The remark was clearly an attempt to change the subject.

Jiang Qingli blinked and answered diplomatically, "His condition has improved after two healing sessions."

Qiao Lan nodded and fell silent again.

She was never very talkative, and Jiang Qingli was used to it by now.

After they ordered, Qiao Lan leaned against the back of her chair and began to speak slowly. "I know my brother’s death doesn’t have much to do with Que Feiling, but I still can’t accept what happened..." She looked at Jiang Qingli. "I’m sorry I didn’t stop Zhao Xinxin when she used this to give you a hard time."

Qiao Lan paused. "Whether you believe me or not, I wasn’t the one who put Zhao Xinxin up to it last time."

Jiang Qingli propped her chin on one hand and watched her, the dim yellow light reflecting in her eyes.

The scrutiny made Qiao Lan uncomfortable, and her tone shifted. "I know you’re angry. You can relieve me of my duties. It’s up to you."

"Why would you think I’d do that?"

"...Didn’t you see Bai Yiyi call me?" Qiao Lan stared at Jiang Qingli’s expression. "Everyone knows you two don’t get along."

Jiang Qingli’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "Secretary Qiao, I never realized you were the type to put up a tough front."

Qiao Lan pressed, "What do you mean? Did you and Bai Yiyi make up?"

"You can stop probing my feelings about Bai Yiyi. I really, really, *really* hate her." Jiang Qingli smiled at her. "But I don’t hate you. You’ve been a diligent secretary and helped me a lot. It was just one phone call; I’m not that petty."

Qiao Lan paused for a moment, visibly relaxing. "The day Zhao Xinxin was making trouble, you saw me and Bai Yiyi in the elevator lobby, didn’t you?"

Jiang Qingli nodded.

Qiao Lan continued, "Afterward, she got my contact information. She wanted to use my animosity toward Que Feiling to cause some trouble for you."

Bai Yiyi and Jiang Qingli were on bad terms, but Qiao Lan was an outsider. That was why she had to test the waters before tipping Jiang Qingli off.

She thought Jiang Qingli would be furious, but instead, she calmly asked what kind of trouble.

"Next week, at the Jiang Family’s banquet, she wants me to put something in your drink and send you to the room of one of her Beast Husbands." Qiao Lan frowned. "A Peacock Beastman, I think."

"Su Jue?"

"Yes, I think that was his name."

The corner of Jiang Qingli’s mouth twitched. "..."

’Drugging, a locked door, a man and a woman alone in a room... What a classic erotic novel trope.’

’Bai Yiyi’s plan probably even included bringing a few people over afterward to catch us, blowing the whole thing up into a public scandal.’

She pinched the bridge of her nose, finding the whole thing a bit surreal.

’When I read the book before, I don’t remember the female lead being so eager to eliminate cannon fodder...’

’Could my appearance have really caused a butterfly effect, making the female lead’s character go off the rails?’

’Thank goodness for Qiao Lan’s warning. Otherwise, I might have really walked into a death trap designed for cannon fodder.’

Smiling, Jiang Qingli thanked Qiao Lan.

Qiao Lan met her crescent-shaped eyes, then averted her gaze unnaturally. "I didn’t do it for you. Sister Shu asked me to help you more before she left. That’s the only reason."

"I know, I know!" The girl shook her head, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "Secretary Qiao, you really are the type to put up a tough front."

"..."

「Night fell.」

On this midsummer night, Jiang Qingli walked through a neon-lit cityscape, weaving through the bustling crowds.

She had been walking like this for half an hour.

Yi Nuo followed at a distance, ensuring her safety.

A few times, Yi Nuo had asked where she wanted to go, saying he could make the arrangements.

But Jiang Qingli didn’t know where to go either, so she just wandered aimlessly.

After she said goodbye to Qiao Lan, the sound of crackling static, like a disrupted electrical current, had returned to her mind.

This was the second time today.

The first time was when Bai Yiyi left with Jiang Youchen.

After both crackling episodes, Jiang Qingli had called out to the system for a long time, but it gave no response.

What frustrated Jiang Qingli even more was that it wasn’t just the contents of that book; even her own other memories were becoming increasingly blurry.

It was as if she were integrating more and more into this world, growing accustomed to its rules and the people around her. Sometimes, she even felt that she truly was the "Jiang Qingli" of this world.

But the system’s occasional voice would force her to confront the fact that she didn’t belong here.

This feeling of being torn in two was agonizing for Jiang Qingli.

A fine drizzle began to fall from the sky.

Jiang Qingli found some steps and sat down, resting her chin on her knees and staring into space.

She knew that if she just said the word, Yi Nuo would come over to shield her from the wind and rain, dutifully taking care of her.

But she didn’t feel like it.

Jiang Qingli buried her face in her arms, feeling a little cold.

Feeling the damp rain on her fingers, Jiang Qingli curled her knuckles.

The next second, a suit jacket, still warm with body heat, was suddenly draped over her back.

The musky scent of cologne and a familiar, intense warmth enveloped her.

A young man took her hand, rubbing it to warm it up. He clicked his tongue. "What are you doing, sitting here like a fool?"

Her eyelashes fluttered.

Jiang Qingli looked up and met the young man’s gray-blue eyes, which were filled with concern.

Her lips moved. "Qin Muye..."

"So you can still recognize people. Guess you’re not a total fool."

Qin Muye chuckled and sat down beside her.

He looked like he had just pulled himself away from some high-society affair, still carrying the scent of glamour and indulgence, but his presence was as solid and dependable as ever.

Qin Muye didn’t say anything, just held her tightly and warmed her fingers with his hands.

Jiang Qingli felt warmth return to her entire body.

The rain started to fall harder. Qin Muye asked, "Want to go to the car?"

Jiang Qingli nodded.

The car was parked at an intersection a dozen or so meters away, so as not to disturb them.

Qin Muye wrapped her up tightly in his suit jacket, then lifted her into his arms and dashed into the rain.

With the speed of a snow leopard, Qin Muye covered the distance in just a few strides and ducked into the car.

Jiang Qingli took off the jacket and realized she was barely wet at all.

Qin Muye, on the other hand, his shirt was drenched.

Jiang Qingli reached out a hand, but he dodged it.

Fearing she would catch a chill, Qin Muye said, "Wait until we get back. I’m soaked—"

Before he could finish, the girl suddenly reached out and hugged him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

Qin Muye froze for a moment, then raised a hand to pat her back.

"Why are you in a bad mood?"

He couldn’t hold back from asking after all.

The girl tilted her head up and asked out of the blue, "If I have to leave one day, will you still be good to me?"

Qin Muye frowned, asking warily, "Where are you going?"

"I don’t know," Jiang Qingli said. "Never mind, don’t answer. That’s too selfish a question..."

She tried to pull back, but Qin Muye held her fast, his tone resolute. "No matter where you go, don’t even think about shaking me off!"

"That’s not what I meant..."

Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, Qin Muye grew anxious. "I don’t care what you meant! All that matters is that you know what *I* mean!"

"Besides, you said it yourself—you’re my master—"

The base of Qin Muye’s ears flushed red, but when he met the girl’s eyes, he suddenly found his confidence. He lifted his chin, righteous and bold:

"Is there a damn problem with me wanting a master?"