Chapter 2903

After the turmoil at the Flowing Fire Base, the reputation of the peaceful North Town reached a new height.

Not only because of Jin Chen's astonishing negotiation skills, but also because of the steady stream of sincere supplies delivered afterward.

Weapons, scarce medicine, tons of food and fuel.

These tangible goods let the North Town folk straighten their backs with more confidence, and also completely quelled the restless small forces around them.

North Town's scale expanded visibly; the new school building was completed quickly, several times more spacious and bright than the old row houses, and even a few dedicated research rooms and a warehouse for storing books and tools were partitioned off.

The number of traveling caravans and representatives of small settlements seeking refuge also increased, and both banks of the Silence Bridge became much livelier than before.

Lu Jun's visits to North Town have only increased, never decreased.

Now the two towns have basically weathered things together, their relations have eased considerably, and his coming and going are now more justified and confident.

Every time he comes, he never shows up empty-handed; sometimes it's vegetables and fruits freshly gathered from South Town, of good quality; sometimes it's little trinkets he's tinkered with; sometimes it's just two plump fish he happened to scoop up while passing by the Old World River; the things aren't valuable, but what matters is the thought—and the fact that it keeps going on.

But unlike before, Lu Jun doesn't seem as purpose‑driven as he used to be, yet Yan Tenggu still wants to see him.

Huo Ye once passed by and saw Lu Jun holding a fish, peeking around outside Yan Tenggu's courtyard; he couldn't help snorting, arms crossed, leaning against the wall.

"I'm telling you, Lord Lu, you keep running to our Northern Fortress every day—those who know think you're here to exchange feelings, while those who don't assume your Southern Fortress has run out of food and you've come specially to mooch off our professor's cooking."

Lu Jun wasn't annoyed; he handed the fish to Yan Tenggu, who had come out hearing the sound. After a moment's hesitation, Yan Tenggu took it and said, "The meal will be ready soon—just wait a bit."

"Eh." Lu Jun watched Yan Tenggu go inside with a pleased smile, then turned to Huo Ye and retorted.

"I'm happy to do it—better than some people who have what they want right in front of them yet dither, letting others snatch it away, then have nowhere to cry."

Huo Ye: "……"

After the Lava Flow Base incident, Jin Chen's reputation had spread completely; several nearby bases of considerable size, both openly and covertly, extended olive branches, offering terms that kept getting better.

Although Jin Chen refused them all, his stance clear, Huo Ye still felt that string in his heart taut.

Lu Jun's words hit exactly his worry.

"What do you know?" Huo Ye pulled out a cigarette case, flicked out a self‑rolled herbal smoke, clamped it between his lips but didn't light it right away, his tone a bit hard: "My business with Jin Chen is none of your concern."

"I don't?" Lu Jun sounded as if he'd heard a joke, casually taking another from Huo Ye's case, twiddling it in his hand without lighting it, "We've known each other since we wore split‑crotch pants—who doesn't know who?"

He brought the roll to his nose, sniffed, then pulled it apart a bit to reveal the herbal filling inside, "How long have you been smoking this stuff? You probably don't even remember yourself."

"You keep putting off being frank with Jin Chen, tying yourself up—isn't it because you still harbor this thing in your heart, plus what happened with your mother back then?"

Huo Ye's fingers holding the cigarette paused, his gaze darkened, and he didn't respond.

Seeing Huo Ye's face darken in an instant, Lu Jun knew he'd struck a nerve, sighed, and softened his tone: "All right, I didn't come here to poke at your heart."

No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps sounded not far away.

Both turned their heads at once and saw Jin Chen walking toward them, holding a wooden weather‑record board, as if he'd just come out of the dormitory.

Huo Ye blinked. "How did you get here?"

Jin Chen was also bewildered, his gaze shifting between the two before settling on Huo Ye.

"Lu Jun sent someone to pass a message saying you wanted to see me."

Huo Ye: "?"

Lu Jun: "!"

Both looked at Lu Jun simultaneously.

A flicker of guilt crossed Lu Jun's face, then turned mischievous.

He sidled up to Jin Chen, slinging an arm over his shoulder like brothers, lowering his voice: "Professor Jin—no, brother, you've helped me, I'll help you too."

"I've already talked to him; the rest is up to you to handle."

Jin Chen: "……"

You stupid dragon, you can't even chase your own wife properly, yet you come here acting as someone else's love coach.

What could he possibly help with—just make things worse?

Jin Chen composed his expression, tilted his head, and looked at Huo Ye still standing where he was; his gaze dropped to the burning cigarette roll between Huo Ye's fingers.

Huo Ye's mind was a tangled mess.

When did Jin Chen and Lu Jun get so close that they could talk about anything?

Jin Chen reached out, and Huo Ye almost reflexively handed over the cigarette.

Jin Chen took it, his fingertips idly rubbing the rough paper, lifted his eyes to Huo Ye, and spoke slowly, deliberately drawing out each syllable as if each word carried a hook.

"Lu Jun said you have a secret to tell me."

He leaned forward slightly, his low voice tinged with a hint of a smile brushing Huo Ye's ears.

Huo Ye hadn't yet sorted out the confusion of what Lu Jun had told Jin Chen when his chin was suddenly pinched between two fingers, caught at the base.

His breath hitched; Jin Chen's face was too close—close enough for him to see the lashes, to see his own flustered reflection in those light‑colored pupils.

In an instant, all surrounding sounds and sights blurred away, leaving only that excessively handsome face before him.

"Then…"

Jin Chen's thumb lightly brushed his jawline, his voice dripping with full‑on mischief: "Lord Huo, have you decided which secret you'll tell?"

Huo Ye had lately been in a period of continual inner probing, a muddle of his feelings for Jin Chen.

Consequently, each of Jin Chen's approaches, each touch, each hook‑laden word felt to him no less than the most potent enchantment.

Huo Ye's throat went dry, buzzing; the smoke trapped in his throat irritated him, making him turn his head and let out a low cough.

He wanted to avoid it, turning his head to cough, hoping to ease the almost suffocating distance.

But Jin Chen's hand gripping his chin didn't loosen; instead he pressed a little firmer, turning Huo Ye's face back to meet those smiling eyes.

Huo Ye could only keep coughing under the gaze of those light eyes, a tear of irritation glistening at the corner.

What secret should he say?

Huo Ye didn't know.

That bastard Lu Jun—what kind of trap did he dig for him!

The weather today is actually quite nice; the afternoon breeze, carrying warmth, blows over the town, and Huo Zhaoye feels a little immersed—immersed in Jin Chen's breath and gaze, immersed in this closeness that makes his heart race yet feels as sweet as candy.

After a long while, Jin Chen seemed to find it boring; the interest in his beautiful eyes slightly diminished, and the fingers pinching his chin loosened a little, as if wanting to withdraw.

Huo Zhaoye's heart panicked for no reason; he grabbed Jin Chen's wrist as it was about to pull away, holding it tightly, his palm burning hot.

"Jin Chen." He called his name, his voice hoarse and harsh.

"…Hmm?" Jin Chen let him hold on, lazily raising his tone.

Huo Zhaoye looked at his face, which always seemed calm and composed, and his agitation and desire broke through all restraints.

He exerted force with his arms and embraced Jin Chen.

Their bodies pressed tightly together, their breaths mingling.

Huo Zhaoye lifted his head; his gorgeous, handsome visage appeared even more striking in this intense emotion.

"I'll tell you a secret—do you want to kiss me?"