Live Streaming Food Stall… But in Dog-Blooded Novels – CH124

Chapter 124

[Synopsis: Abnormal Era is an apocalyptic non-human romance novel. He, Mu Dongsheng, is a genius mercenary from the Eastern Base, but during a mission, he was framed by his ex-boyfriend and abandoned alone in the wilderness teeming with aberrant creatures to fend for himself. Just as he lay dying, a massive and terrifying shadow loomed over him…]

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*

‘Abnormal Era’ Dimension.

Jian Yunlan woke to the sensation of jolting.

A damp, earthy scent mixed with the metallic tang of rust flooded his nostrils. He seemed to be in a cramped space, where the distinct smells of blood, sweat, and the dampness of rain-soaked mud lingered. Faint sobbing echoed in his ears.

The sobs came from nearby.

A little boy curled up in his mother’s arms, crying in a childish voice, “Mom, I’m scared… There are so many monsters… And I’m so hungry…”

The woman comforted him softly, “Don’t be afraid. We’ll reach the Eastern Base soon. Once we’re there, soldiers will protect us, and there will be food.”

“When we get to the Eastern Base, I’ll use our credits to buy you a bowl of hot porridge, okay?”

The boy whimpered a quiet “okay.”

“Mmm…”

Jian Yunlan slowly opened his eyes, only to find his vision shrouded in a hazy darkness. Everything around him trembled faintly.

Is this the apocalyptic dimension?

Before he could ponder further, the darkness was abruptly pierced by a beam of light.

—Not far away, someone in armor lifted a curtain, and the light streamed in from behind it.

“Newcomers?” The armored figure glanced at the scene inside the truck, curled his lip, then let the curtain fall again, muttering, “How many survivors are left from the Northern Base? This is the nth batch already. Our base is already short on resources—what a goddamn mess…”

“Enough complaining. We’re just here to do our jobs,” another voice consoled. “Besides, in times like these, survival is one thing, but how long anyone lasts is another question entirely.”

Their voices gradually faded into the distance.

Then, the rumble of an engine started up again, and the truck carrying Jian Yunlan lurched forward with a chug-chug-chug.

Jian Yunlan rubbed his eyes, letting his retinas adjust to the light.

The brief glimpse through the curtain had allowed him to see his surroundings clearly—

He was inside the cargo hold of a truck. People lay scattered across the space, most covered in tattered blankets, many with visible scrapes and bruises on their faces and bodies. To the left were the mother and child from earlier, while to the right, a group of children huddled together for warmth.

Every face bore the same exhausted, numb expression.

Just as Jian Yunlan had imagined an apocalypse would look.

Where were Taotie, Hu Danggui, and Niu Tou?

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, his palm brushed against something warm.

His hand was being held.

Startled, Jian Yunlan turned his head—

Beside him sat a tall man.

The man had one knee propped up, his posture relaxed. His long silver hair was tucked under a deep gray hood, and his skin was slightly darker than average, with faint markings along his cheek. A curved knife hung at his waist.

Jian Yunlan: “?! Taotie?”

Dressed differently, Taotie hadn’t been immediately recognizable.

Taotie grunted in acknowledgment.

He tightened his grip on Jian Yunlan’s hand, turning his face away slightly, his ears tinged red. “H-human, this lord… for some reason, cannot revert to my beast form. But do not fear. I will protect you.”

It seemed Taotie had woken up earlier. Seeing Jian Yunlan’s disoriented expression upon waking, he must have assumed he was scared.

Jian Yunlan looked at him, then at their joined hands. “Thank you, but…”

This isn’t appropriate!

If word got out, what would people think of him? A black-hearted boss who exploits his employees?

Jian Yunlan tried to pull his hand back, but Taotie held on firmly.

After several failed attempts, he gave up and let it be.

Taotie’s palm was warm and dry, and due to their size difference, his hand was a full size larger, easily engulfing Jian Yunlan’s.

Whether intentional or not, Taotie rubbed his thumb over the calluses on Jian Yunlan’s fingers—the result of years of cooking and chopping.

It tickled a little.

A faint sandalwood scent clung to Taotie, inexplicably soothing in this chaotic environment.

Jian Yunlan was about to say something when—

A childish voice piped up eerily from the side:

“Lord Taotie… Master… You two…”

Hu Danggui had appeared out of nowhere.

She wore a drab, patched-up long-sleeved outfit, complete with a hood and a small bun tied at the back of her head. Her adorable face was smeared thickly with dirt, making her look like any other refugee, her features barely discernible.

Only her large, dark eyes were fixed unblinkingly on their joined hands.

“You… you… you two… really…???”

Before Jian Yunlan could say anything—

Taotie was the one who reacted violently first, releasing Jian Yunlan’s hand, his face burning red: “Nonsense! This lord does not like him, you shameless little demon, how dare you make such wild assumptions#@$!&… preposterous… #@$!”

The rest of his words became unintelligible.

Jian Yunlan: “…”

Hu Danggui: “…………”

Hu Danggui glanced at Jian Yunlan’s calm expression, then at Taotie, as if suddenly understanding something.

She grinned. “Got it, got it! I’ll keep my mouth shut!”

With that, she pulled her hood down and scurried off to take a nap.

Jian Yunlan looked at her, then at Taotie.

Strange.

Why were both of them still in human form?

*

The truck carried over thirty survivors from the Northern Base, rumbling forward relentlessly.

At some point, lulled by the engine’s roar and the rhythmic swaying, Jian Yunlan dozed off.

When he woke again, the truck had stopped.

People were disembarking one after another, guided by workers outside.

As he stepped off the truck, Jian Yunlan looked toward the horizon—

It was late afternoon, nearing sunset. A crimson sun slowly sank, casting its glow over a desolate wasteland where sand swirled in the wind. More trucks like theirs were approaching from the distance.

Before them stood towering walls and a massive gate.

A long line had already formed in front of the gate, filled with refugees similar to those in their truck—some with families, heads bowed low, others alone, likely mercenaries, carrying guns with dried blood on their faces.

All weapons had to be surrendered before passing through the gate.

Jian Yunlan, Taotie, and Hu Danggui joined the queue.

Fortunately, though the crowd was large, the line moved quickly. Within about twenty minutes, it was their turn.

At the gate, a worker in a white coat and several uniformed inspectors stood chatting idly. The three of them followed instructions, removing their outerwear and weapons for scanning.

Then, a tall man labeled “No. 3” on his chest approached them. Dressed in camouflage with two oddly shaped guns at his waist, his expression was stern.

No. 3 handed Jian Yunlan and Taotie each a set of clothes:

“Numbers 11324 and 11325—those are your work IDs. I’m your assigned liaison,” No. 3 said, pausing when he noticed Hu Danggui’s mud-smeared face. “Is this your… child? The Eastern Base has a dedicated nursery. All children must be sent there.”

“The nursery costs 100 credits per month, covering food, lodging, and education. Visits are allowed once a week,” No. 3 stated matter-of-factly.

Hu Danggui blinked: “…?” Nursery?

Taotie and Jian Yunlan blinked: “…???” “Your child”?!

A woman in a white coat stepped forward, taking Hu Danggui’s hand. “Come with me, little one. You’ll meet other kids at the nursery. I’m sure you’ll make friends!”

“Wait, no—I’m not a child!” Hu Danggui wanted to cry but couldn’t protest as she was led away, glancing back every few steps.

From the worker’s tone, Jian Yunlan and Taotie had been mistaken for a couple, and Hu Danggui was assumed to be their child?!

What kind of logic led to that conclusion after one glance at the three of them?!

“Uh, we’re not… that kind of relationship,” Jian Yunlan tried to explain.

“Yeah, not yet,” Taotie also tried to explain.

“…..” No. 3’s stern expression softened slightly, as if attempting to appear understanding. “No need to worry. The Eastern Base is very accepting of same-sex partners. Same-sex marriage was legalized five years ago.”

“In times like these, having someone to rely on is rare enough. Everyone understands.”

Following No. 3’s words, Jian Yunlan glanced around and noticed many pairs in line—two men or two women standing together, some simply waiting calmly, others leaning against each other, heads touching.

“Let me take you to your assigned dorm.”

Despite his serious demeanor, No. 3 turned out to be quite talkative. As he led them into the base, he casually explained the Eastern Base’s general situation.

Through his chatter, Jian Yunlan pieced together the basics of this world.

After the cataclysm thirty years ago, 95% of the world’s population perished. Survivors established camps across the globe.

Due to the disaster’s radiation, most humans lost their fertility.

“So, whether it’s heterosexual or same-sex couples, it’s all the same,” No. 3 said as they walked. “Just people sticking together to survive. Most mercenaries in the Eastern Base have same-sex partners. Like S-rank mercenary Mu Dongsheng—though, sadly, he—”

Here, No. 3 cut himself off awkwardly.

He coughed, changing the subject. “Ah, why am I rambling about this… Anyway, now that you’re here, you should start thinking about what jobs you’ll take to earn credits.”

“Speaking of which, do you have any particular skills?” No. 3 asked.

—Finally, the question he’d been waiting for.

Jian Yunlan flashed a confident smile. “Hey, guess what?”

No. 3: “?”