Chapter 23: The Fate Diviner

On a well-known Q&A community, a trending post appeared today, published three days ago.

[After I got pregnant, my father-in-law threw away my cat, which I’d had for seven years. Now I’m frantic. Does anyone have good methods for finding a cat?]

Here’s what happened: I had a cat that I’d adopted before I met my husband. It accompanied me through a very dark and low period of my life, and we have a very deep bond.

My husband is a very loving person. After we got together, he also helped me care for the cat, and the cat liked him too.

When it came time to discuss marriage, my husband said his dad didn’t like small animals, so whenever the elderly parents came from their hometown, we arranged for them to stay in a hotel and didn’t bring them home. I explained to the elderly couple, and they said they didn’t mind staying in a hotel. Things had always been peaceful.

Before we got married, my father-in-law asked me once if I would consider giving the cat away later, for example, after having a child. He said the cat might scratch or bite the child.

I clearly stated that I would not give up my cat, and I even educated him about the benefits of children growing up with pets. He didn’t say anything more.

Later, I was still worried that my cat might cause conflicts in the family, so I organized a family meeting specifically to discuss this matter. I expressed my determination regarding the cat, that I would raise it until it died of old age. If they minded this, they could say so directly, and we could resolve it as much as possible to avoid hidden problems after marriage. My father-in-law appeared very open-minded, saying that young people’s matters should be resolved by themselves.

However, at that time, he asked me a question that seemed very ordinary then, but now, upon reflection, it sends shivers down my spine.

He asked, “What would you do if none of us agreed to you keeping the cat?”

I replied that if all three of them, including my husband, were against it, I probably wouldn’t get married.

Actually, this isn’t a question of choosing between a cat and a person; it’s a choice about the future living environment. If, after I strongly expressed the special significance of this cat to me, they still wouldn’t consider my feelings, then I believe there’s no need to continue associating with people who disrespect me in such a way.

After marriage, my parents-in-law did not live with us.

It wasn’t until I recently discovered I was pregnant that my husband suggested my mother-in-law come to take care of me. Honestly, I didn’t feel I needed care. But the very next day, my mother-in-law packed her bags and came, along with my father-in-law. If my mother-in-law left, no one would cook for my father-in-law.

This time they came, I could clearly feel a change in their attitude towards me, especially my father-in-law’s.

It was as if he had some leverage over me, and he started to act with impunity. He would pick fights and give me dirty looks over everything.

If I slept in, didn’t sweep the floor, occasionally said what dish I wanted to eat the next day, or bought slightly expensive fruit, I would be subjected to sarcastic remarks. He would either cite examples of how other wives were respectful to elders, loving to children, diligent, and virtuous, or he would indirectly scold me by criticizing my mother-in-law.

I even once heard him lecturing my husband, saying that he was too good to me and completely lacked the authority of a head of the household, and that a lack of husbandly authority would affect a man’s fortune.

At first, I thought it was because I was too sensitive due to pregnancy, or that we hadn’t adjusted to living together yet.

It wasn’t until yesterday that he suggested I quit my job and focus on my pregnancy at home, which I didn’t agree to.

He again said he wanted to give the cat away, saying the cat’s meowing annoyed him, and cat hair was bad for the elderly. I refused, stating that this matter had been agreed upon before marriage.

But today, when I got home from work, I found the cat was gone. I asked the elderly couple, but they ignored me and said nothing. I checked the surveillance footage and only then found out that shortly after I left for work, my father-in-law deliberately opened the door and chased the cat out.

I had a huge fight with him and only then realized that this seemingly open-minded and kind old man had always been planning to manipulate me once I got pregnant. He believed that once I was pregnant and had a child, I would be tied to their family, and I would tolerate and compromise everything for the child, just like my mother-in-law. That’s why he dared to be so reckless.

He thought his son was a treasure, and that at 28, I wouldn’t dare to make a fuss.

He was wrong.

I cannot stay in a family that would backstab me like this, with elders who show no love or care.

I want a divorce.

My father-in-law became furious, cursed me, and said that a woman like me, who talks about respect and independence, was just crazy.

“You’re independent? Try having a child by yourself! And divorce? Shameless. If you divorce, who would dare to want you? It’s these TV shows nowadays that corrupt women like you. In the past, people like you would have been drowned in a pig cage.”

Only then did I realize what kind of person he was.

I’m saying all this for a few reasons: first, I really need a place to vent; second, I want to express that this cat is truly very important to me. If I divorce and even lose my cat, I don’t know how I’ll cope. Third, I want to remind my fellow pet-owning sisters that pets are truly a great touchstone for marriage. If you are discussing marriage, please open your eyes wide and see if the person you’re marrying, and the family you’re marrying into, are human or devil.

Also, please help me think of ways to find the cat. I’ve searched everywhere around, but there’s no trace at all.

————————————

“Bad people, even when they grow old, are still bad people, and they even learn to disguise themselves.”

“Sister, run! I didn’t see your husband’s presence in your description.”

Everyone was scolding the old man, and some were talking about the cat.

“Scatter some cat food and water everywhere to attract it.”

“Go out and look at night. Cats are timid and don’t dare to come out during the day.”

“Ask the stray cats around.”

–

Early in the morning, Qin Qing was woken up by a message notification.

“Friendly reminder: Your attendance on May 26th (Monday) was abnormal. Please apply for maintenance in time or contact your leader to explain the situation and resolve the abnormality. If not processed after seven working days, it will be considered an absence without leave, and 5% of your salary will be deducted.”

What the hell?

The message was a push notification from Jinsheng International’s internal office software. She clicked on it, and there was a big red dot on yesterday’s date on the calendar, impossible to miss.

Report to the leader, that vice president?

She hadn’t even met him. Qin Qing chose to ask Assistant Xiao Wu.

Assistant Xiao Wu sent a crying-laughing emoji and asked her: “Sister, did you forget to clock out when you left work yesterday?”

She hadn’t even gone to work yesterday.

Xiao Wu taught her step by step how to fix the attendance issue.

This experience was quite novel. It felt like a sense of “working even when you’re not working.”

Qin Qing went to her real job, the Baiyun Temple stall business. Business was excellent, and some people were even waiting there specifically in advance.

After a few days away, the density of tourists at Baiyun Temple had visibly increased. Some people were taking photos with long lenses and short lenses of Big Orange Cat Feifei, who was sleeping on a tree branch.

Qin Qing received an elderly couple. Both were dressed neatly and cleanly, but the emotions conveyed by their expressions were different. The old woman’s face was full of anxiety, looking around anxiously. The old man, on the other hand, had an arrogant expression, showing impatience.

She had noticed the two of them outside the crowd early on. However, the elderly couple seemed to have some reservations and only approached Qin Qing’s stall after it was less crowded.

The old woman pulled the old man over and cautiously asked, “Little girl, I heard you’re very accurate, is that right?”

“Yes, everyone who’s had a reading says so.”

“I heard people say you can not only tell fortunes but also help find things? An old sister said her deceased husband’s ring was lost, and you helped her find it…”

Qin Qing: “If you have anything, please speak directly. I’ll help if I can; if not, I only charge a basic fee of 100 yuan. If you want a reading, please scan the QR code first.”

The old woman didn’t scan the code; she paid 100 yuan in cash.

“Little girl, it’s like this. Our cat is lost, can you help us figure out where it is?”

This was the first time she had encountered such a request.

Qin Qing opened the System Panel and casually asked, “When did the cat go missing? How did it go missing?”

The old man, with his nostrils flared, spoke up.

“Just tell us where the cat is. Why so much talk? You’ve taken the money, now just do your job.”

The old woman, however, said, “It just… just disappeared, ran out of the house by itself.” She gave a forced smile, swallowed frequently, and her eyes darted around.

There was clearly something going on here.

Good heavens, she didn’t know how to describe these two.

Selfish, foolish, stubborn, malicious.

The cat was indeed lost, but it didn’t run away by itself; the two elderly people had planned to get rid of it.

Now they were looking for it again.

The cat didn’t belong to these two either; it belonged to their daughter-in-law.

Too lazy to waste words, Qin Qing said, “You are not the cat’s owners. Go find the cat’s owner, otherwise, I can’t do the reading.”

This was the truth. Qin Qing needed to use the System Panel’s Relationship Map function to find the cat, which required a certain level of intimacy to activate. These two clearly didn’t have it.

The old man said, “What kind of attitude is this? If we hadn’t heard that this place was decent, we wouldn’t have come at all. Now it seems it’s just so-so. Why didn’t you say you couldn’t do it earlier? Give us our money back.”

Qin Qing: “First, it was agreed that the basic fee was for consultation, and it’s non-refundable. Second, as I said, I can only do the reading if the cat’s owner comes.”

“That’s just a deceptive excuse! I know your tricks, pretending to be supernatural. Give me back the money quickly!” The old man slapped the old woman, “I told you these charlatans are unreliable, but you insisted on coming. Hurry up and get our money back.”

The old woman stumbled from the old man’s slap, almost falling, but Qin Qing helped her steady herself.

The old woman instinctively moved a bit further away from the old man and said ingratiatingly to Qin Qing, “Little girl, you see, you weren’t of any use, so why don’t you just give us our money back?”

Qin Qing felt her fists clench.

She ignored the old woman, stood up, and walked over to the old man: “You say I’m pretending to be supernatural? Fine, then I’ll show you how I pretend.” With that, before the old man could react, she clapped her hands loudly to attract the attention of the people around her.

He didn’t want his misdeeds to be known by others? Then she would kindly help him spread the word.

“Look here, look here, everyone look over here, there’s a show to watch today. Do you all see this old man next to me? He came to me for a fortune-telling. What for?

I’ll tell you slowly…” She roughly described the old man’s actions as seen on the System Panel.

The people around pointed and whispered. The old man looked at Qin Qing in horror, wanting to leave, but she held him back.

The old man was wrong, but now that he’s looking for the cat, it can be considered a change for the better, and repentance is enough.

The above was the thought of the people around, and they told Qin Qing the same thing. Uninformed masses will always naturally side with the seemingly weaker party, such as the elderly.

Qin Qing smiled: “Do you think he’s looking for the cat to apologize to his daughter-in-law and win her back?”

Crowd: “Isn’t he?”

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have called you all to join in this fun,” Qin Qing said. “He believes that his daughter-in-law, a pregnant woman, is making a big deal out of a cat and even wants a divorce. Even his son has sided with his daughter-in-law, saying he was wrong.

This old man believes this matter is a family disgrace, and that his son lacks husbandly authority. So, he wants to find that cat.”

Qin Qing’s tone deepened: “And then kill that cat, and send the bloody corpse of the cat to his daughter-in-law. So she knows what happens when a pregnant woman challenges the authority of her husband’s family. After that, she’ll obediently stay at home, have children, cook, do housework, and serve her son, just like his wife has done for decades.”

Even the old woman didn’t know about the plan to kill the cat; the old woman was genuinely looking for the cat.

“You old bastard, why don’t you go die yourself!” Someone in the crowd, with a strong voice, roared. And threw a hard object.

It was a small fragrant pear. The pear hit the old man’s face; he wasn’t injured, but it was extremely insulting.

“Who!” he cried out in pain, but of course, no one came forward to claim it.

“You can’t listen to this liar’s nonsense!” He then pointed at Qin Qing and cursed, “You little b****, you’re so malicious, I’ll f*** your b****…”

Some words, Qin Qing didn’t understand, but she could guess they were insults.

The old man continued to accuse: “You liar, talking nonsense, and slandering me.” As he spoke, he sat on the ground and began to wail, crying to the heavens and stamping his feet.

More and more people gathered, and someone even called the police.

So, Qin Qing entered the police station for the first time, specifically the Wuning District branch.

The old woman was terrified upon entering the police station. The old man also seemed scared, but he believed he was in the right. He didn’t mention the cat at all, insisting that Qin Qing was a fraud involved in superstitious activities who had cheated him out of his pension, and he demanded a refund and compensation.

The police were mediating between them.

When dealing with difficult elderly people, police officers usually criticize and educate them, then start mediation from the younger party, for example, by asking Qin Qing to refund the 100 yuan.

Would she refund it? Of course not. A stalemate ensued.

A greasy head poked through the office door frame from the hallway: “That Qin… Qin what’s-her-name, who did you report this time?”

Qin Qing, expressionless and with slumped shoulders, replied to Lin Feng, “I was reported.”

“Tsk… that’s truly rare,” Lin Feng walked in.

“Hello, Captain Lin, do you know her?” the young police officer mediating asked.

“We’ll talk later.” Lin Feng patted his shoulder, picked up the record book from the table, flipped through it, and then looked at Qin Qing and laughed, “Cheated someone out of a hundred yuan… hahahaha…”

She really wanted to stuff the record book into his mouth.

Lin Feng closed the record book and slapped it against the young police officer’s chest: “Alright, how long has it been? You haven’t solved a single case. Don’t you have anything else to do? If family members need to be called, call them to pick them up.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the young police officer asked for Qin Qing’s family’s phone number.

Lin Feng waved his hand: “No need for this one, I’ll take her.”

The old man wasn’t happy, sensing something fishy, and wouldn’t let Qin Qing leave: “Hey, hey…”

Lin Feng’s face hardened, and his detective’s aura was quite intimidating: “Hey what? I have a major criminal case related to this person, and I need to take her in for questioning.”

The old man stopped talking.

Qin Qing visited Lin Feng’s office, which was, well, messy. Very much in line with his personal style.

“Master, the noodles are back. Where do you want to eat them?”

Lin Feng finally cleared a spot for Qin Qing to sit among a pile of books and documents, and replied impatiently, “Bring them in, bring them in.”

Xiao Song came in with two bowls of noodles, not expecting anyone else in the office. He instinctively glanced over, his eyes wide: “Qin…”

Lin Feng took the noodles and then shooed him out: “Go on, go buy another bowl for yourself.”

So Qin Qing intercepted Officer Xiao Song’s lunch.

Lin Feng waved his hand: “Eat, eat, eat, it’s on me.” As if it were a state banquet.

He picked a fried egg from another takeout box and placed it on Qin Qing’s noodles, then gave a thumbs-up: “You, soak this egg in the soup, and when it’s soaked up the broth, then bite into it, mmm… it’s just beautiful.”

He also took a head of garlic from his office desk drawer, broke off a few cloves, and peeled them, asking Qin Qing if she wanted any.

No!

“No, Captain Lin, just get to the point. You’re making me a bit confused.”

Lin Feng: “Nothing’s wrong, it’s just fate that we met, so let’s have a meal together and strengthen police-civilian relations.”

No, Qin Qing didn’t feel she had any relationship to strengthen with this big brother.

Seeing that she still hadn’t picked up her chopsticks, Lin Feng emphasized, “Really, nothing’s wrong.” He pushed back his bangs, stuffing his mouth with noodles and mumbling, “Didn’t I say I’d treat you to noodles after the Lin Fanghui case was solved? I’m a man of my word, I never make empty promises. It just so happens we met today, so I’m thanking you.”

Qin Qing held her noodle bowl, keeping some distance from his greasy hair.

She complained, “Your thanks are truly precious.”

Lin Feng thumped his chest: “My sincerity is overflowing. After we finish eating, I can even bring you a special coffee from the pantry.”

“…Thank you, no need.”

Lin Feng was a person who didn’t care about his image at all, and had no dining etiquette whatsoever.

He had finished most of his noodles before Qin Qing even started eating.

He ate and talked: “You have no idea, many of the young officers in the team are praising you as amazing. If they knew you were here, you’d definitely be surrounded.”

He continued, “Lin Fanghui confessed. She and her husband started a business together, and it grew bigger and bigger, as did their ambitions. Especially Lin Fanghui, to consolidate her power and position in the company, she constantly whispered sweet nothings into her husband’s ear, exaggerating the threat of competitors, saying she was afraid because others coveted her beauty, and incited her husband to commit crimes. However, that man was no good either. Lin Fanghui was smart and had a certain anti-reconnaissance awareness; her crimes were very cleverly designed. With her assistance, that man killed several people, and it wasn’t until the most recent case that he became a suspect.”

Seeing that he stopped talking, Qin Qing frowned: “That’s it? Only competitors? What about the previous cases?”

Lin Feng slurped his noodle soup, not at all surprised: “Ha, you really knew.”

Qin Qing wanted to throw her chopsticks: “I knew it, you’re testing me again. You talk about strengthening police-civilian relations, but if you keep doing this, there won’t be any police-civilian relations left.”

“Calm down, calm down, I was wrong, alright? It’s just occupational habit. Hurry up and eat your noodles, or they’ll get soggy.”

Lin Feng smiled apologetically: “We investigated the case files of incidents that occurred around Lin Fanghui during her growth. We actually solved some cold cases. She’s practically a serial killer. When she was in college, to compete with a female classmate for a spot, she poisoned her, causing that girl to take a leave of absence due to illness and be left with chronic health problems.

When she first got married, because she couldn’t stand her in-laws’ meddling, she incited her then-lover, who was also a neighbor, to successively create accidents that led to their deaths. Then, using the excuse that the neighbor had assaulted her, she incited her husband to kill the neighbor, leaving no witnesses.

The driver who used the Nail Gun on you last time is her new lover. If she hadn’t needed her husband to be convicted to get away, her husband would probably have been killed by this lover long ago. Who knew he’d run into you?”

Why can these people disregard life so much, killing just for a moment of displeasure, not even sparing their own partners?

Qin Qing sighed, “Yes, she ran into me. Actually, she even wanted to kill that driver after she got away. She would do it herself, so that in a new place she could completely sever ties with her criminal past and start anew.”

Lin Feng didn’t refute. Either Lin Fanghui confessed directly, or they had their own suspicions.

Qin Qing: “Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you suspect me anymore?”

“Hahahaha, suspect, of course I suspect. As a police officer, one must always be vigilant. Be bold in suspicion, and careful in seeking proof.” Lin Feng poured two glasses of purified water and handed one to Qin Qing. “I toast you, on behalf of those unjustly deceased souls.”

He was serious, and Qin Qing could feel it, so she drank.

“If you need help…”

“I’ll find you.”

It was hard to tell if she was being truthful.

Qin Qing went out and happened to see the elderly couple’s son and daughter-in-law coming to pick them up.

She stood by the roadside hailing a taxi and saw the daughter-in-law look her way a few times, then walk over.

This lady had clear, resolute eyes, wore flat shoes, her belly wasn’t showing yet, and her hair was a little messy. She didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point: “My mother-in-law said you’re very accurate?”

“Not bad. Want to place an order?”

The woman immediately pulled out her phone.

The woman’s name was Zheng Yi, and she indeed had a deep affection for cats; the kitten was in her Relationship Map.

Qin Qing could see her anxiety and said directly without any nonsense: “The cat is fine, it’s still alive. I can tell you where the cat is now, you can go find it yourself, but I can’t guarantee it will still be there when you arrive. I can go with you, but it will delay my own business.”

Zheng Yi, understanding, said, “I’ll pay extra.”

“Straightforward. My daily rate is two thousand. But you can pay after you find the cat.”

“Deal.”

Zheng Yi took Qin Qing to her car, a seven-seater.

The old man grumbled and stomped his feet loudly. She ignored him and only explained Qin Qing to her husband briefly.

Her husband probably didn’t approve of her spending money to find someone to tell fortunes, but he didn’t object.

In the car, the husband sat in the back with the elderly couple, Zheng Yi drove, and Qin Qing sat in the passenger seat.

Zheng Yi was completely immune to the old man’s insults.

Qin Qing gave her a general direction and location.

At this point, Zheng Yi looked at Qin Qing more closely.

“What?”

“This place isn’t far from my home.” Zheng Yi was sure she hadn’t revealed her home address. “You really can tell fortunes?”

Qin Qing was full of questions: “No, you’ve already invited me into the car and paid, but you don’t believe me?”

Zheng Yi was expressionless: “I’ve tried all the scientific cat-finding methods mentioned online. Now I can only try anything, even if it’s a long shot.”

Soon, Qin Qing realized how desperate Zheng Yi was. Halfway there, she picked up another person who dealt with metaphysics. However, this person wasn’t in the same field as Qin Qing; they claimed to be a Pet Communicator.

What the heck?

The young man who just got in the car had a half-long ponytail and looked quite sunny and handsome, but his character was questionable, doing the work of a swindler.

“It’s about communicating with pets telepathically through photos, videos, or the pet itself. The little ones can’t speak, so we need to help them communicate and ask the questions their owners want to know, then translate the little ones’ meanings back to the owners. My Yang Sang has a very high rating. I can also help the little ones with medical care and grooming.”

This person sounded unreliable, and it was said that this consultation cost 5000.

It was clear that Zheng Yi was truly desperate.

Yang Sang didn’t know Qin Qing was also hired and thought she was a family member, comforting her not to worry, that he would definitely help find the cat.

Qin Qing: “…”

Yang Sang was enthusiastic at work, asking about the cat’s situation in the car, looking at the cat videos provided by Zheng Yi, and began to meditate and exert his power: “…I’ve linked with it… Its emotions are very unstable, the link is intermittent… I will try my best to link with it, it’s very scared, its body is very uncomfortable, I’ve linked with the cat’s vision and hearing: there are many trees around, a lot of grass. Sounds everywhere, the sound of insects chirping.”

Yang Sang stopped exerting his power and said to Zheng Yi: “The cat’s perspective is too low, it hasn’t seen any distinctive landmarks. For now, we can only search in areas with dense vegetation around where the cat was lost.”

This information was useless. Zheng Yi was a bit impatient and asked Qin Qing: “What do you think?”

At least Qin Qing had given a general location near her home without any prior information.

Yang Sang: “Colleague?”

“Oh, not really. I’m a fate master, a fortune teller.”

“Then your profession doesn’t match, little sister,” Yang Sang said. “For finding cats and dogs, we Pet Communicators are more professional. Now that I’m here, there’s nothing for you to do, you should go back.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Qin Qing couldn’t stand that a deceptive swindler could earn more than her. “Since that’s the case, how about we compete to see who finds the cat first? The losing party will voluntarily give their service fee to the other.”

“Just you?” Yang Sang scoffed.

“Just me.”

Yang Sang shamelessly said: “It wouldn’t be right for me to refuse if you’re so eager to pay me tuition. Don’t cry later and say I bullied you.”

Qin Qing smiled: “But I want to bully you, I guarantee you’ll cry, or your money back.”

“You!”

The old man in the back seat cursed louder and louder. His son couldn’t persuade him to stop. Zheng Yi, who had been quiet, yelled back: “You’re getting more energetic even when I’m ignoring you! We’ll deal with your matter after we find the cat!”