Chapter 21
The unfamiliar sensation jolted Shi Xu awake. Although the black worm was dead, the paralyzing toxins lingered, immobilizing him. He could only move his eyes, observing the being beside him.
It was then he realized the being emitted a pollutant’s voice, but the familiar transparent jellyfish was gone, replaced by a refined, handsome face.
Black hair, golden eyes, pale but not sickly skin, features with a Western depth yet a subtle Eastern softness, a harmonious blend, like a masterpiece, captivating at first glance.
Aside from the golden eyes, Shi Xu couldn’t find any trace of the pollutant he knew.
If it hadn’t announced itself, he wouldn’t have recognized it. He couldn’t reconcile this beautiful man with the clumsy pollutant.
It had been a while since Shi Xu felt this disoriented.
His throat bobbed as he exhaled, his voice weak. “How did you become like this?”
The pollutant wiped the last tear from Shi Xu’s eye, his finger lingering, unwilling to move until ordered.
Fortunately, Shi Xu was focused on his transformation, not noticing the subtle gesture. He could continue touching Shi Xu for a little longer.
“I… gained power… after killing… the S-class pollutant…” the pollutant confessed.
Pollutants could evolve by killing or consuming their own kind. Most preferred the simple, brutal act of consumption, but this SSS-class pollutant didn’t, especially after meeting Shi Xu.
“If… eat, must… eat Wife…”
The pollutant’s words became increasingly absurd. Shi Xu interrupted, “If that’s all it takes to become human, why did you steal that mannequin?”
Recalling the mangled mannequin, the pollutant felt a pang of guilt. “Didn’t… encounter… S-class… before.”
Pollutants were numerous, but high-level ones were rare.
Before meeting Shi Xu, it had no desire to become human, nor did it know how. Perhaps its desire was so strong that killing the S-class pollutant granted it the necessary power.
“I see…” Shi Xu breathed, staring at the pollutant’s face.
Even by Shi Xu’s standards, it was a flawless face. Having become human, the pollutant’s unique aura vanished. No one would guess its true nature.
“Wife, do… you… like… me… like this?” The pollutant, noticing his gaze, leaned closer, his face inches from Shi Xu’s.
If he had the strength, Shi Xu would have pushed him away.
He closed his eyes. “Stay away from me.”
The pollutant: “…”
Wuwuwu, even after becoming human, Wife was still cold.
But Wife’s voice, even when scolding him, sounded so pleasant.
He wanted to embrace Shi Xu, to feel his warmth with his newly acquired human hands, but he didn’t dare. Shi Xu would be angry.
“Wife, are… you… hurt? Should… I take you… to the hospital?”
Reminded by the pollutant, Shi Xu remembered the impending trouble.
Tan Xiao’s backup would arrive soon. He didn’t want them to see him like this.
He took a breath. “Take me home.”
The pollutant’s eyes lit up, as if Shi Xu had uttered the most beautiful words.
Shi Xu paused, seeing the pollutant’s conflicted expression. “Your injuries…”
“It’s fine,” Shi Xu’s voice softened involuntarily. “The toxins will wear off.” He wasn’t injured, just temporarily paralyzed.
Footsteps approached in the distance. Shi Xu urged, “Don’t just stand there, carry me.”
“Okay!” The pollutant’s voice cracked with excitement, but he handled Shi Xu gently, not running at his usual speed, moving swiftly yet carefully, disappearing from the ruins in a blink.
To avoid being seen, the pollutant steered clear of crowded areas, taking less-traveled paths, expertly avoiding any onlookers.
“Wife, are… you… hurt?”
Shi Xu had already answered, but the pollutant seemed genuinely concerned, repeating the question.
Shi Xu wasn’t annoyed, but he didn’t want to answer again. He was tired, even speaking felt like a chore.
“If… Wife… hurts, I… blow… on it…”
Shi Xu’s lips twitched, a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Where did it learn such childishness?
He opened his heavy eyelids. The pollutant continued walking, his gaze fixed on Shi Xu, yet expertly avoiding obstacles.
Those eyes seemed designed to watch him, now filled with anticipation.
Shi Xu understood. The pollutant wanted to blow on his injuries, and if allowed, to lick them.
He licked his dry lips, realizing his thoughts were being influenced by the pollutant.
He wouldn’t have entertained such absurd notions before.
“Wife…”
Before the pollutant could say anything more distracting, Shi Xu interrupted, “Shut up, let me rest.”
The pollutant smiled, his eyes crinkling. “Okay, I… listen… to Wife.”
Shi Xu paused, closing his eyes.
The arms carrying him were strong and steady. He felt no jostling. The moment he was held, his body stiffened.
He was acutely aware of the being holding him, its structure similar to his own, but its body temperature much higher, its heartbeat much faster.
Pollutants usually smelled of decay and stench, but this SSS-class pollutant didn’t. A faint lemon scent lingered on him, the same scent as Shi Xu’s shower gel.
Did pollutants know about hygiene?
The question barely formed before he answered it himself: It had cleaned itself to make a good impression, to be presentable for him.
Not human, yet more considerate than many.
Most importantly, it obeyed him.
Affected by the worm’s toxins, Shi Xu dreamt again, still plagued by nightmares of his brother.
His brother grabbed him, pleading for his companionship, trying to pull him into the rift, to fulfill their childhood promise.
Shi Xu didn’t resist. He knew it was a dream. He couldn’t fulfill his brother’s wish in reality, so he would do so in his dreams.
He had always thought this way, allowing his dream-self to be manipulated by his brother.
Just as he was about to succumb to the darkness, a warm hand grabbed him, pulling him back.
Shi Xu jolted awake, back in reality.
He was lying on his sofa. The human-formed pollutant knelt beside him, clutching his hand, his eyes filled with infatuation and excitement.
Shi Xu, fully awake, tried to pull his hand away, but the grip was too tight.
Frustration surged within him. “Let go!”
The excitement in the pollutant’s eyes faded. It loosened its grip slightly, waiting for Shi Xu to withdraw his hand.
It explained, its voice laced with grievance and feeling wronged, “I… didn’t… sexually harass… Wife. Wife… sexually harassed… me…”
Shi Xu: “…”
In normal terms, the pollutant hadn’t initiated the contact. He had grabbed the pollutant’s hand.
Understanding this, Shi Xu felt dizzy.
He had reached for the pollutant?
After seven years of nightmares, he had never wanted to escape, until now. He wanted to end this recurring torment.
And he had longed for a pollutant to save him.
