Don't You like Little Dogs? Now that I'm Taking Liberties, You're Suddenly Reluctant? - Chapter 8

The night was deep. From the balcony on the top floor of the organization’s headquarters, the view was vast, and the cold wind dispersed the lingering scent of smoke.

Jiang Si leaned against the railing. Another cigarette was lit between his fingers, and several butts already lay scattered at his feet.

The lieutenant beside him glanced at him and spoke. “Smoke a bit less.”

Jiang Si exhaled a cloud of smoke. He did not look at him. “Stay out of my business.”

The lieutenant shrugged and lit a cigarette of his own, gazing at the city lights in the distance. “Having known you for so many years, I feel like you have changed a bit lately.”

Jiang Si let out a scoff. “Changed how?”

“I cannot quite put my finger on it.” The lieutenant flicked away some ash. “It is just a feeling. For example, are you really going to raise that little guy?”

Jiang Si did not deny it. A playful curve touched the corners of his mouth. “I am raising him for fun. He is quite interesting, is he not?”

The lieutenant sighed. “I have a feeling that kid is going to cause some major trouble in the future.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Si’s smile deepened, though there was no warmth in his eyes. “Then I look forward to it.”

“See, I told you that you have changed,” the lieutenant said, shaking his head. “You used to hate trouble the most.”

Jiang Si took another drag. The smoke blurred the silhouette of his profile. His voice carried a trace of nonchalant certainty. “Trouble is irrelevant. I will handle whatever comes.”

The lieutenant was speechless. He reached out a hand. “Give me one.”

Jiang Si handed him the pack. The lieutenant pulled one out and placed it in his mouth. He leaned in, intending to light his cigarette from the tip of Jiang Si’s.

Jiang Si suddenly pulled his cigarette away, frowning. “Get lost. We are two grown men; do not be disgusting.”

The lieutenant froze, bewildered. “It is because we are both men that it does not matter. What is wrong with sharing a light? We used to do it all the time.”

“I told you to get lost.” Jiang Si interrupted him and crushed his own cigarette out. His voice carried a faint, unnoticeable trace of irritation.

He inexplicably felt that such indirect contact between two men was strange.

“Huh?” The lieutenant watched him with a look of total confusion, but he shrugged and took out his own lighter to light up.

A few days later, Pei Ye was officially transferred to the organization’s Fourth Squad. The captain was Cheetah.

This transfer also meant that in addition to daily training, he would begin to participate in low-risk peripheral missions. The Fourth Squad had its own area, including training rooms and small meeting rooms.

When Pei Ye walked in for the first time, several members who were resting or cleaning their weapons stopped what they were doing. Their gazes focused on him.

Cheetah walked over, his expression as serious as ever. “Pei Ye. From now on, you are in the Fourth Squad. The rules remain the same. Training will double. Follow all mission arrangements. You are the youngest in the organization. Even though you are a trainee, do not let your guard down. And do not hold us back.”

He paused, adding weight to his voice. “Staying alive is more important than anything else. Do you understand?”

Pei Ye nodded. “I understand, Captain.”

Murmurs rose around them. “A mission at his age? Is he capable?”

“What is Mr. Jiang thinking? Training is one thing, but what can he do with real guns and blades?”

“I hope he does not wet his pants when the time comes.”

“Has he been given a codename? We cannot keep calling him ‘the kid’ forever.”

Ah. Here it is again.

Those noisy, irritable, and unpleasant voices.

Pei Ye lowered his eyes. He acted as if he had not heard them, standing quietly before Cheetah. Nothing was more important than this. This was the opportunity his Master had given him; he had to seize it. Only by becoming useful could he stand closer to his Master.

Time flew by, and half a month passed in an instant.

During this time, Pei Ye applied for the task of submitting the Fourth Squad’s weekly reports to the lieutenant. With a stable environment and sufficient food, he had visibly gained some weight. His complexion was no longer so ghostly pale. He was gradually taking on the appearance an eleven-year-old boy should have, though he was still small. He trained with even more desperation.

This was his first week with the authorization to deliver the reports.

Pei Ye arrived at the headquarters building early. Holding the weekly report, he stepped onto the floor where the organization’s high-ranking officials were located for the first time. The air here felt colder and more oppressive than downstairs. Following instructions, he found the lieutenant’s office and knocked.

“Come in,” the lieutenant’s cold voice drifted from inside.

Pei Ye pushed the door open. The lieutenant was sitting behind the desk handling documents. He looked up and was visibly startled to see the boy. “Why are you the one delivering this?”

“I applied for it.” Pei Ye stepped forward and placed the report on the desk.

The lieutenant studied him for a moment and smiled. “It seems Fourth Brother has been raising you well. You look much better.”

Pei Ye’s eyelashes fluttered at those words. His face remained expressionless, but he gave a soft “Mm” in response. He paused, looking hesitant, but eventually asked, “Mr. Lieutenant. Where is Master’s office?”

The lieutenant did not think much of it and pointed toward the end of the hall. “The one at the very end of this corridor. Why? Are you looking for him?”

The tips of Pei Ye’s ears turned a faint red. He nodded. His Master had been very busy lately and came home extremely late. Even though they lived under the same roof, he rarely saw him.

The lieutenant checked the time. “Do not go there now. He is busy.”

“I understand,” Pei Ye replied softly. He could not hide the disappointment in his eyes as he turned to leave.

How could I be so unlucky?

He only had this chance once a week. He did not care about delivering some stupid report; it was just an excuse to see his Master. Now, it seemed he was failing before he even began.

He walked back along the quiet corridor, feeling empty inside. Passing a corner, he happened to hear two office workers walking by in a hurry, whispering to each other. “Captain Wasp was called into Mr. Jiang’s office early this morning. He has not come out yet.”

Pei Ye stopped in his tracks.

“I heard he handled the last mission beautifully. Mr. Jiang thinks very highly of him lately. Is he getting a promotion?”

Pei Ye was completely stunned.

Wasp. He had heard of him. The captain of another squad. He was very skilled.

A strange, sour emotion suddenly surged in his heart. It felt heavy, clogging his chest.

Master thinks highly of someone else?

Compelled by a sudden impulse, he changed direction and headed toward the end of the corridor.

The door to Jiang Si’s office was not shut tight, leaving a small crack.

The sound of conversation drifted out. Pei Ye’s heart rate suddenly accelerated. Driven by something he could not name, he held his breath and approached the door silently, hiding in the shadows of the wall to eavesdrop. Terror and a strange longing intertwined, making him feel both cold and hot.

He heard Jiang Si’s clear voice. “You did well. In a few days, I will transfer you to work by my side.”

Then came the slight rustle of fabric. Jiang Si seemed to have stood up and patted the man’s shoulder.

Transfer to his side.

Pei Ye’s head throbbed as if hit by a heavy hammer. That position, the position where one could see his Master at all times.

He suddenly clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms. A cold, sharp, and stinging jealousy instantly seized him, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Just then, he heard the man inside say, “Thank you, Fourth Brother! I will take my leave then?”

Pei Ye snapped out of it, a wave of massive panic drowning him. Like a startled rabbit, he turned and ran back the way he came as fast as he could, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would explode.

He could not be caught. Absolutely not. His Master would be disappointed in him. He would be scolded, or perhaps even thrown away.

He had to act like a good boy in front of his Master.

Master liked obedient puppies.

He was the only obedient puppy. Master should only look at him.

Inside the office, Jiang Si leaned back in his chair. His gaze swept over the slightly open crack in the door, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled into a meaningful arc.

From the very beginning, when that faint, suppressed breathing appeared at the door, he had sensed it.

His puppy could not help but come looking for him, after all.

Only he knew how much of those words and that pat on the shoulder were said intentionally for the benefit of the little dog outside, whose ears were pricked and whose mind was swirling with dark thoughts.

Now, hearing those frantic, distant footsteps that were nearly silent, he could almost imagine the expression on the boy’s face shocked, jealous, on the verge of tears, yet stubbornly suppressed.

His puppy really knew how to please him.