When the Frost Breaks: Her Return to the Wolf's Den

"I…" Su Qianran parted her lips to speak—

Creak.

A soft sound cut her off as the door to the inner room opened.

Her gaze instinctively snapped toward it, expecting to see Ethan step out.

But instead, what emerged was a stunning woman—delicately sculpted, as though handcrafted by the gods themselves. Her features were elegant, almost cold, exuding an untouchable aura. Just looking at her gave Su Qianran the sense that she was standing beneath a frozen peak.

The woman didn't linger. After glancing briefly in Su Qianran's direction, she turned to Lin Yiwang and said, her tone neutral but commanding, "Yiwang, go in and take care of Ethan."

And with that, she brushed past and retreated into her room, the door shutting behind her with quiet finality.

Su Qianran blinked, still stunned. "She…"

"She's my boss at the company," Lin Yiwang said casually, then turned her gaze back toward Su Qianran with a faint smile. "Miss Su, you want to eat regularly, don't you? We've got plenty of food here. Hot water for baths too…"

Her tone was temptingly sweet, almost hypnotic.

But Su Qianran instinctively stepped back a little, wary. "What exactly do you want me to do in return?"

"Oh, it's simple," Lin Yiwang said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Mr. Ethan could use a little help—someone to take care of him. You stay, and you can be that someone."

Su Qianran's eyes widened. "Just… take care of him?"

Lin Yiwang tilted her head innocently. "What else would it mean? You thought I was suggesting something… indecent?"

Before Su Qianran could speak, Lin added, "Of course, even if you were thinking that way, it'd still be up to Mr. Ethan. I wouldn't dare make that decision for him."

Her playful tone contrasted sharply with the calculating gleam in her eyes.

Su Qianran didn't reply. She kept silent, not daring to tread further into this topic, but Lin Yiwang's words still echoed in her mind.

She's not his girlfriend?

As if reading her thoughts, Lin Yiwang giggled and leaned closer. "I'm just Mr. Ethan's bodyguard. I take care of his daily life, that's all. So… you still have a shot, sweetheart."

That last part was teasing, but it lodged itself into Su Qianran's heart like a splinter.

Mr. Ethan. Bodyguard. Daily life?

Was Ethan someone important? Someone with secrets?

She thought back to his pursuit of her—two years of relentless devotion. She'd noticed it, of course. It was impossible not to. But she never said yes. Nor did she reject him outright. Why should she? He was useful. A loyal puppy who followed her around, ran errands, and kept other pests away.

Two weeks ago, he finally confessed his feelings.

She'd been caught off guard… but mostly annoyed. Not by the confession itself, but by the fact that she might lose a perfectly good errand boy.

So, in front of countless onlookers, she rejected him. Ruthlessly. The kind of rejection that should've crushed any remaining self-respect he had.

But she forgot one thing—a simp doesn't get to have pride.

Would Ethan have moved on if that night he hadn't logged into Apocalypse Online?

If he hadn't endured all he did?

No one could say for sure. Maybe he would've woken up the next morning and gone right back to chasing her like nothing happened.

Maybe not.

"By the way," Lin Yiwang said suddenly, voice smooth, "you came here to seek shelter with us, right?"

Shelter?

Su Qianran almost denied it reflexively.

She hadn't meant to stay. She just wanted some food—something, anything to keep going. It had been days since she'd last eaten properly. Her dormmates had scattered to search for supplies, some of them even—

Her thoughts darkened. She'd heard whispers. That two of her roommates had traded their bodies for food.

In the world of Apocalypse Online, when you ran out of resources, your flesh became currency.

Su Qianran hadn't gone that far. Not yet.

But offers had been made.

She'd come to Ethan as a last resort. He'd chased her for two years. Surely he wouldn't turn her away now… right?

Still, nothing had prepared her for what she found inside: a warm apartment, hot water, and actual food.

Out there, people were freezing to death. Fighting over crumbs.

And here?

Luxury.

She swallowed. In the real world, she might've turned up her nose at this.

But this wasn't the real world anymore. This was Apocalypse Online.

And this kind of living? This was survival.

So when Lin Yiwang asked again, her voice was sweet like honey—

"You came to join us, didn't you?"

—Su Qianran hesitated, then slowly nodded.

"Good girl," Lin purred, her eyes glinting.

"Oh crap!" she exclaimed suddenly, turning toward the kitchen. "The soup!"

Moments later, she emerged holding a small pot, steam rising from the top as the scent of bone broth filled the apartment.

Su Qianran's stomach growled involuntarily.

"Come," Lin said smoothly, nudging the door to Ethan's room open.

Inside, Ethan was sprawled across the bed, clearly exhausted. His body practically radiated fatigue.

"Ugh…" he groaned, not even bothering to lift his head.

But the moment his eyes landed on Su Qianran, he froze. Then slowly, he sat up.

"…You?"

He hadn't expected to see her. That much was clear.

"She wants to stay here with us," Lin explained breezily, placing the pot of soup on the nightstand. "She's asking for shelter."

Ethan's eyes flicked toward the pot. Then back to Su Qianran.

"There are already three people here," he said after a beat, his tone flat. "No room for a fourth."

And then, his voice grew cold.

"Miss Su, please leave."