Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess-Chapter 88: You’re the human equivalent of those bastards who dangles a fish in front of a car but never let it eat

Chapter 88: You’re the human equivalent of those bastards who dangles a fish in front of a car but never let it eat

Lingquan huffed. [Violent cat.]

Qingran ignored the bickering, stretching her fingers one last time before leaning her head back. "Wake me when we get home."

Feng Yizhou smirked. "You can sleep in my bed."

She didn’t even open her eyes. "I will stab you."

Once they reached Feng Yizhou’s apartment, the city lights cast long shadows through the tall windows. The clock on the dashboard read just past 10 PM, but Qingran was already half-asleep, her head resting against the window.

Feng Yizhou glanced at her, shaking his head in amusement. "You really have no energy left, huh?"

There was no response.

With a soft exhale, he put the car in park and unbuckled his seatbelt. Instead of waking her, he leaned over and slid an arm beneath her legs and another behind her back, lifting her effortlessly.

Qingran stirred, her brows knitting together. "Put me down..."

"You were fine sleeping in my car, but now you’re complaining?" His tone was light, but he didn’t stop moving.

She cracked an eye open. "I can walk."

"Of course you can," he agreed, still carrying her inside.

Lingquan, floating nearby, let out an approving hum. [Host, this isn’t so bad, is it?]

Qingran grumbled under her breath, too tired to argue. She let her head rest against Feng Yizhou’s shoulder. "Whatever. Just don’t drop me."

He chuckled. "I wouldn’t dare."

Once inside, he carried her straight to the bedroom. Instead of unceremoniously dumping her onto the bed, he placed her down with surprising care, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Sleep," he murmured. "I’ll wake you when it’s time to leave tomorrow."

Qingran hummed in response, already half out of it.

Lingquan, still hovering nearby, whispered smugly, [Host, this is how men treat their beloved.]

Qingran, barely conscious, twitched. "Lingquan... shut up."

Feng Yizhou didn’t go to bed immediately. Instead, he walked toward the living area, his expression unreadable as he poured himself a glass of whiskey from the crystal decanter on the counter. The amber liquid swirled as he lifted the glass, taking a slow sip.

His gaze flickered toward the closed bedroom door.

Qingran had fallen asleep so quickly that she hadn’t even asked where they were heading next or why he had insisted on bringing her to his place. Not that he expected her to question it. He had already decided that she was staying here for the night.

A deep chuckle left his lips. She was always so stubborn, yet when she was this exhausted, she let her guard down completely. It was a rare sight.

Leaning against the bar counter, he pulled out his phone, his free hand tapping idly against the glass. A notification popped up—an encrypted message from one of his men.

[The situation in Guyoung is progressing as expected. Your presence is still required. When do you plan to leave?]

His eyes darkened slightly as he skimmed the rest of the report. Things were moving faster than anticipated. If he wanted to secure his foothold in Guyoung, he needed to act soon.

Yet, his gaze drifted back to the closed bedroom door.

Leaving immediately would be the logical choice, but then... would she stay here, or would she run off the moment she woke up?

Feng Yizhou sighed and set his drink down. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with more work right now. He had spent the entire day handling weapons, the logistics, and making sure Qingran’s stockpile was secured—something he wouldn’t have done for anyone else.

The thought made him pause.

Why was he going this far for her?

Of course, he had his reasons. Qingran was useful. She was strong, resourceful, and ruthless when necessary. A perfect ally in this chaotic world. Keeping her well-equipped benefited him too.

And yet, the rationality of that excuse felt thinner each time he repeated it.

"Caocao, I wish she would think of me the way I think of her. I’m fucking obsessed, at first it was just simple admiration but now after getting to know her. I’m so in love with her.."

Caocao, who had been curled up in his cat form on the armrest of the couch, lazily flicked his tail. [Oh? The mighty Feng Yizhou is confessing his feelings to me now? How tragic.]

Feng Yizhou shot him a glare. "Shut up."

[No, no, please continue.] Caocao stretched, his fur glistening under the soft lighting. [You’re in love with Qingran. So what’s the plan? When are you actually going to tell her? Or just keep brooding in the dark with your whiskey like some heartbroken protagonist?]

Feng Yizhou exhaled sharply, leaning back against the couch. "She doesn’t see me that way."

[That’s because you act like an asshole.]

His eye twitched. "Excuse me?"

[You heard me.] Caocao yawned, completely unbothered by the murderous aura creeping into Feng Yizhou’s gaze. [You push her, tease her, and then act like nothing happened. You’re the human equivalent of those bastards who dangle a fish in front of a cat but never let it eat.]

Feng Yizhou clicked his tongue. "I’m not playing games with her."

[Oh? Then what do you call dragging her here, making sure she eats properly, supplying her with weapons, and watching her like a lovesick fool every time she’s asleep?]

Silence.

Feng Yizhou stared at his drink, swirling the remaining whiskey in the glass.

"...It’s just habit" he muttered.

Caocao snorted. [Yeah. Habit. And I’m just a normal cat.]

He wasn’t wrong. Feng Yizhou knew it. But what was he supposed to do? If he told Qingran outright that he was in love with her, she’d probably think he was messing with her.

Or worse—she’d push him away.

And Feng Yizhou wasn’t sure he could handle that.

His fingers tapped against the glass again. "What do you think I should do?"

Caocao tilted his head, considering it for a moment. [Be honest with yourself first. Stop treating her like some untouchable existence and start acting on your feelings. She’s not blind, you know. She just doesn’t believe people can truly care for her without an ulterior motive. Have you actually said I love you sincerely?]

Feng Yizhou’s grip tightened slightly.

That was the problem, wasn’t it?

Qingran was too used to betrayal, too used to being abandoned or used for someone else’s gain. Even if she liked him—even if she felt something for him—she wouldn’t allow herself to trust it.