Gu Mian was certain that those birds had only been brought in within the last few days. Before this, he hadn’t sensed their presence... including this Yellow-tailed Robin.
So even if Wen Qian hadn’t mentioned it, he would have found an opportunity to investigate.
"Let’s go back for now." Placing the Yellow-tailed Robin back into the box, Gu Mian said calmly.
Agreeing, Wen Qian placed Yin Zhi back into the cat carrier. Ever since being scolded, Yin Zhi had been completely still. Seeing his listless state now, Wen Qian felt a pang of heartache.
But she didn’t plan on coddling him. Yin Zhi was the one in the wrong. The bird hadn’t provoked him, so why did he have to go for the kill?
With that thought, Wen Qian no longer hesitated and headed for the door.
Her fair fingertips touched the cold doorknob. Before she could do anything, a crisp knock came from the other side. Wen Qian jumped in surprise. She instinctively backed away, nearly bumping into Gu Mian’s chest.
Lowering his gaze to the girl’s delicate, pretty face, Gu Mian’s eyes darkened.
Reaching out, Gu Mian opened the door. He looked up, and a familiar face came into view.
"Mr. Gu... Oh, Wen is here too." It was the downstairs security guard, Xiao He.
Gu Mian adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "Is something the matter?"
"Professor Li fainted in the emergency stairwell, so I wanted to come see how things are on your end..." Xiao He scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I don’t know what’s been going on these past two days, but the wiring in the control room keeps failing... The repairman said something chewed on it, but he couldn’t say what exactly."
"As long as you’re all right here, that’s what matters. The wiring has been fixed, so there shouldn’t be any more power outages." The man paused, then continued, "The ambulance will be here soon... I won’t disturb you any longer."
Gu Mian smiled at him. As he nodded, a black snake as thick as a finger slipped in through a crack in the window. Yin Zhi lifted his eyelids, gave it a single cold glance, and turned his head away.
...
The night was as black as ink, dotted with lights that painted an exceptionally tranquil scene.
The campus parking lot was utterly silent, save for the whistling of the wind, sometimes near, sometimes far, and the low sound of footsteps.
Wen Qian followed Gu Mian into the car. After fastening her seatbelt, she couldn’t help but look at his arm again.
’I wonder if the wound needs more treatment. After all, both Gu Mian and Yin Zhi are Beastmen... but the wound is so deep, even a Beastman would need to disinfect it, right?’
Wen Qian was conflicted and subconsciously glanced at it a couple more times.
As if sensing her gaze, a faint smile played on the man’s lips. His voice was very low, tinged with a heart-wrenching weariness. "Later, could I trouble Qianqian... to help me treat the wound?"
Wen Qian was startled by the sudden voice. Once she realized what he’d said, she immediately nodded. "Okay."
In Wen Qian’s mind, Gu Mian had always been the image of an upstanding, good person. Plus, after they saved the Yellow-tailed Robin together today, an even more subtle feeling had taken root in her heart.
Yin Zhi was furious at the girl’s ready agreement, but he currently had no energy to bother with it.
’When I bit Gu Mian earlier, I forgot the guy was a snake. His blood contains a neurotoxin.’
Although the toxin was weakened on Blue Star, it was still more than enough to knock out another, equally weakened Beastman. Yin Zhi’s constitution was better than that of an ordinary Beastman, which was why he had held on until now.
’In fact, I sensed something was wrong much earlier. Lying motionless in the classroom wasn’t me sulking at Wen Qian; it was because of this damned poison... The more energy I use, the stronger the dizziness becomes.’
’I had no intention of passing out back then.’
Now that he was in the car, it was manageable. ’I’ll just treat it as taking a nap,’ he thought. With that, Yin Zhi’s body slowly relaxed.
It had to be said, Gu Mian’s memory was truly excellent. Wen Qian had only taken him once, yet he remembered the way from the university to her home.
The car smoothly exited the highway, passed through a narrow lane, and finally stopped downstairs from Wen Qian’s apartment. The girl glanced at the already fast-asleep Yin Zhi in the carrier, her movements becoming a little gentler.
After parking the car, Gu Mian got out and walked straight toward Wen Qian. Wen Qian noticed that he’d brought the box with the Yellow-tailed Robin when he got out, and she couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. ’Gu Mian is so thoughtful.’
"Pro-Professor Gu, my apartment is on the second floor." Ever since she found out Gu Mian was a Beastman, calling him "Professor" felt a little awkward for Wen Qian. Especially after what he did to her yesterday...
’Why on earth did he bite me? That "personal hobby" excuse is really hard to believe!’
’Especially since it’s Gu Mian. He doesn’t seem like the type of Beastman who would just bite people randomly.’
"Qianqian, my name is Gu Mian." Leaning down slightly, the man’s breath ghosted across the girl’s fair neck. His eyes darkened a fraction. "Professor is just a title."
"I know..." Wen Qian nodded blankly. It took her a moment to understand what Gu Mian meant. ’Does he want me to call him by his name?’
"Gu... Gu, Gu Mian." Wen Qian really wanted to slap herself. ’Are the two words scorching my tongue? Why am I stuttering?’ She felt like all she’d done these past two days was embarrass herself.
The man’s gaze grew deeper. He stared at her until Wen Qian guiltily looked away, only then did he let out a low chuckle. His tone was somewhat suggestive. "It’s all right. The first time is always a little awkward."
Wen Qian’s cheeks grew hot under Gu Mian’s stare. When they reached her apartment door, she took out her key and had to aim for the keyhole a few times before it went in.
Opening the door, Wen Qian practically fled inside. In a blur of motion, she dropped her bag, changed her shoes, and dashed into an inner room. She emerged a moment later with the first-aid kit, her movements a single, fluid sequence.
Wen Qian came out carrying the first-aid kit, and the first thing she saw was the man’s tall, straight figure. The man who had been following her was still standing quietly by the entrance.
"Mr. Gu... Er, why didn’t you come in?" She bit her lip. ’He has broad shoulders and long legs. He’s so handsome just standing there.’
"Should I change my shoes?" Gu Mian asked.
"No, no!" Wen Qian waved her hands frantically. ’For a Beastman, he’s more particular than I am.’ Her gaze fell on the shoes she had just haphazardly kicked off, and she immediately ran over guiltily...
Just as she was about to straighten her shoes, she saw the man had already crouched down and was neatly arranging them one by one.
Watching the man’s handsome profile, Wen Qian’s heart pounded wildly. ’Damn, it’s true that handsome people look good doing anything... Even the simple act of arranging shoes seems to exude an air of nobility.’
After closing the door, Wen Qian poured Gu Mian a glass of water, and only then did she remember to take Yin Zhi out of the carrier. But the little guy was sleeping so soundly that he didn’t wake up at all.
Holding the glass of water, the man glanced sideways at the silver gradient sleeping soundly on the sofa, a faint smile touching his lips.
’So that’s why he was so calm after biting me,’ he thought. ’He was just putting up a brave front.’