After everyone left, the room was finally quiet.
Chu Zhou went out to buy dinner, leaving only Qu Yanning and the cat.
“Good boy…” Qu Yanning pinched the cat’s armpits, making him stand up and look him in the eye, sounding especially mischievous.
Xie Qi calmly watched him, ears pressed back, tail curled slightly, trying to guess what he was up to.
“When nobody’s around… can you transform again for me to see?” he asked, blinking.
“…”
Xie Qi’s eyes widened, ears perked up, tail curling and uncurling.
He felt his body heating up uncontrollably.
“Please?” Qu Yanning shook him, pleading cutely.
Xie Qi pondered seriously, then finally meowed softly, signaling his agreement.
Qu Yanning cheered quietly, buried his face in the cat’s belly and rubbed, already imagining petting a giant cat and feeling giddy.
After dinner, Chu Zhou lay on the empty bed, scrolling through Weibo and chatting with Qu Yanning.
Qu Yanning was distracted the whole time, thinking about that night, only giving half-hearted “mm-hm”s.
“? What’s with you?” Chu Zhou eyed him suspiciously. “You look like you’ve lost your soul. What’s going on?”
Qu Yanning’s eyes widened a bit. “Nothing’s wrong. Really.”
He reached under the covers to pet the cat, then mumbled, “Shouldn’t you go to bed soon?”
“…Aren’t I here to keep you company?” Chu Zhou grumbled, rolling up his sleeves.
If you weren’t a patient, I’d have already smacked you.
Qu Yanning gave a couple of guilty laughs, then meekly said, “No need to stay. Go home and rest—staying up late is bad for your skin.”
Chu Zhou: “…”
He rolled his eyes. “You’ve grown up and have secrets you can’t tell your parents now, huh?”
Qu Yanning feigned innocence. “What secrets? There’s nothing.”
Chu Zhou shot him a look, then slowly walked to the door, turned back, and growled, “You’d better not be up to anything shady after sending me away.”
Qu Yanning jumped out of bed and pushed him out, muttering, “Nothing’s going on—just go to sleep.”
Chu Zhou left looking like a parent who’s just discovered their kid’s first crush.
Qu Yanning carefully locked the door and windows, then excitedly jumped onto the bed, pressing his face close to the little cat’s.
The black pupils reflected the light, like stars in the sky. “Can you transform now?”
Xie Qi twitched his ears, got up slowly, and jumped off the bed, following Qu Yanning’s back.
Qu Yanning stared at him wide-eyed, barely blinking.
Xie Qi kept a straight face, flicked his tail, and with a gentle white flash, reappeared before Qu Yanning—not as a kitten, but as a huge cat the size of a tiger.
The grown cat had lost all kittenish clumsiness; his thick white fur gleamed with a soft luster, with black fishbone markings spreading like ink, forming a faint “king” character on his forehead, with sharp cat ears— he looked almost exactly like a majestic White Tiger Cat.
It had been too dark and chaotic last night for Qu Yanning to get a good look.
Now, he stared in awe at the big cat in front of him, frozen in place.
Xie Qi tilted his head, uncertain, and poked him with a paw, thinking he’d scared him.
But Qu Yanning snapped out of it, gave a low cry, and threw himself into the cat’s neck.
The fur from neck to belly was pure white, dense and smooth.
Qu Yanning buried his face in it, rubbing over and over, almost drowning in the fluff.
Xie Qi stiffened, letting him cuddle, the youth’s scent drifting into his nose, making his heart race uncontrollably.
He nearly rolled on the floor, but forced himself to resist the sudden urge.
Qu Yanning lifted his face from the fur, cupped the cat’s face, kissed his forehead, and said, “Good boy, I really like you.”
He said it so naturally, as if talking about what to eat for dinner.
The cat’s ears shyly folded back.
Xie Qi daintily raised a paw, gently wrapping it around Qu Yanning’s back as if hugging him.
Qu Yanning excitedly hugged and petted the cat for a long time before finally coming to his senses.
He sat on the bed, patted the spot beside him, and signaled for Xie Qi to come up and sleep together.
Xie Qi shook his head, gently tugged at his sleeve with his teeth, and tried to pull him down.
Qu Yanning obediently stood up and gave the cat another stroke. “What’s up?”
Xie Qi nudged him toward his back with his head.
Qu Yanning lay on his back. “You want to carry me?”
A thick tail wrapped around Qu Yanning’s waist.
Xie Qi let out a low meow, urging him to get on.
Qu Yanning had to climb up, careful not to pull out any fur.
Satisfied, Xie Qi purred, opened the door, and carried Qu Yanning out.
Before Qu Yanning could protest, Xie Qi had already carried him outside.
The big cat walked lightly and steadily, carrying Qu Yanning through the air.
Even when a nurse did her rounds below, it was as if she couldn’t see them at all.
Qu Yanning’s heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled.
He clung tightly to the cat’s neck, peering cautiously down.
His good boy was flying with him…
Qu Yanning stared wide-eyed at the world below.
The scattered lights were beneath their feet, the distant sea calm as a jewel, with only white waves lining the shore.
Everything below was like a dream.
Xie Qi brought him back to last night’s beach.
The sea was calmer than ever, even the waves sounded gentler.
Landing on a rock by the shore, Xie Qi rubbed against Qu Yanning, signaling him to get down.
He nudged Qu Yanning onto a smooth rock, rubbed his face against him, and licked his neck with a rough tongue, making Qu Yanning shrink his neck from the ticklishness.
Xie Qi looked at him tenderly— now that he was covered in his scent, no ghosts would dare approach.
Turning around, Xie Qi flicked his tail, and padded out onto the sea.
His paws stepped on the water as he sniffed the wind, then changed direction.
After finding the right spot, he smacked his paw down.
The calm sea instantly erupted in a huge wave, but not a drop of water touched his fur.
The surface churned, ripples spreading outward.
It was as if something huge was about to break the water.
Impatient, Xie Qi whipped his tail again.
The ripples trembled violently, and a giant, translucent umbrella-shaped creature surfaced, its bell trailing numerous tentacles that tangled beneath the water, occasionally breaking the surface and quickly withdrawing.
From afar, Qu Yanning watched the giant mushroom-shaped creature—it looked like a colossal jellyfish.
The jellyfish seemed terrified, its tentacles churning up great splashes, but its mushroom cap stayed still.
A faint, ethereal song drifted over the sea, the same tune Qu Yanning had heard last night, but without the headache-inducing effect.
It looked like the giant jellyfish was talking to the cat.
Xie Qi perked his ears, but his golden eyes kept glancing at Qu Yanning, his fluffy tail lazily swishing.
The giant jellyfish was begging for mercy.
This was a Water Mother Spirit who had cultivated in the sea for who knows how many years.
He’d come by chance to the waters of Yue Liang Island, liked it, and decided to stay.
But as Yue Liang Island was developed, more and more tourists arrived, and the island was further developed, shrinking his living space.
Eventually, the once-peaceful Water Mother Spirit began to think: if only all these annoying humans would just disappear.
“It was the humans who disturbed me first. And those two weren’t even hurt. Please, since this is my first offense, have mercy, sir. As a fellow member of the demon race, you should understand my suffering.”
“First offense?” Xie Qi lazily looked at him, tail coming to a stop.
The Water Mother Spirit nodded repeatedly.
“In the last three years, there have been thirteen accidents in these waters. Of those, you used eight for your cultivation, didn’t you?”
The Water Mother Spirit’s expression changed.
A blue glow shone from his mushroom cap, and his tentacles churned angrily. “Just a few useless humans.”
“You shouldn’t have harmed anyone,” Xie Qi’s golden eyes narrowed, claws extending.
He swiped his paw. “And you especially shouldn’t have hurt him.”
The Water Mother Spirit cried out in pain.
Blue blood spread across the surface as a thick tentacle was sliced off and sank to the bottom.
“If you won’t let me go, then it’s a fight to the death!” the Water Mother Spirit roared, sending the rest of his tentacles at Xie Qi.
“Good boy!” Qu Yanning cried, standing up and straining to see the sea.
On the dark surface, tentacles flailed and the giant jellyfish shuddered, sending eerie blue mist across the water.
“Overestimating yourself.”
Xie Qi stood his ground.
As the tentacles lashed out, he dodged nimbly, and in a few breaths, all that was left on the water was a bare mushroom cap.
Tentacles of all sizes sank to the bottom, blue blood blooming on the surface.
Unwilling to give up, the Water Mother Spirit tried to flee.
Xie Qi pinned him down and, with razor-sharp claws, sliced the bell in half.
The blue glow flickered, then faded, sinking into the sea with the churning water.
Xie Qi shook his paw, picked up a smaller tentacle in his mouth, shook out his fur, and trotted back to Qu Yanning.
“You scared me to death.” Qu Yanning hugged him tightly, grumbling.
His heart was still pounding, and if he’d known his good boy would come for revenge, he never would’ve agreed.
Xie Qi tossed the still-twitching tentacle onto the rock, gently nuzzled Qu Yanning, and wrapped his fluffy tail around him.
Qu Yanning couldn’t resist such affection and tried to keep a straight face. “Don’t do anything so dangerous next time.”
Xie Qi rested his chin on Qu Yanning’s shoulder, nuzzling him, his whiskers making Qu Yanning crack a smile.
The man and cat wandered by the sea half the night.
Xie Qi carried him, strolling slowly across the water, the dark sky dotted with a few stars, and the calm sea reflecting everything like a giant mirror.
Qu Yanning marveled at the scenery, and Xie Qi slowed his pace, letting him enjoy the view, occasionally turning back to nuzzle him.
After a while, Xie Qi returned to shore with his prize and hurried back.
Back in the hospital room, Qu Yanning eyed the jellyfish tentacle on the floor. “Why’d you bring this back?”
Xie Qi pushed the tentacle toward him and meowed expectantly.
“You want to eat it?” Qu Yanning, now fluent in cat, guessed.
Xie Qi flicked his tail and patted the bouncy tentacle with his paw—it’s delicious.
“…”
Qu Yanning stared at the not-so-simple tentacle, wondering how he’d explain it to Chu Zhou tomorrow.
**********
“What the hell is that?” Chu Zhou gaped at the tentacle over a meter long soaking in the bathroom.
“…I bought it from a local fisherman,” Qu Yanning coughed nervously. “Fresh and cheap, just a small piece. I heard it’s really tasty.”
Chu Zhou stared at his unblinking eyes, hands on hips, poking his forehead. “Keep going, keep making up stories.”
Qu Yanning puffed his cheeks and insisted, “I’m not making it up. I really bought it from a fisherman. Big and fresh, that’s right.”
Chu Zhou folded his arms, eyeing him. “It’s so huge—how are you going to take it home?”
Qu Yanning: “…”
Right, it’s not easy to carry, and more importantly, it might not stay fresh.
He hesitated, “Pack it in a bag and put it in the trunk?”
Chu Zhou smirked. “Bet you’ll have trouble bringing it back.”
Qu Yanning grinned. “So what do we do?”
Chu Zhou poked his cheek and sighed, “So many secrets. Let me handle it.”
Feeling guilty, Qu Yanning scooped up the cat and looked worriedly at the calm feline in his arms.
Sensing his gaze, Xie Qi rolled over, showing his furry belly, golden eyes round and bright.
Qu Yanning’s heart melted, and he kissed the soft belly, thinking he’d just do whatever the cat wanted from now on.
In the end, Chu Zhou got the hotel staff to help store the jellyfish head in the hotel kitchen’s freezer.
When they left, they’d pack it in a foam box with ice, cut it into segments, seal it up, and put it in the trunk.
After two more days on the island, the two packed up and prepared to leave.
Because the hotel management had given them the Jin Card, all their expenses were waived.
They packed up and drove off the island.
They got home in the afternoon.
As soon as the door opened, Xie Qi jumped out, hopped onto the sofa, and sprawled out, tail dangling and swishing.
Chu Zhou sat at the far end, as far from Xie Qi as possible, slumped on the sofa like a ragdoll.
Qu Yanning wrapped the jellyfish head in plastic and put it in the fridge.
He was full of energy, holding a small piece and saying they’d have jellyfish for dinner.
“Isn’t this a squid?” Chu Zhou drawled. “What kind of jellyfish gets this big?”
“…Deep-sea… jellyfish, maybe?” Qu Yanning glanced at the cat, not too sure.
That jellyfish looked like a Water Mother Spirit— who knew if eating it would cause problems.
Chu Zhou shrugged. “Whatever, as long as it tastes good.”
Xie Qi meowed in agreement.
So they had a jellyfish feast for dinner: cold jellyfish salad, sweet-and-sour jellyfish, green papaya jellyfish, and water chestnut jellyfish soup.
A cultivated spirit tasted different— despite being transported for hours, the food was fresh and tender.
The Q-bouncy jellyfish head was sliced into strips, translucent and shiny, smooth and crisp, with a natural sweetness.
All in all… it was delicious.
Good ingredients and good cooking— lethal combo.
The three dishes and one soup were polished off by two people and a cat.
Chu Zhou drained the last drop of soup, feeling invigorated, and licked his chopsticks. “This is the best jellyfish I’ve ever had.”
Xie Qi didn’t show it as obviously, but his gently swishing tail showed he was very pleased with dinner.
Qu Yanning also thought the jellyfish— or Water Mother Spirit— was especially tasty, though he felt a bit guilty.
It had taken so much effort for the spirit to cultivate, only to get smacked down by his cat and have its tentacles eaten.
It didn’t seem quite right.
Xie Qi had no idea what he was thinking, probably just fretting about how dumb his little idiot was.
After dinner and a night’s rest, Qu Yanning and Chu Zhou got busy.
Especially Chu Zhou— he had a backlog of orders to fill.
Qu Yanning took the cat to check on the progress of his new store.
The new place wasn’t complicated; Qu Yanning had designed it in a fresh, minimalist style.
The walls were painted pure white, the floor brown faux-wood tiles.
The back was partitioned off for the kitchen, separated from the dining area by a huge glass wall so customers could see how clean everything was.
The main renovations were nearly done.
Once the hard work was finished, they’d do the soft furnishings.
Qu Yanning talked with the contractor, then took the cat to the wholesale market.
The Shen City wholesale market had everything—food, clothes, housewares.
Qu Yanning was mainly looking for tables, chairs, and utensils for the store.
For durability, he decided on wrought iron tables and chairs in a retro European style, with fresh plants for decoration.
It would be a cozy barbecue and oxygen bar.
After picking out some furniture and leaving his contact info, Qu Yanning slowly walked home with the cat.
In just a little while, his barbecue restaurant would be ready to open.