Deviant: No Longer Human

Whoosh~!

The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread, but as they stepped outside, the cool breeze cut through, bringing with it the familiar bustle of the city.

At first, they exchanged lighthearted catch-up questions, old laughs about the reckless days they'd shared. Chen Li—now a bit rounder and softer around the edges—seemed stuck in the past, reminiscing with a sparkle in his eye.

Wang Xiao couldn't help but feel a strang; it had been years since he'd seen someone who remembered him before all the power and titles.

Then Wang Xiao finally asked, "So what are you doing here, really?"

Chen Li's face reddened slightly. "Well… I think I'm in love."

Wang Xiao almost choked on his cigarette.

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Pfft!

He raised a brow, half-amused, half-stunned, as Chen Li awkwardly added, "With Chen Meili. I don't know, man… she's just… different."

Trying to stifle his laughter, Wang Xiao took another drag of his cigarette, listening as Chen Li explained.

Chen Meili had worked with his father for a while, having been referred by Wang Xiao himself, but then she'd suddenly left, deciding to open this little bakery. Chen Li's father had sent him here now and then to lend her a hand.

He figured she was on her own, so he had her back. Somewhere along the line, though, Chen Li's admiration had turned into full-blown infatuation.

Wang Xiao bit back a sigh, nodding as if deep in thought. But his mind wandered, the nostalgia hitting him like a slow burn. If Chen Li knew the whole story—knew the girl he worshipped once worked as a receptionist in a seedy brothel, and that Wang Xiao had 'had her'—he'd probably drop dead.

The memory crept back, vivid and a little wild. Meili, back then, with that mix of charm and cheerfulness, her gaze sharp as a blade even as he coaxed her into his bed.

Thump, thump, his heart beat faster as he remembered the thrill of it, the taste of it all very vividly.

She'd been untouchable to most men who saw her, yet somehow, he'd managed to leave his mark on her.

And it wasn't just her.

His mind drifted further back, to Fu Yuxin—Fu Chao's younger sister. She'd been six years his senior, an untamed spirit, and he'd managed to bed her as well.

He'd cornered her, caught her off guard, forced her into situations she couldn't refuse — Even now, he remembered the heat of her skin beneath him, the way she'd struggled at first, then yielded in a way that left him feeling... invincible.

Those encounters were dangerous games; one misstep, and he would've been tossed in prison, a kid daring to play with fire beyond his years.

But back then, he had nothing but nerve... No power, no status—only his wild hunger to conquer everything in his path.

Click.

He flicked his cigarette away, a half-smirk tugging at his lips.

Here he was now, far removed from those days, with more strength than he could've dreamed of back then.

Now, he could crush anyone who stood in his way, cover the sky with his hand. But as he listened to Chen Li babbling on about his innocent crush, he felt a pang of something—almost nostalgia, almost amusement.

Chen Li glanced at him, oblivious, pouring his heart out with wide eyes.

He might be adult, but in Wang Xiao's eyes, he looked like a kid, naive to the world's harsh edges.

With a quiet sigh, Wang Xiao looked out over the river, feeling the weight of years and decisions that had shaped him into something beyond the innocent boy Chen Li remembered.

"Hey?"

A shadow moved swiftly, brushing past him with an unexpected bump. Her shoulder collided with Wang Xiao's—

thud

—and the faint scent of wild roses and freshly baked bread filled his senses.

The woman froze, turning around in surprise. Her eyes went wide as she took in the sight of him and Chen Li. "Wang Xiao? Chen Li?"

"Meili—Ha-Ha!" Chen Li's face lit up, practically glowing. "We were just… catching up!"

Wang Xiao chuckled softly, amused by Chen Li's enthusiasm. "Didn't expect to see you darting around here. You look like you're on some urgent mission." he chuckled.

Chen Meili let out a small, embarrassed laugh, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Just a quick errand," she replied. "But… both of you here together?" Her gaze flickered between the two men, lingering on Wang Xiao. "It feels like a strange reunion."

"Well, it wasn't planned," Wang Xiao replied, a faint smile on his lips. "Chen Li here couldn't resist sharing a few things with me."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, glancing at Chen Li, whose cheeks instantly turned pink.

"Just… updates, you know?" Chen Li mumbled, looking everywhere but at her. "Keeping him informed about the… uh… school and… stuff."

Chen Li glanced at Wang Xiao with a look that said, 'Why on earth are you spilling our secrets?'

Wang Xiao only shook his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. This guy had no clue… but the truth was, Chen Meili was well out of Chen Li's reach. If he'd had a chance, he would've made a move long before now. And with the way things stood, it was even less likely.

In fact, Wang Xiao's mind drifted to less innocent thoughts, a dark thrill sparking within him. The idea of making Chen Meili moan again—this time knowing she was the secret crush of his friend—was more than a little tempting.

When had he developed such an… evil character?

But it shouldn't be hard, either. After all, they'd already shared a night that she hadn't forgotten, no matter how she played it.

Chen Meili, noticing the silence, glanced between the two of them, a little crease in her brow. Then her gaze lingered on Wang Xiao, catching him staring at her with a gaze she hadn't seen before.

For a moment, she faltered, her cheeks warming under his look.

"Well, you two… wait here," she said, a bit flustered. "I just need to put my things inside. I'll be right back." She shot them a quick smile, then hurried back toward the bakery door, her steps a little faster than usual.

As she disappeared inside, Wang Xiao's gaze followed her, that wicked thought flickering in his mind. He couldn't deny it—something about this situation was too deliciously twisted not to enjoy.