18. The Cold War and Hot War (1)

Qiu Rong had never considered establishing an intimate relationship with another person.

Hatred was deeply rooted in his heart. Find the murderer, end everything from the past, and then become a researcher at the Supernatural Research Institute. Perhaps then he could truly start a new life.

If he had to think about it, what he longed for was definitely to meet and understand another Supernatural being.

The regulations on Supernatural ability control required that Supernaturals should not disclose anything related to their Supernatural species to the outside world. Therefore, most Supernaturals would choose to be with others who also possessed Supernatural abilities, which would save them a lot of trouble.

There didn’t necessarily have to be romantic love between two people. Mutual respect and support, living a peaceful life as respectful partners would be sufficient.

The appearance of Yan Ling was a complete accident.

Qiu Rong timidly retreated into the shell he had gradually built up since childhood. He cautiously peeked out, wanting to approach the beautiful cat but unwilling to leave his safe zone. Only when the cat was in danger would he quickly dash out, driving away the rainbow-haired person who wanted to steal the cat, and then retreat back into his shell to observe secretly.

He had no idea that his furry tail was exposed outside the shell.

His wagging tail, swinging left and right like a cat toy, successfully captured the attention of the cat. Yan Ling couldn’t help but become curious about the big dog living inside the shell.

Cats always found various ways to catch people’s attention. By the time Qiu Rong came to his senses, he was already standing outside his shell. Looking at the beautiful cat sitting high on his shell, leisurely swaying its tail, Qiu Rong realized that when love truly arrived, all the expectations and assumptions became empty talk.

He already had a cat, so what more did he need besides being respectful partners?

Different experiences, same loneliness. When two people came together, it was love at first sight, but also a process of mutually testing and approaching each other’s souls.

Unconsciously, Qiu Rong included Yan Ling in his future.

If a Supernatural being is in a relationship with an ordinary human, there are only two choices: hiding their true identity from their partner, or having the partner sign a confidentiality agreement with the Central Authority.

If the relationship were to break in the future, the Central Authority would modify the memories of the human partner.

Qiu Rong didn’t think that he would have a falling-out with Yan Ling, but he also didn’t want Yan Ling to bear any risks.

Even though he was the one with identity issues, he couldn’t allow his loved one to mortgage their memories for this relationship. There was no logic in that.

So, Qiu Rong decided not to tell Yan Ling anything related to Supernatural abilities.

Now, over a year has passed, and even in the face of a serious trust crisis, Qiu Rong’s thoughts haven’t changed.

“Alright, stop washing. If you keep washing, the calibration marks on the test tubes will disappear,” Yuan Shang took away the test tube that Qiu Rong had rinsed countless times, and asked, “What’s wrong? You’ve been absent-minded all morning.”

Qiu Rong glanced at him, took off his gloves, and walked towards the laboratory exit. Yuan Shang followed.

The two found a place to rest. Qiu Rong scanned the QR code of a vending machine and bought a bottle of cold cola for Yuan Shang, and chose a can of coffee for himself.

Yuan Shang took the cola and asked, “It’s not still because of your CEO’s assistant, is it?”

“It’s been a whole weekend, and you still haven’t figured it out?” Qiu Rong, with heavy bags under his eyes, sighed deeply, “No.”

He finished a can of coffee in one gulp, then looked at Yuan Shang with a touch of resentment, “This time, I’m afraid even ten vinegar factories won’t solve the problem.”

Yuan Shang: “…”

Last night, with the lights off, Qiu Rong and Yan Ling slept back to back. Qiu Rong didn’t know what time Yan Ling fell asleep, but he himself couldn’t sleep all night.

In the morning, he still got up to make breakfast, then drove Yan Ling to the company. This time, there was no goodbye kiss. Yan Ling didn’t even look back as he got out of the car.

Not to exaggerate, but Qiu Rong and Yan Ling had been living together for over a year without any unpleasantness. They could accommodate each other’s habits and minor issues, and their jealousy and playfulness were just part of their marital intimacy.

Even though a few days ago, he complained to Yuan Shang about Vincent’s suspicious intentions, it was actually just because he had nothing better to do and wanted to vent to a fellow single dog.

Yuan Shang, Qiu Rong’s single dog brother and exclusive emotional expert, pushed up his nonexistent glasses, clasped his hands in front of him, and calmly said, “Go on, what happened this time?”

After a brief hesitation, Qiu Rong recounted the encounter on Chunhe Road from the previous night.

After listening to this thrilling drama, Yuan Shang, greatly shocked, asked the most crucial question, “So why did you go to Chunhe Road last night?”

Qiu Rong told Yuan Shang that saving his deceived junior was a lie he made up on the spot.

Qiu Rong carefully concealed the true reasons and said, “There was a reason behind it, but I definitely didn’t go there to do anything bad.”

Yuan Shang: “…”

Yuan Shang’s assessment: “You deserved to be dumped with a belt.”

Indeed, Qiu Rong described the encounter in detail but spared no details about how the CEO got angry at him after returning home.

Qiu Rong: “It’s the first time he’s done something like this, and I’m really worried.”

Yuan Shang fully understood Qiu Rong’s feelings. Since the second semester of their senior year, when Qiu Rong suddenly decided to pursue someone, Yuan Shang had heard him talk endlessly about how great and gentle his CEO was, praising him to the heavens. If even this divine being was getting angry, Qiu Rong, the love-struck fool, must be in a panic.

Yuan Shang: “I have to say, you people in a relationship are really strange.”

After criticizing, Yuan Shang analyzed for Qiu Rong, “Initially, there might have been some credibility in what Mr. Yan said. But you keep using the same lies, like ‘going astray’ or ‘being misled.’ It just undermines the credibility of both of your stories.”

“If Mr. Yan didn’t lie and has a clear conscience, it’s understandable that he got angry because he doubted you. But if he did lie and you’re using his lies to your advantage, it’s also possible that he would become furious out of embarrassment.”

Qiu Rong said, “I believe he has a clear conscience.”

Yuan Shang: “…”

There it is, love-struck fool.

Qiu Rong: “He may have hidden something about the reasons, but I believe he hasn’t done anything to betray me.”

Qiu Rong: “Right now, I’m worried about the first scenario you mentioned: that he’s angry because he suspects me, and I don’t know how to explain it to him.”

Yuan Shang didn’t have much contact with Mr. Yan, but his impression was that Mr. Yan was a polite and dignified CEO who didn’t seem like someone who would engage in love affairs. However, knowing someone’s appearance doesn’t mean knowing their heart. Whether it was in terms of age and experience or social status, he was more concerned for his love-struck brother: “Don’t you ever doubt what the other person says?”

Yuan Shang pointed out something worth doubting: “Why did he suddenly change his flight reservation? Was it really to surprise you?”

Narrowing his eyes, Yuan Shang said, “Is it possible…”

“He never went on a business trip!”

Qiu Rong looked at Yuan Shang and said calmly, “When I couldn’t sleep last night, I checked. He has records of round-trip tickets to S City, and the flight last night was indeed rescheduled.”

Yuan Shang: “…”

Understood. This is what they call “I believe he has a clear conscience.”

Yuan Shang finally realized that getting involved in a lovers’ war wouldn’t lead to a good outcome. Feeling hopeless, he said, “You should continue your cold war.”

Qiu Rong silently stared at him.

Yuan Shang: “…”

Under pressure, Yuan Shang spoke again, “You said there’s a reason behind all this, so why not just tell the truth? What could be more important than your relationship with Mr. Yan?”

After discussing for a while without reaching a conclusion, Qiu Rong crushed the empty can in his hand and said melancholically, “You don’t understand. The reason I don’t speak up is precisely because I love him.”

Yuan Shang: “…”

Giving up, Yuan Shang said, “Well, in that case, you might as well start praying that Mr. Yan is also a love-struck fool.”

Ruan Sijia had a full schedule of classes today, Meng Baichuan had training, and Qiu Rong was busy himself, so the three of them didn’t have much contact.

Qiu Rong forced himself not to think about other matters for the time being and focused on his experiments.

As he focused, his thoughts drifted back to Yan Ling.

Qiu Rong didn’t understand Yan Ling’s subtle confession on New Year’s Eve at the time. He just thought Yan Ling was great and that he had to pursue this person.

Yan Ling’s tsundere behavior prevented him from expressing himself more directly, so Qiu Rong foolishly tried to be attentive around Yan Ling, with clumsy attempts at showing affection, which Yan Ling fully accepted.

Later, Yan Ling mentioned that during that time, every time they met, he wondered if Qiu Rong would confess. But Qiu Rong remained pure and innocent throughout, even more innocent than a high school student. The CEO had to give Qiu the little dog one more chance and invited him to cook and live together.

Qiu Rong’s true innocence or pretense of innocence aside, their relationship flourished after moving in together, quickly progressing from ambiguity to being harmonious husbands.

During this year and more of being together, they were intimate with each other. Qiu Rong wanted to protect Yan Ling as a human, and Yan Ling, in his role as the older one, showed great tolerance towards Qiu Rong.

Their trust was built on love and their judgment of each other’s character, making it not easily shaken.

Checking the flight ticket was just because Qiu Rong couldn’t sleep. Even if he found something, he would be the first to proactively ask Yan Ling about it.

Putting aside the suspicions and doubts that arose during the initial shock, a rational Qiu Rong was willing to believe in Yan Ling.

He believed that Yan Ling would not betray their love.

After a day of calmness, Yan Ling would also believe in himself. Qiu Rong thought so.

After all, last night, he didn’t even enter the club; he was just at the entrance.

It was truly innocent.

After finishing his experiment, Qiu Rong also came to his senses. There’s nothing that cannot be resolved through sitting down and talking between lovers. Cold wars won’t solve any problems.

Taking the initiative that night, Qiu Rong would admit his mistake to Mr. Yan and express his unwavering loyalty.

There are no long-lasting grudges between husbands. After spending the whole night back to back, tonight, no matter what, they would embrace each other again.

With the time approaching, Qiu Rong tidied up and prepared to pick up Yan Ling after work. Yuan Shang left with him, asking Qiu Rong to drop him off at a boutique along the way as a gesture of gratitude for his sister’s umbrella.

As the car just left the university campus, Qiu Rong’s phone made a “ding” sound, receiving a message.

The message appeared automatically on the car’s display screen.

CEO Cat: Dinner gathering tonight, I won’t come home for dinner, no need to pick me up.

Yuan Shang, knowing that Qiu Rong had already decided to soften up and go home first that night, peeked at the screen and said, “Oh well.”

Qiu Rong: “…”

Qiu Rong, who was driving, dismissed the message and Yuan Shang comforted him, saying, “Stay strong, bro.”

Qiu Rong: “…”

Qiu Rong: “You should just get out of the car.”

CEO doesn’t come home, Qiu Rong and Yuan Shang went together to pick a gift for their senior sister and also solved their dinner outside.

After dropping off Yuan Shang at the university, it was already pitch black outside. Qiu Rong followed the flow of traffic, taking some time to reach home.

Before entering the underground parking lot, he glanced at the window of his own house, which was still dark. It seemed that the CEO’s dinner gathering had not yet ended.

Upon entering the house, Qiu Rong unexpectedly received a call from Ruan Sijia.

Ruan Sijia had been busy with group assignments after finishing classes today. They had just dispersed. He initially planned to meet Qiu Rong tomorrow to tell him something, but after thinking it over during his free time, he decided to call and inform him in advance, just in case.

“Yesterday evening, Teacher Luo drove me and Meng-ge home. He kept trying to get information out of us along the way…”

Qiu Rong took the electric kettle to the kitchen, listening to Ruan Sijia while filling it with water. When he returned to the living room and turned on the kettle, he raised an eyebrow and said, “Alright, I got it.”

After hanging up the phone, the kettle hummed as it boiled. Qiu Rong opened the chat with Yan Ling, considering contacting the CEO who hadn’t returned home all night.

He couldn’t wait any longer. It was late, so it would be more reassuring to go and pick him up personally.

While pondering, the electronic lock turned.

Qiu Rong got up and went to the door, but the lights in the living room suddenly went out.

As the front door closed again, a faint scent of red wine filled the air. In the darkness, Qiu Rong’s wrist was grabbed by someone.

Qiu Rong didn’t struggle and was led by the other person’s force into the living room, then fell onto the sofa. Before he could adjust his posture, he felt pressure on his waist, pushing his upper body back down.

There was only a faint light coming in from the window, and Yan Ling towered over Qiu Rong, his cool hand covering the pulsating carotid artery on Qiu Rong’s neck.

With his throat constricted, Qiu Rong’s head tilted slightly backward, but his gaze remained fixed on the person in front of him.

The protruding Adam’s apple moved up and down.

Yan Ling’s thumb lightly pressed against Qiu Rong’s Adam’s apple. Taking advantage of the limited night vision of human eyes, Yan Ling discarded his disguise and no longer concealed his desire for control in his eyes.

He leaned closer to Qiu Rong and asked, “Little dog, have you ever deceived me?”

Author’s Note:

I searched a bit, and some sources say that not checking in for a flight can be detected, while others say it can’t. Let’s assume it can’t be detected in this context.

Puppy Qiu: ?

*Ruomu ge: Little brat, I’m thinking about the harmony of your family (serious face)

*didn’t know how to translate this “若某鸽” Individual characters: 若 (ruò) – if, as, like, 某 (mǒu) – a certain, some, someone, 鸽 (gē) – pigeon, dove. So should it be “A certain dove-like someone”?

Drunk CEO has a unique charm, Puppy Qiu: It’s so spicy, who understands (innocent emoji)