Liu Buli had said his piece, and You Siqi, after parting his lips a moment, chose to remain silent, refraining from any ill omens that might provoke anger.
Everything that needed to be said had been conveyed, and he truly couldn't offer any further assistance. Liu Buli wished to linger a while longer, but Lu Wuming tugged at his sleeve, leading him back to their shared sleeping quarters.
After the two departed, You Siqi reached out and scratched the chin of the small cat nestled in his arms. Seemingly pleased, the kitten purred, a sound that, despite its usual coarseness, was rendered endearingly infantile by its size, eliciting a chuckle from You Siqi.
However, the laughter was short-lived. After a brief moment, he couldn't help but sigh. The hand that had been scratching the kitten’s chin withdrew, instead gently stroking its head. The gesture was exceedingly tender, yet tinged with a hint of helplessness and regret.
As if speaking to himself, You Siqi murmured, "Muzhi, I know you can wake up with just a bit of rest. But why, seeing you like this, do I still worry uncontrollably?"
The kitten, of course, offered no reply.
It even nudged his arm, as if the sensation of being petted had been so pleasant that now, with You Siqi’s hand withdrawn, the kitten was subconsciously displeased even in its sleep.
Sensing the creature's emotions, You Siqi had no choice but to extend his hand once more. As his palm rested on the kitten's head, its breathing indeed grew steadier. The previously fretful murmurs quieted down, as if receiving profound comfort, allowing it to sleep more soundly than before.
Seeing the kitten in this state, You Siqi, despite his earlier anxieties, could no longer sigh.
A wry smile touched his lips as he gently pinched the kitten's cheek. After two light touches, he placed his hand back on the creature.
Knowing it was best not to disturb it while it rested, You Siqi, though anxious, could only console himself and diligently set aside his worries, choosing instead to wait patiently, just as before, for the kitten to awaken on its own.
Yet, the wait was always agonizingly long. Even with his mind prepared, when he opened his eyes the next morning and found the kitten still lying beside him, motionless, You Siqi couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
He quickly adjusted his mindset and informed Liu Buli and the others of his situation, stating that Shen Muzhi would likely be unable to participate in today's activities. Liu Buli smiled and assured him it was no matter, adding a comforting remark that with Shen Muzhi’s protagonist’s luck, he should wake up soon. Then, he and Lu Wuming departed the inn to make final preparations for their meeting that evening.
After they left, You Siqi ate a little and returned to his room to continue watching over his kitten.
It was at this moment that he realized Shen Muzhi held more significance to him than the existence of this world itself.
For when Shen Muzhi fell unconscious, he found no joy in this world.
Although he could certainly go out with Liu Buli and the others, even if he went, his heart would remain with Shen Muzhi. He wouldn't be able to enjoy himself, and it would be better not to go at all.
You Siqi understood this simple truth quite well. Thus, looking at the kitten in his arms, he fell silent for a moment before finally letting out another deep sigh.
He reached out to stroke the kitten's head, murmuring, "You should wake up quickly. If you don't, I'll be waiting impatiently..."
It must be said that Liu Buli's luck was not as good as he himself imagined. For when night fell and they planned to meet the ghost tribe mentioned by the woman, he returned to the room for one last look. Predictably, Shen Muzhi showed no signs of waking up.
With one less helper, Liu Buli felt a twinge of disappointment. However, he quickly composed himself, reassured You Siqi that he didn't need to worry about anything and should focus on taking care of his kitten. Then, with a smile and a wave, he told him they would be back soon.
You Siqi, unable to offer any assistance, could only nod in agreement. After a moment's thought, he added, "You two be careful as well, don't fall into any traps they might have set."
"Don't worry," Liu Buli chuckled. "Even if there are traps, I'm the one who sets them for others; no one can trap me. You just need to take care of yourself. We know what we're doing, so don't fret too much."
With that, Liu Buli and Lu Wuming left the inn.
By the time they arrived at the pleasure house, it was almost time for their rendezvous. Having communicated their intentions earlier that day, they did not enter through the main entrance as usual. Instead, they concealed their presence with magic and approached the second-floor bedroom window.
The courtesan had informed them in advance of her room's location. Coupled with her superior status, her quarters were even more lavishly decorated than those of ordinary women, making them easy to find.
As they neared the room, illuminated by the flickering candlelight within, Liu Buli clearly saw two figures inside.
However, they had no intention of acting rashly. After all, if the person inside was not a ghost but a mere human, their sudden intrusion would be akin to alerting the enemy.
With this thought, Liu Buli glanced back at Lu Wuming.
Receiving his gaze, Lu Wuming immediately understood the unspoken question. He peered into the room and then nodded emphatically.
Even without clearly seeing the faces inside, judging by their aura, they were undoubtedly a ghost.
Liu Buli curved his lips into a smile.
Just as he was about to break in, he suddenly felt a cold gust of wind brush past the back of his neck. He swiftly dodged to the side, and upon looking back, he saw that where he had been standing, a deep claw mark had appeared.
If he hadn't dodged in time, he would have surely met his end.