37: I will protect you

"Brother Mo!"

Gu Nianqiu pulled Lin Mo, jogging all the way into the newly renovated kitchen, her small face filled with unconcealable pride.

She was like a little magician presenting a treasure, pointing to the fruits on the counter that glowed with various hues.

"Look, look! I've already figured out the best cooking method for these ordinary fruits!"

"However..."

She pouted her small lips in distress, pointing to the golden fruit placed separately on a crystal plate.

"This big golden one seems too powerful. I've tried several methods, but I feel like they would destroy its original flavor. I haven't figured out how to prepare it yet."

Lin Mo looked at the Little Girl's adorable expression, a mix of pride and distress, and couldn't help but reach out and pat her fluffy head.

"No rush, take your time."

His voice was gentle.

"Keep it up."

"Mhm!"

Gu Nianqiu nodded vigorously, as if she had received immense encouragement, and was instantly filled with renewed vigor.

She turned and carefully carried out a huge glass bowl from the refrigerator.

The bowl was filled with a colorful fruit salad.

Red, green, yellow, purple – fruit pulp of various colors was cut into uniform small pieces, piled together, and drizzled with a sauce specially made from blue berries and milk, looking incredibly appetizing.

"Brother Mo, quickly try this!"

Gu Nianqiu scooped a large spoonful with a spoon and offered it to Lin Mo's mouth, her eyes full of anticipation.

Lin Mo opened his mouth and ate the spoonful of salad.

The cool, sweet and sour fruit burst in his mouth, with various flavors layering upon each other, finally perfectly blended by the refreshing sauce, transforming into a warm current that instantly surged through his limbs and bones.

He felt every cell in his body cheering.

"System Notification: You have consumed 'Miracle Colorful Fruit Salad' (Epic Dish). Strength, Agility, Durability, Spirit, all attributes permanently +5."

Lin Mo's gaze changed.

This effect was simply defying heaven!

"How is it? How is it?"

Gu Nianqiu saw his expression and knew her masterpiece was a success. She puffed out her small chest and announced with immense pride.

"I mixed all the fruits I picked yesterday according to the most perfect ratio! Aren't I amazing!"

"Amazing."

Lin Mo praised her sincerely.

More than amazing, this was simply a mobile divine BUFF machine.

He scooped another spoonful and handed it to Gu Nianqiu.

"You eat too."

"I've already eaten!"

Gu Nianqiu playfully dodged, then pushed the entire glass bowl into Lin Mo's arms.

"The rest, take it to your sister! She'll definitely like it too!"

Lin Mo carried the bowl of colorful fruit salad and walked out of the cabin.

The cool, damp sea breeze of the morning blew against him.

He immediately saw the end of the deck.

Gu Zhixia was standing there alone.

She had changed into a clean black jk uniform, her long, straight legs encased in black over-the-knee socks, outlining perfect curves.

The sea breeze stirred her soft long hair. She wasn't practicing her gun as usual, but simply leaned against the railing, staring blankly at the horizon, lost in thought.

That lonely figure, in the morning light, exuded a heartbreaking fragility.

Lin Mo walked up to her and handed her the glass bowl.

"Eat something."

Gu Zhixia was startled by his voice and abruptly turned her head.

When she saw Lin Mo and the fruit salad in his hand, her eyes clearly flickered, and a blush of unnatural redness appeared on her cheeks.

"Nianqiu made it?"

Her voice was very soft.

"Mhm."

She didn't ask any more questions, took the bowl, and used the prepared fork to pick up a small piece of red fruit, gracefully putting it into her mouth.

The moment the fruit entered her mouth, her phoenix eyes, which always held a hint of coldness and sharpness, suddenly widened.

Shock, surprise, disbelief.

A variety of emotions flashed across her face.

"So... so delicious..."

She almost instinctively let out a cry of admiration.

Lin Mo watched her expression, and the corner of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

"I couldn't make something this delicious."

"That's right."

Gu Zhixia subconsciously agreed, then realized her mistake and her cheeks flushed even redder.

She picked up another piece of purple fruit, lowered her head, and ate it in small bites, using it to cover her embarrassment.

Lin Mo, however, seemed not to notice her discomfort and spoke to himself.

"However, I used to cook before."

"If there's a chance, I'll let you all taste my cooking."

Gu Zhixia's movements stopped.

She suddenly looked up, staring at Lin Mo with some surprise.

In her mind, this man had always been synonymous with calmness, power, and mystery.

She could never connect him with the mundane words "cooking."

But she quickly recovered from her surprise, merely giving a soft "Mhm," and said no more, continuing to focus on the salad in her bowl.

The two remained silent, but the atmosphere was no longer as distant as before.

After eating the last bite of salad, Gu Zhixia handed the empty bowl back to Lin Mo.

She leaned back against the railing, gazing at the distant horizon, her beautiful brows furrowed tightly once again.

"I think they still have ill intentions."

Her voice returned to its usual coolness and decisiveness.

"Why?"

Lin Mo asked.

"A hunch."

Gu Zhixia turned her head and looked seriously into his eyes.

"They're either after our resources, or... our ship."

Lin Mo looked at her eyes, filled with worry, and smiled.

"Don't worry."

His voice was calm, yet carried a power that could soothe hearts.

"The Natural Selection currently has 200,000 durability, and there's an electromagnetic shield outside. Even if they have extraordinary abilities, they can't do anything to us."

Gu Zhixia remained worried.

Reason told her that Lin Mo was right.

But the near-death experience from yesterday had left too great a psychological shadow on her.

She was afraid.

Afraid of experiencing that despair again, watching the battleship being torn apart while she was powerless.

"But I... I'm still so scared."

She almost unconsciously spoke her truest thoughts.

Her voice carried a tremor and dependence that she herself hadn't noticed.

Lin Mo looked at her.

He watched this girl, who always disguised herself with coldness and arrogance, finally drop all her defenses and reveal her most genuine, most vulnerable side in front of him.

His heart was gently touched.

He reached out and patted her head.

"Don't worry."

His voice became very soft, very gentle.

"I will protect you."

Gu Zhixia's body suddenly stiffened.

Her mind buzzed, a complete blank.

He said... 'you'.

Not 'you all'.

Boom—

A rush of heat suddenly shot from her feet to the top of her head.

Her entire face, along with her fair neck and delicate earlobes, instantly flushed red.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably, as if it wanted to leap out of her throat.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat felt blocked, unable to utter a single word.

She could only stand there blankly, letting the overwhelming shyness and sweetness completely engulf her.