Chapter 150

Ling Boss, I'm here, you finally came!

On the street of Pet Street, night fell, a few street lamps by the roadside, due to long-term disrepair, the light was dim.

Ling Yue got out of the car and walked to the end of the street, suddenly hearing a female voice.

In the only pet shop with its lights on, behind the glass door, the female owner looked at her with sparkling eyes, speaking while waving at them.

Because they had agreed beforehand, she didn't dare leave, waiting alone until now, also afraid, so she occasionally peeked; seeing Ling Yue, she was moved and immediately let out a wail.

Ling Yue jumped in fright, her expression unchanged, but her feet stumbled.

Bai Ze stood beside her, noticing her small movement, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, he gave a light cough, and was only half a step away from her.

The female owner happily welcomed them over, holding milk tea and small cake, saying: "Have some drink, some food; at this time, that… probably hasn't come yet."

Ling Yue nodded, feeling the milk tea, still warm to the touch.

The female owner cheerfully said: "This I deliberately kept warm in hot water; if it cools it won't taste good, and this cake I just bought, fresh out of the oven."

Ling Yue slightly pursed her lips, ultimately saying nothing.

She saw the female owner's nervousness beneath her enthusiastic cheerfulness, knowing that saying more wouldn't help as much as doing something, she couldn't help but lower her eyelids slightly.

Bai Ze beside her silently picked up the paper cup cake; as soon as it entered his mouth, the cloying sweetness filled his mouth, a bit too sweet, his gaze shifted slightly, while Ling Yue ate it with relish.

Bai Ze restrained his gaze without changing expression.

At this moment, it was still about half an hour before midnight.

The female owner began cleaning the pet shop's hygiene, while Ling Yue heard many kittens' cries.

By now the shop was ready to close; they chatted through the cages, some already yawning, lazily lying in the cages, some gazing elegantly at the outside; in short, the tired small animals were quiet, beginning to rest.

Thus, that pair of arguing kittens stood out conspicuously.

The white-gloved little tabby cat, not careful, relying on its high position, scolded the little Nainiumao from above: "Hmph, I won't let you off!"

That cool black-and-white Nainiumao lazily lifted its eyes: "Let me off? Before you relied on that fierce Sanhua cat's protection, provoking me at will; this time I don't want to indulge you anymore!"

The Nainiumao boss licked its paw, lightly sweeping over: "You wait; after the female owner leaves, I'll come find you."

The fierce white-gloved little tabby cat was instantly terrified, ears flattened like airplane wings, hiding in a cage corner: "You, you what did you say?"

The little tabby cat, putting on a brave front, said: "You big badass, you dare hit me, I'll definitely have Sanhua sister beat you to death!"

The Nainiumao boss said slowly: "Then let it come; it's already been adopted by humans, so barring accidents, you'll never see it in your lifetime, no cat to back you up..."

It said while licking its paw.

The little tabby: "!!!"

It fearfully looked into the cage at the Nainiumao, several times larger than itself; even the grandfather cat nearby stroked his whiskers, saying: "Dou Dou, you'd better not speak; it's formidable."

As the grandfather cat knows, the Nainiumao has a special skill: it can open its cage by itself, secretly attacking other cats several times; after beating other cats it hurries back, closes its own cage, leaving the pet shop female owner especially puzzled.

Upon hearing this, the little tabby exclaimed: "Ah!"

"How come no cat told it, that it dares provoke the boss just because it's caged, it can escape on its own, why not say earlier, harming the cats!"

Other cats: "But you didn't ask either?"

The little tabby sobbed, recalling the Sanhua sister who once protected it: "Wuu wuu wuu, Sanhua sister, when will you come back?"

"Damn big badass, it's going to hit me..."

Ling Yue watched it shrink into a ball with a worried face, hiding in the corner, suddenly hearing a voice—Bai Ze rose, speaking near her ear: "He seems... to have come."

Ling Yue abruptly turned her head, as if realizing something, and looked toward the outside.

In the distance, on the dim street, a puffy black shadow drew nearer; wherever it passed, the already feeble street lamps instantly went out.

Ling Yue also felt it; instantly a tingling scalp, heavy mixed yin qi gathered, black qi obscured her vision, only able to see a plump puffy mass approaching them.

Beside Ling Yue, Bai Ze slightly narrowed his eyes.

The belatedly aware female owner rubbed her arms, cold wind seeping through the door crack, making her involuntarily exclaim: "It's too cold, I didn't close the door—"

As she spoke, turning her head, upon seeing the scene on the deep black street, she was instantly struck mute.

"He, he he he came!"

Ling Yue nodded, not yet having time to speak, the female owner made a sizzling sound and dove into the counter; this appearance shows she was surely frightened badly by earlier events.

That comical appearance made Ling Yue also unable to help curling her lips, and she looked ahead again.

A large lump of obstacle was extremely conspicuous.

After a moment, he slowly floated to the door, suddenly knelt, just as the female owner described, his head struck the cement floor, making a thumping sound that made one's teeth ache.

Then, Ling Yue twitched her ears, hearing the man's ghostly wails; she indeed felt the yin qi present, but...

Her gaze met Bai Ze's; he looked at her firmly and nodded.

Not only yin qi, but also other mixed substances; moreover, this so-called ghost seems actually alive!

Ling Yue flung the door open, rushing out before the female owner's astonished gaze; she strode straight to the "ghost" and finally heard his wail clearly: "Ah ah ah it hurts so much it hurts... save me, whoever saves me... wuu wuu wuu I'll never dare again!"

Ling Yue stared; in her eyes, the man was a big black ball wholly wrapped in black qi, swelling and writhing, seemingly also wrapped with other things, occasionally protruding a bit.

Ling Yue suddenly reached out: "What exactly are you?"

"Meow!"

A sharp, piercing cat cry rang out; the wailing man knocked his head until it bled, suddenly lifted his head; Ling Yue was frightened, her fingertip twitched, a bone-chilling cold like a bone-deep ailment shot up her fingertip.

In the dim light, on the opponent's head that should have been a human face, a cat face had actually grown!

A living monster.

He immediately lunged, but Ling Yue subdued him with one move; mainly because the evil cult attached to him wasn't strong; the man could still be angry enough to puff at her, his soft voice mixed with his coarse curses: "Bad human, quickly release me! He deserves it!"

The next moment, the ferocious cat-faced man begged Ling Yue: "Master, you must be a master, please save me, I'm entangled by a ghost, quickly perform rites to smash it to soul-scattered! I have money, I'll pay you!"

Ling Yue narrowed her smiling eyes, sizing him up; indeed, he even wore a fur coat, his whole body wrapped tightly, practically about to become a ball.

She neither affirmed nor denied, silently gazing at him; her emotionless stare made him break out in cold sweat: "Mas... master!"

"Shut up."

Ling Yue summoned the cat soul clinging to him, nearly fused with his body; seeing her, it trembled with fear.

The man's pale cat face finally revealed its true shape.

Ling Yue: "Why are you entangled by it?"

The man stared blankly for a moment, then opened his mouth.

At this moment, seeing the ghost subdued by Ling Yue, the curious shop owner leaned on the shop, eyes wide, looking outward.

Upon seeing him, she froze instantly; this person she knew had been missing for half a month, and she rushed out furious: "You bastard, I thought you were dead!"

In an instant, everyone looked at her; the shop owner glared at the man fiercely: "I called you, why didn't you answer, you damn? You took my cat and ran—are you even human?"

According to what she revealed, Ling Yue frowned slightly: "Is there even such a dispute?"

Before she could ask, the man saw the shop owner—like a mouse seeing a cat—his face turned terrified, his speech stammering: "I… I… I…"

The shop owner shouted angrily: "Heartless wretch! Where's our Flower Flower? Earlier you said you liked cats, so I let you adopt Flower Flower—but you damn, after getting Flower Flower, you just vanished."

"You bastard, dare come scare me? You think I'm easy to scare? I'll beat you to death, trash! Asshole!"

She grabbed a broom and slammed it down hard.

From her words, Ling Yue finally understood the whole story; not knowing if his slow reaction was deliberate or not, she watched him get beaten several times before slowly subduing him: "Shop owner, be careful not to hurt him."

Shop owner: "Hurt him? What's with the mink coat he's wearing? He's so rich, he can't even reply to a message—he deserves to be beaten!"

Ling Yue: "……"

It really seems so.

However, the man seemed to have been fiercely beaten, his face twisted in pain, his voice changed: "Sis, sis, stop hitting… ahhh it hurts so much… Mom, Mom, I beg you, stop hitting!"

To stop her from hitting, he could shout anything; the shop owner, exhausted and panting, finally let out a breath of frightened anger.

Ling Yue's gaze fell before him; there, a plump San Hua Mao cat sat on the ground, its long tail curled around its paws, its clear, watery cat eyes staring unblinkingly at her.

Ling Yue instantly understood: this was the cat ghost that had been clinging to the man.

The San Hua Mao cat tilted its head, angrily saying: "Why are you stopping the owner? This bastard deserves to be beaten to death! Beat him to death!"

Ling Yue blinked, crouched down, and looked eye-to-eye with the little San Hua Mao cat; she didn't answer the cat's question, but instead asked it: "Who are you?"

The little San Hua Mao cat's face showed a human-like confusion: "I… I'm called Flower Flower."

Ling Yue raised an eyebrow: "Is that what the little wildcat said, to protect its Sanhua sister?"

Upon hearing that, the kitten nodded: "It's me!"

It also explained: "It's also the Flower Flower the owner just mentioned; Flower Flower is me."

It then seemed to recall something; the excited little cat's mood suddenly dropped, and Ling Yue faintly sensed something, but she didn't ask.

What she didn't expect was that the little cat instead proactively told her: "You're a good person, right? Don't stop me, okay? He's a bastard, a total bastard!"

Ling Yue pondered for a moment: "You mean he abuses cats?"

Flower Flower's big cat eyes looked at her: "I don't know if that counts, but I only know he's still wearing my skin."

"Look—"

Ling Yue shuddered in shock; her gaze instantly fell on the man's fluffy, soft fur coat, finally sensing something off—the coat's color seemed too natural and variegated.

An uncontrollable feeling surged in her heart; in an instant, it made her scalp go numb.

Flower Flower's voice sounded at the right moment: "After he adopted me, he stroked my head and said he loved my fur the most—it's beautiful."

"I didn't know then; later I saw he had many cats at home, he peeled off my skin—it really hurt and was cold. Humans have clothes, so why wear mine?"

It asked Ling Yue, bewildered; she opened her mouth but couldn't utter a word.

It turned out that half a month earlier, because most stray cats had been gathered by the Black Cat Queen, the man making cat-fur coats couldn't find a source, so he sought other ways, adopting stray cats under various pretenses.

The San Hua Mao cat Flower Flower was one of them; it was also the last stray cat in the pet shop owner's care, kept by the shop until the man adopted it.

It thought it would finally have a home and an owner who loved it.

However, the fact is——

The shop owner's carefully vetted conditions were all a front for cat traffickers; Flower Flower was taken by him to his shady little workshop in the suburbs, the air thick with the smell of blood.

Five or six workers were skillfully slaughtering; they directly shoved hooks from the eyes into the cats' brains, so the pelts would come out clean and intact.

They didn't give medicine, because it would damage the pelts' sheen.

Upon entering the factory, Flower Flower was terrified by the sight of blood-soaked companions hanging upside down on iron hooks, and she bolted.

But it couldn't escape.

A huge net came at it, trapping it tight; it struggled and panted, hearing the adopter's icy voice: "You guys, move gently—don't hurt the pelts, or I'll dock your wages!"

"Don't worry, boss—we've handled hundreds, if not thousands, of cats."

"Exactly, we know how to handle them."

On the other side of the wall, in a bright little room, the streamer pointed to a rack of variously colored plush coats, excitedly shouting to fans: "Buddies, check out our fur—each piece is unique, this color, this texture—wear it out and you'll slay!"

Someone below asked: "What kind of fur is this? Fox? The color's a bit spotted, not like that."

The streamer burst out laughing: "Hahaha, this definitely isn't fox fur—it's a new technology that specially wastes material; if you like it, just 998, and you'll take it home with a free simulated scarf!"

She said this, pulling a matching-color scarf from the rack; one can imagine how these were made, bit by bit, tanned in the cold workshop.

Everyone's not stupid; naturally someone realized and snapped: "I get it—this is cat fur, right? How can you do this?"

The streamer frowned, continuing to greet other customers.

On the contrary, some viewers in the livestream mocked the commenting fans: "Good grief, everyone stay away—this kind of person, when they die, their body will burst out relics!"

"After being in the livestream this long, can't you still tell? We bought cat-fur coats! The streamer here is genuine—I guarantee it with my wallet!"

"What a buzzkill—surely you're one of those so-called cat lovers; mind your own business—I just want a cat-fur coat!"

Next door to the livestream room is the bloody processing workshop; for Flower Flower, it's an endless pit of despair.

"Those hooks are so long, so long—my eyes hurt; when they stabbed in, I just wanted to go home, back to the pet shop, I wanted my owner…"

"I don't want to be adopted—I'm terrified."

Ling Yue clenched her teeth, staring at it, unable to utter a word.

Translation: Ling Yue clenched her teeth, staring at it, unable to utter a word.

Note: She clenched her teeth, stared at it, and couldn't utter a word.

In front of the San Hua Mao, Ling Yue felt so incapable, only able to listen as it continued speaking, unable to do anything!

Translation: In front of the three-flower cat, she felt so incapable, only able to listen as it continued speaking, unable to do anything!

Keep the exclamation. Use San Hua Mao for the three-flower cat. So: In front of the San Hua Mao, she felt so incapable, only able to listen as it continued speaking, unable to do anything!

In front of the Sanhua cat, Ling Yue felt so incapable, only able to listen as it continued speaking, unable to do anything!

But we need to keep the original structure: maybe "In front of the San Hua Mao, she felt so incapable, only able to listen as it continued speaking, unable to do anything!" Since we have a gender guide for Ling Yue (female), we can use "she". So we can keep "she". Let's use "she". So: In front of the San Hua Mao, she felt so incapable, only able to listen as it continued speaking, unable to do anything!

The cat lowered its eyelids, its clear, watery eyes gazing at the ground, it licked its paws and said: "This garment, made from the skins of dozens of San Hua Mao, he said only matching colors could fetch a good price."

Translation: The cat lowered its eyelids, its clear, watery eyes gazing at the ground, it licked its paws and said: "This garment, made from the skins of dozens of three-flower cats, he said only matching colors could fetch a good price."

Keep the quoted speech exactly. Use San Hua Mao for the three-flower cat. So: The cat lowered its eyelids, its clear, watery eyes gazing at the ground, it licked its paws and said: "This garment, made from the skins of dozens of San Hua Mao, he said only matching colors could fetch a good price."

Note: The phrase "stripped the skins of dozens of three-flower cats" can be rendered as "made from the skins of dozens of San Hua Mao". Good.

"Many people love our cat-skin coats, you know."

Translation: "Many humans love our cat-skin coats."

We need to keep the quote marks. So: "Many humans love our cat-skin coats."

The San Hua Mao tilted its little head, innocently asking her: "Do you like it too?"

Translation: The San Hua Mao tilted its little head, innocently asking her: "Do you like it too?"

The Sanhua cat tilted its little head, innocently asking her: "Do you like it too?"

Ling Yue felt a chill run through her heart, looked at it in horror, and without hesitation shook her head to refuse: "No, I don't like it, I don't like it at all."

Translation: Ling Yue felt a chill rise in her heart, she looked at it in horror, shaking her head without hesitation: "No, I don't like it, I don't like it at all."

We need to keep the quotes. So: Ling Yue felt a chill rise in her heart, she looked at it in horror, shaking her head without hesitation: "No, I don't like it, I don't like it at all."

The San Hua Mao's narration continued: "Isn't the cat-skin coat beautiful? He especially likes to wear it because it's warm and pretty, so I let him wear it for life!"

Translation: The San Hua Mao's account continued: "Isn't the cat-skin coat beautiful? He especially likes to wear it, for it is warm and lovely, so I let him wear it for life!"

We need to keep quotes. So: The San Hua Mao's account continued: "Isn't the cat-skin coat beautiful? He especially likes to wear it, for it is warm and lovely, so I let him wear it for life!"

At that moment, the frightened man seemed to sense something, suddenly rose, staggered to his feet, and slammed his head into the utility pole with a bang.

Translation: At that moment, the frightened man seemed to sense something, suddenly rose, staggered to his feet, and slammed his head into the utility pole with a bang.

Keep the sound effect as "with a bang". So: At that moment, the frightened man seemed to sense something, suddenly rose, staggered to his feet, and slammed his head into the utility pole with a bang.

The boss lady couldn't help but gasp, a wire net that had extended from somewhere snagged one end of his cat-skin coat, with a ripping sound, the smooth, splendid coat tore instantly.

Translation: The boss lady couldn't help but gasp, a wire net that had extended from somewhere snagged one end of his cat-skin coat, with a ripping sound, the smooth, splendid coat tore instantly.

Keep the sound effect as "with a ripping sound". So: The boss lady couldn't help but gasp, a wire net that had extended from somewhere snagged one end of his cat-skin coat, with a ripping sound, the smooth, splendid coat tore instantly.

Beneath the tear, countless streams of blood spurted out; the man frantically covered the coat, his expression already panicked beyond control.

Translation: Beneath the torn opening, countless spouts of blood gushed out, the man frantically covered the skin garment, his expression already panicked beyond control.

We need to keep meaning. So: Beneath the torn opening, countless spouts of blood gushed out, the man frantically covered the skin garment, his expression already panicked beyond control.

The boss lady vomited outright; with just a glance she saw the man's torn muscle fibers, red and yellow, utterly disgusting.

Translation: The boss lady vomited outright, she glanced and immediately saw the man's torn muscle fibers, red and yellow, utterly nauseating!

We need to keep exclamation. So: The boss lady vomited outright, she glanced and immediately saw the man's torn muscle fibers, red and yellow, utterly nauseating!

Ling Yue finally understood what Flower meant; the cat-skin coat on the man's body had fully grown together with his flesh, and to remove it one would have to tear away skin and flesh together.

Translation: Ling Yue finally understood what Huahua meant, the cat-skin coat on the man's body had fully grown together with his flesh; to remove it, one would have to tear away skin and flesh together.

Ling Yue finally understood what Flower meant, the cat-skin coat on the man's body had fully grown together with his flesh; to remove it, one would have to tear away skin and flesh together.

Ling Yue finally understood what Flower meant.

Flower

Now continue.

He could really wear it for life, until death!

Translation: He could truly wear it for life, until death!

We need to keep exclamation. So: He could truly wear it for life, until death!

The man fled in a staggering hurry, so fast that Ling Yue couldn't stop him; what Flower didn't say was that this was already the last person, and in the process of revenge its companions had disappeared one by one, leaving only it.

Translation: The man fled in a staggering hurry, so fast Ling Yue couldn't stop him; what Huahua didn't say was that this was already the last person, in the process of revenge its companions had disappeared one by one, now only it remained.

We will use "it" to refer to Flower. So: The man fled in a staggering hurry, so fast Ling Yue couldn't stop him; what Flower didn't say was that this was already the last person, in the process of revenge its companions had disappeared one by one, now only it remained.

its

Flower gazed lingeringly at the boss lady and said: "I'm leaving."

Translation: Flower gazed wistfully at the boss lady: "I'm leaving."

All this time the haunting has been Flower driving the man to atone; besides, it really wants to go home and take one last look.

Translation: All this time the haunting has been Flower driving the man to atone; besides, it really wants to go home and take one last look.

All this time the haunting has been Flower driving the man to atone; besides, it really wants to go home and take one last look.

Flower told Ling Yue: "Don't tell her that I've come back, and don't tell her about this. Just say I ran away angry after being bullied by him, and wandered the streets for a while..." It shook its head, straining to utter a sentence: "Then I was so lucky, so lucky to be picked up by a new owner, and now I'm in another city; tell her that Flower is doing very, very well."

Translation: Flower told Ling Yue: "Don't tell her I ever came back, and don't tell her about this. Just say I ran away angry after being bullied by him, and wandered the streets for a while..." It shook its head, straining to utter a sentence: "Then I was so lucky, so lucky to be picked up by a new owner, now I'm in another city, tell her Flower is doing very well."

"so lucky, so lucky"

It narrowed its eyes, the corners of its mouth turned up like a smile, utterly well-behaved.

Translation: It narrowed its eyes, the upturned corners of its mouth like a smile, exceedingly well-behaved.

"I like my owner, but I truly hate this world."

Translation: "I like my owner, but I truly hate this world."

Ling Yue felt a pang in her heart; Flower had already sprinted off, chasing after the man's footsteps, and would not let him go.

Translation: Ling Yue felt a pang in her heart, Flower had already sprinted off, chasing the man's retreating steps, it would not let him go.

At the same time, the boss lady felt an emptiness in her heart, as if something important had vanished; she instinctively glanced at Ling Yue, after all, everyone had witnessed Ling Yue's display of strength just moments before.

Translation: At the same moment, the boss lady only felt an emptiness in her heart, as if something important had vanished, she instinctively looked toward Ling Yue, after all, everyone had witnessed Ling Yue's displayed strength just now.

She still thought the man was just pretending to be mystical.

Translation: She still thought it was just the man pretending to be mystical.

She said angrily: "Boss Ling, what are we to do? How is our Flower doing now? This person is truly despicable, what is he doing pretending to be mystical?"

Translation: She said angrily: "Boss Ling, what are we to do? How is our Flower doing now? This person is truly despicable, what is he doing pretending to be mystical?"

She said angrily: "Boss Ling, what are we to do? How is our Flower doing now? This person is truly despicable, what is he doing pretending to be mystical?"

Ling Yue stared, seeing her clueless expression, then slowly lowered her gaze and said: "Maybe she's just upset."

Translation: Ling Yue startled, looking at her clueless expression, she slowly lowered her gaze and said: "Perhaps she can't let it go."

We need to keep quotes. So: Ling Yue startled, looking at her clueless expression, she slowly lowered her gaze and said: "Perhaps she can't let it go."

The boss lady looked at her in surprise; Ling Yue said: "I asked him, and he admitted he had been bad to Flower, who ran away, so he's resentful and came here to vent."

Translation: The boss lady stared at her in surprise, Ling Yue: "I got it from his mouth—he had been bad to Flower before, Flower ran away, so she couldn't let it go, wanting to vent her anger here."

We need to keep the quote. So: The boss lady stared at her in surprise, Ling Yue: "I got it from his mouth—he had been bad to Flower before, Flower ran away, so she couldn't let it go, wanting to vent her anger here."

"What?" the boss lady shouted, shocked: "He's been bad to Flower? That little brat—I should beat him to death with a stick!"

Translation: "What?" the boss lady shouted, shocked: "He treated Flower badly? That little brat, I should beat him to death with a stick!"

We need to keep quotes. So: "What?" the boss lady shouted, shocked: "He treated Flower badly? That little brat, I should beat him to death with a stick!"

"So, do you know how Flower is doing now?"

Translation: "Then do you know how Flower is now?"

Ling Yue: "It's doing well."

Translation: Ling Yue: "It's fine."

Ling Yue relayed Flower's fabricated explanation to her, and the boss lady smiled with relief: "I just knew it—there are still more good people than bad in this world; you don't know, but Flower is especially obedient, clingy, and well-behaved."

Translation: Ling Yue told her the fabricated excuse Flower had made up, the boss lady smiled with relief: "I just said, there are still good people in this world; you don't know, Flower is especially obedient, clingy and well-behaved."

We need to keep quotes. So: Ling Yue told her the fabricated excuse Flower had made up, the boss lady smiled with relief: "I just said, there are still good people in this world; you don't know, Flower is especially obedient, clingy and well-behaved."

As she spoke, she suddenly rolled her eyes: "If it weren't for that jerk constantly bothering me, I wouldn't have given it away; it's been half a month, and I've been unable to eat or sleep well because of Flower's situation, but now knowing Flower is safe and sound makes me truly happy."

Translation: She said, then suddenly rolled her eyes: "If it weren't for that jerk constantly nagging me, I wouldn't have sent it away; half a month has passed, I've been unable to eat or sleep well because of Flower's affair, now knowing Flower is safe and sound, I'm truly glad."

We need to keep quotes. So: She said, then suddenly rolled her eyes: "If it weren't for that jerk constantly nagging me, I wouldn't have sent it away; half a month has passed, I've been unable to eat or sleep well because of Flower's affair, now knowing Flower is safe and sound, I'm truly glad."

Ling Yue watched her satisfied expression, feeling as if countless tiny needles were piercing her heart; for the boss lady, she would never know the truth, which somehow seems fine.

Translation: Ling Yue watched her satisfied expression, her heart felt as if pierced by countless fine needles; for the boss lady, she would never know the truth, which seemed rather good as well.

But Ling Yue cannot; when she closes her eyes she sees Flower's departing image, its illusory silhouette constantly stretching before her vision.

Translation: But Ling Yue couldn't, closing her eyes she saw only the scene of Flower's departure, its illusory silhouette constantly stretching before her eyes.

Flower was bent on death; even if Ling Yue could gather its soul, she could not heal Flower's heart.

Translation: Flower sought death wholeheartedly; even if Ling Yue could gather its soul, she could not heal Flower's heart.

After it expressed its hatred for the world, Ling Yue realized that Flower's sorrow was greater than death itself.

Translation: After it spoke its hatred of the world, Ling Yue knew Flower's heart was already more sorrowful than death.

Thinking of the deceased Flower, and those cats that were killed alive, skinned and stripped of flesh, Ling Yue couldn't make a sound.

Translation: Thinking of the dead Flower, those cats killed alive, skinned and stripped of flesh, Ling Yue could not utter a sound.

In the car on the way back, she looked in the mirror, with Bai Ze sitting in the passenger seat, unsure whether she was asking him or herself: "Do you think humans are very hypocritical?"

Translation: In the car returning, she looked at the mirror, Bai Ze sitting in the passenger seat, Ling Yue unsure whether she was asking him or herself: "Do you think humans are very hypocritical?"

Bai Ze narrowed his eyes, hearing her continue: "Some people save animals, some kill animals; they may weep over the tragic fate of small creatures, yet ruthlessly slaughter them for profit."

Translation: Bai Ze narrowed his eyes, hearing her continue: "Some save animals, some kill animals; they may weep over the tragic fate of small creatures, yet ruthlessly slaughter them for profit."

The man lowered his eyelids slightly; beneath his plain lenses, a glint flickered in his eyes and vanished: "Perhaps."

Translation: The man lowered his eyelids slightly, beneath the plain lenses a glint flickered and vanished: "Perhaps."

"I have spent little time with humans, most of it asleep."

Translation: "My time spent with humans has been short, most of it in slumber."

"But I think a species naturally has both good and bad; Nüwa created humans, not like factory machines mass-produced."

Translation: "But I think a nation inherently has both good and evil; Nüwa created humans, not like machines mass-produced in today's factories."

Ling Yue suddenly heard his very modern analogy and couldn't help twitching the corner of her mouth: "Yeah, we humans even have the saying that one grain of rice can feed a hundred kinds of people, and in a big forest you'll find all sorts of birds..."

Translation: Ling Yue suddenly heard his very modern metaphor, she couldn't help twitching the corner of her mouth: "Yeah, we humans also have the saying, one grain of rice feeds a hundred kinds of people; in a big forest, all sorts of birds appear..."

Ling Yue tapped the horn, smoothly changing lanes: "Still, I feel that I can do something."

Translation: Ling Yue pressed the horn, smoothly steering the car aside: "Still, I feel I can do something."

"A civilian animal protection organization—I can't change human nature, but I can restrain and strike down those lawless wrongdoers so they receive punishment!"

Translation: "A civilian animal protection organization—I cannot change human nature, but I can restrain, I can strike, letting those wanton wrongdoers receive punishment!"

Ling Yue merely thought about it, and realized she had encountered truly many instances of animal abuse.

Translation: Ling Yue merely thought about it; she had truly encountered far too many instances of animal abuse.

**The lawsuit only targeted the delivery company on one side; there are many more unscrupulous vendors selling pet blind boxes, customers unaware of the dangers of mailing live animals via delivery, or those who simply don't care.

Note: The line starts with ** (maybe bold). We need to translate exactly, preserving the asterisks? The instruction: translate faithfully, never skip, summarise, or merge paragraphs. The asterisks are likely formatting for bold. We should keep them? Usually we keep them as they appear. So we output the line with ** at start. Translate the Chinese after that.

Translation: "**Express delivery is merely suing the delivery side; there are many more unscrupulous vendors selling pet blind boxes, customers unaware of the dangers of mailing animals via express, or those who simply don't care."

We need to keep the asterisks. So: "**Express delivery is merely suing the delivery side; there are many more unscrupulous vendors selling pet blind boxes, customers unaware of the dangers of mailing animals via express, or those who simply don't care."

Ling Yue sighed; the road ahead is heavy and long.

Translation: Ling Yue sighed, the burden heavy and the road long.

Bai Ze gave a warm

Translation: Bai Ze gave a warm smile: "A very idealistic notion."

He stared silently at Ling Yue; some things you only know after doing them—just how difficult they can be.

Translation: He silently gazed at Ling Yue; some things you only know by doing them, how arduous they would be.

Bai Ze suddenly recalled a saying: "To carry out heaven's will by hunting; the human way ought to flourish."

Translation: Bai Ze suddenly recalled a saying: "To hunt by heavenly mandate, the humane way shall rise."

After heading home, Ling Yue took inventory of her connections; she hadn't realized it until she checked—then she was shocked to discover that in both business and politics, she had some avenues.

Translation: After returning home, Ling Yue integrated her contacts a bit; not looking, one wouldn't know, but upon inquiry she was startled—she had some connections in both business and political circles.

The Song family father and son she had saved earlier, the Ye Group, that official who had been afflicted with gu, and so on…

Translation: The previously rescued Song father and son, the Ye Group, and that official who had been poisoned, etc...

We need to keep the ellipsis. So: The previously rescued Song father and son, the Ye Group, and that official who had been poisoned, etc...

Ling Yue stayed up late working and nearly forgot about the next day's fan‑host meeting for the orca‑live‑stream prep.

Translation: Ling Yue worked until midnight, almost forgetting the next day's orca livestream preparation fan-host meetup.

As the top orca‑platform streamer, Ling Yue hadn't even gone inside yet, but from a distance she could see the way to her own glass‑walled studio, a massive crowd of fans surging forward and back—calling it a sea of people would be an understatement.

Translation: As the top host on the orca platform, Ling Yue hadn't even entered yet; from afar she could see the glass-paneled path belonging to her, a huge crowd of fans surging forward and back, to say it was a sea of people would be no exaggeration.

Ling Yue stopped in her tracks and asked the nearby staff member: "What is this for?"

Translation: Ling Yue stopped in her tracks, asking the nearby staff member: "What is this for?"

The staff member smiled slightly: "Isn't this the offline fan‑streamer meetup? We've prepared plenty of space for each streamer so you can interact with your fans and have fun."

Translation: The staff member smiled slightly: "Isn't this the offline fan-host exchange? We've prepared ample space for each host, so you can interact with fans and have fun."

Ling Yue remained silent.

Translation: Ling Yue remained silent.

"Have fun?" she thought, doubting whether it was sincere; she truly feared that if she approached, the fans would eat her alive.

Translation: "Have fun?" you say that seriously? She truly feared that if she went over, the fans would eat her alive.

When she got to the door, Ling Yue hesitated, turned to Bai Ze at her side, and asked: "Isn't this going to sink?"

Translation: Upon reaching the door, Ling Yue's movement stalled, she turned to look at Bai Ze beside her: "These things aren't heavy, are they?"

The tall, slim guy wearing the same mask shook his head, his eyes gentle: "No problem."

Translation: The tall, slim male student wearing the same mask shook his head, his brows and eyes warm: "No problem."

When he said that, both his hands were already holding bags full, inside packed full were all gifts brought by Ling Yue: fruit wine, not-yet-pre-sale pet food, the most popular insect-repelling cute pet sachet—not many, only a dozen or so.

There are also some that are cultural and creative products of zoo animals.

Ling Yue has had this idea for a long time; recently, the already capable Yuan Yuan finally contacted a suitable factory—pearl luster badges, crushed diamond brooches, crystal standees, metal bookmarks, plush pendants—not yet for sale, so, like the pet food, Ling Yue took them out to test the waters.

The Orca Platform is incredibly wealthy; previously arranged venues were all cleared, they rented an entire floor of the Evertrust Building, dividing it into open compartments of various sizes; among them, Ling Yue's fans numbered the most, over two hundred, more than the second and third combined.

These people, it turns out, are mostly her fervent fans.

So, when Ling Yue appeared in the small house, the excited screams almost lifted the roof.

"Ahhh, streamer! I saw a live streamer!"

"Ahhhhh!!!!"

"Goodness, streamer, I'm Xiao Mianyang Mie Mie, I've been your old fan in your live room, streamer, do you still remember me?"

Ling Yue, upon hearing this, fell silent; whether her memory is good or not, it's still deeply impressive.

This Xiao Mianyang Mie Mie was a visitor who accidentally entered her first livestream; after seeing her face, they called friends and attracted a crowd of appearance-focused fans.

Ling Yue went on stage, stood before the prepared table, bottles of fruit wine were taken out, a bag of zoo cultural and creative products was emptied, plus several packs of pet food, leaving the fans staring.

Never mind the limited-edition fruit wine with no market; just the cultural and creative merchandise that was poured out, sparkling delicately under the lights, its craftsmanship no less than big brands, and moreover, this batch had been personally consecrated by Ling Yue, its function similar to a peace talisman.

You should know, besides the insect-repelling cute pet small fragrance pouch, she had released nothing else, even though Ling Yue had mastered most of the Compendium of Daoist Arts.

Upon seeing these exquisite gifts, the fans exploded, their eyes glued to them without blinking.

"What is this plush? A big tiger hugging a small tiger, wuwuwu so cute so cute!"

"It must be the little plush of celebrity dad Zhuangzhuang with his cubs; I've seen it at the zoo, really super similar!"

"I like the badge, it has great texture, beside it is written a line: it is the spirit of the sea, it is born free."

In the middle of the badge is a pearl-luster blue gold-plated dolphin, showing its signature smile.

"I know it, it's the streamer zoo's smile, the dolphin's smile!"

Any old fan knows they like the streamer not just seen in this live room; if they pay attention, they can see Ling Yue in all kinds of weird places.

For example, today the streamer zoo is expanding; tomorrow the streamer will tame a hawk on a hundred-meter-high building.

Only they can't imagine, there's nothing the streamer can't do.

Compared to various little surprises, the freshly packaged pet food seems unremarkable, but there are always those who recognize heroes with a discerning eye.

"This look, it's like the streamer crushed the special-effect medicine yesterday!"

"What special-effect medicine? It's clearly pet food... wow, the streamer finally started selling it? Ahhh, I want to buy it all!"

An excited yet familiar voice made Ling Yue unable to resist looking; facing a familiar face, who else could it be but Ye Yilin?

Ling Yue couldn't help coughing: "These are all gifts given by the game, not for sale, entirely depending on luck and strength."

In an instant, who knows how many non-chiefs wailed.

Upon hearing the last two words, their eyes lit up instantly: "Great, whatever game the streamer says to play, we'll go along!"

"Hit drum pass flower? Unison? Two-person three-leg? Fight the landlord?"

Finally, it seemed something weird had gotten mixed in.

Here, Ling Yue's is the place with the most enthusiastic fan response; in the big group they formed, many posted prize photos in the group, while those who couldn't come had envious tears streaming from their mouths.

In the not-so-large room, echoed the fans' laughter and wails.

The mountain-like gifts also kept getting smaller; it wasn't that people stared longingly at the dwindling gifts, their hearts nearly breaking.

Why so few, ahhh!

Ling Yue's little game went on until noon; when they turned back, they were startled by someone leaning outside the glass house—what were they playing? Why did they look so happy?

As it turned out, one of the appearance-focused streamers, meeting offline, was actually exposed for privately dating the top-ranked big brother; the key is, the big brother is a typical middle-aged man who has let himself go.

The streamer was exposed by fans; not only that, there were even more melodramatic incidents, as the second-ranked also stepped forward, questioning her: "On what basis did I splurge five hundred thousand, yet I can't even hold your little hand?"

Melodramatic drenched.

Melons came one after another, a killing spree, simply killing crazy!

The fans watching the melodrama were also almost crazy, others were drawn out, while here with Ling Yue, not a single person was missing, not even wanting to eat melons, showing how fun these games are.

It also makes people more curious.

Inside the room.

Ling Yue personally joined in, hit drum pass flower; unexpectedly, this time it landed in her hand, according to the rule, whoever catches the flower must perform a talent.

Upon hearing this, the fans' eyes instantly glowed green.

"Magic! Streamer, perform magic!"

"Wuwuwu, my Mie Mie isn't done yet!"

"Qiu Qiu, streamer, if I can't hold the little brain axe anymore, the kid will cry hungry!"

Ling Yue gave a faint smile: "Then I'll... draw lots to tell fortunes."

The fans were all bewildered; Ling Yue didn't mention it, they almost forgot the streamer's weird skill.

At this moment, Ling Yue already held the flower: "Whoever grabs the real flower is that lucky person."

The fans: "???"

"What real flower fake flower, isn't it just this one?"

They were at a loss; the next moment, Ling Yue tossed it up, that red rose thrown toward the sky.

As it fell, everyone felt their eyes were blurred, otherwise how could they see that red rose become one, two, three, then a whole bunch?

At the moment the flower petals hit their faces, they all moved, each thinking the flower in their hand was real—this feel, this scent, this freshness, who wouldn't say it's genuine!

Hearing their voices, Ling Yue couldn't help curling her lips: "Really? But there's only one real flower."

The fans: ⊙﹏⊙

As her words fell, the fresh flower in their hands instantly shattered; many covered it tightly, then opened—still no rose.

In the crowd, the unnoticeable Wu Xiaoxiao slowly opened her palm, a bewitchingly dewy rose lay still in her hand.

She rubbed her eye sockets, couldn't help looking again and again, and uttered in disbelief: "I, I won?"

"The person who got the real rose is me!!!"

"I won!"

She almost wanted to jump up directly; the others beside her looked at her and smiled sincerely: "Congratulations, congratulations, sister, hurry up onto the stage!"

"Goodness, quickly rub shoulders with the European Emperor, suck in some European luck!"

Wu Xiaoxiao bashfully answered everyone: "Ah? Okay, I'll go right away!"

She was bursting with excitement she couldn't hide, a fine layer of sweat appeared on her palms, she subconsciously touched her chest; there, her heart thumped thump-thump.

Wu Xiaoxiao, both nervous and anticipating, couldn't help thinking of the story "Fan Jin Passes the Exam" she had learned; she felt that although she hadn't won, she wasn't far off.

Ling Yue: "Relax, I'm not a man-eating tiger."

Wu Xiaoxiao's face flushed red: "Even if the host is a tiger, I'm willing to be eaten by the host."

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke; although she had already started working, her attractive brows and eyes still retained some childishness—normally only a university student just entering society would be like that.

Ling Yue was amused by her silly words, gave a light cough twice before returning to the topic: "My ability might be somewhat special; you'll see your past and future—are you sure you want me to tell your fortune?"

Wu Xiaoxiao slowly widened her eyes, covered her mouth in surprise: "Wow, so amazing!"

"Host, I can do anything. Of course, if there are any hardships, could you tell me so I can avoid them?"

Ling Yue nodded: "Of course."

"Fortune-telling, by nature, can help you avoid some risks."

Moreover, she saw the young lady's gaze was clear and upright; she was definitely not a great villain.

Wu Xiaoxiao then said nothing.

She felt the host's gaze slowly sweeping across her face, her cheeks grew hotter and hotter, even her ears heated up—ahhh, she was absolutely straight as steel!

However, the host is too good-looking, her gaze also so gentle—who wouldn't want to get close to a pretty older sister?

She was lost in random thoughts, not noticing that Ling Yue furrowed her brows, her expression growing increasingly grave.

Everyone's hearts were like an overturned bucket, all over the place; the host's expression made people dare not even breathe.

Around the room, the faces of those pressed against the glass wall were squeezed out of shape; looking at it, this wasn't a livestream room, it was a live broadcast!

Many people's eyes sparkled with glee, while others sneered contemptuously: "Laughable, what era is this that anyone still believes in fortune-telling? Clearly just a smooth-talking liar—are you guys stupid?"

"Wow, bro, you're awesome!"

"You haven't watched this host's livestream, have you?"

"What livestream? Fortune-telling? Aren't you afraid of being labeled as promoting feudal superstition and getting banned?"

"Hehehe, big bro, the host's main business isn't fortune-telling; it's a pet consultation livestream—she doesn't rely on this to make a living, and you're being a bit over the top; the host hasn't even finished the reading yet."

Everyone held their own opinions, arguing noisily; in an instant, the outside clamor was comparable to a bustling market.

Ling Yue didn't care, because she couldn't hear any of it at all.

At this moment, she was fully immersed in Wu Xiaoxiao's fate line.

She saw Wu Xiaoxiao's first half of life.

The young lady grew up in a single-parent family; her father cheated and abandoned her, while her mother painstakingly raised her alone.

She herself was also promising, her academic performance always top-notch; she performed normally on the college entrance exam and got into the 211 key university she had long aspired to.

After graduation, Wu Xiaoxiao stayed to work in the provincial capital where her school was located.

This was her first half of life; although there were ups and downs, it was altogether peaceful.

But her second half of life……

Ling Yue furrowed her brows, as the saying goes: minor luck lasts three years, major luck ten years. Wu Xiaoxiao's major luck shifted when she graduated, her fate line flipped over, and Ling Yue saw this batch of college students each going their own way.

Wu Xiaoxiao stayed in Northern City.

She spent half a year barely adapting to the fast-paced work life, but her body couldn't hold up; she often felt so upset she cried at midnight, missing her mother back home—yet reality was, she had to grit her teeth and keep persevering.

Occasionally at a class reunion, she saw her good friend from the same dorm; after they had graduated, they had lost contact.

Until this time, half a year later, they reunited again.

The friend excitedly recommended a company to her, earnestly guaranteeing: "This is my father's relatives' company; although it's not big, the environment is especially good, the salary is generous—after tax you can take home seven or eight thousand! Room and board included; it's just been established not long ago—will you come or not?"

Wu Xiaoxiao hesitated a little: "Is this okay? We're good friends, I'm not hiding anything from you; a newly established company, I really have no confidence in my heart, afraid that if something happens……"

The friend thumped his chest in assurance: "Who are we to each other? Don't you remember? In four years of college I got sick, you carried me to the infirmary; given our bond, you've helped me so much—would I screw you over? Do I still have a conscience?"

"Besides, you can first give it a try; just don't tell others you came in through my introduction—the work environment is especially good, all people like you young folks."

The friend enthusiastically recommended: "Besides, think about it another way—the company is just starting out; if you keep working there, later when it becomes a big company, won't you be a founding elder?"

Wu Xiaoxiao didn't know what to say; she felt the friend was painting a big pie, but this friend's family circumstances were very good.

Her eyes flickered slightly; she saw the other person decked out in brand-name clothing, the earrings on their ears seemed to be a new model from some luxury brand.

She's so wealthy; surely she wouldn't deceive me, would she?

Moreover, what do I have that's worth deceiving?

Most importantly, relying on my current salary of just over six thousand, I still have to cover my own food, drink, and rent; each month I can't even save four thousand.

Compared to the seven or eight thousand salary with room and board, the temptation is truly huge.

She would have to work many, many years before she could bring her mother over as well.

Wu Xiaoxiao's shameful heart stirred.

At that very moment, Ling Yue saw her originally upward fate line suddenly plummet, sliding all the way into a bottomless abyss.

Wu Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, about to speak, when the friend received a call; the conversation was about fields she'd never touched: "Beauty salon? Today's photon skin rejuvenation? Oh, I forgot, let's chat later."

The friend looked at her: "Xiaoxiao, think about it some more; I have something this afternoon, so I'll go, bye."

Wu Xiaoxiao: "Wait, that company—I'll go, I'll go hand in my resignation right away; wait for me."

The friend seemed not to take it to heart, gave an OK sign: "I understand."

If you had listened to me, wouldn't it have been settled?

Wu Xiaoxiao gave an awkward smile; she was not good with words and didn't know what to say, but fortunately her friend seemed to have no other intention.

Afterward, she quit as quickly as possible and joined the new company, only to discover that not a single word her friend had said was false.

Although the newly established company had just been founded, its conditions were superior to anything she had ever seen: nine-to-five, no overtime, weekends off, and afternoon tea never missed.

The company also had a snack room, the workload was light, and salaries were paid every month. Wu Xiaoxiao and her friend had discussed that if the company kept these conditions, they could work there forever!

It can be said that they had completely won over the hearts of all fifty or sixty employees, from top to bottom.

Until recently, the accountant suddenly sent a notice via DingTalk in the group: "【The company, due to poor management and cash flow problems, will temporarily not pay salaries this month; we hope all employees understand.】"

Wu Xiaoxiao froze instantly.

It wasn't anger, but anxiety; her first reaction was, "The company must not run into any trouble!"

That evening, after work, Wu Xiaoxiao returned to the dormitory, where her dormmate grabbed her, and seven or eight girls gathered around, worried.

Obviously, just like Wu Xiaoxiao, they were also worried.

Nowadays, under industry-wide capital exploitation, most companies promote cutthroat competition—if you don't die from it, you're pushed to the brink! This has even reached their second-tier city; a conscientious enterprise like Heart Company must not go bankrupt!

Wu Xiaoxiao held her phone, pondering whether she should ask the friend who had originally introduced her to the company.

In the end, she still asked, but got a vague answer; Wu Xiaoxiao grew increasingly anxious, and the other party hung up, leaving her heart half-cold, and she no longer wanted to quit.

She had only worked there for three months—just three months—but that was enough for her to grow fond of the company; during that period, the whole company atmosphere was gloomy and oppressive, with all employees panicking all day long.

Wu Xiaoxiao had been enduring it, because there were more important matters, and she hadn't realized that wages had been backlogged for nearly two months.

Others were just like her, completely lacking any motivation.

Until one day, the long-dormant DingTalk group suddenly chimed with a clear notification.

Accountant Red Sister: "@All members, I hereby announce a good news: the boss has secured financing, our company has overcome the crisis, are you all happy or not?!"

The ding-ding-ding notification kept sounding, but Wu Xiaoxiao didn't find it noisy at all; instead, she laughed along, and soon her company returned to its former vibrant state.

After this incident, the employees became even more devoted to the company.

After Wu Xiaoxiao took leave to attend the anniversary celebration of the Jing Shi Tiger-Whale Platform, her close friend suddenly pulled her into the restroom: "Xiaoxiao, I've heard a particularly good piece of gossip!"

Wu Xiaoxiao watched her friend grin so widely her gums were almost showing, and she couldn't help but nod, thinking, "You don't need to add a prefix; just looking at your face about to split from smiling, I already know."

The coworker, not noticing her expression, stomped her feet in excitement: "You definitely don't know, right? That little piece of gossip is—our company's big boss, Zhou Zong, is very pleased with everyone's performance during this period; after encountering difficulties at the company, he didn't think of leaving, but instead we all united as one, working together heart and soul."

"So, Zhou Zong has decided to take everyone on an overseas trip at the beginning of next month for team-building and relaxation!"

Wu Xiaoxiao stared for a moment, then burst out laughing: "Great! So where are we going?"