Chapter 26 Part 1
Even without work, Shi Xu’s internal clock woke him promptly. He didn’t get up immediately, lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind empty.
He enjoyed this state of quiet contemplation, but rarely experienced it. The constantly turning gears in his mind had stopped, and instead of discomfort, he felt a sense of peace, wanting to prolong this rare moment of respite.
No need to think about the Anomaly Management Bureau, no need for overtime, no need to deal with colleagues or subordinates, no need to clean up their messes.
The aroma of food drifting in from under the door finally prompted him to get up.
After killing the S-class pollutant, Gu Sui gained a human form, able to switch between his original form and his human one at will.
He sensed Shi Xu’s preference for his human form, maintaining it in Shi Xu’s presence.
The pollutant learned quickly, adapting to his new body in just two days, his movements coordinated and fluid. His cooking also improved.
For the past two days, Gu Sui had prepared all the meals, no longer the monotonous sandwiches and milk. He varied the menu, ensuring no breakfast was repeated, striving to please Shi Xu, hoping to capture his stomach, then his heart.
Unsure of Shi Xu’s preferences, and Shi Xu himself being unaware, Gu Sui scoured the internet for recipes, compiling them for Shi Xu to choose from, creating a detailed meal plan.
Shi Xu glanced at it, offering no input. Aside from desserts, he didn’t know what he liked. Since someone was willing to cook, why be picky?
Before even entering the kitchen, the sweet aroma made his stomach rumble. He knew this breakfast would be to his liking.
“Wife, you’re awake! Today’s breakfast is pumpkin and corn porridge, peanut milk, and walnut buns!”
The 6’4″ young man wearing a pink apron looked surprisingly natural. Perhaps it was his bright smile, radiating an aura of innocence, the pink enhancing his cuteness.
Smiles were contagious. Shi Xu felt it, but his impeccable control prevented him from outwardly expressing it.
He subtly shifted his gaze from Gu Sui’s smiling face to the plate in his hands.
All three breakfast items could be easily made from pre-made ingredients, but Gu Sui had made them from scratch.
The porridge and peanut milk were simple enough, but the walnut buns, from kneading the dough to preparing the filling, were entirely handmade.
Shi Xu wouldn’t waste time on such a laborious task.
Gu Sui, however, had the time and patience. Since it was for Shi Xu, he wanted to make it perfect, every step imbued with his care.
Shi Xu thought it was a waste of time, but he didn’t reject the gesture.
The walnut bun was thin-skinned and generously filled. A single bite revealed the rich, flavorful filling. Shi Xu finally understood the difference between handmade and frozen buns.
Frozen buns were usually thick-skinned with minimal filling. Shi Xu had never tasted a walnut bun this satisfying.
Gu Sui hadn’t completely ground the walnuts. The filling, made with brown sugar and walnut powder, also contained walnut chunks.
Shi Xu discovered another food he enjoyed, besides desserts: walnuts.
Gu Sui leaned over, his hands on the table, observing Shi Xu. “Is it good?”
Shi Xu nodded. “It’s good.”
Shi Xu usually only said “alright.” This was high praise.
“Eat more if you like it. I made a lot. I only steamed one batch today. The rest are in the refrigerator.” Gu Sui beamed, a dimple appearing on his right cheek.
Shi Xu’s gaze lingered on the dimple.
A face that should have been austere was softened by the dimple, his serious demeanor betrayed by his smile, revealing a hint of silliness.
Gu Sui pointed at the porridge, urging him to eat.
The entire breakfast was sweet, sweeter than usual.
Gu Sui had somehow learned of Shi Xu’s preference for sweets, doubling the sugar. What would be overly sweet for most was perfect for Shi Xu. He enjoyed sweets, the sugar providing energy and a rare moment of pleasure in his otherwise monotonous life.
“Is it good?” The same question.
Shi Xu replied honestly, “It’s good.”
Gu Sui’s smile widened. “Then can you take responsibility for me now?”
Shi Xu: “…”
Even in human form, Gu Sui’s logic remained… unique.
How could he think that cooking a few meals warranted taking responsibility?
Shi Xu’s silence was answer enough. Gu Sui served him two more buns, then dejectedly left the dining room. Shi Xu didn’t stop him.
He understood Gu Sui as much as Gu Sui understood him. Any show of concern would be misinterpreted, encouraging the pollutant’s persistence.
Without the intense gaze on him, Shi Xu enjoyed his breakfast. Midway through, Qi Yu called.
Qi Yu didn’t waste time. “Your father came to see me yesterday.”
The delicious food suddenly tasted bland.
He didn’t need Qi Yu to elaborate. He knew Shi Yan’s purpose.
Still the Lin Zhi incident.
Shi Yan must have sensed his growing independence, resorting to threats, using what he cherished most to force his obedience.
But Shi Yan miscalculated. Qi Yu and Shi Xu trusted each other.
Qi Yu never hid anything from him, sharing everything except personal matters. They had agreed that honesty was the foundation of their friendship, even if it meant straining Shi Xu’s relationship with his father.
Because Qi Yu knew their relationship wasn’t normal.
He even wanted to badmouth Shi Yan further, hoping to awaken Shi Xu, to sever this unhealthy attachment.
“Your father called me useless, a burden, a hindrance to your progress…” Qi Yu was truly angry, his usual chatter now a torrent of frustrated complaints, venting his frustration at Shi Yan’s insults.
“I might not be as capable as you, but I’m not useless! I earned my position as vice-captain! Isn’t your father close to Director Shen? I have no connections or money. With Director Shen’s personality, how could I have gotten this position through connections?!”
“I might not be on the front lines, but I handle the cleanup! Isn’t logistics important? Who else would clean up the mess?! Everyone only sees those on the front lines… Yeah, they look impressive, but who notices us ‘garbage collectors’…”
Shi Xu listened patiently, not interrupting, not agreeing, waiting for Qi Yu to finish. “Did he threaten you?”
“Of course, but I’m not afraid,” Qi Yu chuckled.
Shi Xu: “Really?”
Qi Yu said confidently, “As long as I don’t cause trouble or harm the bureau’s interests, Director Shen will protect me. My ability is valuable. He won’t dismiss me just because of your father’s threats. Your father knows that too. I cut ties with my family long ago. He can’t threaten me directly, so he resorted to verbal abuse. I was actually hoping he would try bribing me…”
Shi Xu: “He wouldn’t use such a cliché tactic.”
Qi Yu: “That’s why I’m disappointed. I really wanted to experience being offered a check. ‘Here’s five million, stay away from my son,’ hahaha…”
Shi Xu chuckled, amused by Qi Yu’s laughter.
“Since he didn’t succeed with me, he’ll probably try to pressure you,” Qi Yu’s laughter faded, his concern evident. “Be careful.”
Shi Xu: “Yes, I know.”
Qi Yu hesitated. “I’ve always been curious about something. Can I ask?”
Shi Xu: “Go ahead.”
Qi Yu: “You don’t seem to love your father that much. Why do you always obey him?”
Shi Xu could easily break free from Shi Yan’s control, but he chose not to, willingly becoming his puppet.
This had always puzzled Qi Yu. He had asked before, but Shi Xu avoided answering. He knew Shi Xu didn’t want to talk about it, so he dropped the subject.
He sometimes felt Shi Xu was self-destructive, waiting until he couldn’t take it anymore, ending his life.
Qi Yu couldn’t accept that possibility, constantly observing Shi Xu, worried about the path he was on.
Shi Xu’s hesitation to return to work made Qi Yu sense a change, emboldening him to ask again.
He expected an answer this time, but Shi Xu just smiled, saying casually, “Perhaps I was foolish before.”
“…” Qi Yu sighed. That was a non-answer.
“Are you still foolish now?” Qi Yu asked.
Shi Xu paused. “No.”
Breakfast ended with their desultory conversation. Shi Xu cleaned the kitchen. Gu Sui hadn’t returned. He found him in the living room, still dejected, lying on the sofa.
As Shi Xu looked at him, Gu Sui lowered his head, amplifying his misery.
He hugged the golden egg, complaining, “Baby, your little dad doesn’t want you. You’re so pitiful, abandoned before even hatching…”
Shi Xu: “…”
He sat on the single-seat sofa furthest away from Gu Sui, picking up a book, pretending to read, ignoring the drama.
Gu Sui observed him from the corner of his eye.
