Chapter 64

Chapter 64

After knocking, Cheng Zhiyu waited a good while, wondering if the person inside had heard, when footsteps finally sounded from behind the door.

A thin, careworn old man opened the door. His lips were dry, and his complexion looked poor.

Fang Guowei was taken aback. He remembered Grandpa Zhao had been in good spirits before—how had he become like this in such a short time?

Soon, he remembered that both of Grandpa Zhao’s sons had… Ah.

What parent could bear burying their own children?

Cheng Zhiyu called out, “Grandpa Zhao.” Fang Guowei snapped back to attention and greeted, “Uncle Zhao.”

Grandpa Zhao was surprised. “To what do I owe this visit?”

Cheng Zhiyu asked, “May we come in and talk?”

Grandpa Zhao nodded and invited them inside. The room was pitch-dark, but as Superhumans, Cheng Zhiyu and the others could still make out their surroundings dimly. They weren’t sure how Grandpa Zhao could see, though.

It couldn't be helped—the water shortage in the base had only just been resolved. Electricity was still a luxury.

Though he couldn’t see, Grandpa Zhao was very familiar with his home and could find his way around in the dark.

Still, it made Cheng Zhiyu and Fang Guowei nervous. They each took an arm of the old man to support him.

Grandpa Zhao chuckled. “No need to hold me. I know this place like the back of my hand… I still have a candle over there.”

A moment later, the candle cast a faint, yellowish glow. Under its light, Grandpa Zhao looked even thinner, frail as paper.

Fang Guowei glanced at the empty rice bin in the old man’s home. He doubted he could've gone through the two pounds of rice distributed earlier so quickly. Frowning, he asked, “Uncle Zhao, didn’t you go to collect the rice?”

Grandpa Zhao shook his head. “What for? I’m just an old coot. Better for the youngsters. Ah, I’ve had my time.”

For a moment, everyone fell silent. Cheng Zhiyu sighed and said, “Grandpa Zhao, we came to you for something important.”

Grandpa Zhao looked puzzled. “Something important?”

“Yes. The base has set up a farming department now. You were once renowned far and wide as a farming hand,” Cheng Zhiyu explained. “We need you.”

Grandpa Zhao was taken aback but shook his head. “I’m just an old man, not much use to anyone.”

“How can you say that? When it comes to farming, no one in the surrounding villages could ever match you,” Fang Guowei insisted, worried he might refuse. He shot Cheng Zhiyu a look.

Cheng Zhiyu sighed. “Well, if Grandpa Zhao won’t agree, there’s nothing we can do. We young folks, what do we know about farming? Whether the crops thrive or fail… all those seeds would go to waste. If this batch doesn’t grow well, the whole base might end up living on air.”

Fang Guowei jumped in, playing his part, “Exactly. Even if it’s just reduced yields, as the person in charge, I’d be on the hook.”

The two of them tag-teamed, making Grandpa Zhao hesitate. He truly loved farming. In the past, his family’s livelihood had depended entirely on the harvest. He had a deep connection to the land. If what Cheng Zhiyu described were to happen, it would pain him deeply.

“You young people… How could you, country boys through and through, forget how to farm?” Grandpa Zhao’s voice, which had been weak earlier, now sounded filled with vigor as he scolded them.

Cheng Zhiyu said helplessly, “What were we to do? School didn’t teach us this.”

That was hard to argue with. Grandpa Zhao turned to Fang Guowei instead. “Xiao Fang, what about you? Did your teachers not teach you either?”

Fang Guowei scratched his head sheepishly and listened obediently. “Farming requires experience. My experience can’t compare to yours.”

Grandpa Zhao snorted. “I think you’re just lazy! Planting blindly without putting any thought into it.”

Fang Guowei endured the scolding like a schoolboy, keeping his head down.

“Ah, it’s just that I heard you’re planting some kind of mutant seeds…” Grandpa Zhao hesitated. He had never grown anything like that before.

Fang Guowei teased, “Uncle Zhao, never thought I’d see the day you’d hesitate.”

Grandpa Zhao’s pride kicked in. “Afraid? When it comes to farming, I’ve never been afraid of anything!”

Cheng Zhiyu added, “Exactly, Grandpa Zhao. Think about it—even if they’re mutant seeds, aren’t they still seeds? If they’re seeds, is there any you can’t handle?”

Grandpa Zhao thought it over and found it reasonable. Even if he hadn’t dealt with them before, they were still seeds, right? At most, it would just take a bit more effort. He refused to believe there were seeds he couldn’t manage!

And so, Grandpa Zhao finally nodded. “Well… since you think so highly of this old man, I’ll give it my best shot and do my part for the base.”

“It’s not that serious, Grandpa Zhao. You need to take care of yourself—we’re all counting on you,” Cheng Zhiyu said quickly.

“Yes, yes. Now that you’ve agreed, I feel so much more at ease,” Fang Guowei added. “Otherwise, my stomach was in knots, never settling.”

Grandpa Zhao shook his head. “Alright, enough with the sweet talk. I’ve agreed, and I won’t go back on my word.”

Cheng Zhiyu and Fang Guowei exchanged a glance and smiled.

Cheng Zhiyu took out two pounds of rice and said, “Grandpa Zhao, I collected your rice for you. How about I make you some congee?”

The old man hadn’t had a proper meal in a long time and shouldn’t have anything hard to digest. Congee would be best.

Before Grandpa Zhao could refuse, Cheng Zhiyu continued, “You need to regain your strength to contribute to the base.”

Grandpa Zhao opened his mouth but found himself unable to refuse. “Ah, you…”

He looked at Cheng Zhiyu and thought of his own grandson. Cheng Zhiyu had made it back from outside, but his grandson was still missing. There was still a glimmer of hope, though—after all, not many were as fortunate as Cheng Zhiyu.

That's how life goes. He had originally planned to join his wife, but since the base needed him, he would stick around a while longer.

Cheng Zhiyu quickly prepared the congee. With Cheng Mo’s help and the simplicity of the task, it was ready in no time.

Grandpa Zhao took the bowl of white congee, took a sip, and the fragrance of rice filled his mouth. He couldn’t help but take another sip. His color already seemed better.

Seeing this, Cheng Zhiyu felt relieved. Grandpa Zhao was actually in decent health—he had just been weakened recently and needed proper nourishment.

He resolved to find excuses to bring Grandpa Zhao more food later to help him recover.

Cheng Mo could tell what Cheng Zhiyu was thinking. Ah, Zhi Yu’s heart was in the right place.

Cheng Zhiyu washed the pot, and after Grandpa Zhao finished the congee, he washed the bowl too.

Grandpa Zhao tried to stop him but couldn’t. Watching him work, he said helplessly, “It’s not like I can’t do it myself.”

Cheng Zhiyu smiled. “No trouble at all. Besides, I don’t have anything else to do back home.”

It was late and dark, and he didn’t feel right leaving Grandpa Zhao to handle things alone. It really was no trouble.

“You kid…” Grandpa Zhao shook his head, feeling his eyes well up. He lowered his head and discreetly wiped his eyes.

Cheng Zhiyu knew Grandpa Zhao didn’t want to be noticed, so he pretended not to see. After finishing up and making sure there was nothing else to do, he said, “Grandpa Zhao, rest well. We’ll be going now.”

“Go on, then.” Grandpa Zhao made to get up and see them out.

“No need to see us off.” Cheng Zhiyu quickly persuaded him to stay and left with Cheng Mo, pulling the door shut behind them.

The moonlight was exceptionally bright today, casting a silvery frost over the ground. The base at night seemed to be asleep, with only the patrolling Superhumans visible.

Beside him, Cheng Mo’s gaze seemed even more bold today. Cheng Zhiyu could clearly feel the intense gaze fixed on him.

He turned his head and indeed met Cheng Mo’s gaze.

Cheng Zhiyu felt very uncomfortable: "Stop staring at me."

Cheng Mo took Cheng Zhiyu’s hand: "Zhi Yu is the kindest and most wonderful person I’ve ever met."

He thought back to when he had turned into a young cub. Even though Cheng Zhiyu couldn’t guarantee his own safety, he still took him in and took care of him diligently.

Cheng Zhiyu looked into the distance: "I just lent a hand, that’s all."

Cheng Mo smiled: "See, that’s just like you."

Cheng Zhiyu really wasn’t used to sentimentality. He tried to shake his hand free but couldn’t. He cleared his throat: "Hurry up, I’m hungry."

He hadn’t eaten much all day and was indeed hungry.

Cheng Mo chuckled, leaned close to Cheng Zhiyu, and gently kissed his cheek.

Cheng Zhiyu: "..."

Was he missing some part of his memory? Why did Cheng Mo do that so naturally?

Did he teach him all of this? In the past, he did like to hold Cheng Mo and plant kisses on him often.

Sigh, it’s all his fault.

When the two returned home, Cheng Mo’s mother was still awake. Cheng Mo’s father was dozing off in the living room. As soon as he heard Cheng Zhiyu return, he quickly stood up: "Zhi Yu is back? Your mom left some food warming in the pot for you."

Cheng Mo’s mother glanced at the two. Did they think she hadn’t noticed? They were still holding hands when they came in. Which two grown men hold hands like that?

Sigh, Zhi Yu really has no shame!

Cheng Zhiyu, unaware of her thoughts, said: "Mom, Dad, if you’re tired, go to sleep. Don’t wait for me."

Cheng Mo’s father yawned and waved his hand: "Not tired, not tired."

Cheng Zhiyu: "..."

Cheng Mo’s mother was also speechless. She pulled Cheng Mo’s father back to their room to sleep.

In the pot was stewed fish, caught from the small river. The river had been cleaned up, and now there were plenty of fish.

Now that they knew Cheng Zhiyu’s appetite, Cheng Mo’s mother cooked in large batches. There was still more than half a pot of stewed fish left.

After eating, it was time to sleep. Cheng Mo held Cheng Zhiyu, his hands began to wander. He whispered in his ear: "Zhi Yu, let me take care of you."

Cheng Zhiyu pulled away weakly: "I’m tired."

He warned himself not to give in to temptation like this anymore!

He felt like a useless husband unable to satisfy his wife.

"Even if you’re tired, it’s okay. Let me take care of you," Cheng Mo said, using words he’d picked up from who knows where.

Unfortunately, Cheng Zhiyu still avoided him and repeated: "I’m tired, I’m not in the mood."

Cheng Mo refused to believe it. How could Zhi Yu not feel anything for him? This news was like a bolt from the blue.

He reached out and touched him, then smiled: "Zhi Yu, you say you don’t feel anything, but I just touched you a little."

Cheng Zhiyu: Agh!

He pushed Cheng Mo away and said firmly: "I’m sleepy, I want to sleep! If you keep this up, we’re sleeping in separate rooms."

Cheng Mo sounded hurt, his tone aggrieved: "Cheng Zhiyu, do you not like me anymore?"

Cheng Zhiyu: Don’t give in, don’t give in! Giving in is the beginning of depravity!

He took a deep breath: "That’s not it, I really don’t need it."

Cheng Mo pursed his lips: "I see. Was I not good at it?"

Cheng Zhiyu finally had an excuse and immediately nodded: "Yes, yes, it didn’t feel very good."

Cheng Mo looked even more aggrieved: "It was my first time too. Let me practice more, maybe it’ll get better?"

Cheng Zhiyu thought, no way I’m letting you try again! He said righteously: "No, that time left me traumatized. I haven’t recovered yet."

Cheng Mo was taken aback. Was he really that bad? But Zhi Yu seemed to enjoy it at the time?

He began to doubt himself.

Seeing him quiet down, Cheng Zhiyu knew this tactic had worked. He let out a sigh of relief: "So now, I’m going to sleep. Goodnight, okay?"

Cheng Mo reluctantly replied: "...Goodnight."

Damn it, if he couldn’t even please Zhi Yu, how could Zhi Yu like him?

This couldn’t go on. He had to make sure Zhi Yu felt good.

Cheng Zhiyu fell asleep contentedly, thinking he had prevented himself from further depravity, completely unaware of what Cheng Mo was thinking.

The next day, Cheng Zhiyu and the others went outside the base to check on the mutant elk again.

As they approached the area, they could hear a distant "yoo-yoo" sound, which sounded quite cheerful.

"Ah, the elk is welcoming us," Zhou Min said happily.

From afar, he waved to the elk: "Hello, did you miss us?"

The elk ran over. Zhou Min was about to pat it, but it darted past him and went straight to Cheng Zhiyu, gently rubbing against him with its antlers.

Cheng Zhiyu, who was almost bowled over by the antlers: "..."

If he had fallen flat on his butt, it would have been so embarrassing. He steadied himself and patted the elk: "Hello there, little fawn."

Zhou Min was incredulous and a bit jealous: "Why is this happening? Why is it so attached to you?"

Tian Qiao laughed and asked the translator Lin Jiashu: "What did the little fawn say?"

Lin Jiashu held back a laugh: "It said, 'Human, quickly give me that yummy round yellow thing.'"

Cheng Zhiyu: "..."

Zhou Min burst out laughing: "Pfft... Hahaha, so it’s not you it’s friendly with—it’s the pumpkin!"

Cheng Zhiyu could only sigh helplessly, took out the prepared pumpkin, and handed it to the fawn.

As soon as it saw the pumpkin, the fawn stopped nuzzling Cheng Zhiyu and lowered its head to gnaw on the pumpkin, eating with great relish.

Tian Manman stared intently at the fawn... or rather, at its pumpkin: "Is the pumpkin tasty?"

Sensing danger, the fawn immediately turned its backside toward the group.

Everyone: "..."

Tian Qiao sighed helplessly and patted Tian Manman: "If you want to eat pumpkin, you can have some when we get back. Just stop staring at the fawn's share."

Tian Manman scratched his cheek sheepishly.

Cheng Zhiyu sighed and glanced at Zhou Min, who nodded and stepped closer to examine the fawn's leg infected with the zombie virus.

Zhou Min said, "The virus hasn't spread."

Cheng Zhiyu had been worried the virus might spread, albeit slowly, but the result was unexpectedly positive.

They wondered whether this ability was unique to the fawn or if powerful mutated beasts generally possessed such a trait.

They leaned toward the former explanation, since both humans and mutated beasts were evolving, and zombie levels were also rising. It didn’t make sense that only mutated beasts would gain such an advantage.

It was more likely that this fawn had this ability innately.

However, the zombified leg wasn’t without its effects—the fawn couldn’t utilize its full abilities, and the leg clearly caused discomfort.

While munching on the pumpkin, the fawn kept shifting its injured leg.

They had come today hoping to treat the fawn’s injury, but Zhou Min naturally couldn’t heal a zombified leg outright, so the treatment method was rather brutal: amputate the infected leg and use Zhou Min’s ability to regenerate a new one.

Seeing the fawn happily eating, Lin Jiashu began communicating with it: "Little fawn, I see your leg is injured. Does it hurt?"

Between bites of pumpkin, the fawn let out two hurried "yōu yōu" cries.

It hurt so much, all because of that ugly human. In its memory, humans had always been friendly—it was the first time one had pounced and bitten its leg, giving it quite a scare.

In a fit of anger, it had killed the ugly human.

Since then, it had been wary of humans and, even now, wouldn’t approach anyone except Cheng Zhiyu and his group.

Yes, in the fawn’s eyes, zombies were just ugly humans. They looked similar to people, only much uglier.

Its belief in human friendliness stemmed from its status as a protected species—no one had dared harm it before.

But that was pre-apocalypse. Post-apocalypse, a little caution toward humans was wise.

After translating for the group, Lin Jiashu continued as requested: "Since you’re in so much discomfort, would you like your leg to be healed?"

Of course the fawn wanted that. Ever since being bitten, its leg had felt strange, almost numb, and it often struggled to control it.

Moreover, the injury limited the full use of its abilities, which made it uneasy.

Lin Jiashu pressed eagerly: "How did you prevent the zombie virus from spreading through your body?"

The fawn tilted its head, clearly not understanding such a complex question.

Lin Jiashu rephrased it more simply, but the fawn still didn’t grasp it—it had no idea what a "zombie virus" was.

It likely didn’t even know how it had stopped the virus from spreading.

The group felt slightly disappointed but not entirely surprised—they hadn’t expected to learn much from the fawn anyway.

Finally, Lin Jiashu got to the key point: "We can help treat your leg—"

Before she could finish, the fawn suddenly lifted its head and opened its mouth.

Before anyone could react, it spat a mouthful of pumpkin seeds everywhere.

Cheng Mo reacted fastest, immediately pulling Cheng Zhiyu to safety. The others weren’t as lucky—they were sprayed with saliva and pumpkin seeds.

Zhou Min, smelling the foul saliva, couldn’t hold back and bent over, gagging.

Nearby, the fawn let out playful "yōu yōu" cries, as if laughing at them.

Cheng Mo chuckled and teased, "Didn’t they know to dodge?"

Cheng Zhiyu suppressed a laugh: "Who could react that fast?"

Who would’ve expected the fawn to suddenly spit at them for no reason?

Without Cheng Mo, he probably wouldn’t have escaped either.

Tian Qiao was on the verge of tears: "Brother Black, stop laughing! We’re about to be suffocated by the stench!"

Lin Jiashu: "Gag..."

Tian Manman: "...Gag, it’s so smelly..."

Tian Qiao had been holding it together, but now he felt even more nauseated and started dry heaving.

Covered in spit and pumpkin seeds, bent over and retching, they made a hilarious sight.

Cheng Mo: "Hahaha..."

Cheng Zhiyu, clinging to the last shreds of camaraderie, tried hard not to laugh and patted Cheng Mo: "Stop messing around. Help clean them up."

Cheng Mo leaned heavily against Cheng Zhiyu: "No, let me recover first. This is too funny, haha..."

Cheng Zhiyu: "...Pfft."

The sprayed group’s expressions grew even more resentful.

Tian Qiao joked threateningly: "Keep this up, and I’ll rush over and hug you guys."

Horrified, Cheng Zhiyu slapped Cheng Mo urgently: "Hurry up, stop laughing!"

Cheng Mo: "Alright, alright."

He raised his hand, and water flowed over the group, instantly refreshing them.

Then Cheng Mo buried his face in Cheng Zhiyu’s neck and took a deep sniff.

Cheng Zhiyu frowned and squirmed uncomfortably: "Hey, what are you doing?"

Cheng Mo: "They're too smelly, let me catch my breath."

The people who'd been sprayed lowered their heads, sniffed themselves, and their faces fell. Although they'd washed up, the stench of the foul saliva was hard to disperse.

Zhou Min's face paled: "Oh my god, why is it so smelly!"

Nearby, the fawn let out a "yōu yōu" cry, looking pretty pleased with itself.

The group's eyes shot daggers.

The fawn clearly refused to let anyone touch its leg, perhaps instinctively feeling that this leg was its weakness. Lin Jiashu just brought it up and got a warning snap.

This made things difficult. They'd thought that after getting familiar with the fawn, they could negotiate, but it turned out it still wasn't possible.

Helpless, and smelling so awful, the group had no choice but to return to the base first.

Seeing Tian Qiao return, Tian's mom walked over and said, "Good timing - dinner's almost... ugh..."

Tian's mom instantly stepped back, her eyes full of disdain as she looked at her son: "Oh my god, why do you smell so awful?"

Tian Qiao: "...Didn't even want to talk!"

Others who heard the commotion and came out: "..."

Cheng Zhiyan, the little angel, kindly reminded: "Um... maybe you should go take a shower?"

Cheng Mo was draped all over Cheng Zhiyu, patting him: "Hahaha..."

Cheng Zhiyu reminded: "Cut it out."

If he kept laughing, he wouldn't be able to hold back either.

The group immediately dashed into the bathroom, frantically washing themselves several times with shower gel. Fortunately, the fawn's saliva wasn't some kind of chemical weapon; after washing with shower gel, the smell was gone.

Zhou Min said, still shaken: "From now on, whenever I see it, I'll have to stay alert."

Tian Manman looked traumatized: "I... don't want to eat pumpkin anymore."

Tian Qiao's lip twitched, and he raised a hand to cover his mouth. Although he was one of the victims, he really wanted to laugh.

Cheng Zhiyu cleared his throat: "Well, it seems there's no way for now. Luckily, the virus on the fawn's leg won't spread."

If it could spread, that would be troublesome.

They could only see if there would be an opportunity later.

Just as the group decided to set the matter aside for now, Lin Kang urgently sent someone over, saying that someone had noticed movement near the fawn. When they went to check, they found the fawn fighting with a tiger.

"A tiger?!" Tian Qiao was shocked.

The messenger: "Yeah, that tiger seems to be a mutant beast too, and they're fighting fiercely! We heard the noise and went to take a look. From a distance, we could see dust and debris flying everywhere. We were too scared to get closer."

"After returning, we told Captain Lin about it, and he told me to hurry over and inform you." The messenger scratched his head, not understanding why this was worth mentioning.

Two mutant beasts going at it—it wasn't their business.

However, after hearing this, Cheng Zhiyu and the others exchanged grave looks.

It wasn't a matter of whether they could interfere or not; if the tiger came out on top, it would be bad.