Lu Xiuan
The early spring in Yujiang City still carried a biting chill. The sun wasn’t yet intense, and the wind blowing across the flowing Jingjiang River carried a damp, cold moisture.
Li Nanyi took off his helmet and looked up. This was a forest of steel; skyscrapers stood like giants looking down, overpasses spanned the riverbanks, highways connected with interchange bridges, and a maglev track cut across overhead. Amidst the interweaving shadows, high-speed trains occasionally zipped through. Situated within it all, he was nothing more than a tiny speck.
Massive electronic screens embedded in the skyscrapers played colorful advertisements. Different ads flashed by, dizzying to the eye, accompanied by sweet or magnetic electronic voices, all proclaiming the same name: “SkyNet Corporation, leading a new era of innovation, bringing you a different kind of technological life!”
He was back here again. It had only been five days since the attack, yet this place had quickly regained its vitality and was operating in perfect order. Li Nanyi checked the order number, clicked ‘delivered,’ stepped into the building, and handed the takeout to the receptionist.
Just as he walked out the door, a wave of dizziness abruptly surged into his head. Li Nanyi’s heart sank; he felt like his bad luck had bottomed out.
He reached into his pocket, trying to find the candy that had likely melted long ago, but his hand trembled. The round candy rolled into a crack in the steps and fell into the grass.
I’m done for.
Li Nanyi braced himself against the wall, preparing to pass out right there on the roadside. He wondered if the delivery platform would reimburse his medical bills.
A pair of strong arms caught him, holding him steady. Li Nanyi gripped the person’s arm tightly, using his last shred of consciousness to try and say thank you, but the next moment his vision went black, and his body took the liberty of forcing a shutdown.
“Your friend is just hypoglycemic. Combined with a long-term irregular diet, chaotic sleep schedule, a weak constitution, and mild stomach issues, it resulted in malnutrition. His blood sugar is too low. I’ll prescribe some glucose for an IV drip. You need to help him adjust his lifestyle.”
“Are you talking to me?”
The doctor glanced at him, his expression clearly saying ‘Who else would I be talking to?’, then waved his hand to dismiss him.
A faint mutter drifted over: “Dressed like a member of the elite class, looking all human, but acting like a slave driver. Working people until they collapse… is work pressure really that high these days?”
It seemed to be the whispered complaint of a chatty patient nearby. The “elite class” man raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. He took the medical chart and sat by the bed, finally finding the time to observe the young man lying there.
Thick, medium-length hair clung to the back of his neck, and choppy bangs covered a tightly furrowed brow. The lines of his face were smooth, his thin lips pressed together quietly and with restraint. If one looked closely, there was a dimple on his left cheek. He had a clean, crisp appearance.
It was just a pity that his face was currently deathly pale, his lips peeling from dehydration, with faint dark circles under his eyes. Due to the pain in his stomach, he occasionally let out a pitiful, muffled groan.
The phone buzzed. The person by the bed picked it up and glanced at it.
Director Lu, are you still coming to the afternoon meeting?
Lu Xiuan tapped the screen with his fingers. After typing a reply, he locked the screen, crossed his legs, and continued to observe the person on the bed. So weak… even he couldn’t help but doubt the current employment situation for college students. Was it really this severe?
At noon, he had just finished his business and was preparing to return to the company when, from a distance, he saw a swaying figure in front of the building. The person walked, then suddenly braced himself against the wall. Just as Lu Xiuan stepped forward to ask if he was okay, the young man with the pale lips and cheeks stumbled and fell backward.
Lu Xiuan extended his arms and caught the limp body. The young man’s head planted into his chest, his spine resting against Lu Xiuan’s arm—so thin it felt bony. One hand gripped Lu Xiuan’s clothes tightly, mumbling something.
Lu Xiuan turned his head to listen. The person in his arms struggled to open his eyes, his lips parting and closing for a long time, only to squeeze out a vague “Thanks” before slumping unconscious in his embrace.
Hah, how rare.
Lu Xiuan had intended to hand the person over to security to take to the hospital, but the moment the light illuminated the man’s face, he suddenly changed his mind and stopped the security guard from approaching.
“Director Lu, you’re busy with a myriad of things. Why don’t we handle it?”
“No need. I’ll take him to the hospital. I’ll ask President Chen for leave this afternoon.”
It wasn’t until he picked the man up that Lu Xiuan realized his weight was excessively light compared to a normal adult male; he felt weightless in his arms.
Fortunately, the hospital was near the company, saving the trouble of calling an ambulance.
It was quite a coincidence. The first time he met him was in this very building. Monsters were wreaking havoc outside, yet he had stood in the dark corridor with eyes lowered, looking quiet and harmless. No one would have guessed he had just dared to risk his life to go out and save someone.
Humans were truly a fascinating species.
Spasms in his stomach came accompanied by a sense of emptiness. Li Nanyi’s long eyelashes trembled violently. He pulled the blanket covering his chest down a bit, freeing his heavy, oxygen-deprived lungs.
He took a few breaths and opened his eyes in a daze. The snow-white ceiling and the lingering scent of disinfectant made him pause.
He reacted quickly, propping himself up in annoyance. If he had known, he wouldn’t have skipped lunch just to deliver a few more orders. As if to punish him for not caring about eating on time, his body was staging the strongest possible protest.
“Careful, or you’ll pull the needle.”
Just as the strange voice warned, his movement was too abrupt, and he indeed tugged at the needle in his left hand. Li Nanyi froze, then slowly shifted back to his original position.
Before losing consciousness, he remembered someone catching him. It must have been that person who brought him to the hospital… Li Nanyi blurted out, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It was just a lifting of a hand.”
That voice is so familiar. Li Nanyi looked up sharply. The man sitting upright in front of him imperceptibly patted out the wrinkles on his suit cuffs, smiled, and held out a cup of water to him. “Drink some water first. You’ve been asleep for quite a while.”
“You’re the one from last night…”
“Yes, it’s quite a coincidence. I didn’t expect to meet you again either.”
Li Nanyi took the warm water. Because of the man’s proactive approach, he could clearly see the face that had been half-hidden in the darkness that night.
He had excellent bone structure, a high nose bridge, long narrow eyes with slightly upturned corners—the kind of look that would appear affectionate even when looking at a dog—a slightly sharp jawline, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs. He was gentle and refined, yet maintained a distant boundary in his interactions. It matched his voice perfectly.
He pressed the cup to his lips. The perfectly warm water flowed slowly into his empty stomach, soothing the abdominal cramps. His pale face gradually regained some color.
The tip of his tongue tasted a hint of sweetness. There was sugar in the water.
Lu Xiuan watched him nursing the cup of warm water and reminded him softly, “The water is getting cold. Do you need me to add some more?”
“No.”
Li Nanyi was a bit unaccustomed to such excessive concern. Feeling helpless, he stiffened his back and downed the water in one go under the man’s gaze.
The eyes behind Lu Xiuan’s gold-rimmed glasses were full of sincerity. He smiled, took the empty cup from Li Nanyi’s hand, and set it on the table. Li Nanyi whispered his thanks, “Thank you for bringing me here and taking up your time.”
He touched his jacket pocket; it was empty. It seemed he had nothing with which to thank this kind person. Li Nanyi felt a bit embarrassed. Appearing in such a disheveled state both times… he really was useless.
Li Nanyi thought for a moment, then thanked him solemnly again, “Thank you. I keep causing you trouble. How about I treat you to a meal later?”
The day’s tasks were already overdue anyway; rushing wouldn’t help, and he had wasted someone else’s time.
Due to specific reasons, his personality had always been introverted and sensitive. He wasn’t good at social interactions. Usually, his biggest social interaction was handing over work. Doing this much was already his limit. The thought of having to make polite dinner table conversation gave him a headache.
Lu Xiuan narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing his discomfort. Looking at the sickly person across from him, he thought for a few seconds and politely refused, “No need. It’s good that you’re okay.”
“Sorry.”
“You seem to be constantly apologizing and thanking me today, don’t you?”
Li Nanyi instantly jammed up.
“Do you want to exchange contact info?” Lu Xiuan asked with a smile, going with the flow.
Li Nanyi blinked slowly, and a “Yes” abruptly tumbled out of his mouth.
Realizing what he had said, he slammed on the brakes mentally, almost biting his tongue.
“Don’t worry, it’s just adding a contact. I won’t charge you for the medical bills,” Lu Xiuan joked.
“Uh, I meant yes. I should still treat you to a meal sometime,” Li Nanyi hurriedly added.
Sigh, the debt of gratitude just keeps piling up.
“Actually, you don’t have to…” Lu Xiuan noticed him twisting the blanket with his fingers and saw the earnest look on his face. He didn’t refuse again. “Alright then. Let’s add each other as friends, and I’ll look forward to it.”
Although it was just a joke, since he was so insistent, Lu Xiuan couldn’t refuse again.
Li Nanyi breathed a sigh of relief, took out his phone, and added him on WeChat.
“Hello, Mister. My name is Li Nanyi. The ‘Yi’ standing for ‘flying helper’.”
The person opposite him nodded. “A very pleasant-sounding name. I am…”
He took a pen from his pocket and signaled for Li Nanyi to extend his hand. Nanyi didn’t understand the intent but complied. The tip of the pen glided across his palm, bringing a ticklish sensation. He couldn’t help but curl his fingers slightly. The ink settled in his palm, the warmth lingering.
Lu Xiuan.
Li Nanyi repeated it silently in his heart. So his name is Lu Xiuan.
The phone in Lu Xiuan’s hand rang several times. He looked down at it and smiled apologetically. “Looks like I have to go again. Goodbye. Hmm… can I call you Xiaoyi directly?”
Li Nanyi was stunned for a moment. “Sure.”
“See you next time, Xiaoyi.”
Lu Xiuan waved his hand without turning back, walking away with a brisk stride.
Li Nanyi relaxed and leaned back against the headboard. The room was left with only the dripping sound of the IV. He wasn’t good at dealing with strangers, but for some reason, he didn’t feel his usual tension when interacting with Lu Xiuan.
The fatal notification sound rang again. Li Nanyi picked up his phone. Ding, ding. Several messages popped up:
Violation: Not delivered on time. Order timed out.
Deduction: 150 Yuan.
sandwiched between these money-deducting messages was a text from a stranger:
Nanyi, you saw it last time. Those monsters are rampaging through the streets. I hope you can come and talk to us. The location is here.
It was followed by a location pin.
Li Nanyi frowned deep enough to crush a fly. His finger swiped across the screen for a long time. He glanced silently at the TV in the ward; the noon news was still reporting on the attack from a few days ago.
Forget it, I’ll just go and see.
He looked up at the IV bag, which was almost empty, submitted a leave request on his phone, called the nurse to remove the needle, and picked up his jacket from the back of the chair to leave.
A message popped up from the contact he had just added.
Lu Xiuan: Remember to eat on time.
Li Nanyi curled the corners of his mouth into a smile and decided to listen to Lu Xiuan—he would go downstairs and eat first.
“Overtime by one hour. Surveillance shows you wasted time on an irrelevant human, Lu Xiuan.”
A specially encrypted electronic female voice came from the phone. Lu Xiuan stood in the shadow of the building, no trace of a smile on his face. He spoke indifferently, “You don’t need to worry about what I do. You just need to fulfill your duties.”
“Question: Why spend effort on that human? Analysis shows he has no special traits and carries no pheromones.”
Lu Xiuan: “Simply because… it’s interesting. Enough. Eden, has the location of the Cocoon been found?”
” The location of the first Cocoon has been decrypted. Coordinates sent to all Yelaire.”
“Allow your subordinate to handle it this time.”
A crimson light flashed in the darkness. Lu Xiuan didn’t look back. He straightened his cuffs—there was still a wrinkle on the arm of his black suit that wouldn’t smooth out—and his lenses flashed with a cold, solemn light.
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