Don't You like Little Dogs? Now that I'm Taking Liberties, You're Suddenly Reluctant? - Chapter 39

Under the powerful influence of the medication, Pei Ye fell into a deep sleep on the sofa. The furrows of pain between his brows smoothed out slightly. Jiang Si did not leave. He sat across from him, his gaze lingering on Pei Ye’s pale but peaceful sleeping face.

His little dog was truly a fool. Despite being so injured that he could barely stand, he had forced himself to run over just to say he was worried about his Master. Then there were the tears and that unshielded gaze that was almost hot enough to burn him.

Jiang Si’s fingertips rubbed together unconsciously, as if he could still feel the warm moisture of the tears he had touched earlier. He could also recall the sensation of that heart beating violently for him beneath layers of fabric. An extremely strange and complex emotion stirred tiny ripples in his usually icy heart. It was not the loathing and violence he felt toward the Jiang family, nor was it the calm calculation with which he controlled everything. It was something far more elusive.

He irritably considered lighting a cigarette, but when he saw Pei Ye’s sleeping face, he paused and eventually tossed the pack back onto the table. He leaned back.

The adjutant pushed the door open quietly. Seeing the sleeping Pei Ye and the silent Jiang Si, he hesitated before lowering his voice. “Fourth Brother, the car is ready. Also, regarding Starry Bio,” Jiang Si raised a hand to stop him. He stood up and gestured for them to speak outside. He took one last look at Pei Ye and whispered to the adjutant, “Let him sleep. Do not wake him. When he wakes up, send him back to his room.”

“Yes.”

Outside, the adjutant reported the findings. “The preliminary investigation is complete. It is an R and D manager at a Starry Bio subsidiary named Zhou Hongyu. He embezzled project funds and invested them through underground channels into several of Obsidian’s casinos and smuggling lines. He wanted to make quick money to cover his previous deficits.”

The adjutant paused before continuing. “Obsidian’s desperate counterattack was likely because he pushed them too hard. They wanted to make one last big score or simply create enough chaos to muddy the waters.”

Jiang Si’s eyes were cold. “How much does Jiang Yi know?”

“There is no evidence currently showing that Mr. Jiang Yi was aware. However, Zhou Hongyu is a distant relative of Jiang Yi’s wife. Furthermore, Miss Jiang San’s visit is likely intended to protect this man and prevent the matter from involving Mr. Jiang Yi.”

“A relative?” Jiang Si sneered. “There are always vermin like this everywhere.”

He paused and then gave his orders. “Organize all the evidence of Zhou Hongyu’s embezzlement and collusion with Obsidian clearly. Make two copies. Send one anonymously to the economic crimes division of the police. As for the other,” a cold light flashed in his eyes, “have someone deliver it personally to my eldest brother Jiang Yi’s desk. Tell him I have cleaned up his house for him and that there is no need for thanks.”

The adjutant immediately understood. “Understood. That way, in order to distance himself and Starry Bio from the mess, Mr. Jiang Yi will handle it even faster and more ruthlessly.”

This was more agonizing for the Jiang family than if Skeleton had acted directly. It was both a deterrent and a humiliation.

“As for Obsidian,” Jiang Si added, “clear out the remaining dregs. I do not want to hear that name again.”

“Understood.”

Although the orders were given, Jiang Si did not leave immediately. He stood at the end of the corridor, watching the heavy traffic on the street below. Dealing with Zhou Hongyu and Obsidian was a small matter, but the information revealed behind it displeased him. The filth of the Jiang family had finally splashed onto his territory. They were truly seeking death.

When Pei Ye woke up, he found a thin blanket covering him. He was alone in the meeting room, and the lights of the city were already glowing outside the window. He was dazed for a moment before remembering what had happened. His cheeks flushed slightly. He had actually fallen asleep in front of his Master. It was incredibly disrespectful.

The adjutant appeared at the right time to escort him back to his room and informed him of the outcome. Hearing how his Master had thrown the evidence directly at the Jiang family, a look of near worship flashed in Pei Ye’s eyes. This was his Master: always precise, cold, and in control of the situation. It also told him that his Master was fine. In fact, he was doing well and was more composed than ever. The earlier desolation seemed like a mere interlude. His Master was safe, and that was enough. That was all that mattered.

In the following days, Pei Ye actively cooperated with his treatment and recovered even faster. Jiang Si visited him a bit more often. Although each visit was short and they did not speak much, the invisible, suffocating pressure seemed to have lightened significantly. Jiang Si sometimes brought exotic fruits or a weapon encyclopedia that Pei Ye might be interested in. He would set the items down, ask a few questions about the injuries, and then leave.

Pei Ye carefully cherished every brief meeting, replaying them in his mind. He noticed that the way his Master looked at him lately seemed different. There was less pure scrutiny and coldness, replaced by a complex emotion he could not understand. Sometimes, Jiang Si would even space out for a moment while Pei Ye reported on his recovery.

Why? Was Master truly starting to care?

It felt as if he were being treated not just as a weapon or a pet, but as a human being.

A week later, Pei Ye was finally allowed to perform light combat recovery training. He was in the training room practicing footwork and punches against a sandbag. His movements were still a bit stiff and the wound on his back throbbed, but he practiced with extreme focus. Jiang Si arrived at some point and leaned against the doorframe, watching him quietly.

Pei Ye was so immersed that he did not notice at first. It was only when a movement pulled at his wound that he let out a muffled groan. His form broke and he stumbled.

“The movement is wrong,” Jiang Si’s voice suddenly rang out.

Pei Ye was startled and turned around quickly. Seeing it was Jiang Si, he immediately stood straight. “Master!”

Jiang Si walked over and stood behind him. They were very close. Pei Ye could feel the warmth radiating from his chest and the familiar scent of cedar. His body went rigid instantly.

“The power point is incorrect. It will pull at your wound.” Jiang Si’s voice was right by his ear, low and steady. He reached out, his arms loosely encircling Pei Ye’s body. He grabbed Pei Ye’s wrist to adjust his punching posture. “Here, you must use your waist and abdomen to drive the movement, not your shoulders.”

Pei Ye’s mind went blank. His Master’s palm was dry and warm against his skin, sending waves of tremors through him. All his senses were concentrated on that single point of contact. His heart hammered like a drum and his cheeks burned a deep red. Even the tips of his ears turned pink. He was almost unable to think, allowing Jiang Si to manipulate his arm.

Jiang Si gave a few instructions but soon noticed the stiffness of the body beneath his hands and the rising temperature of the skin. He looked down and saw Pei Ye’s ears and neck flushed so red they looked as if they might bleed.

Is my little dog shy?

This realization made Jiang Si pause. He had seen Pei Ye calmly execute orders, ruthlessly face enemies, and even look despairing while near death, but he had never seen him blush with embarrassment. A very novel feeling surged in his heart. It was like discovering that a peerless, sharp weapon suddenly revealed a clumsy, soft interior that had nothing to do with killing. It was interesting.

Jiang Si did not release him immediately. Instead, almost mischievously, he maintained the near embrace and whispered, “Breathe. How can you exert force while holding your breath?”

“Ah! Cough! Cough!”

Pei Ye realized he had been holding his breath. He took a sharp breath but choked on it, falling into a fit of coughing. The coughing pulled at his wound, causing him to lean over in pain. His face grew even redder from embarrassment. Jiang Si looked at his disheveled and pitiful state, and the spark of interest in his eyes deepened. He even let out an almost imperceptible smirk before letting go and stepping back.

“Before your injuries are fully healed, act within your limits,” he said, returning to a serious tone as if he had not been the one teasing him.

Pei Ye finally stopped coughing. His cheeks were burning, and he did not dare to look up at Jiang Si. He could only respond in a muffled voice, “Yes, I understand.”

Jiang Si’s mood improved for some reason as he looked at the reddened face. He suddenly felt that keeping this little thing around was not entirely a burden. It was actually quite cute. This was not meant in a derogatory way, nor was he simply viewing him as a source of amusement. It was the highest praise he could give in a social interaction.

Zhou Hongyu was quickly investigated by Starry Bio and handed over to the judicial authorities. The news was kept low profile, but it was enough to cause certain people within the Jiang family significant pain and serve as a warning. As Jiang Si expected, Jiang Yi handled the matter quickly and ruthlessly, cutting ties completely. The remnants of Obsidian were also wiped out by the First Squad.

The matter seemed to have settled, but Jiang Si knew it was not enough. He needed a more explicit deterrent to make the Jiang family, especially his arrogant eldest brother, understand where the boundaries were. A few days later, one of Starry Bio’s most important core laboratories suffered a sudden power outage late at night. The backup power system happened to fail at the same time. This resulted in the total loss of a batch of samples worth hundreds of millions that were in a critical experimental phase.

The laboratory security system also failed. There were no signs of intrusion, but a clear, cold skull logo was left on the main control computer. This was a blatant provocation from Skeleton. There were no casualties or property damage, but the delay in research progress and subsequent losses were immeasurable. More importantly, it was a silent and arrogant warning: I can easily slip into your core areas. This time it was a power outage. What will it be next time?

Jiang Yi was furious but had no way to investigate. He knew who was responsible, yet he had no evidence. This feeling of being completely suppressed and provoked without being able to fight back was harder for him to endure than a direct conflict. When Jiang Si received the news, he was in the study listening to the adjutant’s report. He showed no expression and merely gave a faint hum. He could imagine the reactions within the Jiang family hierarchy. Just thinking about it was pleasant.

That evening, he went to visit Pei Ye. Pei Ye’s injuries had mostly healed, and he was about to be discharged. Jiang Si handed him a tablet containing a brief report on the accident at the Starry Bio lab.

“It is settled,” he said.

Pei Ye scanned the report quickly. That look of worship and burning intensity returned to his eyes. “Master is brilliant.”

This method hit the Jiang family exactly where it hurt the most while forcing them to suffer in silence. It perfectly displayed Skeleton’s deterrent power and his Master’s tactics. Jiang Si looked at those bright, unshielded eyes, and the frustration he had felt from dealing with family matters suddenly vanished. He felt that Pei Ye looked a bit like a little dog wagging its tail after receiving a reward. He was quite cute.

The thought flashed by, making Jiang Si pause. How could he use such a word to describe Pei Ye? He looked away unnaturally and cleared his throat. “You are discharged tomorrow. You will stay at the apartment. The adjutant has added some new furniture for you.”

Staying at the apartment. Going back to live with Master.

Pei Ye’s eyes widened. His joy was palpable. “Really? Can I finally move back and continue living with Master?”

Seeing him so surprised and happy, the feeling of cuteness surfaced again in Jiang Si’s heart, accompanied by an indescribable sense of satisfaction. He found that he enjoyed seeing Pei Ye’s emotions fluctuate because of him.

“What? Are you unwilling?” he asked, intentionally hardening his face.

“I am willing! I am willing!” Pei Ye answered hurriedly, his voice trembling with excitement. His cheeks flushed once more. “Thank you, Master!”

Looking at those bright eyes and flushed face, Jiang Si felt his fingertips itch again. He wanted to touch the reddened tip of Pei Ye’s ear. He forcibly suppressed the mysterious urge and maintained a cold expression. “Go to sleep early.”

After saying that, he left the room somewhat hastily. Walking back to the apartment, the night breeze was cool, yet Jiang Si felt the tips of his own ears heating up slightly. He frowned irritably, feeling that something was wrong with him lately. He was constantly losing his composure because of a single look, a sentence, or even a blush from that little dog. It was truly strange.

In the hospital room, Pei Ye was still immersed in immense happiness. He tossed and turned in bed, ignoring the pain of his wounds. He replayed his Master’s words and expressions in his mind.

You are discharged tomorrow. You will stay at the apartment.

Jiang Si had used the word home. Returning to his Master’s home: their home. His Master did not seem as cold as before. Had his Master looked at him several times just now? He buried his face in the pillow and could not help but laugh secretly. His heart, full of love and loyalty, was nearly overflowing because of this small bit of sweetness.

The ice was melting. Although the process was slow, a warm current was already flowing. Two twisted hearts were starting to move closer, quietly changing each other in ways they had never anticipated.