Chapter 83: The Peculiar Little Lazy Cat

These days, before heading to class, Xianyu Zhen entrusted the little blue cat to Jiang Mohe’s care; only after school would she take it back into her arms. Xianyu Zhen noticed that the little blue cat seemed more attached to Jiang Mohe, responding to her with indifference and showing little interest in interacting. She found this surprising—weren’t animals usually fond of her?

After dinner, as usual, Xianyu Zhen went to Jiang Mohe’s place to fetch the little blue cat. The weather was growing colder day by day, and Jiang Mohe had prepared a cat house lined with thick blankets for it. When Jiang Mohe was absent, the little blue cat wandered around; when he returned, it nestled inside the cat house and napped.

When Xianyu Zhen entered the monitoring room, Jiang Mohe was testing the security system with Xiao Gao. Xiao Gao had reported that the little blue cat’s approach to the alarm line hadn’t triggered the sensor. Yet, every test they ran worked perfectly.

The Nangong Residence was equipped with the most advanced security system—capable not only of detecting thermal signatures but also capturing shadows in advance, identifying the species, and alerting to potential dangers. Even the faintest mosquito would be noticed by the system. How could the little blue cat approach it without any indication?

Xiao Gao had even whispered to Jiang Mohe, “Brother He, that little blue cat is uncanny—do you think it’s…”

“Don’t make wild guesses!” Jiang Mohe understood Xiao Gao suspected something unusual, but rather than believe in supernatural explanations, he preferred to think the cat had some genetic anomaly.

Among their group of “oddities,” all sorts of special genes existed—but only in humans. No such phenomenon had ever been observed in animals. Besides, Jiang Mohe sensed nothing unusual about the cat’s aura. It was truly baffling.

So engrossed were Jiang Mohe and Xiao Gao in their work that Xianyu Zhen stood for quite a while before they noticed her. Only when the little blue cat meowed, rubbing against Jiang Mohe’s heel, did he turn and see Xianyu Zhen.

“Here to pick up Nana?”

“Yes.” Xianyu Zhen nodded. “You two go on with your work.”

Xiao Gao, perceptive as always, quickly said, “We’re all done! I have to switch shifts with Xiao Zhang now. Miss Xianyu, take your time chatting with Brother He.”

With that, he darted off.

Jiang Mohe picked up the little blue cat from his feet. When Xianyu Zhen reached out, the cat clung tightly to Jiang Mohe’s hands, refusing to let go.

Xianyu Zhen felt a bit exasperated. “Nana, do you really want to stay with Mr. Jiang?”

“Meow!” Absolutely.

Xianyu Zhen was at a loss for words.

“No mischief,” Jiang Mohe stroked the blue cat’s head, and it purred softly.

I’m well-behaved—I just like being here.

Xianyu Zhen sensed its grievance and said to Jiang Mohe, “Since Nana doesn’t want to leave, let it stay.”

“No, I’ll take it over.” Jiang Mohe insisted on bringing the little blue cat to Xianyu Zhen’s place. When he first saw the cat, he’d hoped it would amuse her and keep her company.

“All right,” Xianyu Zhen didn’t object.

Jiang Mohe cradled the blue cat and accompanied Xianyu Zhen into the villa.

Hua Xiaocui had just finished making Xianyu Zhen’s bed. Seeing the little blue cat curled docilely in Jiang Mohe’s arms, she complained, “Captain Jiang, this little one is only affectionate with you now. You’ve no idea—it’s aloof with all of us, including Miss Zhen, so proud!”

Jiang Mohe said nothing, setting the cat gently into its bed.

The moment the blue cat touched the cat house, it sprawled out, yawning lazily and closing its eyes to nap.

Hua Xiaocui pointed at it, “See? I was right, wasn’t I? This cat is clever…”

As she spoke, Aunt Rong called from downstairs, summoning her to help. Hua Xiaocui didn’t dare linger, rushing off at once. Nowadays, she always listened to Aunt Rong; if she slowed even a little, Aunt Rong would nag all night. Hua Xiaocui feared nagging more than scolding or beating.

Jiang Mohe was about to head downstairs, when Xianyu Zhen stopped him. “Mr. Jiang, may I ask a favor?”

“What is it?”

“I heard your family is in the errand business?”

Jiang Mohe understood, “You want me to investigate something for you?”

Though he had left the family, he still possessed their skills.

“I want to know about my brother’s current situation, but he’s abroad…” Xianyu Zhen’s expression was hesitant.

No matter how busy he was, her brother always sent a message to assure her he was safe. But now, nearly a month had passed without word, and Xianyu Zhen felt increasingly uneasy.

Jiang Mohe was unfamiliar with the affairs of Xianyu’s family. They were not prominent, and the less noticeable a household, the harder it was to gather information. Especially since it involved foreign intelligence.

But since Xianyu Zhen had asked, he agreed, “I’ll do my best. It may take some time.”

“Thank you!” Xianyu Zhen expressed sincere gratitude, then added a little awkwardly, “I don’t have much savings…”

Although Nangong Ao had given her a black gold card, this was a matter for the Xianyu family. She didn’t feel right using Nangong money.

She’d heard that every errand cost millions. She was but a third-rate writer, earning little.

Jiang Mohe looked at her troubled face, feeling oddly sympathetic. “I won’t charge you.”

Xianyu Zhen was taken aback. “That won’t do!”

Even if she had no money, she couldn’t expect someone to work for free. After all, though Jiang Mohe wouldn’t charge her, buying information still required funds.

“My savings only amount to two hundred thousand. See how far you can get with it.”

Of those two hundred thousand, one hundred fifty thousand had been sent by Xianyu Feng after he went abroad. She’d intended to save it for Ning Wenyan.

But now, with her brother nearly untraceable, Xianyu Zhen felt it was more important to use the money to find him.

Jiang Mohe understood her character and said, “All right, we’ll settle accounts after I’ve found something.”

“Yes, yes.” Relieved to have addressed this concern, Xianyu Zhen felt reassured. “Thank you for your trouble!”

“You’re welcome. Tell me his personal information.”

Xianyu Zhen then shared all the details she knew about her brother.

Jiang Mohe gazed at the photo on her phone—Xianyu Feng’s resolute, intelligent eyes—silent for a while before asking, “You said he has a scar on the back of his hand?”

“Yes!” Xianyu Zhen nodded.

Her brother had gotten that scar rescuing her, scratched by poisonous thorns in a hunter’s trap. It wasn’t fatal, but left a noticeable mark.

“Any other distinguishing features?” Jiang Mohe pressed, “For example… does he know martial arts?”

“My brother doesn’t know martial arts,” Xianyu Zhen replied, “but our grandfather taught him the art of bone disassembly.”

That technique could dismantle a person’s limbs, even their entire skeleton, in minutes. Her brother thought it was too ruthless, so hadn’t taught her.

A figure flashed through Jiang Mohe’s mind.

Thin, but capable of easily dislocating a bully’s arms.

He’d performed chest surgery on himself, the scar on the back of his hand shaped like a poisonous vine—strikingly prominent!

He always wore a mask, for he’d set fire to the house during his escape and burned his own face…

Could such a coincidence truly exist in this world?