Chapter 42: Honeymoon Period
Unexpectedly, Yu Yan had a deep sleep and woke up to find himself still lying in the nest, with 012 still pressed close against him just like before.
Attempting to get up, Yu Yan found himself tightly bound by an arm, resulting in his failure to rise.
It seemed this guy didn’t want to let him out of the nest.
Yu Yan lazily said, “Aren’t you going to let me up?”
012, with his head buried against Yu Yan, didn’t move, pretending not to hear.
“What should I do? I’m going to starve,” Yu Yan said.
The pretending-to-be-deaf little bird bat, leaned its head on his belly and listened for a while, then got up immediately. When Yu Yan got up, 012 looked as if he wanted to push him back into the nest.
Yu Yan patted his arm, “You’re not planning to bring food and feed me, are you?”
“Please don’t; I wouldn’t be able to eat like that.”
He climbed over 012 to get out.
“I need a shower. I didn’t bring any change of clothes, so I’ll wear yours for now.”
Yu Yan rummaged through 012’s wardrobe and found clothes that fit the style of the underground city: black and gray tight-fitting vests and neat trousers.
Yu Yan usually wore white shirts, giving a refined and proper appearance, so he had never tried a black, sleeveless vest before.
After taking a shower and putting on the clothes, Yu Yan came out to find that 012 was no longer on the second floor. Feeling a bit stuffy, he pulled open the heavy curtains and stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air, and his eyes suddenly brightened.
It had been night when he arrived yesterday, and he had only noticed the surroundings, not the view above. Now, he realized that this place might be on the edge of the underground city. There was a noticeable crack dozens of meters high at a diagonal angle above him.
From the ground, it must look like a deep valley stretching across the land, with sunlight shining through it, casting a golden beam of light into the otherwise dim underground city.
The golden light was particularly dazzling against the contrast of light and dark, and Yu Yan finally understood why this district was called the Golden Light District. It had such a unique view.
Suddenly, the sound of a vehicle came from downstairs. A tall, burly man carried a large bundle into the courtyard, shouting, “Big Brother, the goods you wanted have been delivered!”
Yu Yan, leaning against the balcony railing, recognized the delivery person as an employee from the general store in Rain Street.
After delivering the goods, the man drove a small cart into another house in the Golden Light District, suggesting he might also live here.
Thinking back on how these people called 012 “Big Brother,” Yu Yan found it amusing and couldn’t help but laugh.
The little bird bat’s face was delicate and beautiful, not at all like a “Big Brother.”
012, carrying human food, went upstairs and saw his partner’s figure on the balcony.
Yu Yan wasn’t slender, but the black vest fit him well. His exposed arms had unexaggerated muscles, and the way his body stretched casually gave his shoulders and back a very attractive curve.
Perhaps because of his affection for this human, everything about him appeared exceptionally appealing.
012’s Adam’s apple moved, and he silently approached from behind.
When Yu Yan glanced at the distant golden light with a pleasant smile, 012’s gaze was fixed on him, as if he were a little bug caught in a spider’s web, unable to escape.
A cool body suddenly pressed against his back.
Yu Yan: “…” Really clingy.
Lifting his chin resting on his shoulder, Yu Yan turned his head and said, “Don’t you have thicker clothes? Look, I’m getting goosebumps from the cold.”
He raised his arm for 012 to see, who glanced at it and couldn’t help but lick the exposed skin.
Then the wind blew, making it even colder.
Yu Yan: “…” Is this guy drunk or something?
Yu Yan decided to get something to eat. He looked at the food 012 had brought him, picked it up, and headed downstairs.
012 asked, “Don’t you like the food I brought?”
Yu Yan casually replied, “Yeah, I like it, but I want to see if there’s anything else to eat.”
Was he supposed to eat cold, canned cream early in the morning?
Yu Yan started a fire to cook himself a meal, while 012 sat on a chair, sucking plasma and watching Yu Yan with his eyes.
Even though they were eating different foods, they still seemed harmonious at the same table.
While eating his hot meal and chatting with 012, Yu Yan asked, “Didn’t you fail the bodyguard mission? Don’t you need to go to the Rose Bar to settle the task?”
012 replied, “Don’t worry about it.”
He appeared completely indifferent, clearly not wanting to leave the nest. Once Yu Yan finished eating, 012 intended to take him upstairs.
Noticing his intention, Yu Yan deliberately played around with him, saying he wanted to do this and that, just refusing to go upstairs.
When he finally agreed to go upstairs, he suddenly turned his feet and flopped onto the bed, pulling up the blanket.
“Ah, being under the blanket finally makes me warm. The underground city is really cold.”
012 stood by the bed, looking at the nest that was just a short distance away and then at his unmoving partner. After hesitating for a moment, he reluctantly lay down on the bed, which had never been used before.
In the original storyline, 012 had brought a terrifying virus to the human residential areas and into the underground city. The “villain,” who coldly watched countless lives perish for his cause, was merely a clingy little bird bat who liked to snuggle.
Destiny had pushed him into the role of a destroyer.
Yu Yan reached out and brushed over 012’s head, noting the fluctuating danger levels.
012 didn’t know what Yu Yan was smiling about but held his hand firmly against his feathers.
The bed prepared by the former boss who knew how to enjoy life was quite comfortable.
Yu Yan took another nap and couldn’t help but sigh when he woke up, “What a lazy weekend with nothing to do.”
His luggage had arrived, and as Yu Yan was about to change into his own clothes, he found that when he tried to pull off the black vest he was wearing, 012 yanked it back down.
When he tried to remove it again, 012’s arm encircled his front, firmly holding down the vest’s hem.
It seemed he didn’t want him to take off the vest.
Alright then, Yu Yan had no choice but to wear the vest underneath, adding a shirt, sweater, and finally a trench coat over it.
“012, let’s go. I’m taking you to the Rose Bar.”
012 sat still, unmoving. “No need to go.”
“Oh, but I want to go. Will you come with me to the Rose Bar?” Yu Yan said. “If you don’t go, will I just go alone?”
Saying this, Yu Yan walked out, regardless of 012’s reaction.
There were no footsteps behind him, but Yu Yan knew that 012 was following.
“Why?” 012 asked. “Why go there?”
Yu Yan replied, “I want to drink the honey wine they sell there and buy some to bring back.”
This reason easily persuaded 012, and they both headed to the Rose Bar.
The bearded owner was still behind the counter, looking at a brand-new projector, but no one was eating fried rice at the small tables anymore.
Upon seeing 012, the bearded owner immediately stood up from behind the counter.
“Ah! My little Yin Hui! Did you know that your mission failed this time? Your perfect completion rate has been broken!”
After expressing his dismay, he noticed that Yin Hui, who usually came alone, had someone with him—a customer who had been here before.
The bearded man remembered this customer as a wealthy young man, but he hadn’t expected him to know Yin Hui.
The distance between them was very close, far exceeding the typical social distance for people in the underground city, especially for Yin Hui, which was quite unusual.
The large bearded man stared at the two of them, and the curtain behind him was drawn open. A plump middle-aged woman walked out—she was the bearded man’s wife, the boss’s wife.
“Yin Hui is here!” The boss’s wife greeted them with a warm smile.
“You’ve brought a friend this time. It’s rare to see you with a friend. Would your friend like to try our signature fried rice? I’ve been making fried rice for over a decade, and everyone who has tried it says it’s great!”
“Sure, since madam recommends it, I’ll definitely try it,” Yu Yan replied with a smile as he sat at the bar counter.
012 sat beside him, and the bearded man’s eyes nearly popped out, though he didn’t wait for him to pay attention.
Seeing that the friendly wife had finished attending to the customers and was preparing to make fried rice, the bearded man finally turned to Yin Hui and said:
“Yin Hui, you used to handle these tasks quite well. If the employer had bad intentions, you should have left him a breath after robbing him. How did you end up killing him? You could have finished the task first and then gone on to kill him. Now we won’t get any follow-up commission!”
012 said, “Give me the honey wine.”
The bearded man complained, “Hey, I’m talking about the employment issue, aren’t you listening?”
After his complaints, he still handed over the honey wine. Having previously sold Yu Yan a honey wine for a gold coin, 012 reached out for several cans without paying.
“You didn’t like these before. Why the sudden interest? Finally realized the value of good wine?”
After asking, the bearded man saw 012 open the can and pass it to Yu Yan.
Yu Yan took a sip and gave the bearded man a faint smile. “It’s for me.”
The bearded man: “…”
The boss’s wife brought out the fragrant fried rice, wiped her hands with her apron, and eagerly awaited Yu Yan’s feedback.
Yu Yan took a couple of bites, raising an eyebrow in surprise. The taste was somewhat similar to the fried rice made by his fourth brother, Yu Shi.
“This is very delicious, it has… a taste of home,” Yu Yan complimented sincerely.
The boss’s wife let out a hearty, satisfied laugh. “If you like it, come often in the future, and I won’t charge you!”
Yu Yan chatted with the boss’s wife for a few moments, noticing 012’s intense gaze fixed on him. Seeing him staring at his mouth, Yu Yan offered a spoonful of fried rice.
“Want to try? Here, have a bite.”
Even if it was food he didn’t like, 012 would eat it, as it was from his partner.
012 opened his mouth and took a bite.
The boss’s wife exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, Yin Hui eats fried rice? He’s been coming here for so long, and every time I asked him, he wouldn’t eat. I’ve never seen him eat anything.”
“It must be because he’s close with you; he’s willing to try what you give him.”
Yu Yan ate quickly but still maintained a refined manner. His cheeks puffed slightly with each chew, and the curve of his cheeks became more noticeable when he smiled in response to the boss’s wife’s comments.
012 watched his eating motions and expressions intently, not blinking once.
The bearded man, unable to bear the sight, waved his hand between them.
“Hey! Hey! Yin Hui!”
The boss’s wife slapped him on the back. “He’s eating; why do you have to disturb him?”
The bearded man pulled his wife aside, patting his thigh in frustration. “Look at Yin Hui’s expression, like an inexperienced young girl!”
“That guy next to him is from the city. I can tell he’s a rich young master just by looking at him. Look at his appearance, always smiling—he’s definitely the type who forgets people as soon as he gets dressed! I’ve seen plenty of men like that!”
The boss’s wife chided gently, “I think he’s really nice, a polite and cheerful young man.”
The bearded man replied, “I’m telling you, Yin Hui looks like he’s completely smitten. I have to give him a few words of advice!”
“Yin Hui!” The bearded man slammed his hand on the counter. “My little girl, you need to be more careful!”
At the mention of “little girl,” Yu Yan let out a sudden laugh, choking on the fried rice in his mouth, and bent over, coughing.
012 pulled him up, patting his back. Once he stopped coughing, he turned with a cold expression and said to the large bearded man, “I’m not a little girl.”
Yu Yan finally couldn’t hold back, bursting into laughter: “Hahahahaha!”
