The sound of running water continued.

Jiang Qingli didn’t know how long she had been standing there, watching.

Their eyes met. Gu Nian’s heart skipped a beat. The hand holding his terminal went rigid and pale, as if drenched by the drizzling water, a chill spreading from his fingertips.

As an Assassin, he shouldn’t have let his guard down like this.

But around Jiang Qingli, his senses always seemed to dull.

Blinking, Gu Nian forced a smile. "Sister, did you forget something...?"

Before he could finish his question, he was interrupted by the sound of her sudden footsteps approaching him.

Jiang Qingli stopped in front of Gu Nian, leaned down, and moved closer. "Why didn’t you answer my question?"

Their breaths were only inches apart.

Catching her scent, Gu Nian’s pupils dilated slightly. The rabbit ears on his head popped out uncontrollably, folding back and trembling against his soft hair.

Slender fingers wrapped around one of his rabbit ears.

Jiang Qingli’s touch was gentle, but the usually soft ear tensed up under her fingers.

"Are you nervous?" Jiang Qingli’s tone was calm.

"Mm..." The young man’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice unnaturally tight. "Sister, how did you know?"

"I’ve been learning a bit about the habits of rabbits."

She didn’t let go of his ear, instead glancing down at Gu Nian’s terminal.

On the screen wasn’t a chat window, but an article titled "A Guide to Diamond Care."

Sensing her gaze, Gu Nian pursed his lips, his pink eyes flickering with unease.

"I feel like this jewelry is very precious, so it should be properly cared for," he said in a low voice.

"Is that so? How thoughtful."

Jiang Qingli looked away as if she didn’t care.

She braced one hand beside him and leaned in, feeling his whole body tense up. She gave his hot rabbit ear a gentle tug.

It was partly teasing, yet also held a hint of punishment.

"Sister..."

The corners of the young man’s eyes reddened, his voice thick with a clear plea.

The arm he used to prop himself up tightened. Bluish-purple veins lay dormant beneath his delicate skin, and his pale knuckles were locked straight, forming a taut line of defense.

A single touch would be enough to make it crumble.

But she seemed completely unaware, drawing closer and closer, the hem of her skirt brushing against his fingertips.

Gu Nian’s pupils contracted sharply. The fingers of his free hand lifted, hovering around her waist before imperceptibly tightening.

Just as he was about to touch her, Jiang Qingli suddenly straightened up. "The water is still running. I’m going to take my bath."

With that, she pushed herself up.

Her slender fingers casually ruffled his hair. "You were so well-behaved this time."

Then, without a second glance, she turned and went into the bathroom.

The sound of running water had stopped.

But because of that, the sound of the girl splashing in the bathtub was even more distinct.

Gu Nian sat frozen in place. He closed his eyes, his chest heaving as if he’d suddenly been deflated.

’For a moment there,’ Gu Nian thought, ’I felt like Jiang Qingli was testing me.’

’When she leaned in, her beautiful eyes reflected my own image, as if she knew everything.’

’But if she knew everything, how could she be so calm?’

’Besides, I can run circles around an old fox like Jiang Youchen. There’s no way I can’t fool a naive and kind-hearted princess.’

Gu Nian’s thoughts were in turmoil, but he eventually convinced himself.

Or rather, he preferred to believe that Jiang Qingli knew nothing at all.

The bathroom door wasn’t fully closed, leaving a narrow crack.

’It’s as if she truly thinks I’m well-behaved and won’t do anything...’

Gu Nian looked away, unwrapped a piece of candy, and tossed it into his mouth.

The sweetness spread, but the young man’s feelings were complicated. He didn’t know if he should be happy about her complete trust.

’Does she really think I’m so well-behaved?’

’Does she know that every time she gets close...’

’...this well-behaved rabbit is thinking about how to have his way with her?’

...

After her bath, Jiang Qingli sat on the edge of the bed, reviewing a speech draft.

As the acting chairman of the Melt Star Association, she had to give speeches for the opening and closing ceremonies. They would be broadcast to the entire planet.

Qiao Lan took this matter very seriously, and a whole team had revised the draft several times.

Tang Xu was a nervous wreck.

Qiao Lan said, "Chairman Jiang gave speeches at her middle school and high school opening ceremonies. She has plenty of experience, so there’s no need to worry."

’Maybe this body really does have a conditioned reflex.’ Jiang Qingli didn’t feel particularly nervous.

At times, an image would even pop into her head of herself standing on a stage, facing hundreds of people, and rattling off a script.

The mattress beside her dipped slightly.

Jiang Qingli glanced over and saw Gu Nian quietly curling up next to her.

He seemed to have become cautious again, keeping a pillow’s distance between them, not daring to rashly touch her skin.

Jiang Qingli glanced at the time, her tone perplexed. "Are you not feeling well? Why were you in the shower for two hours?"

Gu Nian’s back stiffened. "..."

’I have a feeling... Sister has gotten a lot sharper since she received that jewelry set...’

Before his thoughts could wander, her fingers touched his forehead.

"I’m fine." The tips of the young man’s ears grew hot. He buried his face in the covers, his voice muffled. "Sister... it’s getting late. Let’s sleep. You have to go to the supervision center tomorrow."

"Alright."

Jiang Qingli reached out to turn off the light, slipped under the covers, and pulled Gu Nian into her arms.

The young man who had just been acting like ’I won’t disturb Sister’ tumbled into her arms at her effortless pull, then wrapped his own arms around her waist to press even closer.

The last glimmer of light from the table lamp went out, and the world plunged into darkness.

Gu Nian closed his eyes, feeling the girl’s warmth.

For some reason, his thoughts drifted to the second day he knew Jiang Qingli.

Because he had been saved by the young lady of the Jiang Family after a beating the day before, some of the children at the orphanage thought he’d done it on purpose. They decided he was manipulative and began to ostracize him.

During mealtime, a few kids intentionally shoved him. His bowl, chopsticks, and food shattered on the floor, and he fell into the mess.

They surrounded him, roaring with laughter.

He stared at them, wondering if shoving a spoon down one of their throats would be enough to stop the laughter.

But he couldn’t beat them. He might even die.

While he was stunned, the crowd suddenly parted. The beautiful girl, once again in her princess dress, pulled him up from the pile of scraps and asked, "Do you know how to say ’Sister’?"

He whispered the word.

She then lifted her chin and shouted at the bullies, "Did you hear that? He’s under my protection now! I’ll beat up anyone who bullies him!"

Someone said he was bad, crazy, a monster, unworthy of the young lady’s pity.

The little princess didn’t care at all, her eyes sparkling. "That’s just the kind I like! So I’m keeping this little monster!"

It was a beautiful, sunny day. The sunlight was so bright it made his eyes ache.

During that time, she really did try to "keep" him. She would sneak over to find him every day, teach him how to write, and tell him stories.

Although most of the time, he was disobedient and fierce, and would even bare his teeth at her.

She would get angry, but would later say magnanimously, "Oh, well. Mom said I have to be responsible for the little monster I’m keeping."

That was a truly unforgettable time.

’If nothing had gone wrong later, I might have really come to the First District to grow up with her, under her protection...’

During the days since their reunion...

Gu Nian had hoped Jiang Qingli would remember him, but more often than not, he found himself thinking—

’If she never remembers, can’t I just create a more perfect image for her, one that fits her ideal of a pet?’

’If that’s what she needs, I can hide my thorns and be her obedient pet for a lifetime.’

The arm around his shoulders tightened slightly.

Jiang Qingli asked, "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

Gu Nian said, "I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"I was wondering... what qualities does a Beast Husband need to have for Sister to like him more?"

Jiang Qingli thought for a moment. "That’s a difficult question to answer. I like a lot of things."

Gu Nian pressed his lips together.

He keenly sensed that she was avoiding the topic.

According to his obedient persona, he should be meekly nuzzling her palm right now, acting cute.

But in this moment, for some unknown reason, he felt the urge to get to the bottom of it. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

His voice took on a stubborn edge. "Then just tell me the first word that came to mind when you heard the question, Sister."

Jiang Qingli didn’t speak. Her breathing was faint.

Just as Gu Nian thought she was about to fall asleep...

She suddenly took his hand. Her fingertip traced lightly across his palm, creating a faint, ticklish sensation.

Stroke by stroke, she traced a single word.

—True.