Originally, Oaks had planned to take Zhang back to treat his wounds, then at most help him find a place to live. That would count as lending a hand to this unlucky kid and three-quarters of a fellow countryman.
As for Goose, keeping her at home would not only give him a devastating guard beast, but also provide cover for his orange-cat form.
Although he now had the strength to handle most threats and could begin the next phase of his plan, the identity he had painstakingly cultivated still needed work.
It was not quite time for his abilities to be exposed.
He should not have gotten involved with ordinary people at this point. That was a major reason why Oaks had turned down such generous research conditions.
But he had never expected Goose to open her mouth...
"Emerald Dream" Plant Shop.
The shop was still closed, with a "Resting" sign hanging on the door.
Oaks had originally intended to relax today and enjoy a pleasant birthday. He had even planned to go to Chinatown on Eighth Avenue for an authentic Chinese meal.
But now, looking at Zhang still unconscious on the sofa, he was troubled.
What should he do? He did not know how to alter memories.
Should he silence him instead?
When Zhang slowly woke up, the first thing he saw was Oaks staring blankly at him, a vicious glint seemingly flashing through his eyes.
"Ah! Hero... Master... no, Immortal, spare my life!"
His overwhelming survival instinct instantly cleared Zhang's still-foggy mind. He rolled off the sofa in a faceplant posture, barely stopping himself from landing flat on the floor.
Without even daring to cry out in pain, Zhang immediately took the opportunity to perform a full prostration.
"Immortal! Zhang Shuren is willing to obey the Immortal's every command and will absolutely not reveal a single word about the Immortal... uh, and the immortal pet! If I break this oath, may Heaven strike me down with lightning!"
"..."
Zhang's performance left Oaks utterly dumbfounded. After a long moment, he pinched the bridge of his nose with a helpless laugh.
"Enough. Have you read too many cultivation novels? What immortal, what immortal pet... Get up. It's not like I was going to kill you."
No, you definitely thought about it!
Zhang wailed inwardly. What immortal? That had merely been a survival tactic... They were clearly a demon lord and a demon pet!
"Uh... Thank you, Immortal, for sparing my life!"
Life abroad was so dangerous... Still, at least he had managed to keep his life.
Zhang felt miserable. First, he had gotten beaten up just for watching the excitement, and then he had witnessed...
Hm?
Rubbing his chin, Zhang sank into deep thought. Come to think of it, this was not all that hard to accept.
"Got something on your mind?"
Oaks was a little surprised. This guy seemed to have calmed down immediately?
Were young people these days really so accepting of supernatural phenomena?
"Ah, Immor—"
"You should just call me Mr. Oaks. After all, unlike a certain smug guy, I don't need people constantly emphasizing my degree."
Looking at Zhang's bewildered expression, Oaks smiled slightly and extended his right hand.
"You're in my shop right now, which is also my home.
Let me introduce myself again. I'm Oaks Lin, Chinese name Lin Xingye, a PhD in biology from Cornell University and the owner of this plant shop, 'Emerald Dream.'"
"Ah... Dr. Lin!"
Zhang froze for a moment, then sprang up from the sofa. What had just happened was already forgotten, replaced by excitement and respect.
He hurriedly clasped Oaks's outstretched right hand with both of his, so excited that he could barely speak coherently.
"I should have recognized you earlier! You're the genius biologist who single-handedly elevated Cornell University's Biology Department into the top three in the United States two years ago—
You were only twenty-three, just three years older than me. At twenty-three, I don't even know if I'll be able to graduate with my master's degree..."
"Uh, was I really that famous?"
Oaks scratched his head. He had already been away from school for two years, yet even an international student from another university knew him?
"You're Chinese!"
"...All right. A twenty-year-old graduate student studying abroad, and at Columbia University no less—you're no ordinary student either. And for an international student, your English is unexpectedly good."
Shrugging, Oaks withdrew his hand from Zhang's paws and gave a light cough.
"So, about earlier. You saw some unusual things. What do you think?"
Zhang shuddered. His admiration for a senior was immediately shattered by the cold reality—Dr. Lin standing before him was far more than just a biology PhD.
Wait, biology...
"So that's it!"
Zhang's eyes widened, his face full of sudden realization.
"That big orange cat—was she your creation? Are you researching biological modification?"
"Uh... You could say that, more or less. I liked reading the Classic of Mountains and Seas when I was little."
The corners of Oaks's mouth lifted slightly. That was the advantage of having an established identity.
If it were the Mystic Society, it would provoke unnecessary panic and speculation. But things within the realm of science were much easier to accept—especially for an intellectual.
"What a... shocking achievement!"
Zhang grew excited.
"Dr. Lin... um, Mr. Oaks, I also liked reading Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio when I was little—and I just remembered that my hometown has plenty of strange legends too!"
"Strange legends?"
Oaks rubbed his chin. No wonder this guy was so accepting. But Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio? Was he serious?
"That's right. My hometown is in Hunan, and my alma mater is Hunan University—I was sent by my university to Columbia University for my master's degree."
As he said this, Zhang looked somewhat proud. After all, not just any top student could qualify for that level of sponsored study abroad.
But when he remembered the identity of the person before him, he coughed lightly and calmed down.
"My major is in the Environmental Science Department, but I've also studied veterinary medicine quite extensively.
Because I really like cats, dogs, and other pets. I couldn't keep any while I was in school, so..."
Smiling sheepishly, Zhang put on a mysterious expression.
"Mr. Oaks, in my hometown of Hunan, there are legends of an immortal Inhuman... They say he built a massive organization that has endured for thousands of years, and that many historical events were connected to him!
So a cat demon... uh, modified organism or whatever, is nothing!"
"..."
Oaks did not simply dismiss it as a joke.
Hunan, a massive organization passed down for millennia, an immortal Inhuman...
Why did it sound so much like a promotional video from before he had transmigrated?
Well, at least this troublesome guy would not have any psychological barriers now.
And this guy was not just a cat person—he liked dogs too?
But just to be safe...
"Mm, Zhang, you don't mind if I call you that?"
Seeing Zhang nod repeatedly, Oaks smiled as well.
"Goose—the big orange cat—is very important to my research. So before I make it public, I hope the information does not leak out through you, all right?"
"No problem! That's only natural!" Zhang swore fervently.
"Good. Then, since we're fated to meet,
you don't need to go looking for a place to live. Stay here with me."
Oaks pointed upstairs.
"There's a separate two-bedroom apartment on the second floor. It's where I lived as a child. You can stay there."
"Ah, Mr. Oaks, this is too much trouble for you..."
Zhang had just been about to decline when he saw Goose strolling over with elegant catlike steps. He secretly wiped away a bead of sweat.
"Then, the rent..."
"Help me watch the shop when you don't have classes, and that'll cover the rent. Meals are included, and the pay won't be lower than what you make working at school.
Your student visa doesn't allow you to work off campus, but no one will come check on you here."
"Deal!"
Before you continue