A steady knocking sounded several times in succession. Nie Jun had already jumped up at the very first knock, quickly dressed, and stood to the side.
He considered leaving through the walk-in closet but couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t run into someone outside.
The noise woke Kong Wenyu. When he opened his eyes, his impatience was obvious and unrestrained, completely different from the calm he had while sleeping.
The knocking continued. Kong Wenyu frowned. “Go open it.”
Nie Jun hesitated briefly, then pulled the door open—coming face-to-face with Yu Jiaduo. They locked eyes for a second.
Yu Jiaduo froze, then glanced past him, searching for Kong Wenyu. “Awake?”
In his peripheral vision, Nie Jun silently stepped out and closed the door behind him.
Kong Wenyu pulled his gaze back and deliberately glanced at the time to show his displeasure. “You woke me up.”
“We agreed to meet yesterday at noon—you stood me up. Then you set another time for the evening—you stood me up again.” Yu Jiaduo scoffed. “If I didn’t come early today, I wouldn’t have been able to catch you at all.”
Kong Wenyu exhaled. “Wait downstairs. I’ll take a shower and put on clothes.”
“You’re under the blanket. It’s not like I’m looking,” Yu Jiaduo said, equally annoyed. “Besides, there’s nothing I haven’t seen. We even bathed together when we were kids.”
This time, Kong Wenyu let out a very clear sigh, but Yu Jiaduo ignored it. “What are you planning to do about Ao Qingqing? Say something.”
Kong Wenyu said, “What’s the rush?”
“My mom asks me every day.” Yu Jiaduo’s voice rose. “She says I know nothing and don’t care about my younger brother. Stop torturing me. Ao Qingqing chose not to be with you and went for some bodyguard instead. What do you expect people to say about that?”
“What’s there to worry about?” Kong Wenyu gave a cold laugh. “It’s a fine family tradition of ours.”
Yu Jiaduo choked. “So where are Second Aunt and that driver now? How far have they gone? When’s the wedding?”
“I don’t know.”
“The Xu family, who once wanted to arrange a marriage with Second Aunt, are now a laughingstock—people say they’re not even as good as a driver,” Yu Jiaduo said, his eyes full of disapproval. For a brief moment, a flash of hostility passed through them. “And now Ao Qingqing pulls the same stunt. Saying she’s marrying beneath her for love is one thing, but what if people start saying you’re not even as good as a bodyguard?”
Kong Wenyu didn’t respond, and he didn’t seem to care.
Yu Jiaduo stared at him. “In your current situation, can you even handle that kind of gossip?”
Kong Wenyu gave a short, dismissive laugh. “A pampered heiress crosses class lines, abandons her family’s expectations, lowers herself, and throws herself into a romance that feels both passionate and forbidden, thinking she’s found freedom.”
Yu Jiaduo blinked, caught off guard.
Kong Wenyu’s eyes and brows carried a cool sharpness as he continued, “She’s ambitious and knows how to play her cards. Don’t worry—when the time comes, she’ll go back to where she belongs.”
Outside the door, Nie Jun leaned against the wall, his dark lashes lowered, lost in thought.
Until Hai Ming nudged his arm. “Were you here all night?”
Nie Jun came back to himself. “I only came this morning.”
Hai Ming, who had been listening to the sounds inside the room, now took a closer look at him and was startled.
“You… you look terrible.”
Nie Jun paused, then said casually, “Didn’t sleep well.”
Last night, he’d shared a blanket with Kong Wenyu. Even though the central air kept the room at a constant temperature, it had still felt unbearably hot.
His mind kept snapping awake, then drifting off again. His body had been tense for half the night, only calming down in the early hours. It had been even more exhausting than the afternoon before.
“Didn’t see you ride in today,” Hai Ming said. He thought for a moment, a bit uncertain. “What time did you get here?”
Nie Jun replied, “The morning market was too crowded. I walked.”
Hai Ming nodded, then glanced through the crack of the door toward the bedroom. “Go home and rest. I’ll keep watch today.”
Nie Jun stayed where he was, leaning against the wall without moving.
He was tall enough that even the wide hallway felt narrow with him standing there, not to mention the dark shadow he cast on the wall.
Hai Ming looked at that shadow. “What is it? Still more to deal with? You spent the whole afternoon talking, then all night, and now this morning—still not done?”
Nie Jun didn’t answer, which was as good as confirming it.
Hai Ming stared at him for a few seconds, then decided not to pry. “Fine.”
The door swung open suddenly, and Yu Jiaduo stormed out, his face dark.
He looked surprised to see Nie Jun still there, but quickly dismissed it and asked, while heading downstairs, “Breakfast ready? Is there any for me?”
Hai Ming followed him down. “Of course. You’re here, aren’t you?”
Nie Jun waited upstairs for another five minutes until Kong Wenyu emerged, already dressed.
He paused when he saw Nie Jun standing by the door, as if about to ask why he hadn’t left.
Nie Jun had already prepared an answer—but Kong Wenyu only looked at him twice and didn’t say anything.
Nie Jun fell in step behind him, his gaze tracing the tall, straight lines of his back. The clean curve of his neck peeked through the soft black strands of his hair, its color like a piece of jade soaked in water.
Yesterday afternoon, Nie Jun had kissed that very spot—at least twice—but he had done it so carefully, so lightly, that he hadn’t left a single mark.
As they descended the stairs, Kong Wenyu felt a chill run across his back. He turned his head and caught Nie Jun’s gaze.
Nie Jun quickly looked away. There was no sign of embarrassment from being caught staring—his expression remained calm and steady.
Though he usually kept quiet and showed little expression, Kong Wenyu could still tell that Nie Jun had little experience when it came to relationships. People like that were easy to get swept up.
Kong Wenyu smirked but didn’t comment, taking his time going downstairs. Yu Jiaduo was already eating, with no sense at all that he was a guest.
Aunt Zhu came over carrying a plate of greens, smiling warmly. “I picked these fresh wild vegetables from the garden this morning. I bet neither of you have tried them before.”
Yu Jiaduo glanced at the dish and asked with a laugh, “You call them wild vegetables? If you plant them in your own yard and water them every day, are they still wild?”
Aunt Zhu froze at the question. Kong Wenyu said, “Eat if you want. If you don’t, leave. You always talk too much.”
Yu Jiaduo burst out laughing, took a bite of the greens, then reached for a soft red bean pastry. Eating as he spoke, he asked, “Where’s that lordly butler of yours?”
Without looking up, Kong Wenyu replied while checking messages on his phone, “Yesterday he took it upon himself to let Second Aunt stay for dinner. I scolded him. He’s probably gone to her place.”
Yu Jiaduo said, “If he’s unhappy, just fire him. He’s just a butler—don’t spoil him into thinking he can do whatever he wants.”
“I’ll deal with it when my mom’s health improves.” Kong Wenyu set his phone down, lifted the soup bowl in front of him, and took a sip. “This soup is Aunt Zhu’s cooking too.”
Aunt Zhu was already at the kitchen doorway, smiling so warmly her eyes curved into crescents. “You could tell?”
Not far away, Nie Jun and Hai Ming stood near the door. One of them looked bored, staring at the newly built pavilion in the courtyard. In a few days, gardeners would bring wisteria vines; they said by summer, it would be covered in purple blooms.
The other one, though standing there physically, kept stealing glances at Kong Wenyu, as if there was something about him that was impossible to resist.
In Nie Jun’s pocket, his phone buzzed softly. Because the vibration was faint and it was pressed against his body, only he noticed. He didn’t take it out immediately, nor did his expression change. His gaze stayed fixed on the man eating at the table.
Yu Jiaduo finished first and served himself a bowl of the fish soup Kong Wenyu had barely touched.
“This is good. Your aunt really knows how to cook.” He gave a look of approval, then asked, “The Long family only has one daughter. If you marry Miss Long, you’ll need to soften your tone when you speak. Have you thought about that?”
Kong Wenyu ate absentmindedly, as if he wasn’t hungry at all, answering without much care: “Whatever.”
“That casual about something this big?” Yu Jiaduo frowned. “There’s a charity auction early next month, lots of reporters. If you’re interested, I can start making arrangements.”
“We still need to test Second Aunt’s stance first,” Kong Wenyu said.
Yu Jiaduo nodded. “I’ve met Miss Long—she’s gentle, considerate, and speaks softly, with a sweet, delicate way about her. If this works out, there’ll be no mother-in-law issues. Your mom is too strong; this kind of daughter-in-law would be perfect.”
Kong Wenyu said nothing.
Those occasional glances aimed at him were making his mood irrationally restless. Yet every time he looked back, Nie Jun always turned away first.
Yu Jiaduo went on, “This time, you picked her yourself. Try to stay committed.”
Kong Wenyu withdrew his gaze and waved him off. “We’ll see.”
Yu Jiaduo was left speechless but had no way to argue.
Just then, Kong Wenyu’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen—it was Kong Lingru.
His expression immediately darkened, though his tone remained unchanged as he answered, “Hello?”
A calm voice came from the other end. “Xiao Yu, it’s Auntie.”
Kong Wenyu gave a silent, mirthless laugh but didn’t respond.
Kong Lingru’s tone was almost flat. “I heard you haven’t been seeing Qingqing lately. Busy with work? A girl needs to be coaxed; you can’t neglect her too much.”
Kong Wenyu toyed with the long-handled ladle, stirring the small porcelain bowl filled with rich, milky-white fish soup.
Hearing no response, Kong Lingru slightly raised her voice. “Wenyu?”
“Mm,” Kong Wenyu said, “I’ll set up a meeting with her later.”
After hanging up, Yu Jiaduo stared at him for a long moment before asking, “You’re about to call off the engagement. Why not just tell Second Aunt? She’s going to find out sooner or later.”
Kong Wenyu replied flatly, without much emotion, “She even knows how many days it’s been since I last saw Ao Qingqing. You think I had to tell her that?”
Yu Jiaduo just looked at him.
Kong Wenyu picked up the fish soup and took a sip. He frowned slightly as he swallowed. “Even if I don’t say it, she’ll know.”
Yu Jiaduo was stunned for a second, then sighed.
Kong Wenyu said, “Ao Yongwang will be coming by later. You talk to him.”
“What for?” Yu Jiaduo asked. “What do I have to talk about with him?”
“I don’t have anything to talk to him about either,” Kong Wenyu said with a small laugh. “You’re the one who told me he wanted to see me, asked me not to let things get too tense, and suggested I make time to meet him.”
That did sound vaguely familiar.
Yu Jiaduo had already forgotten the real reason for his visit and was just thinking how good the fish soup tasted.
“I only said that because I thought you’d be marrying Ao Qingqing. Now that you’re planning to swap out your fiancée, what’s the point in keeping that relationship smooth?”
Compared to Kong Wenyu’s way of handling things, Yu Jiaduo was far more experienced in social maneuvering. In this city, almost everyone with influence was on friendly terms with him.
The parents on both sides had asked him to look after Kong Wenyu, and in a sense, that arrangement made perfect sense.
Yu Jiaduo thought for a moment. “You’re seeing Ao Yongwang this morning. What about the afternoon?”
“Busy in the afternoon,” Kong Wenyu said without looking up.
Hearing that, Yu Jiaduo smiled knowingly.
“Got yourself a new favorite, huh?” he said, his tone suggestive. “No wonder you’re in such a hurry to replace your fiancée. Sure, Ao Qingqing is beautiful, but she’s definitely too domineering.”
From the doorway, Nie Jun’s eyes were still locked on them—his gaze almost tangible.
Kong Wenyu gave a brief, dismissive laugh. “Nothing like that.”
Since Kong Wenyu said he was free that morning, Ao Yongwang cleared his schedule, brought gifts, and hurried over to the Kong residence.
He had the kind of status that made that possible. In many situations, Kong Wenyu didn’t even have to extend an olive branch; just showing a hint of willingness was enough to make others rush to him.
Some people thought he was young and worth networking with. Others thought he was young and easy to manipulate. Either way, they all wanted to climb the Kong family’s tree.
When Ao Yongwang walked in and saw Kong Wenyu fully dressed, sitting properly on the sofa, he looked genuinely surprised. He gave him a curious once-over and couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re in a rare good mood today. I feel a little flattered.”
Aunt Zhu took the gifts from his hands and guided him toward the sofa.
Kong Wenyu put away his phone. “Sit.”
He always spoke with that businesslike tone. Ao Yongwang was already used to it. “Didn’t you sprain your ankle on the island? I came to check on you—how’s the recovery going?”
He fixed his gaze on Kong Wenyu’s feet, which were in slippers. “I brought some ointment for improving circulation and reducing bruising. I heard it works really well—it took me a long time to find it.”
Kong Wenyu shot him a cold, sidelong look, but fortunately Yu Jiaduo soon came downstairs.
Ao Yongwang hadn’t expected him to be there. Given how territorial Kong Wenyu was, business discussions usually happened elsewhere. Being allowed into his home was already a rare concession.
But Ao quickly let it go. Yu Jiaduo was Kong Wenyu’s cousin—family ties made their closeness natural.
Drying his hair, Yu Jiaduo casually sat down next to Kong Wenyu and rested one arm along the back of the sofa. “You just got here?”
Ao Yongwang glanced at the gesture. “Yeah. Why are you coming down from upstairs?”
“Working out,” Yu Jiaduo said. “If I weren’t waiting for you, I’d have already left. Feel flattered?”
The phrase sounded familiar, and Ao Yongwang laughed. “Of course. I was just about to ask you out for a drink. Why don’t we go today?”
They had done business together and attended plenty of events, so their conversation felt casual and easy.
Kong Wenyu interrupted. “You two go. I’ve got something to do this afternoon.”
“Oh right, you’ve got a date,” Yu Jiaduo said with a grin, glancing at Ao Yongwang. “We’ll go, then.”
Ao looked at Kong Wenyu, then at Yu Jiaduo. “What kind of date?”
Only then did Yu Jiaduo remember that Kong Wenyu still had a nominal engagement to Ao’s family; Ao Yongwang was technically the future brother-in-law.
“Car racing,” Yu Jiaduo said without blinking, improvising smoothly. “The club’s been inviting him a bunch of times—it wouldn’t look good to keep turning them down.”
Ao Yongwang turned to Kong Wenyu and teased, smiling. “A date with a car, huh?”
Kong Wenyu seemed to find that amusing and allowed himself a brief, fleeting smile.
Yu Jiaduo seized the moment. “About that project we discussed earlier—I want to break down the shares. I’ll take twenty percent under my personal name instead of the company’s.”
Ao Yongwang frowned. “You’re pulling out capital?”
“I just didn’t want my team to bring it up and make you think I was backing out. That’s why I’m telling you myself.” Yu Jiaduo sat up straighter, withdrew his arm, and looked him in the eye with sincerity. “My fiancée’s got a tender she’s determined to bid on. She dragged me into it. I told her all my funds are tied up in your project and I can’t free any up. Now she’s mad, saying I’m not fully committed to her. I mean, even if I were two-timing, would I be doing it with a six-foot-tall guy like you?”
Ao Yongwang laughed heartily, but Kong Wenyu cut them off. “Take this conversation outside.”
Yu Jiaduo pretended to check the time. “You heading out already?”
“I’m going to nap,” Kong Wenyu said. “My foot hurts. I’m drained.”
With that, even Ao Yongwang stood to leave. Only Yu Jiaduo, shameless as ever, insisted, “Give us ten more minutes.”
Kong Wenyu sighed, unwilling to reject him outright.
As Yu Jiaduo kept chatting with Ao Yongwang, Kong Wenyu half-listened, his gaze shifting toward the doorway.
Nie Jun was gone—he didn’t know when he’d slipped away. Only Hai Ming remained there.
Seeing Kong Wenyu’s glance, Hai Ming assumed he was needed and quickly stepped forward.
Kong Wenyu raised his hand slightly, signaling that it wasn’t necessary. Hai Ming stopped and returned to his post.
Ten minutes later, Kong Wenyu, who had been checking the time repeatedly, finally lifted his eyes. “That’s enough.”
Yu Jiaduo raised his wrist to check the time—it was indeed up—so he stood up naturally. “We’ll get going then.”
Ao Yongwang had no choice but to rise as well. “Get some good rest.”
Kong Wenyu nodded, agreeing, and personally walked them to the door.
After watching them leave, he turned to Hai Ming, who was nearby. “Where’s Nie Jun?”
Hai Ming hadn’t expected him to ask about that out of the blue. Sticking to the principle that a good leader protects his men, he instinctively tried to cover for him. “He went home to change clothes.”
Kong Wenyu glanced at him. “He’s coming back later?”
“Probably,” Hai Ming said uncertainly.
But knowing Kong Wenyu disliked hesitant answers, he quickly firmed up his tone and repeated, “Yes. He’ll be back—about ten minutes.”
Kong Wenyu gave a slight nod and said nothing more.
Back in the guardroom, Hai Ming immediately called Nie Jun. The line showed as “busy.”
He waited two minutes, tried again—still busy.
At that moment, Nie Jun was on the phone with the person who’d messaged him that morning. The call had already passed ten minutes.
The other voice had a faint Sichuan accent:
“This job pays well. Plus, the client specifically requested ‘Number One.’ Jun-ge, think about it. If you can take it, I can give him a definite answer.”
Nie Jun carried the kettle into the living room, poured half a glass of boiling water, and set it aside to cool.
“I’m busy lately, no time.” He leaned back on the sofa, fiddling with the remote to test the new TV the workers had installed earlier in the day.
“Where are you now?” Pang Ding asked. “When you left, you said you weren’t quitting for good. You said we could still call if there were jobs. It’s been half a year, and you haven’t shown your face once—you haven’t even gone home.”
“You’ve been looking for me?”
“Yeah. I went by a few times. Nobody there.”
Steam curled silently from the cup, and for some reason it made Nie Jun think of the scene when Kong Wenyu had sat on his sofa, towel-drying his hair.
“This gig’s quick—three days, tops,” Pang Ding said. “And they’ll pay upfront.”
Nie Jun refocused. “Who’s the target?”
“Can’t say unless you accept. You agree, and I’ll give you all the details. Don’t worry—it’s not a tough one.”
Nie Jun thought for a moment. “No one with the surname Kong or Yu.”
“…What?” Pang Ding was baffled. “Why?”
“Fortune teller said anyone whose name has an animal in it clashes with me right now.”
“You actually believe that stuff?” Pang Ding was surprised, then laughed. “Relax—the name doesn’t have any animals. The job’s not difficult either. The target’s traveling overseas for a conference. We’re mainly just shadowing to ensure the client’s safety.”
Nie Jun stayed silent, so Pang Ding pressed, “The pay’s high because the person’s important.”
“Not just because of that, right?” Nie Jun asked.
“They’ve got a lot of enemies—extra security is just precaution.” Pang Ding called him “ge” again. “We need two people. I’m already in. If you join, that’d be perfect. It’s been forever since we’ve worked together.”
Nie Jun was about to refuse, but then remembered that look Kong Wenyu gave when he’d shown him his savings—it had been calm, almost dismissive.
“When is it? Let me check my schedule.”
“Next week.”
That was soon. No wonder the price was high.
Nie Jun hesitated. “I’ll see if I can get leave.”
“Leave? You’re already on a job? You have… a regular job now?”
“Sort of.” Nie Jun touched the water; it was still too hot. “I’ll give you an answer later.”
After hanging up, Nie Jun got up to tidy the place. He tossed his dirty clothes into the washing machine, took in the laundry drying on the balcony—Kong Wenyu’s clothes—and folded them neatly, planning to return them when he went back to work.
Actually, leaving them here wouldn’t be a bad idea. If Kong Wenyu ever stayed over again, having a set of spare clothes ready could be useful.
He was thinking that when his phone buzzed again.
Nie Jun picked it up and answered. “Captain.”
Hai Ming exhaled in relief, though his tone stayed tense. “Who were you on the phone with for so long?”
“Friend,” Nie Jun answered.
“I called you several times—you were always on another call.” Hai Ming added, “The boss is looking for you. I told him you went home to change clothes and would be back in ten minutes.”
“…Was there something urgent?” Nie Jun asked.
“Not sure,” Hai Ming said. “You’d better get back quickly and think about how you’re going to explain.”
Nie Jun was about to say I’m on my way when Hai Ming suddenly made a surprised sound, then spoke quickly: “Forget it, don’t come. The boss is heading out.”
And then he hung up.
When Nie Jun called back, there was no answer—Hai Ming had probably gone along.
Nie Jun rushed over to the Kong residence anyway and waited in the guardroom until after five in the afternoon, when Kong Wenyu’s motorcade finally returned.
He moved faster than Hai Ming, reaching the car first and opening the door immediately.
Kong Wenyu glanced at him as he stepped out but didn’t take the offered hand.
Nie Jun’s fingers curled slightly before he withdrew them and followed up the steps.
Aunt Zhu was waiting at the door, holding out a bowl. “Your voice sounded raspy last night when you were talking,” she said warmly. “Drink this while it’s still hot—snow pear soup with white fungus.”
Kong Wenyu took a sip at the doorway, found it good, and drank almost half the bowl.
He rarely showed that much appreciation. Aunt Zhu’s eyes crinkled with deep smile lines. “We also made Sichuan-style dishes in the kitchen today. Last time you said you wanted some. Eat first before you rest, okay?”
Kong Wenyu seemed to agree and followed her toward the dining room.
Nie Jun was about to step in as well when Kong Wenyu gestured with a quick wave of his hand—
—a signal that meant everyone else stay out.
Nie Jun stopped at the doorway and, through the heavy glass panels, watched Kong Wenyu’s tall, straight figure walk all the way into the dining room until he disappeared from sight.
“No assignments left for today,” Hai Ming said from the steps below. “Go home and rest.”
Nie Jun gave a quiet “Mm” and turned to leave with him.
“This morning it was the Ao family, now this afternoon the Long family,” Hai Ming said with a sigh, stretching his back. “Looks like he really might swap fiancées.”
Nie Jun paused for a few seconds. “Not just an engagement partner?”
“There’s a difference,” Hai Ming explained. “The Ao match was arranged by Mr. Kong when he was still alive—pure parental order. But Miss Long? That’s someone the boss picked himself. Of course he’d choose someone he actually likes.”
Nie Jun said nothing. They entered the guardroom together. Hai Ming glanced at the duty roster and froze. “Wait—you came back this morning?”
“Yeah.”
“I called to tell you we were on an assignment—you didn’t have to rush back.”
“I thought you’d be back soon,” Nie Jun replied. “As a personal bodyguard, shouldn’t you be by his side all the time?”
Hai Ming’s expression turned complicated. “…Not necessarily twenty-four hours.”
While they were exchanging looks, the guardroom phone rang.
Both reached for it; Nie Jun got there first. “Guardroom. Nie Jun speaking.”
On the other end, the breathing was light, almost faint. Hearing it made every muscle in his body tense, as if under a spell.
“Screening room.” Kong Wenyu’s slightly cool voice came through. “Three minutes.”
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