Qu Yanning remained unconvinced and warned him that being at sea was even more dangerous.
If it really was a scam, there’d be nowhere to escape— trapped and at the mercy of whoever.
Zhao Dongqi said, “I heard this is also the Young Generation Feng Shui Competition. Only outstanding disciples from various families can participate. The top three winners’ prizes are sponsored by the Qu Family.”
He looked longingly at Qu Yanning. “The Qu Family’s supposedly been around for hundreds of years, holding countless heirlooms. Just one of their treasures is enough to set off a fierce competition.”
Qu Yanning worriedly looked at him. “I think you’ve been brainwashed by some scam cult.”
A secluded island-dwelling reclusive family with centuries of heritage and vast wealth— if that really existed and was as impressive as claimed, with the internet today, they’d be all over social media, their ancestors’ histories dug up to the eighth generation.
But this supposedly impressive hundred-year-old Feng Shui clan? No one had even heard of them!
It was obviously a scam.
Zhao Dongqi’s small, accusing glance almost blew his head off. He slammed the Invitation Letter on the counter, rolled up his sleeves, and said fiercely, “You’re going whether you want to or not.”
Qu Yanning looked at him, scared out of his wits.
Xie Qi twitched his ears, bared his teeth, and flicked out his sharp claws—
Faced with this powerful force, Zhao Dongqi immediately backed down. He sulked, looking at Qu Yanning and accusing, “Do you know how hard I worked to get these Invitation Letters? All for you. If you don’t go, how can you justify all my hard work?!”
Xie Qi retracted his claws, scratched his ear, and disdainfully buried his head in Qu Yanning’s arms.
Qu Yanning silently watched his performance and said, “That’s not how you use ‘hard work’.”
Zhao Dongqi feigned crying, twisting his bulky frame. “I’m not listening. I’m going and you’re coming with me.”
“…”
Qu Yanning couldn’t resist his stubbornness and headache, sighing, “Fine, fine, I’ll go.”
Zhao Dongqi’s face lit up like the clouds parted. Happily, he said, “You’re the best.”
Qu Yanning rolled his eyes internally, hugged the cat, and walked off to the other side, wanting no part of him.
……
The Invitation Letter stated the date: the 30th of the month, and the location: Penghai Port. Zhao Dongqi’s earlier claims were true— the organizers had arranged a cruise ship to pick them up at the port.
A massive cruise ship was docked at the port, with two rows of attendants standing on the shore. The reception was quite grand.
Qu Yanning followed Zhao Dongqi and showed the Invitation Letter to the attendants before boarding.
Zhao Dongqi wore a flashy dark purple suit, hair slicked back with wax so every strand gleamed with oil.
Qu Yanning wore his usual casual clothes. This time, his little darling didn’t come along.
Qu Yanning had to spend a lot of effort coaxing the cat to stay behind.
The two followed the crowd up the ship. The cruise ship had four decks.
The first was a multi-purpose activity center and reception; the second and third decks were guest rooms; the fourth deck housed entertainment facilities and the restaurant.
As they boarded, attendants guided them to their rooms according to the numbers on the Invitation Letters.
Qu Yanning and Zhao Dongqi’s rooms were opposite each other. The attendant handed Qu Yanning the keycard and left.
Qu Yanning looked around his room. It was exquisitely decorated, with a bedroom connected to a living room and a balcony facing the open sea.
He stepped onto the balcony and gazed out at the vast blue ocean.
“If this really is a group of con artists, they sure invested a lot of money…” Qu Yanning muttered.
Zhao Dongqi, having put down his luggage, came over to poke fun at him. “See? I told you I wasn’t lying.”
Qu Yanning nodded. “They must be really loaded to have a cruise ship. Must take a while to get there. I haven’t heard of any private island near Shen City.”
“Maybe tomorrow morning?” Zhao Dongqi wasn’t sure either. Few people had ever been to the Qu Family’s main estate, so he hadn’t been there either— he’d only overheard some talk outside saying it would set sail tomorrow.
“Forget all that,” Zhao Dongqi pulled him up. “Let’s eat first.”
The restaurant was on the fourth floor, serving both meals and drinks, with a bar and a disco. Zhao Dongqi grabbed some food and found a spot with a good view of the sea breeze.
There were quite a few people on the fourth floor, all dressed in various styles: elite types in suits and ties, Taoist priests in Eight Trigrams robes with long beards, and many other eccentric outfits mixed together, creating a bizarre scene. Qu Yanning ate while looking around with curiosity.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a notification.
Second Master Xie: Are you home?
Qu Yanning’s eyes widened in surprise. He quickly unlocked his phone and typed: Not home, out. Is something wrong?
After a while, Xie Qi replied: I’m taking the cat for a few days.
Qu Yanning: Okay.
Xie Qi stared at the two short words on the phone, scratching his claws. Zhao Dongqi had secured the Invitation Letters, so naturally he had one too.
He’d hoped to bring Qu Yanning along to get a glimpse of the Feng Shui world, but Zhao Dongqi had gotten ahead of him.
If not for convenience in handling matters, Xie Qi would have taken Qu Yanning away already.
Qu Yanning’s room was right above Xie Qi’s. The cat turned into a small fluffy ball, rolling in the soft bed and clutching the phone, pondering how to arrange a chance meeting to get the little fool to come with him.
Qu Yanning finished eating and drinking. The massive cruise ship raised its gangway, sounded a long whistle, and the guests had all boarded— the ship was ready to depart.
The ship rocked slightly as it slowly pulled away from the port.
Qu Yanning leaned against the railing, staring out at the endless blue sea, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Life at sea was boring and dull, so the cruise ship had many entertainment options— disco, KTV, bar, everything.
Zhao Dongqi dragged Qu Yanning into the bar for drinks. After two glasses, Qu Yanning felt a little dizzy.
Zhao Dongqi was chatting enthusiastically with newly made friends, while Qu Yanning swayed and staggered out for some fresh air.
Halfway outside, he suddenly bumped into someone.
Xie Qi gently steadied him. “You been drinking?”
“Se-Second Master Xie?” Qu Yanning slurred, struggling to open his eyes and recognize who it was.
“It’s me.” Xie Qi held him up with a serious expression. “You’re drunk. Where’s your room? I’ll take you back.”
Qu Yanning blinked blankly at him. “Huh?”
Xie Qi patiently asked again, and Qu Yanning obediently pulled out his keycard from his pocket. “Here, take it.”
Xie Qi: “…”
He took the card and quietly asked, “What’s the room number?”
Qu Yanning stared blankly for a long time, then slowly said, “205.”
Xie Qi supported him downstairs, found the room, and helped him inside. Qu Yanning stayed obedient through it all, sitting nicely on a chair with his legs together and hands on his knees—very well behaved.
Xie Qi raised his brow, went to the bathroom to get a towel, and wiped Qu Yanning’s face.
Qu Yanning cooperated fully, tilting his head up slightly. The faint shadow from his long eyelashes cast under his eyes made him look soft.
Xie Qi couldn’t resist poking his chubby cheeks a few times, then told him to lie down.
Qu Yanning mumbled an “oh,” slowly taking off his coat, lying on the bed wearing just a pair of small underwear.
“…” Xie Qi stared at his bare skin, ears turning red.
Blushing, Xie Qi tucked the blanket over him. Just as he was about to pull away, Qu Yanning grabbed his hand, muttering, “I don’t feel well.”
Xie Qi froze for a moment, studying his face closely. Seeing he was truly unconscious, he pressed his lips together.
In a flash of white light, he shifted back to his original form and climbed onto the bed, wrapping Qu Yanning tightly in his arms.
The thick cat fur was soft and warm, able to cocoon a person entirely. The close contact transmitted a cozy heat.
Qu Yanning was already very familiar with this feeling. He rubbed his face against Xie Qi’s belly, clutching a furry paw, purring peacefully.
Poor Xie Qi had a drunk lying in his arms wearing only underwear, one paw trapped in his grasp. He blushed furiously, frozen and motionless.
……
The next morning, Qu Yanning was woken by a knock at the door, his head still fuzzy.
He’d only ordered a couple of Long Island Iced Teas the night before, just thinking they were sweet and tasty. Who knew two drinks would make him so dizzy he barely remembered getting back.
He held his head and got up to open the door. It was Zhao Dongqi.
Zhao Dongqi looked him over left and right and asked, “How did you get back last night?”
Qu Yanning said he didn’t remember. He vaguely recalled seeing his darling cat— the softness and comfort of the cat’s belly— and couldn’t help but savor the memory.
But the little darling couldn’t be here; he must have dreamed it while drunk.