91 Puppet Jade
They waited in place for about twenty minutes, and Tang Yanqiu flew back.
"How was it?"
"There are two groups of mutants fighting over there, and both sides have quite a few weapons." Just as he finished speaking, another explosion came from that direction, echoing throughout the city of Xi'an.
"It's restless wherever we go." Zhuang Yao curled his lips. "Let's not bother with them. We need to find a place to rest. There's still a lot to do tomorrow."
Liu Fengyu yawned. "Is there a place here where we can take a shower?"
Zhuang Yao splashed him with cold water. "Don't daydream too much."
They walked into the city for half an hour, looking at the dilapidated buildings. There was no sign of any inhabitable place. The weather was too cold, and it was no longer suitable to stay outdoors. Was there really not a single building that looked habitable?
At this moment, a glowing object flew from not far away. The light was soft and getting closer. Finally, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl with glowing wings flew to their airspace and stopped. Judging by the shape of her wings, she seemed to be a firefly.
The girl saw them, showing no fear on her face, and said boldly, "Are you all from out of town? It's so cold, do you want to stay at a hotel? Our hotel has heating."
"There's a hotel here?"
"Yes, but our family's hotel is the best. We have heating, hot water, and food. Moreover, it's completely neutral, so you don't have to worry about safety issues."
Liu Fengyu whistled smugly. "Dreams do come true."
Cong Xia asked, "What does 'completely neutral' mean?"
The girl pointed in the direction of the explosion. "Didn't you hear? Those people started fighting again. There are several forces here in Xi'an. If you stay at a hotel managed by one of them, you'll be out of luck if their enemies kill you. We are neutral, so we have no position." She flew over and circled above Abu's head, smiling cheerfully. "I like this cat, that's why I'm helping you. I can also offer you a discount."
"What do you want? Food?"
The firefly girl shook her head. "We don't lack food. Unless you can provide us with something we don't have, we generally accept weapons, fuel, and other valuable items as accommodation fees. As long as it's useful, it can be considered."
Cheng Tianbi took out an MK14 submachine gun from the car and asked, "How much is this worth?"
The girl smiled and said, "If you give me two guns plus 20 bullets, I'll provide you with three rooms, a meal, and 30 minutes of hot water supply for each room. I'll even give this cat a mutated pet nest for free."
"Deal."
The girl snapped her fingers and said, "Okay, follow me."
"I'm Ai Jia, 17 years old this year. Half a year ago, I was eaten by a group of mutated fireflies, and that's how I became like this." She waved her hand, and a group of fireflies floated in front of Abu. Abu curiously reached out his paw and tapped one of the fireflies, causing them to scatter and sprinkle starry lights in the dark night sky, creating a beautiful sight.
The fireflies dispersed around them, like small lamps, illuminating their path ahead.
Ai Jia looked at Abu's curious expression and smiled happily. "How about it? Does it look much brighter now?"
Cong Xia sincerely exclaimed, "It's really beautiful." The beautiful girl surrounded by fireflies became a magnificent sight under the night sky.
Zhuang Yao asked, "Who owns the hotel? Do many people here make a living from it?"
"The hotel is owned by my dad and his brothers. My dad used to be in the army, and after retiring, he came back to his hometown to do business. As the business grew, he called over his comrades from the army. Even after the apocalypse, we can still sustain ourselves. Later, we discovered that Xi'an is often a transit point for people heading to Beijing. Almost everyone going to Beijing has to pass through here, so we were the first to open a hotel. However, we don't rely on it for our livelihood. It's just convenient for us to exchange goods and information with passing mutants."
From Ai Jia's clean clothes and rosy cheeks, one could tell that she lived a comfortable life, with an innocence that didn't quite match the current era.
Since they can still operate a hotel here, it indicates that the situation in Xi'an is still relatively good. Moreover, amenities such as heating and water supply require energy. Among the cities they have passed through, the living conditions here are probably only second to Chongqing. However, the intensity of the conflicts here is much more severe. At least, before they left, there were no bombs being thrown in the city of Chongqing.
After walking for about ten minutes, they came across a hotel. From its appearance, it seemed to have been a four-star or higher establishment in the past. Some signs of repair could still be seen. The hotel's entrance was even adorned with an extravagant kerosene lamp that remained lit throughout the night.
Two armed guards stood at the entrance of the hotel. When they saw Ai Jia, they called out, "Ai Jia, where did you run off to? The boss is looking for you."
"I brought back a few guests," Ai Jia proudly raised the guns in her hands. "Look, two MK14s, and 20 rounds of ammunition."
"Wow, good stuff! Quickly let them in. Oh, what a beautiful cat." A short man in his thirties ran over, smiling. "Hello, guests."
Only Cong Xia and Tang Yanqiu politely returned the greeting.
The man didn't mind. There weren't many normal mutants left in this world. In this era, nothing was too surprising anymore.
Ai Jia said, "You guys follow Uncle Wang to the guest rooms. I'll take Abu to rest."
Zhuang Yao didn't get out of the car and said, "Take us to see where Abu will be staying first."
"Alright." Ai Jia led them towards the backyard parking lot. It seemed that mutant pets often accompanied their owners through here. The carport, originally built to protect cars from the sun, had been transformed into large pet enclosures. Two holes were dug underneath the carport, lined with thick blankets, similar to when Zhuang Yao had Abu sleep in the swimming pool back in Guiyang.
Zhuang Yao had Abu settle in, and it seemed like Abu hadn't slept on such a soft surface in a long time. He stretched lazily and nestled in, not moving at all.
Only then did the group follow Ai Jia into the hotel.
As they entered the lobby, a strong middle-aged man came out with a few others. When he saw them, he shouted loudly, "Ai Jia, where did you go at this late hour? There's a fight going on outside! Who allowed you to wander around!"
"Dad." Ai Jia transformed back into her human form and walked over. "I was just taking a stroll nearby and happened to come across these guests, so I brought them back."
The owner of the hotel unabashedly looked them up and down, his gaze unfriendly. "May I ask where you all are from?"
Cong Xia replied, "Chongqing."
"Why would you leave Chongqing, a good place, and come here?"
"We're heading north to visit relatives."
The owner squinted his eyes. "Wang le, take them to their rooms."
After the group left, the owner turned to the person next to him and said, "Do you think these people are...?"
A man responded, "Fei-ge, I understand what you mean. I'll investigate."
"Hurry up."
They followed Wang Le to the third floor of the hotel. Wang Le said, "The three rooms prepared for you are all on the side facing the parking lot. You can see your cats from the windows. There is vacuum-sealed food and water in the rooms." He looked at his watch, "In ten minutes, starting at 8 o'clock, I'll provide you with half an hour of hot water. There are toiletries in the bathroom, so if you want to take a bath, do it quickly."
Wang Le opened the room door and shone his flashlight inside. The room was very clean, with neatly folded blankets. Although it wasn't as meticulous as hotels in the past, it was already a rare comfortable environment in this era.
Wang Le proudly said, "Not bad, right? It's very clean, and the blankets are washed regularly." After entering the room, he held the flashlight in his mouth and walked to the side of the bed, fiddling with the electric heater. After turning it on, he said, "We have modified this heater. The temperature is not high, but after half an hour, the indoor temperature can reach 22 degrees. It may not be as warm as before, but compared to outside, it's like heaven. The heater is only on for six hours, so it won't be cold until the next morning. The electrical circuit is under our centralized control, so you don't need to worry about how to turn it off. Also, the socket for the heater is locked, so don't even think about using it to charge anything else." Wang Le shook the flashlight next to the socket, which was covered by a locked iron cage. The gaps in the cage were only large enough for the power cord to pass through, preventing guests from turning off the heater and using it for other purposes.
Cong Xia nodded, "Thank you, this place is really nice."
Wang Le said, "That's about it. Do you need flashlights or batteries? They will be charged separately."
Cong Xia said, "No need, we brought our own." Although they had brought some high-capacity batteries and various flashlights and spotlights for civilian and military use, they rarely used them in normal circumstances. When Zhuang Yao was in Guizhou, he made some modern versions of firelighters using kerosene and special materials. They could be lit with matches or lighters and burned for a long time. After use, they could be extinguished and used again next time. They were much more economical than flashlights. Each of them carried several of them.
Wang Le shrugged and went to turn on the heaters in the other two rooms. Zhuang Yao and the others followed him out.
Now only Cheng Tianbi and Cong Xia were left in the room. Cheng Tianbi looked at him in silence, his gaze deep and difficult to read. Cong Xia felt a bit awkward and pretended to be nonchalant as he said, "We only have half an hour for bathing. I still have a lot of clothes I want to wash. You go first, and remember to collect water." After speaking, he began to search through their luggage, intending to wash their personal undergarments and place them around the heater. They should dry overnight. Normally, after washing, they would cool down on the fire pit, and several times their clothes were burnt.
Cheng Tianbi remained silent and undressed, then entered the bathroom to take a shower.
The room was dimly lit, with only the faint moonlight from outside providing a slight illumination. When Cheng Tianbi walked past Cong Xia completely naked, Cong Xia squatted on the floor, not daring to look up. He only saw two slender legs pass by in front of him. The agile and toned muscles appeared extremely alluring as Cheng Tianbi moved, causing Cong Xia's little heart to beat rapidly.
Cheng Tianbi entered the bathroom, and soon the sound of rushing water could be heard.
Cong Xia sat on the floor and gently soothed his racing heart, admonishing himself not to think too much. It was too embarrassing.
Five minutes later, Cheng Tianbi emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. He said, "Go ahead and wash."
Cong Xia was surprised, "You finished so quickly? Don't just wrap yourself in a towel, quickly put on your clothes. The heater isn't on yet, and the room is still quite cold."
"I shower quickly."
Cong Xia knew that Cheng Tianbi deliberately left the bathing time for him. After a long journey, being able to take a hot shower was a desire in the hearts of each of them. In the past, when they reached a place where they could bathe, Cheng Tianbi would also take a long time. However, since the hot water here was supplied for a limited time, Cheng Tianbi used the speed he had when showering in the military, quickly finishing his shower.
Cong Xia didn't want to waste time either, so he quickly entered the bathroom with his clothes and reminded Cheng Tianbi, "Hurry up and put on a set of thermal underwear to keep warm."
The bathroom was dark, but living in an environment without electricity for a long time had made them accustomed to the darkness. Cong Xia fumbled in the darkness and turned on the water valve. When the warm water sprayed onto his skin, he let out a comfortable sigh. He didn't dare to shower for too long and quickly washed his body and hair within ten minutes. Then he changed into his clothes and used a basin to collect water to wash both their undergarments. Finally, he managed to wash all the undergarments clean before the water supply was cut off.
When he came out of the bathroom, the temperature in the room had already reached over 20 degrees. Compared to the icy outdoor environment, it was incredibly warm and cozy.
Cheng Tianbi, wearing his close-fitting clothes, sat cross-legged on the bed. He usually practiced for a while before going to sleep, and Cong Xia had become accustomed to it. Comparing his own laziness to Cheng Tianbi's diligence, he often felt ashamed of himself. However, recently, with the support of the Puppet Jade providing sufficient energy, he had started to study the tools that could materialize energy. He planned to start formal practice on the way from Xi'an to Luoyang.
Cong Xia hung the undergarments around the heater and then quietly climbed onto the bed, afraid of disturbing Cheng Tianbi.
Just as he got under the covers, Cheng Tianbi opened his eyes and glanced at him.
Cong Xia also nervously looked at him.
What... what will happen... They were in a mutually affectionate relationship after all, or at least they could consider it as such. Shouldn't they... in this situation, should they...
Cong Xia widened his eyes, staring at Cheng Tianbi without blinking, his expression resembling a startled rabbit.
Cheng Tianbi also got under the covers and looked at him for a while before whispering, "Come here."
Come here? Co... come over... Oh my god, what's going on? Cong Xia's face felt like it was burning, and his mind roared loudly.
Although he felt extremely embarrassed, Cong Xia slowly moved over with an indescribable anticipation and excitement.
Cheng Tianbi reached out and embraced him, his broad palm gently resting against the back of his head, while his long and powerful fingers lightly caressed his scalp with tenderness.
Cong Xia took a bold move and placed his hand around Cheng Tianbi's waist, the two of them intimately embracing each other, fully enjoying the warmth of each other's presence.
Cheng Tianbi's lips lightly brushed against Cong Xia's forehead, while his hand around Cong Xia's waist involuntarily tightened.
The desire in Cong Xia's heart to be closer to Cheng Tianbi was ignited once again. He slightly lifted his head and slowly brought his lips closer to Cheng Tianbi's, gently kissing him.
He knew that Cheng Tianbi wasn't an assertive person. Usually, Cheng Tianbi only spoke to him seriously when there were important matters. Unlike himself, who would enjoy listening to Cheng Tianbi's voice even when there was nothing particular to discuss. If he wanted to experience the happiness of being in a romantic relationship with someone like Cheng Tianbi, he had to make an effort himself. Besides, he was a man, and it was natural for men to take the initiative, even if his advances were directed toward another man. From his perspective, it was essentially the same.
Cheng Tianbi felt the heat of those passionate lips and couldn't help but press his hand against the back of the other's head, intensifying the kiss.
Their soft lips were tightly pressed together, with the pure male warmth lingering between their teeth and lips. With boldness, Cong Xia opened his mouth and used his tongue to lick the lips of Cheng Tianbi. Cheng Tianbi also opened his mouth, and his tongue entered Cong Xia's mouth somewhat forcefully. Their agile tongues entangled within their mouths, and the heat in the air continued to rise. This intimate kiss left both of their brains slightly starved of oxygen, reducing their perception of the surrounding world to its weakest. They only had each other, and in their perception, only each other was the strongest.
Cong Xia, filled with excitement, grabbed Cheng Tianbi's clothes and touched his firm and flexible waist muscles, wholeheartedly savoring this dizzying kiss.
At some point, Cheng Tianbi had already pressed half of his body onto Cong Xia. The kiss left Cong Xia almost breathless, and transparent saliva trickled down his slightly parted lips, while a hint of confusion appeared in his moist eyes.
After a while, Cheng Tianbi finally released him. Cong Xia gasped for breath desperately, nervously gazing at Cheng Tianbi.
Cheng Tianbi's long, curly eyelashes trembled gently, and his gaze swept across every inch of Cong Xia's face.
Their bodies were tightly pressed against each other, and the desires in their lower bodies couldn't be hidden from one another. Both of them were healthy young men, and they understood that indescribable longing.
But neither dared to make a move.
In a hoarse voice, Cheng Tianbi asked, "Cong Xia, do you want to go further?"
Cong Xia's lips, swollen from the kiss, trembled slightly. He didn't know how to answer this question.
Cheng Tianbi's fingertips gently touched Cong Xia's cheek, the gesture so tender. His gaze was like a tranquil pond, concealing an impenetrable undercurrent beneath its calm surface.
In a low voice, Cheng Tianbi whispered into Cong Xia's ear, "If you nod... there will be no regretting it."
Cong Xia's body trembled, as if he was frozen in place, completely unable to move. His mind went blank, and even the simple act of breathing became unusually difficult due to his overwhelming nervousness.
After a deep gaze at Cong Xia, Cheng Tianbi kissed his forehead and softly said, "Alright, don't be nervous, let's sleep." He embraced Cong Xia's entire body and closed his eyes.
A long time passed before Cong Xia trembled and exhaled a breath. He turned around and hugged Cheng Tianbi's waist, burying his face in that broad and warm chest.
He was so blissful that he almost cried.
Author's Note: Both Cheng Tianbi and Cong Xia have been feeling restrained. This is the struggle of a virgin soldier and an inexperienced submissive.
91 Puppet Jade
They waited in place for about twenty minutes, and Tang Yanqiu flew back.
"How was it?"
"There are two groups of mutants fighting over there, and both sides have quite a few weapons." Just as he finished speaking, another explosion came from that direction, echoing throughout the city of Xi'an.
"It's restless wherever we go." Zhuang Yao curled his lips. "Let's not bother with them. We need to find a place to rest. There's still a lot to do tomorrow."
Liu Fengyu yawned. "Is there a place here where we can take a shower?"
Zhuang Yao splashed him with cold water. "Don't daydream too much."
They walked into the city for half an hour, looking at the dilapidated buildings. There was no sign of any inhabitable place. The weather was too cold, and it was no longer suitable to stay outdoors. Was there really not a single building that looked habitable?
At this moment, a glowing object flew from not far away. The light was soft and getting closer. Finally, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl with glowing wings flew to their airspace and stopped. Judging by the shape of her wings, she seemed to be a firefly.
The girl saw them, showing no fear on her face, and said boldly, "Are you all from out of town? It's so cold, do you want to stay at a hotel? Our hotel has heating."
"There's a hotel here?"
"Yes, but our family's hotel is the best. We have heating, hot water, and food. Moreover, it's completely neutral, so you don't have to worry about safety issues."
Liu Fengyu whistled smugly. "Dreams do come true."
Cong Xia asked, "What does 'completely neutral' mean?"
The girl pointed in the direction of the explosion. "Didn't you hear? Those people started fighting again. There are several forces here in Xi'an. If you stay at a hotel managed by one of them, you'll be out of luck if their enemies kill you. We are neutral, so we have no position." She flew over and circled above Abu's head, smiling cheerfully. "I like this cat, that's why I'm helping you. I can also offer you a discount."
"What do you want? Food?"
The firefly girl shook her head. "We don't lack food. Unless you can provide us with something we don't have, we generally accept weapons, fuel, and other valuable items as accommodation fees. As long as it's useful, it can be considered."
Cheng Tianbi took out an MK14 submachine gun from the car and asked, "How much is this worth?"
The girl smiled and said, "If you give me two guns plus 20 bullets, I'll provide you with three rooms, a meal, and 30 minutes of hot water supply for each room. I'll even give this cat a mutated pet nest for free."
"Deal."
The girl snapped her fingers and said, "Okay, follow me."
"I'm Ai Jia, 17 years old this year. Half a year ago, I was eaten by a group of mutated fireflies, and that's how I became like this." She waved her hand, and a group of fireflies floated in front of Abu. Abu curiously reached out his paw and tapped one of the fireflies, causing them to scatter and sprinkle starry lights in the dark night sky, creating a beautiful sight.
The fireflies dispersed around them, like small lamps, illuminating their path ahead.
Ai Jia looked at Abu's curious expression and smiled happily. "How about it? Does it look much brighter now?"
Cong Xia sincerely exclaimed, "It's really beautiful." The beautiful girl surrounded by fireflies became a magnificent sight under the night sky.
Zhuang Yao asked, "Who owns the hotel? Do many people here make a living from it?"
"The hotel is owned by my dad and his brothers. My dad used to be in the army, and after retiring, he came back to his hometown to do business. As the business grew, he called over his comrades from the army. Even after the apocalypse, we can still sustain ourselves. Later, we discovered that Xi'an is often a transit point for people heading to Beijing. Almost everyone going to Beijing has to pass through here, so we were the first to open a hotel. However, we don't rely on it for our livelihood. It's just convenient for us to exchange goods and information with passing mutants."
From Ai Jia's clean clothes and rosy cheeks, one could tell that she lived a comfortable life, with an innocence that didn't quite match the current era.
Since they can still operate a hotel here, it indicates that the situation in Xi'an is still relatively good. Moreover, amenities such as heating and water supply require energy. Among the cities they have passed through, the living conditions here are probably only second to Chongqing. However, the intensity of the conflicts here is much more severe. At least, before they left, there were no bombs being thrown in the city of Chongqing.
After walking for about ten minutes, they came across a hotel. From its appearance, it seemed to have been a four-star or higher establishment in the past. Some signs of repair could still be seen. The hotel's entrance was even adorned with an extravagant kerosene lamp that remained lit throughout the night.
Two armed guards stood at the entrance of the hotel. When they saw Ai Jia, they called out, "Ai Jia, where did you run off to? The boss is looking for you."
"I brought back a few guests," Ai Jia proudly raised the guns in her hands. "Look, two MK14s, and 20 rounds of ammunition."
"Wow, good stuff! Quickly let them in. Oh, what a beautiful cat." A short man in his thirties ran over, smiling. "Hello, guests."
Only Cong Xia and Tang Yanqiu politely returned the greeting.
The man didn't mind. There weren't many normal mutants left in this world. In this era, nothing was too surprising anymore.
Ai Jia said, "You guys follow Uncle Wang to the guest rooms. I'll take Abu to rest."
Zhuang Yao didn't get out of the car and said, "Take us to see where Abu will be staying first."
"Alright." Ai Jia led them towards the backyard parking lot. It seemed that mutant pets often accompanied their owners through here. The carport, originally built to protect cars from the sun, had been transformed into large pet enclosures. Two holes were dug underneath the carport, lined with thick blankets, similar to when Zhuang Yao had Abu sleep in the swimming pool back in Guiyang.
Zhuang Yao had Abu settle in, and it seemed like Abu hadn't slept on such a soft surface in a long time. He stretched lazily and nestled in, not moving at all.
Only then did the group follow Ai Jia into the hotel.
As they entered the lobby, a strong middle-aged man came out with a few others. When he saw them, he shouted loudly, "Ai Jia, where did you go at this late hour? There's a fight going on outside! Who allowed you to wander around!"
"Dad." Ai Jia transformed back into her human form and walked over. "I was just taking a stroll nearby and happened to come across these guests, so I brought them back."
The owner of the hotel unabashedly looked them up and down, his gaze unfriendly. "May I ask where you all are from?"
Cong Xia replied, "Chongqing."
"Why would you leave Chongqing, a good place, and come here?"
"We're heading north to visit relatives."
The owner squinted his eyes. "Wang le, take them to their rooms."
After the group left, the owner turned to the person next to him and said, "Do you think these people are...?"
A man responded, "Fei-ge, I understand what you mean. I'll investigate."
"Hurry up."
They followed Wang Le to the third floor of the hotel. Wang Le said, "The three rooms prepared for you are all on the side facing the parking lot. You can see your cats from the windows. There is vacuum-sealed food and water in the rooms." He looked at his watch, "In ten minutes, starting at 8 o'clock, I'll provide you with half an hour of hot water. There are toiletries in the bathroom, so if you want to take a bath, do it quickly."
Wang Le opened the room door and shone his flashlight inside. The room was very clean, with neatly folded blankets. Although it wasn't as meticulous as hotels in the past, it was already a rare comfortable environment in this era.
Wang Le proudly said, "Not bad, right? It's very clean, and the blankets are washed regularly." After entering the room, he held the flashlight in his mouth and walked to the side of the bed, fiddling with the electric heater. After turning it on, he said, "We have modified this heater. The temperature is not high, but after half an hour, the indoor temperature can reach 22 degrees. It may not be as warm as before, but compared to outside, it's like heaven. The heater is only on for six hours, so it won't be cold until the next morning. The electrical circuit is under our centralized control, so you don't need to worry about how to turn it off. Also, the socket for the heater is locked, so don't even think about using it to charge anything else." Wang Le shook the flashlight next to the socket, which was covered by a locked iron cage. The gaps in the cage were only large enough for the power cord to pass through, preventing guests from turning off the heater and using it for other purposes.
Cong Xia nodded, "Thank you, this place is really nice."
Wang Le said, "That's about it. Do you need flashlights or batteries? They will be charged separately."
Cong Xia said, "No need, we brought our own." Although they had brought some high-capacity batteries and various flashlights and spotlights for civilian and military use, they rarely used them in normal circumstances. When Zhuang Yao was in Guizhou, he made some modern versions of firelighters using kerosene and special materials. They could be lit with matches or lighters and burned for a long time. After use, they could be extinguished and used again next time. They were much more economical than flashlights. Each of them carried several of them.
Wang Le shrugged and went to turn on the heaters in the other two rooms. Zhuang Yao and the others followed him out.
Now only Cheng Tianbi and Cong Xia were left in the room. Cheng Tianbi looked at him in silence, his gaze deep and difficult to read. Cong Xia felt a bit awkward and pretended to be nonchalant as he said, "We only have half an hour for bathing. I still have a lot of clothes I want to wash. You go first, and remember to collect water." After speaking, he began to search through their luggage, intending to wash their personal undergarments and place them around the heater. They should dry overnight. Normally, after washing, they would cool down on the fire pit, and several times their clothes were burnt.
Cheng Tianbi remained silent and undressed, then entered the bathroom to take a shower.
The room was dimly lit, with only the faint moonlight from outside providing a slight illumination. When Cheng Tianbi walked past Cong Xia completely naked, Cong Xia squatted on the floor, not daring to look up. He only saw two slender legs pass by in front of him. The agile and toned muscles appeared extremely alluring as Cheng Tianbi moved, causing Cong Xia's little heart to beat rapidly.
Cheng Tianbi entered the bathroom, and soon the sound of rushing water could be heard.
Cong Xia sat on the floor and gently soothed his racing heart, admonishing himself not to think too much. It was too embarrassing.
Five minutes later, Cheng Tianbi emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. He said, "Go ahead and wash."
Cong Xia was surprised, "You finished so quickly? Don't just wrap yourself in a towel, quickly put on your clothes. The heater isn't on yet, and the room is still quite cold."
"I shower quickly."
Cong Xia knew that Cheng Tianbi deliberately left the bathing time for him. After a long journey, being able to take a hot shower was a desire in the hearts of each of them. In the past, when they reached a place where they could bathe, Cheng Tianbi would also take a long time. However, since the hot water here was supplied for a limited time, Cheng Tianbi used the speed he had when showering in the military, quickly finishing his shower.
Cong Xia didn't want to waste time either, so he quickly entered the bathroom with his clothes and reminded Cheng Tianbi, "Hurry up and put on a set of thermal underwear to keep warm."
The bathroom was dark, but living in an environment without electricity for a long time had made them accustomed to the darkness. Cong Xia fumbled in the darkness and turned on the water valve. When the warm water sprayed onto his skin, he let out a comfortable sigh. He didn't dare to shower for too long and quickly washed his body and hair within ten minutes. Then he changed into his clothes and used a basin to collect water to wash both their undergarments. Finally, he managed to wash all the undergarments clean before the water supply was cut off.
When he came out of the bathroom, the temperature in the room had already reached over 20 degrees. Compared to the icy outdoor environment, it was incredibly warm and cozy.
Cheng Tianbi, wearing his close-fitting clothes, sat cross-legged on the bed. He usually practiced for a while before going to sleep, and Cong Xia had become accustomed to it. Comparing his own laziness to Cheng Tianbi's diligence, he often felt ashamed of himself. However, recently, with the support of the Puppet Jade providing sufficient energy, he had started to study the tools that could materialize energy. He planned to start formal practice on the way from Xi'an to Luoyang.
Cong Xia hung the undergarments around the heater and then quietly climbed onto the bed, afraid of disturbing Cheng Tianbi.
Just as he got under the covers, Cheng Tianbi opened his eyes and glanced at him.
Cong Xia also nervously looked at him.
What... what will happen... They were in a mutually affectionate relationship after all, or at least they could consider it as such. Shouldn't they... in this situation, should they...
Cong Xia widened his eyes, staring at Cheng Tianbi without blinking, his expression resembling a startled rabbit.
Cheng Tianbi also got under the covers and looked at him for a while before whispering, "Come here."
Come here? Co... come over... Oh my god, what's going on? Cong Xia's face felt like it was burning, and his mind roared loudly.
Although he felt extremely embarrassed, Cong Xia slowly moved over with an indescribable anticipation and excitement.
Cheng Tianbi reached out and embraced him, his broad palm gently resting against the back of his head, while his long and powerful fingers lightly caressed his scalp with tenderness.
Cong Xia took a bold move and placed his hand around Cheng Tianbi's waist, the two of them intimately embracing each other, fully enjoying the warmth of each other's presence.
Cheng Tianbi's lips lightly brushed against Cong Xia's forehead, while his hand around Cong Xia's waist involuntarily tightened.
The desire in Cong Xia's heart to be closer to Cheng Tianbi was ignited once again. He slightly lifted his head and slowly brought his lips closer to Cheng Tianbi's, gently kissing him.
He knew that Cheng Tianbi wasn't an assertive person. Usually, Cheng Tianbi only spoke to him seriously when there were important matters. Unlike himself, who would enjoy listening to Cheng Tianbi's voice even when there was nothing particular to discuss. If he wanted to experience the happiness of being in a romantic relationship with someone like Cheng Tianbi, he had to make an effort himself. Besides, he was a man, and it was natural for men to take the initiative, even if his advances were directed toward another man. From his perspective, it was essentially the same.
Cheng Tianbi felt the heat of those passionate lips and couldn't help but press his hand against the back of the other's head, intensifying the kiss.
Their soft lips were tightly pressed together, with the pure male warmth lingering between their teeth and lips. With boldness, Cong Xia opened his mouth and used his tongue to lick the lips of Cheng Tianbi. Cheng Tianbi also opened his mouth, and his tongue entered Cong Xia's mouth somewhat forcefully. Their agile tongues entangled within their mouths, and the heat in the air continued to rise. This intimate kiss left both of their brains slightly starved of oxygen, reducing their perception of the surrounding world to its weakest. They only had each other, and in their perception, only each other was the strongest.
Cong Xia, filled with excitement, grabbed Cheng Tianbi's clothes and touched his firm and flexible waist muscles, wholeheartedly savoring this dizzying kiss.
At some point, Cheng Tianbi had already pressed half of his body onto Cong Xia. The kiss left Cong Xia almost breathless, and transparent saliva trickled down his slightly parted lips, while a hint of confusion appeared in his moist eyes.
After a while, Cheng Tianbi finally released him. Cong Xia gasped for breath desperately, nervously gazing at Cheng Tianbi.
Cheng Tianbi's long, curly eyelashes trembled gently, and his gaze swept across every inch of Cong Xia's face.
Their bodies were tightly pressed against each other, and the desires in their lower bodies couldn't be hidden from one another. Both of them were healthy young men, and they understood that indescribable longing.
But neither dared to make a move.
In a hoarse voice, Cheng Tianbi asked, "Cong Xia, do you want to go further?"
Cong Xia's lips, swollen from the kiss, trembled slightly. He didn't know how to answer this question.
Cheng Tianbi's fingertips gently touched Cong Xia's cheek, the gesture so tender. His gaze was like a tranquil pond, concealing an impenetrable undercurrent beneath its calm surface.
In a low voice, Cheng Tianbi whispered into Cong Xia's ear, "If you nod... there will be no regretting it."
Cong Xia's body trembled, as if he was frozen in place, completely unable to move. His mind went blank, and even the simple act of breathing became unusually difficult due to his overwhelming nervousness.
After a deep gaze at Cong Xia, Cheng Tianbi kissed his forehead and softly said, "Alright, don't be nervous, let's sleep." He embraced Cong Xia's entire body and closed his eyes.
A long time passed before Cong Xia trembled and exhaled a breath. He turned around and hugged Cheng Tianbi's waist, burying his face in that broad and warm chest.
He was so blissful that he almost cried.
Author's Note: Both Cheng Tianbi and Cong Xia have been feeling restrained. This is the struggle of a virgin soldier and an inexperienced submissive.
