Peking Opera Cat: I Became A Zi's Brother

Over the next few days, sunlight filtered through the mottled leaves and sprinkled onto the camp like fine gold foil.

Mo Zi slowly broke free from the spiritual quagmire.

"..."

At first, she seemed to be groping in the fog, her eyes were always unconsciously unfocused, she stared in a certain direction for a long time, and reacted slowly to the movements around her.

As day and night alternated, the chaos in her eyes gradually faded away, replaced by clarity and determination.

"Hmm~"

In the early morning, she no longer curled up in the corner, but stood up on her own initiative. Although her movements were still a little slow and her body was so weak that she seemed to be gathering strength with every step, she still insisted on helping to clean up.

"..."

They would put the scattered items in order, and carefully fetch clean water and prepare clean wet cloths for their companions to wipe their wounds.

"Uh--"

The cats from Xingluo Squad were seriously injured. Bai Tang's face was as pale as paper, his breath was weak, and he occasionally uttered painful mutterings while unconscious.

"..."

Mo Zi sat beside him, covering his wound with his hands trembling slightly, and fine beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

"Sorry……"

She closed her eyes and concentrated on mobilizing the rhythmic energy in her body. The rhythmic energy was like a lively spring, slowly flowing into Bai Tang's body.

"Whoo~"

With the infusion of rhythmic power, Bai Tang's face gradually turned rosy, and his originally rapid breathing slowly stabilized.

"Hmm~"

Wu Song's injuries were equally serious, his meridians were damaged, and his vitality was greatly damaged.

"..."

When Mo Zi was treating him, his expression was solemn and the wrinkles on his forehead were twisted together.

She carefully guided the rhythmic energy, like a cautious craftsman, concentrating on repairing his damaged meridians.

Every time the rhythm moves, it seems like a silent battle with pain.

"Whoo~"

Wu Song was still unconscious, but his body was no longer as tense as before, and his breathing became long and slow.

Thanks to Mo Zi's efforts, Xiaoqing and Dafei's injuries gradually showed signs of improvement.

While Mo Zi was treating them, he comforted them softly and encouraged them to hold on.

"Xiaoqing, please wake up quickly, okay? It's all my fault..."

Under her careful care, Xiaoqing's originally bloodless lips slowly regained some color, and Dafei's face, which was distorted by pain, gradually relaxed.

However, beneath this seemingly calm appearance, Mo Zi's heart was in turmoil.

Whenever night fell and everything was quiet, she would sit alone at the edge of the camp, staring at the starry sky in a trance.

Her eyes were filled with entanglement, struggle and confusion, and her hands were unconsciously tugging at the corners of her clothes, as if her heart was being pulled by two forces.

"..."

All of this was keenly captured by Mingyue.

One evening, Mingyue brought a bowl of steaming herbs, slowly walked to Mo Zi, and sat down beside her.

She handed the herbs to Mo Zi and said softly:

"Mo Zi, drink some medicine to warm yourself up."

Mo Zi took it and thanked him in a low voice, with a hint of fatigue and unconcealable worries in his voice.

Mingyue looked at her quietly, and after a moment, she spoke softly:

"Mo Zi, you seem to be worried recently?"

Mo Zi's body suddenly stiffened, and the medicine bowl in her hand almost fell over. She frantically steadied the bowl, but soon regained her composure, forcing a smile and saying:

"Nothing, I'm just worried about everyone's injuries. I hope they get better soon."

Mingyue shook her head gently, her eyes gentle yet revealing a clear understanding that saw through everything:

"Don't hide it from me. I can feel that you are thinking about something else. We are partners. We have been through so much along the way. You can tell me anything. I will always listen."

"..."

Mo Zi was silent for a long time. He opened his mouth, but felt confused and didn't know where to start.

"Ugh……"

She sighed heavily and buried her head in her arms. The conflicts and confusion in her heart became more and more intense, like a tangled mess that could not be untied.

……

"Hmm~"

Mo Zi gently pushed open the door of the inn, and the early morning light fell on her like fine gold powder.

"Bang bang bang..."

The wind chimes hanging at the door were gently blown by the breeze, making a clear and pleasant sound, but it could not dispel the heavy haze in her heart.

As a Peking Opera cat, she possesses a unique rhythmic power, but she is sinking deeper and deeper into the whirlpool in her heart.

"Perhaps a walk would be more beneficial..."

She walked slowly along the street, and shops on the street opened one after another.

The breakfast stall was steaming hot, and the aroma of roasted fish balls filled the air. It was one of the most popular delicacies in Maotu, but Mo Zi had no intention of tasting it.

A little cat, holding a bunch of bright and colorful star flowers, came skipping in front of her, its eyes sparkling:

"Sister, buy me some flowers. They smell so good! They'll make you feel better!"

Mo Zi looked at the innocent appearance of the little cat, forced a smile, and shook his head slightly.

"Ugh……"

The little cat turned away in disappointment. Mo Zi looked at its back and felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She couldn't help but envy this carefree little cat.

Her steps became slower and slower, as if she was being pulled by an invisible force.

After turning an intersection, I unknowingly arrived at a busy small square.

There were a few little Peking Opera cats playing and laughing in the square, chasing each other, their tiny figures moving around in the sunshine.

One of the little Peking Opera cats accidentally fell down, and the other little friends immediately surrounded him and asked with concern in their childish voices:

"Are you OK?"

After making sure everything was alright, they continued playing together with laughter, using the most basic rhythmic power to imitate the fighting scenes of Peking Opera cats.

"..."

Looking at this scene, Mo Zi's tense heartstrings suddenly trembled slightly. She recalled every moment she had spent with her fellow Xingluo teammates. The laughter and tears, adventures and challenges they had experienced together, weren't they also so warm and precious?

On the other side of the square, an old Peking Opera cat was concentrating on painting an ink painting.

Mo Zi was attracted by the smooth and flowing brushstrokes and walked over unconsciously.

"..."

The old Peking Opera Cat noticed her arrival, looked up at her gently, and continued with his creation.

I saw the brush moving on the paper, and soon, a tranquil Maotu landscape painting appeared on the paper. Mo Zi couldn't help but be mesmerized by it, and temporarily forgot the troubles in his heart.

Mo Zi withdrew his gaze from the ink painting of the old Peking Opera cat, and the desire to be alone became stronger and stronger.

"Hmm~"

She nodded gently to the old Peking Opera cat, turned around and slowly walked across the bustling square and along a winding path.

Wild flowers bloomed freely on both sides of the path, and occasionally a few butterflies danced among the flowers, but she had no intention of appreciating them.

"Crash..."

As she walked, the sound of gurgling water came into her ears, and Mo Zi knew that she had arrived at the river.

Willows sway by the river, their slender branches swaying in the wind, like a gentle curtain hung by nature.

Mo Zi walked to the river bank, slowly squatted down, and looked at the calm river surface.

The reflection in the river was clearly visible. She saw her slightly haggard face, and her originally bright eyes were now full of confusion and struggle.

A breeze blew by, causing ripples on the river surface and distorting the reflections, just like her chaotic heart at the moment.

She couldn't help but recall the moment of conflict with the Xingluo class, how she lost control, and the hurt expressions of her companions. Guilt once again overwhelmed her like a tide.

“How did I become like this?

Mo Zi murmured softly, his voice full of pain and self-blame.

The sound of the flowing river seemed to be responding to her, but it could not give her an answer. She reached out her hand and gently touched the water. Ripples spread wherever her fingertips touched, and her heart grew heavier.

She thought of the black shadow's bewitching words and also of the friendship of fighting side by side as described by the white shadow. The two voices intertwined in her mind again.

"..."

Just as Mo Zi was immersed in painful thoughts, a kingfisher flew past the water surface, leaving behind a string of crystal water droplets, breaking the heavy silence.

Mo Zi suddenly came back to her senses and looked at the kingfisher flying away. An impulse suddenly surged in her heart. She didn't want to be bound by her inner conflicts anymore. She wanted to make a choice, to find her determined self, and to return to the path that truly belonged to her.