It’s Exciting to Snatch the Supporting Male Lead and Run Away [Quick Wear] - 133

 

IETSTSMLARA | The Post-Apocalyptic Black Lotus | 133

With the influx of new people into the base, Lin Su found himself surrounded by many new ability users. 

In addition to Cheng Song, a level-six wind-type ability user, there was also a level-five earth-type ability user named Zhu Lang.

Unlike Cheng Song's flexibility and versatility, Zhu Lang was straightforward and somewhat naive, with a steady and honest personality. When working with someone who had a lot of convoluted thoughts, many things unconsciously piled up on the honest and straightforward person’s shoulders.

“Zhu Lang, please help distribute the documents for the meeting,” Cheng Song said, handing him a stack of papers.

While other high-level ability users might grumble internally when given such minor tasks, Zhu Lang, with his good-natured temperament, took on the task cheerfully. 

After completing it, he would even ask others if they needed any help.

Such a personality is indeed that of a do-gooder. If not for his high ability level, he would have likely been bullied to death in the apocalypse. 

Fortunately, his high level meant that only Cheng Song could bully him in the entire Central District.

In the Central District, Zhu Lang was constantly busy with small tasks and was often at the forefront of zombie hunting missions. 

Overtime and nighttime patrols were routine. Such things would be unbearable for anyone, but Zhu Lang bore it all.

“Mr. Cheng, if you need more assistants, I can arrange a few more for you,” Wang Tai said seriously.

Although Brother Lin said he wasn't afraid of anyone in the Central District and that nobody would be hesitant around him, it was still a concern. 

Ming Tang, being a level-six ability user himself, could cause trouble for Lin Su if offended.

Cheng Song’s actions were sometimes excessive, and although Zhu Lang didn’t complain, many people were bothered by it.

Upon hearing Wang Tai’s words, Cheng Song turned and smiled, “Do you think I’m bullying Zhu Lang?”

Wang Tai’s face stiffened; he hadn’t mentioned anyone by name: “No.”

“Brother Lin has no objections,” Cheng Song said lazily, suddenly ruffling Wang Tai’s hair before turning to leave, “A little kid like you doesn’t understand anything.”

He left with a swagger, but Wang Tai, with his hair all messed up, was left feeling a bit dazed: “...Little kid?”

“You’re still quite young,” Lin Su said as he passed by, giving Wang Tai’s new appearance a once-over with a smile.

Wang Tai quickly tidied his hair and said to Lin Su, “Brother Lin, is it really okay to leave it like this?”

“Cheng Song has his own way of doing things,” Lin Su said. 

Although Cheng Song’s methods were different from ordinary people’s, if he really thought Zhu Lang was a problem or wanted to get rid of him, he would introduce a zombie tide to deal with him quickly. 

Since he didn’t, and only made things difficult over trivial matters, there must be his reasons. 

“You don’t need to worry about it. If any real problems arise, I’ll handle it.”

“Alright, I understand,” Wang Tai said, taking Lin Su’s words in mind.

After Wang Tai left, Lin Su glanced at Zhu Lang, who was still busy. Even though Zhu Lang was a level-five ability user, his constant work had caused beads of sweat to form on his face. 

He carried heavy items, and when sweat dripped onto his face, he would simply put down the items, use his shirt to wipe his face, and then continue working.

Someone passing by whistled and commented, “Brother Zhu’s physique is quite impressive.”

His muscles were indeed solid, clearly built from regular hard work, though not well-managed, making him look somewhat overly muscular.

Zhu Lang gave a simple, honest smile and replied, “It’s okay.”

Some people helped out, making the task of moving the items less difficult.

With his good temperament and reputation, Zhu Lang, as a level-five ability user, could easily live a decent life in the apocalypse. Especially at the Pojun Base, with everything gradually recovering, people’s lives were only getting better.

The Central District didn’t have strict dress codes, but Zhu Lang was wearing a sweat-stained shirt. His shoes, although cleaned, were yellowed and even blackened from long-term wear.

【Host, is there something wrong with him?】 System 06 asked.

The data analysis showed no abnormal changes in this person, but since ordinary people could cause harm to Ming Tang, any potential risks had to be prevented.

【There’s nothing wrong with him.】 Lin Su said.

When he confirmed that someone was not problematic, the likelihood of them being trouble-free was almost 100%.

Because of his busy work, Zhu Lang returned home late at night. When he opened the door, the small house was brightly lit, and a delicate and cute young boy was sitting under the light, looking at the door.

Seeing him, Zhu Lang felt that the day’s hard work was worth it. “Jiang Ruan, I’m back.”

The boy sitting there had originally been full of anticipation, but when he saw Zhu Lang, his round almond eyes slightly drooped, conveying a hint of pitifulness. “Why are you only back now? I’ve been waiting for you for so long~”

“I’m late because the work wasn’t finished. I’ll make sure to hurry next time,” Zhu Lang said soothingly. “Have you eaten? I’ll make something now.”

“I’ve eaten. I reheated the food you made this morning. I wanted to cook dinner for you when you came back, but I accidentally cut my hand with the knife. It hurts when it touches water. I’m sorry, I’m so useless,” Jiang Yuan said, his eyes downcast.

“Let me see where you’re hurt,” Zhu Lang said as he gently held his hand. Seeing the cut on his index finger, he carefully blew on it. 

“I told you not to cook. Just stay at home and let me take care of everything. I’ve already prepared food for you, you just need to reheat it and eat.”

“Every day, I wake up, eat, and then sleep. If I keep this up, I’ll get fat,” Jiang Ruan said, withdrawing his hand.

“You’re not fat, you’re too thin,” Zhu Lang said, rubbing his hand. “I’ll go make something delicious for you. What do you want?”

“I can’t eat at night,” Jiang Yuan said. “I’ll really gain weight. I’ll just watch you eat.”

Zhu Lang, with his simple smile, went into the kitchen, unaware that the boy behind him had grabbed a nearby towel to wipe his hands and rolled his eyes.

Zhu Lang was well-liked in the Central District, and it was known that he had a male partner he had been in a relationship with for over a year.

“Impressive! When will you let everyone meet him?” someone joked.

“Yeah, at this point, it doesn’t really matter whether he’s male or female. With Brother Lin around, no one will laugh at you,” another person clapped Zhu Lang on the shoulder.

Lin Su watched their playful banter without saying anything. In fact, amidst the busy life in the apocalypse, a bit of laughter and fun was a nice change.

Cheng Song, sitting at the table beside Lin Su and tossing a crystal core in his hand, said, “Brother Lin sets a great example, but I haven’t had the chance to meet your partner yet.”

The lover of the zombie king—sounds like they might be human.

Cheng Song seemed somewhat interested. Lin Su glanced at him casually and said, “You’ll be able to meet him once he finishes his seclusion.”

“I hope he won’t be too angry when he comes out,” Cheng Song said with a smile.

Lin Su gave him a look and asked, “What makes you say that?”

Cheng Song nearly dropped the crystal core he was tossing, paused for a moment, and then threw it up again. “It wouldn’t be interesting if I told you in advance. It’s more fun for you to experience it firsthand.”

Since Cheng Song said it this way, it suggested there was no real danger—just something he found amusing.

The amusing aspect was evidently related to Zhu Lang.

Someone teased, and Zhu Lang couldn’t help but respond, “He’s a bit shy, just an ordinary person, not like me with this rough build. If you do meet him, don’t bully him.”

“We won’t. The base doesn’t allow ability users to bully ordinary people. If it happens, Brother Lin will be the first to deal with us,” someone joked.

“An ordinary person—where are they working now? Wang Tai is responsible for positions suited for ordinary people. Maybe we can arrange something close by,” another ability user suggested.

In this apocalypse, aside from zombies, ordinary people are the most numerous. The repair of the base, the planting in the fields, and the cleaning in the Central District—all these simple yet tedious tasks rely on ordinary people to handle.

As long as it doesn’t affect normal operations, Lin Su doesn’t mind arranging easier positions for the ordinary people protected by ability users. Of course, the premise is that ordinary people cannot rely on their connections to shirk their responsibilities; they must receive the same treatment as everyone else in similar positions.

“He doesn’t work,” Zhu Lang said, scratching his head. “He’s been suffering a lot just by being with me. It’s not like the small base we were at before. I can make sure he’s well-fed and clothed, so he doesn’t have to endure this kind of hardship.”

“Brother Zhu really dotes on his partner…” someone teased.

Even in the apocalypse, people mostly have to rely on themselves to survive, except for those in dangerous situations like Chouchou or those who need to care for their family.

There are indeed people like Zhu Lang who pamper their partners completely. When ability users take in someone they cherish, it’s often with this kind of indulgence. People have needs, and many things Lin Su wouldn’t strictly prohibit, as long as it’s mutually consensual. 

For survival, Lin Su won’t interfere much, and rules need to be flexible. This kind of mutual consent is something even Ming Tang doesn’t bother to address.

Naturally, relationships like Zhu Lang’s, where there’s clear affection, are different from mere indulgence. It’s about genuinely cherishing someone as a treasured gem, careful not to let them come to harm.

The more Zhu Lang cherished his partner, the more people teased him. Zhu Lang, with his good temper, could only compromise and said, “Actually, he has always wanted to come and bring me meals. I didn’t let him come before, but since you all want to meet him and it’s not far, I’m letting you know in advance—don’t bully him.”

“No problem…”

“Definitely not. We’re just venting our frustrations as single folks.”

“Brother Zhu is really affectionate, and his partner is so virtuous.”

With the matter settled, Zhu Lang informed Jiang Ruan when he returned. The boy who had been waiting inside the house and often complained about Zhu Lang’s late returns sighed a little, “Why don’t you arrange a job for me in the Central District? That way, I could see you every day.”

“It’s because I don’t want you to get tired,” Zhu Lang said with concern. “Your health isn’t great; you should rest more.”

“I’m not tired. A little bit of fatigue is nothing compared to seeing you,” Jiang Ruan smiled and said. “Could you help me with this?”

“Alright, if you want to go, I’ll speak to them,” Zhu Lang agreed.

When Zhu Lang brought Jiang Ruan, the cute and delicate boy was warmly welcomed by everyone.

He brought exquisite pastries and handed them out for everyone to taste. With people being soft-hearted when receiving favors, and considering Zhu Lang’s previous help, the people there naturally did not make things difficult but instead gave a very warm welcome.

“The pastries are really good. Brother Cheng, you should come and try some too,” someone called out.

“I’ll pass. I don’t like sweet things,” Cheng Song, leaning against a nearby table, replied with a smile.

Jiang Ruan, who was always easygoing about food, found the Central District quite different from their old small base, with its abundance of ability users. He smiled softly and said, “Thank you all for your support. Actually, they’re not that great.”

His smile, which had always been endearing, now made the old acquaintances from before, who remembered Wang Pojun’s era, feel a strange sense of déjà vu. 

As they recalled who had given them such pastries before, the sweetness of the pastries seemed to diminish.

Several people exchanged glances, clearly feeling the same unease. They gathered in a huddle, whispering among themselves.

“What are you all doing here?”

“What else? We’re all feeling the same thing. This demeanor is exactly like Ming Tang’s.”

“Brother Zhu wouldn’t be like that previous guy, would he?”

“Brother Zhu isn’t the type to force people, but that smile just now really gave me the creeps.”

They all nodded in agreement, recalling the unsettling memory of Ming Tang’s innocent smile while he turned Brother Lai to ashes. It was an experience that left a lasting impression of fear.

“Still, Ming Tang is good-looking.”

“You dare comment on that? Don’t you value your life…”

The group of people huddled together, and Jiang Ruan felt a bit puzzled. His gaze briefly settled on the seemingly ordinary individuals before shifting to Cheng Song, who stood apart from the crowd, looking somewhat out of place.

“Brother, who is he?” Jiang Ruan asked Zhu Lang.

“Oh, that’s one of our base’s experts. He’s usually quite aloof, but it’s fine. Don’t pay too much attention to him,” someone explained.

Zhu Lang added, “His name is Cheng Song. He’s Brother Lin’s right-hand man and is particularly quick to handle things. Don’t gossip about him.”

“Brother Zhu is really considerate,” someone remarked.

Jiang Ruan picked up a plate of pastries and smiled, “Since he’s a colleague of Brother Zhu, we should get along well with him. It doesn’t look good for him to be left out by himself. I’ll invite him to join us.”

Without hesitation, he approached Cheng Song with the plate of pastries and said with a smile, “Brother Cheng, don’t stand here alone. Have some pastries and join us. Let’s be friends.”

From a distance, Cheng Song seemed like an impressive figure, but up close, his face appeared refined and carried a somewhat nonchalant aura. Compared to the ordinary individuals around him, his demeanor was notably more distinguished, though Jiang Ruan couldn’t shake the feeling that he had seen him somewhere before.

Cheng Song glanced at him, and though it wasn’t the first time he had seen this person, the impression remained strong. 

To Cheng Song, Zhu Lang was like a naïve fool being manipulated by a scheming beauty, unaware of the many green hats he was being made to wear. 

Cheng Song had no intention of giving such people any face. He had every right to be dismissive, and despite appearing out of place, he never conformed to ordinary people’s ways.

He simply ignored Jiang Ruan, snorted coldly, and walked away, leaving Jiang Ruan standing there, feeling unusually embarrassed.

Even an expert’s attitude like this could spark irritation in Jiang Ruan. However, overcoming such challenges was precisely what proved one's worth. 

By conquering a man like Cheng Song, Jiang Ruan could earn the admiration of others. The fact that people tried to comfort him further validated this idea.

“Alright, I’ve warned you; he’s hard to approach,” the one who tried to comfort him said, somewhat puzzled. Cheng Song usually kept to himself, but such rudeness was out of character.

Zhu Lang patted Jiang Ruan on the back and said, “That’s just his temper. Don’t take it personally, Jiang Ruan.”

“Why would I?” Jiang Ruan smiled. “As you said, experts have their quirks. It’s fine. He might just need time to get used to my sudden appearance. We’ll get to know each other better with time.”

“Exactly,” someone else added with a laugh. “Sister-in-law is so generous.”

The group of people nearby felt a sense of suffocation: “He talks just like him.”

“Yeah, that’s definitely the vibe.”

“Pretending to be calm, weak, and innocent, but turns around and burns you to a crisp.”

“Emmmm, one of those is enough. Another one might be too much to handle.”

“What are you guys whispering about? Come over here,” someone called out.

The group turned their heads in unison, tacitly agreeing to keep their thoughts to themselves, and walked over with smiles. 

They didn’t notice Cheng Song watching them with a half-smile, clearly enjoying the show.

……

In Lin Su’s room, Ming Tang was being clingy: “Brother, you can’t leave until you have kissed and hugged me. Otherwise, I’ll miss you all day.”

Lin Su gave him a kiss on the forehead and a hug, saying, “Alright.”

“So perfunctory, you need to kiss here too.” Ming Tang clung to his neck, pointing at his own lips with a sweet smile.

The boy’s long eyelashes fluttered as he leaned close, like a butterfly flitting in front of a tiger’s paw—catching attention and then darting away, only to come back again when the tiger wasn't looking.

Lin Su lowered his head and kissed his lips, giving him a deep kiss before lifting his head and stroking his cheek. “Alright, I have to go now. Be good and stay at home.”

“Mm... I’ll definitely be good…” Ming Tang looked at the collar of Lin Su’s shirt, touched it with his finger, and said, “The marks from last night are gone. I want to leave a new one.”

The physical condition of those with supernatural abilities is quite good, so their wounds heal much faster than ordinary people’s. Except for scars that can’t be healed, like the marks from kisses, even deep ones disappear in no time.

Naturally, by morning, the marks on Lin Su’s neck from being scratched and bitten were completely gone.

“Keep it.” Lin Su unfastened his button with one hand.

Ming Tang, who was very close, saw the exceptionally clean jawline and attractive Adam's apple. The visual impact was quite strong; he swallowed hard and said, “Brother, you’re so handsome I can hardly keep my legs together.”

He always spoke his mind and could even fabricate things if he had to. Speaking so directly, Lin Su held his neck and said, “If you want to leave marks, do it quickly.”

“Hmph, leave a few more so you can’t flirt with people outside.” Ming Tang muttered as he happily marked strawberries on his neck.

“I’ve never done that,” Lin Su said as he looked down.

“Alright, I’ve made a heart shape.” Ming Tang, satisfied with the marks, admired them for a moment before buttoning Lin Su’s shirt to cover them. “Perfect. It can’t be seen by others.”

“Let’s go.” Lin Su lightly touched his nose and turned to leave, leaving Ming Tang standing there touching his nose. 

After a while, he muttered, “I lost.”

Next time, he would definitely win.

With Lin Su gone, Ming Tang honestly began his training, working hard in order to squeeze out… no, to contribute to the base’s well-being.

Since he said he wouldn’t come out easily unless his supernatural ability level was above level seven, he wouldn’t come out easily. 

When Lin Su arrived at the central area’s top floor, the old-timers who had previously been watching him relaxed when they saw that no one was with him.

Fortunately, that little King of Hell wasn’t around.

The reception hall was still bustling with activity. Upon seeing Lin Su, everyone, including the newcomers, came forward to greet him: “Good morning, Brother Lin.”

“Good morning, Brother Lin.”

“Did you sleep well last night, Brother Lin?”

“Brother Lin…”

The crowd was very respectful. The old-timers had seen his hidden strength and were impressed by his abilities. 

The newcomers, though mostly attracted by his power, also understood that Brother Lin was someone they could not afford to offend. With various rumors circulating, Lin Su’s strength had become somewhat dazzling. 

Some said he was a rare high-level supernatural being capable of making someone like Cheng Song submit, while others claimed he was just a low-level supernatural being who leveraged his position. 

Regardless of the opinion, both views made everyone regard him with awe.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea as Jiang Ruan, drawn by the commotion, was curious about who this “Brother Lin” was. However, upon seeing the man for the first time, he felt as though his gaze could not leave him.

The man was incredibly handsome, with features that seemed perfectly balanced from his brows to his lips. His steps and demeanor were steady and composed. Even with so many people watching and greeting him respectfully, he exuded the calm and gentle aura of someone in a high position—powerful yet tender and humble. 

This was the kind of person Jiang Ruan had imagined standing beside him, not the rough, direct, and unrefined pig he had been dealing with.

Cheng Song also approached, respectfully saying, “Good morning, Brother Lin.”

He slightly bowed, a smirk of amusement playing on his lips.

This smile escaped the notice of others but not Lin Su’s. At the moment he saw Jiang Ruan, Lin Su suddenly understood Cheng Song’s previous actions; Zhu Lang was indeed somewhat foolish.

“Good morning, Brother Lin. This is my…” Zhu Lang tried to introduce him, but Jiang Ruan stopped him with a hand and said, “Brother Lin, my name is Jiang Ruan. I’m a friend of Zhu Lang’s. Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Friend?!” Zhu Lang was visibly stunned.

The difference between "friend" and "boyfriend" is only a word, but the distinction is significant.

“Just a friend, what? Haven’t we been best friends since childhood?” Jiang Ruan smiled on the outside but felt anxious inside. A man like this wouldn’t be interested in a subordinate, and once their relationship was confirmed, he’d have no chance.

Zhu Lang suddenly understood and said, “Yes, we’ve been best friends since childhood.”

“Since he’s your friend, then treat him well,” Lin Su said to Zhu Lang. “There are many things to take care of today. After this place is tidied up, you’ll need to get busy.”

Lin Su had seen too many admiring looks to not understand the situation. Having been reminded before leaving, he certainly couldn’t leave any room for speculation.

“Yes, yes, Brother Lin, I understand.” Zhu Lang answered repeatedly.

“Mm.” Lin Su turned and left, not engaging in any private conversation with Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan watched Lin Su’s retreating figure, clenching his fists in frustration.

He seemed to have been too hasty; the man hadn’t had a favorable impression on him. What should he do?

In fact, the people around also had some doubts about Jiang Ruan’s comments. Someone who could enter the central district should have some emotional intelligence. 

Jiang Ruan had previously acted as Zhu Lang’s lover, and people here had given him some leeway for Zhu Lang’s sake. 

Now, his abrupt distancing seemed off to them.

The lingering gazes made Jiang Ruan’s heart sink further. He bit his lower lip and took Zhu Lang’s arm, saying, “Brother, I’m sorry. I didn’t want your superior to see me as just a dependent lover. I thought being a friend would make me appear better in others' eyes. I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

His voice trembled, with a hint of tears, as if the earlier mistake had been a momentary lapse in judgment.

Everyone has their moments of lapse, making mistakes that are unforgivable, while some can still be negotiated.

Some people around softened their attitudes, while others sensed that something was amiss. 

But when they tried to offer reminders, Zhu Lang had already embraced Jiang Ruan and gently comforted him, saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m not mad at you.”

Those who had intended to advise stepped back, seeing that the person involved was willing to forgive; they had nothing more to say.

There were many matters to handle in the base. Lin Su kept an overview of things. While not overwhelmed, he only stopped when it was time for a meal.

In the central area of the base, one could either cook their own meals or dine in the cafeteria, which helped save time and provide more jobs for ordinary people.

Lin Su did not need to eat, but abstaining from food for long would certainly raise suspicions. Additionally, dining with subordinates helped to build better relationships.

By the time he arrived, Wang Tai had already set the table, prepared the dishes, and served the food. The vegetables were simple, but in the apocalypse, being able to have them every day was a luxury. 

The main food that filled the stomach was the staple food.

Lin Su sat down to eat, with Wang Tai seated across from him and Cheng Song joining them. 

Cheng Song hadn’t evolved taste buds yet, so eating was more of a torture for him. Consequently, a large portion of the small amount of food he had gotten ended up on Wang Tai’s plate.

“If you can’t finish it, you can ask for less next time,” Wang Tai said seriously.

“I used public chopsticks, are you complaining?” Cheng Song asked.

Wang Tai shook his head. “No.”

“You're quite short, you should eat more to grow bigger,” Cheng Song said with a smile, reaching out to tousle Wang Tai’s hair.

Wang Tai wasn’t particularly short, but when compared to Cheng Song, his height was noticeably shorter, even somewhat petite, as he was shorter than Ming Tang. This made it hard for him to counter, and he could only look at Cheng Song with his hair standing on end, hesitating to speak.

Lin Su didn’t stop them and just focused on eating. However, the harmony at the table made Jiang Ruan, who was sitting not far away, feel that the lunchbox he had was a bit bland.

“Brother Zhu, everyone is just eating vegetables. We made so many meatballs; can we share some with them?” Jiang Ruan asked, looking towards Lin Su’s table.

Zhu Lang hadn’t thought much about it. “Will you be full?”

“There’s more than enough, so don’t worry about me,” Jiang Ruan said, carrying the lunchbox and first distributing some of the meatballs to those around him. 

Then, with some knowing glances from the crowd, he walked over to Lin Su.

“Brother Lin, these meatballs are something I specially brought. Would you like to try some? They’re made with very fresh chicken,” Jiang Ruan said, trying to present his most perfect side as Lin Su looked up.

He was handsome, and back in his original base, everyone liked him. Many men were even jealous of him. This man would be no exception—men were often swayed by gentleness and beauty.

Cheng Song watched the scene with a look of amusement, while Lin Su glanced at Jiang Ruan and then turned his gaze away. “I’m a vegetarian.”

The refusal was straightforward, not worth any additional thought.

Jiang Ruan clearly recognized it as an excuse. He bit his lip lightly and turned to the other two. “Would you like to try some?”

His demeanor appeared quite pitiful to those around him, as if he had been wronged or mistreated. However, those who understood the situation thought Lin Su’s reaction was entirely justified. 

Although Ming Tang was fierce, he was very close to Lin Su.

The beautiful yet formidable Ming Tang was certainly not someone Jiang Ruan could handle, and even two Lin Su’s combined wouldn’t be enough to deal with him.

Wang Tai silently guarded his plate. “I’ve had enough.”

Cheng Song finished his portion and promptly flipped his plate over before getting up and leaving, making his rejection even more apparent. 

The surrounding gazes made Jiang Ruan feel like everyone was watching him as if he were a joke.

He bit his lower lip with some force, glanced at Lin Su's profile, and managed a smile. “I’m sorry to disturb you.”

They dared to look down on him; just wait. One day, when he had conquered this person, he would make them pay for their ridicule today.

He left quietly, and some people did indeed feel a bit sorry for him.

Wang Tai looked at Lin Su and said, “Brother Lin, about this matter…”

It was bound to cause an uproar if the person knew about it.

That was an inevitable outcome, and Lin Su knew it well. He didn’t care about Jiang Ruan’s feelings. If Jiang Ruan were alone, he wouldn’t even be able to enter this place. 

But he had Zhu Lang by his side, and Zhu Lang, the overly accommodating person, was busy all the time, doing everything himself, while Jiang Ruan seemed to benefit from all his efforts.

Lin Su didn’t want to drive Jiang Ruan away and cause trouble for innocent people. Instead, he wanted to distinguish between the two, making Zhu Lang see what kind of person he was indulging. 

If, at that point, Zhu Lang was still willing to accept the situation, Lin Su would have no choice but to expel both of them.

The current problem was that Lin Su himself was interested in this “white lotus” and wanted others to see clearly. He couldn’t directly intervene himself, otherwise, before anyone could see clearly, his own clingy and jealous partner would create a stir.

“Let’s deal with it when he comes out,” Lin Su said.

That little troublemaker should be wrapping things up soon, and people who act as a green tea generally study the behavior and manners of "white lotuses" quite thoroughly.

In fact, Ming Tang’s advancement came much earlier than Lin Su had anticipated. What was supposed to be a surprise in the evening turned out to be a perfect crossing of the level seven threshold by noon.

With such an advancement, the experience was vastly different from before. If he went to see the man now, what kind of expression would he have?

With this anticipation, Ming Tang excitedly entered the central high-rise. There were many new faces, but due to access permits and the presence of some old-timers, no one dared to block his way. 

However, his striking appearance still attracted considerable attention.

“Who is that?” Someone asked in astonishment.

“That’s Brother Lin’s person, don’t stare too much,” came a reminder. The reminder only made the onlookers think that Lin Su would be upset if he saw them staring, not realizing that beneath such a pure and beautiful exterior lay a remarkably fierce side. 

After all, most people wouldn’t think that deeply.

Ming Tang surveyed the new changes here and, as he approached Lin Su’s office, felt an unusual tension. He caught hold of someone he recognized and asked, “Is Lin Su inside?”

The person, initially focused on the office area, was startled and nearly jumped out of their seat upon seeing Ming Tang. “Brother Ming, what are you doing here?”

Ming Tang looked at him thoughtfully and replied, “Why wouldn’t I come?”

He glanced around at the passing people and, noticing their subtle expressions, adjusted his own smile to be calm and graceful as he walked towards Lin Su's office.

Those who saw his smile simultaneously swallowed their saliva, thinking, “…… Brother Lin, this is bad!”

Although Brother Lin wouldn’t do anything, it really felt like being caught red-handed.

【Host, your vinegar package is online.】System 06 dutifully reminded and raised its camera.

“Brother Lin, Brother Zhu mentioned you’ve been especially busy lately. This tea is made by me; it has excellent fire-clearing effects and is a secret recipe from our family,” Jiang Ruan said, placing a cup next to Lin Su.

The cup contained chrysanthemum tea, which, though not particularly precious in peacetime, was quite rare in the apocalypse. 

Lin Su glanced at it and said, “Hmm, I’m allergic to chrysanthemums.”

He stood up to retrieve some documents. Jiang Ruan looked momentarily stunned but then showed a gentle smile and said, “Brother Lin, if you need anything, I can help you with it.”

The door was pushed open from the outside, and Ming Tang, upon making his entrance, rushed directly to Lin Su. With lightning speed, he clung to Lin Su and said, “Brother, did you miss me?”

His voice was soft and sweet, but it came across as incredibly sour.

Lin Su instinctively caught Ming Tang and steadied him, not taking a step back. He looked down and asked, "Aren't you supposed to come back tonight…?"

“I just wanted to surprise you earlier,” Ming Tang said, hugging Lin Su’s neck and giving him a kiss, “Surprised?”

Though it was quite sweet, the sweetness was well received. Lin Su replied, “Yes, surprised.”

“Brother, I love you the most,” Ming Tang nuzzled against Lin Su’s face, and then, noticing Jiang Ruan pale face standing next to them, asked, “Brother, who is he? Did you hire a new cleaner?”

Jiang Ruan, looking charming and well-dressed, certainly didn’t seem like a cleaner. However, compared to Ming Tang, who seemed genuinely curious, Jiang Ruan’s appearance fell short.

Jiang Ruan knew about Lin Su’s partner and had heard the stories about him being involved with the former leader of the base. He presumed the partner was far from clean, and considering that Lin Su had yet to touch him despite being with Zhu Lang, Jiang Ruan was acutely aware of the stark comparison. 

When he actually saw Ming Tang, he realized just how beautiful the partner was and how drastically he fell short in comparison.

He tightened his fingers, lowered his eyes, and said softly, "I’m not a janitor. How could you say that about me, brother?"

No matter how good-looking you are, it’s the same—men only like clean people.

His voice carried a hint of grievance, and his pitiful expression made Ming Tang feel a surge of anger.

When people encounter such individuals, it’s often not a matter of instant affinity but rather a question of… why there are such fools in the world.

Ming Tang felt this way now, seeing such pretentious expressions, feigned soft tones, and the look of pitifulness that men find appealing… It was all part of the old tricks he used to employ.

Jiang Ruan gave Lin Su this hint, and Ming Tang turned to bury his head in Lin Su’s shoulder, whining, "Brother, I was just curious about why there would be other people in your office, so I asked a question. He misunderstood me so much; I’m so wronged, I’m the kind of person who can’t be coaxed~"

Give him a taste of his own medicine. You little brat, you're too young to compete with him.

Lin Su held Ming Tang and sat him aside, cradling his face, and said, "Alright, don’t be sad. It’s not worth being upset over trivial matters."

This is even less than a janitor—just a petty person.

Jiang Yuan gritted his teeth in hatred but was almost driven mad with envy at the rare gentle demeanor Lin Su showed to Ming Tang in his arms. With a choked voice and red eyes, he said, "I didn’t~"

Just as Lin Su was about to dismiss him, Ming Tang pressed a finger to his lips, clearly still not done with his act. He turned his head and said, “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have misunderstood your identity. I’m really sorry. But could you tell me who you are?”

Jiang Ruan wasn’t on duty, just as Lin Su had said—he was just a petty person. But he was also Zhu Lang’s lover and could pass through easily with Zhu Lang’s pass.

Jiang Ruan felt he had encountered a similar type; this person clearly rose through scheming and manipulation. “Why do you have to keep bringing this up? Can’t you just let it go?”

He was interested now that he had encountered someone of a higher level, Ming Tang snuggled into Lin Su’s arms, resting his head on his chest, and said, “Brother, I really know I was wrong. Tangtang knows he was wrong. Could you ask him not to misunderstand me, please?”

“It’s not your fault,” Lin Su cooperated, his voice gentle as he looked down, but when he looked at Jiang Ruan, his gaze was cold. “You came in with Zhu Lang’s pass this time. It was a lapse in our rules. Please do not interfere with official matters next time. Get out.”

The power of a straight man is indeed so formidable.

Previous TOC Next