Emotions, once beyond control, aren't so easily manipulated. Jian Yi understood this deeply.
The morning arrived, and they had a peaceful night.
Long Xiaohu woke up early, and as he opened a corner of the iron grille, Jian Yi, sporting a sporty outfit and short hair, descended from the RV.
"Morning," she smiled at him, the bright sunshine making her seem completely different from the cold, ruthless woman who had wielded an ice pick against the zombies.
Long Xiaohu nodded and replied, "Morning." He couldn't help but ask her, "Why did you cut your hair?"
He remembered her with long, straight black hair that had been as beautiful as silk.
Jian Yi raised an eyebrow in surprise and pushed aside the strands of hair that fell onto her forehead, teasing him, "Why are you so concerned about my hairstyle?"
"Oh, it's not that..." Long Xiaohu hurriedly explained, feeling embarrassed. "I was just asking casually. Oh, by the way, I found some liquefied gas and a stove in the store. I'm thinking of making some noodles. Would you like some?"
As he spoke, his eyes began to avoid her gaze. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, so he fidgeted and didn't know where to put his hands and feet, appearing somewhat restless.
However, Jian Yi's response was slow, and Long Xiaohu had to endure the awkward torment, waiting for her answer.
Seeing Long Xiaohu's awkwardness, Jian Yi couldn't help but chuckle and playfully asked, "Are you trying to poison me?"
"Huh?" Long Xiaohu was visibly startled, wondering where that question had come from.
Seeing his baffled expression, Jian Yi, with a smile, reminded him, "Deputy Head, did you forget?"
How could he forget! That incident had made him the subject of ridicule by his companions to this day, claiming he couldn't even compete with a girl.
For a rebellious teenager going through adolescence, it had been a heavy blow. Jian Yi, did you know that?
Evidently, she did know, which was why she asked him if he was trying to poison her breakfast.
When Long Xiaohu recalled the incident, Jian Yi raised an eyebrow and gestured with her eyes for him to respond.
She could indeed see a hint of embarrassment and humiliation in the young man's eyes. Strangely, he wore a bitter smile.
"When I was a kid, I was foolish, and I bullied you and Junsheng. It was my own fault that you retaliated. Anyway, we're now even," Long Xiaohu scratched his head and, with a serious expression, said, "You can rest assured I won't poison you."
As he spoke, he turned and went into the store, moving the liquefied gas stove he had just found and placing a stainless steel basin on top of it. He lit the fire and started boiling water.
His so-called noodle cooking was nothing more than preparing instant noodles, far less sophisticated than Chen Junsheng's culinary skills, which couldn't even be considered entry-level.
But Jian Yi watched with relish as the two of them squatted in front of the stove, talking and laughing.
The girl was beautiful, with large eyes, a small nose, fair skin, and her short hair had dispelled the aloofness she had when she had long hair. Instead, she appeared more playful and approachable.
When a girl with such a bright pair of eyes looked at you, who wouldn't be pleased?
Long Xiaohu straightened his back and remained serious, not daring to relax. He managed to cook instant noodles as if he were preparing a gourmet feast.
"Squatting for too long can make your legs numb. You can sit at the dining table; I'll bring it over when it's ready," Long Xiaohu intentionally lowered his voice, trying to appear reliable.
He didn't dare to meet the bright, shining eyes that were watching him, though.
Jian Yi complied, got up, and said, "I'll go wake everyone up."
"Sure, sure!" Long Xiaohu nodded vigorously, watching her leave. He couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief and, after a pause, a small smile crept onto his face.
However, before he could fully savor the sweet feeling of being noticed by a beautiful woman, a cold and sinister gaze shot towards him. The air seemed to be sucked out of the atmosphere in an instant, and Long Xiaohu froze in place, taking a sharp intake of breath!
"Junsheng, why don't you sleep a little longer?" Zheng Lanxin saw the tall and thin teenager at the door and greeted him with concern.
Long Xiaohu looked over in surprise and met Chen Junsheng's gaze, which was as calm as ever. Chen Junsheng glanced at him disdainfully and then averted his eyes.
Long Xiaohu, who had stopped in his tracks, stood there, frowning in puzzlement.