The premature arrival of the apocalypse inevitably affected both of their moods. For the remainder of the day, Mu Li grew much quieter and did not play or frolic with Little Green. Instead, he clung constantly to Xiao Yan. The two of them curled up together in the small room, watching the news broadcast on television. Naturally, the coverage focused on that strange and inexplicable red rain from the previous night, alongside the sudden spread of an unknown virus that was inciting widespread societal panic.
Taking advantage of the fact that communication lines had not yet been cut off, Mu Li called his parents. He spoke only in vague terms about things being unsafe and urged them not to leave the house. Naturally, Mu Li’s father also sensed that something was wrong and immediately wanted to send a helicopter to pick him up. Unfortunately, without a pre-approved flight route, cutting through the necessary bureaucratic procedures would take over two hours. By the time a chopper could arrive, the world would likely have already descended into complete chaos. Mu Li refused the offer, asking only that his parents protect themselves. Perhaps out of a fear that future reunions might prove difficult, he confessed his relationship with Xiao Yan. Thus, Xiao Yan met his partner’s parents for the first time across a screen, solemnly vowing that he would protect Mu Li with his life and escort him safely back to Beijing.
A full day passed swiftly. Those who had fallen into comas awoke, transformed into man-eating monsters. The outside world had completely plunged into chaos. Although the internet remained temporarily active, neither of them bothered searching for related events. Cuddled up together on the sofa, Mu Li enjoyed the delicacies handmade by Xiao Yan, occasionally acting cute and spoiled toward him. Little did he know that this very demeanor drove Xiao Yan wild with desire, making him yearn to strip the person bare and devour him completely.
Remaining entirely oblivious to this, Mu Li sat atop Xiao Yan’s lap, his legs swinging back and forth while he held a freshly baked cranberry cookie in his hand. He took a bite of the cookie, glanced at the anime playing on television, and looked thoroughly relaxed. Staring at the cookie crumbs clinging to the corners of Mu Li’s lips, Xiao Yan swallowed hard, suddenly feeling somewhat thirsty.
Looking up at him, Mu Li picked up the water glass from the table and handed it to Xiao Yan. Completely devoid of any sense of danger, he wore an expression of pure, innocent concern. “Big brother, are you thirsty?”
Xiao Yan’s gaze darkened. Fixing his eyes squarely on Mu Li’s lips, he murmured in a low voice, “Are those cookies delicious?”
“Delicious! Sweet and sour, big brother, your cooking skills are truly amazing!” Mu Li’s eyes lit up. Whenever mention was made of the little cookies Xiao Yan baked, he showered them with endless praise, shifting his posture and wiggling around in Xiao Yan’s arms as he spoke.
Observing those bright, innocent eyes, a flicker of guilt flashed through Xiao Yan’s mind, only to be swiftly overridden by desire. Lowering his head, he said in a deep voice, “Are they really that good? Let me taste.”
Just as Mu Li was about to stand up to grab him a fresh piece, Xiao Yan pinned him by the back of the head and captured his lips. Mu Li’s eyes widened in shock. A flash of profound meaning crossed Xiao Yan’s eyes as the tip of his tongue forcefully pried open Mu Li’s teeth to invade his mouth. The child tasted faintly of the sweet cookies, his soft tongue instinctively trying to shrink back in shyness, only to be tightly ensnared by Xiao Yan. All Mu Li could do was emit a wronged whimpering sound. That stinky big brother was tricking him again!
The kiss finally concluded. Xiao Yan nibbled playfully on Mu Li’s jelly-soft lips, chuckling softly as he looked down at the limp, softened little fellow melting in his arms. “They really are quite sweet.”
Internally, Mu Li scolded himself for having zero backbone. It was just a kiss—why on earth did his lower back go weak? Hearing Xiao Yan’s teasing remarks, Mu Li blushed and let out a cold hrumph. “Hmph, scumbag!”
Xiao Yan merely smiled without speaking, tightening his arms around Mu Li so that his partner could feel firsthand what a true scumbag felt like.
A familiar sensation pressed against his side, making Mu Li’s entire body stiffen. Staring at Xiao Yan as if unable to believe his eyes, he saw pure desire blazing in Xiao Yan’s gaze, terrifying him so much that he scrambled right out of Xiao Yan’s lap. His wide eyes were filled with absolute shock. “Didn’t you say you would not touch me for three full days?!”
Xiao Yan paused to think back. The previous night, the little fellow had cried so pitifully in bed that he might indeed have promised something about once every three days. But whatever words yesterday’s Xiao Yan had spoken—what did that have to do with today’s Xiao Yan?
“Come here.” Xiao Yan remained seated without moving, though his gaze fixed upon Mu Li was naked and completely unmasked. Terrified, Mu Li shook his head vigorously, his face flushed as red as a ripe tomato. “No, you are too much!”
With a crook of his lips, Xiao Yan crossed his legs, resting his arms casually along the back of the sofa in a relaxed and leisurely posture. When it came to coaxing people, his words carried immense persuasive power. “Be a good boy and come here. I promise I will not bully you.”
“Really?” The moment the word left his mouth, Mu Li was already walking toward Xiao Yan. Driven by his instinctive trust in the man, he seemed to have completely forgotten that whenever a man made promises like this, not even ghosts would believe them.
“Of course your big brother would never bully our little darling.” Xiao Yan yanked him straight into his embrace with a single pull, wrapping one arm around Mu Li’s waist while using his free hand to unbutton Mu Li’s pajamas. Just as Mu Li opened his mouth to accuse him of breaking his promise, Xiao Yan used practical action to seal his lips entirely.
Mu Li’s eyes brimmed with unspoken accusations. He could not comprehend why a man possessed such inexhaustible stamina, especially after they had just gone through everything the very previous night.
What Mu Li failed to realize was that an experienced older man who had finally broken his abstinence was terrifyingly insatiable, particularly one who had remained starved for two whole lifetimes. Naturally, his energy knew no bounds.
Barely ten-odd hours had passed since their previous bout of intimacy. Mu Li’s body had not yet recovered and remained exquisitely sensitive, allowing Xiao Yan to easily stir up his passions and melt him into a puddle of warm water.
“Mm, ah, be lighter…” Mu Li murmured, closing his eyes as he looped his arms around Xiao Yan’s neck. With the arrow already nocked on the bowstring, he abandoned any further pretense of resistance.