Chapter 58

Cheng Zhiyu's mind reeled. How could Cheng Mo... Did he even grasp the implication?

A strange sense of frustration washed over him.

"Stop that," Cheng Zhiyu said, trying to regain his composure.

"Why?" Cheng Mo grumbled, "Cheng Zhiyu, who was it that used to kiss me and say they liked me?"

Cheng Zhiyu: "…" Can we not revisit the past?

"What, you don't like me anymore?" Cheng Mo challenged.

Cheng Zhiyu felt utterly drained. How could he possibly explain this to Cheng Mo?

He didn't know. In the end, he simply said, "That's not it."

Cheng Mo seized the opportunity: "Then can I stay tonight?"

What choice did Cheng Zhiyu have? Cornered, he could only concede, "Suit yourself."

Cheng Mo was ecstatic. He stripped down to his boxers, hugged Cheng Zhiyu, and declared, "Time for bed."

Cheng Zhiyu replied evenly, "Mm."

He thought to himself: It's fine, it's fine. I'll get used to it. Consider it a test of my mental fortitude.

"Zhi Yu, why are you still wearing clothes to sleep? Doesn't it feel uncomfortable?" Cheng Mo whispered devilishly, "Take them off, like me."

Cheng Zhiyu felt like a monk tempted by a demon. He closed his eyes and tried to meditate: "I'm used to it."

"I think that's a bad habit," Cheng Mo said seriously, sliding his hand into Cheng Zhiyu's pajamas. "Take them off."

Cheng Zhiyu's body warmed: "Get your hand out!"

Cheng Mo whined, "Just take them off."

Cheng Zhiyu snapped, "If you keep this up, you're sleeping alone."

Cheng Mo: "No…"

Cheng Zhiyu gritted his teeth: "Then take your hand out!"

Reluctantly, Cheng Mo withdrew his hand, sighing, "You could have just said so. No need to be so fierce. You never used to scold me. You didn't say anything even when I crawled into your clothes."

Cheng Zhiyu: "…" Would talking nicely even work? Some people would take a mile if you give an inch.

Besides, how could now be the same as before? He wouldn't have such thoughts about a dog, but Cheng Mo was different—yet the other just didn't understand.

Forget it, no use dwelling on it. It's so annoying.

Cheng Mo shifted, pressing tightly against Cheng Zhiyu as he hugged him, sniffing the back of his neck. His warm breath fanned over it: "Zhi Yu, you smell so good."

Cheng Zhiyu let out a breath. Stay calm, stay calm: "It's just the body wash. If you like it, I'll get you a bottle with the same scent later."

Cheng Mo sniffed again: "I don't think it's the body wash. It's your scent, Zhi Yu."

"Shut up and sleep!" Cheng Zhiyu threatened again, "If you keep disturbing my sleep, you'll sleep alone."

Cheng Mo: "Got it, got it."

He thought he wouldn't be able to fall asleep, but perhaps because Cheng Mo's scent was so familiar, Cheng Zhiyu's eyelids grew heavier and heavier until he gradually drifted off.

In a hazy dream, Cheng Zhiyu stirred and suddenly felt something wet. Realizing what it was, he blushed and carefully broke free from Cheng Mo's embrace.

"Zhi Yu, what are you doing?" Cheng Mo mumbled.

Cheng Zhiyu cleared his throat, trying to sound calm: "I'm going to the bathroom."

Cheng Mo opened his eyes and glanced at Cheng Zhiyu: "I'll come with—"

Cheng Zhiyu quickly said, "You stay put and sleep."

Worried the other might follow, he added, "I haven't slept enough. I'm coming back to sleep after this."

Hearing this, Cheng Mo indeed gave up on following and closed his eyes again: "Then come back quickly."

Cheng Zhiyu mumbled an agreement and hurried to the bathroom.

At that moment, he was immensely grateful that his room had an attached bathroom. Right after graduating, he'd earned some money from an internship and renovated the house. Thinking a private bathroom would be more convenient, he'd had one installed in his room.

If he didn't have one, he'd have to go outside—and his parents usually woke up at the first light of dawn.

He went into the bathroom, changed his clothes, and blushed as he washed his underwear. Thinking about that vague dream, he felt a pang of frustration.

Dammit, had his feelings for Cheng Mo… changed? Before, even if Cheng Mo could turn human, he'd thought of him as a child—he'd even considered raising him like his own.

But now… he'd ended up so grown.

Afraid Cheng Mo might suddenly come in, he quickly finished washing his underwear. Hearing his parents talking outside, he realized they were already up.

No, he couldn't hang these outside to dry…

He could only leave them in the basin for now and deal with it later.

Letting out a sigh, he left the bathroom. As soon as he reached the bed, Cheng Mo pulled him into an embrace, grumbling complainingly in his ear, "Why did you take so long?"

Cheng Zhiyu’s face flushed, but he pretended not to hear and closed his eyes.

Not getting a response, Cheng Mo opened his eyes and poked Cheng Zhiyu’s cheek: "Why is your face so red?"

Cheng Zhiyu: "…It's hot. Stop holding me, it's too hot."

"How can you say that? Who was it that snuggled into my arms last night?" After complaining, Cheng Mo still used his water power to cool him down.

Cheng Zhiyu said in disbelief, "How is that possible? You're making that up, aren't you?"

Cheng Mo: "I swear on my beastly honor—not only did you snuggle into my arms, you also got handsy, pinching and touching me all over…"

"Alright, that's enough." Remembering the dream he'd had, Cheng Zhiyu couldn't bring himself to argue and could only tell Cheng Mo to shut up.

Cheng Mo kissed his cheek: "It's fine. I'm yours, Zhi Yu. You can touch me however you want."

Cheng Zhiyu cringed: "What nonsense are you saying?"

"I mean it," Cheng Mo said seriously. "Zhi Yu picked me up, so I'm yours."

Cheng Zhiyu: "…But you're not really a dog."

"Of course I'm not." Cheng Mo said unhappily, "Do I have to be a dog to be yours?"

Cheng Zhiyu nudged him to loosen his grip and stated plainly, "You have your own independent personality; you're not property. Of course, you can't belong to anyone, and definitely not to me."

Cheng Mo whined stubbornly, "I don't care, I am yours."

Cheng Zhiyu sighed helplessly; he couldn't quite understand Cheng Mo's way of thinking.

Maybe a dog demon's thoughts are just different from a human's.

Cheng Mo wanted to say more, but Cheng Zhiyu interjected, "If you're not sleepy, get up."

Cheng Mo immediately fell silent. Getting up meant letting go of Zhi Yu, and he wanted to hold him a little longer.

Cheng Zhiyu's thoughts were a mess, not just because of Cheng Mo's behavior, but also because of that dream. How could he have such a dream? His feelings for Cheng Mo... at least his thoughts about Cheng Mo's body were impure.

Logically, he should keep his distance from Cheng Mo and slowly calm himself down, but that was clearly impossible. It wasn't just a matter of whether he wanted to; mainly, he feared Cheng Mo might lose it.

Sigh, better not think about it. Maybe that dream was just a fluke.

——

When Yang Kai woke up, he found himself back at the base. Remembering what had happened before he passed out, his expression turned ugly.

He had actually been roared down twice by that wild boar and passed out—how humiliating.

But then it occurred to him: wait, if he was unconscious, who could have handled the mutant wild boar?

Since he was back at the base, someone must have brought him back. So, what exactly happened? Did the base's Superhumans carry him back and run away after he passed out?

But the wild boar herd shouldn't have let escape those humans who tried to provoke it. The Superhumans who went with him probably were in bad shape...

Thinking this, his face darkened—not because he was worried about their injuries, but because the prestige he had worked so hard to build might have taken a hit.

Ah, well, it's just that the leader of this wild boar herd was too strong. Anyone else would have had to flee too, so how could they blame him?

Thinking this, he went out as usual but sensed something was off. Why were the others looking at him so strangely?

Before, they mostly looked at him with fear, but today there was a touch of scorn in their eyes.

Yang Kai felt uncomfortable under their gaze and wanted to grab someone to ask what was going on, but the person ran off quickly.

Tch, coward.

Still, he felt like something had slipped out of his control, and he had to figure out what it was.

Fortunately, Yang Kai finally bumped into Superhuman A, who'd brought him back. He asked what happened after he passed out: "Did many of the Superhumans who went out with me get injured?"

He thought this was the only explanation for those strange looks. Maybe many of the people on this mission with him were injured or even dead?

This guess made Yang Kai irritable. If that were the case, he wanted to say, how could they blame him? Even if he was the strongest Superhuman in the base, it wasn't his responsibility to protect everyone, right?

However, Superhuman A's answer surprised him: "No one was injured."

"No one? Not a single person?" Yang Kai was shocked. How was that possible? He was knocked out, yet these people managed to escape the wild boar herd's attack?

Superhuman A lowered his head and nodded, not daring to say more, afraid that Yang Kai would take his anger out on him.

"How could no one be injured? You mean no one died, right? Were they all injured?" Yang Kai still didn't believe it and pressed him for confirmation.

Superhuman A said helplessly, "No one was injured."

Yang Kai raised his voice: "How is that possible?!"

Superhuman A cursed his bad luck inwardly, complaining about Yang Kai's incessant questioning. Of course, he didn't dare show it, only venting in his mind while maintaining a respectful demeanor. He figured since he couldn't hide it anymore, he might as well just spill everything.

He just hoped Yang Kai wouldn't fly off the handle and take it out on him: "We really almost didn't make it, but Cheng Zhiyan's brother came back with a few people."

"Cheng Zhiyan's brother?" Yang Kai said in disbelief. "How is that possible? How could he come back?"

Since he'd already started, Superhuman A decided not to hold back: "He brought a few Superhumans with him and took care of the wild boar herd right away."

Yang Kai's face darkened.

He moved his lips and asked, "Is he a Superhuman too?"

He didn't specify who, but Superhuman A understood. After all, Yang Kai had always shamelessly had a thing for Cheng Zhiyan. He was in his thirties, and Cheng Zhiyan was only eighteen—anyone who heard about it would say "shameless."

How could Yang Kai not worry? If Cheng Zhiyu found out about this, he'd be in big trouble.

Superhuman A grumbled inwardly but answered honestly: "He seems to be a plant-type."

Yang Kai, who had been a bit nervous, laughed upon hearing this: "Plant-type? Heh... a worthless power, I bet the wild boar herd was taken care of by the people he brought with him, right?"

Superhuman A wanted to retort, since he saw clearly that the wild boar herd leader was taken down by Cheng Zhiyu.

But he opened his mouth and ultimately stayed silent. Better not say anything—if he made Yang Kai angry, he'd definitely suffer for it.

Yang Kai had no idea Superhuman A was holding back, and he instantly felt relieved. He had been thinking that if Cheng Zhiyu had some powerful ability, he'd have to rethink his strategy.

But that's it? Just a useless plant-type.

"By the way, did you guys hunt the wild boar herd yesterday?" Yang Kai thought to ask.

Superhuman A nodded.

"Then where's my share?" Yang Kai asked shamelessly.

Superhuman A almost couldn't hold back an eye roll: "The wild boar has already been split up among everyone."

Yang Kai said in disbelief: "Nothing for me?"

Even if he passed out and didn't help at all, why wouldn't they give him a share of the wild boar?

The Superhumans in the village often didn't have enough to eat, including Yang Kai, so he really cared about the wild boar meat.

"Did Cheng Zhiyu and the others have the nerve to take all the wild boar that should have been our share, just because they helped?" Yang Kai guessed, then sneered, "I'm going to go demand an answer! They really look down on me, Yang Kai!"

"Uh... Brother Yang, you'd better not go," Superhuman A said awkwardly under Yang Kai's puzzled gaze. "We all got a share of the boar... except you."

Yang Kai: "?"

Superhuman A explained that since Yang Kai was knocked out early and didn't help, he didn't get any wild boar meat.

He tried to calm the furious Yang Kai: "Actually, none of us got much—less than 80 pounds each. Cheng Zhiyu and the others each got a whole wild boar."

This didn't calm Yang Kai down but instead made him even angrier. Humiliation—this was utter humiliation!

He immediately got up to go demand an explanation!

He first went to find Lin Kang, who managed the village, but Yang Kai had never accepted his authority and looked down on him anyway. Upon arriving, Yang Kai immediately started questioning him aggressively.

Lin Kang, wearing a pair of frameless glasses and looking bookish and polite, said helplessly, "This is the rule set by the village. Besides, everyone else has no issues with this distribution."

Yang Kai was absolutely fuming: "Why am I the only one who didn’t get any?!"

This was no longer just about the meat—it felt like an intentional dig.

However, Lin Kang kept repeating the same few sentences, mastering the art of deflection, which frustrated Yang Kai immensely. Yet, there was nothing he could do. After all, Lin Kang had been polite, and no matter how arrogant Yang Kai was, he couldn’t just hit him.

"No way, I’m going to find Cheng Zhiyu and demand an explanation!" Yang Kai said angrily. "I’ve never been treated like this before!"

Lin Kang said calmly, "Don’t get worked up. Just talk it out properly…" Though he said this, he made no move to stop Yang Kai. Well, it was time to take some edge off Yang Kai. He was too arrogant and failed to consider that Cheng Zhiyu and the others had made it back safe from City A—how could they not have some skills?

Lin Kang shook his head. Managing these superhumans was so difficult; every day he felt like quitting.

Meanwhile, Yang Kai really did go to find Cheng Zhiyu.

He pounded loudly on the door.

At that moment, Cheng Zhiyu was waiting for a chance to hang his underwear outside.

Cheng Mo, however, noticed something was off. Why had Zhi Yu gone back to his room right after breakfast?

Cheng Mo came in to check on him: "Zhi Yu, didn’t you sleep well last night? Let me nap with you a bit longer."

Cheng Zhiyu’s lip twitched. With you here, I definitely won’t sleep well.

He said, "I’m not a child. I don’t need company to sleep."

Cheng Mo was unhappy, his handsome face set sternly: "Is it the same? When have you ever slept alone? Without me, you definitely can’t sleep!" He said this with absolute certainty.

Cheng Zhiyu: "For over twenty years before I met you, I slept just fine."

Cheng Mo grabbed Cheng Zhiyu’s hand and bit down on it hard, leaving a faint mark: "Say that again!"

Cheng Zhiyu fought back a laugh. Cheng Mo was weirdly adorable—did he really think this could threaten him?

He pulled his hand back: "Alright, enough. Now it’s all slobbery."

"You're disgusted by me?" Cheng Mo looked hurt and incredulous. He cupped Cheng Zhiyu’s face and gave a loud kiss on his cheek: "Don’t you dare be disgusted by me!"

Cheng Zhiyu was annoyed: "Stop kissing me randomly…"

Cheng Mo: "You used to…"

Cheng Zhiyu: Fine, fine, it’s all my fault.

"Ahem, get out first." Cheng Zhiyu pushed Cheng Mo. Honestly, hanging the underwear out openly wouldn’t be a big deal, but whenever he saw Cheng Mo, he felt inexplicably guilty.

Cheng Mo narrowed his eyes: "You…" Before he could finish his question, loud knocking came from the door.

Cheng Zhiyu seized the opportunity: "Go open the door."

Cheng Mo was reluctant but said, "Got it."

As soon as he left the room, Cheng Zhiyu quickly seized the moment and, sneakily, hung his underwear in the yard.

Mrs. Cheng had already gone to open the door, with Cheng Mo following behind her.

When the door opened, they saw the furious Yang Kai.

Mrs. Cheng didn’t really know Yang Kai and asked politely, "What can I do for you?"

Yang Kai said aggressively, "I’m here to get an answer from Cheng Zhiyu. Tell him to come out!"

Cheng Mo narrowed his eyes, shielding the flustered Mrs. Cheng behind him, and looked at Yang Kai with a dangerous expression: "What do you want with Zhi Yu?"

Under Cheng Mo’s gaze, Yang Kai felt as if he were being pinned by a predator’s gaze. A primal instinct deep inside him made him fearful.

He swallowed hard, feeling that backing down would be too shameful, and tried to stand his ground: "I’m here to… of course, get an answer! What does he mean by this? Why am I the only one who didn’t get any pork?"

Cheng Mo snorted, his tone casual yet infuriating: "Why? Because you’re good-for-nothing, of course."

Inside, Cheng Zhiyan also heard the commotion at the door. Catching Yang Kai’s voice, she grew somewhat worried.

Cheng Zhiyu, having finished hanging his underwear, noticed Cheng Zhiyan’s expression and frowned: "Yanyan?"

Cheng Zhiyan came back to herself: "Brother."

Cheng Zhiyu walked over and asked, "You seem to really dislike Yang Kai?"

Cheng Zhiyan pursed her lips and said, "That guy bullies the weak because he thinks he’s strong. Of course I dislike him."

Cheng Zhiyu felt his sister was holding something back, but since she seemed unwilling to say more, he didn’t press further. He would find out eventually.

Zhou Min came over to see what was happening. Hearing the noise at the door, he tsked: "Ah, it’s fine, sis. Someone’s about to be in for it~"

Cheng Zhiyan blinked.

At the door, Yang Kai was infuriated by Cheng Mo’s blunt words. He completely lost his temper and raised his hand to attack Cheng Mo.

But then, lightning struck his head, turning his hair all frizzed.

Cheng Mo seemed to find this amusing and laughed, propping his chin on his hand as if deep in thought: "Tell me, where should I zap next?"

Yang Kai shivered. The man had easily dodged his attack!

Now he had backed down completely, but he also felt humiliated. Many people nearby had heard the noise and come to watch. He said, "I’ll come back to settle with Cheng Zhiyu later!"

Cheng Mo’s smile faded, his eyes turning dangerous.

He didn’t think this useless guy posed any real threat to Zhi Yu, but his words were truly irritating.

Maybe he should just silence him permanently?

As he pondered this, someone suddenly grabbed his hand. Cheng Mo’s expression shifted, and he broke into a bright, sunny smile at Cheng Zhiyu.

"Zhi Yu, that guy’s words were really annoying," Cheng Mo complained.

Cheng Zhiyu: "He’s just lashing out because he got humiliated. Ignore him."

Cheng Mo listened to him: "Alright, I’ll let it slide this time."

Since Zhi Yu is kinder, he had to be kind as well, at least on the surface.

Cheng Father and Cheng Mother, seeing that Yang Kai was just a paper tiger, breathed a sigh of relief.

Cheng Mo was passing through the courtyard and sharply noticed something new. He looked at Cheng Zhiyu and complained, "Zhi Yu, why are you so shy? It's just hanging up underwear, and you still have to hide from me."

Cheng Zhiyu: "...I need to go see Lin Kang."

He had to bring back the remaining half of the rice from the warehouse as soon as possible.

Cheng Mo, the clingy one: "I'm coming with you too."

Cheng Zhiyu let him be; even if he refused, the other would still follow.

Soon, he met Lin Kang, who looked refined and smiled warmly: "I heard about you yesterday. Even if you hadn’t come to see me today, I would’ve invited you to meet."

After hearing about Lin Kang’s actions, Cheng Zhiyu had a rather favorable impression of him.

He smiled and said, "You’re managing the base and must be busy with affairs. It’s better for me to come to you."

"Haha, there’s indeed a lot to handle at the base," Lin Kang said, making a pained expression. "I don’t have much experience in management, so I’ve been figuring things out as I go. Luckily, our village is small."

Even with fewer people, he still wasn’t managing very well. Ah, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Lin Kang said, "Speaking of which, thanks to the Mutant wild boars you hunted yesterday, we’ve at least eased the survival crisis of the base a little."

Cheng Zhiyu frowned and asked, "Is the base short on food?"

Lin Kang nodded with a heavy expression: "Yes, it’s unavoidable. Most of the Superhumans in the base aren’t very capable—Yang Kai is considered one of the stronger ones. I originally wanted to look after both ordinary people and Superhumans, but as resources dwindle, the conflict between them deepens."

"Surviving in the apocalypse is hard. Even the wild beasts outside have become stronger than humans. Ah, humanity's living space keeps shrinking. It’s really..." Lin Kang sighed mid-sentence.

Cheng Zhiyu comforted him: "You’ve already done very well. At the very least, you’ve largely ensured the safety of everyone in the base."

Honestly, he was grateful that Lin Kang had taken the initiative initially, establishing a safe place where his loved ones have stayed safe.

"Ah, this is all I can do," Lin Kang adjusted his glasses.

Cheng Zhiyu stated his reason for coming and said with a smile, "I know about a warehouse that has rice. It might temporarily ease the situation at the base."

Hearing this, Lin Kang’s eyes lit up, and he excitedly grabbed Cheng Zhiyu’s hand: "Really? That’s great, that’s great! I’ve been worried sick about this!"

Cheng Mo stared intently at Lin Kang’s hand. Tch, so annoying.

Cheng Zhiyu said, "Of course, but I have one request. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you, though."