The large door swung open and shut, repeatedly setting the wind chime on its frame into motion. The soft, tinkling sound was swallowed up by the practiced greetings of the staff.
After greeting another incoming guest, one of the attendants cast a curious glance through the glass door toward the man standing outside.
He was dressed in a suit; the black fabric of his jacket ended neatly at his cuffs, revealing his well-defined fingers, slightly menacing, almost like a gangster.
Feeling someone’s gaze on him, he turned his head and met it calmly.
His eyes were a pale gray, and beneath high, sharp eyebrows, they held a strange mixture of gentleness and a hidden ferocity.
Startled, the attendant quickly lowered their eyes, pretending nothing had happened. And it was understandable, they had seen him several times before. He never entered, just stood there, watching something unknown.
Following his gaze, the attendant noticed the piano in the center of the hall. Because no one was playing, a pre-recorded track filled the space.
Now that the young man who had been helping out in the store had left, no one would touch the piano, which had previously been more of a decorative piece.
The attendant sighed in regret. That boy had played beautifully, and he was strikingly handsome. Sitting there with downcast eyes while playing, the sunlight streaming in through the windows created a scene like a masterpiece oil painting.
Lost in thought, the chime sounded again. The attendant started to greet the new visitor, only to see the man who had been outside step inside.
Up close, the attendant noticed how tall he was. As he walked past, he cast a cool, indifferent glance downward; his pale eyes seemed to reflect nothing at all.
Another man followed him, scanning the interior with a playful, superficial gaze.
“I thought some place here would steal your soul, but… this?” Shen Duo clicked his tongue.
For someone accustomed to high-end venues like him, the décor was naturally underwhelming.
The same applied to Qin Huai. Since it wasn’t the place, it could only be the person.
With that in mind, Shen Duo gave a suggestive smile and nudged Qin Huai with his elbow. “What’s this? A rare bloom?”
Qin Huai ignored him, smoothly dodging aside to walk to the front desk.
The wall behind it displayed employee photos. Qin Huai’s gaze lingered on the lowest one.
The boy in the photo had his lips pressed together in a slightly shy smile, with delicate and elegant features radiating obedience.
Shen Duo walked over a few steps, peered at it, and whistled in surprise, “Wow… such a pretty little thing.”
Qin Huai chuckled softly, offering no response to Shen Duo’s praise.
“I knew it… you’ve taken a liking to him, haven’t you?”
Lowering his eyes, Qin Huai seemed lost in memory before speaking deliberately, “I saw him playing the piano here before.”
“Oh~” Shen Duo touched his chin, his expression turning serious, “You like music, huh?”
“…But he hasn’t been here in a long time.”
“Hmm? He didn’t get sick, did he? Or run off with someone?” Shen Duo raised an eyebrow, “You didn’t even check?”
“There’s nothing to check. He won’t be coming back.”
Shen Duo’s face went pale. He motioned carefully with his hand around his throat and asked in a low, cautious voice, “You… did something to him?”
“….”
Qin Huai exhaled softly, realizing there was no point in talking to the person beside him. He stayed silent, eyes tracing the contours in the photo, merging the image with the vivid memory of that boy at the banquet.
Shen Duo clicked his tongue. He had only been joking before, finding Qin Huai too dull, but now he was left speechless.
Looking around aimlessly, he unexpectedly met a pair of jet-black eyes.
He froze, uncertain, glancing at the photo and then back at the boy leaning against the side wall. He compared them carefully.
It seemed… to be the same person.
The obedience in his features had vanished, replaced by boredom and rebellion, yet the face, perfect, sculpted, almost divinely beautiful, remained identical.
What a coincidence.
Song Shiyi’s expression remained blank as he thought: the people he wanted to see were nowhere to be found, and those he didn’t care to see, he bumped into casually.
He had only come by because the store manager happened to call him while he was passing by. Remembering that he used to work here, he stepped inside to settle his previous wages. He wasn’t prepared to face Qin Huai.
So, before Shen Duo could provoke Qin Huai with his careless words, Song Shiyi shot him a cold, icy glance.
The look reminded Shen Duo inexplicably of Qin Huai’s high-class, aloof cat, the kind that always regarded humans with a disdainful, almost superior gaze.
The shock left Shen Duo momentarily speechless.
Song Shiyi glanced once more at Qin Huai. The boy was still unaware; he hadn’t lifted his head from where he hid in the dead angle of his view.
He flicked his eyes at Shen Duo again, then walked straight out, unhurried, leaving Shen Duo to process what had happened.
Once out the door, Song Shiyi glanced back briefly before leaving decisively.
His purpose today was to rent an apartment, and the agent he had arranged to meet was already waiting.
During the viewing, the agent hesitated several times but eventually spoke, “Sir, even if you’re in a rush, I have better listings. This one isn’t cost-effective.”
The apartment had only basic renovations, not even a bed, yet the price was high. The landlord clearly didn’t care whether it rented.
Normally he wouldn’t mention it, but seeing the boy’s innocent, unworldly face stirred an unexpected pang of guilt.
“It’s fine. I’ll take this one,” Song Shiyi said, a faint, expectant smile spreading across his face.
The apartment had excellent natural light, but the agent found the boy’s smile unnervingly cold. He didn’t question it further and quietly finalized the agreement.
After the agent left, Song Shiyi’s smile widened, his innocent face reflecting a strangely sinister charm in the glass.
He pulled open the south-facing window.
The apartment faced another building. Song Shiyi curled his fingers in front of his eyes, squinting the other to form a makeshift telescope, peering into the room directly across.
The hunt was about to begin.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · He’s in the BookChapter 2 · You Like playing Stand-in, Right?Chapter 3 · This Kind of person is just asking for troubleChapter 4 · Is it so Bloody?Chapter 5 · Let’s Rot togetherChapter 7 · Illegitimate SonChapter 8 · Unfaithful husbandChapter 9 · MemoriesChapter 10 · Silence before stormChapter 11 · Hunt beginsChapter 12 · Nightmare I rememberChapter 13 · Why do they ride on their own heads?Chapter 14 · I forgive myselfChapter 15 · Can you take me in tonight since I’m homeless?Chapter 16 · Mr. Qin, do you like me?Chapter 17 · If you like it, you can have itChapter 18 · Gu Ye, it’s obvious that you also pursue these thingsChapter 19 · If you still can’t let go of Gu Ye, why not give it a try with me?Chapter 20 · He actually made him bow down to that bastard.Chapter 21 · Ruining someone’s future is simply unforgivableChapter 22 · God can’t possibly favor someone like youChapter 23 · UrnChapter 24 · May they die a horrible deathChapter 25 · If you’re broke, stop showing off.Chapter 26 · Kneel before me, begging for mercy.Chapter 27 · The plan succeededChapter 28 Part 1 · This time, the victim is Gu Ye Part 1Chapter 28 Part 2 · This time, the victim is Gu YeChapter 29 · This time, I’ll make full use of youChapter 30 · Educating about the existence of lawsChapter 31 · So who is he now?Chapter 32 · I want to destroy this fake spacetime.Chapter 33 · So, I was himChapter 34 · They’re all crazy, just let me have my wayChapter 35 · I will punish them in the right way.Chapter 36 · I’m already a lunaticChapter 37 · Can you stay by Qin Huai’s side for my sake?Chapter 38 · I’ll grant your requestChapter 39 · Not a pitiful littleChapter 40 · They Both should dieChapter 41 · I want to destroy the empire that Song Gucheng builtChapter 42 · Do you hate me too?Chapter 43 · No one should feel goodChapter 44 · He’ll definitely be the winner in the end!Chapter 45 · Acting is really tiringChapter 46 · I wanted that bastard to disappearChapter 47 · Ready made scapegoatChapter 48 · He’s willing to save themChapter 49 · I’ve come to catch up with youChapter 50 · You stole someone else’s placeChapter 51 · Shiyi, why won’t you save me…Chapter 52 · To make a good life is more importantChapter 53 · Even if you really cheated on me, it doesn’t matterChapter 54 · Finally, I can say goodbye to you completelyChapter 55 · Angel sent by heaven to save himChapter 56 · CEO Gu is a very affectionate personChapter 57 · If you love him, go to jail for himChapter 58 · His most beloved son wanted to kill himChapter 59 · Take good care of our dear fatherChapter 60 · Take back everything that truly belongs to meChapter 61 · He knew that Gu Ye would not let him downChapter 62 · The Song family’s shares must absolutely not be transferred to Song ShiyiChapter 63 · I am no one’s thingChapter 64 · He always knew what kind of person Song Qingwen was.Chapter 65 · FinalChapter 66 · Extra