Cinderella at Midnight

They stayed home all the way until the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Only then did Chen Miansheng prepare to return to the medicine hall for business.

Fei Yan had been sleeping in for several days straight. Still deep in slumber, she was a bit disoriented when Chen Miansheng suddenly woke her up.

She rolled around in bed, turning her back to Chen Miansheng. With her ears pressed down and her little paw covering half of one ear, she took on a clear “not listening, not listening, monks chanting nonsense” stance.

Chen Miansheng called her several times, but his little orange cat showed no sign of wanting to get up.

Shaking his head in mild exasperation, he sighed. There wasn’t much he could do with a cat like this, so he let it go.

“In that case, Little Orange, just stay home and rest today. Don’t run around. Be good and wait for me to come back.”

Fei Yan lazily flicked her tail, indicating she heard him, and then promptly flopped back down to sleep.

Chen Miansheng couldn’t help but laugh. He straightened his collar and turned to head out.

But before he could step through the door, he was stopped by a light tug.

He looked down, and sure enough, it was his own little cat blocking him.

Just moments ago she had been lying in bed without a care in the world. Now, out of nowhere, she’d sprung up and latched tightly onto his ankle with her two fluffy front paws, as if afraid he might get away.

Chen Miansheng laughed. “Didn’t you just say you didn’t want to come?”

Fei Yan ignored him. She sized up her landing spot, leapt, and landed smoothly in his arms.

It wasn’t that she wanted to go.

But just as Chen Miansheng had finished speaking, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

[Now issuing Task #3: Prevent Chen Bingwan from entering Chen Miansheng’s home. Reward upon completion: one Affection Point.]

Chen Bingwan?

It was the first time she’d heard that unfamiliar name, and Fei Yan was momentarily confused.

Who was this person? And what did she have to do with Chen Miansheng?

But once the confusion passed, Fei Yan fully woke up. She could sleep in any time, but if she missed a task and lost the chance to earn Affection Point to trade for an attribute, that would be a real loss.

Sigh.

Cat-head sigh emoji.jpg

She had assumed that this Chen Bingwan mentioned in the task must already be near the courtyard, so on the way to the medicine hall, Fei Yan remained highly alert.

But surprisingly, halfway there, she and Chen Miansheng ran into Gu Wu, who was coming from another direction. As they approached the medicine hall together, Fei Yan didn’t spot anyone “suspicious.”

Could Thirteen have glitched and given her a fake task?

She was about to try waking Thirteen when she suddenly noticed that Chen Miansheng had stopped walking.

Fei Yan looked up from his arms and immediately saw a woman waiting at the medicine hall door.

The woman wore luxurious embroidered clothing. Her hair was styled high with golden and silver hairpins, and her delicately made-up face was beautiful and radiant. With her naturally elegant and noble aura, it was clear at a glance that she wasn’t from Dongfeng Town.

The moment she saw Chen Miansheng and Gu Wu, her face lit up with delight. She hurried toward them and called out warmly, “Brother Chen!”

Chen Miansheng frowned slightly—an unusual expression for him. His lips parted, but he didn’t speak.

Gu Wu was stunned for a second, then stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands in a formal greeting. “Miss Chen.”

Hearing that title, Fei Yan’s attention immediately sharpened. Could this be Chen Bingwan?

And just as she thought that, Thirteen’s voice rang again in her mind.

[Target has appeared. Host, please seize the opportunity and complete the task as soon as possible.]

But strangely, even though she had been on high alert the whole way there, now that the person had actually shown up, Fei Yan suddenly hesitated.

Why would Thirteen issue such a vague task? This Chen Bingwan didn’t look like someone who would harm Chen Miansheng at all.

As if detecting her hesitation, Thirteen’s voice returned—this time with a time limit.

[Host must complete the task within one hour, or it will be marked as failed.]

Fei Yan: “?”

She still clearly remembered what failing a task could eventually lead to.

Grinding her tiny fangs, Fei Yan thought darkly, Ruthless—Thirteen, you’re truly ruthless. Fine, if it’s just about keeping Chen Bingwan from entering the house, she could do it.

She glanced up at Chen Bingwan and flicked her tail.

Sorry about this.

Just as Chen Bingwan was about to walk up to Chen Miansheng, Fei Yan suddenly rolled over in his arms and tumbled decisively onto the floor.

The next moment, she sprawled out with all four limbs splayed in a completely unreasonable posture, blocking the space between Chen Miansheng and Chen Bingwan.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the orange figure, Chen Bingwan instinctively stopped in her tracks and gave a low gasp.

Chen Miansheng, who had been wearing a serious expression, raised his brows slightly in surprise, a faint amused smile appearing in his eyes as he looked at the little orange cat.

This little thing.

Honestly.

Chen Bingwan parted her lips, looking confused. “Brother Chen, this…”

Gu Wu stepped in just in time to explain, “Miss Chen, this is the young master’s newly adopted cat. She’s usually like this—please don’t mind her.”

Chen Bingwan blinked. “Brother Chen is raising a cat at home now?”

She stared in surprise as Chen Miansheng bent down to gently lift the orange cat by the scruff of her neck, holding her tenderly in his arms, even tapping her nose with a fingertip. “What’s gotten into you, Little Orange?”

Fei Yan tilted her ears back and buried her head into his chest.

Even though she knew he couldn’t hear her, she still let out a few soft “meow meow” sounds that, to Gu Wu and Chen Bingwan, sounded exactly like a girl pouting to her guardian after being wronged.

Gu Wu: “?” Was this cat always like this?

Chen Bingwan: “?” What kind of pet is this?

Chen Miansheng chuckled softly and rubbed the cat’s scruff to calm her, then looked up at Chen Bingwan with his usual unhurried manner. “Why are you here?”

Only then did Chen Bingwan remember her purpose and quickly said, “Brother Chen, you have no idea how long I’ve been looking for you. I heard news of you in Yun County a while ago, so I followed the trail here.”

Gu Wu conveyed her words to Chen Miansheng.

His expression didn’t change. He responded with a casual “Mm.”

“Brother Chen, why don’t you come back with me? There’s been constant unrest on the border lately—it’s not safe here.”

She lowered her voice and glanced around before continuing, “I’ve already spoken with Father…”

As she spoke, Gu Wu’s hand gestures mimicked her words exactly.

Chen Miansheng turned his head slightly and looked at her, cutting her off at just the right moment. “No need to say more. You should go.”

Chen Bingwan froze. “But it took me so long to find you. How could I just leave now?”

She grew more emotional, and suddenly stepped forward, blurting out, “The Emp—”

Chen Miansheng’s gaze was still on her face. Though he had been deaf for years, he had learned to read lips to some extent.

And this time, he immediately recognized the shape of her mouth. His voice turned cold. “Chen Bingwan.”

It was the first time Fei Yan had ever heard Chen Miansheng speak to someone in that tone.

She lifted her head and, from her angle, could just barely see his face.

His expression remained calm, but something about it lacked the usual warmth she was used to seeing.

What had Chen Bingwan said that angered him this much?

Ah—right, something about “Huang” (Emperor)?

Huang? What about “Huang”? Why was that so upsetting?

She turned to look at Chen Bingwan, only to see a flash of panic on her face—as if she’d just said something terribly wrong. Embarrassed, she flushed red. “I’m sorry, Brother Chen. I got too worked up and spoke without thinking. Please forgive me.”

Chen Miansheng closed his eyes briefly and let out a silent sigh. When he opened them again, the calmness had returned. “Say no more. Go back, and don’t come again.”

Naturally, Gu Wu stood by Chen Miansheng and also spoke softly to persuade her.

“Miss, you know the young master’s temperament. If you push him too hard, he might just move again, and then you truly won’t be able to find him.”

The implication was clear. Chen Bingwan opened and closed her mouth in frustration, but after a moment, gave up. She straightened her hair and regained her poised, graceful appearance.

“Then take good care of Brother Chen. If anything happens to him while he’s here, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Gu Wu bowed respectfully. “Understood, Miss.”

Chen Bingwan’s eyes lingered on Chen Miansheng’s face. She pursed her lips slightly and said softly, “Then I’ll go now. Take care, Brother Chen.”

She turned back every few steps as she left. Soon, someone emerged from the alley to accompany her.

Only after her figure had completely vanished around the corner did Thirteen’s voice suddenly chime in.

[Congratulations, host. You’ve completed the third task. You’ve earned one affection point.]

Fei Yan blinked, slightly stunned by the announcement.

Wasn’t that a little too easy? All she’d done was roll on the floor and throw a bit of a tantrum—and that counted?

The small “1” at the bottom of the screen confirmed it was indeed true.

[Would the host like to spin the Wheel of Romance now?]

Fei Yan reflexively replied, “Later.”

She had been burned by Thirteen too many times. Who knew what kind of ridiculous attribute would come out next? If she suddenly sprouted wings or turned into something else right in the middle of the street, she’d never be able to face Chen Miansheng again.

Thinking of him, Fei Yan quickly lifted her little head and saw him with his eyes half-lowered, a subtle emotion in his gaze she couldn’t quite read.

She licked her lips, then stood on her hind legs, placing her fluffy paws on his shoulder. Her cold nose gently nudged his chin, and her tail swayed behind her.

Sensing her affectionate nuzzle, Chen Miansheng half-opened his eyes. His gentle gaze fell on the orange cat, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

“Good girl, Little Orange. No need to worry.”

Fei Yan’s head was nearly touching his chin, and the warmth of his breath fell softly on her forehead, making her feel ticklish.

She flicked her ears uncomfortably.

Tsk. Chen Miansheng, this guy.

Always imagining things.

Back at the medicine hall, after another uneventful day, it wasn’t until they returned to the courtyard that Fei Yan remembered the Wheel of Romance.

While Chen Miansheng was out in the woodshed preparing dinner, she quickly snuck into the inner room and called out, “Thirteen, I want to spin the Wheel of Romance!”

No sooner had she spoken than a huge, glowing circular wheel materialized before her eyes.

Once the “1” turned into “0,” the pointer began to spin wildly, finally landing on a setting called “Cinderella at Midnight.”

A beam of golden light shot straight into her forehead.

She instinctively shut her eyes, and once she confirmed there were no strange sensations, she slowly opened them again.

[Congratulations, host. You have acquired your fourth attribute: a basic version of “Midnight Cinderella.”]

Fei Yan opened her mouth and let out a soft “meow.”

She leapt onto the desk and examined herself in the mirror from every angle.

Good. No weird noises. No strange changes to her cat body either.

Which brought her to the real question—

What exactly was this attribute for?

She stared at herself for a long time but couldn’t make sense of it, and of course, Thirteen wouldn’t tell her anything in advance.

Just then, Chen Miansheng’s voice drifted in from outside the door.

“Little Orange, time for dinner.”

At the sound of his voice, Fei Yan gave up on trying to figure it out. With three quick hops, she landed back on the floor.

The world was vast, but nothing was more important than food.

Heck yes.