Xu Nuo then explained, "You've been unconscious for fifteen days. Your inner demons caused issues with your cultivation. I've already helped you sort out your meridians. I thought you'd wake up tonight, but for some reason, you remained asleep.
I was very worried and couldn't leave you outside S Base, so I brought you inside to a decent place to rest.
There are more people here, and we can find doctors, though they lack good equipment and couldn't diagnose your condition. So, I stayed by your side every day to ensure you weren't alone when you woke up."
Park Su felt touched by his words, "You've been taking care of me all this time?"
Xu Nuo raised an eyebrow, "Who else? You expected that couple to look after you? But being here, it's convenient for us to stay together.
We took turns watching over you to prevent any accidents. They plan to stay here long-term, unlike us who are just passing through, so they had more time to care for you.
Luckily, we collected enough zombie nuclei earlier, or we'd be starving together. Don't be so careless next time."
Park Su always found the concept of inner demons peculiar for an ability user, but if Xu Nuo said so, he accepted it. Looking at Xu Nuo's slightly teasing expression, he felt a unique warmth, something he couldn't suppress any longer. He asked, "Xu Nuo, if I ever turned into a zombie, would you kill me?"
Xu Nuo, puzzled by the sudden question, frowned, "I don't know why you'd think that, but I promise, as long as I'm with you, I won't let you become a zombie."
Park Su, feeling Xu Nuo's genuine concern, impulsively asked, "Xu Nuo, do you like me? You said you'd protect me as long as you're with me, ensuring I don't become a zombie.
Does that mean you like me? Because if we're together, you'll never leave me, and I'll never become a zombie or be killed by you?"
Such a small hope, but Park Su couldn't help but ask. Xu Nuo hadn't expected such a direct question.
His feelings for Park Su had only just begun to surface, previously uncertain. But during Park Su's unconscious days, his anxiety grew, leading him to confront Sun Muyang several times.
Though he didn't know the connection between Sun Muyang and Park Su's inner demons, it was clear that seeing Sun Muyang triggered Park Su's inner demons.
So, he believed Sun Muyang was linked to Park Su's sudden inner demons, prompting him to act against Sun Muyang each time.
During this period, Sun Muyang avoided him, but couldn't escape his mental pursuit. Despite dealing with the culprit, seeing Park Su lying silently on his bed made Xu Nuo realize he truly liked Park Su.
Unable to endure the situation any longer, Xu Nuo had planned to confess his feelings to Park Su once he woke up. He wanted to assure him not to worry about unnecessary things and express his desire to be his lover.
Even if Park Su rejected him or grew to dislike him, Xu Nuo was determined to try, believing he had a good chance since Park Su seemed to have some feelings for him too.
However, before he could voice his thoughts, Park Su asked first, disrupting his plan and leaving him momentarily stunned.
As Xu Nuo gathered himself to respond, Park Su, having waited in vain for an answer, assumed Xu Nuo's response wouldn't align with his hopes. With a bitter smile, he lowered his gaze and said,
"Alright, I understand. But if you don't like me, don't make such promises or treat me so well.
I like men, and I've grown to like you.
Maybe saying this will make you tire of me faster or even despise me, but I can't control my heart. If I ever become a zombie, aside from my mother, you're the person I care about most.
I want you to be the one who ends my zombie life because only you can do it swiftly and without hesitation.
But you're also the person I can't bear to leave. So, even if it disgusts you, I need to tell you how I feel because I might never have the courage or opportunity again. Xu Nuo, I... I like you!"
Having finally voiced his feelings, Park Su exhaled deeply, knowing he hadn't exaggerated a word.
It took all his courage to say those words, and he doubted he could repeat them. Now, even though he had confessed, he lacked the courage to look at Xu Nuo's face.
Every second of waiting for an answer felt torturous, despite his intuition that Xu Nuo had some affection for him.
But his hasty confession left him uncertain if his feelings were mutual or if Xu Nuo would grow weary of him.
Xu Nuo listened quietly, his emotions shifting from heartache to disbelief, then to a mix of pain and excitement. Seeing Park Su waiting quietly with his head bowed, looking both obedient and pitiful, Xu Nuo felt a wave of tenderness.
He stood up and, with a hint of affection, placed a gentle kiss on Park Su's forehead.
Park Su felt the soft touch on his forehead, momentarily stunned. He looked up to meet Xu Nuo's warm gaze.
His mind was filled with disbelief. Did Xu Nuo just kiss him? Did he really kiss him?
And now, Xu Nuo's gaze was so gentle, so tender that Park Su felt like he was in another dream.
Park Su's dazed expression amused Xu Nuo, who couldn't help but smile. He leaned in and placed another gentle kiss on Park Su's lips, his ears turning slightly red.
Then, pressing his forehead against Park Su's, he softly said, "I'm sorry. I should have been the one to confess first. I've liked you for a while, but I overthought everything, and in the end, you had to be the one to confess.
Park Su, I wanted to ask you too. I think I've fallen for you. Do you feel the same? I didn't expect you to confess first.
This makes me incredibly happy. So, why would you think I'd dislike you? Don't you know how much I adore you?
I was even worried someone else would see your beauty before I did and take you away from me. That's why I've been so protective of you. Can't you see that?
So, don't worry. Your feelings for me make me very happy."
As Xu Nuo kissed him again and pressed their foreheads together, Park Su's mind became even more muddled.
But his heart raced faster with Xu Nuo's slow and gentle confession. He never knew that Xu Nuo, who always seemed so cold, could be so tender in his confession.
A tear slipped from the corner of his eye, but this time it was from happiness. He realized that someone could genuinely like him without him having to try so hard to please them.
He wrapped his arms around Xu Nuo's neck and sat up, "So, you're accepting my confession? You like me too? Does this mean we're a couple now?"
Xu Nuo didn't find Park Su's repeated need for reassurance annoying. Instead, he felt a deep tenderness.
What kind of experiences had made Park Su doubt he could ever receive genuine affection? But Xu Nuo patiently answered again, "Yes, I truly like you. I'm accepting your confession and acknowledging you as my partner.
When I agreed to teach you Daoist techniques but didn't want you to call me master, it was to leave a way out for myself. Taking my disciple as my partner seemed a bit too much.
In fact, from that moment, I might have subconsciously had feelings for you."
Park Su felt overwhelmed with happiness, hugging Xu Nuo tightly and repeatedly responding with "yes, yes, yes." They held each other until the door opened.
Ge Qing stood at the door, momentarily stunned by the scene. Lu Shang, behind him, quickly reacted, closing the door and saying, "Sorry to interrupt. Please continue."
The interruption brought Park Su back to reality, making him feel even more embarrassed. His behavior had been overly sentimental, almost like a lovestruck teenager. The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he felt.
He quickly let go of Xu Nuo and sat up, looking rather embarrassed, "I've been lying down for so long, I'm a bit hungry. I'll go downstairs and cook something for you!"
Xu Nuo didn't say a word, watching him get out of bed before embracing him from behind, "You don't need to. I'll cook. I've been channeling spiritual energy into you to maintain your vital signs.
Although you seem fine, you're still very weak. Leave the cooking to me. Don't forget, I can cook too!"