DSMC Chapter 30

Thank you Maggy for the donation! Enjoy today’s bonus chapter <3

Yan Jiyun’s owner often used to chase him around the house in play, but he almost never broke anything, so they were always at ease letting him run wild indoors.

But just now, in a panic, he had leapt onto a desk and then bounced off toward the sofa edge, knocking something off the desk along the way.

When the item shattered, he thought he heard the system chime?

This wasn’t like back in the warehouse when he had deliberately shoved boxes down. This time it felt like he had really caused trouble.

Jiang Yan stood frozen, his expression suddenly heavy. After a moment, he crouched down to clean up the fallen photo frame, not blaming Yan Jiyun at all.

Perched on the sofa, Yan Jiyun didn’t know whether to stay still or hop down.

Seeing that Jiang Yan had no intention of coming to hit him, he dropped to the floor and crawled under the nearby coffee table, watching closely. That way, he could study Jiang Yan’s face from close by; and if the man did snap, he’d have a little cover while he waited for Lin Xie to come rescue him.

For some reason, guilt gnawed at him. Had he really broken something important?

What puzzled him was why the system hadn’t revealed details of Jiang Yan’s secret. With Lin Xie, both secrets had come with instant pop-up prompts, visible to the naked eye.

But Jiang Yan just sat there, still crouched, staring at the fallen photo for a long time.

If Yan Jiyun were human, he would have gone over to apologize right away. Right was right, wrong was wrong. He had never been one to make excuses for himself.

He crouched until his legs ached. Should he go over and show a little goodwill, like rubbing his head against Jiang Yan’s leg, something a human could understand?

But then he remembered: Jiang Yan’s favorability level toward him was at –40. If he went over now, would Jiang Yan throw him off the balcony?

He was just about to test the waters, edging a paw out from under the table, when someone knocked at the door.

Jiang Yan raised his head, brushing at the corner of his eyes with the back of his hand. When he turned, Yan Jiyun could see his eyes rimmed red.

That hit him with a pang of guilt. He really shouldn’t have knocked over something so precious.

Tilting his head, he glimpsed the photo in Jiang Yan’s hand: a tall, strikingly beautiful woman, smiling brightly. Jiang Yan resembled her somewhat, so this had to be his mother. But only half the picture remained; the other half had been torn away. Resting on the woman’s shoulder was a man’s hand, wearing a familiar bead bracelet.

Jiang Yan set the photo on the desk, collected himself, and went to open the door.

Taking advantage of his absence, Yan Jiyun jumped onto the desk to get another look. His paw brushed the photo and this time, the system prompt appeared.

[Found 1/2 of Jiang Yan’s secret.] 

[Secret details: Jiang Yan’s mother, a beautiful woman, died young.]

[Note: Jiang Yan has always wanted to know who his father is. Have you guessed it yet?]

Jiang Yan’s father?

Of the cast so far, the only viable candidates were Zhao Renfu and Lao Fang. But Lao Fang was clearly Zhao Renfu’s subordinate. His eyes toward Jiang Yan had no trace of personal sentiment, only obedience. The bracelet left little doubt. The answer was Zhao Renfu.

Which meant Jiang Yan was Zhao Renfu’s biological son.

So that was Jiang Yan’s first secret! Without finding this photo, no one would ever have guessed.

And if that was true, then Zhao Renfu’s elaborate scheming against Lin Xie and Kevin Yang… was all about clearing the way for Jiang Yan?

Zhao Renfu intended to leave someone behind to guard the empire he had built, and that someone was his son.

Yan Jiyun felt confident in his deduction. On the surface Jiang Yan only managed security, but in reality, he also oversaw drug production. There wasn’t a corner of the “restaurant” he couldn’t access. Zhao Renfu had been grooming him carefully.

One lingering question remained: had Lin Xie or Kevin Yang ever suspected? Did anyone know the truth?

Jiang Yan looked so much like his mother, and nothing like Zhao Renfu. If they hadn’t guessed, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Just then, Lin Xie appeared at the door, knocking. He came to fetch the runaway cat for his bath.

Yan Jiyun didn’t bolt this time. He just crouched on the desk, staring bleakly as Lin Xie approached.

Jiang Yan had already tucked away that flicker of raw emotion.

Oddly, Yan Jiyun realized, he hadn’t gotten any negative favorability notifications despite breaking something so important. Jiang Yan was truly a strange, unreadable person.

Lin Xie rarely visited Jiang Yan’s room. They hadn’t even lived this close until one day Jiang Yan suddenly moved in next door. Since then, the two had to face each other daily. As always since childhood, they couldn’t stand each other.

For now, Jiang Yan didn’t spar with him. He only said, “If you can’t handle that cat, I can.”

Lin Xie reached a hand toward the little statue-like figure of Yan Jiyun on the desk, ready to scoop him up. “I can manage.”

Yan Jiyun felt him pause mid-motion, his eyes caught by something else. Following his gaze, he saw it too: a fake sunflower on Jiang Yan’s bookshelf, big as two cat faces, looking almost real.

Lin Xie picked him up. “A sunflower doesn’t suit you at all.”

Jiang Yan shot back Lin Xie’s earlier words, “I just like it.”

Yan Jiyun rolled his eyes inwardly. ‘You two were supposed to be Old Master Zhao’s handpicked allies. Could you not bicker for once?’

At the door, Lin Xie suddenly turned back. “I’ve never bathed a cat before. You should be able to help me, right?”

Yan Jiyun: …What’s with this sudden change of heart?

Did he still have time to escape?

If he clung to the doorframe now, it would expose that he understood their speech. Being a cat was tough.

Jiang Yan hesitated, then said, “Not impossible. But first I need to clean up the glass it broke.”

Lin Xie, seeing the cat’s latest mess, was unexpectedly patient. “Fine.”

Yan Jiyun, dead inside, was carried into the bathroom by Lin Xie.

The bathtub big enough for swimming was filled with warm water. On normal days, he would’ve happily soaked in it. That was only if it were with a poop scooper he was familiar with. After all, he wasn’t that close to these two.

Not even two minutes later, Jiang Yan came in, now wearing a T-shirt.

Jiang Yan: “How do we wash him?”

Lin Xie: “Just scrub him down?”

‘No need for you two to wash me, I’ll jump in myself!’

Yan Jiyun dove headfirst into the tub, splashing both of them all over.

Lin Xie wiped the water off his face, smiling faintly. “Looks like he doesn’t like me washing him. He’s happy enough soaking on his own.”

Jiang Yan stood with arms crossed, simply watching. He didn’t seem angry about the shattered photo frame.

Yan Jiyun paddled away with all four limbs, trying to put some distance between them.

Why was he the one taking a bath, Lin Xie the one laughing, and Jiang Yan the one gaining favorability points?

[Congratulations, Player Yan Jiyun gained +10 of Jiang Yan’s favorability]

[Congratulations, Player Yan Jiyun gained +10 of Jiang Yan’s favorability]

[Congratulations, Player Yan Jiyun gained +10 of Jiang Yan’s favorability]

Thirty points in one go!

Though it didn’t completely cancel out the previous negative score, it was still hard-earned.

So he liked watching cats swim? How perverted is he[mfn]T/L: YAN JIYUN!!!! HOW OBLIVIOUS ARE YOU TOWARDS EMOTIONAL MATTER????[/mfn]?

Good times never lasted long. After his pleasant bath, Lin Xie scrubbed his fur clean, rinsed him off, towel-dried him, and blow-dried him until his once-dusty black coat fluffed out, gleaming on the lounge chair on the balcony. He even got a packet of crispy dried fish.

After finishing, Yan Jiyun flicked his tail at Lin Xie in thanks.

Jiang Yan didn’t return to his own room but stayed in Lin Xie’s. Yan Jiyun guessed he had something to say, so he crept closer to their spot, determined to eavesdrop openly.

Once Lin Xie was done cleaning up the cat hair scattered everywhere, Jiang Yan finally seized his chance. “Hey, Lin Xie, can you stop for a moment and listen to me?”

Lin Xie glanced up at him. “Did I block your mouth?”

Jiang Yan rubbed his nose. “Tomorrow night at seven, Father’s old friend will come over for dinner. He asked you to join.”

Lin Xie’s eyelids lifted slightly. “Fine, I’ll go.”

Jiang Yan stressed, “You must go.”

Only after Lin Xie confirmed again did Jiang Yan leave.

Yan Jiyun wasn’t watching their faces; he was focused on the crucial information hidden in their words.

Tomorrow night, Zhao Renfu would dine with an important “old friend.” So who exactly was this person?

Yan Jiyun remembered Jiang Yan urging the junior manager to get the first batch of Red Field Poppy finished today. Could this dinner guest be the buyer of that?

Since Lin Xie was going, he would go too.

He marked down the time: 7 PM tomorrow. 

By then, the game should have about four hours left. Most likely, that would be the final stage!

Yan Jiyun sniffed his freshly washed paw, glanced at the bellflowers swaying on the balcony. He decided not to play with them today.

He will conserve his energy this afternoon, so at night he could go watch Zhou Ying and her team blow up the production site.

When Yan Jiyun woke from his nap, Lin Xie had already returned from errands and even prepared him lunch. They strolled around the restaurant, where the clients still lingering ate on schedule. Every day, those people lived in anxiety, pain, and fear, only to be forced into the restaurant’s game again at night. 

Lin Xie didn’t seem too concerned about the game. If one wanted a free lunch, they had to pay the price.

Yan Jiyun actually spent a long, pleasant afternoon, as if he’d just moved to a new place to live, if not for the instance timer reminding him otherwise.

As 10 PM neared, Lin Xie turned off the TV and walked into the cloakroom.

Yan Jiyun thought he was changing clothes for bed and was just debating slipping out the balcony when Lin Xie emerged in a spy gear.

Yan Jiyun：“……”

All black, such color was even darker than his fur.

But that wasn’t the point. What was Lin Xie about to do? Was he really an undercover officer?

Yan Jiyun lay flat on the sofa, silently watching his every move.

Lin Xie turned off all the lights in the room, creating the appearance that he’d gone to bed. Then he put a finger to his lips at Yan Jiyun. “Blake, stay at home and don’t run around. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he climbed down the water pipe by the balcony’s side. Heading, it seemed, for the floor where Zhao Renfu lived.

Yan Jiyun leapt onto the balcony ledge, following his route with sharp eyes. If he slipped and fell, that would be certain death for a cat. He sure didn’t believe in cats having nine lives.

[Want to be Human] livestream channel:

“Ever since Lin Xie’s people weren’t discovered this afternoon, and he managed to send intel to the police, I can’t make sense of his next moves. Running out now? Isn’t that just begging to die? Never seen an NPC so hell-bent on self-destruction, walking into the abyss himself.”

“His mission is to get the Red Field Poppy formula and gather all evidence of Zhao Renfu’s crimes. As things stand, what he has isn’t enough to get Zhao Renfu executed. All the dirty business is under the names of the three brothers. The restaurant’s under Lin Xie’s charge, Kevin Yang oversees the backroom trades, Jiang Yan’s hands are inevitably bloodstained. None of the three can wash themselves clean. The only one who can is Old Master Zhao. So yes, he has to take this risk.”

“I’ve seen this instance before. Tomorrow night, if Old Master Zhao pulls it off, he’ll retire and travel the world. That’s why Lin Xie’s in such a rush to dig up documents. If Zhao Renfu cashes out and runs, it’ll be near impossible to drag him back.”

[The above comments contain spoiler and will be blocked from players]

“Are we watching the same run? Isn’t the kitty adorable? Why discuss the plot?”

“I already got my fill watching the whole kitty bath scene this afternoon. Satisfied.”

“Same here. This landlubber even went to Mimi’s POV to pretend to be a kitty. Swimming feels so fun.”

“Why is the kitty out on his own now? The outside world is dangerous!”

Yan Jiyun knew Lin Xie was venturing into danger, but he didn’t know what kind of danger. He should’ve gone to find Zhou Ying’s team now, yet his curiosity about Lin Xie’s objective won out.

Of course, he didn’t need to climb down a water pipe.

He simply nudged open the room door, slipped out, and left it ajar for his return.

Yan Jiyun used the darkness to cloak his figure and padded after Lin Xie.

Lin Xie’s moves were far too risky.

It was now time for the Midnight Meal event. Yan Jiyun had no idea where Zhou Ying’s team was. He’d planned to check the production site, but with Lin Xie suddenly acting, he had to follow. Maybe it would trigger a new plot.

After descending two floors, he didn’t find Lin Xie in the third-floor corridor. He recalled him climbing into the third floor instead.

Black-uniformed guards swarmed the third floor. Turn a corner and he probably run into two. Without knowing their patterns, discovery would be inevitable.

It was Yan Jiyun’s third night here. By now he’d mapped the connecting corridors between Buildings A, B, and C. He could move anywhere freely.

Could Lin Xie really be heading for Zhao Renfu’s study? That was one of the instance’s key secret spots. Yan Jiyun himself had never thought of barging in.

At this time, Zhao Renfu should’ve been asleep, right?

Not impossible. Although the elderly usually slept lightly, they also turned in early.

But Yan Jiyun noticed something. Tonight’s two guards at Zhao Renfu’s door weren’t the same as the ones from that other night. He remembered Lao Fang saying Zhao Renfu felt things weren’t safe lately, so he swapped in men he trusted more. Yet tonight, these two didn’t carry that same brutal aura.

With no one inside, the two black uniforms slacked off.

Guard A: “Old Master isn’t here tonight. Looks like we can take it easy. Want one?” He offered a cigarette.

Guard B: “You dare smoke here? Old Master’s nose is sharp as hell. First whiff of smoke and he’d gun you down.”

Guard A sheepishly put the pack away. “You’re right. Wouldn’t have thought of that if you hadn’t reminded me. Old Master is nothing like Boss Jiang, he doesn’t let things slide.”

So Zhao Renfu wasn’t asleep. He wasn’t even home!

Lin Xie must’ve known Zhao Renfu wouldn’t be at his base tonight. That’s why he dared sneak in. And those two outside? Clearly Jiang Yan’s men.

Compared to Zhao Renfu’s personal bodyguards, Jiang Yan’s people weren’t nearly as fanatically loyal.

Yan Jiyun slipped inside while the guards leaned on the railing, chatting.

The first time he’d entered, Jiang Yan had carried him in. This second time, he knew the way.

Inside, he caught faint sounds of drawers being opened. It sounded soft, but with his sharp ears, he picked them up.

No wonder he hadn’t heard a thing when Lin Xie rifled through his own room that first night. It wasn’t his hearing, it was Lin Xie’s training.

So Lin Xie really was an undercover officer, sneaking in here to steal evidence.

Yan Jiyun guessed Zhao Renfu’s aversion to indoor cameras was what gave Lin Xie his chance.

Hugging the living room wall, he crept closer to the study. Sure enough, a faint flashlight glow spilled from within.

If the guards outside decided to check, they’d immediately see the light.

Yan Jiyun didn’t dare disturb him. Instead, he hid himself behind a big vase by the door. He could act as a lookout. If anyone came, he’d make noise to alert Lin Xie.

Lin Xie had just opened a cabinet, and now Zhao Renfu’s computer. The study grew brighter.

He felt that Lin Xie was very skillful. Zhao Renfu’s computer surely had a password, but Lin Xie cracked it in seconds. He wasn’t just a typical academic master, he’s also a computer expert, an all-rounder of an undercover.

He seemed to have found something useful and started copying files.

[Want to Be Human] Livestream channel:

“This is the first time a player has triggered this storyline, I swear I’m more nervous than Lin Xie himself. I just hope that the cat at the door doesn’t mess things up!”

“The one above must be a newbie. Our kitty is clever and sharp, how could he ruin things? He’s obviously here to protect Lin Xie! What a pity livestreams can’t be recorded, or you could’ve seen how brilliant he was in the first instance!”

“How can you people just so blindly praise a cat? It’s just an ordinary black cat so what’s so special about it?” 

Yan Jiyun felt that Lin Xie had been inside for quite a while. Was he copying a lot of data?

It already seemed like he’d been crouching out here too long.

Through the crack of the door, Yan Jiyun could see the progress bar on the computer screen. Was this file really that big? It was still only at 30%, yet nearly half an hour had passed.

Suddenly, there was movement outside. He heard two men in black uniforms, who had been leaning lazily against the railing, suddenly grow flustered.

“Look, isn’t that the Old Master’s car downstairs? Is he back?”

“Yeah, I remember Butler Fang prepared that one for him today. Quick, stand properly, or he’ll say we’re slacking.”

Just as Yan Jiyun was worrying over Lin Xie, a long-absent notification chimed: a new side mission.

[Congratulations, Player Yan Jiyun, for triggering a side mission: Protect Lin Xie and ensure he leaves Zhao Renfu’s study safely. Reward: 2000 points.]

The reward was on par with the main missions!

But that amount of points also revealed something important: preventing Zhao Renfu from discovering Lin Xie was critical. He had to help him finish copying the files, then make sure he got out of Zhao Renfu’s house safely, all without being discovered.

What to do?

From what the two black-uniformed men said, Zhao Renfu was about to return, yet Lin Xie hadn’t finished copying.

Since the game had issued a mission, that meant Zhao Renfu would definitely come back, and Lin Xie definitely wouldn’t finish before he did.

That left only one option: stall Zhao Renfu. Keep him from noticing Lin Xie inside, and stop him from entering the study.

Yan Jiyun waited nervously. Soon, he heard Zhao Renfu’s footsteps approaching.

What to do? What to do? What to do?

Before he could think of a solution, Zhao Renfu’s voice grew clearer, speaking with Lao Fang. Yan Jiyun quickly scanned the layout of the house.

Compared to Lin Xie and Jiang Yan’s place, this residence was two or three times larger. Outside were a living room, a reception room, and a teahouse-style lounge. It was very much the environment that the elderly would be accustomed to live in. 

The study was actually a fair distance from the living room, separated by a corridor with an archway. As long as Zhao Renfu didn’t head this way, things would be fine. But Yan Jiyun doubted the instance would be that easy.

The living room lights switched on, the two men in black uniforms opening the door and lights for Zhao Renfu in advance.

Zhao Renfu seemed to be in good spirits tonight. Seeing their attentiveness, he even praised them casually. “Jiang Yan trained you really well.”

Lao Fang, the ever-dutiful butler, added smoothly, “Of course. That boy may seem carefree, but he’s most concerned about you.”

Zhao Renfu chuckled. “That’s true.”

To Yan Jiyun, it was clear why Zhao Renfu had become a major drug lord. Cold-bloodedness was his greatest trait. He had dealt with one adopted son just this morning, yet could now laugh and praise another. Such a man was utterly ruthless, treating lives as nothing, lost long ago in the thrill of money flowing in from drugs.

Yan Jiyun silently prayed Zhao Renfu wouldn’t head this way.

But Lao Fang’s next words shattered that hope.

“You drank again tonight. Shouldn’t you rest early? The doctor said alcohol isn’t good for you, yet you still drank.”

“I was happy, so I had two cups. It’s fine.”

From inside, Yan Jiyun heard the faint click of Lin Xie switching off the monitor. Hopefully the two outside hadn’t noticed, or they’d discover someone inside.

Taking the chance before they came over, Yan Jiyun slipped through the study door and hid near the balcony. From Lin Xie’s quickened, nervous breaths, he could tell where he was hiding.

Lin Xie was behind the open balcony window, his USB still plugged into the desktop computer.

Zhao Renfu and Lao Fang approached the study.

Suddenly, Zhao Renfu halted. “Why is the study door open? Wasn’t it closed when we left?”

Yan Jiyun tensed. It was happening after all.

Lao Fang’s expression turned serious. “I recall you were the last one out.”

Zhao Renfu couldn’t remember if he had shut it. He pushed the door open, the old fox still sharp as ever, and Lao Fang began searching the room.

They were about to reach the computer when the desktop’s lights flickered, Lin Xie’s USB still glaringly obvious. It was about to be discovered!

Clenching his teeth, Yan Jiyun stepped out from behind the curtains by the balcony, deliberately making plenty of noise, the beaded tassels rattling loudly.

He stretched in an exaggerated yawn right in front of them, then padded over toward Zhao Renfu and Lao Fang, circling them, doing his best to play the part of a harmless little animal to divert their attention.

Lao Fang chuckled. “Master, do you think it remembers we once fed it salmon?”

Zhao Renfu also relaxed, realizing they were just being overly cautious. It was only a cat that had slipped into the study.

He laughed. “It is probably hungry, begging for food. Let’s prepare a salmon for it.” 

The two left the study. Yan Jiyun quickly followed, afraid they might turn back and notice the computer.

At the same time, he heard Lin Xie let out a quiet breath of relief. But Yan Jiyun knew, this was only the beginning. Hopefully, Lin Xie could hurry up!