Futile Devices Scans

It was hot.

From the inside out.

Xue Bao Tian regretted not leaving the bamboo window cracked open earlier. The mountain breeze could not get in, nor could it carry away a single drop of sweat.

At that moment, he was imprisoned by a scorching heat. The skin at the back of his neck was being tugged none too gently, while the rough collar pressed tightly against his throat. Xue Bao Tian had to lean his head back with effort just to draw a little more air into his lungs.

The bell rang hoarsely, rapid and incessant. Even the rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest could not suppress its frequency. Whenever the swaying bell suddenly fell silent, Xue Bao Tian became even more tense, his fingers twisting tightly into the quilt as he waited for the next powerful pull, deep and ruthless, to descend without warning.

It felt somewhat humiliating, especially when the person you liked had already given his heart to someone else. The bitterness inside him accumulated little by little until it finally reached its breaking point. Gathering all his strength, he lifted one hand from where it braced against the bamboo bed, grabbed the bell, and turned to look behind him.

Yan Ye’s face was hidden within the darkness, making his expression impossible to read. Only his outstretched arm could be seen clearly—thick and powerful, the muscles along it subtly bulging with exertion. His large hand was wrapped several times around the chain, tyrannical and domineering like a ruler, cruel, unrestrained, and elevated above all others.

When he noticed Xue Bao Tian looking back at him, he asked coldly, “Master Xue isn’t happy?”

He wrapped the chain around his wrist another two times before suddenly pulling him upright, turning him around, and gathering him into his arms so they sat face-to-face. Pressing him down slightly, he watched Xue Bao Tian’s brows knit together before asking, “Why aren’t you happy?”

Jade-colored anger filled Xue Bao Tian’s eyes. Suddenly, he pried apart the chain in Yan Ye’s hand, wrapped the other end around the man’s neck, and gave it a hard yank.

“Yan Ye, you’re a fucking bastard!”

The pull made Yan Ye lean slightly forward, bringing them even closer together. He paid no attention to the cold metal around his neck. Instead, both hands clamped around that narrow waist, lifting him up before pressing him back down fiercely.

The bell swung with maximum force, bouncing upward and striking Xue Bao Tian beneath the jaw. Amid the frantic ringing, Yan Ye’s voice slipped through.

“Xue Bao Tian, you’re a bastard too.”

The bell rang for most of the night.

The old yellow dog next door kept its ears perked up and listened for most of the night as well. Eventually, it could no longer keep its eyes open. Taking the uneven ringing as a lullaby, it rested its chin on its paws and fell fast asleep.

Even rolling over to lie on his stomach and smoke felt like an exhausting task for Xue Bao Tian. Stretching out his arm toward the cigarettes on the cabinet, his fingertips reached the edge, but the pack remained just beyond his grasp.

Having already put on his trousers, Yan Ye walked over. He took a cigarette from the pack and placed it directly between Xue Bao Tian’s lips, then picked up the lighter and held the flame out for him.

Xue Bao Tian stared at him for a moment before lowering his eyes to light the cigarette. Just as the tobacco glowed red, he heard Yan Ye say, “You should smoke less in the future. It’s bad for your health.”

Lying over the edge of the bed, Xue Bao Tian smiled at him. “General Manager Yan, the highest form of courtesy is minding your own fucking business.”

Yan Ye set down the lighter, stood up, and pulled on a black T-shirt. A smile spread across his face as well.

“I’ll have to be impolite one more time.”

He selected a turtleneck from Xue Bao Tian’s clothes and placed it on the bed.

“Wear this today.”

Xue Bao Tian touched his neck and muttered a quiet “Fuck.” Exhaling a stream of smoke, he asked the man packing his luggage, “When are you heading back to Yancheng?”

Yan Ye paused what he was doing and turned to look at him.

“What do you mean?”

Flicking ash from the cigarette, Xue Bao Tian raised his eyes lazily.

“I’ve got Zhao Xiao Quan watching things here. Since you’ve landed a new contract, stop worrying about this place. Besides, there are plenty of things waiting for you back at Yanyue.”

“You trust Zhao Xiao Quan?”

“I don’t trust him, but nobody turns down money, right?”

Yan Ye walked slowly to the bedside and crouched down until they were eye level.

“Zhao Xiao Quan is greedy for money. But have you considered what happens if he really finds Wei Hua? What if he strikes a separate deal with him? Gets even more money and lets him go?”

The cigarette drooped downward. Ash scattered onto the floor.

Xue Bao Tian’s expression immediately hardened.

Looking at the bruise on that pale neck, Yan Ye continued.

“As long as I’m here, I know every movement that’s made. Even if Zhao Xiao Quan wants to play tricks, he’ll think twice because of me.”

Xue Bao Tian considered it for a moment before shaking his head.

“You’ve got Huaye Technology’s major contract in your hands now. This is the perfect opportunity to go back and crush Sheng Yu. Besides, you’ve already signed the contract. If you keep delaying your start date, the client can sue you for breach of contract.” His expression turned serious. “What’s meant to happen will happen. Don’t worry about my side anymore. Master Xue has heaven watching over him. I’ll definitely catch Wei Hua.”

Then his expression changed instantly. One corner of his lips lifted, dripping with sarcasm.

“Besides, isn’t General Manager Yan in a hurry to start dating?”

Yan Ye’s gaze darkened. Rising to his feet, he returned to packing while saying, “Master Xue’s character isn’t exactly exemplary. Heaven might not be willing to look after you.”

Before Xue Bao Tian could curse at him, he continued.

“I’ve already spoken with Lin Zhi Yi. Once things are settled on your side, I’ll take up the position. Other than the personal bodyguard duties, none of the security work will be delayed and everything can proceed normally. Yanyue will receive news today that I’ve secured a major contract. I’ve already had Zhou Yi Ming and the others who work under me start spreading favorable rumors about me within the company. At a time like this, it’s actually better if I don’t show up. Didn’t Master Xue once say that truly impressive figures are always more legend than reality?”

Xue Bao Tian spent plenty of time talking nonsense with Yan Ye and could not remember when he had casually said that.

The feelings inside him were impossible to untangle.

Anyone hearing what Yan Ye had just said would be moved.

Yet it still wasn’t enough to drown out the barrel of jealousy souring inside him.

Holding the cigarette between his lips, he said casually, “Watching people and keeping tabs on them takes time and energy. It’d be a shame if it interfered with General Manager Yan’s love life.”

With his back turned, Yan Ye lowered his eyes and replied calmly.

“Then I can only ask Master Xue to improve his character and pray heaven takes better care of you. Catch Wei Hua sooner, and I can start dating sooner too.”

Yan Ye didn’t have many belongings. He packed the final piece of clothing into his backpack but left the zipper open. Walking over to the table, he swept all those county-restricted items Xue Bao Tian had bought the previous day straight into the bag.

“What the hell are you doing?” Xue Bao Tian immediately exploded. “You’re taking those with you to use with your next one? That’s being way too fucking frugal, General Manager Yan.”

He pressed a hand down on the backpack.

“Trying to save money? Easy. Buy yourself a cemetery plot and lie there for thirty or fifty years. It’ll definitely appreciate in value.”

For once, Yan Ye wasn’t being patient. His words were calm but sharp.

“If I don’t take them, are you planning to keep using them, Mr. Straight Guy?”

Xue Bao Tian choked.

The remark hit him like a slap.

Still putting on a brave front, he shot back, “I can use them when I get a girlfriend. General Manager Yan’s brain capacity is too small to think that far ahead, but I suppose that’s not your fault.”

Yan Ye’s expression darkened. Pulling a clip from the bag, he pinned Xue Bao Tian’s arm before he could struggle and attached it to his bare skin. Then he lifted his chin and asked coldly,

“Use them on your girlfriend? Master Xue plans to use things he’s already used himself on his future girlfriend? My brain capacity may be small, but even I never thought that far.”

Pinning him in place, Yan Ye’s tone became more forceful than it had ever been.

“I’m going out to keep watch. You don’t need to go today. Sleep a little longer. When I come back tonight, I want to eat the food you cook. I’m helping you catch people. You don’t need to repay me with your body anymore, but you still need to repay me somehow. From now on, you’ll cook for me every day. Three meals a day. Not a single one can be skipped.”

Having said all that, he pushed Xue Bao Tian back onto the bed, grabbed his backpack, and headed for the door.

Grimacing, Xue Bao Tian pulled off the clip and hurled it at the retreating figure.

“Fine. Then it’ll be mushroom hotpot every damn day.”

“I’ll eat whatever you make.”

Without even turning around, Yan Ye opened the door and walked out.

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