Level 1 Little Zombie Doomsday Growth Diary - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

A faint glow appeared on the horizon, and a cool breeze rustled through the trees.

Nan Tingjin lowered his head, his pitch-black eyes fixed on Qian Hui. “I’m not your boyfriend? Then who is?”

Qian Hui was still in his arms, the grip around his waist tightening.

“After all this time,” Nan Tingjin said, his expression cold and hard, his voice low and deliberate, “you’re telling me you mistook me for someone else?”

“N-no, that’s not it…” Qian Hui tried to push him away, but Nan Tingjin seized his wrist, immobilizing him.

Qian Hui’s feeble struggles were futile. Sensing Nan Tingjin’s unstable mood, he shrank back timidly.

This reaction only deepened the shadows in Nan Tingjin’s eyes.

He cupped Qian Hui’s neck with his palm, leaning closer as if to kiss him.

Forced to tilt his head back, Qian Hui instinctively tried to evade.

Nan Tingjin’s burning breath was inches away. Seeing Qian Hui’s distressed and flustered expression, he paused, then pressed a fierce kiss against his cheek.

The kiss was rough, almost violent. Qian Hui shuddered, his fair skin immediately marked with a red welt.

He protested weakly, “That’s not it…”

Nearby, the Carnivorous Flower heard the commotion and cautiously peeked out to observe.

Qian Hui was facing away from it, huddled with Nan Tingjin. The Carnivorous Flower couldn’t tell what they were doing.

The Carnivorous Flower suspected Qian Hui had been mistreated, but upon closer inspection, it didn’t seem so.

It silently observed, deciding to wait and watch further.

Beneath the tree, Nan Tingjin stared at Qian Hui for a long moment.

He adjusted his posture, cradling Qian Hui more securely, and pinched the tip of his chin. “Speak.”

Seated on Nan Tingjin’s lap, Qian Hui’s thick eyelashes fluttered. “I didn’t mistake you…”

“I dreamed that…” He hesitated, then slowly continued, “You wanted to be my boyfriend, but I didn’t agree.”

After a moment, Nan Tingjin repeated softly, “Dreamed?”

“Yes,” Qian Hui replied, looking up at him. Now more relaxed, he gradually became lost in thought, his expression blank. “You like me.”

The scenes in the dream were fragmented, focusing almost entirely on Nan Tingjin and Qian Hui themselves.

He was both a participant and an observer, able to see everything but unable to control his actions.

After the first dream last night, Qian Hui had felt dazed and uncertain, unsure what the dream meant.

The second dream, with its repeated scenes and clearer conversations, only deepened his sense of déjà vu.

As for the dream’s content…

It seemed Nan Tingjin had confessed his feelings and asked Qian Hui to be his boyfriend, but Qian Hui hadn’t agreed yet.

In the dream, Nan Tingjin was still pursuing him, not yet his boyfriend.

During Nan Tingjin’s court visits, he would often wait for Qian Hui, seemingly to escort him home. He would buy Qian Hui gifts and cakes, insisting he accept them—threatening to throw them away if he refused.

In the dream, Qian Hui felt helpless. He carefully stored the gifts, but since he couldn’t finish all the cakes and pastries, he would share half with Nan Tingjin, insisting they eat together. He knew Nan Tingjin would be upset if he gave them away to someone else.

Nan Tingjin was forceful and stubborn, never giving up until he got what he wanted. Qian Hui knew it was impossible to avoid him; he always found a way to reach him.

Qian Hui also dreamed of a day when he seemed angry, throwing nearby objects at Nan Tingjin.

Nan Tingjin didn’t dodge. Instead, he approached Qian Hui, took his hand, and asked if it hurt.

Qian Hui yanked his hand away, his face stiff. “It doesn’t hurt.”

But whether influenced by emotions from beyond the dream, Qian Hui sensed that his dream self also liked Nan Tingjin.

Then… the dream abruptly ended. He never saw the day they truly became lovers.

There were no zombies or mutated plants in the dream. Blurry figures of passersby flashed by, creating a world that wasn’t the apocalypse, yet far less pure than the world under the apocalypse.

After waking up, Nan Tingjin still filled his thoughts. Eager to see him immediately, he sought him out.

Though Qian Hui sometimes seemed slow and clueless, as if he knew nothing at all, he wasn’t stupid.

Since arriving at the Plant Little Courtyard, his actions had grown increasingly human, and his mind had become much sharper.

Qian Hui had no memories from before the Plant Little Courtyard. Unlike other zombies, he was close to the plants and had previously believed he had been “grown” from the soil.

But if everything in his dream was real, and he had simply forgotten, then it must have happened before he came to the Plant Little Courtyard.

This aligned with Nan Tingjin’s description in the Plot Point: Nan Tingjin had been single for years, disliked getting close to people, but had once pursued someone of the same gender.

That someone was… himself?

Then Nan Tingjin had appeared in the forest near the Plant Little Courtyard, and when they met, he had claimed to be Qian Hui’s boyfriend.

Even though Qian Hui still had unanswered questions—like what had happened afterward, why he had forgotten his past, and why Nan Tingjin had now forgotten him—he was certain that Nan Tingjin wasn’t his boyfriend yet. He had his own logic for this.

“Anyway,” Qian Hui mumbled, “you’re the one who likes me… You’re not my boyfriend yet.”

Hearing this, Nan Tingjin fell silent.

Nan Tingjin’s fingertips brushed against Qian Hui’s cheek as he murmured, “Is that so? I don’t remember.”

Qian Hui froze, never expecting Nan Tingjin to say such a thing.

Does he not remember whether we’re actually boyfriends? Or does he not remember that he used to like me…?

Nan Tingjin’s eyes were dark and unfathomable, his thoughts hidden. He asked again, “So, you want me to leave?”

Qian Hui panicked, quickly replying, “No, that’s not it…”

He suddenly realized that Nan Tingjin had agreed to come with him yesterday precisely because they were lovers.

If Nan Tingjin wasn’t his boyfriend, he would have every reason to leave Qian Hui’s side at any moment.

Now frantic, Qian Hui tugged at Nan Tingjin’s sleeve. “You can’t leave…”

Nan Tingjin’s expression remained impassive. “Why not? Do you like me?”

After a moment of earnest consideration, Qian Hui nodded. “I do.”

“What do you like about me?”

Qian Hui opened his mouth, but couldn’t find an answer.

Nan Tingjin slowly released him, answering the earlier question. “I’ll think about it.”

Qian Hui withdrew from Nan Tingjin’s embrace, a strange sense of loss washing over him. “Alright…”

Qian Hui regretted speaking so soon. If only he had kept it to himself.

But the recurring dream, repeated twice, had almost become a memory, compelling him to “remember” it uncontrollably. Nan Tingjin was the other protagonist in the dream.

Without thinking, Qian Hui had blurted it out, not considering the consequences.

He vaguely sensed he had made a mistake, yet the dream had unfolded exactly as he described…

Could Nan Tingjin truly remember nothing? Had he forgotten ever having feelings for him?

Qian Hui stole a glance at Nan Tingjin, his fingers clenching the sleeve of his robe.

He lowered his head. “Then… then I’ll go back to sleep.”

The sky hadn’t fully brightened yet; it was still early before they needed to wake up.

Nan Tingjin lifted his gaze, silent and still.

Qian Hui’s words about returning to sleep sounded both aggrieved and like a subtle plea.

He had sought Nan Tingjin out, hadn’t resisted much during their embrace and kiss, and a faint blush still lingered on his cheeks.

Nan Tingjin suppressed his emotions and averted his gaze.

Seeing Nan Tingjin’s silence, Qian Hui slowly stood up, turned, and walked away.

He returned to the Cabbage Shell, crawled inside, and lay down, casually scooping up Chili Pepper and Potato into his arms.

Potato was fast asleep, while Chili Pepper opened one eye, then closed it again.

Nut rolled over from the side, wanting Qian Hui to hold it too.

Qian Hui scooped Nut into his arms as well, murmuring softly to himself, “If you don’t remember, then forget it…”

After all, he had never agreed to be with Nan Tingjin before. And what happened in the Plant Little Courtyard… shouldn’t count, right?

For Nan Tingjin, he had already lost his memories, forgetting everything that happened in the Plant Little Courtyard, including his former affection for Qian Hui.

Now that Qian Hui remembered first, it all seemed like a misunderstanding.

But when he had said he liked Nan Tingjin earlier, Nan Tingjin hadn’t seemed to believe him.

Even apart from their relationship, Qian Hui felt uneasy, not wanting Nan Tingjin to leave.

Feeling gloomy, he rolled over and quietly pushed open the leafy door of the Cabbage Shell a tiny crack.

The door had been opened before, so the invisibility effect was long gone.

The forest outside was bathed in a thin layer of sunlight. Through the gap in the Cabbage Shell, Qian Hui saw Nan Tingjin sitting beneath a tree, looking in his direction.

His hand trembled, and he quickly closed the door.

Qian Hui rolled over again, silently repeating to himself, If I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it… As long as Nan Tingjin is safe, that’s all that matters.

If he insists on leaving, I can’t stop him.

Qian Hui closed his eyes, trying desperately to fall asleep.

After lying there for an unknown amount of time, the other plants gradually began to wake up, but he still couldn’t shake off his wakefulness.

Finally, Qian Hui sat up, preparing to get out of bed.

The Cabbage Shell opened, and several plants volunteered to fetch water from the stream, saving some of the money they would have spent on water.

After washing up and wiping the plants’ faces and leaves, Qian Hui brought out breakfast.

The plants lined up to receive their portions from his hand, then settled down to eat wherever they pleased.

The newly arrived Little Succulent, with its small appetite, took only half a biscuit and obediently followed behind its most familiar companion, Little Bamboo Shoot, to sit beside Sunflower.

Nut was a special case. Lacking limbs and unable to bend its body, it struggled to eat comfortably.

Back in the Plant Little Courtyard, Nut used to nibble on the flowers and grass around the edges to stave off hunger. After Qian Hui discovered this, he began feeding it other foods regularly.

Now that Nut could freely change its size and had shrunk considerably, Qian Hui still planned to feed it.

Little Cabbage promptly scurried over, thoughtfully picked up a biscuit, and held it out to Nut’s mouth.

Nut glanced at Little Cabbage, its eyes slightly wary, then looked around.

Qian Hui didn’t stop it, gently patting Nut’s head. “Xiao Guo?”

After a two-second hesitation, Nut opened its mouth and took a bite of the biscuit.

With Little Cabbage’s help, Qian Hui had a moment to spare. He pulled out another packet of biscuits and looked toward the stream.

Nan Tingjin returned from the stream alone. Qian Hui approached him and offered the food and water in his hands.

He glanced at them but didn’t take them. “I’m not hungry.”

Clutching the biscuits, Qian Hui murmured, “Are you still angry?”

He had thought it over carefully. Nan Tingjin didn’t remember the past, so he couldn’t blame him.

Now that the “misunderstanding” had been cleared up, the boyfriend relationship no longer existed.

“Just… pretend I mistook you for someone else,” Qian Hui said, his head bowed. “It was my fault, but I… I didn’t mean to drive you away.”

He continued, “…We’re leaving soon. Have you made up your mind?”

Qian Hui asked, his voice barely audible.

“Just pretend you mistook me for someone else?”

Nan Tingjin’s voice deepened as he stepped closer to Qian Hui. His expression was dark, and Qian Hui instinctively retreated until his back pressed against the tree trunk, leaving him nowhere to go.

Nan Tingjin leaned down, his voice low and firm. “No.”

He was too close, his presence overwhelming. Qian Hui’s heart raced. “Th-then what do you want me to do?”

Nan Tingjin remained silent. Qian Hui cautiously tugged at his sleeve. “Xiao Jin…”

The other plants were occupied on the other side, barely noticing their exchange.

Carnivorous Flower was focused on devouring its meal, while Carrot urged Durian to clean up the cookie crumbs on the ground.

Nan Tingjin’s gaze lowered, and he gripped Qian Hui’s wrist, pulling him into a tight embrace.

Qian Hui nearly dropped the items in his hands. He heard Nan Tingjin whisper in his ear, “Little liar.”

Qian Hui froze, then began to struggle. “I didn’t!”

He understood Nan Tingjin’s implication. Nan Tingjin probably didn’t believe his claims about dreaming or having liked him in the past, perhaps even suspecting Qian Hui had ulterior motives for luring him away from the base.

Nan Tingjin’s strength was overwhelming; Qian Hui couldn’t push him away. “You’re the one who tricked me!” he protested.

Qian Hui glared at him with his beautiful eyes, looking like a fierce little rabbit.

Nan Tingjin chuckled. “Fine, I tricked you.”

His casual tone was clearly meant to placate Qian Hui as he leaned in for a kiss.

Qian Hui refused, shoving Nan Tingjin’s face away with force. “No! You’re not allowed to kiss me!”

Nan Tingjin didn’t persist, patiently coaxing him. “Didn’t we kiss before?”

He seemed to have reasoned it out himself, dismissing Qian Hui’s earlier ramblings as nonsense. He’d been angry earlier, but seeing Qian Hui approach him so willingly after only a couple of hours had largely dissipated his anger.

Qian Hui retorted defiantly, “You’re not my boyfriend.”

Nan Tingjin’s expression darkened. “Then who is your boyfriend?”

Qian Hui lowered his gaze, thick shadows cast by his eyelashes. “I didn’t…”

Suddenly, Carrot leaped onto the tree above, peering down. “Woo?”

It couldn’t tell what the two were doing—it looked a bit like an argument, but not quite.

Everything was packed, and they needed to hurry to the place where the plants were being held to check on the situation.

Carrot had come to urge them to leave.

Nan Tingjin’s gaze swept over Carrot, a clear displeasure in his eyes, before slowly releasing Qian Hui.

Carrot paid no mind, turning its head to look at Nan Tingjin, then back at Qian Hui.

Nearby, the Carnivorous Flower had grown larger, allowing the other plants to climb inside one by one.

Still a bit annoyed, Qian Hui tossed a biscuit to Nan Tingjin. “Are you coming or not?!”

Nan Tingjin caught the biscuit and replied calmly, “I’m coming.”

Everything seemed to freeze as he and Qian Hui entered the Carnivorous Flower’s mouth together.

Once everyone was settled inside, the Carnivorous Flower raised its head.

A tiny Mimosa clung to one of its teeth, its leaves pointing the way.

Meanwhile, at a branch location of Sky Base…

The outer ruins were eerily silent, devoid even of wandering zombies. A patrol team swiftly passed along the perimeter wall.

Unbeknownst to them, Cabbage was lurking in the shadows, observing.

Cabbage was small, about the height of an adult’s calf, with a round, flattened body.

Its facial features were clustered on one of its broad sides, and its leaf-formed limbs were thick, ending in even thicker, gauntlet-like hands.

Watching the patrol team disappear into the distance, Cabbage sprang into action.

It leaped over the ruins in a few bounds, quickly reaching the base’s outer wall.

Then, Cabbage extended its right arm dozens of times its original length, easily gripping the top of the wall. With a powerful kick, it launched itself over the barrier.

Alarms immediately blared, and instruments registered an extremely high energy signature. Guards frantically alerted everyone: “Special-grade mutated plant detected!”

By then, Cabbage had already flipped over the wall and landed steadily on the other side.

However, human ability users arrived swiftly. In addition to the patrol team outside, numerous guards were stationed inside the base as well.

Cabbage dodged several ranged attacks, shattered a defense barrier with a single punch, and charged into the crowd.

It was incredibly brave and agile. The gauntlets on its hands had doubled in size and could extend freely, causing the enemy to cry out in pain with each blow.

But the human ability users were relentless. As soon as one fell, another quickly took its place.

They even pulled out tranquilizer guns, attempting to capture Cabbage alive.

With a flying kick, Cabbage split the tranquilizer-filled syringe in half.

It scanned its surroundings, bared its teeth fiercely, and swung its fists wildly, unleashing dozens, even hundreds, of replication gauntlets.

The replication gauntlets were Cabbage’s ranged attack, dealing significantly less damage than its real fists, but they were sufficient.

While the human ability users dodged the gauntlets, Cabbage turned and fled, its elongated arms hooking onto the perimeter wall as it soared upward, vanishing swiftly from sight.

The base sent out search parties, but after an extensive search, they returned empty-handed.

After a long interval, Cabbage quietly slipped back in.

It continued to lurk in the shadows, observing the heavily guarded base.

Just a few days earlier, while passing nearby, Cabbage had witnessed humans hunting down two mutated plants.

The two plants had clearly escaped from the base on this side, but unfortunately, they hadn’t managed to get far before being captured and dragged back.

Cabbage had intended to help, but it was too late.

It wanted to infiltrate the base, but every time it approached the perimeter wall, a human patrol team would rush over to investigate, leaving no opportunity for entry.

After staking out the area for two days straight, Cabbage couldn’t think of a better plan and decided to force its way in.

However, it had underestimated the number of human ability users inside. Alone, it couldn’t possibly take down so many humans, let alone scout the terrain or locate the two plants.

Sigh…

Cabbage sighed.

What should I do? Just give up and leave?

Hesitating, Cabbage decided to wait another two days. If it still couldn’t get in, it would settle for beating up a few more patrolling humans outside.

With that, Cabbage turned and retreated further from the base to avoid detection.

The surroundings were quiet, with no zombies in sight, so it should be safe. It lay down on the rubble and rubbed its stomach.

Sigh… I haven’t eaten in days. I’m starving.