Reborn as the Doomsday Tycoon: My Zombie Apocalypse Harem

Yet, since Xiao Yang had already gone this far...

Was there still room for her to play coy?

Though countless suitors had pursued her through university years, none had ever stirred her heart - until she glimpsed her prince arriving on that fateful day. Their accidental cohabitation during the apocalypse could only be destiny's design. Resolve crystallized in Mu Wanqing's chest as she met his gaze squarely. "Xiao Yang," she declared, voice trembling with courage forged through crisis, "Will you be my boyfriend?"

The triumphant grin spreading across Xiao Yang's face could have outshone the aurora borealis. "Yes," he breathed against her earlobe, the single syllable reverberating through her entire being. His calloused fingers tilted her chin upward, molten desire blazing in his eyes. When Mu Wanqing's lashes fluttered shut in surrender, their lips were mere centimeters apart-

"Kraa! Kraa!" The hoarse cawing of Coal, his obsidian-feathered pet raven, shattered the moment like glass.

"SHUT YOUR BEAK!" Xiao Yang's roar rattled the crystal wineglasses on the dinner table. The damned bird cocked its head, clearly amused by its master's frustration, before emitting two more mocking croaks. Tension dissolved into nervous laughter, both youths suddenly finding the lavish spread of braised pork belly and drunken shrimp intensely fascinating.

Throughout the meal, unspoken electricity crackled between stolen glances. Xiao Yang downed Bordeaux like water while Mu Wanqing, abandoning her usual fruit teas, nursed a Merlot until crimson bloomed across her collarbones. Between bites of caramelized lotus root, Xiao Yang made mental notes - Chef Lu You's culinary genius must be secured. That woman could turn military rations into ambrosia. Once roads cleared, he'd retrieve her from the stranded restaurant, even if he had to dig through snowdrifts with bare hands.

When chopsticks finally stilled, Mu Wanqing fled upstairs like a startled doe. Xiao Yang smirked, leisurely showering before rapping on her door. "Wanqing? Asleep already?"

"Y-yes! Goodnight!" The muffled reply betrayed her.

"Pity..." He slumped dramatically against the wall. "Seems I'll freeze here...so dizzy...walls spinning..."

The door flew open to reveal Mu Wanqing clutching a penguin-patterned quilt around herself. "You idiot! Can't handle three bottles?" Her scolding died as Xiao Yang reeled into her, all muscle and heat and sandalwood soap. Before she could protest, he'd swept her into the master bedroom, their collision with the king-sized bed sending feather pillows cascading.

"Deceiver!" she gasped against his mouth, the accusation melting into breathless surrender as he claimed her lips. Her first kiss tasted of Bordeaux and infinite possibilities.

Dawn found them intertwined, Mu Wanqing tracing the scar along Xiao Yang's shoulder blade. "Liar," she murmured without venom, earning a chuckle that vibrated through both their bodies.

Post-shower, Xiao Yang materialized steaming congee and ginger tea - a breakfast conjured from thin air. At her stunned expression, he flexed his palm. Silver light shimmered as a down jacket materialized. "Spatial storage," he confessed. "Prepared during those 'paranoid' months."

Mu Wanqing's chopsticks hovered mid-bite. "All those supplies I listed...?"

"Stockpiled to last decades." He caught her trembling hand. "The nightmare guided me, but you...you're my awakening."

As afternoon sun gilded the thawing world, plans solidified - tomorrow's expedition would search for her missing brother and the culinary genius Lu You. Xiao Yang's thumb brushed the new lovebite on Mu Wanqing's neck. Let the apocalypse rage; he'd built his paradise right here.