Chapter Fifty-One: Will You Believe Me? Special Update for Gold Diamond (2/3)

Hearing this, I quickly asked another question. “By the way, besides Ningning, what about the other cat’s life you mentioned? What happened there?”

Xiao Yi stopped in her tracks. After a moment’s thought—perhaps realizing I wasn’t the culprit and beginning to believe me—she uttered something so shocking I nearly fainted.

“Because Fishball is dead.”

“What?!” My eyes widened as I staggered back a few steps, then collapsed onto the ground with a thud, staring blankly around me.

“Fishball... is dead?”

I couldn’t believe what she’d said; I couldn’t accept that Fishball was gone! Aren’t kittens supposed to be immortal? How could he be dead?!

“Fishball was once the Soul-Calming Cat! Now he’s the Guardian Cat—how could he die? Who could possibly defeat him?!”

I lunged forward, slightly unhinged, grabbing Xiao Yi with my paws and urgently questioning her.

“How should I know? Maybe it was another Guardian Cat as powerful as him that killed him. For example— you.”

“Me?” I was stunned. “No, no! It wasn’t me! How could I have killed Fishball!”

Xiao Yi flicked her paw dismissively. “Then go explain yourself. If you don’t, they’ll say you did it. They have evidence—do you?”

“What evidence?” My confusion only deepened; I had no idea what kind of game Xiao Yi was playing.

Still, even though I didn’t know what she was talking about, I realized I did need to explain myself. Xiao Yi was right—if I’m truly innocent, why shouldn’t I defend myself?

“You’ll see what evidence they have if you go in yourself. No need to ask me here.”

I lowered my head, gazing at my paws, lost in thought. If others can present evidence to prove I’m the villain, I should be able to counter with my own proof to clear my name!

“Thank you!” Having thought it through, I bowed my head in gratitude to Xiao Yi.

Whether she was friend or foe, every word she’d said was fair and to the point. She’d even helped me untangle things I’d been unable to figure out lately.

“Go on, go.” Xiao Yi waved her paw, sounding a little exasperated, as if running out of patience with me.

Entering the main hall, I immediately saw Rebecca seated at the center.

Beside her, as always, was Wangchuan’s chair, a few little black dragons coiled upon it, but the seat itself was empty.

At that moment, three to five dozen kittens crowded the hall, along with Rebecca and Claudia.

Rebecca saw me and gave a gentle smile but said nothing.

Xiao Yi entered the hall, surveyed the scene, then settled on her haunches.

“Bai Qianqian is here. The master said he’ll deal with her when he returns.”

Claudia stepped forward, glancing at an object nearby covered in white cloth.

“Is it really necessary to wait? The evidence is clear—as far as I’m concerned, she could be executed right now.”

In a flash, Xiao Yi darted in front of me, standing firm and mechanical as she declared her stance.

“The master ordered me to bring Bai Qianqian back. He said, ‘You must ensure nothing happens to White Meowmeow before I return.’ Anyone who tries to harm her is defying his orders—I won’t be merciful.”

Claudia bared her claws, pointing at Xiao Yi.

“Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong!”

With a swift motion, Xiao Yi’s blade extended from her paw! It was obviously retractable—now glinting cold and sharp, half a meter long!

Claudia seemed alarmed and shrank back a little. “Let’s not get rash—maybe... let’s just wait.”

Xiao Yi retracted her weapon just as quickly, standing aside as if nothing had happened.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside. All of us cats turned to look.

Pei Mu and Wangchuan were approaching, chatting and laughing.

“So many kittens waiting for you—come here, I need a cuddle!” With that, he lunged at a cluster of kittens.

One unfortunate kitten was nearly flattened beneath Pei Mu.

“Ha! Got one!” Pei Mu started kneading the kitten.

“Meow—” The poor thing let out a pitiful sound, but couldn’t escape.

I recognized this kitten as Junjun. Poor little thing...

After a bit of roughhousing, Junjun seized a moment when Pei Mu was distracted and darted away!

Pei Mu, with a howl, dashed off in pursuit, disappearing from sight.

Wangchuan shook his head, seemingly exasperated by Pei Mu’s childishness, and walked to his chair to sit down.

“So everyone’s here—I’m the last, ha.” He looked at Rebecca, who was crouched by his chair, and reached out to scratch her head.

Rebecca flicked her ears, looking utterly content, eyes narrowing as she replied, “We haven’t waited long, as long as you're happy, Master.”

It was a simple exchange—too simple. But something felt off.

Why was Wangchuan so polite today? His politeness was almost unsettling.

Rebecca waved her paw, signaling the kittens to act.

As they moved toward the covered object, a chill ran down my spine and I stepped back uneasily.

They pulled away the white cloth, revealing a blackened, charred kitten.

Even though all the fur was burned away, it was clear at a glance—this cat was much larger than the others!

The only big cat here was Fishball! Being male, he was much bigger than the females!

Seeing this, I couldn’t stop trembling.

Many kittens around me had already started crying; I didn’t know their relationship to Fishball, but I knew I wanted to weep as well.

But the circumstances wouldn’t even allow me that release.

Fishball’s body was completely burnt, unrecognizable, lying lifeless.

Looking at Rebecca and the others, I noticed a strange, secretive smile in their eyes.

Suddenly, Xiao Yi’s words echoed in my mind. Was this all an elaborate trap set by these cats to frame me?

Did they kill Fishball just to set me up?!

I sat there in disbelief until Wangchuan called out to me.

“White Meowmeow, any thoughts?”

“I...” I looked up at Wangchuan. “I didn’t kill Fishball...”

“Who’d believe that,” Claudia scoffed from the side, chiming in at the perfect moment.

Wangchuan turned to her. “Oh? You don’t believe her?”

“No, Master, I don’t.” She stretched lazily, then sauntered over to Fishball’s body. “First, this tomcat was closest to Bai Qianqian. We all know Fishball was powerful. Who else but Bai Qianqian could have killed him?”

At this, my agitation surged. Once or twice I could let it go, but after being accused repeatedly, anyone would lose patience!

“How can you say that? I wasn’t the only one close to him! You could get near him too! Why pin this on me?” I snapped back, furious.

“But you were the closest to Fishball—you had the perfect opportunity! Maybe Fishball knew some shameful secret of yours, and you silenced him! After all, you already killed Ningning, and now you’re accused of being a traitor! Maybe Fishball knew too much, and you killed him to shut him up—”

“You’re really creative! I was even closer to Xiaoyun than to Fishball! If anyone knew my secrets, it’d be Xiaoyun—so why is Xiaoyun still fine?” I glared at this slanderous foreign cat, gritting my teeth.

“Ha—Xiaoyun’s just lucky!” Claudia shook her head, clicking her tongue.

“Why not say you’re the lucky one! If I were to kill anyone, you’d be first!” My heart pounded with rage.

“Oh? So you admit you’re the traitor, that you killed Ningning? Xiaoyun knows all this? You want to kill me too?” Claudia blinked, her smile devious and dark.

“You’re spouting nonsense!” I was nearly ready to pounce on her, trembling with anger.

She acted like an unreasonable schoolchild, twisting words and setting traps.

“Whether I’m slandering you or not, you know best. Everything I said is fact.”

“Fact, my ass—” A kitten somewhere muttered.

“Hahaha—” I laughed aloud, finally voicing what was in my heart. “Claudia, deeds are seen by heaven above. Whatever garbage you say will only come back to haunt you. You accuse me of killing Ningning—where’s your evidence? You say I killed Fishball—no evidence either. You keep running your mouth. Does your mother even know?”

“Oh, heavens, my conscience is clear as the moon. I act only to root out traitors for the master.” Claudia even glanced at Wangchuan as she spoke.

Those bottomless black eyes were as cold as ever, but suddenly, he smiled, as if encouraging her.

“And as for Fishball’s cause of death—he was burned to death. Coincidentally, the master recently rewarded White Meowmeow with a fire element spirit orb, and now Fishball dies in a blaze. What a coincidence—such a coincidence it’s hard to believe.”

“If I were to burn someone, you’d be first!” I waved my paws, barely restraining myself from actually doing it.

“That’s the second time you’ve threatened to kill me. I’m so scared! You’re so vicious and violent—how can you still claim you’re innocent?”

“I am! I have nothing to do with it!” I retorted firmly, glancing at Wangchuan and then back at Claudia. “You’re going to convict me just because Fishball died in a fire? Lightning can start a fire too! Don’t you cook with fire at home? Am I the only one in the world who can use fire?!”

At that, Wangchuan couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

I turned to look at him, squinting, and noticed a change in his eyes—a glimmer of amusement, perhaps recalling that embarrassing moment when I accidentally set my face on fire in the room.

I looked at him, then suddenly asked, “Do you believe me?”

The hall fell absolutely silent. Only I, with unwavering conviction, stared at Wangchuan.

He smiled faintly, answering without hesitation, “I believe you.”

I stared at Wangchuan, breath caught in my throat, never expecting such a simple answer from him.

But just then, Rebecca flicked her tail and came down, sitting before Wangchuan.

“Master, I have both witness testimony and physical evidence that Bai Qianqian killed Fishball.”