Pregnant During An Apocalypse [BL]

Chapter 181: Chapter 181 - Stranger

Inside the warehouse, the storm of emotions had begun to settle.

Yunfeng leaned against the cold wall, his body sore but his mind momentarily at peace. His eyes wandered until they landed on the little girl he had rescued earlier. She was sitting beside his bag, a small form curled protectively around something.

Curious, Yunfeng walked over, quietly, not wanting to startle her. As he got closer, he saw the movement in her lap—a tiny, fluffy monkey with big eyes, twitching ears, and a long, curled tail. It was nuzzling into her palm, letting out soft squeaks as it rubbed its head against her fingers.

”Hey,” Yunfeng said gently, kneeling beside her. ”Isn’t he cute?”

The girl looked up at him. For the first time since he’d pulled her out of that wrecked store, she gave him a tiny, shy nod.

”You can have him if you want,” Yunfeng offered with a warm smile.

Her eyes widened. ”Really?” she whispered, clutching the monkey closer.

”Yeah. He likes people who are kind. Looks like he’s already chosen you.”

She held the monkey to her chest, her lips parting in wonder. The little creature made a chirping noise and nestled deeper into her arms, its tail wrapping lightly around her wrist. Yunfeng noticed it—how her shoulders had relaxed, how her eyes sparkled now with something gentle. Until this moment, she had been quiet, curled up in the corner like a shadow. But the monkey... he’d changed that.

Yunfeng reached into his pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled bag of trail mix. ”You can feed him, you know,” he said, opening it and picking out some dried fruit.

He handed a few banana chips to her, and she slowly held them out to the monkey, who sniffed them excitedly before nibbling from her hand.

”He’s so cute...” she mumbled softly, eyes never leaving the little creature.

Yunfeng couldn’t help but smile. ”What’s your name?” he asked. ”I’m Yunfeng.”

The girl paused, then murmured, ”Yuki.”

”Yuki,” he repeated. ”That sounds beautiful. What does it mean?”

She hugged the monkey close and whispered, ”Snow...”

”Snow?” he tilted his head, studying her features. With her pale skin, round cheeks, and large expressive eyes, she did resemble something delicate and quiet like snowfall.

”Wow... like Snow White?” he teased lightly.

She puffed her cheeks in protest. ”No. Like snow. It’s Japanese, dummy.”

Being insulted by a child caught Yunfeng off guard. He let out a full, hearty laugh. ”Yes, yes. I’m a dummy.”

She giggled, and the monkey squeaked along as if echoing their joy. Yunfeng sat beside her, chatting quietly as Yuki fed her new companion. The little monkey clung to her like she was its world. Somehow, that filled a part of Yunfeng’s chest that had been hollow for far too long.

From across the room, Muchen watched the scene unfold. His lips pulled into a soft smile.

”Chen bro,” Lu Zhi sidled up, eyeing him. ”You’ve got a pretty damn stupid grin on your face.”

Muchen didn’t even glance at him. ”No, I don’t.”

”Yes, you do,” Shao added, arms folded with a knowing smirk. ”I can’t believe you forgave him that quickly.”

”What can I say?” Muchen exhaled. ”I’m soft-hearted. Just look at him,” he said, gesturing toward Yunfeng. ”How am I supposed to stay mad at that face?”

Shao rolled his eyes. ”Stupid pregnant brain...”

Muchen gasped, spinning to glare at him. ”Did you just call me stupid?! You’re stupid!”

Muchen and Shao were playfully shoving each other, trading half-hearted insults and laughter, while Lu Zhi watched them like a tired babysitter.

The next second, the peaceful warmth that had settled inside the warehouse shattered.

A heavy knock echoed through the space—slow, deliberate, like a fist pounding on the back door.

Everyone froze.

Muchen’s body snapped upright, rage simmering in his eyes. ”Is he back? That fucker...” He stormed toward the back entrance, gun already in hand.

”I’ll come with you,” Yunfeng said quickly, hurrying after him. His voice was calm but taut with tension. Behind them, others slowly rose, watching the door with bated breath.

The knocking came again—this time hesitant, like someone unsure of their welcome.

Muchen gritted his teeth. ”Hey! I told you not to come back here!” he barked.

Silence.

No answer from the other side. Just the echo of that knock hanging in the air like a threat.

Muchen’s fingers tightened around his weapon. ”Fuck, he’s pissing me off,” he growled, and with a swift motion, he yanked the door open.

The machine gun was raised, ready to shoot down whoever stood outside—

but both he and Yunfeng blinked in surprise.

It wasn’t Jiang Hao.

A stranger stood in the open doorway, head tilted slightly to the side. Young—maybe in his early twenties—with striking features and a casual, almost amused expression. His eyes sparkled with curiosity, not fear.

”Real survivors,” the young man said, almost to himself. He looked genuinely pleased.

Muchen didn’t lower his weapon. He knocked the barrel lightly on his shoulder, ready to snap it back up at the slightest threat. ”One more step,” he warned coldly, ”and I’ll shoot.”

The young man didn’t flinch. He just smiled wider. ”Wow... you’re cool in real life too.”

He leaned to the side, trying to get a better look into the warehouse past Muchen’s shoulder—but Yunfeng stepped forward with a glare, blocking his view entirely.

”Leave. Now.”

The boy pouted, hands raised in mock surrender. ”But I just got here... can’t I come in for a cup of coffee or something? Or tea? Or juice?”

The casual tone, the grin, the unbothered stance—it all ticked Yunfeng off more than he expected. Something about this guy rubbed against his nerves like sandpaper.

”Leave,” Yunfeng said again, his voice low, dangerous.

Blue flames flickered to life around his clenched fist, casting an eerie light in the dusk-shadowed corridor. Heat coiled in the air around him. The little monkey, now perched on Yuki’s shoulder behind him, chirped in surprise.

”I’ll fry you alive.”

The young man’s eyes widened—not in fear, but in wonder.

”Wow... that’s so cool...” he breathed, looking at the flames like a child seeing fireworks for the first time. ”Blue fire. I’ve never seen that up close. Can you do other tricks too?”

Yunfeng’s jaw clenched. ”I’m not here to entertain you.”