Chapter 46

The bathroom fell silent, an unspeakable stuffiness slowly spreading with the steam.

Si Nan sat in the bathtub, the hot water barely reaching his waist. Because his abdomen was so flat, the faint top half of his V-line was exposed. His upper body was slightly hunched. His wet hair clung to the corners of his eyes and his forehead. His eyes were slightly narrowed, squinting up at Zhou Rong, the angle making the corners of his eyes appear sharp and slanted upwards.

Zhou Rong recognized this posture. It could be interpreted in two ways:

An Omega's shyness, hunching their shoulders and back when naked;

Or the prelude to a soldier tensing their body, preparing to attack.

Based on his understanding of Si Nan in a normal state, it should be the latter.

Zhou Rong said earnestly, “If I said I was just helping you bathe, would you believe me?”

After a long silence, Si Nan slowly said, “I'll believe you, as a courtesy.”

...

“So, do you want to wash together now, or...?”

Of course!

The roar was like a scalding hot glutinous rice ball tumbling in Zhou Rong's mouth before he painfully swallowed it back down. Zhou Rong retreated outside the door and said politely, “No, call me when you're done washing.” He then gently closed the door.

Click.

Maintaining that tense posture, Si Nan slowly sank back into the bathtub with a splash.

The hot water soaked his body, seeping into and softening his cold, stiff, and sore muscles bit by bit. A tingling numbness penetrated deep into his nerves and marrow, making his whole body go limp. The moment he woke up, he had a very subtle feeling… a feeling he had never experienced in his life, but one his instincts vaguely recognized.

But before he could think about it, Zhou Rong pushed the door open, interrupting his thoughts. The sudden rush of Alpha Pheromone instantly intensified this change.

When Zhou Rong spoke, listening to his voice, Si Nan could even feel something suddenly loosen somewhere inside his body.

—This isn't good.

Si Nan closed his eyes, his back resting against the cool ceramic tiles. He quickly tried to organize the fragmented memories of the past few days in his mind, using the power of reason to suppress the strange, soft, melting sensation flowing through his body. However, it wasn't very effective.

In the rising white mist, it felt as if a pool of warm water was gently sloshing deep inside him, almost about to overflow. When he tried to recall what the hell Rommel and his gang had interrogated him about, what kept flashing through his mind wasn't the pain of the electric shocks, but Zhou Rong's strong, powerful arms and that small, triangular patch of dark skin at the collar of his shirt.

The corner of Si Nan's mouth twitched. He didn't dare stay in the hot water any longer. He stood up with a splash and hastily dried his body.

Clean clothes had been neatly folded into tofu blocks by Zhou Rong and placed on a shelf. Si Nan changed into a clean shirt, casually wiped the mirror, and saw that his face was flushed red, his eyes seemingly brimming with moisture.

“...I'm done.”

Zhou Rong was in the kitchen making congee. He looked up at the sound.

Si Nan stood at the kitchen doorway with his hands behind his back. His posture was ramrod straight, his tone was steady, and his expression was as calm and upright as a National News anchor, though for some reason, the corners of his eyes were slightly red.

Although he was no longer a wilting little Si Nan burrito wrapped in a blanket, he was still handsome and good-looking like this, possessing a clean and sharp quality that was admirable. For a split second, Zhou Rong felt ashamed of his own indecent thoughts. He coughed, put down the ladle, and smiled, “Then I'll go take a shower too. You watch the congee, don't let it burn. There's salt and sugar on the shelf.”

Si Nan said nothing.

Zhou Rong walked out of the kitchen, brushing past him at the doorway. In that instant, he felt Si Nan's gaze quickly slip inside his collar.

Zhou Rong: “...?”

'Is he coveting my perfect physique, or did I just imagine it?'

As he pushed open the bathroom door, Zhou Rong couldn't help but look back. He saw Si Nan, with graceful and calm steps, walk straight to the stove, ladle up a spoonful of vegetable and meat congee, and blow on it with concentration. Amidst the rising white steam, only his elegant chin was clearly visible.

'I must have seen it wrong,' Zhou Rong thought, not without a little regret, and closed the bathroom door.

Zhou Rong, feeling like he was about to explode from holding back, leaned against the door, his mind filled with indescribable R-rated images. In the bathroom, which was filled with a mix of warm steam and a honey-scented pheromone, he took care of himself twice, and his nerves, which had been burning to the point of intolerance, finally cooled down a bit.

He took a combat shower with cold water and emerged full of vigor, just in time to see Si Nan standing in front of the stove, sneakily adding something to the congee.

“What's wrong?” Zhou Rong asked loudly. “It's already thick enough! Don't add any more canned food!”

Si Nan immediately turned around, his hands behind his back. “Okay.” Then he licked the corner of his mouth clean.

Captain Zhou was mesmerized by the pale red corners of his lips and failed to raise sufficient vigilance in the first instance.

Zhou Rong rummaged through the vehicle, found a finger-sized bag of cookies in a corner, and opened it to feed to Si Nan, taking the opportunity to observe the shape and luster of Comrade Xiao Si's lips up close. Then he heated up the dried onions and sauce from a single-person combat ration bag, using it to cook the chopped Italian meatballs, and soaked hard, dry bread crumbs in it to eat.

Si Nan had nothing to do and wandered idly around the kitchen. Zhou Rong tossed him the car keys and ordered, “Go, go look for something to drink in the car, see if there's any beer.”

Si Nan took his orders and left, returning a moment later with a packet of instant drink mix, holding it out in front of Zhou Rong with two fingers.

High-fiber, high-protein isotonic drink.

“...It's better than nothing,” Zhou Rong comforted himself, then looked Si Nan up and down. “Why only one packet, you don't want one?”

Si Nan shook his head.

“Today is a good day, we should celebrate. Go get something to drink.”

Si Nan said, “No, I'll save it for you.”

The two looked at each other for a long time. Zhou Rong's eyes were full of concern, Si Nan's face was full of innocence. In the kitchen, there was only the gurgling sound of the simmering congee.

After a while, Zhou Rong finally sighed and wiped the milky white powder from the corner of Si Nan's mouth. “The milk powder is all yours. Don't hide and eat it dry. Bring it up and mix it with water to drink, be good.”

Si Nan: “...Oh.”

·

Si Nan wandered in and out, occasionally grabbing a piece of bread or being fed a mouthful of meat sauce by Zhou Rong. By the time dinner came, he was almost full.

Zhou Rong set up a dining table in front of the second-floor window, pulled open the curtains to reveal a sky full of stars, and placed two steaming pots on the tabletop: a congee made with luncheon meat and dehydrated vegetables cooked with rice, and bread crumbs soaked in onion meat sauce.

Each had a bowl and chopsticks. Zhou Rong drank the high-protein nutritional powder, and Si Nan drank sweet milk made with hot water.

The two toasted. Zhou Rong cleared his throat and said solemnly, “Today is a day worth commemorating. After four months of wandering in exile, our 118th Escape Squad has finally welcomed a moment of family reunion and bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new—the Spring Festival.”

Si Nan clapped with a deadpan expression. Zhou Rong took a sip of his drink:

“The first toast: The organization wishes Comrade Si Xiaonan healthy growth, peace, safety, and success in all things in the new year.”

Si Nan cooperatively replied, “You too, Rong-ge.”

Zhou Rong patted his head and gave him a red envelope—a small bag of raisins.

“The second toast: To Comrades Chuncao, Yan Hao, Ding Shi, and Guo Weixiang of the 6th Squadron, Unit 118, who are absent at this moment. May they have arrived safely at the South Sea Base and successfully completed the handover to the Central Government. And may our seventeen comrades-in-arms who have already left us be well in heaven and be reincarnated smoothly… No, it's better if they wait until after the disaster is over to be reincarnated.”

Zhou Rong took another sip and recited the seventeen names one by one in the order of their sacrifice, the last one being Zhang Yingjie.

After reciting them, he was silent for a moment. Si Nan watched him quietly.

“The third toast: May the government develop an antiviral drug as soon as possible, and may humanity be freed from disaster, rebuild their homes, and restore stability and peace soon.”

Zhou Rong raised his glass to the brilliant night sky and poured the last sip of his drink onto the ground:

“To the millions of heroic souls in heaven and on earth, please witness us, with mortal hands, continuing the hope for the survival of our race.”

There was no moon tonight, but the stars twinkled, casting a faint white glow on the mountains and rivers.

Zhou Rong turned to Si Nan and smiled. “Eat up. It'll get cold later. Try Rong-ge's cooking.”

Si Nan nodded and reached for a piece of bread in the meat sauce.

Zhou Rong's palate was still more inclined towards Chinese food, so he took a bowl to serve himself the fragrant, thick, and soft vegetable and meat congee he had been simmering for hours. But when he scooped it, he found the congee was surprisingly thin. On closer inspection, he saw that some of the meat and vegetables hadn't broken down, clearly having been added not long ago.

“Si—Xiao—Nan!” Zhou Rong's expression suddenly changed. He said sternly, “How much did you sneak? Speak!”

Si Nan: “...”

“After sneaking food, you even knew to add more to it. Are you clever or what? If you have the guts, don't just add canned food, add some rice! Did you think I wouldn't notice this pot of vegetable mush?!”

Si Nan knew he had been exposed. He pondered for a moment, then threw down his spoon on the spot and, seizing the initiative, held up the small bag of raisins. “Where's the big red envelope?”

“...”

“No big red envelope for the New Year? Who are you kidding? What's wrong with eating a few spoonfuls of your congee? Didn't you make it for me to eat anyway?”

Zhou Rong was rendered speechless by this twisted logic. The next sentence was the final straw that made him surrender: “Or did you cook it for Yan Hao?”

“...” Zhou Rong said with sincerity, “Comrade Xiao Si, I think Yan Hao would cough up blood if he heard you say that... You absolutely must not say it in front of him.”

Si Nan, eating an Italian meatball, curled up one side of his mouth at him, his eyes brimming with pleasure and satisfaction.

·

On New Year's Eve, the vast north wind swept through the mountains and forests. In the distance was a darkness as thick as ink that wouldn't dissipate. Zombies roamed and wailed back and forth in the valleys, while the grimly bright stars silently looked down upon the earth.

But in this small corner of the world, there was warm food, clean clothes, and a powerful and reliable sense of security. Si Nan sat cross-legged and slumped in his chair, feeling completely comfortable after his hot bath, wanting to stretch out languidly at any moment.

The anger, hatred, and pain he had experienced in front of Rommel a few days ago, as well as the pinprick-like regret and longing deep in his heart, all seemed to have become memories from a past life. The moment Zhou Rong descended like a god from the heavens, they had all vanished into thin air.

Si Nan scooted closer to the edge of the table, like a boneless cat, leaning half his body weight on Zhou Rong's shoulder.

Zhou Rong's voice was a little low and hoarse. “Little comrade, this counts as sexual harassment, I'm telling you.”

Si Nan said lazily, “Go ahead and report it. I sexually harassed an Alpha People's Liberation Army uncle. Quick, call the police to arrest me.”

This posture brought the two of them almost pressed together. The food in Zhou Rong's mouth instantly lost its taste. All he could smell was the surging and spreading scent of Omega Pheromone, like invisible, soft little hooks, teasing the most sensitive spot in his heart.

“Si Nan,” Zhou Rong said with difficulty, swallowing his congee.

“Mm.”

“Your... Inhibitor...” He seemed to have trouble saying it. “It seems to have... worn off.”

Sipping his milk, Si Nan said nonchalantly, “How is that possible? I got the shot at the end of September. It doesn't wear off for half a year.”

Zhou Rong thought, 'But your scent is very obvious. Could it be that your numerous injuries caused the Inhibitor in your blood to be metabolized ahead of schedule?'

“How did you find me?” Si Nan unconsciously rubbed against Zhou Rong's sturdy bicep and asked casually.

Zhou Rong, unsettled by the Pheromones, briefly recounted how he had jumped from the helicopter, searched sleeplessly for forty-eight hours in zombie territory, even ran to a tall building to light a smoke signal, and finally met that Alpha, Abbas, who was over two meters tall, and followed him all the way to their temporary base.

Si Nan said in a muffled voice, “Those are people from Country A's White Eagle Unit. Rommel is their leader. They have a secret military base in Florida where they conduct all kinds of biochemical research, which might be directly related to the zombie virus outbreak.”

“Then why did they capture you?”

“...Not too clear.”

Zhou Rong looked down just as Si Nan looked up, and their lips almost brushed.

For an instant, Zhou Rong's heart gave an unruly leap, but Si Nan seemed completely unaware. “My brain was injured a bit. They gave me an overdose of some injection, which makes it a little difficult for me to think for a while...”

Zhou Rong opened his mouth, suddenly realizing where his feeling of wrongness was coming from.

—Si Nan's gaze was fixed directly on his lips!

Because the distance was too close, he couldn't see clearly, but Zhou Rong was certain there was something hazy in Si Nan's unblinking gaze. It couldn't be called completely unintentional, but it wasn't very lucid either. If he had to describe it, it was as if it were some kind of subconscious reaction.

“They seemed to be asking me about some box,” Si Nan murmured as if sleep-talking, “some scarf...”

Zhou Rong reminded him in a low voice, “Si Xiaonan?”

Si Nan closed his eyes, then opened them a moment later and sat up straight in realization. “What?”

—The extremely ambiguous atmosphere from just now was instantly broken.

“What were we just talking about?” Si Nan, unaware that he had been staring at the other's mouth, said seriously, “If I can remember, I'll definitely tell you. Right now... my head's a bit of a mess, and I can't remember many of the clues clearly. The drug they injected me with might take a few days to wear off.”

Zhou Rong felt a little regretful. He reached out and rubbed Si Nan's temples, smiling. “If you can't remember, don't think about it. Take your time. Rong-ge believes in you.”

Being rubbed by his broad, warm palm, Si Nan acted abnormally again. He reflexively tilted his head up, like a feline chasing a pleasant caress.

But it was only for an instant.

Si Nan seemed to suddenly realize his action was wrong and abruptly froze, grabbing his spoon and stuffing a mouthful of vegetable and meat congee into his mouth.

Zhou Rong: “...”

“It's really delicious,” Si Nan said calmly, each syllable filled with a stiff attempt to cover up his embarrassment.

“...” Zhou Rong advised with concern, “Be careful not to choke.”

·

Zhou Rong's original plan was that since Si Nan was both not fully conscious and clingy, he could just hold him and sleep in the same bed at night. However, man's plans are no match for heaven's. Si Nan had unexpectedly woken up halfway through his bath, which now made the sleeping arrangements for the night a very awkward matter.

“You haven't recovered yet, you sleep on the bed.” Zhou Rong grunted and groaned as he dragged the sofa in from the next room, then clapped his hands and said, “I'll just sleep on the sofa. We'll be in the same room, so it'll be convenient to sound an alarm if anything happens at night.”

Si Nan lolled against the headboard, raising one eyelid to watch Zhou Rong bustling about. It was as if that tall, sturdy back had a magnetic pull that kept him from looking away in his drowsy state.

The unobstructed Alpha scent filled his nostrils, yet he was beginning to find the smell very pleasant, as if a soft, light, and thick layer of clouds was enveloping his entire body, making him feel comfortably limp.

Si Nan lay face down on the pillow and closed his eyes.

The last thing he saw before falling asleep was Zhou Rong lying on the sofa opposite him, his eyes shining brightly in the darkness, looking towards the bed. He seemed to want to do something, but he just rolled over and ultimately didn't.

What didn't he do?

...It seemed a goodnight kiss, which had been so regular these past few days, was missing.

Si Nan let out a breath, his consciousness spinning as it plunged into a deep sleep.

“Goodnight, Si Xiaonan,” Zhou Rong said in the darkness. “Happy New Year.”

In the middle of the night.

Zhou Rong's eyes snapped open the instant he heard a sound. His nerves tensed, and he shot up.

Starlight streamed into the bedroom from the window. He saw Si Nan, sleepy-eyed and carrying his pillow, staggering over. He squeezed onto the sofa, the meaning being for Zhou Rong to scoot over, then collapsed headfirst.

Zhou Rong was thoroughly startled. He propped himself up on his elbows and stared for a long while before asking tentatively, “Si Nan?... Si Xiaonan?”

Si Nan's flexibility must have reached a state of perfection. In such a narrow space, he was still able to lie with his back to Zhou Rong, curled into a ball, hugging his pillow and sleeping very soundly, even letting out a light snore.

“...Are you throwing yourself at me, Comrade Si Xiaonan?”

The bedroom was silent. No one answered him.

Warmth bloomed in Zhou Rong's heart. He couldn't help but smile, then scooped Si Nan up horizontally, and the two of them, wrapped in a blanket, slept together on the bed.

In a daze, Si Nan felt a slight warmth on his temple. It was the goodnight kiss they had missed tonight. He mumbled a few things unclearly, unable to even hear what he was trying to say, and pressed his head against the hollow of Zhou Rong's bare, firm neck, falling comfortably asleep.