Chapter 303- Cultured Villain vs. Humanoid Weapon (08)
He told Auntie Wang to set aside a portion for Mu Jin, then quickly scarfed down his own meal. Carrying Mu Jin’s food on a tray, he returned to the room.
Tonight’s dinner was already a bit more elaborate than usual. Jian Minghui had even added a can of meat and an egg pudding he’d secretly pocketed earlier at the mall to the tray, intending for Mu Jin to enjoy them when he woke up.
He knew Mu Jin probably had plenty of these kinds of snacks stored in his space, but he couldn’t help wanting him to eat well.
Mu Jin, though lightly sleeping, had noticed when Jian Minghui left the room. Smelling the food on the tray when he returned, he opened his eyes right away.
Sitting up, he saw the steaming food and promptly got out of bed, moving to the table. The meal consisted of only two dishes: stir-fried cabbage with ham and an improvised stew made from canned pork, some spicy noodles, and a few greens.
It was far from gourmet, just filling, but in the apocalypse, this was considered good food.
The supply team had also brought back some rice and flour, so Mu Jin even got a bowl of hot rice. Though cooked in a big pot and not much to look at, the taste was surprisingly good.
Mu Jin quickly noticed the extra can and pudding atop the tray, knowing well they weren’t from the kitchen. With a hint of a smile in his eyes, he looked at Jian Minghui and asked, “Did you save these for me?”
Jian Minghui nodded, not trying to deny it. His kindness toward Mu Jin was genuine, yet he also hoped Mu Jin would remember it. He wasn’t the type to do things anonymously; he wanted something in return, though he wasn’t sure what exactly. Seeing Mu Jin’s happiness made it all feel worth it.
After devouring his meal, Mu Jin scooped a spoonful of the egg pudding, savoring the creamy richness, something he hadn’t tasted in ages. Remembering his previous life as a wretched vampire who could only drink blood, he suddenly felt like he might cry from the simple pleasure of real food.
Nothing was better than a proper meal, he thought, finishing most of the pudding in a few bites. Seeing the last spoonful, Mu Jin turned to the smiling Jian Minghui, saying, “Open your mouth.”
Almost instinctively, Jian Minghui complied, and before he knew it, Mu Jin had fed him a generous spoonful of pudding, saving the last bite for him.
Before he could even react, Mu Jin curved his brows and smiled, saying, “This is my thank you.”
No one would usually use someone else’s gift as a thank-you, especially the last bite. But for some reason, Jian Minghui found this odd gesture endearing.
In the past, he couldn’t stand close contact with others and even had a slight cleanliness obsession, never once eating anything someone else had left. Yet, with Mu Jin, he felt no aversion at all.
Watching Mu Jin lick his lips, savoring the pudding’s last bit, stirred a warmth in his chest. Mu Jin’s lips, slightly reddened from dinner, looked particularly enticing. Remembering the creamy texture of that last spoonful of pudding, Jian Minghui couldn’t help but wonder if Mu Jin’s lips might taste even better.
No, he didn’t even need to taste to know it would be true—Mu Jin’s taste would be incomparable.
Realizing his thoughts, Jian Minghui froze, then bitterly shook his head, feeling as if he were under some strange enchantment.
Since everyone had to prepare for departure to the base the next morning, most went to bed early to rest up for the journey ahead.
Not long after, Lou Bin returned to the room. Though the villa didn’t have many rooms, the shortage of women in the team meant that the men got a few extra spaces to themselves.
Naturally, some who preferred solitude had found quiet spots throughout the villa, laying down makeshift bedding anywhere from the hallways to the living room. In the apocalypse, people had grown used to rough living; a mat or a blanket on the floor sufficed for a night’s rest.
Typically, this room was shared by Jian Minghui, Lou Bin, and an earth-type ability user. But perhaps thinking that Mu Jin joining would make the room too cramped, the other ability user decided to crash in the lounge, cozying up on a comfortable-looking sofa.
Lou Bin, a chatterbox, started peppering Mu Jin with questions as soon as he entered the room, not stopping for a moment.
Mu Jin knew that in the original story, Lou Bin was Jian Minghui’s steadfast right-hand man, extremely loyal to him. Even after Jian Minghui lost influence, Lou Bin never betrayed him, though he met a rather tragic end.
For those loyal to his lover, Mu Jin had an extraordinary amount of patience. So listening to Lou Bin’s rambling chatter didn’t bother him at all; in fact, he found Lou Bin somewhat amusing.
In the end, Jian Minghui couldn’t take it any longer and told Lou Bin to quiet down so they could all get some rest. Reluctantly, Lou Bin fell silent, settling onto the sofa in the room, where he soon drifted off to sleep.
The remaining double bed was naturally for Mu Jin and Jian Minghui. As night fell, Jian Minghui wished Mu Jin goodnight, then casually took off his outer clothing and lay down on the bed. No one knew, however, just how nervous he actually was.
The thought of sharing a bed with Mu Jin made Jian Minghui’s heart skip a beat. When Mu Jin finally lay down beside him, he noticed the subtle, soothing scent Mu Jin carried—a faint fragrance of lotus leaves mingled with a hint of medicinal bitterness, deeply calming.
Earlier, during their encounter with the zombies, the air around them had been too dense and chaotic to notice. Now, after Mu Jin’s simple bath and change of clothes, his scent was unexpectedly captivating.
Resisting the urge to move closer, Jian Minghui instead took a few deep breaths, inhaling the fragrance as subtly as he could in the dark. A small, contented smile even found its way to his face, as he realized he hadn’t felt this relaxed in a long time.
But, strangely, after relaxing, Jian Minghui found himself unable to fall asleep. Listening to Mu Jin’s steady breathing beside him, he turned to quietly study his face by the light of the moon.
Mu Jin’s lashes were long and delicate, framing his face as he slept peacefully. Staring at him without moving, Jian Minghui wasn’t having any untoward thoughts; he simply found Mu Jin’s presence calming, almost beautiful.
Time seemed to slip away as Jian Minghui watched him, and soon, Lou Bin’s snores filled the room. Suddenly, Mu Jin’s eyes opened. They were bright, almost glowing in the moonlight, and Jian Minghui tensed instantly.
Mu Jin turned his head to face Jian Minghui, one eyebrow raised, as though surprised he was still awake. Then, with a soft smile, Mu Jin raised a finger to his lips and motioned for silence before slipping out of bed. He moved quietly over to the large floor-to-ceiling window, opened it, and gestured for Jian Minghui to join him.
Seeing Mu Jin under the moonlight, Jian Minghui couldn’t help but swallow nervously. Carefully, he got up and walked over, only for Mu Jin to immediately wrap an arm around his waist.
They embraced under the moon, and though Jian Minghui had no idea why Mu Jin suddenly did this, it didn’t stop his heart from racing wildly. He had already realized his feelings for Mu Jin, and now, here was the object of his affection, holding him close on the very first night. Jian Minghui was briefly overwhelmed by the thought of his sudden good luck—until the next moment, when he felt his world shift, realizing he was being lifted off the ground.
As a man nearly six feet tall, Jian Minghui was stunned to be so effortlessly picked up by someone with a much smaller frame. Reflexively, he wrapped his arms around Mu Jin as they leaped out the window and down to the street below.
Should he be proud of his composure for not yelling out in shock? Or maybe he should be grateful that, at the very least, he wasn’t being carried like a princess—allowing him to keep a bit of dignity.
Though Jian Minghui wasn’t heavy, he certainly wasn’t light either. But Mu Jin carried him with such ease that it left him questioning reality. A few more agile leaps, and they were a safe distance from the villa. Once he was set down, Jian Minghui let out a relieved breath and asked, “Where are we going?”
Mu Jin, noticing how his lover was trying to appear calm, smiled slightly. “Aren’t you afraid I might just sell you off?”