I Can't Sleep Without My Dog

Ahem!

Boss Nie gave a light cough, his expression unreadable.

This kid had just promised not to let his daughter suffer even the slightest grievance, and now he was feeding her leftovers right in front of him?

The atmosphere at the dinner table grew tense.

A bead of cold sweat formed on An Yi’s forehead.

He had gotten so used to giving his unfinished food to Shen Muxuan that it had become second nature.

But now, with Nie Qinglan’s father and the others watching, this habit suddenly seemed… dangerous.

"Here, Qinglan, try this dish."

An Yi forced a smile and picked up a half-eaten spare rib from his plate with his chopsticks.

Nie Qinglan blushed, murmuring shyly, "Y-you bit this already..."

Under the watchful eyes of her father and that fox woman, her face only grew redder.

This guy! Everyone’s watching, and he’s being so intimate!

Seeing An Yi still holding out the chopsticks with a grin, Nie Qinglan tucked a strand of her short black hair behind her ear and took a small bite of the rib.

Hmm. Tasted the same as usual—just delivered by An Yi’s chopsticks this time.

"Aww, these young ones are making even an old lady like me blush!"

Shirley giggled before shooting Boss Nie a playful glare. "Look at them! You’ve never spoiled me like that, not even once. So unromantic!"

Boss Nie chuckled. "Haha, want me to feed you too?"

"Copying them? Can’t you come up with something original?"

Shirley rolled her eyes.

Boss Nie smirked. "Fine, tonight we’ll try something new then."

"You’re terrible!"

Shirley seemed to catch his meaning immediately, her beautiful face flushing crimson.

An Yi stole a glance.

No wonder the system rated her a 9.

That seductive charm, those wavy locks, those long legs—just a glance was enough to make a man feel invincible.

But alas, An Yi’s heart was as steady as a rock. Unshakable.

Nie Qinglan watched Shirley and her father flirting, her discomfort growing.

This woman is trouble!

She had warned her father countless times, but he wouldn’t listen. He was utterly bewitched, convinced this coquettish fox was some flawless angel!

Back then, Nie Qinglan had even dressed like a delinquent just to get his attention.

But to her dismay, her father was too far gone—too busy doting on her to care. He even let Nie Qinglan run wild without a word.

The thought made her chest tighten with frustration.

One day, I’ll make him see her for what she really is!

"Here, open up."

An Yi held out a peeled shrimp, his voice gentle.

Nie Qinglan looked at him, and some of her gloom faded.

At least she had him now. Sure, he was a flirt, unreliable, a liar, rough around the edges, and generally infuriating—but…

Wait, how did I even fall for this guy?!

An Yi glanced between Nie Qinglan and Shirley, sighing inwardly.

Even the rich have their struggles, huh.

Just then, Nie Qinglan picked up a sea cucumber.

After a moment’s thought, she took a bite herself before offering the other half to An Yi.

"Here, An Yi, say ‘ah~’."

An Yi: "..."

Boss Nie was a master of drinking games, and his toasts were relentless.

An Yi, young and reckless, treated bottles of hundred-thousand-dollar wine like soda, chugging them one after another—though his face suggested it tasted worse than medicine.

Shirley, uncorking another bottle, winced in secondhand pain.

What a waste, feeding this to a donkey!

Glasses clinked, laughter flowed—host and guest, both thoroughly entertained.

By the end, a thoroughly drunk An Yi was being half-carried by Nie Qinglan to his room.

"An Yi, you can sleep in Qinglan’s room tonight. Boss is open-minded, don’t worry~"

Shirley winked suggestively.

Nie Qinglan’s face burned.

As much as she hated Shirley, she had to admit—this move was perfect.

Tonight? With him?

Her blush spread all the way to her ears.

Well… it’s about time.

What kind of CEO of Yilan Corp stayed a virgin anyway?

An Yi’s expression shifted. He shook his head firmly.

"No, no, that’s not proper."

"Why not? Boss doesn’t mind," Shirley teased.

"Absolutely not. I’m a traditional man. If I love someone, it’s for life. I promised to take care of Qinglan—I won’t disrespect her like this."

His voice was resolute, almost moving himself.

"An Yi..."

Nie Qinglan’s eyes shimmered.

"Alright, get some rest."

He ruffled her hair tenderly.

Nie Qinglan nodded. "Then… goodnight."

As she walked away, Shirley smiled. "What a good man. We weren’t wrong about you."

"Wait, Shirley—where’s my dog?"

An Yi called after her.

Shirley blinked. "In the backyard. Why?"

An Yi frowned. "No good. He’s spoiled—can’t sleep without me."

Shirley tilted her head. "Really? The guards said he passed out after a pile of steaks. They carried him to the yard and he didn’t even stir."

Ahem.

"Well, I can’t sleep without him. You know how it is—dogs are the best sleep aids."

An Yi’s excuse was flimsy at best.

"...You need a dog to sleep?"

What kind of fetish is this?!

Bewildered but obliging, Shirley had Hongtian brought over.

The dog yawned, shooting An Yi a bleary-eyed glare.

This bastard, interrupting my beauty sleep again.

"See? He’s lethargic without me," An Yi insisted.

Hongtian trudged over, nuzzling An Yi’s leg with exaggerated affection—Fine, play along, you idiot.

"O...kay then. Goodnight."

Shirley forced a smile before leaving.

"Night!"

An Yi practically dragged the sluggish Hongtian into the room by the leash.

BANG.

The door shut.

Outside, black-suited bodyguards stood at attention, vigilant.

"An Yi’s in the room?"

Boss Nie’s voice crackled through their earpieces.

Shirley whispered, "Just went in."

"Keep watching."

The line went dead.

Inside, An Yi swayed drunkenly—but his eyes were sharp, scanning every corner.

Five guards outside—two Dark Force practitioners, three Bright Force. One pinhole camera in the room, hidden near the wardrobe. No bugs.

That last part surprised him. Then again, what was there to eavesdrop on? A man and his dog?

He tossed a spirit core. Hongtian caught it mid-air, swallowing it whole.

A red glow flashed—the already muscular dog grew bulkier, his features turning fiercer.

"Few more of those, and I might regain mind-reading. Helpful for you too," Hongtian tempted.

"Dream on. We’ve got work to do."

An Yi flopped onto the bed, blocking the camera’s view as faint light gathered in his palm.

Skill: Forgery!