Chapter Fifty-Two: Oysters

This small, pitch-black creature was called 'Egg Two', the stray male kitten Summer He had picked up from outside. Now, it was just a young cat.

“Huh!”

Watching the curled-up, black, furry little thing, Ye Yan let out a light exclamation.

“You little rascal, you still remember your way home? I thought you’d been bewitched by that little female cat.”

As soon as the door opened, Egg Two darted in ahead of Ye Yan, squeezing through the gap and meowing nonstop at him.

Ye Yan hauled all the fruits and vegetables straight into the kitchen, then rummaged around to find Egg Two’s food bowl, pouring in a generous amount of cat food.

Egg Two buried its head in the bowl, eating intently, purring away—it was probably famished.

This little thing wasn’t much like Ye Yan’s laid-back nature, but more akin to Summer He. It was always running off for no reason, often gone for ten days or so before returning, and Ye Yan was too lazy to care.

After adding some milk to the food dish, Ye Yan finally got up and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. The cat had already eaten its lunch and dinner, but he hadn’t eaten yet.

He released the Tide-Calling Flood Dragon to help wash the vegetables. As the resident chef spirit, the Tide-Calling Flood Dragon lacked a New North graduation certificate, but its talent for scrubbing pots and washing dishes was unmatched.

In just a few minutes, half a chicken, a whole head of broccoli, and a bowl of fresh oysters bought at a discount were all dealt with.

Blanching, heating the pan, hot oil, tossing in scallions, ginger, and garlic—the half chicken went straight into the pot.

Just as Ye Yan was about to boil water for the oysters, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Ding dong! Ding dong!

“Brother Yan, I’ll get it.”

Before Ye Yan could say a word, the Tide-Calling Flood Dragon had already dashed over to open the door.

In no time, it returned, followed by Xu Si, wearing black sunglasses, suit, and tie.

Xu Si looked the same as ever, his hair slightly curled, his demeanor as lazy as could be, full of roguish charm.

Looking at Xu Si, Ye Yan couldn’t help but tease,

“I say, Xu, you’re something else. I’ve only just got home and you’re here already. Tell me honestly, have you installed surveillance in my house?”

Xu Si sighed, ignoring Ye Yan’s jibes. He opened his briefcase and tossed a thick paper contract to Ye Yan.

“Sign it. It’s a three-year contract, with a yearly salary of two hundred thousand. The extra terms we’ve already discussed. Regarding Summer He, I can pull some strings for you. The company will keep its hands off.”

“So urgent?”

Taking the contract, Ye Yan was a little stunned. Xu Si was in such a rush, not even bothering with basic pleasantries, which wasn’t like him at all.

“Is something going on?”

Ye Yan didn’t even glance at the contract, just signed it casually, not worrying about any pitfalls.

Compared to the contract, his relationship with Everywhere Pass was more of a gentleman’s agreement; these written documents were just formalities and procedures.

They didn’t really hold much power.

Xu Si lit a cigarette, not hiding anything from Ye Yan. “Our old man passed away. I’m taking over as regional director, and there’s a lot on my plate right now.”

“He passed away?”

Ye Yan was taken aback. “When?”

He knew a bit about Xu’s family pillar, Old Xu Xiang. Years ago, he was a well-known figure in the Beijing-Tianjin area, respected everywhere.

Now that such a stabilizing presence had suddenly passed, the impact on the Xu family would be big, and the pressure on Xu Si was easy to imagine.

“Three days ago.”

Xu Si exhaled smoke, melancholy.

“My condolences.”

Ye Yan handed the contract back, quietly offering comfort.

“It’s nothing.”

Xu Si smiled, unconcerned.

Then, as if remembering something, he continued, “The matter of the Grand Celestial Gathering is basically settled. There are four participants from North China: Zhang Chulan, Feng Baobao, you, and Li Ziyuan.”

“If you don’t have any objections, I’ll have the list sent to the Ten Elders Council and Dragon Tiger Mountain tomorrow. There’ll probably be a follow-up call. Remember this.”

Xu Si briefly explained.

“Alright.”

Ye Yan nodded.

“Also, the company has a mentorship rule. Normally, new exorcists have to be guided by a senior employee for three months. We’ll arrange someone for you…”

“I don’t need that.”

Ye Yan was a bit speechless. Was he really a newcomer?

Xu Si blinked. “Of course. Remember, your official status now is a newbie at Everywhere Pass, still in your probationary period.”

“No matter who asks, say it’s your first day. Even when Dragon Tiger Mountain calls, stick to that story.”

Xu Si instructed him with utmost seriousness.

Ye Yan: “…”

Classic Xu Si.

Willing to do anything to win—even shamelessly pretending to be a rookie.

But at this point, Ye Yan didn’t bother arguing. If he had to be a newcomer, so be it.

As long as he didn’t feel awkward, it was others who’d have to deal with it. Worst case, he’d just wear a mask.

With a mask on, who could recognize him?

“Got it.”

“Alright, you don’t need to show up at the company yet. I’ll send you your mentor’s contact; get to know them privately.”

“Okay.”

“Alright, I’ll take my leave.”

With business done, Xu Si didn’t linger—just as he arrived, he left in a hurry.

“Brother Yan, dinner’s ready. Eat now?”

After Xu Si left, the Tide-Calling Flood Dragon emerged from the room, wearing an apron. While Ye Yan and Xu Si talked, it had finished preparing the meal.

So diligent it was almost impressive.

“Let’s eat.”

Ye Yan was hungry, so he nodded.

“Alright!”

The Tide-Calling Flood Dragon responded, then turned back to the kitchen to fetch dishes, rice, bowls, and chopsticks.

With each dish brought to the table, the rich aroma filled the living room.

Salt and pepper chicken, oil-dressed broccoli, boiled oysters, and sauce with horseradish.

Served with a bowl of white rice.

Just looking at it made one’s mouth water.

Even Egg Two, who’d already eaten cat food and had milk, was lying in its cat bed grooming itself, but was drawn by the delicious smell.

It climbed out of its bed, elegantly jumped onto the table, and sat nearby, staring intently at Ye Yan.

Ye Yan picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks, popped it in his mouth, and washed it down with a sip of chilled beer—pure bliss.

“Perfect!”

He burped, feeling satisfied.

Seeing Ye Yan focused on his own meal, Egg Two was dissatisfied, sitting on the table and meowing incessantly.

It was probably complaining.

Ye Yan glanced at it, realizing it wasn’t right to eat while the cat watched.

So, he took a large piece of oyster meat, carefully dipped it in sauce, and placed it in front of Egg Two, pointing,

“Eat this—it’s good for you.”