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"Mm."
Chen Xu responded and supported Luo Xiyun as they walked into the room, where there was a bathroom.
He knew, given her personality, that she would never have said this to him unless it was urgent. Although he was somewhat displeased with her, he was unwilling to make things difficult for her in this situation.
He escorted her into the bathroom and casually placed his phone on the shelf where the shampoo was, using it as a light source. Then, he left.
After the bathroom door closed, losing the only light source, Chen Xu was plunged into darkness. His eyes could not see, but his other senses seemed amplified, like his sense of smell. He could feel himself enveloped by a faint, pleasant fragrance.
It was a sweet scent, much like the fragrance he smelled when he hugged his first love in a dark alleyway back in high school.
The sound of wind and rain from outside seemed to come from a distant place, providing an unnaturally serene feeling.
He could still clearly hear another kind of water sound through the bathroom door, as if the stray thoughts in his mind grew like wild grass.
Suddenly, Luo Xiyun's words echoed in his mind again.
He rubbed his face vigorously and began to feel his way toward the entrance, moving gingerly. Without lights, everything was pitch black, so he could only rely on his memory from when he first came in, inching his way to the front door.
Opening the door, the cold rain splattered on his face, making him shiver. He dared not linger and quickly ran back next door.
About ten minutes later, having changed his clothes, Chen Xu returned wearing a raincoat and carrying a large bag of supplies.
Now the base was experiencing a power outage, and it was unclear whether it was a generator issue or a line problem. In such strong winds, checking things out was very difficult.
Without electricity, many inconveniences would arise.
Luo Xiyun was also injured, making her mobility limited. Regardless of the situation, in this dream world, where only the two of them remained, one could not simply stand by while the other faced difficulties.
"Even if it's just out of humanitarian spirit, help should be offered."
He thought this as he entered the café, removing his raincoat. Holding a flashlight in one hand and carrying the bag in the other, he walked inside.
He saw a light in the kitchen and thought that since she had been stuck there since the morning and had twisted her foot in such strong winds, she might not have eaten anything and must be starving.
Reaching the doorway, the flashlight's beam illuminated Luo Xiyun.
Her back was to the doorway, seemingly cutting something. Her injured left foot was lifted off the ground, relying solely on her right foot for support, making her stance a bit unsteady. She certainly knew he was there but did not turn around or speak; she merely continued silently cutting.
Only the rhythmic thud-thud of the knife striking the cutting board could be heard.
Chen Xu took a table lamp from the bag, and after turning it on, the white light illuminated the entire kitchen.
"I'll do it."
He took out a bag of ingredients from the bag, rolled up his sleeves, and walked over, reaching to take the knife from her hand. To his surprise, she did not let go.
From the force of her grip on the knife, Chen Xu sensed a feeling of resistance.
Having dated before, he was not inexperienced in getting along with women and fully understood. A woman's silence was itself an expression of dissatisfaction.
As for the source of this discontent, he often did not understand. And even when he did, he would sometimes pretend not to.
His ex-girlfriend had more than once complained in his presence, calling him a "steel straight man."
Now, since Luo Xiyun had nothing to do with him, he cared even less.
He did not speak, just applied a bit more force. Luo Xiyun held on for a second but eventually released the knife, letting him take it.
However, she did not leave, instead going to the cupboard, retrieving tableware, and washing it.
This kitchen was originally the café's back kitchen, with ample space, so with two people here, it would not feel crowded, and their separate tasks did not interfere with each other. Therefore, Chen Xu did not stop her.
......
A dozen minutes later, the steaming noodles were ready.
There was a table in the kitchen, and Luo Xiyun had already set the tableware. Chen Xu brought the pot over, and they each picked up their utensils and began to eat just like that.
This was their third time sitting down together for a meal, both seated face to face. Across the rising white steam from the noodle soup, Chen Xu could see her face clearly, and he was slightly dazed for a moment.
Because of the power outage, from the moment he brought her back until now, it was the first time he had gotten a full look at her.
She was visibly thinner. Her entire demeanor had changed quite a bit, becoming more docile and somewhat frail.
The environment really could change a person.
He thought with a sigh.
In fact, he was no different. Knowing full well that this was just a dream world, he adopted a vacation mentality, yet after spending several months here, he also felt changed in some respects.
Of course, this change was not necessarily a bad thing. At the very least, he had become more patient.
And now, Luo Xiyun seemed more pleasing to the eye.
Both were hungry and ate with focus and speed. In no time, they finished the pot of noodles, leaving not even a drop of soup.
After finishing, Chen Xu picked up the pot and bowls and went to wash them.
He was used to running water, but after arriving in the dream world, the waterworks facility stopped working, and naturally, running water was unavailable. So, he made his own reservoir, using it as a water source.
The reservoir had just been filled yesterday, sufficient for a few days' use.
After washing, he placed the bowls back in the sterilizer, suddenly noticing something. Many items here came in pairs, two bowls, two pairs of chopsticks, two ladles, two cups... even the chairs by the dining table, there were two.
He thought, "Obsessive-compulsive disorder is really scary. Thankfully, I don't live with her."
He did not consider himself a sloppy person, cleaning his room weekly and doing laundry daily, trying his best to keep his room tidy.
But that was about the extent of it.
If he had to keep everything spotless daily, arranging every item perfectly, he felt he would be unable to handle it.
And Luo Xiyun was undoubtedly a heavy case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as seen from the vegetable garden outside the door arranged like a garden.
After tidying up, Luo Xiyun had already returned to her room. Picking up the bag and table lamp, he went to the closed door, knocked twice, and said, "Let me see your foot."
There was no response from inside. Just as he thought Luo Xiyun hadn't heard, her cold voice came from within, "No need."
Chen Xu couldn't help frowning. He reached for the doorknob, turned it, and found it unlocked. He opened the door and walked in, saying, "Let me take a look."
She sat on the bed, hands wrapped around her knees, her long hair cascading down. When she saw him enter, she turned her face away, stiffly saying, "I don't need you to care."
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