Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Han Zhang was an orphan in his previous life, abandoned shortly after birth.

He was healthy, young, and good-looking, so he was quickly adopted.

Unfortunately, his first adoptive parents had a biological child less than a year after taking him in, and he was naturally sent back to the orphanage.

The adoptive parents that followed also, for various reasons, ultimately chose to abandon him.

As a result, Han Zhang was pretty mature for his age and understood sooner than most that in life, one could only rely on oneself, and he found it difficult to fully open his heart to others.

After experiencing the complexities of society and the cruelty of the apocalypse, it got even harder for him to really open up to anyone.

Even back when he liked Shen Qinglan, he still held something back.

When he had given his husband the mutated plant to protect him, Han Zhang had actually hesitated.

After all, his ability was way too freakish for this era, and Lan Ge'er was a true ancient person. He was really afraid his husband would see him as a "monster" and ruin the happy life they had now.

But in the end, he chose to take the risk.

Because more than being afraid of his husband fearing him, he was afraid of Chang Gongjun harming his husband.

As long as one was alive, there was always a chance to make things right;

But once dead, that was eternal pain and regret.

But logic was logic—when it actually happened, Han Zhang couldn't help but feel regret and fear. He couldn't stand the idea of his husband being scared of him.

But now, the truth told him his worries were all for nothing.

His husband loved him, always wholeheartedly and completely, and even if he might be a monster, his husband was willing to accept him anyway...

Han Zhang looked at the person still acting all clingy like usual, feeling his whole heart melt, warm and full, making his voice go hoarse with emotion.

"Husband, you saw everything earlier today, right? You... you're not scared of me?"

"Of course I was scared... The way it killed people was horrifying. I was scared out of my wits at the time. I'd never seen anything like that in my life. So... so much blood everywhere."

Shen Qinglan didn't hide how he really felt when he heard this, pouting, looking all wronged.

He had really been terrified by that bloody massacre scene.

"But if it hadn't been for it, I would've died. I... I don't know what my husband really is, but I know my husband has always been genuine with me. To go so far as to expose a secret like that to protect me shows how much I matter to you."

"There are good people and bad people, and there are good demons and bad demons too. As long as my husband treats me sincerely, what does it matter if you're human or demon?"

"I've bowed to heaven and earth with my husband, and heaven hasn't punished us—that means it approves of us being together. I love my husband, I really, really love you... So no matter who you are, I'll be your husband."

Shen Qinglan hugged Han Zhang's waist tightly as he spoke, also afraid he might leave him, his voice choked up: "You also said you only love me and would cherish me for life. You can't break your promise."

Han Zhang listened to this wholehearted confession from the person in his arms, his eyes getting hot uncontrollably.

His heart was filled with a happiness he'd never felt before.

Maybe to outsiders, his husband seemed to have nothing going for him besides his face, and even had a bit of a spoiled and wild temper, seemingly not a good match for him—he could easily find a better husband.

But to him, whether it was godlike looks, a gentle and caring personality, or a powerful family background... none of it compared to his husband's heart for him.

Because this kind of wholehearted love was something he'd never had before.

Han Zhang held him tightly, and after a long while, asked hoarsely: "Do you want to know the truth, husband?"

"Can I know it?"

Shen Qinglan looked at him with pleading eyes, his eyes full of "I really want to know," but also afraid that if his husband revealed the secret, it would bring trouble—after all, that's how it always happens in the storybooks.

A human and a demon being in love was against the laws of heaven. Once the identity was exposed, heavenly soldiers or demon hunters would show up to break them apart!

He didn't want to be apart from his husband.

Han Zhang saw what his husband couldn't hide on his face, and all his sadness vanished. He couldn't help chuckling and pinching the other's cheek, saying:

"Don't overthink it. Your husband isn't a monster—I'm a real, genuine human being."

"Huh? Then what was that I saw earlier today...?"

Han Zhang gathered his thoughts before explaining: "That was my Power—a very special kind of ability. It's complicated to explain in detail, but you can think of it as a Taoist or monk's spell, or a demon's magic. That works too."

"I'm actually not a person from this world. I'm from another world, and my name is Han Zhang. The world I'm from is very different from this one..."

He did his best to explain where he came from using words his husband could understand.

Whether it was the wild and imaginative modern technology or the bizarre apocalypse, both were beyond Shen Qinglan's imagination, making his jaw drop.

In the end, Han Zhang picked up a brush and drew two simple pictures of the modern world and the apocalypse, which finally made it feel real to Shen Qinglan.

"No wonder my husband thinks so differently from other men of this era..."

Shen Qinglan couldn't help but sigh in amazement after hearing it all, then reached up and touched Han Zhang's face, saying worriedly: "That apocalypse sounds terrifying—not just lacking food and water, but there were horrible monsters like that too. Good thing my husband came over."

"Yeah, good thing I came here." Han Zhang held his lover's slightly cool hand, his eyes soft. "So I could meet my husband."

Shen Qinglan felt a little shy under his gaze, then suddenly remembered something and blinked curiously, asking:

"Then... what did my husband look like originally? How old are you? Had you... had you ever been married?"

When he got to the last question, the young lad clearly got upset again.

Because based on what his husband had said—studying and building a career, then ruling the apocalypse—his age definitely couldn't be young.

If so... his husband might not just have been married before—he might even have kids by now!

His husband's thoughts were written all over his face.

How could Han Zhang not see that?

He was indeed a bit guilty about his age in his past life, but when it came to romance, he could be completely confident.

"In my past life, I was indeed much older than you..." He glossed over the age issue, then quickly changed the subject: "My appearance was about the same as now, just more mature. But I never got married."

"Why is that?"

Shen Qinglan tilted his head, confused.

Han Zhang said with a helpless smile: "Like I told you, I was an orphan. I never lacked food or clothing, but to have a better life, I had to rely on my own efforts."

"I'm a driven person. When I was studying, I just buried my head in my books, and before I even graduated from college, I was already thinking about starting a business. I was so busy every day that I didn't have time for anything else."

By the time he achieved success and wanted to find someone to share his life with, none suited his taste. Then the apocalypse came, and survival itself was a struggle—how could there be room for romance?

Shen Qinglan was still puzzled: "The sages say, first establish a family, then a career. Why didn't you seek a good wife first before pursuing your ambitions? Wouldn't remaining unmarried for so long invite gossip?"

You couldn't blame him for thinking that way—after all, in ancient times, marriage and offspring were the utmost priority. Having no heirs was considered the gravest filial impiety, even ranking above official career.

Han Zhang didn't find his husband's questions excessive and patiently explained:

"Because I'm attracted to men. In my world, there were only men and women, no men who could bear children. Without children as a bond between two men, relationships rarely lasted long. I'm quite picky—I'd rather have none than settle for less—so I stayed single all along..."

Actually, his moral standards weren't that high—he just wanted to stay alive.

As everyone knew, that scene was way too messy. Finding someone who was both beautiful and innocent while also fitting his type was genuinely difficult.

"I see..." Shen Qinglan nodded, then his eyes suddenly lit up with excitement: "So that means, in your eyes, I must look like a celestial being with god-tier looks?"

Though he'd always known he was handsome, his husband had seen countless beauties in his past life without being moved, yet had fallen for him at first sight—he was something else!

Han Zhang couldn't help but laugh at his husband's train of thought going off the rails and played along, coaxing: "Yes, in my eyes, my husband is the most beautiful person in this world. Even the most stunning beauties couldn't compare to a single smile from you."

"Really? Then... I'll smile more for you from now on, so you can see your fill."

Shen Qinglan's eyes sparkled like they were filled with stars, practically glowing with happiness. He hugged Han Zhang's waist, nuzzling his head against his chest, totally thrilled by the compliment.

But he forgot about the injuries on his forehead and shoulder, and immediately teared up and winced: "Ouch... husband, it hurts."

"Now you know it hurts?" Han Zhang was both worried and exasperated, letting warm energy gather at his fingertips and gently brushing over the wounds. "I told you to just put on a show, but you actually went and hurt yourself like this? You brought this on yourself."

Though it sounded like a scolding, Shen Qinglan felt a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, but still hurriedly stopped him:

"Husband, we gotta commit to the act. These are just superficial wounds—nothing serious. If you heal them now, wouldn't all the pain I endured before be wasted?"

Han Zhang teased him in response: "So if it leaves a scar, you'd be okay with that?"

Shen Qinglan cared about his looks more than anything and certainly wouldn't want that, but to escape the persecution of Chang Gongjun, he'd rather ruin his face.

The young lad looked at him pleadingly: "Then if I become ugly, would you stop loving me?"

"Of course not—I'd love you no matter what you look like."

Han Zhang kissed his beloved tenderly and said softly: "But you're right, this suffering shouldn't be in vain. Keep the wounds as they are, and I'll ease the pain for you, alright?"

"Alright!" Shen Qinglan's eyes curved into crescents immediately, eagerly leaning his shoulder forward. "This hurts the most—ease it here first!"

The way he trusted him completely, eyes shining with adoration, made Han Zhang's lips curl upward uncontrollably.