PFC Chapter 539 "Infecting the World" - Male Mother (150)
Chapter 539 "Infecting the World" - Male Mother (150)
"Ruan Ruan..." Liao Tingyuan suddenly leaned forward and, to Lu Liruan's surprise, pulled her into his arms.
Liao Tingyuan looked thin, but in reality, his figure could completely envelop Lu Liruan. Lu Liruan smelled the faint fragrance on Liao Tingyuan's white shirt, mixed with Liao Tingyuan's unique coolness, which permeated her body and mind.
For a moment, Lu Liruan couldn't even figure out why Liao Tingyuan was acting this way. She just instinctively raised her hand and wrapped it around Liao Tingyuan's slender waist, bringing the two of them close together.
Lu Liruan's hair fell on Liao Tingyuan's neck, and Liao Tingyuan's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily as he swallowed, unable to make a sound.
At this moment, he couldn't understand why he had acted so impulsively, but holding Lu Liruan in his arms was like holding a blazing sun in his life, making it impossible for him to let go.
Both of them were immersed in the tranquility of the moment.
Until Liao Tingyuan's cell phone rang.
Lu Liruan sat up abruptly as if she had been electrocuted. Her face was as pink as perfectly fired porcelain. Lu Liruan really felt like she was burning up. Her whole body was numb and tingling, and she didn't even know how she got up.
Liao Tingyuan remained in the same sitting position as before, without touching his still-ringing phone.
Liao Tingyuan's gaze followed Lu Liruan's movements, filled with emotions that had been brewing for some time. For the first time, Lu Liruan felt that Liao Tingyuan's gaze made her unconsciously avoid it.
I didn't dare to look him in the eye.
How could Liao Tingyuan be like this?
Lu Liruan was incredulous... At the same time, a hint of pride surfaced in her heart. It turned out that he also had a completely different side, one that only she could see.
Although it was strange, Lu Liruan couldn't help but think: she didn't know what she wanted to get from Liao Tingyuan.
She was even confused herself. What did she want from Liao Tingyuan? What did she want from him? Lu Liruan couldn't explain it clearly. This feeling of being kept in the dark, in the already cool weather, occasionally made Lu Liruan feel restless.
But just now, in that instant, Lu Liruan seemed to have finally broken through the fog... It turned out that this was exactly what she wanted to see Liao Tingyuan like this.
He focused intently, relentlessly, and with a gaze entirely different from his view of others or even the world, he looked at himself, embraced himself…
Lu Liruan clearly felt that she liked to see him anxious and struggling for her sake. He would feel joy, frustration, vulnerability, and confusion because of her, and then lose his composure and become happy because of her forgiveness.
Like a river that flows calmly, there are also moments of turbulence, and Lu Liruan likes this feeling.
Liao Tingyuan was finally willing to tell her what was on his mind, but the moment she realized her own feelings, Lu Liruan had the idea of burying these thoughts deep inside and not letting Liao Tingyuan know.
Lu Liruan felt guilty yet couldn't help but be moved. How could she be so cruel and harsh as to have such thoughts about Liao Tingyuan?
Liao Tingyuan seemed completely oblivious to the fact that Lu Liruan looked at his face and knew he completely trusted her.
Lu Liruan felt as if she was burned by his gaze, and suddenly became flustered: "Teacher Liao, please answer the phone!"
"Get some rest early... I'll buy breakfast tomorrow morning! You can sleep a little longer, and I need to sleep a little longer too. I... I'm going back now!"
After saying that, Lu Liruan ran out of the door.
Only after hearing the door slam shut with a "bang" did Lu Liruan finally exhale the breath she had been holding in.
"call--"
I raised my hand to pat my cheeks; the temperature on my cheeks was higher than the temperature on my palms, as warm as a freshly baked cake.
Back home, Lu Liruan lay on the bed still feeling dizzy.
Just two hours ago, she was still angry, so angry that she didn't know how to vent her anger. But now, in the same place, Lu Liruan felt so happy that she didn't know what to do.
Lu Liruan curled the blanket into a ball and hugged it to her chest, but the shape of the blanket made her feel uncomfortable.
It doesn't feel like I've had a hug... It felt better than when I hugged Liao Tingyuan just now.
Even if Lu Liruan was slow to realize, she understood that her relationship with Liao Tingyuan was not just that of a friend and partner.
Rather, it is a more delicate emotion that cannot be summarized in a single word... There is dependence, trust, the tenderness of family affection, and also... the sweetness of love.
Perhaps there are other things... but all of them are mixed together, leaving Lu Liruan with only a vague feeling that as long as it's Liao Tingyuan, any feelings are fine.
As long as I'm with him, that's enough.
Does Liao Tingyuan think the same way?
Lu Liruan stared at the ceiling, then curled up again, lost in thought.
When Lu Liruan first entered society, she was very young and always felt anxious and insecure. When faced with other people's kindness, she would think: Am I causing trouble for them? Are they really willing to help me?
Will the other person seem to treat me gently... but actually be very impatient?
Having gone through some things, Lu Liruan is not overly trusting of people, but when it comes to Liao Tingyuan...
Lu Liruan felt a long-lost sense of complete peace and security.
Trusting Liao Tingyuan's feelings for her is like trusting her parents' love when she was a child—it's so natural, there's absolutely no need to doubt it...
Not just today, but right now.
Lu Liruan used to think the same way, which is why she felt that Liao Tingyuan was like family to her, and even somewhat like an elder.
The other person's gentle and reassuring acceptance of all her emotions made Lu Liruan feel extremely at ease.
Does Liao Tingyuan like me too?
Lu Liruan tried to find evidence that Liao Tingyuan shared the same feelings as her. Although the answer was already in front of her, Lu Liruan continued to search for clues that could support her thoughts.
I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep all night.
But I don't know when, I fell asleep without even realizing it.
And then... I forgot to set a phone alarm.
When Lu Liruan opened her eyes again, light was already streaming in through the gap in the curtains.
Based on her years of experience getting up early for work, Lu Liruan, lying in bed, suddenly realized something was wrong!
Lu Liruan quickly grabbed her phone from beside her pillow, turned on the screen, and then sat up abruptly.
Something's not just wrong...
Isn't it already past the time to go out?
Lu Liruan skipped towards the bathroom while changing her clothes. Halfway there, her phone rang behind her.
Lu Liruan's hair was stuck in her collar, and she frantically pressed the answer button by feel.
"Ruan Ruan?"
Liao Tingyuan's voice came over, and Lu Liruan stopped what she was doing, suddenly feeling herself come to her senses.
"You're up?" the other person asked tentatively.
"Get up! Teacher Liao, we're late..." Lu Liruan finally got dressed, went into the bathroom, stuffed her toothbrush into her mouth, and complained in a muffled voice.
"It's okay." The sound of a key clicking open the door came from Liao Tingyuan's side.
“How can it be okay? I have perfect attendance…” This is something Lu Liruan has been persistently working on since she started her job.
"I called to ask for leave," Liao Tingyuan reassured him. "An Tang said that we won't have our attendance bonus deducted if we don't ask for leave."
"how?"
Lu Liruan slowed down her movements.
"Anyway, when the boss isn't in the office, she's the one who calls the shots..." Liao Tingyuan's voice carried a hint of amusement: "She said she'd pretend she didn't know."
Lu Liruan realized he was joking, and her nerves relaxed. The foam from the face wash made it hard for her to open her eyes, but she felt at ease just hearing Liao Tingyuan's voice.
"Come up for breakfast in a bit. I bought your favorite red bean cakes today." Liao Tingyuan said and did the same thing as usual.
“…Hmm.” Lu Liruan had just agreed when she suddenly remembered her promise from last night that she would buy breakfast today. But now, Lu Liruan could only pretend that she had forgotten.
When Lu Liruan entered Liao Tingyuan's house, she realized that he must have woken up quite early.
Because he not only bought breakfast, he also tidied up the house inside and out, and even changed the entire sofa cover.
Yesterday it was a refreshing light green and white color, but today it has turned into a dark brown velvet, giving it a completely autumnal feel, like the color of a chestnut shell.
The room still had the distinctive smell of morning air, indicating that it had been ventilated.
Several pots of succulents that Lu Liruan bought a few days ago are neatly arranged together on the balcony, and the rising sun shines on their plump leaves.
Everything felt both lived-in and cozy.
Although it's usually like this, today it seems to attract extra attention. Lu Liruan inexplicably noticed every detail, as if she had suddenly become more perceptive and sensitive.
The freshly baked red bean cakes emitted an enticing sweet aroma. Lu Liruan picked up a piece and then went to the kitchen to help serve porridge. Liao Tingyuan took out some side dishes from the refrigerator. The two sat back to back in the small kitchen, occasionally bumping into each other.
While Lu Liruan was eating at the table, she would occasionally glance at Liao Tingyuan.
Liao Tingyuan's expression remained unchanged, as if his vulnerable state yesterday was merely a temporary lapse in composure.
Lu Liruan wanted to ask him... but she didn't know how to start. While she was hesitating, a red bean cake was suddenly stuffed into her mouth.
Lu Liruan: ?
"What are you thinking about? Your mouth is still open." Liao Tingyuan asked with a soft laugh, his fingertips brushing against Lu Liruan's lips, wiping away a small crumb.
"..."
Lu Liruan looked at him and he seemed the same as before, but she could feel that he had let go of some things, and he was more relaxed and lively.
Forget it.
Lu Liruan decided not to speak first.
She wanted to wait for Liao Tingyuan to say something first... Lu Liruan really wanted to know what he would say or do at that time.
"Teacher Liao, are you still feeling unwell?" Lu Liruan asked with concern.
Liao Tingyuan shook his head: "I won't feel anything after a night's rest."
He wasn't lying. Ever since he first discovered that he could act as a vessel for energy radiation, the duration of discomfort had actually decreased with each new energy he converted into his body.
The first time, Liao Tingyuan was weak for about a week, feeling as if he had fallen into a low-temperature state and was in a daze.
However, the duration of these adverse reactions has become shorter and shorter, and now, they are basically resolved within one night.
"That's good..." Lu Liruan felt relieved, but then frowned again: "Won't you have to deal with every source of infection that comes out of the space?"
"No, it's just that some unstable ones need to be treated a second time." Liao Tingyuan shook his head: "I'm only responsible for those that, if not dealt with quickly, will create new dangerous sources of infection."
Lu Liruan thought to herself that if possible, she would never want Liao Tingyuan to handle these matters.
But she had no choice...
Because this was something he had been doing even before Liao Tingyuan knew him.
Moreover, judging from everyone's account yesterday, they wouldn't have agreed to this solution unless there was absolutely no other way.
In other words, Liao Tingyuan's role is irreplaceable at present.
Although Lu Liruan has seen with her own eyes that Liao Tingyuan's body does not seem to have been affected, this matter has still planted a seed of unease in Lu Liruan's heart.
Even though everything seems stable for now, and Lu Liruan is currently feeling happy and joyful, this sense of unease cannot be ignored.
“Teacher Liao…when will you be able to…” Lu Liruan didn’t fully express her worries.
Liao Tingyuan remained silent for a moment.
Then he smiled and said, "Someday."
Lu Liruan didn't know how to answer, so she could only nod. This was probably what the unknown was like—completely unknown, not knowing where the road ahead or the destination lay.
Lu Liruan thought that if things continued to be so unknown, and she had to keep watching Liao Tingyuan use his body to absorb energy that he didn't even know what it was, maybe one day she would feel very painful and want to escape.
But I can't, because I have to stay by Liao Tingyuan's side... and I have to do everything I can to protect him.
Out of love for him.
Seeing Lu Liruan looking depressed, Liao Tingyuan put down his cup, looked into Lu Liruan's eyes, and said earnestly, "I'll be fine, Ruanruan. I won't lie to you anymore. As long as you're willing... I'll always be by your side."
"Okay, you can't hide anything from me, not even bad news. I'm willing to share whatever it is with you. Lying to me isn't taking care of me." Lu Liruan met his gaze.
Liao Tingyuan nodded: "Okay."
An Tang's message came when Lu Liruan was carrying her bag and preparing to leave.
I guess she saw that I was in a bad mood yesterday and didn't dare to bother me easily, because I can still tell from today's message that she was being very cautious.
“I’m going back to the office this afternoon, so you don’t need to bring lunch for me and Teacher Liao,” Lu Liruan replied.
"It seems they've... made up."
An Tang put down her phone and said to Zhao Linchuan, who was waiting anxiously beside her.
"call--"
Zhao Linchuan breathed a long sigh of relief.
His hair had grown a little longer, and he tied it into a small bun at the back of his head. As he moved, the little bun swayed back and forth: "I thought Li Ruan was going to break up with me."
Seeing him as if he had been granted a pardon, An Tang found it amusing: "It's alright, you're just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire, Li Ruan wouldn't go so far as to fish you out and leave you to die in the sun."
"Li Ruan seemed really angry yesterday. I always thought she had a very good temper, but I didn't expect her to be so scary when she got angry," Zhao Linchuan said with lingering fear.
An Tang watched him pat his chest, raised an eyebrow, and thought to herself, "Why does this kid seem to care so much about Lu Liruan?"