novelThe Departure
| ← Ch.0429 | Ch.0431 → |
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Lightning's grumbling was starting to get on Zhao Yao's nerves as he shot him a death glare, "You expect me to bring you to the grassland for 200 experience points? Only a r*tard will do that. I will think about it if you offered me 2000 instead."
However, the frown on Zhao Yao's face had already dissolved into a grin by the next second, "Oh, mission completed already?"
Apparently, Zhao Yao had managed to complete Lightning's mission of bringing him back to his natural habitat. Despite his lackluster effort, Zhao Yao had earned himself 200*2 experience points.
With the mission completed, the probability of Zhao Yao brining Lightning to the actual grassland or desert had plummeted to zero. Despite his relentless struggle, Zhao Yao simply ran his fingers through his fur before bringing him back home.
Zhao Yao opened his front gate to a solemn-looking Hanako staring straight at him, with her arms folded across her chest. Seeing Lightning in Zhao Yao's arms, Hanako simply nodded her head despondently, "Zhao Yao, I'm happy to see you and Lightning enjoying each other's company."
Lightning's futile struggle grew even more violent, "How are we even enjoying each other's company? I want to return to the grassland! I want my title as King of the Gobi!"
Zhao Yao comforted him by saying, "Alright, alright. Tomorrow, I will bring you to the garden downstairs for a stroll."
Lightning's lips drew into a snarl as he shot Zhao Yao a look of disdain.
However, Zhao Yao had no time for Lightning. He noticed the luggage standing next to Hanako and asked, "Are you going back to Japan?"
Hanako nodded her head before bending her body in a complete 90° bow, "I've thought about it and I think it's best for me to go back one more time."
Zhao Yao's brows immediately snapped together when he heard Hanako's words, "Are you sure it's going to be okay?"
An awkward smile stretched across Hanako's face as she shook her head, "I cannot be 100% sure about that. However, I am responsible for this matter and I should do whatever I can to resolve it."
As a matter of fact, she had already grown used to her life with Zhao Yao. However, during the previous dream state, everyone except for her stayed in Jiangmen City. Only she returned to Japan, the street which she grew up in.
She clasped Zhao Yao's palms between her own and pleaded, "Zhao Yao, I'm afraid I cannot bring Lightning along, could you kindly take care of him on my behalf?"
"Hmph, " Zhao Yao nodded his head and offered, "Alright, I'll take care of your cat temporarily. Considering all that you have done, I'll simply charge you RMB 50 a day. Also, do not forget about the money which you owed me previously."
Hanako could only let out a mirthless laugh as she answered, "Once I'm back in Japan, I'll get my people to return you the money which I owe."
Seeing Hanako's tiny body disappearing behind his front gate, a sudden thought popped into Zhao Yao's head as he screamed, "Hey, don't be afraid to give me a call if you're in any sorts of trouble."
Suddenly, Hanako swept her head around with anticipation glistening in her eyes, "Zhao Yao, are you willing to go to Japan with me?"
"It's too far. Furthermore, I don't even have a visa, " Zhao Yao blabbered, "We'll talk about this when you're really in trouble."
In the end, Hanako still left without the company of a trusted friend. Zhao Yao watched that heartless Lightning was having a whale of a time playing with Mango and felt the anger bubbling in him, "Don't you feel a shred of sadness now that your owner is leaving?"
"In this world, there isn't a single thing that will last forever, even relationships or people whom you truly treasure. Zhao Yao, do not get overly emotional about it. Hanako might have left for Japan but you can still FaceTime her, " Then, Lightning diverted the topic by expounding on his predicament, "I am a lone beast destined for greatness in the grassland. Even if Hanako didn't leave for Japan today, it was only a matter of time before we separated."
Zhao Yao stared wide-eyed at this delusional cat and could not be bothered with him.
However, there was a certain resolve in Lightning's words this time around. He seemed bent on a trip to the fields or even the Gobi Desert.
Hence for the subsequent days, Lightning continued bombarding Zhao Yao with his request to do so.
While Zhao Yao was peeing, Lightning would suddenly appear from the tiny crack behind the toilet bowl and pleaded, "Zhao Yao, bring me to the grassland where I belong!"
While Zhao Yao was enjoying his food, Lightning's furry head would reach out from beneath the dining table and asked, "Zhao Yao, a trip to the grassland will provide the freshest of meat, the best of fruits that the world can provide. Also..."Before he could even complete his request, Zhao Yao had stuffed his head back underneath the table.
While Zhao Yao was enjoying a nice hot shower, Lightning would appear on the ceiling. Despite the steam and water splattering on him, he would continue to beg, "Bring me..."
Bam! Zhao Yao immediately grabbed the shower head and aimed it straight at Lightning, drenching him from head to toe.
While Zhao Yao was sleeping, Lightning would creep up to his bedside and whispered into his ears, "You want to go to the grassland, you really want to..."
A few seconds later, Lightning felt a strong grip grabbing onto his body as he got thrown into the toilet.
While Zhao Yao was sitting on the toilet bowl, the door suddenly flung open as Lightning crept in sheepishly. A glimmer flashed across Zhao Yao's eyes as he threatened, "Another word from you and I would flush you down the sewage along with all my shit."
This continued throughout the festive period. Despite his best efforts aimed at convincing Zhao Yao, Zhao Yao remained adamant. Firstly, the place was too far. Secondly, he was too lazy.
This night, like all other nights, Lightning once again got thrown out of the bedroom. However, Red Packet was lurking in the shadows observing everything.
Since starting work at the cat café, Red Packet had been staying at Zhao Yao's apartment all these time. However, her soft-spoken nature combined with her resting bitch face had caused many to forget about her existence.
Even though Red Packet's body was physically inside the apartment, his mind had long drifted into the exciting outdoors.
"With my power, I can easily earn so much money that would make Zhao Yao jealous. A life outside with all these money is definitely better than this monotonous life!"
However, his 'prison break' plan was completely infeasible. Faced with Zhao Yao, there was practically zero chance of escaping. Nothing could possibly slip past his razor-sharp eyes. However, a glimmer began to flash across Red Packet's eyes as he watched the unwavering Lightning continued his begging.
Suddenly, Red Packet had stealthily crept up behind Lightning and began probing him "Do you want to return to the plains?"
Lightning shot him a look of disdain but did not even bother to reply him.
Red Packet continued by saying, "I have a solution which might be able to help you."
Finally, Red Packet had Lightning's attention as he looked expectantly towards him. However, he immediately shook his head the next movement and reasoned, "Are you crazy? You want me to do it behind Zhao Yao's back? He will skin us alive if he hears of it!"
"I admit. Zhao Yao is strong, but he isn't a god." A devious smile spread across Red Packet's face as he continued, "Once you have escaped into the grassland, how can he possibly find you? That place is huge!"
A glimmer of excitement flashed across Lightning's face before he shook his head again, "No, no. We won't be able to escape from him! Do you even know where the grassland is? How can we ever get there?"
Red Packet assured him with a reassuring gaze, "In the past, I spent quite some time che... outside doing some business. I happened to know quite a few cats around. Don't talk about the grassland, I can even get you out of the country if you wished to."
This time around, Lightning had looked at Red Packet all differently. He slid a pack of catmint into Red Packet's paw and whispered, "Bro, you really have the means to do it?"
Red Packet's face turned into a grimace before rejecting the catmint offered to him, "Thanks but no thanks. I'm not interested in that. Let's talk about our great escape plan."
This was enough to get Lightning all excited, "Just tell me exactly what to do and I'll do it!"
Finally, the relentless requests stopped. Instead, he acquiesced and was contented with the grass patch downstairs. Naturally, Zhao Yao was over the moon to see his supercat grown all reasonable. However, Zhao Yao had made it a rule that they could only go down after midnight, accounting for Lightning's peculiar appearance. Also, Dust Ball was instructed to look out for them in case of any trouble.
| ← Ch. 0429 | Ch. 0431 → |