Words as Fierce as Tigers and Wolves
Qu Xiu couldn’t take his eyes off the cub, and He Zhouyan felt a subtle surge of anger rise in his heart.
With a cold expression, he said, “What are you doing here?”
Afraid of scaring the cub, Qu Xiu didn’t get too close when he sat down beside him. Instead, he stared intently at the cub and replied without even looking up, “You’re so two-faced. You said you weren’t interested in the cub, and now you’ve secretly become his guardian behind my back!”
The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt. He remembered how he had secretly submitted his application to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs to become a guardian demon, only to be eliminated in the first round for being “too frivolous.”
He was a Pi Xiu, after all—a revered mythical beast once worshiped by thousands and one of the divine guardians of the Central Plains. Yet, he hadn’t even made it to the final selection. Meanwhile, the one who seemed least likely to be chosen—Bai Ze—had somehow quietly landed the role.
What’s worse, he hadn’t known a thing about it until the demon race’s public opinion exploded. Though many demons were against Bai Ze’s appointment, power spoke louder than gossip in their world—status was everything, and public pressure meant nothing.
Qu Xiu only grew more bitter the more he thought about it, blurting out, “Showing off in the demon race wasn’t enough for you? Now you’re flaunting it here in human society too!”
That accusation wasn’t completely baseless. The news had first leaked from a young demon who’d evolved from a German Shepherd. As just a low-ranking officer with no real standing in the demon race, he wouldn’t have dared spread the news unless he had Bai Ze’s permission.
He Zhouyan didn’t respond to Qu Xiu’s later accusations—after all, his motive for bringing the cub to the company was to show him off. But he couldn’t just ignore the earlier comment.
He started radiating a frigid aura toward the fearless Pi Xiu.
Lu Congxing watched the two curiously. He hadn’t expected there to be a demon who wasn’t afraid of Bai Ze.
Qu Xiu: …Suddenly feeling a chill.
Still trying to stay strong, Qu Xiu edged a little closer to the cub again. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, the secretary’s knock interrupted him.
She entered with two pieces of cake and some milk—only to walk into a tense standoff.
Well, to be precise, the tension was between the president and the vice president. It was icy cold.
She hesitated for a moment before Qu Xiu quickly took the snacks from her hands.
She could only watch helplessly as Qu Xiu, all smiles and enthusiasm, hurried to the boy and proudly offered the cake.
Oh no, she thought, we all misunderstood this situation.
Things had turned out completely differently from what people had been guessing in the office group chat. It was now obvious—the jealous ones weren’t fighting with the boy; rather, the vice president and the president were fighting with each other.
This kind of drama was too juicy not to share, even if it meant risking overtime.
She was about to head out and update the group chat when she heard a polite “Thank you.”
She looked up to see the boy giving her a soft-eyed smile.
Suddenly, her whole day felt recharged. Smiling, she replied, “You’re welcome,” and practically skipped out of the room.
Lu Congxing also thanked Qu Xiu.
Qu Xiu beamed. “No problem! Want to give me a pat?”
“Pat you?” Lu Congxing blinked in surprise, eyes wide, his hand shaking slightly as he held the cake.
Crack—
From He Zhouyan’s desk came the sound of something breaking. The man, expressionless, tossed a rather expensive-looking pen aside and pulled out another one, gripping it tightly. His narrowed eyes were full of warning.
But Qu Xiu had been friends with Bai Ze for over a thousand years and had developed some resistance to his oppressive aura. Besides, with the cub right next to him, He Zhouyan had to restrain himself to avoid harming the cub.
So even though sweat started beading on his forehead, Qu Xiu kept his charming smile as he explained to the cub, “My true form is a Pi Xiu—I attract wealth and treasure. Since you’re running an agency now, just give me a pat and clients will start pouring in.”
The news that the cub had opened an agency had already spread throughout the demon race. As a businessman, Qu Xiu had instantly latched onto what the cub cared about most.
Sure enough, hesitation appeared on Lu Congxing’s face.
He really wanted his business to thrive, but… randomly touching someone like that just felt weird. In the end, he shook his head and politely declined.
Thanks to that, He Zhouyan’s new pen was spared. He was watching like a hawk, ready to throw Qu Xiu out the moment he overstepped.
Most demons were drawn to Lu Congxing’s pure spiritual energy—except for the evil ones who cultivated by consuming humans. No ordinary demon could resist the urge to secretly absorb the cub’s spiritual energy. Some who lacked self-control even acted out, like rushing forward and trying to hug the cub on the spot.
When the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs first brought the cub back, there had been several such incidents. Some demons even stood outside his residence every day like stone statues, waiting from dawn till dusk just to catch a glimpse of him—and swarmed him the moment he stepped out.
Things only started to improve once the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs implemented new regulations. One of the rules stated that if anyone was reported for exhibiting excessive, inappropriate, or overly intimate behavior toward the cub—even something as seemingly minor as impulsively touching their hand or pinching their cheek—once confirmed, that person would be permanently banned from living in the same city as the cub.
It was a harsh rule, so harsh that to this day, no demon has dared challenge the Bureau’s authority by sneaking around to fawn over the cub. That said, if they happened to run into the cub inside the Bureau, the cub usually didn’t mind the occasional cute, fluffy demon getting close for a quick cuddle.
Right now, He Zhouyan was planning to report Qu Xiu for “crossing the line.” Ideally, he wanted Qu Xiu as far away from the cub as possible.
Unfortunately, Qu Xiu was also a divine beast and knew all too well about Bai Ze’s possessive nature. He made sure to keep a perfectly safe distance from the cub at all times.
His words were lighthearted and funny, making the cub laugh and relax noticeably.
He Zhouyan’s displeasure was about to reach its peak. He waited until the cub had finished the entire slice of cake before beckoning gently.
Lu Congxing immediately stood up and walked over obediently, looking as well-behaved as ever.
He Zhouyan casually reached out and brushed his fingers lightly past the corner of the cub’s eye, leaving his scent behind with ease before saying, “Could you help me take this document up to the third floor?”
Lu Congxing’s eyes lit up. He had been worried he wouldn’t be of any help, so he happily nodded, took the file, and walked out.
The moment the cub left the room, the atmosphere turned cold and serious.
Qu Xiu’s face, which had carried a teasing smile just seconds before, went completely blank. Once he confirmed the cub had taken the elevator and couldn’t hear them, his expression turned sharp and his pupils flashed gold.
He paused for two seconds, a storm brewing in his eyes. “Are you serious?”
They’d known each other for over a thousand years. He couldn’t believe He Zhouyan would apply to be a guardian demon purely out of protective instinct. That kind of thing might be possible for other demons—but not for He Zhouyan.
Not to mention, the possessiveness in the man’s eyes was enough to make anyone shiver.
He Zhouyan nodded casually, but only he understood the true weight behind that gesture.
He was never one to run from his feelings.
Qu Xiu’s spiritual energy stirred in response to his emotions, and behind him, an illusion of a fierce Pi Xiu materialized—its massive, razor-sharp claws pointing directly at He Zhouyan’s forehead.
But He Zhouyan didn’t even look up, focused entirely on reviewing documents.
After a few tense minutes, Qu Xiu gave in with a sigh. Emotionally and logically, he knew he had no grounds to stop his friend—especially when this was rarer than a tree blooming in winter.
All he could do was issue a warning: “Just don’t let the Bureau find out.”
Otherwise, those great demons would be furious. He wasn’t the least bit worried that He Zhouyan might hurt the cub—after seeing how the two interacted, he already knew how it would end. Besides, who could bear to be cruel to the cub?
If he were the guardian demon, he’d spoil the cub to the heavens too.
With that, Qu Xiu turned and walked out of the office.
. . . . .
Thanks to He Zhouyan’s careful arrangements, there was no chance Lu Congxing would run into trouble. The moment he stepped out of the elevator on the lower floor, the department manager was already waiting at the doors.
As soon as the department manager saw him carrying the folder, his face lit up with a beaming smile and he rushed over to take it, as if afraid the weight of the papers might hurt his small body.
Lu Congxing looked at the folder—only a few thin sheets inside—and felt a little embarrassed.
So, he stepped further into the office and offered enthusiastically, “Do you have anything that needs to be taken upstairs? I can help.”
He happened to be standing right outside the break room, where a group of female employees were making coffee and excitedly gossiping about what had happened earlier that morning.
The manager’s heart skipped a beat.
He was a tough guy who’d spent years reading melodramatic web novels, so his mind immediately filled with dramatic scenes.
Scenes like a president bringing his partner to work, only for the partner to overhear people gossiping in the break room. Things like: “Ha, you can tell he’s just a gold-digger climbing the ladder.” Then the partner gets heartbroken, the president flies into a rage, fires everyone involved—dragging the manager down with them—and finally, with an overwhelming display of boyfriend energy, pulls his partner into his arms and comforts him.
But it was too late to stop anything now. Lu Congxing had already heard the wild conversation happening inside.
Female Colleague A: “Suddenly I understand why the president’s been so lazy lately. With a cutie like that around, who’d want to work?”
Female Colleague B: “I’d be down for nightly fun too.”
Female Colleague C: “The king no longer attends morning court.”
Female Colleague D: “If I were President He, I’d lock him in a room and never let anyone else see him. Hands that pretty shouldn’t be used for anything but holding—”
Sensing the conversation veering into dangerous territory, the manager quickly coughed loudly to interrupt them. The break room instantly fell silent.
When he turned around, he saw Lu Congxing frozen in shock. Internally, the manager lit a candle for himself.
Compared to the over-the-top drama he’d imagined, this situation felt way more terrifying.
Lu Congxing blinked with effort, his face flushed as he thought, It seems like we’ve been mistaken for a couple again.
Trying to smooth things over, the manager wiped his sweat and changed the subject: “I have a document I need help with. Would you mind giving me a hand?”
Only then did Lu Congxing slowly nod. “Okay.”
Back in the office, the baby-faced Lu Congxing’s cheeks were still red. With his fair complexion, the blush stood out clearly—especially to those who were paying close attention. There was even a hint of shyness in his expression.
He Zhouyan frowned slightly and moved closer, his tall figure leaning in.
“Are you feeling hot?”
He reached out to touch Lu Congxing’s forehead.
Lu Congxing blushed even harder and quickly shook his head. “N-no, I’m fine. The Air Conditioner is running strong.”
The entire office building was well air-conditioned—there was no way he could be feeling hot.
Because of the conversation he’d overheard, Lu Congxing was distracted for the rest of the day.
He Zhouyan clearly noticed the way the cub seemed to subtly distance himself. It annoyed him a little—but then again, he could also feel those occasional, secret glances coming his way.
He pretended not to notice and let the cub observe him, gradually calming down as well.
As a Bai Ze, he could hear the thoughts of others. Even though he found this ability noisy and had sealed it away, listening to the thoughts of a few ordinary humans was still an effortless task.
Soon, he understood the full situation through the inner voice of the third-floor manager.
With that, the cub’s reaction began to seem rather endearing in his eyes.
Like a hunter lying in wait, he said nothing and offered no guidance—he simply made sure to subtly show off his mature charm through the lines of his muscles whenever the cub snuck another glance.
Author’s Note:
Xing Zai: (sneaking a peek)
President He: (act like a peacock spreading its tail!)