143: Hein's hesitation

Lance entered the room, choosing to stand a distance away from Hain.

How should he put it? Despite Hain's gentle appearance, he was indeed a high-ranking noble and an S-rank. For some reason, Lance would rather face the arrogant Kong Jiamu.

Tu Nan coughed twice.

"It's like this. Kong Jiamu asked me to take care of his comrade's widow, who is a Foster Mother. I was just discussing with Hain about moving back to your place."

"Our company has a lot going on too, so it's more convenient to live on our own."

But shouldn't you be waiting for Kong Jiamu to return? Lance glanced at Tu Nan, confused. But Tu Nan was the expert in these matters.

Previous events had taught her to keep her mouth shut.

"Hain has agreed." Tu Nan passed the conversation over to Hain.

"There are conditions." Hain corrected her, his gaze sweeping over Lance.

"Pearl is willing to trust you, so fine, I will respect her opinion." He set the tone for the matter.

"But I am not at ease."

Hain's gaze eventually settled on Green Fox.

"Hain..." Tu Nan thought he was going to back out, but Hain gave her a look that told her to stay calm.

"So, I've decided to give the next commission to 'Green Fox'." His tone was steady and unhurried.

"Everything will follow your process. My requirement is that during this month, you must ensure Pearl's personal safety. I don't care what happened last time; in short, Pearl must not be injured again... do not let anyone harm her."

Tu Nan hadn't expected him to give such a commission. She increasingly hoped Kong Jiamu's starship would fly faster so she could escape from this entanglement.

Hain rested his clasped hands on the desk.

"But the collateral must be your dark web reputation points. If there's an accident, they will be reset to zero."

"What kind of commission is that! We won't take it!" Lance realized that Hain was actually this ruthless.

Reputation points reset to zero? Even if this mission wasn't difficult, the fact that Hain proposed such a condition made Lance angry.

An accident would mean all the accumulation the old man had built up in the dark web over many years would vanish, and he'd have to start from scratch.

Yi Xingye curled his lip. "Fine, as long as you can pay the price."

Neither of the two Male Beasts paid any mind to the protests of the Female Beasts beside them and finalized the deal.

***

Lance was unhappy and sent Yi Xingye to the guest room to help her pack, while she followed Tu Nan to the master bedroom instead.

"So annoying!" she complained while helping Tu Nan pack. "He's obsessed with money and just does whatever he wants."

Tu Nan wasn't in a position to join in and gave her an apologetic look.

While gathering the company documents and perfumes Tu Nan had brought back and tossing them into a bag, Lance didn't forget to explain.

"It's not about you, I'm scolding the old man. Sigh... occasionally he still acts like a Male Beast with a broken brain."

Tu Nan noticed that Lance placed Yi Xingye in a strange category... neither male nor female? No, it should be said that in Lance's eyes, Yi Xingye was an important person.

Therefore, she couldn't tolerate him being categorized within the general scope of Male Beasts.

Tu Nan still needed to observe more.

But speaking of Male Beasts, she did notice that Hain had been focusing on her too much lately.

Kong Jiamu was about to arrive home; Hain should be leaving by then, right?

Just thinking about the image of Hain standing behind Kong Jiamu and staring at her made Tu Nan's whole body go numb.

"Why are you still taking this medicine?" Lance picked up a medicine bottle from the table; inside was the anti-nausea pregnancy medication she had initially bought from outside.

"There are only a few left, I just take one occasionally when I see them." Tu Nan felt a bit embarrassed, as if she'd been caught red-handed by Lance.

"I told you this isn't as good as the one I formulated," Lance grumbled. "Honestly, just throw it away."

She saw the trash can in the corner and tossed the unlabeled medicine bottle across half the room.

"Hehe, nice aim." A small thing like that was enough to make Lance forget her previous annoyance.

It feels like this person only grew taller on the outside... Tu Nan patted her affectionately. No wonder she could play so well with Ao Ao and Miao Miao.

There wasn't much to pack, and before dark, the few of them were ready. Yi Xingye drove and waited for them at the main gate.

"Be good, and remember to send me your homework every day," Hain instructed the Two Children.

The two of them nodded obediently, appearing extremely well-behaved.

Hain's image as a strict teacher was firmly established in their minds.

"Let's go." Lance was eager to leave, grabbing the Children and rushing to the car, with Amy following anxiously. Tu Nan and Hain were left standing by the gate.

"Can you give me a video call every day? I need to ensure your safety," Hain asked Tu Nan.

Though that was the reason given, only he knew the specific purpose.

Tu Nan felt uncomfortable.

"...Is that necessary?" She was already pregnant, and going forward... she didn't want to be too entangled with Hain at this stage.

"Kong Jiamu is coming back soon, plus you've already given Yi Xingye that mission. It's really enough."

"I think Xiuyin Star is actually very safe; you don't really need to worry anymore."

Tu Nan was hinting that Hain could leave and set down his "responsibility" for her.

Hain simply said, "Aren't we friends? What's wrong with me worrying about you?"

He kept falling back on the friend status Tu Nan had mentioned.

"Or should I have Yi Xingye report the mission details to me every day? I am his employer, after all."

Hain's attitude... was subtle. His aggressiveness had increased.

It was impossible for Tu Nan to agree to the request of calling him every day after Kong Jiamu returned; that would certainly be difficult to do.

"I'll send you messages."

She compromised.

"Every day?"

"Every day."

The car carrying Tu Nan drove further and further away until it disappeared around a corner. Hain turned around, feeling a sense of loss.

With Tu Nan gone, even though Kong Jiamu's house remained as grand and elaborate as before, it suddenly seemed empty and lonely.

Thinking about what to do next, he walked toward the study.

Kong Jiamu should be arriving at the port soon. Should he tell him directly?

He had originally intended to admit his mistake to his close friend, take responsibility, and have Kong Jiamu give Tu Nan to him.

But now... Tu Nan's attitude was very clear. Even in small matters, she was unwilling to have her own will ignored.

That's right, Tu Nan wasn't an object; she shouldn't be transferred like that.

Then should he tell Kong Jiamu he wanted to compete fairly?

He thought of that video call.

Even though he was there at the time, Kong Jiamu's eyes almost never landed on him throughout the entire call. Instead, his every word was about "Pearl."

His tail was probably wagging so hard it was about to snap off, wasn't it? Hain sneered. Did he dare turn around and show everyone his backside?

A mess of trouble, and countless women!

Hain paused, realizing he was actually disparaging his friend in such an unseemly manner.

But at least Kong Jiamu had always been open and honest with his female companions... unlike him.

Everything from that night was a sin he could never speak aloud.

Hain's breathing quickened. He looked toward that bedroom... and walked over slowly. He pushed open the door, his footsteps silent, and approached the bedside.

His memory returned clearly to that night.

Tu Nan had her back to the window, back to him, lying on that large bed.

If he had been the person she was waiting for—if he had entered through the front door—

Would he have seen her smiling face, full of anticipation and longing?

The room still seemed to linger with her scent—very faint, but exceptionally enchanting.

He breathed deeply, confused and repentant.

Suddenly, his gaze froze on the trash can in the corner, where a small medicine bottle lay alone.

What was that?

Hain picked it up, clutching it tightly in his palm.