Mr. Rat of the Steam World

Chapter 19 Oath of the Peach Garden
"run!"

Lu Ran's hair stood on end, and he turned and ran. But the calico cat was like a black lightning bolt, instantly rushing in front of Lu Ran, its amber eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Grey mouse?" The calico cat's voice was like ice, each word scraping Lu Ran's ears.

"Wait, boss!"

Bella was stunned when she saw Lu Ran. She scrambled over and stood between Lu Ran and the calico cat, her tail tucked nervously between her hind legs: "I-I can't move!"

The calico cat squinted at Bella and glanced at her: "What?"

Bella stammered, her claws digging at the ground in her haste: "This...this is that two-legged beast's new favorite. If we kill it...it'll be hard to explain."

destroyed.

Lu Ran had already understood the cat's personality from the brief conversation, and this sentence was definitely going to cause trouble.

"A new favorite?" The calico cat laughed angrily. "Isn't it perfect to kill him? Why would I need to worry about that two-legged beast?"

Feeling the killing intent that was about to be unleashed at any moment.

"Wait!"

Fearing that Bella would lose her life if she said a few more words, Lu Ran spoke without hesitation, shouting at the top of her lungs under the astonished gazes of the cat and dog.

"It's a misunderstanding, boss. It's all a misunderstanding. I've also awakened my wisdom. We're on the same side."

The calico cat, which had been looking fierce, suddenly froze, its adorable expression turning into something even cuter.

"You can talk too?"

"It's a package." Lu Ran held up his hand. "May I ask your name first, brother?"

The calico cat looked Lu Ran up and down and said coldly, "Sang Biao."

……

"Miss, your scones are really good."

The maid Tamara held the gilded baking tray, her fingertips almost burning from the heat of the freshly baked food, yet she couldn't bear to look away. She gently touched the crust with her silver fork, and the crust made a soft, crisp sound.

Afra was wiping the flour off her fingertips with a silk handkerchief embroidered with lilies of the valley. Her indigo apron made her neck appear even whiter, and there were still specks of flour on the ends of her hair. She looked more down-to-earth than she usually did in the living room.

“Of course.” Afra raised her chin and smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. “Speaking of which, your sister taught me this. Don’t you know how?”

Tamara tightened her grip on the baking tray and said quickly.

“I used to live alone in Baker City and do odd jobs, so I didn’t learn much from my sister.”

Afra noticed the calluses on her hands and softened her voice: "How is your sister's illness? Should I have the housekeeper invite the doctor from town to take a look?"

"No, no, no!" Tamara hurriedly shook her head, a hint of fear appearing in her eyes, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her apron. "It's just a minor illness, I'll be fine after resting at home for a while."

Seeing that she was sweating profusely, Afra stopped insisting and simply pushed the scone in front of her, comforting her, "Relax, you don't have to be so nervous doing things for me. Your sister and I are good friends. If you want, you can still stay at the manor even if your sister comes back."

Tamara's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly thanked her, "Thank you, Miss, thank you, Miss..."

"correct."

To change the subject, Afra suddenly clapped her hands.

Have you ever kept gray squirrels as pets before?

Tamara was taken aback: "Is it the same one that Miss brought back yesterday?"

"Yes, yes, aren't they beautiful?" Afra's voice was filled with excitement as she spoke of the gray squirrels. "And they're also very intelligent."

Tamara exclaimed in surprise, "Smart?"

“These gray rats don’t like cages and like to run around everywhere. They’re so mysterious, I don’t know what they’re plotting all day. I can’t quite put my finger on what’s wrong, but something just feels off.” Tamara shook her head, puzzled. “What secrets could gray rats have? Maybe they’re just out sunbathing.”

Afra, however, said with certainty, "That's different. These gray rats were raised by the detective; they're smart enough to completely understand what I'm saying..."

As Tamara listened to the young lady's endless chatter, a fleeting thought seemed to flash through her mind, and she unconsciously recalled the inexplicable stares she had received several times in the dark when no one was around. However, she did not show it on her face, but instead offered enthusiastic and supportive agreement.

"Really? That's amazing!"

……

"Big brother! Second brother!"

"Second brother! Third brother!"

"Big brother, third brother!"

Lu Ran said excitedly, "Brother Sang Biao, as long as you give the order to let my rats pass safely, hundreds or even thousands of rats will be entering the country to be at your command in no time. Not to mention canned meat, as long as you give the order, I can empty the warehouse of those two-legged beasts in one night."

Seeing Lu Ran's aggressive approach, Sanhuamao Sangbiao waved his hand somewhat embarrassedly: "There's really no need for that. Our foundation is too shallow. We should proceed slowly and methodically."

Bella was completely bewildered as she stared at the cat and mouse who had suddenly become as close as brothers.

“There’s another problem.” Bella suddenly raised her paw, and instantly two pairs of eyes swept over her, startling the dog into stammering.

"Um... why am I the third brother?"

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow, jumped up, and gave Bella a sharp rap on the head.

"You have a problem with me, your second brother?"

Bella honestly replied, "A little."

Lu Ran choked, wondering how this dog had suddenly become so clever. Seeing that Sang Biao Sanhua had also realized what was happening, he quickly and confidently said...

"If we're going to rank people by seniority, then we should let strength speak for itself. How can we be so superficial about who came first? The most basic thing to prove your strength is to be the leader of your own race. Do you think any other dogs will respect you?"

Bella shook her head blankly: "No."

Lu Ran clapped his hands: "That's settled then. I have so many rat brothers under my command. I'm a generation below you. Even if I acknowledge them, my own brothers won't."

Sang Biao nodded with a look of sudden realization, then immediately glanced at Bella with a look of disappointment.

"How did you end up like this? Alright, alright, it's settled then."

After speaking, he looked at Lu Ran.

"I will give instructions to the other cats to keep the south side of the manor cleared. You can go find your other mouse brothers today. I will inform you of any other plans later."

Lu Ran raised his hand: "Understood!"

Sang Biao Sanhua nodded, then instantly exerted force in his hind leg muscles, turning into a gray afterimage and disappearing from sight in a few moments, which amazed Lu Ran.

This cat has clearly not only awakened intelligence, but its physique also seems to have been enhanced to an abnormal level. Speed ​​and strength are relative, and with such speed, its strength must be quite high as well. No wonder it can tame a large dog like Bella so easily.

Lu Ran glanced at Bella beside him and said, "What are you looking at? Hurry up and get down so I can get on."

"Alright... Second Brother."

Bella looked somewhat reluctant, but she still obediently let Lu Ran sit on her head.

The rat and the dog wobbled back, and Lu Ran, who was sitting on Bella's lap, suddenly spoke.

"Bella, don't you have any other impressions of me?"

(End of this chapter)