Chapter 17: Who Is L?

The puppy had been taken away by Wei Qingxuan for “program adjustments.”

A few days of adjustments turned into nearly a week.

Wen Qi went back to sleeping with the kitten as usual, her blanket warm and soft every night. But when Chen Yuyi returned from her hometown and took the kitten back, the room suddenly felt emptier without the familiar daily “meow.”

It grew noticeably colder.

‘Maybe I’m just missing a bed-warmer, she thought silently.’

“Wei Qingxuan, when can I have my puppy back?”

On the way to the billiards hall, she finally asked. If he delayed any longer, she was seriously considering buying a cat of her own.

“I’ll finish the final tweaks after work today. I’ll bring it to you after dinner.”

“Really?” Wen Qi abandoned the cat-buying plan at once. “Then dress it up a bit. If I’m going to hold it while I sleep, it can’t be uncomfortable.”

It wasn’t a difficult request.

“Okay,” he agreed easily.

****

At the front desk, Chen Yuyi was already there. When she saw them walk in together, she shot Wen Qi a distinctly suggestive look.

Wei Qingxuan didn’t notice.

Wen Qi pretended not to.

Unfortunately, Chen Yuyi had no intention of letting it go. The moment Wen Qi carried the cue board in, she leaned closer.

“Xiao Qi, what’s going on between you two? I’ve been dying to ask since you started going into his lounge.”

“…Which kind of ‘going on’? We have many situations.”

Chen Yuyi’s curiosity burned brightly. “Are you together? Did you kiss? Is that ‘celestial beauty’ you mentioned last time him?”

Wen Qi had clearly underestimated her friend’s intuition. Just the brief silence from her was enough to confirm everything.

She chose the safest answer. “Yes. The ‘celestial beauty’ I mentioned before, that’s him.”

“So you touched him too?” Chen Yuyi’s eyes widened. She covered her mouth, lowering her voice. “How was it? Good?”

A flicker of memory surfaced. Wen Qi curved her lips slightly.

“Not bad.”

Chen Yuyi was about to ask more when someone tapped the counter.

Both of them looked up.

Wei Qingxuan stood there, face calm and cool. He deliberately avoided looking at Wen Qi.

“I have something to take care of. If anyone’s looking for me, tell them to call.”

Talking behind someone’s back and immediately seeing them, it was awkward enough that Chen Yuyi nodded stiffly. “Okay.”

After he left, she patted her chest. “Good thing we weren’t loud. That would’ve been mortifying.”

Wen Qi lifted her cup. “Relax.”

He usually let his gaze linger on her at the front desk.

This time, he hadn’t.

And when he turned away, his steps had been just slightly too rigid.

Wen Qi knew his expressions too well.

He definitely heard.

Chen Yuyi hadn’t even finished exhaling when Wen Qi added, “He definitely heard.”

“…”

“Can you not give me heart attacks?” she groaned.

“Should’ve let the kitten stay a few more days.”

“No way. I couldn’t sleep without her at home.”

Now it was Wen Qi who couldn’t sleep.

She had to admit, cute things held too much power over her.

****

That night, true to his word, Wei Qingxuan delivered the puppy.

It had been wrapped in soft cream-colored short fur, stuffed with temperature-regulating cotton. Perfect as a bedtime companion.

Just as Wen Qi settled into the lounge chair…

Ring.

Caller ID: Lan Yan.

“No time,” she said immediately upon answering.

This was the second call today. He wanted her to help again, this time to meet his mother.

Acting had its limits.

The first blind date disruption was one thing. But meeting parents? Absolutely not.

“Emergency,” Lan Yan said lazily, glancing at Zhang Yujia sitting across from him. “If you don’t come, who will?”

“Stop pretending. You can’t possibly be out of options-”

A small whirring sound interrupted her.

The puppy rolled over from the sofa to her feet, its round electronic eyes glowing warmly. A soft “woof” sounded from its speaker.

She was certain she hadn’t called it.

She picked it up and smiled. “Trying to eavesdrop again?”

In his room, Wei Qingxuan stared at the screen, fingers tightening around the remote.

Did she know?

He couldn’t be sure.

But he couldn’t ignore the call either.

The puppy wagged its tail. Its eyes turned into tiny heart shapes.

Looking at it, Wen Qi gave it a name.

“Little Ghost. You’re sleeping with me tonight.”

The words traveled clearly through the receiver.

Lan Yan raised a brow. “Wen Qi… isn’t that moving a little fast? If you want, I wouldn’t mind,” he added lightly.

“Lan Yan,” she snapped. “That has nothing to do with you.”

“Oh? Then who are you sleeping with?”

She didn’t answer. “I’m hanging up.”

“Come on. Talk to me. It’s boring being alone.”

“I charge by the hour. And how do you know I’m alone?”

Lan Yan paused. “Is Wei Qingxuan there?”

At the sound of his name, Wei Qingxuan’s eyes sharpened on the screen.

She had been on the phone for thirty minutes.

He remembered every word.

“Lan Yan,” he muttered under his breath.

Then Lan Yan’s voice came again.

“It’s fine if he’s there. We can all sleep together.”

The moment the words landed, the veins along Wei Qingxuan’s hand stood out.

“Together?” His voice was low, steady, but the weight in it deepened.

The air in the room felt frozen.

He waited.

Wen Qi finally replied.

“That’s bold. But you smell too mixed and dirty. I might suffocate.”

Lan Yan stiffened, then forced a grin.

“What scent do you like? I’ll wear it. And how do you know Wei Qingxuan’s so clean?”

Crash.

Everything on Wei Qingxuan’s desk hit the floor.

The remote was struck, activating the puppy.

In Wen Qi’s arms, Little Ghost suddenly lit up, tail wagging, chirping “Master” repeatedly.

“No shutdown. Stop.”

Nothing worked.

Program glitch again?

After fiddling uselessly, she ended the call and went to find Wei Qingxuan.

But by then, he was gone.

Ten at night. Alone. Blood on his fingers.

Suspicious.

She tried calling him.

His phone lay shattered on his bedroom floor upstairs.

****

Lan Yan’s apartment building had faulty hallway lights.

When Zhang Yujia stepped out, the flickering light illuminated a figure in the corner.

Cold eyes. Watching.

She screamed.

Lan Yan stepped out irritably, and was immediately punched.

Wei Qingxuan grabbed his collar, voice cold.

“I told you. Don’t provoke her. Sleeping together?” he repeated, each word sharp. “Are you asking to die?”

Lan Yan laughed through the blood in his mouth. “What? I like her. That’s a crime?”

“You’re too dirty,” Wei Qingxuan hissed. “You don’t deserve her.”

The fight escalated, blows landing heavy and relentless.

When he finally left, Lan Yan was slumped in the corner.

****

Back home, Wen Qi was asleep.

Wei Qingxuan entered her room quietly.

Would she get bored of him?

Would she replace him?

Would she choose someone like Lan Yan?

Little Ghost rolled quietly at his feet.

He picked up the calendar on her desk.

Several dates were circled in red. Next to them, a single letter.

L.

His breathing slowed dangerously.

He knelt onto the bed.

“Wen Qi,” he whispered.

She shifted in her sleep, turning away.

That small unconscious movement hardened his gaze.

His teeth sank lightly into the soft flesh of her shoulder, possessive, not gentle.

She stirred, half-awake.

Before she could push him away, he pinned her wrist against the pillow.

“Who is L?” His voice pressed hot against her skin. “Are you falling for someone else?”

“Are you insane?” she snapped, fully awake now. “What are you doing in the middle of the night?”

“I went to see Lan Yan,” he said hoarsely. “He won’t contact you again.”

“You fought him?” She caught the faint metallic scent of blood. “What did you do?”

“I’ll sleep with you,” he continued instead. “I’m warm. I’m obedient. I listen.”

His breath gradually steadied against her skin.

“Touch me.”

“No,” she shot back. “You’re heavy. Get off.”

The brief calm shattered.

His grip tightened.

If she just touched him, he could behave.

But she wouldn’t.

The words echoed in his head.

If she doesn’t like you, she’ll throw you away.

His other hand locked at her waist, pressing down.

She felt the heat in his palm, uncontrolled.

“Get off me,” she said louder, pushing at his chest. “You’re crushing me.”