Cowardly Follower (21)

The physical discomfort made Xue Ci's mind sluggish as well.

He lowered his head and looked at Yu Cheng's hand, where the veins were bulging. It was the hand of a grown man with strong bones, thin, wide, and with distinct knuckles.

He doesn't look weak at all.

Xue Ci, lowering her eyes and pausing for a long time before finally asking, "When did you find out?"

Yu Cheng didn't speak, "Probably when we were trapped in the dormitory."

Xue Ci glanced at him in surprise, then pursed her lips shyly.

So I already knew back then.

He thought he had hidden it well.

Her slender wrists were being rubbed raw by her not-so-smooth fingers, making a strong impression. The weight on her chest gradually increased. As if she had made up her mind, Xue Ci glanced at Wu Feng, who was tidying up the doorway not far away, then tiptoed closer to Yu Cheng: "Are you going to help me? Then you have to keep your voice down."

He wasn't asking for much, because the men who helped him, no matter how careful they were at first, would eventually start making loud sucking noises.

Xue Ci was too ashamed to stop it at that time.

But things are different now. The cabin in the wilderness has no door, and Wu Feng is standing outside.

After Xue Ci speaking, she realized she had gone a bit too far—who would ask for a bunch of conditions when someone offers help?

He thought to himself that if Yu Cheng found it troublesome, it would be better to wait for Duan Zeran to return.

Unexpectedly, Yu Cheng quickly nodded. "I will be very careful, I won't make a sound, and I won't let you feel any pain."

Xue Ci looked up at him. The boy's expression was serious, with deep-set eyes, and he did seem reliable.

"... oh."

Xue Ci completely surrendered herself to the other person.

Yu Cheng is tall and broad-shouldered, and the battles he has been fighting recently have made his shoulders much broader, and his body is more like that of a mature man.

He moved to a different corner, his back to the door, and embraced Xue Ci.

The surrounding temperature suddenly rose, and Yu Cheng airtight space blocked out all the light falling on Xue Ci.

As the shadow fell, Xue Ci inexplicably tensed up, her fingers brushing against Yu Cheng's clothes, touching only his muscles.

That similar feeling of being swallowed up is back...

Xue Ci began to have second thoughts, whispering, "How about we—"

I had barely finished saying those two words when I felt the hem of my clothes being lifted up.

Yu Cheng's face was perfectly aligned with the position.

"..."

Xue Ci swallowed her words again.

Breath hits the skin, leaking out little by little.

Xue Ci was very glad that Yu Cheng had blocked out all the light, so she couldn't see anything.

Soft touch.

But compared to a man's lips, his own seemed softer.

So it's still uncomfortable to grind.

Fortunately, Yu Cheng kept his word; he used very little strength throughout and didn't make a sound.

He kept swallowing, but didn't make a sound.

It was unusually quiet.

Xue Ci was satisfied with his relationship with this helper. He thought to himself that if he needed any more help before leaving, he would just go to Yu Cheng.

Perhaps it was because she ate too much for lunch, or perhaps it was because of the high temperature, Xue Ci felt dizzy and lightheaded.

In his drowsy state, he felt someone carry him into a sleeping bag and thoughtfully place a plush toy in his arms.

"Thank you."

Xue Ci closed her eyes and mumbled indistinctly.

The other person did not speak.

I slept for a long time.

When Xue Ci woke up, only Wu Feng was by her side; Yu Cheng Duan Zeran were not there.

"Have they all not come back?"

The boy's voice had a nasal tone, as if he had just woken up.

Wu Feng's expression showed a hint of embarrassment. "They..."

Xue Ci puzzled, but soon heard a sound.

"They're arguing."

The group of roommates had always been harmonious, but Wu Feng didn't know what was going on. After Duan Zeran returned, he glanced at Xue Ci, then walked up to Yu Cheng with a cold face, and the two started arguing for no reason.

Of course, they argued in a civilized manner, without using any foul language, and even Xue Ci.

However, I could vaguely sense that the atmosphere was terrifying!

11: [They were arguing about helping you with the drug earlier. The protagonist thinks that after all this time you've been together, you're already his wife, while Yu Cheng says she's willing to be the other woman.]

Xue Ci: "?"

He was startled by this astonishing statement and quickened his pace.

However, by the time he arrived, the two had stopped talking and were walking towards him.

Duan Zeran resumed his usual expression, but it was still clear that he was not very happy.

Yu Cheng was actually happier than usual, and greeted him first, "Are you hungry?"

"It's alright..." Xue Ci replied absentmindedly.

Duan Zeran sneered.

Did you think you could rise to the top just because you ate there once?

Do you know how much Xue Ci has relied on him these days, and how sweetly she's smiled at him?

In any case, helping someone once doesn't prove anything. It just means he wasn't around, and Xue Ci just randomly picked someone else.

Duan Zeran regained her senses, suppressed her jealousy, and went back to discuss the barbecue grill with Wu Feng.

When it was time for dinner, the two started talking again. Xue Ci felt puzzled, but after hearing the reason 11 gave for their argument, she was too embarrassed to try to mediate.

He knew about these feelings...

But I don't know how to respond.

I can only play dumb.

They stayed in the cabin for a few more days. Duan Zeran found many seeds of wild fruits and vegetables, stored them in his storage space, watered them with spiritual spring water, and sprouted green shoots in just a few hours.

He hadn't seen such vibrant, tender green Xue Ci for a long time. He hid in his spatial dimension and crouched down to observe the seedlings.

Just as he was about to reach out and touch it, he heard footsteps behind him, and he instinctively pulled his hand back.

Duan Zeran over.

Xue Ci looked up. "Are we leaving tomorrow?"

Duan Zeran hummed in agreement, then squatted down next to Xue Ci.

Even though there was plenty of space, he insisted on squeezing next to Xue Ci.

Q: "Does Xiao Ci like it here?"

Xue Ci.

Then he continued, "This place has always been yours. The spiritual spring is only for you to bathe in, and the vegetables and fruits here were all grown for you. You can come and go as you please."

The man said, slowly and deliberately, "Even if you don't like me, even if you don't want to be my wife, this space will still belong to you."

Xue Ci was stunned. Although Duan Zeran was smiling, he could sense that the other person was sad.

He has saddened another person who likes him.

Xue Ci lowered her eyes and whispered, "I don't dislike you..."

Duan Zeran: "Is our liking the same thing?"

Xue Ci seemed to understand, but not quite.

Duan Zeran explained it in simple terms, "Would you really want to kiss me, sleep with me, and make me cry?"

My cheeks burned.

Xue Ci felt like she was melting from the other person's gaze, so she simply looked away.

But they didn't know where to hide.

"I've already let you kiss me..."

The voice was pitiful, as if it were trembling.

"I already let you eat there. You... you shouldn't say things like that..."

Duan Zeran's heart skipped a beat.

In a daze, as if he had realized something, the corners of his mouth quickly turned up.

So, although Xiao Ci doesn't like me the way I like you, I'm very important to you.

"Yeah?"

Xue Ci.

Protect him and watch over him in such an environment.

Even if Xue Ci is slow to realize it, she will still care about the other person.

However, this feeling is not love.

However, Duan Zeran also quite satisfied.

As long as he likes Xue Ci, that's enough.

*

The next day, the four of them set off separately in two cars.

They had no destination; they would drive until dark and then find a place to rest, or sometimes they would stop when they got tired.

They occasionally encounter zombies on the road, but the three superhumans in the team are all agile.

Xue Ci waited for her opportunity.

However, before they could even meet the Lu Family brothers, the zombie horde attacked.

11. This is the Yiyi chance to fake your death recently.

Xue Ci was originally well protected, but Duan Zeran was injured while protecting her.

Duan Zeran.

"Don't get hurt again."

He stuffed his amulet into Duan Zeran's palm, then took two steps back, and was forced into the zombie horde amidst the other's astonished expression.

The light was blocked instantly.

The drug for faking death began to take effect, and Xue Ci's whole body became cold and stiff, as if she had been plunged into icy seawater.

Before losing consciousness, he heard several teammates calling his name in heart-wrenching cries.

The progress bar then rose to 95%.

*

It felt like I had slept for a very, very long time.

Xue Ci kept her eyes tightly closed, but she could feel something binding her body and smell a strong floral fragrance.

Limbs, waist, legs, chest... were all bound together by something like ropes, and the bindings were getting tighter and tighter.

I can't breathe...

Her chest felt tight and swollen, Xue Ci was in a daze, unaware that a sweet liquid was slowly seeping out.

The next moment, it was completely absorbed by the sprawling branches.

Xue Ci's breathing became shallow, her cheeks flushed, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she fell into a deep sleep.

When Xue Ci woke up, she thought she had completed her mission and returned to the Quick Transmigration Bureau.

However, all that was in front of me was dark green.

He is in the forest now.

Was he... dead? Or alive?

11 popped up just in time: [Host, you were supposed to use the fake death potion and wait for the remaining 5% of progress to finish, but suddenly a vine appeared halfway through, wrapped you up in the zombie horde, and carried you away.]

Xue Ci:?

So, am I dead or alive now?

11: [This plant is honeysuckle, which originally had medicinal uses, and its effects are even more pronounced after the mutation. You were saved by it, and now you are in a symbiotic relationship with it.]

[Simply put, you now possess its functions; you have superpowers!]

[It's the only healing type in the world!]

It should be a superpower that can save lives.

Xue Ci was excited, but the light in her eyes quickly cooled down.

According to the plot, he was already dead, and could only hide here afterward.

... Perhaps it can save those who fled here for their lives.

Xue Ci climbed up the soft branches. It seemed that the honeysuckle had given him a new set of clothes, which were now clean and free of any plant sap.

Like a newborn, he could feel an unprecedented lightness.

Checking the progress bar, it's still at 95%. Xue Ci plans to stay here for a while until it reaches 100%.

To his surprise, the little vine had also built a small house using branches and wood.

They now have a home to shelter them from the wind and rain.

Because it lives in symbiosis with plants, Xue Ci does not need to eat human food; it only needs to photosynthesize.

He sunbathes on the roof every morning.

Of course, sunbathing on one's back is also a popular activity among humans.

After sunbathing, Xue Ci would wander around the house, picking up branches of similar height to use as fences, and searching for plants to fill the garden.

He would also encounter injured birds and rabbits, whose fatal wounds could be completely healed by giving them just a few leaves.

The little animals all seemed to know that a little fairy lived here, and they all came to him for help when they were injured.

On one occasion, Xue Ci even encountered a wolf that came to her for help.

11: [Its tail was wagging, so it can't be considered a wolf.]

Xue Ci: [That's a puppy.]

He was a little envious and asked 11, "[Can I keep a puppy?]"

[Waaaaah, the host can keep it as a pet, anyway it's a wolf!]

[The host only has me, their little dog!]

11 manifested as physical forms, vying for attention and jealousy.

The carefree days passed quickly, and it wasn't until Xue Ci realized the wolfhound had grown up that she remembered to ask about the progress bar.

The result remained at 95%.

Nothing has changed at all... According to the original schedule, the protagonist should have found rescue in less than two weeks.

What happened?

Xue Ci did not understand.

What are the main characters doing right now?

*

A makeshift stall.

"Boss, two bowls of fried noodles!"

"Alright! Two crystals. Please wait a few more minutes, sir."

After paying for the crystals, the two sat down on the stools.

The tables and chairs were simple, and there were few customers. Only one young man sat at another table. The man had several scars on his face and deep-set eyes.

These days, those who work alone usually have some skill.

Coupled with the other party's aura of "keep away," the two dared not provoke them, fearing they might bring trouble upon themselves.

They looked away and started chatting.

"It's like a fairy lives in the mountains around here."

"Huh? You mean mutated plants?"

"No, well, it's not exactly a ghost. I heard it from my friend. He was being chased by zombies and had nowhere to run. He rolled down the mountain and felt someone coming."

"But he was too badly injured to wake up! Guess what, when he woke up, he didn't have a single wound on his body."

"There was a figure not far away. The mountains were shrouded in mist, and he felt as if he had encountered a deity."

"They're probably some kind of hermit."

"I don't know, but my friend told me that when that little fairy turned around, wow, he really did look like a fairy."

"Oh my, I've met a benefactor! Which mountain are you on?"

"It's in the mountains next door, but it's full of zombies and wild animals. I think my friend is just bragging, hahaha..."

"Hey handsome, your noodles are ready, huh? Where is everyone?"

The restaurant quickly served the fried noodles, but the young customer had already left.

This area is hilly; the mountains aren't high, but they're difficult to climb.

Yu Cheng wandered around the mountains for two days, but he didn't see the little immortal the two people had mentioned.

But he had a gut feeling.

We can't give up like this.

Three months have passed since Xue Ci disappeared in the zombie horde.

Humans have learned to coexist with zombies, but he has yet to find Song Xueci.

Yu Cheng placed his black schoolbag aside and sat on the rock.

Three months of living outdoors in harsh conditions turned his pale skin to a tan, and his strong physique and the scars on his cheeks made him look even more masculine.

After resting for a while, Yu Cheng got up, cut his wrist with a knife, and blood flowed down his arm.

He then lay down in the bushes and pretended to sleep.

Soon, footsteps could be heard.

These are... the sound of human footsteps.

Yu Cheng's heart was pounding.

He dared not open his eyes, afraid that he would be disappointed again.

However, among the various mixed smells, there was one familiar one.

Yu Cheng's temples throbbed, and he suddenly opened his eyes, startling Xue Ci, who was walking towards him from not far away.

Xue Ci hadn't expected the other person to be Yu Cheng: "You... how did you get here?"

Are you injured?

Yu Cheng didn't get up; he remained leaning against the tree trunk.

The longing he felt made his whole body numb.

"Yes, I'm badly injured." His voice trembled slightly. "I've come to find a little doctor who can heal me."

Author's Note:

There's only one chapter left in this world. I originally planned to finish it in one go... but I haven't been feeling too energetic lately, so I'll proceed with caution.