Level 1 Little Zombie Doomsday Growth Diary - Extra 2

Extra 2 – Hungry?

Qian Hui, filled with eager excitement, buried his head and fiercely “gnawed,” like a naive young beast celebrating its first successful hunt.

But human bones were hard as rocks, even tougher to chew than Sweet Pepper’s forehead. His efforts were utterly harmless.

Suddenly, Qian Hui’s jaw and cheeks were gripped, immobilizing him.

Nan Tingjin helped him sit up straight, his brow furrowed as he checked Qian Hui’s temperature and breathing.

Qian Hui still seemed dazed, not speaking, as if he no longer recognized Nan Tingjin. Yet his gaze remained fixed on him.

More precisely, it was fixed on Nan Tingjin’s throat, where faint teeth marks now lingered.

Sunflower approached, Big Pea picked up the empty potion bottle from the ground, and Carnivorous Flower and Carrot let out a series of “woo woo” sounds. The other plants joined in, trying to explain.

Before drinking the potion, Qian Hui had only warned them of possible minor side effects, such as temporary behavioral changes, assuring them he could endure it.

The plants had been entirely focused on whether the potion would work, completely unprepared for Qian Hui’s sudden transformation.

Wasn’t he supposed to become human…? Why does he look like a zombie now?!

Sweet Pepper, now slightly calmer, ran over, sobbing, “Woo woo woo!”

It had made up its mind: if Qian Hui wanted to eat it… then let him! Losing a piece of its head wouldn’t kill it!

Chili Pepper pulled it back, offering a few comforting words.

Qian Hui didn’t smell like a zombie; the potion might have worked after all.

Sure enough, Nan Tingjin gave Qian Hui a cursory examination. His appearance hadn’t changed, but his breathing was deeper and more steady than before, and his heartbeat was stronger.

Qian Hui, controlled by the ability, could barely move, but he was far from docile. When Nan Tingjin reached out, he bit him fiercely again.

Yuan Ji watched from behind, his heart pounding. He cautiously called out, “…Leader?”

Nan Tingjin paid no heed, gently cradling Qian Hui in his arms as he said, “Get some doctors from the base over here.”

Sunflower’s light could only heal wounds; the other plants knew nothing about this situation. Human Ability Users who had been doctors might be of use.

Yuan Ji responded and hurried away. The plants gathered around the pair, anxiously waiting.

Timothy approached and carefully examined Qian Hui, its tail swaying.

He should be alright, right? Back in the Little Courtyard, Qian Hui initially seemed dazed and clumsy, but he gradually recovered.

Cabbage sighed and gently touched the hem of Qian Hui’s robe.

Carrot, head buried in careful study of the empty medicine bottle, felt a flicker of recognition. It looked just like the bottles that had contained disguise medicine it had drunk before.

If all of Qian Hui’s belongings came from the same source, there might be no cause for alarm, though it remained uncertain when he would return to normal.

Mango and Chili Pepper, having comforted Sweet Pepper, trotted over and stretched out their arms again. “Woo!”

Bite us! We’re tough and thick-skinned—we won’t mind!

But Qian Hui had lost interest in all plants, his sole focus now on biting Nan Tingjin.

The sweet-smelling throat was so close, yet he couldn’t reach it. Retreating to a secondary target, he tried to bite Nan Tingjin’s chin, only to be stopped by a pinch to his cheek.

Frustration welled up in Qian Hui, his crimson eyes brimming with aggrievedness.

Nan Tingjin stroked his cheek, slightly loosening the grip of his ability, and allowed him to bite his palm.

“Can you understand me?” he asked softly.

Qian Hui ignored him, burying his head in focused biting.

Nan Tingjin patiently repeated the question several times until Qian Hui finally mumbled a vague “Mmm.”

Seemingly tired from biting, he paused to rest, licking the tooth marks on Nan Tingjin’s hand before resuming his intense stare at the man’s throat.

Soon after, three human ability users arrived.

The Black Ridge Mountain Base had no ordinary humans, and even Ability Users rarely caught colds. They were uncertain about Qian Hui’s condition, only able to confirm that his breathing and heartbeat were normal.

In short, aside from his unusual behavior, he seemed more human than anything else.

The potion Qian Hui had drunk was now empty, and the bottle had to be sent to another base for analysis, though there was no guarantee they would find anything.

As dusk gradually fell, Qian Hui grew quiet.

Zombies typically sought shelter at night, as darkness made them feel vulnerable.

Qian Hui’s heart rate quickened, and his breathing became slightly labored as he nervously scanned his surroundings.

Noticing his distress, Nan Tingjin held him closer and instructed Yuan Ji to take the three Ability Users away.

Without a definitive diagnosis, the only course of action was to observe him for another day or two.

After Yuan Ji left, Nan Tingjin carried Qian Hui back to the Small Wooden Cabin.

Dinner was ready. Lettuce led the plants to the kitchen, but Carnivorous Flower and Carrot, still worried, trailed behind Nan Tingjin.

Back in the cabin’s enclosed space, Qian Hui’s anxiety eased somewhat.

He curiously examined his surroundings, his arms wrapped tightly around Nan Tingjin, and then tried to bite him again.

This time, Nan Tingjin didn’t stop him, allowing Qian Hui to nibble at his throat and chin while gently stroking his silver hair.

When Qian Hui grew tired, Nan Tingjin took the opportunity to kiss him. “Hungry?”

Drawn by the warmth of Nan Tingjin’s breath, Qian Hui unconsciously leaned closer and clumsily returned the kiss.

At the door, Carnivorous Flower quickly covered Little Mushroom’s eyes and closed the slightly ajar door.

It should be fine… After all, he’s not a real zombie. Even if he bites, there won’t be any infection.

Inside the room, Qian Hui licked the teeth marks on Nan Tingjin’s lips, responding blankly, “Hungry…”

He had been biting for so long without getting anything… And now that his body had become human, he needed to eat normal food.

Sweet Pepper arrived just then, carrying a thermal box sent from the Black Ridge Mountain Base. The other plants trailed a few steps behind.

The thermal box contained prepared meals—proper human food.

Chili Pepper began serving the steaming dishes one by one. Qian Hui glanced at them with disinterest.

Nan Tingjin scooped him up, while the other plants helped serve the food and Carrot thoughtfully offered a spoon.

In his current state, Qian Hui clearly couldn’t feed himself; he needed to be fed.

But when the food was brought to his mouth, Qian Hui resisted fiercely, twisting his head to escape. Nan Tingjin used his ability to restrain him.

After much coaxing, Qian Hui finally took a bite.

Once he started, it became easier. Qian Hui ate without enthusiasm, filling his stomach and finally becoming more docile.

Leaning against Nan Tingjin’s chest, Qian Hui slowly finished half a bowl of soup, his expression weary.

The plants cleared the table and tactfully prepared to leave, entrusting Qian Hui entirely to Nan Tingjin’s care.

Carnivorous Flower planned to stay nearby overnight, while Sweet Pepper trailed behind Chili Pepper, glancing back every few steps.

The door of the Small Wooden Cabin closed tightly once more. Footsteps gradually faded into the surrounding grass, leaving the room silent.

Nan Tingjin carried Qian Hui to the bathroom, removed his coat, and gently wiped Qian Hui’s face and hands with a warm towel.

Qian Hui disliked the steaming towel and kept trying to dodge it. Nan Tingjin held him firmly by the waist, his voice patient: “Just a moment longer.”

By the time they finished washing up, Qian Hui was so drowsy he could barely keep his eyes open.

Nan Tingjin carried him to the bed, where he instinctively curled up in the warm embrace and drifted into a deep sleep.

Several plants stood guard outside the Small Wooden Cabin. Sweet Pepper was still eating dinner, gnawing on half a fruit.

As lights-out approached, Little Cabbage patted its body, and the cabbage lamps throughout the base simultaneously dimmed.

Carrot lowered its telescope and let out a comforting “Woo.”

Everything was fine. It had secretly observed Nan Tingjin, and despite Qian Hui biting him for so long, he showed no ill effects.

Sweet Pepper finished its half-fruit and rubbed its smooth forehead.

The others had been deeply worried at first, but now that Qian Hui seemed merely to be acting strangely, they gradually relaxed.

Even if Qian Hui wanted to bite the plants or Nan Tingjin, he couldn’t inflict any real harm.

Mango tilted its head, walking away with a hint of disappointment.

It had hoped Qian Hui would bite it, preferably leaving a large tooth mark on its arm.

That way, it could later boast about having “fought” a zombie, proving itself a brave mutated plant.

The other plants gradually returned to their sleeping spots. Timothy, the cat-tail grass, paced around a few times before finally leaving as well.

A few newly arrived plants remained. Sweet Melon cautiously asked Carrot, “If Qian Hui is like this, can we still play with him tomorrow?”

Qian Hui always made time to play with the plants in the afternoons, and the newcomers especially adored him.

Carrot was still pondering when Nut suddenly jumped closer, eagerly answering, “Of course!”

“What’s the big deal?” Nut continued. “Even when Qian Hui was still a zombie, he played with us in the Little Courtyard every day and even helped with chores. Besides, with me around, he can bite me instead—I’ll make sure nothing bad happens.”

Relieved, Sweet Melon returned to sleep with Taro and Banana.

Little Mushroom was led away by Little Bamboo Shoot, leaving only Carnivorous Flower and Carrot behind. They settled down to sleep in the grass near the Small Wooden Cabin.

—

The next morning, several plants arrived early at the Small Wooden Cabin.

Sunlight streamed through the window, and Nan Tingjin opened his eyes to meet Qian Hui’s gaze.

Qian Hui was already awake, his timing impeccable, his eyes brimming with restless energy.

After a night’s sleep, he seemed to have claimed the cabin as his “nest,” with Nan Tingjin as the “stored food” he had brought back.

He lunged forward, sinking his teeth precisely into Nan Tingjin’s throat.

Nan Tingjin remained impassive, lowering his gaze to gently steady Qian Hui’s shoulders, as if reassuring him to take his time and bite slowly.

After a long moment, he lifted Qian Hui from the bed, washed him, and dressed him.

The cabin contained biscuits and pastries. Nan Tingjin first fed Qian Hui a light breakfast, then offered him water.

The water was tasteless, which Qian Hui disliked even more. He grimaced as he finished it, then bit Nan Tingjin’s chin hard.

The commotion outside drew his attention. Qian Hui turned his head to look, and Nan Tingjin released the restraints on his ability.

From the moment he had drunk the potion the previous day until now, Qian Hui was finally completely free.

He hurried to the door, fumbled for the handle, and vaguely recalled how to use it. With a sudden yank, he flung it open.

Eggplant stood at the doorway, looking up at Qian Hui.

“Mmm…” Qian Hui’s eyes lit up as he reached out to grab it.

Eggplant froze, too slow to dodge, and struggled feebly in Qian Hui’s grasp.

Fortunately, Qian Hui’s strength was limited, and Eggplant managed to break free, wailing “woo woo” as it fled.

Displeased, Qian Hui watched another round shadow roll over from the side.

Big Pea stood up straight and tugged at Qian Hui’s sleeve. “Woo!”

Let’s go play over there!