Chapter 116: Lin Xiao Mu, Do You Trust Me?

Lin Mu stood by the bedside, unmoving.

Clearly, they slept on the same bed every night, but now, his two legs seemed rooted to the ground, refusing to take a step.

The person on the bed let out a muffled laugh. The once cold and stern face softened, now carrying a trace of affection.

He sat casually and reached out a hand toward Lin Mu.

“Shy?”

…Shy, my ass. Lin Mu gritted his teeth and sat down on the edge of the bed.

The moment he barely touched the bed, he was instantly pulled into someone’s embrace.

“You…”

Fu Jingmo lowered his head, holding the person a little tighter, then pulled up the quilt to wrap him up. “Mm, this way, it’s not cold.”

The two of them were so close under the quilt that Lin Mu was practically nestled entirely in his arms.

For the first time, Fu Jingmo felt satisfied with his height—it was as if he and Lin Mu were made for each other, perfectly fitting, with just one arm able to encircle him completely.

He tilted his head, his lips almost brushing against Lin Mu’s ear, and said softly, “Go ahead, tell me what you want to say.”

Lin Mu’s ears burned, and his entire body froze, unable to move.

His body temperature had always been on the cooler side, whereas Fu Jingmo’s warmth seemed endless, radiating an unceasing heat.

Fu Jingmo gently kissed his cheek, silently offering comfort.

Lin Mu stopped overthinking, trying his best to ignore the arm resting across his waist, and spoke earnestly.

“Fu Jingmo, I think I can solve the R virus issue—or rather, Xiao Yuan can.”

In the darkness, the voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of confusion.

“And what else?”

Fu Jingmo’s voice was calm. This news was unexpected, but compared to the shock it should have brought, he found something strange.

He realized, to his surprise, that he cared more about Lin Mu’s feelings.

He could sense that Lin Mu was afraid—something he had never seen before, not even when facing zombies or giant pythons.

Even when his body showed fear, Lin Mu’s heart had always been resilient and brave.

Lin Mu shook his head, his voice filled with defeat. “I don’t know. I can’t do it…”

“Why me? I’m so useless…”

“I just want to be an ordinary mutant, someone who can survive in this apocalypse with you.”

“To go to Fengcheng with you and live a safe life…”

…

He spoke in a low voice, though many of the things he mentioned wouldn’t be possible without Xiao Yuan—or without Fu Jingmo.

Fu Jingmo’s mission and identity destined him to never settle for a quiet corner of safety in this apocalypse, nor to live for himself alone.

It was only under the cover of night that Lin Mu dared to slowly reveal his vulnerable, innermost thoughts.

These small, deeply hidden wishes and worries were slowly laid bare.

Fu Jingmo gazed at him, wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and effortlessly lifted him, turning him around.

He let Lin Mu lean against his shoulder, then encircled his waist, one hand gently cradling the back of his head.

It was a posture full of tenderness and protection. Lin Mu buried himself in Fu Jingmo’s neck, nuzzling slightly, displaying complete trust and reliance.

Fu Jingmo spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid…”

Warm tears fell onto his neck, scorching as if they might burn his skin.

Lin Mu’s voice was choked with emotion.

“Fu Jingmo, it’s not too late to decide. What will you do? Hand me over to the government, or… the Academy of Sciences?”

“I can pretend that none of this ever happened tonight.”

“I should have told you earlier.”

Before you kissed me…

That way, I wouldn’t have used feelings to trap you…

The hand cradling the back of his head slid downward, pinching his neck in a light, punishing gesture. Yet, unwilling to truly hurt him, the pressure softened.

“Mm? Denying it as if it never happened?”

“Lin Mu, I won’t hand you over to anyone. Even if that day comes, I will always stay by your side.”

He made this solemn promise, breaking the four words that had bound him for the first half of his life: obey the orders.

“We’ll find the best way to resolve this. No one can use you as a research subject.”

When those scorching tears fell onto his neck, he even wanted to say, I could go against the entire world for you.

But he knew Lin Mu wouldn’t. Lin Mu’s hesitation and inner conflict all stemmed from his sense of duty to protect his identity, not wanting to put him in a difficult position.

How could he not understand?

“Am I… being selfish?”

Lin Mu sniffled softly, his voice low. It had been so long since he last cried.

When did it start?

Was it when his parents left?

Because even if he cried, no one around him would care.

But now, finally, there was someone he could lean on.

“Lin Xiao Mu, do you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you…”

He murmured softly, but there wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his response.

“Mm, then keep trusting me, always.”

…

Fu Jingmo gently patted his thin back. “Sleep now, get some rest. You’re too tired.”

So these were the things keeping him awake, preventing him from sleeping well.

He must have been so afraid.

Turning his head, he placed a soft kiss on the side of Lin Mu’s face.

Lin Mu didn’t resist and closed his eyes, having shared the burdens in his heart with the person he most wanted to tell.

The firm and sincere response he received, gave him a deep sense of reassurance.

The scent at the tip of his nose, unique to Fu Jingmo, carried the cold, crisp aroma of cedar, so familiar and comforting.

The alcohol in his system surged, bringing back a wave of drowsiness. Half-asleep, he only knew he was being held tightly.

“Fu Jingmo… I’ll try harder…”

“You’re fine just the way you are.”

“No, I’ll work harder to keep up with you.”

“It’s okay if you can’t keep up. I’ll wait for you, always in a place where you can see me.”

“Thank you…”

Lin Mu was very sleepy but stubbornly refused to fall asleep, as if trying to absorb just a little more, a little more comfort.

Gently, Fu Jingmo kissed the ends of his hair to soothe him.

“Sleep, Lin Xiao Mu… Don’t worry, my answer won’t change when you wake up.”

“Alright…”

With that final syllable, Lin Mu finally fell asleep.

In the darkness, the man stopped his gentle patting, laid Lin Mu down in his arms, and gazed at his tear-streaked face. He gently wiped away the lingering traces of tears.

Finally, his fingers froze, resting against Lin Mu’s lips, unwilling to move away for a long time.

After a while, he took out the black box he always carried with him and scrolled to a message from a long, long time ago.

It was from the first day he arrived at the small courtyard on Jiao Mountain, the first time he saw Lin Mu.

The signal had disappeared the next day. At that time, Lin Mu was still just a strange mutant in his eyes. After discovering his self-healing ability, he quickly reported it to his superiors.

The message he received in the black box was simple, containing only five words:

[Bring him to Fengcheng.]

He didn’t deny that, at the beginning, taking Lin Mu on the journey wasn’t entirely for pure reasons.

But at some point, he simply wanted to stay by Lin Mu’s side, to protect him, to care for him, and to truly take him to a safe place.

And now, he realized that none of that would be enough to satisfy him anymore.

He only wanted… to possess him.

Fu Jingmo curved his lips into a slight smile, a hint of pride flashing across his cold face.

The person he wanted to protect—no one could touch him.

After lowering his head to drop a kiss, he placed the person in his arms onto the bed and slipped under the covers.

With his long arms and legs stretching out, he carelessly pulled the entire person into his embrace.

Mm, now he’s his.

He could hold him however he wanted.