Epilogue
**Wen Yu**
I was a stunted, defective flower.
Xun Ye was the Puppy I brought back.
The Puppy was too small, couldn't survive winter without shelter.
I mutated into a man-eating flower, devouring all dangers around him.
I watched him chase his tail in joy, happy through countless sunrises and sunsets.
1
I brought back a little milky Puppy, covered in wounds. So pitiful.
He bared his soft belly, promising me.
He'd become my Stray Dog, always by my side.
I didn't believe in forever, but I kept him.
His name was Xun Ye, a nice name.
He said Mom named him Ye hoping he'd grow wild.
Plainly, not die easily.
But people die.
Mom passed.
I knew she was free from this world.
The grudges she left, I remembered.
2
The first time the Puppy bit someone, I paid half Mom's inheritance to save him.
He smashed Wen Qi's head, tore the mistress's skirt.
So impulsive, always causing trouble.
But he was my Puppy.
He looked up at me, face scarred.
Waiting for my praise.
I patted his head.
"Good boy."
3
The good Puppy seemed to see me as a fragile white flower.
He bared teeth, blocking me, spouting nonsense about protecting me forever.
I didn't need him fighting my battles.
Wen Qi was too dumb, no fun to play with.
Xun Ye was too naive, unaware of countless ways to make people vanish forever.
I left Wen Qi for Xun Ye to toy with.
I liked the smugness on his face. I indulged him.
Even if it brought trouble.
4
At fourteen, I took over Grandpa's businesses.
Often I'd be up handling things while Xun Ye slept curled on my bed.
He had his own room, but never used it.
He said I'd have nightmares, needed him there.
I didn't call him out on crying out "Mom" in tears those nights.
I let him hold my waist, curl around me.
Even in dreams, he protected me.
5
The day I nearly died, I dreamed of Mom.
I never told anyone.
Hate was the only thing keeping me alive.
I'd long tired of this world.
Fighting over it all, just to die.
I only hated my own hesitation, not going all-out.
Mom came for me.
She reached out, gentle as always.
I wanted to go, but heard crying.
My Puppy, my Xun Ye.
He cried so pitifully, heartbroken.
Without my shelter, the Puppy wouldn't last.
I pulled back, told Mom.
"I'm not going."
If I left, my Puppy would be too pitiful. He'd die too.
I promised to stay with him forever.
One year less, one month, one day, one hour, one minute, one second—he wouldn't have it.
Mom patted my head gently and vanished.
I woke to Xun Ye.
He cried so hard, hugged so tight, my bones hurt.
I started soothing him.
Eighteen-year-old Xun Ye had sharp features, narrow eyes, looked intimidating.
Thick brows, straight nose, thin lips.
His wild, defiant air was my doing.
The Puppy grew up.
I kissed his lips. He turned back into a Puppy.
His softness showed only to me.
6
Xun Ye went wild when crazy.
But all for me.
His frequent moves kept Wen Family from acting.
I had fewer chances to act myself.
Wen Qi got sent abroad.
I wasn't rushed. Revenge aside, I found something more interesting.
Xun Ye.
I thought I liked him.
We kissed often, hugged, slept cuddled.
Nearly dying really scared him.
His protectiveness kept me in his circle every second.
A sick control.
I let him.
I enjoyed it too.
He cared so much.
He and I were each other's prisoners long ago.
7
Killing three people was easy.
I could make countless flawless plans.
Undetected.
But I had Xun Ye. His morals were my creation.
I was responsible for him.
We couldn't break the law.
I warned him, and myself.
Even if it took more effort to set traps.
8
Xun Ye seemed to notice my little secrets.
The vixen's disappearance, Dad as vegetable, Wen Qi's hands broken in prison.
Xun Ye was my Puppy. Bullies couldn't walk away unscathed.
I'd said following me meant no one would bully him again.
I didn't hide it. He trusted me fully.
When kissing, he nipped my earlobe lightly.
"You're too captivating, Wen Yu."
9
Xun Ye's mother came, but I blocked her.
No one could take him.
Unless he chose to leave me.
I waited in the room till sunset, moonrise.
I lied, actually.
If Xun Ye didn't return, tomorrow I'd have him killed.
Hide the body, make it a specimen.
Luckily, he came back.