“I already ate,” Chi Zhan said.
“Yeah?” Chu Xingxiao sounded skeptical. “What’d you eat?”
Chi Zhan had long given up being annoyed by Xiao Xing’s casually invasive attitude—he treated other people’s space like his own without the slightest hesitation. Using a twig to prod at the flames, coaxing them higher, Chi Zhan replied offhandedly, “Roast rabbit.”
Roasted personally by His Royal Highness, no less.
Chu Xingxiao didn’t press. He chuckled and said, “Looks like even when I’m not around, Gege can still take care of himself.”
What kind of statement was that?
He’d always taken care of himself. He’d never needed anyone else to do it for him.
Chi Zhan handed over the ID badge.
“Yours.”
Without even glancing at it, Chu Xingxiao said, “You keep it, Gege.”
Chi Zhan didn’t argue. He simply stuffed the badge directly into Chu Xingxiao’s uniform pocket—only to find it was already stuffed full.
Curious, he realized the pocket was bulging with other ID badges.
“There were a few people in the way while I was looking for you,” Chu Xingxiao explained in a tone of helplessness. “I had to take care of them.”
“……”
When Xiao Xing still didn’t take the badge, Chi Zhan reached forward and unzipped his combat uniform.
Chu Xingxiao blinked.
“Hm? Gege, why are you taking off my clothes? This isn’t really the best place for that, you know.”
Without saying a word, Chi Zhan slipped the badge into his inner shirt pocket, then zipped him back up and pushed his hands aside. Taking a seat by the fire, he said coolly, “Pleasure working with you.”
Chu Xingxiao sat there stunned, clearly in shock. A mix of indignation and amusement crossed his face before he scooted over to sit close beside Chi Zhan.
“Sit somewhere else.”
There was plenty of space around the campfire, yet he insisted on crowding in.
“It’s warmer when you huddle up.”
Well, he wasn’t wrong.
Even though they’d chosen a wind-sheltered spot, the nighttime temperature had already dipped below freezing. Their summer combat uniforms weren’t made for cold weather—probably part of the test, to teach students how to survive harsh conditions.
And besides… Xiao Xing really was warm.
They were both men, yet Chi Zhan’s body temperature had always run low. The people he met never seemed bothered by the cold—walking around in winter like human furnaces, radiating heat. Xiao Xing had even unbuttoned a few buttons, claiming he was too hot.
He was practically showing off.
The fire crackled and popped. Chu Xingxiao busied himself with something, pulling out a lunchbox and setting it on the flames. He added a few ingredients before closing the lid like some kind of magician.
Chi Zhan stared at the fire, lost in thought, then suddenly asked, “Why do you… call me Gege?”
Propped up on one hand, Chu Xingxiao’s striking features glowed in the firelight. Lazily, he said, “Because you’re older than me. Isn’t it normal to call you Gege?”
Chi Zhan frowned slightly.
“But how do you know I’m older?”
“It’s in the academy’s public info database. Just takes a quick search.”
“No, I mean—” Chi Zhan looked at him askance. “Why would you even look up my information?”
“Because I’ve been paying attention to you for a while,” Chu Xingxiao said with a smile. “You’re pretty well-known in the Intelligence Division. Thought we might end up working together someday, so I figured I should get to know you.”
It wasn’t an unreasonable explanation.
Chi Zhan had always ranked near the top of his division. It wasn’t surprising to be noticed. Still, the idea of Xiao Xing paying attention to him felt… off somehow.
Maybe it was because the guy always acted so carefree and nonchalant, like nothing really interested him. And yet, he’d taken the initiative to look up someone from a different division, remembered his age, and even started calling him “Gege.”
Chi Zhan, for his part, rarely ever bothered looking into other people.
As they spoke, Chu Xingxiao opened the lunchbox. Instantly, a rich aroma wafted out.
The steaming contents were a creamy fish soup with wild vegetables. It looked surprisingly legit—almost gourmet—and in the chill of the night, it triggered an irresistible wave of hunger.
“There’s not much good food on the island. But the fresh fish isn’t bad. It’d be even better with a little purple mustard.” He produced a spoon out of nowhere, like he was doing magic. “Want to try?”
Chi Zhan instinctively replied, “No need, you should—”
Before he could finish, Chu Xingxiao had already blown on a spoonful and held it up to his lips, eyes wide and expectant.
“I spent a long time making it.” Then he fed him the spoonful, smiling. “Not bad, right?”
In his entire life, no one had ever fed Chi Zhan anything before. He swallowed the soup, a beat behind, and murmured, “…Mm. It’s really good.”
“Then have some more.” Chu Xingxiao moved to feed him again, but Chi Zhan stopped him. “I’ll do it myself.”
His enthusiasm was hard to refuse.
So Chi Zhan took the spoon and slowly ladled up another bite. He ate with his usual poise—measured and elegant. Watching him sip carefully, one small mouthful at a time, Chu Xingxiao felt a strange heat bloom in his chest.
Gege’s so obedient, so sweet.
Chi Zhan finished about half the bowl and finally noticed that Xiao Xing hadn’t touched his share.
“Aren’t you eating?”
“No spoon left,” Chu Xingxiao said with a regretful sigh.
Only then did Chi Zhan realize he’d probably used the only spoon the guy had prepared. He immediately looked a bit flustered. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
Chu Xingxiao cut him off.
“Then feed me, Gege.”
His eyes sparkled like a puppy eyeing a treat, face full of anticipation.
Chi Zhan froze.
This was a bit much… He’d never shared utensils with anyone before. From a hygiene standpoint—
But this was the wilderness. You couldn’t exactly be picky under these conditions. And he had taken the man’s spoon.
After a long pause, he finally scooped up a spoonful. Before he could even raise it, the other had already leaned in, clearly impatient, and gobbled it up with a happy little “Awooo.”
His eyes curved into crescents.
“Mmm, it really is delicious.”
Watching Gege eat, cheeks faintly flushed, was the most appetizing sight of all.
“Gege’s not eating anymore?”
“I’m full. Thanks for the soup.”
“You should eat more,” Chu Xingxiao insisted. “You’re way too skinny. What do you usually eat? Don’t tell me it’s just those tasteless nutrient packs?”
