Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Wang Hua initially paid little heed to Ying Yuanxing, who appeared to be just an ordinary Weirdfolk. However, the sudden appearance of Elder Brother Yu made him realize something was amiss. After a closer look, he noticed that the fish on Ying Yuanxing’s stall seemed to carry a faint, almost imperceptible trace of Weird Qi.

This Weird Qi was so subtle that it had escaped the notice of other Weirdfolk.

Though the Weird Qi in these fish was far weaker than that found in the Weird Food sold at Hongxing Supermarket, their price was also considerably lower.

Had Ying Yuanxing not left his stall, Wang Hua might have considered buying the fish. But Ying Yuanxing’s act of picking up the fish and walking away presented Wang Hua with an opportune moment.

However, Wang Hua hadn’t anticipated that immediately after Ying Yuanxing’s departure, and just as he had secured a few fish, he would be seized by a peculiar cat.

This cat… was unsettling.

Wang Hua felt an excruciating pain in his wound, as if it had pierced his very soul, forcing a piercing shriek from his lips. He looked up at the cat: its black pupils glowed with an eerie deep green light, staring at him with detached indifference.

An inexpressible dread welled up in Wang Hua’s heart. Noticing Ying Yuanxing had spotted the commotion and was rushing over, he stumbled to his feet and fled. He didn't realize that the agonizing pain in his wound had suddenly vanished, leaving behind a wisp of black mist clinging to the injury, imbued with an ominous aura.

Seeing Wang Hua flee in guilt, Ying Yuanxing did not pursue. Instead, he looked down at the small black cat perched before his stall. Its fur, the practiced ease with which it held the fish in its mouth—could this be the same Little Black Cat that only appeared at the farm at night?

Ever since he first saw the Little Black Cat at night, Ying Yuanxing had occasionally searched for it during the day. But whether the cat was simply absent from the farm during daylight hours, or exceptionally skilled at hiding, Ying Yuanxing could never find a trace of it.

If it weren't for the fact that he left a fish out every night and found it gone by morning, Ying Yuanxing would have doubted whether his encounters with the cat were merely figments of his imagination.

To think he would encounter the Little Black Cat here! Had it followed him, or did it simply frequent this area during the day?

Lost in thought, Ying Yuanxing extended his hand. Seeing no reaction from the Little Black Cat, he gently stroked its head. The fur was incredibly soft and smooth, prompting him to pet it a second time.

These past few days, the only small animals he had encountered on the farm were fish. While their scales were smooth, they were also covered in a layer of slime. Touching them once out of curiosity was fine, but it certainly didn't compare to the warmth and comfort of fluffy cat fur.

However, beneath the warm fur, Ying Yuanxing noticed the Little Black Cat’s body stiffen, as if unaccustomed to such affection. After a couple of strokes, he withdrew his hand.

“Little Black, thank you for catching the thief. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how much I would have lost.” Ying Yuanxing said, picking up the fish the Little Black Cat had been holding. “Take these fish to eat.”

To Ying Yuanxing, the Little Black Cat appeared alarmingly thin—its fur merely gave an illusion of plumpness. Beneath it, the cat was bony and clearly needed more food to gain weight.

The Little Black Cat glanced up at Ying Yuanxing, then at the subtle, lingering stares from around them, before silently picking up the fish and moving aside to eat.

Ying Yuanxing also noticed the unfriendly glances from the other stall owners. He frowned. A thief was one thing, but why were these vendors so hostile?

Scanning the goods on their stalls—miscellaneous items, strange plants and stones, and unidentifiable cuts of meat—he saw no fish sellers. Since he wasn't competing with them, why were they all so unwelcoming?

Could it be that the thief was in league with these stall owners, or perhaps a local?

The more Ying Yuanxing considered it, the more convinced he became of his own suspicion. He sighed inwardly, feeling an even greater need to open a shop in Taoxi Village. At least there, as the shop owner, he would be the host, and others the guests. But here, he was an outsider in unfamiliar territory.

Looking at the fish on the ground and recalling the fleeing thief, Ying Yuanxing decided to quickly sell the remaining fish and leave, to avoid any potential retaliation.

…

After Ying Yuanxing tossed the five fish into the water, Elder Brother Yu didn’t hesitate, diving in after them and quickly catching up with Yu Fei and the others.

“Xiao Yan, Xiao Fei, Xiao Ye… you’ve all suffered these past few days. You’ve lost weight.” Elder Brother Yu’s voice trembled as he looked at his three sons, on the verge of tears. In his eyes, they must have endured great hardships at the Ying family’s hands.

Yu Fei, upon seeing Elder Brother Yu, swam over excitedly and rubbed against him. Hearing his father’s words, he grew even more upset and immediately complained, “Dad, Uncle wouldn’t let me eat. I’ve been starving for three days.”

Yu Fei’s emphasis was on his uncle denying him food, but to Elder Brother Yu, it meant his child hadn’t eaten for three days. Alarmed, he quickly produced some Weird Food he carried. “Xiao Fei, eat this. It’ll help you recover.”

He didn’t just give some to Yu Fei but also handed portions to Yu Ye and Yu Fei.

Of course, Elder Brother Yu didn’t forget his two younger brothers, passing them Weird Food as well—though theirs was stronger in Weird Qi but also carried more impurities.

The Weird Food Elder Brother Yu offered was Yu Fei’s favorite, but due to its high price, it was only an occasional treat. Yet, as the familiar aroma filled the air, Yu Fei couldn’t help but glance at Yu Laoer. He longed for the pasture grass instead.

“You’ve suffered at the Ying family’s place. Eat up—I brought plenty, so there’s enough for everyone.” Seeing Yu Fei hesitate, Elder Brother Yu assumed he was worried about the cost. His heart ached even more, thinking that Yu Fei’s uncharacteristic hesitation must stem from hardship. Otherwise, why would he suddenly be so sensible?

Yu Fei took a reluctant bite of the Weird Food. Compared to the pasture grass, it was…

He missed the fresh, bitter-sweet taste of the grass.

Yu Ye and Yu Fei, seeing Yu Fei eat, could only nibble at their portions. But even after a while, they’d hardly made progress, their reluctance obvious.

Elder Brother Yu was puzzled and turned to his brothers for answers.

Yu Laoer drew Elder Brother Yu aside, leaving Yu Laosan to keep watch, and explained the situation with the Ying family’s pasture grass.

“Big Brother, I’ve kept the grass safe, but with Xiao Fei and Xiao Ye like this, I’m worried their dependence is too strong,” Yu Laoer said anxiously.

Elder Brother Yu’s smile vanished entirely, his face darkening. He turned his gaze toward the market. No wonder Ying Yuanxing had thrown the fish back—even if they escaped, for Yu Fei and the others, they’d have to return.

“Big Brother, the grass should last a while longer. I think our priority should be figuring out what’s in it,” Yu Laoer suggested.

Biting back his grief, Elder Brother Yu nodded. Glancing back at Yu Fei and the others—Yu Fei and Yu Ye’s emotions were obvious, while Yu Fei made himself eat, clearly trying not to worry them. But Elder Brother Yu could tell he wasn’t enjoying it either.

Yu Fei noticed Elder Brother Yu’s gaze and met his father’s grief-stricken gaze. Hesitating, he wondered if his uncles’ suspicions were mistaken.

Though he hadn’t eaten as much pasture grass as his brothers, he’d still consumed quite a bit. According to his uncles, he should already be addicted. Yet, after three days without it, he didn’t feel in agony—just sometimes tempted when the grass appeared. It was nothing like the madness they described.

But his brothers…

Yu Fei eyed them with concern. Yu Fei, after a few bites, refused to eat any more. Just as Yu Fei was about to urge him, Yu Fei’s Weird Qi suddenly erupted violently, as if provoked. Unable to hold onto the Weird Food, Yu Fei slumped weakly.

“Xiao Fei!” Elder Brother Yu rushed over, pulling Yu Fei into his arms, his hands trembling.

“Xiao Fei’s Weird Qi has dissipated significantly. At this rate, it’ll be completely gone in less than a month,” Yu Laoer said gravely after examining Yu Fei’s condition.

For a Weirdfolk, the moment their Weird Qi vanished entirely, it meant death.

“Dad… I want to eat the pasture grass,” Yu Fei murmured weakly. His frailty made him realize what his body truly needed. The Weird Food was no longer enough—if he kept eating it, the Weird Qi absorbed from the grass might not offset the loss. Then, he’d truly be beyond saving.

Elder Brother Yu’s thoughts raced. Yu Laoer wanted to protest, but given Yu Fei’s state, refusing him the grass would only mean a month of life at most. If he ate it, he might last longer. Had he been wrong?

Yu Fei suddenly spoke up, “If eating the grass alone leads to addiction too quickly, what about those fish?”

“Fish?” Elder Brother Yu questioned.

“The fish at the stall also ate the pasture grass. Though they probably didn’t get as much as we did, they must’ve absorbed some Weird Qi. If we eat fish that consumed the grass, would the addiction be weaker?” Yu Fei suggested.

Elder Brother Yu fell silent. This was a last resort.

“Big Brother, it’s worth a try,” Yu Laoer agreed.

“Alright,” Elder Brother Yu nodded.

“Then let’s hurry. I remember that Weirdfolk didn’t bring many fish. If we’re late, others might buy them all,” Yu Fei pressed.

Hearing this, Elder Brother Yu nodded, instructing them to stay here while he went to buy the fish.

Remembering Yu Fei’s words, Elder Brother Yu picked up speed and soon returned to the market. With a quick scan, he spotted Ying Yuanxing’s stall—but the fish count appeared the same…

"Wait, seems like three are missing," Elder Brother Yu spotted a black cat crouched nearby, munching on fish.

The black cat seemed to notice Elder Brother Yu's gaze and looked up. Elder Brother Yu paused, sensing danger—this cat was off.

But thinking of Yu Fei, who was still weak, even if something was off, Elder Brother Yu had to go over.

Ying Yuanxing scrolled absently on his phone, occasionally glancing at the Little Black Cat. Naturally, he noticed when the cat looked up. Following its gaze, he spotted a familiar figure.

Ying Yuanxing tensed up, suspecting Elder Brother Yu had come to question him about the fish. Just as he grew nervous, he saw Elder Brother Yu stride over and declare, "Boss, I'm buying all your fish!"

After waiting for so long without a single customer, Ying Yuanxing had assumed he wouldn’t make any money today and might even eat the cost of the bus ride. He hadn’t expected Elder Brother Yu to take the whole stock. Instantly, he set aside his earlier suspicions and started calculating the bill.

After all, this was his first and possibly last time at this market. Elder Brother Yu didn’t know him, and once he took the bus back to Taoxi Village, any trouble wouldn’t follow him there.

Besides, even if trouble did arise, Taoxi Village was his hometown—his turf. He’d have home-field advantage.