Xu Nuo raised an eyebrow and glanced at Park Su sitting beside him. Truth be told, he wished Ge Qing's words would come true, but for now, he had to settle for porridge.
Never one to back down from verbal sparring, Xu Nuo placed the porridge in front of Park Su and said, "You don't need to worry about our affairs. If you keep prying, Lu Shang's face might turn as dark as Lord Bao's!"
Park Su felt like collateral damage, deciding silence was his best course. He obediently took the porridge and began eating, silently repeating to himself, I heard nothing!
Lu Shang, sensing it was best to stay out of the verbal crossfire, continued eating quietly. Seeing no support, Ge Qing realized arguing with Xu Nuo was futile and retorted, "Fine, I won't meddle in your business. Don't mock ours either!"
Xu Nuo didn't want to argue further, concerned that Park Su might pick up bad habits from Ge Qing. With Park Su destined for B Base, he thought it best to expedite their departure.
Once they left, he and Park Su could enjoy their time together without distractions. Dangers on the road seemed less daunting compared to human treachery.
After breakfast, Lu Shang and Ge Qing headed to the task hall, while Xu Nuo and Park Su set out to visit Lü Xia and her son. Walking closely together, Park Su felt Xu Nuo's protective presence, lifting his spirits.
Deep into autumn, the weather had cooled, and life within S Base was relatively peaceful. Free from zombie threats and with ample zombie crystal nuclei, they enjoyed a rare sense of leisure.
Strolling through the market felt like a typical couple's outing. While there were small shops selling everyday necessities and food, grains were scarce and quickly sold out.
Vegetables, grown by those with wood-based abilities, were available but pricey, bought mainly by ability users.
Having recently confirmed their relationship, Park Su was unsure what to say to Xu Nuo. He had always been the talkative one. Now, his silence made the atmosphere awkward.
Thankfully, Xu Nuo was proactive, holding Park Su's hand without concern for public opinion. Park Su's heart raced with a mix of nerves and sweetness.
He had never felt this way before. Even when Sun Muyang agreed to be with him, it didn't compare to this youthful, first-love thrill.
It dawned on him that his six-year relationship with Sun Muyang had been in vain. His so-called love was likely stubbornness, with initial infatuation drained by constant manipulation before the apocalypse.
He had forced himself to believe Sun Muyang was his only true love, but now he realized it wasn't true.
After they were together, Sun Muyang often showed disdain and disgust in many aspects of daily life. But Park Su pretended not to notice, unwilling to let go, desperately trying to be good to him.
In the end, wasn't he using kindness to bind him? Deep in thought, he was suddenly interrupted by a mocking voice nearby. "Sun Muyang, do you see that? They're already a couple.
What daydreams are you having? Do you think you can come between them and live a better life? Haven't you had enough beatings these past days?
Instead of spying on them, you'd be better off coming with us to help our boss. At least then, you wouldn't starve. Forget about people like them."
Hearing Sun Muyang's name, Park Su instinctively looked over. He saw Sun Muyang cornered by a few people, being mocked and slapped lightly.
He frowned, surprised that in just a few days, Sun Muyang had fallen so low. Seeing him in such a state, Park Su felt even less inclined to seek revenge.
Xu Nuo, noticing Park Su's reaction, thought of their conversation from the previous night. His expression darkened, and he started towards Sun Muyang.
Park Su, sensing Xu Nuo's intention, tightened his grip and pulled him back. "I'm not a saint, but my grievances with him ended in my past life.
After that time of being possessed, something else happened to me, which I haven't told you. Besides, he hasn't done anything excessive to me in this life.
And maybe I never loved him as much as I thought. I've never felt my heart race for him the way it does for you, never wanted to be with him all the time.
Look at him now. We're ability users; we don't need to kick him when he's down. I don't want any relationship with him, including hatred."
Xu Nuo saw that Park Su genuinely wanted no further ties with Sun Muyang. Though he felt a few beatings wouldn't satisfy his anger, his partner's plea stopped him.
Rather than making Park Su uncomfortable, Xu Nuo decided to wait for another opportunity to deal with Sun Muyang privately.
Besides, Park Su's confession had lightened his mood. He nodded and led them in another direction, not minding a detour.
With just the two of them, Xu Nuo cherished these moments, knowing Lu Shang and Ge Qing would likely continue interrupting their time together.
He anticipated Ge Qing's curiosity would keep him asking questions, making Park Su too shy for any real intimacy. So, he treasured every bit of their time alone to strengthen their bond.
Unfortunately, Sun Muyang didn't see it that way. Humiliated and expecting Park Su to help him, he grew even more resentful when he saw him walk away.
Unexpectedly, Xu Nuo pulled Park Su in the opposite direction, making Sun Muyang realize he couldn't let this opportunity slip away. He had endured Xu Nuo's beatings, waiting for Park Su to wake up.
He believed that Park Su, who had always been kind to him, would stop Xu Nuo from causing trouble once he woke up. Just now, when Xu Nuo tried to confront him, Park Su held him back, indicating that Park Su still had feelings for him.
Thinking that Park Su was his only way out of his current predicament, Sun Muyang decided to take a chance.
He noticed the relationship between Park Su and Xu Nuo, confirming his suspicions. Despite his strained relationship with Xu Nuo, he believed that by leveraging his connection with Park Su, he could infiltrate their circle.
Sun Muyang thought that with his looks and charm, he could attract an ability user who liked men. After all, relationships between men were no longer unusual in the apocalypse.
If Park Su was also an ability user, Sun Muyang wouldn't mind pursuing him, believing that Park Su's long-standing affection for him would make him easier to win over.
He suspected Xu Nuo had manipulated Park Su into not helping him. Regardless of their past as classmates, friends, or romantic interests, Sun Muyang believed Park Su's kind nature would compel him to help.
So, he called out Park Su's name and rushed over, hoping for assistance.
The men mocking Sun Muyang dared not provoke Xu Nuo and Park Su, having witnessed Xu Nuo's strength firsthand. They had seen him easily overpower those who tried to intervene, leaving them bedridden for days.
Admiring Sun Muyang's courage, they watched from a distance, curious about his fate. If Park Su helped him, they would need to flee, fearing retribution from a vengeful Sun Muyang.
However, if Xu Nuo beat him again, they would relish the opportunity to mock him further. They disliked Sun Muyang and welcomed any chance to see him humiliated.
Believing the latter scenario more likely, they stayed to watch, eager to see Sun Muyang's downfall.
After all, Xu Nuo's appearance and strength far surpassed Sun Muyang's. If they were interested in men, they would choose Xu Nuo over someone as weak as Sun Muyang.