Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Shen Muyun smiled, casually tossing the candy wrapper into the trash. Hands in his pockets, he walked ahead. The weather wasn't great, but his mood had suddenly brightened considerably.

Lu Huainan quickened his pace, falling in behind him. "Brother Yun, I just checked inside the container—there are no blankets. How are we going to sleep tonight?"

"Isn't there a general store over there? The sign is pretty big. Let's go take a look."

Shen Muyun pointed to a small general store nearby. Though tiny, it was well-stocked, and its sign even advertised bedding.

The two entered the small shop together. Inside, the light was dim and yellow, and the air was hazy with smoke. The owner sat behind the counter, one leg crossed over the other, humming an unfamiliar tune. The cigarette in his hand emitted an acrid, choking smell.

*Creak, creak...* The bamboo chair rocked incessantly, producing a rhythmic sound.

Shen Muyun coughed lightly a few times. Hearing this, the owner quickly stubbed out his cigarette. "Welcome! We have everything you could possibly need here."

The owner eyed Shen Muyun and Lu Huainan up and down, a distinctly lecherous glint in his gaze.

Shen Muyun frowned, uncomfortable with the owner's demeanor. He wanted to leave but was stopped when Lu Huainan grabbed his wrist. "Hey, Brother Yun, the owner says he has everything. Shouldn't we at least look around and see what interesting things he's got, right?"

Lu Huainan let go but deliberately gave Shen Muyun's butt a pinch, which immediately piqued the owner's nosy curiosity.

"Oh, so you're a couple! Over there—yes, inside, on those shelves—that's where you'll find what you're looking for."

Shen Muyun's face flushed bright red, from the tips of his ears down to his neck. Lu Huainan, however, remained completely unfazed. He took Shen Muyun's hand and pulled him further inside.

Head lowered, Shen Muyun followed Lu Huainan, much like a high school couple trying to be discreet.

When he looked up again, he met Lu Huainan’s gaze. For some reason, no matter how he looked, there seemed to be a hint of amusement in those eyes, enough to make one overthink.

Noticing Shen Muyun staring intently, Lu Huainan casually picked up an item, waved it in front of his eyes, and raised an eyebrow with a smile.

"Huainan, what is that you're holding?"

Shen Muyun stood on his tiptoes, trying to snatch it from Lu Huainan’s hand, but it was futile—he couldn’t reach it. He could only pout petulantly. "Huainan, you're bullying me just because I'm not as tall as you. I can't reach it."

"Brother Yun, I'm just looking. I've never seen these little toys before. I should've asked those local guys how these things are played with."

"Lu Huainan!"

Shen Muyun’s raised voice drew the shop owner’s attention. Lu Huainan simply waved his hand, and soon enough, the owner went back to munching on sunflower seeds.

Lu Huainan reached for a set of bedding. "Let's go with this. We'll make do. The bed in the container is small too, so Brother Yun will have to squeeze in with me."

Lu Huainan carried the bedding innocently as he walked ahead. Shen Muyun glanced up and happened to see what was on the shelves. He quickly took a few steps forward, the skin on his neck turning a faint shade of pink.

The owner saw the two coming out, holding the bedding.

"You're from the chemical factory, right?"

"Yeah, we picked up some temporary work over there. Just giving it a try." Lu Huainan initially reached for his card but then changed his mind, digging into another pocket instead. He didn’t have much cash on him—some loose change and small bills.

"Alright, just take the even amount. The conditions over there are terrible. Most workers quit after two or three days. Who can stand it? Extreme heat, high humidity, and toxic too."

"Boss, doesn't anyone regulate it?"

"Regulate? How could they? The owner over there has connections. Every time the environmental agency comes, he finds out two or three days in advance. Just run the filters, and that's it. Wait until the scrutiny dies down, then resume operations. Filtering costs money—who wants to increase expenses?"

Lu Huainan nodded. "Alright, boss. We'll be going then."

"Remember to come back often!"

As time grew late, Shen Muyun and Lu Huainan wandered around casually but didn’t run into anyone else or hear any useful information. By the time they returned to the fruit shop, the lights were already on outside.

"You're back. There aren't many people around here at night. You two will be staying together—make sure to lock the doors and windows. If someone knocks, don't answer. It's probably just some drunk."

Shen Muyun glanced at Lu Huainan, remembering how tough he was in a fight.

"Boss, don't worry. Even if we run into trouble, it'll be fine. The two of us can handle it."

Lu Huainan held their purchases in one hand and Shen Muyun’s hand in the other. "Let's go, Brother Yun. We'll get our things organized."

The shop owner nodded. "Go on, then. You kids—I don't get you."

Shen Muyun’s head was spinning. This wasn't right—why did everyone say things like that? Could it be… He immediately tried to shake off Lu Huainan’s hand, but Lu Huainan only held on tighter, a happy smile on his face.

"Then we'll go get settled."

Lu Huainan pulled Shen Muyun to their living quarters. As soon as they stepped inside, a damp, mildewy smell hit them.

Lu Huainan glanced around, then picked up a broom behind the door and began sweeping earnestly.

"Brother Yun, if I weren't here, were you just planning to make do for a few nights?"

Shen Muyun tossed the bedding onto the so-called bed, took off his shoes, and sat cross-legged at the edge. "It wouldn't be impossible. The sheets here could be wrapped around us. Besides, it's so hot in here—we might not even need the blanket."

"Brother Yun, you're creating hardship where none exists."

"What choice do I have? Yesterday's business needs handling."

*Creak, creak...* The bed frame let out a series of noises. Shen Muyun looked down and saw that one end of the wooden support had rotted away.

Lu Huainan put the broom back in its place, crouched down to take a look, then casually found a brick and propped it underneath. "Nothing else for it, Nan Feng. We'll just have to make do like this."

Shen Muyun spread out the blanket, slipped inside, and lay on his side, checking his phone. There wasn’t so much as a text from Shen Liuyun.

Lu Huainan lifted the blanket and slung an arm around Shen Muyun’s waist. His warm breath brushed against Shen Muyun’s ear, creating a restless warmth.

"Um, Huainan, aren't you a little too close?"

Lu Huainan replied innocently, his voice muffled against him, "There are two grown men squeezed into a tiny bed. There’s not enough space, Brother Yun. This is the only way."

A mischievous glint flashed in Lu Huainan’s eyes.

Shen Muyun couldn’t move. Turning around would only make it more awkward.

"Ahem. Well, alright then, Huainan, let's sleep. We have things to do tomorrow."

The container was quiet and pitch black, with no light at all, as if completely cut off from the outside world. Occasionally, the buzz of mosquitoes could be heard. Their breaths mingled in the air, charged with tension.

Shen Muyun shifted his weight slightly. Staying in one position had made his neck feel a little stiff.

Sensing Shen Muyun’s movement, Lu Huainan pressed closer against his back, his cheek nuzzling unabashedly against Shen Muyun’s back. "Brother Yun, are you asleep?"

Shen Muyun originally had no intention of responding—he just wanted to pretend to be asleep.

"Brother Yun, let me tell you something. When I was little, I liked sleeping while hugging a plush toy. When I got a bit older, my family said grown men shouldn't be so childish. So I'd secretly hold it when they weren't around. Later, when I started working, I was too busy. I'd fall asleep as soon as I hit the bed and only wake up in the morning to find my plush toy kicked onto the floor, all lonely and pathetic."

"Huainan, are you using me as your oversized plush toy?"

Lu Huainan nuzzled his nape, "Brother Yun, that's different. A doll can't talk, move, or comfort me, and it doesn't have body heat. Brother Yun, you smell like lemons—a really nice scent—I really like it, it’s very soothing."

Shen Muyun turned over, unable to see any light, but his eyes still sparkled, "It might be the perfume I used today—the base notes are mellow."

Lu Huainan pouted, "Hmm, Brother Yun, you still owe me a favor. You haven’t repaid me for that gem yet."

Shen Muyun pinched Lu Huainan’s nose, "So you’re here to ask for money or to collect on that favor?"

Lu Huainan sat up abruptly, "Brother Yun, the Lu family doesn't need money, but my family is pressuring me."

Shen Muyun didn’t understand, thinking it was about the debt. "In a few days, when we go back, things should settle down. I’ll pay you back right away."

Lu Huainan chuckled softly, "Brother Yun, you still don’t get it. The Lu family isn’t lacking money. As the older brother, my younger sister already has someone she loves, and the family won't stop talking about it. Can you help me?"

Shen Muyun bit his lower lip. Helping him might not be a bad idea, but if he did, would it count as completing the Main Quest? And if it did, would that mean an opportunity...? No, he’d have to ask the system tomorrow before making a decision. "Huainan, I need to think about this."

Lu Huainan grabbed Shen Muyun’s hand, "Brother Yun, you like me too, don’t you? I can feel it. Why won’t you admit it?"

Shen Muyun shook his hand free, "Huainan, my feelings for you are just those of old family friends. Have my recent actions made you overthink things?"

Lu Huainan’s hand dropped in disappointment. He reached out as if to touch Shen Muyun’s sleeve but withdrew, turning away instead. "Brother Yun, let’s just sleep. We have things to do tomorrow."

Shen Muyun murmured in agreement. The two lay back-to-back, neither truly asleep, until drowsiness finally caught up with Shen Muyun, and he drifted into a half-asleep state.

But then, a voice, sometimes near, sometimes far, reached his ears:

"Brother Yun, you love me, don’t you?"

"Brother Yun, if you don’t agree, I’ll have to lock you in a dark room."

"Brother Yun, oh, don’t worry—no one will ever see you again."

Shen Muyun jerked awake, reaching out to feel the space beside him—cold and empty. Where was he?

He got up, his neck sore from poor sleep, and recalled the dream. It must have just been a dream, right?

He stepped out of bed and opened the container's door. The outside air rushed in, carrying a strange sour odor, like mildew.

Shen Muyun walked out a bit and saw Lu Huainan by the sink, carefully washing strawberries. The plump lychees were already peeled, their pits removed.

Hearing the noise, Lu Huainan turned and saw the sleepy-eyed Shen Muyun. "Brother Yun, good morning. Didn’t sleep well? The shop owner is out this morning—he went to restock. I picked out some fruit, thought we could try it after breakfast."

With wet hands, Lu Huainan took a peeled lychee and slipped it into Shen Muyun’s mouth—a burst of fresh, sweet flavor.

"Mmm, Huainan, did you talk in your sleep last night?"

Lu Huainan shook the water from his hands and pointed to the table outside. "No, I didn’t. Why? Brother Yun, I bought breakfast. It’s just the two of us this morning—looks like we won't be able to do any investigating around here today."

Shen Muyun followed his gaze. When had this guy gotten up? He glanced at the shop's clock—7 a.m.

"Then we’ll mind the shop. Maybe some customers will come by, and we can make some inquiries then."

"I already talked to the shopkeeper's wife over there. She doesn’t have much going on in the mornings, so I’ll keep you company here."

Shen Muyun was momentarily speechless, then nodded.