Chapter 144: Monsters on the Prowl

“Xiao Xie, do you think this video is real? My God, monsters have actually appeared in this world,” Lü Ziqiao said, his face filled with shock.

“Guan Gu, big news! There’s a monster in America!” Lu Zhanbo burst in, excitement shining in his eyes as he called out to Guan Gu.

“You’re watching it too!” Zhanbo exclaimed, noticing the video playing on the television. But his enthusiasm was undiminished as he excitedly asked Guan Gu, “Guan Gu, now that monsters exist in this world, do you think Ultraman will appear too?”

“Monsters have indeed shown up, but as for Ultraman, I can’t say for sure,” Guan Gu replied with utmost seriousness.

Xiao Xie could only shake his head at this group of jokers and said helplessly, “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about whether these monsters will appear in China?”

“Xiao Xie, you mean the monsters might come to China?” Zhanbo and Guan Gu shouted in unison, their faces pale with astonishment.

“It’s not impossible. After all, the monster has vanished now, hasn’t it?” Xiao Xie shrugged.

…

As expected, over the next few days, just as Xiao Xie had predicted, Japan, South Korea, and Russia were all attacked by monsters in turn. With the weapons humanity currently possessed, ordinary arms were useless against these creatures. Weapons of mass destruction like nuclear bombs, while powerful, were not options that could be deployed lightly.

However, each time the monster caused havoc, it would eventually leave on its own, which was a small relief for humanity. Even so, people everywhere began to strengthen their defenses, especially in countries that hadn’t yet been attacked, fearing their homeland would be next.

Each rampage by a monster destroyed half a city. Though the damage was less than mutual annihilation with nuclear missiles, if these monsters weren’t eliminated, the losses for humanity would only grow. Thus, the United Nations assembled a special combat unit called the Salvation Squad. This unit was fully equipped and even had tactical nuclear weapons, ready to annihilate the next monster that appeared and minimize the damage.

“Baby, let’s go to the movies tonight! I already bought the tickets.” Xiao Xie called Baby on the phone.

“Sure! I’m free this afternoon,” Baby replied sweetly.

“I’ll pick you up this afternoon then!” Xiao Xie laughed.

“Okay.”

That afternoon, Xiao Xie dressed in a white casual outfit, got into his yellow Bumblebee, and drove to the set to pick up Baby.

“Where shall we go now?” Baby asked, buckling her seatbelt as she settled into the passenger seat.

“Where would you like to go?” Xiao Xie asked tenderly.

Baby tilted her head in thought and then smiled, “The amusement park!”

Xiao Xie was slightly surprised, then broke into a smile. “Alright, the amusement park it is!” With that, he stepped on the accelerator, and Bumblebee roared toward the park.

…

Beneath the waves of the Bermuda Triangle, an alien clad in brown armor reported to their leader, “Lord Youqi, there’s still no sign of a magic user.”

“It seems Mebada hasn’t caused enough trouble yet! Next time, let Mebada continue the destruction until a magic user appears,” Youqi sneered coldly. The Mebada beasts were war monsters from the cosmos; given Earth’s current weapons, nothing could threaten them. He refused to believe he couldn’t force a magic user to show themselves.

“Yes, Lord Youqi. Shall we stick to the original plan and attack China, or shall we alter our strategy?”

“Stick to the plan. Tomorrow, send Mebada to attack China—force out the magic users, then capture them!”

“At once, my lord!”

…

Xiao Xie gently smoothed Baby’s hair, tousled from their rollercoaster ride. Seeing Baby’s excited expression, Xiao Xie laughed. “I didn’t expect you to enjoy such thrilling rides—rollercoasters and bungee jumping!”

She giggled. “It’s getting late, let’s go see the movie!” Baby linked arms with Xiao Xie, beaming with happiness. Thanks to Xiao Xie’s company, she’d spent the afternoon enjoying all the most exhilarating attractions in the amusement park—she was thoroughly delighted.

“Alright, let’s go!” Xiao Xie pinched Baby’s cheek affectionately, smiling. Then he drove Bumblebee, taking Baby to the cinema.

After buying two buckets of popcorn and two large sodas, Xiao Xie led Baby to their seats.

Half an hour later, as “Titanic” reached its climax, and the beautiful melody of “My Heart Will Go On” filled the theater, Xiao Xie gently embraced Baby, holding her close.

“Jack and Rose’s ending is so tragic,” Baby said, moved.

Xiao Xie tenderly caressed her cheek, his voice gentle yet resolute. “I won’t let such a sorrowful ending happen to us.”

“Xiao Xie.” Baby gazed at him with eyes soft as water, nestling even closer against him.

As the film drew to its end and Jack and Rose said their final farewell, couples throughout the theater embraced, kissing passionately, moved by the story’s tragedy and reminded to cherish each other.

Xiao Xie and Baby were no exception; they kissed until the movie ended and the audience began to leave.

“Baby, let’s go for a late-night snack! What do you feel like eating?” Xiao Xie smiled at Baby, whose cheeks were still flushed.

Baby tilted her head in thought and grinned. “Let’s have spicy crawfish! I haven’t had it in ages, and I’m craving it.”

“Alright, whatever you wish!”

…

After a hearty meal of spicy crawfish, Xiao Xie drove Baby back to her apartment.

“Don’t leave tonight, okay?” Once they were home, Baby hugged Xiao Xie from behind, her head lowered, voice soft.

“Alright,” Xiao Xie paused for a moment, then gently stroked her jade-like hand, turned around, lifted her in his arms, and carried her toward the bedroom.

In spring’s slumber, one is unaware of dawn; birdsong fills every corner. The night’s wind and rain pass, yet who knows how many flowers have fallen?

…

The next morning, Xiao Xie opened his eyes to see Baby sleeping beside him. His gaze was tender as he gently kissed her flawless forehead, then quietly slipped out of bed and dressed without making a sound.

Noticing the brilliant plum blossoms on the bedsheet, Xiao Xie smiled to himself and went to prepare breakfast. After such strenuous exercise last night, she would surely be hungry when she woke.

Half an hour later, Baby, wearing only a white shirt, walked up behind Xiao Xie and embraced him, pressing her lovely face against his back, greedily savoring his presence.

“Go freshen up! Breakfast is almost ready.” Feeling her dependence, Xiao Xie chuckled softly.

“Mm.” Baby nodded reluctantly, released her hold, slipped on her adorable bunny slippers, and went to the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, Xiao Xie brought out breakfast—bread, milk, fried eggs, bacon, and a bowl of red bean porridge prepared especially for Baby.

“Darling, let me feed you.” Xiao Xie pulled Baby onto his lap, enjoying her exquisite softness. A rush of heat surged within him, and his body responded instantly.

“Stop fooling around, I haven’t recovered yet!” Baby blushed, feeling that troublesome heat pressing against her thigh—a love-hate sensation. Last night’s three-hour marathon had nearly exhausted her.

“I’m not fooling around—it’s just your charm is too much for me. I’ll just hold you. Here, have some red bean porridge, it’s good for your health,” Xiao Xie said innocently. After all, with a beautiful woman sitting on his lap with nothing on underneath, any man would react.

The two joked and laughed, finishing breakfast half an hour later.

After breakfast, they sat on the sofa and switched on the TV. Baby lounged lazily in Xiao Xie’s arms, contentedly basking in his warmth.

“We interrupt for a breaking news story. The monster that previously devastated several cities has reappeared, and this time its target is a coastal city in China. Will the United Nations’ Salvation Squad, assembled from elite warriors around the world, finally be able to destroy the monster? Now, let’s go live to our reporter at the scene.”

“Dear viewers, the enormous monster you see before you is the Horned Wing Beast that has rampaged through several countries. We know nothing of its origins, but it is clearly hostile to humanity. Can the Salvation Squad defeat it? We can only wait and see.”