C7 Chapter 7

Even though she’d butted heads with the boss at noon, at least it was settled.

Still, the moment Zimu thought about what happened earlier, her head started pounding.

Gu Yanjue’s stupidly charming face and voice barged right back into her mind, impossible to shake.

Her fingers brushed the Flameheart necklace tucked beneath her collar, and the faintly softened crease between her brows tightened again.

“Things are safe around here for now, but what the hell is the Flameheart, really?” The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that the original owner of this body hadn’t been ordinary. Too bad she’d died young—Zimu had taken over the body without inheriting anything useful.

Over the past few years, she’d nearly been killed more than once because of the Flameheart.

It had been over a year since her memories came back, but no matter how hard she trained, her skills still weren’t even half of what they used to be.

Zimu picked up a rotisserie chicken and a few bottles of beer, then took a cab back to the apartment.

The second she stepped out, a dark blur lunged straight at her.

“Zimu, you’re back~”

Zimu sidestepped on instinct. The blur sailed right into the cab.

The driver’s mouth twitched. Only after the blur climbed back out and latched onto Zimu did the driver peel off and speed away.

“Zimu, Zimu, Zimu... Look, I’m all showered and ready. Just waiting for you.”

At first, Zimu had Gu Yanjue by the collar, dragging him along. Somewhere along the way, it turned into Gu Yanjue steering Zimu into the apartment instead.

Inside, Xiaoli and Canxin were already home from work. Dinner was set out early, and when they saw Zimu carrying the chicken and beer, they looked even happier.

“Alright, everyone’s here—let’s eat!” Canxin couldn’t wait. She’d already filled the bowls and sat down, tapping her chopsticks against the table.

Xiaoli was still in the kitchen. Canxin caught sight of Gu Yanjue pushing along someone who clearly didn’t want to be pushed and was about to say something, but his words cut her off.

Bang—

His door slammed shut, stirring up a cool draft.

Huang Canxin’s mouth fell open, her eyes nearly popping out. “Uh… uh… what now?”

Whatever Gu Yanjue was about to do, it wasn’t going to interfere with her need to eat. Before she picked up her chopsticks, Huang Canxin called toward the kitchen, “Xiaoli, Zimu’s back!”

“Then let’s eat.” In the kitchen, the busy figure slipped off her apron, quickly washed her hands, and came out. “Huh? I thought you said she was back?”

Pointing at Gu Yanjue’s room, Huang Canxin’s dark eyes darted around as she whispered, “Mumu got dragged in there. Xiaoli, do you think we should go help?”

Xiaoli’s pretty eyes flickered slightly. She shook her head. “Whatever’s going on between those two, they can handle it themselves. Eat, then finish your copy. Otherwise, I can’t save you tomorrow.”

The moment she mentioned copy, Huang Canxin lost her appetite.

“Xiaoli… boo-hoo… why does even a tiny employee at Ry have to work this hard?” If she’d known, she wouldn’t have fought so hard to get into some big international company. Wouldn’t a small company job have been just fine?

“All you do is complain about being tired…” Xiaoli sighed and tapped her on the forehead. “In a few months, once you’re full-time and you see your paycheck, you won’t feel that way.”

“Okay… I’ll listen to you, Xiaoli. You’re basically my mentor now! Heh.”

With that, she dropped her head and shoveled down her food, like the earlier gloom had never existed.

Inside the room.

Gu Yanjue gave a wicked smile, yanked Yang Zimu close, and pinned her hard against the wall. His left arm braced above her head, while his right hand brushed her cheek on and off, sending a tingling sensation that made her skin itch in the worst way.