Danielle hadn't reacted yet when a lunchbox was shoved in front of her.
"I made these snacks myself. Try them and see if they taste good?"
The man in front of her was quite pale… and a bit delicate-looking, even feminine.
"Heh, no thanks."
"Oh come on, don't be shy, just have a bite."
A piece of black, strange-looking cake almost hit Danielle's nose.
She quickly stepped back and looked to Zachary for help.
But Zachary just stood there cold and silent, not saying a word.
Seeing the strange man trying to get even closer, Danielle had no choice. She quickly pulled Zachary in front of her.
"Heh, thanks for the offer, but I have a fierce husband at home. I can't accept your kindness. You better keep it."
Fierce husband?
Zachary looked down at Danielle in disbelief.
She smiled at him sweetly, begging with her eyes—"Help me out, I'm your wife after all."
Zachary's lips tightened to a line, and there was a stormy look in his eyes.
He raised his hand and knocked the lunchbox to the ground.
"Get lost!"
The man froze, then suddenly started crying.
"You—how can you be so unreasonable? You're ugly and still want to keep a woman all to yourself? Just wait, I'm going to report you to the district office!"
Zachary suddenly drew his iron knife. "If you don't leave, I'll make you."
"Ahhh!"
The man screamed and ran away… straight into the next room.
Danielle's forehead twitched—no wonder he looked a bit familiar. She had seen him once on moving day.
But that was days ago, and she'd already forgotten.
"Remember now? Do you know him?" a chilly voice asked above her.
Still not sensing the seriousness, Danielle answered absentmindedly, "I think I saw him once while moving."
"Stupid woman."
Danielle blinked. Huh?
Zachary was already walking away quickly, his face cold and angry, carrying their equally grumpy child, Rain.
Wait—how was this her fault?
Why was this man so petty?
"Zachary, wait! Let me explain!"
Danielle shouted and ran after him.
Shortly after the family of three left, the door next door quietly opened. Chu Xiong looked at Danielle's back with sympathy and shook his head slightly.
"Poor woman… how did she end up with such a fierce man? Don't worry, I'll save you."
In this land of Elysium, women outnumbered men, and having multiple husbands was normal.
Though the first husband had a special status, the others weren't much less important.
Danielle tried again and again to explain herself, but Zachary's face stayed cold.
She sighed in frustration. "Just tell me, what will make you stop being angry?"
Zachary gave her a frosty glance. "Why should I be angry? You can marry whoever you want. What does it have to do with me?"
That… passive-aggressive tone made Danielle feel very uneasy.
She sighed again. "But I already married you. I'm not marrying anyone else."
"The law doesn't say you can only marry one."
"But I only want to marry you. I don't want anyone else."
She said it weakly, but she meant it.
She really wanted that kind of love—just one man for life. Why did people always like threesomes or poly relationships?
Zachary's cold and angry expression suddenly cracked. His hands shook so much he almost dropped Rain.
"Are you… serious?"
Seeing his mood soften, Danielle perked up and clung to his strong arm, gently rubbing it with her hand.
"In my heart, you're the most handsome man in the world. I don't care at all about those other flashy girls."
"Danielle!"
Zachary's tone shifted. Danielle paused her little movements and looked up with a grin.
"What is it?"
The moment she looked up, she was stunned.
All she saw were those shimmering eyes, and the next second, his gentle lips sealed hers, stealing her breath.
So this is what a kiss feels like—dizzying, like she might pass out any second.
Hiss.
After who knows how long, Danielle finally felt a rush of fresh air into her lungs. She couldn't help but cough twice.
"Dummy, remember to breathe."
That deep, doting voice sent her thoughts into a spin.
Danielle looked up, dazed. Zachary no longer looked cold and distant.
His lips curved in a faint smile, and his eyes were still glowing with lingering heat. He looked like a siren rising from the sea—intoxicating, seductive.
She was completely enchanted by his looks when suddenly, a strong hand clamped around her neck.
The slight choke made her cheeks flush. Zachary's dangerously low voice brushed her ear.
"Danielle, let's forget the past. I didn't love you before.
But from this day on, you're mine.
Remember what you just said—if you betray me, we'll go to hell together."
She didn't understand how his voice could sound so gentle yet deliver something so terrifying.
Before she could respond, her breath returned, and he gently held her hand.
"Come on, let's go shopping."
Danielle looked down at the strong, calloused hand that completely wrapped around hers.
Her face turned bright red.
She must be sick.
Men like this—obsessive, unstable—should be kept far away. Why did she feel so drawn to him?
Zachary noticed her red face. His gaze darkened.
"Where do you want to go?"
"Mm, let's check in at the Hunting Hall first, then head to the market."
Elysium always offered some form of spiritual comfort, no matter the living zone.
In the lower zone, most of it was cheap entertainment—enough to keep the poor from completely breaking under pressure.
The middle zone was much richer. It had everything the lower zone had—cinemas, online games—but also shopping streets and even luxury goods like designer fabrics.
Zachary had no objection to Danielle's plan.
He was familiar with the way and quickly led them to the Hunting Hall.
"Whoa."
Danielle's mouth dropped open at the massive, wild-looking building.
She had expected something like a train station. Who knew it would look like a giant beast?
There was even a heavy sense of pressure coming off it.
"This thing is too realistic. Looks like a real beast."
She walked into the beast's gaping mouth, still talking.
Zachary glanced at her. "It is a real beast. You didn't know?"
???
Danielle shook her head. "No, I didn't."
Zachary frowned, then seemed to understand.
"Right. You used to be the young lady of the Duo Family. Of course you've never been to places like this.
There are five Hunting Halls in Elysium—two in the lower zones, two in the middle zone, and one in the central zone. All of them are made from the bodies of real beasts.
They were killed by the first awakened heroes during the Lucky Century!"
His voice was full of admiration and excitement.
"They said these show us that beasts can be defeated. One day, humanity will break through Elysium and bring light back to the Wasteland."