566: 9.36 First Feeding

9.36 First Feeding

Cw: gore, raw animal eating2

***

When Lu Yizhou thought of burying his face into Xiao Tun's fleshy body and bit down, his stomach growled even more loudly. However, his dignity as a human being prohibited him from showing such a vulgar demeanor. Even if he had to eat raw flesh, he'd prefer to kill Xiao Tun number 2 first, cut it into pieces before eating it with a fork. Alas, his zombie instinct kept meddling with his mind, telling him that a living prey would taste much, much more delicious…

The two sides within him clashed, each was more stubborn than the other.

In Zhao Bolin's eyes though, he was merely staring at Xiao Tun number 2 with a dazed look on his face. "What's wrong? Don't like it?" He clicked his tongue exasperatedly. "Why are you such a picky eater? Do you know how difficult it is to secure live animals in our current situation? Fortunately, I have a solid excuse to ask the soldiers for more. If you don't like guinea pigs, what will you eat in the future? Birds?"

Lu Yizhou raised his eyes speechlessly and as soon as their gazes met, Zhao Bolin gave a violent shudder, took a step backward and exclaimed, "You… You aren't allowed to bite me! At least, not until I finish this formula!"

Lu Yizhou harrumphed. What kind of zombie did Zhao Bolin assume he was? Even if only the two of them remained in this world, Lu Yizhou would still be unwilling to bite him! He did not want to infect Zhao Bolin with the virus, turning him into an undead whom he could control with his mind. Just thinking about it was enough to make him disgusted. 

Grabbing Xiao Tun's cage, he turned around only to be grabbed by Zhao Bolin. "W–Where are you going?"

[I am going to eat in another place.]

"Why?!" Zhao Bolin asked despairingly as though Lu Yizhou had just deprived him of his most beloved treasure. Then he put on a placating smile and coaxed the expressionless zombie gently, "Just sit here and fill your stomach slowly. If you're not full, I still have a few more. If you go outside, what if someone sees you?" 

At first, Zhao Bolin was only spouting nonsense on top of his head but the more he spoke, the more reasonable he thought it was. They already had one prior example — Yang Tengfei who unexpectedly liked to spy on them. Even now, Zhao Bolin was traumatized enough that he would lift his head to check the windows every fifteen minutes. Who knew what would happen if Lu Yizhou's existence was exposed to others? No! Zhao Bolin could not allow it to happen!

He said sternly, "Stay here and eat."

Lu Yizhou intended to protest but when he saw how serious Zhao Bolin was, he finally heaved a sigh of defeat and plopped his butt on the nearest empty ground. Zhao Bolin immediately abandoned his current experiment and sat opposite him, his eyes shining in anticipation.

Lu Yizhou: "..."

Well, forget it. It's not like he could hide from his lover forever…

Lu Yizhou opened the cage and easily caught Xiao Tun in his hand. The poor animal squeaked in fear, its four claws struggling desperately in an attempt to save its life. Unwilling to prolong the process, Lu Yizhou tightened his grip and snapped the animal's neck cleanly. Xiao Tun twitched a few more times before turning limp in his hand, lifeless. Its body was still warm though; this should be enough to sate his zombie's instinct… right? 

He glanced at Zhao Bolin, sighed and finally dug in. He had already prepared himself, yet as soon as the first taste of raw flesh and warm blood entered his mouth, Lu Yizhou's eyes turned pitch black and he instantly forgot himself. The round and plump guinea pig was eaten clean in three or four bites. Not yet satisfied, he even licked his bloody fingers, a delightful growl rumbling from his chest. 

All this while, Lu Yizhou managed to suppress his zombie instinct by eating chocolate bread. However, it was not until now that he understood what 'eating' truly meant. Compared to the bread, this genuine prey was a thousand times more… savory and delectable. Lu Yizhou truly could not get enough of it. It was like he was drunk on high-quality wine. 

His pitch black eyes shifted to the stunned Zhao Bolin — or to be exact, his neck. He licked the corner of his lips. Saliva pooled in his mouth. 

Without saying anything, Zhao Bolin grabbed another cage and threw it toward him. Lu Yizhou did not stand on courtesy and devoured the frightened guinea pig like a ravenous wolf. This time, he even forgot to kill it first. Blood splattered on his clothes and hands, whilst the animal's pained and desperate shrieks reverberated in his ears, slowly turning weaker and weaker…

"1 minute 3 seconds." Zhao Bolin's voice snapped him out of his reverie and only then did Lu Yizhou realize what kind of mess he had caused. 

It was purely grotesque. The front of his clothes were stained with crimson blood and the bottom half of his face was wet with a fragrant, mouth-watering scent. Between his fingers were little chunks of flesh, too clumpy to be recognized and he could still taste the blood curdling fear from the guinea pig on the tip of his tongue…

Fucking hell…! Lu Yizhou shut his eyes, his brows furrowed tightly. Nausea churned in his stomach. He pressed his lips together in an attempt to swallow the bile on his throat. What… What had he done? Like this, would he not be the same as Captain Rong who relished in torturing humans and eating them alive…?

A cold touch on his cheek snapped Lu Yizhou's eyes open and he let out a threatening growl.

Zhao Bolin's fingers jerked but otherwise he did not move away. Lu Yizhou did not even realize when he had come this close. In Zhao Bolin's hand was a piece of wet cloth. When Zhao Bolin saw the recognition in his eyes and was positive that Lu Yizhou would not attack him, he proceeded to clean the blood around Lu Yizhou's mouth. "It's okay…" his gentle and reassuring voice washed over Lu Yizhou's tumultuous chest like spring rain amidst the heated summer, filled with endless patience and understanding. "I know it's difficult for you. This is your first time feeding after all. Later on, you will get used to it. It's okay, I will create the antidote as soon as possible. By then… I will get rid of this fucking virus in your body, okay?"

Lu Yizhou was stunned.

This man… he was clearly spooked to the point where sweat beaded on his forehead. His fingertips were icy cold and his shoulders were faintly trembling. Yet he still hardened his resolve and approached a predator who could bite his neck off in a blink of an eye. Why was he so foolish yet endearing at the same time…?

After wiping Lu Yizhou's mouth clean, Zhao Bolin proceeded to reach for his bloody hands. At first, Lu Yizhou was unwilling to let him get in contact with something so filthy. Alas, who could rival Professor Zhao when it came to stubborness? Zhao Bolin clicked his tongue and forcibly pulled Lu Yizhou's hand into his lap. "Don't worry about this. Nobody saw you except me. Your secret will be safe with me forever, I swear." His mouth kept moving as he worked, gently wiping Lu Yizhou's fingers one by one until the originally white wet cloth turned muddy crimson. 

The light overhead casted half of his features into shadows. Amidst Lu Yizhou's hazy vision, it was like an ethereal light was radiating off the man in front of him, so radiant and pure. So contrary to how filthy he was. 

Lu Yizhou quietly heaved out a sigh and resigned to his fate, obediently letting himself be taken care of. This feeling awfully reminded him of the time when they had just gotten together. At that time, Lu Yizhou was also feeling like this; dirty and unworthy. Afraid that he would lead his lover astray and lead him down to Hell.

But that was such a long, long time ago. That kind of psychological barrier… Lu Yizhou had already fought it through. He was not the man who was better off alone anymore. In this desolate world, he had sworn that he would not let go of this person. Ever. 

And hence, as soon as Zhao Bolin threw the dirty cloth aside and was ready to speak again, Lu Yizhou grasped his arm and pulled the man toward him, burying his face into the warm chest.

Zhao Bolin let out a surprised gasp. His body stiffened for a second and he quickly analyzed what was going on. Lu Yizhou did not seem like he wanted to eat him and thus, he slowly let himself relax. For some reason, Zhao Bolin's heart ached sourly when he saw how despondent the zombie was. Without even thinking, he stretched his arms out, uncaring even if his white lab coat were also stained by the blood on Lu Yizhou's clothes, and wrapped his arms around the zombie's head, hugging him tighter to himself.

"Sssh, it's okay…" He caressed the soft, thick hair. Inside the brightly lit laboratory, he made a promise with all earnesty. "Everything will be okay. I swear, I will definitely cure you."

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