Chapter 86

The building wasn't finished; there were no windows or doors, so one could easily get inside.

Translation: "The building wasn't finished, so there were no windows or doors, making it easy to get inside."

The building wasn't completed; there were no windows or doors, so one could easily get inside.

Zheng Tan walked in carefully, avoiding debris on the floor so his movements made no sound. At the same time, as he moved, he noticed smells in the air and listened for any sounds around him.

Translation: "Zheng Tan walked in carefully, avoiding debris on the floor so his movements made no sound. At the same time, as he moved, he discerned smells in the air and his ears paid attention to surrounding noises."

He avoided debris on the ground so his movements made no sound; meanwhile, while walking, Zheng Tan noticed smells in the air and listened for sounds around him.

A cat's sense of smell is about twenty times sharper than a human's, and it can hear high pitches at least two and a half octaves above what humans can hear. Accustomed to seeing everything in the dark and being small in size, these are Zheng Tan's current advantages.

Translation: "A cat's sense of smell is about twenty times sharper than a human's, and it can hear high frequencies at least two and a half octaves above what humans can hear; accustomed to perceiving everything in darkness, and with a smaller body, these are Zheng Tan's current advantages."

a high pitch at least two and a half octaves above what humans can hear

No matter what happened inside—whether secret deals or personal grudges—Zheng Tan had no interest; all he wanted was to find the peanut candy and retreat safely.

Translation: "No matter what happened inside, whether secret deals or grudges between people, Zheng Tan had no interest; all he wanted now was to find Peanut Candy and then withdraw safely."

Peanut candy

Bang!

Translation: "Bang!" (sound effect). Keep as "Bang!" maybe with exclamation.

A loud impact came from upstairs.

Translation: "A thud came from upstairs."

Zheng Tan jumped at the sound; in this otherwise dead‑silent setting, such a noise was genuinely startling.

Translation: "Zheng Tan jumped at that sound; in this deathly quiet environment, such a sudden noise indeed startled him."

On the first floor, aside from the windows by the front door, the rear and side windows were boarded up with planks; although there were gaps, a cat couldn't squeeze through.

Translation: "On the first floor, aside from the window at the front door, the back door and some side windows were nailed shut with planks; although there were gaps, a cat couldn't get out through them."

Zheng Tan decided to go upstairs to have a look.

Translation: "Zheng Tan decided to go upstairs to have a look."

The construction was unfinished, the stairs lacked handrails, and he had to watch for rusty nails on the steps. Zheng Tan crept quietly to the second‑floor stairwell, listening for any movement; wind blew in, making plastic scraps rustle, then everything fell silent again.

Translation: "The construction wasn't finished, the stairs lacked railings, and he had to watch out for rusted nails on the steps; Zheng Tan quietly came to the second-floor stairwell, his ears listening to the surroundings, wind blowing in and making some plastic sheets rustle, then everything fell quiet again."

But none of that mattered.

Translation: "But, these weren't anything."

Zheng Tan found a person lying motionless where the noise had come from.

Translation: "Zheng Tan discovered a person lying where the noise had just occurred, motionless."

Taking a deep breath, Zheng Tan tried to calm himself; he couldn't afford to panic.

Translation: "Taking a deep breath, Zheng Tan tried to calm his mind as much as possible; at times like this, he couldn't panic."

Summoning his courage, Zheng Tan went over and searched around the person, finding a drop of blood in the corner against the wall. Someone must have been hiding here a short while ago; the blood was still fresh.

Translation: "Summoning his courage, Zheng Tan went over and searched around the person, finding a drop of blood in the corner against the wall. Someone must have been hiding here for a while; the bloodstain wasn't dry yet, so it hadn't been long."

However…

Translation: "However…"

Zheng Tan sniffed the blood spot and the wall; the scent left by the injured person seemed somewhat familiar.

Translation: "Zheng Tan seemed to confirm by sniffing at the blood drop and then at the wall; the scent left by the injured person was somewhat familiar."

After thinking it over, Zheng Tan first ruled out anyone from campus, then considered the few people he rarely saw. It wasn't Xiao Guo, not Wei Leng, not Ah Jin… not… Ye Hao…

Translation: "After thinking a moment, Zheng Tan first ruled out people from the campus, then the few he rarely saw. Not Xiao Guo. Not Wei Leng, not A Jin, not… Ye Hao…"

Ye Hao!

Translation: "Ye Hao!"

Exactly, that's the guy!

Translation: "Yeah, that's the bastard!"

Damn, what the hell is going on!

Translation: "Damn it, what the hell is going on!"

How did Ye Hao end up like this? Was he set up?

Translation: "How did Ye Hao end up like this? Was he set up?"

First it was the peanut candy, now Ye Hao. Zheng Tan felt his luck today was as bad as crap.

Translation: "First Peanut Candy, now Ye Hao. Zheng Tan felt his luck today was as crappy as shit."

Having caught Ye Hao's scent, Zheng Tan didn't know which way to go to find the peanut candy, but since each floor of the building was fairly large, he followed the smell.

Translation: "Having caught Ye Hao's scent, Zheng Tan now didn't know which way to go to find Peanut Candy; since each floor of this building was fairly large, he followed the scent."

Ye Hao was injured; though Zheng Tan didn't know how serious it was, he could find bloodstains from a distance. Though slight, those bloodstains and the lingering scent let him pinpoint Ye Hao's location.

Translation: "Ye Hao was injured. I don't know how severe, but from a distance Zheng Tan could find bloodstains. Not many, but this bit of blood and the lingering scent around it let Zheng Tan pinpoint Ye Hao's location."

However, while tracking Ye Hao, Zheng Tan also caught the scent of other strangers. He twitched his ears, listening for the faint footsteps that are hard for human ears to detect, and noticed unfamiliar sweat.

Translation: "However, while searching for Ye Hao, Zheng Tan also caught the scent of other strangers. His ears twitched, paying attention to the faint footsteps hard for human ears to pick up, and to unfamiliar sweat."

One advantage of summer is that scents aren't easily masked.

Translation: "The advantage of summer is that scents aren't easily concealed."

That stranger was now heading toward Ye Hao, so Zheng Tan hid behind a wall and watched the approaching figure.

Translation: "That stranger was now walking toward Ye Hao; Zheng Tan hid behind a wall, watching the approaching stranger."

His steps were light but not slow; he seemed to have traced Ye Hao's hiding place from clues, while staying alert and watching his surroundings.

Translation: "The person's steps were light but not slow; he must have found Ye Hao's hiding place from some clues, and he was also very alert, paying attention to the surroundings."

The stranger held a construction pry bar, the same kind Zheng Tan had found beside the dead cat earlier.

Translation: "The person held a construction pry bar, the same as the one Zheng Tan had found beside the dead cat earlier."

The windows were covered with plastic sheeting, except for one corner where the rope had snapped from age or some other cause, leaving a gap that kept the interior from being pitch‑black.

Translation: "The windows around were covered with plastic sheeting; only one corner, because the rope had snapped from age or other reasons, had a flap hanging down, preventing the interior from being completely dark."

Zheng Tan watched the stranger head toward a small room, where Ye Hao was likely hiding.

Translation: "Zheng Tan watched as the person headed toward a small room, where Ye Hao should be."

Give him a hand.

Translation: "Give him a hand."

I hope Ye Hao remembers that this is the second time I've helped him.

Translation: "Hope Ye Hao remembers that this is the second time I've helped him."

As the stranger approached Ye Hao with the pry bar, while Ye Hao was tense, neither expected a third party to be watching.

Translation: "When that person approached Ye Hao with the construction pry bar, and Ye Hao was in a state of mental tension, neither expected that a third party was also watching here."

Meow!

Translation: "「Ooooh—」" (the cat's howl). Keep as is? Probably keep the Chinese onomatopoeia? It's a cat sound; we can translate as a howl: "「Ooooh—」". Keep quotes.

A sudden, eerie shout made both men's hair stand on end.

Translation: "Suddenly a strange howl made both people's hair stand on end almost simultaneously."

With no wind, neither the plastic sheeting over the windows nor the scraps on the floor made a sound. In the heavy, tense silence, where each thought the only living thing was the other enemy, the sudden shout was startling enough to send a chill down their spines.

Translation: "Now there was no wind, so neither the plastic sheeting over the window openings nor the plastic scraps on the floor made any sound; in the deathly silent, heavy, tense atmosphere, with both thinking only the other was an enemy and no other living thing present, it had to be said that this sudden howl was startling enough to make one's scalp tingle."

But after that cat‑like cry, the two men felt completely different.

Translation: "But after that cat's call, the two people's psychological reactions were completely different."

The stranger wielding the construction iron hook felt uneasy afterward, regretting that he hadn't cleared all the cats around—only managing to deal with one.

Translation: "The stranger holding the construction pry bar, after the tension, felt regret, regretting that he hadn't managed to clear all the cats around, only having dealt with one."

Ye Hao, pressing a hand to his bleeding abdomen and already feeling weak, braced for the worst. After the fright, he felt a surge of joy mixed with doubt—the call sounded familiar; he'd heard it during a previous ordeal in the night building, so it stuck in his memory. Wei Leng also said that probably only that cat could make such a sound.

Translation: "Ye Hao, clutching his abdomen wound and growing weak, already braced for the worst; after the fright, his heart felt a surge of joy mixed with a hint of doubt. This howl was quite familiar—he'd been tormented by it in Ye Lou that day, leaving a deep impression. And Wei Leng had also said that probably only that cat could produce such an effect."

Is that the cat?

Translation: "Is it that cat?"

After calling out, Zheng Tan moved to another spot, bent his claws to pick up a nail from the ground, and threw it at the stranger as he continued toward Ye Hao.

Translation: "After Zheng Tan let out a call, he moved to another spot, bent his claws to pick up a nail from the ground, and then threw it at the person as he continued approaching Ye Hao."

His aim was good—it struck the stranger in the back.

Translation: "His aim was good, hitting the person's back."

After throwing the nail, Zheng Tan retreated to the corner. He had dared to call out only because he sensed that only Ye Hao and this stranger were nearby, with no one else. Even if the stranger were skilled, he doubted he could attack from ten meters away.

Translation: "After throwing the nail, Zheng Tan shrank back to the corner; he only dared to call out because he sensed that only Ye Hao and this person were around, with no one else, and he was now far enough from the stranger that even if the guy was skilled, he couldn't possibly attack from ten or so meters away."

No sooner had he pulled back his head than he heard bangs from that direction and the sound of metal dropping.

Translation: "Just as he pulled his head back, Zheng Tan heard bang-bang sounds from that direction, plus the sound of metal falling."

That fast?

Translation: "That fast?"

Zheng Tan peeked out and saw the stranger collapse, while Ye Hao leaned against the wall, gripping a bloody dagger.

Translation: "Zheng Tan poked his head out and looked over, seeing the stranger collapse, while Ye Hao leaned against the wall, holding a dagger that was dripping blood."

He must have struck while the stranger was distracted, looking behind him.

Translation: "He probably struck while the opponent was distracted, looking behind."

Zheng Tan flicked his ears, having imagined intervening if Ye Hao and the stranger fought to a standstill, but now realized he was wildly off—people like them go for a lethal blow, and any extra second just endangers them further.

Translation: "Tugging his ears, Zheng Tan had actually fantasized about intervening when Ye Hao and that person were locked in an indecisive fight, but now he realized he was wildly mistaken—people like them go for an all-out lethal blow, and prolonging it by even a second would only endanger their own lives further."

Ye Hao held the dagger in one hand and pressed the other to his wound, slowly sitting against the wall to catch his breath; the recent exertion likely worsened his injury.

Translation: "Ye Hao held a dagger in one hand and covered his abdomen with the other. He slowly sat down against the wall, panting. The earlier exertion likely worsened his wound."

"Meow!" Zheng Tan called out again.

Translation: "「Ooooh—」 Zheng Tan let out another call."

Where the hell did that peanut‑candy little bastard go?!

Translation: "Where the hell did that little bastard Peanut Candy go?!"

"Meow! Meow!"

Translation: "「Meow—meow—」"

Along with the cries came the sound of banging planks—right next to the room where Ye Hao had been hiding.

Translation: "Along with the cries came the clatter of wooden boards—right next to the hiding spot where Ye Hao had been."

Zheng Tan rushed over and, upon entering the small room, discovered that it was unclear what it was meant to become; the floor had sunk somewhat, planks were laid on top with gaps between them, and Peanut Candy's leg had slipped into a crack and become stuck. Earlier circumstances had prevented it from struggling and making noise, and it had remained that way until now.

Translation: "Zheng Tan hurried over, and upon entering that small room he discovered that it wasn't clear what it was being prepared to become; the floor had sunk somewhat, planks were laid on top with gaps between them, and Peanut Candy's leg had slipped into a gap and gotten stuck, but the earlier situation had made it dare not struggle hard enough to make noise. It had remained that way until now."

Pretty clever.

Translation: "Still pretty clever."

Before Zheng Tan could lift the board, Peanut Candy wriggled free on its own, though its leg appeared injured—possibly a sprain or fracture—and it limped along with some difficulty.

Translation: "Before Zheng Tan could lift the plank, Peanut Candy struggled out on its own; however, its leg appeared injured—whether a temporary sprain or a fracture, it limped along with some difficulty."

"Meow!"

Translation: "「Meow—」"

Peanut Candy walked toward Zheng Tan, sounding rather put‑out.

Translation: "Peanut Candy walked over to Zheng Tan. It sounded rather aggrieved?"

Zheng Tan raised his paw and stroked Peanut Candy's head, letting it stay where it was and not move, then went to Ye Hao's side. See how long this guy can hold out.

Ye Hao is more capable than Zheng Tan imagined, he shifted his position, probably still guarding against any sudden developments, he took out his phone and said to Zheng Tan, "Keep an eye on the outside for me, I'll make a call."

Ye Hao turned off his phone when he noticed those two people entering the building; in this environment, even the slightest vibration or faint abnormal light could expose him to them.

Zheng Tan glanced at Peanut Candy, which was obediently staying in place licking the small wounds on its legs, then he walked to the stairwell entrance, jumped onto the windowsill, and while keeping watch on the stairwell entrance he also looked outside the building to see if anyone was approaching.

Ye Hao called Long Qi and his group; they estimated that someone would arrive soon.

After hanging up, Ye Hao didn't intend to wait here either; besides our side, the other side should have also contacted people, so once their people arrived first, Ye Hao staying here would be doomed.

After a moment, Ye Hao prepared to stand up, thinking of something, he said to Zheng Tan, "Is that cat injured? I'll pick it up and take it downstairs."

While making the call earlier, using the phone screen's brightness, Ye Hao saw that cat lying not far away; actually that cat had also helped him, otherwise he wouldn't have noticed those two people following him.

The two cats fighting exposed those two people's whereabouts, and also gave Ye Hao time to prepare; it's just that the other cat is a pity.

Peanut Candy seemed to understand that this person meant no harm, it glanced at Zheng Tan, then allowed Ye Hao to scoop it up.

Ye Hao tore a strip of cloth from the clothing of the person lying on the ground, summer clothes, just that; he simply bandaged the wound, now Ye Hao holds the cat in one hand and a dagger in the other, following Zheng Tan downstairs.

Zheng Tan listened to the surrounding sounds and slowly walked out of the building.

The wind blowing across the open field eased Zheng Tan's earlier tension somewhat, but he could not afford to relax his guard.

After Zheng Tan left the building, following Ye Hao's guidance, he realized there was another "exit" on the other side where part of the wall had collapsed, which was why Ye Hao had come in here.

As they approached that exit, Zheng Tan caught a faint scent of a stranger in the air, his steps halted, he raised his paw to block Ye Hao's forward foot.

The next moment, Ye Hao toppled sideways, rolled to a pile of construction debris nearby, and turned to evade.

At the same time Ye Hao reacted, a bullet grazed his shoulder; if not for Zheng Tan's warning and his own quick reflexes, it would have been more than just a minor scrape.

There's actually someone waiting here! And they're even carrying a silenced gun!

Zheng Tan now feels like cursing the Buddha himself, his luck is terrible today; just who has Ye Hao offended to deserve this? Is it really necessary to go to such lengths? Even if it were just knives, that would be bad enough, but guns too?

Zheng Tan quickly dragged the fallen Peanut Candy to one side, then went behind a pile of bricks; the bricks aren't high, but they can at least provide temporary cover.

While he was pondering what else to do, Zheng Tan suddenly felt a chill creep up his back, unfamiliar, never experienced before, different from the chill he felt when he just saw Ye Hao kill someone.

Meanwhile, the gunman seemed to suddenly become confused, his bullets hitting the wall here and there, straying far from Zheng Tan's side and also far from the construction debris where Ye Hao was hiding.

At the same time, Zheng Tan also heard a strange gurgling sound, like a low growl from the throat; besides that, there was the gunman's anguished cry.

Zheng Tan carefully peered out and saw exactly that the gunman had collapsed, and a figure lunged past him.

The sound of flesh being torn sent a chill down one's spine.

The person lying on the ground twitched; his gun had fallen from his hand at some point, and the hand that had held the gun bore several deep bloodstains, all on the wrist.

As for that figure…

Is it a dog, a cat, or some other creature?

Whatever it is, it swung another claw at the neck of the person on the ground.

The person on the ground twitched for a while, then soon had no vital signs.

This scene left both Zheng Tan and Ye Hao shocked; that kind of chill, making every hair on end, spread through their whole bodies.

Unlike Zheng Tan and Ye Hao, Peanut Candy, hiding behind the brick pile, seemed quite excited, limping over toward that scene. (To be continued…)

ps: 【The following word count is not included in the v chapter.】

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