C18 The Other Use of the System(1)

Humans are numerous.

Yet, even within the confines of a city, they aren't the most populous. The sheer number of rats could scoff at human figures from a magnitude above.

Imagine if these animals transformed into humanoid beings on par with super soldiers. The mere thought is chilling.

"My people have all gone underground recently. I can't do this alone," Rui confided in Shen Xiang. "Help me track down this cat. We can't let it end up back in the wild."

"I'm curious about one thing," Shen Xiang admitted, puzzled by her stance. "Why are you trying to stop them?"

"Because Rui loves humans, and so do I," Ann piped up. "If those troublemakers multiply, the men in black will keep hunting for us. Like now, I can't even return home."

"Humans are more formidable than we assume," Rui offered a more nuanced response than Ann's. "Our beast species' intellect hasn't surpassed that of humans. Take Ann, for instance; he was too young during his evolution, so his post-evolutionary intelligence is akin to a child's. You must realize, drug development requires extensive equipment and numerous scientists. It's not something a newly formed organization can hastily produce."

"So you're suggesting that while it appears the Untamed Organization has acquired a drug, it's probable that an unnamed power is behind it? Perhaps even a human faction?" Shen Xiang articulated Rui's inference.

Rui nodded in agreement.

"Then why not leave it to the special office?" Shen Xiang asked, genuinely perplexed. "There's no fundamental conflict between you and them. Couldn't they handle this? Why take it upon yourself to search?"

"Humanity is powerful, powerful enough to dominate the world," Rui answered. "But they're not omnipotent; they can't discern every detail of this world. There's a saying: 'Snakes have their ways, rats have their paths.' The animal world is beyond their expertise. I fear the wild ones might get there first. Plus, I'm curious to see if they could become allies."

"Alright, I understand," Shen Xiang nodded. Indeed, animals lurk in the shadows, and frankly, when you place two cats of the same breed side by side, it's a challenge for humans to distinguish one from the other immediately.

"Is simply finding it actually useful? If there's one medicine out there, it suggests there could be others."

"I'm not sure, but the fact that the Untamed Organization is still searching indicates there's definitely a compelling reason to find it. It suggests the medicine is quite scarce."

"OK."

Shen Xiang gestured with his hand, grasping the gist of the request, and said, "I'll do my best to keep an eye out for this orange cat. Priority one is to prevent them from ending up with the Untamed Organization, right? But let me be clear, I'm no monster; I'm not in their league."

"Safety first."

"Got it." Shen Xiang then pointed to Ann's ears and asked, "Why does he have ears and you don't?"

Regret.

"It's random. During our evolution, Ann and I didn't consume humans. Some animals can't suppress the urge and those that have eaten human flesh evolve more completely. Like that yellow dog you encountered. Ann and I have kept some beastly features. I have the tail."

But she showed no intention of revealing her tail.

"Got it, got it."

Most animals can't resist the urge to attack humans?

Shen Xiang's mind drifted back to when Ruila used to live in his house, specifically to the fifteenth of July during his summer vacation. He would have been sleeping normally at night, not cheating the system.

If she hadn't controlled herself, would he have ended up as a cat's meal?

Thankfully, she had.

But why?

Shen Xiang remembered the bags of cat food that vanished along with the cat, glanced at Rui, and buried his curiosity deep down: Were we really that close?

"As for the search for the cat, I'll do what I can to stay alert," Shen Xiang said. "But if you and the special office can't find it, don't pin your hopes on me."

"No worries." Rui responded with the grace of a lenient boss, "Just being vigilant is enough. After all, you've got your own safety to consider."

After the meal, Shen Xiang watched Rui sprawl out on the sofa and fall asleep, looking drowsy.

She slept right after eating, same as always. He wondered if she was more cat or pig.

On the other side, Ann, fully rested, watched Shen Xiang with eager eyes.

Having raised a cat before, Shen Xiang understood that look: Ann wanted to play.

And since he had no other plans, why not?

Shen Xiang headed to the room that doubled as a storage space, rummaging through it. He recalled that when Kitty passed away, he didn't discard all the cat toys. Some, like the laser pen, he had kept. After a bit of searching, he found the electric roly-poly feather teaser he had bought.

The name was a mouthful, but the concept was simple: a roly-poly with a feather stick on top, equipped with an electric motor that made it spin. Kitty hadn't been fond of it, deeming it silly, but Ann was so adorable; surely, he'd enjoy it.

"Ann, come here," Shen Xiang called out after inserting fresh batteries. He set the toy on the floor, and Ann's eyes sparkled at the sight. He scampered over and playfully batted the feather with his hand.

The roly-poly wobbled, its feather snapping back to taunt Ann once more.

Seated cross-legged, Ann's tiny hands flew like he was unleashing a barrage of shadowless punches, his joyful "Woo-eh~" sounds filling the air.

"That's the spirit of a cat!" Shen Xiang chuckled, affectionately ruffling Ann's hair. Glancing at Rui lounging on the couch, he thought, I really should've chosen a silver gradient instead of a ragdoll. They're so much cuter!

"Peace!"

His musing was cut short as Rui sat up abruptly, her gaze icy as she fixed it on Ann, who was still engrossed with the feather teaser. At her call, Ann snapped to attention, standing up straight.

"Who said you could play with my... these things? Time to study," Rui commanded, tossing a phone playing second-grade lessons toward him. Ann caught it with a grimace, casting a longing glance at the still-spinning cat toy before obediently sitting down in front of Rui, scratching his head and ear as he reluctantly turned his attention to the phone.

"Hey, hey, is there any need to be so fierce? He's just a kid, after all!"

Shen Xiang, however, didn't have the guts to stand up to Rui, and it wasn't because she was a looker. It was because of the nightmare he had that morning, where he found himself prostrate beside Rui as she repeatedly thumped him with a rolling pin.

He was spooked.

Rui cast a "woeful" glance at Shen Xiang before she turned over to resume her sleep.

Ann gave Shen Xiang a forlorn look, but he was too scared to go against Rui's commands. The nightmare felt all too real to Shen Xiang, and he certainly didn't want to provoke her. With a sense of resignation, he shrugged his shoulders as a silent gesture of mourning.

Just look at how frightened the kid is.

He grumbled to himself and then checked the time.

1:00 PM on the dot.