Chapter 130: Cousin, the Gentle Gu Da

“Woo….” Milk shuffled over and affectionately nuzzled her neck with its head, making Bian Changxi so ticklish she almost burst out laughing. “Alright, alright, time to sleep. Let’s get some rest while we can.”

With that, she turned off the light. Although the night was bitterly cold, with one person and one animal cuddled together under the soft air-conditioned blanket, they slept warm and cozy.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when, in the stillness of the night, a sudden noise came from the hallway. Bian Changxi woke with a start, grabbed the glowing digital clock on her nightstand—3:30 a.m.

Phew. She sat up and ran a hand through her hair. The sound seemed to come from outside her door. Barefoot, she got out of bed, opened the door, and saw a small lamp lit in the hallway. A figure was walking downstairs with their back to her.

She squinted. “Gu Xu?”

Gu Xu turned around and smiled. “Did I wake you?”

“You’re back?” She looked him over—he’d just washed up, his hair still damp, wearing thin pajamas and holding a document in his hand. He’d been reading as he walked. “Weren’t you just with the military police? Is everything okay?”

“They just had a few routine questions. They look impressive, but honestly, they don’t have much real authority.” Gu Xu asked, “Are you comfortable here?”

“I like the room, but it seems there aren’t any other empty ones, so I ended up bothering you. I’ll go look for a place of my own tomorrow.” She’d hesitated before, but now, standing in the dim light outside the bedroom, both of them in pajamas, the whole situation just felt off. She immediately decided—she’d find somewhere else to stay tomorrow. So what if it wasn’t as nice? She could make any place warm and cozy.

Gu Xu paused at her words. “If you live alone outside at a time like this, you might run into trouble. Why not stay here for now? I’m up late at night, though. If you’re worried about being disturbed—”

“Uh, it’s really not a problem…”

Actually, the villa was very well soundproofed. She’d just changed environments suddenly and was naturally alert and sensitive. Plus, she’d slept well before, so she was already pretty rested. That’s why even a small noise woke her up.

Gu Xu smiled. “Then there’s nothing to worry about. Just make yourself at home.”

Bian Changxi was stunned for a moment. Gu Xu’s smile was really attractive—so different from his cold, tough demeanor during the day. Now, his features were gentle, his eyes soft, and the homey pajamas gave him an approachable warmth. Even his white teeth were dazzling.

She found herself unable to argue—otherwise, it’d seem like she was rejecting him. Her gaze flickered. “I heard you’ve been working really hard lately?”

“It’s not that hard. If I consider this hard work, then what about those who go out scavenging and fighting zombies?” Gu Xu leaned against the railing, took a sip from the cup in his right hand, and looked full of energy—no sign of exhaustion or sleeplessness. Actually, he had Bian Changxi’s wood-type energy to thank for that. Not only did it heal wounds, but it also seemed to invigorate and refresh the mind. Gu Xu clearly felt he was in better shape than usual.

He looked at her gently. “What about you? How have you been these past two months?”

“Not bad. Traveling, fighting monsters—it’s been pretty fulfilling.” Two months? Could she tell him it had only felt like a dozen days for her?

Suddenly, she froze. Technically, she was supposed to be dead. Should she explain why she was standing here now?

“Um, that day in the woods, I—”

“I looked for you for a while but couldn’t find you anywhere,” Gu Xu interrupted. “I figured you must have had a reason to leave. I didn’t wait long, nor did I send anyone out to search. Looking back, I’m really sorry. Do you blame me?”

“Uh…” She had no idea how to respond.

She sneaked a glance at Gu Xu. Was this really the same person? Had he been swapped out for someone else? Gu Da, are you sure you’re the type to say such… mushy things?

And wasn’t it odd? Shouldn’t he be asking for an explanation? Didn’t he wonder if she had some special ability, given how she’d vanished? Or was there something she didn’t know about what happened then?

“Ahem, of course not. I was the one who disappeared first—how could I blame you?” Her eyes drifted to the document in his hand. “You must still be busy. I won’t take up your time.”

She turned to head back to her room, but just as she reached the door, there was a sudden crash—the floor-to-ceiling window shattered, curtains whipping as if torn by the wind, and a freezing gust howled in.

Instinctively, she raised her arm to shield her face, her left hand already glowing, ready to summon vines. But before she could, a tremendous force yanked her back, and Gu Xu was already standing protectively in front of her.

What speed!

Milk tumbled out from under the blanket and shot toward the balcony like a streak of white light. Gu Xu glanced over. “It’s downstairs.”

“Should we check it out?”

They stepped onto the balcony. Down below, gale-force winds whipped upward, making it almost impossible to keep their eyes open.

Qiu Feng’s voice rang out, cold and angry: “Stop right there!”

Qiu Yun replied, “Bro, it’s not that I don’t want to stop, but this guy’s sneaking around in the middle of the night—he’s definitely up to something!”

“I told you, I’m just here looking for someone. I don’t mean any harm. You started the fight.”

That voice…

Bian Changxi’s heart skipped. She shouted, “Bian Kuang!” She grabbed Gu Xu’s arm. “That’s my cousin!”

The whirlwind scene below paused, and a surprised voice called out, “Xiaoxi!”

Before the words had faded, a figure was thrown out. Gu Xu’s eyes flashed. “Qiu Yun, stop!” He leapt straight off the balcony, a chain of fire shooting from his hand, wrapping around the figure and pulling him back, saving him from crashing over the wall.

Bian Changxi stared in awe as Gu Xu landed steadily. The villa’s third floor was as high as a regular building’s fourth or fifth, and he’d jumped down as if it were nothing.

Even as she marveled, she didn’t hesitate—she sent a vine to wrap around the balcony railing and slid down to the ground.

She’d barely landed when someone rushed over and swept her into a tight hug, her senses overwhelmed by a sweaty, burning chest, the pounding of a frantic heart, and a jumble of excited, incoherent words: “Xiaoxi, you scared me to death! They all said you were dead—I was so worried! Thank goodness you’re alive, thank goodness!”

Bian Changxi was stunned, then smiled. But the hug was so tight she could hardly breathe. “Let go, let go—I’m about to break!”

Bian Kuang quickly let go, staring at her in a daze. Bian Changxi looked up at him. The light wasn’t great, but she could tell he’d gotten darker and thinner. His once-stylish chestnut hair was now long and messy like a bird’s nest, his bangs gone, and even his cool earrings missing. His eyes were bloodshot but bright, filled with a mix of joy, sorrow, and confusion, his voice thick with emotion.

“Why did it take you so long to get here? Did something happen on the road? They all said you’d had an accident. I didn’t know what to do… I should have gone to the new district. Why didn’t I? If something happened to you, how could I face Uncle and Aunt? Xiaoxi, I—”

He actually looked like he was about to cry, then hugged her again, this time practically collapsing onto her. Bian Changxi panicked. “Hey, don’t do this!”

Was it really that scary?

She glanced up and saw Gu Xu watching with a strange expression, making her face flush. She whispered in Bian Kuang’s ear, “Hey, people are watching—can you not do this?” So embarrassing.

Bian Kuang seemed to hear her, pulled himself together, and looked at her, feeling even more guilty for letting her suffer alone. “You’ve gotten thinner, and you look terrible. Haven’t you been eating well? I saved so many good things for you—food, supplies, all sorts of stuff. I even kept your room ready. Come on, let’s go home, I’ll cook something delicious for you.”

Who’s thin? Sure, the journey was tough, but she’d eaten well and was perfectly healthy. As for her complexion, that was because he’d scared her.

Bian Kuang rambled on, grabbing her to leave, but as he turned, he realized there were people all around, all staring at them. He froze, suddenly aware he was still on someone else’s turf, and that everyone had just witnessed his emotional outburst.

He felt his face heat up, not knowing what to say.

Gu Xu, ever tactful, came over and said, “Hello, Bian Kuang. I should have let you know when Changxi arrived. Sorry to make you come all this way.”

Then he turned, his tone hardening. “Qiu Yun, you knew he was an acquaintance and still attacked. Aren’t you going to apologize?”

Qiu Yun shuffled over. “He was climbing the wall instead of using the front gate, and I’d only seen him once before. How was I supposed to recognize him in the middle of the night?”

Bian Kuang coughed. Now that he knew Bian Changxi was safe, he felt embarrassed about his actions. “The front gate was lit up, and there was a patrol car nearby. I didn’t dare show myself, so I’m really sorry for the trouble.”

He was just an ordinary civilian. If he got caught wandering around at night instead of staying home, the consequences could be serious.

Bian Changxi looked at them. “You guys know each other?”

Qiu Feng came over and smiled. “Your cousin’s been here several times. We’ve gotten to know each other.”

“Oh?” Bian Changxi looked at Bian Kuang. Why had he come? To ask about her?

Bian Kuang’s face turned even redder.

He hadn’t just come to ask about her.

The first time, he’d heard they were close with Bian Changxi and came to ask for news. The second time, after gathering more information, he’d been egged on and basically barged in demanding answers. The third time, exhausted and red-eyed from lack of sleep, he’d come to ask about everything that happened, repeatedly confirming if she was really dead. The fourth time, he’d just wandered around aimlessly and ended up here. Gu Xu had been gracious, inviting him in, and they’d shared stories about Bian Changxi.

Now, thinking back, he was mortified!

Thanks to 1234ww for the safety charm!

Thanks to zjj213 for a pink ticket!

Thanks to 0908 for a pink ticket!

Here’s the first update. I’m just starting the second, but I’m not sure if I’ll finish before midnight. Don’t wait up, everyone—just read it tomorrow. Sorry, I’m not in the best mood today, so the writing’s a bit off."