Chapter Index

    Seeing the waiter still looking dazed, the boss praised him, then sent him off to retrieve his specialized equipment, preparing to ride the wave of the big streamer’s broadcast and have some fun.

    The waiter clearly knew what kind of person his boss was, and he hesitated, showing an expression that spoke volumes.

    “Brother, isn’t that a bit inappropriate…”

    The boss countered, “Inappropriate? Go quickly!”

    Soon, the waiter returned with a full set of equipment: a large speaker and two microphones. He also found a suitable phone stand for Zheng Lang, so he wouldn’t have to use the small, inconvenient one he carried with him.

    Zheng Lang was still eating—the chicken was generously seasoned and very flavorful—when he saw the boss fiddling with the speaker, and his eyes immediately lit up.

    No wonder he and the boss got along so well; they shared the exact same hobby.

    Heng Yuze held the cat, picking out edible food to feed him. Bai Chendeng wasn’t fond of dishes that relied purely on heavy seasoning; he preferred cuisine where superb cooking techniques brought out the food’s natural flavor.

    After feeding him a few bites and seeing that Bai Chendeng was only mildly interested—neither disliking nor loving it—Heng Yuze understood the cat’s preferences a little better. He whispered, “Later, I’ll ask the boss if he can sell me a clay pot. I’ll borrow their space and make you a clay pot chicken that suits your taste.”

    Bai Chendeng’s ears twitched. Being cared for so meticulously by a human felt a bit unfamiliar.

    Although Heng Yuze had taken excellent care of him since the day he found him, as time passed, Heng Yuze’s dedication deepened. This level of care was enough for Bai Chendeng, who usually had few emotional fluctuations and wasn’t keenly aware of the outside world, to sense the genuine affection and importance placed upon him.

    “Meow.”

    No need.

    But Heng Yuze didn’t understand cat language.

    “We’ll head back after we finish eating. If you’re tired, just lean against me.”

    Bai Chendeng wasn’t tired. This environment wasn’t suitable for cultivation, so he was wide awake.

    Zheng Lang saw that the boss had started testing the microphone, and forgetting his meal, he left his seat to help.

    Only then did Heng Yuze and Bai Chendeng notice him, as well as the large speaker that looked like a magical artifact.

    They exchanged a look, both having a bad premonition.

    “Hoo—hello, hello—cough—ah!”

    The sound blasted from the speaker, filling the entire courtyard. The customers, never ones to shy away from excitement, felt that a live stream combined with loud music was lively and fun, and they voiced their support.

    “Go, Boss!”

    “Alright! The boss is going to sing again!”

    The boss smiled until his eyes were mere slits. He and Zheng Lang each took a microphone. They turned the phone camera away from the dining table, using the small restaurant as a backdrop, capturing both men and the large speaker in the frame. It was practically a village stage, inviting anyone with courage to join.

    The audience in the live stream was all too familiar with this scene.

    I still want to watch the handsome guy feeding the cat!

    Old Zheng is starting again. Brothers, you can go back to your own business, hhh.

    Welcome to the singing streamer’s room.

    Why can’t we see the cat anymore T_T

    Zheng Lang and the boss exchanged a knowing smile. The accompaniment started—an old song that had recently become popular again.

    “Can we ever meet again~”

    “I have prayed bitterly before the Buddha for thousands of years~”

    The two sang passionately. The customers, who had both food and entertainment, couldn’t stop laughing.

    Zheng Lang, who had been “sealed” by Heng Yuze and Bai Chendeng for half a day, finally found himself again. With a melancholic expression and a sorrowful demeanor, he sang. His voice was slightly hoarse, radiating the rich, storied quality of an older man.

    Signature song.

    Old Zheng’s got it.

    The boss sings well too. Are they brothers? Such chemistry?

    Four short minutes passed, and Heng Yuze, whose ears had been assaulted once, welcomed the second song.

    Then came the third, and the fourth.

    The courtyard was buzzing with excitement. Some customers, replacing the tired boss, sang duets with Zheng Lang. Zheng Lang, seemingly tireless, remained on the frontline of the singing.

    Heng Yuze’s head was ringing. He felt like the lyrics had materialized, each word slamming against his forehead.

    Bai Chendeng struggled free from his embrace.

    Heng Yuze thought the cat was bothered by the noise, so he didn’t stop him, but he kept a constant watch, ensuring Bai Chendeng didn’t leave his line of sight.

    Zheng Lang performed simple dance steps, which, combined with his rugged appearance, had a unique charm.

    The boss rested and then returned to the fray. Their duet of a love song had the customers roaring with laughter. The boss sacrificed himself, willingly singing the high-pitched female part, nearly straining his voice until it smoked. The sound was like rolling waves crashing against everyone’s eardrums, but the emotionally charged customers seemed to forget themselves, clapping and cheering.

    Just then, a white shadow suddenly darted out, climbing the speaker in three quick movements.

    Zheng Lang and the boss were lost in the moment and didn’t notice, but the customers all saw it: it was the internet-famous cat, Bai Chendeng, who looked like a large white dandelion, flying over in a flash.

    Interested customers immediately grabbed their phones, ready to film the cat.

    Bai Chendeng glanced at the buttons on the speaker beneath him, located the power button, and firmly pressed his paw down!

    The background music abruptly stopped!

    Zheng Lang and the boss hadn’t reacted yet and continued singing passionately. After two words, they realized there was no sound and immediately looked at the speaker.

    All eyes in the courtyard fell upon the speaker—and the cat on top of it.

    Bai Chendeng turned off the speaker. His shimmering blue eyes swept over the face of every person present. Seeing them all dumbfounded and speechless with surprise, he jumped off the speaker and slowly walked back to Heng Yuze’s side.

    Heng Yuze was also startled, but knowing Bai Chendeng was a little cat immortal, he couldn’t be sure if Bai Chendeng had turned off the speaker because it bothered him or because it bothered Heng Yuze. He immediately felt happy again.

    “Goodness… this cat has become a spirit…”

    Someone broke the deadlock with a heartfelt exclamation, pulling the stunned crowd out of their daze.

    Zheng Lang was utterly bewildered. Having the speaker turned off right when he was singing happily—not to mention the emotional trauma—could a cat really be that smart?

    The boss stared at the cat, unable to recover. Finally, as if calling a soul back, he cried out, “Oh my, Cat Great Immortal!”

    And because he was still immersed in the high-pitched female voice he had just been singing, the exclamation sounded incredibly dramatic.

    I’m going to die laughing!

    Who understands? The salvation of having your ears saved by a cat!

    My Bai Chendeng can solve math problems, perform combos in video games, so what if he turned off the speaker because it was too loud?!

    Thank goodness I recorded it!!!

    The cat is good, the humans are bad!

    Having been shocked twice, I now possess the demeanor of a great general.

    I need to clip that line from the boss!

    The customers in the courtyard were swayed by the boss’s earth-shattering cry and chimed in.

    “It must be the Cat Great Immortal…”

    “Right? How could an ordinary cat be so smart? I thought it was trained beforehand…”

    “Unbelievable, this cat has become a spirit!”

    “It was worth coming here today…”

    Bai Chendeng jumped back into Heng Yuze’s arms. Heng Yuze stood up, holding the cat, and said to the boss, “Boss, I’d like to borrow a space to make some cat food. I’ll pay for it. Is that alright?”

    How could the boss refuse? How would he dare refuse? His mind was filled with the image of the white cat. He felt he had encountered a true cat immortal and didn’t dare utter a single word of refusal.

    “Yes, fine. I… I’ll have someone move the things into the courtyard, alright?”

    The boss looked slightly aggrieved, and the customers waited for the show.

    Heng Yuze nodded. “Thank you, Boss. I’ll buy this clay pot.”

    Soon, the waiter brought over a portable stove and the clay pot. As most people watched him skillfully set up the equipment, they realized that this young man seemed to be a food blogger.

    Bai Chendeng squatted on his shoulder, watching his actions.

    Everyone else watched the cat. Initially, they thought the cat was simply well-cared for, but now, having seen at least a dozen, if not dozens, of cats online, who could raise a cat like this? Its fur was long, resilient, and distinct, without a single impurity throughout its body. Online, they could deceive themselves that the video had a filter, but seeing it in reality felt like looking at a small spirit—not a creature of the mortal world.

    “It really has become a spirit, hasn’t it…”

    “Shh, you should say it’s become an immortal…”

    “Oh, right, Cat Great Immortal!”

    Speaking of which…

    Don’t you guys think it’s a bit too quiet?

    Where’s Old Zheng? Why is he silent?

    He must have been scared by the cat. Who would have thought a cat could turn off his speaker? Isn’t that a double blow?

    I can’t stop laughing!

    Zheng Lang watched Heng Yuze cook for a while. His mood calmed down slightly, and he leaned toward the phone camera, whispering secretly.

    “I’ve really learned something new today.”

    No joke, my Bai Chendeng really has become a spirit!

    Old Zheng, your eyes have been opened, right?

    “Hello to all the new family members in the live stream, please hit the follow button for the streamer…”

    The live stream’s popularity soared, all attracted by the cat. He recited the familiar lines like a script, but today his emotions weren’t full, and his tone lacked passion. The older man even looked a little wronged.

    Please follow Old Zheng. His worldview just shattered!

    Another victim of the cat (?)

    Join the Bai Chendeng Cat God Cult, addicted to petting cats and never waking up (Cat dignified.jpg)

    Zheng Lang caught that comment and asked nervously, “Cat… Cat God Cult?”

    ?

    ??

    ???

    Old Zheng?

    Zheng Lang sighed solemnly, nodding. His eyes were filled only with curiosity about joining the Cat God Cult.

    “What kind of cult is that?”

    Old Zheng, who is isolated from animals, attempts to use metaphysics to change his fate against the heavens!

    After chatting with the audience for a while, Zheng Lang learned that the Cat God Cult was just a casual joke by cat lovers.

    “Don’t even say it, Cat God Cult… Cat God Cult… Hiss…”

    A seed was planted in the heart of the Cat God Cult’s founder.

    A fragrance, different from the heavy seasoning, but more from the braised meat, wafted through the air, accented by vegetables.

    The boss clicked his tongue in wonder, praising repeatedly, “Is this cat food? Made for the Cat Great Immortal? Young man, you’ve got skills.”

    Heng Yuze made a generous amount. Bai Chendeng wasn’t an ordinary cat, and the cat food he made, aside from being lighter in flavor, was no different from food made for humans.

    Zheng Lang hadn’t eaten enough before singing and was hungry again. Smelling the aroma, he followed the scent over.

    “Smells great, Brother Heng.”

    Heng Yuze easily guessed their intentions. After setting aside enough for Bai Chendeng, he served some out for them to try.

    Zheng Lang praised loudly, “Today, I’ll get to taste Brother Heng’s cooking!”

    With that, he and the boss began to sample it.

    Heng Yuze held the cat in his arms and fed him. The cat ate unhurriedly. Especially after eating the man’s cooking for a while, his appetite had become quite refined.

    The camera faithfully recorded the scene of the handsome man feeding the cat and the older men eating the cat food, marking the first battle of the supposedly unprofessional chef’s cat food campaign, historically known as the “Battle of the Clay Pot Chicken.”

    Note