Chapter 15: The Mortal World

"Help me..."

"Help me..."

A bloodstained head toppled before him, its gouged-out eyes staring fixedly at Mu Yu.

Within those dark, empty sockets, it seemed as though countless pale hands were reaching out toward Mu Yu.

"Help me..."

...

"Ah!"

Mu Yu jolted awake, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.

Gentle morning light flowed through the open window, bringing with it the fresh scent of dew, softly caressing Mu Yu’s face.

From downstairs, the irresistible aroma of steamed buns drifted up, mingling with the sounds of elderly folks exercising in the early hours.

It was somewhat disruptive to his dreams, yet the hum of daily life soothed the soul.

Only after a long moment did Mu Yu exhale deeply, his tense muscles finally relaxing.

"Was it just a dream?"

He tried to sit up, hoping to calm himself, but discovered his left arm was unusually heavy.

A petite figure was snuggled tightly against his arm, sleeping soundly, as if savoring some delicious treat in her dreams—a glistening thread of drool at the corner of her mouth.

Though the bed was more than big enough, the two of them had squeezed together, leaving half the mattress empty.

She was a high school student, but looked so much like a child.

Mu Yu gazed at Gu Zi’s cherubic, ever-so-slightly plump cheeks, unable to resist giving her a gentle pinch.

Gu Zi brushed his hand away in annoyance, murmured in her sleep, turned over, and continued dreaming.

Feeling the numbness in his left arm, Mu Yu could only smile helplessly as he slipped quietly out of bed and dressed.

He closed the bedroom door behind him, stretched luxuriously, and felt as if life had returned to his body.

This is what normal life is supposed to be... or is it?

Mu Yu was startled to see Mu Qing sitting on the sofa, staring at him with a world-weary expression.

"Up so early today? That’s not like you, little lazy pig."

Mu Yu clicked his tongue in surprise, ruffled Mu Qing’s messy hair, and headed toward the bathroom.

"Hah, did you sleep well last night? I was so scared I couldn’t fall asleep," came a resentful complaint from behind.

Mu Yu brushed his teeth, chatting indistinctly with Mu Qing.

"What, afraid I’d gobble up your classmate? Tsk tsk, let me tell you, your mother’s given me unlimited supervision rights. If you dare start a puppy love affair, I’ll break your legs."

"Love affair my foot!"

Mu Qing landed a swift, powerful jab to Mu Yu’s side.

"She’s not... ugh!" Mu Qing faltered, unable to explain, feeling that the more she tried, the worse it sounded. She poked Mu Yu’s waist repeatedly, her face crumbling.

"Alright, enough, I didn’t do anything to her."

Mu Yu brushed off the offending hand and rinsed his face with cold water.

"Huh? Big brother, you don't feel anything?" Mu Qing was surprised to find her usual trick ineffective—normally, Mu Yu’s waist was so ticklish that a couple of pokes would have him in stitches, but now he was completely unfazed.

"Well... sometimes people just grow up," Mu Yu replied, a bit puzzled himself, but soon waved it off.

After what happened yesterday, what could possibly surprise Mu Yu anymore?

"What do you want for breakfast? I’ll make it."

"Sandwiches! Oat and millet porridge!"

At the mention of Mu Yu cooking, Mu Qing instantly abandoned her dignity, putting on a fawning expression like a kitten waiting to be fed.

"Oat and millet porridge? Do you have any idea how long that takes to cook? Go downstairs and buy some yourself."

"But Aunt Wang’s porridge isn’t as tasty as yours!"

"Pfft, how ungrateful—if Aunt Wang heard that, she’d tear your mouth off. Go on, grab some money from the drawer."

Mu Yu gave the reluctant Mu Qing a gentle nudge.

"Get three servings, don’t forget."

"I won’t!"

As Mu Qing’s footsteps faded away, Mu Yu busied himself in the kitchen, a barely noticeable smile tugging at his lips.

To be alive—it’s a wonderful thing.

Before long, the rich scent of breakfast wafted through the kitchen door, filling the home with warmth.

Gu Zi rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat up.

"Wow, I haven’t slept that well in ages..."

She stared dumbly at the quilt she was hugging.

Is this mine?

Oh no, oh no, oh no!

Realizing what had happened, Gu Zi buried her flushed face in the quilt.

She’d meant to stay awake until dawn, but she actually fell asleep! It must be the fault of that comfortable bed!

She pounded the mattress in frustration.

"Huh?"

She noticed a dampness on her hand and instinctively wiped her face.

It's over...

They must have seen.

Well, guess it’s time to silence the witnesses.

The "boy" covered his face, feeling as if the world had turned bleak.

Then, right on cue, her stomach rumbled.

"Ugh, so disappointing!"

She patted her stomach, scolding herself righteously.

But—it did smell amazing.

Unable to resist, Gu Zi crept out of bed, following the scent to the door.

Mu Yu stood with a plate in hand, gazing coldly at the disheveled Gu Zi.

"Stay right there."

Gu Zi froze, recalling Mu Yu’s look from yesterday, and nodded meekly.

She watched as Mu Yu set down the plate, then turned and disappeared into a small storage room.

So there’s none for me, after all.

Gu Zi gazed longingly at the fragrant sandwiches on the table.

They were made in a Chinese style—the pale bread toasted to a golden brown, bacon and eggs curling at the edges, even the usually detested lettuce looked appetizing.

But there were only two portions.

Her stomach rumbled again.

She turned away, forcing herself not to look, a sour feeling welling up in her chest.

It was always like this.

But it didn’t matter—she was used to it.

Gu Zi stuck out her tongue in self-mockery.

Mu Yu soon returned, holding out a toothbrush and a clean towel.

"Here, go wash up."

"...Okay," came the hoarse reply.

Mu Yu watched with curiosity as the boy slipped silently into the bathroom, head bowed.

"What’s wrong with him?" Mu Yu shrugged and returned to the kitchen.

Gu Zi didn’t linger in the bathroom. She washed up hurriedly, then began packing her things in the living room.

A phone, charger, and a pair of earphones—her entire worldly possessions. The change of clothes she’d brought hadn’t even left her backpack.

"Hey? Why are you leaving already?"

Mu Qing entered, panting and lugging a large insulated box, just in time to see Gu Zi shouldering her bag, ready to go.

Gu Zi glanced briefly at Mu Qing’s hands, then looked away, biting her lip.

"Yeah," she replied, her tone flat.

"Sit down and eat," Mu Yu called from the kitchen, already emerging with a tray in his hands.

"Okay." Mu Qing hesitated, unsure whether to try persuading her to stay.

How enviable.

Gu Zi bit her lip so hard it almost bled, but stubbornly refused to turn around, her voice as indifferent as ever.

"Then I’ll just..."

She barely got the words out before Mu Yu’s impatient voice sounded from behind.

"What are you standing there for? Come eat!"

Gu Zi paused, turning her head.

On the small dining table, three trays were set out.

Mu Yu ladled porridge from the insulated box, his expression gruff.

"What are you staring at? Off to cosplay Ninja Turtle with that backpack so early in the morning?"

"Oh, okay..."

Gu Zi was a little dazed, her voice tinged with a faint, barely noticeable panic as she turned and walked awkwardly to the table.

Mu Yu yanked her backpack off and tossed it onto the sofa.

"Eat up; I’ll drive you both to school later."

His broad hand pressed gently on Gu Zi’s shoulder, half-forcing her into her seat.

He placed a pair of chopsticks by her bowl of porridge.

"Hurry up, or this little pig will eat everything."

Gu Zi looked up and saw Mu Qing happily munching on both sandwich and porridge, her face smeared with sauce, looking silly and content.

Hesitantly, Gu Zi picked up a sandwich and took a tentative bite.

The sandwich was warm and rich—crispy on the outside, yet not greasy at all. The fresh lettuce and smoky bacon made it so delicious she felt she could swallow her tongue.

Mu Yu fetched a small stool.

There wasn't much choice—guests were rare and there were only two chairs for him and Mu Qing. Making a guest sit on a stool felt a little disrespectful.

"What's wrong? Not to your taste?" Mu Yu asked, noticing Gu Zi sitting with her head bowed, chewing but motionless.

Gu Zi didn’t answer, just shook her head, not daring to look up.

Tears as big as beans fell into her bowl of porridge, sending ripples across the surface.

She bit into her sandwich with all her might, fighting back the sting in her nose, terrified of making a sound.

"Tch, you eat so messily," Mu Yu thought, watching Gu Zi eat even faster than Mu Qing, inwardly a little disdainful.

He then took a huge bite out of his own sandwich, chewing vigorously, crumbs falling into his porridge.

Before long, the simple breakfast was gone.

Mu Yu patted his half-full stomach and glanced suspiciously at Gu Zi, who had turned away, her face unreadable.

"Well, well, she can really eat."

He tidied up the table and went into the kitchen, missing the flush on Gu Zi’s ears.

"Let’s go," Mu Yu said, taking off his yellow duck apron and checking his phone.

"6:30. Just in time to take you two to school."

Although the morning sun had only just risen, the streets were already busy, with sleepy-faced people queuing at breakfast stalls.

The attractive proprietress spotted Mu Yu following behind the two teenagers and greeted him warmly.

Mu Yu smiled back, but quickened his pace, leaving in a hurry.

No strange events, no ominous murmurs.

Everyone carried their own small measure of peace and joy, walking the sunlit streets, hurrying for the sake of life.

The warmth of the mortal world—nothing soothes the human heart more.