Chapter 55 – Wuu~

The next day, Jiang Que was awakened by a knock on the door.

He groggily emerged from the covers and peered outside to see the bedroom door slightly ajar. There was the sound of the door opening, followed by Shen Tazhi conversing with a stranger.

Must be the assistant delivering something?

Thinking so, Jiang Que got up, rubbing his eyes, and wearily went to freshen up in the bathroom.

As expected, when he finished washing up, the voices outside had disappeared, and Shen Tazhi was entering the bedroom with a familiar ointment bottle in hand.

“Was it the assistant who came just now?” Jiang Que wiped his damp tentacles and looked at the ointment bottle in Shen Tazhi’s hand.

“Yeah,” Shen Tazhi turned to close the door, “They came to deliver things and the investigation report from last night. They’ve already left.”

“Oh,” Jiang Que obediently sat on the bed, turned his back to Shen Tazhi, and raised his tentacle, asking, “Should we start applying the ointment now?”

As he raised it, the small tentacle that had been hidden underneath emerged.

Despite struggling all night to reach Shen Tazhi, the small tentacle suddenly stood up, happily waving its tender tip.

It wanted to touch, it wanted Shen Tazhi to touch it.

Shen Tazhi’s gaze hardened as he remembered last night’s events. After a few seconds, he slowly approached, unscrewed the ointment cap.

Dipping into the ointment, he started applying it from a small bump where Jiang Que’s tentacle hadn’t grown yet, and he mentioned the message the assistant had brought:

“Last night, the assistant investigated Sharp Adonis’ movements over the past month, focusing particularly on this week, but the results showed nothing unusual.”

“If there was anything suspicious, it was that a few days before Shen Liushi was imprisoned, he had met with Shen Liushi. This meeting was likely for the handover of the businesses under him. Shen Liushi gave him a stack of documents and property certificates, but by then, Shen Liushi was already under police control. All the information provided had been officially reviewed, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“Xiao Que, what do you think?”

“Hmm?”

The cool ointment felt soothing on his back. Jiang Que relaxed in Shen Tazhi’s embrace, and with a sticky sound, he honestly replied, “I don’t know. I don’t understand these complex human processes. I haven’t seen Sharp either. Take me to see him tonight, and I should be able to tell.”

“If Sharp really has any bad intentions, wouldn’t it be a bit late to find out then?” Jiang Que pondered.

Shen Tazhi thought for a moment, “It wouldn’t be too late. Whenever we find out about Sharp’s intentions in advance, I’ll be prepared.”

As long as Shen Tazhi’s main tasks weren’t delayed, that was fine.

Jiang Que decided to go and check Sharp’s room later today to see what he was really up to.

He hesitated for a moment, thinking about whether to tell Shen Tazhi about the resentful gaze he had felt at the amusement park yesterday. He wasn’t entirely sure, as he could generally sense human emotions and thoughts but wasn’t particularly sensitive to gazes. However, the malicious intent behind that gaze was just too strong.

Maybe it was better to forget about it? If it turned out to be a misunderstanding, it would only unnecessarily worry Shen Tazhi. He could check on Sharp in the evening and then inform Shen Tazhi if needed.

With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Que continued to relax in Shen Tazhi’s embrace like a cat loaf.

His tentacles gradually softened as Shen Tazhi applied the ointment, either resting gently on Shen Tazhi’s body or scattered on the bed. If they could make sounds, they would surely be emitting contented little purrs by now.

Only the small gray tentacle that had recently grown out remained standing erect, anxiously waiting for Shen Tazhi to touch it, almost spinning in place with impatience.

Shen Tazhi slowly finished applying the ointment to the last bump where a tentacle hadn’t grown yet and hesitantly reached out to the eager little tentacle.

Dipping his fingertip into a bit of ointment, he tentatively touched it and asked, “Is this okay?”

Although it was just a light touch, it felt magnified on the delicate and sensitive tentacle. Jiang Que let out a soft sound, intending to give up, but the small tentacle angrily tapped his back.

Jiang Que: …Annoying and rude new tentacle.

He buried his face in the covers and muffled, “Fine.”

Shen Tazhi then covered the area with his hand, gently applying the ointment to the small tentacle and its base, just like applying it to any other area. The texture of the new tentacle was different from the others, smooth and soft, and it eagerly burrowed into his hand, despite being only half a palm-sized, making the movement incredibly adorable.

Unable to resist, Shen Tazhi lightly squeezed the soft new tentacle.

Oh.

Jiang Que clenched the covers tightly.

The tingling sensation behind him almost spread throughout his body, and he could vividly feel every place Shen Tazhi’s fingers touched.

He even went as far as touching the base of his tentacles… perverted.

After the warm palm came the cool sensation from the ointment, the dual stimulation made Jiang Que shiver involuntarily several times, almost shedding tears from the intensity.

It was more stimulating than touching the tentacles last night… it felt like he was being touched to the core.

“Xiao Que? It’s all done.”

Shen Tazhi’s voice came through, but the unsettling sensation at the back didn’t dissipate.

Maintaining the gesture of covering his face with the blanket, Jiang Que silently curled up, rolling out of Shen Tazhi’s embrace to calm down the overwhelming sensation on his own.

Finally, the mischievous little tentacle calmed down, feeling dizzy from Shen Tazhi’s touch, and blissfully flopped onto Jiang Que’s back.

So comfortable, so enjoyable.

“What’s wrong?”

His peculiar reaction naturally caught Shen Tazhi’s attention. He leaned forward, trying to lift the blanket Jiang Que was wrapped in.

Initially wanting to stop him, Jiang Que’s hands had softened, and he was unable to hold on. Shen Tazhi pulled the blanket away, and Jiang Que, tears welling up, looked at Shen Tazhi, “Let me be alone for a moment.”

Saying this, he pulled back his blanket, snuggled back in, and muffled an explanation, “That tentacle insisted you touch it, but it felt… too strange when you did. Don’t look at me, it’s embarrassing.”

From uncovering the blanket, Shen Tazhi fell silent, stunned for a moment before slowly recovering from the impact of Jiang Que’s tearful outburst.

“…Not embarrassing, very beautiful,” Shen Tazhi said softly.

It was a beauty transcending gender, Jiang Que’s delicate features, not quite human, should have been so beautiful as to seem ethereal and hollow. Yet, with his tear-streaked face, it was as if a hollow sculpture had suddenly gained a soul, stunningly beautiful and heart-wrenching.

This was why Shen Tazhi always found it difficult to handle a crying Jiang Que. No one could maintain a steady heartbeat when faced with tears on such a countenance.

Jiang Que wasn’t quite satisfied with that response. He sniffed and curled up tighter.

Whether being praised as beautiful or cute, he didn’t want those kinds of compliments. He wanted to be recognized for his fierceness and strength.

But this was Shen Tazhi’s way of complimenting, unable to resist his whimsical beauty.

Thinking this, Jiang Que forgave Shen Tazhi for the somewhat unsatisfactory response.

He tried to calm down his strange reactions, mumbling, “You’d better just think I’m beautiful.”

Shen Tazhi’s patient voice came from behind, “Hmm, I’ll just think you’re beautiful.”

Satisfied, Jiang Que rolled back into Shen Tazhi’s embrace.

.

After the chaotic application of ointment, it was already past nine in the morning.

The hotel’s breakfast buffet was still ongoing, but Jiang Que no longer wanted to eat there. Moreover, the picky Sharp definitely wouldn’t enjoy the hotel’s breakfast buffet either, so there was no chance of an encounter. Instead, they decided to have breakfast at an outside cafe.

In the breakfast cafe.

Jiang Que, with his small backpack, sipped his chilled mung bean soup, observing an elderly person with grey hair slowly eating steamed buns nearby, suddenly remarked, “She doesn’t have money to pay for breakfast.”

“Hmm?” Shen Tazhi turned in confusion to look at the person Jiang Que was referring to.

The elderly person had white hair and was dressed in slightly worn cotton linen clothing. At first glance, he appeared to be a meticulous individual. Shen Tazhi asked Jiang Que, “How did you figure that out?”

Nonchalantly eating his pan-fried dumplings, Jiang Que replied, “She looks guilty, keeps touching her empty pockets, definitely doesn’t have money.”

Shen Tazhi glanced back, unable to discern any guilt on the elderly person’s face. However, considering Jiang Que’s unique talents, he didn’t dwell on the issue. He withdrew his gaze before the elderly person noticed anything amiss.

“Why bring this up suddenly? Are you thinking of paying for her?” Shen Tazhi inquired.

Jiang Que shook his head, “No, I’m just curious. In human society, everything requires money. If she doesn’t have any, how will it end after she finishes her breakfast?”

He wasn’t feeling sorry for the elderly person. In the end, he was still a monster with little empathy. He was only willing to understand the true nature of humans because of his fondness for Shen Tazhi.

Jiang Que’s current curiosity led him to be more interested in understanding human affairs that he had never cared about before.

Shen Tazhi choked a bit.

Just as he was contemplating whether to go find the shop owner in advance to pay for the elderly person’s meal, allowing the owner to waive the bill and creating a beautiful story for Jiang Que, the elderly person finished her meal.

She diligently cleaned up her utensils, took them to the kitchen, bowed to the plump female shop owner, said a few words, and then left.

“Huh?” Jiang Que voiced his confusion.

At that moment, the female shop owner emerged to deliver some food. Jiang Que seized the opportunity to observe her expression. After five or six seconds, she turned back in disbelief.

“She’s been comping meals for that person for a whole week.”

“Hmm?” Shen Tazhi, now intrigued, asked, “Why?”

Furrowing his brow, Jiang Que recounted the emotions he observed, “Out of pity. The elderly person’s son exhausted his savings trying to fight for a bankrupt property, and not long after, he disappeared with a sum of money. She’s been spending money to search for him, and now she has no money and nowhere to stay, living in a difficult situation.”

“A bankrupt property… Are you talking about the unfinished building?” Shen Tazhi listened to Jiang Que’s jumbled description and pondered before asking.

As he blurted out “unfinished building,” Shen Tazhi’s eyebrows jumped suddenly.

If he remembered correctly, that idiot Shen Liushi had invested in a project that ended in bankruptcy. He had planned to clean up the mess after fully taking over. Could it be just a coincidence…

“Yeah, yeah,” Jiang Que, unaware of Shen Tazhi’s strange expression, nodded, “That’s what I mean.”

He sighed, “Although it’s just a small amount of money, the shop owner is still grumpy and likes to scold people, but she’s also a good person, right?”

How was he able to discern so much from human emotions?

Shen Tazhi really wanted to ask Jiang Que this.

However, since this was Jiang Que’s own talent, even if he explained, Shen Tazhi probably wouldn’t understand. So, he didn’t pursue the question further and simply remarked, “Yeah, she’s a good person.”

In comparison, the human who was most likely responsible for the “unfinished building” could be considered a bad person.

Of course, Shen Tazhi wouldn’t voice that thought.

After breakfast, Shen Tazhi took Jiang Que back to the hotel to rest.

If it were a usual day, at this time Jiang Que would be reading novels while waiting for news about Du Lulu’s class. But since he was out having fun, there was no need to continue attending classes, so he decided to stay in the bedroom and continue reading his novel.

He had already finished reading “Rebirth of the Divine Doctor”, where the protagonist Jiang Lingyun leveled up from the Moon Continent to the Divine Realm, gaining numerous subordinates and partners along the way, eventually becoming the main god and ending up with the male lead. Now, he was reading “Grand Marriage: Young Master Ye Spoils His Wife Too Ostentatiously”.

【He, Ye Tingfeng, a formidable figure in the capital, charming and aloof, indifferent to women, feared by all as the head of the Ye family.

She, Gu Mianmian, resilient and kind, had to work multiple jobs to take care of her seriously ill sister.

By chance, she mistakenly entered the drugged Ye Tingfeng’s room after getting drunk.

A night of passion ensued, and upon awakening, she fled in confusion, accidentally leaving behind the jade Buddha necklace her mother had given her.

The next day, Ye Shao announced a city-wide search for a wife, with the token being the jade Buddha necklace. Only the rightful owner would be chosen.

She ran, he pursued, but little did they know a hidden destiny was forming…

Ye Tingfeng: Woman, are you satisfied with this grand marriage?

Gu Mianmian: Sorry, Ye Shao, we’re not acquainted.】

After reading the summary, Jiang Que glanced at Shen Tazhi.

Shen Tazhi: ?

He asked, “What’s wrong?”

Why was he giving him such a strange look all of a sudden?

Jiang Que asked, “If you’re not Ye Bingli, could you be the real-life Ye Tingfeng? Have you also encountered a service worker with a seriously ill sister?”

Shen Tazhi: …

“No, I haven’t, and I don’t usually chat with service workers about their family situations,” Shen Tazhi replied with difficulty, “Xiao Que, novels and reality are different.”

Jiang Que sighed, disappointedly saying, “So, you can’t make a city-wide announcement for a grand marriage?”

Shen Tazhi: “…If you want to, it’s not entirely impossible.”

It was a bit embarrassing, but better than a “Glorious Return”.

Shen Tazhi remembered the bodyguard he had hired and the hefty confidentiality fee he had paid to dispel Jiang Que’s idea of a “Glorious Return”, as well as the ambiguous look Chief Wu had given him later. He could only be grateful for the trustworthy confidentiality of the Anomaly Investigation Department.

Otherwise, the Shen Group might end up trending in a peculiar way.

“In that case, I’ll consider it.”

Jiang Que lowered his head to continue reading his novel, while Shen Tazhi stood by, lost in thought. He began contemplating how to arrange things if Jiang Que truly decided to impulsively pursue a “Grand Marriage”, then proceeded to prepare the necessary documents for the negotiations later that evening.

With the sun blazing at midday in summer, Jiang Que didn’t feel like going out for lunch. Shen Tazhi simply had the hotel send up their lunch.

The hotel had been reserved for a private event since the afternoon, and in the morning, they had been busy with early preparations, checking out guests, and handling compensations. As a result, the staff was stretched thin. The person delivering lunch was the same peculiar waiter from the buffet restaurant that Jiang Que had seen last time.

Glancing at the waiter pushing the food cart, Jiang Que noticed the lingering malice and resentment. After the waiter left, Jiang Que mentioned this to Shen Tazhi.

Upon hearing this, Shen Tazhi wore a pensive expression and said, “I’ll ask the hotel manager for his employee number. Just in case, it’s best not to have him present during tonight’s negotiations.”

Jiang Que, not bothering to understand human customs, replied, “If you think the arrangement is appropriate, then it’s fine.”

Shen Tazhi smiled, ruffled his hair, and praised his capabilities. Jiang Que readily accepted the compliment without any sense of guilt.

He was indeed quite talented.

The afternoon passed by while immersed in novels.

As Jiang Que read about Ye Tingfeng in the novel, at times wanted by the whole city, at other times showing jealousy and intimacy, extravagant weddings, runaway brides, and buying whole streets, he couldn’t help but gaze at Shen Tazhi with admiration.

“So, you can be as cool as Ye Tingfeng?” he asked.

Shen Tazhi, already regretting showing Jiang Que this novel, fell silent for a moment before saying, “In theory, it’s possible.”

Jiang Que was delighted by his response. He didn’t find the protagonist in the novel exaggerated at all, but rather thought the idea of asserting dominance over the city was really cool. So he said, “I want to do that too, Shen Tazhi.”

Shen Tazhi hesitated before replying, “…Okay.”

For now, he agreed, but perhaps Jiang Que would forget about it after reading other novels and move on to something else.

Unbeknownst to them, night had fallen. Shen Tazhi began preparing to head to the rooftop revolving restaurant, while Jiang Que started packing away his small tentacles into his backpack.

The other tentacles had adapted well, having been squeezed into the backpack numerous times before. However, the newly grown tentacle from last night was not pleased at all.

If it were a usual day, at this time, Jiang Que would probably be reading novels while waiting for messages about Du Lulu’s classes. But since he was out having fun, there was no need to continue with classes, so he decided to stay in the bedroom and continue reading his novel.

This morning during breakfast, it had already experienced the discomfort of being squeezed inside the backpack. It didn’t like it one bit, sob.

However, when it came to matters that could lead to exposure, Jiang Que wouldn’t give in. He completely ignored the weak resistance of the small tentacle and forcefully shoved it inside, then happily held Shen Tazhi’s hand and sat in the elevator heading to the twenty-eighth floor.

After spending the entire afternoon reading novels, Jiang Que looked at the elevator and suddenly asked, “By the way, Shen Tazhi, in the novels, the presidents conduct business in skyscraper offices, high-end teahouses, and luxury residences. Why did you agree for Sharp to negotiate here?”

Shen Tazhi felt a bit embarrassed at Jiang Que’s mention of “presidents” and then explained, “Because Sharp Adonis is a bit… well, peculiar. He’s a friend Shen Liushi met while studying abroad, and he comes from a powerful and influential family abroad. I’m not sure why he suddenly decided to return to help Shen Liushi with this mess. I just want to retrieve Shen Liushi’s belongings from him and don’t want to make enemies with him. It’s fine to go along with his ideas on some minor matters.”

Shen Tazhi furrowed his brow strangely and continued, “I’m still puzzled as to why someone like Sharp, a young master, would be willing to go to such lengths for Shen Liushi, who has a picky and aloof personality.”

As they spoke, the elevator arrived at the twenty-eighth floor, and the service staff was already waiting outside to guide them.

Jiang Que tiptoed and whispered softly in Shen Tazhi’s ear, “Don’t worry, I’ll observe him for you.”

The nearby service staff watched the scene of the high school student with a backpack and the suit-clad Shen Tazhi whispering to each other, feeling a bit surprised by the extravagance of the wealthy, but professionally maintained their facial expression. They led Shen Tazhi and Jiang Que towards the revolving restaurant.

Due to the booking, the checkpoint outside the revolving restaurant for card verification and payment had been removed. Jiang Que almost immediately saw a man standing nearby holding a champagne glass as soon as he exited the elevator.

He had short golden hair, a high nose bridge, and deep features, a typical foreign appearance.

Clearly, this was Sharp Adonis.

Jiang Que had determined the man’s identity and began to carefully observe his expression.

He thought he wouldn’t be able to see clearly from this distance, but to his surprise, Sharp actually looked directly back at him, as if he had been prepared for this eye contact.

Caught off guard by the direct gaze, Jiang Que was startled and then began to analyze the man’s emotions on behalf of Shen Tazhi.

…Huh?

Excitement, surprise, and malice? Why were these mixed emotions present?

No, Sharp seemed surprised and excited because he saw him, but they shouldn’t know each other, right? Why was he so excited?

Who was that malice directed at?

It could only be aimed at Shen Tazhi.

In the moment of realizing this, Jiang Que once again felt the same malicious gaze he had experienced at the amusement park. He didn’t have time to carefully analyze what Sharp’s emotions truly meant. He grabbed Shen Tazhi, saying, “Wait a minute!”

Following his words, Shen Tazhi stopped in his tracks. At that moment, Jiang Que felt a strong gust of wind pass behind him.

Before he could react, he felt a force pulling at him from behind. His backpack was violently yanked, causing Jiang Que to lose his balance and crash to the ground, accompanied by the sound of a shattering bottle.

A voice from behind sounded in panic, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I was delivering wine to Mr. Sharp and didn’t notice you. Are you okay?”

Jiang Que looked down to see the shattered bottle on the ground, with his torn backpack scattered around it, now completely soaked.

Wait a minute.

His backpack?

Jiang Que frantically reached behind him, only to find his tentacles in a panic, searching for a place to hide.

His mind went blank.

His tentacles were exposed.