Qin Xie was so amused by Fu Shen’s self-righteous tone that he laughed. He wasn’t qualified? Since when was Fu Shen qualified?
Moreover, Qin Xie did not fear Fu Shen’s threats. With a cold, insincere smile, he said, “Is that so? Someone like you, who tricks Li Li, will likely be thrown into prison before long.”
Fu Shen did not respond, and for a moment, the atmosphere grew silent.
Buzz, buzz, buzz. The star-watch on Qin Xie’s wrist began to vibrate. He raised his arm, and his heart sank with unease when he saw the familiar caller ID.
He tapped the screen to answer.
A composed face etched with wrinkles appeared on the interface. The caller was an elderly man in a uniform. He rested his hands on the desk in front of him and cleared his throat before speaking.
“Little Qin.” The elder glanced at Fu Shen, who was partially visible to one side, paused, and nodded toward him.
“I am not sure what instructions you have, Leader,” Qin Xie asked.
The elder smiled. “Ancient humans are already on the verge of extinction. The appearance of this ancient human can be considered the rarest national treasure. Those old relics have collected data and found a New Human whose genes are the closest match to the ancient human. We are preparing to cultivate the affection between them in hopes of nurturing offspring to continue the ancient human gene line. That individual is already on his way.”
“However,” the elder appeared troubled, “his temper is poor, so please be patient. If the ancient human does something wrong to provoke his anger, you must do your best to protect him. We cannot find another person with such a compatible match in the entire Star Repository.”
Qin Xie pursed his lips. His mind was in turmoil. He was clearly the first to encounter Yu Li; why was it so unfair? Why weren’t his genes a match?
Fu Shen listened to the voice on the other end, his feelings complex. He had a miserable childhood and learned to be sensible earlier than his peers. While others had families to protect them, he couldn’t afford what he liked or obtain what he wanted. He could only try to let go, comforting himself by thinking that things would be better when he grew up. But as he grew up, he found he had to give up more and more. One by one, he lost the most important things in his life. This time, he was unwilling to let go. He refused to give up.
Fu Shen lowered his gaze, his mind racing, though he showed nothing on his surface. He glanced at the man whose expression kept changing. “I am going to prepare breakfast. Li Li didn’t drink his nutrient solution, so he will likely be hungry when he wakes up.”
“Mm,” Qin Xie replied. He managed to suppress his jealousy and lowered his head to speak to the elder. “I understand.”
The elder nodded. “One more thing: the news that the ancient human has been found has already spread throughout the StarNet, and the popularity hasn’t faded. The ancient human made a brief appearance earlier, but he didn’t look happy. Find a time to livestream with the ancient human on the StarNet so that the general public can set their minds at ease.”
“Understood.”
Upon receiving Qin Xie’s confirmation, the elder’s stern face softened slightly. He laughed, “It seems the decision to arrange for Fu Shen to go there was correct. The ancient human is used to eating real food and likely cannot accept the nutrient solution.”
Hearing the elder say this, Qin Xie thought of the beautiful little marionette’s spoiled, smug, and dainty attitude. He remembered Yu Li opening his glassy, light-brown eyes wide, his young and pure face full of haughtiness as he made it clear he would absolutely not drink nutrient solution. Looking at it that way, Fu Shen was far superior to the person coming to compete with him for Yu Li. Fu Shen could cook for the ancient human. Though he had countless schemes, he was still better than the man coming to breed offspring with Yu Li. At least Fu Shen couldn’t bypass him to make the little marionette do things against his will.
Seeing Qin Xie remain silent, the elder did not get angry. He knew Qin Xie’s character: cold and composed. He was relieved to have someone like him protecting the ancient human. “I have work to attend to, so I will hang up now.”
Yu Li slept until he naturally woke up. He opened his eyes in a daze, feeling weak all over, and rubbed his eyes with a listless expression.
“Li Li, you are awake.” As the guardian assigned to protect Yu Li closely, Qin Xie had to stay by the ancient human’s side at all times; even while sleeping or bathing, he could not leave a single step.
Outside, snow drifted down, and a blizzard was howling against the three-meter-high floor-to-ceiling windows. Inside, the warm yellow lighting cast a glow on the falling snowflakes.
The small, bulging silhouette under the quilt poked its head out. Because the curtains were not fully drawn, white light reflected into the room, falling softly onto Yu Li’s face. He turned over, his flushed face still looking half-asleep. His skin was fair and lightly pink, his delicate features still veiled in morning haze. His curled lashes fluttered like a precious, beautiful kitten. He was exceptionally captivating.
Yu Li did not want to pay attention to Qin Xie, even too lazy to open his mouth, so he simply made a soft, throaty sound of acknowledgment.
Qin Xie put down the documents he was holding and hurried to Yu Li’s side. The beautiful little marionette’s dainty response was surprisingly soft, enough to melt anyone’s heart. Qin Xie’s cold expression carried a hint of hidden tenderness. However, he was born tall and broad-shouldered, and now, wearing a black suit, he stood there with an inexplicable, strong sense of oppression, his long, narrow eyes slightly narrowed.
Qin Xie said, “Fu Shen has already made breakfast. Shall I take you to wash up?”
As the man leaned down, casting a shadow over Yu Li, the young boy’s dark lashes fluttered, and tears naturally welled up in his glassy eyes. He clutched the quilt to his chest. Qin Xie smelled of cold, biting plum blossoms, a scent that felt incredibly distant and intimidating. Yu Li loved to lounge in bed, but seeing this scene the moment he opened his eyes made him feel deeply intimidated. His hair was messy and curled from sleep, drooping down.
Yu Li felt a bit stifled. Last night I was too tired to cause trouble. Today, I must finish the task I didn’t complete. I have to let these people know that I am absolutely, thoroughly wicked.
Receiving no answer, Qin Xie naturally began by wiping the boy’s teary eyes with a tissue before picking Yu Li up. The beautiful ancient human was timid and spoiled. He wondered if he hadn’t slept well, or if he was simply too frightening. Although Qin Xie was clumsy in taking care of others, he was observant of people’s moods, and he did not miss the flash of fear in Yu Li’s eyes.
Yu Li was held like a baby in Qin Xie’s arms. Because his hands were placed in front of him, the position pressed against his wrists, causing him a sharp sting of pain. Only then did he notice a star-watch on his wrist.
Yu Li puffed out his cheeks. He looked at his reddened skin. “Did you put this on me?”
The beautiful ancient human tilted his head, lifting his pinkish, flushed face, and spoke in a dainty, delicate voice.