Chapter 21: The Wild Cat That Stole Away

“That girl… do you know her?”

“Nope. Why do you ask?”

It was late when they left the bar.

The streets were empty, save for a pancake and stir-fry stall still open near the bar. Under the dim yellow streetlights, Meng Zhi and Feng Xiyao walked, one behind the other.

“No reason. Just felt like she knew you.” Feng Xiyao stretched, recalling Lin Yuhan’s expression. “She kept looking at you.”

“Did she? Didn’t notice.” Meng Zhi brushed it off casually.

Feng Xiyao snuck a glance at him, then teased, “Guess she was just checking out how handsome you are.”

“By the way, after the toast, the bar owner asked our band for your WeChat. Got a love interest already?”

“No point.” Meng Zhi said seriously, “I’m locking in for the exam the next few days. Not going anywhere.”

“Got it.” Feng Xiyao looked down, watching their shadows under the warm streetlights.

She played a little game, stepping deliberately on Meng Zhi’s shadow with each stride.

“Want me to walk you home?”

“No need. I told Uncle Meng if the gig ran late, I’d crash at your place.”

“…Could you at least ask my opinion?”

“Hehe.” She grinned cheekily.

Meng Zhi sighed, too tired to argue. “Starting tomorrow, I’m studying hard. When you wake up, go home quietly. Don’t disturb me.”

“Got it, got it.”

As if she hadn’t heard, she asked, “You hungry? Wanna grab a late-night snack?”

“Kinda. What do you want?”

“Instant noodles!”

“…Eating noodles this late? You really don’t care about gaining weight.”

“Hmph, mind your own business! I’m not fat—feel my stomach, no flab!”

As she tried to grab his hand to touch her midriff, Meng Zhi shook her off, exasperated, and quickened his pace.

His place was in the school district, a ten-minute walk from the bar or school. Crossing the quiet, shadowy neighborhood garden, they reached his home.

Pausing at the door while fishing for his keys, Meng Zhi froze.

“What’s up?” Feng Xiyao peeked curiously over his shoulder.

“…Nothing.”

He glanced at the lock, sighed deeply, and turned the key.

The moment the door opened, a strange noise came from inside, startling Feng Xiyao. She hid behind him. “Whoa! What was that? A burglar?”

Meng Zhi flicked on the light, expressionless, changing his shoes. “Probably forgot to close the balcony door. Stray cat must’ve slipped in.”

“A cat? Where, where?”

Feng Xiyao eagerly pushed past him into his room, spotting the open balcony door.

But no cat. The night breeze stirred the curtains, and insect chirps drifted from the garden.

“Did it escape?”

She pouted, disappointed. “I wanted to pet a kitty.”

“You’ll get your chance.”

Meng Zhi subtly glanced at the slightly ajar closet, then said softly, “Go shower. I’m changing.”

“OK~”

She skipped to the bathroom, humming. Meng Zhi closed the door gently.

“…When did you get a key to my place?”

A faint whimper came from the closet. It creaked open, and a girl in black stockings and an oversized hoodie stepped out, trembling, head bowed.

“S-Sorry…” Her voice quivered, on the verge of tears, soft and pitiful. “Your mom was worried about you living alone and gave me a spare key, just in case… since I’m the closest to you…”

Meng Zhi sighed. That woman always meddled.

“Don’t sneak in without my permission again.”

“…Sorry.”

“I’m not mad, Chen Xinya.” He turned, seeing her red-rimmed eyes, and said helplessly, “But you could easily be mistaken for a thief.”

Chen Xinya bit her lip, clutching her clothes, unable to speak.

“Why are you here?”

“I-I wanted to clean up, make you some food.” Her words stumbled out. “I was worried you wouldn’t take care of yourself…”

Meng Zhi glanced at the neatly folded bedding, the spotless floor, and rubbed his forehead.

“You don’t need to sneak in for that.”

She hung her head, dejected. “I was afraid… after last time, you wouldn’t want to talk to me.”

“I don’t remember last time.”

Meeting his gaze, she recalled his promise to forget her confession, and her expression softened slightly.

“Okay. I’ll let you know next time I come to clean.”

“Go.” Meng Zhi glanced toward the bathroom door. “If she sees you when she’s done showering, it’ll be harder to explain.”

At that, Chen Xinya’s hands tightened, her voice trembling. “Are you two… already living together?”

“No way.” Meng Zhi rolled his eyes. “She dragged me to her gig. That’s all.”

“It’s late, and I didn’t want her going home alone, so she’s crashing here for the night.”

Relief loosened the grip on her heart.

“I see. I was overstepping.”

She forced a smile. “I-I won’t sneak in again. Sorry.”

She fled, looking flustered.

Meng Zhi watched her leave, then glanced at Feng Xiyao, humming in the bathroom, before returning to his room.

At the bedside, in the closet, behind an anime poster, and on the balcony door, he removed several pinhole cameras and bugs.

Staring at the tiny devices, he sent a message to the private detective.

“Tell Chen Xinya the gear’s faulty and won’t work. Refund her.”

“…Got it.”

Closing his phone, Meng Zhi gazed out at the balcony.

From his apartment, you could see a sliver of starry sky—a rare sight in the city.

Leaning on the railing, he let the night breeze wash over him.

As expected.

People don’t change.

Even reborn, Chen Xinya was still Chen Xinya.

Maybe he could never save her.

…Let her be.