The two of them found a nearby small restaurant, ordered three dishes and a soup, and enjoyed their meal while chatting. Halfway through their meal, Wen Jiahe, wearing a casual jacket and carrying a small box, hurriedly arrived.
"Xiao Rui," Wen Jiahe greeted Xiao Rui first, then smiled at Ye Zhizhou and extended her hand politely. "Hello, I'm Wen Jiahe. I have some skills in repairing paintings and calligraphy. Thank you for your trust."
Ye Zhizhou stood up and shook her hand, introducing himself as well. They both took their seats, and Xiao Rui added utensils for Wen Jiahe and ordered two more dishes, asking, "Which welfare institution did you visit this time? Your outfit looks quite shabby."
Wen Jiahe replied with a good-natured smile, adjusting his activewear and proudly showing a small painting on the side of his clothing. "Look here, the youngest child in the orphanage painted this for me. It's not bad, right?"
Xiao Rui chuckled and handed him a glass of water, along with a wet napkin. "You look silly. It's nice, it's nice. Let's eat."
Wen Jiahe accepted the napkin and wiped his hands, then leaned closer to Xiao Rui and asked, "What needs repairing? Show me."
"Stop it," Xiao Rui pushed him away with a somewhat disgusted expression. "Look at the environment; this is a place to eat, not to examine things. Don't risk contaminating the place with what you're fixing. Sit down and eat!"
Wen Jiahe felt a bit embarrassed, smiled apologetically, and obediently sat down to start eating.
[Scan complete, healthy body, no hidden illnesses. No abnormal brain energy fluctuations, signs of awakening in mental power. Recommended medicine: Calm Mind Pill.]
Ye Zhizhou glanced at the charming and likeable Wen Jiahe and couldn't help but feel puzzled. How could someone so kind-hearted and pleasant have been pursued with a knife in the original plot? Could it be that the protagonist used these tactics to get closer to softening Wen Jiahe's heart?
He couldn't help but take a closer look at Wen Jiahe's appearance and, with his head lowered, accessed the system's data. He continued to eat slowly while studying the relationship between Wen Jiahe and the protagonist.
They met at an appraisal event, became close friends when the protagonist opened a store in B City, and then Wen Jiahe learned about the protagonist's continuous support for impoverished students and donations to children in mountainous areas through a chance encounter. After that, they met several times at orphanage support events, and when the incident with the kitten occurred, the favor of saving a life turned Wen Jiahe's good impression into love.
The protagonist was indeed skilled at catering to Wen Jiahe's preferences and seizing opportunities.
Xiao Rui finished his dinner ahead of them and teased, "Xiao Ye, put your chopsticks down when you're full. Nobody's forcing you to finish everything; don't overstuff yourself."
Ye Zhizhou was startled, then realized he had been messing up his food. He quickly finished a few more bites, wiped his mouth, and asked, "Rui Ge, do you and Jiahe Ge often volunteer at the orphanage?"
Xiao Rui shook his head. "I'm swamped most of the time, so I can't say I go often. Jiahe Ge goes whenever he has the time. Why, are you interested in volunteering too?"
"I have a batch of toys on hand that I got for free, and I've been planning to donate them to an orphanage. But I'm not very familiar with the process...," he pretended to be embarrassed and looked at Wen Jiahe. "Jiahe Ge, do you know of any orphanages? I'm not sure about the donation procedures, and also, would toys be too impractical?"
"Not at all. Anything that can make the children happy is practical," Wen Jiahe's attitude towards him suddenly became even more enthusiastic, and he put down his chopsticks to take out his phone. "I do know some orphanages. How many toys do you have, and what types are they? There aren't many formal procedures for donations, but some paperwork needs to be done. Don't worry; I'll help you with that."
Ye Zhizhou grinned foolishly. "Not too many, just a whole warehouse. There are various types, such as dolls, toy trains, cars, puzzles, all kinds of balls, and some common kindergarten items like small slides." He had accumulated quite a collection of these items in his spatial storage in his previous worlds.
Xiao Rui's tea-drinking motion paused for a moment, and Wen Jiahe discreetly closed the contact number for the small orphanage that he had pulled up earlier. He opened a group chat on his messaging app, which was created for the convenience of various orphanages' contacts. He then smiled sincerely at Ye Zhizhou. "Xiao Ye, the children will be grateful to you."
"It's my pleasure," Ye Zhizhou continued to smile foolishly. Donating a warehouse full of toys in exchange for the happiness of the children and Wen Jiahe's friendship was definitely worth it.
"Are you happy?" came the chilling voice.
"I'm very happy," he nodded foolishly, then his neck stiffened, and he froze.
Gu Yi reached out and touched the back of his neck, threateningly pinching it. "Is this what you call being tired and wanting to rest at home? Tell me, when did you sneak out?"
Ye Zhizhou's face drooped, and he hung his head, honestly admitting, "I'm sorry, I couldn't sleep suddenly, so I thought I'd go out for a walk..."
"Going out for a walk required messing up the surveillance at home?"
"..." He miscalculated; he should have left the surveillance alone. It's all Xiao Rui's fault! What's the point of having dinner anyway? Otherwise, he would have been back home by now!
Ye Zhizhou tried to shift the blame discreetly and gave Xiao Rui a sly glare, refusing to admit that it was his own foolishness.
Xiao Rui was puzzled by the glare and turned to the frosty Gu Yi, greeting him enthusiastically, "You're Xiao Ye's partner, right? Hello, I'm Xiao Rui, a friend Xiao Ye just made. Have you had dinner? Join us."
Wen Jiahe also politely greeted Gu Yi.
Gu Yi tightened his grip on the back of Ye Zhizhou's neck, his cold aura growing stronger, and he pulled his lips into a stiff smile. He said coldly, "Hello, I'm Xiao Zhou's partner. Thank you for your hospitality, but it's getting late, and we need to head home. Goodbye." With that, he grabbed Ye Zhizhou and walked away, exuding an unpleasant atmosphere.
Ye Zhizhou smiled apologetically at them and followed his irate partner, who was steeped in jealousy.
Xiao Rui watched them walk away and scratched his ear. "Did I hear it right just now, 'partner'?"
Wen Jiahe opened his phone and tapped on the group chat for the orphanage. He nodded. "I heard the same thing."
"But aren't they both men..."
Wen Jiahe looked at him, very serious.
Xiao Rui shut his mouth, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and scratched his head. "Haha, I forgot you're also... ahem, Xiao Ye doesn't look very old, yet he's already found someone. Young people nowadays."
"You think everyone is like you, still single when they're so old." Wen Jiahe put away his phone, took out his notepad to jot down Ye Zhizhou's contact information and the details of the donation, and then picked up the small box. "Let's go to your place. I want to see the landscape painting."
"...Don't think I didn't hear you say I'm still single. We're all the same, and you have no right to make fun of me." Xiao Rui stood up to settle the bill, snatched the box from him, shook it, and rolled his eyes. "What treasures are you carrying that are so heavy? Come on, let's go. It's late, just stay at my place, and I'll make supper for you."
Wen Jiahe put his hands in his pockets and squinted, smiling. "Alright, but I don't want noodles; I want porridge."
"It's so hard to please you... Okay, okay, porridge it is. Good for your stomach. When we get home, I'll make it for you!"
[Wen Jiahe's chances of falling in love with the protagonist have dropped to 40%. Host, keep up the good work.]
Ye Zhizhou stared at the sudden system prompt, deep in thought. Did toys have such a big influence? Why had Wen Jiahe's chances of falling in love suddenly decreased? He didn't remember digging any pitfalls for the protagonist.
"Are you daydreaming again, itching for a spanking?"
His neck was pinched, and a warm breath rushed towards him. "Who are those two? How do you know them? You actually went out to eat with strangers. Aren't you afraid of being drugged and sold?"
Ye Zhizhou blinked, carefully observed his dark expression, and then cheekily leaned over, giving him a peck on the cheek. "I have you. You'll protect me."
Gu Yi was momentarily stunned, then hugged him close and patted his butt. "Stop saying nice things, be honest. What were you doing this afternoon? Are you hiding something from me?"
Ye Zhizhou, who had successfully diverted his attention, grinned and took out a small note. "Let's go check out this place; there's a mission target I haven't contacted yet."
Gu Yi took the note, and his face darkened.
Half an hour later, they stood in front of B City's largest consumer finance club, the Heavenly Sea Club.
Gu Yi pulled Ye Zhizhou's clothes tightly, his expression dark, and he said ominously, "When you find the person, come out immediately, and don't stay too long. Stay with me obediently, don't wander off, understand?"
"I understand, I understand." Ye Zhizhou held his hand and earnestly assured him, "I will hold your hand tightly and never leave your side!"
Gu Yi's expression improved slightly, and he took a deep breath to suppress the urge to take him home and hide him under the covers. He led him out of the car and into the club.
In the basement bar, Ye Zhizhou finally spotted Wu Kaien, dressed in the typical playboy attire, on the dance floor.
[Scan complete, kidney deficiency. No abnormal energy fluctuations in the brain, signs of spiritual awakening. Suitable pills: Health-Promoting Pill, Calming Pill.]
Kidney deficiency? Ye Zhizhou couldn't help but burst into laughter. Wu Kaien was only twenty-one years old, and he already had kidney deficiency.
Monsters always had eye-catching appearances, and combined with the fact that Ye Zhizhou was a dog demon in this life, he naturally exuded a strong aura that attracted attention. If it weren't for Gu Yi, who looked like someone not to be trifled with, protecting him, he would probably have been swarmed by admirers the moment he entered the bar.
Sensing the gazes from all around, Gu Yi's face darkened further. He gave a stern look at the people around and then covered Ye Zhizhou's mouth with his hand. "No laughing, hide your face." The feeling of others coveting his person in his own territory was truly unbearable, and he was in a murderous mood.
However, there were always those bold and fearless individuals who, even when they saw a tiger about to bare its claws, would still approach.
"Hey, beautiful." Wu Kaien, representing the playboys, noticed Ye Zhizhou with the help of his friends. He trotted over, swaying his hips, flipped his hair elegantly, and seductively gazed at Ye Zhizhou. "What does the beauty want to drink? My treat."
Well, he was just a kid, no need to get angry... Ye Zhizhou held back Gu Yi and beckoned Wu Kaien with his finger.
Wu Kaien, initially emboldened by Gu Yi's glare, was delighted by Ye Zhizhou's gesture. He provocatively glanced at Gu Yi, then excitedly approached Ye Zhizhou, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "What instructions does the beauty have?"
"Well, here you go." Ye Zhizhou took out a pill and handed it to him, speaking with great earnestness, "If you have kidney deficiency, you shouldn't come out to play. You might attract the wrong kind of attention."
The anticipation on Wu Kaien's face cracked, and he pouted.
"Take care of your pet, go fishing, enjoy country life, go to school – life can be quite good. Don't ruin yourself at such a young age. Go home; your parents are probably worried." Ye Zhizhou added and handed him a business card. "This is my partner's number. If you want to experience the right way to relax, you can call him. I promise you'll have more fun than you are now. Well, and no kidney deficiency."
"They won't worry about me..." Wu Kaien muttered, then angrily said, "Tell me, did you put drugs in this pill? I'll tell you, Wu Kaien may mix in the wrong crowd, but there are things I won't touch... Ugh!"
Ye Zhizhou withdrew his hand from forcibly stuffing the pill into Wu Kaien's mouth, smiling softly. "I wish you a pleasant evening. See you later." He then grabbed Gu Yi, who had started emitting a chaotic aura and had accidentally awakened his spiritual power, and walked away briskly.
After returning to the car, he first gave Gu Yi a calming pill, then held his face and kissed him passionately. Gu Yi responded with excitement, and the surging spiritual power became more and more intense. Ye Zhizhou comfortingly ran his fingers through his hair and sighed inwardly. This jealousy jar actually awakened his spiritual power through jealousy; there was truly no one like him.
After a long while, the agitated spiritual power finally calmed down. Gu Yi released Ye Zhizhou, looked deeply into his eyes for a moment, and suddenly raised his hand to tap his eyelids. "Xiao Zhou."
Ye Zhizhou steadied his breath and replied absentmindedly, then froze. "Dongfang?"
"Yes." Gu Yi embraced him, sniffed his scent contentedly, and closed his eyes in satisfaction. "Thank you for your hard work."
Ye Zhizhou tilted his head to try to see his current expression and asked in surprise, "You remember?"
"A little." Gu Yi held the back of his head to prevent him from looking up and gently stroked his hair. "But it's enough to deal with that guy in the club who lost his senses."
The surprise diminished. "...How are you going to deal with him?"
"The red thread of fate." Gu Yi's voice turned cold, and he reverted to his brainless jealous jar appearance. "That guy without any decency should be tied down sooner rather than later."
The surprise completely disappeared, and after a moment of silence, Ye Zhizhou asked, "Did you... only remember how to calculate the red thread of fate?"
This time, it was Gu Yi's turn to fall silent.
The atmosphere became awkward, and Ye Zhizhou tried to hold back his frustration but couldn't help himself. He raised his hand to pat Gu Yi's head in anger and asked, "You... you actually awakened your spiritual power through jealousy and remembered how to calculate the red thread of fate, but you, you didn't remember me! Forget about being jealous!"
Gu Yi allowed himself to be patted and said seriously, "Who said I didn't remember you? At the very least, I now know that all that talk about the Heavenly Court and the like was just you trying to deceive me!"
Ye Zhizhou's anger fizzled out.
The two of them stared at each other, then, after a pause, moved closer to each other, kissed to resolve their grievances, and fastened their seatbelts.
"Let's go home. I bought some delicious food for you."
"Okay."