Chapter 2

Lu Cheng's residence is located on the edge of the inner city of City D. It is an independent metal-structured house with a small courtyard and a protective energy field.

Compared to the run-down and crowded Seventh Outer Ring District, this place was clean, quiet, and the air seemed fresher. The interior of the house was simple yet technologically advanced. The smart home system silently activated upon sensing the owner's return, and soft lights illuminated.

Lu Cheng carefully carried Lin Yao into the bedroom and placed him on the large bed covered with soft synthetic fiber sheets. His movements were incredibly gentle, as if Lin Yao was a priceless and fragile item.

"Yaoyao, lie still. The nanorobots at the medical clinic are already repairing your internal injuries, but you still need to rest. I'll get you something to eat."

Lu Cheng's voice was gentle as water. He half-knelt beside the bed, carefully tucking in the quilt for Lin Yao. His fingers brushed through the loose hair on Lin Yao's forehead with a touch of pity. The intense love in his eyes almost overflowed, a mixture of cherishment and deep heartache.

Lin Yao nodded weakly, his eyes half closed, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on his pale face. He didn't resist Lu Cheng's care, and even felt a little strange at the feeling of being held in someone's hands and cared for.

In the old world, being injured meant absolute weakness and danger, and one had to immediately find the most secluded corner to lick their wounds alone.

And at this moment, someone is busy for him and worried about him... This feeling is strange and yet has a strange soothing effect.

Lu Cheng quickly returned with a tray. On it was not a pre-made nutritional paste, but a bowl of steaming, thick meat porridge. Next to it was a small dish of finely chopped, juicy green vegetables. In City D, fresh vegetables were an absolute luxury.

"I asked the doctor at the clinic, and he said your stomach needs mild food right now. I...I tried making some porridge. I hope it's not too bad."

A rare hint of nervousness and shyness, typical of a teenager, appeared on Lu Cheng's handsome face, completely different from his identity as the son of the city lord and the dominance he had shown in front of the soldiers just now.

He was obviously not very good at this. There was some flour on his cuffs and tiny beads of sweat on his forehead.

Lin Yao looked at him, his curiosity growing stronger. The son of the city lord, the pride of the Academy of Supernatural Powers, cooking for him? This was unimaginable in the old world.

Lu Cheng didn't let Lin Yao do it himself. He sat sideways on the bed and carefully lifted Lin Yao's upper body, letting him lean against his solid chest. Then he picked up the bowl, scooped up a small mouthful of porridge with a spoon, and carefully blew it to cool it before bringing it to Lin Yao's lips.

"Come here, Yaoyao, be careful of the heat." His voice was soft and coaxing.

Being held so intimately in the arms of a tall and straight young man and being fed like a baby, Lin Yao's body stiffened for a moment, but then relaxed again.

He obediently opened his mouth, and the warm porridge slid down his throat, carrying the fragrance of grains and a hint of the sweetness of minced meat. The taste...was unexpectedly good.

"Is it delicious?" Lu Cheng asked nervously, looking at Lin Yao intently, as if waiting for an important trial.

"Um……"

Lin Yao responded vaguely and continued to eat. This feeling of being taken care of in all aspects temporarily made him let down his guard and even indulged himself a little.

He leaned on Lu Cheng's warm chest and could clearly hear the other's strong heartbeat. His nose was filled with the clean and refreshing scent of the young man, mixed with the faint aroma of porridge.

Very reassuring.

This was a luxury he had never experienced in the Old World.

After feeding him the porridge, Lu Cheng carefully wiped the corners of Lin Yao's mouth with a warm, wet towel. Looking at Lin Yao's tattered combat uniform stained with blood and dust, he frowned.

"Yaoyao, you're still injured. Wearing dirty clothes is uncomfortable and prone to infection. Can I help you clean up and change into clean clothes?"

His tone was consultative and cautious, as if he was afraid of disturbing Lin Yao.

Lin Yao didn't object. He really needed to clean up, and he also wanted to see how far Lu Cheng could go.

Lu Cheng's movements were exceptionally gentle. He carefully helped Lin Yao take off his tattered combat uniform from another world, trying his best to avoid touching the wounds on his body.

When Lu Cheng saw the crisscrossing, old and new scars on Lin Yao's body, his breath suddenly stopped, and his eyes were instantly filled with strong heartache and anger, even with tears in their eyes.

"Yaoyao...they...how could they do this to you..."

His voice was filled with suppressed anger and sobs, and his fingertips gently stroked an old, pale scar that had healed, as if the scar was engraved on his own heart.

His brain automatically filled in the blank again: these scars were caused by the pursuers sent by the family or the dangers of the lower world during the process of "escaping for love".

Lin Yao did not explain, but just lowered his eyes and let Lu Cheng carry him into the bathroom.

The warm water rushed down, and Lu Cheng's movements were clumsy but extremely serious. He carefully avoided the wounds and wiped his body with a soft towel.

The flow of water washes away dirt and also brings a strange sense of relaxation.

Lin Yao closed his eyes, feeling the flow of water and the warmth of Lu Cheng's fingertips, and his heart was calm.

This feeling of being served and cared for was a completely new experience for him, even carrying a subtle sense of control. This powerful young man was firmly under his control, willingly doing everything for him.

After washing and changing into the soft and clean pajamas that Lu Cheng had found for him, Lin Yao was carried back to bed.

Lu Cheng also quickly showered and changed into pajamas, then naturally lifted the quilt and lay down beside Lin Yao. He stretched out his arms and carefully embraced Lin Yao in his arms, letting him rest his head on his arms.

"Go to sleep, Yaoyao. I'm here, no one can hurt you anymore."

Lu Cheng's chin rested gently against Lin Yao's head, his warm breath caressing him, his voice reassuring and low. His embrace was warm and strong, with an unquestionable protective attitude.

Lin Yao didn't struggle. Instead, he adjusted himself to a more comfortable position, burying himself deeper into Lu Cheng's arms. The boy's body temperature penetrated the thin fabric, dispelling the cold and loneliness deep within his body.

Very warm.

He was like a cat that found a source of heat and relaxed his tense nerves in his safe nest.

Lin Yao didn't fall asleep immediately. He closed his eyes, breathing steadily, as if he had already fallen into a light sleep. After a while, he spoke softly, with a hint of fatigue and confusion, in a very natural tone, as if talking in a dream.

"A Cheng..."

"Hmm? I'm here, Yaoyao." Lu Cheng responded immediately, holding his arms tighter.

"I... I seem to have had a very long nightmare... I'm a little confused..." Lin Yao's voice was just the right amount of fragility. "Are we... in City D now? I seem to... remember it being very safe here... with... a dome?"

Lu Cheng's heart tightened instantly, thinking that Lin Yao was suffering from post-traumatic memory disorder.

He immediately soothed her softly, "Yes, we are in City D, in my home. It's safe. We have Father... and the 'dome' held up by the City Lord, which blocks out all the pollution from outside. Don't be afraid, Yaoyao, the nightmare is over."

"Dome..." Lin Yao muttered, as if trying to recall. "Then...what about other cities? Are they...the same as ours?"

His question was vague, like curiosity, or an instinctive question due to confusion of memory.

"Yes, just like us." Lu Cheng explained patiently, as if coaxing a child, "City A is the 'Sanctuary of Technology', City B is the 'Forest Barrier', and City C is the 'Iron Beehive'. They all have administrators holding up the dome to protect everyone."

He subconsciously avoided resource competition and potential conflicts in other cities, not wanting to make Lin Yao worry.

"Protection..." Lin Yao's voice became softer. "Then... the people who protect the city... are they all very powerful? People like... people like you, do you need to go to the academy to study?"

Speaking of the academy, Lu Cheng's tone was filled with a hint of youthful pride and a longing for the future. "Well, the Ability Academy is where every Awakened person must go. There, they systematically study and develop their abilities, becoming stronger so they can better protect the city, explore "dungeons," and bring back resources for everyone's survival."

He lowered his head and gently kissed the top of Lin Yao's head. "Yaoyao, when I graduate from the academy and become stronger, I will be able to protect you better and give you the best life. You won't have to hide from people anymore."

"Copy...?" Lin Yao revealed a confused tone at the right time, as if he didn't quite understand the word.

"A copy is... a place that connects to the polluted world outside or some strange dimension."

Lu Cheng tried to explain in simple terms, "There are dangers inside, but there are also things we need: food, materials, and energy. Only teams of powerful awakened people can go in and explore."

His tone was solemn, "It's dangerous, but... it's also where there's hope."

"Danger..." Lin Yao seemed to shrink back and snuggled into Lu Cheng's arms again, as if frightened.

Lu Cheng immediately hugged him tightly, comforting him softly: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Yaoyao, I won't let you get close to those places. Just stay by my side and be at ease."

He automatically understood Lin Yao's "shrinking" as the shadow left by the attack of copy monsters when he was struggling at the bottom in the past.

Lin Yao didn't ask any more questions, as if he was comforted. His breathing gradually became long and even, as if he had fallen asleep.

In the darkness, he leaned in Lu Cheng's warm and solid arms. With his eyes closed, his brain was working rapidly, cold and clear.

A, B, C, D, four cities, managers, domes, pollution, dungeon exploration, and the School of Superpowers...

These key pieces of information gradually piece together the outline of this new world.

Resources are scarce, dangers abound, and strength is paramount. The dungeon seems to be an important resource point for obtaining resources in this world. Perhaps he can find materials there that can restore his strength.

Lu Cheng's embrace was warm, his sweet words were sweet, and his care was meticulous. This novel feeling of security and being cherished was like a slightly intoxicating poison to Lin Yao. He didn't dislike it; he was even a little addicted to this moment of peace.

But he knew better than anyone what a fragile lie this peace was built on.

He was completely unaware of the details of the "tragic love" scenario that Lu Cheng had automatically imagined. Lu Cheng's awareness of his "unawakened" state and the possible existence of "old injuries" were both huge time bombs.

He needs to recover his strength as soon as possible, needs to understand the copy, and needs to find the real capital to gain a foothold in this world.

In the gentle paradise woven by Lu Cheng's soul control, he is both a beneficiary and a lurking hunter.

Feeling Lu Cheng's steady breathing and strong heartbeat, Lin Yao silently curled up the corners of his lips in the darkness. The smile was cold and weird.

He had to continue this play, and perform it well enough. While enjoying this novel "warmth", he also had to start weaving his own web.

After all, a true hunter will never be satisfied with false protection.