Without a moment’s hesitation, Bai Fuling reached out and caught Liao Zhiqiu just as he emerged from the alleyway.
There was no way he was going to let a quest slip through his fingers when it was practically standing right in front of him.
As for what had happened before,
Well, an entire day had already passed. Surely things like anger meters and hostility values would have reset back to zero by now, right?
“Hi, hello there, hello.” Facing an NPC, Bai Fuling immediately delivered his classic quest acceptance introduction, making it easier to start an interaction afterward.
Then, with unmistakable enthusiasm, he continued his inquiry. “My name is Cabbage Shui Lingling, a warm hearted and helpful citizen. My friend, you look like someone who needs assistance. Is there anything I can help you with?”
He smiled brightly, completely ignoring the fact that, judging by his current state of blood loss, he looked far more in need of help than anyone else.
Caught off guard by being suddenly grabbed, Liao Zhiqiu stopped in his tracks and turned his gaze toward him.
His eyes lingered on Bai Fuling’s face, specifically on the six whisker like cat lines drawn across his cheeks.
“…”
Liao Zhiqiu appeared to be observing him carefully, silently evaluating and reaching some sort of conclusion.
Bai Fuling waited patiently for several seconds. Then he realized that the speech bubble floating above the other man’s head still consisted of nothing but six dots, the universal sign that he was deep in thought.
He was puzzled.
Huh? Did it freeze again? Why is it still loading?
Bai Fuling tilted his head. While waiting in boredom, he controlled his character to hop around on the spot, circling the dark eyed pixel NPC with pronounced black under eye circles.
As everyone knew, players were physically incapable of standing still unless forced by special circumstances. Mobile game players, in particular, would swipe their screens endlessly out of sheer boredom.
After he had completed two full circles around the NPC, the dark circled pixel figure finally made a move.
Whiskers.
Running in circles.
Hopping up and down.
A cat.
Liao Zhiqiu’s six dot thought bubble disappeared. He opened the bag he had been carrying, took something out and extended it forward.
Eh? What’s this?
Extremely curious, Bai Fuling accepted it. A notification window immediately popped up on the screen.
[One Cat Treat: Yinglide Brand Premium Tuna Cat Stick. Rich in fish oil, highly hydrating, 0 additives.]
It was actually a cat treat!
Bai Fuling lowered his head to look at the long blue package in his hand. His first reaction was not, “Why is this NPC sharing cat treats with me?”
Instead, his first thought was:
Will this restore HP if I eat it?
Players had always been practical creatures. Faced with food, their instinctive questions were simple:
Can it be eaten?
Will it heal me?
Practice was the sole criterion for testing truth. If grass could be eaten to restore health, then surely cat treats should work too.
Perfect timing, too.
He had just lost HP from jumping out of a moving vehicle and rolling across the ground. He was in urgent need of recovery.
That must be why the NPC had observed him before offering the cat treat.
Liao Zhiqiu was such a thoughtful NPC!
Just like that tall man NPC from earlier who had given him a medical kit, they were both showing concern for the player.
There really were more good NPCs than bad ones in this world.
NPCs existed to revolve around players, after all.
Without hesitation, Bai Fuling tapped the [Consume] button on the screen.
A familiar “ding” sound effect rang out.
Delighted, Bai Fuling watched as a green healing effect appeared around his pixel character.
Wow!
It really restores HP!
His eyes immediately lit up.
A brand new train of thought surfaced in his mind.
If robbing NPCs was illegal, then perhaps in the future he could consider robbing stray animals instead.
A player was the kind of ruthless capitalist who wouldn’t even spare a dog.
Of course, for the sake of reputation points, Bai Fuling had no plans to publicly steal food from cats and dogs unless absolutely necessary.
As he was thinking this, he noticed the dark eyed NPC extending another cat treat toward him.
He casually accepted it.
“Thank you. It’s delicious,” Bai Fuling said politely.
“Do you have any more?”
Silently, Liao Zhiqiu offered another cat treat.
Bai Fuling accepted it without hesitation and consumed it.
“Ding.”
The game sound effect played again.
What surprised Bai Fuling was that this time, along with the sound effect, not only did his HP recover further but a number also appeared above the dark eyed pixel NPC’s head.
A pink number.
Pink…
That wasn’t the red anger value.
Bai Fuling froze.
Then he recalled something.
If he remembered correctly…
Pink represented Favorability.
It actually increased Favorability!
Unbelievable.
His eyes widened.
The miraculous cat treat possessed such an effect?
Bai Fuling stared at the dark eyed NPC.
What kind of game mechanic was this?
Nowadays, there were actually people who became fonder of others by giving gifts away?
It was just as bizarre as players having to give presents to NPCs on their own birthdays.
Across from him, Liao Zhiqiu still looked listless and exhausted but his expression had noticeably softened.
Through the CG scene, Bai Fuling could clearly see that look of gentle affection reserved for small animals.
At the exact moment the CG flashed across the screen, text appeared in the center.
[Character Unlocked, Liao Zhiqiu]
○ Pink Heart (33%): [Liao Zhiqiu] believes you are an adorable and unconventional little cat.
○ Plum Blossom Paw Print (52%): [Liao Zhiqiu] no longer considers you human. {Increase Favorability} {Reduce Anger Value}
○ Purple Triangle (0%): *** (Hidden)
○ Gray Gift Box (3%): Requires completion of quest [The Cat’s Secret].
Bai Fuling scanned the character profile and quickly noticed that it wasn’t entirely the same as Pang Chengyu’s profile.
Some of the symbols were different.
More importantly,
What was that second entry supposed to mean?
How had he been so casually stripped of his human status?
Bai Fuling’s mouth twitched.
Combining his initial encounters with Liao Zhiqiu, the things the tall man NPC had said and the information displayed in the character profile, Bai Fuling gradually pieced together the truth.
Liao Zhiqiu seemed to have a particular fondness for small animals.
And for people who resembled small animals.
No wonder he hadn’t seemed bothered at all when Bai Fuling had stolen his dagger or shoved roses into his hands.
Even when Bai Fuling had mistakenly thought he wanted to play BDSM and had nearly beaten him to death, Liao Zhiqiu had never genuinely fought back.
Now it all made sense.
The reason he had been so extraordinarily tolerant,
Was because he never considered Bai Fuling a human being in the first place.
Enlightenment struck.
People always said eating too many red beans caused lovesickness.
Apparently, eating too many cat treats caused Liao Zhiqiu to stop distinguishing between humans and animals.
Bai Fuling came to the conclusion that the NPC standing before him probably suffered from some kind of cognitive disorder.
Still,
If it increased Favorability, then it was a good thing.
Nodding in satisfaction, Bai Fuling grabbed another handful of cat treats from Liao Zhiqiu, tore them open and ate them, further reinforcing the man’s stereotypes.
However, before he could consume very many, a commotion erupted behind him.
Perhaps his blood loss status effect had triggered some passive event.
The screaming NPCs nearby had summoned an ambulance.
And now,
The ambulance was back.
The moment Bai Fuling heard the wailing siren, his entire body trembled.
Who would have thought?
At this point in his life, his greatest enemy was no longer murderers or wild wolves.
It was hospital ambulances.
In order to avoid being dragged into a hospital and having his farming and questing delayed, Bai Fuling decisively grabbed Liao Zhiqiu’s wrist and ran.
From a distance, Guan Jizhong had been silently observing everything.
The moment he noticed Bai Fuling pulling Liao Zhiqiu away, his heart sank violently.
He knew it.
That kid’s earlier foolish behavior had all been an act.
His real objective had been to seize an opportunity to escape with Liao Zhiqiu.
Fortunately, Guan Jizhong had never truly entrusted him with his trust.
The only reason he had hesitated before was because of how sincerely the boy had once declared that he wanted to solve the case and find the murderer.
Taking a deep breath, Guan Jizhong stood motionless for a second.
Then he turned around, climbed into his van and prepared to pursue them.
Liao Zhiqiu was dragged along for two or three steps.
No red hostility bar appeared above his head.
Instead, several dots emerged, as though he wanted to say something.
Before he could speak, Bai Fuling shouted loudly,
“No time to explain! Just run!”
If they stopped to interact now, the ambulance and van behind them would catch up.
Besides, dialogue in this game didn’t pause time.
Bai Fuling whistled sharply, summoning his mount.
[Big Dog].
The gray wolf that came charging out of the crowd immediately terrified countless NPCs.
“Ahhh! A wolf!”
“Why is there a wolf here?! Where did it come from?!”
To be fair, the surrounding NPCs’ reactions were impressively realistic.
Bai Fuling silently praised the game developers for their dedication before casually muttering,
“What wolf? It’s clearly labeled as a Big Dog. It can even enter cities.”
He swung himself onto the wolf’s back.
Originally, he intended to bring Liao Zhiqiu up with him.
Only then did he realize that the gray wolf mount lacked a passenger option.
Wait, wait, wait!
What now?
Cold sweat immediately broke out across Bai Fuling’s forehead.
The ambulance might not be after Liao Zhiqiu.
But the tall man NPC definitely was.
At last, Bai Fuling understood.
Why had all the previous interactions revolved around the tall man NPC without ever triggering a quest?
Because in this storyline,
The tall man NPC was the villain.
Those interactions had probably existed solely to help players identify the enemy.
If the villain captured the quest target, the quest would undoubtedly become stuck.
Therefore, he absolutely had to take Liao Zhiqiu away.
In many games, protecting important NPCs was a prerequisite for completing quests.
Annoying but unavoidable.
Bai Fuling’s mind effortlessly assembled its own internal logic.
He reached toward a short trash bin nearby.
Perhaps because the area was relatively secluded, or because sanitation workers had just emptied it, the bin happened to be completely clean.
He pulled a rope from his inventory and securely tied it around the trash can.
Since the gray wolf mount couldn’t carry two passengers, then he’d simply have to use it differently.
Like a classic dog sled.
The gray wolf, [Big Dog], could pull the trash can.
Then he and Liao Zhiqiu could sit inside the wheeled trash can together.
The plan was flawless.
“Quick, get in!” Bai Fuling called.
Liao Zhiqiu didn’t move.
Despite the screaming pedestrians and roaring vehicles surrounding them, he looked completely relaxed and unbothered.
Instead, he merely gazed at Bai Fuling.
At the bright eyed young man with cat whiskers drawn across his cheeks.
Then he grabbed another handful of cat treats and offered them over.
Bai Fuling: …
Come on.
This is not the time for feeding!
Bai Fuling concluded that this was probably an issue with the AI priority settings.
Therefore, he decisively exercised the subjective initiative unique to players.
Grabbing Liao Zhiqiu by the arm, he forcibly dragged him into the trash can.
Then he tore open one of the cat treats in his hand and selected the option to feed it to his mount.
Good things had to be shared with your mount, too.
After all, mount Favorability and mental condition were both important stats.
“Eat up, Big Dog,” Bai Fuling said.
After consuming the cat treat, the gray wolf let out a loud howl.
“Awooo!”
Reenergized, it surged forward with all its strength.
The wheeled trash can flew behind it as it raced ahead.
Under Bai Fuling’s guidance, the wolf skillfully weaved through traffic.
Behind them, the ambulance and van blasted their horns as they gave chase.
Bai Fuling glanced backward.
He pondered the situation briefly.
Then understanding dawned.
A confident smile spread across his face.
Mm.
Got it.
Looks like it’s time for another mini game.
QQ Racing.
Maximum speed, go!
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
One coffee for the translator. One less excuse for them to disappear. 😌
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Escape game freezesChapter 2 · Players aren’t allowed to use the main entranceChapter 3 · Players have created a medical miracle!Chapter 4 · If I hit the NPC more, will the NPC drop gold coins?Chapter 5 · Players earn the title of “bus weirdo”Chapter 6 · Players get a prison experienceChapter 7 · So the red bar isn’t for favorability, it’s for anger!Chapter 8 · The player is a nimble catChapter 9 · The player is a “law-abiding” good studentChapter 10 · Players have no morals and are fearlessChapter 11 · Player: What’s wrong? It’s called “Cai Cai Shui Ling LingChapter 12 · The player is the famous Farmer Detective!Chapter 13 · The player raised a new petChapter 14 · The player is a genius dog-riding boyChapter 15 · The player is a sticky, helpful, and kind comradeChapter 16 · It turns out that players aren’t considered human by NPCsChapter 17 · Players are like angels descending upon my side!Chapter 18 · Player: There’s only one truth!Chapter 19 · Why are players farming at the school?!Chapter 20 · Players came to the cafeteria to buy suppliesChapter 21 · Are NPCs model workers?Chapter 22 · If you’re a gay manChapter 23 · Player: Wheelchairs are a useful mode of transportation!Chapter 24 · So the player is actually part of Cat Returns (?)Chapter 25 · Liao Zhi Qiu, a large pet belonging to the playerChapter 26 · Player: Hello, I picked up this corpse.Chapter 27 · Bai Fuling: Players will never dieChapter 28 · Has the murderer been caught?Chapter 29 · Player: Visiting the mental hospital felt as familiar as coming homeChapter 30 · Players’ Adventure in the Mental Hospital: Round 1Chapter 31 · Player: Kid, fly!Chapter 32 · The player who does good deeds every day is truly a good personChapter 33 · The kitten brought back some local specialtiesChapter 34 · Let this adorable kitten stay forever?Chapter 35 · Players, don’t give up on being human!Chapter 36 · A kitten is just a kitten, isn’t it?Chapter 37 · Players want it, players get itChapter 38 · Angel Player and Unlucky Bear NPCChapter 39 · In short, players choose to throw at NPCsChapter 40 · The player just flew away!Chapter 41 · Player: You need to thoroughly understand the bookChapter 42 · Players love to tease honest NPCs.Chapter 43 · He said he was a little hungry.Chapter 44 · Even if cotton essence mutatesChapter 45 · Pure Love TentaclesChapter 46 · Choose to be a kitten?Chapter 47 · Players’ tears are weaponsChapter 48 · Players do not need to breatheChapter 49 · It’s on fire!Chapter 50 · The player is a top-tier rescue masterChapter 51 · How did the player manage to resurrect after killing themselves?!Chapter 52 · Call the player “Little Cat King”!Chapter 53 · What are the consequences of raising the cat-like alienation