Jian Wei, who had been enduring Xiaobao’s chatter with thinning patience, finally snapped. "Please leave together," he said, his voice edged with desperation. "I could use so peace and quiet."
Xiaobao only smiled sweetly, tilting her head. "Or maybe not. I can stay here with senior and be your lab assistant."
Jian Wei froze, his expression blank. "..."
Thankfully, Yu Xi stepped in, rescuing him from the impending tornt. He ushered both Jian Ci and Xiaobao out of the house, leaving Jian Wei behind. The mont the door of his lab closed, Jian Wei exhaled a long sigh of relief. Silence at last. After Xiaobao’s incessant yapping the previous night, the quiet felt like a blessing.
He leaned back in his chair, reflecting. How Xiaobao and Yu Xi were born from the sa mother yet had such different personalities baffled him. Then again, he realized, it was the sa with his own siblings—each one cut from a different cloth.
Just as he was beginning to enjoy the peace, Jian Rui appeared, moving so quietly that Jian Wei nearly jumped out of his skin. "For fuck’s sake," Jian Wei exclaid. "Why are you walking silently? Are you trying to scare to death? I almost thought it was Xiaobao here to torture ."
Jian Rui raised an eyebrow, calm as ever. "Isn’t she useful as an assistant? She could help you with your research."
Jian Wei groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Don’t even joke about that."
Jian Rui hesitated, his lips pressed into a thin line. He was afraid to tell Jian Wei the truth, that he had already agreed to bring Xiaobao along. Not only would she move in, but she would also work with Jian Wei. It was the only way she could remain close to Yu Xi, and at the sa ti, Jian Rui could keep her safe as part of his deal with Eros. "Can’t you get along?"
Jian Wei’s reaction was imdiate. "No we can’t. She keeps talking and talking. She almost drove insane last night."
Jian Rui’s eyes narrowed. "Last night?"
Jian Wei froze. "..."
"Why are you asking like that?" Jian Wei demanded, his tone defensive.
"I don’t know," Jian Rui replied evenly. "You two were sneaking around last night. You tell ."
Jian Wei groaned, rubbing his temples. "Not like that. For fuck’s sake, she’s not my type. Never. Plus, she’s a kid."
Jian Rui’s voice hardened. "You better stay thinking that, because Yu Xi will kill you if you don’t—and I won’t stop him."
Jian Wei clenched his jaw. "What do you want?"
Jian Rui finally spoke the truth, his tone calm but unyielding. "Get used to her. She is here to stay."
Jian Wei stared at him, speechless, his silence heavy. "..."
He suddenly laughed incredulously, his voice echoing through the hallway. "Stay where?"
Jian Rui’s expression remained calm, almost detached. "Here. She will be here more often if she’s not at school."
Jian Wei froze, his laughter dying instantly, replaced by shock. "..."
Jian Rui turned to leave, his tone firm. "So you better get along."
Jian Wei scrambled to his feet, chasing after him. He blocked Jian Rui’s path, his voice rising. "Wait, wait, wait! Why the hell would you agree to that?"
Jian Rui’s gaze was steady. "I told you who Yu Xi’s grandfather is. This was one of the terms."
Jian Wei groaned. "Rui-ge, it’s like planting a spy. She is not to be trusted."
"That’s why she is your responsibility," Jian Rui replied evenly.
"My responsibility? Wow..." Jian Wei muttered, his disbelief clear. "Did you even ask Mum about this?"
"I did," Jian Rui said simply. "And she agreed."
Jian Rui walked past him, but Jian Wei wailed in displeasure, chasing after him again. "Please, please, pleassseeeee, don’t let work with her. She talks too much, asks too many questions, plus she touches everything!"
Jian Rui’s voice was calm but cutting. "You also said she is smart and has great ideas."
"I was being nice!" Jian Wei protested.
Jian Rui’s stare was sharp, almost accusing. Why are you lying? it seed to say.
Jian Wei sighed, defeated. "Fine, fine, I said that. But that doesn’t an I can work with her."
"For my sake," Jian Rui said quietly, "at least try."
Jian Wei stood there, speechless. "..."
***
While Jian Wei was spiraling into a ntal crisis back at ho, Jian Ci was in the VIP lounge with Yu Xi and Xiaobao, imrsed in the spectacle of ch battles. The atmosphere was electric, the massive screens projecting towering machines clashing with thunderous force.
Xiaobao’s excitent was so intense her eyes looked ready to pop out of her skull. She bounced in her seat, unable to contain herself, her energy perfectly matched by Jian Ci, who cheered alongside her with unrestrained enthusiasm. Yu Xi, quieter, simply watched them, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he observed their joy.
The waiter arrived with a tray of drinks, placing them neatly before the trio. Yu Xi picked up his glass and took a sip, his gaze drifting idly toward the bar. He noticed a man staring in their direction. Yu Xi quickly looked away, dismissing it.
Monts later, the waiter returned, this ti carrying a shimring cocktail that glowed like a star cloud. It was a strong drink called Nebula’s Veil. Yu Xi frowned. "I didn’t order this."
The waiter smiled politely. "Courtesy of the gentleman over there."
Yu Xi picked up the card resting on the tray. The words were bold: You are handso. I would like to get to know you. A contact number was scrawled at the bottom.
Yu Xi was about to tell the waiter to send it back when Xiaobao leaned over, her eyes wide. "Wow, pretty drink!" she exclaid.
Jian Ci, catching the shift in Yu Xi’s expression, glanced over and saw the card in his hand. His smile faltered, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
He narrowed his eyes, leaning closer. "What’s that?" he asked, snatching the card from Yu Xi’s hand before he could hide it. His gaze skimd the words, and his expression hardened. Without hesitation, he scanned the lounge, his eyes locking onto the man at the bar who was staring directly at Yu Xi.
Jian Ci’s entire energy shifted in an instant. He rose to his feet, his chair scraping against the floor. His aura flared, psychic power surging like a storm.
His eyes glowed with a fierce violet light, sharp and dangerous. "Hey," he barked, his voice cutting through the hum of the lounge. "Does this look like an illicit club to you?"
Yu Xi reacted imdiately, standing and grabbing Jian Ci’s arm. This wasn’t the first ti he had to calm him down, and he knew the signs well. "Let it go," Yu Xi whispered urgently, pulling him back.
But Jian Ci’s glare was locked on the man, his fury barely contained. If Yu Xi hadn’t been there, he would have strangled him already.
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