LCFM Chapter 14

The room instantly fell quiet.

Jiang Xinghuai didn’t quite understand that whole exchange. He couldn’t even make sense of what had just happened. But when he saw the guilty look on Fu Yan’s face, he quickly realized that, somehow, the upper hand had fallen to him!

He let go of Fu Yan’s arm, plopped down on the bed, crossed his arms, and gave a cold snort.

Holding the kettle, Fu Yan, for once, experienced the feeling of embarrassment. For a moment, he didn’t even know what to say.

“I’m thirsty.” Jiang Xinghuai offered him a step down.

“It’s a bit hot.” Fu Yan poured some into a cup and handed it over. “Wait a bit before drinking.”

“Blow on it for me,” Jiang Xinghuai said.

Fu Yan didn’t even get angry. He just sat beside him, slowly swirling the cup, waiting for the water to cool.

“Fu Yan.” Jiang Xinghuai, seeing him come over, slowly leaned against him.

“Mm?” Fu Yan tilted his head toward him.

“This is actually pretty nice.” Jiang Xinghuai pinched the thick, soft quilt beneath him. “Look, there’s food, so we won’t go hungry. There are people, too. It’s lively.”

“Mm.” Fu Yan nodded.

“My goddad, that fat guy just now, he used to be a soldier. Special forces type.” Jiang Xinghuai added with a trace of pride. “He’s really amazing.”

“I can tell.” Fu Yan smiled as he handed him the cup. “It’s a little cooler now, try it.”

“You…” Jiang Xinghuai frowned, pushing his hand away. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Not drinking?” Fu Yan asked him.

“Don’t you get what I mean?” Jiang Xinghuai lowered his head. “What I mean is, what do you think if we just stay here?”

The smile vanished from Fu Yan’s face.

“Let’s just stay here.” Jiang Xinghuai lifted his head and looked at him. “Okay?”

“Jiang Xinghuai.” Fu Yan looked at him too, called his name, but didn’t continue.

“What do you mean…” Jiang Xinghuai was dumbfounded.

Fu Yan just kept looking at him.

“You really don’t want to stay here? Why?” Jiang Xinghuai grew anxious. He shot up to his feet, demanding answers from Fu Yan sitting there, as if betrayed. “Are you going to leave? By yourself?”

Fu Yan stayed silent, as if a long time had passed, before finally saying, “Did you forget? I need to find my friend.”

Jiang Xinghuai didn’t react right away.

“You stay here. It’s safe here.” Fu Yan forced himself to say it. “But I have to go.”

Jiang Xinghuai stared wide-eyed, unable to speak for a long while.

The feeling of his suspicion being confirmed was awful. Fu Yan really was going to leave.

No wonder his expression had seemed off, showing no sign of satisfaction at this stable place. Because he had never intended to stay—not with him, not here.

Jiang Xinghuai blinked his eyes, sore from staring so wide, and slowly lay back on the bed.

The door was pulled shut from the outside. The footsteps faded away.

Jiang Xinghuai rolled onto his side, burying his nose and eyes deep into the quilt, letting out a long sigh: “Ahhh…”

“I have to go find my friend…”

Wait. That wasn’t right. Jiang Xinghuai suddenly sat bolt upright.

He hadn’t reacted just now. If it was just about finding a friend, he could go along too. They could find the friend together and then come back.

So why did Fu Yan give him the feeling that… he was leaving, and wouldn’t return?

Jiang Xinghuai frowned, unable to figure it out.

And it was obvious that this friend was very important to Fu Yan.

The thought made Jiang Xinghuai suddenly sulky.

His mood soured, and everything looked unpleasant. Earlier, when he first came in, the place had seemed clean and tidy. Now, it just looked small and shabby, smaller than his bathroom, barely enough room to take a piss.

Speaking of pissing…

Jiang Xinghuai looked at the empty cup in his hand, then lifted his head to glance around the room.

The room really was tiny. Besides the bed, there was only a single table, and no bathroom.

When they came upstairs, hadn’t Zhu Gaofei mentioned the toilets were to the left?

Jiang Xinghuai steadied himself against the bed and hopped out the door. Turning left, sure enough, he saw a bathroom without a door.

“What’s wrong with your leg, kid?” a man’s voice sounded from behind.

Jiang Xinghuai turned his head.

It was a man of about thirty, short and thin, wearing a wrinkled suit. His hair was parted to the side, slicked with so much grease it shone.

“Want me to help you?” the greasy-haired man smiled.

“No need.” Jiang Xinghuai turned away in distaste, went into the bathroom, pulled down his zipper, and started peeing.

“Did you just escape here with your parents?” the greasy man stepped up beside him. “Why aren’t they helping you walk?”

“None of your damn business.” Jiang Xinghuai felt uncomfortable under his gaze. “Don’t look at me.”

“Eh…” the man turned his head away, but quickly looked back, grinning. “We’re both guys, what’s the big deal in looking?”

If he hadn’t said that, it would’ve been fine. But the moment he did, Jiang Xinghuai immediately sensed something was off.

“You’re not getting a look.” Jiang Xinghuai yanked his pants up right away, glared at him. “Pervert.”

“This kid’s got quite the temper.” The greasy-haired man wasn’t angry. He followed him out of the bathroom. “What’s your na—”

“Time to eat!” Zhu Gaofei came running up. “Huai’er!”

“Over here.” Jiang Xinghuai quickly walked toward him.

“Why’d you come out? Doesn’t your leg hurt?” Zhu Gaofei hurried to support him.

“Who’s that guy? I’ve never seen him before.” Jiang Xinghuai pointed at the greasy-haired man still standing where he was.

“Yesterday, he came along with the group that escaped. Your Uncle Chun handled the registration. I just haven’t had time to recognize everyone yet.” Zhu Gaofei glanced at the man. “Why? Did he bother you?”

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Xinghuai turned his head. “Let’s eat, I’m hungry.”

“Didn’t find steak, so I fried you a pork chop instead.” Zhu Gaofei smiled, supporting him down the stairs. “You’re the only one who gets one. Your goddad spoils you, huh. Oh, Mr. Fu, over here.” Zhu Gaofei suddenly called out.

Jiang Xinghuai turned his head.

It was Fu Yan.

He had just stepped out of his room.

“Mr. Fu, right?” Zhu Gaofei smiled warmly. “We haven’t had a proper introduction yet. I’m Zhu Gaofei, Jiang Xinghuai’s goddad. Thank you for looking after him along the way. Later, shall we have a couple of drinks together?”

“Sorry, I don’t drink.” Fu Yan declined politely with a faint smile.

“No problem, no problem. Mr. Fu, you look like a man of substance. May I ask in what field you make your fortune?” Zhu Gaofei tried to strike up a conversation.

“I—”

“He sells health supplements.” Jiang Xinghuai cut in, flashing a bright grin. “Kidney-fortifying tablets, virility pills—he’s an expert. Fei Ge, you should ask him for advice.”

“Hey! What nonsense are you spouting, kid!” Zhu Gaofei rebuked righteously. “Why would I need to know about that stuff!”

“Well, who knows.” Jiang Xinghuai huffed, pushed him aside, and held onto the stair railing himself, hobbling down step by step.

“Such a temper. He’s been pampered since he was little.” Zhu Gaofei muttered, pulling a cigarette from his pocket and offering it out.

“No, thanks. I don’t smoke.” Fu Yan lifted his hand and refused.

“Mr. Fu, your manner is more like a soldier’s than mine.” Zhu Gaofei chuckled, watching Jiang Xinghuai walk farther away. Then he lowered his voice, wiped the smile from his face, and said, “Mr. Fu, may I have a word with you?”

Fu Yan’s expression stayed unreadable as he followed him.

Downstairs, the warehouse had been tidied up nicely. Against the wall stood a long table. About thirty people—men and women, young and old—were seated around it, eating freshly cooked food still steaming with white mist.

“Xingxing! Over here!” Geng Manhong stood up to receive him when he saw him come down.

Jiang Xinghuai sat down. At a glance, he saw that everyone had a bowl of plain white rice topped with a single egg.

The dishes on the table were also mostly simple and light.

Only his bowl had a fragrant, freshly pan-fried pork chop. Several children at the table, including Geng Bei, stared at the meat, unable to move their eyes away.

“Too greasy. I don’t like it. Whoever wants it can eat it.” Jiang Xinghuai pushed the bowl away.

“Your leg’s injured, you need to eat more meat.” Teacher Geng frowned at him disapprovingly.

“I don’t want it, I just want plain rice.” Jiang Xinghuai hugged his bowl of white rice and began shoveling it in.

“Don’t eat so fast.” Fu Yan’s voice came.

Jiang Xinghuai looked up and saw a cup of hot milk placed in front of him.

Jiang Xinghuai said nothing, just lowered his head again, burying himself in his rice.

Fu Yan couldn’t help but smile at his puffed-up cheeks as he ate. With a chuckle, he picked up the fried egg from his own bowl and placed it beside Jiang Xinghuai’s.

Jiang Xinghuai froze for a second, then lowered his head and, without hesitation, bit off a big mouthful.

Fu Yan picked a few more greens and placed them in his bowl. When Jiang Xinghuai started choking, he handed him the milk again.

Jiang Xinghuai, being waited on so comfortably, scooted his seat halfway closer. Hugging the warm milk, he felt he ought to be a little magnanimous, so with a pleased squint, he suggested:

“I’ll go with you to find that friend of yours, alright? Don’t get too touched.”

Fu Yan was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

“You said you wouldn’t leave me.” Jiang Xinghuai looked at him with unusual calm. “Adults often go back on their word. I thought you were different.”

“This place is very safe. I want you to stay here.” Fu Yan looked at him steadily as he spoke.

That really made Jiang Xinghuai angry. He turned his back, hugged his milk, and fell silent.

All of a sudden.

Boom!!!

A huge muffled explosion rang out!

Fu Yan shot to his feet, grabbing Jiang Xinghuai’s arm, his head whipping toward the source of the sound with sharp vigilance.

The gathered crowd inside the warehouse instantly fell into panic. Several children burst into terrified wails.

Jiang Xinghuai’s ears buzzed painfully from the shock. He shook his head hard, forcing himself to stand, pressing tightly against Fu Yan.

“Ka… ka… ka…” An eerie noise came from along the wall.

The warehouse erupted into chaos, the children crying in a huddle.

“What’s that sound?! Do we run?!”

“Where’s Fei Ge?!”

“What blew up! Was it those infected freaks coming?!”

“Don’t move.” Fu Yan pulled Jiang Xinghuai into his arms, carefully blocking the panicked people who had started shoving toward them.

“It’s fine, it’s fine! Everyone, stay calm!” The tall man with the submachine gun on his back shoved the warehouse doors open and rushed in, face covered in dust, shouting loudly, “It’s fine! Quiet down!”

“Fei Ge was moving generators with the others. A few of those old machines toppled and exploded! It’s fine, everything’s fine! Quiet down!”

He roared it several times before the people in the warehouse gradually came back to their senses.

A false alarm.

Everyone sat back down again.

“Aren’t you leaving?” Jiang Xinghuai looked up at Fu Yan, who was still holding him. “Why are you grabbing me then?”

Fu Yan looked at him helplessly, finally letting go.

“If you leave, can you really feel at ease leaving me here alone?” Jiang Xinghuai gave him a sidelong glance. “Did you forget I’m still underage? Aren’t you afraid someone will bully me?”

Fu Yan suddenly laughed.

“What are you laughing at?” Jiang Xinghuai frowned.

Then came another boom.

Startled, Jiang Xinghuai shrank his neck and grabbed hold of Fu Yan’s arm.

“Don’t be afraid.” Fu Yan patted his head.

The faces in the hall rippled with panic again, and the children still wouldn’t stop crying.

“Everyone, don’t be afraid.” Next to Jiang Xinghuai, Geng Manhong suddenly stood up. “I believe all of us struggled hard to escape from the city to get here. None of us are weak. As Lu Xun once said—”

“Who can’t run their mouth?” A man with a mohawk cut him off. “You say don’t be afraid, and that makes it so? Then do something! Go kill all those infected monsters!”

“Hey!” Jiang Xinghuai immediately tried to tug Geng Manhong back.

The blond boy picked up on the signal, leapt onto the table, and rushed over to cover the man’s mouth.

But it was already too late.

Teacher Geng shook off Jiang Xinghuai’s hand, stood tall with pride, and introduced himself: “I can’t kill monsters. I’m just an ordinary high school teacher.”

The crowd booed loudly.

“A math teacher,” Geng Manhong added.

A chorus of middle fingers rose up.

“But! Everyone must believe that knowledge can overcome fear!”

Jiang Xinghuai covered his ears and shrank into Fu Yan’s arms.

The blond boy slipped away like lightning, darting up the stairs.

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