QT: Against My Will-Chapter 611 - 10.23 - Shark Toy - Rebirth Of The Heart

In a quiet cemetery, XiaoPu stood in front of Edward and Seraphine’s gravestones, tears streaming down his cheeks. He held a small shark toy tightly in his hands.

William placed flowers on the headstone and said his final goodbyes to a couple who had mysteriously shaped his life.

There weren’t many mourners beside them, reflecting Edward and Seraphine’s reclusive nature.

In the smoldering ruins of their home, they found fragments of their life together that had somehow survived the devastating fire.

One room was filled with an extensive collection of rare books, artifacts, and misplaced children’s books.

Another room resembled a high-tech laboratory, complete with advanced equipment and experiments, suggesting a scientific side to one of their pursuits. A small lab coat for a toddler was hung on the wall with a larger set.

The music studio, equipped with various instruments, also contained a set of small instruments that obviously didn’t belong to an adult.

Another room appeared to be a hidden art studio, displaying a stunning array of paintings and sculptures.

One sculpture depicted Seraphine in a graceful pose, as if she were playing a musical instrument, capturing her artistic and melodious essence.

Another sculpture depicted her in a serene moment, reclining on a couch with an air of elegance and tranquility.

Edward’s obsession with his wife was evident in the painstaking detail and devotion he poured into each piece.

"I had no idea Edward knew how to draw, let alone sculpt," William admitted with genuine amazement, "You did?"

Xiao Pu nodded his head, touching an ugly sculpture of Seraphine, obviously done by Stinky Bun.

They hid so many things from the public, and Xiao Pu wondered if he should clear up some rumors about Edward being a lazy man who did nothing but party with his wife (even though no one had ever seen them at a party).

Deep training grounds with a shooting range hidden in the basement suggested that Edward and Seraphine were clearly more than what they seemed, and their mysterious past left many questions unanswered.

XiaoPu looked around before grabbing a gun and tucking it into his pants.

"Yo, stealing is bad."

XiaoPu jumped in fear as he stared at the shark in his left hand.

"Just kidding," the shark wriggled in XiaoPu’s hand, "This house and the things in it are yours now. Master said you should keep training to stay in shape."

"Master?"

The shark nodded, "Master goes by many names, but you should know him as Edward Ashtor. I’m Baby Shiro Junior, and I’m here to keep you company. Master and Madam are sorry for leaving you so soon, but they couldn’t stay here any longer. Don’t worry about Stinky Bun either. That little punk is doing just fine."

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Ten years later...

In the bustling university courtyard, two teenagers walked out of their school, attracting the attention of a group of people.

Though not as conventionally handsome as Knox, the other boy exuded a distinctly "aloof" air. His clothes were meticulously put together, each piece neat and well-fitted. But his expression was one of annoyance, with a furrowed brow and a slight scowl. "Can’t you see we’re just friends? This is getting ridiculous."

Knox had a more reserved and mysterious air about him. He inherited his striking features from his father, Daniel, with his piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold a world of secrets and jet-black hair that had a natural sheen to it.

Knox’s busy schedule as an idol often kept him away from regular classes. When he did make an appearance at school, it was a big deal, and his fans couldn’t contain their excitement.

One of the girls refused to back down, "But you are the only one Knox shows up with in public. There must be something going on between you two."

XiaoPu tried to push through the group, "Well, maybe he talks to me because I’m his bodyguard? Now, do yourself a favor and stop making baseless assumptions before you embarrass yourself further."

His words hit so hard that they summoned a mob of angry fans. XiaoPu grabbed Knox’s hand and slipped away from their midst since Knox didn’t like it when he used his body as a shield for him to pass.

· · ───────── · ⊱❈⊰· ───────── · ·

XiaoPu panted, holding his knees as he caught his breath when they reached his hover car.

Getting into the car, Knox watched his hand with a strange expression.

XiaoPu, still catching his breath, looked at Knox and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Knox hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yun Pu, What do you think about us dating for real?" He looked at him with a touch of nervousness, "I’ve realized that I still have feelings for you—"

"What the heck man?" XiaoPu’s eyes and mouth widened, "I’ve already told you that we can only stay as friends."

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Knox continued, his words carefully chosen to convey his sincerity. "I understand you might be worried about your parents’ opinion. But I’ve spoken to them, and they’ve given their blessing for us."

His usually calm and controlled voice carried a heavier weight now, "You won’t have to stress about university or finding a job; I’ll be there to support you every step of the way."

"..." Xiao Pu shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. "Knox, let’s be honest. I’m about as interested in a romance with you as I am in having a tooth pulled."

XiaoPu’s attempt at humor didn’t seem to resonate with Knox, "What’s wrong with me, Yun Pu? Why won’t you even consider the possibility of us being more than friends?" His eyes bore into XiaoPu, seeking an answer, "We’ve known each other for so long," he argued, "I thought... maybe there was a chance."

"Well, you thought wrong," XiaoPu hoped his next words would finally make his point. "I am well aware of what couples typically do, and I can honestly say that I hate the idea of engaging in such activities. For the record, neither my butt nor my front end are on offer."

The intensity in Knox’s eyes softened for a moment, "Yun Pu, I believe I can make you feel good." He leaned closer, not too close, but enough to make his intentions clear, his figure casting a long shadow, "Sometimes, you won’t know what you’re missing until you give it a try."

Before Knox could say anything more, Xiao Pu stopped him firmly, "Hey, chill off. You are getting too close."

He shuddered at the way Knox approached him, and without thinking, he ruthlessly kicked the handsome boy and got out of the car. ’Damnit! This is exactly why I hate getting close to people my age. Why the hell is the same guy trying to get involved with me again?!’

Being a system for so long had a profound effect on XiaoPu’s soul. His development had been intentionally halted, and his emotional growth had stagnated. This was done to ensure his unwavering loyalty to his hosts.

Whenever XiaoPu experienced any of the forbidden emotions or exhibited behavior that deviated from his intended role as a system companion, HQ would take corrective action.

These measures typically included methods such as inducing fear or anxiety in XiaoPu when he exhibited undesirable emotional responses.

To avoid being punished, XiaoPu’s soul would no longer harbor such feelings, and would even instinctively avoid them.

(A/N: XiaoPu really likes Knox as his friend. There are no deeper feelings.)