Chapter 22: That Slow Change
The biggest benefit of summer vacation is probably being able to sleep until you wake up naturally.
Of course, if you sleep too much, you will realize it’s not always a good thing.
As a true homebody, after going through many ups and downs, Mu Le has finally returned to her old routine.
Wake up, eat, write, play some low-quality games, watch new anime, chat a bit, then sleep…
Yep, another day gone.
Repeating this again and again may look boring, but for Mu Le, it feels quite relaxed.
A simple and peaceful life like this is actually very nice.
Of course, someone was the first to frown at her “pig-like” lifestyle.
“You stay in front of the computer every day. Aren’t you afraid of getting bad eyesight?”
Putting down a cold drink next to the desk, Xiao Yuze rubs his forehead helplessly as he watches Mu Le typing like no one else is around.
“And also, you always stay at home. How long has it been since you’ve seen sunlight? Even though it’s summer, you should at least go out for a walk in the morning.”
Hearing this, Mu Le’s hands stop for a moment.
She picks up the drink, takes a sip, then suddenly shows a “dark” expression. “Sunlight is the natural enemy of beings of darkness like me, my dear friend.”
No, sunlight is definitely not that scary.
Xiao Yuze’s mouth twitches slightly. Does she think she’s a vampire?
While he is still speechless, Mu Le has already turned back to the computer, her fingers quickly moving across the keyboard again.
When Xiao Yuze arrived, she was almost done writing, so after just a few minutes, the new chapter is finished.
“OK, done writing!”
After saving and closing the document, Mu Le lets out a small sigh of relief.
Actually, after turning into a girl, the changes she experienced are not only about inspiration and mood. Because her hands are now smaller than before, her typing speed has also slowed down.
But after getting used to it recently, she can more or less keep up again.
With the important task done, Mu Le touches her stomach as hunger starts to rise.
Seeing this, Xiao Yuze’s expression becomes a bit serious. “You didn’t eat dinner again? I left food for you.”
Mu Le sticks out her tongue and doesn’t try to argue.
She was too focused on playing games, and after sitting all day, she didn’t even feel hungry at the time.
“…Looks like I’ve spoiled you too much. If you don’t take care of your body now, you’ll regret it later.”
“Yes, yes.” Seeing his helpless expression, Mu Le blinks innocently. “It’s all my fault for not being good. Hmm… I should listen to you, Aze! So, dear Comrade Xiao Yuze, could you please make some late-night food for your friend who is about to starve?”
Xiao Yuze: “……”
Can she stop joking? Even though it’s cute, he can’t promise he won’t lose control and spank her.
Well… just a thought.
In the end, he still gives in to her pleading look.
“Wait here.”
Watching Xiao Yuze leave, Mu Le’s flattering smile fades, and she lets out a small sigh.
She looks at her own fingers, her expression a bit complicated.
She remembers reading a sentence somewhere before. If you want someone to never leave you, then take care of them completely.
Take care of them so much that once they leave you, they can’t even live properly on their own.
Then, you’ve succeeded.
Although that sentence sounds a bit exaggerated, in some ways… it is completely true.
Aze… Aze… Aze… Aze…
Now, whenever she has a problem, this word appears in Mu Le’s mind without her noticing.
Without realizing it, he has already become deeply involved in every part of her life.
And she… seems like she hasn’t noticed.
No, or maybe she just doesn’t want to think about it. Or rather, she doesn’t dare to think about it.
She feels that if she really does something about it, this rare and comfortable atmosphere will disappear completely.
Even though she doesn’t want to admit it… she really enjoys it. She enjoys the feeling of being taken care of so carefully.
It feels like the whole world is filled with warm and gentle light, making her whole body feel warm.
Her parents’ divorce, her loneliness as a child. Back then, the only thing that stayed with Mu Le was an empty house.
That place was filled with a kind of loneliness and coldness that someone her age should not have to feel.
And then one day, a beam of light suddenly shined into that cold house…
That light would probably become something very precious, something one of a kind.
And because she has experienced it and tasted its warmth, she now wants more of it.
Humans… are like this, aren’t they?
“Stop daydreaming. Come eat. Oh, and… don’t forget to wash your hands!”
Just as Mu Le was lost in thought, Xiao Yuze’s voice came from outside the room.
The food had already been prepared in the morning and stored in the fridge, so it didn’t take long to heat it up.
Thinking about it, the real reason Mu Le is still hungry now is simply because she is too lazy.
Looking at the girl sitting in the room, Xiao Yuze feels a bit tired inside.
As expected… he really can’t feel at ease leaving her to someone else.
Having a roommate like her is probably the most troubling thing in his life.
Hmm, maybe… it will trouble him for a lifetime?
Seeing Mu Le about to walk straight to the table, he frowns slightly. “Wash your hands.”
Mu Le freezes for a moment, then pouts a little, but still obediently goes to the bathroom.
Washing hands before eating, it’s a rule.
“For your health, I think I can’t just leave you like this anymore.”
When Mu Le comes back after washing her hands and sits at the table, the man across from her suddenly says this.
She blinks in confusion, not quite understanding. “Huh?”
“You must eat three meals a day on time. I’ll supervise you. If you don’t finish your food, then next time, there won’t be any.”
Mu Le chews her food while looking at Xiao Yuze’s serious face. She hesitates a little.
In the end, between games and food, food wins.
After swallowing, she nods. “Okay.”
“Mm, good.”
Xiao Yuze nods in satisfaction and touches his chin.
But that one word, “good,” almost makes Mu Le spit out her food.
Then, whether she choked or for some other reason, her face turns slightly red.
“Slow down. Also, if I don’t have much work in the morning, I'll head to the office later. Lele, you can go out for a run with me. Or… just walk a couple of laps is fine.”
Mu Le’s lifestyle is really too unhealthy in Xiao Yuze’s eyes!
If this continues, her physical strength and immunity will get worse. If she gets sick later, it will not be worth it.
Even if Mu Le might refuse, Xiao Yuze still thinks it’s necessary to take her outside for some exercise.
Even just walking a few laps is better than staying in the room all day.
But unexpectedly, Mu Le does not react the way he thought she would.
She quietly eats for a while before hesitating and saying, “Um… won’t this affect your work? Right now, aren’t you—mm!?”
Before she can finish, her slightly open mouth is suddenly stuffed with a meatball.
Looking at the confused Mu Le, Xiao Yuze smiles slightly. “You… do you have to be this cute?”