Sorry for the late update. I finally have time (and money lol) to play Silksong~ Now that I finally beat a certain minigame, I can finally put it down to finish at the weekend!
The reason Yan Jiyun dared to reach his paw out toward Jiang Yan was actually very simple. First, he hadn’t sensed any malice from Jiang Yan. Even with that baseline -25 favorability, he didn’t feel Jiang Yan would harm him. Second, back in Jiang Yan’s office, after he’d made a ruckus, the man’s first reaction had been to look for Lin Xie rather than pulling him down from the pole himself. This showed that Jiang Yan cared more about Lin Xie’s reaction. From what Yan Jiyun had observed, Jiang Yan seemed awkward in front of Lin Xie. Outwardly, he always spoke harshly, but in truth, he came off more like a paper tiger. He’s just loud and blustery.
To be honest, facing Jiang Yan alone still made Yan Jiyun nervous. Who knew if NPCs might not all have two faces?
When Jiang Yan saw the little black cat, he was surprised and a bit angry.
Lin Xie had only just been locked up, and now his cat was being mistreated. The little black cat must be asking him for help.
Before everyone’s eyes, Jiang Yan pulled the black cat out of the backpack.
His expression soured. Looking toward Kevin Yang, he asked in a low voice, “Dage, who stuffed it in here?”
Kevin Yang immediately paused his drinking contest with Zhou Ying. That little girl was really something. No matter how much he drank, he couldn’t outdrink her. It had stirred up his competitive male pride, and now his face was red, his tongue thick.
He said carelessly, “What cat? Where’d this stray come from?”
Wen Nanxing, sitting beside Jiang Yan while playing the obedient young host, didn’t dare make a sound. He’d been the one who had sneaked the little black cat in earlier when the NPCs weren’t paying attention, with Zhou Ying and Cheng Li covering for him. Who could have guessed the cat would be so mischievous, unable to sit still, exposing himself on his own?
Fortunately, Jiang Yan merely held up the cat and swept a cold glance at those fawning over Kevin Yang. “This is Lin Xie’s cat. He was only punished by Father for a bit, and already some people can’t wait to pick a side.”
Those people were innocent, though. It hadn’t been their doing.
Someone tried to smooth things over. “Should we look into who had the guts to snatch the Second Young Master’s cat?”
Kevin Yang knew Jiang Yan was always blunt and figured he was implying that Kevin himself wanted Lin Xie’s place. But Kevin Yang was in a good mood today, so he let the straightforward remarks slide.
“Jiang Yan, it’s just a cat. Hardly worth raising to this level.”
Dangling by the scruff, Yan Jiyun felt extremely uncomfortable. He kicked his legs a few times, signaling Jiang Yan to change his grip. Jiang Yan thought he was trying to run and clamped him against his chest instead. His cat-holding posture was utterly wrong — one hand supporting his lower back, the other gripping both front paws, leaving Yan Jiyun’s soft belly exposed upward. Luckily, fur covered everything and the lighting inside was dim. Otherwise, how utterly humiliating this would be!
Realizing something, Jiang Yan pointed to his trousers. “Kevin-ge, you all enjoy yourselves. This cat just tore my pants. I’m taking it away so as not to spoil your fun.”
Kevin Yang knew Jiang Yan didn’t like these kinds of scenes. He hadn’t meant to keep him long anyway, just wanted to tease him with the youth who looked a bit like Lin Xie. He knew Jiang Yan and Lin Xie didn’t get along, and it amused him. So he let Jiang Yan go, turning back to his drinking match with Zhou Ying. The black cat’s appearance was nothing but a minor interruption to him. It’s just a mere pet.
Being carried away, Yan Jiyun wasn’t worried about Zhou Ying’s group. They had planned ahead, could cover for each other, and would retreat if needed. What he had to worry about now was himself. He was being taken away by Jiang Yan, the one with negative favorability.
Once they stepped out of the private room and the door closed, the deafening noise was cut off.
Jiang Yan, disgusted by the black hairs clinging to him, set the cat down.
Yan Jiyun hadn’t wanted to stay in his arms anyway. He had already been struggling to get down midair, twisting slightly before landing on all fours with ease.
He looked up once at Jiang Yan, then bounded off toward the exit. Jiang Yan gave a cold snort, shoving his hands in his pockets and following. This black cat was odd, it’s too clever. No wonder Lin Xie liked it. But no matter how Lin Xie doted on it, Jiang Yan found it unpleasant.
Yan Jiyun ran ahead, always keeping just far enough that Jiang Yan couldn’t grab him, leading the way toward the confinement room.
Jiang Yan knew Lin Xie had been locked inside and that the matter of the traitor was being dealt with today. But he had no say, this was Father’s decision.
He trailed after the cat, curious to see where it would lead him.
Yan Jiyun stopped before the confinement room door, rose on his hind legs, and patted the iron door.
“So this is where you brought me? You want me to rescue your master?” Jiang Yan also slapped the door, calling inside, “Lin—”
The padlock on the iron door rattled loudly.
Jiang Yan quickly pushed the door open. “Lin Xie? Where are you!”
When Yan Jiyun ran up, he too noticed the perfume scent here had faded. Lin Xie wasn’t inside anymore!
Who had taken him? Other players they hadn’t run into, other NPCs, or had he left on his own?
Yan Jiyun looked up at Jiang Yan, big eyes filled with confusion, as if asking why its master wasn’t here.
Jiang Yan frowned. “I think I know where he is.”
He knew someone who could not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eye. That man was their Father.
Jiang Yan turned abruptly and strode off. Yan Jiyun immediately scampered after him.
By now, from the way Kevin Yang and the others addressed Lin Xie and Jiang Yan, it was clear what their relationship with the Old Master was.
They were all members of some large organization, and judging from their different surnames, they were adopted children of the Old Master. As adults, the three of them worked under him. Now, divisions had arisen within the organization. Not only were incidents breaking out, but a mole had appeared. And now the Old Master suspected Lin Xie.
Jiang Yan’s face was clouded, but when he reached the Old Master’s residence, his expression shifted back to its usual careless, blunt demeanor.
Running ahead, Yan Jiyun kept glancing back and seeing his expressions change. This NPC was really interesting. True to his name, Jiang Yan[mfn]his name is 江演. 演 yǎn means to perform (a play/a show, etc), to stage a show, to develop.[/mfn] could act.
Jiang Yan adjusted his face and mood, scooped up the black cat at his feet, and strode inside whistling.
Yan Jiyun twisted his body, climbing up to lie across his shoulder. No cat would tolerate an NPC who couldn’t hold them properly!
At the door, two black-uniformed guards suddenly blocked the way.
“What are you stopping me for?” Jiang Yan glared, temper on full display.
One of the guards said, “Third Young Master, the Old Master has ordered that without his permission, no one may enter.”
Jiang Yan stepped forward without hesitation. “Move. When have I ever needed permission? ‘No one’ obviously doesn’t include me.”
“Please don’t make things difficult for us, Third Young Master,” the guard said.
Jiang Yan shouted inward. “Old man, what are you doing in there? I brought you something especially fun.”
Yan Jiyun’s fur prickled. This guy… was he planning to sacrifice him to that Old Master just to save Lin Xie?
Anyone who could so casually decide people’s life and death couldn’t be a good person. He misjudged you, Jiang Yan!
Just as Yan Jiyun wavered about bolting, a familiar voice came from inside. It was the one who had taken Lin Xie away from Building A.
“Third Young Master, the Old Master invites you in to dine with him.”
Jiang Yan shoved aside the black-uniformed guard blocking him. “See that? Next time keep your eyes open.” He even grumbled to the middle-aged one in front of him, “Uncle Fang, these two are new faces. I’ve never seen them before.”
Uncle Fang smiled. “They’ve always been by Sir’s side. They just weren’t working openly before. Now that it’s a critical time, Sir brought them out.” He paused, his gaze landing on the black cat in Jiang Yan’s arms. “Why are you carrying a cat? I remember Lin Xie seemed to have one too.”
Jiang Yan: “It’s his, obviously. I’ve never raised a cat before, so I grabbed it to mess around with.”
Yan Jiyun: “…”
Uncle Fang only nodded, making no comment.
From the main hall where He Xiaobi had just been dealt with, moving inward led to the dining room. Yan Jiyun noticed there was not a single trace of blood on the ground. There’s no smell of iron, either. They must have thrown out even the carpet. The air carried only a lingering tang of air freshener.
Though the outer decor glittered in gold, the vast dining room held only one large round Chinese-style table with a rotating tray.
“Jiang Yan, you’re here. Lao Fang, set out another pair of chopsticks.”
The speaker was an elderly white-haired man. He looked nothing like Yan Jiyun had imagined. He appeared kindly, wearing a plain white undershirt, a string of beads around his plump wrist. But the beads gave off a foul stench.
Jiang Yan sat down two seats away from the Old Master’s right hand. “I’m starving. Father, the food here is still the best.”
The old man looked at the cat in his arms. “Why are you still holding a cat?”
Jiang Yan answered breezily, “Hey, isn’t it Lin Xie’s? I just brought it to play with. Look, it’s quite obedient, not afraid of people.”
The old man set down his chopsticks, suddenly staring at Yan Jiyun. “Let me hold it and see.”
Every hair on Yan Jiyun bristled in refusal!
This old man killed without blinking. If he held him, would he even survive?
Before he could resist, Jiang Yan quickly passed him over into Zhao Renfu’s arms. “Doesn’t bite, doesn’t scratch.”
Zhao Renfu’s sharp eyes narrowed. “Then what’s with the scratches on your wrist?”
Jiang Yan acted unconcerned. “I tried to force it to play with me when we weren’t familiar. It used its claws, scratched me by accident. Once we got close, it stopped showing claws.” As he spoke, he extended his palm toward Yan Jiyun. “Blake, give me a high-five.”
Yan Jiyun forcefully played the part of a well-behaved cat that didn’t scratch or bite. He pressed his paw pad against Jiang Yan’s palm. An act, but convincing.
So childish. He’d never even played like this with his own pooper scooper.
Seeing the black cat cooperate, even Jiang Yan himself was a little surprised. As expected, Lin Xie’s cat was just as annoying as him. Whether man or pet, they were both good at hiding themselves.
Zhao Renfu chuckled at their interaction. The cat stayed very quiet in his arms, especially docile.
He handed Yan Jiyun back to Jiang Yan, asked Lao Fang to prepare some food suitable for cats, then suddenly drifted into memory. “I remember when you were children. Your eldest brother loved blades and guns, and you followed him into trouble. Lin Xie just stayed home reading, no matter what temptations you and your brother dangled, he wouldn’t go out. He was too well-behaved, not like one of ours at all.”
Jiang Yan wasn’t one to play along. He said, “He just didn’t like playing with me. Always despised me, said I was like a mud monkey. What’s so likeable about that? But yeah, I found him annoying too. Father, let me tell you, once I slipped a dried-up bug into his book. When he opened it in class, he jumped, face pale.”
Zhao Renfu roared with laughter. “I remember. You brat, always picking on Xiao Xie.” Then, turning sharply, he asked, “And your elder brother?”
Jiang Yan began exaggerating. “He’s great. Every time I got into trouble, he covered for me. Always took the beating for me. Of course, he beat me plenty too. One time, I took your gun to shoot birds and said it was him. Remember?”
Zhao Renfu: “I remember. He never said it was you. So it was you, brat. Of the three, you’re the toughest.”
Zhao Renfu clearly relished reminiscing about the children’s youth. Those memories made him feel younger.
“Your eldest brother was obedient, looked after you and Lin Xie. Lin Xie was clever, docile, and ambitious.”
Jiang Yan held up a thumbs-up. “That’s how Dage treats me.”
It’s true that the youngest was always the parent’s favorite.
Yan Jiyun observed the old man closely. Just as Zhao Renfu was basking in nostalgia, his expression suddenly changed. Kindness swept away, his gaze turned razor sharp. “Jiang Yan, tell me your true thoughts. Do you really believe Lin Xie would betray us?”
A deadly question. No matter how Jiang Yan answered, it would be wrong. From Zhao Renfu’s perspective, both choices hurt. He wanted Jiang Yan to weigh his answer carefully, preferably deliver something rounded, something that resolved everything.
Even Yan Jiyun felt tense at his adoptive father’s probing. Zhao Renfu first played the family card, then threw harsh reality before Jiang Yan, forcing him to choose. But this choice was no simple one. It was both a test and an expression of Zhao Renfu’s own bias. Clearly, he leaned toward believing Lin Xie had done it.
He wanted a conclusion, but didn’t want the blame. The Old Master wanted to cloak himself in false benevolence.
