Deviant: No Longer Human

Wang Xiao's smile softened as he watched the fear slowly fade from Mei's eyes, replaced by a shy calmness. "You see?" he said gently, his voice steadying her like a warm breeze. "Ordinary people don't just get poisoned. Now, isn't it time you show me what you've been hiding down there?"

"Mm..." Mei blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She would have forgotten if not for his reminder.

A glance at the clock told her it was still only eleven o'clock at night, but she knew she needed to return before midnight.

Her hands, small and graceful, reached for the package resting beside her chair.

With delicate movements, she pulled it into her lap, then hesitated for a moment before offering it to him.

Wang Xiao's eyes flickered with curiosity as he took the package, his fingers brushing against the soft white fabric of the bag.

There was a hint of confusion in his gaze as he looked at it, the faintest crease forming between his brows.

"It's... your birthday present," Mei said softly, her voice tinged with shyness.

Her gaze lowered, and she fidgeted slightly, the tips of her ears turning a delicate pink. "I didn't know what you'd like, so... I thought you could have two presents—this one from me, and another of your choice."

Her words were laced with uncertainty, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird.

She had agonized over what to get him, struggling to find something that would make up for the years they had lost.

In the end, she could only offer this, hoping it would be to his liking.

Wang Xiao's eyes softened as he looked at the gift, then back at her beautiful face.

Slowly, he unwrapped the package, revealing a sleek black box with the unmistakable crown logo etched in gold—Rolex.

His heart skipped a beat as he opened it, revealing the timeless beauty of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual.

The watch was a masterpiece of elegance and precision.

Its silver stainless steel case gleamed under the dim lighting, perfectly complemented by the smooth, polished bezel.

The dial was a striking shade of blue, with hour markers that caught the light just so, reflecting a subtle, almost ethereal glow.

The second hand swept smoothly across the dial, an evidence to the watch's impeccable craftsmanship.

"This is... perfect," Wang Xiao finally said, he looked up at Mei, his eyes shining with appreciation. "Thank you, Mei."

Mei's heart fluttered as she saw the appreciation in his eyes, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

She felt a wave of relief wash over her, knowing that her choice had been the right one

As Wang Xiao carefully fastened the watch around his wrist, Mei watched with a sense of quiet satisfaction.

"Every time I look at it," Wang Xiao said, his voice soft but full of meaning, "I'll think of you."

Mei's smile deepened, a mixture of joy and contentment filling her heart.

The night felt a little less cold, the world a little less vast, knowing that this small act had brought them closer together.

Mei's heart fluttered as Wang Xiao fastened the watch around his wrist, his words echoing in her ears, 'Every time I look at it, I'll think of you.'

The sentiment behind them was sincere, but there was something about the way he said it that caused a small flush to rise on her delicate face.

Her cheeks tinged pink, and she quickly averted her gaze, feeling a wave of shyness wash over her.

Just then, Wang Xiao's phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back to the present. He glanced at the screen, where his Discord group—his network of secret spies scattered across the world—was active with messages.

The group, simply named "Deviants," was composed of individuals who had once been powerful and feared, but now moved in the shadows, using aliases like Lazyangel, Turtle, and Immortal Soul.

The names were peculiar, but they held deep significance in the circles they moved in.

Despite the flurry of notifications, Wang Xiao's sharp eyes quickly scanned the messages.

Finding nothing of immediate importance, he dismissed them for now, focusing on the next step in his plan.

"Okay," he said, breaking the silence and drawing Mei's attention back to him. "Now it's time for my second gift, I suppose."

He stood up, his movement smooth and deliberate, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Huh?" Mei blinked, her confusion evident as she looked up at him. She had promised to buy him anything within her budget, but the sudden shift in the atmosphere left her uncertain.

She had saved diligently over the past years, keeping her expenses minimal.

Despite her ample savings, she couldn't shake the lingering worry.

What if what he asked for was beyond her means?

She had even borrowed some extra money from her friends, just to be safe.

The last thing she wanted was to disappoint him.

As she watched him, standing there with that unreadable expression, her heart was worried.

What could he possibly want?

And why did it feel like this moment was about to change everything?

______

"Umm... Brother... Are we there yet?" Mei's voice quivered slightly, betraying the nervousness that had been building within her.

"Not yet," Wang Xiao replied calmly, his voice steady.

"Oh..." Mei's worry deepened, but she followed his lead obediently.

Blindfolded, she was acutely aware of every sensation—the sound of their footsteps on the ground, the cool night air brushing against her skin, and the warm, reassuring presence of Wang Xiao beside her.

His hand rested lightly on her exposed shoulder, guiding her with a touch that sent shivers down her spine.

Susie, Kari, and the other officers followed at a respectful distance, their presence a silent reassurance.

But it was Wang Xiao's touch, guiding her with a light press on her shoulder, that she focused on.

His hand was warm against her soft, jade-like skin, a contrast to the cool air that brushed against them.

Finally, Wang Xiao's voice broke the silence. "We're here," he said softly, his tone carrying a sense of anticipation. "Don't remove the blindfold yet—there's one last step."

"Okay," Mei whispered, her voice barely audible as her heart began to race.

Wang Xiao crouched down beside her, his movements slow and deliberate. "No footwear is allowed inside," he murmured, his voice dropping lower, almost intimate.

Without waiting for her response, he reached for her feet.

Hiss!

Mei's breath hitched as she felt his hands slide along her ankles, his fingers wrapping around her smooth legs with a gentleness that was both reassuring and unsettling.

The touch was intimate, more so than she had expected, and a rush of heat flooded her face.

As he began to remove her heels, his fingers brushed against the sensitive skin of her calves, sending a wave of unfamiliar sensations coursing through her.

Her legs trembled slightly, betraying the mixture of emotions swirling within her—confusion, embarrassment, and a hint of shame.

The way he handled her, so deliberate and squeezed her skin, made her feel shameful of her own thoughts, in a way that both frightened and intrigued her.

Wang Xiao took his time, his fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary as he slid the heels off her feet.

The sensation was electric, her skin tingling where his fingers had been.

Mei's breath quickened, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to process the insanity of the moment.

The cool air against her now bare feet was different compared to the heat that flushed her cheeks.

As Wang Xiao stood back up, Mei felt a profound sense of disorientation.

She couldn't see him, couldn't predict his next move, and that uncertainty only heightened her awareness.

She felt acutely aware of her own body, of the way her dress touched against her skin, of the lingering sensation of his touch on her legs.

Wang Xiao's voice was a low murmur as he spoke again, "You can remove the blindfold now."

Mei hesitated, her hands trembling slightly as she reached up to untie the blindfold.

As the fabric fell away, she blinked, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.

The room before her was softly lit, the atmosphere intimate and enclosed, with the scent of rose subtly filling the air.

Her mood instantly plummeted to wrost.