Wu You excitedly led them to sit in the living room. The girl remained quiet, sitting beside Wu You.
Since entering the base, 66 had been unusually silent, feeling that human life was unbearably difficult.
【This house isn’t even very big. Even someone as capable as Wu You lives in a small home—let alone those without labor capacity.】
Le Huan, however, paid no mind. To her, all houses seemed roughly the same size. The apocalypse was inherently harsh; it was a world ruled by the strong.
Wu You introduced Le Huan to the indifferent girl. “Sister, this is Yu Lehuan, the one I told you about. We found her alone and brought her back.”
Wu You was a chatterbox. Every time he returned from a mission, he had to talk endlessly to Wu Lü about trivial matters. But this time was different—the protagonists were the two standing before him. Wu You could hardly contain himself, wanting to recount every detail of Zhao Yan’s expressions for three days straight.
“Hello, I’m Wu Lü, Wu You’s elder sister.” Wu Lü extended her hand first.
“Wow, your names are so nice—carefree and worry-free.” Le Huan took Wu Lü’s hand, who was slightly older than her.
Seeing their hands clasped, Zhao Yan cleared his throat and interjected, holding up the fabric. “I came to ask you to design some clothes for Huan Huan. I’m worried she might not like what others make.”
Le Huan’s eyes sparkled as she smiled mischievously. “Mm-hmm, I like unique things. Yan Yan really understands me.”
Wu You nearly choked on his own spit. “Cough…cough…”
Goosebumps rose across his skin. Oh my god, the Team Leader, with that physique, privately calling her such a mushy nickname, and still… Yan Yan…
Wu Lü slapped Wu You on the head. “No manners!”
Le Huan gazed at Zhao Yan, smiling sweetly. Zhao Yan’s eyes flickered, his face turning bright red. He had never lost composure like this in front of others.
Wu Lü spoke. “Alright, Miss Yu, tell me your preferences. I’ll design a few outfits based on the patterns, and they’ll be ready within a week.”
After discussing the clothing details, night fell. Le Huan grew hungry. The past few days had been hectic, and she hadn’t eaten properly. Tugging on Zhao Yan’s sleeve, she indicated she wanted to go home.
Zhao Yan looked at her adorable gesture, shrugging with a soft chuckle. She reminded him of a child fussing to go home. Indeed, Le Huan’s temperament often resembled that of a child.
Wu You watched the two of them “flirting” and rolled his eyes discreetly. The Team Leader’s usual stern demeanor was completely gone.
Zhao Yan stood up and said he would go buy groceries and cook. Le Huan hadn’t eaten much vegetables lately, and he intended to take advantage of the free time at the base to properly nourish her.
At the market, Zhao Yan headed first to the meat section. Though called a market, it was practically empty. Vegetables and meat were outrageously expensive; a few vegetables could cost as much as half a month’s meals in the cafeteria. The cafeteria only offered easily grown staples like potatoes and sweet potatoes, occasionally with tomatoes.
Zhao Yan selected several pieces of beef and a few tomatoes, then let Le Huan choose her favorite vegetables. She picked a generous amount without hesitation. Since it was the change of seasons, Zhao Yan also bought pears and white fungus, planning to stew a cooling pear soup.
Once shopping was complete, Zhao Yan swiped a card, and the machine displayed the total amount. Onlookers gasped. Good heavens, the cost of these ingredients equaled half his monthly salary! His wife was pregnant, and he shamelessly splurged on fresh food without batting an eye.
Back home, Zhao Yan got busy in the kitchen. Without a TV or phone, Le Huan grew bored and walked to the doorway. “Zhao Yan, play with me~”
“Stand back, there’s hot oil.” Zhao Yan was cooking.
Le Huan pouted and twisted his waist. “You tricked me into coming here and now you ignore me!”
Zhao Yan couldn’t help but laugh. Her complaint was unreasonable, but he knew she was just seeking attention. He soothed her, “Huan Huan, wait a moment, okay? I’ll play with you as soon as this dish is done. Are you hungry? Go have some fruit in the living room first.”
His tone was gentle, and Le Huan had no complaints. “Alright, then hurry.”
Le Huan was quick to anger but easy to appease. Once coaxed, she became cooperative.
As promised, Zhao Yan soon emerged. A pot of beef soup simmered on the stove. He joined Le Huan to play games, though she didn’t know what to play, so she let him choose.
Zhao Yan pulled out a Go board from the coffee table drawer. “Let’s play Go.”
Le Huan’s interest piqued. “Sure! I want the black stones.”
—Ten minutes later—
“I’ll switch to white. The black stones don’t suit my luck today.” Losing too quickly, Le Huan was displeased. Secretly, she called 66 to join her for a 2v1.
The two little ones focused intently on Zhao Yan’s moves, with Le Huan controlling the game and 66 assisting.
—Ten minutes later—
Le Huan and 66 began bickering. Outwardly calm, inwardly, their minds were in chaos, each thinking the other was utterly foolish.
Le Huan vented on Zhao Yan, accusing him of cheating.
66 and Zhao Yan: …Seriously, could your character be any worse?
While they played, the soup finished cooking. Zhao Yan brought out several dishes, aromatic and visually appealing. Le Huan’s stomach rumbled; it had been so long since she had eaten a proper meal. Her appetite soared, and she ate far more than usual. Zhao Yan warned her not to overeat, but Le Huan ignored him.
As a result, she became stuffed and uncomfortable, lying on the bed, groaning. Zhao Yan, ever attentive, boiled hawthorn water for her—good for digestion.
Le Huan still felt nauseous but couldn’t vomit. She lay on the bed, tears falling, cursing Zhao Yan.
Seeing her tearful, Zhao Yan’s heart ached. For the first few days, Le Huan rarely cried, so this sudden burst of tears tightened his chest painfully.
Feeling guilty and blaming himself for not taking better care of her, Zhao Yan massaged her stomach while she lay on the bed.
His warm hands moved slowly and gently over her abdomen. Gradually, her discomfort eased, and she grew drowsy.
“Sleep. I’ll leave once you’re feeling better.”
Hearing this, Le Huan relaxed and drifted off to sleep.