Tong Sui had caught the aroma of food from afar.
When he first arrived in this apocalyptic world, he wouldn’t have had any major reaction, but after two weeks of rough traveling, he had gone a long time without a decent meal. The cafeteria was bustling with people. The dishes were divided into several windows based on different prices. Most individuals only ordered one dish or a meat and a vegetable, which could be considered a luxury for those with abilities.
As soon as they entered, they attracted dozens of curious gazes, and whispers suddenly filled the air.
“Jiang Hua is back from a mission so soon.”
“Who is that person with him? I’ve never seen them before. They don’t seem like someone from the base.”
“I heard he brought them back from outside. Looking at their appearance, they probably traded their body for it.”
“I thought Jiang Hua had no interest in such things.”
“To be fair, the little vine he found is really beautiful. I wonder if I’ll have a chance after Jiang Hua gets tired of them.”
Jiang Hua paused his steps. His icy gaze landed on the man who had made the last comment, causing the man to suddenly sweat and flee.
Tong Sui, confused, asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jiang Hua replied. “You can decide what you want to eat.”
“Okay.”
Tong Sui stood at the window, hesitating. He wanted to try several dishes, but if he ordered too much, he definitely wouldn’t finish it all. So, he turned to Jiang Hua and asked, “Can I order some and share it with you?”
“Of course.”
As Tong Sui held his dishes, envious glances from those around them were directed his way. Especially from the capable ones who had previously tried to flirt with Jiang Hua but failed; they hadn’t expected Jiang Hua to be so generous with someone else. They felt a pang of resentment. If only they had persisted a bit longer back then, perhaps they would be in Tong Sui’s position now.
At that moment, a familiar figure walked in.
Jian Lexian was getting his meal. When he saw Jiang Hua and Tong Sui seated together, he clicked his tongue in his heart. The capable diners who had been eating also stopped and turned to watch them with interest.
“This is going to be entertaining.”
“Didn’t Jian Lexian always consider himself the main squeeze? Let’s see how he tears into them now.”
“If I had to choose between the two, I’d pick the little vine. They’re much prettier.”
Jian Lexian walked over, stopped in front of the two, and took a seat. “Hua Team.”
Tong Sui’s action of serving Jiang Hua paused. He didn’t have a favorable impression of the protagonist of this world.
Jiang Hua said coldly, “Get up.”
Jian Lexian’s expression stiffened. “Hua Team, I—”
Jiang Hua interrupted him sharply.
“I’ll say it one last time. Get up.”
Jiang Hua’s gaze was completely indifferent, as if he were staring at a stranger, with an impatient cold glint flickering in his eyes. Jian Lexian had no choice but to stand up, hearing the surrounding murmurings grow louder.
Jian Lexian’s grip on the tray turned white from exertion.
“We’ve cooperated for quite some time. I made a mistake in that situation. Can’t you give me one more chance?”
Jiang Hua replied, “I never trust those who have betrayed me.”
Jian Lexian had to shamefully leave the cafeteria. As he disposed of his food in the trash, he turned with a grim expression.
Jiang Hua, on the other hand, was completely at a loss for what to do next. He had to think about his future. Jian Lexian didn’t want to undergo another painful experience in this life; no matter the means, he had to survive.
In the cafeteria, the gossip buzzing around reached Jiang Hua’s ears.
“New love is indeed sweeter than the old.”
“Jiang Hua is quite heartless; after all this time working together, he just swaps people.”
“Space manipulators are everywhere. Jiang Hua being interested in him is just good luck for that guy.”
Listening to these cutting words, Jiang Hua felt inexplicable irritation swell within him, tightening his brows and making his already cold expression even more forbidding. He had usually ignored such gossip. But now, he found it extremely annoying. If Tong Sui heard these remarks and believed he had entangled himself with someone else, how would he think of him?
Jiang Hua’s attention landed on Tong Sui, and his irritation subsided slightly. Tong Sui was eating, but he noticed Jiang Hua’s gaze and looked up. “What’s wrong?”
“I have no relationship with Jian Lexian.”
Jiang Hua rarely made such clarifications. He continued, “A year before the apocalypse, I was hired domestically to protect him. The contract period has ended. After the apocalypse, it’s just a normal cooperative relationship.”
Tong Sui was momentarily taken aback. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“I don’t want you to misunderstand,” Jiang Hua replied. “I have never had any relationship with anyone else; therefore, I’m very clean.”
Tong Sui felt something was off about what he said. But he nodded, indicating he understood.
After they finished eating, Jiang Hua took Tong Sui to a mall to buy clothing. The clothes there were all from before the apocalypse. In a world where food was scarce, very few people spent money on such superficial appearances.
When the shop owner saw them enter, his eyes lit up. It seemed today could be a big sale for him.
He quickly approached, “Hua Team, what do you need?”
“Buy for him,” Jiang Hua instructed.
The owner, noticing Tong Sui’s pretty face, quickly understood the situation. “No problem, I’ll find him some quality pieces. What size does he usually wear?”
Jiang Hua reported a string of numbers.
Tong Sui was surprised. “Hua Team, how do you know my size in such detail?”