Deviant: No Longer Human

Josephine slipped into the driver's seat of the red Audi with the ease of someone used to getting her way. She revved the engine, the car's roared a testament to its power and her growing impatience.

Booom!

Slipping on her sunglasses, she shot a glance through the cafe's glass wall at Aisha, her expression a blend of determination and a silent plea for support.

The sound of the engine was like a declaration of independence, the loud boom resonating in Aisha's chest as she watched Josephine prepare to take off.

With a resigned sigh and a shake of her head, Aisha turned to address Maya and Elise. "You guys can go back. I'll go and accompany Josephine for the day," she said, a slight edge of protectiveness in her voice.

"Sure," Elise replied, her smile unwavering, as if she'd been part of orchestrating the entire scenario. Maya simply nodded, her agreement silent but complicit in the day's events.

As Aisha stepped out of the cafe and into the uncertainty of the day, she couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for Josephine. The weight of it rested on her shoulders like a mantle—Josephine was her friend, and despite the chaos, she would stand by her.

Josephine, meanwhile, sat in the driver's seat, the embodiment of newfound freedom and the independence it entailed.

Vrooom!

As Josephine and Aisha departed, Elise and Maya remained at the Boreal Cafe, their conversation turning to their own matters. Their voices were a soft murmur in the now quieter space, their scheming smiles exchanged over coffee cups.

Meanwhile, Yin Yue's voice came to Wang Xiao, a signal that the immediate danger had passed. [Wang Xiao, I can't feel the presence around anymore, they left,] she informed him.

Wang Xiao felt a wave of relief wash over him. For a moment, he had feared his carefully constructed anonymity had been pierced. He was meticulous about maintaining the fake identity provided by Li Zhiming, ensuring his purchases and movements could not easily be traced back to him.

He knew the face in the circulated bounty photos bore little resemblance to his current one. He had changed a lot since those pictures were taken—so much so that he believed even his family might struggle to recognize him now.

Later that evening, rather than returning directly to the villa, Wang Xiao chose a more covert approach. He flew in through an open window, his movements silent as a shadow. To the outside world, he and Anran were recluses, holed up in their sanctuary. But Wang Xiao was not one to be caged. He slipped in and out unnoticed, the gangsters surveilling the villa none the wiser to his aerial escapades.

Even with Li Zhiming's assurances of handling surveillance, Wang Xiao remained cautious, ever mindful of cameras and prying eyes.

Settling down on the cold floor of the living room, he turned on the television, scanning the news channels for anything that might pique his interest. Finding nothing noteworthy, he switched to more casual viewing, opening a pack of chips and beginning to absentmindedly munch.

The quiet evening was suddenly interrupted by a burst of energy.

"Yayyyy!"

The sound of rapid footsteps approached, and Whoosh!

Anran appeared, her arrival as sudden as a storm, breaking the stillness of the villa.

Her energy was like a whirlwind, her movements swift and skillful.

In a fluid, almost acrobatic motion, she lunged towards Wang Xiao. Before he could react, she was on his back, her arms wrapping around his neck in a mock ambush.

"Caught you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with mischievous laugh. Her grip, though firm, was careful, a balance of respect for his strength.

Wang Xiao, taken by surprise, managed to keep his balance, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, as he continued munching,"Have you finished all the tasks already, that you have spare time for this?" he asked, his tone light yet edged with a hint of seriousness.

In response, Anran swiftly maneuvered herself from his back to face him, her large eyes blinking innocently. She eyed the packet of chips with obvious temptation but hesitated, recalling the less-than-pleasant outcome of her last chip-snatching adventure. She looked at him with misty, pleading eyes, trying a different tactic this time.

!!

'Again?' Wang Xiao sensed the familiar prelude to Anran's antics.

Every time she opened her mouth, she had a knack for making him rethink about the future of humanity.

Anran, maintaining eye contact, uttered a word that was unexpected and slightly unsettling in this context. "... Baby..." Her hand inched closer to the chip packet as she spoke.

"..."

Wang Xiao's expression darkened, a shiver of discomfort running down his spine. "Speak like that again, and I'll throw you out for wolves to eat," he warned, his tone a blend of annoyance and sternness.

Anran's attempted charm offensive halted abruptly at Wang Xiao's stern warning, her hands freezing mid-air.

She withdrew her hand and retreated slightly, flashing back a awkward smile under his gaze.

Wang Xiao, with a small smile, resumed munching on his chips, then gently shoved her aside. "Stop being too clingy," he said, his tone light but firm.

Undeterred, Anran slid back closer to him. "Why not?" she asked, feigning innocence. Then, her expression shifted as a mischievous smile spread across her face. "Do you want to use me at night and then throw me aside during the day, uh-huh! I disapprove!" she declared, lightly shaking her head.

Yin Yue, [She has a point]

Wang Xiao glanced at Anran, her face beaming with pride.

He couldn't help but wonder if the recent events had given her too much free time, leading her to current situation.

"Your imagination is running wild," Wang Xiao responded, a hint of reproach in his voice. "But if you're so bored, maybe I should find some chores for you around the villa."

Anran's eyes widened at the suggestion of chores, bravado fading, before a smug smile restored over her face, "You can't scare me anymore! Hehe... I have finished all the chores already!" she hopped back onto his lap, facing him, she maintained her grin, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

Wang Xiao's expression remained unchanging as he took a moment to survey the room. His eyes landed on the unwashed dishes still lingering, then moved to the couch, which was in disarray. Finally, his gaze settled on the dining table, cluttered and uncleaned from the previous night. Surprised at her bold claim, he turned his attention back to Anran. "...

Did you even prepare breakfast?" he asked in a calm, almost dubious tone.

Anran, "..."

Her smile gradually faltered as she realized her boast might have been premature.

She looked away momentarily, trying to muster a response. "...Um, about that..." she began, her voice trailing off, unable to come up with a convincing excuse.

Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, "It seems your definition of 'finishing all the chores' is quite different from mine," he commented plainly.

Anran let out a sheepish laugh, trying to lighten the moment. "Well, you know, I did some of them... The rest are... still in progress," she admitted, her tone a mix of defeat and concession.

Wang Xiao shook his head, an amused yet exasperated expression on his face. He stood up, gently moving Anran off his lap. She slid down gracefully onto the cold floor, her eyes following him as he walked over to the dining table. There, he picked up a bottle of water, took a drink, and then carefully placed it back, his movements deliberate and precise.

"Do you know what would happen if there was liquid nitrogen in this bottle instead of plain water?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of a lesson about to be imparted.

Anran, slightly suspicious and wary of where this conversation might be going, took a moment to consider her response. "... What would happen?" she finally ventured.

Wang Xiao's smile turned wickedly playful. "You would bloat by two times," he said casually.

"That's it? Phew..." Anran replied, a sigh of relief escaping her lips, "...You had me worried for nothing," she whispered to herself.

Wang Xiao shook his head again, not done with his hypothetical scenario. "That's just the limit of your stomach, before it can't take anymore and explodes!"

!!

Anran's eyes widened in shock at the graphic description. Wang Xiao glanced at her with a knowing smile, almost as if he enjoyed her startled reaction.

Realizing she might have overstayed her welcome in her playful sprawl on the floor, Anran hurriedly stood up. "I-I'll go do the dishes..." she stammered, eager to escape the topic and perhaps redeem herself in the household chores department.

As she scurried off to the kitchen, Wang Xiao's smile lingered.

Booom!

Rumble!

Crash!

The abrupt, thunderous sounds of blasts outside the villa shattered the momentary peace, jolting both Wang Xiao and Anran. Wang Xiao's expression shifted instantly from amused to alert, his senses honing in on the source of the disturbance.

"What...?" he murmured under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he quickly assessed the situation. The suddenness of the explosions suggested an unexpected attack or a serious incident nearby.

Anran, alarmed by the noise, peeked out of the kitchen, her face etched with worry. "Wang Xiao?" she called out, seeking reassurance or an explanation from him.