Chapter 360: The Eighteen Ways of Nightmare’s Lullaby (8)

Chapter 360: The Eighteen Ways of Nightmare's Lullaby (8)

Nightmares are a race that never mistreats themselves.

They are a race that creates nightmares to feed on negative emotions in dreams.

So when Jiang Zhuxiu felt the urge to kiss, he didn't hold back.

He leaned in and kissed him.

It was a very light kiss.

The burning heat of their lips left him disoriented.

He quickly pulled back, visibly shaken, his fingers trembling slightly.

He stopped hugging him and retreated to a spot near the wall.

The cold wall slowly cooled the burning heat, and the Nightmare's instincts took over once more.

He crafted a unique nightmare just for him.

He knew the terrified and broken expression that would appear in the dream, and how delectable the brilliant soul would become when shadowed.

He was eager.

The shadow settled between Song Chuyi's eyebrows.

It wanted to invade but was always blocked by a thin film, unable to penetrate.

So Jiang Zhuxiu had no choice but to withdraw.

Song Chuyi wasn't asleep.

He was feigning sleep.

Or rather, his consciousness hadn't slipped into deep sleep.

His mind was still alert.

Jiang Zhuxiu had no way to handle this.

He could only watch Song Chuyi's back quietly, waiting in silence.

Waiting for his consciousness to be engulfed by darkness, at which point the shadow he had crafted would descend.

Time slipped by, and before he knew it, dawn had arrived.

Song Chuyi's consciousness hadn't been overwhelmed by darkness.

Jiang Zhuxiu: ...

He opened his eyes, reached out, and pressed his fingertips against Song Chuyi's shoulder.

Song Chuyi seemed to sense something, his long lashes fluttered, and then he opened his eyes.

"Hmm?"

He let out a soft, slightly nasal sound, as if he had just woken up.

"What’s up?"

Maybe because Jiang Zhuxiu didn’t respond, Song Chuyi called out again.

"Boss?"

Jiang Zhuxiu’s lashes fluttered slightly, and he came back to his senses.

"It’s seven," he said, sitting up. "We gotta get to the office."

Song Chuyi sat up too, smiling, "Got it."

His eyes were sharp, not like he’d just woken up.

Jiang Zhuxiu looked away calmly.

Once at the office, Jiang Zhuxiu headed to HQ to report.

Song Chuyi got to work, tackling his tasks fast.

A coworker nearby looked pumped.

"I crashed again yesterday—slept five hours straight, no nightmares!"

He was stoked, waving his arms around.

"Man, sleeping without nightmares feels amazing!"

"Now I get why people were so into sleeping."

Who wouldn’t love sleep without nightmares?

Song Chuyi grinned, "Why not catch some Z’s while you can?"

"Maybe the Nightmares are swamped and can’t make nightmares."

His eyes lit up—Song Chuyi’s logic clicked.

"You’re right—I’m crashing now!"

He didn’t wait—just flopped on his desk, snoring.

Work could wait till he woke up.

Nearby coworkers heard them and, for some reason, crashed too.

Soon, the whole office was out.

Someone was already snoring.

When Jiang Zhuxiu got back, this is what he saw.

His hardworking team was sprawled on their desks, snoring away.

In the whole office, only Song Chuyi was still at his desk, working.

Jiang Zhuxiu frowned, walking over. "What’s up with them? Did they get poisoned?"

"Nope," Song Chuyi shook his head. "Xiao Wang said he’s been nightmare-free for two days and thinks the Nightmares are tied up with other stuff."

"Looks like everyone’s asleep now."

That comment made Jiang Zhuxiu realize something.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t been crafting nightmares lately.

All his attention had been fixed on Song Chuyi, eager to savor his negative emotions, so he’d completely ignored everyone else.

Jiang Zhuxiu’s gaze dropped, his eyes appearing icy, yet a faint shadow seemed to slip from his fingertips.

Just then, Song Chuyi suddenly took hold of his hand.

Jiang Zhuxiu hesitated, pulling the shadow back.

"What is it?"

Song Chuyi let out a lazy yawn.

"Seeing everyone so deeply asleep makes me feel a little drowsy too."

His fingers lightly brushed over the back of Jiang Zhuxiu’s hand.

"Minister, mind if I crash in your office? It’s too loud out here."

His eyes looked teary, and his face was heavy with sleepiness, a clear sign he was genuinely exhausted.

Jiang Zhuxiu leaned down and scooped him up.

"I’ve got you."

He was finally ready to sleep, and walking might wake him up.

Jiang Zhuxiu carefully carried him to the office, gently set him on the couch, and gave his head a soft pat.

"Get some rest."

He spoke in a deliberately soft, even tone.

Song Chuyi lay on the couch, clutching his hand, and blinked slowly.

"Will you stay with me, Minister?"

Jiang Zhuxiu sat down, his other hand gently patting his back.

He patted his back gently, like comforting a child.

"Sleep, sleep."

His usually cold voice held a touch of warmth, making one feel soft just by listening.

Song Chuyi pretended to close his eyes.

Time passed bit by bit, and Jiang Zhuxiu patiently waited for him to fall asleep.

Half an hour later, Song Chuyi suddenly opened his eyes.

"I’m not tired anymore, actually."

Jiang Zhuxiu: ?

Song Chuyi sat up, still gripping Jiang Zhuxiu's hand.

"Minister, your hand is freezing. Let me warm it up for you."

He cupped Jiang Zhuxiu's large hand in both of his, rubbing it vigorously a couple of times.

"Minister, why is your hand so cold?"

"Could it be physical weakness?"

"Physical weakness isn’t serious, but we shouldn’t ignore it!"

"Here’s an idea: a colleague mentioned a famous TCM clinic nearby. How about I take you there?"

"Don’t worry, it’s on me!"

Song Chuyi patted his chest confidently, as if he had it all figured out.

Jiang Zhuxiu felt a throbbing in his temples.

Does this guy even need sleep?

How is he still so talkative after two days without deep sleep?

Anyone else would be completely drained by now without coffee.

But here he is, full of energy, not a hint of fatigue.

Jiang Zhuxiu paused briefly before pulling his hand back.

"I’m not physically weak."

Nightmares lack human warmth, so their hands and feet are naturally cold.

Even in human form, he’s still a Nightmare.

The two are fundamentally different.

"Your palms are burning hot, and you’re full of energy—more like a sign of body heat."

"Maybe you should check out that TCM clinic."

Song Chuyi arched an eyebrow.

Jiang Zhuxiu knows about body heat too? He’s really nailing the human act!