Chapter 6
When Shi Ye woke up, it was already daylight.
She stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for three seconds before remembering where she was—Qi Jin's house, in the guest room. She had fled here last night because her house had been bugged.
"So now," she mentally counted on her fingers, "I'm sleeping in the villain's house, wearing the pajamas the villain prepared, lying on the bed the villain made, and using the pillow the villain chose... Isn't something wrong with this plot?"
The system's calm voice announced: "According to the data, the host is currently in a safe environment, and the threat index has decreased by 72% compared to last night."
“Safety is safe,” Shi Ye sat up, scratching his hair which looked like a bird’s nest, “but I’m not safe! Think about it, someone who has had a crush on you for years and even secretly took pictures of you, and now you’re sleeping in her house, what’s the difference between that and a little white rabbit willingly jumping into a wolf’s den?!”
"The analogy is inaccurate," the system said. "Qi Jin's current intention to harm the host is zero, but his intention to protect is 98%. A more accurate analogy would be: an injured animal being taken home by a rescuer."
Shi Ye rolled his eyes: "You're the little animal!"
She got out of bed and stepped barefoot onto the carpet. The guest room had its own bathroom, so she went in to wash up and found that even the toothpaste was already squeezed onto her toothbrush—it was her usual mint flavor.
"Did this person install a security camera in my house?" Shi Ye stared at the perfectly crafted toothpaste tube. "Otherwise, how would they know what brand I use?!"
"Data analysis: Qi Jin learned about the host's lifestyle habits through Shi's father, including brands of toiletries, dietary preferences, and sleep habits. Information collection completeness: 87%."
Shi Ye put the toothbrush in her mouth and thought as she brushed: So Qi Jin not only secretly filmed me for the past three years, but also conducted background checks? How deep must his obsession be?
After washing up and changing, there were several new outfits hanging in the closet, the tags still on. Shi Ye picked out a simple white T-shirt and jeans, which surprisingly fit perfectly.
"Did she secretly measure me?" Shi Ye compared herself to the mirror. "My waist and hip measurements are exactly the same!"
"Based on the photos, we can estimate body measurements with an error rate that can be controlled within 3%," the system added.
Shi Ye: "...Can't you just comfort me and say it's a coincidence?"
After tidying herself up, she opened the door. The apartment was quiet, with only the faint sounds of the kitchen coming from afar.
She followed the sound and saw Qi Jin standing in front of the counter in the open kitchen, her back to her. Qi Jin was wearing loungewear—dark gray cotton trousers and a white T-shirt, her hair loosely tied back with a few stray strands falling beside her neck. She was frying eggs, her movements so practiced that Shi Ye was somewhat surprised.
“I thought you would hire a chef,” Shi Ye said, leaning against the doorframe.
Qi Jin turned to look at her, his eyes softening in the morning light: "Sometimes you can do it yourself. Sit down, it'll be ready soon."
Shi Ye sat down at the bar and watched Qi Jin arrange the fried eggs, bacon, and toasted bread on a plate, then poured a glass of orange juice and pushed it in front of her.
"I didn't know what you liked for breakfast, so I just made what I usually do." Qi Jin's own plate was much simpler, with only fried eggs and whole wheat bread. "If it's not to your liking, I can make it again."
Shi Ye looked at the golden fried egg on her plate—her favorite soft-boiled yolk with slightly charred edges—and the perfectly toasted bacon, and something stirred within her. But the next second, she became alert: "No, no, I can't be moved! This is the villain! Although she seems virtuous now, in the original story she was a ruthless person who could bankrupt her rivals!"
"Thank you." She picked up her fork, trying to keep her tone as calm as possible. "You got up very early?"
“I’m used to it.” Qi Jin sat down opposite her. “I get up at six, exercise for an hour, and start work at seven-thirty. Today… I’m making an exception.”
Shi Ye glanced at the clock on the wall—8:20. So Qi Jin broke his routine to make her breakfast?
"Actually, you don't need to worry about me." Shi Ye took a bite of the fried egg, which was indeed delicious. "I can order takeout myself."
“It’s not safe,” Qi Jin said. “The analysis results of the bugging device in your house are out; it’s professional equipment. The other party is quite powerful, and the takeout order might have been tampered with.”
Shi Shu paused, holding his fork. "So... I have to be careful when I eat and drink from now on?"
“That’s how it is for now.” Qi Jin looked at her. “Until you are safe, it’s best to check everything at the entrance.”
Shi Ye suddenly found the fried egg in her mouth no longer delicious. She put down her fork: "When will this ever end?"
"Find the mastermind behind this." Qi Jin's tone was calm. "I've already sent people to investigate. We should have results in three days at the earliest, and a week at the latest."
"So what am I supposed to do this week?" Shi Ye asked. "Stay at your house? Skip school? Don't work?"
“You can stay here if you’d like,” Qi Jin said. “I suggest you take leave from school and work. Safety first.”
Shi Ye leaned back in her chair and sighed. Before she transmigrated into the book, she was a corporate slave who looked forward to holidays every day. Now that she was actually on "holiday," she felt empty.
“I need to find something to do,” she said. “Otherwise I’ll go crazy.”
Qi Jin thought for a moment: "I have many books in my study, you can read them. Or... what would you like to learn? I'll teach you."
Shi Ye looked at her: "What can you teach me?"
“Business, finance, management.” Qi Jin paused. “Or… fencing? I have a private fencing room.”
Shi Ye's eyes lit up: "Fencing? Really?"
"Hmm." Qi Jin's lips curved into a smile. "I started learning in elementary school and won the youth group championship. Later I was too busy and stopped competing, but I've been practicing ever since."
Shi Ye imagined Qi Jin in a fencing uniform—tall and slender, holding a slender sword, with sharp eyes behind a mask… Stop! I can’t think about it anymore!
"I want to learn!" she said. "I'm just killing time anyway."
"Okay." Qi Jin nodded. "After you finish breakfast and rest for half an hour, I'll take you there."
Breakfast continued in silence. Shi Ye secretly observed Qi Jin—she ate quietly, her movements elegant yet swift, clearly a long-standing habit. Unlike Shi Ye herself, who ate while scrolling through her phone and liked to rearrange her food.
“Um…” Shi Ye began, “Thank you for last night.”
Qi Jin looked up at her: "You're welcome."
"It's not just a polite remark," Shi Ye said earnestly. "I really want to thank you. If it weren't for you, I might still be in the dark, not even knowing I was being listened to."
Qi Jin's gaze softened: "Protecting you is my duty."
Shi Ye's heart skipped a beat, but she immediately warned herself, "Stop! That's just polite talk! Don't get carried away!"
“However,” she changed the subject, “I still care a little about those photos.”
Qi Jin put down his fork: "What are you worried about?"
“It’s just that…you took so many photos, but I had no idea,” Shi Ye said. “It felt like living in The Truman Show, being observed and recorded.”
“I understand.” Qi Jin sighed softly. “I was too young back then and didn’t know what the right thing to do was. I just wanted to leave some traces of you to prove that those encounters were real.”
She looked at Shi Ye and said, "If you feel uncomfortable, I can return all the photos to you, or... destroy them."
Shi Ye shook his head: "No need. I just need time to adjust."
After breakfast, Qi Jin was clearing away the dishes. Shi Ye wanted to help, but was refused.
"You're a guest," Qi Jin said. "Just sit down."
Shi Ye sat at the bar, watching Qi Jin's back as he washed the dishes. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, gilding her with a golden hue. The scene was so homey, so warm, so comforting that it made Shi Ye a little uneasy.
“System,” she thought, “this isn’t right. Villains shouldn’t be washing dishes at home; they should be strategizing at the company or plotting in secret.”
"Multi-dimensional character design: It is reasonable for a character to show different aspects in different situations," the system replied. "Data shows that Qi Jin's behavior patterns in the family environment are significantly different from those in the work environment, which actually enhances the character's realism."
Shi Ye rested her chin on her hand and continued to look at Qi Jin. Qi Jin's hands were very beautiful, with long, slender fingers and distinct knuckles; even his movements while washing dishes looked like he was creating some kind of work of art.
"Host's pupils are dilated, and the duration of gaze exceeds the standard of normal social etiquette," the system alerted.
Shi Ye abruptly looked away: "I wasn't looking! I was contemplating life!"
"Does contemplating life require staring at other people's hands?"
"……Shut up!"
Qi Jin finished washing the dishes, dried his hands, and turned around to see Shi Ye sitting there with a conflicted look on his face, the tips of his ears slightly red.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"It's alright!" Shi Ye stood up. "Where's the fencing room? Let's go there now!"
Qi Jin led her to the basement via elevator—not an ordinary basement, but a fully equipped fitness floor. There was a gym, a swimming pool, a yoga room, and even a dedicated fencing room.
The fencing room was large, with various fencing weapons hanging on the walls and the floor made of professional competition material. There was a faint smell of leather and metal in the air.
"Choose one." Qi Jin opened the equipment cabinet. "Foil, épée, sabre, which one do you want to learn?"
Shi Ye stared wide-eyed at the gleaming swords: "Which one is the coolest?"
Qi Jin smiled: "They're both cool. But for beginners, I recommend starting with foil, it's relatively simple."
She took down a fencing sword and handed it to Shi Ye. The sword was lighter than she had imagined, but it felt very substantial in her hand.
"Let's learn the basic posture first." Qi Jin stood behind her. "Feet apart, shoulder-width apart, right foot forward..."
Qi Jin placed his hand on Shi Ye's waist, helping her adjust her posture. Shi Ye stiffened—Qi Jin's hand was very hot, and even through the thin T-shirt fabric, it made the skin on her waist numb.
"Relax," Qi Jin's voice rang in my ears. "Don't be so tense."
"I didn't lie!" Shi Ye stubbornly insisted, but his body language betrayed him like a board.
Qi Jin chuckled and took a step back: "Alright, then you stay in this position and let me see."
She walked up to Shi Ye, crossed her arms, and looked him up and down. Shi Ye felt uncomfortable under her gaze, like a soldier waiting to be inspected.
"Bend your knees a little more," Qi Jin said. "Put your weight between your feet."
Shi Ye adjusted her posture, but couldn't find the right feeling. Qi Jin sighed, walked back, and this time directly grasped her wrist.
“Like this.” She guided Shi Shu’s arm movements, “the sword tip pointing forward, elbow slightly bent…”
Shi Ye's attention was completely off the sword. All her senses were focused on the hand Qi Jin was holding her wrist—the temperature, the strength, and the thin calluses on his fingers.
"Are you listening?" Qi Jin asked.
"Yes!" Shi Ye snapped out of his daze. "Sword tip forward, elbow slightly bent, understood!"
Qi Jin released his grip and retreated to a safe distance: "Try stabbing me, the target is me."
Shi Shu gripped her sword, looking at Qi Jin three meters away. Qi Jin stood there, without any protective gear, simply watching her silently.
"Aren't you wearing protective gear?" Shi asked.
"You can't stab me." Qi Jin's tone was calm, not boastful, but simply stating a fact.
Shi Ye's competitive spirit was ignited. She took a deep breath and, following the posture she had just learned, thrust her sword forward—
Qi Jin gently turned to the side, the tip of his sword grazing past the hem of her clothes.
“Again,” Qi Jin said.
Shi Ye gritted his teeth and stabbed several times in succession, but each time Qi Jin dodged with just a slight movement, his movements as elegant as if he were dancing.
"This isn't fair!" Shi Ye gasped for breath. "You've been practicing for over ten years, and I've only been practicing for a dozen minutes!"
Qi Jin laughed: "Then it's your turn to hide?"
She walked to the equipment cabinet and took out another foil. As she turned around, she had entered a certain state—her back was straight, her eyes were focused, and her entire aura had changed.
Shi Ye suddenly felt a little timid: "Um... I suddenly feel a little tired..."
"Weren't you full of energy just now?" Qi Jin approached step by step. "Don't worry, I'll control my strength."
Shi Ye gripped her sword, watching Qi Jin stand before her, assuming a standard ready stance. Sunlight streamed in through the high window, reflecting a cold light off the sword.
"Ready?" Qi Jin asked.
Shi Ye nodded, and then—she didn't see anything clearly at all, only feeling the tip of the sword lightly touch her shoulder.
"Too slow reaction." Qi Jin sheathed his sword. "Let's try again."
The second time, the tip of the sword touched the abdomen.
The third time, apply it to the wrist.
The fourth time...
Shi Ye threw down his sword and plopped down on the ground: "I'm not playing anymore! This is just bullying!"
Qi Jin couldn't help but laugh when he saw her puffed-up face. She put the sword back and sat down next to Shi Ye.
“That’s how it is for beginners,” she said. “When I was learning, my coach hit me over fifty times in my first lesson, but I never even touched him.”
Shi Ye turned to look at her: "Really?"
“Really.” Qi Jin nodded. “Later, I went home crying and said I would never study again. My dad said, ‘Then you’ll always be a loser.’”
Shi Ye was stunned: "Your dad said that?"
"Hmm." Qi Jin's tone was indifferent. "The Qi family's educational approach is rather... direct."
Shi Ye suddenly recalled the description of Qi Jin's family in the original novel—cold, strict, and only concerned with the result, not the process. No wonder Qi Jin developed this kind of personality.
"So how did you manage to persevere?" she asked.
"Because I didn't want to be a loser," Qi Jin said. "In the second period, I bumped into the coach once. Although it was just a brush against the hem of his clothes, it was enough."
She turned to look at Shi Ye and said, "Sometimes, a little progress can support you to go a long way."
Shi Ye looked at her, the morning light dancing on her eyelashes. At this moment, Qi Jin was not the aloof CEO Qi, nor the stalker who had secretly loved her for years (?), but just a child who had once tried his best.
“System,” Shi Ye thought to himself, “I think I… understand her a little better now.”
"Emotional resonance index has increased," the system report stated. "Warning: Excessive empathy may affect task judgment."
Shi Ye ignored the system. She got up and picked up her sword again: "Again."
Qi Jin raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure!" Shi Ye got into position. "This time, I'm determined to meet you!"
For the next half hour, the fencing room was filled with Shi Ye's exclamations of "Ah!" "Ouch!" "Missed again!" and Qi Jin's occasional instructions. Shi Ye didn't manage to hit Qi Jin even once, but she became more determined with each setback, eventually collapsing on the floor, panting.
"No... I can't take it anymore..." she stared at the ceiling, "I'm going to die..."
Qi Jin sat down next to her and handed her a bottle of water: "The intensity was too high for your first training session."
Shi Ye took the water and gulped down half the bottle. She turned her head to look at Qi Jin and noticed that there were also fine beads of sweat on Qi Jin's forehead, his cheeks were slightly red, and his breathing was a little more rapid than usual.
“You’re sweating,” Shi Ye said. “So I haven’t completely failed; at least I got you some exercise.”
Qi Jin smiled: "Yeah, you're very capable."
Shi Ye rolled over and lay face down on the floor: "Qi Jin, are you happy?"
Qi Jin was stunned: "What?"
"Now," Shi Ye said, looking at her. "Practicing swordsmanship with me is a waste of time. Doing nothing, are you happy?"
Qi Jin was silent for a few seconds, then said very softly, "Happy."
"Why?"
“Because…” Qi Jin chose his words carefully, “because it’s so relaxing. I don’t have to think about work, I don’t have to think about my family, I don’t have to think about all that messy stuff. It’s just… being with you.”
Shi Ye's heart started pounding uncontrollably again. She quickly buried her face in her arms and said, "Oh."
The two sat (or lay) on the floor in silence. The sunlight moved slowly, casting bright spots of light on the floor.
“Shi Ye,” Qi Jin suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
"If..." Qi Jin paused, "If one day you find out that I've done something terrible, what will you do?"
Shi Ye looked up: "How bad?"
"So bad...it might make you hate me."
Shi Ye's heart skipped a beat when he saw her serious expression. Was she giving him a heads-up? Was she laying the groundwork for events in the original story?
“That depends on what it is,” Shi Ye said. “If it’s about hurting innocent people, then I will indeed hate you.”
Qi Jin's eyes darkened: "What if it's something you have no other choice?"
“There’s no reason I had no choice.” Shi Ye sat up. “The choice is yours. You can choose not to hurt others, even if it comes at a price.”
Qi Jin looked at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions. After a long while, she nodded: "You're right."
Shi Ye suddenly felt uneasy. Had she gone too far? Would Qi Jin think she was lecturing him?
“However,” she added, “if you really did something wrong, as long as you are willing to change and make amends, then… it’s not unforgivable.”
Qi Jin's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"Really." Shi Ye nodded. "Everyone makes mistakes."
Qi Jin smiled, this time a genuine smile, his eyes sparkling like stars: "Thank you."
Shi Ye felt embarrassed by her gaze, stood up, patted his bottom, and said, "I'm going to take a shower; I'm all sweaty."
“The guest rooms have bathrooms.” Qi Jin also stood up. “If you need a change of clothes, there are some in the closet.”
Shi Ye nodded and walked towards the elevator. After taking a few steps, she turned back: "Qi Jin."
"Um?"
"Um... thank you for teaching me fencing," Shi Ye said. "Although I'm pretty bad at it, I... have a lot of fun."
Qi Jin looked at her, a smile playing on his lips: "I'm happy too."
Shi Ye ran into the elevator as if fleeing and pressed the floor button. The moment the elevator doors closed, she saw Qi Jin still standing there, watching the direction she had left in.
Back in the guest room, Shi Ye rushed into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face.
"Calm down! Calm down!" she said to herself in the mirror. "It's just a normal interaction between friends! It's just teaching fencing! Don't overthink it!"
The person in the mirror had a flushed face; it was unclear whether it was from exercise or something else.
She took off her clothes to shower, and as the hot water cascaded down, the images from earlier kept replaying in her mind—the warmth of Qi Jin's hand on her wrist, the way Qi Jin dodged her attack, the expression on Qi Jin's face when he said, "It's so relaxing being with you..."
"Stop!" Shi Ye turned the water temperature down. "You can't think about it anymore!"
After showering, she changed into clean clothes and sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. Her phone vibrated; it was Lin Xiaoyu.
"Sister Shi! Good morning! How did you sleep at your senior's house? Did anything happen?"
Shi Ye rolled his eyes. What's going on in this kid's head?
"I slept well, nothing happened," she replied.
"Huh? Senior, are you really that passive?" Lin Xiaoyu sent a disappointed emoji. "What a great opportunity for two girls to be alone together in a room!"
Shi Ye: "...You should read fewer romance novels."
"Life without reading novels is so boring!" Lin Xiaoyu replied instantly. "By the way, can I come see you this afternoon? I'll bring you that picture book~"
Shi Ye looked towards the doorway—she was practically under house arrest here; was she allowed to receive guests?
She messaged Qi Jin: "Xiaoyu wants to come this afternoon, is that okay?"
Qi Jin quickly replied: "Sure, but a security check is required. What time?"
Shi asked Lin Xiaoyu, then replied, "She said two points."
"Okay, I'll make the arrangements."
Shi Ye put down her phone and lay back down on the bed. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting thin streaks of light on the wall. She stared at that light, her mind completely blank.
“System,” she suddenly said, “in the original world, I had depression, right?”
"Yes. According to the pre-transmigration medical examination data, the host suffers from moderate depression and is currently taking medication."
"So it's normal that I don't feel any emotions right now?" Shi Ye asked. "I should have reacted to Qi Jin's words and actions, but I don't seem to feel anything."
The system was silent for a few seconds: "Emotional numbness is a common symptom of depression. However, according to physiological data monitoring, the host's heart rate, blood pressure, and dopamine levels all changed significantly when facing Qi Jin, indicating that a physiological response exists."
“A physiological reaction is a physiological reaction,” Shi Ye said. “If you don’t feel anything, you don’t feel anything.”
She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow. Qi Jin said he liked her; rationally she knew she should be touched, but her heart remained calm. Qi Jin protected her; rationally she knew she should be grateful, but her heart was utterly unmoved.
It's like watching a movie through a glass window; no matter how exciting the visuals are, they don't affect the person on the other side of the glass.
"That's good too," she muttered to herself. "At least I won't get hurt."
After an unknown amount of time, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Shi Ye sat up.
Qi Jin pushed the door open and came in, holding a tablet in his hand: "The analysis report on the bugging device is out. Do you want to see it?"
Shi Ye nodded. Qi Jin walked to the bedside, handed her the tablet, and sat down on the chair next to the bed.
The report was very detailed, including technical parameters, source analysis, and possible purchase channels. Shi Ye found it overwhelming and skipped straight to the end—Conclusion: The equipment is a product of a foreign military industrial enterprise, circulating on the black market; purchasers need special channels and substantial funds.
"So the other party is very rich and powerful," Shi Ye concluded.
"Yes." Qi Jin nodded. "And the target is clear—it's you."
"Why me?" Shi Ye couldn't understand. "I'm just an ordinary rich kid, nothing special."
Qi Jin looked at her, hesitant to speak.
"What do you know, don't you?" Shi Ye asked.
Qi Jin was silent for a moment, then said, "It might be related to the Qi family. You are my fiancée, so targeting you is targeting me."
"Then why not just target you directly?"
“Targeting me directly is too difficult,” Qi Jin said. “Qi Corporation has a very high level of security; the protection around me is even stricter than that of the president. But you are different; you had almost no protection before.”
Shi Ye understood. She was Qi Jin's weakness, the weakest link in the defense.
“So I’m the one who’s dragging you down,” she said.
“No.” Qi Jin shook his head. “I’m the one who dragged you down. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been involved.”
The two looked at each other and saw helplessness in each other's eyes.
"There's no use talking about this now." Shi Ye handed the tablet back to her. "The important thing is what to do next."
“I’ve increased security,” Qi Jin said. “Also, I’ve contacted your father; he’ll be over this afternoon.”
Shi Ye was taken aback: "My dad? What's he doing here?"
“Let’s discuss a plan,” Qi Jin said. “And… there are some things he should tell you.”
Shi Ye's heart skipped a beat: "What is it?"
"When he arrives, you can ask him yourself." Qi Jin stood up. "What do you want for lunch? I'll have the chef make it."
"Whatever," Shi Ye said. "I'm not picky."
Qi Jin walked to the door, then turned back: "Shi Ye".
"Um?"
“No matter what happens,” Qi Jin looked at her, “I will be by your side. This is true, not just polite talk.”
Shi Ye looked into her earnest eyes, and his heart skipped a beat. But soon, that familiar numbness returned.
"Okay." She nodded. "I understand."
After Qi Jin left, Shi Ye lay back down on the bed. She stared at the ceiling, trying to evoke some emotions—gratitude? Warmth? Even panic would do.
But there was nothing there.
It's like a stagnant pool; no matter how many stones you throw in, it won't cause a ripple.
“System,” she whispered, “am I destined to be like this forever?”
"Depression can be improved through treatment," the system replied, "but there are currently no effective treatments available in this world."
Shi Ye closed her eyes. So she would continue like this, living in a world without color or warmth. No matter how sincere Qi Jin's feelings were, she couldn't feel them. No matter how close the danger was, she couldn't feel any fear.
Like an observer, watching the drama of one's own life unfold scene by scene, yet unable to get involved.
After some time, the knocking on the door started again.
“Shi Ye,” Qi Jin’s voice came, “your father has arrived.”
Shi Ye sat up and took a deep breath. What's meant to come will come, and what's meant to be known will be known.
She opened the door and followed Qi Jin downstairs. In the living room, Shi Zhenghong sat on the sofa, his expression grave.
Upon seeing Shi Ye, he stood up: "Ye Ye, are you alright?"
"It's nothing." Shi Ye sat down opposite him. "Dad, Qi Jin said you have something to tell me?"
Shi Zhenghong glanced at Qi Jin, who nodded and stepped aside, leaving the space to the father and daughter.
“Ye-ye,” Shi Zhenghong began, his voice a little hoarse, “there are some things your father has never told you. About… your mother.”
Shi Ye was stunned. She knew that the original owner's mother had died of illness when she was ten years old.
“Your mother…” Shi Zhenghong clenched his fist, “…didn’t die of illness.”
Shi Ye's heart skipped a beat.
“She was murdered,” Shi Zhenghong said. “And the person who murdered her may now be… targeting you.”
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