Chen Ji peeled open an egg yolk pastry and brought it closer. The Yellow Weasel instantly locked eyes on Chen Ji’s hand. Chen Ji chuckled and twirled the pastry in front of him; those little eyes followed right along with his hand.
Before, in the dim light, the creature had looked like a yellow-skinned weasel. Now, under the brightness, Chen Ji could see it was mainly a milky tea color, with fur tips shimmering in golden brown. The little yellow weasel gleamed with an oily sheen, his entire body radiating a silky luster. His round head sported two plump, semicircular ears—adorable from every angle.
Second Master Huang grew anxious when Chen Ji didn’t offer it to him and let out a series of urgent squeaks. Chen Ji couldn’t help but smile. He extended his hand, and Second Master Huang, knowing full well this young man wasn’t entirely trustworthy, simply clutched his finger tight. Half his head pressed into Chen Ji’s palm. Though wary at first, he soon devoted himself entirely to the pastry, his eyes and heart filled with nothing else.
The silky fur brushed across Chen Ji’s palm, delivering a delightfully smooth sensation. Chen Ji thought to himself that this refined creature was indeed different—its fur felt far superior to the rest.
The System Cat inexplicably felt a twinge of displeasure: 【Feed me more fish oil, and my fur would feel just as nice!】
Chen Ji smiled back at it: 【Yeah, yours feels even better.】
The System Cat was round and plump, giving a solid, comforting touch. Second Master Huang, sleek and glossy, felt lively and spirited by contrast—two entirely different sensations.
On the third time Chen Ji’s hand reached Second Master Huang’s ears, the weasel suddenly jerked his head up. Pastry crumbs still clung to his whiskers. “You brat, what are you doing?!”
Chen Ji kept a straight face, unflinching: “Second Grandpa Huang had some crumbs on your head. I was just brushing them off for you.”
Second Master Huang huffed arrogantly. “Hmph. At least you’ve got some filial piety—not palming off the little ones on your Second Grandpa Huang.”
With that, he lifted his small head, signaling Chen Ji to clean him up. Chen Ji happily grabbed a napkin and wiped him down. Second Master Huang hooked his front paws around Chen Ji’s finger, chin raised high. “Yeah, right there—scratch my chin a couple more times~”
The young man’s slender fingers rhythmically stroked his chin. Second Master Huang squinted in bliss, his round, chubby ears twitching repeatedly. In the next instant, his body shuddered. For some reason, he shot Chen Ji a glare. But the two-meter-tall shadowy figure behind him crashed to the ground with a thud, belly up, scraping its head and back fiercely against the floor before going limp.
…It was much like the System Cat when it got pampered into rolling over and playing dead.
Chen Ji pretended not to notice. He scratched a few more times to satisfy himself before withdrawing his fingers.
This little one in front of him was plenty cute, but the massive one behind? Not so much. No normal person would find a two-meter-tall, pitch-black, featureless abomination—with clearly visible palm-length fangs—adorable in the slightest.
Especially since this unidentified beast had nearly torn him to shreds earlier.
The System Cat: 【It really hasn’t noticed at all…】
Second Master Huang let out a satisfied belch. Chen Ji gazed at him warmly. “Second Grandpa Huang, are you full?”
“Burp~ I could eat a couple more bites~” Second Grandpa sprawled on the chair, looking utterly blissed out, as if his soul had ascended to nirvana. Clearly, he couldn’t stomach another morsel, but Chen Ji didn’t call him on it. “In that case, have some more.”
He turned and stepped out. When he returned, he carried two boxes of egg yolk pastries in one hand and several glass containers in the other. Though stuffed, Second Master Huang couldn’t help glancing at the pastries—meat was good, but egg yolk pastries were the best!
Summoning his energy with a jerk, Second Master Huang perked up his ears. “What are you up to?!”
Chen Ji packed the remaining dishes into takeout boxes, untied the plastic straps, and bent one arm. Second Master Huang nestled right into the crook of his elbow, his lithe body molding perfectly to it. Far too comfortable to budge, he stayed put as Chen Ji said leisurely, “Just seeing you off.”
Second Master Huang chuckled. “Well now, you’ve got some manners after all!”
Chen Ji cradled Second Master Huang as he walked to the front door. Outside lay pitch darkness. As he pushed the door open, countless glowing green eyes lit up in the gloom. Chen Ji paused, not stepping out—he saw seven or eight dozen shadowy figures of varying sizes.
These shadows weren’t as solid as the one behind Second Master Huang; they were blurry. But in such numbers, they were intimidating enough.
“What are you lot doing?! Pack it in!” Second Master Huang flailed his tiny paws from Chen Ji’s arms. “Your grandpa’s just visiting the neighbors—what’s with the hostile display? Aren’t you embarrassed? Outsiders would think the Old Huang Family’s bullying them!”
The shadows vanished in an instant.
Chen Ji blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dark. Now he saw a pack of little yellow weasels, lined up neatly. They tilted their heads at him curiously. The leaders even pressed their paws together in a bow, their voices piping out in sweet, coquettish squeaks—as if greeting him formally.
They probably couldn’t speak yet.
Second Master Huang snorted twice. “Since we swore that oath to you last time, we’ll be good neighbors from now on. If you run into trouble, just bring some tribute and shout ‘Second Grandpa Huang, save me!’ three times. Your grandpa will come to your aid!”
Second Master Huang figured it all out nicely. They’d sworn before Grandpa Mountain Lord—if broken, it meant death. The Chen kid wasn’t much in other ways, but his cooking skills were top-notch… His gaze flicked to the egg yolk pastries in Chen Ji’s hand—surely meant as tribute for him?
Chen Ji set Second Master Huang down, placed the takeout beside him, and squatted to extend a hand. Second Master Huang blinked in confusion. “What?”
Chen Ji said mildly, “May I shake your hand?”
“You think your Second Grandpa Huang’s paw is for the likes of you?!” Second Master Huang paused, eyeing Chen Ji’s dark eyes, then changed tack. “But seeing your sincerity… it can’t hurt!”
With that, he plopped his paw into Chen Ji’s palm, acting magnanimous. “Go on, shake away!”
Chen Ji gently squeezed the fluffy paw, a smile softening his features. He rubbed his thumb over it, then guided Second Master Huang to the LocknLock box, patiently showing him the latch. “Push here, and it opens.”
Still dazed, Second Master Huang heard Chen Ji repeat: “Got it?”
Second Master Huang’s heart tightened inexplicably, a sudden guilt washing over him. “Got it, got it! Your Second Grandpa Huang can do anything—don’t need you teaching me!”
“Second Grandpa Huang knows everything,” Chen Ji acknowledged. He snapped the box shut, handed the egg yolk pastries to the nearby little yellow weasels, and stood to bid farewell. “It’s late, Second Grandpa Huang. Head home and rest.”
Second Master Huang nodded frantically, forgetting all else. He darted off in a flash. The little yellow weasels scrambled to catch the pastries and boxes, bowed to Chen Ji once more, and scurried after him, hauling their loot.
【Chen Ji~】 The System Cat leaped from the void, landing lightly on his shoulder with a tease: 【Shouldn’t you order a couple more boxes of egg yolk pastries?】
【Yeah.】 Chen Ji shut the door behind him: 【Order some salmon too. I’ll simmer salmon oil for you.】
【Rawr! Love you!】 The System Cat’s big head nuzzled his cheek hard: 【I knew you love me the most!~】
【Oh yeah! Didn’t it mention your family has yellow talismans?】 The System Cat’s eyes gleamed with greed: 【Bet you don’t know where! Heh heh, want me to scan? Special deal—Full Territory Scan for just ten points, plus a free Newbie Roulette Wheel! Newbie special—don’t miss out!】
The System Cat’s newbie gift of a hundred points had gone to Stamina Recovery Liquid. The pigment-hunting task had rewarded the One-Click Renovation Pack, plus ten guaranteed points as a token.
Chen Ji and the System Cat exchanged a knowing look: 【Redeem it.】
【You got it!】 The System Cat fiddled inside, and a dazzling roulette wheel popped up before Chen Ji’s eyes, complete with fireworks effects that left him blinking.
Chen Ji examined the wheel. Six sections, all starred out—impossible to tell what they held. He glanced at the System Cat, which averted its eyes guiltily and coughed: 【…I guarantee they’re all good stuff!】
Chen Ji didn’t mind wasting ten points. The System Cat belonged to the 8839 Cultural Relic Protection System, not some kill-or-be-killed infinite loop. Its shop focused on relic restoration and daily goods. Holding onto points wasn’t doing much.
For example, a purple pigment extracted from sea snails cost 10,000 points there. On Taobao, the cheapest was a buck, pricier ones barely a hundred—and they worked for tasks. Why would Chen Ji blow points in the shop?
With contents hidden, Chen Ji tapped randomly to spin. Soon it stopped, stars dissolving into sparkles. Two words emerged: Blind Box.
Chen Ji: 【…?】
【…】 The System Cat went quiet for a beat: 【…Open it first and see?】
Chen Ji reached out, and a wooden case dropped into his hand. He slid open the lid to reveal a blue-bound ancient book. Chen Ji eyed it: 【《Supreme Cave Abyss Divine Curse Scripture · Part One》.】
Just from the name, he knew this was exactly what he needed.
The System Cat did a backflip—salted fish to carp in one motion—and puffed up proudly: 【See, see? Told you it’d be useful! Check it out!】
Chen Ji gave the System Cat a rub and pocketed the book: 【No rush. Activate the Full Territory Scan first.】
The System Cat nodded. 【One minute~】
A minute later, a full map of the Mountain Lord Temple appeared before Chen Ji, anchored to the main hall. Every structure within thirty meters up and down was laid bare.
The System Cat summarized for efficiency: 【Dark compartment behind the main hall statue. Another in the cellar. Your neighbor has a hidden room—in the one your grandpa used to live in. Most stuff there! Recommend checking that first. Save the statue and cellar for tomorrow.】
Chen Ji: 【Hm?】
The System Cat: 【Friendly reminder: Bedtime’s approaching. Hurry up and sleep—or get in bed quick for twenty more minutes of phone time.】
Chen Ji: 【…Yeah.】
—A good system like the System Cat, strictly enforcing its host’s demands for regular, healthy habits.
