Chapter 150

Chapter 150: After Grandfather Left

Apart from Hei Dan and his grandfather, Ji Huan had never been so intimately close to a third person, especially in such a manner—

He could constantly hear the sound of rain.

A sliver of reason told him that he was currently inside a dry house, but...

Why did it feel so damp?

Ah...

Was the roof broken?

Raindrops... were falling one by one from above.

It wetted his freshly dried hair, his face, his chest...

Oh no! There's a leak!

He attempted to sit up, but in the blink of an eye, his hand was grasped.

By a similarly damp palm.

The water continued to rise, spreading across the floor until it reached the height of the bed. It swelled higher and higher, ultimately —

The water beneath the bed had spread across Ji Huan's body, and as it merged with the droplets on his skin, he felt himself being engulfed by an oceanic embrace.

He was no longer aware of the bed's presence, feeling like a solitary leaf adrift in the ocean, tumbling and wandering amidst the surging waves.

At times high, at times low.

Only the hands gripping his wrist were so strong, so real, that Ji Huan eventually could only grasp back onto them tightly.

As the icy rainwater that had formed the sea turned into scorching heat, Ji Huan finally sank to the bottom.

With blurred eyes, he saw the slow undulations of the water above him.

Swirling.

Ripples.

He slowly closed his eyes.

He fell asleep to the sound of rain, and when he woke up again to the same pitter-patter outside the window, he almost believed he was still dreaming.

But soon, he realized it was reality.

Feeling the weight of the man above him, Ji Huan hesitated for a moment before carefully extending his hand to shift the other's body off him. When he touched the crumpled shirt on the man, he let out a sigh of relief.

However, his gaze remained somewhat uncomfortable.

He struggled to sit up, bending his knees, and as he sensed the difference in his body, he buried his head deeply into the cotton blanket on his lap.

His beautifully shaped back trembled slightly in the air, and Ji Huan's ears, exposed outside the covers, turned bright red.

He took a deep breath, then forcefully exhaled.

With that, the young man returned to his usual composed self.

It was only his ears that remained slightly flushed.

Only then did he dare to lower his gaze at the person lying beside him.

There were two people by his pillow.

One of them was naturally Hei Dan, the little fellow who had somehow climbed onto his head at some point, clutching the pillow with its tiny paws while its little tongue was barely visible, seemingly struggling to lick something intently.

The consequence was Ji Huan's saliva-soaked pillow.

The second person by his pillow was Ajin.

With his head buried under the pillow, only the elegant jawline and fine, silky black hair could be seen. Ji Huan would never have imagined that Ajin's sleeping posture would be like this.

How should he put it?

He felt that Ajin should be the type to sleep with proper decorum, maintaining an elegant pose.

Yet, the current Ajin seemed...

It was like a withered pickled vegetable.

Looking at the crumpled shirt and pants on Ajin's body, as well as his head buried under the pillow, Ji Huan scratched his head and then quietly got out of bed.

His tiny feet were usually nestled in Jiujiu's hair. This was how Hei Dan was; as long as any part of his body was still in contact with Jiujiu, he felt secure. Otherwise, he would feel a bit flustered. Normally, in such situations, Ji Huan would offer him Gugu, but today...

Ji Huan watched as a tiny frown formed on Hei Dan's sleeping face, his little paws feeling around. Somehow, he had touched Ajin who was under the pillow.

Believing that he had found Jiujiu, the little monster buried his own face into the pillow, continuing to "love" his "Jiujiu."

Unable to resist a small smile, Ji Huan quietly opened the drawer to change his clothes, then descended the stairs with his dirty laundry.

He also took his phone.

When he turned it on and saw the time, Ji Huan was startled!

He was late!

Not by a minute or two, but an entire hour!

The usually composed young man hurriedly strode toward the door. Being late for school was one thing (questionable), but he would never be late for work.

As he walked, Ji Huan dialed Adan's number.

However...

"Stop calling! The rain has disrupted all mobile signals in Ye Falar!" Grandpa poked his head out from the kitchen, followed promptly by Big Bai. Then, Miss Ailuo Ka's three heads emerged sequentially from behind the door.

The five chickens in Ji Huan's house clucked as they hopped out of the kitchen.

Ji Huan was taken aback.

Behind the chickens, Naji emerged from the kitchen and, upon seeing Ji Huan, waved at him with a silly grin, like a sprout of bean curd.

"Good morn-morning."

"Good morning," Ji Huan greeted him back.

"What's going on?" Ji Huan had been asking about Big Bai and the signal issue, but Grandpa assumed he was surprised by the heavy rain. He carried a large pot of porridge out of the kitchen, while Naji helped to serve a bowl.

"It rained yesterday, oh dear, no wonder I had such a sound sleep... I was startled when I woke up! The courtyard was filled with water, the vegetables were submerged. Thankfully, Big Bai and the others were clever; when I opened the door, they were all huddled under the eaves, that was the only dry spot left."

"I hurriedly let them in and prepared some warm porridge for them to drink." Gently ladling out four bowls of porridge onto the floor, Ji Huan then realized that the porridge was intended for Big Bai and its mate.

Naji, on the other hand, caught numerous small insects and scattered them on the floor to feed the chickens.

Ji Huan: =-=

Seeing his grandson standing there, dazed, Grandfather kindly ladled out another bowl of porridge for him, the only difference being that this one was placed on the table.

Ji Huan: -=-

"…We weren't finished talking about what just happened. Ye Falar's phones aren't working, and your boss happened to meet Naji. So he asked Naji to come over and tell you that you don't need to work for the next few days."

"Mm... mm, t-these... these few days... the labor market... no business..." Naji also nodded, then stammered his response.

Ji Huan was initially taken aback but quickly grasped the situation. Grandpa's following words confirmed his assumption.

"It's raining outside! For the first time in centuries, it's raining in Ye Falar! Everyone's busy storing water, taking baths, and washing clothes. Who has the time to look for work? Today's market won't even open."

Naji might not be articulate, but he was swift in action.

"It's said that numerous burrowing monsters have emerged from their dens, fattened up one after another! The rain has washed them clean, and they're now waiting to be caught in the fields!" Grandfather ladled a bowl of porridge for Naji, saving the last one for himself. Unfazed by the heat, he took a large gulp as soon as it was served.

"Little Grey and Abu have already rushed over to stake their claim. Naji came to fetch us; let's all go catch some monsters outside!" said Grandfather. He then glanced at his refined grandson, slightly worried about his slender arms and legs, before suggesting tactfully, "But our vegetable garden is in a sorry state, and Big Bai's den is flooded. I believe it's best for someone to stay back. Of course, Little Hua, if you wish to see the excitement, that's fine too."

The ram-horned creature spoke while attentively observing his grandson's reaction.

In his mind, such commotion was perilous. All the monsters of Ye Falar would be on the move – the spectacle would be unimaginable! If his grandson were still in their hometown, he'd be robust! But here... Despite how much the ram-horned creature admired his grandson in every way, he had to acknowledge that his grandson's stamina fell short compared to the local youth, like Naji and Abu.

He didn't want his grandson to venture out into danger. Yet, being a monster who had once been young, he understood the love for excitement and adventure that youths possessed. Even at his age, he couldn't resist the urge to join in the fun, let alone his grandson in his prime.

"Ah, I'll pass. We have a well with plenty of water, and we're not lacking in food. There's no need to join the fray." Despite being physically young, Ji Huan was mentally mature. Without much deliberation, he promptly distanced himself from the excitement. Besides...

"Ajin came over last night and is currently sleeping in the bedroom." Avoiding specifying whose bedroom, Ji Huan mentioned Ajin's unexpected visit, "With a guest in the house, it wouldn't be proper for us to leave."

However...

Observing the evident disappointment on Naji's face and the hesitation in Grandfather's eyes, Ji Huan knew that Grandfather indeed desired to witness the spectacle. Thus, he compromised, "There isn't much fresh meat left, so Grandfather should still head out to get some. I've heard that burrowing monsters are tender and juicy – I've always wanted to try them."

Grandfather hesitated for a moment, but eventually gave in to Ji Huan's persuasion and set out with Naji.

Before leaving, he asked Ji Huan to convey his regards to Ajin. Naji also expressed a hint of regret that Ji Huan couldn't join them, but understanding the presence of an intimidating guest, he showed great tolerance. With a wave of farewell, the two satiated monsters left the house, ropes in tow.

Ji Huan began washing the dishes, tidying up the room, and then proceeded to wash his soiled clothes.

Speaking of soiled clothes, it was merely a single pair of underwear.

After wringing out the moisture and hanging it up in the bathroom, Ji Huan let out a long sigh.

At this moment, he was grateful for the rain that fell that day.

Grateful at one moment, troubled at another.

As Ji Huan was in distress, the black-haired monster, who shared the same floor with him and slept in his room, on his bed, quietly stirred awake.

He awoke from beneath the pillow.

A soft pillow, bearing an unusual scent.

His hair was being held captive.

The dark-haired monster narrowed his eyes.

For a creature like him, having one's hair seized was by no means a pleasant experience.

Being lifted entirely by the hair, a severed head gripped by its locks, and... the defeated party forced to raise their head by their hair.

These three scenarios instantly flashed through the dark-haired monster's mind.

Despite having just woken up from a slightly eerie yet beautiful dream and feeling fairly content, the instant he realized his hair was being tightly grasped, his entire aura turned icy cold.

He lifted his head, only to meet the gaze of a pair of white-ringed eyes peering from beneath the pillow.