13 Mink Street

Chapter 47: Informant

“Your family’s descendant?”

“Yes.” Pu’er answered with certainty. “I now finally understand why I felt such an instant connection to her: the same blood flows through both of our veins.”

“Heheheh.” Karon laughed out loud.

“What are you laughing at?”

“People say affection skips generations, so how many generations did you skip?”

“Impossible to say. Who knows how old each generation was when they had children.”

“No, you misunderstood me. Who was it earlier who kept urging me to just lie back comfortably and have children?”

“You- you shut up!”

“Is this how a great-great-great-great-great-grandaunt behaves?”

“You! Shut up!”

Karon rested his elbows on the table, reached out, and lightly hooked a finger under Pu’er’s chin, making her small head wobble back and forth.

She took no offense at the teasing gesture, and instead, she asked curiously, “You just believe me right away?”

“Yeah.”

“You haven’t even asked why I’m so certain. Just because of the family crest on a gifted wallet?”

“There’s no need to ask.”

“You won’t even go through the motions?”

“Is it so strange that a matchmaking candidate approved of by Tiz is a descendant of your family?”

“Uh...” Pu’er shook her head. “It actually feels... natural.”

“Exactly. So there’s nothing strange about it. You say that’s the case, so I believe it. But why were you so agitated earlier, insisting that I stay away from her? Does your family have some hereditary illness? Maybe a built-in curse? Or maybe once your family members reach a certain age, they turn into cats like you?”

Pu’er shook her head. “Turning into a cat was my own doing. I broke away from my family very early on, met some people, ran into some accidents, and ended up like this, stuck as a cat for so long.

“My family is somewhat mysterious, but as far as I know, there’s no hereditary disease or curse.”

“So why were you so insistent on warning me to stay away from your descendant?”

“I...” Pu’er did not know how to answer.

Then, she saw the smile on Karon’s face. Pu’er guiltily lowered her head. There was even a hint of ingratiation in her expression.

Karon reached out and patted her head. Pu’er took the rare initiative to rub her head against his hand in response. While doing so, she said, “Today’s sour-pickled fish was really delicious. I’ll probably be savoring it in my dreams tonight.”

“Because I’m a heretical god, you’re afraid that, because of me, misfortune and entanglements will fall upon your family.”

“...” Pu’er said nothing. Karon had stated such a thing perfectly calmly.

She lifted her head in shame and looked at him. Earlier, her emotions had run high and her words had come out too fast. Afterwards, thinking about things again, she felt that warning him for such a reason really was undignified, and she felt extremely uneasy about it.

Besides, today he had fed her sour-pickled fish, while he and his blind date had eaten oil-splashed noodles.

If only he were easier to fool, but he always seemed able to sense what others were thinking.

“I understand. It’s fine. The self is the self, and family is family. Even after a hundred years, family can still leave an indelible mark in one’s heart.” Karon continued petting Pu’er’s head. “But this matter doesn’t seem to be up to me.”

“Sigh. That descendant of mine has clearly already taken a liking to you. I think most women in this world, after staring at your face and chatting with you for a long time, would want to drag you to bed just to have no regrets.”

“That’s not what I meant. I was referring to Tiz.”

“Oh, right, Tiz!” Pu’er lifted her head again. “What did I say before? Tiz definitely knows!”

Karon felt that Pu’er’s many years as a cat had likely caused her thinking to become one-track. She could only focus on one thing at a time, and could no longer juggle multiple threads of thought.

That was understandable. Her state was essentially an imprisonment. For so many years, she had only been able to talk to Tiz, and later to Karon. Prolonged isolation could easily erode one’s breadth of thought and ability to communicate.

“Your family is in Veyn, and they’re very wealthy?”

“In my time, my family wasn’t that wealthy. In truth, wealth on paper often isn’t anything impressive, much like Morf last night. That’s not to say that my family has been doing better and better over the past century. In fact, it’s far more likely... that they’ve been doing worse. Bad enough to end up drinking afternoon tea with those old ladies of the Veyn royal family.

“No public toilet, no matter how long uncleaned, smells worse than fermented herring.”

“You’re right. So Tiz’s purpose is...”

The man and the cat at the dining table both fell silent.

“You’ll ask Tiz, won’t you?” Karon looked at Pu’er.

“Tiz isn’t an easy person to deal with,” Pu’er replied. “He’s been like that since childhood. Anything he decides to do is essentially unchangeable.”

“Understood.”

“Of course, things might be different with you. He’s always treated you as special.” Pu’er smiled bitterly. “Then again, perhaps that’s because you’re also special.”

At that moment, the doorbell downstairs rang. The Immers residence had a doorbell specifically for clients, complete with signage.

Eunice had not used it earlier, due to not being a formal guest. Ringing it would have felt inappropriate.

Karon went downstairs and found an elderly lady at the door, supported by Mrs. Seymour. “Good afternoon, madam.”

“Good afternoon.” The elderly lady looked haggard.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Seymour.”

“Good afternoon, Karon. This is Mrs. Modis. Mr. Modis passed away just now. We need to give him a dignified and appropriate funeral.”

This was the result of a reputation at work. Clearly, Mrs. Seymour was referring their family business. For a long time, half of the Immers family’s real income had come from similar word-of-mouth operations. “I’m very sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.”

Mrs. Modis nodded.

“Please, have a seat.” Karon settled the two women, and then went to prepare some black tea without asking about their preferences.

From observation alone, it had already become clear to him that Mrs. Modis was not a strong-willed person. When coupled with the grief of losing her husband, what such a conservative client needed at this moment was not to be offered choice after choice, but someone who was a bit more decisive, who offered suggestions while helping her make the decisions.

Thus, when discussing the funeral arrangements, venue arrangements, coffin selection, and so on, Karon’s phrasing always ended with, “Would this be acceptable to you? Would it be appropriate if I chose this for you? Does this style meet your needs and your husband’s wishes?”

Mrs. Modis only needed to respond with “Mm,” “Yes,” or “All right.”

Some strong-willed clients strongly resent being pushed by salespeople, and such comments would trigger their resistance. This has little to do with rationality. It’s like people who can’t stand the smell of cilantro despite not being allergic to it.

On the other hand, there are also people who are more compliant. This might be related to family dynamics or simply an easy temperament. Forcing such people to choose between “A” and “B” only causes them distress.

Different clients require different approaches. Not that Karon needed to try to force a sale, since with Mrs. Seymour personally bringing the client along, even Ron would not have easily lost the contract if he had been sent to handle it.

Still, Karon was considerate, both to expedite the interaction and to make the elderly lady feel more at ease. Quality of service, in fact, began showing right at the very beginning.

After everything was settled, Mrs. Modis let out a long breath and leaned back against the sofa. She immediately realized her posture was inappropriate and snapped back upright again. “Thank you, young man.”

“You’re very welcome. We’ll send someone to collect your husband and bring him here later today. If you have any other thoughts or needs, you can call us at any time. We’ll take care of everything.”

“Thank you.”

“From our conversation, I can tell that Mr. Modis was a very serious man.”

“Yes. He always kept up a stern face outside. His subordinates were afraid of him. Sometimes, he even worried about it. He’d ask me, ‘Am I really that frightening?’”

“And how did you answer?”

“I said, ‘Do you know how I’ve managed to live with you all these years?’” She chuckled.

“Heheh.” Karon had smoothly transitioned into providing psychological comfort. He tried to make the old woman feel as though her husband was merely asleep, and would be staying at the Immers residence as a guest. For a moment, he helped Mrs. Modis to step away from her grief.

Realistically, it was nothing more than a form of self-deception. The pain of losing a loved one could not be erased by a mere half hour or an hour of conversation, but this could still help her to sleep more soundly during the forthcoming hectic days of handling funeral affairs.

While Karon was with the client, Aunt Mary and Aunt Winnie returned. They wanted to ask about Karon’s date, but upon seeing that he was with a client, they quietly went upstairs without interrupting.

Finally, Mrs. Modis stood up on her own. “Thank you, young man.”

“Rest assured. Everything will be handled properly.”

“I believe so, and my husband would believe the same.”

Mrs. Seymour helped Mrs. Modis out, though at the door, Mrs. Seymour gave Karon a subtle look. He returned it with a smile.

After he had seen the guests off, Aunt Mary and Aunt Winnie appeared in the parlor almost simultaneously.

Before they could ask about the matchmaking, Karon spread his hands and said, “Aunt Winnie, the order form is on the coffee table. Please call the suppliers and have them deliver what we need immediately.

“Aunt Mary, please call Uncle Mason back. I’m worried he’ll stay at the crematorium until late tonight, drinking with Paul, and I already promised Mrs. Modis that we’ll bring her husband here tonight.”

“That’s not urgent—” Aunt Winnie began.

“Yes, that can wait—” Aunt Mary echoed.

Karon said, “Package B.”

“I’ll contact the suppliers.”

“I’ll call that useless man and tell him to get back now!”

“Whew...” Karon let out a long breath.

He was the one to prepare dinner. It consisted of simple dishes: tomato and eggs, sliced pork with mushrooms, and stir-fried pig ears with chilies. The staple was flatbread made in the home oven, crispy on the outside. Karon slit each one so everyone could assemble their own meat-filled pockets. The soup was vegetable tofu soup, very fresh. Honestly, if not for commercial sale, making tofu at home was quite simple.

Mrs. Modis’s order kept the entire household busy. After dinner, Karon showered early and returned to his bedroom. He turned on the desk lamp, took out The Light of Order to continue his reading.

After about an hour, he closed the book and pulled out a sheet of paper. He drew a circle. Beside it, he sketched his own face.

In his previous life, he had studied drawing for a time. He was not good enough to make a living from it, and was certainly not exceptional, but was quite skilled by ordinary standards.

From the circle, he drew a line downward, ending at a house. At the line’s midpoint, he added an altar, abstract in form, and with a single figure standing beside it.

In the corner of the page, he drew another circle, labeling it “Veyn.” Inside that circle, he drew a girl: Eunice.

Pu’er’s family and the Immers family were clearly connected. The relationship stretched back many years. After all, Pu’er had already been a pet of the Immers household when Tiz had still been a child. Even before becoming a cat, she had interacted with the family.

It was a simple diagram that needed no elaborate analysis nor performative cleverness. All that was required was to circle himself and connect that circle to Veyn, or to Eunice.

Tiz was preparing a fallback plan for Karon.

Was it because Karon’s identity had changed? Or could it be because the effects of the divine descent ritual were continuing to spread beyond control?

According to Pu’er, it was difficult to compare her family’s current fortunes to what they had been a century or so ago. Still, one thing was certain: they remained a prominent house in Veyn.

The Morf family, a financial conglomerate with influence in Swillen, was in no position to contend with them.

To begin with, the scale of the two nations was entirely different. Swillen was, to a degree, a vassal state of Veyn. Second, newly risen wealthy families and ancient noble houses with legacies extending for generations were separated by an immense gulf. In a world governed by divine authority, that gulf only expanded, to the point of absurdity.

After all, Mr. Morf had only been able to “adopt” a marginal female believer from the Mios Church as a lover, whereas centuries ago, an elder from Eunice’s family had turned herself into a cat!

More importantly, that cat was still alive. It was practically a fossil.

So if Karon went to Veyn under Eunice’s family’s protection, his safety would, at least in part, be assured. However...

Karon frowned. Why did it feel like he would be the one marrying out? Wouldn’t that make him a live-in son-in-law?

He absentmindedly twirled the pen in his hand, feeling conflicted. He cherished his family. He wanted Tiz, his uncle, his aunts, and Lent to continue living peacefully and safely. People were selfish, yes, but love of family was itself a form of selfishness.

If becoming a live-in son-in-law was the price required to ensure the Immers family’s safety because of him, Karon would not strongly resist it. They treated him as family. So he was willing to bear the responsibility of being their family.

Still... Exactly what was Tiz planning?

At that moment, the bedroom door opened and Lent poked his head inside. “Karon, Grandfather wants to see you in his study.”

“All right.”

The study door was slightly ajar, so Karon knocked gently before pushing it open.

He was surprised to find that Tiz was not writing at his desk as usual. Instead, the man was leaning back in his chair, a teacup resting in his hand.

“Grandpa.” Karon casually sat down across from him.

“The young lady came this afternoon?” Tiz asked.

“Yes.”

Tiz nodded, lifted his teacup in one hand, and opened the other palm. “Order—Cage.”

“Hm?”

In the hall outside the study, the black cat that had been eavesdropping was abruptly flung away.

Tiz calmly continued, “What are your feelings about it?”

“She’s very beautiful. Her temperament is good; well-mannered.”

“Do you like her?”

“What kind of liking?” Karon asked. “If you mean a man’s fondness for a woman, then yes.”

“That’s good.” Tiz nodded again and spread his hand open once more. “Order—Cage.”

Outside, the black cat that had crept back was bound and relocated to the living-room chandelier.

“‘Allen’ is Pu’er’s surname,” Tiz said. “They’re an old noble house in Veyn. That name carries weight.”

“Yes. Pu’er told me.”

“Use this time to get along with that girl properly.”

“To what extent?” Karon asked.

“She’s a genius. She completed her studies quickly and grew up under her family’s protection. In terms of worldly experience, she’s still a blank slate.”

Tiz paused. “As an elder, it’s inappropriate for me to speak about a girl like this with you.”

“I understand you’re doing this for my sake.”

“Mhmm. Date her, and don’t waste time. She won’t stay in Roja for long. You have a brief window of opportunity, but I don’t think that will be a problem for you.”

“I agree,” Karon said, even as he frowned slightly. “Though it feels improper to discuss a relationship this way.”

“Be proactive. If necessary, let her take you back to Veyn.”

“I understand.”

“Talking to you is effortless,” Tiz said. “I like having a grandson like you.”

Karon smiled faintly. “I like having a grandpa like you as well.”

Tiz opened a drawer, removed a stack of rupi, and placed it on the desk. “When courting a girl, your wallet shouldn’t be empty.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.” Karon didn’t stand immediately. “Is this because of my identity—?”

Before he could finish, Tiz shook his head. “No. This has nothing to do with you. I performed the divine descent ritual to protect my family. I would never have left behind any risk that might expose them again, so this has nothing to do with you, and nothing to do with the ritual. You are not a burden, Karon.”

“Then—”

“This is my problem,” Tiz continued calmly. “Something I didn’t anticipate. Something troublesome. This trouble is directed at me alone. It won’t affect you, and it won’t affect the Immers family.”

“But you are the Immers family,” Karon quietly protested.

“I will handle it, and only I can. There are some matters that are beyond what ordinary people can intervene in. So trust me, and focus on what you should be doing.”

Karon nodded.

Just as he turned to leave, Tiz spoke again. “Karon.”

“Yes, Grandpa?”

“My dream has always been for the Immers family to leave the world of the church behind, ending the connection with me.”

“I know.”

“This will succeed. Regardless of whether I resolve this trouble.”

“I believe in you.”

“But I will never take away my family’s right to choose,” Tiz said. “A life lived without choice leaves little worth remembering. That is why I hope you go to Veyn. Recently, what you’ve shown has changed my thinking.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

At that moment, Aunt Winnie arrived on the third floor. She looked up and saw Pu’er clinging to the chandelier. “My goodness,” she said. “This cat is getting more and more mischievous.”

High above, Pu’er couldn’t help from rolling her eyes.

Aunt Winnie walked over to the study door and knocked. Karon opened it. “Aunt Winnie?”

She smiled at him, but then looked past him to her father inside. “Father, the hospital called again. Mr. Hoffen went into critical condition again, though they were able to revive him very quickly this time.”

“All right. I know,” Tiz replied.

“Mm.” Aunt Winnie turned around and left.

Karon was just about to close the door and return to his room when Tiz rose from behind the desk. “Karon. Come with me to the hospital.”

“All right, Grandpa.”

“Old Hoffen is tired,” Tiz said. “It’s time to bring him home to rest.”

***

At the hospital, in the patient’s room, the caregiver was being unusually attentive, and was carefully peeling an apple for Mr. Hoffen.

“You were revived very quickly this time,” she explained. “That means your body is slowly improving.”

“Heh. Perhaps,” Mr. Hoffen replied with a faint smile. He opened his mouth, waiting for the apple.

Time passed, yet no sweet slice entered his mouth.

He looked up and saw the caregiver was frozen in mid-motion, the apple still held in her hand.

Mr. Hoffen did not panic. He did not even seem surprised. Instead, he let out a long, nasally breath. He sounded somehow relieved.

A black shadow slowly drifted in through the doorway. It spread, and then condensed, slowly forming the figure of a man.

Then, a solemn voice spoke, “You have been accused of participating in a grand descent ritual. In accordance with the Code of Order, we are here to question you.”

“Finally,” Mr. Hoffen said. “You’ve come. The heretical god... the heretical god has already descended!”