Chapter 36: Long Time No See

His palm felt sticky. Qu Yan lay flat on the bed, curling his fingers slightly as if the warmth of Yan Zhuo’s touch still lingered upon his skin.

It was scorching—a heat so intense it felt as though it would blister his skin if he dared touch it any longer.

Beyond the sliding door, the sound of rushing water filled the room. Lacking the strength to move, Qu Yan closed his eyes, drifting in a hazy stupor.

Today was the tenth day. Yan Zhuo’s loss of control had been subsiding with each passing day; since yesterday, Qu Yan had stopped binding him with vines.

Though the physical vines had vanished, the command remained invisible. Yan Zhuo still could not move a muscle, forced to suppress his instincts with sheer reason to withstand the stimulation of his desires. He was incredibly obedient; only the tightening of his abdomen and his suppressed, ragged breathing betrayed his longing.

He presented a picture of absolute, mesmerizing vulnerability.

Qu Yan recalled the look of vacancy in Yan Zhuo’s eyes and lifted his hand slightly. The milky-white liquid on his palm showed faint signs of drying. Squinting against the sunlight, he leaned in to get a better look.

This was the scene Yan Zhuo encountered as he stepped out of the bathroom.

Perhaps it was merely psychological, but despite the wide-open windows, he could still smell that persistent scent.

Everything that had occurred over the last ten days replayed in his mind—the kisses, the embraces, the uncontrollable trembling of their bodies. He had been like a monster of insatiable desire, constantly yearning for the touch and caress that Qu Yan deigned to bestow upon him.

"Come here."

Qu Yan’s voice pulled him back to reality.

Yan Zhuo knelt by the bedside, unfolding a wet towel to meticulously wipe the residue from Qu Yan’s hand.

The coolness washed over his skin. Qu Yan allowed him to tend to it, his expression languid. His gaze lingered on Yan Zhuo’s face until he suddenly spoke, "You seem to have changed a little."

"Hm?" Yan Zhuo tilted his head. Having just bathed, his hair was still damp, the slightly grown-out ends brushing against his neck as droplets of water rolled down and vanished beneath his collar.

Qu Yan did not look away.

Compared to his previous appearance, which had clearly been that of a high school student, Yan Zhuo now looked more mature. Even though his features hadn't changed drastically, there was something different about him.

If one had to use a metaphor, the old Yan Zhuo was like a sharp dagger, while the current one lacked that piercing edge, resembling more of a legendary sword that didn't deign to leave its scabbard.

Qu Yan chuckled softly. "You seem to have become more handsome."

The tone was playful, yet Yan Zhuo’s fingers curled slightly as he asked tentatively, "Do you like it?"

He shook Qu Yan’s wrist gently. "A-Yan?"

It was the first time he had used that name while fully conscious.

*Clang—*

A loud noise erupted from the living room, as if something had been dropped. The cries of a small child followed immediately, accompanied by Song Chengfeng’s low, soothing murmurs.

Countless chaotic sounds flooded his mind, yet in that moment, Yan Zhuo heard nothing. He stared fixatedly at Qu Yan, his heart gripped by an unseen hand.

Qu Yan hummed. "I do."

A beautiful shell combined with a pure and submissive heart was always deeply moving.

He extended a finger to trace Yan Zhuo’s silhouette in the air, then placed both hands in a piano-playing position, his fingers dancing up and down. The sunlight skipped between his fingers like fluttering butterflies.

"This is for you."

He lay back, relaxed, and performed a whimsical, half-mocking bow.

Rising to his knees, his thighs pressing against the edge of the bed, Yan Zhuo loomed over Qu Yan, pursuing the question, "What song is it?"

"I forgot the name." Qu Yan ruffled Yan Zhuo’s hair as if teasing a puppy. "I’ll play it for you when there’s a chance."

The light-colored curtains swayed gently in the breeze. In a city where the number of zombies far exceeded the living, within this room that felt both strange and familiar, Yan Zhuo nodded earnestly, as if he had just received a vital promise. "Okay, you must remember."

Chen Yuning, chewing on a lollipop, knocked twice on the open door.

"Come in," Song Chengfeng said without looking back, busy cleaning up the mess the child had made.

Chen Yuning tilted her head to scan the room but did not enter. "I’m looking for Yan Zhuo. Is he available?"

Song Chengfeng wiped the water off the floor, tossed the rag aside, and turned around. "Is it urgent?"

Chen Yuning nodded; naturally, anything ordered by Brother Wen was important.

"Second room on the left. Go ask him yourself." After his previous experience, Song Chengfeng had no intention of knocking on that door again.

Chen Yuning acknowledged this and stepped inside. "Brother Wen said Yan Zhuo was sick. Is he feeling any better these past few days?"

Since the person in question had been howling like a wolf, it clearly wasn't a typical illness. Wondering how much Wen Xi actually knew, Song Chengfeng replied vaguely, "He’s alright. It should be fine now."

Chen Yuning walked to the bedroom door. Just as she raised her hand to knock, the door was pushed open from the inside.

Yan Zhuo revealed half of his face, his expression unreadable. "What is it?"

Chen Yuning stepped back, feeling that Yan Zhuo seemed different, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly how. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Brother Wen said... no, wait, the Captain wants you to come over for a meeting."

As she spoke, she peeked curiously behind Yan Zhuo.

"When?" Yan Zhuo calmly blocked her view of Qu Yan on the bed.

"It’s an emergency meeting, right now. It won't take up too much of your time," Chen Yuning said professionally.

"Wait a moment." Yan Zhuo closed the door quietly.

Chen Yuning swung her legs at the doorway, crunching loudly on the lollipop in her mouth.

Her abilities had heightened her senses to a certain degree. While incredibly useful in combat, they could be quite awkward at times—like now, when she could clearly hear the whispers inside the bedroom.

They came from Yan Zhuo and another man.

Who that man was, was obvious.

Two minutes later, Yan Zhuo opened the door. Chen Yuning removed the lollipop stick from her mouth and asked hesitantly, "Um, is Mr. Qu there? Brother Wen needs to see him too."

She internally berated herself—this was so awkward.

Yan Zhuo glanced at her, not giving an immediate answer. "I'll ask him."

The door closed again, confirming that the person inside was indeed Qu Yan.

Chen Yuning gave herself a silent thumbs-up.

Another two minutes passed, and Qu Yan was wheeled out by Yan Zhuo.

Chen Yuning’s sharp eyes caught a small cut on the corner of Qu Yan’s mouth, which looked slightly swollen upon closer inspection. She quietly averted her gaze, pretending she hadn't seen anything.

Because they had to carry the wheelchair, it took a little extra time to get down the stairs.

Yan Zhuo was never a man of many words, and in front of outsiders, he spoke even less. Throughout the journey, only Qu Yan and Chen Yuning were talking.

Through Chen Yuning, Qu Yan learned that much had changed during the time they had stayed indoors. For instance, the northern district nearest to them had been cleared, with only some finishing touches remaining. The residential area had also taken in a few new ability users, though most of the newcomers were ordinary people struggling to survive.

He didn't know how the rumors about the G-City survivor base had spread, but for now, it didn't seem like a bad thing.

"Today’s meeting is probably about assigning upcoming tasks and daily chores," Chen Yuning said, patting her jacket pocket. Finding no candy left, she gave up. "There’s just too much to deal with right now. The Captain is working around the clock every day."

The clearing of the northern district meant their area of activity had expanded significantly; in a sense, it could now be called a survivor base. But with the expanded space came increased maintenance and security needs, and with the influx of refugees, Qin Ji was currently at his most desperate for manpower.

Although they had joined under a temporary arrangement, in these circumstances, Qin Ji was naturally going to make use of them.

Qu Yan glanced sideways at Yan Zhuo; it looked like Yan Zhuo would be busy from here on out.

The meeting place was quite far, requiring them to cross the small plaza. As they passed Building A, someone happened to be walking out.

It was a young man with delicate features and slightly rounded eyes. He looked fragile, as if he could be easily broken.

Chen Yuning waved at him in a familiar manner. "This is a new resident who arrived three days ago. Speaking of which, he shares the same surname as Mr. Qu. Maybe they were family a few hundred years ago."

A few steps away, Yan Zhuo stopped, an icy chill emanating from him.

Qu Yan looked up with a faint, enigmatic smile. "Perhaps it doesn't need to be a few hundred years."

Sensing the danger, Chen Yuning stepped away from Yan Zhuo and asked, puzzled, "Do you know each other?"

"It’s a bit more than just knowing each other." The handsome young man looked at Qu Yan, his gaze wandering over him, his tone filled with surprise and delight. "Long time no see... big brother."

Qu Yan tapped his fingers against the armrest of the wheelchair, his gaze turning cold as he curled his lips. "Long time no see, Qu Zizhi."