Don't You like Little Dogs? Now that I'm Taking Liberties, You're Suddenly Reluctant? - Chapter 9

That day, Pei Ye returned home exceptionally early.

Only a small lamp was lit in the room. He sat silently on the edge of the bed, applying medicine to the new wounds he had acquired during training.

The alcohol-soaked cotton swab wiped across his scraped knee, bringing a sharp sting. However, he felt somewhat numb. The words he had heard outside the office earlier that day kept replaying in his mind.

“I will transfer you to work by my side.”

That was what his Master had said to Wasp.

The recognition in that tone and even the action of patting the man’s shoulder pricked his heart like needles. A dull, inexplicable ache clogged his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Why can others get the chance to be near Master so easily?

He stared at the gash on his knee that was still slowly oozing blood. A dark thought emerged uncontrollably. If Master saw these injuries, would he feel sorry for me? Would he look at me more because of them?

But he quickly suppressed the thought himself. He pressed down hard on the wound, the sudden pain jolting him back to his senses.

No. Master would only think he was useless for getting hurt even during training.

He lowered his eyes and silently continued applying the antiseptic.

Just then, the sound of a key in the lock and footsteps came from the living room. Pei Ye snapped his head up, his heart skipping a beat. How could Master be home at this time?

He scrambled to shove the medical kit under the bed, ignoring his unbandaged wound. He hurriedly pulled the door open and peeked out into the living room.

Jiang Si was throwing his coat onto the sofa, looking weary. Hearing the movement, he turned and saw Pei Ye’s head peeking out from the doorframe. “Why are you hiding in your room?”

“Master. Why are you back so early today?” Pei Ye asked softly, instinctively stepping out.

Usually, at this hour, Jiang Si would still be handling business at headquarters.

Jiang Si’s gaze swept over him and immediately landed on his exposed knee, which was marked with fresh wounds and medicine stains. His brow furrowed. “What happened now?”

Pei Ye froze. Following the man’s gaze to his own knee, he instantly became nervous. “It was. It was an accident during training. I will be more careful from now on. I will not. I will not get dirty or let you see me like this again.”

His voice grew smaller as he spoke, terrified of being loathed.

Jiang Si watched him in silence for a few seconds. Then, he tilted his chin toward the sofa. “Come here.”

Pei Ye could hardly believe it. He walked over hesitantly.

Jiang Si took the medical kit from the lower shelf of the coffee table and signaled for him to sit. Then, Jiang Si crouched down himself and took out a clean cotton swab and some iodine.

The cool liquid touched the wound, making Pei Ye shiver slightly. However, a wave of overwhelmed ecstasy surged through him even more powerfully.

Master. Is helping me with my wounds.

He kept his head down, watching Jiang Si’s focused profile. His heart was racing. Driven by a sudden impulse, he spoke in a small voice. “Master. If I become very, very strong. Would I. Also be able to be transferred to your side to work for you personally?”

Jiang Si’s movements paused. He did not look up, but his voice was flat as he repeated the word. “Also?”

Pei Ye’s heart tightened. He immediately tried to cover his tracks. “The. Everyone in the squads. They all say that. They say only very powerful people get the chance to work by your side.”

Jiang Si suddenly let out a low laugh.

He set down the cotton swab and briefly bandaged the wound with gauze. Only then did he look up at Pei Ye’s exceptionally bright eyes. His tone held a trace of nonchalant teasing. “Skeleton has weekly, monthly, and overall rankings. The higher you are, the more value you have and the more efficient you are. Currently, the number one on the overall ranking is the Lieutenant.”

He patted Pei Ye’s head as if humoring a small pet making an unrealistic request. “If you ever manage to climb to the top of the overall ranking, I will consider it.”

It was a casual joke. But Pei Ye’s eyes instantly lit up with an alarming intensity, swirling with a near-obsessive seriousness.

Number one on the overall ranking. The Lieutenant. So, if I want to stand by Master’s side completely, I must replace that man?

He even began to calmly calculate the possibilities.

Jiang Si found his dead-serious reaction amusing. “What? You actually want to try?”

Pei Ye nodded vigorously, like a child who had been given a promise. His voice was unusually firm. “I will work hard!”

As long as he could reach his goal, he would use any means necessary to climb to that position. The position closest to his Master.

Jiang Si was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled softly. “Oh. Is that so?”

“Then I look forward to it.”

In the training that followed, Pei Ye became almost suicidal in his efforts. Everyone in the squads began to feel an inexplicable fear of this eleven-year-old child.

“Is he really only eleven?”

“He is too crazy.”

Pei Ye ignored the malice, the speculation, and the rumors.

At the end of the month, the Fourth Squad received a mission from above: to eliminate a smuggling ring entrenched in the East District and seize their recent transaction ledgers. The mission rank was high and the risk was great, requiring the participation of the entire Fourth Squad.

This was also the first time Pei Ye participated in such high-difficulty actual combat.

Before departure, the atmosphere in the meeting room was somber. Cheetah explained the structure of the enemy stronghold and the potential dangers in detail. Finally, he looked specifically at Pei Ye, his tone stern. “You. Stay close to the main group and remain at the back. Unless ordered, do not act on your own. Staying alive is the priority. Understand?”

Pei Ye nodded obediently.

The other squad members had mixed expressions. Some looked worried, while others were dismissive.

“Is it really okay to take a kid on this kind of mission?”

“Tch. Just don’t wet your pants and hold us back.”

“I hope the Boss keeps a close eye on him.”

Pei Ye pursed his lips and said nothing.

Annoying people.

The target stronghold was in the eastern suburbs, a place where few people usually ventured.

The mission started smoothly. The squad utilized the night and the complex terrain of the abandoned factory area to infiltrate silently. However, just as they approached the smugglers’ headquarters—an abandoned warehouse—everything changed.

Blinding searchlights suddenly flared to life. Massive numbers of armed figures surged from the once-silent shadows.

“It is a setup! It is a trap!” Cheetah roared. “Retreat!”

Gunfire erupted instantly. Bullets hissed through the air from all directions. The Fourth Squad was caught off guard and immediately forced onto the defensive. They could only fight back with difficulty while trying to break through back the way they came.

Members began to fall as they were hit. The smell of blood and gunpowder filled the air.

They retreated frantically toward a heavy iron door they had passed on the way in. This was the final gate to a relatively safe area. Cheetah pushed open a gap just wide enough for one person to fit through, screaming at his squad. “Fast! Get out!”

The enemy’s suppressive fire was overwhelming. The door was about to be closed or completely blocked by the enemy.

“Hurry!” Cheetah held the door open, his arm grazed by a stray bullet, blood flowing freely.

A member codenamed “Crocodile” was at the front of the line. He glanced at the pursuing enemies getting closer and the closing gap of the door. Then, he looked at Pei Ye, who was right in front of him and about to slip through. A flash of ruthlessness and selfishness crossed his eyes.

Ah. I have hated you for a long time. You little brat acting like you are so special just because Mr. Jiang looks at you.

“Farewell.”

Just as half of Pei Ye’s body was about to pass through the door, Crocodile suddenly raised his foot and kicked Pei Ye hard in the waist.

“Ngh!”

Pei Ye never expected to be attacked from behind by his own teammate. Under the sudden pain, he lost his balance and fell backward, away from the door and straight toward the approaching enemies.

“Crocodile!” Cheetah roared in shock and rage.

But Crocodile took the opportunity to shove through the gap Pei Ye had left. He slipped through like lightning, shouting at the same time, “Close it! Close the door! Or we all die!”

“Dammit!”

Cheetah’s eyes were bloodshot with fury, but the pursuers were upon them with fierce firepower. He was forced to slam the heavy iron door shut.

The heavy metallic bang sealed the interior from the exterior. It also locked Pei Ye on the other side, leaving him to the surging enemies.

Pei Ye fell hard onto the cold ground. Before he could even recover from the shock of the betrayal or the intense pain, several ice-cold gun barrels were pressed firmly against his head.

“Ha! These lunatics actually left one behind!”

“This is hilarious! He was dumped by his own teammates! Hahaha!”

“Oh look, it is just a little guy.”

The cold muzzles pressed against Pei Ye’s bleeding forehead. The smell of blood in the air grew heavy.

Ah. I have been thrown away.

Haha.