Chapter 12

Chapter 12

As You Nan stepped through the door, Qi Yuwen followed close behind. The moment the lights flickered on, a small black blur shot forward. Qi Yuwen instinctively raised a hand to block it, and 007's tiny body, like a kite with a snapped string, was flung onto the sofa by the force.

You Nan gasped, instantly forgetting his husband behind him and the bouquet in his arms. He hastily dropped both and rushed to the kitten. "007!"

Concerned for the cat and suddenly angry, You Nan snapped at his usually gentle husband: "What was that for?!"

"He just wanted to jump up and hug me! Why did you push him away?"

Qi Yuwen's gaze flickered—You Nan cared far more about this cat than he had imagined.

The man offered a practiced apology, "I'm sorry, I overreacted."

You Nan turned away, hovering protectively over the kitten.

Lying on the sofa, feigning injury, the mechanically-enhanced, damage-resistant 007 was deeply touched to see You Nan arguing with the protagonist on its behalf. "Meow~"

"Oh no, please don't fight with him because of me."

As soon as Qi Yuwen left the living room, 007 dragged its small body over and began badmouthing the cheap protagonist it disliked. "Meow meow meow meow!"

"He's so strong! I feel like my little body is aching all over. A man like that is no good—and he's so stingy!"

007 "weakly" lifted a paw, deliberately waving it in front of You Nan's eyes, making him feel even more heartbroken.

For You Nan, who had few friends growing up and rarely saw his parents, 007—assigned by the department—was his emotional anchor, an inseparable partner for the future.

He had traversed countless Small Worlds; the characters there were mere NPCs to him, all unreal. Only 007 could accompany him back and into other Small Worlds—a true friend.

The characters in these Small Worlds, once encountered, would never be seen again. Of course, You Nan knew well who held more importance: these transient figures or 007.

The kitten opened its system interface. The Energy Point contribution data next to the names of the protagonist and the male love interest formed a stark contrast.

You Nan had spent days and nights with Qi Yuwen, yet the cheap man hadn't donated a single Energy Point. Meanwhile, Yao Xianqing, who had only met You Nan three times—their total interaction less than half a day—had been incredibly generous.

Silently holding 007, You Nan lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

By the time Qi Yuwen went upstairs to change into house clothes and returned, both the cat and the person were gone from the living room. The main light was off; only the small night light in the corner remained on.

It was just past 9 p.m.—most households weren't asleep yet. Clearly, his wife was angry.

Qi Yuwen initially didn't want to deal with it, but then he recalled the milk tea You Nan bought him that evening and the extra cup in Yao Xianqing’s hand at the hotel. His steps toward the bedroom paused, and he turned in another direction.

"Knock, knock, knock." The room door was knocked, but You Nan didn't make a sound.

Qi Yuwen spoke from outside, "You Nan, open the door."

You Nan ignored him, tuning out Qi Yuwen’s voice. He stood up, grabbed his pajamas, and hurried into the bathroom inside the room.

How convenient—he was going to take a shower. The sound of the water was too loud, and Qi Yuwen’s voice was too soft; that’s why he didn’t hear. Definitely not on purpose.

Qi Yuwen, of course, heard the faint shower sounds from inside—it hadn't been there before he knocked, but started right after.

He lowered his hand, stood at the door for a few seconds, then left.

007 lay on the floor, peering under the door crack. Seeing the shadow disappear, it finally relaxed.

You Nan didn't understand why Qi Yuwen refused to give him Energy Points, but he still wanted to try.

Yao Xianqing was generous, but he had no way to contact him. Qi Yuwen was the only one he could see every day—plus, he held the title of "wife."

Qi Yuwen had field duty and needed to wake up at dawn.

You Nan didn't know his schedule, but 007—a cat that slept during the day and stayed awake at night—tapped at his face with its paw to wake him.

You Nan was disoriented for a while before his mind cleared. He checked the time—only 5:30 a.m.

"Why is he up so early?" The original host usually woke at 6:30.

The eastern sky was brightening, everything quiet. You Nan could hear faint rustling sounds outside. The man had left. You Nan pulled out his phone, helping 007 clear a level it failed the night before, while keeping an ear on the outside. At 6:30, the door opened—Qi Yuwen was back.

You Nan quickly finished the game, tossed his phone aside, and hurriedly opened the door, meeting the gaze of the man standing in the living room.

Still in his pajamas, You Nan faked a yawn, looking both tired and surprised. "You went out?"

"So early."

Qi Yuwen held soy milk and *youtiao* bought from outside, placing them on the table. He glanced at You Nan—his eyes alert and bright, full of energy, clearly awake for a while.

Qi Yuwen didn't expose his wife's terrible acting. He opened the plastic bag and took out the food. "Went for a morning workout and bought breakfast on the way."

"There’s a new stall at the neighborhood entrance. Try it—if it’s good, I’ll buy it for you again tomorrow."

As he finished speaking, he noticed You Nan’s skeptical look. Qi Yuwen’s fingers paused—somehow, he found this "Really? I don’t believe it" expression a bit cute.

The corners of Qi Yuwen’s lips lifted, as if he had already forgotten about You Nan ignoring him the previous night.

You Nan took the *youtiao* wrapped in oiled paper and, following the original host’s persona of liking Qi Yuwen, said sweetly, "You’re so good to me."

Qi Yuwen handed him soy milk and received another, "Wow, thank you!"

Full of energy, emotional support maximized.

Qi Yuwen raised an eyebrow, shelling a tea egg. A hand reached over—You Nan’s breath drew near.

Battling shyness and nervousness, You Nan mustered his courage and said in a breathy, high-pitched voice, "Husband." He said it like a pep talk to himself. "Is this tea egg peeled for me too? How can you be so nice?"

Qi Yuwen, who had just peeled it for himself: "..."

Before Qi Yuwen could react, You Nan went for it, bent down, grabbed the egg with his teeth, and fled.

Qi Yuwen looked up. You Nan, after eating the tea egg—whether out of guilt, shyness, or choking from eating too fast—had a flushed face, flushed pink. "Eat slower. Can’t you shell your own? Do you have to take the ready-made one?"

007 rubbed against You Nan’s feet and noticed that the moment he snatched Qi Yuwen’s tea egg—the other stingily donated one Energy Point.

Seeing the paltry number "1," You Nan didn’t want to talk to Qi Yuwen again.

Good news: he seemed to have found a way to get Energy Points from Qi Yuwen.

Bad news: Qi Yuwen was a cheapskate, in every way!

After this episode, You Nan became bolder around Qi Yuwen. When Qi Yuwen drove him to work, as they were about to part, You Nan made a surprise move—his wife leaned across the seat and hugged him. The faint scent of shower gel filled his senses.

You Nan held the hug for a moment, then quickly let go and ran off, saying, "I’m leaving. Pick me up after work."

Qi Yuwen was hugged and then released, and the entire process took less than five seconds. It happened so fast it felt like a dream illusion.

The man lightly tapped his own nose with his index finger; the sensation of You Nan's hair brushing against it remained vivid.

Qi Yuwen sat in the car for a moment to compose himself. Complex emotions showed in his eyes. He felt no aversion at all to You Nan's two overly intimate actions that morning.

You Nan hurried into his workplace hotel and no sooner had he sat down than his phone rang. It was a congratulatory message from "007," who had suddenly heard the notification sound.

"Meow, meow, meow!"

"Congratulations! Qi Yuwen has contributed two Energy Points!"

After two instances of taking advantage, You Nan finally figured out how to obtain Energy Points from Qi Yuwen.

He had to endure the shame and make some sacrifice.

You Nan understood now. Pursing his lips, he hung up the phone.

After work, Qi Yuwen called him. When You Nan saw the caller's name flashing on his phone screen, he instinctively looked around at his colleagues. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he muted the ringtone, slipped away quietly, and went to the restroom.

"Hello?"

You Nan's voice came from the other end, as if worried about being overheard. He spoke very softly, almost as if he were speaking right into Qi Yuwen's ear.

Qi Yuwen raised his hand to stop the acting supervisor from speaking. He took a couple of steps aside and spoke briefly with You Nan, saying, "I'll be back late today, probably after ten. I’ve asked the driving school instructor to pick you up. After your lesson, he’ll take you home."

You Nan hadn’t expected to hear this, but he wasn’t upset. Driving lessons! And free ones at that, arranged by the male lead (*gong*). You Nan was quite willing, but he couldn’t show it.

You Nan rasped, "Alright. What time does the driving school close?"

"8 p.m." That morning, You Nan had arranged for Qi Yuwen to pick him up after work, but Qi Yuwen hadn't been able to keep that promise. Now, he was very patient with You Nan. "I’ll bring back some tasty food when I get back tonight."

You Nan sniffed, "Alright."

To Qi Yuwen, his tone dripped with reluctance.

As soon as the call ended, You Nan couldn’t keep up the sad act any longer. He left the restroom with a look of joy on his face.

Wang Yuanyuan noticed and couldn’t help but smile as she asked, "Who called? You look so happy."

You Nan fibbed, "A friend."

Wang Yuanyuan, seeing the unconcealable happiness on his face, felt it wasn’t just an ordinary friend.

Having worked with You Nan for so long, she knew he was reserved. Ordinary conversations wouldn’t make him this happy.

She guessed playfully, "Could it be you have a girlfriend?"

You Nan felt guilty. He didn’t have a girlfriend, but he had a husband. He couldn’t say that, so he hemmed and hawed, "N-no, not really."

Others in the office perked up at this.

"Hey, why are you stammering? Something’s definitely up!" a young woman in the office said, covering her mouth as she laughed.

Brother Li wanted to see a photo of You Nan’s partner and eagerly said, "Is she pretty? What’s her family like? Let me take a look and vet her for you."

You Nan, of course, refused.

Wang Yuanyuan laughed and helped shoo the others away, "Alright, everyone, back to work!"

After sending the others off, Wang Yuanyuan turned back and met You Nan’s sparkling eyes.

The corners of her lips curled up, pleased by his gaze.

She winked at You Nan.

Don’t be shy, I won’t say anything more!

Wang Yuanyuan returned to work, though her mind couldn’t help but wander. There were only a few good-looking men in the company: the exceptionally handsome Qi Yuwen was married, the delicate and attractive You Nan in the office also had a partner, and the others were either in relationships or engaged.

These days, handsome men are just too popular.

But she wondered what You Nan’s partner was like. He had a soft personality and was easily swayed. In her opinion, he’d be better suited with a gentle and considerate girlfriend.

However, her perspective changed when she saw Yao Xianqing waiting for You Nan at the entrance.

Society is quite open-minded these days; gender doesn’t have to be so rigid. She thought Little Nan and that man looked quite well-matched.

Wang Yuanyuan suddenly thought of something, covering her mouth with wide eyes.

Could it be that You Nan’s "friend" was him? Oh my!