---

I was still deep in thought when Chen Zhou casually climbed into my bed, lying next to me. One hand naturally rested on my waist as he asked, “You left in such a hurry this morning. Doesn’t your waist hurt?”

As he mentioned it, I belatedly felt a wave of soreness. His massaging touch was so soothing that I closed my eyes, completely forgetting the questions I had intended to ask.

---

I tried to regain some clarity, “The Gu family won’t agree to this.”

“As long as the young master agrees, that’s enough,” Chen Zhou said firmly, as if no obstacle could stop him.

I stared at his handsome face and, almost without thinking, nodded, “Fine. I guess I can reluctantly agree to date you.”

The identity of the Gu family young master and the young master’s lover—those two roles can’t be too different, right? So, even if the Gu family and Chen Zhou discover my true identity, I shouldn’t end up too badly.

Of course, it’s much better to remain the young master.

I made up my mind, “But from now on, you’ll have to listen to everything I say. And also, write a property transfer agreement, stating that you willingly give me everything under your name.”

I thought Chen Zhou might at least ask something like, “I don’t have much, I’m broke,” and then I could smoothly reply, “That’s exactly why I’m asking you to write it, just to show your sincerity.”

It would seem perfectly reasonable, and surely he wouldn’t suspect anything.

But just as I was feeling smug about my cleverness, Chen Zhou nodded, “Alright, I’ll write it now.”

He didn’t even question it. How strange.

Could it be that he already knows his real identity? That’s impossible. If he knew, wouldn’t he have already skinned me alive?

Just as I was about to probe further, Chen Zhou casually said, “Oh, I forgot to mention. On his way to see the Gu family, Su Yao got into a car accident. A fire broke out, and everything was completely burned.”

I froze. I should’ve felt relieved, but for some reason, a chill ran down my spine.

Chen Zhou pulled me into his arms, nuzzling his fluffy hair against my chin, “I’m your most obedient little dog, young master.”

I said, “…Really? Then take your hand off.”

Chen Zhou licked his lips and replied, “No.”

Through the blanket, I patted Chen Zhou’s head, not too hard, “Take it easy.”

His response was gentle. My scalp tingled, and I surrendered completely.

Honestly, I’ve never really liked keeping pets. But from the moment I first saw Chen Zhou, I felt something stir inside me. I know I’m not a good person, but so what?

Chen Zhou said he likes me and wants to be my dog.

Then he’ll have to stay that way for life.

---

Chen Zhou’s Perspective (Extra)

After dealing with Su Yao, I tossed both paternity test results into the fire.

The system screamed in panic: “You’re the protagonist! You’ve awakened, so why are you still helping that side character?”

“Because I feel like your plot isn’t right.” I watched the fire grow, “I love Gu Qing more than a family I’ve never met.”

In the entire story, there’s only one Gu Qing. He’s unique in this world.

The system was fuming: “He only sees you as a dog!”

“That’s my honor.”

There are still many things I need to do. For example, helping Gu Qing hide my true identity. He’s not very bright, but he’s easy to understand. It’s not a difficult task.

And also, making Gu Qing fully dependent on me.

That task is a bit harder, but I’ve been working on it, and I’ll succeed eventually.

The system, exasperated, asked: “Aren’t you afraid that one day, to keep his secret, Gu Qing might really try to harm you and your adoptive parents?”

“He wouldn’t.” I was sure.

I remembered the first time I met him. He walked down the stairs, looking down at me with an arrogant, cold gaze, and ordered me to be his personal bodyguard. He looked fierce.

But at night, he would pretend he couldn’t finish his food and give his midnight snacks to me, who was starving.

That year, I hadn’t yet read Maugham’s The Painted Veil, but I already understood love, instinctively.

“I know you are foolish, frivolous, and empty-headed, but I love you. I know your ambitions, your dreams; I know you’re vain and superficial, but I love you. I know you’re nothing more than Inferior Quality but I love you.”

(End)

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