Upon hearing Yu Ning’s resolute answer, Xia An’s expression became even more serious.  

Although he had taken a long time to think, Yu Ning had already guessed his decision.

“Let’s exchange contact information. Tomorrow, wait for my message… if I manage to come back,” Xia An said, finally making up his mind.

Yu Ning took out her phone, and they exchanged WeChat details.

After leaving the police station, Yu Ning found a nearby hotel online.  

The back-and-forth had taken too long, so it was better to stay somewhere close.

To save money, she picked a cheap one. Once inside the room, the black cat was immediately uncomfortable.

What kind of cheap air freshener is this? The smell is awful!  

Are these bed sheets clean? Why is this pillow so hard?!  

Is this really a place fit for humans to stay?  

Lin Zheng, never having experienced such a low-class hotel, was on the verge of exploding in anger as soon as he stepped inside.

Yu Ning, however, was unfazed. To her, this place was much better than the conditions she was used to in the mountains—it was at least clean.

She ordered takeout: a serving of braised beef and a steamed bun, with a side of pickles.

She gave the beef to the black cat and ate the steamed bun with pickles herself, which made the black cat feel a pang of sadness.

Why was she so frugal? Didn’t she just earn 50,000 yuan from Lao Wu?

“I almost forgot the main thing.” Yu Ning bit down on the bun.

She quickly put her jacket back on and tied her loose hair into a neat ponytail. She then stood in front of the mirror, carefully checking her appearance.

Once she was all set, she initiated a video call.

The black cat jumped in front of her, craning its neck to look. It was rare to see her care so much about her appearance—could she be video chatting with a lover?  

The call quickly connected, and sure enough, it was a man.

He looked about the same age as Yu Ning, with short gray-and-white hair. Upon seeing Yu Ning, his eyes curved into a smile.

“Little Ning Ning~”  

The black cat frowned deeply, disgusted. “Little Ning Ning”?! Could this be any more cringey?  

He was average-looking at best, with his flashy hair color and dressed like some tacky youth—how could he be good enough for Yu Ning?

The black cat, hating the sight of the guy’s face, jumped off Yu Ning’s lap, pretending to eat while keeping its ears perked up.

“Third Brother, I’ll transfer you 50,000 yuan.”

What?! Using a woman’s money!!! The black cat’s fur stood on end.

This girl is usually so thrifty, even picking a cheap hotel. It turns out she’s supporting this flashy boy toy?

“This is the second time this month, right?” the flashy guy asked.

Yu Ning nodded.

The black cat could no longer bear it and started meowing furiously at Yu Ning. Wake up, girl!  

What kind of man uses a woman’s money?!  

Break up! Break up now! That gray-haired guy is bad news!

“Little Ning Ning, what’s that sound on your side?” the guy asked.

The black cat jumped onto Yu Ning’s side and, through the screen, began meowing furiously at him, cursing him out in the worst way possible.

“My pet. Here, Blackie, say hi to Third Brother.”

“Meow?!” **Blackie**?! The black cat was dumbstruck by the name.

“This ‘female’ cat isn’t very attractive.” Third Brother paused when he saw the black cat, then gave a wicked smile.

“My fox just happens to be male. Want to pair them up? A cross-species romance, how romantic.”

“???” Pair them up? Why don’t *you* pair up, crossing species and gender! The black cat cursed again, this time even more angrily.

“Hahaha!” Third Brother burst into laughter, leaving Yu Ning utterly confused.

“Third Brother, what are you laughing at?”

“Your master has quite the eye—I mean, I’m far better than Lin Zheng,” he said, at least not insulting anyone.

“Meow!” Moron! Come here and fight me! I’ll knock your head off! If I don’t, my championship belt must have been a free giveaway!

“Hahaha!” Third Brother, or Amber, laughed even louder.

Yu Ning didn’t know what he was laughing about. Third Brother had always been odd, so she was cautious, always paying extra attention to her appearance when asking him for favors, just in case he refused if he was in a bad mood.

Once Amber had laughed enough, Yu Ning continued.

“Third Brother, do you need anything else?”

“Wait, let me check.”

“Meow? Meow? Meow?” Not only is this guy taking her money, but he’s also asking for stuff?! What a freeloader!

Amber turned around and began speaking in a strange language, addressing thin air.

It wasn’t any known foreign language, but it sounded melodic, like some sort of chant.

The black cat sneered. Talking to the air? Is this guy insane?

“A new cutting-edge YoYoLead smartphone, two sets of clothes, TF ebony cologne, and a car,” Amber finally said, turning back to Yu Ning.

“Meow!” The black cat exploded in anger.

Why not just rob a bank! That’s quicker money!

A grown man, making a girl pay for everything, and asking for so much?

Yu Ning was already so thin, living on buns and pickles, and here this boy toy was asking for a car?! Didn’t he worry about losing his skin?!

Just as Yu Ning was about to speak, the black cat suddenly swiped its paw and smacked the screen.

The video call was cut off.

“Don’t mess around!” Yu Ning picked up the black cat.

Usually well-behaved, the cat was acting like it was on edge today, pushing and scratching her, determined to stop her from talking to this freeloader.

Afraid of angering Amber with the delay, Yu Ning quickly stuffed the black cat into the wardrobe, then leaned against the door and resumed the call.

The black cat stared in disbelief at the dark wardrobe door. Did she really just *seal* me away?!

Outside, the sound of the video call resumed, and the boy toy’s ringtone, *”Never Can Say Goodbye”*, played. Lin Zheng had once liked this old Cantonese song, too.

But now… yuck!

The song had been tainted by the boy toy! The song was dirty!!!

The call reconnected, and the black cat strained its ears to listen.

“Third Brother, are you alright?” Yu Ning noticed Amber’s eyes were red, which hadn’t been the case before.

“I laughed until I cried,” Amber said, wiping his eyes.

“The car you want, do you have any specific preferences? SUV, sedan, brand?” Yu Ning asked.

“Let me check—” Amber turned around again, speaking in that strange, unintelligible language.

“They want the latest YoYoLead electric car.”

“The new model? That one has to be custom-ordered, right? Why such a strange request?” Yu Ning frowned.

The paper shops might not even have YoYoLead car models. If they didn’t, she’d have to make one herself.

Amber shrugged. The celestial being he was dealing with had told him that, and he was just passing on the message. Maybe the underworld agent Yu Ning needed to bribe was particularly patriotic, favoring domestic brands.

“I’ll come see you once I finish this. Third Brother, how’s your health lately?” Yu Ning asked.

“I’m the same as always, just barely hanging on… But you, this is the second time this month you’ve reached out to me. That’s a bit frequent. I’m worried your body won’t be able to take it if this continues.”

“Meow!” came a clear cry from the wardrobe.

The shameless boy toy! What had he done to her?  

Her body can’t take it—?! Lin Zheng’s mind flashed with the image of this sleazy guy extending his claws, grinning lecherously at Yu Ning.

Damn it! When I get my body back, I’m going to beat him so bad he won’t know how to live anymore!  

He’s conning her for money *and* taking advantage of her!

“Hahaha! I can’t take it anymore, this is killing me, I’m hanging up,” Amber said, laughing even harder after hearing the cat’s angry outburst.

He found it hilarious that Lin Zheng had misunderstood and thought he and Yu Ning were a couple. Clearly, this Lin Zheng wasn’t as clever as the rumors said.

**Come on, take a guess—what does Third Brother really do?**