Chapter 37: Yu Yan: He wouldn’t think that I was encouraging him by patting his waist, right?
The convoy only took a brief rest before quickly continuing on their way.
Yu Yan sat in the vehicle and noticed that Guide Li was casting strange glances at him, clearly wanting to say something.
Previously, 012 had been in a secluded spot, so only Guide Li had clearly seen the entire series of interactions between Yu Yan and 012, including their embrace and conversation.
One moment, Guide Li was advising the employer to stay away from Yin Hui, and the next moment, he saw Yin Hui taking the initiative to embrace the employer. The intimate feeling made Guide Li’s cheeks ache.
It might have been the strong wind here.
Li touched his cheek, unable to control his astonishment and shock. He temporarily forgot his professional principles and couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Yu, do you know Yin Hui?”
“Yes,” Yu Yan asked with interest, “So Yin Hui chose that name himself?”
Guide Li replied, “Not exactly. When others asked him his name, he never told them. To make it easier to address him, someone started using the color of his hair as a code name and called him Yin Hui (Silver Gray). He didn’t correct them, so the name gradually stuck.”
Knowing more because he was friends with the big bearded man from the Rose Bar, Guide Li had additional details.
For example, when the big bearded man first asked Yin Hui what his name was, Yin Hui didn’t answer. The big bearded man thought he didn’t have a name and wanted to give him one, but Yin Hui said he already had a name.
Having a name but not willing to say it, and not wanting others to call him by it, was quite strange.
When Yu Yan learned that the bar’s top hunter, as mentioned by the big bearded man, was 012, he became suddenly very interested.
He pressed further, “You must know the bar owner, Guide Li. Do you know why Yin Hui became a ‘hunter’ at the Rose Bar?”
“Did he know how to handle those jobs from the start? Did no one teach him?”
Regarding these matters, Guide Li didn’t know much either and could only politely suggest, “If Mr. Yu wants to know, why not ask Yin Hui directly?”
Guide Li thought to himself, given that you can get a cold-blooded killer like Yin Hui to comb your hair, isn’t your relationship close enough that you wouldn’t need to ask others?
Yu Yan sighed and leaned back in his seat. Asking the person involved directly seemed less interesting, especially with someone like 012, who preferred observing to speaking.
Due to the bumpy road, the vehicle swayed from side to side. Suddenly, Yu Yan heard a faint sound on the roof, like small stones hitting it.
He had a strong premonition, so he opened the window and stuck his head out to look up. A little bird bat in a cloak was perched on their vehicle’s roof, meeting his gaze.
After the brief encounter earlier and hearing the convoy call to set off, Yu Yan had expected 012 to remain mature and not cling to him anymore. But it seemed that 012 hadn’t changed at all.
He caught up with him. And since there was no space in the car, he sat directly on the roof.
Guide Li, understanding from Yu Yan’s actions, indicated the roof with a gesture. After receiving a nod from Yu Yan, he fell silent with a complex expression.
He certainly didn’t dare gossip about Yin Hui openly.
Yu Yan’s vehicle was at the front of the convoy, and the vehicle where 012 had previously been was at the back. When 012 suddenly appeared on the roof of the front vehicle, the two other bodyguards in that vehicle were confused and watched 012’s disappearing figure with puzzlement.
“What’s he doing?”
“Who knows? This kind of mutant isn’t human. How can we understand what animals like that are thinking?” The bodyguard spoke with a tone of sarcasm, but his voice was low, as if afraid of being overheard.
Another bodyguard, playing along, let out a low laugh and stretched, saying, “It’s better that he’s not sitting in this vehicle. I feel uncomfortable with him hanging around.”
In the largest RV in the convoy, Boss Huang also noticed this scene and asked curiously, “How did Yin Hui end up on top of that vehicle?”
The bodyguards speculated, “Maybe he thinks he can scout better from up there, checking for any danger ahead?”
“Yin Hui is notoriously reclusive and aloof, not fond of humans. No one knows what he’s thinking.”
Boss Huang said, “Never mind, as long as he doesn’t suddenly run off.”
…
012 remained calmly on the roof of Yu Yan’s vehicle throughout the journey. At night, the convoy found a place to camp.
The Rainbow Cage Manor was still far away, and they wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow due to their slow pace.
The bodyguards in the convoy gathered to eat. The inhabitants of the underground city mostly consumed nutrient paste made from food scraps blended with additional nutrients to meet basic needs.
Yu Yan tried it and found the taste quite average.
But even such ordinary nutritional paste was unaffordable for many in the underground city.
The bodyguards hired for this job had relatively good incomes. In addition to the nutrient paste and filling emergency rations, they could also eat various canned goods.
Including 012, Boss Huang’s convoy had a total of 15 bodyguards, all human. Yu Yan observed and easily noticed that 012 was isolated among them.
The bodyguards deliberately or inadvertently excluded 012. This became even more apparent when they finished eating and began to arrange night watch duties.
It was supposed to be two people alternating for the night watch, but 012, having no partner, was assigned to the first shift alone.
The wasteland was even colder at night. Everyone huddled inside the vehicles with the heaters on, while the campfire outside had dwindled to just embers.
012 was not sitting by the campfire, and Yu Yan didn’t see him. He pushed open the car door, stepped outside, and heard a rhythmic knocking sound.
Turning around, he saw 012 leaning against the rear of their vehicle.
Yu Yan walked over to 012, who was tightly wrapped in his clothes.
In areas with severe pollution, the silence could be overwhelming, with few living creatures around. In less polluted areas, many dangerous mutated creatures thrived.
This area was relatively safe because of frequent passersby to the underground city, but distant howls from the forest and the chilling wind added an unsettling atmosphere.
Yu Yan, hands in his pockets, gazed at the dim stars in the sky without speaking. 012 also remained silent. If it weren’t for the bright affection meter above his head, Yu Yan would have found it hard to believe his feelings were so… intense.
“Usually, I’d ask how you’ve been lately,” Yu Yan said, “but it seems you’re doing well. You’ve become quite the top hunter. I heard the boss at the Rose Bar praising you a lot. You’re really impressive.”
“But how did you end up as a ‘hunter’?”
“I don’t remember,” 012 said.
Yu Yan was puzzled. “Don’t remember what?”
As they exchanged looks, Yu Yan suddenly sneezed, stamping his feet and muttering, “Why is it so cold here at night?”
012 unfastened his cloak with one hand, removed it, and draped it over Yu Yan, covering his head and face.
After removing the cloak, 012 was wearing only a sleeveless black vest, which allowed his wings to be visible.
The tight vest accentuated his smooth and attractive upper body, giving him a notably appealing look.
He wore a pair of wide and narrow belts around his abdomen to hold the weapons strapped to his back.
His otherwise ordinary long pants and boots didn’t stand out much, but he still looked more pleasing than the other bodyguards.
Whenever Yu Yan saw his pants, he was reminded of the time in the lab when 012 refused to wear pants.
His smile was just beginning to form when 012 came closer.
First, 012 stroked Yu Yan’s forehead, then bent down to listen to his breathing, and even rested his head on Yu Yan’s chest to listen to his lungs.
“You’re not sick anymore; that’s good,” 012 said after listening.
Yu Yan could almost hear the satisfaction in his steady tone.
“You’ve started doing physical exams for others?” Yu Yan, a doctor himself, chuckled. “Now it’s my turn.”
He pretended to feel 012’s cool arm and playfully touched the soft feathers of his wings that were pressed against his back.
“The condition of your skin and fur seems fine, no issues.”
“Let Third Brother check if your weight has decreased.”
He hooked his arm around 012’s waist and lifted him slightly.
“Good, you’ve gained a little weight. It looks like you’ve been eating well recently.”
His expression was appropriately professional, but his small gestures were far from serious.
012 reached into his collar and pulled out a small warm can he had thrown in there earlier.
Yu Yan said with a laugh, “Haha, seeing how cold you are, this is just perfect to chill this drink for me.”
“It’s honey wine. Have you ever tried it? I bought it at your Rose Bar.”
He had bought it but never drank it, and had carried it in his pocket, warmed by his body.
After holding the can for a while, 012 returned it to Yu Yan, saying, “It’s cold now.”
Yu Yan, just joking around, took the can with a smile, opened it, and took a sip. Though it was called honey wine, it was surprisingly strong, with only a hint of sweetness.
But in this cold weather, such a drink did warm the body a bit.
After sipping a few more times, Yu Yan said, “You know, in the human world, things aren’t always fair. Even if you do your best, there will always be people who dislike you.”
“When I first started working, none of my colleagues wanted to have lunch with me. I found it strange at first, but later I realized it was probably because I stood out too much and was different from them.”
012 quickly understood the meaning: “You’re trying to comfort me.”
Yu Yan said, “I’m just sharing some life lessons.”
Noticing 012’s intense gaze, his eyes faintly glowing in the darkness, Yu Yan shook the small can and asked, “There’s only one sip left. Do you want some?”
012 replied, “I want to kiss you.”
Yu Yan: “…”
How did the conversation end up here?
Well, alright then.
Seeing his persistent, small eyes, Yu Yan felt that refusing might not be necessary.
He finished the drink in the small can in one gulp, set the can on the rear of the car, leaned back against the vehicle, and made a gesture inviting 012 to proceed.
012 stepped forward and enveloped him.
A bitter mouthful of wine was passed to him, swirling and seeping between their lips. In the end, it wasn’t clear who drank it, but the sweetness gradually became more pronounced, as if the flavor was fermenting, and it ended up tasting only of honey.
Yu Yan leaned his head back against the car, and at some point, the cold wind outside didn’t seem as harsh.
012 gently touched his hair, his wings spreading slightly and folding forward, showing a desire to wrap him up completely.
Though he was a cold and aloof bat-like creature, his passion was overwhelming.
Yu Yan felt the change in his body and had to pat 012 on the lower back to signal him to let go.
But 012 didn’t just stop; he moved even closer, holding on tightly.
Yu Yan then tugged on 012’s ear feathers, forcing him to release his hold.
“Ah, that’s enough. With this attitude, it looks like you’re not trying to kiss me, but to eat me,” Yu Yan said, licking his slightly sore lips and feeling his tongue tingle.
012’s ear feather perked up from the pain, and he remained silent. He took Yu Yan’s hand, pressing it against his face, sniffing the scent from his palm. His silver-blue eyes peeked out from between his fingers.
