Five days had passed since Liang Xun had brought the girl back to his home.

The evening sun streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the room and bathing everything in a quiet, golden light.

The air was thick with the calm that only the fading day could bring, and in the midst of it, the girl slept soundly.

Liang Xun stood just outside the door, dressed sharply in an black suit with a sleek trench coat draped over his shoulders.

Despite the perfection of his appearance, there was something fragile in his stance, something hesitant in the way he held himself as he stood there.

The thought of entering the room filled him with unease, and his heart beat a little faster than usual.

He took a slow, steadying breath and, after a moment of hesitation, he pushed the door open.

The hinges creaked softly as he entered, and his gaze immediately found her.

She stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering as she began to wake, and as she turned and the moment their eyes met, a flash of panic surged through her.

Her body tensed, and before he could even take a step closer, she bolted upright in the bed, her small form instinctively shrinking into the far corner.

Her eyes, wide with fear, locked onto him. The air between them thickened, charged with the unease that radiated off her.

Her breathing quickened, her hands clutching the blanket tightly as though trying to shield herself from him. The raw terror in her eyes was unmistakable.

She didn’t understand. She didn't know who he was, or why he was here.

Liang Xun’s chest tightened as he saw the fear flicker in her gaze.

It wasn’t just wariness; it was a deep-rooted fear, the kind born from something much worse than mere surprise.

His heart ached at the sight, and he involuntarily took a step back, his voice soft and uncertain.

"Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe here," he said, his words almost tentative, as though he feared they might cause her more distress.

But the girl didn’t relax. If anything, she became more tense, her eyes narrowing as she studied him with growing wariness.

Her body seemed to curl even tighter against the bed, every muscle coiled in defense.

She was afraid of him.

It was as clear as day.

The realization hit him like a wave. He wasn’t just an unfamiliar face to her—he was a threat.

And in her eyes, a threat he had to be to be avoided at all costs.

Also, her confusion was palpable.

He could see it in the way she tilted her head, as if trying to understand not just his words, but the person behind them.

He swallowed hard, his mind racing as he searched for the right words.

The usual steel in his voice was gone, replaced by something softer, more earnest that was involuntarily that surprised even himself.

"I’m not here to hurt you. I just wanted to see how you are," he tried again, his tone gentler than he had intended.

It felt almost absurd, standing there, trying to explain himself to someone who didn’t even seem to understand his language, let alone his intentions.

She didn’t respond, but her gaze remained fixed on him, her eyes scanning him as though trying to make sense of him—of who he was, what he was.

There was so much confusion in her stare, and a lingering sense of caution that made his heart ache.

For a long moment, she said nothing. The silence stretched out, heavy and thick, until finally, she moved.

Her hand tentatively rose to her stomach, the barest shift in her posture.

He caught it, her subtle signal.

His heart skipped a beat, a small glimmer of hope rising within him.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, his voice quiet but hopeful.

She looked down at her stomach, her gaze flickering with uncertainty before returning to him.

After a beat, she touched her stomach again, just barely—an almost imperceptible movement, but enough for him to catch it.

Relief washed over him like a wave, the tension that had been gnawing at his chest easing just a little.

He smiled, the warmth of the gesture surprising him.

It felt foreign to him, this feeling of caring for someone so deeply so quickly, someone he'd met days ago, but it was there, undeniable.

"I’ll get you something to eat. Wait here," he said, his voice low but full of intention.

Turning on his heel, he stepped back out of the room, the door closing softly behind him.

—

The kitchen was immaculate, the soft glow of the evening sun filtering through the windows and highlighting the gleaming surfaces.

The scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air, mingling with the faint smell of polished wood.

Liang Xun moved to the fridge, his fingers running over the handles as he scanned its contents.

What could she have?

Obviously, she couldn't eat.

Milk...?

Milk was more suitable for her.

He wasn’t sure what she could eat or even what she would like, but milk seemed simple enough.

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He reached for the carton, knowing it was a safe choice.

He poured it into a glass, watching the white liquid swirl as it filled the glass.

For some reason, it felt almost symbolic—the simplicity of the gesture grounding him in a moment that was so far outside his usual world.

With the glass in hand, he made his way back to her room, each step filled with purpose.

The moment he’d seen her sitting there, curling into herself with fear, had left an indelible mark on him.

He hadn’t expected to feel this protective, this vulnerable, and yet, here he was, determined to make her feel safe—even if it was only for a fleeting moment.

—

When he entered again, she was still curled up in bed, though her eyes were now wide open, watching him approach with a look of wary curiosity.

She hadn’t moved, but there was something different in her posture now—less fear, perhaps, and more curiosity.

He held out the glass of milk, his fingers steady despite the flutter of nerves in his chest. "Here, it’s milk. It’ll help you feel better," he said softly, watching her reaction closely.

She hesitated, her eyes flicking between the glass and his face, trying to gauge his sincerity.

After what seemed like an eternity, she slowly reached out, her fingers brushing his as she took the glass.

A jolt of surprise shot through him at the brief touch, but he didn’t let it show.

Instead, he watched, fascinated, as she raised the glass to her lips and took a small, tentative sip.

The relief on her face was subtle, but it was there.

She drank just enough before handing the glass back to him, her eyes now calm, though still cautious.

"Just a little more, please?" Liang Xun asked gently, coaxing her as he nudged her lightly.

But she shook her head resolutely, her lips pressing together in an expression that was as firm as it was endearing.

He chuckled softly, surrendering with a smile. "Alright, alright. You win."

She settled back into her bed, her eyelids fluttering closed again as the exhaustion finally caught up with her.

Liang Xun tucked the blanket around her more securely, his fingers brushing her hair lightly as he did so.

It was a simple gesture, but the tenderness in it made his chest tighten.

"Sleep well," he murmured softly, though he wasn’t sure if she heard him.

With one last lingering glance, he left the room, the door closing gently behind him.

—

The night had deepened, and the house had settled into a quiet, peaceful silence.

Liang Xun sank into the couch in the living room, the soft amber glow of the table lamp casting shadows around him.

He stared at the glass of scotch in his hand, the amber liquid swirling slowly as his thoughts turned inward.

The girl had stirred something in him—something long buried. He was still trying to make sense of it.

She was a stranger, and yet, she felt... important.

Suddenly, a soft sound from the hallway broke the silence.

His attention snapped to it, and he set the glass down, rising from the couch.

As he walked down the hallway, he found her standing there, silhouetted by the soft light from her room.

Her gaze met his for a moment before she quickly turned away, retreating into her room.

A pang of disappointment flickered in his chest, but he knew.

Trust wasn’t something that came easily, not for her.

—

The morning sunlight poured into the dining room, casting everything in a warm, golden hue.

Liang Xun sat at the table, his breakfast in front of him.

Just as he was about to take a bite, the soft creak of the door echoed through the room.

He looked up, his heart skipping a beat when he saw her standing hesitantly in the doorway.

She looked different in the light—less fearful, more composed, though still unsure of this new world she found herself in.

Before he could react, Yun Fei burst into the room, a stack of files in his hands.

—

He froze mid-step, the stack of files in his hands now forgotten, almost falling, and his mouth fell open in shock.

His eyes widened as he took in the girl standing at the doorway—her features delicate and otherworldly, the bunny face,bunny long ears, the long silvery hair, her presence ethereal against the mundane backdrop of the room.

Liang Xun's heart stilled.

His gaze flickered from Yun Fei to the girl, a sensation he couldn’t quite name tightening in his chest.

His thoughts raced, but all he could hear was the soft thrum of his own heartbeat as he watched Yun Fei’s stunned expression.

He'd known someone would soon find out about her, but it was too soon.

Yun Fei’s voice broke through the silence, the confusion in his tone impossible to hide.

He took a cautious step forward, eyes flicking between the girl and his boss, as if trying to piece together the mystery that now lay before him.

“Sir, what... this...?” Yun Fei stammered, unable to fully process the bizarre scene.

Liang Xun’s attention shifted back to the girl.

She stood in the doorway, her small figure appearing fragile, her eyes flickering with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

Without thinking, he stood, his hand instinctively reaching out to her.

When his fingers brushed hers, a surprising sense of connection surged through him—an inexplicable warmth he had never felt before.

He didn’t feel the usual unease and disgust around women, that at serious cases given him hives, nor the cool detachment and cold aura that he so often wore like armor.

Instead, his heart raced, and it felt... natural.

“Come, let’s sit at the table.” His voice was low, gentle, as if speaking to someone not quite here, yet present all the same.

He led her to the dining table, unable to tear his eyes away from her as she settled into the chair.

He poured her a glass of milk, watching with quiet fascination as she glanced around, absorbing everything with wide-eyed wonder.

With a final, lingering look at her, Liang Xun turned toward Yun Fei.

His voice dropped to a murmur as he gestured toward the study.

"Let's go."

Yun Fei hesitated before following him, but not before stealing one last glance at the girl.

—

The study was a reflection of Liang Xun’s life—controlled, methodical, and sophisticated. Dark wood paneling lined the walls, shelves brimming with books that spoke of power.

The large mahogany desk was scattered with papers, and the faintest smell of whiskey lingered in the air.

It was a room built for reflection, but today, it was filled with the heavy weight of unspoken questions.

Liang Xun sank into his chair, the leather creaking beneath him.

His fingers drummed absently on the edge of the desk, the rhythm matching the steady beating of his heart.

Yun Fei stood across from him, arms crossed, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern.

The silence between them stretched, heavy and thick, until Yun Fei finally broke it, his tone laced with disbelief.

“So… who is she, sir? The creature... girl... Where did you find her?” Yun Fei leaned forward slightly, the words stumbling out in rapid succession, as if he couldn't grasp the enormity of the situation.

Liang Xun’s eyes closed briefly, the memory of that night flooding his mind.

The image of her lying in the forest, so vulnerable, so innocent, felt like a dream—a strange, haunting vision that he couldn’t shake off.

He opened his eyes, fixing Yun Fei with a steady gaze.

“I found her in the forest during the vacation.” Liang Xun spoke slowly, each word measured, his voice carrying a weight of reverence. “She was lying there, surrounded by trees, as if she were part of the earth itself.”

Yun Fei’s expression faltered, his mind racing to form a coherent picture of the bizarre scene Liang Xun had just described.

The absurdity of it all hung in the air, but the seriousness in his boss’s voice was undeniable.

“In the forest? So that was why you came back early?” Yun Fei’s voice was laced with disbelief. He paused, eyeing Liang Xun carefully. “But, sir, is she safe? I mean, how did you even...?”

Liang Xun’s voice cut through the air, firm and resolute, but beneath it was an unmistakable undercurrent of concern.

“She’s safe now, but I don’t know what she is or where she comes from. She hasn’t spoken a word to me.”

Yun Fei’s brow furrowed as he processed the information.

The silence between them deepened, and his mind swirled with questions he didn’t know how to ask.

Finally, he spoke again, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“Do you know her name? Any details about her?”

Liang Xun shook his head, his frustration evident.

The girl’s silence, her mystery, gnawed at him.

She was as much a puzzle as she was a presence in his life now. “No. I don’t know her name, and she doesn’t understand me at all. It’s like she’s in a world of her own.”

Yun Fei studied Liang Xun carefully, his concern deepening.

The situation was growing more complicated by the second.

Still, something about the girl fascinated him. There was a quiet intensity between the two of them, a bond that even Yun Fei could sense, though he couldn’t explain it.

“This isn’t normal, sir. She’s... different. You don’t just find someone like her in the woods. Do you think she’s safe to have around?” Yun Fei asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

Liang Xun’s gaze hardened, his protective instincts rising to the surface.

The thought of the girl in danger sparked something fierce within him. “I won’t let anything happen to her. She’s been through enough already. I can’t turn my back on her now, not after bringing her into my home.”

Yun Fei raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by Liang Xun’s vehemence.

There was a side to his boss that he rarely saw—a side that wasn’t just calculating and cold, but... human.

The man in front of him was fiercely protective, almost vulnerable in his own way.

“But what if she’s a danger? We don’t know anything about her, sir.” Yun Fei pressed, his voice hesitant but insistent.

Liang Xun’s gaze sharpened. He didn’t hesitate. “I refuse to label her as a danger just because she’s different. She’s scared, Yun Fei. I can see it in her eyes. If she were dangerous, she would have shown it by now.”

Yun Fei paused, his skepticism lingering.

"What about the other young masters? Have you told them?"

He asked, hoping he did or he was going to loose it.

"No. They don't. I'll tell them when the time is right."

What?!

He knew his boss wasn’t one to act without reason, but he didn't even tell the other young masters?

The uncertainty of the situation still gnawed at him.

Still, he couldn’t argue with Liang Xun’s logic.

The girl’s fear was palpable, and he didn’t feel the same immediate threat that his instincts usually screamed at him to fear.

“Alright. I understand. But we need to gather more information about her. Maybe we can consult someone who specializes in... unusual phenomena.”

Liang Xun considered it for a moment, his mind already turning over the possibility.

Yet, a part of him resisted.

Consulting someone else, bringing in outside help, felt like a betrayal of the girl’s trust. He wanted to protect her, to understand her without anyone else’s interference.

“I’ll think about it. But for now, we need to keep her safe. I don’t want her to feel like a prisoner.”

Yun Fei nodded, offering a small smile of reassurance. “You’re doing the right thing, sir. Just... be careful.”

Yet, inside, he felt as if it was craziness. Finding a being in the forest and bringing her home?

Huh! Anyway, it was his boss and everything he did made sense.

Liang Xun’s eyes softened, his gaze filled with silent appreciation.

He knew that Yun Fei’s loyalty and pragmatism would be crucial in the days to come.

—

As they returned to the dining room, Liang Xun’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of the girl still seated at the table, her slender fingers delicately wrapped around the glass of milk.

She looked up at them as they entered, her eyes bright with curiosity, though a flicker of uncertainty remained in her gaze.

Liang Xun’s steps slowed as he approached her, not wanting to startle her.

He crouched down, bringing himself to her eye level as she sat in the dining.

She watched him intently, her expression unreadable.

The silence stretched between them, but there was something undeniably intimate about it—a quiet understanding, perhaps.

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?” Liang Xun’s voice was soft, warm.

It wasn’t the cold, commanding tone he usually used with others, but something gentler, more attuned to her presence.

The girl tilted her head slightly, as if trying to make sense of his words.

She didn’t answer, but her gaze lingered on him, as if weighing his sincerity.

—

After a moment, she pointed to her stomach again, her gaze holding an innocence that tugged at him.

He felt an unexpected spark of warmth, realizing she was finally communicating with him, although, a little...

Smiling softly, he replied, “I’ll get you something to eat.” He moved toward the kitchen, glancing back to ensure she felt secure.

Yun Fei looked on, clearly baffled by this scene.

Was this his boss?

Smiling?

And at a stranger?!

Help! Someone has stole and exchanged his boss!

When Liang Xun returned with toast and fresh fruit, he set it down gently in front of her.

She studied the plate, eyes widening with curiosity. “Try this,” he encouraged, his tone soothing.

She picked up a piece of fruit with delicate hesitation, bringing it to her lips.

Liang Xun looked at her, watching her reaction with intense focus.

Her eyes brightened with delight at the first taste, and he chuckled, a rare warmth filling him.

In that fleeting moment, he saw a fragile trust beginning to bloom, yet uncertainty still lingered in the air.