BPDSB Chapter 23: What should have been a proper meeting now felt like it was being held in secret.

Inside the Qin family’s old residence, Qin Zhangyuan was so angry that his face turned iron-blue.

Under the lamplight, he held a phone, his expression flickering between light and shadow. His face, though already at middle age, was well maintained, carrying a kind of mature and refined uncle-like charm, but at a certain moment appeared especially ferocious. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, and he very much wanted, in a fit of rage, to throw this phone out, and along with it smash into pieces that youth inside the phone who was acting crazy and playing dumb.

He kept panting, suppressing again and again, before finally pressing down this thought.

Because he still had things he needed the other party to do.

After calming down slightly, at this time Qin Zhangyuan finally had the reason to ponder the private doctor’s abnormality today. By rights, the other party should have recognized him the moment he heard his voice.

A few months earlier, he had finally managed to catch in public the terrifying scene of his good nephew having an episode, and schemed to take advantage of the other’s weakness to throw him into a remote mountain villa to live or die on his own. And the old man, probably also having more disappointment than expectation in this grandson, merely turned a blind eye and did not intervene, tacitly approving it.

Because of this, Qin Zhangyuan had lived a rather comfortable period of days. With both the old residence and the power of the Qin family firmly in hand, he felt a kind of intoxicating sensation of standing on the clouds, swelling greater with each passing day.

Having tasted this good flavor, he naturally would not choose to go back to his former days. All the more so since he was already ambitious by nature, otherwise he would not have plotted for so long.

Qin Zhangyuan was unwilling to waste the excellent opportunity of Qin Li being far away from the center of power. In order to prevent Qin Li from recovering and returning to the peak, he specifically obstructed in secret at the moment when the other was crazed and desolate searching for a doctor, causing him to find not a single psychologist, and only allowing someone like Xu Xiliu—an ordinary doctor completely unrelated to psychology—to enter his field of vision.

He looked forward to his good nephew’s illness worsening day by day, until finally disappearing without a sound.

He even, in order to hasten this outcome, secretly contacted Xu Xiliu, coercing and tempting, to make Xu Xiliu follow his instructions to do his utmost to influence Qin Li, to substitute the medicine he usually took, and to promote the outbreak of illness.

Qin Zhangyuan was always cautious, deeply understanding the principle that eggs cannot be placed in a single basket. Therefore, before contacting Xu Xiliu, he had long since planted informants inside the mountain villa where Qin Li lived, on the one hand to monitor Qin Li’s movements, and on the other to take the chance to drug him.

Originally everything was just fine, but a few days ago, he suddenly received news that the informant had been thrown into the bureau. This matter was done silently and without a trace, which made him both shocked and suspicious. His life-hard nephew had, without him knowing when, once again braced himself up. Not only did he ruthlessly clear away the informant, he also noiselessly sealed off the mountain villa, so that not a single one of his men could get in.

Unable to spy out news from Qin Li’s side, Qin Zhangyuan was already anxious, and on top of that, during the day he suddenly learned that Qin Li had openly represented the Qin family and appeared before the public. In an instant, it caused the prestige Qin Zhangyuan had accumulated in the Qin family over these past few months to vanish by more than half. How could Qin Zhangyuan not hate?

Originally everything was just fine, but a few days ago, he suddenly received news that the informant had been thrown into the bureau. This matter was done silently and without a trace, which made him both shocked and suspicious. His life-hard nephew had, without him knowing when, once again braced himself up. Not only did he ruthlessly clear away the informant, he also noiselessly sealed off the mountain villa, so that not a single one of his men could get in.

He was both angry and hateful. Even though he clearly knew that Qin Li, with a body so weak it was about to die, was just putting up a bluff, it still did not dissolve his hatred. He turned his hand and spread filthy ink about the other’s background, yet when he saw the people at the other’s side, his thoughts stirred.

Ever since contacting the private doctor, since he believed that the other would not reject his generous demands, he had never again contacted him, only waiting to close the net.

Now then… Qin Li was on guard against him, sealing off the mountain villa, but at his side there was still one of his own people.

Wasn’t the doctor just that?

One in the light and one in the dark, it could not be more fitting.

Qin Zhangyuan calmed down, while fuming that Qin Li, even dragging half a body nearly entering the grave, still insisted on coming out to oppose him, and at the same time rejoicing in his own foresight, impatiently dialing the doctor’s number.

Who would have known that as soon as it connected, what he encountered was actually this??

At that moment Qin Zhangyuan could not help but become shocked and suspicious.

Could it be that this private doctor had already been bought over by that mad dog Qin Li?

Just as he had this thought, he heard the other side of the call go quiet for an instant, then immediately a young man’s drowsy and irritated voice became clear, the tone warm and pleasant to the ear, the enunciation also distinct: “Mister… Qin?”

“In the middle of the night, what business do you have with me?”

Xu Xiliu, with messy hair on his head, rolled over and sat straight up from the bed, now completely awake.

A pair of peach blossom eyes rolled round and round, and when he touched his forehead, a thin layer of sweat came out.

Originally, when he was almost asleep and hazily answered the phone, he thought that this late-night call was telecom fraud. Who would have known that the other party would report his own name, and it actually turned out to be the big villain in the text!

The villain calling him??

Why?

Not right. Shouldn’t the question now be why the villain has his phone number?

Although muddleheaded and unclear about the reason, Xu Xiliu still did his best to keep calm and listen to the other party’s purpose.

Hearing that the youth’s tone had returned to normal, Qin Zhangyuan settled down at heart, figuring that his good nephew would never guess that the doctor he trusted and took wherever he went was actually in contact with himself. He gave a cold snort and, in that yin-yang tone, said: “Doctor Xu seems to have finally sobered up?”

Xu Xiliu was silent for a moment and decided to speak the truth: “Mm, just woke up.”

He could not sleep; it was exactly when he was extremely put out. He glanced at the time and, light and airy, also returned it in that yin-yang tone: “After all, it is already one thirty in the morning. Normal people are all asleep.”

Qin Zhangyuan failed to hear the sarcasm in the youth’s words. Too lazy to exchange pleasantries, he went straight to the point: “Doctor Xu, how is your consideration of the matter we discussed last time. It has already been so long. Even if Doctor Xu has many misgivings, by now you should have considered it clearly, right?”

Xu Xiliu’s eyes moved slightly. His intuition said there was something off in it, yet he did not agree on the spot, nor did he ask back and beat the grass to scare the snake and arouse the other’s suspicion. He only said vaguely: “It hasn’t been that long, has it.”

Sure enough, the other side did not notice his ink traces at all and directly laid out the information. The middle-aged man’s voice was hoarse, carrying a forced quality of looking down on people while strenuously holding back his temper: “Time is tight, so let’s not go around in circles. Doctor Xu is a smart person. I want you to, without a sound, switch the medicine Qin Li usually takes to medicine that accelerates the onset. I believe Doctor Xu can do it.”

“As for after the matter is accomplished, we already talked about it before. I guarantee Doctor Xu will have no worries at the back.”

At first, Xu Xiliu listened with a guarded face, but the more he listened the more horrified he became. When he heard “switch the medicine,” he wordlessly widened his eyes.

What, switch the medicine?

Is it the kind of switching medicine he is thinking of?

This is forcing him to oppose the main character and harm the main character gong!

And “talked about it before,” when did we talk. He does not know that at all!

And “no worries at the back.” You punk do not even know how miserably you get cleaned up by the main character gong later on. If I really agreed, how good an end could a little cannon fodder who acts as the tiger’s accomplice possibly have?!

Only now did Xu Xiliu realize the seriousness of the problem.

The identity he had transmigrated into — this private doctor — wasn’t just a simple tool person after all, but secretly had ties with the villain? And now with this baseless “transaction” added on, he had been bumped straight from tool person to cannon fodder, not knowing which day the truth would come out and he would get shoveled flying by the main character gong.

This really wasn’t something he could do.

Xu Xiliu thought for a long time but still couldn’t figure out how he had suddenly gone from tool person to cannon fodder. In the plot he remembered, nothing like this ever happened.

……No, maybe it was because his knowledge wasn’t complete. After all, he hadn’t actually finished the book from start to finish.

Right now, piecing Qin Zhangyuan’s words together with everything that had happened since his transmigration, he ran it back through his head, and gradually it linked into a single line.

A few weeks earlier, when the main character gong was clearing people out of the mountain villa, he had dragged out two cannon fodder. Those two cannon fodder had been secretly adding trace amounts of □□ stimulant into the main character gong’s meals every day, pushing along his illness. In the end, sure enough, they were shoveled into the bureau by the main character gong.

Xu Xiliu himself had actually played no small role in that outcome.

And now, listening to what the villain had just said — that all-too-familiar style of operation — it was nailed to the board that those two cannon fodder had been the villain’s people!

So what, now that he had no one left to use, he was coming after him?

Not even bothering to change the method, just that desperate to drive the main character gong mad to death?

For a moment, Xu Xiliu didn’t know whether to pity Qin Li, or to pity himself, threatened as he was right now.

On the other end, seeing that he still hadn’t spoken, Qin Zhangyuan grew impatient, his tone sharper, the threat even clearer: “What does Doctor Xu say?”

Xu Xiliu gave a dry laugh: “Of course I say it with my mouth.”

Qin Zhangyuan was caught off guard.

Still dazed, Xu Xiliu’s hand nevertheless moved on its own to switch on the recorder, just in case.

He probed cautiously: “You want me to switch Qin Xian’s… Qin Li’s medicine, but I’m afraid.”

Hearing that, Qin Zhangyuan gave a disdainful snort. His contempt for the youth deepened, yet his words softened, almost kindly, with a coaxing note: “What’s there to be afraid of? I want you to switch his medicine, but it’s only to do it quietly, not openly. Besides, in matters of medicine, Doctor Xu surely understands far more than I do. With the dosage kept small, increasing day by day, he won’t notice.”

“Besides, he’s a sickly lunatic who can’t even be counted on to wake up clear-headed each day. Who knows how much longer he’ll live? Right now it’s nothing more than sending him off to see the King of Hell a little earlier. If you think about it, he ought to thank me for it.”

Damn, what a textbook villain line!

Xu Xiliu was stunned by the other’s viciousness.

Only a fool would choose to be cannon fodder!

In his heart, Xu Xiliu had long since made up his mind, but worried about the villain’s threats, for now he still had no choice but to play along with false courtesy.

He feigned hesitation: “But, I’m still worried……”

He deliberately put on the appearance of being deeply tempted and just about to agree, and on the other side the villain immediately took the bait, saying on the spot: “No need to worry, I’ll take care of everything that comes after. Doctor Xu only needs to complete his own task.”

“I see……”

Catching sight of this, a flash of light crossed Qin Zhangyuan’s eyes. Believing that cooperation with the doctor was already nearly in the bag, he became at ease. His voice, audibly, grew calm: “I trust Doctor Xu will give me a satisfactory answer sheet. It’s late today, let’s leave it at that. If there’s nothing, don’t call me — I’ll call you.”

And with that, he hung up.

Listening to the busy tone in the receiver, Xu Xiliu couldn’t hold back rolling his eyes.

A “satisfactory answer sheet,” huh.

Really dares to dream.

He casually ended the recording, held his phone, and sank into thought.

From beginning to end, he had never once said he’d agree to the villain’s demand. This recording was his proof.

Of course, he had played a little trick. The villain, arrogant and overconfident, hadn’t noticed anything. But such tricks could only fool someone for a short while — there was no way he could keep it up forever. Sooner or later, he would face the moment when the villain came pressing him for that “answer sheet.”

And by then, it would be far too late to back out.

So he had to think of a way to hand this recording over to the male lead, shed his cannon-fodder status, and go back to being nothing more than a tool character.

The problem was: the male lead was dark, suspicious, and always wary. How was he supposed to clear himself of suspicion?

Xu Xiliu pondered, his brows furrowing tightly.

Based on the current situation, he suspected that the villain had probably gotten in touch with the private doctor before he crossed into the book. What they discussed, he had no idea. After all, he didn’t have those memories in his head. And although he’d inherited almost all of the original character’s memories when he crossed over, that one particular stretch was missing. The most likely explanation was that the original host had deliberately avoided recalling it — something he didn’t want to face — so when he came over, he didn’t inherit it either.

But one thing Xu Xiliu could be sure of: he himself had kept to the straight and narrow. His only wish was for the male lead to hurry up, recover, and bring the plot to an end so he could finally lie flat in peace. After arriving here, he had even secretly checked the medicine the original host had been providing — all above board, nothing unusual.

So it seemed the original host, after being approached by the villain, had talked but never given an immediate promise. Hesitant, wavering — but crucially, never actually carrying out the villain’s orders.

That meant there was still room to maneuver.

Thank heavens. Thank heavens.

Realizing this, Xu Xiliu let out a long, silent breath.

He’d almost ended up as a cannon fodder destined for a miserable end.

Exhausted, he lay back down on the bed, but any trace of sleepiness was long gone. Clutching his phone, his mind bounced from one thought to another — one moment it was the villain’s arrogant threats, the next it was the male lead’s cold, shadowed face. Tossing and turning, he didn’t sleep a wink the entire night.

The next morning, Xu Xiliu dragged himself to the sink with dark panda eyes, his face utterly expressionless.

Damn it. He hadn’t slept a wink all night!

He was already in a foul mood if he missed even a little sleep — let alone pulling a full night of staring at the ceiling wide awake.

The moment he saw daylight creeping in, his irritation spiked to its peak. For a split second, he even had the urge to storm over to the villain’s place and stab him to death.

Just from that dogshit stunt of calling him in the middle of the night to issue threats, there was no way he’d ever side with that bastard!

He meant it!

Xu Xiliu washed up radiating murderous intent, nearly snapping his toothbrush in half.

Early that morning, Qin Li happened to run into Xu Xiliu as he came out of the guest room. His steps faltered.

He stared at the private doctor’s face for a moment, then frowned and spoke:
“Why do you look like death? Out clubbing all night?”

The young man stood straight, posture immaculate, lips curled in a faint smile that gave off the air of a spring breeze. But if one looked closer, it was obvious that wasn’t the case — faint dark shadows sat under his eyes, only half hidden by his gold-rimmed glasses. And though he smiled, the expression on his face carried unmistakable exhaustion.

The look of someone who hadn’t slept well.

Qin Li’s words actually carried a trace of concern. But once spoken, they inevitably came out laced with his usual mocking undertone.

Xu Xiliu shot him a glance, but didn’t even bother to argue back.

Heh.

If only he had gone clubbing.

He would’ve gone dancing on the villain’s grave.

When the private doctor stayed silent, Qin Li, oddly enough, felt a little unsettled.

Why wasn’t this little fox snapping at him today?

…Could it be that, behind his back, the doctor had done something he shouldn’t have?

At that thought, Qin Li’s handsome face darkened in an instant, his black eyes turning cold and predatory. He scrutinized Xu Xiliu again, suspicion flickering in his gaze, but found nothing unusual. Finally, he tilted his chin toward the dining room and said carelessly,
“Eat first. You’re coming out with me later.”

Xu Xiliu froze.

Then he turned, lips curled in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, and looked straight at the man.
“Mr. Qin, I’m a doctor.”

He made sure to stress that last word.

Not your personal errand boy!

“I know.”

To his surprise, the man admitted it without hesitation, as if it was the most natural thing in the world — which only raised Xu Xiliu’s estimate of just how thick this man’s skin was.

But then Qin Li met his gaze head-on, his voice suddenly firmer:
“And I’m the patient.”

“What’s wrong with that? My health is poor. Naturally, I need Dr. Xu’s special care.”

And after a beat, he added coldly, two words that landed like a check sliding across the table:
“More money.”

“At the same rate as last time.”

Xu Xiliu was struck speechless.

Fine. A filthy money transaction, is that it?

Fiiine. He’d take the deal.

And so, once again, Xu Xiliu caved before the almighty power of cash, and obediently followed Qin Li to breakfast.

Breakfast was prepared by the villa’s personal chef, and it was downright delicious. Xu Xiliu, fueled by grief and rage, promptly converted all that emotion into appetite. He ate angrily—really ate—until his bad mood and the exhausted pallor from his sleepless night lifted a good deal.

Beside him, Qin Li silently watched, his gaze growing more complicated by the minute. He thought to himself: I don’t recall ever shorting him on food… so why does this little fox eat like he’s been starved for three lifetimes?

After breakfast, they rested briefly before Xu Xiliu followed Qin Li into the car.

He didn’t bother asking where they were going—probably just another day of being paraded around like some kind of lucky charm or decorative accessory.

But this time, maybe from the sleepless night catching up to him, or maybe from stuffing himself at breakfast until he was sluggish and drowsy, Xu Xiliu started to nod off as soon as he settled into his seat. The longer the car drove, the heavier his eyelids became. Estimating that it would be a while before they reached the city center, he figured, Might as well nap, waste not want not. And with that, he let his eyes close and drifted off.

It didn’t take long before he was fast asleep.

His breathing evened out. His posture was still upright, but once asleep, the sharp lines of his expression softened, taking on a rare gentleness.

The whole atmosphere around him seemed to mellow.

But sitting beside him in the back seat, Qin Li was the exact opposite. A gulf of a hundred and eighty thousand miles separated his frosty aura from that warmth. A cold smile tugged at his lips as he plotted in silence.

Today’s trip to Qin Corporation hadn’t been planned, exactly, but it was the result of careful thought nonetheless.

After all, since his dear uncle had gifted him such a “grand present,” it was only fair he return the favor properly.

Qin Li knew very well what would make his uncle gnash his teeth in pain. Other things were insignificant; only by striking directly at the man’s sorest spot could he tear that mask off and see the look that gave him satisfaction. And what his uncle prized above all was power, status, and Qin Corporation.

So naturally, that’s where Qin Li would aim his blow.

And he was certain that his sudden appearance at Qin Corporation today, stepping in as its highest authority and reclaiming in an instant the power his uncle had painstakingly schemed over for years, would be enough to make the old bastard jump out of his skin in fury.

Qin Li was picturing the look on Qin Zhangyuan’s face, a twisted grin spreading—dark, cruel, a little mad—when suddenly, as the car rounded a corner, he felt a weight on his shoulder.

His body stiffened. In an instant his expression shuttered, brows drawing together as he turned his head.

What met his eyes was the crown of black hair resting against him.

From this angle, he could also see the sharp bridge of the youth’s nose, the gold-rimmed glasses perched on it. His peach blossom eyes were closed, long lashes resting peacefully. That usual slyness and hidden daggers-in-a-smile seemed to have melted away, leaving behind only an aura of quiet gentleness.

At some point, Xu Xiliu had actually fallen asleep in the car—and when it turned, without even noticing, had leaned right into him.

Damn it. He dares to use me as a pillow?

For a flash, Qin Li’s gaze went dark and dangerous, but his face betrayed nothing.

Expressionless, he stared at the young man sleeping soundly against his shoulder. His eyes narrowed, the glint in them venomous, like a snake tasting the air. And yet—he didn’t push him away.

So they stayed like that. The warmth pressing into his side, the undeniable presence of another person’s breath and body, was too tangible to ignore. Distracted, Qin Li had no room left for the stray thoughts from earlier. The bloodthirsty smile that had twisted his handsome features was gone; only a cold, frowning composure remained.

Not until the car rolled to a stop in front of Qin Corporation’s tower did the moment break.

Xu Xiliu stirred awake, oblivious. By the time he blinked his eyes open, the man beside him had already gotten out.

Qin Li stood in front of the car, then turned back, his voice laced with that familiar cold sarcasm:
“Get out. Or do you need me to invite you personally?”

Xu Xiliu couldn’t stop himself from rolling his eyes. Silently exasperated.

Fine, I’ll get out. Honestly… can’t he just say it like a normal person?

He had just woken up and was still a little groggy, absentmindedly replaying that nap in the car. Not bad, really—the Qin family’s driver had skill, smooth hands on the wheel, not a bump along the way. He hadn’t stirred once in the middle.

But… why did his neck feel so stiff?

Almost like he’d spent the whole nap with his head propped against a slab of stone.

Xu Xiliu frowned, muttering his confusion under his breath without realizing.

A few steps ahead, Qin Li’s ears were sharp enough to catch it. His breath stuttered.

He used me as a pillow all the way here—and now he dares complain?

Very well.

Let’s see how long this sly little fox can keep his tail hidden. When the time comes, I’ll make sure the debt is paid in full.

His gaze sharpened, icy and cutting, as it landed on Xu Xiliu. Then, without a word, Qin Li lengthened his stride, eating up the space between them.

Xu Xiliu blinked, baffled at the sudden glare, and then saw the man stalking off as though in a huff, leaving several meters between them in a heartbeat. Irritated, he quickened his pace to catch up.

Honestly. This protagonist gong—so moody, so unpredictable—it was unbearable.

How on earth did the protagonist shou put up with him?

Xu Xiliu gave his head a tiny shake.

Once he caught up, the two of them fell into step again, one slightly ahead, one slightly behind, walking toward the towering Qin Corporation entrance.

Not far away, a small-time livestreamer, bored and listless just moments ago, perked up. His eyes lit, and in a flash, his phone camera swung to frame the pair of figures walking side by side, pulling them neatly into his livestream feed.

The streamer kept his phone trained on the pair as he explained into the mic:

“Passing by Qin Corporation’s headquarters—look who I just ran into, President Qin himself. Honestly, with the way he’s striding, does he look sick to you?”

Of course, this wasn’t just some casual “passing by.” The kid had been camping outside Qin Corp for a while now. With the company dominating the trending lists these past few days, the buzz was off the charts. Buzz meant traffic, and traffic meant views. Watching others cash in on so-called “chance encounters” with Qin Li—most of them clearly staged or outright fake—left him itching to try his luck.

His logic was simple: if everyone else could “bump into” Qin Li, why couldn’t he? And since Qin Li was the heir of Qin Corp, he’d have to show up at the company eventually, right? With that thought, the streamer set up shop out front.

Sure enough, his gamble paid off.

Not only did Qin Li appear, but that young man who was always spotted at his side was here too!

His grin stretched ear to ear as he glanced at the live chat. With “Qin Corp” in the title, the room was filling fast.

【Where is this? Qin Corp HQ?】

【Bro, respect—you actually dared to camp out there. Out of all the so-called “chance encounters,” you’re the only one I believe!】

【Wait, isn’t this the guy they said was mentally unstable? How’s he strutting around like that? The internet’s been boiling with talk about how he drove his parents to their deaths—yet people still flock to see him. I’ll never understand.】

【LOL, did you even see it with your own eyes? Believe every rumor you read on a clickbait account, huh? Couldn’t be me.】

【Look at the way President Qin walks—steady as hell. If that’s what “critically ill” looks like, then after my pathetic 800-meter run at P.E. last week, I must already have one foot in the grave. Rumor accounts really love making things up!】

【Exactly! He honestly looks healthier than me. Okay, sure, his expression is kinda cold and intimidating—wouldn’t want to bump into him in a dark alley—but uh, is no one gonna mention the guy walking next to him? Isn’t that the same personal doctor who’s always glued to his side? Body shape looks just like him.】

【OMG, it is the doctor! I just saw his face—he’s gorgeous! He’s smiling too, that glasses-wearing, scholarly-but-dangerous vibe is hitting me right in the chest. I’m in love.】

【His last name’s Xu—Doctor Xu. Word is he’s President Qin’s exclusive private doctor, only responsible for him~】

【Wait, exclusive?? You mean President Qin’s official wifey?? I ship it!!】

【Okay but think about it: Qin showing up at his own company is normal. But Dr. Xu tagging along? Yeahhh, sisters, we know what that means~】

【Didn’t President Qin himself say he can’t live without Dr. Xu? Man’s not even hiding it!】

…

Neither Xu Xiliu nor Qin Li had the faintest idea that a cheeky little streamer was secretly broadcasting them from nearby. The two of them, one leading and the other following, entered Qin Corp without a pause and headed straight for Qin Li’s office.

Of course, Xu Xiliu just trailed quietly behind—he’d never set foot here before, after all.

As they walked, he couldn’t help sneaking glances around, taking in the surroundings.

During this period, the story was that Qin Corporation’s power had slipped from Qin Li’s hands, leaving him suppressed under his uncle’s thumb.

But seeing it with his own eyes, Xu Xiliu wasn’t so sure that was the case.

Ordinary employees aside, every mid-level manager he passed carried a faint trace of respect when facing Qin Li. A few wore open disgust or fear on their faces—those were obvious enough, as if they’d tattooed “I’m cannon fodder” right on their foreheads. Clearly, those ones belonged to the uncle’s side.

And yet, compared to Qin Li’s supporters, the uncle’s people were the minority.

So in reality, Qin Li was far more formidable than Xu Xiliu had imagined.

Of course he was—he was the story’s leading man, after all.

Trailing leisurely behind, Xu Xiliu kept a faint smile tugging at his lips, perfectly at ease. The occasional strange glances thrown his way by onlookers didn’t so much as ripple his composure.

Qin Li, on the other hand, had darkened the moment he stepped inside. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t been here for a while, or perhaps because every corner of the building still reeked of his uncle’s nauseating influence. Either way, his mood sank, and with it the atmosphere around him.

On the surface, his expression didn’t change—but his entire aura grew colder, sharper, and when his black eyes swept over the room, that chilling edge of menace was impossible to miss.

His secretary, Zhuang An, who had worked under him for years, was already waiting in the office. After a brief, hushed exchange, Qin Li turned toward the conference room where his own people were already gathered.

He had just started forward when Zhuang An hesitated, his expression oddly strained.

“President Qin… and this gentleman is…?” he asked carefully, his voice pitched low.

Qin Li followed his gaze.

Ah—right. His private doctor.

The young man seemed utterly unbothered by where he was, his gaze drifting openly across the surroundings. Behind the gold-rimmed lenses, those foxlike peach-blossom eyes still gleamed with lively curiosity.

When his gaze met the secretary’s, Xu Xiliu curved his eyes into a gentle smile—warm, pleasant, almost disarmingly kind.

…Heh. What a performance. A fox pretending to be harmless.

For some reason, Qin Li’s mood eased a little at the sight, and the corner of his lips even lifted faintly.

The smile vanished as quickly as it appeared.

He was back to his frosty demeanor in the next heartbeat, curtly explaining: “My private doctor. His surname is Xu. He’s coming in with me.”

Zhuang An blinked, clearly surprised.

But he would never question his employer’s decision.

He inclined his head respectfully toward Xu Xiliu. “Dr. Xu, please come with us.”

Xu Xiliu hadn’t the faintest idea where they were going—he hadn’t caught those two muttered words between Qin Li and the secretary earlier, nor had he cared enough to try.

Still, he nodded politely and followed.

It wasn’t until they arrived that he glanced up at the large characters mounted above the door: Conference Room.

His eyes widened.

They were really going to let him into the conference room?

Was that… allowed?

Xu Xiliu froze at the threshold, suddenly hesitant. Was he even supposed to be in there? What if he overheard some company secret and ended up silenced for it?

After all—unwilling though he was to admit it—the villain had just called him last night.

Wouldn’t it be far too easy to brand him a spy?

Maybe he had hesitated a moment too long, because Qin Li—already stepping into the conference room—noticed the lack of movement behind him and turned back.

And there was his private doctor, standing stock-still at the doorway.

Those sly peach-blossom eyes darted around, flicking toward the sign above the door, then sneaking a glance inside. He looked every bit the shifty fox, nosy and probing—yet his body remained perfectly proper, rooted outside the threshold, not daring to cross.

Qin Li narrowed his eyes.

Out of nowhere, his cold voice cut through the air:
“Come in.”

He added, sharp and mocking:
“What, do you need me to invite you personally?”

The tone—familiar. The style—unmistakable.

Xu Xiliu choked a little at that, then immediately straightened his spine and strode inside without another ounce of hesitation.

If the man himself wasn’t worried about “company secrets,” why should he be?

So Xu Xiliu lifted his chin and walked into the room, calm as you please, as if he belonged there. After some deliberation, he finally chose a seat… at the furthest end from Qin Li.

When Qin Li sat down at the head of the table, the first thing he saw was the young man seated way down at the opposite end—so far away that a dozen people could have fit between them.

At a glance, it was like the two of them were separated by a battlefield line.

Qin Li’s expression stalled.

He rubbed at his brow, weary.

…Forget it.

If that’s where he wanted to sit, so be it. Qin Li’s eyesight was more than sharp enough.

With that thought, Qin Li’s gaze sharpened again.

He listened to his subordinates’ reports with half an ear, while quietly diverting part of his attention to watch the young man at the far end of the table.

Today’s meeting wasn’t particularly important—just a summary of what had happened during his absence. There was nothing here he truly feared being overheard.

The reason he had insisted on letting his “doctor” come in wasn’t convenience, but strategy.

If that youth really had been planted by someone else, then no matter how flawless the act, once Qin family business secrets reached his ears, there would be a slip. Some flicker in his expression. A trace of something he couldn’t hide.

Was it vigilance? Excitement?

Or perhaps feigned indifference—pretending calm while secretly straining to catch every word?

People revealed themselves in different ways, but Qin Li knew one thing for certain: the moment someone’s interests and desires were touched, the expression that surfaced would always be ugly.

He let out a cold laugh at the thought and turned his gaze on the young man.

Only to see… his “private doctor,” sitting before the entire table of executives, slowly lean forward onto the desk and shut his eyes.

…?

The cold smile froze on Qin Li’s face. His brow furrowed.

What the hell was he doing?

Qin Li’s eyes lingered on the youth’s comfortably tilted face, uncertainty flickering in their depths.

Xu Xiliu, of course, was… asleep.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, though he’d already napped in the car and wasn’t particularly drowsy then, the moment he stepped into this room and sat properly at the table—while those reports droned on in incomprehensible jargon that blurred into one long buzzing hum—he found himself unable to resist the wave of sleepiness.

The feeling was exactly like dozing off in class.

And not just any class, but the kind where he didn’t understand a single word.

At first, Xu Xiliu had tried to keep up appearances. After all, the atmosphere in the conference room was solemn, and Qin Li sat at the head of the table with that perpetually cold, brooding face.

But then, he thought again: he wasn’t one of the protagonist gong’s employees, nor did he work at this company. He was just a glorified tool—a personal doctor. Why on earth should he take this so seriously?

On top of that, his seat was far from the protagonist gong, tucked away near the back. Out of sight, out of mind. Naturally discreet. Practically the perfect spot for a nap.

So Xu Xiliu, very quietly, very carefully, lowered his head onto the desk.

Then, ever so slowly, he closed his eyes. Within seconds, he’d drifted into a hazy doze.

Qin Li stared at Xu Xiliu’s peaceful, sleeping face and began to doubt his own sanity.

For a moment, he even wondered if the other man knew he was being tested—deliberately putting on this show to lull him into lowering his guard.

That suspicion evaporated the moment he saw the youth, with an almost displeased expression, subtly raise a hand to cover one ear.

Qin Li: “…”

His expression grew even more complicated.

Around the table, the executives noticed their boss was listening to reports, but his eyes kept drifting—fixated on a single spot. Even his occasional “mm” of acknowledgment sounded half-hearted. Inevitably, their curiosity got the better of them, and they stole glances in the same direction.

And there they saw it: the private doctor their boss had brought into the conference room.

Their expressions, too, began to twist into something strange.

They exchanged quick, covert looks—little sparks of gossipy excitement lighting up in their eyes.

No one dared to gossip openly about Qin Li, of course. But after that banquet coverage, and after their boss’s uncharacteristic behavior lately, who wouldn’t start making connections?

And now, bringing this man not just into the company, but into the meeting room itself…

Well. No one really needed to spell it out, did they?

The executive giving the report even unconsciously lowered his voice—afraid that if he spoke too loudly, he might disturb the doctor currently being doted on by their boss, and earn Qin Li’s ire.

Couldn’t everyone see? Their CEO’s gaze was practically glued to that man, utterly unwilling to peel away.

And once one person set the tone, the rest followed suit. Soon, every speaker was deliberately softening their voice, lower and lower, until the entire conference room was murmuring like conspirators. The hush was so profound that the faint thud of the door opening or closing rang louder than their “reports.”

At first, Qin Li didn’t notice—he instinctively lowered his own voice along with them.

But then he realized: the executives closest to him were whispering softer and softer… until by the end, they were practically mouthing words in breathy gasps, even resorting to hand gestures.

What kind of ridiculous spectacle was this?

Qin Li’s expression darkened.

Just as he was about to snap at them, it dawned on him that he himself had somehow slipped into the same farcical rhythm, speaking no louder than a mosquito’s whine. And when he glanced around the room, he saw the same scene repeated everywhere: an entire boardroom full of high-ranking executives holding a “strategy meeting” in tones better suited to a library at midnight.

At the far end of the table, the young man slept soundly, breathing in perfect rhythm—utterly at ease in the “serenity” everyone else had bent over backwards to manufacture.

Qin Li’s temple throbbed, veins standing out in sharp relief.

T/N: Qin Li just paid for Xu Xiliu’s sleepless night in cash and kind lol.

Such a monster chapter… this one nearly gave up!