Moth Chasing the Sun 10

Huh?

So suddenly?

Yan Xianchuan recalled that the head of the Bolov family wasn't that old—just recently, a video of him training horses had circulated online. He was robust and fit, hardly the type to die young.

Lu Mingqiu's expression darkened. "They're saying it was a sudden heart attack, a sudden death. Azbeto is succeeding him as family head. It just doesn't add up."

She had no particular affection for her family, so something else must have rattled her. Yan Xianchuan asked, "Is this Azbeto really that unusual?"

"There's something I've never told you," Lu Mingqiu said softly. "The Bolov family has a history of hereditary mental illness. But don't worry, I'm still relatively normal."

"The Bolov family rose to prominence at sea. Our ancestors were pirates who loved hunting for treasure. Legend has it that during an expedition to some ruins, the family was cursed. Not long after leaving the ruins, everyone in that party died one after another of sudden illness."

"The ancestor foresaw his own death. He summoned his son to his bedside and told him never to be a pirate again. The next day, he died. But every generation since, some member of the family has lost their mind—either dying suddenly, drowning themselves in a sink, or suffocating under their own blankets. All absurd ways to go."

"As for Azbeto, I'm certain his mental state is poor. He's probably only a step away from full madness."

Lu Mingqiu's voice turned somber. "I need to go back and see. With the family head dead, as a member of the Bolov family, I should return to pay my respects."

"I'll go with you—" Yan Xianchuan blurted out, but the words died in her throat.

"You need to stay here," Lu Mingqiu interrupted.

"But I don't want to be apart from you," she said, looking dejected. "And I don't know how to do business anyway."

"If you run into trouble, you can contact me, or Hei Ge. No matter the time, I'll reply to you immediately."

If this hadn't happened so suddenly, she wouldn't have been comfortable leaving this person alone in Dingyang City.

Lu Mingqiu let out a soft sigh. But the situation was urgent, and she had no other choice. She felt helpless.

"Come here, look into my eyes." She cupped the face of the person hanging her head. "I believe you can handle this. Do you believe in yourself?"

"Can you do it? For me? Can you?"

"I can!" Yan Xianchuan stared into that deep blue sea, her voice as firm as an oath. "I can do it."

"I won't let you down."

Lu Mingqiu smiled, kissed her forehead, and said, "I'll go pack."

She hurried away, leaving Yan Xianchuan frozen in place like a statue.

She raised her hand as if to touch her forehead, but stopped mid-air, afraid her own warmth might erase the sensation that lingered there.

A blush crept up her cheeks, spreading to the tips of her ears.

She stood there for a moment, then shuffled into the bedroom, mumbling, "You kissed me."

Lu Mingqiu looked up and saw a ripe, red peach.

"It's meant to show encouragement," she explained.

Yan Xianchuan puffed out her chest and declared loudly, "I think this is a great practice. We should do it a few times a day to encourage me to be a good person."

If she hadn't been averting her gaze as she said it, she might have been more convincing.

Lu Mingqiu said nothing, as if struck speechless.

Yan Xianchuan then reasoned with her, speaking slowly and earnestly. "Look, I have to pretend to be a normal person every day. It's exhausting—talking to countless people, socializing, so difficult. So I deserve plenty of encouragement. It's only fair!"

Lu Mingqiu set down the clothes in her hands, her gaze calm but troubled. "You know I didn't mean anything else by it, right?"

"Cheek kisses are just a form of greeting," Yan Xianchuan argued. "Of course I know you didn't have any special intentions, and neither do I. I'm just claiming my rightful due."

The Resistance leader, known for her cool composure, looked utterly at a loss. She began to regret her impulsive action just now.

Impulse was the devil, the beginning of sin, the spark that ignites disaster. And at the time, she hadn't thought much of it—she'd just seen how adorable this person's expression was and acted on a whim.

It was like seeing your cat suddenly speak, promising to support the household, then bringing back useless junk every day.

That irrepressible affection surged from her heart, clouding her judgment.

Now, thinking back, she couldn't help but feel she might have taken advantage of Yan Xianchuan's feelings, catching her at a vulnerable moment.

Yan Xianchuan was still staring at her with those eager eyes, cheeks flushed, ears red—both too innocent and too bold.

She really knew how to use her looks. That expression was so pitiful and endearing that even a stone would soften, let alone Lu Mingqiu, a living, breathing person.

"Once a day," Lu Mingqiu conceded.

Yan Xianchuan started to protest.

"Or not at all," she added.

The woman immediately shut her open mouth and came over to help her pack.

Once the initial excitement wore off, she grew dejected again, asking in a low voice, "How long before you come back?"

"Three to five days," Lu Mingqiu said.

"I'll miss you," Yan Xianchuan said.

"I know," Lu Mingqiu sighed. "I'll hurry back as fast as I can, okay?"

"Promise?"

"I promise."

No matter how many words of reluctance were spoken, they had to end eventually. Yan Xianchuan saw her off to the airship, waving goodbye with a long face.

A big house never felt empty with two people in it, but with just one, it felt especially lonely.

Yan Xianchuan sat in the living room for a while, unable to bear it, growing restless. Finally, she bolted out the door and raced downstairs.

The residential complex had a dedicated pet play area. She'd seen it before, and with nothing else to do, she wandered over.

There was a large stretch of grass, some slides, a football, tennis balls, and lots of dogs.

Dogs were pets only the idle and wealthy could afford. Especially in today's society, few people kept such precious, high-maintenance creatures that demanded companionship. When a person couldn't even guarantee their next meal, uncertain whether they'd live to see tomorrow, they wouldn't dream of owning a pet.

Keeping a pet was also a status symbol. Their bloodlines, their looks—all worth showing off and comparing, on par with jewelry and luxury cars.

Some people didn't even care for their pets personally. They handed them to hired assistants, sparing a condescending pat when they felt like it and going weeks without a glance when they didn't.

So the people walking dogs here weren't owners at all—they were all assistants. They worked for the wealthy, moving through Yunmengtai, and naturally they had to know all the distinguished figures and a fair amount of gossip.

These people met often and even had a group chat. Today, they'd arranged to walk their dogs together—the dogs played while their human counterparts took a breather.

When Yan Xianchuan approached, someone with sharp eyes spotted her and secretly typed in the group chat: 【Look! That one to the north—isn't that the new arrival?】

Another replied: 【It's her, it's her! I've seen her before!】

【I've seen the variety show too. She looks even better up close than on video.】

【LOL, who hasn't? Though I hate to admit it, her looks are flawless. You can't even say 'a flower stuck in cow dung'.】

【Too bad about my wife, wuwuwu...】

【Nonsense, she's clearly mine!】

【Arguing about this right in front of her—shameless, all of you.】

【What's shame? Never heard of it.】

The chat flew by with dozens of messages in an instant, but on the surface, they all kept their composure.

【She's coming! She's heading over!】

【What does she want? How strange.】

Unaware of the lively chat, Yan Xianchuan asked politely, "May I go in? I'd like to pet the dogs."

The assistants exchanged quick glances, communicating in code, then said, "Of course, but these dogs are very friendly—they'll jump on you, dirty your clothes, and lick you."

What status did the Yan family have compared to the local rich? Even if she asked to take one of the dogs home, the owners would probably hand them over immediately. Petting them was nothing.

"That's fine," she said. "I don't mind."

One assistant came over to open the small gate, and Yan Xianchuan said softly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, you're welcome," the assistant replied quickly.

【She's actually pretty polite!】

【First time I've heard someone like her say thanks.】

【Mostly I just see my employer's leather shoes and nostrils.】

【HAHAHA you're killing me. Same here.】

【The Yan family is different from them. The environment in Moon City is better too—I really want to move there, but a residence permit is so hard to get.】

【You're not alone. I want to go too.】

【Is there a chance that right in front of us is a Yan family member who could get us into Moon City?】

Everyone's gaze turned to Yan Xianchuan, eyes gleaming like they'd spotted a fat sheep.

One person moved quickly, sidling up to their target first, and said in a gentle voice, "Miss Yan, is there a particular dog you'd like to pet? I can call it over."

【That traitor! So fast—condemn him!】

Her face was publicly known enough that Yan Xianchuan wasn't surprised the man recognized her. On the grass inside the enclosure, seven dogs were frolicking together, chasing a semi-intelligent butterfly toy.

"That one—the one with the shortest legs."

The assistant understood, calling out, "Caesar, come here, Caesar!"

A short-legged corgi with yellow-brown fur waddled over, its plump rear wiggling as its ears flopped up and down. It was adorable.

Its big round eyes looked everywhere even as the assistant picked it up.

Yan Xianchuan reached out and touched it. The fur was soft but slightly coarse, the body plump. It felt... a bit strange. She touched it again, then once more.

Her expression was serious, as if she'd encountered a puzzling mystery.

"Can I hold it?"

"You can try. Caesar has a gentle temperament," the assistant said, handing the dog over. "Support its bottom with one hand and its chest with the other. Yes, just like that."

The round body was heavier than it looked. Yan Xianchuan held the dog, and the dog looked back at her, licking its lips.

Remembering videos she'd seen before, she sat directly on the grass and set the dog in her lap like a freshly baked loaf of bread—warm and smelling faintly of dog.

"Do you have any treats?" she asked.

Another assistant seized the opportunity, pulled an unopened chew stick from their pocket, and handed it over after opening the package.

Caesar perked up at the sight of the treat. It probably wanted to wag its tail, but having none, its entire rear end wagged instead.

Yan Xianchuan reached out her sinful hand and touched it.

So plump!

Her eyes widened slightly, startled by the texture.

Smelling the treat, the other dogs abandoned the toy and swarmed over, all acting like old friends, gleefully burying Yan Xianchuan under a pile of fur.

By the time the assistants frantically pulled the dogs away, Yan Xianchuan was covered in several muddy paw prints.

She wiped the saliva off her face with a complicated expression, sat up straight, and murmured, "Dogs really are... enthusiastic."

She spent the whole day with the dogs, having lunch with the assistants at a dedicated pet cafeteria. It was, admittedly, a good way to distract herself.

In the evening, when the dogs had to go home, she said a serious goodbye to each one.

She should go home too, but just the thought made her resistant.

She wandered around and ended up back at the pet play area, sitting down on a random patch of grass, staring blankly at the hazy sky.

The city lights were too bright and the smog too thick for stars ever to be visible. The pest control was so effective that not even insects chirped. The world was utterly silent. She didn't know how long she sat there when she heard footsteps—human ones, and the patter of animal paws.

Who was walking a dog this late?

She didn't move, but the dog, curious, came over to sniff her.

A massive golden head appeared above her—round face, black stripes, pointed ears.

That wasn't a dog at all—it was a tiger.

Yan Xianchuan sat up and looked at it more closely. It looked familiar.

"Da Ju?" A person walked over and met her eyes, the rest of their words dying in their throat.

"I remember you," Yan Xianchuan said, then added, "And Da Ju."

Teresa's face showed not even a flicker of being caught. Instead, she countered, "Miss Yan has quite the enthusiasm—up at this hour, camping on the pet lawn."

"Didn't it die?" Yan Xianchuan raised an eyebrow. "And you killed Zhao Yi to pay for it."

Teresa: "I later discovered Da Ju still had a breath left, and I managed to revive it."

That had to be one of the shoddiest lies she'd ever heard in her life.

Whether something was alive or dead—others might not know, but Teresa would.

When Teresa had yelled in the room, drawing everyone's attention away from the two tangled figures, Yan Xianchuan had also looked away. That tiger—no breath, no heartbeat—and calling it alive was like calling a deer a horse.

The birthday banquet had been a pure conspiracy, and everyone present knew it. But what they didn't know was that the victim had actually been the real culprit.

Seeing the golden tiger, Yan Xianchuan instantly understood that Teresa must be the mastermind.

"Did you set up the whole scheme just to kill Zhao Yi?" she asked.

Did this woman think she was untouchable just because she was from the Yan family? Teresa was stunned. How could anyone speak so bluntly, without any subtlety? Were they even that close?

Was this something you just said out loud in public, like discussing dinner?

"That's none of your business," Teresa shot back.

"I think it's wrong to drag innocent people into this," Yan Xianchuan said.

She felt a spark of energy return, a sense of purpose.

She'd thought Qi Ziyang was a bit pitiful, and Lu Mingqiu had agreed to help him. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?

The culprit was right in front of her. If she caught Teresa and turned her in, wasn't that also doing a good deed?

Lu Mingqiu would surely be pleased and reward her.

It had been a long time since she'd used her fists. People who bottled things up too long tended to lose their minds—wasn't this just the perfect outlet?

As Yan Xianchuan mulled it over, a gleam lit up her eyes. She patted the dust off her clothes, stood up, and said with barely concealed excitement, "I'll let you run forty meters first."

"What do you mean?" Teresa felt a chill. "What are you going to do?"

Yan Xianchuan grinned. "I'm going to kill you!"

She urged, "Run! Don't worry, I keep my word. I'll only act once you're far enough."

"Have you lost your mind?!" Teresa gasped, completely baffled. "Kill me? I've never done anything to you! The Yan and Newman families have a partnership. Killing me just like that—aren't you being a bit too arrogant?!"

She didn't move, and Yan Xianchuan frowned, displeased. She reluctantly explained, "I'm getting back at Qi Ziyang. I'm going to eliminate you, the mastermind behind it all."

As she spoke, she snapped a piece off the wooden fence. The splintered end was jagged, the wood sharp. She weighed it in her hand—decent enough. It would make a good throwing weapon.

"You'd better run. Don't think staying here will save you," she said courteously. "Because I'm also perfectly capable of going back on my word."

Teresa: ?

Teresa: ????

She was dumbfounded, her head full of question marks.

The woman didn't look like she was joking. Seeing that Teresa neither spoke nor moved, she added, "Are you really not going to run? Fine. Doing it here would dirty the lawn. Oh, I know!" She brightened. "There's a pond nearby."

"Wait!" Teresa screamed as Yan Xianchuan started toward her.

"Is something the matter?" Yan Xianchuan asked, but she didn't stop.

"I'm working with Qi Ziyang!" Teresa blurted out at the fastest speed of her life, and only when she felt the icy fingers around her neck slowly release did she find her breath again.

A wave of fear and cold sweat washed over her, and the night wind made her shudder.

She'd really been about to do it!

The throbbing pain in her neck was a reminder of what had just happened. If she hadn't spoken quickly, she'd have been dead by now!

"You're not lying to me, are you?" Yan Xianchuan asked suspiciously.

"Do I have any reason to lie?" Teresa coughed dryly, her voice a little hoarse.

"Of course—to save your life," Yan Xianchuan said seriously. "People will do anything to survive. A few lies are nothing."

"I can prove it," Teresa said. She swallowed painfully, then dialed Qi Ziyang's number.

He picked up quickly. "What's up? Calling me out of the blue."

"Someone's trying to kill me," Teresa said succinctly.

"What? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Teresa turned on the projector. "Not hurt, but scared half to death." She rotated the camera to show Yan Xianchuan behind her.

"Explain it right now—the birthday dinner thing was both our plan—or I'm about to get hurt real fast."

Yan Xianchuan waved, looking impossibly sunny and cheerful. "Hi! Good evening!"

Qi Ziyang: "What? Uh... hi?"

Yan Xianchuan introduced herself with a wide smile. "I'm the one trying to kill her."

Qi Ziyang: ?

Qi Ziyang: ?!!!

Teresa felt like the world was in chaos. She took a deep breath. "Why don't you come back with me, Miss Yan? This isn't the place to talk."

"Ziyang's there too. We live together."

"Alright, fine." Yan Xianchuan thought for a moment, then agreed.

It was just unfortunate for Da Ju, who'd barely started its walk before it had to go home.

It let out a low whine, clearly unwilling to leave.

Teresa tugged on it but couldn't move it, so she pulled out some beef jerky from her pocket. "Come on, Da Ju. Come here, sweetie."

"Can I carry it? Does it bite?" Yan Xianchuan tilted her head.

"No, it doesn't bite," Teresa said hesitantly.

Even if it did bite, it probably couldn't kill her, but a tiger that willingly let you carry it was much easier to handle than one thrashing around.

Yan Xianchuan bent down, scooped up the golden tiger like she would a dog, supporting its heavy rear while letting its front paws rest on her shoulder. She walked along casually. "Its fur is so smooth. What brand of shampoo do you use?"

Da Ju was still a juvenile, but well-fed, weighing nearly two hundred pounds. Yet Yan Xianchuan carried it with ease, as if it were weightless.

No wonder she'd moved so fast—Teresa hadn't even registered it before her throat was seized.

"Fragrant Paws shampoo," she said, her expression complicated.

"Oh! No wonder it smells so nice," Yan Xianchuan said, lighting up. "I was thinking that after I killed you, I'd take it with me."

Teresa thought: I suppose I should be grateful you have a soft spot, huh?

The two women and the tiger took the elevator up. Qi Ziyang opened the door and welcomed them inside.

To make up for Da Ju's lost walk, Teresa gave it two of its favorite frozen pigeon treats.

While the golden tiger crunched away, Qi Ziyang began to explain the whole story.

"The Yue family treated me like free help—cooking, cleaning, everything. I wasn't even allowed to sit at the table to eat."

"My father never said a word, just told me to do my duty." He sneered. "Duty? Being a beast of burden? Is that my duty? Was I born just to be their dog?"

"I knew Yue Yongjian was a womanizer, sleeping around and even with Wang Yao, so I deliberately played along."

Finally, he looked at this uninvited champion of justice. "Miss Yan, your kind intentions are much appreciated. Thank you for wanting to stand up for me."

Yan Xianchuan looked at the delicate Qi Ziyang, then at Teresa—pale but with a sharp, proud edge—and asked, "So, you two like each other?"

Both of them changed color instantly and shook their heads like rattles. "No! We're not a couple!"

"She's fine as a friend, but as a lover? No way."

Teresa: ?

Qi Ziyang: ?

"You're dissing me?"

"Aren't you dissing me too? Don't turn this around on me!"

TL Note:

"a flower stuck in cow dung" (一朵鲜花插在牛粪上) means a pretty person matched with an unworthy partner.

"calling a deer a horse" (指鹿为马) alludes to Zhao Gao's historical trick; meaning to blatantly misrepresent the truth.