for Yan Jiyun, but half a month had passed and there was no sign of him.

There was no hint of joy on his face for having escaped the game, only deep sorrow.

Qi Feng had always been meticulous about his appearance, but now his stubble had grown unchecked.

Lan Mo, usually inclined to blurt out foolish things, was especially careful now, afraid of saying something wrong, perhaps of mentioning an unspoken name.

Such as Yan Jiyun, or Caramel, or any other.

This small reunion had been Qi Feng’s idea, and everyone responded at once. It had taken some time to gather, since they came from all over the country.

Qiu Xi gestured to Gu Wenzhu: Bro, is it true that Yan-ge never made it out of the game?

Gu Wenzhu shook his head and replied in sign language: I don’t know either, I don’t know Yan Jiyun in real life.

Qiu Xi: Could it be that Boss Qi also doesn’t know where Yan-ge is in reality?

Gu Wenzhu: Looks like it. Didn’t Teacher Qu mention before that they’re people from another world? Maybe no one even knows where his real body is.

Qiu Xi: I checked the news. After we were pulled into the game, as long as the brain wasn’t too badly injured, people generally woke up.

Gu Wenzhu was about to respond further, but didn’t realize when Qi Feng had appeared behind them.

He spoke in a low voice: “Even though you’re using sign language, I know exactly what you’re discussing.”

Sister Liang, seated nearby, whispered, “Brother Feng is omnipotent.”

Qi Feng said, “Don’t tiptoe around me. We finally managed to gather together; there’s no need to avoid mentioning Yan Jiyun’s name. The reason I got everyone here is to ask if any of you have seen Yan Jiyun or any of his NPC friends—even a single one.”

They looked from one to another, but no one could give a certain answer.

Disappointment almost radiated from Qi Feng’s eyes.

No one felt much like celebrating at this gathering. Despite Qi Feng’s assistant arranging a three-day tour of Beijing and sending everyone home with gifts, the mood was somber.

There should have been eleven people in the group, but one was missing.

Before leaving, Qi Feng saw everyone off at the airport. Each had something to say to him.

Lan Mo: “Brother Feng, my condolences.”

Qi Feng: “If you don’t know what to say, just don’t say anything.”

Sister Liang: “Brother Feng, the Peking duck here is amazing. I’ll come again next time, don’t forget to host me!”

Qi Feng: “Sure, I’ll have my assistant send you a hundred by air.”

Sister Liang: “…” That’s a bit much.

Gu Wenzhu: “Boss Qi, can I have a word in private?”

The two went to a spot where no one could overhear.

Gu Wenzhu said, “Have you considered looking for Jiyun through a different channel? You were asking your friends in politics before, right?”

Qi Feng nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Wenzhu said, “The official line is that we were participants in a game meant as a trial for humans by aliens. Whether player or NPC, everyone was human—not aliens, and certainly not some other species.”

Qi Feng: “So you mean…”

Gu Wenzhu: “With your intelligence, I thought you would’ve figured it out. I know you’re anxious, so you missed this.”

Realization dawned on Qi Feng, and hope rekindled in his eyes.

Gu Wenzhu’s reasoning was sound.

Qi Feng’s outward expression remained calm as a mountain, but inwardly he was already considering which friends in the military he might visit. “How did you think of this?”

Gu Wenzhu: “I remembered a rumor, though I don’t know if it’s true. Apparently, the military has specialists. Regular people might not be aware when entering the game, but those people are different. The country’s secret departments were prepared in advance, and those capable people may have been specially trained and sent into the game.”

Qi Feng: “Gifted experts. Thank you for reminding me.”

Gu Wenzhu: “It’s only a rumor. Jiyun saved my life—I would like to thank him in person too.”

Qi Feng vowed, “I will find him.”

Only after escaping from “Destiny” did the players finally understand how it worked. This time, it was only thanks to the fact that years ago, the authorities had anticipated an alien invasion—though they never guessed it would come in the form of a game.

The aliens’ approach was unusual. Their forward infiltration units locked down the entire planet and released a type of alien energy, causing everyone to enter their prepared game world in the form of consciousness. The system acted as the guide.

This victory was a victory for all of humanity.

Qi Feng also asked the authorities whether there might still be aliens among them, but his contacts were only administrative and had heard nothing of the sort.

Thanks to Gu Wenzhu’s reminder, Qi Feng had a new direction.

No matter what—whether his boyfriend was human or alien—he was determined to find him!

—

A month later.

Yan Jiyun felt as if he had been in a deep sleep for ages, unable to fully awaken, with a constant, taut string inside him that, once relaxed, only made him want to sleep all the more.

He had thought that, asleep, there would be no more noise in his ears. But even so, it was noisy.

The droning didn’t stop—like summer mosquitoes in the village, circling his ears relentlessly.

Hadn’t his hearing returned to normal? Yet he could still hear so many voices.

The racket was so disturbing that he couldn’t continue sleeping.

At last, Yan Jiyun forced his eyes open, intent on scolding those noisy troublemakers.

Before he could, his vision cleared and he saw several familiar, exasperating faces crowded around his bed—still as noisy as ever.

“Wow, is Boss finally waking up? He’s been asleep for a month.”

“It’s a miracle, you know.”

“Credit goes to me, I visited every possible temple to pray for Boss. See? It worked.”

“How come none of you say it’s the power of love?”

“But love isn’t here, is it?”

“It’s in the heart, idiot. Lifetime bachelor!”

Yan Jiyun wished for a smelly sock to stuff into their mouths.

Who’re they calling a bachelor? He wasn’t a bachelor.

Was he? Or wasn’t he?

He seemed to be in a relationship with someone?

Who could it be?

Yan Jiyun’s eyes opened wider, and he finally saw clearly the bickering men around his bedside.

Wait, he was lying in a bed?

Countless memories flooded his mind.

Taking in his surroundings, he suddenly sat up—faces he’d never seen in that other world now before him.

He mumbled, “I’m back?”

“Boss!”

“You’re finally awake!”

Someone waved a hand in front of him, asking, “Boss, are you all right?”

“Doctor! Doctor! Quick, my boss’s time as a cat in the game has made him an idiot!”

Yan Jiyun glared at the familiar faces and cursed, “You’re the idiot, Jiang Yan. Shut it.”

No wonder he gave this guy a negative affection rating back then. In retrospect, he’d give him minus a thousand!

A bespectacled doctor in a white coat came over, stethoscope in hand, examining Yan Jiyun thoroughly.

The doctor said, “There’s nothing seriously wrong with your body now.”

Yan Jiyun immediately tossed aside the blanket on his legs. “Great. If that’s the case, let me go out.”

Lin Xie pressed him back. “Wait—General says you need to report in as soon as you wake up.”

Yan Jiyun frowned. “The mission is complete, what’s left to report?”

Teacher Qu, seated with perfect posture, said, “There’s still cleanup. All of us are going to a debriefing. The mission’s over, but they’re giving us awards, promoting our military ranks. We’ll all be credited with special honors.”

Yan Jiyun considered and said, “Fine.” Looking around, he noticed some of his team were missing. “Where are the others? Did everyone return safely from the game?”

Teacher Qu nodded. “Yes. You’re just the last to wake. That game did a real number on the brain. You nearly didn’t make it—good thing Dr. Shi anticipated you’d push yourself, so he set up some precautions in advance.”

Yan Jiyun looked at Dr. Shi. “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll go see the General now.”

Dr. Shi said, “Don’t rush. You’re basically fine, but the mission had a strong impact on your brain. You may feel a bit dizzy for a week or two, but you’ll recover if you rest at home and avoid overexertion for now. If anything comes up, come back for a checkup.”

Yan Jiyun nodded. He was a little dizzy on getting up, but it didn’t affect his understanding of the current situation or what he wanted to do next.

By now, aside from Teacher Qu, Lin Xie, and Jiang Yan, everyone else had left to give Yan Jiyun some rest.

Dr. Shi left as well, and Yan Jiyun was pressed back onto the bed by Teacher Qu.

Teacher Qu said, “Boss, don’t rush.”

Yan Jiyun arched a brow. “Is there something else you need to tell me?”

Teacher Qu: “Aren’t you going to ask about the game first?”

Yan Jiyun, unhurried, played along: “So, what happened with it?”

Jiang Yan: “Game’s gone. All the players got out—except those with true brain death who couldn’t be saved, most made it back.”

Yan Jiyun covered his head. “I don’t want to hear about that.”

Jiang Yan clicked his tongue. “Figured as much.”

Teacher Qu teased, “Boss finally found a partner—he’d at least want to know if the man is dead or alive.”

Yan Jiyun really wanted to kick them all out.

“Give me his address, and his contact details.”

A game is just a game; it might not be accurate.

Teacher Qu handed over his phone. “They’re all sent to you. Turns out Qi Feng really is a super-rich guy.”

Yan Jiyun glanced at the address, which was a world away from the humble home he’d seen in the game—it was a true luxury district, not an ordinary neighborhood.

He got out of bed and studied himself in the bathroom mirror. Still a bit too thin, but he should be recognizable, right?

After eating something to refresh himself, he made sure he looked presentable.

The doctor didn’t let him leave that very day; after two more days’ observation at the special hospital, he finally returned to his apartment.

He checked the almanac, dressed in new clothes, grabbed his car keys, and set out.

They both lived in Beijing—how had they never met before?

Tsk.

After an hour in traffic, Yan Jiyun arrived at the mansion, brimming with traffic-fueled irritation.

Security guards were posted at the gate.

Inspired, he parked his flashy military vehicle by the roadside, slipped past the surveillance cameras under the cover of night, and scaled the wall.

Inside, Qi Feng—exhausted and frustrated after yet another fruitless day—showered and flopped on the sofa, towel draped across his head.

He heard a tapping on the patio doors.

Thinking it a bird pecking at the glass, he ignored it.

Tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap.

After several more repetitions, Qi Feng finally stood and went to the sliding door.

Opening it, he saw not a bird, but a few pebbles scattered on the tile.

And there—leaning against the wall with arms crossed, looking thoroughly bored—was the person who had haunted his dreams.

“Master, do you still remember your little black cat?”

Qi Feng froze in place. After a long moment, he replied, “I remember. Can you help me find him?”

Yan Jiyun spread his hands. “There’s no black cat anymore, but there’s a lazy, gluttonous guy who just wants to sleep and eat every day. Will you take him in?”

Qi Feng took a step forward, pulled him into his arms, and hugged him tight. “I will—for as long as you’ll let me.”

Yan Jiyun returned the embrace, gaze sweeping across the grand mansion with satisfaction. He decided to quit his job first thing tomorrow!