Chapter 11: Playing It Wild Part 1

Bai Chen Zhu, who had woken up, raised his hand to touch his forehead and only then noticed the IV drip on the back of his hand.

His first thought was that the protagonist had actually saved him?

The ignored Jiang Ye had his hands in his pockets, his upper body slightly bent as he looked down at him, asking in a tone of astonishment and doubt, “You’re not dead? You didn’t mutate?”

Bai Chen Zhu now felt as fragile as if he would shatter with a single squeeze, but he truly hadn’t died or mutated after the infection.

The mismatch with his memories made Jiang Ye confirm once again that Bai Chen Zhu was an unpredictable variable who had popped up from who-knows-where.

His gaze was completely undisguised, that scrutinizing look as if appraising a rare specimen making Bai Chen Zhu instinctively dislike it.

If Bai Chen Zhu weren’t currently sore and weak all over, still feeling feverish and uncomfortable, he would have gotten up right then and kicked Jiang Ye again, letting the sick bastard experience the harshness of the world.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Bai Chen Zhu said expressionlessly.

Jiang Ye stepped closer, staring fixedly at Bai Chen Zhu for several seconds before suddenly feeling a mischievous urge to tease. “As long as you’re still human, that’s fine. You know, food’s been running low in the villa lately. A sickly runt like you wouldn’t last a few days out there anyway. Should I steam you or braise you?”

The same old trick again. Bai Chen Zhu found it amusing and sincerely suggested, “You could eat yourself and be self-sufficient.”

“You’re not as tender and delicate as me,” Jiang Ye replied. He leaned down with one hand propped near Bai Chen Zhu’s ear, closely examining his brows and eyes before suddenly reaching out to grip his jaw and lift it up. “These eyes look like they could talk. How about I dig them out and have a taste?”

From reserve rations to gouging eyes, Jiang Ye’s tone was light and casual, but his words sent chills down the spine, especially in the current state of the world.

Yet Bai Chen Zhu merely looked at him helplessly, as if watching a rowdy kid.

He raised his index finger and pressed it against Jiang Ye’s forehead, pushing him away. The force wasn’t great, and Jiang Ye went along with the motion, releasing his hand and stepping back.

What was this? Jiang Ye couldn’t help but give the man a few more glances.

From their roadside encounter, this guy had been nothing but threats, just trying to make him lose face. Now it was like they were old acquaintances. Bai Chen Zhu was so exasperated he laughed. “Jiang Ye, are you immature or what?”

Immature? Jiang Ye, who had never been described that way before, choked for a moment, feeling a subtle annoyance inside. He straightened up, face taut, and scoffed, “And how much better are you?”

Bai Chen Zhu casually wiped the reddened spot on his jaw with the back of his hand and naturally changed the subject. “So, what’s your plan next? Stay in Jiangzhou City or head somewhere else?”

Perhaps he hadn’t decided yet, or maybe he didn’t want to reveal it to Bai Chen Zhu. Jiang Ye raised a brow noncommittally.

Since he was already on the protagonist’s pirate ship, Bai Chen Zhu decided to play the good guy for once and tried to give him some ‘guidance’. “You could consider Floating Cloud City. It’s not far from here.”

That was the first base after the apocalypse. There, Jiang Ye would build his own faction.

This butterfly was flapping its wings hard to steer the plot back on track, but he didn’t know there was another butterfly in the world besides himself.

Jiang Ye’s expression turned strange. He looked at Bai Chen Zhu with an indescribable look.

After a long pause, he squeezed out, “Why Floating Cloud City?”

Though Bai Chen Zhu knew some of the protagonist’s future path, he couldn’t say it outright—that would only bring disaster upon himself.

He cautiously explained his suggestion. “Floating Cloud City has a small population but all the necessary facilities. It’s easy to defend and hard to attack—a good spot. Especially since the apocalypse just started, going early lets you seize the initiative.”

But Jiang Ye directly blocked his attempt at being helpful.

Jiang Ye dropped the inscrutable demeanor from before and slouched with hands in his pockets, lifting his chin defiantly. “Why should I listen to you?”

“Floating Cloud City, huh? Then I’m not going.”

Those words were truly infuriating, and coming from Jiang Ye, they hit extra hard.

He never expected such a petty response. Bai Chen Zhu’s pupils contracted as he propped himself up with his hands and sat up, staring at the smug Jiang Ye. “You just have to go against me, huh? This isn’t a game.”

Jiang Ye tilted his head, unconcerned. “So what?”

His face wore that punchable ‘come at me if you dare’ expression.

Bai Chen Zhu clenched his fist.

At this point, he was absolutely certain: he just didn’t like this guy!

Coincidentally, Jiang Ye didn’t like him either. Or rather, ever since meeting Bai Chen Zhu, he couldn’t help but tease and probe for his little secrets. Getting him riled up felt fun and satisfying.

Unfortunately, Bai Chen Zhu seemed to have gotten used to his provocations, calmly firing back without missing a beat.

But now, having been called immature, Jiang Ye decided to lean into it fully, feeling utterly pleased.

Seeing that the man had no major issues, Jiang Ye already had a way to mess with him in mind. “If you can walk, get down here and make me some food.”

“Me, cook?” Bai Chen Zhu, still fuming, pointed at himself in disbelief.

Jiang Ye shot back, “Who else? Look at you—can’t lift a shoulder or carry a hand. If you’re not cooking, what use are you? I don’t keep dead weight.”

What did he mean by dead weight? Under the blanket, Bai Chen Zhu’s fiddling with the fabric paused, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes. He was about to speak when footsteps sounded from the stairs.

“Jiang Ye, it’s about to rain. Did you bring in the clothes?” Zhou Zhuo Hua came down in slippers, bossing him around without hesitation.

“Me, do laundry?” Jiang Ye glanced at her, then at Bai Chen Zhu, immediately understanding. He sneered coldly. “Forget it. It’s too late now. I don’t know what time it’ll be by the time you cook. Be up at seven tomorrow morning. I want breakfast ready.”

After issuing his order, the young master sauntered off leisurely.

Bai Chen Zhu gritted his back teeth, wondering when he could jump off this guy’s pirate ship and run.

Zhou Zhuo Hua came downstairs and helplessly took Bai Chen Zhu’s temperature, checked the IV, and adjusted the tube.

She had deliberately sent the other man away.

Bai Chen Zhu appreciated her kindness and said softly, “Thanks.”

“I didn’t do much.” Zhou Zhuo Hua always had extra patience for patients. She sat on the single sofa nearby, adjusted her glasses, and curiously sized up Bai Chen Zhu. “Speaking of which, I’ve met some of Jiang Ye’s friends, but I don’t remember you. What’s the deal between you two? You don’t seem to hate each other, but you’re not exactly close either.”

The topic jumped so quickly. Bai Chen Zhu was caught off guard for a few seconds before reacting.

Seeing his hesitation, Zhou Zhuo Hua spoke first. “Right, I don’t even know your name yet. I’m Jiang Ye’s childhood friend, Zhou Zhuo Hua—the Zhuo Hua from ‘blazing flowers’.”

If Zhou Zhuo Hua hadn’t introduced herself, Bai Chen Zhu might have muddled through.

But now… he mimicked her tone. “My surname is Bai. Name’s Chen Zhu—the Chen Zhu from ‘dusty bamboo’.”

Seeing her lean in to listen, he paused for a moment. “Uh, Jiang Ye and I… we’re like strangers who fought and became acquaintances? More than goodwill, I think he just has that kick-a-man-when-he’s-down mentality.”

After all, they’d started with fists flying; “not hitting it off until we fought” was already sugarcoating it.

“You think of him that way?” Zhou Zhuo Hua raised a brow. “Actually, Jiang Ye might seem rough around the edges, but he’s a good guy. He’ll tease you at most, but he won’t do anything to you.”

“See, he saw you alone on the roadside and brought you back. Sure, he tossed you onto the car door, but when you passed out after coming in, he panicked hard, afraid something serious had happened to you.”

Bai Chen Zhu didn’t know what to say and merely tugged his lips into a smile. “Heh.”

If he hadn’t half-awake overheard that jerk Jiang Ye saying he’d be ‘bad luck if he died’, he might have believed Zhou Zhuo Hua.

Just then, Bai Chen Zhu’s stomach growled twice. He touched it and looked candidly at Zhou Zhuo Hua. “Excuse me, where’s my backpack?”

“It might’ve been left in the car. I’ll look for it later. You must be hungry right now.” Zhou Zhuo Hua remained composed. “You slept so long you missed dinner. There’s stuff in the fridge. Wait a sec.”

She naturally got up, took a bag of frozen dumplings from the sparsely stocked fridge, and rinsed a small pot.

Zhou Zhuo Hua’s cooking was simple: she lit the fire, added water, and once it boiled, dumped in the dumplings, stirring with chopsticks.

Bai Chen Zhu watched her back intently, completely drawn in by the aroma.

By the time the dumplings were done, the IV bag was empty.