I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

Gretchen's sudden idea startled Alyona, who then smiled slightly and answered softly.

"Then let's agree on this. Kosmo said that good children don't lie!"

"Hmm~"

Announcement (We've encountered a major problem)

Big news, folks! Tonight, while I was engrossed in writing, I discovered something terrifying: I messed up my writing.

You may not know where things went wrong, but I can tell you it's very serious, so serious that I can't possibly fix it later. It's because I blocked all the possible ways to fix things in the previous text, especially what I wrote yesterday. Even if I could force it back up in the end, it would feel very awkward and forced.

After discussing it with my friends, I realized that the best solution was to rewrite it... Fortunately, there weren't many parts that needed to be rewritten, only about five or six pages.

Next, I will change the title of the problematic concluding chapter, move it to the bulletin board, and then start writing new content from the problematic section.

Because the new content is different from the previous material, you don't need to worry about me using discarded excerpts to pad the story. If I need to use similar plot points, I will write a more detailed version directly, so you won't have to pay extra. (Excerpts under 1000 words are free.)

Oh, I'm so sorry! I've caused everyone trouble.

The main problem lies with something that wasn't in the outline. It was a joke I originally came up with, and after asking around in a group and finding that many people were interested, I started writing a plot. However, now that I've written it, I realize I can't reconcile it.

I've learned my lesson this time. I'll never write anything outside the outline again. Someone as useless as me should just stick to what's already written.

Chapter 61 Tests and Awareness

P.S.: The previous chapter has been revised. Please read the previous chapter before reading this one.

"Ah~"

Noticing that it was already bright outside, last night with the dark

Pado, who was sleeping in the same tent, rubbed her eyes and carefully sat up.

She then lowered her hand and glanced resentfully at the person still lying beside her with her beautiful heterochromatic eyes, which were still slightly misty.

Honestly, Cat is now really regretting it; she regrets insisting on sleeping with An Suo last night.

It wasn't that she suddenly disliked him or anything; it was mainly because someone's sleeping posture was just too terrible... He would either put his legs on her, or suddenly roll over and hug her, or even pull her tail, which made her not sleep well all night.

"Hmm...hmm? What time is it?"

As if sensing the resentful gaze that Pado was casting on him, An Suo, who was still asleep, groggily opened his eyes and muttered something to the person next to him.

"It's still early, but I can't sleep... What do you want to eat for breakfast? I'll go buy some." Seeing the person next to her looking completely sleepy, Pado's heart softened, and she didn't mention what happened last night. She simply crossed her arms and asked.

"I'll...I'll have steamed buns then, thank you Phyllis, ah~"

After answering the question in a low voice, An Suo couldn't help but let out a big yawn, forcing himself to squint at Pa Duo.

"Alright, you can sleep a little longer."

As she spoke, Pado quickly dressed, grabbed the canned food, and crawled out of the tent.

"Meow!"

The canned food, suddenly pulled from its warm bed, let out a soft protest.

“Protesting won’t help. You should get up now, canned food.” With that, Pado reached out and ruffled the cat’s head in her arms, then continued, “I’ll open a can of cat food for you in a bit. Keep an eye out for any noise outside.”

"Meow...meow!"

Upon hearing about the cat food cans, the cans stopped protesting and instead began to bargain.

"No, you can only have one! You'll be having breakfast with us later, so we can't give you too many cat food cans!" After hearing the bargaining over the cans, Pado couldn't help but pinch its chubby little face and said.

"I'll bring you something delicious when I get back later. For now, stay here and keep an eye on An Suo. If anyone gets close, yell at them and then contact me immediately."

"Meow~"

Knowing there was no room for negotiation and that there would be food later, the canned food finally stopped protesting and gently wagged its tail in agreement.

……

After a quick wash and preparation, Pado leisurely left her lodgings.

As she expected, the moment she left the building where she was staying, she felt a faint sense of being watched.

However, unlike yesterday, the cat didn't ignore it today. Instead, it gave a big, carefree smile in the direction it sensed, and then suddenly sped up, using its agile movements to shake off the person following it.

---------------

Meanwhile, Wei Yanwu's family—

"Lost?"

"Heh~ Is it tired of this, or is it planning to go buy more stock? I wonder who this cunning little cat has its eye on this time."

Wen Yue, who was sitting at the dining table leisurely eating her breakfast, couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly after receiving the latest news. However, there was no surprise in her eyes, only a faint smile.

She had known about Pado's abilities for a long time, so she wasn't surprised at all. After all, someone without some ability couldn't possibly offend these people and still be able to continue causing trouble unscathed...

"That girl is too arrogant. She dares to make new moves right under our noses. Wen Yue, aren't you spoiling her too much...?"

Compared to Wen Yue, who remained calm after hearing the intelligence, Wei Yanwu, sitting next to her, was in a less pleasant mood and began to complain to his wife.

Upon hearing this, Wen Yue ignored her husband's minor complaint and changed the subject, asking, "Wei Yanwu, have you made any progress in your investigation into this Padofelis's identity?"

"We found out her legal status in other countries, but we haven't found out about her past before coming to Lungmen. We don't know if she hid it too well or if it was covered up by some people, it's practically a blank."

“This kind of person is too suspicious, Wen Yue.”

After speaking, Wei Yanwu glanced at his wife discreetly and carefully, observing the expression on her face.

Wei Yanwu's attitude towards Padofelis, the recently emerged "Dragon Gate Thief," is one of distrust.

In a sense, this person's identity is a mystery, and his actions in Longmen seem extremely arbitrary, even "unscrupulous," so...

Okay, Wei Yanwu admits it! These problems aren't really big issues! He's just a little annoyed! He doesn't want that despicable Padofelis to be subdued and used by his wife so quickly.

After all, if Wen Yue were to subdue someone like him, wouldn't he be unable to hide anything for the rest of his life...?

Thinking of this, Wei Yanwu couldn't help but feel a chill. So in his opinion, this kid Padofelis... if the girl wanted to establish contact with them, she had to show her true abilities.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be a huge loss if he could never hide any money in his private life?

"Alright, I know your personality too well. Tell me, what idea did you come up with?" After hearing Wei Yanwu's words, Wen Yue looked over with a helpless expression and said.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to give that little girl a little test to see her true abilities."

"At this point, Wei Yanwu couldn't help but grin, revealing a row of sharp, white teeth."

Hmph, everyone has a temper sometimes!

"...You want to go with Lin Gerui."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yue narrowed her eyes slightly. Although she was asking a question, her tone was quite certain.

"If you want to rise up in the shadows of Longmen, then you should get past this hurdle."

There was one more thing Wei Yanwu hadn't told his wife: this time he wasn't just inviting the "Rat King" along. He hadn't forgotten about the guy whose place he'd "crashed" a long time ago, based on the information he'd gathered.

"Whatever you want, just don't go too far. That child's personality... is unusually innocent." Wen Yue shook her head helplessly after hearing Wei Yanwu's words.

Knowing her husband's personality, Wen Yue knew he was sensible in this regard, so she didn't stop him.

Moreover, her original plan already included "testing" Padofelis's abilities; now it's just that someone else is doing it.

To be honest, Wen Yue was already secretly looking forward to this test. She was genuinely curious to see just how well that little cat could "procure" the goods…

--------------

"What's wrong?"

While petting the cat and eating a steamed bun, An Suo noticed out of the corner of his eye that Pado, who was lying next to him, suddenly sat up and asked curiously.

To be honest, Miss Purple Rabbit has realized that ever since she started following Padofilis, her cheap "boss," the question she asks most often is, "What's wrong?"

But it's really not her fault for being out of sorts or not understanding the situation; anyone in her position would be confused!

Through spending time together, An Suo discovered that Pa Duo was indeed different from ordinary people in some ways.

For example, in terms of perception or premonition. Several times, even when the two of them were together and doing the same thing, their cheap boss always seemed to suddenly sense or know something.

This made Miss Purple Rabbit start to wonder if Pado had some kind of precognitive ability?

"It's nothing, I guess some bad guy has his eye on me." In response to An Suo's question, Pado shook her head slightly, stroked her tail fur, and then explained.

In the past, Maomao might have needed to guess who was plotting against her... but after what happened yesterday, she doesn't need to guess anymore.

Because, needless to say, it must be the person whose secret stash of money I handed over yesterday.

"Huh? Bad...bad guy?! Will something happen to him?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in An Suo's eyes.

"Yes, there will be trouble, but there shouldn't be any danger, don't worry." With that, Pado squinted and lay back down in the chair.

If she wasn't mistaken, Wei Yanwu was about to make a move. She just didn't know if he was planning to trip her up or test her.

It doesn't matter. Although cats also hate troublesome things, it's not unacceptable to be bothered a little for the sake of living better and more conveniently with An Suo in Lungmen.

After all, summer is only a few months away, and she can't keep hiding and sleeping in the open like she is now.

Putting aside the fact that summer brings complicated hygiene and grooming issues for girls, it's impossible to stay in hotels every day. It's better to find a stable, permanent place to stay that's "permitted" by the authorities.

"Alright, if anything big happens, Miss Phyllis, remember to let me know in advance. So I can be prepared and make a quick getaway with the canned food." Seeing Pado lying back down leisurely, Anso felt relieved and teased her with a smile.

"?"

"You wish! You actually want to steal the canned food."

Upon hearing An Suo's teasing, Pado instantly widened her beautiful heterochromatic eyes and glared at her, feigning anger.

"Hehe~ I was just worried that no one would take care of the canned food in the future." An Suo stared at the beautiful eyes of the person in front of him, which showed no anger at all, and couldn't help but chuckle softly, then said in a coquettish tone.

"How could this be? No, it's absolutely impossible!"

Chapter 62 Change and Blind Spots

On the cold, snowy Ursus plains at dusk—

"Sister Yelena, where are Tarua and the others?"

Leaning on her friend's shoulder, Gretchen carefully observed the area around the campfire. After confirming that two people were indeed missing, she sat up straight, tugged at the hem of the person next to her, and asked curiously.

"They should still be inside the tent. I remember Alina had something to say to Talulah." Yelena thought for a moment before answering.

"Gresch, is something the matter?"