QT: Against My Will-Chapter 616 - 10.28 - [END] Companionship - Rebirth Of The Heart
╔═══ Author’s note ════╗
SHINA is a name combined of "SHI" and "AN". (Bing Shi and Dai An)
NIGHT was inspired by her husband’s surname "Xuan" which means "Black" or "Mysterious".
Yep, Bing Shi wanted to be adopted by Alain’s parents solely because of their surname. This girl is a joke.😮💨
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Another week had passed by, and Knox had begun to adapt to this twisted routine. He learned to anticipate Bing Shi’s visits, which were his only semblance of human contact, albeit under her terms.
"You seem to be in a good mood today," Bing Shi observed, sitting at the big boulder near the campfire, her voice echoing in the mountain air. "Since you behaved so nice today, you’ll be free to go, Knox. I won’t stop you."
Knox was hesitant. He had been free in the literal sense all along, but the psychological impact of Bing Shi’s tactics had left him feeling constrained. She had to save him from a bear once, drag him out of a hole a second time, and treat his broken bone a third time she let him go.
She smiled widely, "Need my help in showing you the way?"
Knox nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I... I could use some help."
Bing Shi’s smile softened, losing its teasing edge. She stepped forward, leading the way. "Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you," she said, her tone lighter, almost friendly, "Follow me."
Her baby angel was afraid to be alone, so she had to ensure someone would always remain by his side. William, as much as he was a steadfast presence, would probably not be around forever. So, having a spare person, someone like Knox, would provide an additional companionship for XiaoPu.
Whether Knox would suffer from unrequited love or not, Bing Shi didn’t care. Her primary concern was XiaoPu’s well-being.
Once they crossed the edge of the forest, Bing Shi’s eyes lit up at the sight of a familiar figure waiting for them. Without hesitation, she dashed forward and leaped into the arms of another man who had been patiently waiting, "I’m back."
The man caught her effortlessly, "Took you long enough."
Knox, trailing behind, watched the scene unfold. His brow furrowed slightly, a frown forming as he observed their intimate reunion.
Noticing Knox’s stare, Ziek let go of Bing Shi. He strode over to Knox with a menacing glare. Grabbing him by the shirt, he hoisted him up with surprising strength and shoved him into the back of the sleek car, "Listen here."
He continued, "You pull any of that shit on Yun Pu again, and I’ll send you to the hospital for the rest of your life." With that, Ziek slammed the car door shut, the sound echoing in the confined space. He tapped on the roof of the car twice, signaling it to move.
· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·
As the car started, Knox looked outside the window. Bing Shi’s hand was raised in a casual wave as if saying farewell to him, her smile reaching her eyes.
He pulled out his phone, which had been out of service in the remote mountains. The moment it reconnected with the world, notifications flooded in, but Knox was focused on a singular task.
He dialed a number and gave out an order, "I need you to find out everything about Shina Night." That was how his captor referred to herself.
After Knox found out the force behind XiaoPu’s backing, XiaoPu noticed that Knox had been maintaining a respectful distance, and was no longer overbearing as before.
Knox also often tried to steer the topic towards Bing Shi. However, XiaoPu consistently avoided discussing her in depth, determined to protect his ex-host at any cost.
Ziek had helped him tap into his past during the two weeks. It was overwhelming to say the least, but it also helped him to understand himself more.
The time passed by a blur, and Knox continued to be immersed in his investigation, driven by a mix of curiosity, intrigue, and a desire to regain some sense of control.
(Knox): That woman who appeared by your side that time. You two seemed close. Do you think you could make her meet up with me?
He finally decided to ask XiaoPu when his investigation bore no fruit. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
(YunPu): She kind of does her own thing. I don’t really have much say in what she does. In case you plan to fall in love with her, let me burst your bubble. You must look like an infant in her eyes.
XiaoPu was older than her by more than a few centuries, and she still treated him like he was in diapers.
(Knox): ...
(Knox): Could it possibly be jealousy? Yun Pu, are you jealous that I’m showing interest in another woman?
XiaoPu took a few deep breaths while walking towards the altar in the living room. He clasped his hands together, bowing his head slightly as he began to pray silently, his lips moving in a whisper of words meant only for the statue of the little angel before him.
He couldn’t believe Bing Shi would interrupt her own cultivation for his mere cry for help. But she did it for him, a system, which her husband decided to adopt on a whim.
XiaoPu had the constitution of a child and often behaved as one too, but he was not a child by any means.
Seriously, what guy would adopt a system that was older than himself? Only a man who liked machines and animals more than humans. And what woman would return home to seal the adoption? Only the wife of the man mentioned above.
(YunPu): Jealous? You bet I am! You got to hang out with my idol for two whole weeks. Two. Freaking. Weeks. Do you have any idea what a privilege that is?! Some people would give their monthly paycheck for just five minutes of her time. And here I am, stuck with you. Life is so unfair!
XiaoPu contacted William, deciding to use his past knowledge to the best of his capabilities. Xuan Mu and Bing Shi gave him a new life, and it would be such a shame if he decided to waste it away doing nothing.
(YunPu): Uncle William. I want to become a movie director. How about you and Emma star in my first cinematic masterpiece?
(William): Go to sleep kiddo, it’s past your bedtime.
(YunPu): I’m serious. I’ll even handle Daniel and the Ashtor clan for you, so you can focus on your acting career with Emma. Think of all the quality time together as daughter and father.
(William): Hmm, I might contemplate it once our ventures, like... Aurora Studios, start to pick up. Show me some progress there, and we’ll talk.
XiaoPu dashed into his room, nudging Baby Shiro Junior awake, "Hey, you up? I need a hand in handling some of the Ashtor clan’s ventures, can you help me?"
How could he miss this golden finger that was under his nose this whole time?! Wouldn’t Baby Shiro always take over Lu Kai’s male leads whenever he couldn’t stand dealing with people anymore?
Baby Shiro Junior rubbed its eyes with a fin and mumbled, "Sure. But I don’t have a body. I can’t appear around others in my shark form."
XiaoPu looked around the room before pointing at himself, "Take my body."
...END OF ARC TEN...
╔═══ Author’s note ════╗
What do you think about this arc?
XiaoPu deserves to be free from his role as a system, don’t you agree?
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