Early the next morning, the moment she opened her eyes, Jiang Sui checked her phone and waited for updates in the supply group. Seeing that it was almost time, she immediately got up and prepared to go downstairs early.
It was still quite early. Seeing no movement from the bedroom, she assumed Xie Yanhan was still asleep and didn’t knock. She quickly put on her shoes and rushed out.
What she didn’t know was that the moment she closed the door, the bedroom door was already pushed open from inside by Xie Yanhan.
There were many people waiting to collect supplies. Everyone crowded together, eagerly grabbing what they needed. Some even took advantage of the chaos to grab extra, so if you were slow, your share would be reduced—you had no choice but to compete.
Jiang Sui understood this well. Luckily, her current physical condition was better than before; even among strong men and women, she wasn’t easily pushed down.
She got her things and left—four full bags.
While waiting for the elevator, she overheard residents talking nearby.
“Did you hear anything last night? Someone jumped from a building!”
“What jump? It wasn’t a jump—it was a push! Building 4. The husband suddenly went crazy and tried to eat his own child. The mother fought him to protect the kid and ended up pushing him off the building.”
“It was awful… the child got bitten on the neck, blood everywhere. The ambulance never came in time… the child died right there. The mother cried so loudly the whole building could hear her… and in the end she jumped too. That whole family was gone.”
“Why would someone suddenly go crazy like that… no warning at all. If it happens in your own home, what do you even do?”
“It’s not without warning. The internet says people infected with Mushroom Disease have a chance of going into a zombie-like frenzy. If someone in your family is infected, send them for quarantine immediately. Keeping them at home is just harming everyone.”
“That’s easy to say… they’re family. Who can be that ruthless?”
“There are quite a few cases in our building too. I’ve seen several in the elevator…”
As she listened, Jiang Sui suddenly felt a sticky gaze on her. Frowning, she turned—and saw a fat, middle-aged man staring at her lewdly.
He grinned and looked her up and down without hiding it. Even after being noticed, he showed no embarrassment and leaned closer.
“Buying so many things?” he said.
Jiang Sui ignored him.
The man continued, “You just moved in, right? I haven’t seen you before… Are you living alone?”
“If you talk to me again,” Jiang Sui said coldly, “I’ll rip out your tongue.”
The man only laughed shamelessly. “You’re so fierce.”
“Don’t mind him,” a woman’s voice said gently.
It was Aunt Lin from the same floor. She stepped between them, blocking the man’s view.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” she asked.
This was her way of implying Jiang Sui wasn’t living alone.
“He’s still sleeping,” Jiang Sui replied.
The elevator finally arrived. But when she got off, she realized the fat man actually lived on the same floor.
Before going inside, he turned and grinned again. “If you need anything, just knock. I’m very helpful.”
Aunt Lin said sharply, “If you keep harassing people, I’ll call the police again.”
The man scoffed and shut his door hard.
Aunt Lin sighed. “He’s the known troublemaker here. The police have been called several times, but they can’t do much—he only says inappropriate things and stares at people. That’s not enough to arrest him.”
“Be careful,” she added before leaving.
Jiang Sui thanked her and returned to the apartment.
She was opening the door with her password when it suddenly unlocked from the inside.
Xie Yanhan stood there.
When she left, the living room curtains were open and it should have been bright—but for some reason, his black clothing made the room feel colder and darker.
His face was still pale, his slightly messy hair hanging over his forehead. His dark eyes were deep and unreadable, carrying an emotion she couldn’t see through.
Then he lowered his gaze and moved aside, letting her in.
After putting down the heavy bags, Jiang Sui exhaled in relief.
Behind her, she heard the door lock click shut.
Then his clear, low voice sounded:
“Where did you go?”
A strange chill ran up her back.
It felt like coming home late and being questioned by a husband.
She blinked, thinking she was overreacting—but when she looked again, his expression really did seem… cold.
Was he angry?
Because she left without telling him, did he think she ran away?
“I went to get supplies,” she explained. “Didn’t I tell you yesterday? I joined the supply group.”
Xie Yanhan’s gaze shifted to the four full bags.
After a moment, he lowered his lashes and said quietly, coldly:
“Next time you leave, tell me in advance.”
So he really thought she ran off.
“You’re angry?” Jiang Sui leaned closer to him. “You thought I ran away secretly?”
Her face was close—bright eyes, slightly flushed cheeks from carrying heavy things, lively and vivid.
Xie Yanhan’s fingers tightened slightly on the wheelchair armrest. He turned his head away, jawline tense and rigid.
“No.”
“Relax,” Jiang Sui said, patting his shoulder. His body felt cold—he really did have a low temperature.
“I said I’d take care of you until your injuries heal. I won’t break my promise.”
Then she paused.
“Don’t be so… insecure.”
That word made her hesitate slightly herself.
Was he… insecure?
Given his past—being discarded, mistreated, never truly cared for—it wasn’t impossible.
“Don’t worry so much,” she said lightly. “Unless I die outside someday, I’ll definitely come back.”
Xie Yanhan looked at her.
His fingers curled slightly.
He said nothing.
But the corner of his lips twitched—almost like he was about to smile.
Too easy.
Too convenient.
A little acting, and he gets pity and promises.
So simple.
So cheap.
Like clouds in the sky—beautiful to look at, but empty when you reach out.
Disgusting.