chapter 16
980 Words
That night, He Wen prepared for rest early. This was quite rare, perhaps due to his mood. Ever since he returned from outside, his work efficiency had mysteriously improved. However, this was only in comparison to his previous state where he couldn't write half a sentence in several minutes. In reality, his progress was still slow. After much deliberation and revision, he finally completed his two-thousand-word update around midnight. Fortunately, this time was already considered early for him, even allowing him some leisure to take a shower. Thanks to his infrequent outings and minimal sweating, he could go two or three days without bathing during the summer without worrying about an odor. After changing into fresh clothes, He Wen fell asleep quickly, likely due to exhaustion. This was the first time Jiang Sheng saw him fall asleep, as usually, it would nod off before the young man did. The youth slept deeply, without tossing or turning, a sign of a peaceful sleeper. This relieved Jiang Sheng slightly, though it could tolerate disturbances, it preferred a quiet "roommate." Unlike ordinary cats, Jiang Sheng's schedule was never fixed and often adjusted based on circumstances. Recently, it rarely took afternoon naps and instead felt more drowsy in the early hours of the morning. Whether such an irregular sleep pattern affected its health was unclear to Jiang Sheng. It just sensed that the black cat's constitution was somewhat unusual. This was obvious, given its ability to consume souls and absorb resentment—things no ordinary stray cat could do. Additionally, its "resistance" to resentment clearly differed from He Wen's, evident by the large amount of resentment within it without causing significant misfortune. It seemed capable of accommodating more misfortune, and its relationship with resentment appeared more complex than that of a simple host and "parasite." In contrast, He Wen's soul was nearly shattered under the influence of a single strand of resentment. Unfortunately, the black cat still didn't know the source of the resentment within it. Only someone like it, carefree and going with the flow, would ignore it so easily. "Sigh..." In the pitch-black room, the computer screen flickered with a faint glow, and the internal fans hummed softly. He Wen didn't have the habit of shutting off his computer, possibly to be ready for work at any moment. As a freelancer, he not only revised his own novels but also edited various scripts and documents. The alarm clock on the bedside table stood silently, its metal frame reflecting a soft gleam. With technological advancements, fewer people used such vintage items nowadays. Lying on the bed with closed eyes, the resentment in his neck continued to struggle against the pressure from Jiang Sheng. However, these struggles were weak and feeble. In contrast, the black mist within Jiang Sheng became increasingly active, constantly devouring the scattered resentment in the air. Perhaps due to this competition among similar entities, the youth hadn't encountered any significant misfortunes that could disrupt his life. At worst, he occasionally misplaced things, which were mostly trivial matters. Thus, Jiang Sheng grew increasingly certain of its judgment. It should stay and wait until digesting the resentment before leaving. It wondered what this entity would become when fully grown. Silently observing the thin mist swirling around it, Jiang Sheng swished its tail, thinking silently. Based on its observations and deductions, as the resentment accumulated, its impact would grow in both strength and scope. These seemingly insignificant wisps of black mist might eventually turn into an unstoppable disaster. Tsk... Even with Jiang Sheng's temperament, it couldn't help but frown at the thought. No one liked trouble, especially such major trouble. It wondered if there was a way to suppress them. Although the resentment the black cat had seen so far was unconscious, would it gradually develop consciousness as it devoured souls?And, in human society, is there anyone who understands the existence of resentment and souls, and is there someone managing these things? Jiang Sheng did not know. Too many chaotic and aimless questions made its mood unusually restless. Fortunately, it quickly adjusted its emotions, because anxiety has never been a means to solve problems. Thinking carefully, could the reason I can bear more resentment be that I can also absorb souls to strengthen myself? Moreover, the speed at which I absorb souls is much faster than the slow erosion of resentment. In this case, if I absorb enough souls or obsessions, could I suppress or even control those external resentments? It seems to make sense. But the problem is, where can I find so many unclaimed souls? Jiang Sheng cannot touch the spiritual bodies of living beings; this is something it has already verified. And the souls of the dead are hard to gather unless they have particularly strong "longings" that allow them to linger in this world. So far, Jiang Sheng has only seen one floating spirit, Gao Shan's. However, fortunately, compared to that, wandering resentment does not seem to be rampant either. Although it doesn't know their specific origins, Jiang Sheng has wandered through most of the city and only seen the wisp of black mist on He Wen's neck. This shows that the arrival of "disaster" is not that simple. The birth, gathering, and growth of resentment require a lot of time. Unfortunately, I can no longer be carefree in the future... After all, having a goal means I need to work towards it appropriately. I thought this life would just be about living like an ordinary cat. Who knew that inadvertently, a peaceful daily life would turn into something else. Resentment, souls... So, is this a world full of supernatural phenomena? Could the ultimate product of resentment be ghosts and monsters? Lying on the floor with half-closed eyes, the black cat felt gloomy. The cold black mist clung to the room, making this summer night feel a bit cooler.
- Writer
