Chapter 471: Flip!

"Clang!"

With a loud crash of a metal tray hitting the table, half a pudding shattered and leapt up, skillfully clearing the mound of stewed beef before plopping into the soup bowl beside Li Ang's hand.

???

Li Ang, who had been enjoying his meal, froze mid-bite, surprised, and looked up—only to see a familiar face full of fury sitting across from him at the empty seat.

That wasteful female cop from this morning?

No… are you insane? There are so many empty seats, yet you come to sit across from your "enemy"? Do we even know each other?

"Miss Yisha."

Hoping to avoid trouble, given her secret police status, Li Ang put down his fork and politely gestured toward a nearby empty seat, speaking as courteously as he could:

"I prefer to eat lunch alone. If it's convenient for you, could you please sit over there…"

"No!"

Looking at this bastard who had mocked her this morning and now stole her lunch, the female cop glared at Li Ang, took off her scarf, and slammed it onto the table, gritting her teeth as she snarled:

"I'm sitting right here today! If you can't stand it, leave!"

"Fine. I'll go find another spot—and I hope you'll keep your promise and stay right here, don't move!"

With a cold, mocking smile, Li Ang picked up his tray and strolled calmly to a nearby seat, plucked a tender, slow-braised shoulder of beef, and happily stuffed it into his mouth.

How wonderful! Though some people in the Police Department are unbearable, the cafeteria food is truly top-tier! Especially this home-style stewed beef—it's no fancy dish, but the chef clearly put in serious effort.

The beef had been briefly seared before boiling, preserving its tenderness perfectly; the broth ratio was clearly calculated—just right, neither soaking in too much to dull the flavor nor too little to leave it under-seasoned.

Li Ang's teeth barely pressed down, and the broth, infused with white peppercorns, bay leaves, and cloves, squeezed out from the tender fibers of the meat—its rich aroma and subtle spiciness, blending with the melt-in-your-mouth texture, instantly conquered his tongue.

In the chilly depths of autumn, when fingers grow numb from the wind, to have a bite of this tender, slightly spicy beef in an empty stomach is, for a weary worker, a true blessing.

I can't take this anymore!

Looking up at Li Ang's blissful expression and the sauce clinging to his lips, then down at her own cold, soggy breaded pork cutlet—her entire day of misfortune turned her eyes red.

I've never seen such an arrogant rebel!

After sneaking into the Police Department by luck, you don't even bother hiding quietly—you boldly come to our cafeteria, and right in front of me, you savor the stewed beef I was saving for myself! You're just…

Ah! Damn it! You're even smacking your lips!

"Clang!"

The metal tray slammed against the table again. After being utterly crushed by Li Ang's blissful eating, the female cop immediately broke her own vow of "I'm sitting right here," carried her tray over, and plopped down across from Li Ang, glaring at him fiercely.

Decided! I'll use the most evil expression of my life, and whisper coldly to him:

You don't think what you did four days ago went unnoticed, do you?

According to the director, the Bureau can't arrest this bastard, nor plan to feed him false intel—this lead has been completely abandoned. So why not scare him with this information?

It'll warn him to tone it down, and remind him our secret police aren't just sitting around! Maybe he'll panic and quit on his own!

…

"You…"

Just as the red-eyed female cop slammed her fist on the table, ready to risk expulsion from the Secret Investigation Bureau just to make this bastard suffer, the bastard across from her suddenly glared back, face cold, and demanded:

"Why are you wasting food?"

"Huh?"

What do you mean "huh"?

Seeing the rice and pudding scattered across the table, Li Ang—who for the past three years had spent less than two copper wheels per day on meals, and once even scavenged bread crusts from trash bins when starving—felt his mood plummet.

As he frowned and raised his head, about to say something like "Don't waste food—half the people in the capital can't even afford to eat this"—he caught sight of the woman's clothing.

According to the Kingdom Police Department's regulations, officers aren't required to wear uniforms unless on duty or at service posts. Though her civilian attire was plain, the fine embroidery on the collar and the fabric that never wrinkled, no matter how she moved, screamed expensive.

So… what's the point of me saying this to her?

After glancing down at his own worn coat, checking the thin elbows worn smooth and the cotton lining peeking through the frayed collar, Li Ang gave a bitter chuckle, abandoned any hope of reasoning with her, and glanced at her coldly before lowering his head again.

"Forget it. I didn't say anything."

"…"

Watching Li Ang lower his head and resume eating, refusing to even look at her again, the female cop—who had been seething with rage moments ago—now sat frozen, utterly at a loss.

Due to chronic malnutrition, Li Ang was always thin, his cheeks hollow, making his eyes appear unusually large and vivid.

As the red-haired director had said, though Li Ang spoke little and showed few expressions, one glance at those eyes told you clearly—he was a man of deep, rich inner emotion.

Now, the female cop was shaken by the coldness radiating from those eyes.

Not hatred. Not disgust. Not anger. Not resentment. Just pure, unadulterated indifference.

You can't discuss ice with a summer insect.

Though she'd never heard that phrase, in that single glance from Li Ang, she clearly understood its meaning—the absolute recognition of a vast gulf between them, and the utter refusal to even bother communicating.

He's… he's…

Unable to describe that look, she snapped back to reality, aware of the stares around her, the murmurs in the dining hall, and Li Ang, still calmly eating his stewed beef with a blank expression—her face suddenly flushed crimson as if by magic.

"You bastard!"

Eat! I'll make you eat!

With a screech of the chair scraping the floor, the female cop leapt to her feet, gripped one side of her tray, and dumped the entire contents onto Li Ang's plate. Then, under countless shocked stares, she bit her lip, lowered her head, and ran out of the cafeteria.

???

What the hell is wrong with you?!

Unaware of the psychological blow his glance had dealt the proud female cop, Li Ang's temper flared as he stared at the ruined tray.

Though the woman's brain was clearly faulty, her physical condition was impeccable—by the time Li Ang recovered from shock and rose to chase her, she was already gone, her long legs carrying her beyond sight. "..."

Breathe… don't argue with fools! Don't argue with fools! Don't argue with fools!

After glancing at the uneaten food on his tray, Li Ang silently repeated this mantra several times, then sat back down with a dark expression, picking through the mess, even plucking up a bit of spilled rice and pudding to taste.

Admittedly, this dessert, popular among female officers, was delicious—clearly made with care. To produce it, eggs, milk, white sugar, raisins, and rice were mixed, steamed until the sugar dissolved and the grains softened into pudding consistency.

Even now slightly chilled, the pudding remained silky-smooth, its sweet, soothing aroma traveling down her throat and settling warmly in her heart.

After tasting the fried pork cutlet and apple pie—both equally excellent—Li Ang's appetite satisfied, his anger subsided, and he nodded in approval.

Not bad. The woman's brain may be broken, but her taste in food is solid. Next time, I'll order the same.

Li Ang, still eating happily, didn't notice that on the table where their first confrontation occurred, a hand-knitted scarf embroidered with "Yisha" still lay.

As for the female cop who had stormed out after flipping the tray, she now stood frozen at the cafeteria entrance, staring as Li Ang picked up the spilled pudding, picked up his utensils, and slowly, carefully ate every last morsel from his ruined plate.

…

"Burp…"

Carrying cat food and pet toys bought from the department store, Li Ang, belching loudly, sprinted home just before three in the afternoon.

As someone with a modest appetite, Li Ang had first endured the cafeteria lady's generous ladle, then suffered the brain-dead female cop's double portion—and only through sheer willpower had he managed to finish this painful yet blissful meal.

He sat down, clutching his bloated stomach to catch his breath, checked the time, and found he still had a while before half-past three. He exhaled in relief, then struggled to his feet to prepare.

According to the information from 【Materialism】, at half-past three, the witch's cat would come to knock. Though it seemed harmless, given its connection to the abnormal, Li Ang had concocted an excuse to send his three younger siblings away, emptying the house.

Iron mice, scratching boards, salted fish dolls, fishing rods for cats, little balls filled with bells…

He arranged all the cat toys around the room, set out two large bowls—one half-full of water, the other brimming with cat food—and nodded in satisfaction. Just as he was about to sit down and rest, he realized he'd forgotten to buy a litter box.

After searching the empty house and finding no suitable container, he took his washbasin, went outside, filled it with sand, and brought it back.

All set!

If the thing that knocks is truly a cat—and not some large feline—this welcome will surely please it!

As Li Ang waited confidently, time reached half-past three. His door was knocked on precisely.

"Tap. Tap-tap."

"Coming!"

Hearing the knock, Li Ang took a deep breath, nervously opened the door—and luckily, it wasn't a large feline, but a small, short-legged, fluffy long-haired Munchkin cat.

"Meow~"

With a soft, milky meow, like a greeting, the gray-and-white cat politely nodded to Li Ang, then scratched its back pack, pulling out a card and offering it.

【Hello, I'm Mango, the pet of the witch who made an agreement with your Clearance Bureau】

After staring into Li Ang's eyes to confirm he could read and had finished the message, Mango pulled out another card before he could speak.

【Don't ask why I'm not black. Other witches keep black cats because they wear black clothes and cat fur doesn't show】

"..."

Uh… I just wanted to say hello, but I did wonder that…

Nodding to show he understood, Li Ang smiled kindly and said:

"So your master likes gray or white clothes?"

"Meow~"

Shaking her head to indicate no, the cat—adorable but with a permanent frown formed by her brow fur—pulled out a third card.

【My master likes flying balls. Fur gets blown off anyway, so she doesn't care】

"Oh, I see…"

After a few awkward card exchanges, watching this clearly intelligent cat, Li Ang glanced at his prepared items and scratched his head in doubt.

Wait… she's not an ordinary cat. Will she even care about my stuff?

Glancing back at the two large bowls and the basin of sand, Li Ang swallowed nervously and asked tentatively:

"Um… could I ask—how should I entertain you?"

Upon hearing this, the cat tugged at the fabric at her neck, unfurling a pink scarf embroidered with rabbits, then rummaged in her back pack and pulled out a fourth card.

【My requirements are simple. Just like before.】

Oh oh! As long as the demands aren't high!

After reading the card, Li Ang felt considerably relieved, but before he could let the cat inside, he saw the fifth card handed to him.

【For food, the appetizer only needs boiled soft carrots and peas; afterward, just serve some tuna salad; the main course isn't picky—half a portion of yellowtail sashimi and cucumber rolls will do…】

«…»

【Also, I've traveled a long way to get here and now need to use the restroom—could you please show me where it is first?】

«…»

【Human? What's wrong? Are you unwell?】

«…»

(End of Chapter)