"Chen Junsheng," Jian Yi called out to him.
Chen Junsheng immediately furrowed his brows, "Sis, I've been on watch duty at night. You should rest."
"We still have a long way to go. You take the first half of the night, and I'll take the second half."
Jian Yi got up and handed the sleeping Tongtong to Zheng Lanxin. "Auntie, you and Tongtong sleep inside the shop. Junsheng and I will get the folding bed and set it up for you. Get a good night's rest."
Worried, Zheng Lanxin glanced at her son, but Chen Junsheng just went straight to the RV without acknowledging her.
Well, her son had completely become Jian Yi's follower, and not even his own mother could boss him around anymore. In the past, Zheng Lanxin would have made a few sarcastic remarks about her stepdaughter, but now she didn't dare. She could only play it safe to keep the peace. If that girl gave her a hard time, her obedient son might not help her, and she might even lose her bed along with the folding one.
Seeing how tactful Zheng Lanxin was, Jian Yi breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced at her stepmother, who was clearly mentally exhausted from using her abilities excessively, then walked out of the shop with Chen Junsheng. Together, they brought down the bedding and placed it between two shelves, allowing Zheng Lanxin to rest with Tongtong.
They also left a small night light to prevent them from waking up in the dark, which would be inconvenient. With the shelves blocking their view, the envious glances from Zhao Na and Hao Zhenzhu were also blocked. Zheng Lanxin, now comfortably sleeping on a proper bed, couldn't help feeling a bit smug.
However, she had exhausted herself earlier by filling the entire large water tank with her abilities just to allow her son to take a hot bath. She cuddled Tongtong, who felt as warm as a hot water bottle, and quickly fell asleep.
Long Xiaohu and Zhang Ming returned. The outside world was now pitch dark, making it difficult to continue the investigation due to poor visibility. They would have to wait until morning to resume their work.
"Long Xiaohu," Jian Yi stood by the shop's entrance and beckoned to him.
At night, even the slightest sound was exceptionally clear. There were strange noises coming from both the restrooms and the office on either side, which sent shivers down Zhao Na's spine.
Hao Zhenzhu, however, remained relatively calm, probably due to her experience. She reassured Zhao Na that the walls and doors were sturdy, and the creatures wouldn't be able to get out as long as they stayed quiet.
In their conversation, there seemed to be some complaints directed at Jian Yi for her earlier call. In response, Zhao Na could only smile without saying a word. Both of them were lying on thin blankets from the shop, makeshift beds created by combining the dining chairs. They were positioned head to head and dared not even turn over, let alone speak. Every time they made a slight movement, the chairs beneath them creaked, followed by eerie roars from both sides.
Zhao Na had a compassionate heart, but she knew who was closer to her. The shop fell into silence.
Zhang Ming glanced at the three figures at the door but decided not to eavesdrop. He was too exhausted, and his eyelids were drooping. He had to fight to stay awake.
Both doors of the shop were securely closed. Jian Yi left Long Xiaohu inside, just in case of any sudden emergencies, so he could open the door for them. As for Zhang Ming and Hao Zhenzhu, Jian Yi didn't trust them at all. She had especially little trust in Hao Zhenzhu, knowing that her survival instincts could be a big problem for them.
"Sis, should we send those two away tomorrow?" Chen Junsheng asked. He was leaning against the bed in the RV, pulling back a corner of the curtain to look outside at the pitch-black surroundings. He shook his head lightly. "No need to rush. Let's keep them for now."
"But with those two around, it's not easy to take the supplies we need, and there's also Long Xiaohu and his mother..." Chen Junsheng glanced at Jian Yi's expression first and, seeing no strong reaction from her, continued, "They can be quite a hindrance."
Jian Yi didn't really need so many people around her. With just him, she could accomplish everything she wanted. However, Chen Junsheng couldn't say that. His sister hated it when others made decisions for her, so he could only endure, waiting for the day when he couldn't bear it anymore.
"Chen Junsheng," Jian Yi looked over at him. The dim night light illuminated her face, and she appeared displeased. "You've been quite talkative lately."
Chen Junsheng panicked, quickly shaking his head to explain. Jian Yi raised an eyebrow and silenced him by placing a finger on his lips. Her soft touch, warm and inviting, stirred a palpable excitement in Chen Junsheng's heart. His anxious expression softened, and he gazed at her with eyes filled with affection, as if brimming with tenderness. His long eyelashes quivered lightly.
His gaze, full of undisguised adoration, made Jian Yi's heart skip a beat. Her fingers trembled involuntarily, and her eyes uncontrollably fell to his thin lips. Suddenly, a mischievous curiosity welled up within her.
Her fingertip lightly and casually traced his lower lip. As expected, she immediately heard Chen Junsheng's heavy breathing.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, and his heart felt like it was about to burst. His eyes were filled with an overwhelming desire.
Jian Yi's lips curved into a charming smile. She enjoyed this feeling of control.
Chen Junsheng's voice trembled as he whispered, "Sis..."
"No need to explain. Just go out. I'm going to sleep. Remember to wake me up in the middle of the night."
Jian Yi lay down, dressed, and pulled the thin blanket over herself, pretending to be ready to sleep as if her earlier teasing had been unintentional.
"Alright..."
After a moment, Chen Junsheng reluctantly responded. He cast a deep glance at her back and then turned to the dining area. He took a deep breath and suppressed the turmoil in his heart.
Outside the window, the night was dark. Jian Yi reached up to touch her lips, where she had felt the warmth of her fingertips and the faint fragrance that lingered there.
Chen Junsheng became lost in his thoughts, repeatedly touching his lips, his cheeks gradually flushing. His heartbeats grew more intense, and in the quiet RV, his rapid breathing filled the air.
He loved her so much that he wished he could absorb her into his very bones, hiding her away from everyone, keeping her all to himself.
Jian Yi suddenly sat up with a start, took a look at the alarm clock on the bedside table, and was surprised to find that it was already four in the morning.
She was supposed to wake up at two, but Chen Junsheng had failed to do his job and didn't wake her up.
"Why are you awake, Sis?" Chen Junsheng's cautious voice came from outside the door. He hadn't woken her up on time, and he wondered if she would be angry.
The sliding door was opened abruptly, revealing Jian Yi's displeased face to Chen Junsheng. He instinctively stepped back, avoiding her questioning gaze, but he stubbornly tilted his head up, thinking that he hadn't done anything wrong.
"You were too tired, so I thought you should get more rest," he explained.
Jian Yi gripped the collar of his shirt, her expression icy. "If you keep making decisions on your own like this, you'll be in big trouble!"
"Sis!" Chen Junsheng couldn't believe the coldness in her eyes. "I just wanted you to rest a little longer!"
"I just wanted you to rest a little longer!" Chen Junsheng protested.
Jian Yi's grip on his shirt tightened, and she spoke in a stern tone, "You're not being obedient, Chen Junsheng."
Chen Junsheng's eyes widened in disbelief, hurt and confusion evident in his gaze. He gazed at her cold expression, his eyes shimmering with a hint of moisture. He looked like a wronged puppy.
Jian Yi's eyes narrowed dangerously, and she gave his shirt a final shake before releasing it. "You need to learn to follow instructions and not make decisions on your own. Don't let your feelings cloud your judgment."
Chen Junsheng swallowed hard, his throat constricted with unspoken words. He wanted to explain himself, to tell her that he was only trying to take care of her, but her stern gaze silenced him.
"I'm going to sleep now," Jian Yi said, lying back down and pulling the blanket over herself. She turned away from him, signaling the end of their conversation.
Chen Junsheng stood there for a moment, torn between his desire to make amends and his fear of upsetting her further. Finally, he whispered, "Goodnight, Sis."
With that, he left the room and closed the door behind him. Inside the RV, Jian Yi lay in bed, her thoughts racing. She knew she had been harsh on him, but she couldn't afford to let emotions cloud her judgment in this dangerous world they were living in. Chen Junsheng's actions, though well-intentioned, could potentially put them all at risk.
As she drifted off to sleep, Jian Yi couldn't help but wonder about the complexity of her relationship with Chen Junsheng. He was more than just a loyal follower; his feelings for her ran deep, and she couldn't ignore the growing tension between them.
Outside the RV, Chen Junsheng leaned against the wall, his emotions in turmoil. He had made a mistake, and he knew it. He had only wanted to protect and care for his sister, but he had overstepped his bounds. He vowed to be more obedient in the future, even if it meant suppressing his own feelings.
The night passed in silence, with Jian Yi and Chen Junsheng each lost in their thoughts. The challenges of this new world continued to test their bonds and their ability to survive together.