19.  Cold War  and Hot War (2)

In the morning, when Qiu Rong consulted Master Yuan about his emotional problems, the CEO’s office at New Moon Media summoned his own emotional expert as well.

Luo Haoxuan was a typical night owl. Except for necessary business hours, he slept in until late morning.

Being called to the company early in the morning today, Luo Haoxuan sat on the sofa in Yan Ling’s office, yawning incessantly. If it weren’t for Vincent also being present, he would have really laid down disrespectfully and talked to His Royal Highness.

Shifting his long legs, Luo Haoxuan pushed the suitcase next to his legs and said, “Your Royal Highness, your luggage has been delivered. Can I go back to sleep now?”

The suitcase that Luo Haoxuan brought was the same one Yan Ling took from home when he “went on a business trip.”

If it weren’t for the sudden request from the Supernatural Control Center for Yan Ling to personally investigate the situation on Chunhe Road, according to Yan Ling’s original plan, he would have returned home early to surprise Puppy Qiu. After all, he had even changed the flight ticket just in case.

When going to Chunhe Road, Yan Ling placed the suitcase in Luo Haoxuan’s trunk, thinking of finishing things at the club quickly so that he could return home early.

But who would have thought it would end up like this?

Yan Ling glanced at the suitcase, ignoring Luo Haoxuan’s request to go home and sleep, and coldly asked, “You didn’t find out anything when you dropped off those two students at school last night?”

“So rude early in the morning.” Luo Haoxuan yawned again, leaning against the armrest of the sofa, supporting his chin as he looked at Yan Ling. He appeared somewhat smug, “Did you have a fight with Puppy Qiu last night?”

“How did he talk to you about it?”

Yan Ling dangerously narrowed his eyes, “We didn’t fight.”

“Oh~” Luo Haoxuan nodded understandingly, “Then it must be a cold war.”

His concerns struck a nerve, and Yan Ling’s expression grew even more unpleasant.

Last night, he didn’t intend to dwell too much on the incident of meeting Qiu Rong downstairs at the club. He believed that Puppy Qiu must have had his own reasons for being there and couldn’t possibly be genuinely going to the club to spend money.

But believing something was one thing. When Qiu Rong questioned him about the whereabouts of the suitcase, Yan Ling didn’t know why it hit a nerve and made him unable to maintain a gentle tone. He immediately dropped his facade, nearly slamming Qiu Rong against the wall and demanding an explanation.

Both of them had secrets, so why did Qiu Rong have the right to question him first?

Realizing his own loss of composure, Yan Ling turned his head and entered the bathroom, and when he came out, he didn’t feel like communicating with Qiu Rong anymore.

Luo Haoxuan finished listening and exclaimed, “Is this what couples do when they argue unreasonably?”

Yan Ling knocked on the table, and Vincent silently took a step back. An invisible pressure filled the office, prompting Luo Haoxuan to immediately beg for mercy, “Alright, alright, I was being unreasonable.”

Straightening his previously hunched back, Luo Haoxuan said, “Don’t use your bloodline to suppress me. Honestly, even though you say you believe Qiu Rong and don’t want to make a big deal out of it, you’re actually bothered by his deception.”

Yan Ling remained noncommittal.

Luo Haoxuan was one of the few vampires who wasn’t afraid of Yan Ling. Before Yan Ling was born, he was the most likely candidate to become the next clan leader. However, after Yan Ling’s birth, his atavistic bloodline caused everyone to forget even his name.

During his childhood, out of defiance, Luo Haoxuan had secretly sneaked into the Supernatural Control Center several times to challenge Yan Ling one-on-one. Most of the time, Yan Ling couldn’t be bothered with him. Occasionally, when he felt like it, he would flick Luo Haoxuan on the forehead and watch him jump around, but soon the interest would fade away.

Luo Haoxuan was unwilling to show weakness and fought and lost repeatedly, and lost and fought again.

Eventually, he managed to get Yan Ling’s attention and reluctantly became his friend.

Now that Luo Haoxuan had found a new pursuit and was thriving in the entertainment industry, living a carefree life, he couldn’t help but feel grateful to Yan Ling for his birth back then.

Thankfully, he wasn’t chosen as the clan leader.

After all, they had grown up together, and Luo Haoxuan believed he understood Yan Ling. Whether it was due to the influence of their bloodline or the environment they grew up in, Yan Ling had a deep-rooted flaw—a tendency toward autocracy, a disregard for others.

Those who were seen as important by Yan Ling could be counted on one hand, and Qiu Rong held a significant place among them. Being the obedient and well-behaved boyfriend most of the time, suddenly keeping a secret from Yan Ling was particularly hard for the autocrat to accept.

Yan Ling said coldly, “Just tell me what you found out yesterday, and spare me the useless talk.”

Luo Haoxuan knew that if he lingered and made fun of it for two more seconds, he would probably be forced to kneel down by Yan Ling.

In the new century, employees would never kneel before their bosses.

For the sake of his knees, Luo Haoxuan confessed, “Those two kids said they went to the club to investigate a blood loss case.”

“A blood loss case?” Yan Ling furrowed his brow. “How did they end up investigating that?”

Luo Haoxuan replied, “The curly-haired kid who entered the club yesterday is a popular game streamer. Recently, many fans have been sending him private messages, asking if he knows anything about the mysterious deaths in City A. Someone offered a high price to get the streamer to find clues.”

Yan Ling was puzzled, “Where did they get the information? Wasn’t it all cleared by internet monitoring?”

Luo Haoxuan shook his head. “It’s impossible to completely delete such things. The more they try to suppress it, the more curious people become. That kid who was reading Roman history sent me a link to an anonymous forum about urban legends. Many people there are using various aliases to discuss the blood loss case. If it weren’t for the kid’s help with translation, I wouldn’t have been able to figure out what they were talking about.”

Luo Haoxuan: “The information inside is true and false. Chunhe Road was one of the suspicious areas they discussed. The little guy with curly hair heard from a friend that a deceased person had been to the Night Banquet Club, so they decided to go there and investigate.”

Yan Ling looked at Luo Haoxuan: “What does this have to do with Qiu Rong?”

“They offered a high price to find clues,” Luo Haoxuan reminded him. “The little guy with curly hair didn’t dare to go alone, so he brought two people with him. They split the money fifty-fifty.”

Yan Ling: “…”

Yan Ling: “Say that again?”

Luo Haoxuan bluntly translated, “Your husband is so broke that he’s solving cases with his junior to make money.”

Yan Ling: “…”

Yan Ling couldn’t understand. He looked at Vincent with a puzzled expression, but Vincent was indifferent to anything unrelated to Yan Ling and couldn’t provide an answer. Yan Ling turned his gaze back to Luo Haoxuan and couldn’t comprehend, “Why didn’t he ask me for money if he needed it?”

Was he not worthy?

Luo Haoxuan speculated, “Doesn’t he want to rely on his spouse’s money?”

“Qiu Rong doesn’t have that kind of male chauvinism,” Yan Ling denied. He thought for a moment and added, “Qiu Rong has his own savings, and his daily expenses are sufficient. There’s no need for him to take up such unconventional work.”

Facing the suspicious gaze of the Prince, Luo Haoxuan hurriedly said, “I’m not lying to you. The two kids told me this personally. They even wanted to exclude Qiu Rong initially. My little fan probably sees me through the filter of idolization, so he accidentally let slip a few things when I asked more questions.”

Recalling Ruan Sijia’s silly appearance, like an innocent little white rabbit, Luo Haoxuan affirmed, “Those two kids wouldn’t lie. They don’t have that kind of cunning.”

Luo Haoxuan: “Why don’t you go home and ask your boyfriend why he needs money?”

Yan Ling’s expression grew colder than before, and Luo Haoxuan analyzed, “I see another reason why you’re angry.”

Yan Ling looked at him.

“When Qiu Rong questioned you, you felt guilty and couldn’t help but get angry, exposing your true nature.”

Yan Ling: “…I think you want to die.”

Luo Haoxuan didn’t really want to die.

After reading the joke and finishing the necessary explanations, Luo Haoxuan stood up, stretched lazily, and prepared to leave.

He sincerely advised, “Your Highness, you’ve been in a relationship for over a year. Shouldn’t you change your gentle and considerate persona? You can’t wear a mask for the rest of your life, can you?”

Yan Ling’s gaze was deep, and he didn’t answer Luo Haoxuan. Instead, he asked, “Has the night club been reported?”

“Ah?” Luo Haoxuan looked at him. “Really report it?”

“The blood loss case has little to do with that club. Allowing those curious people to investigate the club might actually lead to problems,” Yan Ling explained.

Luo Haoxuan nodded. “Okay, I’ll report it later and also hand over the forum to the authorities.”

Luo Haoxuan then pondered for a moment. “Ah, you’re cutting off your husband’s source of income.”

Yan Ling: “…”

Yan Ling: “Get lost.”

Silence filled the pitch-black room.

Yan Ling’s hand was still gripping Qiu Rong’s neck, and the two of them stared at each other, neither making a move.

Their standoff was interrupted by a buzzing sound.

The water in the electric kettle had boiled.

Ignoring the sound of the kettle, Yan Ling leaned closer to Qiu Rong, asking, “What are you hiding from me?”

Yan Ling didn’t know that darkness was useless in concealing things from the werewolves, and Qiu Rong could see through his expression.

Yan Ling’s dangerous and possessive gaze gave even the hand around his neck, which wasn’t exerting any force, a sense of dominance.

Qiu Rong had never seen this side of Yan Ling before.

Yan Ling usually played the role of a tolerant and guiding figure, but at this moment, he resembled an irresistible predator.

The buzzing sound of the kettle gradually ceased, and the room returned to silence. Qiu Rong met Yan Ling’s gaze and said, “I’m not hiding anything from you.”

Yan Ling’s slender fingers tightened slightly. He forced Qiu Rong to raise his chin a bit higher and asked, “Are you in debt?”

The atmosphere was tense, but Qiu Rong couldn’t help but let out a laugh. The sound was caught in his throat, and not wanting him to feel uncomfortable, Yan Ling released the grip on his hand. Seizing the opportunity, Qiu Rong embraced Yan Ling’s waist and pulled him close.

Looking up, Qiu Rong stole a kiss from the CEO’s thin lips, tasting a hint of faint red wine. He replied, “No, I’m not in debt.”

Yan Ling didn’t plan to let Qiu Rong off so easily. With one hand supporting himself on Qiu Rong’s ear and the other brushing away the puppy-like paws on his waist, Yan Ling half sat up and said, Puppy Qiu, the more honest you are, the better. Your accomplice has already confessed to your criminal activities.”

Well, indeed, Ruan Sijia had already recounted the process of deceiving his idol.

Qiu Rong pretended to be innocent. “What criminal activities? I have no idea.”

“Are you in desperate need of money? If you have nothing to do, why investigate the blood loss case?” Yan Ling asked, his anger rising. “If you need money, why didn’t you ask me? Just a couple of days ago, you were worried about my safety and offered to pick me up from work, and now you’re eagerly running off to such a place in the middle of the night!”

Realizing that Yan Ling was genuinely angry, Qiu Rong immediately behaved and wanted to sit up, but Yan Ling pressed him down on his chest, leaving him no choice but to lie there and say, “I’m sorry, my spouse, I was wrong.”

He explained, “It’s not about the money. It’s just that I was worried about those two kids going there, so I followed them.”

“Aren’t you no longer a kid yourself?” Yan Ling furrowed his brow. He knew very well about Qiu Rong’s instinct to unconsciously protect others, which was one of the qualities that attracted him. However, when it came to specific events, a sense of fear welled up in Yan Ling’s heart. He warned, “You’re not allowed to get involved in such things in the future. If you’re worried, just call the police. If there’s a problem, the police will naturally handle it.”

Being referred to as a child by the CEO, left and right, and being told to go find the police uncle, made Qiu Rong, a 1.9-meter-tall young Werewolf king, feel as if he would never grow up in Yan Ling’s eyes. It seemed like Yan Ling always believed that Qiu Rong didn’t need to mature, shoulder any responsibilities, and taking care of himself was the most important thing.

Qiu Rong’s heart softened under the paw of the cat. He held the hand pressed against his chest by Yan Ling and pinched it, saying, “Don’t worry, I won’t put myself in danger.”

“Luo Haoxuan has already reported that club,” Yan Ling relaxed a bit, lowered his head, and kissed Qiu Rong’s neck. He said, “I shouldn’t have gone to such a place myself. This evens things out between us. From now on, don’t evade important matters and only reveal half of the truth.”

“Okay.”

Qiu Rong held the person who was pressing on him and rolled over, exchanging roles between attacker and defender. He lowered his head, capturing Yan Ling’s lips and exchanged a lingering kiss with the CEO, finally tasting the long-awaited flavor of red wine.

After the kiss, Yan Ling still felt a bit uneasy and confirmed again, “Are you really not in need of money?”

Qiu Rong looked down at the CEO, whose gentle demeanor had returned to his brows and eyes. He paused for a moment and replied, “I am in need.”

Tonight, the cat indeed changed its face as swiftly as turning a page. Yan Ling narrowed his eyes, letting out a rising tone, “Hmm?”

Qiu Rong smiled and leaned down, his voice husky as he asked, “I wonder how much CEO Yan thinks I’m worth for a night?”

The corner of Yan Ling’s eyebrow lifted, understanding Qiu Rong’s meaning. He lifted his arm, hooked it around his young boyfriend’s neck, and leaned close to Qiu Rong’s hot ear, teasingly saying, “…Well, we’ll have to see how hard Student Qiu is willing to work.”

Author’s Note:

Electric kettle: Hello?

Electric kettle: Who’s going to take care of me??

Electric kettle: …

Electric kettle: …

Electric kettle: Everyone, be humans!

The lovey-dovey talk is almost done, time to move the plot forward!