Chapter Thirty-Five: The Return of the Violet Moon

Page 1 of 3

As evening approached, in a steakhouse located three kilometers from Times Square on a bustling food street.

“It’s really all thanks to you, Xin Zhou and Qiaoqian Wang, that we managed to sort out everything for the pet shop’s opening today. With your experience, after listening to you this afternoon, Brother Ji and I finally got everything straightened out.”

“In any case, we owe you. Brother Ji and I would like to propose a toast to both of you.”

With that, Hongyu Ma raised his glass, filled to the brim with juice, and gestured to the three at the table.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The four raised their glasses and clinked them together. Then, Xin Zhou, with her cherubic cheeks, grinned and said,

“It wasn’t really that much trouble, to be honest. But I am quite curious, Brother Ji and Brother Ma—since you both have no idea about running a pet shop, aren’t you afraid you’ll end up losing money?”

“Losing money?” Hongyu Ma gave a mysterious smile. “That’s impossible. Let me tell you—the moment this shop opens, I’ll be making money in my sleep. Honestly, I’m only worried that you two will be the ones complaining about being tired.”

“Hmm?” Xin Zhou and Qiaoqian Wang exchanged glances, both looking a little puzzled.

Hongyu Ma didn’t answer their questioning looks, but instead gave a secretive nod toward Yu Ji.

Seeing their gazes turn to him, Yu Ji shrugged with an approachable smile.

“It’s nothing special, really. You’ll see when the pet shop opens at the start of next month.”

But Xin Zhou wasn’t satisfied with that answer.

“Oh, come on, Brother Ji, don’t keep us in suspense. Just tell us! You said we’d find out eventually, so why not now?”

“It’s true,” Qiaoqian Wang chimed in, curiosity shining in her eyes. “If we know what kind of customer flow to expect, it’ll help with the preparations.”

Yu Ji was silent for a moment, regarding the two of them, then he gave a resigned smile.

“Alright, then. Honestly, it’s nothing much. If I had to say, it’s probably just that I have a special constitution. Ever since I was young, animals have always been drawn to me.”

Huh?

The two of them had been expecting a lengthy explanation, but Yu Ji’s answer was just that one sentence.

“That’s it?” Xin Zhou looked baffled.

Page 2 of 3

“Yes, that’s it,” Yu Ji replied, taking a bite of his steak.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Animals are drawn to you? I always thought animals liked me, too.”

Xin Zhou looked disappointed, feeling that this new pet shop might not last long before closing its doors.

But when he saw the disappointment on Xin Zhou and Qiaoqian Wang’s faces, Hongyu Ma suddenly coughed and straightened up, putting on a stern expression.

“Xin, watch your tone! How can you talk to Brother Ji like that? That’s not right!”

As soon as he’d said it, Hongyu Ma, worried they might take offense and quit, immediately put on a goofy grin. “Listen, just because Brother Ji doesn’t talk much, don’t underestimate him. He’s always calm and collected. Just wait—when the pet shop opens, you’ll see what real business looks like!”

“Is it really that amazing?” Xin Zhou was obviously unconvinced, feeling that Hongyu Ma was laying it on a bit thick.

“Amazing is an understatement. Since Brother Ji isn’t saying anything more, I won’t either. But you’ll see—join our pet shop and you’ll be on the fast track to promotions and raises, reaching the peak of your careers!”

Hongyu Ma’s you’re-going-to-strike-it-rich attitude only made Xin Zhou and Qiaoqian Wang more certain that this pet shop was not on solid ground.

All this mystery—for a pet shop? Really?

Of course, neither of them would say so directly. As employees, the bosses’ word was law. If the shop failed, they’d just find new jobs.

“What a shame. Ji Yu actually looks quite handsome and has a distinct presence, but it turns out he’s just as unreliable as Hongyu Ma. Birds of a feather flock together, I suppose.”

Xin Zhou glanced at Yu Ji’s graceful figure and handsome face, sighing inwardly.

“Alright, enough talk. We’ve all had a long day. Let’s eat.”

Hongyu Ma easily saw through their doubts, but he knew far more about Yu Ji than they did.

A sudden growth spurt of several centimeters in a week, and being able to punch nearly eight hundred kilograms on the gym’s machine—could you really call Yu Ji an ordinary man?

Have you heard of the greatest hermits hiding in court, the middle hidden among the city, the lesser hidden in the wild?

Just wait. They’d be amazed before long.

Hongyu Ma chuckled to himself, looking forward to the shock that would register on Xin Zhou and Qiaoqian Wang’s faces in the future.

Yu Ji could only resign himself to Hongyu Ma’s flattery.

Still, it was just as well—this way, the two of them were at least a little prepared. Whether they believed it or not was up to them.

Yu Ji was long past the age of youthful arrogance and had no desire to show off his unusual traits.

Better to keep a low profile if possible. If not, then deal with it later.

Page 3 of 3

As the old saying goes, “The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled.”

With the purple moon’s reappearance and the sudden emergence of the oak tree in these sensitive times, Yu Ji preferred not to attract official attention.

So, he kept his words to a minimum at dinner, and the group clinked glasses and ate their meal, enjoying a moment of cheerful camaraderie.

Before long, night quietly fell.

Around eight o’clock, after everyone had finished eating and paid the bill, they stepped out to the entrance.

And just then, the half-moon in the sky, without any warning, was suddenly veiled in a shade of purple.

“What the hell! Not again! The purple moon already? It’s only been half a month!”

“Right? After last time, I thought we’d have at least a month before it happened again. It’s only been two weeks!”

“We’re doomed. Looks like we’ll be stuck in this restaurant all night.”

“Stay here overnight? No way. This place must have some spare disposable protective suits. Let’s just buy a set and head out—the distance isn’t that far.”

“Protective suits? What are you talking about? Didn’t you see the notice from the neighborhood yesterday? The authorities now require everyone to shelter in place when the purple moon appears. Even with protective suits, you’re not allowed to go out.”

“What? Really? I’ve been so swamped at work lately I didn’t even notice…”

“…”

At the entrance to the food street, the eaves and connected sidewalks were crowded with people, all grumbling and complaining.

“Ugh! Just our luck! Why did we have to run into the purple moon? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come out for this meal,” Xin Zhou said, her face falling in regret.

“Alright, Xin, that’s enough,” Qiaoqian Wang said, frowning up at the purple moon but still mindful to remind Xin Zhou to watch her words—after all, their bosses, Yu Ji and Hongyu Ma, were right beside them.

But Yu Ji had no time for Xin Zhou’s lack of social awareness and tactless remarks. His attention was fixed on the intersection ahead of the food street.

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but as he looked at the corner beneath the purple moon, he couldn’t shake the feeling that some kind of danger was quietly brewing there.