CH 17

Chapter 17

Qi Jinglan looked at him and revealed a gentle smile. “What’s wrong? Lost in thought?”

Duan Qiufeng shook his head with a smile. “Nothing like that. I was just chatting with them. Did you need me for something?”

Qi Jinglan replied, “Ah Yue is looking for you. Go see what he wants.”

Duan Qiufeng followed her and left. Zheng Yi and Yang Yue, who remained in their original spots, exchanged a glance, both catching a hint of teasing in each other’s eyes.

The two of them huddled together and spoke in hushed voices.

Yang Yue said, “There’s something off about those two.”

Zheng Yi agreed, “Exactly! I always thought Duan Qiufeng couldn’t possibly like Qi Yue. Turns out, he has a taste for both older and younger siblings, huh, hehe…”

Yang Yue pondered, “Both older sister and younger brother have their own charms. Is he enjoying the best of both worlds?”

Zheng Yi chuckled, “He hasn’t crashed yet.”

Yang Yue remarked, “Impressive. Why don’t we receive such favorable treatment?”

Zheng Yi sighed, “No choice, who told him to be good-looking?”

Yang Yue agreed, “True. If I had a face like that, I wouldn’t be without a partner.”

The two of them whispered in a corner, thinking that no one would overhear. However, they overlooked the fact that there were two individuals who possessed enhanced senses, although not as powerful as those with beast-like transformations.

Although their senses weren’t as impressive, they could still faintly hear the conversation. But the two of them didn’t pay it any mind because some people always complain even if they can’t taste the grapes, and besides, Duan Qiufeng and Qi Jinglan hadn’t shown any behavior beyond a normal relationship so far.

The two of them simply had communication between them. No matter how you looked at it, it was only because Duan Qiufeng and Qi Yue were in a romantic relationship. Zheng Yi and Yang Yue’s hushed conversation was just a way to vent their jealousy.

They didn’t dare to say such things in front of others, after all, there was no basis for it.

Qi Jinglan said, “Ah Yue is in the room.”

Duan Qiufeng nodded. “Alright, thank you, Jinglan.”

Qi Jinglan shook her head. “No problem. I’ll go ahead now. You have a good talk with Ah Yue. Your relationship seems a bit strained these past couple of days, and I… I’m a bit worried.”

After saying that, Qi Jinglan reached out and patted his shoulder, giving him a smile before turning to leave.

Duan Qiufeng touched the spot where she had patted his shoulder and smiled. Then he turned around and knocked on the door. “Ah Yue, are you inside?”

Qi Yue blinked and got up from the bed to open the door. “Brother Duan?”

Duan Qiufeng smiled at him. “Can we talk?”

Qi Yue’s mood wasn’t particularly good, but it wasn’t because of anything else. It was simply because he himself wasn’t feeling very enthusiastic. He hadn’t noticed this before, but it started happening two days ago—loss of appetite, bad mood. He didn’t want to face others with a cold face or lose his temper, so whenever he had time, he could only lock himself in his room.

“Brother Duan, do you need something from me? I’m a bit tired and want to rest.”

Qi Yue spoke, but he didn’t invite Duan Qiufeng into the room.

Duan Qiufeng squinted, feeling somewhat strange. He hadn’t expected Qi Yue to be in such a bad mood that he didn’t even show him a friendly face. What had happened?

It seemed like this had been the case since returning from Qin Jiulin’s place. Was it because of what happened that day? Did Qi Yue think it was his fault too?

Despite having a boyfriend, Duan Qiufeng had let an underage kid like Qi Yue persuade Qin Jiulin. Taking advantage of his young age, so that Qin Jiulin wouldn’t be able to refuse?

Duan Qiufeng said, “Ah Yue, you’ve been acting off these past few days, and I’m really worried. If there’s anything bothering you, you can tell me. I think I can help.”

Qi Yue hesitated for a moment and then stepped aside. “Alright…”

Duan Qiufeng entered the room. Qi Yue’s room had very few belongings, and one could see everything at a glance. Of course, the most prominent item was the photo on the bedside table, which only featured Qi Yue and himself.

They leaned against each other and smiled happily in the photo taken a few months ago when they went out together. Qi Jinglan had taken the picture for them, and Qi Yue seemed to really like it, even though Duan Qiufeng found it quite ordinary.

Qi Yue sat on the bed with little enthusiasm, and Duan Qiufeng sat down beside him. “Alright, what’s been bothering you? Tell me about it.”

Qi Yue lazily leaned against his chest, following his lead. “I don’t know either. I just feel down recently, without any particular reason. It’ll pass in a couple of days, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

Duan Qiufeng replied, “So that’s what it is. I thought I did something wrong and you were mad at me. You haven’t been paying much attention to me these past few days.”

Qi Yue shook his head with a touch of grievance. “No, it’s not like that. I didn’t think that way. It’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

Duan Qiufeng said, “Alright, alright, I understand. Then… I’ll try to spend more time with you when I have the chance.”

Qi Yue replied, “Hmm, okay…”

After leaving Qi Yue’s room, Duan Qiufeng noticed that there was no one in the living room except for Qi Jinglan, who was still sitting on the sofa as if she was waiting for him.

Qi Jinglan smiled at him when she saw him. “How was it? Did you have a good talk with Ah Yue?”

Duan Qiufeng nodded and walked over to her. “It went alright. Ah Yue seems more cheerful now. I should spend more time with him in the future. He hasn’t been looking happy lately, and I’ve been neglecting him.”

Qi Jinglan said, “Ah Yue is still a kid after all. It’s normal for him to fear loneliness.”

Duan Qiufeng said, “Oh, by the way, has everyone gone back to their rooms to rest?”

Qi Jinglan nodded. “Yes, everyone has gone back to rest. After all, there’s not much to do right now.”

Duan Qiufeng blinked. “Okay then, you should go back and rest too. I have something to do, so I’ll go out for a walk.”

Qi Jinglan was taken aback. “You’re going out for a walk? What are you going to do outside? It’s dangerous out there…”

Duan Qiufeng reassured her, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Lin Ge flew around the neighborhood a few times before and marked all the dangerous areas. I just feel a bit bored and want to go out for a walk. I’ll be back soon.”

Qi Jinglan still felt worried. “But… considering the current situation…”

Duan Qiufeng said, “I won’t go far, just take a walk nearby. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Qi Jinglan suggested, “Then… how about I accompany you?”

Duan Qiufeng replied, “No need. I’m fast, and if you accompany me, it’ll slow me down.”

Qi Jinglan responded, “Alright then, but make sure you come back quickly. Even if it’s not dangerous outside, you shouldn’t stay out for too long.”

Duan Qiufeng reassured her, “Don’t worry, I won’t joke around with my life for the sake of Ah Yue and you.”

He watched Qi Jinglan return to her room and then put on his coat and left the villa. He walked all the way outside, and gradually, his relaxed expression began to fade.

With a mysterious gaze, he glanced a few times in the direction of Qin Jiulin’s residence, then took out the latest map from his pocket, which marked the dangerous areas, a copy that everyone in the villa had.

He avoided places where semi-beastified people existed, as well as areas where dangerous animals had been seen before. He deliberately circled around his own villa and went to the other side of Qin Jiulin’s residence.

There, he found a building that was relatively close to Qin Jiulin’s house and had two semi-beastified individuals locked inside. He approached the vicinity of this building slowly and cautiously, peering towards the villa.

When he saw the two semi-beastified individuals wandering inside through the window, a smile appeared on his face. Now, he just needed to…

“Qin Jiulin, don’t blame me. Who made you target me for no reason?”

Duan Qiufeng’s smile carried a hint of paranoia and sinister intent, but he quickly composed his expression. Today, he was just scouting the area; he didn’t really intend to do anything.

There was still plenty of time, and he wasn’t in a hurry. He needed to plan carefully and ensure he could perfectly distance himself before taking any action.

After all, the location of the semi-beastified individuals within the villa area was crucial to their group. Currently, them being confined within the villa posed no major problem.

However, if they were released outside, the level of danger would increase significantly. After all, semi-beastified individuals were highly aggressive, and once they sensed the scent of prey, which was flesh and blood, they would relentlessly pursue it.

He had to come up with a solution, whether it meant having Qin Jiulin and his so-called friend perish together with these two semi-beastified individuals.

“Just you wait. Don’t let me figure out a plan, or it will be your end.”

Qin Jiulin and Liu Zhongyuan were unaware that someone had set their sights on them. The two of them were currently sitting in the living room, exchanging awkward glances, creating a tense atmosphere.

Liu Zhongyuan hesitated and said, “Um…”

Qin Jiulin asked, “Yes?”

Liu Zhongyuan continued, “Don’t get angry, but I was thinking of going out for a while. What would you like to eat? I can bring it back for you.”

Qin Jiulin responded, “At this time, getting something to eat is good enough. Do we need to be picky about it?”

Liu Zhongyuan said, “Alright then, I’ll go out. You still have injuries, so stay at home and don’t wander around. I’ll be back soon.”

Qin Jiulin nodded and said, “Got it.”

Liu Zhongyuan got up and left, leaving Qin Jiulin alone in the house. Qin Jiulin blinked as he watched the door being closed and listened to the faint sound of footsteps. He confirmed that Liu Zhongyuan had walked far enough away only when he couldn’t hear the footsteps anymore.

He slowly got up and returned to the basement. After all, this was where he lived, and it needed to be cleaned regularly. He didn’t want Liu Zhongyuan to clean his own room, so he would wait until he was gone before taking care of it.

The basement wasn’t dirty either. Qin Jiulin was someone who liked cleanliness, so a little tidying up made it clean. Sitting on the bed, Qin Jiulin couldn’t help but daydream.

He thought about Xia Liansheng and his younger brother. They must be together now. It turned out that in their past lives, Xia Liansheng had been with him. When he meets Qin Jiuzhen…

He wondered if they were living happily together now.

After leaving the villa area, Liu Zhongyuan first observed the surroundings but didn’t notice anything unusual. He then took off his clothes and put them into a bag he carried with him.