Level 1 Little Zombie Doomsday Growth Diary - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Qian Hui didn’t understand what was wrong with himself. It wasn’t fear, but rather a sense of unfamiliarity.

Perhaps it was because Nan Tingjin hadn’t regained his memories and didn’t remember him.

Most of the time, Nan Tingjin was sufficiently gentle. When Qian Hui had been entangled by Soft Vine, he had obediently massaged Qian Hui’s hands every day.

Yet Qian Hui still sensed subtle differences in him—in his aura, his mannerisms, or something else entirely.

Even so, Nan Tingjin was still Nan Tingjin, and Qian Hui loved him.

He was his boyfriend, and there was no mistake about that.

As for his changes… perhaps it was because he had lost his memories and stayed here for so long.

Six whole years could change a person drastically, just like the wooden ring that had changed color.

Thinking this, Qian Hui felt a pang of sympathy for Nan Tingjin and reached out to hug him.

Having just dodged away moments ago, Nan Tingjin’s breath hitched slightly at Qian Hui’s sudden initiative. He lowered his gaze, seemingly surprised, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Qian Hui mumbled. “I… I still want to see where you live.”

“Alright.” Nan Tingjin couldn’t resist leaning in for another kiss.

But Qian Hui had already pulled away, his gaze sweeping across the room once more.

He had only given it a cursory glance before, but now he examined everything with meticulous care, as if exploring a labyrinth. He opened wardrobes and drawers, picking up unfamiliar objects to scrutinize them closely, such as the communicator and radio.

Unfortunately, the radio was long broken and hadn’t been repaired yet.

In one drawer, he found a small telescope. Qian Hui peered through it, muttering, “What’s this…?”

Nan Tingjin taught him how to use it, and Qian Hui was immediately captivated, holding it to his eye and playing with it for a long time.

Seeing Qian Hui’s delight, Nan Tingjin said, “You can have it.”

“Really?” Qian Hui was overjoyed, accepting the gift without hesitation. After playing with it to his heart’s content, he carefully tucked it into a side pocket of his backpack.

His greatest fascination remained the bathroom faucet. Nan Tingjin showed him how to turn on the hot water and use the shower, explaining that he could bathe there.

Though Qian Hui wasn’t bothered by the cold, he was sensitive to heat. The water temperature was adjusted only slightly, just enough to feel barely lukewarm.

In the next room, Durian slept soundly, still guarded by Carrot and Sunflower, whose disguises remained intact. The rest of the plants returned one after another.

Intrigued by the new bathroom, several plants wanted to join Qian Hui in the shower.

Corn rushed to the front, but Nan Tingjin’s gaze swept over, and he said firmly, “No.”

His tone was flat, yet carried a subtle warning.

Throughout their journey, Nan Tingjin had never interacted with the plants, and most of the time, Qian Hui almost forgot he was there.

But after their battle with the Zombie Horde, not only Qian Hui but all the plants gained a new appreciation for Nan Tingjin’s strength.

Corn stopped abruptly, shooting him a quick glare, wanting to ignore him but not quite daring to.

Qian Hui waved from inside the bathroom. “Bring the towels over. I’ll wash you all first.”

Corn perked up instantly, rummaging through its backpack for the small towels. It deliberately held one up high as it strutted past Nan Tingjin.

When washing the plants, Qian Hui used cold water, rinsing each one quickly before drying them with a towel. The process was remarkably swift.

But when it was his turn, Qian Hui slowed down considerably.

As Nan Tingjin knocked impatiently on the door from outside, Qian Hui was still holding a handmade soap bar, contemplating carving a character into it.

“Almost done!” Qian Hui called out hastily, using the blunt end of his toothbrush to carve a large “茴” (Hui) into the soap.

Satisfied, he carefully set the soap aside and quickly finished getting ready to dress.

Just then, a Game Notification popped up:

<i>Story Point Triggered: Progress 5% (Reach 100% to unlock plot analysis)</i>

<i>Huh?</i>

Qian Hui read the notification again and again, still not quite understanding its meaning.

The previous two times he triggered Story Points, he had directly obtained the original endings for two special-grade mutated plants, along with a Hidden Mission to secretly approach the Zombie Horde. The description stated that completing the Hidden Mission would grant a chance to obtain a Plot Point analysis.

After the battle with the Zombie Horde, his progress on the Hidden Mission had only reached 60%. This time, the method of triggering the Story Point was entirely new to Qian Hui.

Moreover, the notification didn’t specify what the Story Point was about, nor did it issue a Mission. He was unsure how to proceed to complete the progress.

Qian Hui’s first thought was whether it might be related to the special-grade mutated plant Nan Tingjin was planning to take him to find.

Or perhaps it was something else entirely—some human, an entire base?

In truth, Qian Hui still didn’t fully grasp what “Story Point” truly represented. Many aspects of the Game required him to figure things out through trial and error.

He closed the notification, silently noted the matter, and got dressed.

The pajamas Nan Tingjin had prepared were a bit too large for Qian Hui. He lifted them to his nose and sniffed, detecting the same scent as Nan Tingjin’s own.

Qian Hui actually liked this. He lingered over the scent for a while longer before finally opening the bathroom door.

He had also washed his hair while he was at it. The dye’s color remained remarkably stable, showing almost no change.

Afterward, Qian Hui used a hairdryer for the first time.

Nan Tingjin was drying Qian Hui’s hair, deliberately holding the hairdryer at a distance to avoid burning him.

Qian Hui sat obediently on the edge of the bed, his eyes closed as he savored this novel sensation.

Chili Pepper squatted nearby, watching for a while before humming softly and eating the chili pepper seed in its hand.

After his hair was dry, Qian Hui asked, “When are we going to find the plant?”

“Tomorrow,” Nan Tingjin replied, putting away the hairdryer. “The Restricted Zone isn’t nearby.”

He reached out to stroke Qian Hui’s hair. “Sleep first.”

Qian Hui nodded with a soft “Mmm,” watching as Nan Tingjin stood up and went to the bathroom alone.

When Nan Tingjin returned, the room was still lit, and a Cabbage Shell sat in the center.

The interior of the Cabbage Shell was dimly lit, with a gap between the leaves—likely left open for Carrot and Sunflower next door.

Nan Tingjin approached and peered through the gap. He saw Qian Hui lying inside, seemingly already asleep, surrounded by a circle of plants. Chili Pepper was curled up against his chest.

After watching quietly for a long moment, Nan Tingjin turned off the light.

In the middle of the night, Carrot returned.

Two hours had passed since its transformation. After standing by the window for a long time to air out, it went to the bathroom to wash off the lingering Durian scent before finally returning to the Cabbage Shell.

The next morning, Qian Hui woke up early.

Worried that Durian’s escape might be discovered, he quietly stood behind the curtains, using binoculars to watch three modified vehicles drive away from the Inner Gate.

The modified vehicles bore white cloud-shaped emblems, identifying them as belonging to Cloud River Base.

Inside one of the vehicles, Qi Yue contacted the base via communicator to announce their return.

The iron cage sat in the back seat. A team member asked curiously, “Why is it so quiet? Does it need another dose of anesthetic?”

Qi Yue glanced in the rearview mirror. “No need. It’s probably just hungry. Let’s get back to base first.”

He hadn’t noticed anything unusual and felt well-rested after a good night’s sleep.

As for the supplies and medical supplies Nan Tingjin had asked him to deliver to Sky Base, they were loaded onto another vehicle.

The subordinates who delivered the goods claimed they had failed to capture the Carnivorous Flower during their mission and were returning the bounty deposit, including the portion Liang Jie had given them earlier.

Unfamiliar with the details, Qi Yue first verified the information with Sky Base personnel before accepting the items.

The massive iron gates ahead swung open, and the three modified vehicles exited the Outer Gate, gradually distancing themselves from Black Ridge Mountain.

During the journey, Qi Yue continued to ponder the young man accompanying Nan Tingjin.

It was obvious to anyone that Nan Tingjin and Qian Hui shared a deep connection, likely as lovers.

Nan Tingjin personally assisted Qian Hui in and out of the vehicle, a gesture that seemed at odds with his rumored aloofness.

Yet Qi Yue considered this a positive sign.

In the post-apocalyptic world, human ability users with excessively detached emotions were particularly vulnerable to falling into a Lost State, from which recovery was exceedingly difficult.

Regardless of the circumstances, one needed personal preferences, someone they cared for, or something they were willing to accept.

Following the established route, the modified vehicle traveled smoothly and arrived at Sky Base before noon.

Two team members unloaded the supplies from the vehicle, while Qi Yue carried the iron cage containing Guan Yizhi, escorted by a guard, and personally delivered it to the Attic.

The second floor of the Attic housed the research lab, where a glass enclosure had already been prepared. The new mutated plant would be kept there for several days of observation and feeding.

Qi Yue entered the lab and respectfully greeted, “Mr. Wen.”

Wen Jue nodded warmly. “Xiao Qi.”

Wen Jue had awakened two days prior and was in much better condition, showing no signs of abnormality.

Qi Yue hurried closer, took out his key, and carefully opened the iron cage.

Several lab staff members stood nearby, having heard earlier that this mutated plant was extremely volatile. They held tranquilizer guns, ready to act at any moment.

Qi Yue opened the cage door and found Guan Yizhi motionless inside.

He frowned slightly, worried that it might have fainted from hunger, and put on gloves to pull it out.

As soon as he grasped it, Qi Yue immediately sensed something was wrong.

He paused, then tore open the foil wrapping the mutated plant, revealing a yellow durian… shell.

The shell was stuffed with stones to add weight, making it difficult to detect the deception just by lifting the cage.

The staff members were astonished. “This… could this be the mutated plant?”

“No,” Qi Yue said quickly. “This is just its shell. It escaped! But it was clearly…”

It had been securely locked up yesterday. Before going to bed, he had given Durian a half-dose of anesthetic, concerned that a full dose might have adverse effects.

After that… after that was this morning. A team member had mentioned that Durian was unusually quiet.

So, it escaped from the Black Ridge Mountain Base?

But the iron cage was intact, and he hadn’t noticed any disturbances during the night. How could Durian have escaped…?

For a moment, Qi Yue’s mind raced with confusion. “I apologize, Mr. Wen. This was my oversight…”

Wen Jue observed everything, a cold glint in his eyes.

But he concealed it well, showing no outward reaction. “It’s fine. If it escaped, it escaped. Perhaps we weren’t meant to be.”

Cloud River Base was unaware that Wen Jue needed a living mutated plant, let alone his specific purpose for it. They assumed he simply intended to tame it, study its habits and abilities, and perhaps find clues within the plant to cure the Lost State in human ability users.

Qi Yue lowered his head. “I’ll take people to search immediately…”

“There’s no need,” Wen Jue waved for the staff to leave, then changed the subject. “You’re back from Black Ridge Mountain Base?”

“Yes,” Qi Yue replied. “I happened to meet Leader Nan yesterday.”

Nan Tingjin had gone missing, and numerous teams were still searching for him. News of his return had reached several bases almost immediately.

Qi Yue gave a brief account of yesterday’s events, but he didn’t mention that the mutated plant might have been lost on Black Ridge Mountain. He only referred to the youth accompanying Nan Tingjin as “a companion.”

Wen Jue, however, keenly picked up on the key detail. “A companion?” he repeated.

“I believe so,” Qi Yue answered. “I’m not entirely sure.”

“Very well, I understand,” Wen Jue said gently, instructing his subordinate to escort Qi Yue out. “Don’t worry about the lost mutated plant for now. Get some rest.”

Qi Yue thanked Wen Jue and turned to leave.

As he watched Qi Yue’s retreating figure, the smile slowly faded from Wen Jue’s face.

—

After the subordinate escorted Qi Yue’s team away and returned to the Attic, he found Wen Jue sitting quietly on the sofa, his eyes closed in contemplation.

The subordinate didn’t disturb him. After a long silence, Wen Jue opened his eyes.

Wen Jue tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair. “Prepare for a trip to Black Ridge Mountain Base,” he said.

His subordinate immediately asked, “You’re going in person?”

Wen Jue stood up. “Yes.”

Wen Jue’s ability lacked offensive capabilities, requiring close protection. He was also prone to sudden bouts of sleep, making leaving the Attic extremely risky.

Yet he had made up his mind; he had to go himself.

Closer proximity or direct contact would amplify his ability, allowing him to perceive clearer outcomes.

Yesterday at noon, the team sent to investigate the Sunflower’s whereabouts returned with information and several photographs.

The ravaged forest floor defied explanation, baffling everyone except Wen Jue, who immediately thought of Nan Tingjin.

If it were Nan Tingjin’s ability, it could certainly achieve such devastation.

Seemingly ordinary natural-type object manipulation, yet it could disregard rules, almost transcending all limitations.

Wen Jue was eager to confirm his suspicions and also curious about the “companion” Qi Yue had mentioned.

Moreover, the recent anomalies were piling up… those that his Precognition couldn’t see or discern clearly might all be connected to Nan Tingjin.

And there was the report from another small base some time ago: a team had witnessed mutated plants fighting in coordinated formations.

A mutated plant… team?

If I go, maybe Nan Tingjin will tell me…

What exactly do those mutated plants want?

—

With Sunflower’s company, Durian slept soundly through the night in the next room, still unconscious even after breakfast.

Eager to reach the Restricted Zone and find the special-grade mutated plant, Qian Hui left the other plants to guard the base, taking only Chili Pepper, Carrot, and Little Bamboo Shoot with him.

The three were small enough to hide inside Qian Hui’s wide hood, completely concealed from view.

As a precaution, Qian Hui also left behind a bottle of Sleep Spray. If Durian woke up and became aggressive toward the plants again, they could use it to put him back to sleep.

Corn accepted the spray with a solemn nod.

The base was vast, and the Restricted Zone lay in the rear mountains, quite a distance away. The car Nan Tingjin had arranged was already waiting downstairs.

He forbade anyone from accompanying him, and the subordinate who delivered the car left immediately.

Qian Hui put on his blindfold and was carried downstairs by Nan Tingjin, who placed him directly into the car.

The outside was eerily quiet. Uncertain if anyone else was around, Qian Hui sat quietly in the passenger seat, nervously twisting his fingers.

Even Nan Tingjin couldn’t identify the special-grade mutated plant’s species… but if it was one from the Plant Little Courtyard, Qian Hui was certain he would recognize it.

The car began to move. After about ten minutes, Nan Tingjin said, “We’re here.”

Qian Hui immediately removed the blindfold. The three plants in his hood simultaneously poked their heads out, all peering out the window.

They had left the central base area and reached the outskirts. There were no humans in sight, and the surrounding ground became increasingly littered with uncleaned fallen leaves and rubble.

Dilapidated, abandoned buildings flashed past. Leaning against the window, Qian Hui spotted a mountain forest in the distance.

Within the forest, a massive, shadowy figure stood motionless.