The Little Succubus's Hypnosis Manual - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Coldness

“I… want to go back to the orphanage, Brother…”

Wei Shuyun was curious to see what was so special about the person Zhou Qiyue was hiding at home. He instructed the person tailing them to follow Xie Nanxing’s car all the way to the company building.

Just as the driver parked, Wei Shuyun blocked Xie Nanxing’s path and looked him up and down.

Xie Nanxing was in the prime of his youth at eighteen. Standing in front of him with a fresh, delicate face that looked like it could be pinched to release water, he wasn’t very tall, but his small face and good proportions made him look like a finely crafted porcelain doll.

Wei Shuyun was the same age as Zhou Qiyue, six or seven years older than Xie Nanxing. He scoffed lightly. “I didn’t expect Qiyue to like someone like you.”

“Hm?” Xie Nanxing tilted his head in confusion. After a moment, he realized what Wei Shuyun meant. Of course it meant Brother liked him!

He immediately gave a bashful smile, nearly causing Wei Shuyun to crush his molars in rage, forcing himself to regain some composure.

“Hmph. What good is being young? You’re just a little stray picked up from the trash who doesn’t even know who your parents are. Qiyue only likes you now because he pities you.”

Wei Shuyun lifted Xie Nanxing’s chin, looking down at him. “But you’re just dragging him down. You’re of no help to him whatsoever. Because of his older brother, no hospital in A City dares to collaborate with him. But if Qiyue were with me, we could solve all those problems effortlessly.”

Even if Xie Nanxing were slow, he understood what Wei Shuyun meant now.

He turned his face away, but Wei Shuyun’s fingers gripped his chin tightly, squeezing hard enough that the bones began to ache.

“Ge doesn’t like you,” Xie Nanxing said stubbornly, looking Wei Shuyun directly in the eye.

That line struck like a thunderclap, hitting Wei Shuyun square in the chest. He shoved Xie Nanxing’s face away. “You think you matter? Qiyue’s career is getting blocked at every turn. He’ll need me eventually.”

Jealousy, frustration, and rage surged up his throat, distorting his features. He jabbed a sharp finger at Xie Nanxing’s chest, his words laced with venomous curses.

“And you? You’ll just crawl back to whatever garbage heap you came from!”

Xie Nanxing stumbled backward.

Just then, an assistant came out of the company building and saw the scene. He quickly walked over to Xie Nanxing and said, “Young Master Xie, Mr. Zhou asked me to bring you upstairs.”

Wei Shuyun didn’t look at the assistant and turned away, wiping away imaginary tears from his face.

In no time, the assistant had taken Xie Nanxing into the building, while Wei Shuyun could only stand there watching them disappear.

“Book me the soonest ticket back to school,” he said. He had to hurry and finish his credits early to graduate ahead of time.

…

The assistant took Xie Nanxing up the executive elevator. Xie Nanxing looked around curiously, fascinated by everything.

Zhou Qiyue’s office was decorated just like the study at home—lined with bookshelves and display cabinets, exuding a cold and minimalist style that matched his personality.

But when Xie Nanxing entered, Zhou Qiyue’s expression visibly softened.

The assistant leaned in to whisper something in Zhou Qiyue’s ear. His brow immediately furrowed again as he looked toward Xie Nanxing, who merely smiled at him sheepishly.

“Gege… lunch,” Xie Nanxing said, holding up the lunchbox with both hands.

Zhou Qiyue waved his hand, signaling the assistant to leave. The door closed behind them.

Xie Nanxing ran over excitedly and opened the food containers one by one. Aunt Wu had shown him how before he left. He carefully laid all the dishes on the desk.

“There’s a chair over there—bring it over and sit. Did you eat lunch yet?”

The food had been packed in insulated containers, and the aroma was mouthwatering once opened. Aunt Wu’s home-cooked meals were better than anything from a fancy restaurant. That was why Zhou Qiyue had kept her employed for years.

Xie Nanxing dragged the chair over and sat beside Zhou Qiyue, shaking his head. “No… wanted to eat with Gege.”

“Alright.”

In the large office, the only sounds were the soft chewing and clinking of chopsticks. The peaceful atmosphere made Zhou Qiyue gradually relax.

When he finished eating, he stacked the containers and said to Xie Nanxing, “Once you’re done, let the driver take you home.”

But Xie Nanxing suddenly became restless. He grabbed Zhou Qiyue’s sleeve, eyes reddening with emotion. “Ge… the orphanage, send me back…”

Zhou Qiyue stared at him in disbelief. “You want me to send you back to the orphanage?”

Of course Xie Nanxing didn’t want to leave Zhou Qiyue. But Zhou Qiyue was a good person, and he didn’t want to drag him down.

He let go of Zhou Qiyue’s sleeve. He had seen all of Qiyue’s stress these days, and he knew he couldn’t help. In fact, he just kept causing trouble.

“…Yeah.” Xie Nanxing nodded, head bowed and not daring to look up again.

Zhou Qiyue slammed his hand on the desk. He knew that bastard Wei Shuyun had to be behind this.

He’d spent all this time teaching Xie Nanxing to read, running around to help him get an ID, and now the boy just wanted to leave after a few words from someone else?

He wanted to scold him—really scold him—but when he saw Xie Nanxing’s drooping eyes, all his anger evaporated.

“You let someone say a few words and you’re ready to run away from home. What next? Someone claims to be your long-lost family and you’d follow them too?”

“No—” Xie Nanxing panicked, stuttering so much he couldn’t get a full sentence out. “Not like that!”

“Then are you still going to the orphanage?” Zhou Qiyue asked, voice tight with anger.

Xie Nanxing stubbornly nodded. “Yes.”

“If you go back there, you’ll never be able to leave again. You’ll never see me again for the rest of your life.”

Zhou Qiyue was practically fuming. Normally so obedient, Xie Nanxing was stubborn now like a rock.

Xie Nanxing lowered his eyes. He had stored enough magic to survive three more months—but if Zhou Qiyue hadn’t saved him, he might not even have had those.

If he left now… maybe he really would never see his brother again.

Zhou Qiyue’s internal temperature rose and fell like a thermometer. He rubbed his temples.

Knock knock. The assistant called from outside. “Mr. Zhou, it’s time for the meeting.”

Zhou Qiyue sighed. “Go home with the driver. Don’t run off. If you do, I’ll lock you in the house and not let you out.”

“Ge!” Xie Nanxing shot up, but Zhou Qiyue vanished like a gust of wind.

The driver came upstairs to fetch him and safely took him home, even sending a video update to Zhou Qiyue.

As soon as Xie Nanxing arrived, Aunt Wu welcomed him warmly. But he looked so downcast, it was clear something was wrong.

She asked, but he said nothing. Later that afternoon, someone came to install a security camera in the living room.

When Zhou Qiyue returned that night, the atmosphere was even more awkward. Xie Nanxing waited at the door as usual, but Zhou Qiyue walked past him straight into the study.

There wasn’t a single word exchanged during dinner. Afterward, Zhou Qiyue finally said, “Come to the study.”

The tension in the study was unbearable. Xie Nanxing tried to ease it, saying, “Ge… I remembered everything from yesterday.”

“Oh,” Zhou Qiyue replied coldly. “If you want to go back to the orphanage, fine—but not until your ID is ready and you’ve learned how to read. I’ll take you myself.”

“…Okay.” Xie Nanxing agreed, but Zhou Qiyue’s expression didn’t change. He was stone-faced, saying nothing outside of their lesson.

Xie Nanxing felt like a thousand ants were crawling inside his heart, biting until he couldn’t breathe.

Instinctively, he reached for Zhou Qiyue’s sleeve for comfort—but Zhou Qiyue shook him off.

Desperate, Xie Nanxing triggered his hypnosis ability, trying to alter Qiyue’s perception, to make him act like he normally did.

Zhou Qiyue’s expression dulled, then he gently patted Xie Nanxing’s head. “Don’t try to act cute. Even being spoiled requires learning.”

“I’ll learn, I will.” Xie Nanxing, feeling the warmth of that hand, started studying seriously.

But less than fifteen minutes later, the hypnosis failed, and everything returned to how it was. Zhou Qiyue stared coldly at him again.

When they went back to the bedroom, Xie Nanxing rushed to lie on the right side of the bed, waiting.

But Zhou Qiyue opened the closet, pulled out a blanket, and said, “I’m sleeping in the guest room tonight.”

The sound of the door slamming echoed like thunder. Xie Nanxing was stunned for a long time before it sank in.

Was Zhou Qiyue really going to abandon him?

He curled up in bed, inhaling the faint sandalwood scent of the sheets, but his body felt like it had fallen into an icy cave.

The next morning, Zhou Qiyue left without a word, leaving Xie Nanxing alone at the door.

Aunt Wu grabbed him by the shoulders and made him sit on the sofa. “Tell Auntie—what happened?”

“Wuwuwu…” Xie Nanxing cried into her arms. “I’m… useless. I can’t help Ge… only… bother him…”

“Silly child.” Aunt Wu soothed him gently. “Who said you’re useless? Mr. Zhou may seem cold, but deep down, he’s the loneliest person I’ve ever met. You’re like a little sun to him. He won’t say it, but he can’t live without you.”

“Really?” Xie Nanxing’s lashes were still wet with tears.

“Really. And our Xingxing is so capable—you can cook, clean, do housework!”

Xie Nanxing nodded. “I’ll make something delicious! For Gege!”

“Do it!”

The camera light in the living room flashed red. Zhou Qiyue, now in the car, turned on the surveillance feed and saw the whole scene.

His heart softened. He knew Xie Nanxing was naïve, just spooked by a few words from someone else. But still, the thought of him wanting to leave made his bl00d boil.

The two figures on screen walked into the kitchen—where there was no camera feed. He couldn’t see anymore.

Zhou Qiyue slammed his palm against the steering wheel.

Damn it! Should’ve installed more cameras! You never realize how few you have until you need them!