Jian Lexian held a basket of apples and distributed them to the team members at the dining table. “Here, one for each person; today’s treat is apples.”
When he reached Jiang Hua, Jian Lexian rummaged through the basket and said, “Hua, this biggest and reddest one is specially saved for you.”
Jiang Hua replied with a grunt, not looking up.
For a moment, Jian Lexian’s expression stiffened, but he quickly adjusted himself and placed the apple by Jiang Hua’s hand.
He then turned to Tong Sui and said, “I’m sorry, the fruit is limited; the base allocates rations by headcount, so I can’t give you any.”
“Oh, it’s fine, I don’t—”
Tong Sui started to say he wasn’t planning to eat anything, but Jiang Hua reached over and placed the apple in front of him, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Tong Sui looked a bit confused, “Hua?”
“I’m full.”
Jiang Hua picked up his empty bowl and stood, also taking away Tong Sui’s bowl.
Tong Sui paused for a few seconds, looking at the large apple and realizing that it had actually been saved for him.
Jian Lexian was taken aback.
He stopped Jiang Hua, who was about to leave, and said, “Hua, how can you give your ration to him? He’s just…”
Jiang Hua shot him a cold glance, “Are you interfering in my personal matters?”
His blue eyes gave off an inhuman coldness and oppressive aura at that moment.
Jian Lexian closed his mouth.
But he seemed unwilling to relinquish his stance, replying, “I still have some personal supplies.”
“No need. I don’t like taking things from others.”
Jiang Hua said this and walked away.
Jian Lexian tightened his grip on the basket, feeling the gaze of everyone secretly on him. After a long time, he forced out an ugly smile and continued handing out the remaining apples.
The several team members present watched silently, pretending not to see anything.
Jiang Hua was a top-tier lightning-type ability user; although his reputation at the base was not particularly high, his status was very significant.
Many young and attractive men and women had made various suggestions to him, but Jiang Hua remained entirely unmoved.
Not everyone could earn his favor.
They quietly glanced at Tong Sui.
This seemingly ordinary little lab worker had achieved what many others could not.
He Lian sensed the awkward atmosphere and patted Tong Sui’s shoulder, “Little one, come with me upstairs. I’ve arranged for you to stay in the room next to Hua. But remember to lock your door at night, or he might sneak into your bed.”
Tong Sui’s face flushed at her playful tease.
He stood up, holding the apple in his palm, and followed He Lian upstairs.
As he watched their figures disappear around the corner of the stairs, Jian Lexian retracted his gaze, a flash of unwillingness passing through his eyes.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted the map laid out on the table.
The business center was a dangerous place indeed.
For someone entirely powerless, encountering trouble was expected.
He Lian opened a room on the second floor and handed him some daily necessities, all brand new shampoo and body wash.
She walked into the room, lighting a candle for Tong Sui.
The dark room was bathed in warm yellow light.
He Lian made a round in the room and, ensuring there was no danger, suddenly lowered her voice, “Can I call you Xiao Sui?”
Tong Sui nodded.
He Lian chuckled, “You like our Hua, don’t you?”
When this topic came up, Tong Sui lowered his head slightly.
Whether it was the candlelight or his shyness, under the warm yellow glow, he appeared extra charming.
Before the apocalypse, He Lian had been a policewoman, and after the apocalypse, she evolved into a metal-type ability user, with her only hobby left being shipping couples.
She said, “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t tell anyone about this.”
Tong Sui finally nodded softly.
He Lian sported a satisfied look, as if she had hit the nail on the head, “Rest assured, our Hua is absolutely interested in you; it’s just a matter of time before you both get together.”
Tong Sui gripped the apple tightly and whispered, “He actually seems quite indifferent towards me.”
“You just haven’t seen him when he’s really cold. I’ve been on several missions with him; it’s the first time I’ve seen him willing to be this close to someone.”
He Lian leaned in a bit closer and whispered, “But you should watch out for Jian Lexian; he appears harmless, but he acts as if he has a claim on Hua as his partner. I’ve been uneasy about him for a while.”
Tong Sui nodded, “Thank you for telling me so much.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” He Lian clapped his shoulder casually, “Just make sure to get together with Hua soon!”
Tong Sui felt his face burning from embarrassment due to her teasing.
After He Lian left, Tong Sui placed the apple Jiang Hua had given him on the bedside table.
He took his clothes and went to take a shower.
After showering, Tong Sui sat on this entirely unfamiliar bed with his hair still wet.
The candlelight was limited, and the corners were shrouded in darkness, as if lurking some unknown monsters.
The surroundings were oddly quiet.
Tong Sui felt as though he was about to be engulfed in this darkness; he took a deep breath and walked towards the balcony.
The city under the moonlight had lost its previous brilliance, appearing like a decaying grave. The wind rustled the leaves, and the air seemed to carry a faint, unpleasant odor.
In the next room, Jiang Hua rested his arms under his head, seemingly asleep in the darkness.
Moments later, he opened his eyes.
His gaze was clear, holding no signs of sleepiness.
Jiang Hua couldn’t help but replay scenes from the day in his mind, unable to drive them away.
The little lab worker surrounded by zombies, much like a princess trapped in a castle waiting for a knight’s rescue, trembled as they wrapped their arms around his neck, radiating a clean and pleasant fragrance.
When curled up in the car seat, they were merely a small bundle, their mouth small enough to fit entirely in his own.
When the little lab worker shed tears, their eyes turned a light shade of red, hinting a soft pink around the nostrils, their clothes were wrinkled with chaotic folds.
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