Yes, I did all of this!

It's been released, and I don't know what to say, yet I feel like I have so much to say.

I don't know how to create character designs, but if anyone wants to, I'll try to figure it out and post it if I have any.

There are drafts and outlines available, so readers can rest assured.

I'm a rather timid person, so the underage Yu Zhi in the story only has innocent feelings for Duanmu Mo. Please rest assured during the review process.

—But Xia Yan is almost an adult.

. . . . . .

. . . . . .

If nothing unexpected happens, Yu Zhi's feelings will continue to sprout and grow, and will fully blossom in front of Duanmu Mo after she grows up.

But what if, before this tender sprout unfolds its pure and beautiful petals, another flower stands proudly, blooming with the warmth and arrogance of the sun, and clinging to the one the former yearns for like a flame...? What would become of this sprout?

How will this budding seed unfold in order to attract the attention of those who share its ideas?

Stay tuned for the next episode—Dismemberment!

Okay, just kidding (runs away).

Chapter 43: Cohabitation (4000)

No one knows what happens in the sewers. Even when powerful monsters attack, people continue their daily lives as usual.

On the same day that Duanmu Mo met Du Man, Yu Zhi returned to her apartment, exhausted.

As dusk fell, Yuzhi, who had been training with Yuhi all day, just wanted to lie in bed and rest. She had planned to hold back, but she completely forgot about it, and by the time she realized it, she was already fighting Yuhi without holding back.

However, because he was completely exhausted at that time, while Yuhi still had some strength left, in the end Yuhi could only breathe slightly when facing the all-out attack of Huangyi.

However, Yuzhi could feel her own progress, and she estimated that the situation wouldn't be so embarrassing next time.

Thinking this, she was about to open her door when she saw a notice posted on the door.

The paper had a notice about water and power outages. Only then did Yuzhi realize that even though it was so late, none of the lights in the apartment corridor were on.

"Why is it like this again..."

Unconvinced, Yu Zhi tried several times with the light in her room, but finally gave up the pointless attempt.

The sound of a baby crying could be heard from the next room as always. Even Yu Zhi felt a little uncomfortable. She knocked on the landlord's door, intending to ask her for clarification.

The door opened, and a woman stood inside, holding a crying baby, looking at Yuzhi impatiently.

Before Yuzhi could speak, she took the initiative to say:

"Oh, isn't this Yuzhi? There's been a notice about a power outage in the area. Just bear with it for a bit; it should be back to normal by tomorrow."

"It was the same last time..."

Hearing the reproach in Yuzhi's words, she immediately frowned and replied with dissatisfaction, "Ge Cheng, Ge Cheng, Ge Cheng—you can just go and call her back. Anyway, that's how the problem is in this building. If you can't stand it, you can go stay at your classmate's house for the night."

After saying that, she closed the door, ignoring Yu Zhi's words.

"I......"

Watching the door slam shut with a bang, and hearing the baby's wailing from inside, the exhilaration she felt after her battle with Yuhi vanished. She pursed her lips, turned, and went into her own room.

She turned on her phone in the dark living room, the light illuminating Yu Zhi's complex face. Finally, she sent a message:

"Mr. Duanmu, are you there?"

...Inside the office, Duanmu Mo, shirtless and eating a sundae, had just emerged from the bathroom. He glanced at his lit-up phone on the table and replied:

"I'm here. What's up?"

After hesitating for a moment, Yuzhi replied, "It's a little embarrassing to say, but could I use your bathroom? My power is out here."

"Sure, do you need me to pick you up?"

Looking out the window at the darkening sky, Duanmu Mo asked, picking up the shirt lying on the sofa.

"No need, I'll pack my things and come right away. Thank you so much, Mr. Duanmu."

"Let's talk about these things when we get there."

"Okay, see you later."

— Putting down her phone, Yu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and began tidying up her change of clothes.

Stepping out of the room, Yuzhi looked at the house next to her, where she could still hear the cries of a baby.

She was feeling a little down, but the thought of meeting Duanmu Mo soon cheered her up, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

. . . . . .

Before long, she arrived at Duanmu Mo's office and knocked on the door: "Mr. Duanmu, it's me, Yuzhi."

"You don't need to knock every time, come in."

Duanmu Mo's voice came from inside the house. Yu Zhi responded and pushed the door open to enter.

As soon as Yu Zhi entered, she could feel a dampness in the air, and combined with Duanmu Mo's damp hair, she could tell that he had just come out of the bathroom.

Duanmu Mo was still in the same position with his feet on the table, flipping through a book. When he saw her arrive, he turned his book to look at Yu Zhi and said, "The bathroom is now available."

"Um, excuse me."

Although she had been there once before, Yuzhi still felt embarrassed when she came again.

It's incredibly embarrassing to come to a house with only one adult male to take a bath, no matter how good the relationship is.

Even the cheerful Huizi would gasp in surprise upon hearing this, her cheeks flushing red as she mischievously inquired about the details.

Not to mention strict parents...

After apologizing to her parents in her heart, Yuzhi put down her schoolbag and took out the clothes she needed to change into.

She turned around and secretly peeked at Duanmu Mo. Finding that he wasn't looking at the clothes in her hands, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, blushed, and walked into the bathroom with the clothes in her arms.

The bathroom was still damp and smelled of shower gel.

Although she understood that Duanmu Mo wasn't that kind of person, Yu Zhi still looked around the bathroom to make sure there was no camera directly under the showerhead.

Fortunately, the bathroom wasn't spacious, but it was very clean, and everything was clearly visible.

Seemingly because she was in a confined space, Yu Zhi unconsciously relaxed, and she even had the leisure to joke with Duanmu Mo:

"Mr. Duanmu."

"Ok?"

Some thoughtless words slipped out of her mouth, and by the time Yu Zhi realized what they were saying, it was too late: "You mustn't..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Zhi covered her face, trying to hide her flushed cheeks and the sobs that were escaping her lips.

She didn't expect to say such a thing; she probably overheard Huizi chatting with her companion without realizing it.

In the banter between girls, the things said can easily make people blush, including Yuzhi, but usually when Huizi says such things, she just pretends not to hear and that's all.

Even though she pretended not to hear it, the content still entered her mind, and when Yuzhi said it unintentionally, she felt an unbearable shame.

Now she could only pray that the soundproofing in the small bathroom wasn't good, making it difficult for Duanmu Mo to hear what she was saying.

Yuzhi strained her ears, listening to the sounds outside.

On one hand, she didn't want Duanmu Mo to respond, and on the other hand, she wanted to get a "I can't hear you" answer from him. These two contradictory thoughts appeared in her mind at the same time, and every second that passed was a torment.

After a long silence, Duanmu Mo finally replied, "Oh."

--oh.

A calm and clear voice reached Yu Zhi's ears. She whimpered, covered her face, and squatted down in the bathroom, leaning against the cold wall.

The simplest answers are the most hurtful. With these direct words, Yu Zhi understood that Duanmu Mo had taken her "joke" to heart and responded with a calm acceptance.

"..."

After a long silence, the sound of water splashing finally came from the bathroom. Duanmu Mo looked out the window with a calm expression.

In his hand, a card printed with white flowers appeared, nimbly flipping between Duanmu Mo's fingers.

He eagerly anticipated meeting the Poison Vine again—his power was a fatal temptation the Poison Vine couldn't resist; if one wanted a strong body, there was no way to overcome this obstacle.

However, Poison Vine is also a formidable opponent, and dealing with her with the cards in hand will likely be very difficult.

At this point, more power is needed.

Thinking this, Duanmu Mo flipped his hand, and the card printed with flowers turned into another card in the process.

Blue quality cards featuring vampire monsters.

If used properly, it can also become one of one's own strengths.

However, he doesn't have many energy cards at the moment, so Duanmu Mo can wait a bit longer in case of the upcoming battle.

Yu Zhi seemed to take an unusually long time to shower. After a while, the sounds from the bathroom finally stopped, followed by the rustling of clothes being put on.

The bathroom door opened, and a faint mist filled the room with a pleasant fragrance. Yu Zhi, her hair still wet, poked her head out of the bathroom, glanced at Duanmu Mo, and blushed deeply.

Duanmu Mo also grabbed the card a moment earlier, letting it disappear from his hand, and casually looked at Yu Zhi.

"have you eaten?"

Under his words, Yu Zhi looked away, feeling guilty, and said:

"N-No..."

"Then I'll order two takeout meals."

Duanmu Mo said, casually opening his phone.

"Ah... wait a moment, Mr. Duanmu."

Seeing this, Yuzhi walked out of the bathroom, enveloped in a hazy mist, clutching her chest as she looked at the refrigerator:

"Mr. Duanmu, do you usually cook for yourself at home?"

"I know a little, but don't expect me to cook anything amazing," he said casually, picking up a book from the table and continuing to flip through it.

"Hmm..."

Upon opening the refrigerator, Yuzhi discovered some simple food items stored there. She also noticed an induction cooker under the table when she last visited.

She secretly glanced at Duanmu Mo carrying a shopping basket at the market and couldn't help but smile, completely forgetting her earlier embarrassment.