—

Wen Ran's whole body went rigid at those four words. If Gu Yunchi had just said 'would die,' he'd have taken it as a joke—but Gu Yunchi added 'might.'

He really might die.

He slowly let go of Gu Yunchi and asked quietly, 'Why?'

'What else would it be? Pheromone issue.' Gu Yunchi said it like it was nothing. 'Once the Susceptibility Period hits, your system could collapse.'

'Have you ever had a Susceptibility Period before?'

'No.'

'What kind of situation triggers one?' Wen Ran felt anxious for the first time about how little he knew about all this. 'You're out here traveling right now—isn't that dangerous?'

Compared to Wen Ran's worry, Gu Yunchi himself was completely unfazed. 'You're the one being dangerous, pressed up against me like that.'

'You mean pheromones with too high a match rate can trigger it too?' Wen Ran instinctively touched the Neck Ring at his throat. 'I keep mine on max when I'm out. What about you—what's your Wristband set to?'

As he said it he grabbed Gu Yunchi's hand and lit up the Wristband, only relaxing a little once he confirmed it was also on max. Then he thought about the last two times he'd gone into heat and begged Gu Yunchi to lower the setting, and a chill ran through him.

'Both times I went into heat, you had the one-way switch on, right?' After asking, Wen Ran paused. If the one-way switch had been on last time, that meant Gu Yunchi couldn't smell his pheromones—so what happened then, was it just because of his own need?'

If only that cigarette had been smoked all the way too—the thought surfaced in his mind and Wen Ran didn't even understand why.

Gu Yunchi didn't answer. Instead: 'What do you want to know.'

Feeling oddly seen through, Wen Ran stammered: 'J-just confirming, that you're not affected by my pheromones.'

'And then?'

So nervous his breathing went heavy, Wen Ran said guiltily: 'Weren't we talking about the Susceptibility Period?'

'We were.' Gu Yunchi leaned a little closer. 'But you're the one whose mind wandered first.'

His breath right at Wen Ran's nose. Wen Ran instinctively braced his hands behind him, dodged a little, then couldn't help asking once it quieted down: 'Which part do you mean?'

Gu Yunchi said: 'Keep pretending.'

That was as good as calling him out. Wen Ran wasn't pretending—he just didn't have the nerve to talk plainly about that night. Couldn't even think about it; the moment he did his heart would race and his head would burn—like right now. Even though the room was already dark enough, Wen Ran still turned his head to avoid eye contact and changed the subject: 'The little Kangaroo Model I'm making for Tao Susu is almost done. Want to see? I'll take a photo for you.'

'Take a selfie first.' Gu Yunchi looked at him for a moment, then sat up and gripped Wen Ran's chin, turning his face forward. 'Let's see if you really are a pig.'

He'd agree to anything Gu Yunchi said right now. He grabbed Gu Yunchi's wrist and pushed his hand down, didn't let go right away, tried to act natural as he slowly shifted, finally holding that palm much bigger than his own. Maybe he was imagining it, but he felt like Gu Yunchi's hand had grown some calluses. Wen Ran asked: 'How long are you back this time?'

'About ten days.'

'Really?' Even a year wouldn't necessarily mean many meetings, but Wen Ran was happy. 'Then get some rest.'

Gu Yunchi asked him: 'What are you happy about.'

'Why can't I be?' Wen Ran said. 'You're in the Capital City, I'm happy.'

His Mobile Phone suddenly rang. Gu Yunchi took it out and answered. Wen Ran forgot to let go, and Gu Yunchi didn't remind him—he finished a short call with their hands still linked, then hung up and told Wen Ran: 'Something came up, I have to go.'

'Oh.' Wen Ran used Gu Yunchi's hand to hop down from the table. Remembering the original topic, a vague unease sat in his chest. He asked: 'About the Susceptibility Period—besides the doctor, does anyone else know?'

'Grandfather.' Gu Yunchi said. 'You.'

Wen Ran froze, not understanding. Knowing full well what kind of ambitious family he came from, Gu Yunchi had still told him this secret that concerned his life and death. It was heavy, precious trust. Wen Ran asked softly: 'Why would you be willing to tell me?'

'A test.' Gu Yunchi's tone was casual. 'If it leaks, you're the prime suspect. Behave.'

Wen Ran was quiet for a few seconds, then reached out to hug him for the third time. He brought his mouth close to Gu Yunchi's ear—an intimate, suggestive distance—and patted Gu Yunchi's back, his voice low and solemn: 'Mission guaranteed.'

'...' If this were a text message, you could just picture him adding a fist-and-palm salute emoji at the end. Gu Yunchi said, 'Even an eighty-year-old wouldn't talk like you.'

'Maybe I'm more mature.' Wen Ran analyzed.

Walking out of the room, Gu Yunchi headed off in the other direction. Wen Ran watched his back, then turned to head back to the Evening Banquet hall. A few steps in he saw Fang Yisen coming out on a call. Wen Ran stopped a few meters away and waited for him to finish before calling out: 'Assistant Fang.'

Fang Yisen pushed up his glasses, looked up, and smiled when he saw it was Wen Ran.

'You must be really busy.' Wen Ran walked over. 'And you still have to come to the Evening Banquet.'

'It's fine, just happened to be a busy day at the Company.'

Wen Ran really wanted to ask 'is it true you agreed to get the marriage certificate with Wen Rui,' but after a brief thought he gave up—it wasn't his place to pry. Wen Ran nodded: 'Thanks for your hard work, I'll head in then.'

'Wen Ran.' Fang Yisen called him back, looked at him and asked: 'Can you leave me your number?'

'Ah? Sure, of course.' Wen Ran took the Mobile Phone Fang Yisen handed him and typed in his number. 'Contact me anytime if anything comes up.'

'Okay, thank you.'

That thanks made Wen Ran feel deeply unworthy. He quickly shook his head and said 'you don't have to,' then waved: 'I'm going in. See you, Assistant Fang.'

'See you.'

When he got back to his seat, Gu Chongze glanced sideways at Wen Ran, who'd said he was going to the restroom and disappeared for ages, but said nothing. Wen Ran sat there absent-mindedly for a while, then opened his phone and went into the camera. He lowered his head, took a selfie from a terrible angle in the dim light, didn't care if it looked good or bad, and immediately sent it to a good person.

Wen Ran: Look, not a pig [fist]

Half a minute later he got a reply. A good person: Alien creature

Wen Ran: ?

He closed his phone. For some reason he kept thinking about Fang Yisen, and a strange, indescribable premonition rose in his chest. Wen Ran looked back—Fang Yisen had already returned and was sitting with Wen Rui. Objectively they were a well-matched pair, looks-wise. Too bad Wen Rui had botched the beginning, so everything after went wrong.

That strange premonition came true.

Less than three days after the Charity Gala, Fang Yisen disappeared.

He vanished completely. Before disappearing he'd still been diligently handling work, normal commutes, but on Monday night after leaving the Company he was never seen again. He hadn't even taken any luggage—everything at home was untouched.

Wen Rui went half-mad, came home and had a huge fight with Chen Shuhui. After all, Fang Yisen had disappeared right after agreeing to the proposal—at this point, no matter how you looked at it, Chen Shuhui was the prime suspect.

'You think I'm that free? Busy as hell every day, no time for your mess. You couldn't keep hold of him and now you're slinging mud at me. Wen Rui, I'm telling you—this is all on you. The moment you kept him tied to you, you should've known this day would come. You deserve it!'

'Slinging mud? You're not exactly innocent of this kind of thing—you're the one who turned this family into this hellhole! You better hand Fang Yisen over right now, or nobody gets out of this clean!'

Something in what he said hit home. Chen Shuhui's body stiffened for a moment. She took a few deep breaths and said as calmly as she could: 'I know you're panicked right now, but use your head. Knowing full well you'd suspect me first, how could I possibly be the one hiding him? Ask yourself who's been watching the Wen Family closest lately. Instead of losing it at me, send people to check on Tang Feiyi and Wei Lingzhou.'

Wen Rui stared at her with red eyes for a long moment, then turned and walked out of the house.

Chen Shuhui sat down on the sofa, pressing her forehead, looking somewhat defeated. The house went quiet. Wen Ran crouched by the second-floor hallway railing, watching it all in fear. He thought—if Fang Yisen had been kidnapped by Wei Lingzhou's people, he must be in serious danger right now.

He quietly got up and retreated to his room, then messaged Gu Yunchi: Fang Yisen's missing

A good person: Congratulations to him

Wen Ran: Could Wei Lingzhou's people have kidnapped him? I'm worried about his safety

A good person: Don't worry about it, there'll be news soon

He really could do nothing but worry. Better listen to Gu Yunchi. Wen Rui wasn't without power in the Capital City—whether Fang Yisen was kidnapped or had run, news would come eventually.

But Wen Ran still hoped Fang Yisen had run on his own—at least that would be less dangerous.

Three whole days of being on edge. Wen Rui never came home. Wen Ran couldn't help messaging him to ask what was happening, but never got a reply.

Thursday night, Wen Rui came home.

Wen Ran opened his door and watched Wen Rui walk up the stairs step by step. Wen Rui passed right by him without even noticing he was there, face wooden, and went straight into his room.

The door closed. A dozen seconds later, a muffled thud came from inside, like something heavy hitting the floor.

Thinking Wen Rui had collapsed, Wen Ran hurried over and pushed the door open—but what had fallen was the meter-tall safe in the room. Files and objects were scattered everywhere. Wen Rui sat with his head down on the carpet by the bed, holding a velvet Engagement Ring box.

'His birthday is next month.' Wen Rui looked at the ring box and spoke. 'I was going to go get the marriage certificate with him that day.'

Seeing him like this, Wen Ran understood Fang Yisen still hadn't been found. His heart sank. Wen Ran said: 'Get some sleep first.'

Wen Rui said nothing. He pulled open the nightstand drawer, took out a pill bottle, shook one pill into his hand, put it in his mouth, and slowly swallowed it down.

He leaned his head against the bed frame and closed his eyes: 'Get out.'

Wen Ran said nothing and walked out.

Half an hour later, Chen Shuhui still wasn't home. Wen Ran pushed open Wen Rui's door again and saw him still in the same position on the carpet, head against the bed frame.

'Brother, sleep on the bed.' Wen Ran nudged his shoulder.

No response. He'd really taken a sleeping pill.

Wen Ran crouched by the safe and started going through the scattered papers. The inside of the safe had an encrypted layer that needed a password and fingerprint—the most important stuff should be in there, so he could only look at what was on the floor. Before long he found an old, folded letter. He opened it and saw it was Fang Yisen's mother's suicide note.

No time to dig into the contents. Wen Ran took out his phone and carefully photographed it, then folded the letter back the way it was and put it back.

He noticed an old envelope next to it with frayed edges. Thinking it might be something of Fang Yisen's mother's, he picked it up and opened it—inside were several photos.

They looked like candid shots. The woman in them wore a mask and sunglasses, the background looked like an airport or station, and the date in the bottom right corner was four years ago.

Wen Ran felt the woman looked vaguely familiar. He flipped to the last photo—the woman had taken off her sunglasses.

His heart stopped. Wen Ran's hands trembled slightly—the woman in the photo was Li Qingwan.

Li Qingwan had appeared four years ago. She'd been followed—and most likely by someone the Wen Family had sent.

No time for shock or thinking it through. Wen Ran heard a door close downstairs—Chen Shuhui was back. He immediately stuffed the photos back into the envelope, put it on the floor, and covered it with a few unimportant documents.

The click of high heels got closer. Wen Ran put his phone back in his pocket, stood up, and the moment Chen Shuhui pushed the door open he grabbed Wen Rui's arm in a posture like he was trying to haul him up.

Wen Ran looked toward the door: 'Brother seems to have taken a sleeping pill and passed out. I was trying to get him onto the bed.'

Chen Shuhui walked in, glanced at the mess on the floor: 'What happened.'

'He came back and immediately knocked over the safe, looking for the ring.' Wen Ran asked: 'Want me to clean up?'

'Tell him to clean it up himself tomorrow.' Chen Shuhui said. 'Let him sit on the floor.'

Wen Ran let go: 'Okay.'

Back in his room, Wen Ran was still lost in thought about Li Qingwan's photos when his Mobile Phone suddenly rang—an unknown number. He picked up: 'Hello?'

'Wen Ran? It's Fang Yisen.'