Chapter 206 There's someone inside!
(I wrote a bit of explicit content in the last chapter but got stuck. I originally wanted to release it before updating this chapter to avoid affecting the reading experience, but I don't have time now. If you still can't see the last chapter, please check it tomorrow morning.)
When I woke up the next morning, the spot next to me was empty, leaving only a lingering warmth and a crisp scent.
Josie rubbed her eyes and sat up, only to find that Lu Yuyang had already gone out to work.
On the dining table in the living room sat a bowl of slightly steaming vegetable porridge, next to which was a note in Lu Yuyang's strong, vigorous handwriting: "Xixi, eat something first when you wake up. I have some things to take care of, I'll be back later. —Yuyang"
The simple words of advice warmed Josie's heart.
She sat down and slowly finished her porridge. The warm food dispelled the last chill of the morning.
After clearing away the dishes, she pushed open the door and went out, intending to visit Grandma Chen and Zhao Wenjing.
The safe zone had awakened in the early morning. Although it was still dilapidated, it was much more vibrant than the silent night.
As joxi walked down that familiar yet unfamiliar long street, she noticed that the population here was significantly larger than when she last visited.
More makeshift shacks and tents were erected along the roadside. Most people's faces showed the numbness and exhaustion typical of the apocalypse, but at least they were still trying to survive.
They are probably survivors who came here to huddle together for warmth before the harsh winter.
As she walked and observed, a woman's voice, tinged with hesitation and uncertainty, suddenly came from behind her:
"Miss Qiao...?"
Josie stopped in her tracks, looking on with suspicion.
A middle-aged woman, dressed simply yet neatly and with an elegant demeanor, stood not far behind her; she was Lu Yuyang's mother, Madam Lu.
When she turned around and saw Qiao Xi's face clearly, the hesitation on Madam Lu's face instantly turned into undisguised joy.
She took a few steps forward and very naturally reached out to take Josie's hand, her tone warm and friendly: "Miss Josie, it really is you! I thought I was seeing things!"
This excessive intimacy made Josie very uncomfortable, and even somewhat wary.
Almost instinctively and without hesitation, she withdrew her hand, took a half-step back, and maintained a polite but distant smile: "Mrs. Lu, hello. May I ask what brings you here?"
Madam Lu's outstretched hand missed its mark, and the smile on her face froze for a moment, a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment flashing across her face, but she quickly regained her composure.
She withdrew her hand, her tone still gentle: "Nothing special, it's just that I haven't seen you in a long time. I saw your back just now and thought it looked like you, I didn't expect it to really be you. Are you free? Why don't you come over for a visit? Yu Yang... misses you too."
She tried to use her son to build a closer relationship.
Josie's smile was polite but devoid of warmth: "Thank you for your kindness, but it's no need. We've already met."
Mrs. Lu was slightly taken aback by this blunt rebuff, and her eyes dimmed for a moment, but she still tried her best to maintain her composure: "Is that so... Alright then. You go ahead with your work, and come over to our house anytime you have time. I'll cook you my specialty dishes."
Her words even carried a subtle hint of flattery.
Josie neither agreed nor refused, but simply nodded slightly and said politely but distantly, "Thank you, I have something to do, I have to go now."
"Alright, alright, you go ahead and get busy. We'll talk when you're done, okay?" Mrs. Lu nodded quickly, watching Qiao Xi turn and leave.
She didn't leave immediately, but stood there, gazing at Josie's receding figure with a complicated expression for a long time.
From the moment she first saw Qiao Xi, Madam Lu vaguely understood why her usually calm and composed son had fallen so completely in love.
This girl is not only beautiful and stunning, but more importantly, she possesses a unique temperament—independent, strong, seemingly indifferent to everything, yet as if she has everything under control.
This quality can indeed drive men crazy and make them unable to look away.
To be fair, setting aside family background and focusing solely on the individual, she couldn't find anything wrong with Josie.
However, at that time, the older generation's ideas had not completely changed, and they always felt that their son deserved a "better" and more "traditional" marriage.
But after an even more brutal winter, the reality of the apocalypse taught everyone a harsh lesson.
The order collapsed completely, the number of women plummeted, and they became extremely precious.
The situation is now even turning upside down, with the emergence of "one wife, multiple husbands," and often it takes several capable men to share and protect a relatively beautiful and healthy woman.
Ordinary men without superpowers don't even qualify to be among the "one in several".
Her son, Yu Yang, has always been outstanding and sensible, but he is incredibly rebellious and stubborn when it comes to relationships.
He didn't want anyone but Josh; he was stubborn and inflexible.
It was from her son's almost resolute statement that Madam Lu finally understood.
Oh well, oh well, Josh it is then.
As long as her son likes her, that's enough. At least she can wholeheartedly devote herself to her son, instead of making him just a fraction of her.
Perhaps the best choice for parents is to grant their wishes.
That's why she took the initiative to humble herself and try to ease the tension today.
Even after walking a long way, Josie could still feel that complex and persistent gaze behind her.
She frowned slightly, unable to understand the noblewoman's sudden change in attitude.
She had long since forgotten about the previous unpleasantness, but that didn't mean she became closer to the other person because of it.
If she knew what Madam Lu was thinking at that moment—"to fulfill their wishes" and "there was no one else around"—she would definitely burst out laughing.
She has never been a "good woman," and she doesn't want to be labeled as such, nor does she need anyone's "favor."
All she wants in this life is to live as she pleases.
Shaking off these pointless thoughts, Josie walked familiarly toward Feng Ye's residence.
The old building looked more dilapidated than the rest of the safe zone.
However, when she actually stood downstairs, she hesitated.
She and Feng Ye had such a bad falling out before, it was almost a falling out.
But not long ago, the two lost control and slept together again.
If she were to suddenly show up at his door now, what would she do if he happened to be home?
Thinking about this, she shook her head, finding it amusing.
Feng Ye is usually elusive, spending most of his time fighting and busy outside. What a coincidence that he's home today?
So she composed herself and stepped onto the stairs.
Arriving at the familiar door, she raised her hand and knocked.
"Knock knock knock..."
The knock had barely sounded when the door next door opened, and an older woman came out carrying a garbage bag. Seeing Qiao Xi, she said warmly, "Are you here to see Grandma Chen and Wenjing?"
“Yes, Auntie.” Josie nodded.
"Then you'll have to wait a while. Wenjing took Grandma Chen to the supply distribution center early this morning to get some work to do. They probably won't be back until the afternoon."
After the woman finished speaking, she took the trash downstairs.
Josie frowned; so he really wasn't home.
She knocked on the door twice more, raising her voice: "Wenjing? Grandma Chen?"
There was no response from inside, so it seems they really did go out.
"Then I'll come back later," she muttered to herself, preparing to turn and leave.
However, the instant she turned around,
With a "click," the door behind me was opened from the inside!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
