I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 63

It was unknown when the sky began to drift with snowflakes again. The winter cold continued, making people involuntarily breathe out warm air onto their hands.

“It’s snowing.”

“Tonight, I’ll cook something delicious for my baby, okay?”

“Baby is a little cool today~”

Bamboo Yun kept up her persistent coaxing. She wasn’t scared off by Tang Zixi’s cold face, pretending not to see anything and only smiling foolishly as she tried to make Tang Zixi happy.

She called out “baby” countless times and spoke a truckload of sweet words, her lips almost tired from talking, but Tang Zixi remained cold, distant, and silent.

Bamboo Yun’s hands, hidden under a small fleece blanket, twisted together. Finally, she had no choice but to lower her head and admit her mistake. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hidden it from you. I didn’t expect the timing to be such a coincidence. If you had been home today, wouldn’t I have taken you with me?”

“Oh? Is Xiao Zhu suggesting this is my fault, then?”

Bamboo Yun quickly shook her head. Tang Zixi needed to be calmed down right now, and she absolutely couldn’t make her angry again. If she admitted her mistake and corrected it, she would still be the perfect girlfriend!

“Of course not! I didn’t mean that, you can’t wrongly accuse me.”

Bamboo Yun pouted. She had no authority at all. Tang Zixi’s simple, airy glance was enough to shut her up. Bamboo Yun hadn’t missed Gu Shuyi’s gloating expression, either. If there weren’t outsiders present, Gu Shuyi would have definitely burst out laughing, especially since Bamboo Yun had already backed down and was meekly picking at her fingers like a little rabbit munching on grass.

Tang Zixi let out a cold snort, making Bamboo Yun smile awkwardly. She leaned back in her chair, looked up at the unsmiling woman, and then reached out to form a heart with her hands. She smiled sweetly and said, “Don’t be angry anymore. I know I was wrong.”

“What were you wrong about?”

“I was wrong for going over there by myself.”

Bamboo Yun blinked. She was saying things she didn’t mean. She didn’t actually feel she had done anything wrong, but seeing Tang Zixi angry, and not wanting to fight with her, she would just admit her mistake for now. After all, she could always cause a little trouble later. Either way, she wouldn’t lose.

Seeing her expression, Tang Zixi knew Bamboo Yun was just giving her lip service. She couldn’t help but reach out and pinch her plump cheeks. This was not their usual intimate gesture; this time, Tang Zixi was really using some force, leaving red marks on Bamboo Yun’s pale skin.

Bamboo Yun grimaced in pain but didn’t dare say it hurt. She just said pitifully, “Are you less angry now?”

Tang Zixi said flatly, “What did you say?”

Bamboo Yun instantly understood her meaning. She was still angry.

Bamboo Yun held her face and whined softly, “It’s so hard to console someone. The one named Tang is so difficult to placate!”

“I think I heard someone cursing me.”

Bamboo Yun quickly flattered her, “How could that be? Who would ever have the heart to curse you?”

Tang Zixi stopped. She didn’t push the wheelchair anymore. She walked in front of Bamboo Yun, looking down at her from above.

The woman’s silhouette blocked the light. Standing against the light, her features became more defined and exquisite, and there wasn’t a trace of warmth in her expression. She simply stared back at Bamboo Yun.

This appearance caused a sudden feeling of panic in Bamboo Yun. She was so used to Tang Zixi’s gentle, affectionate look that seeing her like this now made her feel uneasy.

Bamboo Yun grabbed the corner of her coat and said softly, “I really know I was wrong.”

Tang Zixi glanced at her hand, then looked into her apricot-shaped eyes. In an instant, Tang Zixi couldn’t maintain her distant facade anymore.

She lifted Bamboo Yun’s face, her fingertips caressing the skin. Tang Zixi said in a low voice, “Xiao Zhu, I know you can protect yourself, and I know your strength is no less than mine. But there are too many dangers in the apocalypse. I’m afraid something will happen to you. I’m even more worried that… I’m more worried that you’ll leave me. In the apocalypse, it’s very common to be separated, but I don’t want to experience that kind of hardship with you.”

Tang Zixi hadn’t forgotten the look of apprehension in Bamboo Yun’s eyes just now. In the end, she had scared her.

She spoke again, “I’m sorry.”

Bamboo Yun shook her head. “You don’t need to say that to me. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s me, it’s all my fault. I was too arrogant and didn’t consider your feelings. I’m the one who should be saying that to you.”

Tang Zixi explained, “I apologize for my coldness just now.”

Bamboo Yun saw that she had returned to her compliant self and secretly curled her lips up with delight. In a slightly arrogant tone, she said, “Since you’re so sincere, I’ll forgive you. But you have to forgive me too. I’m not a child; I’ll definitely change if I make a mistake. Why did you have to be so cold to me? Are you tired of me? Or are you getting sick of me?”

Tang Zixi couldn’t help but laugh. “How could I ever get sick of you? I don’t have enough time to love you as it is.”

“And you say you love me! You didn’t even leave me any dignity. Gu Shuyi will definitely make fun of me behind my back!”

Tang Zixi didn’t understand what she meant and asked, “How would she make fun of you? And why?”

Bamboo Yun saw that she had successfully diverted her thoughts, and the rock weighing on her heart was finally lifted. She absolutely didn’t want to talk about that topic anymore.

Bamboo Yun put on a melodramatic act, saying stubbornly, “It’s because you were giving me the cold shoulder! Gu Shuyi will definitely think I’m that kind of person!”

Tang Zixi was confused. “What kind of person?”

She complained with a mix of shame and anger, “A wife-controller, of course!”

Tang Zixi burst out laughing. This time, she couldn’t hold back. She leaned down and ruffled Bamboo Yun’s hair, saying gently, “How can you be so cute? Besides, it’s okay to be a wife-controller. Am I not also a wife-controller?”

“Eh?! That actually makes a little sense.”

Bamboo Yun felt much better. She adjusted her woolen hat and shot her an annoyed glance. “You said you wouldn’t mess up my hair. How could you forget again? Later, when I get home and take off my hat, there will definitely be that crackling static sound. Good thing my hair is long. If it were short, I’d definitely turn into a hedgehog.”

“Pffft. Even if Xiao Zhu were a hedgehog, she’d be a beautiful, heavenly one.”

Bamboo Yun hummed smugly. “That’s a given. Wait, no, you’re the hedgehog!”

She resumed pushing the wheelchair. The two of them talked and chatted in the snow, enjoying the scenery. The world outside the wall could be ignored for now. Looking at the pristine white snowflakes, it all felt incredibly romantic.

“Xiao Zhu.”

“What?”

“Tell me about that incident again.”

Bamboo Yun facepalmed in exasperation. What was wrong with this person? Hadn’t they already moved past this? Now she was bringing it up again. Was she trying to kill her?

She grumbled, “Didn’t Gu Shuyi already explain it in the office? I don’t need to repeat it, do I?”

Tang Zixi couldn’t help but chuckle. “I want to hear it from my girlfriend’s own mouth. Or does Xiao Zhu not want to tell me?”

Bamboo Yun gave her a sour look and swore, “You are so difficult to please! Fine, I’ll tell you, okay?”

Just let it be over. She admitted defeat this time, but Tang Zixi, don’t get too smug. For the rest of her life, she would never let her get the upper hand again.

Bamboo Yun quickly came to terms with it. She told the story in more detail than Gu Shuyi had, after all, she was the main character.

“How did Xiao Zhu think to give the Licker’s crystal core to Gu Shuyi?”

Bamboo Yun spread her hands, helpless. “When I thought that thing had been used by Ma Yinghong, I felt sick inside. At the time, only the two of them were there. I couldn’t give it to Fang Ping, could I? I know who my friends are.”

Tang Zixi’s eyes were full of warmth. “It seems Xiao Zhu has a hard shell but a soft heart.”

She immediately retorted, “I do not. Don’t talk nonsense.”

In the manager’s office, in just half an hour, Ling Chengze, once considered a talent by the manager, saw his future completely ruined. His schemes couldn’t withstand close scrutiny. If it were only the attempt to harm Tang Zixi, the manager might have spared his life, since he was a rare and powerful individual. However, Ling Chengze had too many problems, not only cultivating the Licker but more importantly, his devouring ability. If he were to become stronger in the future, wouldn’t he be able to get whatever he wanted? He wasn’t an upright person; someone like him would only become a menace. He dared to cultivate a Licker now—what would he do in the future?

So after the manager heard Sun Chen’s testimony, he let Sun Chen and the others stay. As for what the manager would do to Ling Chengze, Bamboo Yun and Tang Zixi had no idea, as they had left the place of conflict early. Gu Shuyi, on the other hand, went with Huang Wei to collect her reward—the benefits of a Licker’s crystal core were numerous.

The two of them stopped in the snow. Bamboo Yun used her gloved hands to form a round snowball. She packed it tightly; it would definitely hurt if it hit someone.

“Look, this snowball is so big and round. What does it look like?” she said to Tang Zixi, showing off the snowball in her hand.

It was a testament to Tang Zixi’s indulgence that she was standing by Bamboo Yun’s side, holding an umbrella, just because Bamboo Yun had said she wanted to play in the snow.

Tang Zixi’s lips curved into a slight smile. “It looks like Xiao Zhu’s face.”

Bamboo Yun was silent for a moment, unsure if she was being complimented or told she had gained weight.

She looked at Tang Zixi’s serious expression and finally deduced the truth: Tang Zixi was likely complimenting her.

Bamboo Yun held up the snowball and said with a huff, “What are you talking about? I meant, doesn’t this snowball look like a Licker’s crystal core?”

A Licker’s crystal core was fundamentally different from a regular zombie’s, with a different shape and color. Simply put, a Licker’s crystal core was very similar in shape to a snowball, which was why Bamboo Yun had thought of it while playing.

She asked curiously, “Why is the base always looking for Licker’s crystal cores?”

Tang Zixi smiled meaningfully. “Then what do you think? How did Ling Chengze learn how to use a Licker’s crystal core?”

Bamboo Yun suddenly understood. She tossed the snowball up and down, murmuring, “So when the manager met with Sun Chen alone, he was afraid we would also learn the crystal core’s usage method from Sun Chen?”

Tang Zixi checked the time and stroked Bamboo Yun’s warm little face. “We should go home for dinner.”

“Okay.”

“Does what Xiao Zhu said before still count?”

Bamboo Yun paused, then smiled in an instant. “Of course it counts! I’ll show you my skills later! You’ll be so impressed you’ll worship me! After you eat my food, maybe you’ll love me even more~”

Tang Zixi corrected her, “Even if what Xiao Zhu makes is inedible, my feelings for you won’t change. I like you for who you are.”

“I was just using a bit of exaggeration. You’re so serious! You have no romance, hmph.” Bamboo Yun’s words were dismissive, but the joy in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. She clearly loved this side of Tang Zixi and was overjoyed by her words.

What did love feel like?

Bamboo Yun looked down at the snowball in her hand, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Love was the feeling that, even if Tang Zixi asked her to take a bite of the snow right now, she would be willing. There was no other reason; love made people silly, and she was willing to be silly for her.

As the sky grew dark, the smell of cooking drove away the chill. It was time to make dinner.

Bamboo Yun was going to show off her skills tonight, so she naturally couldn’t stay in the wheelchair. She chopped vegetables while Tang Zixi washed them, just like a normal day before the apocalypse.

“Let’s have a can of canned peaches, and make an extra sweet hot soup.”

Bamboo Yun had a portable refrigerator, and Tang Zixi could provide whatever she wanted. Her movements were swift and her chopping speed was incredibly fast, which made Tang Zixi’s head spin. She couldn’t help but ask, “What was your job before?”

Bamboo Yun knew what she was thinking and smiled as she explained, “I was a self-media creator. Cooking and stuff like that was just my hobby.”

Tang Zixi took a piece of sliced sweet potato. Bamboo Yun glared at her. “Even though you can eat it raw, you should eat less of it!”

The team leader, being scolded by his girlfriend, nodded obediently and stopped trying to steal food, honestly washing a very frozen turnip.

The sounds of chopping and running water made Tang Zixi feel a bit nostalgic.

Her old job was a criminal investigator, so she rarely had time to stay at home and eat a warm meal alone. She spent almost all her time in the police station cafeteria.

She never imagined she would be able to live such a warm life in the apocalypse. It was all because of that person.

Tang Zixi looked over at Bamboo Yun. Her profile was serious and focused, her eyelashes were long and curled, and her lips were pursed in concentration. This small action looked incredibly cute and charming to Tang Zixi.

“Xiao Zhu.”

“What!”

“I love you.”

Bamboo Yun’s head snapped up, and she stared intently at Tang Zixi, her eyes shining with intense delight. She lifted her chin and said, “It seems you have good taste.”

What was with her, interrupting her thoughts when she was busy? She was so annoying.

That night, the couple’s dinner was very rich—four dishes and one soup, all smelling delicious. To be able to eat a meal like this in the apocalypse was unimaginable. But thankfully, Tang Zixi was a space-type ability user, which saved a lot of trouble. Coupled with her powerful strength, she would put anything usable she found during her supply runs into her space. Over time, it accumulated into a small fortune.

“Let’s eat, let’s eat!”

The dinner had both meat and vegetables. The meat dishes were all cured meat and luncheon meat. The vegetable dishes were naturally the most storable ones: potatoes, cabbage, and turnips. Even with the lack of certain seasonings, Bamboo Yun was able to make the dishes flavorful. Her cooking skills were truly superb. Even the usually calm and mature Tang Zixi couldn’t help but give a thumbs up after her first bite.

“Be humble, be humble~” Bamboo Yun was all smiles. Seeing that Tang Zixi loved her cooking so much, Bamboo Yun was naturally happy too.

The two of them were laughing and talking when someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Bamboo Yun didn’t move. Tang Zixi went to open it.

She looked back with her bowl in hand and said in surprise, “Godmother? Why are you here?”

Bamboo Yun looked at the puppet, and then at Gu Shuyi and Liu Hua, who were hiding behind it with awkward smiles. She raised an eyebrow. So they were using the puppet as their vanguard.

Gu Shuyi reverently offered the “Happy Fat House Water” she had just gotten today. With a thick face, she said, “Ancestor Grandmother, I think your dinner seems to be missing some drinks.”

Liu Hua didn’t come empty-handed either, holding some fish he had bought, smiling a little shyly.

The girls were a bit embarrassed, but Liu Ye was a different breed. He said cheerfully, “Ancestor Grandmother, I’ve come to pay my respects to you!”

Bamboo Yun’s mouth twitched. She looked at the frozen pork he was holding and said helplessly, “Are you guys planning on not surviving the winter?”

Goodness, each one of them was more generous than the last. It seemed they were all quite wealthy.

Tang Zixi and Bamboo Yun exchanged a look and quickly reached an understanding. Tang Zixi put her hands in her pockets and said, “Come in. Remember to help Xiao Zhu in the kitchen.”

From the moment she smelled the food, Tang Zixi knew the aroma would attract attention, but she didn’t expect it to draw a group of gluttons.

Liu Ye saluted. “Don’t worry! I absolutely won’t let Ancestor Grandmother get tired.”

Gu Shuyi didn’t want to be outdone. She raised her hand and said, “Me too, me too!”

She had gotten a lot of good things today. The drinks were just a small part of it. She couldn’t bring herself to keep it all, so when she smelled the delicious food from the apartment across the hall, she decided to take this opportunity to invite everyone for a good meal.

Even though Gu Shuyi had her own little motives, she still had some sense when it came to important matters. She knew Bamboo Yun had given her the crystal core, so she planned to give all the benefits to Bamboo Yun. Bamboo Yun, however, had refused. Gu Shuyi felt so guilty that she went downstairs and then back up, calling everyone on the team, hoping they could all have a meal together.

“Oh my god, Gu Shuyi, are you trying to steal Ancestor Grandmother’s favor from me?”

“Pfft, I’m the rightful one. Don’t forget who made the bet with Ancestor Grandmother! It was me! This title should only be for me.”

“Bullshit, I started calling it earlier than you!”

“Liu Ye, believe it or not, I’ll electrocute you.”

“Then I’ll burn you to death. Nyah, nyah, nyah.”

Bamboo Yun’s ears were buzzing. The sudden noise was almost too much for her to handle.

She leaned weakly against Tang Zixi’s arms and said, “Am I getting old? Seeing these two bicker, I actually think being young is great.”

Tang Zixi laughed as she held Bamboo Yun, affectionately tapping the tip of her nose. “Sigh, our alone time is gone again.”

Bamboo Yun nodded in agreement. “Isn’t that the truth?”

So she decided she would have to properly torment these few people in the kitchen later!

“Wei the fox, don’t be lazy.”

Wei Jin was caught slacking off by Liu Ye. He moved away from the puppet’s side, where he had been massaging its shoulders, and muttered as he walked away, “This old lady’s body is pretty tough.”

Bamboo Yun secretly covered her mouth and laughed. Its original body was a wooden frame; how could it not be tough?

It was a warm and lively night. With everyone toasting each other and laughing, it felt as if they had returned to the past. As the atmosphere grew, someone suggested having a drink, but Tang Zixi didn’t agree. The apocalypse was not a good time to relax. Lowering one’s guard was equivalent to losing one’s life. She waved her hand, rejecting the suggestion.

There was no alcohol, but there was “Happy Fat House Water.” Drinking it made their teeth chatter from the cold, a feeling that made them incredibly sober. The pull between reality and fantasy was a constant reminder that this was the apocalypse, not the past.

Bamboo Yun didn’t drink the soda, feeling it was too cold. She preferred to drink hot water.

She held her mug, blew on it, and sat quietly by Tang Zixi’s side. The others also quieted down. After the excitement, there was fatigue. Since Tang Zixi was here, they figured they could be lazy and not keep their nerves on high alert. It was too tiring.

Bamboo Yun took a sip to moisten her throat, then offered it to Tang Zixi’s lips. “Have some water. The food was a little salty tonight.”

Tang Zixi accepted. After drinking, she took the mug and placed it on the table, holding Bamboo Yun as they sat on the sofa.

“Captain, let’s just sleep here on the floor tonight. It’s been a long time since we all slept together.”

Gu Shuyi rolled her eyes in disgust. “Liu Ye, who wants to sleep with you?”

“I wasn’t talking about you, you narcissist.”

“You! You’re spitting insults!”

“Alright, stop bickering.” Tang Zixi spoke up to stop them. She definitely couldn’t let them sleep there; the living room was too small for so many people.

Just then, as Tang Zixi was about to speak, she suddenly heard a strange sound from the front door. A thin vine emerged from the keyhole. As if it had eyes, it climbed directly onto the doorknob and pulled it down. The door automatically opened.

Tang Zixi’s solemn expression and the space-blade at her side made her teammates, who knew her well, stand up in alert. Bamboo Yun looked at the doorway and saw the vine being pulled back. Then, a light smoke billowed from under the door crack. They all covered their mouths and noses at the same time, quietly waiting to see what the person outside would do.

Gu Shuyi and Wei Jin exchanged glances. The next second, countless vines emerged from Wei Jin’s feet and silently climbed the wall, staring menacingly at the door. If anyone dared to enter, the vines would mercilessly bind and strangle them.

With a soft “click,” the door was gently pushed open. A skinny, rat-faced man peered his head in, his smug, arrogant smile instantly freezing when he saw the number of people in the living room.

“Monkey? Monkey, why aren’t you saying anything?”

The man behind him was impatient. Why did this monkey push the door open and not go in? Was he afraid people wouldn’t see them?

“B-Brother Qing.”

“Didn’t our boss say there were only two women in this house?”

After the Monkey finished speaking, a vine wrapped around his neck and dragged him inside. He knelt halfway on the floor, allowing Brother Qing to see the full view of the living room. This was no house for just two women; it was a nest of people!

His legs went weak, and he knelt at the door like the Monkey, looking up. “We came here to beg. We’re here to wish you a Happy Early New Year.”

“Boss, you are so unreliable! Brother, my life is over this time.”

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