Chapter 56: Chapter 56: This Shows We Need to Speak Our Minds

He didn’t have the heart to wake Sierra Sullivan, but they couldn’t stay in the space forever. Otherwise, they’d have no way to know what was happening outside right away.

Jayce put the clothes down, then walked over and carefully gathered Sierra Sullivan into his arms.

"Sierra, it’s time for us to go."

Sierra Sullivan slowly opened her eyes, still groggy with sleep. But she understood what Jayce had said and immediately brought them both out of the space.

Jayce, still holding Sierra, gently placed her on the bed. "Go back to sleep."

They had been out for three days and hadn’t gotten any proper rest.

Even when they slept, they had to keep one ear open.

They hadn’t noticed it while forcing themselves to push through.

But now, back in a safe place, the sudden relaxation caused the exhaustion to wash over them, many times stronger than before.

Sierra Sullivan didn’t open her eyes. She just shifted into a more comfortable position, and a moment later, she was sound asleep again.

「The next day.」

Sierra Sullivan was jolted awake by the sound of her alarm.

She hadn’t gotten enough sleep, but with a mission scheduled for today, sleeping in was out of the question.

Sierra Sullivan silently counted in her head, and as she opened her eyes, she shot bolt upright.

Jayce, who was lying on his side next to her, still had an arm outstretched, but it suddenly found itself holding nothing but air.

Looking at Sierra, who was now sitting up, Jayce’s eyes filled with confusion. "Sierra, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

"Not at all!"

"If you didn’t have a nightmare, why did you shoot up like that?"

"It’s to stop myself from lazing in bed! You get up too!"

Far from getting up, Jayce put on a playfully wounded expression. "So, I have no charm at all? Sierra just hops out of bed without a second thought, not lingering with me in the slightest."

Jayce already had a boyish look and a clear voice. Now, speaking in that deliberately pouty tone, he was laying the charm on thick.

Who could possibly see Jayce like this and not feel their heart soften?

Sierra, in any case, was starting to soften.

Sierra turned back around, planting her hands on the bed and inching closer to Jayce.

As Jayce watched with eyes full of anticipation, she planted a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"Be a good boy! Get up! Anything else can wait until tonight!"

Before Jayce could say another word, Sierra had already scrambled out of bed. "I’m going to get washed up. You hurry!"

Jayce watched her retreating figure wistfully, not knowing whether to be amused, annoyed, or just plain resigned.

Only after her back had completely vanished from sight did Jayce flop onto the bed as if all his strength had been drained, landing spread-eagled.

By the time Jayce finally emerged from the bedroom, Sierra was already figuring out what to have for breakfast.

"What do you feel like eating?" Sierra asked Jayce.

They had to go downstairs soon. They were on a survivor rescue mission today, so they definitely wouldn’t be back for lunch. That meant they’d have to eat whatever was provided for everyone. Sneaking a private snack would be difficult, so they had to eat their fill now.

As Superpower Users, they were both strong and healthy, and despite the early hour, their appetites were excellent.

Savory tofu pudding, hot and spicy soup, fried dough sticks, steamed buns, roujiamo, a small cold-tossed vegetable salad, and a plate of cold-tossed beef.

A look of pure bliss was on Sierra’s face as she ate the hot and spicy soup and tofu pudding.

But at the same time, a hint of melancholy crept in.

"I stockpiled a lot, but I never expected my appetite to get so huge after getting my Superpower. Once we finish all this hot and spicy soup and tofu pudding, we probably won’t ever have it again! It’s such a shame!"

Hot and spicy soup and tofu pudding were both excellent choices for breakfast.

The thought of never being able to eat them again filled her with a sense of loss.

"I know how to make them," Jayce said suddenly. "I saw you have all the ingredients stockpiled. When we have time, I’ll make some for you. I’ll make a big batch so you can have them whenever you want."

"You know how?"

Sierra eyed Jayce skeptically, not quite believing him.

It wasn’t that she was looking down on Jayce.

’But this was Jayce!’

’How could Jayce possibly know how to cook?’

’Especially something like hot and spicy soup or tofu pudding, which most people have no idea how to make.’

’You’d have to go out of your way to learn that, right?’

Sierra looked at Jayce, but he didn’t answer. Instead, she saw a suspicious flush creeping up his face.

After a moment of stunned silence, Sierra realized what was happening. ’Is he... blushing?’

"What are you blushing for?"

Sierra asked, a sudden thought occurring to her. "You didn’t... learn specifically for me, did you?"

"I did!"

Jayce’s voice was a little louder this time, tinged with the resignation of someone who’s been caught and has nothing left to lose.

Sierra didn’t even notice his tone.

"So, you’re saying you were secretly keeping tabs on me, finding out what I like to eat, and then learning how to cook it? What made you so sure you’d get the chance to make it for me?"

If the apocalypse hadn’t suddenly happened, Sierra couldn’t imagine when Jayce would have ever confessed, or when they would have ever ended up together.

’How could Jayce have taken such a long shot so seriously?’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Jayce’s face was still a little red, but his tone became incredibly earnest.

"I didn’t know when the opportunity would come, but I had to be ready for it. That’s the only way I could seize it when it appeared. Otherwise, I’d just have to watch it slip through my fingers."

Hearing Jayce’s earnest confession, Sierra was momentarily speechless.

She had always thought Jayce disliked her.

To think that he had been doing so much for her behind the scenes!

Deeply moved, Sierra finally couldn’t stop herself from speaking.

"Do you know what this proves?"

Jayce asked humbly, "What does it prove?"

"It proves that we need to use our words! You have to say what’s on your mind! If you don’t, how is the other person supposed to know? They might even misunderstand you, and then all your secret efforts will be for nothing!"

Jayce listened intently, then nodded emphatically. "Okay! I get it! I will! From now on, I’ll say whatever’s on my mind!"

"Good! That sets my mind at ease!"

Sierra said, breaking into a smile herself.

"And it’s not just you. I’ll do the same. If I have any questions, I’ll ask you. I won’t let things fester."

Having reached an understanding, they were both delighted. Even the breakfast seemed to taste better than before!

After breakfast, they gathered their things, and once they were sure nothing was forgotten, they opened the door and headed out.

The moment she stepped outside, Sierra felt a pair of eyes lock onto her.

She didn’t need to look to know who it was. It had to be that girl.

Sierra ignored her and headed straight downstairs.

There was nothing to say to someone who repaid kindness with malice.

If all she did was glare menacingly from the shadows, Sierra couldn’t be bothered to deal with her.

’But if she tries anything else, that would be even better. I could just take care of her and eliminate the problem for good!’