Xi Xie could already picture out that their do-nothing-days are numbered. He began to question the system, "You tell me the truth. Did you intentionally neglect your mission to retaliate against me?"
"Of course not!" The fat worm turned red in anger, "I really forgot to disconnect. I also wanted to be a salted fish, why would I sabotage your plan? I admit it's my fault, okay? I'm sorry."
"Heh," Xi Xie sneered in response, his temples already hurting. He was busy thinking about the target that he forgot another important thing.
Marco Roselli gently squeezed the soft little hand encased by his rough palm. It was so white and small that it made him hold it carefully, treating it like a fragile treasure. Surprisingly, the little guy did not make him feel even a slight disgust. He is very particular with cleanliness. That means he never initiates contact with others, other than those he's comfortable with.
The little monkey even had him eating his leftovers.
But he doesn't like that dazed look. He doesn't like the little guy not giving him his attention.
Marco narrowed his eyes as his other hand laid on the little guy's lower back, making him flinch. His eyes darkened, lowered his head lightly and asked, "Do you have any other request? Hurry up so we can pack your things."
Xi Xie felt like a prey being marked by the panther. He immediately nodded his head to agree. "I don't have any request. I'm fine with your suggestion."
Marco hummed in content, the warm hand behind his back gently rubbing. "I'll stay here to talk with the elders. You can go pack your essential things. We'll buy the rest on weekend."
Xi Xie ran as if his butt was on fire, then stopped and ran back cowardly to whisper something to the villain boss. "I... I have a pet worm. Can I take him?"
The other was dumbfounded. "... Worm?"
The rare surprised expression delighted Xi Xie, "Yeah. His name is White Bug. He's fat and lazy. He won't run around, I promise."
"Alright," he sighed and reminded again. "Don't bring too much. We'll buy what you need when we shop."
Xi Xie nodded and ran straight to his room. He packed his things while instructing White Bug. "Try calling Killian and send a message, tell him to wait for me and don't join any race yet. What's happening in the drag race arena at present?"
"They are still having minor races. Killian is not on the list yet. I sent a message to your other colleagues who are with him too so he can wait for you in case he won't be able to read your message on his phone. We still have two and a half hours at most." White Bug cooperated exceptionally well this time, still guilty of his recent blunder.
"Two and a half? Will Marco allow me to go?" Xi Xie pressed the last clothes in the suitcase and zipped the bag. "Let's go, go!" He ran out carrying the cat cushion and pet bag.
"Host! You forgot to take me!"
Xi Xie went back again and stuffed the fat worm inside the pet bag. He immediately left the room and dashed to the living room where Marco and Mommy Xi are waiting.
"You kid, what are you running for?" Mommy Xi didn't know whether to laugh or cry seeing her son dash to and fro like a whirlwind. If she wasn't involved in the making of the arranged marriage, she'd think the little bastard's going to elope.
Xi Xie could only smile sheepishly, "I'm meeting with my friends later."
Mommy Xi scowled, "Racing again, if you lose an arm or a leg don't come to me crying." She then turned to Marco, "Marco, I'll bother you with this kid. Please take care of him for us."
Marco smiled amiably at her, taking the suitcase in Xi Xie's grasp. "He's now my fiancée. I'll naturally do my best to take care of him."
Xi Xie kissed Mommy Xi's cheeks goodbye and told her he'll visit regularly. He then grasped Marco's awaiting hand and let himself be led by him out the door. Him and White Bug felt like they were pigs on their way to the slaughterhouse. The driver-slash-Secretary Han took over the bags and both of them sat on the backseat. Xi Xie opened the pet bag a little to let the fat worm breathe.
"Are you monitoring?" He asked.
The fat worm nodded and spoke in his mind, "Killian's safe and sound for the time being and he read your message. But the female lead's within a 50-meter radius, so I'm not sure if that can really prevent the supposed cliché plot. Besides..."
"Besides, what?"
"The male lead," the system murmured. "He is there with his colleagues as well. As far as I know, he wasn't mentioned being there at that time."
"Maybe it's a hidden plot. He was there and saw the female lead caring for the wounded Killian, and he remembered her when they met again that's why he fell in love."
"It's possible." White Bug nodded, "I'll stay watching."
"Good," Xi Xie breathed a sigh of relief.
"The fat worm looks like you." A deep voice sounded just beside his left ear.
"..."
In what eye did you see me look like a worm, brother?
Xi Xie pulled out the fat guy and let him face the villain boss, "His name is White Bug."
"What kind of worm can grow this big?"
"Uh, lazy ones?"
Marco stared intently at the confused little guy before sighing in defeat. He pulled out his phone and typed a message to one of his assistants, telling him to find the species of a particular worm and a reliable veterinarian. He even ran out of adjectives describing the fat worm. He typed as big as the little guy's forearm, plump, white and hairy...
He stared at the fat worm again and his eyes widened when he remembered his unusual dream the night before. If he remembered it right, he dreamed of a fat worm falling from the sky and hitting his stomach before bouncing away. Maybe due to shock he woke up right away and forgot about it when morning came. Looking at it now, this fat worm seemed to be the same worm from that dream.
"Can you show me the worm's butt?" He asked the little guy.
"..."
What perverse fetish are you hiding, brother?
Xi Xie gave him an inexplicable look. He can only wrong White Bug and turned its backside to face the man.
Marco was now hundred-percent sure it was the fat worm from his dream. Does this mean Heaven's giving him a sign that him and the little guy have a fate? He smiled softly for the first time.
Xi Xie, on the other hand, was startled seeing the soft smile on his face. The cold gray eyes became soft and bright, his face lost its seriousness and superior aura. Xi Xie stared in a trance, then turned to look at White Bug's butt.
"I think the villain boss likes your butt."
"No shit."
"He asked to see your behind and he was smiling at your butt. Maybe we can use it to our advantage in the future." Xi Xie patiently raised White Bug's backside until Marco seemed to have recovered.
"We'll see first if the worm's non-poisonous before we place it in your room." He explained before looking out the window. "We'll be reaching the villa in ten minutes."
Xi Xie hummed in agreement and checked the time. More than thirty minutes passed since leaving the Xi Manor. He can still reach the underground arena within two hours given that he can leave right after arranging his things in the room assigned to him.
"Um... Is it okay for me to leave after arranging my things? I promise to be back early."
Marco narrowed his eyes at the little monkey blinking hopefully. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to join my friends in the drag racing. They were waiting for me."
"Will you be competing?" He asked.
"No, I won't. I didn't bring my car. I just wanted to support my friends." And bet. With the power of knowing the plot they can earn money while enjoying the game.
"I'll go with you," he said.
"Huh? Is it okay? Aren't you busy?"
"I'm taking a day off to accompany my fiancée to watch underground drag racing. Is there something wrong with that?"
Secretary Han in the driver's seat: ...Boss, you have to attend the Finance, Entrepreneur, and Decision-Making Exchange in the afternoon and the Grayson Family Banquet in the evening. What day off, boss? T___T