Chapter 107: Shancheng: Addictive Artificial Respiration

The moment the giant python fell, Fu Jingmo knew Lin Mu had succeeded.

Recalling Lin Mu’s reaction the last time he absorbed an energy core, Fu Jingmo quickly approached the spot where it happened, only to see the boy’s body sinking deeper into the river.

The breathless giant python was also sinking. If its massive body pressed down on him, the consequences were unimaginable.

Fu Jingmo kicked off the snake’s body, using the momentum to dive several meters downward, heading straight for Lin Mu.

His strong hand firmly clasped Lin Mu’s slender wrist, pulling him back forcefully. The thin body collided into his embrace, and an indescribable ache began to spread from his chest.

Fu Jingmo clamped the boy’s jaw and passed a breath into him, but the unconscious Lin Mu showed no reaction.

The giant python’s body slowly sank. Fu Jingmo’s eyes were bloodshot, and the energy gathering in his palm, charged with fury, struck the snake’s body with a forceful blow. The attack pierced through the water’s surface, creating massive waves.

Without its energy core, the enormous snake’s body was split cleanly in two, collapsing to either side. Fu Jingmo swiftly carried Lin Mu upward.

A yacht that had just arrived at this location was startled by the overwhelming energy, momentarily thinking that the giant python was still alive.

He Ze threw out the energy he had gathered, creating an opening on the river’s surface, just in time for Fu Jingmo to emerge with Lin Mu.

“Pull us up!” 

Fu Jingmo commanded coldly, his gaze fixed on the unconscious boy in his arms.

The two were hauled onto the deck without delay. Fu Jingmo swiftly laid Lin Mu down. The boy’s face had already turned pale blue, and he was completely unresponsive.

The people on the deck gathered around, and He Ze called out anxiously, “Mumu.”

“Lin Mu, Lin Mu!”

Fu Jingmo called his name several times, laying him flat. His slightly trembling hand rested on Lin Mu’s cold forehead, while the other hand lifted his jaw.

After positioning him properly, Fu Jingmo overlapped his wrists, interlocked his fingers tightly, and kept his arms vertical. Taking a deep breath, he pressed down firmly on Lin Mu’s chest.

The lifesaving methods he had memorized by heart, Fu Jingmo executed with the utmost care.

Repeating the motions, he lowered his head, his lips meeting Lin Mu’s—cold yet soft, as if tempting him to linger a little longer each time.

The man, always unyielding and indomitable, now had reddened eyes. Water droplets from the tips of his hair fell onto Lin Mu’s face as he continued his efforts, oblivious to the world around him. The sounds of the surrounding chaos seemed distant, irrelevant.

Lin Xiao Mu, Brother won’t let anything happen to you.

He Ze knelt to the side, his eyes fixed on Lin Mu, furiously wiping away the tears that kept falling.

After nearly ten continuous minutes of artificial respiration and CPR, Fu Jingmo could no longer feel his hands.

“Cough—cough cough—”

The boy lying there suddenly let out a fit of choking coughs, his body trembling violently.

Fu Jingmo pulled Lin Mu into his arms. Lin Mu clutched at his clothes, choking out a large mouthful of water. His fit of coughing was so intense it seemed like it might tear his lungs apart.

Breathing heavily, Fu Jingmo patted the boy’s thin back, feeling his body gradually warm up. With trembling lips, he murmured, “It’s okay now, Lin Xiao Mu. You’re okay.”

Lin Mu’s throat burned painfully, and he struggled to catch his breath. In a hoarse voice, he asked, “Is it… dead?”

“It’s dead, already dead. You did very well.”

Holding Lin Mu tightly in his arms, Fu Jingmo inhaled the faint scent of grass and wood unique to Lin Mu, mingled with the damp smell of river water. Finally, the heavy weight on his heart eased.

Lin Mu hadn’t fully regained his strength. Hearing Fu Jingmo’s words, he felt reassured and closed his eyes again.

“Brother Fu, is Mumu okay now?”

He Ze hadn’t fully recovered from the shock. Watching the two of them, he felt like there was no space for him to say a word.

Chen Yu leaned against the yacht’s railing, raising an eyebrow as he observed the two embracing. His expression turned intrigued.

“He’s fine now.”

Fu Jingmo’s slender, defined fingers gently brushed away the water droplets from Lin Mu’s hair. Even though his hands were nearly numb with exhaustion, he still refused to let go of the person in his arms.

The yacht slowly approached the riverbank. The sunlight carried a hint of warmth, and as the wind brushed against his lips, Fu Jingmo couldn’t help but recall the feeling of their lips touching just moments ago. It’s soft, very soft.

With the iron chains no longer in use, the mutated individuals on the rocky riverbank began clearing out the zombies. By now, the cleanup was almost complete.

Ye Xing waited at the riverbank, and as soon as the yacht docked, he dashed forward like a little cannonball, launching himself straight into Chen Yu’s arms.

“Uncle Chen, are you okay?”

Chen Yu, unusually gentle, supported the boy by the waist and lifted him up like a child. “I’m fine.”

Shao Yingjie approached, his usually impeccable hair slightly disheveled, and his deep, composed gaze landed on Fu Jingmo.

“Captain Fu, thank you. I’ll handle things from here.”

Fu Jingmo nodded. With the giant python dead, the area no longer posed any threats. All he wanted now was to take Lin Mu back as soon as possible.

He carefully placed Lin Mu in the passenger seat, and the car sped off.

“Hey, hey, hey… Brother Fu, I haven’t gotten in yet!”

He Ze had just stepped onto the platform when all he saw was the cold and unfeeling rear of the car disappearing into the distance.

Shen Rangchen tugged at him. “Stop being a bother.”

—

All the way home, Fu Jingmo carried Lin Mu inside and laid him on the bed, carefully changing the boy out of his soaked clothes.

Once he had tidied up both of them, he sat down by the bed and looked at the boy, whose breathing had gradually steadied. He raised an eyebrow.

“What kind of young master are you, always making Brother take care of you?”

He reached out and gently pinched Lin Mu’s cheek. “Fine, I’ll only ever take care of you.”

As Fu Jingmo withdrew his hand, his fingers inadvertently brushed against Lin Mu’s lips. He froze, his throat tightening.

On an impulse, his thumb gently stroked the soft, rosy lips. Once wasn’t enough—he did it again.

Perhaps because he had relaxed, Lin Mu lay on his side, his body slightly curled. His long, fair neck disappeared into the white collar of his shirt, and his slender waist was hidden beneath the blanket.

In Fu Jingmo’s 23 years of life, he had never been this close to anyone before.

From the moment he began training under that person, his life had been nothing but a series of missions, one after another. He always ventured into dangerous places alone.

Even among his teammates, only Chen Yu could be considered someone he could talk to over the years.

In the eyes of others, he was like a lone wolf, fierce and untouchable, someone no one dared to approach.

But after meeting Lin Mu, it seemed as though everything had changed. The unconditional trust and companionship they shared made him care about someone in a way he never had before.

It turned out that what that person had said was true—teammates and companions were the kind of things that could become addictive.

Fu Jingmo pinched Lin Mu’s ear again. The sleeping boy let him knead it without protest, leaving Fu Jingmo quite satisfied. Addictive or not, so be it.

“…”

The boy lying down suddenly shifted slightly, as if feeling uncomfortable. Fu Jingmo’s hand froze, and he looked at him.

Lin Mu burrowed further under the pillow, as if searching for a blanket. When he didn’t find it, a small frown of dissatisfaction appeared on his face.

The movement exposed his slender neck to Fu Jingmo’s gaze, causing the usually stoic man to pause in surprise.

“…Hmm…”

After a while, Lin Mu let out a soft hum, the faint quiver in his voice carrying a trace of unease, as if he were caught in the throes of a chaotic dream.

Lin Mu’s fingers, which had been gripping the pillow, relaxed as he turned over and shifted, rubbing against the surface like he was searching for a blanket or something to lean on.

Fu Jingmo’s throat tightened, and he swallowed hard. Abruptly, he pulled the blanket over and draped it over Lin Mu, then reached out to touch his head—it felt a little warm.