The ringing of a phone interrupted the atmosphere. Shao Jinghe glanced at the caller ID, his expression tinged with impatience.
Sui Yuye seized the opportunity to climb off him and search for the keys.
In his ear came Shao Jinghe’s utterly impatient voice: “I’ve told you before, I don’t need it. How much longer do you plan to control me?”
Sui Yuye paused, turning to look at him.
Shao Jinghe—even his name set him worlds apart from ordinary people. Prominent in the capital, his family’s heritage ran deep.
But to him, family felt more like a gilded cage.
Shao Jinghe grew up under strict discipline and restraint, with no freedom to speak of. After being kidnapped as a child, he gave his entire family PTSD. For a time, they wouldn’t let him near anyone, keeping him locked at home for a long stretch.
They practically drove him to psychological issues before finally letting him out, but even then, they kept him under surveillance—right up to the present.
Mrs. Shao: “The driver said he couldn’t pick you up. Where have you run off to again? Jinghe, why must you live alone? What would we do if something happened to you?”
Shao Jinghe rolled his eyes: “So what? You’re not going to relapse and lock me up again like before, not even letting me open the curtains, right?”
“Not this time. We’ve arranged a bodyguard for you, you—”
“Another bodyguard? As if the previous ones weren’t enough?” Shao Jinghe cut her off, his expression darkening further. “Try putting a bodyguard by my side. Do you think he’d lose his legs first or his hands?”
The sound of handcuffs unlocking reached his ears. Shao Jinghe looked up and saw Sui Yuye walking toward him.
Almost instinctively, Shao Jinghe hung up the call before Mrs. Shao could finish speaking.
Sui Yuye leaned down in front of him, reaching out to lightly flick his forehead, easing the furrowed brow:
“I’m your bodyguard, you idiot. I got the notice this morning.”
Shao Jinghe froze.
“Although I only take short-term assignments, I won’t control you like a prisoner.” Sui Yuye tossed the handcuffs back onto him:
“But you can rest assured. If you’re ever in danger, I’ll be there to protect you immediately. As long as I’m around, no one can harm you in the slightest.”
Shao Jinghe’s phone remained pressed to his ear, forgotten. After several seconds, he sneered coldly: “You protect me? You?”
Sui Yuye was amused: “Who saved you when you were little? Forgotten already? I seem to recall someone crying their eyes out on my back, making me comfort them for ages.”
Shao Jinghe averted his gaze, pressing his lips tightly together.
“Knock, knock—”
The door suddenly rattled with knocking. Sui Yuye jumped in surprise, frantically searching for a place to hide. His wrist was abruptly grabbed by Shao Jinghe, who pulled him into his embrace, pressing the back of his head against his shoulder to keep him from rising.
Sui Yuye struggled to lift his head, whispering urgently: “What are you doing now?”
Shao Jinghe: “Don’t move.”
The door was pulled open. Sui Yuye held his breath, not daring to move a muscle. He couldn’t see the doorway, only stiffly pressed against Shao Jinghe’s chest.
Director: “Um, Mr. Shao…”
“Get out.”
Shao Jinghe didn’t even glance at the door, his gaze fixed on the head nestled against his neck.
The door closed. Sui Yuye pushed Shao Jinghe away and stood up, letting out a sigh of relief: “I’ll go check if he’s left.”
Just as he lifted his foot to leave, Shao Jinghe’s voice came from behind:
“Kneel.”
Sui Yuye’s footsteps abruptly halted. “I’m not a Cu…” he said as he turned around.
The moment his gaze met Shao Jinghe’s eyes, Sui Yuye’s mind went numb.
Shao Jinghe’s pupils had narrowed into thin vertical slits, staring unblinkingly at him.
Dazzling light.
This was a skill only high-level Roms could master—releasing mental commands by altering their pupil shape, compelling any Cub, or even Switch, who looked into their eyes to instinctively obey.
Sui Yuye wanted to resist, but his body fell into a state of submission. His knees weakened, and he knelt at Shao Jinghe’s feet like a pet.
A polished shoe tip lifted his chin, forcing him to look up. Shao Jinghe gazed down at Sui Yuye’s shocked expression and said leisurely, “Although you’re a Switch, don’t forget you’re also half a Cub.”
“Sui Yuye, who brought you in?”
Sui Yuye glared fiercely at him, refusing to answer.
Shao Jinghe: “Say.”
“Mian Guanfei.”
Hearing the name, Shao Jinghe clicked his tongue. “How do you know him?”
Breaking free from the command, Sui Yuye jumped up from the floor, grabbed his collar, and punched him. “Fuck off! If you dare use commands on me again, I’ll kill you!”
Using commands casually on non-partners was illegal—one report would be enough. But with Shao Jinghe’s status, rules were useless. Even if he were taken to the police station, he’d be released quickly.
Shao Jinghe pressed his tongue against his bruised cheek and looked up at him. “You still haven’t answered me. How do you know Mian Guanfei?”
“Don’t overthink it. I don’t know anyone in your circle, and I don’t want to either.” Sui Yuye kicked him and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Sui Yuye ignored him and reached for the door.
“Stay.”
Sui Yuye’s blood pressure spiked. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight, but Shao Jinghe said, “Take off that shirt you’re wearing and wear mine instead.”
“Why?”
A light snort escaped Shao Jinghe’s nose. “Wearing my clothes, no one will dare stop you.”
Sui Yuye first glanced at the time on his phone—he still had things to do.
At this hour, would Sheng Xian still be awake?
Pressed for time to return, Sui Yuye didn’t dawdle. He quickly changed into the suit jacket Shao Jinghe had taken off and hurried out.
Shao Jinghe had seen his figure clearly—more impressive than imagined, firm and sensual, with a waist so slender it seemed it could be held in one hand. It was a body that wouldn’t easily break, no matter how it was played with, and perhaps the abdomen could even highlight defined lines.
Only the neck seemed bare. Maybe it would look better with a neck accessory, or even a chain to make it easier to lead by hand.
Shao Jinghe curled his lips and nodded. His gaze shifted to the clothes Sui Yuye had forgotten to take.
After staring for a few seconds, he reached out and picked them up.
The clothes still held residual warmth. He sniffed lightly:
“…It smells just like him.”
Sui Yuye hurried along, nearly slipping as he turned a corner and saw an elevator door about to close. “Wait!”
Suddenly, a hand reached out, blocking the narrowing gap. It was a beautiful hand, with distinct, slender knuckles.
Sensing an obstacle, the elevator doors slid open.
Sui Yuye froze in his tracks.
Inside the opulent, spacious elevator stood five men—broad-shouldered and long-legged, all dressed in sleek suits, handsome and tall, their imposing presence undiminished. It was no exaggeration to call it a breathtakingly exquisite illustration.
“Can we fit one more, coming in?”
The man blocking the door asked. Sui Yuye quickly glanced at the other elevator nearby—no one was there. “No need, thank you.”
He could tell at a glance that all five men were Rom.
There was one very obvious trait to distinguish whether someone was Rom: their gaze. Rom naturally carried an air of superiority, especially high-level Rom—it was clearly perceptible in the way they looked at people.
The elevator doors closed. One of them, a young man with an exceptionally handsome face, tapped his chin with a finger, tilting his head innocently as he said:
“He looks like he’d be perfect to die in bed.”
Open-air terrace.
The director braced against the cold wind, yet sweat beaded on his forehead. “I sincerely apologize. The person you brought is currently with Mr. Shao. Mr. Shao, he…”
“What method did you use to make him come with you?” Shao Jinghe had already arrived.
The city’s sea of lights spread out behind him, all its prosperity reduced to a backdrop that magnified his already tall stature. He was still holding a piece of clothing in his hand, and by no means did it look like he was here to return anyone.
Shao Jinghe: “I never heard him say he knew you. So why did you bring him to a place like this?”
Mian Guanfei didn’t even glance at him: “He wanted to follow me.”
Shao Jinghe scoffed: “Do you think that’s convincing? He was so scared he hid in my arms and begged me for help.”
Mian Guanfei: “Then you probably don’t know—not only did he protect me, he was also concerned about me. Does that sound like he’s afraid of me?”
Their gazes clashed, and the atmosphere took a sharp turn for the worse.
The director had never seen two such prominent figures argue before and hurriedly changed the subject: “Um, gentlemen, there’s some news. Mr. Quan will be returning from White City the day after tomorrow.”
Shao Jinghe frowned: “The one surnamed Quan?”
Director: “Yes.”
The atmosphere instantly fell silent.
Director: “…Venus will host a welcome party as usual and will extend invitations to everyone.”