You Wouldn't Want to Harbor an Enemy of the World, Would You, Classmate Fang?

“Hakimi! Hakimi nameru to~” Fang Xiaoxia squatted on the ground, hugging her knees, chanting mystically toward Bai Zhou. Bai Zhou: “?” Hearing Fang Xiaoxia muttering above his head, Bai Zhou wore a look of utter bewilderment and took several wary steps backward. Bai Zhou was familiar with this sort of thing—this was exactly what an Extraordinary looked like while casting an incantation. An incantation he had never heard before. Bai Zhou's heart tightened. He tried desperately to muster his spirituality, but could not draw out even a single drop. When they had met last time, he had already ruled out the possibility of her being an Extraordinary. When had she learned an occult incantation? Yet while it sounded like an incantation, he couldn't detect the slightest trace of spirituality being channeled around her— Perplexed, Bai Zhou stood warily against the corner of the wall, unsteadily supporting his gravely wounded body. His emerald-like eyes darted restlessly. “Huh? Can't understand me?” Fang Xiaoxia looked puzzled, then gingerly switched languages: “Meow meow meow! Meow! Meow-meow?” Bai Zhou: “...” Oh. So that was it. Was this girl trying to communicate with a cat? —Not an Extraordinary. Just an idiot. Bai Zhou understood everything. Having no interest in playing along with her one-woman show, Bai Zhou turned his head and took a step with his paws, preparing to leave this place in search of peace and quiet. He was an Extraordinary; ordinary people shouldn't get mixed up with him. Last time, this “hissing little Charmander” had even helped him out of a tight spot—he couldn't drag her down— Yet after only a few steps, Bai Zhou's body began to sway. Severe agony racked his entire frame, making his head spin. “Poor thing... who could have abused you like this?” Fang Xiaoxia's heart overflowed with sympathy; she had seen the black cat's wretched state from the very beginning. That was precisely why her eyes had caught the little black cat in the roadside corner at first glance, and why she had been too careful to touch it. Dense, fine gashes covered its body, patches of its once soft, fluffy fur were charred black, and sunken areas across its frame looked suspiciously like severe fractures. It was a shocking sight; this tiny life was like a candle flickering in the wind. Looking at the ribbon fluttering atop Bai Zhou's head, she murmured thoughtfully, “Did your previous owner leave this?” “—Was she the one who abused you and dumped you?” “How awful!” Swinging a fist at empty air, Fang Xiaoxia took a deep breath. “Little kitty, little kitty, do you want to come home with big sister?” “I'll help nurse you back to health.” “If you do, just meow once.” Bai Zhou: *...* The girl immediately amended herself: “If you want to, then don't meow.” Bai Zhou: *...Seriously?* “Alright!” The girl nodded eagerly. “Mom might nag me, but—” Classmate Fang gritted her teeth, making up her mind. She truly could not bear to turn a blind eye to such a pitiable, adorable little black cat. A dialogue box practically materialized before her eyes: *A little cat is in dire straits, seeking your help. What do you choose?* *A: Lend a helping hand!* *B: Lend a helping hand!* *C: Lend a helping hand!* Did she even need to think about it? Just think about what Natsume, Misaka, Madoka, or Himmel would do if they were here! And above all, the little cat's eyes gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as though she had seen them somewhere before. Yet she was certain she had never met such a distinctive black cat. Then... it could only be from a past life, right? —Just look at that aloof, haughty demeanor! Could it be the Prince of the Stony Cat come to repay a debt of gratitude?! Then this wasn't merely a plea for help. It was the call of their bond! “Let's go home. Come on, come home with big sister~” As an otaku, Fang Xiaoxia had somehow fired herself up in a way Bai Zhou couldn't begin to comprehend, gingerly taking hold of his front paw. “We're going to treat your injuries. The pain will all fly away soon~” Bai Zhou: “...” *Why are you grabbing my hand? We're not even that close, okay?* With one paw held by Fang Xiaoxia, Bai Zhou hurriedly used the other to clutch the nearby tree trunk. “Quite sentimental, aren't you? Do you want me to dig up this tree and take it home to keep you company too?” Fang Xiaoxia looked troubled yet earnestly examined the sycamore tree planted on the roadside by the City Hall's Environmental Protection Bureau. After pondering for a long while, she finally shook her head with regret. “That won't really work. It's public property. Officer Uncle will arrest me.” “...How about when we get back, I buy you a Christmas tree to climb on and play with?” *Zero points for reading comprehension! This idiot's language test score must be a failing grade!* Yet Bai Zhou had no energy left to humor her antics. —Only now did he realize just how utterly weak he was. He had shed the “death state,” but his injuries were still enough to leave him “on the brink of death.” The fact that he had crossed the lockdown perimeter, traversed six streets, and made it all the way to East City in this state made Bai Zhou feel like he was practically a superman. Yet in his current condition, it was no longer a question of being unable to catch a mouse or fight off a big dog... A well-trained gym rat of a mouse could probably take him down with a single slide tackle. His original plan of falling into a light, guarded sleep was impossible now—if he collapsed unconscious on the roadside without any defenses, anything could happen. Stray dogs and cats passing by, rats, insects, pedestrian crowds... From that perspective... Fang Xiaoxia's arrival was actually impeccable timing. Yet psychologically, it was hard to stomach—a proud, upstanding man like him, how could he bow to another and serve someone with his feline charms? *Unless... just half a day!* *The second I wake up, I'm leaving. Immediately, absolutely, without delay!* *I will never cause trouble for an “ordinary person” like Fang Xiaoxia!* —Weighing the pros and cons for a long time, the aloof black cat finally turned his head away in silence. Amid Fang Xiaoxia's boundless joy, he slowly and reluctantly loosened his grip on the tree trunk. Such were the fickle twists of fate: in his most desperate moment, the girl extending a helping hand was the very same one who had looked as disheveled and pitiful as a drenched puppy the last time they met. Back then, the girl had hung her head, eyes darting, crying messily, paying no mind to the torrential downpour soaking her like a drowned rat. Meanwhile, he had worn a windbreaker, cool and aloof, offering a few profound philosophical insights that enlightened her and restored her faith in life. Yet now— Their roles were reversed. The gravely wounded black cat youth had never wished to cross paths with this passing puppy-like girl. *Luckily, she'll never know who I am...* Bai Zhou thought with relief as Fang Xiaoxia gently and cautiously lifted him up against the morning light. A faint, sweet, milky scent wafted from the girl, detectable only up close. They said the language of stray cats was: *snooze and you lose.* “I really hit the jackpot and picked up a cat, family,” Fang Xiaoxia said with absolute solemnity. This girl was such a dork... Bai Zhou didn't know what to say, so he simply rolled his eyes and looked away—out of sight, out of mind. The warm sunlight bathed Bai Zhou, causing him to involuntarily relax. —Then, his head tilted. He blacked out just like that. In his final shred of consciousness before slipping under, Bai Zhou's last thought was: *Does what a black cat does have anything to do with Bai Zhou?* *Not a bit!* *** Zijing Building, a landmark of Tinghai City. The 51st floor. “We interrupt this program with breaking news.” “At approximately four o'clock this morning, a violent explosion occurred in an open lot on the outskirts of the Development Zone, creating a massive crater and causing strong tremors in nearby buildings.” “Reports indicate that multiple departments have launched a joint operation to manage the site and conduct a cordoned investigation.” “At present, experts' preliminary findings suggest that the explosion may be related to long-term accumulation of subterranean biogas. Significant recent temperature fluctuations may have caused biogas to build up and accidentally ignite. The specific cause remains under further investigation.” “...Fortunately, as the incident occurred in the early morning hours in a remote area, no casualties have been reported. Surrounding residents and enterprises were unaffected.” “Further details are still being compiled. This station will continue to bring you follow-up reports.” In the colossal office, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Listening to the crisp news broadcast on the television— A middle-aged man in a suit with a square face, sitting on the sofa with a cigar between his lips, shook his head and slapped a stack of documents onto the table with a sharp *thwack*. The papers scattered, every single sheet containing intelligence regarding Bai Zhou. “Third Brother, all these years, I believe I've rarely interfered in your affairs.” “I hear you try to emulate me in everything, yet end up falling short at every turn...” His voice carried a raspy, smoky quality, yet possessed an extraordinary blend of authority and elegance. He spoke in an unhurried, measured cadence, like someone casually discussing how well-done today's steak ought to be over dinner. Beside him stood a handsome male secretary with gentle features, attending to his needs. The Major sitting across from him had an exceptionally grim expression, yet held his tongue. In front of this square-faced man, he showed none of his usual overbearing swagger. Still, he made no effort to conceal the sullen gloom oozing from his expression. “I have no interest in your petty dealings.” “However, this time, the Old Master has spoken. He wants this matter resolved as quickly as possible.” With that, the middle-aged man took the cigar from his mouth and picked up a photograph from the table to examine. It was Bai Zhou's ID photo; his expression was as awkward as that of a hitman who didn't know how to smile. “This matter ends here.” The photograph was tossed back onto the table. *Tap.* A bent knuckle rapped against it, as though nailing Bai Zhou to the desk. “I will send people to handle it. You are not to touch it anymore.” “First, go wipe your own ass.” “—Second Brother passed word that the Special Control Bureau headquarters is sending people over to assist you in tracking down the wanted criminal.” “Handle them properly. Mind your boundaries.” “Headquarters...” Hearing this, the Major's expression shifted. Before he could say another word, the square-faced man waved his hand. “Get lost.” “I hope you learn your lesson from this. In the future, conduct your business with more prudence and cleanliness.” With a scrape of his chair, the Major stood up immediately and turned to leave without a word. The handsome male secretary hurried over to open the office door for him. The Major ignored him completely, pulling the door open a step ahead and walking out on his own. The male secretary wasn't flustered; he simply strolled back in silence. “Young people. Still so impetuous.” The square-faced man leaned back against the sofa, closing his eyes to rest. The handsome male secretary quietly approached, reaching out to gently massage the man's temples. Before long, with a click, someone pushed the door open and walked in. “Eldest Young Master, Secretary Lin, looking for me?” A hunchbacked, bald old man in slippers and an undershirt beamed obsequiously at the two in the office like a toad. He looked like the sort of wretched old creep people would cross the street to avoid, yet the heavy rolls of flesh on his face hinted that he was anything but harmless. The square-faced man opened his eyes at once, rising to face the newcomer. He walked over briskly, his tone notably respectful: “Elder Feng.” “Haven't you been lamenting that you had no opportunity to show your sincerity?” “Now, your chance has arrived.” Feng Xingyuan. The latest Extraordinary to defect to the Zijing Group. An A+-rank wanted fugitive hunted by the Anomaly Investigation Bureau after perpetrating three major cases that shook Tinghai—half a rank higher than Bai Zhou. A former Blood-Robe Elder who had deserted the Blood Worship Cult. A bloody butcher infamous throughout Tinghai City's underworld. A Rank 5 Extraordinary who inspired fear and dread wherever he went! “This is the guy? Just a kid?” The old man picked up Bai Zhou's photograph to inspect it, his smiling eyes narrowing into a squirming slit of flesh. He flicked his forked tongue, licking his lips. He muttered under his breath, “Looks... delicious.” *** On the other side. Speeding all the way, the car rushed back. The Major returned to his loyal Branch 36. The low pressure surrounding him kept the officers from daring to speak to him. In the end, the Major locked himself in his office and brooded for two hours. Two hours later, he dialed a number. “It's me.” “Van Gogh is dead. You've seen it.” “—My business and our partnership are both threatened because of this.” Based in Tinghai, the Fine Arts Society was notorious yet held a solid reputation, priding itself on never failing once a commission was accepted. Yet now, Van Gogh had died at Bai Zhou's hands. The entire Tinghai underworld was waiting to mock the Fine Arts Society. The Major knew that this bunch of madmen would never swallow their pride. After half a minute of silence, the Fine Arts Society gave an answer brimming with sincerity: The First, Third, and Fourth “Painters” would all take action. Among the sixteen “Painters” equivalent to Rank 4 Extraordinaries, there were clear distinctions in prowess, and these three top assassins ranked highest of all. Each of them had the blood of more than one Rank 4 Extraordinary on their hands, far surpassing Vincent van Gogh, who had only just stepped into Rank 4. —Absolute certainty, without fail! This was their response to the entire underworld of Tinghai. It was also a show of sincerity toward the Major personally. The Major was very satisfied. “I will send people to help track Bai Zhou down—” Before hanging up, he added one last line: “Pleasure doing business with you.” *Click.* The call ended. The Major lit a cigar and raised a hand to rub his temples, as if deep in thought with eyes closed. *What do you mean, 'emulate you in everything'?* *What do you mean, 'no interest'?* *Do you even know what I am doing? Do you know the grand aspiration I hold?* *Even the Fine Arts Society is willing to do my bidding! This world will ultimately be reshaped by my hands.* *How could a mere brat from Wancheng possibly impede my stride?* *I don't need your interference, and I certainly don't need your help. I will prove to everyone—* The spark at the tip of the cigar flickered faintly. Blue smoke curled upward. *Knock, knock, knock—* As he brooded, a cautious knock on the door broke his train of thought. The officer who entered delivered a report: “Headquarters said they are dispatching a team tomorrow to assist in handling the cases related to Bai Zhou.” “Although we don't know who the team leader is yet...” “If they step in, capturing Bai Zhou should be practically guaranteed.” “Only...” The officer hesitated. “We cannot let them step in.” The Major's response came without hesitation: “Stall them. Give them whatever they ask for, and treat them to fine food and drink.” “Once I handle Bai Zhou on my end, send them packing.” Saying this, the Major gave the officer a pill of reassurance: “Do not worry.” “I have comprehensive arrangements.” “Three top Painters, combined with an inescapable dragnet—this will be unlike any prior attempt. It will leave no room for error.” His voice paused here, and the Major specifically instructed: “However—tell Gao He to remember to tighten security around the enterprise.” “Everyone is to keep a low profile lately. Remember, do not let anything slip!” Hearing the words “Gao He” and “enterprise,” the officer immediately stood at attention, snapping a salute. “Yes, Major! Understood!” And so, the second encirclement and suppression campaign against Bai Zhou began to brew— And its deployment was swiftly completed. The feat of slaying Van Gogh had caused everyone to misjudge Bai Zhou's true strength, according him the highest level of “special treatment.” A new net quietly unfurled and tightened. Such a luxurious lineup filled his enemies with confidence, yet would plunge any “flying bird” caught within it into absolute despair. And Bai Zhou—the star at the center of attention, whose life or death was being closely followed by so many factions—had only just groggily awakened inside a teenage girl's bedroom. Dim lighting, an unfamiliar ceiling, and the scent of disinfectant wafting past his nose. The little cat, completely wrapped in bandages, lay on a pink bed covered in Hello Kitty prints. Beside him, sitting cross-legged and furiously playing a mobile game, was the girl in pajamas. Looking lazy and relaxed, her naturally wavy long hair was damp, as if fresh out of the bath. Her loose white nightgown dress sported an adorable Paul Frank monkey print, and the sweet, milky fragrance of body wash lingered about her. “Ah, kitty, you're awake!” Noticing Bai Zhou waking up, the girl immediately tossed her phone aside and gingerly leaned in close. Her large eyes rolled about, twinkling like little stars. Her face, still carrying a bit of baby fat, was filled with pleasant surprise as she inspected Bai Zhou, her gaze brimming with wonder. “Feeling better? Meow meow meow?” She was attempting to communicate in her bizarre homemade language again. Bai Zhou couldn't be bothered. He was checking his current condition, pondering how he might slip away secretly later. —Just then. From the television mounted on the bedroom wall—left on habitually though no one was watching—came the sound of a news broadcast. “The subterranean biogas explosion in the Development Zone early this morning has drawn widespread public attention.” “Following an in-depth investigation by the joint expert task force, new progress has been made.” “His Excellency the Chief Executive has also delivered an important address regarding this matter.” “The details are as follows...” Hearing this, Bai Zhou's pointed ears twitched upright, his clear eyes blinking twice. “So terrifying...” Classmate Fang shivered. She wanted to hug Bai Zhou into her arms, but seeing his pitiable, bandage-wrapped state, she didn't dare make any reckless moves. In the end, she could only speak gently and patiently, though her tone sounded uncannily like a creepy auntie using a lollipop to lure a child on the street: “Outside there are explosions and bad guys—it's so scary.” “Isn't big sister's place much cozier?” “Don't leave ever again. Big sister will pamper you, okay?” *Not okay.* The ribbon atop his head fluttered twice. Bai Zhou dared not imagine what kind of scene it would be if Crow woke up one day and suddenly popped out, leaving three people in the room at once. And besides... Bai Zhou wore an odd expression. If he wasn't mistaken, that massive slew of content read out on the news... Whether it was the explosion or the villain, wasn't it all talking about him? *I'm literally that fugitive ultra-dangerous wanted criminal on the run.* With this thought, the little cat shook his head firmly. *You wouldn't want to harbor an enemy of the world, would you, Classmate Fang?!*