Chapter 77: Into a Post-Apocalyptic Superpower Novel, Day 29 (Extra 2)

Chapter 77: The Twenty-Ninth Day of Being Trapped in a Doomsday Superpower Novel (Extra 2)

In summer, the air was filled with the crisp scent of thriving vegetation, and in the evening, the warm, smoky aroma of cooking fires rising from every household.

The reconstruction of various safe zones had gotten back on track; many bases had merged, order had been restored, and it had even begun to show signs of "living" rather than just "surviving."

The residence assigned to An Yi and Ji Zishi was a relatively independent small courtyard, personally renovated by Ji Zishi and his team—with thickened walls and a re-laid roof, and even a small, uneven vegetable patch was dug out—though for now, it only held a few sparse greens that Ji Zishi treated like treasures.

That evening after dinner, the sky wasn't fully dark yet, and a few scattered stars were twinkling in the ink-blue sky.

Several energy-saving lamps were lit in the yard, casting a soft glow and attracting a few moths that tirelessly circled the halos.

An Yi had just finished bathing, wearing loose cotton loungewear, his black hair wet and plastered to his forehead and neck, with water still dripping from the ends. The usual cold sharpness of the day was gone, replaced by a soft, hazy tenderness.

He held a dry towel, absently wiping his hair as he sat on a recliner in the yard, watching Ji Zishi squat by the vegetable patch, fussing over those few greens.

"An Yi! Look! This one's grown a bit taller!" Ji Zishi's voice carried a hint of joy, carefully measuring the height with his fingers and showing it to An Yi.

An Yi lazily lifted his eyelids, hummed in acknowledgment, but his gaze wasn't on the greens; it was on Ji Zishi.

In fact, his eyes were fixed on Ji Zishi.

The man wore a tank top, revealing smooth, powerful arms, his bronze skin glowing with health under the light. Squatting there, with his broad back, he somehow gave off a steady, reliable vibe.

Of course, that was just how he looked on the surface.

After showing off his precious greens, Ji Zishi stood up contentedly, patted the dirt off his hands, and turned around, only to see An Yi with slightly damp hair, lounging lazily on the recliner.

The soft light traced his profile, and water droplets slid down his fair neck, disappearing into his collar.

Ji Zishi's Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed as he felt the summer night breeze suddenly grow hot.

He strode over in a few steps, quickly washed his hands, and casually took the towel from An Yi.

"You didn't dry your hair properly; you'll catch a cold," he muttered, but his movements were incredibly gentle, wrapping the towel around An Yi's black hair, carefully pressing and rubbing.

His palms were large, his hands were hot, and even through the towel, the heat was palpable, his strength perfectly controlled.

An Yi didn't refuse; he even tilted his head back slightly, closed his eyes, and fully surrendered to the care.

The towel rustled against his hair with a soft rustling sound, blending with the summer night's insect chirps, creating an unusually serene atmosphere.

Ji Zishi's movements slowed gradually. His gaze involuntarily lingered on An Yi's closed eyes—those long, thick lashes casting a faint shadow beneath; then on his straight nose; and finally fixated on those lips, made even redder and more lustrous from the bath.

His breathing involuntarily grew heavier, and his hands almost stopped.

As if sensing something, An Yi opened his eyes, a hint of confusion in them: "What's wrong?"

"...N-nothing." Ji Zishi snapped back to reality, his ears burning hot, and quickly resumed his movements, adding extra force in a vain attempt to cover up his reaction, as if he were wrestling with the hair.

An Yi let out a soft hiss, slapped his hand away: "Gently."

"Oh, oh, okay." Ji Zishi immediately eased up, acting like a child caught doing something wrong.

After managing to dry it halfway, Ji Zishi put down the towel, but his fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, lingering as they combed through An Yi's cool, smooth hair, gently stroking it.

His fingertips occasionally brushed against An Yi's scalp, sending a subtle, tingling sensation.

An Yi neither moved nor stopped him, but quietly enjoyed this intimate touch.

He could feel Ji Zishi's breath brushing across the top of his head, warm and trembling slightly.

"An Yi..." Ji Zishi's voice dropped low, with a nearly devout tenderness.

"Hmm?"

"I... let me give you a head massage? You've been busy all day; you must be tired." He found the perfect excuse, his fingers already sliding to An Yi's temples, pressing with just the right amount of pressure.

His fingertips bore the rough calluses from years of holding weapons, but his touch was incredibly gentle, the perfect amount of pressure easing his tense nerves.

An Yi couldn't help but let out a faint, almost satisfied sigh, closed his eyes again, and sank deeper into the recliner.

Seeing no objection from An Yi, Ji Zishi grew bolder.

His fingers slowly moved down, brushing over An Yi's brow bones and eyelids, feeling the cool, delicate skin, then carefully tracing the contour of his cheek.

His fingertips carried a scorching heat, as if igniting a string of tiny sparks wherever they passed.

An Yi's lashes fluttered slightly, but he didn't open his eyes or pull away, silently permitting this increasingly intimate boundary-pushing.

The fingertips finally stopped at the corner of An Yi's lips.

Ji Zishi's breathing was completely disordered. As if bewitched, he gently rubbed his thumb over those soft lips, feeling their surprising softness and cool texture.

An Yi finally opened his eyes, their gaze deep and bright under the light, reflecting Ji Zishi's tense yet longing face.

He didn't speak, just quietly looked at him.

Ji Zishi leaned down, approaching inch by inch.

An Yi could even count his trembling lashes, feel his increasingly close, scorching breath, which carried the faint sweet scent of a fruit candy just eaten.

When their lips finally touched lightly, Ji Zishi let out a deeply satisfied sound, almost a sigh.

At first, it was a simple, tentative touch—soft and warm, with a hint of sweet candy.

But soon, that simple touch changed.

An Yi tilted his head up slightly, responding to the kiss.