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Lin Yuzu doesn’t like to kill.
Rather, she finds it disgusting. Their plan in taking the lives of others clearly made her realize that the world is chaotic and disorderly.
With this broken order, people are far more terrifying than zombies.
She could still remember that scene.
After being left behind by her teammates only to discover that she’s immune to the zombie virus, Lin Yuzu’s first reaction wasn’t to feel lucky, but rather panic.
In a city where zombies roam around, it’s difficult for her to survive alone. When she was desperate, a passing team took her in.
What she thought was a kind gesture turned into a hunter’s trap at night.
She remembered that gaze tinged with malicious heat accompanied by that unforgettable feeling of her dagger piercing through the carotid artery.
That was Lin Yuzu’s first murder.
She was injured by that person’s companions and fled in a mess. She wandered several times at the edge of life and death and would unconsciously recall that scene.
In the dim and narrow room, perhaps the previous owner was fond of painting as it was stacked with many painting tools. The dreary air was thick with the smell of blood mixed with the pungent smell of watercolor paint.
Sheets of drawing paper scattered on the floor either pure white or painted with a beautiful landscape, but the diffused bright red gradually covered the light and bright colors.
. . . Just like now.
The woman slowly widened her eyes, maintaining the position of running towards the door, and collapsed in the doorway.
The blood splattered from her forehead as parts of it gell on the visitor who pushed the door open. It slid down the snow-white, light, and dreamy long hair that reflected the moonlight glow, galling on the white coat like little red plums in the snow.
Lin Yuzu looked at her at a loss for words.
Xiao Xiao kept pushing the door and blinked afterward. One hand was on the door while the other wiped her cheek. The blood that splashed on her face was wiped away, leaving a light red mark on her light blue skin.
“. . .”
Xiao Xiao looked at her red-stained hand and then looked at Lin Yuzu. Those pair of ice-blue eyes rested on her, reflecting her messy appearance at the moment.
Xiao Xiao slowly pursed her lips, “. . . Yuzu, hurt.”
“. . . Ah. . . Mm.”
Lin Yuzu blankly answered, suddenly realizing that she was still holding the gun aimed at the door and hastily putting it away.
“I’m fine. . . It’s just a small injury. I’ll be fine soon.” under Xiao Xiao’s disapproving gaze, she avoided the question as her lowered eyelashes fluttered slightly, landing on Xiao Xiao’s stained clothes, “Why. . . Why are you back this early?”
Lin Yuzu originally wanted to settle this matter before Xiao Xiao returned, or. . . at least she didn’t want to let her see such a gruesome sight when she came back.
Xiao Xiao replied, “Didn’t want to, too long apart.”
She stepped over the corpse and the spreading pool of blood and walked in her direction. Lin Yuzu raised her eyes and her body slightly tensed, subconsciously adopting an offensive stance.
But she made no movement whatsoever, allowing Xiao Xiao to walk up to her and carefully touch the wound on her forehead.
“I’m sorry.” Xiao Xiao said.
“I was on the road, knew Yuzu, danger, but. . .” Xiao Xiao paused for a moment and Lin Yuzu saw the shallow waves in her drooping eyes, “Did not make it, I’m sorry, clearly said, to protect you.”
Ah. . .
The slightly cool fingertips brushed over her blood-stained brow and eyes. Lin Yuzu then closed her eyes, “. . . No.”
She actually hoped that Xiao Xiao would come even a little later.
The tattered corpses, the rusty smell of blood, the smell of gunpowder smoke left by the gunshots, the destroyed yard, the messy rooms. . .
Lin Yuzu doesn’t like putting Xiao Xiao in this situation. It would remind her of the moment when her peaceful life shattered, evoking extreme panic as if something was about to be taken away from her.
She should live in a calm and peaceful daily life, or in a world that’s as beautiful and magical as a fairy tale.
“. . .”
Xiao Xiao withdrew her hand.
She seems to realize that her hands alone can’t clean Lin Yuzu’s face and gently nudged Lin Yuzu’s uninjured shoulder, “Back to the house.”
Lin Yuzu almost couldn’t stand any longer. After the life-and-death battle, after confirming that the threat is gone, her body’s fatigue suddenly surfaced.
She had no objection and nodded obediently.
Xiao Xiao glanced at the corner of the courtyard. Xiao Hong, who quietly dragged the corpse towards her using her vine under the tarp, shook her leaves.
Confirming that the carnivorous plant was quiet, she picked up the cyan slender bird with the injured wing and returned to the house.
Probably to stop the bleeding, its wound was frozen. The white slender bird followed closely being, calming it with a low cry.
. . . almost forgot about them.
In any case, they got injured in protecting her. Lin Yuzu felt a little guilty and took advantage of Xiao Xiao boiling some water to take out the bullet from the cyan bird’s wing and skillfully bandaged it.
When Xiao Xiao came back and saw the medicines and medical equipment spread out, she straightened her posture and seriously looked at Lin Yuzu with a glare.
Lin Yuzu’s condition wasn’t as ‘okay’ as she made it out to be.
Her most serious injury was her pierced right shoulder. It was bleeding so much that Xiao Xiao was convinced Lin Yuzu would go into shock the next second. There were also other small injuries that she simply doesn’t know where to start.
She silently bit her lip.
In the silent atmosphere, Lin Yuzu sat on the stool with her back towards Xiao Xiao, her fingers resting on her legs, slightly curled.
So cold. . .
Aside from the tingling sensation of the medicine, the fingers that were gently caressing her wound were also cold. The pain that she had long been used to could be tolerated, but this gentle touch made her mind wander.
Lin Yuzu knew why.
It was exactly because she knew why that she now had the urge to curl her whole body up.
Xiao Xiao held her down and said in a low serious voice, “Don’t move.”
“. . . Yes.”
She always felt this scene to be familiar.
Lin Yuzu’s glanced at the broken desk and windowsill, as well as the potted plant on the table. She then finally remembered that on a certain rainy day, when Xiao Xiao helped her cut her nails, something similar had happened.
That feeling of being swept by butterflies at the bottom of her heart is familiar.
It turns out that I already like her at that time. . . But Xiao Xiao didn’t understand anything.
Lin Yuzu’s heart was both warm and bitter. Snow-white bandages in Xiao Xiao’s hands slowly wrapped around her body. Her movements seemed so intimate that Lin Yuzu felt greedy of the warmth and despicable at the same time.
After the treatment was over, Lin Yuzu heard Xiao Xiao sigh in relief.
Then, slender fingers fell on her back that weren’t covered by bandages.
Lin Yuzu slightly tensed up, “. . . Xiao Xiao?”
“Scars. . .” Xiao Xiao placed her hand on them, her voice so soft, “So many.”
Lin Yuzu was taken aback and asked, “They will slowly disappear. . . is it ugly?”
What Xiao Xiao was talking about should be her previous injuries. For Lin Yuzu, injuries during battles were common and having scars are inevitable, but perhaps its also thanks to the blessing of her abilities that her old scars slowly fade and disappear.
“. . .”
Xiao Xiao didn’t answer.
Lin Yuzu couldn’t see her expression, but she could feel something looming over. It was cool hair that swept across her bareback and then a cool. . . kiss.
It landed on the part where her hand was touching.
. . . Her upper body stiffened like a rock.
“Medicine smell.” Xiao Xiao’s tone seemed to complain.
“. . . Ah, it’s because it’s just been medicated. . .”
Lin Yuzu blinked several times in a row and slowly loosened her grip. She kind of wanted to ask ‘why’ but felt that she should act more naturally.
Xiao Xiao didn’t seem to notice a thousand thoughts that ran through Lin Yuzu’s mind as she said in a light tone as if comforting a child, “Kiss, pain fly away.”
“. . .”
Lin Yuzu has also heard of this method, but, “Generally speaking, isn’t it just ‘hoo hoo’?”
Xiao Xiao immediately replied, “Like ‘hoo hoo’?”
“. . . No, don’t” Lin Yuzu stood up, decisively rejecting Xiao Xiao’s kindness, “I’m going to take a shower.”
Xiao Xiao followed her.
Lin Yuzu saw through her intention.
. . . How can this work?!
She was a little embarrassed and forcefully shut the person outside the bathroom.
A knock sounded from the door twice but Lin Yuzu pretended not to hear it.
She said it was a bath, but it was inconvenient for her at the moment, so she just wiped her body with hot water. Her dirty hair should be washed, but it would be too difficult for someone who can only use one hand.
Lin Yuzu changed her clothes and pushed the bathroom door open, “Xiao Xiao.”
Xiao Xiao was squatting in front of the bookshelf, her jacket was already off and her long snow-colored hair was cleanly tied behind her head seemingly reading a book sitting on her lap.
When lin Yuzu called out, she gathered her gaze and looked over, asking ‘what’s wrong’ with an expression.
Lin Yuzu felt a little guilty, “Sorry. . . is the book okay?”
She knew how Xiao Xiao loves words and tries to avoid fights. But she still dragged her into troublesome situations once or twice.
Xiao Xiao shook her head, “Want more than anything, Yuzu okay.”
Lin Yuzu was speechless under her caring gaze. After a long while, she said again, “. . . I’m sorry.”
“No sorry.”
Xiao Xiao looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn’t. She placed the book from her lap on the shelf, “Want help?”
Lin Yuzu nodded.
Washing her hair with soap pods is honestly a test of patience. After rubbing, the fine residue entangled in the hair is difficult to clean.
Although Xiao Xiao isn’t impatient, she obviously isn’t interested in such things. As she carefully cleaned Lin Yuzu’s hair, she said, “Tomorrow, make soap.”
“Soap?”
Lin Yuzu lowered her head, feeling Xiao Xiao’s long and slender fingers combing through her hair before the warm water came pouring down. In the warm and comfortable environment, her exhausted body gradually succumbed to light drowsiness.
Such trivial topics even made her more relaxed, “I like the grapefruit flavor.”
“Yuzu,” Xiao Xiao paused a little and happily agreed, “like it too.”
Lin Yuzu’s tightly closed eyelashes gently fluttered twice.
The last bit of hot water was also used up. Xiao Xiao placed the towel over Lin Yuzu’s head and helped her wipe her face and motioned for Lin Yuzu to raise her head.
Lin Yuzu opened her eyes, as her eyes were blocked by the towel, her vision was complete darkness.
Xiao Xiao was wiping her hair.
Her movements were neither light nor heavy, it was a little like her way of wiping Zhaocai.
Lin Yuzu was in a daze, her consciousness slowly drifting to sleep when she heard Xiao Xiao calmly asking, “Yuzu, do you like me?”
She suddenly became sober.