Chapter 139 - 139: The Truth
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The tension in the air thickened as the reporter’s face darkened, almost pleading as he said, “Fine, fifty grand will do.”
Xia Xin tilted her head in confusion. She asked, “Why are you so desperate for money? You’ve just graduated; it’s not like you have any pressing financial obligations, right?”
Visibly flustered, the reporter retorted, “That’s none of your business! If we can’t come to an agreement, let’s just agree to disagree. I’ll see you on the trending topics tomorrow!”
With that, the reporter grabbed his bag and stormed out of the café. Xia Xin could have easily manipulated the situation then and there. But what puzzled her more was the scent of a weakened animal wafting from him. Intrigued, she intentionally agitated him so she could tail him covertly after he left. She quickly paid the bill and followed him outside.
Xia Xin couldn’t help but feel triumphant. Although she had never stalked anyone before, her stamina proved quite useful. She managed to keep up with the reporter without any difficulty, reveling in the excitement of her newfound pursuit.
Navigating through the crowd, the reporter took a series of twisted turns. Xia Xin almost lost track of him several times, but her acute awareness, bolstered by her system’s timely alerts, kept her on course.
Soon, Xia Xin found herself outside a pet store, where the reporter went in. Reluctant to enter, Xia Xin took cover in a nearby bush, even as mosquitoes feasted on her. After about thirty minutes, he finally emerged with a bag of cat food, cans of fish, and some treats.
Xia Xin’s curiosity was piqued. The purchases didn’t align with the profile of a cat abuser. Rather, they suggested someone lovingly caring for a feline companion. She was familiar with the store’s offerings and knew that these items were among the priciest.
Continuing Xia Xin’s stealthy tailing, they eventually reached a less populated area. Feeling uneasy, Xia Xin became more cautious. Despite her best efforts, the reporter turned abruptly and demanded, “Who are you? I’ve noticed you following me. What do you want?”
The dimly lit street concealed her identity, but as he approached, Xia Xin felt increasingly anxious. She wondered, ‘Am I really going to resort to physical confrontation without first understanding the situation?’
Just then, a stray cat burst onto the scene, positioning itself between her and the reporter. Another cat scampered over and whispered, “Xia Xin, come with me! I know the way!”
Recognizing the stray she had once fed during a film shoot, Xia Xin decided to follow it, avoiding an unnecessary clash. Yet, she couldn’t help but shoot a worried glance at the cat left behind.
“Will Little White be okay? That man won’t hurt him, will he?” Xia Xin asked the guiding cat, dubbed Little Black.
“Don’t worry, Chen Li won’t harm us. He’s a good man,” Little Black reassured as they walked.
“A good man?” Xia Xin’s curiosity intensified. “Little Black, what’s going on?
Tell me, why did you say that Chen Li is a good man? Isn’t he a cat abuser?”
Little Black nuzzled Xia Xin’s palm affectionately before explaining, “We thought he was abusive too because he carried the scent of sick cats. We animals are highly perceptive, you know. We avoided him, refusing to eat what he offered. That changed one day when…”
Little Black recounted how they, along with other strays, followed Chen Li home, intending to rescue a cat they sensed was ill. Looking through Chen Li’s window, they saw a sickly cat named Anan. Her eyes gleamed with envy when she saw the strays outside.
“We’ll save you, Anan!” the strays clawed at the window, trying to communicate.
Weakly, Anan shook her head. She said, “No need to save me. My owner is kind, but I have an incurable disease. Doctors have given up on me. I wish he’d spend more time with me rather than taking me to the hospital..”
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