"Where did you go?"

The room was pitch black without the lights on. Jian Xi sat on the bed, sounding displeased, as if questioning me.

"Buying flowers."

I casually put the rose into the vase. The thorn on the flower stem pricked my fingertip, causing a tiny drop of blood to emerge.

I approached Jian Xi, and he suddenly tackled me, carefully sniffing all over my body, like a large dog.

"There's another man's scent on you."

I chuckled, but he bit my shoulder, as if venting, not causing much pain.

"You're like a dog, always biting people."

Jian Xi's dark eyes were deep, with a hint of paranoia as he muttered, "I don't like the scent of another man on you."

I remained silent as he lay on top of me. I absentmindedly ran my fingers through his hair.

He nuzzled against my neck comfortably, truly resembling a puppy.

"Jian Xi, were you happy when you were with my sister?"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense. He didn't speak or move, just stood there, frozen.

I chuckled softly, nibbled on his earlobe, and mumbled, "Jian Xi, don't hate me, okay? We'll stay here together forever, until you grow old, then go see my sister."

The cicadas chirped loudly in the midsummer, the wind was brisk, flowers withered, and the cool moonlight shone through the basement window.

The young man's dark eyes dimmed along with the moonlight.

I saw through his desolation, but to me, it was just a game.

Perhaps one day, I would grow tired of it, and the game would end.

Autumn was approaching.

The roses I planted didn't survive this hot summer; they said it wasn't the season for flowers.

The yellow leaves fell from the branches, swirled by the wind, scattered on the ground, exuding a kind of desolate beauty.

Jian Xi's eyes stared fixedly at the golden leaves. A cold breeze lifted his black hair, and he seemed to catch a familiar scent.

As he gazed intently, I walked over, picked up a leaf, handed it to him, then closed the door.

Jian Xi's gaze darkened, and as the door closed, he tossed the leaf away, carried by the gentle breeze.

He seemed weary, aged, always looking listless.

I heard Yi Yin say that he was at risk of depression if things continued this way.

I heard that depression inclines towards suicide.

I would retaliate against him, torment him, repeatedly break down his psychological defenses, but I would never allow him to end his life on his own.

After Qin Yue left, Jian Xi wanted to devote himself to me.

I hugged Jian Xi from behind. Beneath his loose clothes, his bones protruded, even feeling sharp.

"Jian Xi, do you want to go out and take a walk?"

All I got was silence.

I grabbed his hair with one hand, exerted a little force, and forced him to look at me. "Speak up."

He took a deep breath, his voice trembling, "Yes, I want to go out."

I leaned against his shoulder lazily, like a cat, rubbed his arm, and sweetly said, "Jian Xi, next time you want to, just say it earlier, okay?"

Jian Xi finally got the permission to walk out of the basement and into the garden.

The long staircase, one after another uniquely crafted iron door, Jian Xi walked slowly, as if trying to remember every path out.

Finally, as the last door opened, Jian Xi's body was once again enveloped by the autumn sunlight and breeze. He instinctively closed his eyes, thinking it was just a beautiful dream.

It wasn't until half a minute later that he slowly opened his eyes.

"Let's go, together."

Jian Xi turned to look at me, then reached out, holding my wrist.

The young man's skin exuded a jade-like texture in the sunlight. His straight nose, long eyelashes, slightly pale lips, all highlighted his beauty, stubbornness, and captivating sense of brokenness.

We walked hand in hand in the garden like an ordinary couple.

"Yi Yin isn't here today."

"Who is he?"

"A flower seller, but he also acts as an assassin sometimes."

Jian Xi asked calmly, "Did he help you kill those people in the basement?"

I smiled faintly, "Of course not - I killed those people."

I felt Jian Xi's hand trembling in mine. I continued slowly, "But don't worry, as long as you don't run, I won't kill you."

"Hmm."

Jian Xi seemed as if he hadn't heard those words, his gaze fixed on the flowers beyond the garden.