Chapter 34 Mr. Sheng, Your Tail Is Showing 4

Chapter 34: Mr. Sheng, Your Tail Is Showing 4

The commander's mansion was quiet at night, even the robots were powered down for the night.

Qiao Ling mustered up his courage, headed downstairs, and walked out to the garden to get some air.

Maybe because he was more used to dimly lit spaces, even in the dim light, he felt more at ease and safer than he did during the day when the sun was blazing and harsh.

He wandered around the garden for a bit before settling on a quiet, hidden spot to sit.

But he hadn't been sitting long when he heard steady footsteps coming up behind him.

His body stiffened, his back going rigid.

When he looked up, he locked eyes with Sheng Ye.

The dim light softened the man's otherwise cold, sharp features. He sat down across from Qiao Ling and asked casually, "What are you doing down here this late?"

Sheng Ye had just wrapped up his work and was standing by the window to unwind when he spotted the kid coming downstairs instead of sleeping.

He'd wandered around with no real purpose before sitting down, his back looking lonely and pitiful.

Sheng Ye had never raised a kid, not even a pet, so he had no idea how to act around Qiao Ling or how to show he meant well.

Especially knowing Qiao Ling was still sick, it made him even more at a loss.

"I... woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. Just wanted some air," Qiao Ling answered truthfully.

The man wasn't far from him, but his tall, imposing frame still felt intimidating.

He pressed his lips together, avoided Sheng Ye's gaze, and stood up. "I'll head back inside now."

The kid's automatic obedience made Sheng Ye's heart ache a little. Without a second thought, he caught his slender wrist.

Qiao Ling stopped and turned, looking at him in confusion.

"Didn't you want some air? Come on, let's sit and talk."

Sheng Ye rarely had this much patience, and his gaze softened as he watched him.

Qiao Ling sat back down, watching Sheng Ye closely, waiting for him to say something.

Sheng Ye let out a quiet sigh before speaking slowly. "From now on, you're living with me. We're family now, so you can rely on me a hundred percent. I'll take care of you for the rest of your life."

It was a heavy promise, and Sheng Ye meant every word.

But Qiao Ling's eyes didn't even flicker. He just pressed his lips together and said, "Okay, I understand. I trust you, Mr. Sheng. Thanks, Mr. Sheng."

Sheng Ye frowned. "That's all you have to say?"

Qiao Ling managed a faint smile and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "The Commander protects the country and everyone in it. I believe I'm safe."

Being safe and being able to depend on someone were two different things.

Sure, Sheng Ye protected everyone in the country, but that was completely different from wanting to protect Qiao Ling.

He realized he'd been talking to a brick wall.

This kid's walls were way too high. He really needed to find a way to reach him.

"That's not a wrong way to look at it, but I still want you to think of me as family."

Qiao Ling nodded, still obedient, but his eyes were getting a little red as he looked at him.

After a long pause, the boy spoke in a quiet, hesitant voice. "Mr. Sheng, it's been a long time since I've had family around. Can I... hug you?"

That hit Sheng Ye right in the chest.

Qiao Ling's parents were rarely home when they were alive, his uncle and aunt were barely family, and Sheng Ye, who was supposed to be family now, had no real connection to him. Just thinking about it made him ache for the kid.

He nodded and opened his arms without a moment's hesitation.

Qiao Ling hesitated at first, then suddenly threw himself forward, wrapping his arms around him.

The weight against Sheng Ye was light, but the boy's grip around his neck was anything but.

Sheng Ye patted his back to comfort him, but the next second, he felt something cold on his neck.

Something wet had fallen.

The kid... was crying?

Sheng Ye froze, his hand stopping mid-pat.

After a moment, he cleared his throat. "Xiao Ling?"

"Mhm." The boy's voice was muffled, like he was still wiping his eyes.

"You tired? If not, how about I take you to see a movie?"

Sheng Ye figured that when a kid was upset, distracting him was probably the best move.

A little kid might be won over with candy, but Qiao Ling was older—that probably wouldn't cut it.

Qiao Ling wiped his tears and dried his face before getting up.

He straightened up, stepped back, and put a little distance between them.

"No need for a movie," Qiao Ling said. "I feel a lot better now. Thanks, Commander."

He didn't call him 'Mr. Sheng' in that flat tone, which meant his mood had picked up quite a bit.

Sheng Ye felt helpless. Just a hug and he was this satisfied—this kid really wasn't greedy.

He reached out and ruffled Qiao Ling's hair. "Alright, get some good rest. In a few days when I have time off, I'll take you out to have some fun."

Qiao Ling nodded firmly, the sparkle in his eyes showing he was looking forward to the plan.

Sheng Ye also knew it wouldn't be easy to get Qiao Ling to let his guard down anytime soon, so he didn't push. He only said, "Anytime, as long as you reach out to me, I'll come."

Qiao Ling nodded again.

That night, the relationship between the two seemed to take a small step closer.

But for someone as impatient as Sheng Ye, it was a bit frustrating.

He certainly wanted to pour out all his feelings to Qiao Ling at once, but looking at how timid he was, it might scare him off.

With such strong defenses, he might even think Sheng Ye had ulterior motives.

Raising a kid is no joke!

Qiao Ling went upstairs ahead of Sheng Ye. He closed the door, leaned against the wall, rubbed his tired, stinging eyes, and sniffled.

The heavy feeling in his chest slowly started to lift.

Once he felt a little better, he crawled back into bed to settle down for the night.

Right as he was about to doze off, the system chimed in: "Host, the original owner's negative emotions are gonna rub off on you a bit. Make sure you sort yourself out."

Qiao Ling grunted in reply, grabbed the blanket, and was out like a light in no time.

The original owner's pain wasn't the same as Qiao Ling's.

It pissed him off seeing Sheng Ye not recognize him—so much that he wanted to jump on him and bite him.

So he quietly plotted, determined to find a way to make sure Sheng Ye could never leave him.

He had to figure out how to keep him by his side forever...

When the system sensed this thought from its host, its body trembled violently.

The Commander—danger!

"Qiao Ling, after the scumbag physique, has unlocked another skill—begging the precious readers for comments and updates, boohoo!"