# 31
**Chapter 31: Qimo**
Wu Xiangnan’s brows knitted tighter as he listened to Lin Qiye’s answer.
Just as he opened his mouth to press further, Hongying suddenly sat bolt upright, blood-shot eyes fixed on him, and shouted:
“Wu Xiangnan! What the hell do you mean?!
Zhao Kongcheng is dead! Our teammate is dead! And you still won’t let go of his affairs?!
Doesn’t your heart feel even a shred of grief?!”
Wu Xiangnan parted his lips, paused, then said quietly, “Old Zhao’s death hurts me too, but the truth still matters.”
Hongying glared, chest heaving. She gave a cold laugh, slammed the black case in her hand onto the floor, and stalked toward the basement exit.
Wen Qimo, standing nearby, started to intervene, only to feel his sleeve tugged. He turned, puzzled.
Si Xiaonan stood beside him, shaking her head.
“So, those things at the scene—”
“Xiangnan, enough!”
As Wu Xiangnan tried to question Lin Qiye further, Captain Chen Muye, who had remained on the sidelines, finally spoke, cutting him off.
“Lin Qiye has made it clear. The details… there’s no need to dig further. This ends here.”
Hands in his pockets, Chen Muye walked behind Wu Xiangnan and patted his shoulder.
Wu Xiangnan turned, startled. Meeting Chen Muye’s unyielding gaze, he hesitated, then reluctantly nodded.
Chen Muye moved to the sofa opposite Lin Qiye and sat down slowly.
“Zhao Kongcheng’s matter is closed. Now it’s time we talked about you, Lin Qiye.”
“What about me?”
“As far as I know, Zhao Kongcheng invited you to join Night Watch, but you refused. Later he even told us he’d lost track of you. If you hadn’t walked out carrying Zhao Kongcheng’s body, we might never have found you again…
So why do you want to join Night Watch now?”
Chen Muye’s deep eyes locked onto Lin Qiye’s.
“To repay a debt,” Lin Qiye answered calmly.
Chen Muye blinked. “A debt?”
“We had an agreement. I would join Night Watch.” Lin Qiye paused. “But I have one condition.”
“Which is?”
“I’ll stay only ten years. After that, I leave.”
Everyone in the room stiffened, expressions turning odd.
“Night Watch isn’t a neighborhood volunteer group. Once you join, you don’t leave. So your ten-year limit… I can’t promise it. No one in the entire organization can.”
As Lin Qiye started to reply, Chen Muye continued:
“However, if in ten years you’re capable of leaving Night Watch on your own and the higher-ups can’t stop you, that’s another matter.
Bottom line: leave through proper channels—no way.”
“Fine.” To everyone’s surprise, Lin Qiye nodded briskly. “If I can’t leave in ten years, that’s my problem.”
Si Xiaonan and Wen Qimo gaped. Even the iceberg Leng Xuan’s eyelid twitched; he gave Lin Qiye an extra glance.
“In that case, I’ll submit your application upstairs at once. But until you complete training, you won’t be a full member.”
“Training?”
“Night Watch is semi-military. Every recruit undergoes a year-long boot camp: hand-to-hand, firearms, tactics, Forbidden Ruins usage, the works.”
“When does it start?”
“Every September—one month from now. Until then you’re only a temporary teammate.” Chen Muye’s expression turned solemn. “And we don’t cover room or board for temps.”
Lin Qiye: …
No room or board?
Weren’t Night Watch benefits legendary? How could they be this stingy?!
“Then… where do I stay for the month?” Panic crept into his voice.
Return to his aunt’s? No, no, no—ninety-nine percent chance he’d never leave again; he might drag the whole family into hiding…
He had to notify his aunt, though—at least send word. A letter saying he’d enlisted would reassure her.
But if Night Watch wouldn’t house him, did that mean sleeping on the street?
“You can stay at my place.”
Hongying’s head peeked from behind the door. “My house is big; one room’s free.”
“Hongying, didn’t you storm off?” Wen Qimo’s eyes widened.
“I—I remembered I forgot something, okay?!” She scowled, marched in, grabbed her black case, and shot Wu Xiangnan another glare.
Wu Xiangnan: …
Under his speechless stare, Hongying stepped up to Lin Qiye, gentle now. “Little brother Qiye, relax—since you’re our squad’s member, big sister’s got your back!”
“Temporary member,” Chen Muye corrected seriously. “And we don’t know who’s older; don’t call him little brother so fast.”
“Captain, you’re no fun!” Hongying stuck out her tongue, tore off a slip of paper, scribbled an address, and pressed it into Lin Qiye’s hand.
“Little bro, I’ve got gun practice. If I’m not around when the paperwork’s done, head over yourself.”
She leaned in close—so close Lin Qiye caught the faint scent of her, saw her lashes tremble.
Her clear eyes smiled like an autumn pool amid golden maples—pure, moving, warm.
Undeniable: Hongying was beautiful.
Fair skin, delicate nose, crimson lips, exquisite features, full—
Lin Qiye yanked his gaze back.
Two crimson blushes flared on his cheeks.
He’d never been this close to a girl—especially one as vivid as Hongying.
“Th-thank you, Hongying-jie.”
“Aha—!” Hongying straightened, laughing excitedly and making Wu Xiangnan jump.
“What’s wrong with you?!” he snapped.
“None of your business!” She tossed her head. “Who asked our rookie to sound so cute…”
Lin Qiye’s mouth twitched; he looked away.
Wen Qimo stepped up, smiling. “Hongying, stop bullying the rookie. Qiye, come on—let me show you around and explain Night Watch.”
Lin Qiye fled gratefully, following Wen Qimo out and up the stairs.
“Qiye.” In the corridor Wen Qimo stopped.
“Yes… Senior Wen Qimo?”
“Cough—don’t call me senior, too formal. I’m only two or three years older.” He scratched his head. “Just use my name, or like the others call me—Qimo.”
“Alright.”
“Actually, I have a favor to ask.” Wen Qimo turned, eyes serious.
“What is it?”
“Tonight… can I stay at Hongying’s place with you? I’ve wanted to for ages.”
Lin Qiye: …