Translated by Eve

Song Xuanhe objected. He and Xiao Yuanmu had no future together. There was no need to remember his words.

Fortunately, the Director just so happened to return at this time. Song Xuanhe thus stood up and said, Director, youre back.

The Director had hurried over here because she had noticed that the rain seemed to have lightened up. She wanted to take advantage of the lighter rain and head over to their lodging right away. Therefore, she didnt come back into the room. The rain is lighter now. Lets head over right away.

Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu had no objections. Song Xuanhe supported the Director as she walked in the front and Xiao Yuanmu trailed behind them with the puppy in his arms. The party of three humans and one dog walked along the dark, quiet path. The rain pitter-pattered around them and the puppy occasionally whined. Because of this, it was no longer as terrifying as it had been before.

Although the Director was old, she was still very nimble on her feet. She was even more dexterous and graceful on her feet than the two men. In less than ten minutes, they reached the two-storied building where the orphanage employees and teachers lived.

Xiao Yuanmus room was the most innermost room on the second floor. It was next to the Directors room. Thus, the three of them climbed up the stairs one after another. When she reached her door, the Director smiled and said, The bathroom has everything you need. You two were soaked by the rain just now. It would be best if you two showered and warmed up your bodies before going to bed.

We know. Granny, you should go to bed early.

The Director made a sound of acknowledgement and then reminded them of a few more things before entering her room.

Song Xuanhe turned around to look at the door that was on the wall perpendicular to Xiao Yuanmus room. He pushed the door open and walked in. Inside was a cramped but clean washroom. He was surprised. Is this communal?

Xiao Yuanmu thought that he was disdaining it for being shabby so he didnt answer. He then heard Song Xuanhe say, The Director also got soaked by the rain just now. How about we let her go first?

When he didnt hear Xiao Yuanmus reply, Song Xuanhe shut the door and turned around. Or does the Director have a bathroom in her room?

No. Xiao Yuanmu said, a trace of warmth permeating through his cool, refreshing voice. Shes used to showering in the main building after dinner. Dont worry. Granny will boil a pot of hot water for herself.

Xiao Yuanmus voice was always a bit more gentle than usual when he was at the orphanage. But the fact that he was giving Song Xuanhe an explanation out of his own accord was new. Song Xuanhe glanced at Xiao Yuanmu, a bit astonished. But he didnt say anything else.

Xiao Yuanmu opened the door to his room. After letting Song Xuanhe in, he brought the puppy to a corner of his room and then used some of his clothes to make a little padded area for him. He looked up and said to Song Xuanhe, There are clothes in the wardrobe you can change into. Grab whatever you want and go take a shower.

Song Xuanhe didnt do that. Instead, he watched with keen interest as Xiao Yuanmu helped dry the puppys fur. The rain had been too strong just now. Furthermore, the wind had blown in all directions. Not only had the humans gotten soaked, but the puppy had ended up wet too. But compared to them, the puppy was only a little wet.

The puppy seemed to understand who it was that truly liked him and would treat him well. As Xiao Yuanmu wiped him dry, he barked in his sweet puppy voice and wagged his tail quickly. He would also occasionally lick Xiao Yuanmus hand.

Im the one who picked him up. Song Xuanhe clicked his tongue. Who would have expected that he would only repay me, his benefactor, by peeing on me? Meanwhile, he wags his tail at you and licks your hand.

Xiao Yuanmu gently petted the puppys head. His tone was still gentle, void of its usual frost. His voice sounded even more refreshing and pure against the sound of the torrential rain. Animals are different from humans. They can tell whos a good person and whos a bad person. They may not necessarily hold a grudge against bad people, but if someone is kind to them, they will remember it for the rest of their lives.

Song Xuanhe stared at Xiao Yuanmus lowered eyes thoughtfully. The corner of his lips rose. I didnt expect you to like dogs.

Xiao Yuanmu placed the dried puppy onto the soft clothes and stood up. He looked at Song Xuanhe and said in a flat tone, Sometimes, dogs are more likeable than humans.

When Song Xuanhe heard this, he nodded in agreement. With a smile that didnt reach his eyes, he said, Of course. Otherwise, where would we have gotten the term worse than a beast?

With this, he decided to stop their chat there. He casually grabbed an outfit from the wardrobe and said, Ill go wash up.

It was only under the hot spray of the shower that Song Xuanhe finally felt the chill dissipate from his body.

I didnt expect that the big shot would have had such a tragic childhood.

The Systems voice suddenly sounded while Song Xuanhe was washing his hair. Even though it was familiar, it still startled Song Xuanhe to suddenly hear a voice in his head while his body was in such a relaxed state.

But after the surprise passed, he felt regret. He could have asked the System what had been behind him during that episode with Xiao Yuanmu on that path. He had been too scared at the time to think straight. The System had known that Xiao Yuanmu was digging a pit for him but it hadnt taken the initiative to tell him that. It frequently called him brother but it looks like its feelings of camaraderie were quite superficial.

Song Xuanhe didnt hide his thoughts from the System. When the System heard this, it felt wronged and explained I had gone to look up what had happened to the big shot during his childhood so I hadnt been paying attention to what was happening on your side. I had been shocked at the time. I didnt expect that this worlds protagonist would have gone through so much in his childhood. Do you know why hes afraid of snakes?

Song Xuanhe paused while washing his hair. The shampoo fell into his eyes so he wiped it away. In a flat tone, he saidNo. And I dont want to know.

The System was taken aback. It had thought that Song Xuanhe would definitely want to know why. It couldnt help but askWhy not?

No reason.Song Xuanhe tilted his head up and let the water hit his forehead. Some of it then flowed down the back of his head while the rest of it trickled down his eyelashes. When his hair was fully rinsed of all suds, he said I dont need to get any more involved with Xiao Yuanmu. We humans have a saying: curiosity killed the cat. Its the same with me and Xiao Yuanmu. Nothing good will come out of me finding out more about him.

The System fell silent when it heard this. After some time, it askedBecause he threatened you after you found out about his fear of snakes?

No.

Song Xuanhe pursed his lips. He wasnt blind. He naturally didnt think that Xiao Yuanmu had really been threatening him back then. At least, the threat hadnt held any negative emotions. But it wasnt necessarily friendly either. Xiao Yuanmus pitch-black eyes back then had seemed to emit light. It had been both scorching and stunning.

If he were to describe them, he would say that the other had looked like he was a wanderer in the desert who had finally caught sight of an oasisit was frenzied, scorching, and full of a desire to possess.

Song Xuanhe could understand how Xiao Yuanmu must have felt. Some people would choose to silence people who came across the secret they wanted to keep hidden, because they were afraid that they wouldnt be able to control that person. But there were others that would react differently in the same situation. These people would feel excited.

Bearing a secret on your own is lonesome and hard to bear. Even if its a difficult-to-overcome psychological shadow, control freaks wont allow it to become their weak point. Instead of trying to hide it, they would much rather thoroughly rid themselves of this fear and overcome it.

Therefore, if someone were to find out about their secret, then they would definitely try to think of a way to get full control over this person. They would then make them into their most special person.

There were many kinds of special people. For example, friends, family members, or even lovers. But regardless of the relationship status, one thing they all have in common was that these control freaks were extremely controlling of their special people. Furthermore, they demanded to be the closest person to them.

He and Xiao Yuanmu were not at that stage yet. That was why he didnt want to find out anything more about Xiao Yuanmus past. People will subconsciously open their hearts to people they share a secret with, or to people who know of their secrets.

And he didnt need Xiao Yuanmu to open his heart to him. This was because he knew that Xiao Yuanmus past would cause him to waver.

The System didnt understand. When it saw that Song Xuanhe was done bathing, it askedSo whats the reason?

Song Xuanhe put on the change of clothes. His expression was frightfully coldI already told you, its because I dont want to know too much about his past. Nothing good will come out of it. In contrast, knowing too much will only bring misfortune.

The System didnt speak again. Song Xuanhe pushed the door open and stood in the cold air for a while. After he started to shiver, he knocked on Xiao Yuanmus door and walked in.

Xiao Yuanmu was currently on the phone. When he saw Song Xuanhe walk in, he hung up. He took pause when he noticed the others pale lips and asked, Are you feeling unwell?

No. Song Xuanhe dried his hair with the towel and avoided Xiao Yuanmus gaze. Go wash up. Its getting late.

When Xiao Yuanmu heard this, he stared at Song Xuanhe for a bit. But all he could see was the shifting white towel. His eyes darkened slightly and his voice regained its usual chill. Thats my towel. I only have one.

Song Xuanhe stopped wiping his hair and threw it at the other. He then lifted the covers off the bed and sat down. I didnt know. Its a bit wet now. Sorry.

Xiao Yuanmus eyes darkened even more. His gaze flitted around Song Xuanhes cold and obviously distant expression. His tone was unreadable. This is the first time youve apologized to me.

I should apologize to you. Song Xuanhe didnt bother with his still damp hair and curled up under the sheets. He said, You were nice enough to shelter me at your expense. So I should obviously apologize to you.

His tone was really matter-of-fact and polite. There was none of the usual bossy, spoiled rich kid undertones.

Xiao Yuanmu didnt know why, but a strange fire lit up in his chest. He threw the towel onto the bed and bent over to pinch Song Xuanhes chin. He said, Were dating so you dont owe me anything for letting you stay. But as for my expense, I really have been losing out.

After he said this, Xiao Yuanmu pressed his lips against Song Xuanhes. The moment he stuck his tongue into the others mouth, he also reached into Song Xuanhes clothes. Unlike his overbearing kiss, his hands moved very gently across Song Xuanhes smooth skin in a heedless manner.

Song Xuanhe was taken aback. He then immediately began to struggle. Although he wasnt as strong as Xiao Yuanmu, they were both men. In a short amount of time, he was able to break free of the others hold.

Xiao Yuanmu stood up straight and peered down onto him. He said in a cool tone, Isnt this normal between lovers? Havent I been losing out on our arrangement because we havent been doing this?

Song Xuanhe had been caught unprepared by that kiss. He was left even more stunned upon hearing these illogical words uttered in a matter-of-fact tone.

Xiao Yuanmu leaned over again under Song Xuanhes guarded gaze. When their eyes met, he smiled. Since Ive incurred a loss because of you, shouldnt you apologize andmake it up to me?

Xiao Yuanmu put his emphasis on the last five words, his voice sounding deep and hoarse, like he was enticing Song Xuanhe to give him a satisfactory response.

Eve: Excuse me, Ill be over here blushing while rolling around in my bed squealing.