AERHABDAW 20

Chapter 20 – The Gift

Shao Leyan glared angrily at the oblivious Fu Xingyan and pressed her index finger firmly against his soft lips, making them turn pale.

Originally, letting Fu Xingyan carry her to the lab every day was already a questionable act. But it was also partly his fault—the experiments he scheduled started too early and ended too late. Shao Leyan was chronically sleep-deprived and couldn’t get out of bed in the mornings, which left her no choice but to let Fu Xingyan take the initiative.

This could be considered a secret between the experimenter and the subject. There was no need to tell anyone, especially Fu Xingchen. He was already reluctant to let her have too much contact with Fu Xingyan; if he found out, he might forbid her from going to the lab altogether.

A faint wetness at her fingertip snapped Shao Leyan back to reality.

Fu Xingyan was staring at her face with a sultry, teasing gaze, his soft lips and pink, moist tongue gently sucking on her finger.

Shao Leyan recoiled as if electrocuted, her scalp tingling. She bit her lips instinctively and glanced toward Fu Xingchen’s direction.

Fortunately, Fu Xingchen had his head down, leaning against the doorframe, and hadn’t looked their way.

Shao Leyan exhaled in relief and thumped Fu Xingyan’s chest in dissatisfaction, speaking in a very serious tone.

“Before is before, now is now. I’ll cooperate with you in the experiments, but I hope you won’t put me in an awkward position.”

Fu Xingyan took the hand Shao Leyan had just withdrawn and kissed the back of it lightly, as if a knight were kneeling before a princess to perform the hand-kissing ritual.

Shao Leyan frowned, silent, her plump cheeks puffed slightly as if a tiny hamster holding a morsel—clearly ready to sulk if Fu Xingyan didn’t comply.

Fu Xingyan chuckled softly, enclosing her small fist in his large hand. “Alright, I’ll give you fifteen minutes. If you’re not in the lab after fifteen minutes, I’ll personally bring you there.”

Shao Leyan knew this was already the greatest concession from the usually strict and meticulous Fu Xingyan, so she nodded in agreement.

After Fu Xingyan left, Fu Xingchen remained in his previous position, head down, leaning against the wall, motionless.

Shao Leyan sighed inwardly, unable to stop herself from complaining about Le’an’s useless experiments.

Wasn’t Fu Xingchen supposed to be mature, steady, and reliably strong—a true “dad-type” boyfriend? Yet he sulked like a child whenever angry.

“Fu Xingchen, come here.”

Her tone had grown cold. The moment she spoke, Fu Xingchen moved.

He walked toward her slowly, and upon a closer look, the corners of his eyes were tinged with a faint red. Seeing his submissive, downcast demeanor, Shao Leyan’s heart softened, and all the grand speeches she had prepared vanished from her mind.

She raised her arms and grabbed the white shirt covering his abs, pulling him down toward her.

Fu Xingchen followed her force, half-kneeling before her. They only relaxed their hold once they could meet each other’s gaze.

Shao Leyan tested gently, her voice soft, “Are you mad at me?”

Fu Xingchen, worried she might misunderstand, grabbed her hand resting on his chest. His crimson phoenix eyes were filled with grievance.

“Not at all. How could I be angry at you? I’m only upset with myself for not protecting you better.”

“But you’ve already done so well. The director is only studying my abilities, and I agreed to it. Why do you instinctively think he’d hurt me?”

Fu Xingchen leaned closer, arms braced on either side of her thighs, half-enveloping her as they locked eyes.

“Tell me the truth—did he really not hurt you?”

Shao Leyan’s eyes darted around guiltily.

“You know the nature of my abilities; using harsh methods isn’t entirely unreasonable. And after these past few days, my healing speed has improved, which means the experiments are working.”

Fu Xingchen sighed, gently stroking her hair.

“I’d rather your abilities never grow stronger than see you battered and bruised to enhance them.”

As he spoke, he pulled a green crystal nucleus from his pocket and placed it in Shao Leyan’s palm.

“This is a high-level healing zombie crystal nucleus. I brought it back for you as a gift.”

Shao Leyan curiously examined it; the crystal felt smooth and warm, like fine jade.

Seeing her happiness, Fu Xingchen smiled faintly.

“With this, even if you get hurt, your injuries will heal quickly, without relying on your own abilities.”

Shao Leyan’s eyes curved into crescent shapes, her heart swelling with warmth.

This was the first gift anyone had ever given her.

In her past life, everyone around her only cared about her family background. When they realized the Shao family heavily favored males, and that she—the heiress—was just a tool to curry favor with higher-status families, any small kindness they showed her was promptly withdrawn.

After marrying into the Xiao family, her situation didn’t improve—it worsened.

While her family still provided basic financial support, the Xiao family only gave her the title of “young mistress.” All her daily expenses came from her own savings from her natal family.

Her clothes, jewelry, even her banquet dresses and bags were hand-me-downs from her younger cousin.

She protested, but her in-laws said that without producing a Xiao heir, she wasn’t truly part of the family, so she couldn’t use their money.

She later told Xiao Yi, hoping that even if he didn’t have romantic feelings for her, he would help as her childhood friend.

Xiao Yi only laughed coldly and left to find his beloved, completely ignoring her words.

Now, in this post-apocalyptic sweet-world reality, her target confessed that he even brought her a gift on his business trip—a rare high-level zombie crystal nucleus.

Shao Leyan admitted that at this moment, her heart truly stirred.

Experiments, abilities—she didn’t care about any of it. She only wanted to lose herself completely in Fu Xingchen’s care and affection. Even if it was all just a dream waiting to end, she would relish it, unwilling to wake.

Shao Leyan placed the crystal on the bed and glanced at the clock on the wall.

Fu Xingyan’s fifteen minutes were almost up; she had to act quickly.

With Fu Xingchen looking puzzled, Shao Leyan pulled him up and pushed him into the corner with all her strength.

Her small hand moved to his waist, finding the cool metal of his belt buckle.

Click!

The buckle released.

A torrent of overwhelming sensations consumed Fu Xingchen’s rationality, pride, and authority, replaced by fireworks exploding in his mind.

This was only the beginning.

The fireworks spread throughout his body, igniting flames, burning intensely, as if trying to drain the very air from his lungs and the blood from his veins.

He felt no pain—only the ultimate pleasure.