The follow-up of the incident was fully taken over by the Quarantine Center. Naturally, the messy disputes with the Wang and Li families had also fallen on their shoulders. Director Gu had been complaining endlessly, but after being scolded so many times, he had already gotten used to it.

What no one had expected was that this case would end up dragging out an old case from twenty years ago. It had involved a large number of people and entangled many powerful forces—the Research Institute, the Wang family, the Li family…

After so many years, the influence of Chen Yin’s ability had weakened. The Li family had wanted to reinvestigate their daughter’s death, which had forced the instigator to return to the scene and destroy any remaining evidence that could expose them. But they hadn’t expected that karma, the cycle of cause and effect, had already begun the moment they set foot at the school.

Ruan Xing had speculated that an ability as powerful as that must have come with a heavy price. If it was used again, Chen Yin’s pollution level might exceed the irreversible threshold. At that point, even if she still possessed her abilities, she would no longer be human. If that happened, what would be the point of everything she had worked so hard for?

Since the case involved the High Tower from twenty years ago, that side also stepped in, making things even more complicated. However, after finishing his statement, none of this had anything to do with Ruan Xing anymore.

During this incident, he also developed a new spell.

[Tracking Spell]

Imprints a mark on the soul of the target to track their location.

Fu Gui: “Hey, can this help me chase girls? Like, track where she lives so I can visit them at ni—uh, I mean, when I have time.”

Ruan Xing flicked its forehead.

After the mission was settled, the office updated his profile in the internal network:

[Ruan Xing]

Abilities: [Animal Tamer](Pollution Visualization), [Thread Manipulation], [Pollution Resistance]

Attributes: Support & Control

Overall Rating: C-Class (Can assist in team missions or handle solo tasks below C-Class)

The update in his records meant a raise in benefits and salary. On top of that, Fu Zhi even secured a generous bonus for him, which was more than enough to relieve his nearly empty wallet.

All in all, the harvest was fruitful, and Ruan Xing was satisfied with it.

—

The air conditioning in the private dining room had been set to a very low temperature.

Ruan Xing folded his arms closer to his chest and shifted away from the cold air.

Their previous gathering had been interrupted by the sudden pollution incident, but they eventually found time to get together again.

Bai Xu raised his beer glass. “Cheers! A toast to me making it back alive this time!”

Without hesitation, he chugged the entire drink in one go, completely ignoring the fact that his wounds had only just healed.

Pei Ye scoffed, “It was just one stab. It’s not like you lost a kidney.”

Meanwhile, Ruan Xing was completely focused on the plate of fish before him. The dish had a light yet fresh flavor, and the tender, smooth texture melted in his mouth. His chopsticks never stopped moving.

His intense focus on eating, wholly disengaged from socializing, quickly drew attention.

Despite his seemingly ravenous appetite, his table manners were impeccable—composed, elegant, and efficient, with his chopsticks moving nonstop.

Su Xiaona watched for a moment before tilting her head in curiosity. “Hmm…” She couldn’t shake the feeling that Ruan Xing’s eating habits were oddly similar to their captain's.

Maybe it was just her imagination. She blinked, then raised her eyebrows at Fu Zhi, gesturing toward Ruan Xing while making a fist.

Fu Zhi happened to catch her look and immediately understood that she was overanalyzing something again.

Ruan Xing was sitting right next to him, his slightly tousled black hair framing his face as his half-lidded eyes focused solely on his plate. He was calmly enjoying his meal, eating nearly half a fish all by himself.

His short hair moved slightly as he turned, and Fu Zhi suddenly found himself staring into a pair of emerald-green eyes that reflected his own expression—curious but with a hint of something else.

Shit. He was caught staring.

Fu Zhi quickly averted his gaze, looking past Ruan Xing to Pei Ye. At the same time, he picked up his drink and chugged it down in one go.

Ruan Xing was sure that this guy had been staring at him and hesitated for a moment. “Captain, do you want some fish?”

As he spoke, he even turned his plate slightly toward him—like a cat reluctantly sharing its meal.

Fu Zhi cleared his throat and didn’t refuse the offer. He set down his drink and picked up a piece of fish. It was tender, fragrant, and melted in his mouth. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he swallowed. “It’s really good.”

Ruan Xing sighed. So much for enjoying his meal in peace.

With that thought, he turned the plate a little more to the left. “Eat as much as you want.”

From then on, Ruan Xing kept noticing how Fu Zhi’s taste in food was surprisingly similar to his own. Every time he found a dish particularly delicious, Fu Zhi would agree, and before he knew it, he was constantly shifting the plate back toward him.

It wasn’t like the food was particularly rare or special. In his previous life, food culture hadn’t developed much, and ever since he arrived here, he hadn’t had many decent meals. He was either in hospitals or cheap inns. As for cooking for himself... Well, would you expect that a lazy mage who knew nothing about farming or cooking could make anything delicious?

Fu Gui looked up from his own bowl, shaking his head. “Look at you. You act like you haven’t eaten in 800 years.”

Ruan Xing shot him a glare. “Say that again after you take off that napkin around your neck.”

“This is called appreciating fine cuisine. Not the same as you~”

By this point, Bai Xu was flushed from drinking too much. He raised his left fist like a microphone, calling people over to play drinking games.

Pei Ye had an arm slung around him as they enthusiastically played finger-guessing games.

With his pink-dyed hair swaying as he gestured animatedly, Bai Xu began to blabber. “Back at that school mission, our newbie was so fierce! The way those knives came at him—shoo shoo shoo! And he just went ding ding ding, blocked them all! Then it was swish swish swish, bam bam bam, crack crack crack! And those monsters just crashed to the ground!”

His hand gestures were so exaggerated that even Ruan Xing, who was sitting on the other side of Pei Ye, could feel the air being displaced.

Honestly, when the squad first found out that Bai Xu and Ruan Xing had been caught in the polluted zone, there had been a brief moment of chaos. The team was worried, especially since Ruan Xing was relatively inexperienced and not fully equipped.

But no one expected Ruan Xing to perform so well. Bai Xu, an experienced team member, was already struggling to sit up straight, yet Ruan Xing looked like nothing had happened to him. While the previous mission lasted longer, the pollution level in this one had been significantly higher.

Bai Xu pointed at Fu Zhi and whined, “It’s all Captain’s fault! He made me protect the human! I wouldn't have gotten stabbed if I hadn’t been such a saint! Pollution can be treated with medicine, but stab wounds need stitches! Waaaah!”

Then, remembering that Fu Zhi didn’t like people pointing at him, he tilted his head and shot him a pointed look instead.

Ruan Xing was curious about how Fu Zhi would respond to such a complaint. He turned to look at him—only to find that Fu Zhi had been staring at him this whole time.

Ruan Xing stiffened. …What’s going on?

Su Xiaona suddenly gasped. “Oh no! The drink today contains alcohol! And the captain drank a whole cup!”

As soon as she said that, Chen Yihang immediately turned to Ruan Xing and said, “The captain can’t handle alcohol well. He gets drunk easily, and it’s not safe for him to be alone. Since your places aren’t far apart, why don’t you take him home tonight?”

Ruan Xing didn’t notice the panic in his tone—he just saw an opportunity to see if he could get some information out of him.

Su Xiaona glanced at Chen Yihang and mouthed, "Are you scared?"

Chen Yihang gave an awkward smile.

After a few more rounds of drinks, Bai Xu was already clutching Fu Gui’s wings, tearfully lamenting his eighteen years of singlehood. Su Xiaona quickly urged Ruan Xing to take Fu Zhi home.

Ruan Xing: "Okay."

Fu Zhi had drunk quite a bit, but it didn’t show—he even seemed sober. He was just quieter than usual as he stared at people with an intense gaze.

Ruan Xing felt a chill run down his spine. After saying his goodbyes to the others, he prepared to escort Fu Zhi home.

It seemed like it was going to rain that night. The air grew humid, and a cool breeze swept by, rustling the leaves of the nearby landscaping trees. Just as a leaf was about to land on Ruan Xing’s shoulder, Fu Zhi reacted swiftly—two fingers snatched it midair and flicked it away with seamless ease.

Fu Gui, perched on Ruan Xing’s other shoulder, squinted suspiciously. “Is this guy faking it? His movements are way too sharp.”

Ruan Xing was also surprised. He hadn’t expected Fu Zhi to still have such reflexes after drinking so much. “Captain? Can you make it home by yourself?”

Fu Zhi didn’t respond, his expression as unapproachable as ever.

Ruan Xing sighed and flagged down a cab. “Let’s go.”

Standing stiffly like a post, Fu Zhi remained motionless.

Ruan Xing tugged his sleeve. “Come with me, I’ll take you home.”

Fu Zhi stared at him for a long time as if processing the words before finally replying, “Okay.”

After giving the driver the address, Ruan Xing leaned back in the seat. He had drunk a lot while listening to Bai Xu’s complaints, and now the alcohol was kicking in, making his head feel light.

Fu Zhi sat beside him, his posture unnaturally straight, with his hands resting neatly on his knees—like he was attending a formal meeting instead of sitting in the back of a taxi.

Ruan Xing watched him sit there without reacting to anything. Feeling mischievous, he ignored his dizziness and leaned closer to narrow the distance between them.

Fu Zhi merely lowered his head to glance at him but made no movement.

Encouraged by his lack of resistance, Ruan Xing grew bolder and reached for the necklace around Fu Zhi’s neck.

It was his first time doing something like this, and his heart couldn’t help but race.

Just as his fingers brushed against the cold metal, a warm palm suddenly enveloped his hand.

Ruan Xing’s smile froze.

Fu Zhi’s grip tightened, and his strength gradually increased until Ruan Xing’s expression twisted in pain.

“No, you can’t take it.” Fu Zhi shook his head. “Baby.”

He was clearly referring to the necklace, but Fu Gui, always eager to stir trouble, cackled, “Who was that last word meant for? Huh? Baby?”

Ruan Xing’s face darkened. “Let go.”

Fu Zhi didn’t budge. “Thief.”

Ruan Xing’s temper flared instantly. “Who are you calling a thief?! You took my stuff, and I never called you a thief!”

Fu Zhi: “Thief.”

Ruan Xing: “You’re the thief! Let go!”

The driver chuckled from the front seat. “Do I need to call the police for you two?”

Fu Zhi glanced up, his sharp, narrow eyes meeting the driver’s in the rearview mirror. His gaze was so intimidating that the driver immediately shut up.

Ruan Xing was fuming as he felt his hand was about to be crushed.

“Let go! Let go!” Enraged, he punched Fu Zhi in the chest and finally managed to pull his hand back.

His originally fair palm was now bruised and swollen, looking rather pitiful.

Ruan Xing: [This guy is way more difficult than I expected! I thought I could take advantage of him being drunk, but—!]

Fu Gui: “But you got called ‘baby’ instead! Hahaha!”

Ruan Xing: [Shut up.]

It wasn’t a very intimidating command, but the mycelium threads on his hand seemed to pick up on his frustration. They slithered off and wrapped around Fu Gui’s beak, silencing it.

Fu Gui’s eyes widened. [You can seal my mouth, but you can’t seal my heart!]

Ignoring Fu Gui’s protests, Ruan Xing turned his attention back to Fu Zhi, who was now watching him with a hint of wariness.

Ruan Xing asked where he got the necklace, but Fu Zhi remained silent.

Ruan Xing frowned. “You seriously think I’m trying to steal it? That’s why you won’t tell me?”

Fu Zhi nodded.

Ruan Xing let out a short laugh, more out of anger than amusement. “Alright, you win.”

Fu 'winner' Zhi’s eyes curved slightly, looking quite pleased with himself.

When they arrived at the residential area, Ruan Xing got out of the car, and Fu Zhi followed. The vehicle was cramped, making movement difficult, but Fu Zhi insisted on getting out from Ruan Xing’s side. Ruan Xing simply let him be.

The driver didn’t stick around. Arguing couples is terrifying. He made a mental note never to butt in again.

Fu Zhi and Ruan Xing’s homes were only a few streets apart, but the difference in class was glaring. Fu Zhi’s complex even had a fountain and artificial rock formations at the entrance.

The security guard immediately stepped forward to greet him. “Welcome back, Mr. Fu.”

Ruan Xing: “Alright, I’ll be heading off then?”

He failed to steal the chicken and ended up losing the rice. His hand was still swollen, and he had no intention of babysitting Fu Zhi any longer.

Just as he turned to leave, he suddenly couldn’t move.

Fu Zhi grabbed the hem of his shirt, and Ruan Xing swatted his hand away with a sharp slap.

But Fu Zhi was quick, and he caught hold of him again.

Ruan Xing wrinkled his nose. “Captain, I need to go home. It’s late.”

The security guard wisely kept his eyes on the ground, pretending not to hear a thing.

After several rounds of back-and-forth, Ruan Xing finally gave up. “Fine, fine! I’ll walk you upstairs.”

Only then did Fu Zhi let go, and the security guard immediately opened the gate.

Fu Gui, still muffled, let out a few garbled sounds. [Something’s off! If this guy isn’t actually drunk, then he’s definitely trying to hit on you!]

Ruan Xing picked up his pace, but Fu Zhi, with his long legs, followed unhurriedly behind.

The complex was large but quiet. At this late hour, there was little sign of activity aside from a few warmly lit windows. With only Fu Gui’s muffled grumbling breaking the silence, the moment almost felt peaceful.

Suddenly, Ruan Xing stopped in his tracks as the footsteps behind him disappeared.

As he turned around, he saw Fu Zhi sitting cross-legged on the ground, facing a rectangular trash bin with his hands on his knees. His brows were furrowed in deep thought.

Ruan Xing: “...What are you doing?”

Fu Zhi pointed at it seriously. “It stinks. Let’s take it home and wash it.”

Ruan Xing struggled to keep a straight face.

“Why should we take it home and wash it? It’s not even yours.”

If his subordinates found out their leader had tried to steal public property while drunk, the entire team would probably die laughing.

Fu Zhi looked displeased. “It’s my cat.”

…A trash bin. A cat.

What kind of eyesight was this guy using?!

Ruan Xing couldn’t hold it in anymore and laughed out loud. “Come on, Major Fu, if you don’t want to see your name trending on social media tomorrow, let’s immediately head upstairs. Okay?”

His last words were spoken in a teasing, lilting tone, like a feather brushing over one’s heart.

Fu Zhi stared at him for a long moment before finally relenting.

“Fine. A single fragrant one is enough.”

—

Author's Note:

[Current Publicly Available Info]

Hidden Cat Lover · Fu Zhi