After escaping the chaos in Eagle, Kasiya had been staying at Li Haojun's home for two days, unable to return to her own place in Eagle. Their company was closely monitoring the local situation, tracking developments even more thoroughly and promptly than the news reports, as field agents had already been dispatched to observe the unfolding events.
By the morning of the third day, Kasiya felt increasingly guilty about imposing on others. Though she'd suggested several times that she should leave and stay at a hotel, both Li Haojun and Tan Wenjing had politely declined. So after breakfast that day, she volunteered again to help Tan Wenjing wash the dishes.
Li Haojun, meanwhile, had finished breakfast and was reviewing news about the Boise and Eagle riots. As he scanned the headlines, he suddenly received an instant message from a company member:
“Good morning, Ethan. It's Luna Henna. How's your day going?”
Li Haojun was somewhat surprised, as Luna rarely contacted him directly in her role as the company's Operations Director. He quickly replied,
“Excellent. Another beautiful day. Thank you for asking.” Though Li Haojun seldom offered such slightly exaggerated praise—especially to his direct manager, as he didn't want to seem like a sycophant—today's words were genuinely heartfelt. The people he cared about were almost all around him.
“According to the latest intelligence, our factory in Eagle has been destroyed by riots. We won't be reestablishing operations there. Times have changed, and the environment is no longer as secure as it once was. So going forward, neither you nor Kasiya will have any maintenance duties related to that facility.”
“Oh, what a waste of assets,” Li Haojun replied, though inwardly he was overjoyed. Kasiya would no longer have to leave him to return there. Even if she wouldn't live with him permanently, she wouldn't be as far away as she would have been in Boise.
"Indeed. We'll transfer the corresponding production capacity to Calispear, and some core operations will be relocated there. I assume you're already familiar with Calispear, Ethan?"
“Oh, yes,” Li Haojun wanted to say something but held back.
"Ethan, you've witnessed the consequences of the Boise and Eagle riots. In nature, predator and prey populations coexist, constantly optimizing each other's numbers. But clearly, that approach doesn't work in the human world. We can't devour each other or starve each other out, right? We need more merciful methods. Part of Calispell's function is for those people—and others, like Sienna, of course. I think you understand what I mean?"
“Oh, I see. Is she a visitor here?” Li Haojun's reference to “here” clearly extended beyond the scope of Calispeir.
“So, Ethan, are you still so resistant to the technological management measures in place there?”
“Haha, since Sienna was always just a passing visitor, I'm not so resistant anymore.”
“Then, Calispeir requires minimal manual oversight. Are you willing to take on that responsibility?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Excellent. Your assistants, Kasiya and Malaya, will be deployed there. You'll oversee the future production plant and surrounding supply chain, okay?”
“Yes, understood.”
“Excellent. Any further questions?”
“Well, I'd like to know why the former director of the Aquatic Sci-Tech Company I previously worked for was reassigned? He left behind numerous SM whips and other tools in my office.”
“Oh, he moved to a position better suited to him. Why ask?”
“I just want to understand my behavioral boundaries there. In that environment, I fear my own moral decline.”
“You have no boundaries. You command everything.”
“Oh, alright. I suppose I won't lose myself then.”
“Yes, you will always be you.”
“Haha, thank you for your trust.”
“Thank you for your service to the company. Is that all right? Feel free to contact me again if you have any questions.”
“Alright, that's all for today. I won't take up any more of your time.”
“Good. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, hope you have a great day too.” After speaking, Li Haojun leaned back into his chair, relaxing for a moment before noticing Tan Wenjing and Casey watching him.
Tan Wenjing wore a satisfied smile, her face seeming to radiate a hint of triumph. When Li Haojun looked at Kasiya, she pursed her lips, appearing somewhat shy. She met Li Haojun's gaze briefly before averting her eyes. To ease the awkwardness, Li Haojun turned his face toward Qin Wenjing. only to find Tan Wenjing had been staring at her the whole time. She lowered her gaze, then looked up, smiling at him without blinking. Caught off guard, Casey quickly averted her eyes, staring straight ahead. Her shoulders twitched as she tried to raise her hands in front of her but dropped them again. Finally, she exhaled softly, then lowered her head to fiddle with her fingers.
Only when Li Haojun gave Qin Wenjing a meaningful glance did she reluctantly shake her head, giving Li Haojun a sullen look before gently nudging Kasiya's shoulder.
“Hey, sis, log into your account on my computer first. See if there are any company tasks.”
“Oh, okay,” " she said, sitting down beside them.
Qin Wenjing stood beside Li Haojun with her back to Casey, arms crossed over her chest. She stared intently into his eyes without speaking, her fixed gaze seeming to say, “So happy now, huh?”
Seeing her stare at him motionless for a while, Li Haojun reached out, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace, saying,
“There, there.”
Qin Wenjing giggled and settled comfortably into Li Haojun's lap, her face beaming as she faced Kasiya. Kasiya could only offer a faint, forced smile in return.
“Alright, alright, stop messing around. You can use my computer. I don't have any new tasks here.” " He moved aside to let Tan Wenjing take his seat, then walked over to Kasiya. Patting her head, he added,
“Don't mind her—she's always this crazy when there are people around.”
“Mhm,” Kasiya replied, glancing at Tan Wenjing, who was grinning widely in their direction.
Seeing her still so mischievous, Li Haojun stepped between them, turning his back to Tan Wenjing to block her view. From Tan Wenjing’s blind spot, he patted Kasiya’s shoulder, looked down into her eyes, puckered his lips, and made a kissing motion. They locked eyes in a tender moment until a radiant smile lit up Casey's face, and only then did Li Haojun relax.
Casey was a guest in their home, and Li Haojun wanted to balance his affection between them—perhaps giving Casey a little extra, since she hadn't always received it.
Another day filled with affection passed swiftly. To allow Kasiya time to bathe, Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing took their customary post-dinner stroll in the backyard.
Night deepened, yet the evening breeze carried a faint intoxication. Early summer chased the footsteps of late spring, its delicate, persistent pace mingling with the fragrance of blooming lilacs.
Li Haojun glanced back at the dim glow from the rear window, casting a soft light on the garden path—the swaying silhouette of Kasiya.
“Do you love her?” Tan Wenjing asked softly.
“Yes, but we don't have...”
“I know,” Tan Wenjing interrupted confidently before Li Haojun could answer.
The night was hazy, with faint stars dimly visible. Warm breezes carried the fluttering sounds of insects through the darkness. Leaning against Li Haojun's shoulder, Tan Wenjing murmured as they strolled,
“If fate brings her to you, does that mean the three of us will have to live together in the future?” She gazed calmly ahead as she spoke, her words seeming directed at Li Haojun yet also like a private musing.
“Ah, that child is rather pitiful too.”
“Yes, she's actually a good girl. I could tell after spending these past two days with her.”
“Mhm,” Li Haojun agreed softly.
"Doesn't she have a younger sister? Bring her along too, so the sisters won't be separated and suffer from longing."
“Huh?” Li Haojun looked at Qin Wenjing in surprise, unsure if she was serious or joking.
Qin Wenjing leaned against Li Haojun's shoulder, wrapped her arms around his waist, tilted her face upward as they walked, and asked with a smile,
“How about it?”
“Sure,” Li Haojun tentatively agreed.
Suddenly, Tan Wenjing's smiling face twisted into fury. She kicked him hard in the butt and roared,
“Sure what? Where do you think you're leaving me?”
His butt stinging, Li Haojun hopped forward in mock compliance, shouting as he ran,
“I won't dare! I'm sorry!”
“Stop right there! Wait till tonight when I'll teach you a lesson!” Tan Wenjing chased after him, shouting like a shrew.
Above the path where they ran, in the dim glow of the back windows, spring insects fluttered and chased each other through the night.
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