Volume One, Chapter 15: Tonight, We Sleep Together

Old Wang’s hand trembled slightly. How could families like theirs not recognize such a little device? It was most likely a virus left by a top hacker. Miss Yan had brought it, clearly aiming to get something from their Ninth Master, and yet he indulged her so much?

“Yes!” He was only a butler, after all, and knew his place. The Ninth Master disliked anyone acting on their own.

Secretary Zhang’s eyelid twitched violently. Was this Miss Yan trying to bring ruin upon their Ninth Master? There had been so many incidents lately, most connected to business circles. If Miss Yan simply wanted information about the little pond, she wouldn’t need to steal secrets—unless her intention was to destroy evidence that could harm the business clan.

“Ninth Master…” As Qin Zhan’s closest confidant, he felt compelled to warn about the dangers posed by the item Miss Yan had brought.

Qin Zhan sat in his chair, the tiger-and-deer painting behind him radiating a murderous aura. His gaze was cold as it landed on the doorway, silently forbidding his secretary from speaking further.

He had heard Qin Zhan had returned.

Yan Qiuning hurried in, not noticing the chilled atmosphere of the room. She brought several people with her, arranging the dishes on the table.

“Ninth Brother, I’ve been waiting for you to eat.” She stood at the dining table, beaming as she looked back at the man approaching step by step.

Qin Zhan’s eyes, calm and deep, studied her face as if searching for something. After a moment, he took his seat.

“Why did you wait for me to eat?” Was she asking for something, or had she prepared another surprise for him? Regardless of the motives of the girl before him, Qin Zhan accepted them all.

Yan Qiuning sat down beside him, her bright eyes fixed on him, a cheerful smile on her lips. “Is it wrong to wait for you? I guessed you hadn’t eaten, and I haven’t had dinner either. Let’s eat together.”

Ninth Brother’s headache was so severe already; if he developed stomach trouble, it would only be worse. Since they were living together, they ought to take good care of themselves.

“Or did you eat outside?” Secretary Zhang took the initiative to leave, casting a curious glance at her as he reached the door. Her performance rivaled those of the entertainment industry’s most polished actresses.

He looked at the Ninth Master with concern.

Qin Zhan’s appetite was small; he picked at his food, taking just a couple of bites. “No.”

“When I’m not around, you have to eat properly. Did you throw up today?” He paid attention to her every moment.

“No, the chef’s food was delicious.” Yan Qiuning gazed at him with anticipation. She used to find Qin Zhan’s cold demeanor intimidating, but now, though she was still a bit afraid, it wasn’t so frightening anymore.

Qin Zhan noticed she ate very little. “If it’s delicious, why only eat so much?” Even the cat ate more than she did.

Yan Qiuning shook her head. “You only had a couple of bites yourself. My appetite depends on how others eat; otherwise, eating alone is no fun.”

Qin Zhan followed her lead, picking up his chopsticks again and finishing a whole bowl of rice. Then he watched her eat.

Yan Qiuning smiled quietly. Even the fiercest tiger can be coaxed.

“Ninth Master, try this—and this…” She grew bolder, less restrained, even daring to serve him dishes. When she placed the food in the simple porcelain bowl, she paused, meeting the man’s tranquil eyes, her heart tightening.

Everyone said the Ninth Master was aloof, living like an immortal. Those around him feared him, respected him, kept their distance, or even wished him dead. No one could smile in his presence and survive.

Qin Zhan looked away and ate the dish she had served him. “It’s all right.”

Yan Qiuning’s eyes sparkled like stars. Ninth Master was actually very approachable! The others were just making things up.

“I think it’s delicious too.” Her appetite was good; she unconsciously touched her belly, distracted by thoughts of a little baby.

But the harmonious scene lasted only a short while. Her face suddenly changed, and she covered her mouth to go vomit again.

Qin Zhan’s gaze chilled as he looked at the almost untouched dishes.

“Bring today’s chef here.”

Old Wang hurried off to call the staff.

Yan Qiuning had eaten only to vomit, her face pale and eyes filled with involuntary tears. Once she felt better, she rinsed her mouth and went out.

A servant brought her a bowl of soup.

She sipped a little, found it unexpectedly pleasant and not nauseating, and drank half the bowl.

Coming out, she saw the chefs, trembling in their uniforms, standing before the Ninth Master.

Qin Zhan motioned for them to leave.

The chefs, as if given a second chance at life, scrambled out in a panic.

“Ninth Brother, it’s not their fault—it’s mine. Once this phase passes, I’ll be fine.”

Yan Qiuning’s eyes were moist, like a gem soaked in water, dazzlingly beautiful.

Qin Zhan studied her pale face, frowning slightly. He went over and pulled her into his arms, gently wiping the tears from her eyes.

“In front of me, you don’t need to blame yourself for everything. I pay them well to solve your morning sickness; if they can’t do it, how is it your fault?”

“Are they getting paid for nothing?” Yan Qiuning was stunned by his words. Over that long year, she had heard every kind of insult; everyone said it was her fault.

But Qin Zhan said she wasn’t to blame.

Her eyes grew hot, emotions welling up, and she gradually became accustomed to his embrace.

“Yes… I’m not at fault. But, Ninth Master, please don’t blame them either. Give them a few more chances; they’ll solve my morning sickness eventually.”

Having survived once, she realized how precious life was to everyone.

Qin Zhan said nothing, staring at her for a long time before nodding.

Yan Qiuning smiled gently, looking at him. “Ninth Brother, you’re so good.”

Qin Zhan gazed at her tender brows, his lips tightly pressed, the boundless ocean in his eyes beginning to surge, something buried deep within struggling to break free.

“Tonight, I’ll sleep in your room.”

He was no longer satisfied with mere polite embraces; the woman looked at him cleanly, properly treating him like a distant elder.

Yan Qiuning remembered her promise to help him with his treatment, her cheeks flushing as she nodded, unable to quell her nerves. “Then… do I need to prepare anything?”

“Wait for me.” Qin Zhan noticed Secretary Zhang’s hesitation. He’d be gone for a while to handle some business.

Yan Qiuning obediently left his arms, wondering if such intimacy still counted as a relationship between elder and junior.

Secretary Zhang reminded at the door, “Ninth Master, the Third Lord requests your presence.”

The tenderness on Qin Zhan’s face vanished without a trace. His expression turned cold as ice, impossible to read. No matter how bright the lights around him, he always seemed shrouded in a dense shadow that could not be dispelled.

…

Yan Qiuning’s legs went weak as she sat on the bed, feeling as if the sky had collapsed.

The object in her hand was incredibly troublesome.

Why was it in her clothes?

Thinking back over the last two days, she hadn’t contacted Shang Lu at all, so how had the USB drive ended up with her?

Unsure if anyone had noticed, she decided to act first.

She would be honest with the Ninth Master; she would never harm him again.

With that in mind, she went to bathe, dried her hair, and waited for the Ninth Master to come.