Shang Qi sat on the windowsill, the dark pupils of his eyes reflecting the floating clouds in the sky, lost in thought.
He has always been abstinent, even the most beautiful person couldn’t stir any feelings in him.
But just now...
How could I have those kind of beastly thoughts.
[Shang Qi: I feel like my condition is worsening.]
Shang Qi sent a text message to Du Pei.
[Du Pei:?]
[Du Pei: Your emotions have been stable recently, how could your condition worsen? As long as you can maintain this and not lose control, there shouldn’t be a major problem.]
[Shang Qi: ...]
Shang Qi tapped the screen with his fingertips, eventually deleting everything word by word.
[Du Pei: I’ll come over and take a look at you.]
[Shang Qi: No need, I’m fine.]
[Du Pei: That won’t do, I have to be responsible for you.]
Once Du Pei replied to that message, he went silent; Shang Qi knew he must be on his way.
Shang Qi sighed, sat in his room for a while, then opened the door and went out.
Chuzheng was lying on the sofa watching TV, her tail swaying leisurely.
Shang Qi rubbed his temples, took a box from a drawer and put it in front of Chuzheng: "I bought this for you."
Chuzheng: "???"
"A phone," Shang Qi said.
Shang Qi didn’t choose one of those large-screen phones; its screen could be tapped with a fingernail, which suited Chuzheng.
The functions were not extensive, but it was convenient for texting and making calls.
"Take this when you go out. If you want to play games, you can play with mine at home..." Shang Qi didn’t take out the other tablet he bought.
"I’ve already stored my number in it for you."
Chuzheng nodded, nudged the phone next to her, and held it down with her small paw.
Shang Qi reached out, wanting to pet her. The fine, soft fur brushed against his palm, causing Shang Qi to abruptly pull back his hand.
Ding-dong——
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Shang Qi turned to open the door.
"The study," Du Pei didn’t have a chance to speak before Shang Qi directed him to the study.
"Little...Yue Ban." Du Pei waved to greet Chuzheng, "I brought you dried fish."
Shang Qi: "She doesn’t eat that."
Du Pei: "Such a picky eater? That won’t do; you have to make her eat, dried fish smells so good!"
Shang Qi remained silent, gesturing Du Pei to enter the study.
Once the study door closed, Du Pei’s expression grew serious: "What’s up with you?"
"It’s...nothing."
Du Pei eyed him suspiciously, opening the case he brought along: "Let’s do a simple check-up."
Shang Qi cooperated with the examination and answered some of Du Pei’s questions.
As Du Pei recorded, he asked, "You’ve been experiencing insomnia recently?"
"No."
"Medication frequency?"
"The last time was three days ago."
"Your condition is actually quite good," Du Pei said. "Why do you think your condition is worsening?"
"Didn’t you say that the medication has side effects that might cause hallucinations?"
"There are no such side effects. Are you experiencing hallucinations?"
Shang Qi shook his head.
"Then why are you asking?" Du Pei was puzzled but then turned serious: "You shouldn’t hide things—hiding the truth from your doctor is the worst!"
"No, I was just asking."
With downcast eyes, Shang Qi looked at his palm, his cool voice carrying a hint of awkwardness.
"Du Pei, under what circumstances will a human experience desire?"
"Huh? What kind of desire?" Du Pei didn’t immediately catch on.
Shang Qi looked at Du Pei, saying nothing.
Du Pei paused, then slowly realized.
As Shang Qi’s doctor, Du Pei naturally understood his condition very well.
This person simply has a cold nature.
Part of it does relate to the calming medications he’s on, but it’s not unique to him—others manage just fine, don’t they?
So, it’s mostly his own nature.
"Who...who are you interested in?"
"..." Shang Qi felt like it might be better if he just took some medication.
"It’s nothing to be concerned about," Du Pei coughed lightly. "It just shows you’re still a normal man, right?"
"..." He was not normal.
"Want to talk about it? I could give you some advice."
Du Pei felt he had an obligation to help his patient and friend; after all, this was the first time the iron tree had blossomed—you couldn’t let it wilt halfway.
"But...it doesn’t seem like there are any girls around you. Is it someone new you met recently?"
Shang Qi couldn’t share any of this with Du Pei, no matter how much he prodded, Shang Qi stayed silent.
"You should really try stepping out and seeing for yourself, it’s good for you," Du Pei persisted while clinging to the door frame as he made to leave, still trying to persuade Shang Qi: "Having a relationship is beneficial for your mental and physical health! You just need someone to love..."
Shang Qi nudged Du Pei out and slammed the door shut with a bang.
This matter couldn’t simply be solved by having a relationship.
Shang Qi exhaled a heavy breath, turning around only to find Chuzheng sitting behind him without him knowing when she got there.
Those deep blue, tranquil eyes reflected his image.
Shang Qi didn’t quite dare to meet Chuzheng’s eyes: "I...I’ll go make dinner."
Shang Qi entered the kitchen, his peripheral vision following Chuzheng as she turned toward the living room, allowing him to slightly relax.
However, before he could fully relax, he saw Chuzheng carry the phone over, leap onto the counter, and place the phone in front of him.
——Who are you planning to date?
In that instant, Shang Qi’s mind went ’boom,’ nothing but emptiness remained.
After a good while, Shang Qi calmed down: "Yue Ban, does it concern you whom I date?"
——Not allowed.
Shang Qi’s heart involuntarily sped up, leaning against the counter, he tried to ask calmly: "Why?"
——You are mine.
Shang Qi: "..."
Shang Qi felt his legs go a bit weak, his own heartbeat thunderous in his ears.
This isn’t supposed to happen...
Shang Qi took a deep breath: "Yue Ban, I am a human; I might marry and have children in the future. But you’re different to me, you’ll always be the only pet I keep."
Pet...
Do I damn well want to be your pet?
Chuzheng felt a bit irritable, suddenly pushing the phone into the sink before turning and leaping away.
Shang Qi watched as Chuzheng disappeared into the bedroom, reaching out to fish the phone from the sink, holding the now-black-screened phone for a few minutes before finally putting it away and silently finishing the meal preparation.
Once dinner was ready, Shang Qi paced the living room back and forth for a while, ultimately knocking and entering the bedroom.
Unfortunately, there was no sign of Chuzheng in the bedroom.
"Yue Ban!"
Shang Qi’s heart was pounding wildly, quickly opening the bathroom door.
Nope.
Study.
Nope.
Guest room.
Nope.
"Yue Ban?"
Shang Qi opened all the doorways in the house, only to find no trace of Chuzheng.
Shang Qi’s heart was clenched tight, fumbling for his phone to contact the bodyguard, only to remember that it had been pushed into the water by Chuzheng earlier and was now unresponsive.
-
Chuzheng left the neighborhood, the wind gradually calming her earlier irritation as she frowned at the passing traffic.
The earlier behavior was slightly off; in that instant, she simply acted on instinct.
But that wasn’t her instinct; it was this body’s...The species had changed, and it actually affected her behavior.
Damn!
Chuzheng cursed softly, looking back at the neighborhood behind her.
Since I’m already out, going back would be embarrassing; maybe I should find a fight to cool off!