A Fake Holy Mother in the Zombie Apocalypse

Bei Nuan was startled. She quickly checked the task list and found that a countdown timer had appeared under the words "Witch's Prayer," along with a small line of explanation:

The new moon grants you a pair of wolf ears. Within eight hours, you will be able to hear the target's inner thoughts.

Bei Nuan was still in shock when she heard Lu Xingchi's voice.

She's so soft.

Bei Nuan: "…"

And so fragrant.

Bei Nuan: "…"

It should be okay to touch her hair, right?

Bei Nuan felt a hand caress the back of her head, gently stroking her hair.

So this ability was real? She could really hear what he was thinking!

Bei Nuan perked up her wolf ears, listening intently to his inner voice.

Sometimes his thoughts were vague and rapid, sometimes not even forming sentences, flashing by too quickly to grasp. Sometimes, however, she could hear them clearly.

Bei Nuan thought to herself: If being closer makes it easier to hear, then this current embracing position is perfect for eavesdropping.

Bei Nuan didn't move, staying nestled against his chest, continuing to listen to his thoughts.

The big boss was thinking:

Kissing the top of her head should be fine too, right? She probably won't even notice.

Bei Nuan focused every nerve on the top of her head, waiting quietly.

After a moment, his inner voice emerged again.

It really is okay. She didn't notice at all. A little slow. Silly.

Bei Nuan: ?

You're the slow one! You're the silly one!

He shifted slightly, adjusting his position, but his hands remained placed in a perfectly gentlemanly manner.

If anyone were to see them at this moment, they wouldn't suspect anything untoward. It would appear as a perfectly innocent, caring hug from an older brother to his younger sister.

But Bei Nuan could hear what he was actually thinking:

What is her little hand touching? It tickles. I can't stand it.

Bei Nuan quickly withdrew her hand from his chest and wrapped it around his waist.

She's hugging my waist. Even more unbearable.

Bei Nuan: "…"

His thoughts flashed by like lightning, but Bei Nuan caught a clear and distinct phrase:

What should I do? I want to kiss her.

I really want to kiss her.

Immediately followed by:

No, I can't.

A moment later.

I still want to kiss her. The door is locked. No one can come in. And there's a comfortable bed here. I really want to push her down on the bed right now, and then…

Bei Nuan was startled: Lu Xingchi, what are you thinking?! You big pervert!

Just as Bei Nuan was about to pull away from him, she suddenly heard his inner voice, echoing the exact thought she'd just had.

Lu Xingchi, what are you thinking? You're such a pervert.

Bei Nuan thought: You know it yourself, huh?

I just swore to her that I wouldn't pressure her, that she could come to me for a hug whenever she felt uncomfortable, and now, just a few minutes later, I want to push her down on the bed. This is unacceptable.

The big boss is quite disciplined, Bei Nuan thought, and then she heard him continue thinking—

Besides, this isn't the right time. Isn't she… these past couple of days?

Bei Nuan quickly pulled herself out of his embrace.

"Don't need a hug anymore? Enough?" Lu Xingchi released her, his expression calm and unreadable.

"No, thank you." Bei Nuan took a step back.

"Oh, as you wish. Feel free to come find me next time you need a hug."

Lu Xingchi stood up, giving her a small smile. He even reached out and ruffled her hair casually.

From his calm tone, to his gentle gaze, to his reserved posture, he looked every bit like a good friend offering a shoulder to lean on, a caring older brother.

Absolutely no one would have guessed the thoughts that had just been running through his mind.

Bei Nuan felt a surge of admiration for him.

His face truly didn't betray a single thing. He was too good, too skilled at pretending.

Definitely a role model in the hidden wolf world.

As Bei Nuan turned to leave, she could still faintly hear his inner voice, though the sound was a bit muffled by the distance:

I did pretty well just now, right? She'll come to me again next time she wants a hug, won't she? She probably will. I have to stay calm, play the long game to catch the big fish…

Bei. Big Fish. Nuan quickly slipped out the door.

After closing the door behind him, silencing his thoughts, Bei Nuan finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Being able to hear someone else's thoughts was truly terrifying.

It was better to stay far away from him and not eavesdrop.

Once she was gone, Lu Xingchi leaned back on the bed and picked up a book, but he couldn't focus.

His mind was full of Bei Nuan.

Lu Xingchi reviewed the events of the past few days in his mind.

The reborn Xie Yuanqing and Old Hu hadn't said anything good about Bei Nuan's future.

Lu Xingchi's thoughts had changed. He no longer felt comfortable leaving her alone in a place where he couldn't see her, yet due to the mission, he was leading her, step by step, towards her destined path.

But many things were different now.

The biggest difference was Bei Nuan herself.

A person's choices determined their fate. What happened in the past wouldn't necessarily repeat itself.

Lu Xingchi suddenly remembered the casino owner Qiu Ji's words: I believe in probability, and I also believe in miracles. Look, the miracle I believe in is standing right in front of me.

Lu Xingchi didn't know that the numerous secrets he'd painstakingly guarded about Bei Nuan were just a hair's breadth away from being completely revealed to her.

Bei Nuan went downstairs and saw that Jiang Fei and the others had diligently cleaned and organized the kitchen and were preparing lunch.

There was electricity here, so the rice cooker could be taken out of the dimensional space. Bei Nuan could smell the fragrant rice that had already been cooked.

Bei Nuan greeted them and walked over, listening carefully.

Apart from normal sounds, she couldn't hear anything else.

It seemed that this task, using something from Lu Xingchi, only allowed her to hear Lu Xingchi's thoughts.

Jiang Fei had just asked Bei Nuan for a box of fatty beef, which was now thawed. Du Ruo was slicing onions, and Tang Tang had washed the broccoli. It looked like they were planning to make beef and rice bowls.

Jiang Fei blanched the beef slices, then heated oil in a wok, stir-frying the onion slices and the blanched beef.

The aroma of stir-fried food immediately filled the first floor.

Bei Nuan didn't want to eavesdrop on Lu Xingchi's thoughts, but not long after, he emerged from his room.

As soon as Lu Xingchi came to Bei Nuan's side, she distinguished his inner voice amidst the sizzling of the wok.

The kitten is hungry again.

Bei Nuan quickly touched her face: Was it that obvious?

This won't do.

Bei Nuan: ? What won't do?

I have to do something. Preferably something complex that showcases my cooking skills. It's a pity I'm not confident about many dishes yet…

Bei Nuan was startled and grabbed Lu Xingchi's arm.

"Hmm?" Lu Xingchi looked down at her.

A large watermelon suddenly appeared in Bei Nuan's hand.

Because she'd taken it out too hastily, and the watermelon was heavy, it almost slipped from her grasp the moment it appeared.

Lu Xingchi reacted quickly, catching the watermelon for her. "What's wrong?"

"I suddenly really, really want to eat watermelon. Your knife skills are excellent. Could you cut it for everyone?"

She said my knife skills are excellent.

Lu Xingchi took the watermelon, smiling at Bei Nuan. "Okay. No problem."

How should I cut it to best display my knife skills?

Bei Nuan quickly said, "Just cut it into small pieces."

Jiang Fei, while filling bowls with rice and beef, asked in confusion, "Aren't we about to eat? Why do you suddenly want to eat watermelon?"

Bei Nuan replied, "Who says you can't eat watermelon before a meal? I just suddenly felt like it. Is that a problem?"

Lu Xingchi's voice suddenly popped into her head.

She retorted! She retorted! Happy.

Bei Nuan: "…"

Big boss, do you have to be so childish?

Bei Nuan glanced up at Lu Xingchi. His expression was indifferent, as if he was concentrating on washing the watermelon in the kitchen sink.

There was no indication whatsoever of what he was thinking.

He's really good at pretending.

Lu Xingchi washed the watermelon and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

His knife skills were indeed excellent. The red watermelon pieces looked as if they had just come off a standardized production line, neatly arranged on the plate.

I wonder if she's satisfied.

Bei Nuan reached out, took a piece, and popped it into her mouth. Immediately, she grabbed another, her mouth full as she mumbled, "Lu Xingchi, you're amazing. It's like they were cut by a machine."

Lu Xingchi smiled at Bei Nuan.

Bei Nuan, fully expecting to hear something like "Being praised, happy," as his inner thought, instead heard him say:

Her lips are stained with watermelon juice. They look so sweet and delicious. If only there weren't other people here…

Bei Nuan quickly wiped her mouth with her hand and grabbed Lu Xingchi's arm. "The food is ready. Let's eat."

She grabbed my arm with the hand she just wiped her watermelon juice with…

Bei Nuan quickly let go, but heard him continue:

…So clueless and messy. So cute.

Bei Nuan: ?

Jiang Fei called everyone to the dining table, bringing over bowl after bowl of beef and rice.

Bei Nuan sat down, and Jiang Fei placed a large bowl piled high with beef slices and onions in front of her.

He gave her the bowl with the most beef. Hmph, don't think I didn't notice.

Bei Nuan looked down at the thin, curled slices of beef in her bowl, then at the others': Really?

He smiled at her.

He deliberately tilted his head fifteen degrees to the left and smiled at her. It's always this angle, showing off the corner of his eyes and the bridge of his nose. It also makes him look tender and affectionate. Hmph.

Bei Nuan: ???

Really?

Bei Nuan now realized that Big Boss Lu, who usually seemed cold and taciturn, was actually quite the chatterbox in his mind.

Bei Nuan focused on eating. The beef was tender and smooth, the sauce flavorful, and the rice was soaked in the delicious juices. Jiang Fei's cooking was impeccable.

Du Ruo and Tang Tang were chatting at the table, telling jokes and making everyone laugh uproariously. Their loud voices drowned out Lu Xingchi's inner thoughts.

After the meal, Bei Nuan, who hadn't cooked, and Lu Xingchi washed the dishes together.

Standing by the sink, Bei Nuan had just rolled up her sleeves when she suddenly heard his voice.

I wonder if she's still in pain.

There are only men here. She won't say anything even if she's in pain.

Lu Xingchi placed his hands on Bei Nuan's shoulders and moved her away from the sink. "Go sit down. I'll wash the dishes."

Bei Nuan asked knowingly, "Why?"

Lu Xingchi replied indifferently, "I have very high standards for dishwashing. If you wash them once, I'll have to wash them again. It's too much trouble."

However, what Bei Nuan heard in his mind was: She came running over, so silly, rolling up her sleeves ready to wash dishes. The water is so cold. Her stomach will hurt again later.

He was clearly being considerate, but he wouldn't say it outright. Bei Nuan was a little touched.

Lu Xingchi pushed her towards the sofa. "Practice for a couple more years, and when you're up to par, I'll let you wash."

His inner voice, however, said:

No need to practice. I don't mind washing them all myself from now on.

Du Ruo and the others started another round of Werewolf. Bei Nuan played with them for a while, and Lu Xingchi joined them after finishing the dishes.

He didn't look for a seat but sat directly on the armrest of the sofa next to Bei Nuan, his hand resting on the back of the sofa behind her.

Bei Nuan looked back at him warily. "Are you sitting here so you can peek at my cards?"

Lu Xingchi curled his lips, his tone incredibly smug. "Your cards are written all over your face. Do I need to peek?"

He usually only needed to observe their expressions and listen to their statements to figure out what cards they had, guessing correctly almost every time.

Even Bei Nuan, with her now extensive experience in dealing with him and her efforts to remain expressionless, could still be read by him with near-perfect accuracy.

But this time was different.

Bei Nuan was even better than him, dominating the game.

He was so close, practically half-embracing her. If Bei Nuan leaned slightly, she could rest against him.

So even though Du Ruo and the others were a bit noisy, she could still hear his inner thoughts clearly.

He was good at reading people, and his inner voice would completely reveal whether he had a good guy card or a wolf card. The result was that Bei Nuan effortlessly grasped everyone's identity in the game.

Winning was a piece of cake.

Even Du Ruo was shocked. "Bei Nuan, how did you suddenly become so good? Little Lu Xingchi?"

Bei Nuan was dissatisfied. "What 'Little Lu Xingchi'? It sounds like he's his son."

Lu Xingchi's voice suddenly popped up:

Not Lu Xingchi's son, but Lu Xingchi's wife.

Bei Nuan: ?

Du Ruo was still unconvinced, believing that Bei Nuan's sudden improvement must be due to some special trick.

"Really, Bei Nuan, teach me. How did you figure out everyone's identity?"

"Of course, it's by listening to the tone of their voices, observing their micro-expressions and small movements…" Bei Nuan felt a little guilty and gave up. "…I'm just talking nonsense. I was just guessing blindly. I'm just really lucky today."

Du Ruo was incredulous. "Blind guessing works? That's amazing!"

Lu Xingchi's hand suddenly landed on Bei Nuan's shoulder.

Of course. My wife.

Bei Nuan: ?

Was there such a thing as a unilateral declaration of marriage?

But he was just thinking it, not saying it out loud. There was no way to refute it.

Du Ruo looked suspiciously at Bei Nuan, then at Lu Xingchi behind her. "I get it. You two are sitting so close. Don't tell me you're cheating together?"

Lu Xingchi replied casually, "Of course not. Whoever cheats, I curse them to eat cassava every day."

Bei Nuan, who had been secretly cheating the entire time: "…"

Big boss, do you have to be so ruthless?

Couldn't you curse them to eat something else every day? Chocolate ice cream or something? Crayfish and lamb skewers would be fine too.

They spent the entire afternoon playing Werewolf and other card games. Bei Nuan, relying on eavesdropping on Lu Xingchi, won a large pile of chips.

They messed around like this until dinner time.

Bei Nuan piled up the dried cassava chips she had won on the coffee table, not forgetting to warn, "This pile is mine. Nobody touch it!"

Du Ruo rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't take them even if you gave them to me."

For dinner, Jiang Fei made red bean rice and stewed a large pot of red date, longan, and black chicken soup.

Everyone joined Bei Nuan in replenishing their "blood."

It was quite late after dinner. With no internet or TV, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

The curtains were blackout curtains, and there were security shutters that completely covered the windows. They had already been lowered. Lu Xingchi had specifically gone out to check, and the effect was quite good. No light could be seen from outside.

However, to be safe, only a small lamp was turned on in the room.

Lu Xingchi escorted Bei Nuan back to her room. "Don't be afraid. I'm staying next door. Knock on the wall if you need anything."

His inner voice added: You can knock on the wall anytime, call me over to sleep with you, no problem at all.

Bei Nuan looked at him silently.

Lu Xingchi, do you know you've completely exposed your true nature?

He walked around Bei Nuan's room, checking the windows and pulling the curtains, appearing cool and reserved, as if he wasn't interested in anything.

What Bei Nuan heard in her ears, however, was:

This bed is really nice. Plenty of room for two people.

It's big enough to roll around freely.

If I offered to stay and keep her company, would she refuse?

Bei Nuan suddenly spoke, "Lu Xingchi, aren't you leaving?"

See? She's so cold and heartless. Sleeping with her like last night is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Bei Nuan couldn't help but smile.

She smiled. She smiled so cutely. I really want to… right now.

"Hurry up, hurry up." Bei Nuan didn't wait for him to finish his thoughts and pushed him out of the room.

"Goodnight." Lu Xingchi stood at the door, hands in his pockets, his tone cool and calm.

"Goodnight." Bei Nuan closed the door.

Just before the door closed, Bei Nuan heard it again.

I really like her…

It was a straightforward, genuine confession. Bei Nuan blushed when she heard it.

But…

But what?

Bei Nuan quickly opened the door again.

"Something wrong?" Lu Xingchi was about to leave when he heard the door open. He stopped and turned to look at her.

Bei Nuan perked up her ears and listened, but there was silence, nothing at all.

"What is it?" Lu Xingchi asked softly.

Bei Nuan suddenly realized and pulled up the task list.

Under "Witch's Prayer," the eight-hour countdown timer had indeed stopped, returning to a row of zeros.

So what was he "but"-ing about?

"Nothing." Bei Nuan closed the door again, dejectedly.

She walked back to the bed, flopped down, and bit the corner of the blanket, tossing and turning, restless.

Hearing half a sentence was worse than not hearing it at all.

Lu Xingchi waited for Bei Nuan to close the door, then turned and continued towards his own room, thinking: But, I must keep a close eye on her. I can't let her repeat the mistakes of the Bei Nuan from the previous life.

The next day, since they didn't need to travel, Bei Nuan slept soundly until she woke up naturally.

After getting ready and going downstairs, she found that the others were already awake and had even eaten breakfast. No one had called her.

"There's nothing to do, no need to rush to get up. We wanted you to sleep in," Jiang Fei explained, serving Bei Nuan a bowl of red date porridge with brown sugar.

Bei Nuan's attention was caught by something else.

She stared at the coffee table, puzzled. "Where are my chips?"

The coffee table, where she had left a pile of baked cassava chips yesterday, was now empty.

"Du Ruo, don't tell me you were hungry and ate my chips?"

Du Ruo immediately protested, "I wouldn't eat your chips when I could have Jiang Fei's super delicious red date porridge. Are you crazy?"

That was strange.

The chips were clearly on the coffee table yesterday, but today they had vanished into thin air.

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

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