Chapter 249

After Jin Ling entered the venue, she sat on a high stool nearby. A simple stand was placed beside her, while Zheng Tan went his separate way, continuing to the other side of the venue.

Translation: After Jin Ling entered the venue, she sat down on a high stool nearby. A simple stand was placed beside her, while Zheng Tan, separating from Jin Ling, continued walking toward the other side of the venue.

We need to keep it concise but include all info.

Let's produce: After Jin Ling entered the venue, she sat down on a high stool nearby. A simple stand was placed beside her, while Zheng Tan, separating from Jin Ling, continued walking toward the other side of the venue.

Check: includes all clauses.

Zheng Tan and Jin Ling stood on opposite sides of the venue. Near Jin Ling's side was a prop wall over four meters tall, its face forming a right angle, standing straight and separating them. From the second floor, Jin Ling sat exactly inside that right‑angled wall. Most audience members could see both of them, but Zheng Tan and Jin Ling couldn't see each other because the wall blocked their view.

Make sure to keep numbers: over four meters.

Let's produce: Zheng Tan and Jin Ling were positioned on opposite sides of the venue; near Jin Ling's side there was a prop "wall" over four meters high, the wall surface forming a ninety-degree right angle, standing straight there, separating Jin Ling and Zheng Tan's side. From the second floor of the venue, looking over, Jin Ling happened to sit inside that right-angled wall. Most of the on-site audience could see both Jin Ling and Zheng Tan, but Zheng Tan and Jin Ling could not see each other, blocked by the "wall".

The wall had nothing suitable for climbing; it was just a bit rough.

Translation: There was nothing suitable for climbing on the wall; the wall surface was merely a bit rough.

Zheng Tan arrived at the designated spot and stood ready.

Translation: Zheng Tan arrived at the predetermined spot and stood ready.

Whether they had performed or were left without bringing their own cats, everyone looked over there puzzled, wondering why this woman wasn't following her cat. During the act, they always stayed right beside their own cats, never far apart. Seeing her now separated from her cat by a barrier was something they had never witnessed.

Let's produce: Whether they had performed or were the remaining people who didn't bring their own cats to perform, they all looked puzzled toward that side. The woman in the venue, did she not need to follow her cat? You should know that during the performance, they were always right beside their own cats; even if not beside them, they were not far away. Like now, being far apart from the cat and even separated by something, they had never seen such a situation.

While people wondered what this woman intended to do, Jin Ling took the wooden guitar handed to her by Charlie from the side, plucked a string, and began to play.

Translation: While people wondered what this woman intended to do, Jin Ling took the wooden guitar handed over by Cha Li beside her, plucked a string with her fingers, and began to play.

The surrounding chatter gradually quieted down because of the guitar music.

Translation: The surrounding chatter gradually quieted down because of the guitar sound.

Clear notes fell throughout the venue, flowing freely from Jin Ling's fingers, spontaneous and unrestrained, like the sincere, pure emotions of her youth naturally surfacing. Looking at Jin Ling seated there, dressed in fresh attire with a slight smile tugging at her lips, when she plucked the strings she seemed like a flickering warm flame.

Translation: Clear notes scattered throughout every corner of the venue, flowing freely and spontaneously under Jin Ling's fingers, like the sincere, pure emotions of youth naturally surfacing. Looking again at Jin Ling seated there, dressed in a fresh outfit, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned with a faint smile. When she plucked the strings, one felt as if she were a cluster of jumping warm fire.

Without a doubt, at this opening moment, Jin Ling was the focus of the crowd's attention.

Translation: Without a doubt, at this opening moment, Jin Ling was the focus of the crowd's attention.

Some people were already thinking that, even if the cat performed poorly, they would cheer and applaud for this guitar piece.

Translation: Some people had already thought that, just for this guitar piece, even if the cat performed poorly, they would still applaud, cheer, and encourage.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the overlooked white right‑angled wall, Zheng Tan also moved.

Translation: Meanwhile, on the other side of the overlooked white right-angled "wall," Zheng Tan also moved.

When Jin Ling played a certain note on the guitar, Zheng Tan jumped onto the stool marked with the letter "a", then onto the one marked "b".

Translation: When Jin Ling played a certain note on the guitar, Zheng Tan jumped onto the first stool marked with the letter "a," then onto the second stool marked with "b."

Zheng Tan thought the performance was ridiculous, a waste of his intelligence. But Xiao Guo clearly understood the audience's mindset: Zheng Tan was missing the point, while the spectators, seeing him hop the stools in alphabetical order, would praise the cat as impressive. Since he didn't jump randomly, it proved the sequence was correct. Laying out so many stools and having him jump them correctly without any guidance was also a highlight.

Let's produce: Zheng Tan felt this performance was extremely stupid, lowering his IQ. But obviously, Xiao Guo understood the audience's mindset better; Zheng Tan was the authority figure lost in thought, and the audience watching Zheng Tan jump stools in alphabetical order would praise the cat as truly impressive. Because it didn't jump randomly. This proved its jumping sequence was correct, placing so many stools, especially jumping correctly without anyone directing from the side. This also counts as a highlight.

Indeed, that was exactly the case; some people in the crowd had already noticed, and children were following Zheng Tan's jumps while reciting the pinyin alphabet—since they were more familiar with pinyin than English, once one child started, the others brought by their parents would not be outdone and join in, so you could hear the children's innocent utterances of "a", "bo", "ci", "de", "e", "fo", "ge".

Translation: Indeed, that was exactly the case; people in the crowd had already begun to notice, and some children followed Zheng Tan's jumping while reciting the pinyin alphabet—since they were more familiar with pinyin than English, once one child started, the other children brought by their parents, unwilling to be outdone, began to perform as well, so one could hear the children's tender utterances of "a," "bo," "ci," "de," "e," "fo," "ge," and so on.

We need to keep the pinyin letters as they appear: "a", "bo", "ci", "de", "e", "fo", "ge". Those are Chinese phonetic approximations for pinyin letters; we will keep them as is.

The children only saw the black cat's jumping sequence, while some people perceived more.

Translation: The children only saw the black cat's jumping sequence in the venue, while some people perceived more.

"The cat is stepping to the beat!" someone exclaimed softly.

Translation: "\"That cat is stepping on the beat! \"" someone exclaimed softly.

Upon hearing that, the people around stared at the black cat in the arena and noticed that each time it landed on a stool it would tap its feet a few times in place. They hadn't noticed before, thinking the cat was just adjusting, but now it seemed there might be another hidden trick.

Translation: Upon hearing that, the people around stared at the black cat in the venue for a while, discovering that each time the cat jumped onto a stool it would tap its feet a few times in place; previously unnoticed, they thought the cat was just adjusting, but now it seemed to hide some secret.

Really!

Translation: "\"Really now! \"" (or "Indeed!").

"Does this cat even understand music?"

Translation: "\"Does this cat even understand music? \""

"No way? It must have been trained like this all along; they're just playing music at the venue." Someone, thinking they'd figured out the truth, said that.

Translation: "\"No way? It must have been trained like this during practice, and they just added music on site. \" Someone, thinking they had guessed the truth, said.

Zheng Tan ignored the crowd's reaction; he had only jumped a few stools in the initial stage, which was just a simple beginning.

Translation: Zheng Tan ignored the reactions of the people around; having jumped a few stools in the preceding stage, it was merely a simple beginning.

Because the venue's size is limited, walking in a straight line wouldn't show much, so the stools were laid out in a zigzag following alphabetical order.

Translation: Due to the limited size of the venue, walking in a straight line would offer little expressiveness, so the stools were laid out along a broken line in alphabetical order.

After jumping over the first few stools, Zheng Tan landed on a stool that had a stand beside it, on which lay a long paper box. He opened the box, pulled out a rose with his mouth; the rose had been treated—its thorns removed, the stem trimmed to the right length, and wrapped in a clean layer of paper.

Translation: After jumping over the initial few stools, Zheng Tan leapt onto a stool that had a stand beside it, on which lay a long paper box. Zheng Tan opened the paper box, pulled out a rose stem with his mouth; the rose had been treated, its thorns removed, and the stem, trimmed to an appropriate length, was wrapped in a layer of clean paper.

Zheng Tan picked up the rose in his mouth, returned to the nearby stool, and tapped his feet, waiting for the next beat.

Translation: Zheng Tan picked up that rose stem with his mouth, returned to the neighboring stool, tapped his feet, and waited for the next beat to begin.

The spectators who had initially come just for the fun had gradually stopped paying attention to Jin Ling and instead focused on the cat in the arena, wondering what it would do next.

Translation: The onlookers who originally came just for the spectacle gradually stopped paying attention to Jin Ling and instead focused on the cat in the venue, curious about what the cat would do next.

After picking up the rose and walking rhythmically along a single bar, the distance between the two adjacent letter‑marked stools ahead increased; although Zheng Tan could have jumped directly, he did not follow Xiao Guo's plan that way.

Translation: After picking up the rose and walking rhythmically in cat steps across a section of single bar, the distance between the two adjacent letter-marked stools behind had widened; Zheng Tan could certainly jump directly, but according to Xiao Guo's plan, he did not do so.

As the guitar piece's tempo gradually sped up, Zheng Tan changed from tapping three steps to waiting for the beat to just two steps. Moreover, when jumping to the later stools, the distance increased; between the two stools there was a vertical board standing upright. When he jumped, he used that board as a lever, just like the technique Li Yuanba taught him for climbing through a window—by applying force and changing direction through the intermediate object, he could land steadily on the target stool if he controlled the force and direction. Zheng Tan had done similar moves while filming advertisements.

Translation: The guitar piece's rhythm gradually began to speed up; Zheng Tan, who initially tapped three steps to wait for the beat, changed to tapping two steps. Moreover, when jumping to the later stools, the distance increased, and between the two stools there was a raised vertical board; as Zheng Tan leapt, he used that middle board for leverage, then jumped onto the next stool—just as Li Yuanba once taught Zheng Tan the technique for climbing through a window, using an intermediate object to exert force and change direction, so long as the force and direction are controlled, he can land steadily on the target spot. Zheng Tan had done this during commercial shoots as well.

One stool seemed not firmly fixed; when Zheng Tan jumped on it, it wobbled slightly, making the spectators' hearts jump as well. Only when the cat landed steadily on the next stool did they exhale the breath they'd been holding.

Translation: One stool was apparently not fixed firmly; when Zheng Tan jumped on it, it wobbled slightly, causing the spectators' hearts to jump as well; only when they saw the cat land steadily on another stool did they exhale the breath they had been holding.

Since it's parkour, naturally it's cool when you run.

Translation: Since it's "parkour," naturally running makes it cool.

As everyone's attention gradually focused on Zheng Tan, the guitar's tempo grew faster. Originally he had to wait on each stool for the beat, but now he no longer waited; with increased speed, to the spectators he appeared to start "running".

Translation: As everyone's attention gradually focused on Zheng Tan, the guitar piece's tempo grew faster; Zheng Tan, who originally had to wait for the beat on each stool after every jump, no longer waited, and with increased speed, in people's eyes he began to "run."

Besides stepping on stools, he also jumped over a paper ring covered with a thin layer of paper, then leapt from one grid frame to another, moving quickly. If not for seeing the hole in the middle of the paper ring, people would surely not notice that the cat had just passed through its center.

Translation: Besides stepping on stools, he also jumped over a paper ring covered with a thin layer of paper, then leapt from one grid frame to another; the speed was great, and if not for seeing the hole in the middle of that paper ring, people would surely not notice that the cat had just passed through the ring's center.

The onlookers only felt that the black shadow in the arena was getting faster and faster, like a hurricane sweeping through the venue.

Translation: The onlooking crowd only felt that the black shadow in the venue was getting faster and faster, like a gust of wind sweeping through.

There was little chatter around the venue; people's eyes followed the swift black flash, afraid to miss a moment.

Translation: Around the venue there was little discussion; people's eyes followed that fleeting swift black shadow, fearing to miss a segment.

After successfully negotiating those intermediate obstacles and jumping over the final stool, Zheng Tan had arrived before the white wall. Black and white, a stark contrast.

Translation: Having successfully passed through those intermediate obstacles and jumped over the last stool, Zheng Tan had arrived before that white "wall." Black and white, a stark contrast.

Just as people wondered whether the cat would climb the wall or look for a shortcut around it, Zheng Tan didn't slow down or stop; he leapt up and, at the right‑angled corner, scrambled up the wall in an instant, climbing from the base to the top.

Translation: Just as people were wondering whether the cat would climb the wall or seek a shortcut to go around, Zheng Tan did not slow down or stop; he leapt straight up, climbing at the corner, and in an instant scaled from the base to the top of the wall.

"Holy shit! Spider‑Man?!"

Translation: "\"Holy shit! Spider-Man?! \"" (or "Whoa! Spider-Man?!").

"No. It's Spider‑Cat!"

Translation: "\"No. It's a Spider-Cat! \""

"That cat's wall‑climbing is awesome! I've got to learn from it!"

Translation: "\"This cat climbing the wall is awesome! No way. I want to learn from it! \""

Although some people around began to chatter again, nobody's gaze left the arena; they watched the black cat, adept at scaling the high wall, carrying the rose in its mouth, leap onto the stand beside Jin Ling. It was as if night itself had descended, and against that darkness the flame shone even brighter and more striking.

Translation: Although some people around began to chatter again, everyone's gaze remained fixed on the venue; they watched the black cat, skilled at flipping over the high wall, carrying that rose in its mouth, leaping onto the stand beside Jin Ling—like descending together with the night. Against the night's backdrop, the flame would appear even brighter and more striking.

At that moment, the cheerful guitar melody came to the end of a phrase; its final note seemed to linger in the venue.

Translation: At that moment, the cheerful guitar melody ended with a phrase; the final closing note seemed still to reverberate within the venue.

Jin Ling shifted her gaze from the guitar to the black cat beside her, her faint smile deepening as she raised her arm and took the rose from the cat's mouth.

Translation: Jin Ling shifted her gaze from the guitar to the black cat beside her; her faint smile deepened, she raised her arm, and took the rose that the cat held in its mouth.

The performance ended; Jin Ling bowed to the audience in thanks, while Zheng Tan lowered his head and tapped twice toward the crowd.

Translation: The performance ended; Jin Ling bowed to the surroundings in thanks, while Zheng Tan lowered his head and tapped twice toward the surroundings.

Applause continued all around.

Translation: Applause continued all around.

Some marveled at how smart the cat was, others wondered how it had been trained, and still others pondered how to train their own cats to chase people using this method.

Translation: Some marveled at how smart the cat was; some wondered how the cat had been trained; others pondered how to train their own cats using this method to chase people.

Jin Ling breathed a sigh of relief; although she appeared calm on the surface, inside she had been terrified. Training and live performance are completely different; she had taken part in many shows during university, so her mental fortitude was strong, but what about the cat? She couldn't see the other side, yet from appearances everything went smoothly.

Translation: Jin Ling breathed a sigh of relief; although she appeared calm just now, she had actually been terrified inside. Regular training and on-site performance are completely different; she had participated in many performances during college, so her mental fortitude was solid, but what about that cat? She couldn't see the other side, but judging by appearances, everything went smoothly.

Zheng Tan showed no sign of pride, just like the earlier performing cat seemed unaware of its success; in fact, he thought the performance was terribly low‑brow, feeling that as a cat with a human heart, being praised according to feline standards was… embarrassing to even hear.

Translation: Zheng Tan showed no sign of pride, just like the cat before, seeming unaware of success; in fact, he felt the performance had been terribly lowbrow—thinking of his cat's body with a human heart, yet still being praised by cat standards—truly… just hearing it was embarrassing.

This segment isn't ranked, so there's little competitive pressure. Still, drawing a crowd is also important.

Translation: This segment does not involve rankings, so there is little competitive pressure. Nevertheless, drawing a crowd is also important.

After the host had Jin Ling draw a lucky audience member, people came over to take a photo together.

Translation: After the host had Jin Ling draw a lucky audience member, someone came over for a group photo.

A mother brought her own child here; the photo opportunity would surely go to her child, but the little girl seemed a bit frightened, biting her finger and hesitating in front of Zheng Tan before stepping closer, encouraged by her mother and reassured by Jin Ling.

Translation: A mother brought her child here; the photo opportunity would surely be given to her own child, but the little girl seemed a bit frightened, biting her finger and standing hesitantly before Zheng Tan, then only approaching him after her mother's encouragement and Jin Ling's reassurance.

Zheng Tan crouched on the stand about a meter high, putting the child's line of sight level with his.

Translation: Zheng Tan crouched on the stand about a meter high, so the child's line of sight was level with his.

Seeing the child standing stiffly there, Zheng Tan placed his palm on the child's head, then leaned his head against the child's so they could look at the camera together. If they were human, he could have slung an arm over the shoulder for a brotherly pose, but his paws are too short. Still, Zheng Tan was in a decent mood, the task was done, and he didn't worry about anything else—plus, boosting the crowd's interest was a nice bonus.

Translation: Seeing the child standing stiffly there, Zheng Tan placed his palm on the child's head, then leaned his head against the child's head to face the camera. If they were human, they could put an arm around each other's shoulders, striking a brotherly pose, but his paws are too short. Still, Zheng Tan was in a decent mood today; the task was done, so he didn't worry about anything else, and incidentally boosting popularity was fine too.

The venue's photographer, also a professional, captured the moment and showed the photos to the mother and child; both were pleased, and the child wanted another shot, which the photographer agreed to.

Translation: The venue's photographer, also a professional, captured the earlier scene, showed the photos to the mother and child; both were satisfied, and the child wanted another picture, which the photographer agreed to.

This time the child wasn't as scared; standing beside Zheng Tan with a serious expression, he raised his hand in an Ultraman‑style special‑move pose. To the amusement of the onlookers, the black cat next to the child also stood up and mimicked a similar pose—though not a perfect cross, it was sufficient.

Translation: This time the child wasn't so afraid, standing beside Zheng Tan with a solemn expression, raising a hand to mimic Ultraman's ultimate move; what amused the surrounding audience was that the black cat beside the child also stood up and made a similar pose—though not a perfect cross shape, it was sufficient.

After seeing the second photo, the child laughed happily, hooked on picture‑taking, and begged for more, but others were waiting for their turn, and several other children were already calling to come over for photos. A few parents went to the person in charge, learned that there would be another chance in the afternoon, though the current photos were free while later ones would cost money. Of course, the expense was affordable for these parents, so after persuading their child, things quieted down for now.

Translation: After seeing the second photo, the child laughed happily, addicted to picture-taking, shouting for more, but there were still people waiting to have their photos taken behind, and moreover some other children at the venue were already calling to come over for a group photo; several parents went to negotiate with the person in charge nearby, learning that there would still be an opportunity in the afternoon, although the current photos were free, later they would have to pay; of course, the small amount for photos was affordable for these parents, so after persuading their own child, things quieted down for now.

That same child was also persuaded by his mother to leave; before going, he muttered grudgingly, "The pose isn't finished yet," but after being assured they could continue shooting in the afternoon, he walked away happily holding the two photos.

Translation: That very child was also persuaded by his mother to leave; before walking away he muttered grumpily, "The pose isn't finished yet," but after receiving the promise to continue shooting in the afternoon, he happily walked off holding the two photos.

While Zheng Tan was busy posing for photos with the lucky audience members who had been drawn, several people emerged from the capital airport with their luggage.

Translation: While Zheng Tan was busy posing for photos with the lucky audience members drawn, at the capital airport, several people emerged with their luggage.

"Hey, are you all planning to go straight home?"

Translation: "\"Hey, are you all planning to go straight home? \""

"Of course, I haven't seen my family in ages, so naturally I'll head home first."

Translation: "\"Of course, I haven't seen my family in a long time, so naturally I'll go back first and talk later. \""

"I've already booked my plane ticket."

Translation: "\"I've already booked my plane ticket. \""

"I have relatives in the capital; my car is left with them, and I plan to drive back to Chu Hua Shi tomorrow. If anyone is going the same way, I can give you a ride back."

Isn't Jiao Mingsheng also in Chu Hua Shi? Where is Jiao Mingsheng?

He's on the phone with his family; this time he finished his project and came back early without telling them.

These people are either doing visits and exchanges abroad or participating in some collaborative research projects; some went abroad just to gild their résumés, and this time they happened to come back together.

While they were talking, the Jiao Mingsheng, Associate Professor Jiao they were mentioning, Zheng Tan, his cat dad, hung up the phone and walked over.

I'm not going back to Chu Hua Shi for now; I need to make a trip to Linzhou," Associate Professor Jiao said.

Why go to Linzhou?" someone asked.

To pick up his son." (To be continued...)

ps：（5.7）