Deviant: No Longer Human

"Manager Li, you can leave now," Wang Xiao's voice was calm but firm, a subtle command that brooked no argument.

He had noticed the pale look on the manager's face, a clear sign that she had reached her limit.

Manager Li, grateful for the dismissal, quickly collected herself and hurried out of the room.

Her steps were quick and light, as if she feared that lingering too long might cause her to vomit blood from the pressure.

Once outside, she closed the door behind her with a soft click, leaving Yue seated in the large chair, her usually bright eyes now clouded with a rare hint of frustration, while Wang Xiao approached her with an easy, unhurried grace.

Wang Xiao couldn't help but smile as he looked at Yue, her delicate features now tinged with a sulking expression that made her look even more endearing.

An idea sparked in his mind, a bit of mischief playing at the edges of his thoughts.

With a quick, fluid motion, he crouched down beside her, his presence warm and comforting, as he gently pinched her small, button-like nose between his fingers. "Cutie, I think I've seen you somewhere before…" he teased, his tone light and playful.

"Ugh… Dad, don't ever use that word again!" Yue groaned, though there was a subtle sparkle in her eyes as she rolled them dramatically.

Her soft lips curved into a reluctant smile, though she tried to keep her composure, feigning irritation.

Wang Xiao feigned a look of helplessness, releasing her nose and standing up with a theatrical sigh. "Well, if my dear daughter didn't act so heartlessly and let her old dad stand around all day, I wouldn't have to resort to such desperate measures."

Yue's eyes twitched as she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest in a pout.

Her slender figure looked even more graceful as she did so, the slight puff of her cheeks giving her an almost ethereal charm. "No daughter privileges for you today! You're always causing trouble for me. What kind of dad tortures his daughter like this?"

Wang Xiao chuckled, the sound deep and warm, as he reached out to smooth a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead.

"Only the kind who wants to make sure his daughter is strong enough to handle anything that comes her way," he said, his voice gentle, his eyes softening with affection.

Yue's annoyance melted away at his words, though she tried to maintain her stance.

Her large eyes, so full of spirit, softened as she looked at him. "You say that, but it still feels like you enjoy making my life harder."

"Perhaps," Wang Xiao admitted with a playful glint in his eye, his smile growing.

Yue, ＼⁠(⁠°⁠o⁠°⁠)⁠／

"This time, you might be wrong," came Mary's voice, soft yet carrying a resonance that seemed to still the air itself.

She had returned, her presence filling the room like a gentle breeze carrying the scent of withering dark roses, her every movement graceful and precise.

"Hm?" Yue's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she glanced at Mary, suspicion flickering in her bright eyes. "Mary? Of course, you would take his side."

Yue knew Mary well—there was a certain hobby of Mary.

Killing!

So obviously, she loved it when she is provided with the opportunity of merciless slaughter!

Mary shrugged with an effortless elegance, her eyes shimmering like the surface of a tranquil lake. "Manager Li was like a wolf in sheep's clothing. She needed to be reminded of the consequences, to ward off any harmful thoughts that might have taken root."

Yue's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting slightly. "Manager Li?"

A subtle, almost playful smile tugged at the corners of Mary's lips. "She had a once in a century opportunity before her. It would be strange for someone like her not to try and seize it. Your father merely killed a chicken to frighten the monkeys. Now, no one will dare scheme behind your back."

Yue blinked, her long lashes fluttering as she tried to grasp the full extent of what Mary was saying. "What...?" She straightened in her chair, her petite figure tense with a mix of disbelief and concern. "You called him?"

Mary hesitated for a moment, her gaze softening as she looked at Wang Xiao.

With a approving nod from him, she continued, "Manager Li's intentions were not as pure as they seemed. You've just taken over the company, and she likely viewed you as a naive girl, someone easy to manipulate for her own gain."

What Mary left unsaid was that Manager Li had been scheming to disrupt the very marriage event Yue had poured her heart into.

The plan was to create chaos and then swoop in as the savior, solidifying her position by gaining Yue's trust.

But such lessons, Mary believed, were better learned through experience.

Yue's expression turned complicated, her rosy lips pressing into a thin line. "I could have handled it myself," she muttered, her voice tinged with a hint of stubbornness, though the protest was faint, like the last breath of a summer breeze.

She glanced up at Wang Xiao, her large eyes reflecting her inner conflict. "You want me to grow, so why do you keep stepping in? Let me handle things on my own."

Despite her words, there was a soft warmth in her heart, knowing that everything had been done out of care for her.

Yet, the core of the matter remained clear: if she continued to receive such help, how could she ever truly stand on her own?

Mary, sensing the reluctant Yue, spoke gently before Wang Xiao could respond. "In such a short time, it would have been impossible for you to act. It's important to recognize your limitations. Don't doubt your father—he does everything for you, always." With a final, fleeting smile, Mary excused herself, her movements as light as a drifting petal, leaving as if to escape the meaning of her own words.

"Hm?" Yue noticed the subtle surprise on Wang Xiao's face, realizing that Mary had spoken on her own accord.

She couldn't help but think how adorable her father looked at that moment—something only she could find cute, while others might find it terrifying.

The contrast between his calm demeanor and his underlying power was something she had grown used to, even if it still caught her off guard now and then.

Pursing her lips, she hesitated for a moment, then stood up, pointing awkwardly at the chair she had been sitting on. "...Ummm... You can use this one," she offered, her tone shy as she avoided his gaze.