Alex took a sharp step back.
He peeked through the crack in the door at the small bundle curled up on the bed. Clenching his slightly trembling hand, he very gently closed the bedroom door, then turned and strode quickly into the bathroom.
WHOOSH—
Alex turned on the faucet over the sink. But the mont his hand touched the cold water, he worried the sound would wake Gu Ning and imdiately turned it off again.
A faint, lingering scent of the Beast Sll Agent remained in the bathroom. Alex caught the sll, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.
’Looks like she took a shower,’ Alex thought.
She had washed off so of the Dog Clan mber’s rutting scent that had gotten on her. That, combined with the effects of the neutralizing agent, was why her own scent was now so distinct.
Alex’s gaze swept over to the shower area, where he saw the toiletries he had left next to the hot water valve.
The basin holding the toiletries was still in its original spot and didn’t look like it had been touched. Everything inside was still neatly arranged.
Alex’s expression faltered. He walked over to the basin and crouched down. He examined the contents carefully; aside from the hair dryer, which was gone, she hadn’t used anything else.
’Does she not like the things I prepared? Or is she just wary of ?’
Alex picked up an article of clothing from the basin that showed signs of being handled. For her fra, the clothes were still a bit too large.
Just then, his terminal lit up. Lanuo had sent him a ssage:
[You asked for a Beast Scent Neutralizer, right? Don’t tell you’re using it to check on that Wolf Clan Mixed Breed?]
Lanuo had woken up from a nap, his muddled brain much clearer now, and he felt sothing was off about Alex asking him for the neutralizer formula.
He didn’t think Alex was like those pretentious guys from the Second District or Zone 3 who loved spraying that stuff everywhere. Besides, he’d never seen Alex use it before.
Recalling that Alex was currently investigating the identity of that mysterious Wolf Clan Mixed Breed, he guessed the Beast Scent Neutralizer was probably for that purpose.
[If you’re trying to verify if he’s a Mimic Mixed Species, my formula won’t work. The one I made is a bit too potent. It’ll even eliminate the disguised scent of a Mimic Mixed Species, so you won’t be able to tell the difference.]
After reading Lanuo’s ssage, Alex’s finger hovered over the chat bar for a mont before he replied: [You sure?]
Lanuo:
[You’re doubting ? I’ve been a prodigy in pharmacology since I was a kid. If I hadn’t been held back for being too good, my damn boss would only be fit to shine my shoes right now.]
[How about this: I’ll whip up a new formula for you that can selectively neutralize other Mixed Breed scents. Honestly, you make things so complicated, always beating around the bush. Let go wash my face, then I’ll mix it for you.]
Lanuo grabbed his glasses from the headboard and put them on. Just as he stood up, he saw Alex’s reply:
[No need. I’ve already verified it.]
Lanuo: ?
[How did you verify it? Did you pull his pants down and look?]
His curiosity piqued, Lanuo found himself itching for an answer and decided to just call him directly.
Two seconds later, Alex hung up on him.
Seeing that he wasn’t picking up, Lanuo ran a hand through his ssy, sleep-tousled hair and resorted to texting him: [So did you figure out what kind of Mixed Breed he is?]
A long mont passed before he received Alex’s reply:
[Mimic Mixed Species]
...
...
Gu Ning woke up bright and early.
She had slept exceptionally well. The blanket felt like it had been swapped out for a thicker one, and she was much warr under it.
Gu Ning stretched lazily, her gaze sweeping around the clean and tidy room. Seeing the firmly shut bedroom door, she felt a wave of relief.
Staying here, she actually felt an unprecedented sense of security.
In her eyes, Alex was the type of person who would politely knock and ask before entering, unlike at her own place, where she had to worry about Barto prying her door open.
After lingering in bed for two more minutes, Gu Ning reluctantly climbed out from under the warm covers.
Before leaving the room, she took off the robber’s mask she had been wearing so securely. ’If Alex saw this, he’d probably think I’m really weird.’
’I wonder if Alex is back yet?’
After changing into her work uniform, Gu Ning quietly opened the door and peeked into the living room.
A tall figure was lying on the sofa. Who else could it be but Alex?
The sofa, which she had considered quite spacious, was completely taken up by Alex’s fra; he couldn’t even stretch his legs out properly.
She hadn’t had the door open for two seconds before Alex’s eyes fluttered open.
"You’re awake?" He sat up and looked at Gu Ning.
Seeing such a large man squeezed onto the sofa, Gu Ning felt a little embarrassed. She walked up to him and handed him a note: *Did I wake you?*
Alex took the note, read it, and said, "No, I got enough sleep."
Gu Ning still felt like she was bothering him. It was only six in the morning, and the sun wasn’t even up yet. If he had gotten back at midnight, he couldn’t have slept for more than six hours at most.
’I usually see him so busy he’s run off his feet, not even taking a break all day. This much sleep can’t be enough for him, right?’
’I should talk to the others about moving today. I can’t keep disturbing Alex here.’
"How did you sleep last night?" Alex asked her softly.
Gu Ning was pleasantly surprised that he was asking about her, and wrote: *Very well, thank you.*
Alex’s gaze swept over her tightly wrapped face. He glanced at the ti. "Are you hungry? Go get washed up. I’ll go get you so breakfast."
He paused, then added, "I’m hungry, too."
Gu Ning watched Alex get up and leave the apartnt. Once she was alone again, she relaxed and took her toothbrush and other things out of her bag to go wash up.
When she entered the bathroom, Gu Ning froze. A square, tal stool had been placed under the sink.
Huh?
She stared at the stool for a mont, then stepped onto it.
Standing on the stool, Gu Ning was significantly taller. The edge of the sink, which had been at her collarbone, was now just below her chest. She no longer had to reach up to get to the faucet.
In the middle of the sink counter sat a clear glass cup holding a new toothbrush and toothpaste, with a neatly folded new towel beside it.
’He even prepared all this for ? Alex is so thoughtful...’
Gu Ning was astonished.
If she were staying here as a guest or a friend, it would be normal for Alex to prepare these things. But in his eyes, she was just a Mixed Breed.
In the eyes of a Beastman, Mixed Breeds weren’t even considered the sa species. Their own clans discriminated against each other, to say nothing of how they treated Mixed Breeds, who were seen as ntally regressed.
A flicker of warmth spread through Gu Ning’s heart, and her favorable impression of Alex grew.
But she didn’t use the toiletries he had prepared. She set them aside and used the toothbrush and towel she had brought with her.
’Whether I move today or not, this will be my last night staying here. It’s best not to leave behind any scent or traces of my life.’
A few minutes after Gu Ning finished washing up, Alex returned with breakfast.
Gu Ning looked over. The breakfast was more lavish than what Kloer had brought her yesterday. Although it was all common food, it looked as if he had gotten one of every single item from the cafeteria.
"You eat first," Alex said, placing the breakfast on the table. "I’m going to take a shower."
With that, he headed for the bedroom.
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