Chapter 24.2

　　Duan Chi had just settled into his bed when he discerned the somewhat stiff tone in Jing Xi’s voice. Recalling his assistant’s report on the arrival of President Yi and his son, he immediately grasped the situation and declared, “No can do. Come to my room tomorrow morning, and we’ll talk there.”

　　Jing Xi refrained from enabling the speaker, but the silence in the room could not conceal CEO Duan’s commanding tone entirely. Whereas, the victim himself stared at the chat in solemn silence.

　　Duan Chi patiently waited for a couple of heartbeats before sending another voice message. “Did you hear me?”

　　Jing Xi replied resignedly, “Yes, I did.”
　　Satisfied with his response, Duan Chi declared, “Be good and get some rest. Good night, My Darling.”

　　Jing Xi locked his phone and slouched onto the sofa, reaching for a drink.

　　President Yi and Yi Jun exchanged a silent glance, perceiving slivers of subdued emotions in the room.

　　On that note, Yi Jun stepped in and offered some advice. “C’mon, you can’t stay like this. His fate lies in your hands, so you need to step up and become stronger.”

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　　As they left his room, he could not help but deduct six brownie points for his father in his mind. “So this is where my brother got his sentimentality,” Jing Xi noted.

　　System reiterated, “Are you really intending to reconcile with them?”

　　Jing Xi got to his feet and stretched lazily. “What are you talking about? As if I’d let them leech¹ 吸血: It can also be lifesteal, but leech fits better in this dialogue. In any case, they are terms that are commonly used in video games. They refer to a mechanic that allows the player to gain health equal to a percentage of the damage dealt. on me!”

　　After a good night’s rest, he woke up to a message from CEO Duan, informing him to head over for breakfast and the discussion.

　　Following his instructions, he swiftly located the room and heard a soft click as the door opened from the inside. As he looked up, he was greeted by CEO Duan’s newfound appearance.

　　Both Jing Xi and System went wide open for a good moment, flabbergasted and speechless.

　　There stood CEO Duan, clad in a pure cotton bathrobe that exposed his ears and tail. His usually impeccable hair was now slightly tousled, giving him a disheveled charm. This unexpected combination instantly diminished the air of seriousness around the big shot, evoking an irresistible urge to draw closer.

　　“Why?” System bemoaned, “There are countless tricks up his sleeve, yet he refuses to share them with the male lead!”

　　Jing Xi remained silent, simply arching an eyebrow in response.

　　Nonchalantly, Duan Chi beckoned, “Come in.” After saying so, he turned and strode into the room.

　　His bathrobe barely reached his knees as a snow-white tail peeked out from the hem. The fur appeared irresistibly fluffy that was practically screaming to be petted.

　　Jing Xi’s gaze lingered on the fluffy tail for a moment before closing the door behind him. Trailing behind Duan Chi to the dining table, he favored the man with a hard stare.

　　Duan Chi wondered, “What’s wrong?”
　　Jing Xi stated, “I’m just waiting for you to spout nonsense in all seriousness.”
　　Duan Chi puzzled, “For example?”
　　Jing Xi accused, “Something along the lines of ‘only just waking up after working late into the night, so that’s why you’re meeting your guest in this disheveled state.’”
　　Duan Chi’s deep laughter danced through the air, as he admitted truthfully, “No, I’m just doing this to seduce you.”
　　Jing Xi quipped, “Well, good luck then.”

　　Duan Chi placed a glass of milk before Jing Xi and invited, “Let’s eat.”

　　Jing Xi loaded his fork with a piece of vegetable and put it in his mouth, all while pretending the canine before him did not exist. 

　　But oh boy, that creature was impossible to ignore!

　　Obscured by darkness, Jing Xi could not quite make out his features last night. But now, every slight twitch of Duan Chi’s ears under the illuminating light sent shivers down his spine. And that bathrobe? His tantalizingly loose hem danced in the air whenever his tail swished back and forth. It was like a captivating spell he could not break.

　　Lost in his own thoughts, Jing Xi mulled over his odd predicament. He had never been a fan of pets, so why was he finding it so irresistible? Shaking off the distraction, he refocused his thoughts on the pressing matter at hand. “How would you like to handle this situation?”

　　Duan Chi inquired, “And what about you?”
　　Jing Xi remarked, “I think it’s fine as it is.”
　　Despite acknowledging his exceptional skills, Duan Chi could not shake off his worry. “Perhaps I should assign a few trustworthy bodyguards to protect you?”
　　Jing Xi declined, “There’s no need for that.”
　　Duan Chi reminded, “I do have countless enemies.”

　　Determined to prevent tragic history from repeating itself, Duan Chi vowed to protect Xiuwen at all costs. Much unlike Yi Zhou, Xiuwen, at the very least, possessed the ability to transform when faced with danger. Though it meant enduring suffering, Xiuwen would still be able to find a way to survive.

　　But the mere thought of the person before him standing in Xiuwen’s place sent shivers down Duan Chi’s spine. He could not even begin to fathom the potential horrors that awaited.

　　Although he did not hanker after this person’s blood, he could not imagine his life without them. If something were to occur, he was certain that his life would also be at stake.

　　Of course, Jing Xi was not too keen on being targeted by a bunch of strangers. Hence, he proposed, “How about this? Give me a list of your enemies, and I’ll have my hacker friend keep a watchful eye on them.”

　　Taking a step back, Duan Chi patiently negotiated, “With Gese University’s top-notch campus security, I can rest easy knowing you’re there. But just keep me informed about your whereabouts once you’re off campus, alright?”

　　Jing Xi replied, “I’ll try.”

　　Respecting Jing Xi’s independence and aversion to excessive control, Duan Chi held back from pushing further once he obtained the promise. 

　　Just as the final morsel vanished from the plate, Jing Xi rose to bid his farewell. However, before he could make his exit, Duan Chi’s nimble fingers clasped his arm, refusing to let him slip away.

　　“What’s all the hurry?” Amusement chimed in Duan Chi’s voice. “Let’s continue our conversation a bit longer.”

　　Jing Xi pointed out, “There’s nothing more to talk about.”
　　Just as his final words fell, he noticed a flicker of movement at the periphery of his vision — a tail gently brushed against his wrist.
　　A moment of silence befell him, then gently beckoned Artificial Stupidity. “No. 44…”

　　System was pleasantly surprised and flattered to hear him utter its own identification number for the first time. “What? What’s wrong?”

　　Jing Xi observed, “I think he has no shame.”
　　System puzzled, “Is that all?”
　　Jing Xi answered, “Yeah.”
　　System deadpanned, “… Just touch it if you really want to. What harm could he possibly have in mind when he is just wagging his tail?”
　　Jing Xi rebutted, “He mentioned that it was seduction right from the start. Do you know what that implies?”
　　System guessed, “He knows your weakness?”
　　Jing Xi disagreed, “No, it signifies a great deal since I can pet it however I wish to. If I let this chance slip away, the next one might not come as easily.”

　　“…” The stupefied System could not help but opine inwardly, ‘After all that, you still intend to do it?’