Little Mushroom opened Jiang Songshi’s palm, stubbornly stuffing all of his earnings from tonight into Jiang Songshi’s hand.
The red marks on his wrist became more prominent, deeply reflected in Jiang Songshi’s eyes as Little Mushroom moved.
“Gift?” Jiang Songshi’s voice sounded a bit hoarse.
Little Mushroom nodded, the tiny droopy mushroom on his head bobbing along.
Little Mushroom: “Overtime…tired.”
Jiang Song thought for a moment, attempting to translate, “You mean…working overtime is tiring.”
Little Mushroom was still angry. Usually, if Jiang Songshi understood his meaning, Little Mushroom would be delighted, even the tiny mushroom on his head would perk up. But now, Little Mushroom remained curled in the corner.
Jiang Songshi sighed, gently taking Little Mushroom’s hand.
He admitted he could never bring himself to be harsh with Little Mushroom. The anger from being deceived, the frustration from being kept in the dark, all dissipated at Little Mushroom’s single “hurt.”
Not to mention the “gift” Little Mushroom gave him.
Jiang Songshi: “I’m sorry, I apologize to Mr. Overlord, okay?”
Jiang Songshi gently embraced Little Mushroom.
Little Mushroom struggled free, not easily appeased.
But Jiang Songshi kept holding Little Mushroom, his embrace light, and Little Mushroom somewhat liked it.
In the jungle, mushrooms often grew in clusters, with many family members. Bathed in dew each day, surrounded by chattering kin, Little Mushroom had never felt loneliness.
Loneliness was a word Little Mushroom only learned after his transformation.
No one around him could understand his speech. Sometimes Little Mushroom wanted to speak, but no one would listen. The stupid humans always seemed busy, rushing about their own affairs. Even the plump ginger cat only foolishly chased butterflies or roamed the streets looking for dates with the little coal ball.
Every day, Little Mushroom followed a box-shaped machine to learn how to speak. No matter how cheerful, Little Mushroom sometimes felt dejected.
Only Jiang Songshi.
The first stupid human Little Mushroom met could understand his speech.
Although the stupid human often had his own interpretations of Little Mushroom’s words.
Little Mushroom decided to temporarily let go of Jiang Song scolding him. In other words, not holding a grudge for now.
Little Mushroom: Stupid human, I don’t hurt anymore.
Little Mushroom: “##… Stupid#… don’t hurt!”
Little Mushroom didn’t know many words, but he was fluent in calling others “stupid,” though no one knew where he learned it.
Jiang Songshi: “Are you scolding me or comforting me?”
Little Mushroom hugged his cap, and thought seriously before deciding to properly communicate with the stupid human.
Little Mushroom: I’m scolding you!
Little Mushroom: “#…Scolding…you!”
Jiang Songshi: …
No need to be so serious.
Little Mushroom: Stupid human, this mushroom…worked to support you out of kindness!
Little Mushroom: “Stupid ###@!… support.. you##!”
Jiang Songshi understood the mushroom language: “You’re saying you support me?”
Little Mushroom pointed at himself, then nodded: “Mushroom…support…stupid!”
Jiang Songshi: ???
Jiang Songshi: …
As Little Mushroom spoke, he rationalized it to himself, growing prouder with each word.
So Little Mushroom became even more confident: Stupid human! Can’t recognize a good mushroom’s kindness!
Jiang Songshi watched as Little Mushroom went from initial melancholy to suddenly becoming energized, likely having thought of something, and finally outright lecturing him.
Little Mushroom, puffed up: ” ##Stupid! @##…Good Mushroom##!”
Jiang Songshi wanted to speak but held back.
“You’re saying you’re a good mushroom?” Jiang Songshi then realized there might be… Jiang Songshi thought for a moment, coming up with a more tactful term: “a communication gap” between them.
Little Mushroom frowned, this stupid human’s translations always had his own ideas, frustrating!
Jiang Songshi noticed Little Mushroom’s expression and tried rephrasing: “Are you saying I’m…stupid? You’re a good mushroom? You want to…support me?”
Little Mushroom thought that, though not quite right, it was more or less accurate, so Little Mushroom reluctantly nodded.
Little Mushroom grabbed Jiang Songshi’s fingers: So the stupid human must obey, and not bully me again.
Little Mushroom: “…#Obey…#don’t…bully…”
Before Jiang Songshi could respond, Little Mushroom suddenly leaned in, and Jiang Songshi felt a soft sensation on his cheek.
Little Mushroom, mimicking what he’d seen while DJing: “If no bully…then…reward!”
Author’s Note:
Little Mushroom (proudly): Take that, stupid human! \^O^/
Jiang Songshi (dazed) (blinking slowly) (touching his cheek): (⊙ᗜ⊙)
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