Jiang Songshi was busy until 2 a.m., earlier than expected. He pinched the bridge of his nose, relieving the fatigue from his intense focus.
The experiment wasn’t over yet, but the critical stage had been completed successfully, saving nearly two hours of time.
Only one or two people needed to monitor the remaining process. Fortunately, two researchers in the group lived far away and volunteered to take over this task instead of going home.
After recording the final data, Jiang Songshi decided to go home and check on Little Mushroom.
He admitted that he didn’t feel at ease when he didn’t see Little Mushroom. Taking care of him had become a habit these past few days.
After changing out of his lab coat, Jiang Songshi finally checked his phone. Suddenly remembering his friend’s messages, he opened the green social app. After scrolling through a long string of his friend’s declarations of pursuit and exclamation marks, Jiang Songshi finally saw the pictures.
In the picture was a young man.
The young man was wearing a white shirt, which looked out of place in a bar setting. However, the white shirt was not buttoned up properly; two buttons were undone, revealing a small patch of fair skin.
The zoomed-in shots were slightly blurred, taken from a distance in the dim bar lighting. The young man seemed to be wearing a necklace catching the swaying lights.
Jiang Songshi’s gaze moved upwards, landing on the young man who was looking down, a medical mask, and above that a black baseball cap.
Wait a minute.
A medical mask?
Why did that seem familiar?
Jiang Songshi enlarged the image and indeed saw the logo of his research institute in the bottom right corner of the mask.
Jiang Songshi:???
A heart was drawn on the mask, with the institute’s logo right below it.
Jiang Songshi was certain he wasn’t mistaken.
And for some reason, the young man in the photo felt vaguely familiar.
Even though the young man covered himself up tightly, but…
Jiang Songshi suddenly thought of the “already asleep” Little Mushroom at home.
Jiang Songshi: This must be a coincidence, right?
Jiang Songshi: This has to be a coincidence!
Jiang Songshi tried to convince himself, but his fingers dialed the number involuntarily.
This call.
Should he make it or not?
After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Songshi decided to message his friend first.
[Shi: [Quote picture] Is he still there?]
[Shi: Do you have a clearer picture?]
As he expected, his friend was still at the bar and replied quickly.
[LiBuli: Yeah.]
[LiBuli: Picture.JPG]
Jiang Songshi opened it – this one was closer, he could even see the young man’s collarbones.
At the same time, he made out the tiny mole on those collarbones.
Jiang Songshi: ……
He remembered, there was a small mole on Little Mushroom’s collarbone in the same spot.
But he still wanted to resist.
Jiang Songshi told himself there were so many coincidences in the world that it wouldn’t be strange to wear the same institute’s mask. And moles—with the limited area of human skin, it was possible for them to randomly match locations, right?
Yet Jiang Songshi couldn’t convince himself of such a coincidence.
[Shi: So you want to chase him?]
[Shi: Do you know his name?]
[LiBuli: I do, but I don’t think it’s his real name.]
[Shi: What is it?]
[LiBuli: I heard the staff call him “Mr. Overlord”, who would have a name like that.]
Jiang Songshi: Although…but…there really is someone.
Mushroom Overlord…
Mr. Overlord…
Jiang Songshi closed his eyes, still unable to connect Little Mushroom to the young man in the photos.
No, wasn’t his gentle and obedient Little Mushroom at home? His lovely Little Mushroom?
[Shi: Wait for me, I’m coming over.]
The motorcycle engine roared as Jiang Songshi put on his helmet, leaning forward slightly. The wind whistled past his ears, flapping his clothes. Once on the main road, Jiang Songshi increased his speed.
Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Songshi arrived at the South City Bar. Even from the entrance, he could hear the cheers erupting inside.
Jiang Songshi found a seat, and not far away, a young man stood in a world of changing lights and shadows. His white shirt was unbuttoned, revealing pale, slender hands gripping the headphones close as the other hand deftly transitioned between different electronic tracks seamlessly.
The crowd grew fevered as the young man immersed himself in the rhythm.
Some ten minutes later, the music gradually faded.
“Ding dong!”
At that moment, Little Mushroom’s phone sounded with a message notification.
[Shi: Are you asleep?]
Little Mushroom was a bit puzzled.
[Little Mushroom: Yeah.]
[Shi: Then how are you replying?]
Little Mushroom’s movements paused briefly.
Oh right, how could he reply if he was asleep?
But this stupid human was actually trying to trick him?
Little Mushroom rolled his eyes as he shrugged it off.
[Little Mushroom: Because #special ringtone#~]
[Little Mushroom: Cute.JPG ]
After replying, Little Mushroom put away his phone. It was only 2 a.m.; there was no need to rush back yet.
He ordered a glass of Jägermeister, the pale yellow liquor swirling in the glass along with the dim lighting.
Little Mushroom had just sat down when his phone buzzed again.
Jiang Songshi was seated not far behind him.
[Shi: So you’re at home now?]
[Little Mushroom: Yup! Goodnight, going back to sleep.]
[Little Mushroom: Goodnight.JPG]
Jiang Songshi: ……
[Shi: Mr. Overlord, why don’t you turn around?]
Jiang Songshi: Mr. Overlord, why don’t you turn around?
Little Mushroom: Oh sh*t??
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