DMMB Chapter 15

Indeed, no one knew.

But one bird did.

And not a particularly good bird, at that.

Sitting on the hospital bed, Qin Zigui looked at the message the system had just received:

[I hope Qin Zigui’s injury heals quickly… and that it won’t hurt so much anymore.]

The corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

Then he lightly tapped the Approve button.

Outside the room, Sheng Yan still wearing his cool, aloof expression finally let out a sigh of relief.

Turns out this wish-granting system was surprisingly user-friendly.

Although it only gave him two wishes a week, any wish that hadn’t been fulfilled could actually be withdrawn and replaced with a new one.

He’d originally wanted to wish for Qin Zigui’s injuries to heal instantly.

But then he worried that something so abnormal might cause nationwide panic, disrupt social order, or even be rejected by the system for exceeding its limits.

So he’d settled for something more gradual.

Fortunately, the system had accepted it.

If Qin Zigui could at least hurt a little less…

That was still a good thing.

Thinking back to how Qin Zigui had silently endured the pain earlier, his forehead covered in tiny beads of sweat without saying a single word, Sheng Yan absentmindedly tapped the edge of his phone.

He still couldn’t quite figure this app out.

The tasks it assigned weren’t illegal…

But they were impossible to predict.

For example, both were supposedly beginner-level wishes with beginner-level missions.

The punishment-copying-homework wish had only required him to sleep beside Qin Zigui for one night.

Yet leaving the “feng shui treasure spot” required passing every single subject.

The difficulty was completely inconsistent.

There was no pattern whatsoever.

So if this next task was easy, great.

But if it turned out to be difficult…

…whatever.

How hard could it possibly be?

Who was Sheng Yan?

The undisputed boss of Shiwai High.

As long as it wasn’t breaking the law, there was nothing this app could ask that he couldn’t accomplish.

Whether climbing to the heavens to pluck the moon or diving into the deepest seas to catch turtles, there was absolutely no—

Hm?

Before he could finish setting that mental flag, a new notification popped up on the screen.

[Wish Mission:

Provide Qin Zigui with personal, close-at-hand care for the next 24 hours.

Fulfill all of his needs.

Do not leave his side.

No losing your temper.]

Sheng Yan froze on the spot.

Taking care of him was one thing.

But what the heck did “personal, close-at-hand care” mean?

And fulfill all of his needs?

No losing his temper?

Did this app have any idea how infuriating Qin Zigui could be?

How was anyone supposed to stay glued to him for twenty-four hours without getting angry?!

This garbage mission was absolutely impossible!

Sheng Yan was furious.

Then…

He decisively pressed [Accept Mission].

…Forget it.

Humans shouldn’t stoop to arguing with birds.

Since he’d already decided to repay Qin Zigui for saving him…

He might as well see it through to the end.

He’d consider it doing the little orange cat a favor.

Just then—

Creak.

The door opened.

Sheng Yan looked up and saw Qin Ru standing in the doorway.

Holding the kitten, he greeted her,

“Aunt Qin.”

Qin Ru glanced down at the cat in his arms and smiled.

“So this is the kitten Zigui was talking about wanting to adopt?”

“…Huh? Oh.”

“I guess so.”

Sheng Yan tried to pretend he hadn’t overheard the conversation inside earlier.

Unfortunately…

He wasn’t a very convincing actor.

Luckily, Qin Ru didn’t seem to notice.

She simply lowered her head to look at the kitten.

Although it was skinny…

Dirty…

And not a fancy breed…

It had a pair of bright, round, jet-black eyes that were full of spirit.

Its whole appearance was much prettier than that of most orange tabbies.

It was an exceptionally adorable little cat.

No wonder Sheng Yan liked it so much.

Qin Ru had always loved animals and plants.

Besides, Qin Zigui almost never made requests of his own.

Now that she’d seen how lovable the kitten really was, she felt it would be nice to bring it home.

She gently stroked its head.

“What’s its name?”

“M…”

Sheng Yan had been about to answer, “Meow-Meow.”

But just as the words reached his lips, he suddenly remembered being caught calling “Meow-Meow” in the alley that day.

Without missing a beat, he changed course.

Looking straight at Qin Ru, he declared confidently,

“He’s a little boy cat.”

“His name is…”

“Cuckoo.”

The kitten, who had abruptly been renamed Cuckoo, turned around in utter disbelief.

“…?”

Feeling guilty once again, Sheng Yan immediately covered its eyes.

Qin Ru blinked.

“…Cuckoo?”

Ignoring the questioning look Qin Zigui was shooting him from not far away, Sheng Yan nodded firmly.

“Mm.”

“Cuckoo.”

“C-U-C-K-O-O.”

“That Cuckoo.”

In Chinese…

That would be 杜鹃 (dùjuān).

The very same word…

…used in Qin Zigui’s name.

A perfectly deliberate jab.

“…”

Qin Ru turned toward Qin Zigui.

“What do you think?”

After all, male cats usually got neutered eventually.

Perhaps she ought to consider the feelings of the person who happened to share the same name.

Leaning against the hospital bed, Qin Zigui simply looked at Sheng Yan.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

The look he gave him was decidedly unfriendly.

Clearly…

He wasn’t pleased.

Sheng Yan guiltily lifted his chin a little, silently declaring that he had no intention of backing down.

Seeing another argument about to break out, Qin Ru was just about to step in.

Instead…

Qin Zigui calmly looked away.

“…Mm.”

“Then Cuckoo it is.”

Qin Ru, whose mediation speech had already reached the tip of her tongue:

“…?”

He gave in…

Just like that?

Well…

She finally understood.

Sheng Yan’s favorite hobby was constantly testing Qin Zigui’s limits.

And Qin Zigui’s favorite hobby…

…was constantly moving those limits further back for Sheng Yan.

“They’re brothers. This is their game to play—I, the aunt, have no business interfering.”

“Alright then. If you two want to call him Cuckoo, then Cuckoo it is.”

“I’ll take him to the vet for a checkup and buy everything he’ll need. You boys head home first. I’ll have the driver take you.”

As she spoke, Qin Ru casually took the kitten, newly christened Cuckoo, from Sheng Yan’s arms.

When the kitten was alone with Sheng Yan, it was as proud as could be.

Arrogant.

Bossy.

The undisputed king of the back alleys.

But the moment Qin Ru picked it up, it was as though it instinctively recognized who the real source of food and shelter was.

It immediately melted into her embrace, rubbing its little head obediently against her palm and meowing in the sweetest, most spoiled voice imaginable.

Qin Ru was completely charmed.

Happily cuddling the kitten, she walked away.

Sheng Yan couldn’t help muttering,

“How does this cat have two completely different personalities?”

Qin Zigui lazily swung his legs off the hospital bed while adjusting his pant leg.

“Probably learned it from its owner.”

Sheng Yan turned around.

“What do you mean by that?”

Without changing his expression, Qin Zigui answered,

“I mean you’re imposing outside the house, but respectful toward your elders at home.”

Sheng Yan blinked.

“…?”

Was that what he meant?

It didn’t sound wrong.

Yet…

It somehow didn’t sound right, either.

Before Sheng Yan could figure it out, he suddenly heard Qin Zigui suck in a sharp breath.

Looking up, he saw that Qin Zigui had put weight on his injured left leg while getting off the bed, pulling at the wound.

Sheng Yan immediately forgot everything else.

He rushed over and caught Qin Zigui before he could lose his balance.

“Didn’t you see me standing right here? Couldn’t you call me over?”

Qin Zigui lowered his eyes, sounding almost absent-minded.

“I thought…”

“…you were still annoyed with me.”

Sheng Yan’s hands paused for a moment.

Then he lowered his head and muttered grumpily,

“I am annoyed.”

“But I’m not heartless.”

“I said I’d take care of you, so I’ll keep my word.”

“But don’t push your luck.”

“Otherwise don’t blame me for ditching you.”

As he spoke, Sheng Yan looked up, glared fiercely, and tried his best to sound threatening.

As though Qin Zigui only had to cross the line once, and he’d immediately turn around and leave.

If Qin Zigui hadn’t already received both the secret wish Sheng Yan had made…

…and the notification that he’d accepted the mission without hesitation…

He might actually have believed him.

But now, looking into Sheng Yan’s fierce expression…

All Qin Zigui could think was how beautiful his eyes were.

Their pale color was so clean and transparent, like flawless crystal.

They made every dark, selfish thought in other people’s hearts seem unbearably filthy by comparison.

After holding his gaze for a moment, Qin Zigui lowered his eyes and looked away.

“…Mm.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll listen to you.”

He wouldn’t push his luck.

As long as Sheng Yan could forgive him…

As long as Sheng Yan would talk to him more, like before…

As long as Sheng Yan would act spoiled with him again…

That was enough.

The reason Qin Zigui had designed the mission had always been simple.

He just wanted to give his stubborn, tsundere little friend a perfectly legitimate excuse to soften his heart and take care of him.

Unfortunately…

He had forgotten one saying:

“The tree longs for stillness, but the wind refuses to cease.”

His injuries actually weren’t very serious.

No bones or tendons had been damaged.

He simply couldn’t put weight on his left leg, or the wound might split open again.

So whenever he stood or walked…

He needed someone to support him.

The summer weather was already unbearably hot.

The humid air clung damply to their skin.

Wherever two people stayed in contact for too long, a thin sheen of sweat inevitably formed.

Because of that…

A teenage boy’s body heat.

Heartbeat.

And every brush of skin…

Became impossible to ignore.

The problem was…

Sheng Yan simply couldn’t stay still.

Not only were his hands constantly moving while supporting Qin Zigui…

He also kept turning his head to talk.

Every word came with warm breaths that repeatedly brushed against Qin Zigui’s ear and neck.

The constant teasing sensation forced Qin Zigui to keep a cold expression the entire way home.

He didn’t dare look at Sheng Yan even once.

By the time they finally got back, both of their shirts were nearly soaked through with sweat.

At last released from his duties, Sheng Yan collapsed onto Qin Zigui’s small sofa with a sigh of relief.

Turning his head lazily to look at him, he complained,

“Qin Zigui.”

“What exactly do you have against me?”

“I worked so hard the whole way back.”

“You didn’t even look at me once.”

Qin Zigui still didn’t look at him.

Instead, he took out a clean change of clothes and headed toward the bathroom.

After only a couple of steps, he heard movement behind him.

Turning around, he saw that the young master—who’d already flopped onto the sofa from exhaustion had somehow climbed back to his feet again.

Seeing how tired Sheng Yan looked, Qin Zigui couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.

He said softly,

“Take a break.”

“I’ll just shower and change first.”

Sheng Yan rubbed his aching shoulder.

“I know.”

“Why do you think I got up?”

Qin Zigui blinked.

“…?”

Sheng Yan raised an eyebrow.

“If I don’t get up…”

“…who’s going to accompany you while you shower and change?”

Qin Zigui: “…”

“…There’s no need.”

“How can there not be?”

The app clearly said the mission required him to stay by Qin Zigui’s side every single step of the way.

Not even one step apart.

So naturally, that meant every step.

Sheng Yan answered confidently,

“The bathroom floor is slippery.”

“You can’t put weight on your leg.”

“The wound can’t get wet.”

“What if you fall?”

“What if it gets infected?”

That would still be better than dying from you flirting with me, Qin Zigui thought.

Aloud, he replied firmly,

“I won’t fall.”

Sheng Yan wasn’t convinced.

“And just because you say you won’t, that makes it true?”

“It does.”

“And even if I’m injured, I think I still deserve a little personal privacy.”

For once…

Qin Zigui refused to give in.

Sheng Yan, however, dismissed it completely.

“What’s the big deal?”

“We used to bathe together all the time when we were kids.”

“It’s not like I haven’t seen everything already.”

“Why are you suddenly acting so shy?”

“…”

You realize we were children back then… right?

Qin Zigui lowered his head and quietly let out a breath.

He was just preparing to calmly explain the difference between childhood and now—

When Sheng Yan suddenly exclaimed,

“Ah!”

“I know!”

Qin Zigui looked up.

Has this blockhead finally figured it out?

Meeting Qin Zigui’s gaze with complete sincerity, Sheng Yan said,

“Qin Zigui…”

“Don’t tell me…”

“…you’re feeling insecure?”

“…?”

Sheng Yan frowned thoughtfully.

“But that doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re so tall.”

Qin Zigui: “…”

A lump of frustration instantly lodged in his chest.

At that moment, he suddenly felt fortunate that he’d spent the past year avoiding Sheng Yan.

Otherwise…

He’d either have died from holding everything in…

Or…

He’d already have been driven to death by sheer exasperation.

“But it’s okay.”

“I won’t laugh at you.”

Sheng Yan genuinely believed…

…that he was the most loyal friend in the entire world.

Qin Zigui’s expression had grown even darker than it had that morning when he’d heard Sheng Yan call him “not a good bird.”

Lowering his gaze, he looked at Sheng Yan with an unreadable, icy expression.

Sheng Yan, meanwhile, lifted his chin and met his eyes without backing down.

Their gazes locked.

It was impossible to tell who was provoking whom.

Then—

Qin Zigui slowly leaned back against the bathroom doorframe.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

When he spoke, his voice was low, husky, and deliberately unhurried.

“Then…”

“Why don’t you give it a try?”

He was already tall to begin with.

Combined with his sharp, well-defined features, he naturally carried an intimidating presence.

Now, leaning lazily against the doorframe with narrowed eyes and looking down at Sheng Yan from above, the long, sharp lines at the corners of his eyes became even more striking.

His entire demeanor radiated the instinctive aggressiveness unique to a grown man—

Predatory.

Dangerous.

Even someone as oblivious as Sheng Yan sensed it.

For a brief moment…

He felt like prey standing directly in front of a hunter, about to be swallowed whole.

His instincts screamed that this was where the conversation should end.

Unfortunately…

Sheng Yan had spent his entire life refusing to lose.

And losing to Qin Zigui?

Absolutely impossible.

So he proudly lifted his chin, let out a disdainful snort, and declared,

“Fine.”

“I’ll try it.”

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