“Dream lover?”
Qi Ji blinked. What did that even mean?
Last time, he’d heard Midov refer to “Pei’s lover,” and he hadn’t quite reacted. Now the phrase had become even more extravagant, and he felt even more uncomfortable.
“Why would you say that?”
Wen Chuming’s expression, however, betrayed no hint of joking. His eyes were still full of undisguised surprise as he looked at Qi Ji. Before Qi Ji could respond, a traffic officer at the scene interrupted.
The young man standing nearby stepped forward. “I’ll handle the insurance and traffic paperwork for you,” he offered.
He had witnessed what happened and, since the car belonged to Pei Yusheng, the officer only asked Wen Chuming a few quick questions before leaving the rest to the young man.
Wen Chuming then led Qi Ji to a quieter spot nearby.
Qi Ji poured some cat food on the ground, calling the three cats to eat. Once they were occupied, he listened as Wen Chuming spoke:
“A few days ago, there was an event I attended with Da Pei. Time was tight, so we ended up resting in the car for the night.”
Wen Chuming didn’t go into details, since it involved confidential matters, but he described the situation briefly.
“I woke a few times during the night and noticed that Da Pei never slept.”
Wen Chuming sighed. “He’s always had poor sleep quality—it’s an old issue from his service days. But back then, it wasn’t so severe that he stayed awake the entire night.”
Qi Ji was surprised. Service-related insomnia… so Pei Yusheng had been suffering from sleeplessness for years? Thinking back on his own earlier guess—that Pei’s insomnia began because of Wen Chuming’s accident—Qi Ji felt a pang of guilt.
But if this was from his service days, wouldn’t lack of rest have affected his physical condition, given the intensity of training? Qi Ji couldn’t help but ask.
Wen Chuming answered patiently: “We learned a technique for rapid sleep, using controlled breathing and muscle relaxation to fall asleep quickly in a safe environment, then wake at a set time, ensuring the body recovers as much as possible in a short period.”
Qi Ji’s eyes widened. “There’s such a method?”
It sounded like a miracle for insomniacs.
But Wen Chuming shook his head. “Rapid sleep sounds useful, but it’s extremely difficult to master. It requires precise control over the body. Ordinary people without training won’t succeed.”
Qi Ji hesitated. “But Pei…”
Wen Chuming nodded knowingly. “Da Pei can do it. Not only that, he’s the best among us at it.”
Qi Ji’s brow furrowed. “Then why does he still have insomnia?”
He’d assumed Pei wasn’t skilled enough at the method, but this answer was far more troubling—it meant even rapid sleep didn’t work for him anymore.
Wen Chuming explained: “Rapid sleep isn’t meant for relaxation. It’s more a training tool to restore energy to complete tasks. It can maintain physical condition, but it won’t soothe the mind or provide true rest.”
Qi Ji frowned. That still seemed better than staying awake all night. “Then why doesn’t he just use it? Why stay up through the night?”
Wen Chuming shook his head. “I don’t know. I only realized during the night that he wasn’t sleeping—he was looking at a photo.”
“A photo?” Qi Ji asked.
Wen Chuming nodded. “Yes. There were other people in the car, so using electronics would disturb them. He used the moonlight to look at the photo.”
Half-asleep, Wen Chuming jokingly asked, “Why aren’t you sleeping so late, staring at a photo? Is this… your dream lover?”
He’d seen many soldiers looking at photos at night—of children, girlfriends—but he hadn’t heard of Pei being married, so his guess had been playful.
Pei Yusheng’s single glance, however, didn’t refute him. That was when Wen Chuming realized the truth: Pei had subtly acknowledged it.
He hadn’t denied the “dream lover” remark. Could it be that even Da Pei had someone he couldn’t catch?
Wen Chuming was stunned. He remembered telling Qi Ji: “That’s why I was so surprised when I first heard your name.”
Qi Ji’s own surprise was even greater. He asked, “When did this happen?”
“About ten days ago,” Wen Chuming replied.
Ten days ago?
Qi Ji paused—wasn’t that when Pei Yusheng was being monitored by his father? He hadn’t heard from Pei in a long time, thinking perhaps Pei had found another method to cope with insomnia… yet he had still been awake all night… looking at a photo of himself.
Wen Chuming smiled, recalling Pei Yusheng’s soft expression at the time. “He said, ‘His name is Qi Ji—it means miracle.’ Now he’s found you. He must be happy.”
Qi Ji hesitated. Though it was awkward to speak, he forced out a denial: “Sorry… we’re not together.”
Wen Chuming froze. “Ah?”
For a rare moment, he was lost for words, stammering: “But didn’t Da Pei send someone to pick you up?”
Qi Ji shook his head. “Not home. I’m staying at his villa temporarily for work.”
Two kittens had finished eating, tugging at Qi Ji’s pants. He bent down and picked them up, one in each arm.
Wen Chuming struggled to believe it, but quickly recovered, apologizing for his earlier remark: “I didn’t know. Sorry if I offended you.”
Qi Ji shook his head. “No, and thank you for helping me today.”
Wen Chuming smoothly changed the topic. “As long as you’re okay.”
He looked at the kittens in Qi Ji’s arms, curious: “Are these all yours?”
“No, I just found them on the street,” Qi Ji said, glancing at the smaller, weaker kitten. “This is the one I picked up in the middle of the road.”
Wen Chuming examined the kitten’s stiff hind leg. “I have experience caring for animals. Can I take a look?”
Qi Ji nodded. “Sure, thank you.”
“No problem,” Wen Chuming said, taking the kitten gently. His hands were practiced, lifting it by the scruff—a motion that made Qi Ji’s neck tingle slightly.
The kitten wriggled briefly, but calmed once held properly, allowing Wen Chuming to inspect it.
“Good little one,” he complimented.
After checking, he told Qi Ji, “The bones are fine, but there’s a wound on its right hind leg, some pus.”
He showed the injured paw to Qi Ji—a narrow wound ran along the leg, dried blood on the pink pads, evoking an immediate pang of worry. No wonder the mother cat had left it in the grass.
Qi Ji couldn’t wait. “I’ll take it to the vet immediately.”
At that moment, the young man handling the traffic accident approached. The paperwork was mostly done, just needing Wen Chuming’s signature.
After signing, Wen Chuming glanced at the car in the road and scratched his nose awkwardly.
“It’s okay,” the young man said. “The insurance company is on the way.”
Wen Chuming asked, “And Da Pei?”
“Still in a meeting,” the young man replied. Qi Ji noticed he said “Mr. Pei,” not the usual “Second Young Master,” likely reflecting Pei Yusheng’s severed ties with his family.
Wen Chuming and the young man finished talking, then Wen Chuming said to Qi Ji: “Let’s head to the animal hospital.”
Qi Ji hesitated. “I can go myself, no need to trouble you.”
The young man interjected, “If you’re taking three cats, it’ll be easier with Wen Chuming.”
Two kittens and the mother cat made the journey complicated.
Wen Chuming added, “It’s late, safer with two people.”
Qi Ji agreed and didn’t insist further.
At the animal hospital, the two kittens behaved, but the mother cat remained anxious. Qi Ji struggled to coax it inside.
Wen Chuming held the kittens, smiling as Qi Ji calmed the mother cat. “You’re good at winning over cats.”
Blushing slightly, Qi Ji said, “Maybe it’s the half bag of cat food from earlier.”
Wen Chuming’s words triggered a thought. Qi Ji asked impulsively, “Have you ever seen someone cats don’t like?”
Wen Chuming answered: “Da Pei… cats aren’t fond of him.”
“Mr. Pei?”
Qi Ji recalled the long stuffed cat on Pei’s bed. Pei adored cats, yet… they didn’t like him?
Wen Chuming nodded. “Have you seen the cat his mother keeps? A tall, aloof cat. It doesn’t get along with Da Pei. When he sits on the sofa, it pushes him away.”
He chuckled. “Maybe their personalities just clash.”
Qi Ji pictured it—Pei and a big, haughty cat. Cute.
“Is the cat deliberately targeting him?” Qi Ji asked. It seemed clever.
“Seems so,” Wen Chuming said, holding the kittens. “That cat only allows Pei’s mother to touch it. I didn’t dare.”
He glanced at the wary big white cat at Qi Ji’s feet. “But I think it’s similar to that one. It’ll probably like you too.”
Qi Ji blinked. Could it… really?
The nearest animal hospital wasn’t far, just a little inconvenient to carry the cats there. Once they arrived, Qi Ji hurriedly handed the injured kitten to the doctor.
The kitten was well-behaved, barely struggling even during the tetanus shot. It let out just two tiny, weak cries. Qi Ji’s heart ached, but he didn’t want to disturb the doctor, so he crouched beside them, murmuring softly, “It’s okay, it’ll be fine soon.”
The small, thin kitten lifted its tiny head to meet his gaze, pink tongue flicking its soft nose, its big eyes glistening. A faint, thin “mew” sounded from its throat. Qi Ji felt his chest tighten.
Fortunately, the wound, though long, wasn’t deep. The kitten had no other injuries. The doctor quickly cleaned and dressed it, then checked the other two cats.
Luckily, despite being thin, all the cats were in relatively good health. The mother cat, however, was uncooperative and wary of humans. The doctor had to work hard to administer deworming medication.
To comfort the anxious mother cat, Qi Ji held the bandaged kitten within her line of sight so she could see her young. He had wanted to bring the other kitten closer too, but it was engrossed in the canned food Wen Chuming had just opened, refusing to move. Qi Ji didn’t disturb it.
The injured kitten, now clean, sniffed curiously at its fur, sometimes bumping Qi Ji’s fingers with its head, then licking them gently—so obedient. Seeing Qi Ji holding her unharmed kitten, the mother cat finally calmed a little.
Once all three were examined, Qi Ji breathed a sigh of relief. Wen Chuming opened a can for the mother cat. The injured kitten wasn’t hungry, so Qi Ji didn’t feed it. As he went to check the bandage on its hind leg, a sudden chill brushed past.
Someone rushed through the main door, carrying the cold of the winter night. He strode to Qi Ji and pressed a hand gently on his shoulder.
“You okay?”
The familiar low, magnetic voice made Qi Ji pause. His hand still holding the kitten’s paw, he shook his head quickly, lifting the tiny white kitten for him to see. “I’m fine… the kittens are all okay.”
The man’s temple twitched slightly at that. Wen Chuming, returning with another opened can, chuckled. “Xiao Qi, he asked if you are okay.”
Qi Ji, who had been thinking only of the cats, blinked and replied, “I’m fine too.”
Pei Yusheng still studied him closely, scanning for any visible injuries. Once satisfied, he nodded to Wen Chuming: “Thanks for your help.”
Wen Chuming patted his arm. “No problem.”
Pei Yusheng nodded and instructed him: “Handle the rest. I’ll compensate you later.”
Then he reached for Qi Ji. “Let’s go. I’ll take you for a check-up.”
“Check-up?” Qi Ji blinked.
“To make sure you weren’t hurt.”
“I really don’t need it…” Qi Ji began, but Pei Yusheng wasn’t convinced. Wen Chuming added, “Better safe than sorry.”
Qi Ji hesitated, noticing the faint blue veins throbbing at Pei Yusheng’s temple and the cold sweat along his neck. The normally calm, composed man was visibly unsettled.
Qi Ji inhaled the faint medicinal scent drifting from Pei Yusheng—reminding him of his old injury—and finally gave in: “Okay.”
Pei Yusheng’s expression softened slightly. He had wanted to take Qi Ji directly, but seeing him cradle the kitten so carefully, he paused.
The doctor arrived to change the bandage. The kitten would stay a few days for recovery and vaccination. Qi Ji reluctantly handed it over, the tiny paw brushing his finger one last time.
As he turned back, he glimpsed Pei Yusheng’s darkened face. Thinking of Wen Chuming’s words that Pei wasn’t favored by cats, Qi Ji felt a pang of guilt. He’d forgotten to let Pei hold the kitten himself. “Sorry for taking your time,” he said.
Pei Yusheng’s jaw tightened slightly but he only corrected him gently: “Not wasted time. Let’s go.”
The other two cats stayed temporarily at the hospital, Wen Chuming handling the remaining arrangements. Pei Yusheng handed Qi Ji a set of car keys.
“Use this car for the next couple of days. Register it at the military base under my name.”
The damaged Mercedes G wasn’t drivable, so Pei Yusheng had arranged another vehicle. Wen Chuming, relieved and pleased, couldn’t hide his gratitude.
“Thank you, big brother!”
Pei Yusheng snorted coldly. “Cut it out.”
Wen Chuming cheerfully sent them off. “Take care, big brother!” he called, waving, and to Qi Ji, “Goodbye, Xiao Qi!”
Qi Ji leaned out the car window: “Goodbye, Wen Chuming.”
The deep night was cool and still. Moonlight spilled softly, warming Wen Chuming’s shoulders, but it made Qi Ji realize something.
Wen Chuming, who smiled, teased, played with cats, and moved deftly, was nothing like the aloof figure in photos. He was vivid and approachable—someone Qi Ji felt lucky to know.
Then, a long hand suddenly blocked his view outside the window, accompanied by a deep, low voice.
“What are you looking at?”
Qi Ji, startled, touched his slightly reddened ear. “Looking at Wen Chuming.”
Pei Yusheng hadn’t left the hospital yet.
He lifted a brow. “Better looking than me?”
Qi Ji froze. “…Huh?”
Before he could react, warmth brushed his neck. Pei Yusheng wrapped a thick, snowy-white scarf around him.
Soft and cozy, it made him want to nuzzle into it. When the man finished adjusting it, Qi Ji stared, incredulous.
Pei Yusheng’s tone remained steady as he asked, “What happened tonight?”
Qi Ji explained the whole episode.
“…So that’s why I ended up at the animal hospital with Wen Chuming…”
As he spoke, Pei Yusheng’s hand reached up to gently brush Qi Ji’s eyelashes. Instinctively, Qi Ji blinked, his lashes fluttering against the fingertips.
The man paused. “It’s fine. They’re gone now.”
Qi Ji blinked, a little embarrassed, and whispered thanks. Only then did he realize how flushed his cheeks were—warm and buried almost entirely in the scarf.
Pei Yusheng tucked stray hair behind his ear. “Be careful crossing streets next time.”
Qi Ji nodded obediently.
Despite the cold night, Pei Yusheng adjusted Qi Ji’s collar again as they walked. Inside the hospital, people were plentiful. Qi Ji was pressed to the wall, struggling for breath.
He loosened his scarf slightly, feeling a bit relieved, when Pei Yusheng used his body to shield him from a large backpack pushing from the side, creating a small, private space in the crowded elevator.
Qi Ji realized the most vivid, attentive, caring person tonight wasn’t Wen Chuming—but Pei Yusheng.
On the elevator, in the car, at the hospital, with thick scarves, scented masks, and countless subtle attentions—none tied to money or status—Pei Yusheng’s care was warm and deliberate, slowly breaking down Qi Ji’s carefully maintained distance.
Qi Ji stared at him, and the man noticed. In that narrow space, Pei Yusheng lowered his forehead, nearly touching Qi Ji’s.
“Qi Qi?”
The deep, familiar voice lingered near his ear, overshadowing the faint strawberry scent from the mask.
“Why are your eyes red all of a sudden? Are you uncomfortable?”