Chapter 84 Puppy Den

Chapter 84: The Puppy’s Den

Huo Zeshen's home was an austere, gray-black building with clean, sharp lines, standing at the edge of a cliff facing the vast, boundless ocean like a solitary sentinel.

It wasn’t until Lin Juangui was set down steadily on the cold stone steps at the entrance, his feet touching solid ground, that his heartbeat gradually settled.

Huo Zeshen still used his body to skillfully block most of Lin Juangui’s line of sight, enveloping him within his shadow.

"I'm feeling much better now, thank you."

Though Lin Juangui’s face remained pale, he managed to force a smile.

The faint, clean scent of Huo Zeshen’s pheromones lingered around them, strangely neutralizing the saltiness of the sea breeze. Mixed in was a hint of blood—the smell emanating from Huo Zeshen’s wound.

Once steady, a wave of post-crisis weakness made Lin Juangui instinctively rest his head lightly against Huo Zeshen’s solid chest, seeking that tangible sense of security.

As long as he didn’t directly face the bottomless sea, Lin Juangui could just barely keep it together, but the deep-seated fear and its lingering effects still rippled within him, leaving him momentarily dazed.

He could barely tell how much the man before him overlapped with the figure buried deep in his heart. He just wanted to hold onto something—anything—and Huo Zeshen had already become his lifeline.

Lin Juangui’s sudden dependence left Huo Zeshen flustered. Few people ever got this close to him. Having grown up without parents, he never learned how to interact with someone he cared about.

But he was an adult now, his broad frame capable of being a safe harbor. So, he gently wrapped his arms around Lin Juangui’s shoulders, patting his back softly, as if comforting a frightened cat.

The two stood in silence for a while, with only the tireless sound of waves crashing against the shore as background noise.

"Why are you afraid?" Huo Zeshen’s voice was low, carrying a tenderness trying not to break the fragile moment.

His question slowly brought Lin Juangui back from his brief trance. Still leaning against Huo Zeshen’s chest, he mumbled, "Because... I once saw someone swallowed by the sea, and they never came back."

Lin Juangui didn’t specify who it was, but Huo Zeshen could sense the profound sorrow radiating from him as he spoke.

That person must have meant a great deal to Lin Juangui.

As the man turned to open the door, his fingers hovering over the biometric scanner suddenly froze. It was as if he had remembered something very inappropriate, and he hesitated for a moment.

Lin Juangui happened to catch Huo Zeshen’s brief hesitation and looked up to ask what was wrong.

Huo Zeshen quickly composed himself, shook his head, and let the door scan his iris.

With a faint hiss, the door slid open inward.

Lin Juangui stepped in, puzzled, as a strong scent of Alpha pheromones mixed with the faint smell of sweat greeted him.

This was clearly evidence of Huo Zeshen’s recent rut period, with no time to air out or clean up.

"I’ve never had guests over, so no need to change shoes. Just come on in."

Huo Zeshen was used to living alone, and his remote location meant visitors were rare. Before Lin Juangui could tease him, the chaos in the living room made him raise an eyebrow in amusement.

The home robot lay dismantled and sprawled on the floor, surrounded by scattered suppressants and torn clothes. The sofa was scratched with deep marks, while dried fluids and shattered glass were splattered everywhere—the entire scene was a mess of post-breakdown disarray.

It was clear that inviting Lin Juangui over had been a last-minute decision; otherwise, Huo Zeshen would never have let him see this private, out-of-control side.

No wonder he hesitated before opening the door.

Lin Juangui had seen far more chaotic scenes and wasn’t particularly bothered.

Huo Zeshen simply hadn’t had time to clean up. The insect outbreak in the Sixth Sector had been sudden, and he’d had to jump into battle right after his rut ended, leaving no opportunity to tidy.

So when Huo Zeshen glanced back to gauge Lin Juangui’s reaction, Lin Juangui merely squinted with a smile, teasing gently, "A puppy’s den."

Huo Zeshen scratched his chin awkwardly, only to hear Lin Juangui add, "Let me help you clean up."

"No, no need. You can wait in the study. I’ll fix the smart housekeeper, and it’ll start the cleaning program on its own."

Huo Zeshen seemed to revert to the flustered, uneasy state of his youth when interacting with Lin Juangui. But Lin Juangui showed no trace of awkwardness. "Don’t be so formal with me. I’m not completely helpless—don’t underestimate me."

That said, it had been a long time since Lin Juangui had done any cleaning himself. He tried to recall where he and Huo Zeshen used to start when tidying up together in the past.

Meanwhile, Huo Zeshen had already brought over a toolbox and replacement parts, crouching beside the "fallen" robot, trying to get it operational again.

Lin Juangui found an unused storage bag and began picking up the trash on the floor.

Huo Zeshen worked with urgency, the redness at the tips of his ears not yet fully faded.

Having Lin Juangui busy himself in his home made him feel immensely guilty. The air was filled with a mix of embarrassment, warmth, and an indescribable sense of intimacy.

When Lin Juangui entered Huo Zeshen’s bedroom, Huo Zeshen could no longer hold back. He dropped his tools and joined Lin Juangui in cleaning.

Huo Zeshen didn’t feel offended, just somewhat embarrassed.

Lin Juangui carried no airs—he was kind to everyone. Even after seeing him in such a state, he didn’t mock him but instead helped resolve the situation.

Touched yet slightly bitter, Huo Zeshen almost wished Lin Juangui were a little less perfect. If Lin Juangui were meaner to him, maybe he wouldn’t feel so conflicted.

Lin Juangui smiled throughout, clearly in good spirits—not because he enjoyed seeing Huo Zeshen flustered, but because he knew this little episode would likely soften Huo Zeshen’s attitude toward him.

When only the final touches remained, Huo Zeshen quickly took care of them. After bagging the trash, he hurriedly led Lin Juangui to the sink, carefully washing his hands for him.

"This won’t happen again. I’m usually very tidy."

Explaining further seemed pointless. Lin Juangui’s lips still curved into a smile, while Huo Zeshen could barely lift his head.

Once Huo Zeshen had dried Lin Juangui’s hands with a towel, Lin Juangui ruffled Huo Zeshen’s hair—a natural gesture that caught Huo Zeshen off guard.

Lin Juangui might not have realized how beautifully he was smiling, his expression just like the one he had years ago when chatting with Huo Zeshen under a tree. "It’s fine, I don’t mind. In fact, I’m happy."

The brief time with Huo Zeshen reminded Lin Juangui of long ago, when they’d both been home resting. Huo Zeshen would do chores while Lin Juangui sat nearby, feeding him snacks.

Huo Zeshen never let Lin Juangui lift a finger and disliked hiring help, so he took care of everything himself.

Lin Juangui thought Huo Zeshen had a bit of OCD and was a clean freak. "Is this a doctor’s occupational hazard?"

Huo Zeshen smiled wryly. He stopped what he was doing, walked over to Lin Juangui, and slowly bent down to meet the seated Lin Juangui’s gaze. "I just want... the place where I feel safe to be only for you and me."

"Quite territorial."

Huo Zeshen leaned in to kiss Lin Juangui’s earlobe. Lin Juangui, tickled, lightly punched his shoulder and turned away, but Huo Zeshen insistently kissed his cheek.

The man’s expression was serious. With one knee between Lin Juangui’s legs, his face held unwavering determination. "You’re busy with work, and I have my own responsibilities. Time alone like this is rare and precious to me."

Lin Juangui also dropped his playful demeanor, nodding sincerely. "Me too."

Thankfully, modern technology made cleaning simpler, and Huo Zeshen was efficient. Lin Juangui wouldn’t disturb him while he worked, but afterward, he’d kiss Huo Zeshen as a reward. The next moment, Huo Zeshen would pull him into the soft sofa, eagerly seeking more kisses.

Recalling this, Lin Juangui’s eyes brimmed with sweetness. After a moment of locking eyes, Huo Zeshen averted his gaze, leading Lin Juangui back to the living room. He poured him a glass of water before sitting on the carpet to continue fixing his robot.

Huo Zeshen was being very considerate; the water he poured for Lin Juangui was warm. Lin Juangui took a couple of sips, then stretched his arms out and leaned back on the sofa, taking an imperceptible deep breath.

It hit deep.

It was this familiar feeling that made Lin Juangui feel incredibly comforted, yet it also made him drowsy.

Huo Zeshen had been monitoring Lin Juangui. After just two or three minutes, steady breathing sounds came from behind him. Huo Zeshen turned to look and saw that Lin Juangui had already fallen asleep, head thrown back against the sofa.

"..."

It seemed that cleaning was quite draining for an Omega; he wouldn't let Lin Juangui handle such trivial tasks in the future.

Huo Zeshen put down his tools, washed his hands, and then gently picked up Lin Juangui, letting the other man's head rest against his shoulder as he slowly walked to the bedroom they had just tidied together.

The ventilation system was operating silently, with only a faint scent of pheromones remaining in the room. Huo Zeshen placed Lin Juangui on the bed, patiently took off his shoes for him, and covered him with a thin blanket.

Huo Zeshen didn't leave immediately but sat by the bed, quietly watching Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui was different from the average Omega. He had a slender figure, every inch perfectly proportioned. If anything, he resembled an ordinary Beta, but his exceptional pheromones and unforgettable face destined him for uniqueness.

Huo Zeshen instinctively reached out to touch Lin Juangui's face, but his hands were rough with calluses from training and would surely hurt him. After a moment's thought, Huo Zeshen gave up, simply straightening Lin Juangui's hair instead.

Lin Juangui was very good-looking, looking especially peaceful in his sleep—unlike his usual brooding, almost spectral gloom or the heavy melancholy that shadowed his eyes when he smiled.

Now, he was just an ordinary Omega, tired and asleep in Huo Zeshen's space.

Huo Zeshen knew he should go back to fixing the robot, but Lin Juangui seemed to have a magnetic pull; Huo Zeshen found it hard to leave while watching him.

Lin Juangui was completely unaware that his hand was being slowly held, the back of it lightly brushed by Huo Zeshen's lips.

At first glance, Lin Juangui's hands didn't seem unusual, but unlike ordinary people whose fingertips showed a translucent pinkish glow under light, his did not. Upon closer touch, one could feel the hard steel bones beneath his thin layer of artificial skin.

Huo Zeshen had studied the relevant data and even used his privileges to obtain Lin Juangui's surgical records.

Most of Lin Juangui's body was covered in synthetic skin; it was nothing short of a miracle he'd survived. Huo Zeshen could hardly bear to imagine how he'd feel if he ever heard news of Lin Juangui's sudden death—it would likely leave a lifelong shadow.

For a long time, Huo Zeshen had relied on Lin Juangui's encouragement and kindness to maintain his resolve. Otherwise, he wouldn't have pushed himself so hard to excel in military school but would have sought what he wanted through more subtle means.

Lin Juangui had brought light into Huo Zeshen's life, yet he himself lived in inescapable shadows. Huo Zeshen wanted to help him but felt powerless.

Now that Lin Juangui was taking the initiative, Huo Zeshen had no intention of resisting; he could only surrender to Lin Juangui's pull.

To Huo Zeshen, it was enough that Lin Juangui was still alive.

Gege, is he really worth it?

Huo Zeshen closed his eyes, reining in his turbulent emotions, and gradually calmed himself down.

Lin Juangui slept very deeply this time. Usually, he slept a strict six hours, his sleep light and easily disturbed by the slightest noise outside.

But now he felt mentally replenished, clearly "fully charged."

The bedroom curtains were drawn, blocking out all outside light. Lin Juangui didn't know how long he had slept. He turned on his light-brain, found no important messages, and casually enabled Do Not Disturb mode before getting up and leaving the room.

His clothes were slightly disheveled from sleep, and his somewhat long hair was messily stuck to his cheeks. He caught the aroma of food and saw Huo Zeshen busy in the kitchen.

Huo Zeshen's back was broad, built up from years of training and frontline combat, but he didn't appear top-heavy since his legs were equally sturdy.

Hmm... his backside was quite perky too.

Huo Zeshen heard Lin Juangui's footsteps but didn't turn around until he had finished serving the dishes. When he did, he saw Lin Juangui leaning lazily against the doorframe, his gaze burning.

The blanket had made him feel hot while sleeping, so Lin Juangui had subconsciously undone the top two buttons of his shirt.

His smooth, pale chest suddenly entered Huo Zeshen's line of sight. Huo Zeshen averted his eyes for a moment before looking back at Lin Juangui's face and saying, "Let's eat."

Lin Juangui's smile was now impossible to hide. Huo Zeshen had prepared a pot of creamy white fish soup, a dish of fresh bamboo shoots with beef, and a plate of blanched greens.

"It smells amazing. Are you this skilled at cooking?"

He had heard that households with smart housekeeper systems didn't need to do these tasks manually—robots handled everything. But Huo Zeshen seemed to prefer doing it himself. "It's a form of stress relief. When I cook, I can empty my mind."

Huo Zeshen pulled out a chair for Lin Juangui before taking a seat opposite him.

Lin Juangui seemed to understand Huo Zeshen's perspective. "Having a hobby is quite nice. It can instantly snap you out of work mode. No one can stand being on edge all day long."

Huo Zeshen served Lin Juangui a small bowl of rice, just enough for three or four bites. Lin Juangui said, "Thank you."

Due to his modifications, Lin Juangui could only eat small amounts; his body couldn't digest it well, and it would add to his burden. Huo Zeshen never said it out loud, but his thoughtfulness showed in his actions.

Lin Juangui ate slowly. Before being with Huo Zeshen, as a workaholic, he would finish meals in minutes just to fuel his body—everything was about filling his stomach. Huo Zeshen had said this was bad for his stomach and spent a long time helping him correct the habit.

In relationships, Lin Juangui wasn't stubborn; he was receptive to advice. After all, he knew Huo Zeshen had his best interests at heart. If making an effort could set Huo Zeshen's mind at ease, why not?

But now, Lin Juangui noticed that Huo Zeshen was eating hurriedly.

Lin Juangui didn't point it out immediately. Avoiding conflict at the table was basic etiquette. They put down their chopsticks almost simultaneously. Huo Zeshen got up to clear the dishes, and Lin Juangui followed him to the kitchen.

Huo Zeshen must have washed up while Lin Juangui was asleep. The scent of blood on him had faded significantly, and he had changed into more comfortable loungewear—a soft blue shirt that added an approachable touch. The casually undone buttons and his movements inadvertently revealed a faintly visible necklace on his chest.

Earlier, while cleaning, Lin Juangui had seen broken silver chains scattered on the floor, but he remembered Huo Zeshen having nothing around his neck when they met at the military district. So, he had kept the question to himself.

Now, with another necklace on Huo Zeshen, it was hard not to be curious.

While washing dishes, Huo Zeshen bent slightly, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing sturdy forearms and an unexpectedly domestic air about him.

The pendant on the necklace swayed in the air. Lin Juangui leaned against the counter and observed it closely for a long time, growing more familiar the longer he looked.

Combining what others had told him, Lin Juangui thought for a moment and spoke after Huo Zeshen finished washing the dishes: "Can I see your necklace?"

Huo Zeshen lowered his head slightly and took a few steps toward Lin Juangui. "My hands are wet. You can take it yourself."

Lin Juangui's fingertips brushed Huo Zeshen's collarbone as he pinched the silver chain and gently slid it down, finally seeing the pendant that had piqued his curiosity.

It was a rhombus-shaped pendant wrapped around some unknown fragment. The wiring technique, style, and knotting details were identical to Lin Juangui's childhood habits.

Huo Zeshen had been watching Lin Juangui's expression. Suddenly, a smile appeared on his face, as if he had received a comforting answer.

The room seemed to hold only their breathing. Huo Zeshen broke the silence first: "You gave this to me on the day I differentiated into an Alpha."

Lin Juangui spoke guiltily, "I'm sorry... I've forgotten everything."

Huo Zeshen looked at Lin Juangui silently, wiped his hands dry with a cloth, and then led him to his robot housekeeper. He activated the iris registration program. Lin Juangui asked, puzzled, "What is this for?"

"From now on, you're welcome here anytime."

Lin Juangui was very surprised.

He never hides his emotions in front of Huo Zeshen, wearing his thoughts plainly on his face.

Huo Zeshen didn’t say anything. The iris registration process was simple, and once Lin Juangui finished, there wasn’t much left to do. Lin Juangui watched as Huo Zeshen repeatedly tapped the confirmation button.

“You recognize this necklace, yet you don’t remember what we’ve been through together. You’re not completely ignorant of your past, so you’re still the same person.”

From Huo Zeshen’s perspective, Lin Juangui had been manipulated by Mu Zhang.

Mu Zhang must have done something to make Lin Juangui lose part of his memories—after all, a blank slate is easier to control, isn’t it?

Huo Zeshen’s words made Lin Juangui gaze at him for a long time.

No matter the situation, Huo Zeshen has always been the one who understands Lin Juangui best. Lin Juangui has indeed left many openings in front of him, just as Huo Zeshen has left clues for Lin Juangui to ask and explore.

They are gradually moving closer to each other, peeling away the disguises they show to outsiders and touching the most authentic parts of one another.

The smart assistant had already moved away, and the two were now sitting on the living room carpet. Lin Juangui knew there were some things he absolutely couldn’t say, but Huo Zeshen’s words made him want to pour out all the frustration he’d felt over the years.

Yet, in the end, Lin Juangui could only offer a bitter smile. “I’ve truly forgotten a lot of things. These past few years, I’ve lived in a daze, not even knowing what I want. Only you feel familiar to me, so I want to spend more time with you… You must hate me, right?”

“Yes.”

Huo Zeshen’s answer was resolute. Lin Juangui looked at him for a moment, pursed his lips to hold back the grievance, then curved them into a smile as if comforting himself.

But Huo Zeshen’s next words made Lin Juangui’s eyes light up again. “I hate that you forgot me, that we became like strangers. But when I actually see you, I find I can’t hate you at all. You’re an innocent victim; none of this is your fault.”

What could Huo Zeshen possibly hate about Lin Juangui? Clearly, Lin Juangui is also someone trapped by circumstances, everything controlled tightly by Mu Zhang. What Huo Zeshen hates most is his own powerlessness.

Lin Juangui’s eyes were already slightly moist. Huo Zeshen noticed that Lin Juangui seemed to enjoy being close to him. He reached out and pulled Lin Juangui into his arms. Lin Juangui didn’t resist and even found a comfortable position to rest his head on Huo Zeshen’s shoulder.

Huo Zeshen chuckled softly, as if he had figured something out, and gently rested his chin on Lin Juangui’s head.

“Your story has blank spaces—things even you don’t know. Yet you’ve let others scribble and trample all over those blanks. Are you really okay with your story being distorted and rewritten by someone else?”

Lin Juangui froze. He lifted his head and met Huo Zeshen’s gaze. Huo Zeshen’s expression was gentle as he explained to Lin Juangui, “These are the exact words you said to me back then. I remembered every single one. At that time, I didn’t like to talk; I was quiet and withdrawn. You were the one who pulled me out of the shadows. You shaped a part of who I am.”

“I can’t believe how I treated you back then.”

After learning about Huo Zeshen’s existence, Lin Juangui had intentionally or unintentionally gathered some information. At the time, he didn’t think his pre-amnesia self had a particularly close relationship with Huo Zeshen—at most, it was a plain sponsor-sponsored relationship.

But now it seems he couldn’t suppress his desire to get close to Huo Zeshen, eagerly offering warmth even before Huo Zeshen reached adulthood.

It’s just fate playing tricks. The memories Lin Juangui lost were what others assumed defined everything, but Huo Zeshen saw through it easily. After testing the waters so many times, he finally got the result he wanted.

“Would you like to hear about my childhood?”

Lin Juangui murmured an “mm-hmm” in agreement, seemingly not finding anything inappropriate about their embrace.

Huo Zeshen had never told anyone about his childhood experiences—not because he feared ridicule, but because those things could bring unnecessary trouble.

For example, someone who survived thousands of experiments would inevitably be seen as a monster.

From the moment he could remember, Huo Zeshen and countless other children lived separately in small containers.

Those who couldn’t endure died. After their tubes were removed, they were taken away along with the containers. Over the years, only a handful survived, and Huo Zeshen was one of them.

After the physical function tests ended, these test subjects had their memories erased. They then underwent experiments on human nature.

The research institute would pair two researchers to act as the test subjects’ parents, recording various data.

Huo Zeshen was much more “dull” than the other children. While others already understood concepts like “devotion” and “gratitude,” he was still playing in the mud.

But Huo Zeshen was indeed very intelligent—with an astonishing memory, sensitivity to numbers, and near-perfect recall.

By the end of the second phase, Huo Zeshen barely passed, though his communication skills were still weak. But that didn’t matter; being introverted actually helped the experiments progress, at least he was obedient enough.

For a long time after, Huo Zeshen could hear the two researchers complaining—about how the market was bad and the harvests were poor. Huo Zeshen would nod after listening and work even harder in the fields. It was during this time that he discovered and destroyed the large insect eggs in the family’s vegetable patch.

Later, their third-phase experiment ended abruptly with a complete failure.

Huo Zeshen truly didn’t know what happened. In a coma, his awareness of the outside world was zero. He inexplicably left that awful place, as if in a dream.

Lin Juangui sighed softly. He hadn’t expected Huo Zeshen to have such a difficult past here.

But with these missing pieces filled in, Lin Juangui seemed to understand many things better.

“So, you…”

Lin Juangui didn’t finish his sentence, but Huo Zeshen already nodded in understanding.

By now, the feigned strength and cold hardness Huo Zeshen had shown in previous encounters with Lin Juangui were gone from his face. He lowered his eyes, looking pitiful.

Lin Juangui indeed said with a pained expression, “You’ve been through too much.”

“It wasn’t too hard. Without your support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. But I’m still very sad—it feels like you abandoned me.”

These words made Lin Juangui even more self-reproachful. He hugged Huo Zeshen tightly and said, “No amount of apologies can make up for it. If there’s anything I can help with in the future, just ask, okay?”

But Huo Zeshen only shook his head. “I can get what I need on my own. But…”

Huo Zeshen gripped Lin Juangui’s hand firmly. “I hope you’ll think more about yourself from now on. I want you to be happy.”

As he had many times before, Lin Juangui asked Huo Zeshen why he liked him and why he treated him so well.

“Because you’re good-looking,” Huo Zeshen said, his tone joking.

Lin Juangui scoffed at his lack of seriousness. Huo Zeshen laughed heartily for a moment before lowering his head and speaking to Lin Juangui very seriously:

“It was love at first sight for me. Nothing else matters.”