Eros' voice was steady, but the weight of his words carried a raw truth. "You must understand how much I value Yu Xi and Xiaobao. I am only living for them. If I have to let go of my hatred of this entire system, I will do it."
Jian Rui leaned back, his expression unreadable, though his mind raced. "What other terms do you have? This can't be the only thing you want."
Eros took another long drag from his cigar, the embers glowing as he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. His lip curled into something between a sneer and a smile.
Jian Rui's brow arched, suspicion tightening his features. He knew whatever came next couldn't be good.
***
Jian Ci lay sprawled across the kitchen counter, his cheek pressed against the cool surface as he lazily spun a toy with his psychic power. The little object twirled endlessly in the air, glowing faintly as it rotated, a distraction from his boredom. Yet beneath the appearance of idleness, Jian Ci was alert, guarding the door with quiet vigilance.
