Chapter 213: Mutation (Part XI)
The lower the level of the mutant, the higher their affinity for Xiao Ji.
They would even obey him to a great extent.
This was something Xiao Ji had gradually figured out during this period.
In short, low-level mutants would fundamentally revere Xiao Ji as their master; it was similar to a bloodline suppression that defied all logic.
As their level approached Xiao Ji’s, this “master-servant” behavior would vanish, but they would still instinctively feel a sense of goodwill toward him.
However, it was nowhere near the level of romantic love.
Bai Yinnian was smart. He had guessed Xiao Ji’s ability, but at this moment, he had fallen into a misconception.
He felt that Xiao Ji had used this special ability on him.
Xiao Ji could sense the meaning behind Bai Yinnian’s words and spoke bluntly:
“It only works on low-level mutants. It’s hard to use on anyone with high intelligence, like you.”
“That’s why I told you before I came—I’m not as useful as you think.”
Hearing this, Bai Yinnian instinctively argued, “Then why do I find it so hard to refuse your requests?”
Xiao Ji rolled over, turning his back to Bai Yinnian.
“How would I know what you’re thinking?”
The topic ended there.
For as long as Bai Yinnian could remember, while he had lived in dorms with several others, this was the first time he had truly shared a bed with someone.
He thought he would suffer from insomnia all night.
But smelling the scent of the body wash on Xiao Ji—which was the same as his own—and listening to Xiao Ji’s gradually rhythmic breathing, Bai Yinnian unknowingly lost consciousness as well.
In the middle of the night, Bai Yinnian had a dream.
In the dream, the mutation had escalated further, and the entire world had fallen. The city had gradually turned into a landscape of ruins.
He was rummaging through collapsed concrete and rebar, looking for something.
He was so anxious that his entire body was shaking.
His hands were covered in filthy ash and blood that hadn’t yet dried.
In his despair and helplessness, he saw a figure buried beneath the rubble.
There was no beginning or end to the dream. Bai Yinnian didn’t know why he felt so hopeless, but he sprinted toward that figure, pulling the person out from the ruins like a madman.
When he got close, he saw the face clearly—it was Xiao Ji.
His eyes were tightly shut, his breathing shallow.
In the next second, Bai Yinnian was standing from a third-person perspective, detached from his own body.
He saw himself screaming Xiao Ji’s name, holding the man in his arms, looking as though he were in agony, as if he had lost something incomparably important.
Another second later, he was back in his own body. He saw Xiao Ji’s eyelashes flutter. The man raised a hand to touch his face.
He whispered to him, “Give me a kiss.”
Bai Yinnian didn’t know what had happened between him and Xiao Ji, but at that moment, he could clearly feel a dull ache in his heart.
It felt as if he were back in the early stages of his own mutation; the intense pain spread from his heart to his brain.
He leaned down uncontrollably and kissed Xiao Ji’s lips.
Tears blurred his vision. As their lips met, Bai Yinnian could truly feel the warmth and softness of Xiao Ji’s lips.
Bai Yinnian was just beginning to feel surprised that someone who looked so cold as Xiao Ji actually had such soft, warm lips, when in the next second, Xiao Ji suddenly slapped him.
He asked him why he wasn’t using his tongue while kissing—what was he waiting for?
Bai Yinnian was startled awake by that slap. Upon opening his eyes, he felt a soft, supple sensation in his arms.
His chin felt fuzzy and a bit itchy.
He took a moment to compose himself before realizing that Xiao Ji was currently pressed right against his chest.
Their skin touched, and his own hand was currently sliding beneath Xiao Ji’s useless pajamas, resting right on Xiao Ji’s waist.
Xiao Ji’s warm breath was puffing unreservedly against his collarbone.
Bai Yinnian was at a loss.
He wanted to push Xiao Ji away and his fingers moved, but at that exact moment, Xiao Ji—as if seeking death—snuggled even closer to him and tightened the arm he had wrapped around Bai Yinnian’s waist.
It seemed as though he were talking in his sleep, and he even pressed a kiss to Bai Yinnian’s collarbone.
Bai Yinnian’s heart sank instantly. He cursed Xiao Ji in his head—it was bad enough for a grown man to be so fragrant and soft, but he actually acted spoiled in his sleep too!
After a brief struggle, Bai Yinnian simply gave up. He held Xiao Ji tight, closed his eyes, and pretended he hadn’t woken up midway through.
Early the next morning, when Bai Yinnian sat up abruptly in bed, he saw Xiao Ji with his back turned to him, seemingly still asleep.
Bai Yinnian let out a breath of relief. He checked the time, got out of bed, and changed his clothes. After washing up and coming out, he patted Xiao Ji through the quilt.
“Wake up. I’m taking you to see the Commander-in-Chief today.”
Xiao Ji shifted and opened his eyes. He looked at Bai Yinnian for a long time before saying in a raspy voice: “Give me my pants.”
Bai Yinnian took a pair of Xiao Ji’s trousers from the closet and set them by the bed.
Xiao Ji put his pants on while still under the covers, then sat up and said to Bai Yinnian: “Shoes.”
Bai Yinnian bent down, grabbed Xiao Ji’s spotless shoes, and placed them by the bed.
Xiao Ji looked at him without moving. Bai Yinnian locked eyes with him for a moment:
“Wait, you don’t actually expect me to put them on for you, do you?”
Xiao Ji shook his head. “Turn around.”
Only then did Bai Yinnian remember that although they had shared a bed all night, he hadn’t actually seen Xiao Ji’s lower limbs.
According to Bai Yinnian’s guess, a disabled person’s lower limbs would likely have muscle atrophy due to lack of exercise.
They certainly wouldn’t be pleasant to look at.
Even though Xiao Ji looked no different from a normal person when wearing trousers, no one knew what was beneath the fabric.
It was understandable that Xiao Ji didn’t want him to see.
So Bai Yinnian immediately compromised and turned his back.
Xiao Ji put on his socks and shoes, grabbed a T-shirt from the nightstand, and pulled it on. Then he said to Bai Yinnian:
“Alright.”
Seeing him dressed, Bai Yinnian walked over and bent down to lift him into the wheelchair.
Then he pushed him into the bathroom.
Facing the toilet, Bai Yinnian—not knowing what he was thinking—asked:
“Do you need help?”
Xiao Ji looked back at him. “Help me hold it?”
Bai Yinnian let out a startled “ah” and rubbed his nose awkwardly. “If you need it, I suppose I could.”
Xiao Ji’s face went cold. He said flatly, “Thank you, but no.”
By now, Bai Yinnian realized that watching someone relieve themselves was hardly polite. He turned and left the bathroom. As he closed the door, he grumbled to himself:
Held onto me all night and wouldn’t let go, then puts his pants on today and acts like a total stranger. Truly a little succubus.
Xiao Ji knew nothing of Bai Yinnian’s thoughts.
He watched Bai Yinnian close the door, then stood up, took care of his business, and walked to the sink. After washing up, he sat back in the wheelchair and opened the door.
Bai Yinnian’s cooking skills were limited, but fortunately, the base had a dedicated canteen.
He pushed Xiao Ji out of the house. On the way, he asked out of curiosity:
“How do you use the toilet or shower while sitting? And can you even reach that high sink?”
Recommended Reads
