AERHABDAW 17

Chapter 17 — Mu Jiaojiao

Fu Xingyan lowered his head and couldn’t help placing a light, gentle kiss on Shao Leyan’s smooth forehead.

“You did very well. Thank you for your hard work.”

Shao Leyan lifted her long lashes. Her vision was blurred from the steam of her own sweat, so she didn’t even notice how bold and tender the soft, moist touch on her forehead had been.

She asked in mild disbelief, “We… still have to continue? Aren’t you tired or hungry?”

—

Central City, main district.

The City Lord, Mu Sheng, looked at Fu Xingchen with a smile in his eyes. The more he admired the young man, the more he regretted that because of Fu Xingchen’s special constitution—his uncontrollable ability leakage—he had no choice but to give up on the son-in-law he favored most.

Because of this, Fu Xingchen had always remained single. Not only did he not have any woman, he didn’t even have a single close male friend.

But two days ago, Mu Sheng heard something unusual. Calmly, he asked:

“I heard a very capable newcomer arrived in the Underground City. You value her a great deal.”

At the mention of Shao Leyan, Fu Xingchen’s heart softened. The cold and distant aura around him faded a little, replaced by an inexplicable warmth and gentleness.

“That’s true.”

Mu Sheng was stunned. He hadn’t expected Fu Xingchen to admit it so straightforwardly.

Fortunately, his precious daughter Jiaojiao wasn’t here. If she heard Fu Xingchen say that, she would be heartbroken.

Sitting across from Fu Xingchen, Mu Jinsheng ate silently. His sculpture-like, flawlessly handsome face showed a cold indifference, utterly out of place with the polite conversation between the other two.

At that moment, a young girl’s bright and cheerful voice sounded from the doorway.

“Brother Xingchen, you’re back! Why didn’t you tell me?”

Mu Jiaojiao rushed straight toward him as soon as she entered. She sat beside him and hugged his arm—fully wrapped in anti-electricity materials—resting her pure, cute little face against him like she always did.

In the past, Fu Xingchen would always allow Mu Jiaojiao to get close to him under safe conditions, letting her sweetly act spoiled toward him.

He would even rub her little head with his gloved palm, smiling with crescent eyes as he answered her innocent questions.

But now…

Fu Xingchen awkwardly pulled his arm out of Mu Jiaojiao’s embrace. His gaze toward her was full of the gentle indulgence of an older brother toward a younger sister. The corners of his lips lifted into a polite smile, and his warm tone carried a deliberate sense of distance.

“I didn’t tell you, yet you still came, didn’t you?”

The empty bend of her elbow was filled only with cool, dry air. Mu Jiaojiao suddenly realized something had changed—yet she had only just noticed it.

“Brother Xingchen,” she pouted, her big eyes blinking pitifully, “you used to always pat my head and say you were happy to see me…”

Fu Xingchen’s polite smile faded a little. He looked at the girl acting cute beside him, but all that filled his mind was Shao Leyan’s face.

Every one of her expressions was etched into his heart. All his affection was gathered on that wonderful woman, so naturally, he couldn’t treat Mu Jiaojiao the way he used to—full of fondness and indulgence.

Mu Jinsheng noticed Fu Xingchen’s deliberate avoidance. His soft lips parted slightly, his tone gentle but unquestionable.

“Jiaojiao, don’t bother City Lord Fu. Come sit beside your brother.”

Mu Jiaojiao always listened most to Mu Jinsheng. Hearing her brother speak, she couldn’t bring herself to disobey. She reluctantly separated from Fu Xingchen.

“Then… Brother Xingchen, I’ll go sit with my brother.”

Fu Xingchen finally let out a quiet breath of relief, his brows easing significantly, almost grateful she had left.

“Go on.”

Mu Sheng watched everything, displeased.

He had always understood his daughter’s feelings. Before, he was happy to see her being close with Fu Xingchen.

But now Fu Xingchen clearly had someone in his heart, while Jiaojiao remained unaware, still treating him with the same past intimacy—

Which only made it look like his precious daughter was throwing herself at him.

He was the City Lord of Central City; his daughter was naturally one of the most noble women in the apocalypse. No matter how capable or powerful Fu Xingchen was, Mu Sheng would never allow his daughter to become a laughingstock between the two cities.

Fu Xingchen sensed the shift in Mu Sheng’s attitude. He understood, and he even agreed—it was the normal, proper reaction.

He already had someone he loved. He would never cheat or allow entanglements with other women.

Shao Leyan had been tortured and dehumanized by her ex-husband. She must despise men who two-timed or played with feelings.

He wanted Shao Leyan’s love. He wanted to stay with her forever. He would never do anything that made her unhappy.

—

Underground City Research Institute, Operation Room.

Fu Xingyan and Shao Leyan met each other’s eyes. Their breaths tangled—so close that either one needed only to lift their chin slightly to kiss the other’s soft lips.

Fu Xingyan’s left hand held her small face—just the size of his palm—his grip tightening at her delicate chin. His right hand steadily lifted the tweezers, gently plucking a long eyelash from the corner of her eye.

The warm breath on her nose withdrew. Shao Leyan suddenly felt a chill and subconsciously shrank her shoulders.

She watched as Fu Xingyan efficiently placed her eyelash into the sampling tube, and her heart tightened painfully.

“I… I can cut my own nails.”

Fu Xingyan held her hand just as she reached for the nail clippers. His palm was warm and soft. Shao Leyan’s cheeks flushed, and she swallowed nervously.

He rubbed her delicate hand, his voice gentle like flowing water.
“Let me. You don’t know the required specifications.”

She could only give in, watching with wide eyes as he held her right hand in both of his and clipped her neatly-trimmed nails all the way down—

Any further, and he would have cut into her skin and drawn blood.

“There’s still your toenails.”

“…Oh.”

Shao Leyan held up her small foot and passed it toward him. In the next second, Fu Xingyan grasped her ankle and gently tugged—placing her size-35 foot firmly onto the inside of his thigh.

Her body trembled. Watching him calmly trim her toenails made her face burn even hotter.

“Sampling complete. That will be all for today.”

Shao Leyan let out a breath of relief.

“Tomorrow, at the same time, I’ll pick you up from the City Lord’s Palace.”

She froze. “St-still coming… tomorrow?”

Fu Xingyan was amused by her dazed expression. Patiently, he explained:

“You’ve passed the initial tests as an experimental subject. Tomorrow is the official experiment. Considering your special ability, the procedures will be customized specifically for you.”

Shao Leyan nodded, then asked timidly, “Do I… still have to be naked?”

“Yes. All experiments must be conducted that way in the lab. You’ll get used to it. If you think it’s unfair, I can take mine off with you.”

Shao Leyan’s little mouth fell open in shock. “Huh?”

Fu Xingyan said it with complete calmness and honesty. Shao Leyan felt a breath trapped in her chest, unable to go up or down.