196: Chapter 196 Lin Wanrou's Feelings

Late at night, in the A-Class residential area of the Shelter.

Lin Wanrou sat alone on the edge of the bed, her hands gripping the sheets tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, spilling onto her haggard face.

She hadn't slept well for three days.

Every time she closed her eyes, the figure of that man would appear in her mind—

His heroic posture while fighting the SSS-rank Demonic Dragon alone.

The lonely figure standing atop the high-rise ruins.

And those eyes, deep as the stars...

"No... this won't do..."

Lin Wanrou bit her lip, forcing herself to shift her thoughts away.

"How could I be like this..."

And Lin Ruoxue... was already Lin Yuan's woman.

"What on earth am I thinking..."

Lin Wanrou covered her face with her hands, tears sliding through her fingers.

It wasn't that she hadn't thought about leaving.

The Apocalypse was so vast; if she took Ruoxue to another place, they could always survive.

But...

Just thinking about leaving this Shelter, leaving that man.

Her heart felt as if it were being torn apart.

"What... is wrong with me..."

A mature woman in her early thirties, yet at this moment, she was as fragile as a young girl.

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock sounded at the door.

Lin Wanrou hurriedly wiped away her tears: "Who... who is it?"

"Mom, it's me."

Lin Ruoxue's voice came from outside the door.

Lin Wanrou took a deep breath, composed herself, and opened the door.

"Ruoxue? You haven't rested yet at such a late hour?"

"Mom..."

Lin Ruoxue walked into the room, looking at her mother's haggard expression, feeling heartbroken:

"You haven't slept well these past few days, have you? I can see your eyes are red."

"No... no, Mom just has a bit of insomnia..."

Lin Wanrou forced a smile.

Lin Ruoxue pulled her mother to sit down and looked at her seriously:

"Mom, I've seen through it all."

"See... see what?"

Lin Wanrou panicked inwardly.

"You like Brother Lin Yuan, don't you?"

"!!!"

Lin Wanrou's face turned bright red instantly, and she shook her head in a panic:

"No... that's not true! Ruoxue, don't talk nonsense!"

"Mom~"

Lin Ruoxue laughed:

"You've been secretly watching Brother Lin Yuan these past few days; I'm not blind."

"And every time you see him, your face turns red, and your eyes dodge."

"If this isn't liking him, what is?"

"I..."

Lin Wanrou was at a loss for words, tears streaming down uncontrollably:

"Ruoxue, Mom is sorry to you... Mom shouldn't..."

"Why shouldn't you?"

Lin Ruoxue asked back.

"Huh?"

Lin Wanrou was stunned.

"Mom, listen to me."

Lin Ruoxue held her mother's hand and said seriously:

"I'm not angry; on the contrary... I'm very happy."

"Happy?"

Lin Wanrou couldn't believe her ears.

"Yes!"

Lin Ruoxue nodded:

"If you can fancy Brother Lin Yuan, it shows you have good taste!"

"Besides, in the Apocalypse, being able to have someone to rely on—Mom, as your daughter, I feel at ease too."

"But... but..."

Lin Wanrou said while crying:

"You are already Lin Yuan's woman, how can I..."

"So what?"

Lin Ruoxue shrugged:

"It's the Apocalypse, do we still care about so much?"

"As long as we can survive, as long as we can be happy, nothing else is important."

She paused and laughed teasingly:

"Besides, I actually hope Mom can also receive Brother Lin Yuan's affection~"

"That way, we mother and daughter can be together in the future; how wonderful that would be~"

"Ruoxue!"

Lin Wanrou blushed deeply.

But her daughter's words truly lessened the guilt in her heart.

Seeing her mother waver, Lin Ruoxue continued to push:

"Mom, do you know? The goddesses in the Shelter all want to become Brother Lin Yuan's women."

"Sister Luo Qinghan, Sister Ye Qingxue, Sister Xia Bingning... which one of them isn't an unparalleled beauty?"

"They are all competing, all working hard."

"Mom, if you hesitate any longer, you won't have a chance~"

"I..."

Lin Wanrou's heart beat violently.

No chance?

Thinking of Lin Yuan being monopolized by other women, a strong sense of unwillingness surged in her heart.

"And..."

Lin Ruoxue said, pretending to be casual:

"I heard from Sister Ye Qingxue that Brother Lin Yuan actually quite likes mature and gentle women."

"He said that although young girls are pretty, the gentleness and thoughtfulness of mature women are incomparable."

"If Mom were also young, you would definitely be able to gain Brother Lin Yuan's favor..."

These words were like a knife, piercing straight into Lin Wanrou's heart.

Young...

She was already in her early thirties; how could she compare to those girls in their twenties?

And she had a daughter...

"Mom!"

Seeing her mother's low spirits, Lin Ruoxue quickly said:

"Actually, you aren't old at all!"

"You have more charm than those little girls!"

"Mature, gentle, virtuous—these are all your advantages!"

"Brother Lin Yuan will definitely like you!"

Lin Wanrou raised her head, looking at her daughter with red-rimmed eyes:

"Ruoxue... do you really not mind?"

"Of course I don't mind!"

Lin Ruoxue said seriously:

"I only hope Mom can be happy."

"And to be honest, being able to serve Brother Lin Yuan together with Mom makes me very happy too~"

"You child..."

Lin Wanrou was both annoyed and amused, but the ice in her heart finally began to melt.

The next day.

Lin Yuan was patrolling inside the Shelter as usual.

He activated B-Class Crisis Insight, able to perceive everything within a ten-kilometer radius.

Including everyone's status, loyalty, and even emotional fluctuations.

Over the past few days, he had noticed an interesting phenomenon—

Lin Wanrou's emotional fluctuations were significant.

And every time she saw him, she would blush and dodge.

"Interesting..."

Lin Yuan curled his lips into a smile.

As he walked through the residential area and passed by the kitchen, he saw Lin Wanrou preparing ingredients.

Her mature figure was wrapped in a simple long dress; gentle, virtuous, and full of charm.

This woman indeed had a unique charm.

And...

A hint of playfulness flashed in Lin Yuan's eyes.

Mature women needed to be savored slowly.

The more reserved, the more valuable.

He deliberately walked into the kitchen: "Sister Wanrou, what are you making?"

"Ah?!"

Lin Wanrou was startled by the sudden voice.

Her hand shook, and hot soup splashed out of the pot, landing on the back of her hand.

"Hiss—"

She sucked in a cold breath from the pain.

"Careful!"

Lin Yuan rushed over instantly and grabbed her hand.

Then he took out a gene healing potion from his space ring and gently applied it to the back of her hand.

Warm fingers touched her skin.

Lin Wanrou's whole body stiffened, her heart beating like a drum.

"No... no need, just a small injury..."

Her voice trembled, and she dared not look up at Lin Yuan.

"Even if the wound is small, it still needs to be treated."

Lin Yuan said gently, applying the medicine to her with soft movements.

The gene healing potion had amazing effects, and the wound healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

But Lin Yuan's hand did not let go immediately.

He looked at this mature woman in front of him.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyelashes trembling, her breathing rapid.

Just like a frightened little deer.

"Sister Wanrou."

Lin Yuan spoke suddenly.

"Hm... hmm?"

Lin Wanrou responded with a trembling voice.

"Have you... been troubled by anything lately?"

"!"

Lin Wanrou panicked inwardly and hurriedly shook her head:

"No... no..."

"Is that so?"

Lin Yuan looked at her meaningfully:

"Then why have you been avoiding me whenever you see me these past few days?"

"I... I haven't..."

Lin Wanrou's face turned even redder; she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"You have~"

Lin Yuan laughed:

"Yesterday, when you saw me, you turned and ran."

"The day before yesterday, when you saw me, you took a long detour."

"Three days ago, when you saw me, your face was as red as an apple."

"..."

Lin Wanrou was so embarrassed she wanted to die.

So he knew everything...

He saw it all...

"I... I..."

She stammered, unable to speak.

Lin Yuan let go of her hand and said with a smile:

"It's fine, I'm just concerned about you. After all, you are Ruoxue's mother."

After saying this, he turned and left.

Leaving Lin Wanrou standing there alone, her face flushed red enough to drip blood.

She watched Lin Yuan's retreating figure, her heart beating violently.

That gentleness, concern, thoughtfulness...

It almost made her break down.

She bit her lip, her hands tightly clenched into fists.

That night.

Lin Ruoxue said to her mother "unintentionally":

"Mom, I heard that Brother Lin Yuan is going to patrol the city wall tonight and will be back very late."

"Oh... oh."

Lin Wanrou responded absent-mindedly.

"Sigh~"

Lin Ruoxue sighed:

"Brother Lin Yuan works too hard, worrying about the Shelter every day."

"He doesn't even have anyone to take care of him..."

"It would be good if there were a mature and thoughtful woman to accompany him."

These words were like a key.

Unlocking the shackles in Lin Wanrou's heart.

That's right...

Lin Yuan is so tired; he really needs someone to take care of him.

And herself...

Mature, gentle, knows how to cook, knows how to take care of people...

Aren't these exactly her advantages?

"Ruoxue..."

Lin Wanrou spoke suddenly.

"Hm?"

"Mom... Mom wants to go and bring Brother Lin Yuan some late-night snacks..."

Lin Wanrou said, blushing.

"Okay!"

Lin Ruoxue's eyes lit up:

"I'll help Mom prepare!"

She ran quickly to the kitchen to prepare ingredients.

Lin Wanrou stood in place, her hands tightly clasped together nervously.

"Do... do I really have to go..."

"Is this... really okay..."

But once she thought of Lin Yuan, her heart became firm.

Even if she were reviled by others.

Even if it were taboo.

She still had to... go see him.

Late at night, after patrolling the city wall, Lin Yuan returned to his room.

Just as he pushed open the door, he saw a figure standing at the doorway.

Lin Wanrou.

She was wearing a simple long dress, carrying a food box in her hand.

Her eyes dodged, and her cheeks were flushed red.

Her voice trembled:

"You haven't had dinner yet, right? I... I made some late-night snacks..."

Lin Yuan looked at her, and the desire for conquest in his heart became even stronger.

"Sister Wanrou, come in."

He said gently, making room.

Lin Wanrou walked into the room nervously.

Her hands gripped the food box tightly, not knowing where to put it.

Lin Yuan took the food box and placed it on the table.

Opening it, he saw four dishes and one soup, meticulously prepared.

Every dish exuded the warmth of home.

"Thank you, Sister Wanrou."

Lin Yuan said sincerely:

"Preparing these for me even at such a late hour."

"You're... you're welcome..."

Lin Wanrou said softly, not daring to look up at him.

The atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous.

Lin Yuan asked deliberately:

"Sister Wanrou, you didn't just come to find me to deliver late-night snacks, right?"

"!"

Lin Wanrou's whole body trembled.

She bit her lip, and tears instantly welled up:

"I... I know this is wrong..."

"I am Ruoxue's mother... I shouldn't..."

"But I really... I really..."

She said, crying, unable to continue.

Lin Yuan didn't take her immediately.

Instead, he gently wiped away her tears:

"Sister Wanrou, you are beautiful."

"The gentleness, thoughtfulness, and virtue of a mature woman..."

"Are incomparable to young girls."

"I admire you, and I like you."

Lin Wanrou looked up suddenly, her eyes full of disbelief.

He said... he likes me?

Lin Yuan continued:

"But I won't force you."

"If you think this is wrong, then let's pretend nothing happened tonight."

"I will finish the late-night snack, and you can go back to rest."

After saying this, he turned to get chopsticks.

Lin Wanrou panicked.

She was afraid of losing this opportunity.

"Wait... wait!"

She summoned her courage, stepped forward, and grabbed Lin Yuan's hand:

"I... I am willing..."

"As long as you don't mind me..."

"Don't mind that I'm old and have a daughter..."

"I... I am willing..."

Lin Yuan turned around, looking at her tear-stained face.

Then, he gently pulled her into his embrace.

"Silly."

He whispered in her ear:

"Actually, you are big everywhere..."

"In my eyes, you are just right."

"Mature, gentle, virtuous..."

"These are all your charms."

Lin Wanrou could no longer hold back and hugged him tightly.

How many days of torment, struggle, and pain...

Were all released at this moment.