Cat 98: The Car Chase!

Chapter 98: The Car Chase!

With the animals’ identities in hand, Yan Jiyun found it easy to communicate with them. Everyone cooperated, allowing things to proceed smoothly. He didn’t draw Orange’s blood; instead, he told the staff he needed to soothe the animals first, moving from cage to cage.

The wolf king and his mate were easy to handle—their only concern was their wolf cub. Yan Jiyun reassured them that he’d swing by to collect the little one, even if he wasn’t sure how much the animals could truly understand. He kept things brief and focused on the essentials.

Kaiser was initially agitated, but after Yan Jiyun whispered something to Orange, Kaiser began to prick up his ears and eventually calmed down. He was the only one among them who had almost died due to his own thrill-seeking.

Yan Jiyun kept his voice down—humans couldn’t hear him, but to animals, even the faintest sound was clear. Kaiser understood everything he’d said to Orange and the wolf couple; when Yan Jiyun approached his cage, Kaiser snorted and tossed that proud mane.

From the lion’s look, Yan Jiyun could read the arrogance of a privileged young master. He whispered a task to Kaiser: “When the action starts, tackle the keeper standing beneath the cat skeleton painting—try to knock them out. If you understand, give me your paw.” He stretched out his hand toward Kaiser.

Kaiser’s large, tawny eyes gazed at Yan Jiyun for three long seconds. Only when Yan’s patience was almost gone did Kaiser press his hefty paw into Yan Jiyun’s palm.

Yan couldn’t help squeezing the lion’s paw. Every one of these felines was built sturdier than him—he genuinely envied their physiques.

Ahem—this was not the time to be jealous of other animals’ bodies.

There was also an elephant here, though not Yan Jiyun’s main concern. The elephant, however, seemed to be the panther’s little brother—he’d even given it a ride before. So Yan Jiyun didn’t neglect it and went over to pat its ear. The elephant’s reaction was indistinguishable from that of a normal animal. Yan Jiyun couldn’t tell whether it had human consciousness.

A keeper pointed out, “We’ve already taken this elephant’s blood. He was quite cooperative.”

Perhaps the staff hadn’t realized these animals were special—they simply saw them as ordinary animals, only concerned with finishing their assigned duties.

Yan Jiyun told them, “I’ve calmed them. Go and close the door to prevent more disturbances, then you should be able to draw blood.”

The veterinarians really did think this new doctor was skilled. Unquestioning, they readied their syringes for the task, their courage seemingly bolstered.

Yan Jiyun had already taken note of the exhibition hall’s sturdy doors. He went to the entrance and told the security guards, “Whatever you hear, don’t come in. These animals have already been through a lot—they mustn’t be frightened again, or it’ll ruin the medical exams.”

Security nodded. “No problem, we won’t disturb you.”

Satisfied, Yan Jiyun threw the bolt on the inside. Even if the guards had doubts and wanted to rush in, they’d waste precious time looking for a key.

He’d planned his escape route before getting the truck.

With his back to the door, he snapped his fingers and delivered what he considered a particularly cool catchphrase: “Alright, brothers—let’s get to work!”

He had already unlocked all the cages. As he did so, the doctors and keepers preparing for exams froze in shock as the animals leapt, with precision, at their intended targets!

Yan Jiyun grabbed a stick and clubbed the nearest doctor—anyone not already unconscious got a “reminder” from him. Years of practice gave him the finesse to strike with just enough force: at worst, the victims would be dazed for a while; at most, a concussion, but never death.

With the combined weight of Orange, Kaiser, and the brown bear, their sheer mass sent people crashing headfirst to floor or wall. Only the wolf couple had trouble—their targets were muscular keepers. Once Orange and Kaiser finished, they rushed over to help them, pouncing with perfect aim.

The wolf king and queen resorted to biting.

“Aaah!”

“Stay away from me!”

“Help! There’s an insider! Security, get the—!”

One keeper managed to scream for help, but before Yan Jiyun could get to him, a black shadow streaked in through the window, followed by the hulking white tiger. Between them, they swiftly knocked out the panicking man.

Yan gave them a thumbs-up. “…You two are the real deal.”

For a few moments, chaos reigned in the exhibit hall. Security, sensing something was wrong, called from outside, “Everything okay in there?”

Keeping his breathing steady, Yan Jiyun called back cheerily, “All good! Just a guy freaking out in here, nothing serious!”

But as he spoke, he kept moving, waving the animals over.

When he heard the security guards move away, Yan Jiyun hissed, “Go! Out the window and into the blue truck. Baiyun, lead the way.”

Meng Changsheng: You’re asking the right tiger!

Though everything looked black, white, or gray to him, license plates were readable. Yan Jiyun’s directions were spot on, making Meng Changsheng, as a player, oddly proud.

One by one, Yan directed the animals to leap out through the window. The elephant, he noted, was smart and tried to follow, but with its massive size, it got stuck.

He couldn’t just leave it—Yan rolled up his sleeves, ripped out the window frame with his bare hands, toppled a cage, and laid boards down for the elephant to use as a ramp. Meng Changsheng, seeing what he was up to, brought over a short iron barrel to help prop up the exit. With their combined effort, the elephant finally squeezed through.

Though the brown bear was hardly small, it was agile enough that the window wasn’t much of an obstacle.

At last, all the animals confined in the building were out.

It was dark outside. Yan Jiyun shepherded everyone to the truck. It took real effort to get the elephant loaded up, but when he finally managed and got back to the cab, he found Kaiser and the panther almost fighting.

The two were wrestling over the passenger seat. The upholstery had been reduced to shreds, foam spilling everywhere. Xixi huddled on the driver’s seat, terrified that he’d be swatted to oblivion if these two started swinging.

“Kaiser,” Yan Jiyun chided, “You’re too big; you’ll never fit. Get in the back.”

With a princely huff, Kaiser slunk to the rear compartment.

Yan Jiyun sighed. “I know you were all once the pride of your kind, but right now, our priority is escape. Save your arguments for after we’re safe.”

The panther’s eyes shone with a glimmer of excitement.

Yan started the engine—no horn needed. The animals all perked up at his words.

“We’re off to pick up the wolf cub next.”

They left the rescue center without a hitch, the truck rolling down the main zoo road. Up ahead was the building that housed the injured wolf cub.

Seeing no more NPCs in the area, Yan parked the truck fifty meters from the infirmary, out of direct sight, with trees shielding them from view—so long as the panther and Kaiser stayed quiet, no one would spot the out-of-place vehicle.

He didn’t bother changing out of his doctor’s coat—it was his best credential now.

With Dr. Peng and Dr. Zhou both gone, he could easily pose as a relief doctor.

Before going, he addressed the “passengers” in the truck. “Wait here for me. No one leaves. I’ll be back soon.”

Blending into the darkness, Yan Jiyun hurried away.

Their only true player, Meng Changsheng, finally found time to mull: “Where does the keeper mean by ‘escape’? Is the zoo facing a major crisis?”

For once, he felt like destiny’s chosen, running into vital NPCs two nights in a row—a streak unmatched since entering the game.

Yan Jiyun, still in his coat, headed for the infirmary’s second floor. He remembered: the third floor was for staff rest; the injured and newborn cubs were all kept on the second floor.

A light glowed in the office. Not Dr. Zhou’s, nor Dr. Peng’s; likely another NPC.

Reaching the second floor meant passing the office. Yan wasn’t eager to interact. Quietly, he slipped off his coat—if his disguise failed, escape would be tough, and he only had half an hour left to finish gathering every patient.

Listening for a moment, he heard a doctor inside speaking softly.

He recognized that voice. Wasn’t this the same white-coat he’d met at his interview on day one?

This was indeed that doctor.

He couldn’t see if the man was facing the door. With time tight, he decided to stride by quickly, not dwelling on identity for now.

But as he emerged, the man in the white coat called out, “Wait, are you the keeper?”

Yan Jiyun pretended not to hear, dashing for the stairs, but the man called out again, “Chief Jiang, please wait!”

Yan Jiyun: “…”

Either the doctor had laser vision, or he had an uncanny memory—how had he been spotted from just a passing shadow?

He stopped and turned to face the veterinary stranger. “Doctor, what can I help you with?” He hadn’t gauged this man’s nature—it was odd in hindsight to find him at HR yesterday.

Why had he visited admin? Did he have business?

The middle-aged doctor raised a brow. “Weren’t you suspended?”

Yan Jiyun replied calmly, “Just suspended the title, not the work. I’m here to check on the pup’s recovery.”

The doctor said, “But aren’t Dr. Peng and the others looking for you?”

A chill ran down Yan Jiyun’s spine. Was this man planning to betray him to Dr. Peng for reward?

“So?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Dr. Peng. I know what Dr. Zhou’s been up to,” the doctor whispered.

Feigning ignorance, Yan Jiyun asked, “Up to what? What experiment?”

The doctor’s face fell. “You know—you and Dr. Zhou are in this together. How could you not know?”

It was true that Yan Jiyun had once broadcast an appeal to Dr. Zhou—had the NPC auto-inserted relevant backstory?

Not sure how to play the moment, Yan Jiyun decided to seize the initiative: “So why did you stop me, then?” He refused to mention experiments directly.

The doctor, cowed by Yan Jiyun’s composure, grew more reserved. “I—I just want to ask a favor. Will you help me? You can help me, right?”

Yan Jiyun hesitated. Being stopped meant this NPC had significance.

Glancing at his watch, he hoped he wouldn’t be delayed. “What is it you want?”

“You’ll help me, right, Chief Jiang?”

No title would sway him now. “Just say what you want.” Yan didn’t dare agree without knowing more—game logic said that answering might trigger a side quest.

The middle-aged man, unoffended, pressed on: “A year ago, my son fell from a tree and was hospitalized, slipping into a coma. Then, one day, he vanished from the hospital. The hospital denied wrongdoing, and the police wrote it off as a disappearance. I spent a year searching, finally tracing him here. Someone trafficked my son to this zoo for experiments, but I don’t know where. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.”

“Your son was sent to the zoo?” Yan Jiyun confirmed.

“Yes! The hospital sold him as a test subject—all because some heartless fiend could profit.”

“How do you know for certain there are experiments happening here?”

“Dr. Peng told me—he’s been fighting Dr. Zhou for the director’s position. Dr. Zhou’s experimenting on humans!”

“Why must it be Dr. Zhou, not Dr. Peng?”

The doctor hesitated, forced to consider whether Dr. Peng’s hints had shaped his assumptions.

Yan Jiyun knew of Dr. Zhou’s illegal experiments, but found that all patient origins were thoroughly documented with clear consent forms. If someone like this doctor’s son really had been trafficked here, why would Dr. Zhou even bother with records or fake files?

If Dr. Zhou wasn’t responsible, that left Dr. Peng.

If Dr. Peng were the culprit, why conspire with the deputy director against Dr. Zhou, escalating professional disputes into open warfare?

Who was pulling strings behind the scenes?

Deputy Director He? No—she was Dr. Peng’s ally and happily delegated all the dirty work to him.

Why had Dr. Peng asked Dr. Zhou about the secret B2 entrance—then, seemingly out of nowhere, discovered it himself? Right after, Professor Fang and Dr. Peng teamed up.

Who had Dr. Zhou antagonized?

Between Dr. Peng and Dr. Zhou, who ultimately benefited?

A theory occurred to him—it would need to be tested.

Suddenly, the doctor grabbed his hand. “Chief Jiang, I have no one else to turn to, please! Help me find my son!”

Yan Jiyun saw real tears—this was genuine desperation, and his heart was too soft to ignore it, especially now—

[Would the player like to help Dr. Qiao find his son? Please decide within five seconds. Agree/Refuse]

Damn, here came the system again.

Worse, there was no clear side quest notification—just a forced choice!

And there was still something nagging at him.

Deputy Director He and the director were rivals—there was no way one unattended party lay comatose in the hospital.

He had no choice but to select “Agree.”

Another mission added to his list.

[Side Quest: Find Dr. Qiao’s Son. (In Progress)]

After accepting, Dr. Qiao grew even more emotional. He really was a father desperate to find his child—it was almost heartbreaking.

“I’ll get the files I’ve gathered over the years for you.”

“And I’ll just be a minute,” Yan Jiyun said, dashing off for the second floor.

Dr. Qiao: “…”

The quest NPC hadn’t expected the player to run off before receiving the evidence.

[“Want to Be Human”] Livestream:

“Where did this NPC come from? I can’t keep up—did the storyline branch?”

“I’m just going to let Little Cat handle the quest—he’s amazing. I don’t know if he’s incredibly lucky or unlucky, but wow, that’s something.”

“This NPC was at his interview on the first day, remember? I guess fate was decided back then.”

“Maybe Little Cat really didn’t want anything to do with this NPC—he resisted, but the system wouldn’t let him off the hook.”

“Didn’t you think about why he accepted the quest? He learned there was a bigger boss behind the zoo’s crisis!”

“Isn’t the boss Dr. Peng, or Deputy Director He?”

“Ha! You have zero critical thinking. Don’t forget the director who had a stroke.”

“The director had a stroke—how can he be the boss?”

“Just sit back and watch. Maybe these mysteries aren’t for you.”

“Hey, watch your tone!”

Reaching the second floor, Yan Jiyun quickly found the wolf cub.

After only a day’s recovery, the wolf was already able to stand—another scientific impossibility proving animal NPCs defied logic.

He didn’t know how high the cub’s human awareness was, but when Yan picked it up and told it they were off to see its parents, it behaved calmly and didn’t fuss at all.

He dashed back downstairs to find Dr. Qiao waiting, clutching a stack of documents.

Having just accepted the quest, Dr. Qiao now placed his full trust in Yan Jiyun, unhesitatingly shoving the files into his arms.

This was… seriously overenthusiastic.

“Thank you for helping me,” Dr. Qiao choked.

“I’ll do whatever I can,” Yan said, wondering if this was a mass fishing attempt by the system.

With the wolf pup and files in tow, he hurried back to the truck. Everything else up to this point had gone smoothly, barring the Dr. Qiao incident.

But now another problem arose—he was supposed to stand by the camera and signal Dr. Zhou that the mission was complete, but Dr. Qiao’s son’s story gnawed at him.

He thought of the three bead-tiger sisters—so clever. Perhaps he’d overlooked a detail somewhere. Perhaps failed cases didn’t actually mean the human consciousness hadn’t transferred; perhaps body death didn’t always equate to consciousness death. Only Tata’s case offered an example where “consciousness death, body death” lined up.

He would have to verify this with Dr. Zhou.

Or… had Dr. Zhou known all along?

Yan Jiyun sat behind the wheel, hesitant for the first time in ages.

What if Dr. Qiao’s son was a red herring—just as Dr. Peng’s initial quest had been?

He looked at his cargo of rescued companions—he couldn’t act rashly.

But before he could think further, a group burst onto the scene from behind!

“Hurry! Block that truck—there’s a tiger and a lion on board!”

“After them!”

Yan Jiyun started the truck. “Well, that was quick.”

There was no time for anything now but to run for it!

A truck had more legs than a man—he could do this!

As Yan sped away, the pursuers piled into their own vehicles; as he passed the infirmary, he slowed enough to signal to the security cameras.

Honk! Honk! Honk!

Now the chase was in full force—cars and people trailing, horns blaring.

Suddenly, from the medical wing, another vehicle shot out—driven by Dr. Qiao himself.

“Chief Jiang, follow me! I’ll help you lose them!”

Yan Jiyun had no choice—with a whole convoy on his tail and all that commotion—he gave only one instruction:

“Everyone, hold on tight!”

Xixi immediately echoed, “Everyone! Hold on tight!”

Dr. Qiao’s car darted smoothly down one road after another—the zoo’s streets twisted in all directions. If he could drive fast enough, the others might not keep up. Or could they? They were gaining.

He hadn’t lost a go-kart race since he was a kid!

“Soy Sauce—seat belt on! Safety first!”

The black panther: “…”

“Sorry, forgot you probably don’t wear a seat belt. Everyone, just hunker down. This is my first real car chase—do your best!”

All the “passengers”: “…”

Bang!

The truck shuddered.

Bang! Bang!

Bold beyond belief, the NPCs were literally ramming his vehicle.

Yan Jiyun’s own body jolted at each hit, but luckily, he’d chosen the biggest truck available. The weight absorbed the shocks—nothing serious, but if they hit a sedan, that car was done for.

Bang!

“Again? Really?!”

He wasn’t about to take it lying down—flooring the gas, he drifted into the next turn, sending a sedan flying off the road with a terrifying crunch.

Bring it on! Next!