After a while, the two finally separated.
Ji Mengyao's cheeks were flushed, but she forced herself not to turn away, continuing to stare at Wu Di.
She stared until he began to feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Fortunately, he maintained his poker face without showing any expression. It was impossible for him to blush, and this was one of those rare times he was grateful for his expressionless face.
Seeing Ji Mengyao looking at him with a mix of shyness and slight annoyance, he found himself at a loss for words.
Actually, he had wanted to express his feelings for a long time.
But he didn't know how Ji Mengyao felt, and he feared that if he confessed, they might not even remain friends.
Later, his emotional deficiency and alexithymia became increasingly severe.
It plunged him into considerable distress, as he began losing touch with his own thoughts and the ability to express emotions about many things.
But one thing remained unchanged – his dedication to staying by Ji Mengyao's side.
He wasn't quite sure about the nature of their relationship anymore, but if love meant spending every day together, then he was content with the status quo.
He didn't dare ask for anything more.
But now, even a fool could understand Ji Mengyao's feelings, and an intense wave of happiness surged through his heart.
"Hey, don't you have anything to say?"
Ji Mengyao watched Wu Di lost in thought, wondering what was going through his mind.
Looking at his expressionless face, she knew he simply couldn't express his emotions, otherwise she would have suspected him of being completely heartless.
But he could at least say something, anything at all?!
After all, she had just forcefully kissed him! Such an embarrassing thing...
Just thinking about it made her face redder, and she didn't know what had possessed her to do such a thing...
It was all his fault!
Running off alone, saying he was preparing a birthday present, making her worry!
No, the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
She grabbed Wu Di's collar, and despite him being much taller and stronger than her, he let himself be manhandled like a bullied student.
"Answer me, do you like me?"
She pulled his face closer, as if about to forcefully kiss him again.
Wu Di was dumbfounded. The usually tsundere Ji Mengyao showed no signs of her typical attitude today, and instead was being so assertive.
This direct approach caught him completely off guard.
But he couldn't hesitate anymore. The person he had liked for so long was asking him, and the happiness made his head spin.
He desperately wished he could respond to Ji Mengyao with romantic words and matching gestures.
He wanted to match her passion and sincerity with equal intensity.
But he simply couldn't do it. The words, those feelings, would mysteriously vanish whenever he tried to express them.
He couldn't even control his facial muscles to make expressions.
He had never hated this defect of his as much as he did now.
But regardless, even if he couldn't express it perfectly, he had to let her know.
Ji Mengyao was incredibly nervous at this moment, her hands gripping Wu Di's clothes were even starting to sweat.
She was terrified that Wu Di would say something like, "I only see you as a friend/sister, you're a nice person."
If that were the case, then her impulsive actions just now would be...
What if he had never liked her at all? What would that make of these feelings?
How could she face him every day after this, how could she talk to him?
Anxiety, fear, nervousness.
She felt her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
But Wu Di expressed his feelings through actions instead of words.
His arms tightened around Ji Mengyao, pulling her into his warm embrace once again.
"What are you doing..."
Ji Mengyao was startled, unsure of his intentions, but then Wu Di softly whispered in her ear.
"I like you, I have for a very long time, and I will continue to like you for a long time to come."
His tone was flat, like a robot reciting lines.
But Ji Mengyao didn't doubt Wu Di's feelings for a second. Her eyes began to water, and several times she tried to speak but couldn't find the words.
She just realized how comforting Wu Di's embrace felt.
His words made her so happy because what she had been thinking about for so long had finally become reality.
As if suddenly remembering something, Ji Mengyao lightly punched Wu Di's chest:
"Then why didn't you tell me earl... mmph..."
Ji Mengyao, who had been blushing and about to quietly interrogate Wu Di, was suddenly cut off as he lifted her face.
Worried that his flat tone couldn't properly convey his feelings, he decided to take action instead.
Using the same method as before, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Ji Mengyao, who had initially tried to resist slightly, only pushed back twice before giving in and wrapping her arms around Wu Di's neck, beginning to respond to his kiss.
Several minutes later.
Ji Mengyao suddenly pushed Wu Di away, hiding to the side, turning her head away as she couldn't bear to look at him:
"Wu Di, you... you pervert! Who said you could kiss me! And... and... for so long too, were you trying to suffocate me!"
Now it was Wu Di's turn to be confused: Sister, you weren't acting like this just a moment ago?!
Besides, you were the one who made the first move, no, the first kiss?!
"Fine... fine... since it's my birthday... consider it a special... special celebration! I... I'll allow it!"
She mumbled, her voice getting smaller and losing confidence.
Still keeping her head turned away from him.
Wu Di understood now - her moment of directness had passed, and she had switched back to tsundere mode.
But this was the Ji Mengyao he was most familiar with.
"Then in the future..."
He hesitated, wondering if he should continue.
"Don't say anymore! Don't you dare!"
Ji Mengyao was so embarrassed she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself, making motions as if to hit him again.
She had been unusually bold today, and just thinking about it made her want to find a hole to crawl into.
It was all his fault!
That was Ji Mengyao's current thought.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The zombies outside the door seemed unable to bear watching this couple any longer, and began pounding on the door with increased force.
Perhaps if they didn't get in soon, they would get their fill of dog food just from watching through the door.
The zombies wanted to break in and devour this couple who were emanating such a sickeningly sweet romantic atmosphere, to satisfy their anger.
One screw in the door lock had already been forced loose, and the other two were barely hanging on.
The two people inside finally came to their senses: this was no time for romance.
She exchanged a serious look with Wu Di, and they both nodded.
Right now, they needed to fight their way out of here.
Ji Mengyao gripped her axe tightly and walked to the shaking door, suddenly throwing it open.
The zombies crowded outside tumbled in like grain pouring from an opened silo, falling into the room in a heap.