The young cop immediately ruled out their observation target. That guy wasn’t the charitable type.
“As long as you’re okay.”
He didn’t suspect Shen Leyuan of filing a false report or anything like that. He was simply relieved the civilian was unharmed and uninjured, urging him not to feel burdened and praising him for doing the right thing—calling the police when something was off.
After hanging up, Shen Leyuan met the old lady’s anxious face.
“Why didn’t you tell Grandma when you ran into bad guys? You’ve always kept things bottled up since you were little!”
The uncle chimed in from the side. “The neighborhood security’s been pretty bad lately. It’s dangerous for Lele to walk so late. Why not let me give him a ride? Let the kid get back to work first—that other complex has stricter security than ours.”
“Really?” The old lady seemed a bit muddled, muttering to herself, “Right?”
That was how Shen Leyuan finally got released.
Downstairs, the uncle said awkwardly, “Come back more often. I’ll keep the place cleaned up here. You can stay anytime.”
“Sure,” Shen Leyuan nodded, saying no more.
He knew the uncle felt guilty, but he hadn’t sorted out right from wrong yet. Forgiveness wasn’t his to give anyway. All he could do was shoulder the original owner’s responsibilities. The uncle would have to sort out his own feelings.
After bidding the uncle farewell, Shen Leyuan walked out empty-handed.
Where the hell had the original owner stashed that contract?
He’d scoured his phone’s notes app—nothing. Had someone tossed it in the trash?
Worst case, he’d chat with the big shot and remake one.
Lost in thought, a scorching sun cast a shadow over him. The big-chested guy with the facial injury blocked his path, grinning. “Didn’t you just say you’d treat me to a meal? Still on?”
Shen Leyuan: “Huh?”
“Come on, I won’t gouge you,” Huo Tingfeng said. “Just bored out of my mind.”
Fine, he was hungry.
Since the guy had actually helped him out, Shen Leyuan didn’t refuse. He didn’t gripe about the mistaken identity either, just found a restaurant to make good on his promise.
Huo Tingfeng glanced at the obediently trailing young man, then back behind him.
The pretty boy was peeking around, shooting dagger glares. The pissed-off little expression was delicious.
So what if he didn’t get contact info? He had ways to reel the guy in!
With that in mind, he deliberately leaned toward Shen Leyuan, half-draping an arm over his shoulder to whisper about funny stories from abroad. He savored the even fiercer stare from behind.
“He’s hugging the teacher!”
Little Deer was about to cry from rage. “You saw it—Teacher didn’t push him away! Teacher didn’t push him away!”
Why? What right did that old guy have to such a reward?!
Lin Yao stirred the pot. “No helping it. He just likes old men. Can’t appreciate the young ones.”
The trio followed them into a small diner and asked the boss which table the injured-faced guy was at.
The diner had a few curtained booths without proper doors. The three young men crouched by the curtain, peeking. Little Deer was the most intent—and the angriest.
“Smiling again. What’s so funny?!”
Shen Leyuan vaguely heard Little Deer’s voice and glanced toward the entrance.
A Si swiftly dropped the curtain, yanking Little Deer back a couple steps. Lin Yao bolted faster, already retreated.
The boss eyed them suspiciously. “You guys…”
Lin Yao smiled. “Catching cheaters.”
Boss: ???
Two guys inside, three outside—all men. What kind of cheating were they catching?
It clicked, and he shuddered in horror, muttering to a friend about it while keeping an eye on them—gossip fodder, but also wary of a brawl tanking business.
Soon, Little Deer crept back to the curtain.
This time, his voice was soft, muttering to himself. “Why so close? Why’s his hand on Teacher’s shoulder? Why smile at Teacher like that?”
“Whispering secrets Little Deer can’t hear?”
“Teacher’s playing favorites, smiling so prettily at him. Not fair!”
In truth, Shen Leyuan was dying of embarrassment.
The big-chested guy didn’t know what had gotten into him. He’d been aloof earlier, saying “no dice,” but now he was actively closing in. Several times, that big hand patted his back—normal bro stuff on the surface, but it just felt off.
After dodging a few times, with beer flowing into baijiu, Shen Leyuan’s unease swelled beyond ignoring.
“Sorry.” He apologized softly. “Gotta hit the bathroom.”
Huo Tingfeng was basking in the pretty boy’s murderous glare and waved him off without thinking. “Go on. We’ll drink more when you get back.”
Get drunk, and you’re staying. You stay, pretty boy stays.
That was Huo Tingfeng’s plan.
But Shen Leyuan settled the bill at the counter, left plenty of cash for the big bro to drink and order, and bolted without a second thought.
Gratitude, yes. Repaying with his body? Hard pass!
Even Lin Yao hadn’t expected Shen Leyuan to just ghost like that.
A Si knew, but…
【Should we tail Mr. Shen now, sir?】
He needed his boss’s input.
That morning, before asking Lin Yao, Little Deer had privately messaged him first, begging to go out and find Teacher.
A Si hadn’t hesitated—reported straight to Lin Yuan.
This wasn’t trivial.
Little Deer had never asked to go out before.
He knew the “power” of his beloved better than anyone. Whether personal rivalry or routine anomaly checks, this warranted reporting.
At the time, Lin Yuan stared at the screen’s boyish figure, but his mind drifted to a certain youth.
The youth had wanted to take Little Deer out but said no need for now.
Probably thought Little Deer could handle a test run but feared fallout he couldn’t contain.
Heavy responsibility—the youth couldn’t bear it.
He could.
A Si’s pin camera captured Little Deer, oblivious passersby untouched: no instant fixation, no weird intense affection.
The only anomaly: that man in the booth. Keep tabs.
Lin Yuan replied: 【No need.】
Much improved… He slumped wearily in his wheelchair, fiddling with the Rose Brooch in one hand, the other on his lap, eyes inscrutable.
Meanwhile, Huo Tingfeng got a new message: Sorry bro, emergency came up. Had to bounce. Paid for food—eat and drink up.
Fuck, played!
Killing intent flashed across the man, then he chuckled, phone to ear. “You booked a room? That’s bold… What if your student finds out? Fine, on my way.”
Ignoring the pretty boy’s murder glare, Huo Tingfeng pinched his cheek. “Little buddy, I’m about to have some fun with your teacher. Don’t interrupt.”
He was fishing—hard.
Little Deer: “No way! Teacher wouldn’t!”
Lin Yao wasn’t so gullible but wavered. Fox Spirit had eyes for his dad, but with the leg disability… maybe Fox Spirit was hard up and did want a room?
Fox Spirit took his WeChat. Didn’t even ask for mine!
Hoping it was fake.
If real, he’d catch them in the act today.
Nothing said he couldn’t catch cheaters for his old man.
The path grew more remote; Lin Yao’s doubts and unease mounted, but A Si stayed silent, so he did too.
Huo Tingfeng ignored the other two youths, focused on teasing Little Deer.
The more he chatted, the cuter the little thing seemed—like a scratchy kitten, impotent curses and all. Perfect little housewife material, made for keeping home.
Liking someone else? Fine. Eighteen-year-old love was fragile.
Ever since falling for Teacher, Little Deer’s senses dulled to others, but Huo Tingfeng’s affection was blatant. He tasted that familiar flavor, glanced at A Si then his brother, eyes wheeling as he hugged Huo Tingfeng’s arm.
“Tell me more about what Teacher said.”
Huo Tingfeng’s body tingled.
He’d baited Little Deer on purpose, twisting Shen Leyuan’s actions flirty. Arm aching in the grip? Even better.
Little Deer’s voice softened. “Really? What else’d he say?”
“Say it again. I’ll record it, okay?”
“How’d you sweet-talk him? Teach me? I wanna learn, pleeease~”
Lin Yao muttered to A Si behind. “See? Little Deer didn’t learn shit else—just Fox Spirit’s seduction tricks!”
A Si stayed mum, pupils reflecting Little Deer slyly hefting a steel pipe.
Too late to ask sir about intervening.
So don’t.
Lin Yao, oblivious, sneered. “See? Doesn’t sound fake. Maybe Fox Spirit did book a room to—”
Bang!!!
A heavy thud echoed. He whipped around to blood.
Little Deer gripped the pipe ferociously. “Just asked Teacher on my phone—he’s lying, slandering Teacher! How dare he—so over the line!”
“Little Deer, you…” Lin Yao gaped in disbelief.
The boy looked up, eyes blazing shallow red. “Little Deer didn’t overdo it! Insulting Teacher? He deserved it! He! Deserved! It!”
He squinted, suddenly asking, “Brother, what’d you say just now?”
Lin Yao: …
He admitted it—he was a bit scared.
His brother wasn’t this breed before. What the hell had Fox Spirit taught him?!
Huo Tingfeng hit the ground hard, clinging to life. His brother-controlled mind finally cleared, horrified: Did I get possessed today?
No time for more. Darkness swallowed him.
Last thing: WeChat video ringtone, distant yet near.
Little Deer gripped the pipe left-handed, answered right.
“Teacher, Teacher.” His eyes lit faintly. “Little Deer was super good today, listened to Teacher~”
Shen Leyuan: “Give the phone to your brother.”
Little Deer’s eyes dimmed, handing it over with resentment.
Shen Leyuan’s face hardened. “Lin Yao, young Mr. Lin. I wanted a better time to talk, but I can’t hold back today.”
Lin Yao was dazed, didn’t dare retort.
He feared Shen Leyuan tattling their outing to Dad—more than a light punishment, maybe shipped abroad again. So he played extra meek.
Shen Leyuan clocked the guilt but misread why.
He sighed. “Fine, you trash-talk me to my face during arguments—I can clap back. But slandering me behind my back, telling Little Deer I’m hooking up with someone?”
“I said that?” Lin Yao snapped to. “How’d you know it was me?!”
Shen Leyuan took it as admission. “You’re the most likely. Look, if you like Little Deer, treat him right. Don’t keep…”
Lin Yao bristled on the spot. “You’re slandering me! Couldn’t Little Deer mishear? Or imagine it?”
He gestured at A Si: Alive?
A Si nodded.
Breathing easier, he battled Fox Spirit. “So Little Deer’s pure and innocent in your eyes, right? Wouldn’t hurt a fly?”
“Not pure— he just doesn’t think that way normally.” Shen Leyuan said. “Little Deer’s speech is odd, but he doesn’t maliciously speculate or initiate harm. Prefers… over punching.”
Prefers mouthing off.
Tricky to say. Shen Leyuan paused, figured Lin Yao owned his mischief—maybe a misunderstanding. He apologized, hung up.
Lin Yao wasn’t pleased.
Fox Spirit again, all soft like cotton?
Glaring at the ended video, the youth slumped against the wall, sneering at Little Deer. “In your teacher’s eyes, you’re the pure little goody-goody who never lifts a hand.”
Little Deer ditched the pipe, nodded vigorously. “I am!”
Lin Yao wanted to snap back but lacked steam, staring at the corpse-like man. Finally, he rubbed his face, dialed 120.
“Wait for it,” he said wearily. “We’re all dead meat.”
Dad was definitely getting involved.
Meanwhile.
Shen Leyuan hung up the phone mainly because he had run into a little dog by the roadside.
Inside a box with a sign reading “Please take me home QAQ” lay a yellowish-brown bundle that hadn’t even opened its eyes yet—a starving puppy whining pitifully.
His heart pounded at the sight, probably due to some lingering psychological trauma.
But on the flip side, maybe he could start with a puppy and gradually desensitize himself?
The more he thought about it, the better the idea seemed. Shen Leyuan picked up the box.
As if sensing someone was there, the puppy whined even more desperately, its pitiful state chasing away Shen Leyuan’s trepidation. He boldly stroked its back, pitching his voice high as he cooed, “Be a good puppy, okay? Master will buy you some milk soon.”
If he knew what the puppy was saying, he wouldn’t have been so gentle.
The Little Dog pup recalled that conversation and cursed angrily, “Goddamn ‘not hurting others’—are you blind, Shen?!!!”
