novelraw Chapter 81
Chapter 81
Chapter 81
At the gates of Yuanyue Academy, the tall, aloof Ye Shiyu turned back and opened the rear door of the sedan, then stretched out a hand toward Yan Huan. "Let's go home, Xiao Huan."
Yan Huan glanced at the yawning back seat. In his mind it looked like a shadow-choked abyss, drooling and ready to swallow him whole.
He kept a flawlessly natural smile on his face—Perfect Expression Management at work—yet cold sweat beaded along his hairline. Instead of climbing in at once, he said, "Sure, just a second, Sis Shiyu."
She tilted her head, watching him place his things in the trunk before jogging back into campus. Moments later he returned cradling a plump black cat.
"All set, Sis Shiyu."
Ye Shiyu flicked a glance at the cat. Emerald eyes met hers—then the animal pointedly looked away, as if terrified. Only then did she remember: during that earlier hypnosis session on Xiao Huan, this cat had shown up, and she'd nearly planted a kick in its ribs for getting in the way. She also recalled seeing the yellow-scarved stray during her first visit to Xiao Huan's apartment—his pet, the one he called Meow-chan. She'd never bothered to file the detail away.
"So how did it end up at school?"
Yan Huan lifted the cat and smiled. "The South District's rough, and it likes to roam. I usually carry it in my bag and let it play in the forest park nearby. I can check on it at lunch."
Shiyu gave a small nod, eyeing the cat still burrowing its head into Yan Huan's chest. "It's coming home with us?"
"Yeah. Whole weekend away—leaving it alone would be cruel, right? Don't worry, Meow-chan's well-behaved. Won't make a mess, Sis Shiyu."
Lie.
In reality, tonight's counter-plan against Ye Shiyu's Modifier required Meow-chan on site, so the cat had to come. Even so, Yan Huan felt a stab of guilt under Shiyu's crushing aura. Walking into the Ye estate was basically strolling into the boss room. One wrong move and he'd trigger the defeat CG. All hope of turning the tables rested on the cat.
"Meow~"
Feeling the weight of expectation, Meow-chan gave a muffled cry from the safety of Yan Huan's arms.
Ye Shiyu studied the cat, then nodded. A cat might be a minor nuisance, but as long as Xiao Huan came home, she could live with it.
"Good. Get in, Xiao Huan."
"Thanks, Sis Shiyu."
She stepped aside to let him and the cat climb in, then cast one last look over the quiet campus before sliding in after them and pulling the door shut.
Bang.
The sound sealed them inside. Inside the sealed space, Shiyu's oppressive presence spiked. The car glided away from Yuanyue, silent as a submarine.
Shiyu sat rigid, both hands resting on her phone in her lap. Every few seconds her gaze drifted to the boy beside her—lingering on his neck, his chest.
"Meow-chan, this is the same Sis Shiyu you met before. Why so scared all of a sudden?"
"Meow~"
Yan Huan's light question tugged Shiyu back. She met his puzzled look—he had no memory of what she'd almost done to the cat while he was hypnotized.
"Probably just carsickness," she said coolly.
Lucky cats can't talk; she could rewrite history however she liked.
Yeah right. You nearly kicked my soul out of my body, you psycho hypnotist!
Meow-chan grumbled telepathically, then whispered inside Yan Huan's head, "Yan Huan, I still feel danger. She'll definitely ambush you tonight."
Emerald eyes lifted, full of worry. "It's Friday—she still has two full forty-minute hypnosis sessions left. That's enough to break you, meow."
Yan Huan stroked the cat's fur, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. A risky move, but the moment I act strange, her Modifier will go nuclear. The only one who can rein in this berserker is Auntie Ye. To Shiyu, Auntie Ye is the single exception—beloved yet beyond the label of "possession."
He lowered his head and spoke mind-to-mind: "Plan hinges on you, Meow-chan. You have to win Auntie Ye over."
"Meow?"
"Last time she visited the flat she kept cooing at cats. Time to sell your looks, buddy."
"Meow..."
Meow-chan looked unimpressed, but asked, "Even if everything goes smoothly, we're sleeping here tonight. What if Shiyu raids your room?"
Yan Huan leaned back against the leather seat and exhaled. "Relax. I can still lock the door."
"We're here, Xiao Huan."
The black sedan slipped into Jinghe's villa district and rolled to a stop in front of the Ye mansion.
Dun-dun!!
The instant the door opened, Yan Huan's ears filled with ominous BGM. A pounding drum matched his racing heart. Golden fog seemed to cloak the entrance, transforming it into a boss arena.
He blinked hard. The music and special effects vanished. Just nerves.
The mansion doors swung open and Auntie Chen stepped out with a trash bag.
"Xiao Huan, you're here! I've cooked a feast for you and Shiyu tonight. Oh, who's this little one?"
"My cat, Meow-chan, Auntie Chen."
"Meow~"
"Oh my, so cute. But we don't have a litter box. I'll run out and buy one."
Yan Huan smiled. "No need. Meow-chan's self-sufficient."
"Really?"
"Really, Auntie Chen."
Already familiar with the house, Yan Huan chatted easily as they crossed the vast living room. Ye Lan lounged on the sofa in silk loungewear, slicing apples.
"Auntie Ye, I'm here."
"Come in, Shiyu, Xiao Huan—have some apple."
She popped the last slice into the bowl, tossed the core, wiped her hands, and finally noticed the black cat now twining around her ankles.
"Oh, Meow-chan came too!"
"Meow~"
Mission remembered, Meow-chan lifted his tail and rubbed against Ye Lan's leg. She laughed and scooped him up.
"My goodness, he doesn't shed at all? My coworker's golden tabby leaves fur everywhere—I keep a lint roller on standby."
"Meow!"
Meow-chan raised his chin with pride, as if to say: This is the divine standard of a true deity.
Yan Huan didn't leave the living room; after all, he and Meow-chan had to stay within a fifteen-metre radius or risk a real-life episode of "Where's the Magical Kitten Gone?"
"Xiao Huan, we didn't touch your room. You can still crash there on the weekend, okay~"
"Sure, Auntie Ye. Uh, Auntie Ye, after I wash the dirty clothes tonight I'll—"
"Oh, I'll have Auntie Chen bring a blue laundry basket to the washroom later. Just drop them in and you're done."
"Got it."
Watching the cosy scene in the living room, Ye Shiyu—who'd been nibbling on an apple—let a faint smile tug at her lips.
Let's keep Xiao Huan here forever.
The thought flashed through her mind as she set down the monogrammed fork she always used, then rose.
"I'm going upstairs to change."
"Mm-hmm, go ahead. Don't forget dinner."
In the past, Ye Shiyu would head straight to her room and lock the door, emerging only when summoned. Tonight, however, she didn't nod. Instead she said,
"I'll come back down once I've changed."
She merely needed to fetch a few things for later—things that required Xiao Huan to stay in sight.
Ye Lan, idly kneading Meow-chan's furry cheeks, glanced at her in mild surprise. A faint floral scent drifted from Ye Shiyu as she passed behind Yan Huan; her cool eyes lingered on the boy's smiling profile.
She climbed the spiral staircase to the third floor, stopping in front of her own room.
Click.
The door opened to reveal neat rows of dolls and a workbench littered with tools. Beside it sat an open suitcase.
Under the light she switched on, seals and glass bottles glimmered faintly. Without expression she stared at the case, then slipped a camera from the table inside.
Click~
The suitcase closed.
At dinner, Yan Huan—deep in his bulking phase—shoveled down bowl after bowl, leaving Auntie Chen and Ye Lan speechless.
To avoid any post-meal hypnosis, he kept Meow-chan glued to Ye Lan's side. They watched a family movie in the living room: a kitten gets lost at an airport, teams up with other fluffy animals, and finally hops a flight home. Pure feel-good fluff.
Auntie Chen, cracking sunflower seeds, praised the "foreign talking animals" between bites.
Ye Shiyu paid scant attention; she disliked films. Occasionally she glanced at her phone, occasionally at Yan Huan.
Ye Lan, cradling Meow-chan, enjoyed every minute—though the cat endured a torture of endless kneading, eyes bulging in silent agony.
When the credits rolled and the hour grew late, Ye Lan yawned and invited Meow-chan upstairs for bed.
Yan Huan would've happily camped on Auntie Ye's floor; wherever she was became the safe zone. Yet with Ye Shiyu prowling, he couldn't sleep without Meow-chan on watch. His metaphorical bag was one knife away from being looted.
Seeing the cat dash back to Yan Huan, Ye Lan only smiled and said they'd play tomorrow morning. Unlike Ye Shiyu, she had no possessive streak.
An angel, truly.
"Auntie Chen, it's late. I'll toss the dirty clothes in the basket tomorrow."
"No worries. I'll wash and hang them when I see them in the morning."
Holding Meow-chan, Yan Huan climbed to the second floor. After Auntie Chen's door shut below, the mansion fell silent.
Tap... tap.
Behind him, Ye Shiyu's slippered footsteps crept closer, raising every hair on his neck.
Alone again. He half expected to turn around and find a phone screen in his face.
Knowing there's a tiger on the mountain yet having to act normal—pure torment.
He took a deep breath, turned with a smile, and said,
"Sis Shiyu, I'm heading in to shower and sleep."
"...Fine."
"Good night, Sis Shiyu."
He meant to bolt, but her voice drifted after him.
"Xiao Huan."
"..."
I already turned around—please don't call me back!
Now he had to choose: turn and risk a phone-cam ambush, or ignore her and look ruder.
Another deep breath. He faced her again.
Thankfully, it was still her cool, stunning face.
She studied him.
"Anywhere you'd like to go tomorrow?"
Whew. Kid-talk.
Eager to escape, he smiled. "I'll follow whatever Sis Shiyu arranges."
Ye Shiyu blinked, paused—and then, for reasons unknown, a faint cherry blush painted her pale cheeks. In the dim hallway the colour was nearly invisible; only her eyes betrayed a sudden fluster.
She pressed her lips together, nodded, and murmured,
"All right. Good night, Xiao Huan."
"Good night, Sis Shiyu."
Whew.
Silent night achieved.
As long as he could reach his room and lock the door, the night would end safely. Tomorrow, with Meow-chan leading the charge, their plan would rout Ye Shiyu once and for all.
He slipped inside.
Click~
Two locks clicked home.
"Looks like we've survived tonight, Meow-chan."
"Meow~"
In the bathroom doorway, Meow-chan tilted her head as Yan Huan peeled off his shirt.
In the mirror he pinched his own muscle, flexing.
"Placebo, or have I actually gotten buffer after a week?"
"Not placebo. You were already lean; low body-fat lets the gains show. But your nutrition's lagging—eat more."
Tail held high, she strolled in.
"Charcoal-sensei suggested protein powder. I'll ask him or Sis Tong and order online."
"Meow~"
He stripped and stepped into the shower. Meow-chan padded out and stared at the doubly locked door.
After drying his hair and brushing his teeth, Yan Huan killed the lights and slid into bed.
"Meow-chan, night watch is all yours."
"Meow!"
She curled beside him, paws tucked, watching the boy beneath the blanket.
.
The Ye mansion was utterly still.
Forty minutes—almost an hour—passed before Yan Huan, wide awake, muttered to the cat,
I can't fall asleep. Sleeping in the Boss Room feels like having a creepy battle BGM looping in my ears. Every rustle makes me think it's Ye Shiyu's footsteps outside the door.
"Meow. Who told you to come back?"
"Better to rip the band-aid off now, Meow-chan. If I don't come back and fix things today, I'll have to face them sooner or later."
Yan Huan rolled over and lay on his side, staring at the black fluff beside him in the dark. It had practically merged with the shadows, only a pair of glistening emerald cat eyes blinking back at him, studying the handsome profile of the boy silhouetted against the moonlight.
Tap-tap.
A second later, faint, feather-light footsteps drifted in from the hallway. At first Yan Huan thought he was imagining it, but as the sound drew closer he knew—this was no illusion. Someone was wide awake in the middle of the night and wandering right up to his door.
Yan Huan and Meow-chan both widened their eyes; cold sweat blossomed across Yan Huan's forehead.
"Don-don't worry, I locked it," he gulped inside his head, forcing a wobbly smile at the cat.
"Meow."
Meow-chan blinked, then turned to stare at the door.
Click-click.
In the darkness the doorknob inched downward.
Yan Huan hugged Meow-chan to his chest and aimed the cat's face at the door like a shield labeled "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY."
"Meow!"
"Stay cool, Meow-chan!!"
Click!
The knob bottomed out; the door shivered—whoever was outside couldn't push it open.
Locked out! Yan Huan exhaled in relief, muscles loosening.
Click-clack.
Then came the unmistakable sound of a key sliding into the lock.
Click!
The bolt turned; the first lock surrendered.
Thud.
The door trembled again—clearly the person outside thought he'd only thrown one bolt.
"Meow!"
Meow-chan whipped his head around in panic, staring at Yan Huan.
Yan Huan, however, had already gone half-corpse.
Wait—sis, you're actually doing it?
You brought a key?!!
You never said that was on the table!!
Click!
The second bolt—the last line of defense—began to rotate.
Thud.
Final lock disengaged.
The knob slammed down, the door swung inward.
I'm toast.
TOAST!!!