Xiao Muyu noticed Shen Qingqiu’s change in expression and couldn’t help but laugh. Pretending not to know anything, she asked, “What? Is there something else you want to talk about?”
Shen Qingqiu looked up at her with a mix of grievance and guilt. “No, I’m hungry. Let’s eat first.”
Xiao Muyu held back her laughter as she watched Shen Qingqiu bury her head in her meal. She took a sip of red wine and said nonchalantly, “Eat more. Once we’re done, we’ll have a proper talk.”
This statement was nothing short of a direct threat, causing Shen Qingqiu to start coughing violently. She grabbed her wine glass and took a big gulp, only to choke even harder, bringing tears to her eyes.
Xiao Muyu quickly stood up to pat her back, frowning slightly. Both amused and annoyed, she said, “What a mess.”
Shen Qingqiu, face flushed and eyes teary from coughing, looked at Xiao Muyu pitifully. “Just forgive me this time, please. I really thought it through. Given the urgency of the situation, what
I did was best for everyone. And besides, I didn’t get hurt, right?”
Xiao Muyu didn’t say much. “Let’s eat first.”
At this point, Shen Qingqiu had lost her appetite, poking at her steak absentmindedly. Xiao Muyu felt helpless but didn’t relent.
She had been too indulgent. Every time Shen Qingqiu acted like this, she would eventually give in. This time, she had to be firm to ensure Shen Qingqiu learned her lesson.
Seeing that Xiao Muyu wasn’t softening, Shen Qingqiu grew anxious. However, she didn’t want
to waste Xiao Muyu’s efforts and obediently finished her meal.
Xiao Muyu’s silence made the atmosphere at the dinner table heavy, prompting Shen Qingqiu to drink more wine in frustration. When Xiao Muyu saw her about to drink more, she reached out and took the glass away. “No more drinking.”
Shen Qingqiu pouted and muttered, “I’ll go wash the dishes then.”
Seeing that her steps were still steady, Xiao Muyu didn’t stop her and went to take a shower instead.
The sound of water in the bathroom made Shen Qingqiu restless. Although Xiao Muyu was usually a bit haughty, she had been indulging Shen Qingqiu since their relationship began. Xiao Muyu hadn’t softened her stance earlier, indicating she was truly angry this time.
Despite appearing reckless, Shen Qingqiu always knew Xiao Muyu’s boundaries and never genuinely upset her. This time was different. Shen Qingqiu knew Xiao Muyu disapproved but acted anyway because she couldn’t risk anything happening to Xiao Muyu.
Though the wine had hit her quickly, it wasn’t much for Shen Qingqiu, so she remained clear-headed.
When Xiao Muyu emerged from the shower, drying her hair, she glanced at the seated Shen Qingqiu. Unable to bear her despondent look, Xiao Muyu said softly, “Take a shower. I don’t want to talk to you while you’re all smelly.”
Shen Qingqiu, feeling extremely wronged, sniffed her clothes. “I smell fine.” It was just a bit of wine.
Despite her words, she quickly got up to avoid offending Xiao Muyu.
By the time Shen Qingqiu finished her shower, it was dark outside. The living room lights were on, but Xiao Muyu was nowhere to be seen. Noticing the light on in her room, Shen Qingqiu felt her spirits lift and hurried inside. Sure enough, Xiao Muyu was there, sitting by the dressing table with a hairdryer.
Xiao Muyu turned off the hairdryer when she saw Shen Qingqiu and beckoned her over. “Come here.”
This time, Shen Qingqiu didn’t say anything, obediently sitting down.
Her thick, curly hair was in good condition. Xiao Muyu carefully dried it, the strands gradually fluffing up. Her fingers moved gently through Shen Qingqiu’s hair, occasionally scratching her scalp, making Shen Qingqiu close her eyes in comfort.
Normally, Shen Qingqiu found the sound of the hairdryer annoying, but with Xiao Muyu doing it, the feeling was entirely different. This comfort made her forget that Xiao Muyu was waiting to settle accounts with her, and she relaxed, resting her head on Xiao Muyu’s lap.
Fresh out of the shower, Xiao Muyu was wearing a light cotton nightgown. The fabric couldn’t hide the warmth and softness, making it incredibly comfortable.
Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but recall the night in the apocalyptic scenario when she slept with her head on Xiao Muyu’s lap. Remembering this, she snuggled closer and murmured, “Muyu, you smell so good.”
“It’s just the scent of the shower gel. We’re using the same one, so you smell good too.” Xiao Muyu’s response was objective, without a trace of intimacy.
“It’s different. Yours smells better, different from mine,” Shen Qingqiu disagreed.
After putting away the hairdryer, Xiao Muyu gently patted Shen Qingqiu’s back. “Sit up. I need to talk to you.”
Knowing this moment was inevitable, Shen Qingqiu slowly sat up, her expression serious. “I know why you’re angry. This isn’t the first time. You blame me for being reckless and not protecting myself, right?
But Muyu, I’ve said I want to protect you. This Skynet world is dangerous. As long as you’re here, you’re not safe.
So, to protect you, I must stay alive and watch you leave safely. I’m not recklessly risking my life in a scenario.
You said you trust my judgment, my decisions, whether they’re calm or risky. You have to trust me.”
Xiao Muyu’s gaze softened at Shen Qingqiu’s sincere words. Her gray eyes were resolute, giving off an overwhelming sense of security.
“I do trust you. It’s strange. We’ve known each other for such a short time, not even six months. Yet, I feel like I understand you well.
I can sense what you think and want. So, even though I call you reckless, like a bull, I know you’ve thought through every decision. Even killing zombies for points wasn’t wrong overall.
But, Qingqiu, be honest. If I hadn’t been infected, would you have made the same decision?
Even if you decided to earn points, would you have had Chen Kaijie and the others go all out, revealing all our cards?”
Xiao Muyu’s words pinpointed the issues in Shen Qingqiu’s decision, leaving her speechless.
“I just hope that when you make decisions, you’ll treat me like everyone else, at least choose the best option…”
“Not the same!” Shen Qingqiu interrupted Xiao Muyu firmly.
Xiao Muyu was taken aback. Shen Qingqiu’s expression was serious, and she reiterated decisively, “You’re not the same as them. Never will be. My best option is making sure you’re safe.
I know what you mean. You don’t want me to risk myself for you, so you think my decision was reckless.
But Muyu, your suggestion also puts you at risk.
You want me to consider you and them equally important. Am I as important to you as they are?
If I were infected, could you calmly come up with a so-called best option?
In the 004 scenario, I told you, it doesn’t matter if one or both of us die.”
“You being in there means that not even one death is acceptable. If you’re not in there, then it doesn’t matter how many die. I’m not a good person, nor do I want to be one. Do you understand?”
Xiao Muyu’s eyes welled up with tears. She looked up, blinked hard, and bit her lip, her voice turning cold. “I can.”
Shen Qingqiu was stunned, unable to process her words.
Xiao Muyu’s expression began to crack as she gritted her teeth and continued, “I said I can stay calm, even if you were the one infected.”
Shen Qingqiu stared at her for a long time, her gray eyes neither disappointed nor sad.
Gradually, a gentle smile spread across Shen Qingqiu’s face. It was neither teasing nor seductive, but tender like the evening breeze. “Then I’m relieved. That’s the best outcome.”
Xiao Muyu’s eyes reddened, her heart feeling as if it were being pierced by countless needles, causing pain that seemed to come from everywhere yet from nowhere. It was suffocating. She grabbed Shen Qingqiu’s clothes, pulling her close, and stared at her intensely.
“I don’t want to imagine such a scenario. If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will. I also said, even if I agreed to be with you, we’ve only known each other for a few months. We haven’t even rushed into marriage.
I wouldn’t care much about you. What time brings, it can also take away. Do you understand…?”
Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to hear these hurtful, contradictory words born from anger and distress. She tilted her head up and sealed Xiao Muyu’s lips with her own.
Xiao Muyu struggled, but the more she resisted, the tighter Shen Qingqiu held on. Closing her eyes tightly, Xiao Muyu felt something slide down from the corner of her eye, both sour and itchy.
Shen Qingqiu’s breathing was rapid. After a long while, she finally let go, her eyes red. She murmured, “Even though I know you’re lying, it still hurts.”
Xiao Muyu’s nose tingled as she looked upward to stop her tears, then lowered her gaze and pressed her hand against Shen Qingqiu’s chest. Staring at her, she said with a heavy nasal tone,
“If hearing my lies hurts you, then how do you think I feel seeing you on the brink of death?”
Shen Qingqiu’s heart twisted with guilt and sadness, almost causing her emotions to collapse.
The sudden rush of emotions made her unable to control her tears.
“I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say, repeating the words helplessly.
Seeing her cry, Xiao Muyu felt as though her heart had been pierced, the pain unbearable.
“Muyu, as long as you’re alive, I am too.” The words that had once appeared in her mind surfaced again, bringing a heart-wrenching pain.
Xiao Muyu felt as if she were losing control of herself. Her emotions ran wild, and all she wanted was to hold Shen Qingqiu, kiss her, and merge her into her being.
Shen Qingqiu didn’t understand why Xiao Muyu was suddenly breaking down, but she couldn’t bear to see Xiao Muyu cry, especially not silently with tears streaming down her face. It was worse than being stabbed by a knife.
She could only keep wiping away Xiao Muyu’s tears, until eventually her own vision became blurry.
Sadness was exhausting, and Xiao Muyu gave her no respite.
They had only been together for forty days, and the most intimate thing they had done was kiss a few times. Xiao Muyu was rarely the initiator, let alone passionate.
But tonight, Xiao Muyu’s intensity was overwhelming. Shen Qingqiu’s body couldn’t handle Xiao
Muyu’s fervor, surrendering completely to her allure and provocation.
In her daze, Shen Qingqiu felt as if the current Xiao Muyu had become like the infected version of herself, using her as a grinding post for her frustrations.
A scorching warmth spread from her forehead and eyebrows, tender yet urgent, pervasive in its intensity.
The pain and sorrow were gradually replaced by another sensation, a layered euphoria.
Slippers lay haphazardly by the bedside, some overlapping, inseparable.
When the air had thickened to a sticky sweetness, Xiao Muyu stopped and lifted her waist.
Her long black hair cascaded down, falling over Shen Qingqiu, contrasting black and white, highlighting the elegance of her collarbone.
Their breaths rose and fell. Shen Qingqiu’s eyes regained clarity, her gaze softening with a hint of moisture.
“Why did you stop?”
Driven by emotion, Xiao Muyu had lost control, but upon regaining her senses, she didn’t want to treat Shen Qingqiu rashly. It would be disrespectful.
However, Shen Qingqiu clearly didn’t mind. Her eyes hooked onto Xiao Muyu’s, her lips red and glistening, her skin dewy, exuding a vibrant allure.
Xiao Muyu dared not look too closely. Though her face was only faintly red, her ears were
crimson.
Despite the situation, Xiao Muyu composedly adjusted her skewed collar and pulled down her hem, taking a deep breath. “Punishment.”
Shen Qingqiu, her breath caught, stared wide-eyed at Xiao Muyu. “How can you hold back? Is it that I have no charm, or are you incapable?”
Instantly, the previous intense emotions and irresistible passion faded.
The author has something to say: Punishment, punishment, punishment. This confirms your speculations, doesn’t it? Not so fast, ha-ha, don’t expect intimate details just yet.
