Sechshundert Jahre

Kapitel 2

Cats are proud because they've seen countless wanted criminals. Of course, like cats, they're not human. The first time I saw police catching a thief was on a small hill in the countryside. It was a dark and stormy night, with a heavy rain. I was trying to find shelter in a tree hollow when suddenly a huge, piercing light appeared in mid-air, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime. Startled, I slipped and fell into the mud. As I struggled to my feet, I suddenly saw two eerie, bluish lights flashing from the tree hollow. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a fox, trembling inside. I wasn't very experienced then, otherwise I would have run far away. So, I advise everyone: never watch others suffer with a spectator's mentality; you'll soon find yourself in the same predicament.

"Brother Fox, what's wrong?" I asked. "Cat, mind your own business and get lost!" he said angrily, showing no appreciation whatsoever. This only fueled my curiosity. I quietly slipped away to the side.

Before long, another great spirit cleavage occurred. I was so frightened that I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I saw a dark figure standing by the tree hole opposite me. The dark figure was holding a long, glowing chain in its hand. The dark figure looked like a person, but it wasn't a person because I couldn't smell any human scent on it.

Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [6]: A flash of red! The fox suddenly pounced out of the hole, its fur standing on end, its teeth bared, looking ready to fight to the death. The shadowy figure shook the chain in its hand and swung it around. The trees around it sizzled as the chain brushed against them, as if they had been burned. The fox pounced left and right, and the shadowy figure used the chain to hit it. I watched in horror, I was really too inexperienced to have seen anything like this! I was watching the fight like an idiot when the chain suddenly flew in front of me. My vision blurred and I was completely disoriented.

Then I woke up, and later I learned that the fox had broken the rules, and the shadowy figure had come to catch it. After that, I also seriously began my path of cultivation. I remember I was only twenty-eight years old that year. Seventy years have passed since then.

A hero doesn't dwell on past glories. In the unfathomable spirit world, I'm just an ordinary citizen, with nothing to boast about. I simply live my mundane life as I please. I can't be like some ambitious individuals, pursuing some kind of cultivation technique, elixir, or medicine. I prefer to be with humans, watching them live their mundane and uneventful lives. If one day a shadowy policeman comes to arrest me, I'll accept it. Isn't it said that confession brings leniency and resistance brings severity? I'll give a full confession, but my confession will inevitably contain trivial matters, lest they find it unsatisfying. After all, I neither lie nor kill!

Lost in thought, I unwittingly made my way to the fifth floor. Here, the air density thinned, the temperature dropped, and a foul odor, imperceptible to humans, permeated the air.

I was just about to scratch the door to room 501 with my front paws when it opened automatically. The hallway lights flickered and dimmed a little.

I walked straight in. A desolate wind swept through, and half a dirty window screen groaned weakly in the breeze. No one was inside. Of course. The empty house reeked of that indescribable stench. A broken digital clock lay on the floor, its pendulum swinging nervously from side to side, the time frozen at exactly twelve. That was the time of her death.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and I quickly turned around. "Beautiful lady..." Although humans and ghosts are different, when it comes to vanity, a woman may not be any less vain even if she becomes a ghost than she was when she was a human.

She leaned against the window, gazing at the lights outside, and sighed with endless melancholy. She turned to me and sighed again before saying, "You lazy cat, you never come to see me. I'm so bored all alone, and nobody keeps me company."

I laughed. "Hey, beautiful, that's not right. A family moved in last month, but you were the one who kicked them out! You caused that old man to have a heart attack. Luckily he didn't die, or you would have been arrested by the police and given a good spanking!"

She snorted and said, "You stinky man! You're making a mess of my place by living here."

She was a bound spirit, forever unable to leave the place of her death, like a prisoner unable to leave their cell. She disliked the people who moved in, and could only put on that pitiful appearance to scare them. But what beautiful woman would willingly make herself look ugly and smelly for others to see? Therefore, everyone should forgive those ghosts who frighten you; they also went through a great internal struggle!

I thought it was about time, and sure enough, she sighed softly and came: "Love...it's really..." My eyelids started to droop...

We fell silent, leaving only the neurotic clock to keep swinging.

She was a girl who refused to join groups; yes, she remained a girl until her death. Both her parents were teachers, and their upbringing was extremely strict. She never held hands with a boy, and would blush easily even speaking to him. She loved literature and was once considered by her parents and teachers to be a rising star writer. She had read enough ancient books to fill a large bookshelf. Even in high school, her parents treated her like a little rabbit; every day after school, she would go to her mother's office to do her homework, waiting for her mother to finish get off work so they could go home together. Her university application was already decided long ago: the same university where her father taught.

Originally, Little Rabbit should have her own way of living, and I, the wildcat, am neither envious nor jealous. But one day, a playboy in Little Rabbit's class, pretending to be drunk, kissed her at a class party.

For the playboy, this was just a fun game, something he'd probably forget in a flash. But for her, it was like the whole world had suddenly turned upside down, everything had changed, the earth had collapsed, and the sky had cracked. She was dizzy and confused, thinking he loved her. Books said that virtuous ladies loved scoundrels, so she advised all the beautiful ladies not to read too many books, because the authors were all scoundrels. Therefore, she didn't say anything outwardly, but inwardly she felt strangely pleased. She'd occasionally glance at him during class. Strangely enough, he'd also give her a strange smile.

Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [7]: He suddenly disappeared for a while during his senior year of high school. Every day she looked at his empty desk and chair, feeling extremely anxious, but she couldn't show it, and she dared not ask anyone about it. Then one day she saw him on the street, and he hurriedly pulled her aside. She asked him what was wrong, and he said that something had happened and he wanted to find a place to hide. She asked what was wrong, and he replied with an unusual expression, "It's a big deal, don't ask, the police and the underworld are looking for him."

Looking at his increasingly gaunt face, his once cheerful smile now pale and lifeless, she thought to herself, "I'm just helping a classmate," and took him to her home. Her father was abroad attending an academic conference, and her mother had been dragged to a thank-you banquet by former students. She made him noodles and watched him wolf them down. A bittersweet feeling welled up inside her. After he finished eating, he put down his bowl and said, "I'm leaving." She asked him in surprise why, and he said he couldn't burden her. Suddenly, she felt a pang of pity for a hero in dire straits, and a surge of heroism within herself. She said to him, "It's alright, you stay! I'm not afraid." So he stayed in her room. Strangely enough, if someone else is in a house, it's impossible to hide them. But she had a temperament that disliked others intruding on her private space, and since her room was a suite, her parents rarely came to her room. She used the excuse of working on her novel to stay indoors. No one was home at noon; they didn't return until evening. Thus, he hid in her house for half a month, and surprisingly, nothing happened.

He slept in the bathtub of the suite's bathroom that night. One day, she was half asleep when she suddenly felt something wet on her face. She opened her eyes slightly and saw him kissing her. Last time it was her face, this time it was her lips, eyes, forehead, ears, neck… She was confused, her mind a jumbled mess. She wanted to know what to do, but her body remained still, pretending to be fast asleep. He became bolder and bolder, reaching his hand under the covers. This time she couldn't pretend anymore. Their eyes met, and his face flushed instantly. He was about to run away when she reached out and grabbed him. They quickly embraced.

They were both very young and extremely excited. They embraced each other so passionately that they forgot everything else in the world and didn't even hear the sound outside the door.

The door was kicked open, and before him stood not only terrified parents, but also imposing police officers. He was suspected of murder; the victim was the leader of a rival gang. He didn't even know if he had killed him. He was injured in the melee and, pathetically, passed out. When he awoke, his boss praised him as a real man, brave enough to take down the enemy leader. His comrades flattered him, and in his dazed state, he confessed. Later, when the police and the rival gang were hunting him down together, he was stunned. He ran, ran, ran. Until he met her, like an angel.

Her parents couldn't bear to see their daughter humiliated in public, especially since he was a murderer! They locked her in her room. She committed suicide. That's why I say beautiful women shouldn't read so many books. She naively believed that if someone commits suicide at midnight, they'll become a vengeful ghost, so she specifically waited until midnight to perform her rituals. Actually, the timing of these rituals has nothing to do with spiritual power. It mainly depends on the depth of resentment. She harbored some resentment towards the world, which is why she remained there.

Her parents later moved away, leaving her all alone. She hated other men coming here and often scared away new tenants. Eventually, no one came anymore.

But she developed a strong liking for talking about love. She looked down on those lowly spirits floating around the stairwell, thinking they were uncultured and unworthy to discuss love with her. So, I had no choice but to join in her rambling. Otherwise, she might really fall into an even deeper abyss of sin.

I chatted with her about love, even though I don't really understand it myself. If my cat paws could hold a pen and write, and I wrote down her insightful views on love, it would probably be a huge book by now.

"Sigh... I wonder how he is now. If I could start all over again, what should I do? Live a peaceful life, obediently sheltered under my parents' wings, or stay like this? What exactly is love?" she murmured to herself. I couldn't answer her. Although I've lived to ninety-eight, I've never experienced love. In her words, I've wandered in a corner forgotten by love. I've, however, witnessed quite a few so-called loves. As for what love is, I don't know either. Perhaps you do, and tell me.

We, these two questioners of love, were chatting idly when suddenly the door opened—no, it was kicked open!

Under the lights, a pair of pointed GUCCI high heels emitted a pale yellow hue. A long-haired woman stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, her face turned towards us, exuding a disdainful yet lazy air—yes, the air of a human.

She's another beautiful woman, but something feels off about her.

"Shu Yan, I'm here to see you off." The beautiful woman outside the door said calmly. Her tone was ordinary, somewhat cold, and languid. "You haven't reported for duty, there's no point in you staying here. Someone asked me to call you down."

My beautiful neighbor, Shu Yanliu, raised her eyebrows and said, "You want to catch me? Not so easy!" She rolled her eyes, let out a whoosh, and her fingernails grew out of shape, gleaming with a cold, sharp light.

Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [8]: The beautiful woman outside the door laughed, "I didn't expect that my good intentions would be so unappreciated!" She lowered her head and asked again, "Cat, are you going to come along too?"

Even I saw it. I took a step back and remained silent. I'm a very rational cat; I don't like to get involved in troubled matters. Besides, I've learned my lesson.

Shu Yan screamed, her long fingernails stabbing at the beautiful woman outside the door. The woman stopped laughing but remained motionless. I thought there was going to be a good show, but instead, she parted her cherry lips slightly and shouted, "Open!" With a flick of her right hand, a dark halo appeared behind Shu Yan, emanating a tremendous suction force. Shu Yan froze for a moment, then her body was involuntarily sucked into the black hole. I watched her body being sucked in bit by bit, like a person being slowly swallowed by quicksand. Slowly, slowly, she gave me one last look, as if in disbelief, as if she thought she was dreaming. Finally, she disappeared before my eyes. Just like that, she was gone.

I can't believe my lovely neighbor was dealt with so quickly. I can't believe even more that there are such people in this world who can so easily open the gates of the underworld with a mere flick of their wrist.

I was terrified, my whole body was ice-cold. Luckily, I knew better than to resist, otherwise I would be...

"Boss... Boss..." I greeted him tremblingly, but I was tongue-tied and couldn't utter a single word.

"I'm not a police officer. I already told him to go to the police if he's in trouble! But he still came to me. I only helped him because he was so annoying. If this keeps up, I'll start charging you!" the beautiful boss said indignantly, then asked, "Cat, my name is Jiongying. Do you have a name?"

"No……"

"Hehe, from now on I'll call you Blackie. Just like the super little Blackie on TV!"

To be honest, I've had many masters over the past hundred years, but none of them gave me a name. Now that the boss has bestowed a name upon me, how could I refuse? I happily replied, "Thank you, Blackie, Boss!"

“Call me Jiongying. The landlord said he would give me the house if I settled things, and that guy keeps bothering me to pass on messages for him. No need to pass on messages, just take her downstairs and everything will be fine.”

I was confused and quickly asked, "What Boss Jiongying said is profound. I don't understand."

Jiongying was already intently examining the house, probably considering the furniture arrangement. I couldn't stand it. She answered me, "It's her boyfriend. He was executed and refused to reincarnate. He's almost become a vengeful spirit, wanting to go back for revenge. Then he met me and begged me to bring his girlfriend to see him before he would reincarnate."

"Then why didn't he do it himself?"

"He's a criminal, and there are 'police' watching him everywhere. I saw him kneeling and begging, and the landlord said so too. Hehe, it's good for them and good for me~" His smiling face belied what he had just been doing...

I watched her wandering around the house, and a thought popped into my head. I sweetly said to her, "Hey, Jiongying, look at me..." She hummed in response and turned to look at me. My eyes snapped open, my mental power instantly amplified, and even the hallway lights couldn't withstand it.

It vanished instantly. I imagine that in such a sudden, dark space, only my cold, dark blue eyes remained, staring coldly and fiercely at this lone woman. She paused, a perfect opportunity. I was just about to…

Suddenly, I saw a pair of even colder, darker, fiercer, and more domineering green eyes. They were right next to my face, so big and so greedy. If I moved even slightly, they would surely tear me to pieces cruelly, and perhaps that wouldn't be enough, just like how I often catch a mouse and play with it before slowly devouring it...

I dare not move, dare not move, dare not move.

I heard her voice, "Like this now?"...

The lights came on, and I saw her standing in front of me with a smile, but I think I will never, ever forget the horror I felt just now.

I know I'm no match for her, not even worthy of being called a match. If the spirit world is a primeval forest teeming with carnage, then those creatures in the stairwell are nothing more than plants, devoid of autonomy, at the mercy of slaughter. My neighbors, who look down on those in the stairwell, are themselves nothing more than little rabbits. If they encounter a slightly larger predator, those who run fast are lucky; those who run slow become their delicious breakfast. According to the food chain, the forest is mostly populated by plants; without them, other animals cannot survive. But those who truly hold the power of life and death are always a few tyrants, such as tigers and lions. Between the top and bottom are many middle-class groups, like wolf packs. A single wolf is no match for a tiger, but once they unite, even a tiger cannot escape slaughter. The person in front of me—whether she's a top-tier figure, I don't yet know. But I can assure you, she has already joined the upper echelons of the large predator class.

As for me, I am a wildcat. To survive in this world where might makes right, I must both compromise and remain vigilant. I fawn over the strong and do not bully the weak. I maintain my own balance between the strong and the weak.

IV. The Crippled in Love

Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [9]: When I climbed onto the windowsill of my master's house, only a few small stars remained on the horizon, sparsely emitting a pale light. It was another brand new day. I yawned and looked at the two little bundles of people in the bed, back to back, snoring away, seemingly oblivious to each other's thoughts. I walked over quietly and examined my master's handsome, aloof face, which even in his dreams carried a noble and proud expression. I jumped onto his bed and licked his hand, meowing softly.

He woke up and casually tossed me to the floor. I could only hop onto a chair, meowing resentfully for a while. His woman from last night woke up. "You have a cat? It's so cute, but it's a little scary being black." She crawled naked out of bed, trying to hug me. "A stray cat. It followed me from the parking lot all the way upstairs. I had no choice but to keep it." The owner lit a cigarette and puffed away on the bed.

I was extremely reluctant to be held in the woman's arms. She had a great figure, showing no signs of sagging, so it seemed her decadent nightlife hadn't had too much of a negative impact on her. The woman held me tightly, refusing to let go. The host frowned and said, "I start work at nine. Pack your clothes, I'll take you home." Then he went to the restroom.

The woman paused, surprised that playing with the cat naked hadn't aroused his passion. She truly didn't understand her master; lust, for him, was nothing more than water flowing down his back, fleeting and ephemeral. There was nothing to cherish. Those who try to leave a mark on the soul with their bodies are foolish.

They each showered and dressed. The woman was putting on makeup; her long, slender legs were white and firm, and she leaned casually against the chair at a perfect angle. She took her time, taking her time. The master walked over with a wicked grin and stroked her legs with the back of his hand in various ways. The woman then leaned into his arms. He whispered in her ear, "If you're not done in a minute, I'll throw you out the door."

The woman's face turned pale instantly. The passion of the night had left her with a ravage more cruel than the years themselves. Even in bed, this kind of woman would put on makeup. So when she didn't, she received even less sympathy from men.

The woman silently tidied herself up, and the two of them prepared to leave. Of course, before leaving, the owner didn't forget to pour cat food into a bowl. The woman looked at me, a little helpless; there was really nothing she could do! My owner probably still doesn't know her name, and never will, but he will always remember to pour me cat food before leaving. Oh, and actually, he did give me a name once, a very old-fashioned one, which I didn't accept: Lili.

When he's not home, I'm the master of this house. I know which smelly sock he hides the key in, and I'll open his trunk to peek into his past.

He never hid money in a safe. Money didn't need to be hidden in such a secret place for him. What he wanted to hide was his past.

I struggled to open the cabinet with my paws and pulled out the thick photo album. Even the album itself was worn out; the photos were yellowed, and so were my memories, yellowing and fading.

Flipping through those old photos is like reading a tragic novel. They are the memories of the owner and his woman named Lili. They stand under the kapok tree, smiling awkwardly, each holding a book, as if it would be inappropriate to take a picture without one. Both wear thick glasses, their young faces brimming with vitality.

Taken at Yenching University in 1991.

In the next picture, they are no longer wearing glasses. They stand hand in hand in front of the famous ox sculpture, their faces filled with hopeful anticipation. The gaze of the great man behind them seems to be watching them with a sigh.

Taken in S City in 1994.

Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [10]: The background of the third photo is extremely beautiful. Autumn leaves are spread on the ground. On a quiet and peaceful path, there is a couple. The reason why they are said to be a couple is because they are both wearing eternal diamond rings on their fingers. The two look at each other happily, completely satisfied. It is still her. Her hair is tied up in an elegant bun and she is wearing a fitted cheongsam. The person next to her has blond hair and blue eyes.

Taken in Vancouver, 2001.

Ten years have passed. The hurt and pain from longing have blurred, leaving him crippled in love. Yet, he remains undeterred, hopelessly clinging to the memories of the past. These memories are utterly useless, I know he knows it himself. But he still finds excuses for himself, numbing himself with lust and alcohol. How laughable, how utterly laughable!

But then, I noticed a new photo recently tucked into the last page of the album—it was a picture of my cat! It showed me devouring cat food, and I had no idea when it was taken.

Taken at home in 2003.

In his heart, the human Lili and the cat Lili were equally precious.

I recall countless nights when, as long as he didn't bring any women home, I wouldn't go out fooling around. I would obediently lie on his lap and play games with him, and he would always gently remain still, and I would sleep soundly. It was because I felt safe. A sense of security I had rarely felt in the past hundred years.

I closed the photo album, having made up my mind. I decided to go downstairs to find Jiongying.

She moved very quickly, even though she didn't have much stuff. She seems to be someone used to wandering. Like me, she can't stay in one place for too long.

She listened to my request while lying in bed, thought for a moment, and said, "Hey, even if you do this, he won't be grateful to you. And he'll forget you soon." She looked at me regretfully, "You'll get nothing."

I don't need anything. I just want him to forget.

She closed her eyes and fell silent. I didn't know if she was resting or thinking. After a moment of silence, she beckoned me over, and I obediently went and knelt before her. She drew a talisman on my forehead with her finger, then lazily lay down on the bed, ignoring me. But I felt a surge of heat rising from the deepest part of my body. I felt a tightness in my chest, and I exhaled a bead. My body grew larger and larger, all my fur disappeared, and my claws vanished. I finally had a body, a human body, yet I felt extremely cool.

“I have clothes in my closet, don’t take those designer brands!” Jiongying said.