When Park Su got out of bed, he felt unsteady on his feet. He thought that after sleeping for so long, Xu Nuo must have missed his cooking, and he wanted to make a good meal to celebrate his return and successful confession.
However, to his surprise, Xu Nuo offered to cook for him. He remembered Xu Nuo had mentioned before that he could cook, but he never thought he would get to eat a meal prepared by Xu Nuo.
Now that Xu Nuo had offered, Park Su was delighted. Given his current state, he was happy to accept Xu Nuo's offer.
Seeing the look of pure joy on Park Su's face, Xu Nuo couldn't help but smile. "You've gone so long without a proper meal. You can't eat greasy foods just yet, and I'll need to limit how much you eat at first. Too much too soon, and your stomach won't handle it."
Although disappointed that he couldn't have the feast he imagined, Park Su understood Xu Nuo was looking out for him and obediently waited on the bed for dinner.
Meanwhile, Ge Qing and Lu Shang weren't surprised to see Xu Nuo happily cooking. Considering Xu Nuo's previous behavior, it seemed their relationship had taken a step forward.
Ge Qing, unable to keep things to himself, watched Xu Nuo cook and couldn't help but ask, "How did it go? Did you confess? Are you two together now?"
Lu Shang, unable to stop him, looked on helplessly.
Xu Nuo, eager for the world to know Park Su was his, didn't mind the questions and nodded happily. "I'll treat you to a meal soon and formally announce our relationship. Since you two are his only friends, I'd like to make it official."
Ge Qing and Lu Shang were delighted to be considered friends by Xu Nuo and readily agreed. In a world where food was scarce, an invitation to a meal was a significant gesture of appreciation.
Xu Nuo made a bowl of lean pork congee for Park Su. As he prepared to take it upstairs, Ge Qing called out, "If you consider me a friend, I should give you some advice.
I meant to mention it earlier. You've been looking after Park Su for days and look quite haggard—not at all handsome. Though it might have been a strategy to gain sympathy."
But you've been down here for so long. Are you sure you want to go upstairs looking like this? You know men are visual creatures, and as a man, you should understand this well.
Moreover, from my observations, Park Su seems to be quite particular about appearances, so paying attention to your looks is important." Xu Nuo, reminded by this, realized he had been quite disheveled for the past fifteen days, with a scruffy beard that indeed affected his image. Yet, Park Su had confessed to him despite this appearance. He had always thought Park Su's interest in him was purely based on his looks.
Unexpectedly, even in this state, Park Su confessed, which made Xu Nuo happy. It seemed Park Su genuinely liked him. However, Ge Qing's reminder made him realize that something must have happened during Park Su's coma that he wasn't aware of, prompting such a decisive confession upon waking.
After the initial excitement, Xu Nuo recalled Park Su's confused and hurt expression before he confessed. Regardless of what Park Su had experienced, the outcome was positive.
He thought that whatever had affected Park Su's emotions must have been controlled by his inner demons in his dreams. In reality, Xu Nuo would protect him from such harm.
Despite these thoughts, he followed Ge Qing's advice, tidied himself up, and even changed into formal attire before bringing the congee upstairs.
When Park Su, who had been waiting by the bed, saw Xu Nuo, he was momentarily stunned and asked, "Are you going somewhere? You look so formal all of a sudden; it's quite unusual."
Xu Nuo felt a bit embarrassed by the question, realizing he might have overdone it. But he quickly responded, "So, how do I look?"
Park Su glanced at the well-groomed Xu Nuo and said, "You look incredibly handsome."
Xu Nuo usually dressed in loose, comfortable clothes, so seeing him in formal attire was a first for Park Su.
He had to admit, Xu Nuo looked like a domineering CEO, and his perfect physique complemented the suit, enhancing his already impressive aura.
When Xu Nuo first entered, Park Su was taken aback but hadn't thought Xu Nuo dressed up for him. He assumed Xu Nuo had business to attend to, hence the question.
However, Xu Nuo's question made Park Su realize the intention behind the attire. Smiling, he added, "You look so good I don't want to let you out of the house."
Internally, he marveled at Xu Nuo's adorable side. Xu Nuo, quick to respond, said, "Then I won't go out. I'll stay home with you, so you can admire me. And you'll have to look at me for a lifetime, so don't get tired of me too soon."
Park Su felt his heart swell with joy and replied, "It would take a hundred years to get tired of looking at you."
Xu Nuo, pleased by Park Su's sweet words, placed the congee on the table and gently kissed Park Su's lips, saying softly, "But what if you get tired of me in a hundred years? I find you more adorable and lovable the more I look at you. I'm afraid I'll only love you more as time goes on. Will you abandon me then?"
Park Su, surprised by Xu Nuo's seriousness, laughed, "In this apocalyptic world, living a hundred years would be a miracle. And you're worried about a hundred years from now? Only Xu Nuo would think of that. But don't worry, finding someone I love who loves me back is rare, especially someone like you. I'm more worried about losing you to someone else than getting tired of you."
Xu Nuo raised an eyebrow, "If you're that worried, let's make it official. Let everyone know we're together, so no one else will try to take you or me away. We can both be at ease."
Park Su hadn't expected Xu Nuo to think so far ahead. Scratching his head, he said, "In this chaotic world, who knows where the people we know are. But I'll take you back to B Base to tell my mother I've found someone to spend my life with. You wouldn't refuse to meet her, would you?"
Xu Nuo handed him the bowl, "Of course, I won't refuse. But I hope she won't mind her son having a boyfriend and kick me out, leaving us as star-crossed lovers!"
Park Su took the bowl and laughed, "You're overthinking it. My mother has long known that I like men. She'll be proud that I found such a good boyfriend like you and won't despise you. She might even think I led you astray!"
Xu Nuo chuckled, "Well, your mother has a point. Before you, I never thought my future partner would be a man."
Park Su paused slightly, then looked at Xu Nuo, "Are you regretting your decision?"
Xu Nuo sighed, seeing his anxious expression, "Don't worry, I don't regret it at all. But besides your mother, I think our friends at S Base should also know that our relationship has changed."
Park Su was taken aback, "Friends at S Base? You mean Ge Qing and Lu Shang? I think they already saw and probably understand our relationship now."
Xu Nuo nodded, "Yes, and I plan to invite them for a meal. It's thanks to them that I realized my feelings for you weren't just friendly. But there are two other people I think you'd like to see."
Park Su looked puzzled as Xu Nuo continued, "I found Lu Xia and Chen Jingxuan. I think you'd like to know about them."
Park Su's eyes lit up with joy, "They've safely arrived at S Base? That's wonderful! Let's invite them for a meal too!"
Seeing Park Su's happiness, Xu Nuo smiled, pleased that he had taken the time to find them while Park Su was unconscious.
He had sensed that they were important to Park Su and might help him wake up.
To his surprise, Park Su woke up just as he found them. But there was one more person he needed Park Su's opinion on, "What about Sun Muyang? Do you want to invite him too?"