When Nicole and Anby's words hit him, his mood drop instantly.
The worst part was, they weren't wrong. The truth cut deeper than any lie could.
Their words felt like fine needles of ice, pricking right through his chest.
"Is that so…" Ye Qingfeng could only taste the bitterness on his tongue, sour and unspoken. He forced a faint smile and gestured loosely toward the street. "Anby's right. I'd just slow you down. I'll stay nearby. You two… take care."
Nicole opened her mouth. "Hey—"
Anby stood silent, her expression unreadable.
Rin's cheerful voice broke the tension. "Even when he's upset, Qingfeng is still so cute!"
All eyes turned toward Belle.
[Ding! Rin's favorability has increased by 5%. Current favorability: 45%]
"Ahem…" Belle coughed twice, a little sheepishly, and pointed toward Ye Qingfeng's receding back. "Shouldn't… someone go after him?"
"Let him be," Nicole said, her gaze lingering on his silhouette for a moment before turning away. "He needs a moment alone. The safe's location is locked. What about the other thing I asked you to check?"
…
Meanwhile, Ye Qingfeng came to a stop on an unfamiliar street. A discarded soda can lay at his feet, and the simmering frustration in his chest boiled over. He kicked it hard.
What did Nicole mean by that? Hah! It wasn't like he even wanted to go into a Hollow!
Even… even if she were in danger inside one, he wouldn't go rescue her!
He kept kicking the can forward, his gaze growing distant as he took in the completely unfamiliar surroundings.
And Anby! After all the meals he'd cooked for her… to say something so blunt.
Even if it was the truth, it stung.
Another fierce kick sent the can clattering against a wall before bouncing into a nearby alley.
The jarring noise only darkened his mood further. He took several deep breaths, trying to steady himself, then walked into the alley after it.
The can lay not far ahead, and beside it, a black cat was batting at the strange object, hissing cautiously.
Ye Qingfeng soon forgot the can, his attention captured by the cat. It reminded him of the one from last time—also black, the one he'd failed to catch and had accidentally followed into a Hollow.
A sudden, stubborn urge took hold: he would catch this one. While the cat was still focused on the can, he rose onto the balls of his feet and began edging forward.
His approach blocked the light from the alley entrance.
The cat's head snapped up. The moment it saw him, it spun and darted deeper into the alley without a second glance.
Ye Qingfeng gave chase without hesitation.
Cat and human wove rapidly through the maze of narrow passages.
"Hss— Mrow!"
Soon, the cat hit a dead end. Cornered, it whirled around, bared its teeth, and unleashed a low, continuous growl at Ye Qingfeng.
"Tch… Even in a bad mood… what's the point of bullying a little creature?"
Wearing an expression of certain victory, Ye Qingfeng took two steps forward before stopping short with a sigh.
It took him a while to find his way out. He headed to a nearby convenience store, bought a few cans of cat food, and returned to the same alley with the bag.
He found the cat again near a dumpster. It stiffened upon seeing him, immediately hissing in warning.
Ye Qingfeng opened a can, placed it on the ground, and took several steps back.
The cat tensed, ready to bolt, but an irresistible aroma drifted into its senses. It didn't approach immediately.
"Grrr—!"
It growled at Ye Qingfeng a few more times. Thinking he was still too close, he retreated further.
Only then did the cat creep forward to eat, though its body remained taut, poised to flee at any second.
Delicious! So delicious!
In the cat's mind, its growls had made the two-legged creature retreat twice. Clearly, this human was afraid of it! In recognition of the delicious tribute, it would reluctantly accept him as a subordinate!
It was then Ye Qingfeng remembered he had a rather handy ability.
System, activate Animal Charisma.
[Ding! Activated!]
Instantly, the cat looked up, abandoning the half-eaten food, and began padding slowly toward Ye Qingfeng.
What's happening? Why does this new subordinate smell a hundred times more enticing than the food in the can?!
A mischievous smile spread across Ye Qingfeng's face as the cat approached. You ignored me before; now you can't have me!
Each time the cat pounced, he gently swatted it away. Of course, he wasn't cruel—after a few rounds, he'd give it a few good strokes before pushing it off again.
Ye Qingfeng, squatting on the ground and fully engrossed, didn't notice the figure quietly approaching from behind.
Meow! (How dare you try to steal my human!)
Meow! (Just wait till I rally the crew!)
Ye Qingfeng remained oblivious, but the cat spotted the approaching silhouette. After a brief moment of calculation, it turned and fled.
"Huh…? Why'd it run?"
Ye Qingfeng stared, puzzled, at the cat's retreating form. Shrugging it off, he decided he'd had enough play.
He stood up to leave. As he turned, a face was suddenly right before his eyes. Before he could make out who it was, he was tackled.
Thud!
Ye Qingfeng hit the ground, completely unprepared. Pain flared, his grip loosened, and cans of food scattered beside him.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
In the dim alley light, he couldn't clearly see the person pinning him down. He struggled, trying to push them off, but they pressed closer instead. Two soft weights settled firmly against his chest, and a faint, elusive fragrance wafted into his senses.
A girl? What is she after?
In that moment of distraction, his wrists were seized in a strong grip, an attempt to fully restrain him.
Ye Qingfeng tensed his arms, pushing upward. Fortunately, the other person wasn't overwhelmingly strong. During the brief stalemate, something warm and soft brushed against his neck.
Instantly, his entire body went weak. His arms fell limp. Seizing the opening, the person atop him buried their face in the curve of his neck.
Their nose nuzzled lightly against his skin, then they inhaled deeply, as if unsatisfied. A tongue, kitten-rough, began lapping at the hollow of his throat.
Not just that—two fuzzy sensations also kept brushing against his cheeks, stirring a faint, restless itch deep within him.
How could Ye Qingfeng withstand this? Heat surged through his veins, his temperature spiked, his limbs trembled weakly, and a sweet, provocative scent began to permeate the air around them.
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