Chapter 61: A Lead

"Qianqian, let me do it." Glancing at the stoic man before him, Yin Zhi forced a smile. ’Damn it, that stinking snake used this exact same trick to get into the house last time.’

’One after another, is this ever going to end?!’

Perhaps because his expression was one of such gritted teeth, Wen Qian cleared her throat twice.

Once she had his attention again, she said calmly, "Alright, I’ll leave it to you."

Wen Qian was incredibly thirsty after running all that way. She took the necessary medical supplies from the first-aid kit, handed them to Yin Zhi, then turned and went into the kitchen.

She came back with two clean glasses, pouring one for herself and one for Chi Heng.

"Thank you," the man said in a low voice, his head down.

His expression was serene. Not even Yin Zhi’s deliberately rough motions as he applied the medicine could make him so much as frown.

Yin Zhi’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He pressed the cotton ball against the wound again. ’This kid can put on an act just like Gu Mian,’ he thought.

’But the nature of their acts... is completely different.’

While Yin Zhi treated Chi Heng’s wounds, Wen Qian recounted her ordeal, explaining that she’d only just learned today that Tiger Clan beastmen could reveal their sharp claws and fangs while maintaining their human form...

She hadn’t known before because Yin Zhi had never done so in front of her.

With Wen Qian, Yin Zhi had always been docile, only ever showing her his soft ears and tail.

"Oh, right, a cat was following me this morning." Under Yin Zhi’s solemn gaze, Wen Qian took a deep breath. After a long moment, she added in a hushed voice, "It wasn’t Ling Xuan. It was an orange cat..."

Thinking back, Wen Qian found the orange cat increasingly familiar. Cats of a certain type generally look the same, but that particular one had unusually distinct markings. It was also much larger than other orange cats...

Suddenly recalling something, Wen Qian looked up. "It was from the last time we had a meal... the one that was following you!"

Instantly, Yin Zhi’s expression darkened even further.

After a long moment, he slowly rose and tossed the cotton ball into the trash, his face a blank mask. He stared out the window, a murderous glint in his eyes.

Li Jiu, who had been engrossed in the TV, shuddered violently and immediately buried his head under a small blanket. His back was arched, as if terrified.

"I know who it is." After a moment, Yin Zhi managed to compose himself. His gaze fell upon Wen Qian’s confused face as he said softly, reassuringly, "Leave everything to me."

Yin Zhi had been dealing with matters in South City recently. Some time ago, a large number of Bali Tiger Clan beastmen had gathered there, planning to take revenge on the humans.

The trigger was an underground casino in South City that had captured a Bali Tiger Clan beastman and announced he would be the biggest prize of the week’s wagers.

Yin Zhi had originally planned to rescue the beastman and then secretly sabotage the casino to put an end to the matter. But who would have thought the captive’s surname was Shen... and that he was the young master of the Shen Family.

In the Beast World, the Bali Tiger Clan ranks just below the Silver Tiger Clan and has always been led by the Shen Family. Anyone connected to the Shen Family inevitably holds a status that cannot be taken lightly.

Even a butler like Uncle Feng was highly respected on Blue Star, so how much more so a member of the Shen Family itself?

The situation immediately grew complicated. Although the young master was rescued, he had suffered immensely in the casino, and the ordeal had made him exceptionally brutal.

In front of his subordinates, he declared that once he recovered, he would bathe the South City casino in blood and slaughter every human inside.

’What an immature brat.’

Yin Zhi sneered.

If the boy failed, that would be one thing. But if he actually succeeded, the beastmen would be the ones to suffer the consequences. If Blue Star dispatched its armed forces, every beastman in the entire city would be dragged into it. At that point, the disaster would extend far beyond South City...

For the sake of the bigger picture, Yin Zhi had to intervene.

But the Shen Family’s young master was clearly an idiot. After a few words of goading and flattery from others, he thought he was all that and insisted on making a "name" for himself in South City.

He had promised Yin Zhi on the surface that he wouldn’t do anything reckless, but he was constantly making moves behind his back... Yin Zhi had known this all along.

Over the last few days, Yin Zhi had captured many of his people and, left with no alternative, had begun suppressing the Bali Tiger Clan. He’d even locked up the young master Shen himself.

As for the one Wen Qian saw today... Yin Zhi guessed it was Uncle Feng, the very same one who had previously been kicked out of City A.

At the time, Yin Zhi had been annoyed by the man’s meddling and had Ling Xuan throw him back to South City. If the situation in South City hadn’t gotten so out of hand recently, he never would have allowed him to return.

’To think he’d use ’solving the problem’ as a pretext to go after Wen Qian...’

"Qianqian, I have to leave for a bit." His expression darkened again as if he’d just thought of something. His gaze swept over Chi Heng, and after a moment’s deliberation, he said, "I’m leaving this place in your hands for now."

The day of the incident, Yin Zhi had done a thorough background check on Chi Heng. He knew everything, right down to his experiences in the Beast World.

The man was ruthless and decisive, but he was also the type to repay any kindness shown to him.

He had hit Wen Qian with his bike due to a misunderstanding, so he was bound to feel guilty. He certainly wouldn’t do anything to harm her in the future.

Besides, Chi Heng was from the Wolf Clan—loyal and perceptive. Since he had just chosen to intervene and help, he wouldn’t suddenly turn on them.

Yin Zhi had also seen the video from that day... Even burdened by his hatred, Chi Heng hadn’t truly struck the final blow.

Hearing Yin Zhi’s voice, Chi Heng looked up. His tone was devoid of warmth, yet it carried a reassuring decisiveness. "Understood."

Wen Qian couldn’t imagine how Yin Zhi had managed to sort everything out in such a short time. A bewildered expression crossed her face.

’What does he mean?’

’He’s leaving Chi Heng in charge?’

’Does that mean he’s not coming back tonight?’

Wen Qian was about to ask for clarification when the man, already at the door, suddenly turned. "Qianqian, there’s cake in the fridge."

"Oh, oh, okay." Her train of thought was completely derailed. By the time Wen Qian snapped back to reality, the man had already opened the door and left.

"You..." Her gaze returned to Chi Heng. Their eyes met, and an indescribable awkwardness flashed across her face.

She still had no idea how to act around Chi Heng.

Just as Wen Qian was wondering what to do, Li Jiu let out a cry of excitement.

Startled, Wen Qian turned to see the boy staring at a little yellow bird playing a guitar on TV, his face alight with excitement.

"What’s wrong?" Wen Qian asked, feigning curiosity and using it as an excuse to put some distance between herself and Chi Heng.

Even though she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable when faced with a countenance that looked as if it were carved from ice.

"A bird has to learn an instrument in their lifetime to live without regrets!" His eyes were filled with unconcealed envy.

The clip of the bird playing its instrument had already passed, replaced by a cartoon cat running at full speed.

For some reason, an image of Yin Zhi popped into Wen Qian’s head. "I don’t know about instruments, but as for singing... you could ask Yin Zhi."

"Is the Young Master that amazing?!" Li Jiu asked, his eyes sparkling.

"Mhm." Wen Qian nodded thoughtfully. Then, she broke into a radiant smile. "He’s the absolute best at singing a different tune than Gu Mian."