Chapter 508: Extra: Qin Muye, Good Puppy (3)

Jiang Qingli never imagined that Qin Muye would keep this stuff in his most valuable, double-locked cabinet.

Realizing he’d been found out, Qin Muye, who was behind her, stopped struggling and went as rigid as a statue.

An eerie silence fell over them.

Only 030’s wild laughter echoed in Jiang Qingli’s mind: “HAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! How can this guy be so dumb! Anyone else would hide this stuff somewhere discreet, but not him—he puts it in the most conspicuous spot! If a burglar ever broke in, imagine them trying so hard only for this to be the first thing they see! I can’t even picture their face, hahaha! I’m dying laughing!”

The matchstick figure laughed so hard it fell off Jiang Qingli’s shoulder and rolled around on the table. “Oh man, I rarely get a day off to hang out with you, and this is what I get to see? This is pure entertainment! I should’ve saved it for the New Year’s special!”

Jiang Qingli cleared her throat. ‘Stop laughing.’

If Qin Muye knew he was being ridiculed by a genderless matchstick figure, he’d probably pass out from fury.

Good thing he couldn’t see him.

Jiang Qingli put the supplements back and closed the cabinet. She then picked up the actual medicine and placed it on the small table next to the medical pod before taking off her shoes and coat and lying down on the bed by the window.

She had been working just yesterday, and had come straight to Qin Muye’s place the moment spring break started. While waiting for him, she’d had a long chat with Yuan Liang, and now she was feeling drowsy. It was time for a nap.

…

In a daze, Jiang Qingli felt a furry creature snuggle into her arms, something soft gently rubbing against her fingers and cheeks.

Jiang Qingli tried to turn over, but it only clung to her tighter.

A smile touched her lips. “Whose little puppy is being so clingy?”

She opened her eyes and, sure enough, found Qin Muye nestled in her arms. The furry things brushing against her were his tail and ears.

“All better?”

“It’s mostly healed. The scar will take a few more days,” Qin Muye said. His face was buried in Jiang Qingli’s softness, and his voice was a bit muffled and sullen as he avoided her gaze.

Jiang Qingli took hold of Qin Muye’s tail and stroked it, then glanced out the window.

The sky had already darkened, and lights were beginning to dot the sides of the road.

Jiang Qingli’s other hand searched under the blankets for Qin Muye’s wound. It had already scabbed over; it would be fully healed in a few days.

‘These muscles feel incredible, by the way.’

‘Might as well feel them up some more.’

‘I’m getting a little hungry. What should we eat later…’

Jiang Qingli’s mind wandered as she continued to stroke him.

It had been quite a while since she had last come here.

After the award ceremony, she had only visited a few times, mostly accompanying Xie Qizhen for work and stopping by to see Xie Youchen. The other visits were purely for official business.

Whenever it was Qin Muye’s turn, if he was free, he would sneak into the First District in the middle of the night and climb into her bed, saving her the trouble of traveling.

Still, it was a bit tiring for him to always be the one making the trip.

Once spring was over, the Mutant Beast situation in the Roaring Forest would improve. Summer vacation would be here soon, and she could bring her other Beast Husbands here for a holiday. Then she’d be able to see Qin Muye more often.

‘Ugh, but are there any of her other Beast Husbands that Qin Muye can actually stand…?’

The thought made Jiang Qingli want to laugh, and a slight smile played on her lips.

It was a minuscule movement, but Qin Muye, who had been watching her expression intently, noticed it instantly.

Thinking she was laughing about the supplements, the young snow leopard twitched his tail in embarrassment and mumbled, “That stuff… uh…”

He didn’t know what to say, and his ears flushed red as he stammered.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I get it.”

Her slender fingers tapped Qin Muye’s head, and she gave him a soothing pat, just like she was petting a puppy.

Jiang Qingli smiled, her voice still holding a sleepy, nasal quality. “There, there. I’ll just pretend I didn’t see anything… Mm, I completely understand!”

‘After all, she’d used similar stuff herself once.’

Speaking of which, she’d been caught by Qin Muye that time before she even had a chance to taste it. How embarrassing.

The most embarrassing part was that after she returned from the Twelve Cities, Lin Xiyue came over, noticed some of the supplements were missing, and with a mysterious expression, asked her how well they worked. She couldn’t answer, but Lin Xiyue just gave her a look that said, ‘Say no more, sis,’ and promptly sent her another huge batch. To make matters worse, Gu Nian saw the delivery when it arrived, and what happened after that… is a story she’d rather not tell.

And now, in a funny twist of fate, Qin Muye was the one hiding them in a cabinet, and she was the one who found them.

It was only then that Jiang Qingli realized that even a beast as fierce as Qin Muye could be anxious about this sort of thing behind closed doors.

She felt a sense of camaraderie, as if they were in the same boat.

Jiang Qingli was comforting Qin Muye as someone with experience in the matter, but to him, her words were exceptionally grating.

‘It was like a gentle wife, patting her impotent husband on the back with a mix of tolerance and pity, saying, “There, there, it’s perfectly normal! Even though you can’t perform, I understand. It’s not important to our relationship… because I have other husbands, and as long as *they* can perform, it’s all good!”‘

Qin Muye’s expression shifted several times before he gritted his teeth and said, “I didn’t buy that stuff! I’m holding it for someone!”

Jiang Qingli nodded. “We haven’t seen each other for a few days, and my little puppy has become quite the Good Samaritan.”

Though her words sounded encouraging, it was clear she didn’t believe him in the slightest.

Qin Muye felt a fire of indignation burning in his chest.

A few days ago, Que Feiling had been carrying a huge delivery box back to his dorm. When he passed Qin Muye’s room, Qin Muye asked what was in it, and Que Feiling had simply handed him a case of it.

Qin Muye remembered seeing ads for the supplement all the time. Back then, he had assumed it was like a lesser concubine offering tribute to the main consort, so he’d accepted it.

Thinking about it now, he suddenly had an epiphany.

‘That bastard Que Feiling must have given him this stuff on purpose, just waiting for Jiang Qingli to find it and question his… abilities!’

‘Once she started giving him the cold shoulder, that damn bird would swoop in to fill the void!’

‘What a vicious scheme!’

Having witnessed all sorts of palace intrigue, Qin Muye was absolutely furious. He cursed Que Feiling a hundred times over in his mind.

Gritting his teeth, Qin Muye tried to clear his name. “I’ve never used that stuff! Everything with you before—it’s! It’s always been one hundred percent natural!”

“I know, I know,” Jiang Qingli said placatingly. “You’ve always been very impressive.”

Qin Muye: “…”

He was only digging the hole deeper.

‘This wouldn’t do. He had to prove himself. This was a matter of masculine pride!’

A man of action, Qin Muye wasted no time. Without a word, he grabbed Jiang Qingli’s hand and pressed it against his body.

He had just come from the medical pod after a shower and hadn’t bothered with clothes, coming over with only a thin blanket wrapped around him.

He was practically ready-to-eat.

Qin Muye was eager to prove himself, but Jiang Qingli wasn’t having it. “I’m a little hungry right now. Let’s get something to eat first. We can head back to your place afterward and… talk.”

It was indeed getting late, so Qin Muye had no choice but to restrain himself.

He didn’t restrain himself completely, however, diving under the covers to kiss her several times.

…

Night fell, and the city began to light up.

After the Mutant Beast problem had been resolved, Zone A was more prosperous than ever. Its territory had expanded, and many of the poorer residents of the Twelve Cities were now able to run small businesses, leading to significant economic growth.

Qin Muye took Jiang Qingli to a restaurant that Yuan Liang had enthusiastically recommended.

Unfortunately, they were too late.

The waiter said apologetically, “I’m sorry, folks, but our last table was reserved half an hour ago.”

“Then let’s try another place…”

Jiang Qingli had just spoken the words when a familiar, pleasantly surprised young man’s voice came from behind her. “Miss Jiang, what a coincidence!”