The autumn wind blew, carrying a heavy sense of sadness.
Qi Yue leaned against the door, quietly smoking. It had been a long time since he’d felt such melancholy. The corners of his eyes were damp. After everything they’d gone through in this apocalypse, he thought he’d learned to let go of people and things but in truth, he hadn’t. Sun Ling… despite the short time they’d known each other, there was no denying he was a good person. If they’d had more time, they surely would have become great friends. But reality… was cruel.
Tang Ke felt it too, his eyes red as he slammed his knife into the corpse of the Level-One zombie from earlier. D*mn this cursed apocalypse!
Over time, Sun Ling’s face grew pale, lips turning bluish, the bite on his wrist darkening. He was mutating!
He stared at some unknown point, forcing a faint smile. “My parents died in a car accident when I was very young. I was raised alternately by relatives.” He turned his eyes warmly toward Tang Ke. “I also have a younger brother studying at B University. His name is Sun Yang. If you ever meet him, please… take care of him for me.” His voice carried a heartfelt plea.
Tang Ke gently nodded. Sun Ling smiled, satisfied. “If you consider me a brother, then make it fast!” He picked up the cleaver lying on the ground and placed it at Tang Ke’s feet.
Tang Ke’s family was wealthy. His parents were too busy with business to care for him. As a child, he was raised by a housekeeper, then later by his agent in the entertainment industry. People around him were often obsequious, flattering him. Yet he knew the truth: though he seemed indifferent and cynical, he deeply valued emotional connections. He was stingy with his affections, reluctant to give, but for friends he trusted, he would go through fire and water; for loved ones he cared for, he would protect them for life.
Though he had shared a dorm with Sun Ling for three years, they had little contact, the closest connection had been this past week, during the apocalypse. Sun Ling… he was solid. A real man.
Tang Ke turned his head away, trembling hands blinking hard to hold back the sudden flood of tears.
Qi Yue flicked away his cigarette and went inside without hesitation. He moved straight to the zombie, extracted the crystal nucleus from its head, and placed it into his personal pouch. He then gathered the large bags of supplies they had collected earlier, loaded them into the car, grabbed Tang Ke’s arm, and pushed him inside. He started the engine, pressed the accelerator, it was the big man’s minibus they were driving. The vehicle slowly pulled away, Tang Ke catching a glimpse in the rearview mirror.
Sun Ling slowly stood, picked up the knife he had dropped, dragged it across his neck, and then collapsed.
It was the ninth day since the apocalypse began. The weather was clear and windy, a bit chilly.
Qi Yue drove, trying a few times to make conversation, but each attempt fell flat. Silence filled the long journey. To reach the S Base, they had to bypass the city and take rural paths, making the trip roughly five days.
Tang Ke shifted his gaze from outside, watching Qi Yue. His long lashes fluttered, eyes slanted and slightly upturned at the corners, skin smooth and pale, flawless. He reached out, touching it lightly, indeed, it was silky. A sharp squeal from the tires almost threw the car off the road. Qi Yue braked hard, his face and neck flushed bright red. This b*stard! Just as his mood improved, he teased him again. He looked at Tang Ke’s mischievous smile, unsure how to respond. Socially awkward, he stumbled over words.
“Up ahead is Yuejin Village. There’s a school close to the road. Shall we stay there tonight?”
“Mm, whatever you say, Little Yueyue.”
Rogue!
The car turned onto a dirt path through the countryside. Not far from the road was an elementary school. The village houses were some distance away, only shadows visible. The school’s large iron gate was tightly locked. Qi Yue parked at the gate, then used his skills to unlock it. They drove in and locked the gate behind them.
The school was quiet, except for a lone zombie at the entrance, easily taken care of. Likely the old man who guarded the school.
The school building had four floors, with rows of single-story buildings on each side. They found a clean room in the single-story buildings, settled the car and their overnight supplies, and night fell.
“Little Yueyue,” Qi Yue heard someone call. He looked at Tang Ke. “What’s going on?” Tang Ke crossed his arms, tilted his head, a faint smile at his lips.
Qi Yue pursed his lips, half-truthfully, half-playfully. “Before the apocalypse, I discovered an ability, foresight. I had prepared those things in advance. And the crystal nuclei, ability users can absorb them to level up. But they can only absorb nuclei matching their own ability color. You’re Ice and Plant type, only blue and green. Absorb the wrong color and your body will explode.” He tilted his head, thinking, and added, “Only zombies that have leveled up have nuclei in their heads. The higher the level, the stronger the ability attached.”
Tang Ke asked, “What’s your ability? I can’t sense it with my mind.”
Qi Yue hesitated, then sheepishly said, “It’s… cooking.”
Eyebrows raised in surprise, cooking as an ability?
Seeing Tang Ke’s disbelief, he quickly added, “It’s true! Everything I make is extraordinarily delicious, and I get a small personal space inside to store kitchen tools: pots, pans, dishes, and unlimited food. But only food I personally cook.”
When Tang Ke’s eyes lit up, he eagerly produced a small lidded pot. Opening it, the aroma of hot duck soup filled the air. Tang Ke was convinced, abandoning all further questions. The soup was milky and rich, the duck tender, with winter melon and mushrooms looking delicious. His stomach protested immediately.
Qi Yue thoughtfully produced more dishes: scallion shrimp, sesame spinach, beef in dipping sauce, along with bowls, chopsticks, and bottles of beer. He hadn’t eaten so well in ages, having prepared these meals before the apocalypse to improve his diet. Now it was Tang Ke’s turn to enjoy them.
They dug in, wolfing down the food. Every dish was superb, even better than top chefs. Mouths smacking, savoring every bite. They ate until stuffed, reclining against wooden benches, mentally relaxed. Soon Qi Yue dozed off, eyes half-closed.
As the saying goes, “A full belly fosters thought.” Tang Ke turned to look at Qi Yue, who was asleep, his lips slightly parted, soft and red, tempting. His heart raced. Leaning closer, possibly from a little alcohol, his breath quickened. He pressed his lips to his. Sweet.
He lightly kissed and nibbled, then, as he made a faint sound, slipped his tongue inside. Exploring his mouth, teeth, and gums, his hands gradually wandered, pulling at his clothes and caressing his waist.
It was intense, almost overwhelming. Qi Yue struggled, uncomfortable, but couldn’t break free. A soft object in his mouth teased his tongue. Opening his eyes, he saw Tang Ke on top of him, kissing him. Seeing his eyes open, he grew bolder: biting, licking, sucking, entwining his tongue with his, forcing a response. His hands roamed his body as his mind went blank, breaths shallow but gradually matching his.
Feeling his response, Tang Ke was emboldened, moving to his ear, licking and nibbling gently. Qi Yue’s eyes glistened, staring at the ceiling, unable to think of anything, only panting heavily.
Suddenly — clang, clang, clang — a loud noise by the window. Qi Yue snapped back, shoving Tang Ke aside, jumping to his feet, face burning, and hurried out to check.
D*mn! Who the h*ll is it? Tang Ke, frustrated at losing his chance, pounded the bedboard in anger.
