Chapter 31
The room was in disarray. The potato, pursued by the durian, had long abandoned its legs for a frantic, rolling escape. Its momentum carried it swiftly across the floor, keeping the durian at bay for the moment.
Yumi, in turn, chased after the durian, clutching a sticky ball of corn. He hurled it, aiming to trap the spiky pursuer.
But the durian dodged with surprising agility. The corn ball splattered against the floor, its burst of corn smoke failing to cling to the durian’s prickly hide.
The durian paused for a split second, then pivoted, growling softly as it rolled toward Yumi.
Yumi let out a soft squeal, turned tail, and fled.
Tudou, having narrowly escaped, scrambled to its feet and couldn’t resist a smug “Heh heh.”
Not wanting to waste time, it tried to sneak back and retrieve the corn balls scattered on the ground, but its leafy hand got stuck, and it couldn’t break free.
Meanwhile, Xiao Pigguo was enveloped in a gray cloud of smoke, darting back and forth to disperse it and obscure the others’ vision.
Unfortunately, its abilities were too weak. It barely managed to spread the smoke a few centimeters before Lulian charged in and knocked it over. The smoke-covered Xiao Pigguo tumbled into a corner with a muffled “Gurgle gurgle.”
Lulian, having knocked Pigguo aside, then collided with the corner of a table. Seeing Lulian closing in, Yumi mimicked Tudou’s tactic, flopping to the ground and rolling sideways to escape.
Xiaozhi stood motionless in the center, glancing back and forth, wanting to help but unsure how.
Back in the Plant Courtyard, settling disputes had been simple: a punch for each combatant. But Tudou was the one being chased, and Lulian was a new arrival—a High-Grade Mutant Plant whose combat prowess was undoubtedly formidable.
It likely hadn’t yet unleashed its full power, and Xiaozhi worried that intervening might provoke it into causing an even bigger commotion, alerting the humans outside.
This was, after all, Black Spine Mountain Base, where all the humans were Ability Users, unlike ordinary Safe Zones.
Facaishu perched on a low cabinet, its elongated leaves dangling downward as it erected a defensive barrier around Lulian.
Lulian paid no mind. It rolled forward, shattering the barrier, and one of Facaishu’s leaves was pricked.
Xiao Baocai huddled close to Facaishu, Ruanteng draped over its head, and Mimosa clinging to its face.
Lulian, covered in sharp spines and moving with surprising speed, made it impossible for them to help.
Xiao Baocai gazed longingly at the table across the room, where an unexpanded cabbage shell and Baocai Bowl sat.
*Maybe we should open the cabbage shell and hide inside together,* it thought. *It’s so tough—it should be able to block Lulian, right?*
The Sleep Spray had long since run out, the empty bottle lying discarded on the floor.
Tudou remained stuck to the corn balls on the ground, even more panicked than before. “Waaah!”
Xiaozhi tried to reach Tudou, but a rolling corn ball tripped it.
Seeing Lulian closing in on the corn, Ruanteng heard Luobo’s voice. Its tendrils snaked out and unlocked the door.
The door burst open, and all the plants froze, even Lulian.
Luobo and Lajiao stood in the doorway, followed by Qian Hui and Nan Tingjin, who had rushed over.
Another Special-Grade Mutant Plant had arrived, and the cold-faced human behind it smelled like trouble. Lulian decided to play it safe, retreating silently.
But… that scent from the Special-Grade Mutant Plant… why did it seem so familiar?
Lulian eyed it suspiciously, still on guard.
Orange, small… wait a minute, wasn’t that…? Luobo?!
Tudou was still whimpering. Qian Hui hurried over and picked him up.
He wiped the corn kernels stuck to Tudou’s hands with a tissue. Yumi jumped into his arms, pointing at Lulian and whimpering pitifully.
Facaishu the money tree leaped down from the cabinet, followed closely by Xiao Baocai the little cabbage and Pigguo the apple, all hiding behind Qian Hui.
Xiaozhi remained rooted in place, its eyes fixed on Lulian on the floor, ready to pounce if it made another aggressive move.
Qian Hui patted each plant around him. “It’s okay, I’m back… What happened?”
The plants erupted in a cacophony of gestures, reaching out and acting out the story.
Without Xiaokui around, communication was difficult. Qian Hui struggled for a while to piece together what had happened.
When Lulian woke up, he was initially calm and didn’t attack, though he remained highly vigilant. He refused all food and medicine, demanding to know where the other Lulian from yesterday had gone.
Xiaokui, who was still present at the time, coaxed him, saying that Durian Two had gone out on an errand and would explain personally when Luobo returned, assuring Lulian that he would recognize his brother’s scent.
Later, when Zhusun came to take Xiaokui away, Lulian couldn’t resist asking again when his brother would return. Tudou, blunt as ever, declared that he had no brother—it was just Luobo in disguise.
Lulian grew agitated. Durian Two had clearly been present last night, and how could a carrot possibly transform into a durian?
Seeing the situation deteriorating, Yumi quickly tried to soothe him with Xiaokui’s words, but Lulian was beyond reasoning. He chased after Tudou, demanding to know how Luobo could have become a durian.
Noticing Lulian’s agitation, Yumi hastily pulled out the Sleep Spray. Despite his round, clumsy appearance, Lulian dodged with surprising agility, fueled by his distrust. Yumi pursued him relentlessly, nearly emptying the entire spray bottle, and considered leaving the room to lock Lulian in alone and try again.
Noticing it was about to slip away, Lulian chased after it, determined to prevent any plant from leaving the room.
Its primary focus remained on Tudou, refusing to relent until it understood what had happened.
Tudou didn’t know how to explain. It didn’t understand what a Disguise Potion was; all it had seen was Luobo transforming into Lulian.
But the root of the problem seemed to stem from something Tudou had said. Feeling both wronged and slightly guilty, it nestled into Qian Hui’s arms, whimpering softly.
Qian Hui sighed, holding Tudou and Yumi close. “As long as you’re not hurt.”
He looked up to see Lulian had slowly rolled over to Luobo and righted itself.
Surprisingly bold, Lulian circled Luobo, gradually closing the distance.
As it drew closer, Lulian recognized a strikingly familiar scent emanating from Luobo—at least half identical to that of Durian Two from the previous night.
It edged closer, wanting to examine Luobo more closely.
Luobo guessed Lulian’s intentions and glared with its beady black eyes. “Ugh?”
That sound further solidified Lulian’s suspicions.
It froze in place, hesitating.
Durian Two had made the same sound the night before, urging Lulian to follow him, eat something, and go to sleep.
So, the carrot before him was Durian Two…
Tudou was right. His brother wasn’t actually a durian, but a carrot.
Lulian’s mind was in turmoil. He cautiously uttered, “Ugh?”
The carrot didn’t seem inclined to respond, planning to find something to lock him up in until he calmed down completely.
Seizing the opportunity, Qian Hui opened the Handbook and purchased a strategy guide for Lulian.
[ Durian: High-Grade Mutant Plant ]
[ Strategy Guide Purchased: A simple-minded durian with a somewhat impatient temperament, prone to recklessness. His intelligence is average, but his combat prowess is high, and he possesses a wide range of skills. To conceal himself and avoid being shunned, he has learned to suppress his distinctive aroma. Apart from his deep longing to be with others of his kind, he has few other preferences. His greatest wish is to find other mutant durians like himself and form a durian army. ]
After reading the guide, Qian Hui finally understood why Lulian had agreed to return with the plants the previous night.
The carrot had drunk a Disguise Potion and coincidentally transformed into a durian, leading Lulian to mistake him for one of his own kind.
And that was precisely why, when the carrot reverted to his original form, Lulian discovered that Durian Two had vanished…
But the Disguise Potion was gone, leaving Qian Hui troubled. Noticing Lulian circling Luobo, he beckoned the carrot over.
“Luobo,” he whispered, “can you take care of him? He seems to recognize you.”
Luobo hesitated before nodding. “Ugh…”
It could certainly handle it. After all, it had nurtured the main powerhouses like Yumi and Tudou.
But this place wasn’t as free as the outside world. Lulian had to obey, or Luobo would have to lock him up.
Qian Hui sighed in relief and patted Luobo’s head. “Let’s try it first. Thanks, Luobo.”
Luobo turned to face Lulian.
With a firm “Ugh,” it declared outright that Lulian was now its subordinate and must obey.
Lulian was still pondering how Luobo could have transformed into Durian Two, its gaze bewildered.
But there was no mistaking the scent. This was indeed Durian Two from last night. And since it was Durian Two, that meant they were brothers.
A brother who was a Special-Grade Mutant Plant with superior strength—Lulian had no choice but to obey.
Besides, if Durian Two had transformed from Luobo, surely it could revert back…?
Lulian grunted in agreement, retracting its spines slightly as it obediently followed Luobo.
Luobo gave Lulian a bag of biscuits, which it ate.
In just a few minutes, Lulian’s loyalty surged from 10% to 40%.
The study finally quieted down. The plants righted the overturned tables and chairs.
Xiao Pigguo coughed twice, spitting out smoke, then picked up the empty spray bottle and tossed it away.
Soon after, a subordinate brought lunch.
Qian Hui took an extra small bowl specifically for feeding the plants.
As he fed Xiaozhi a meatball, he recounted the morning’s events.
Upon learning that Xiao Guo had been found but had fallen into a deep slumber, Xiaozhi’s emotions churned. It lowered its head, its eyes filled with worry.
Luobo leaned over to comfort it. “Xiaokui, the sunflower, is watching over him. Xiao Guo will wake up soon.”
“And I’m here too,” Qian Hui added. “Xiao Guo always liked me best.”
Before Qian Hui found them, Luobo and Xiaozhi had spent too long in the post-apocalyptic world, growing irritable and fierce. It was only after returning to his side that they gradually reverted to their former selves from the Plant Courtyard.
Even if Xiao Guo didn’t want to acknowledge them or Xiaokui, he would surely respond to Qian Hui. His awakening was only a matter of time.
Xiaozhi nodded, its mood slightly improved.
After lunch, Qian Hui hurried back to the Restricted Zone Forest.
Xiaozhi wanted to go, and so did Luobo who brought Lulian along.
Seeing Lulian join the trip, Yumi and Tudou couldn’t stay put any longer.
In the end, Qian Hui simply brought all the plants to visit the slumbering giant nut.
Nan Tingjin still drove him there; otherwise, Qian Hui wouldn’t be able to bypass the iron gate and reach the mountain forest quickly.
After packing up, Qian Hui carried the plants in his backpack, blindfolded himself, and was carried downstairs by Nan Tingjin.
As they descended, Qian Hui wrapped his arms around Nan Tingjin’s neck and asked nervously, “Am I taking up too much of your time?”
Nan Tingjin was the Leader, and logically, he should be very busy, yet he was always accompanying Qian Hui.
The modified vehicle hadn’t moved, still parked in its original spot.
Reaching the car, Nan Tingjin kissed Qian Hui’s cheek before answering, “No.”
He placed Qian Hui inside, closed the door, and walked around to the other side.
The backpack and plants were placed on the back seat. Qian Hui sat obediently, unable to resist touching his cheek.
Soon, the modified vehicle left the low building and headed toward the rear of the Base.
In a distant corner, two figures stood together, watching the vehicle’s retreating form.
One of them, Shan Jun, was short, dark, and wiry. He had been part of the squad that captured the man-eating flower.
He was the only one who had angered Nan Tingjin during the mission by saying the wrong thing. He was disciplined on the spot and punished again upon their return.
Once the modified vehicle had completely disappeared from sight, Shan Jun asked his companion, “Where did he go this morning?”
“To the back mountains,” the companion replied. “I don’t know the specifics.”
The person sent to tail him hadn’t dared to get too close, fearing detection by Nan Tingjin, so they only knew his general direction.
Shan Jun frowned. “What about Yuan Ji?”
“Captain Yuan received an assignment and left not long ago.”
With Yuan Ji gone, the base’s daily affairs would fall to the remaining team leaders.
As for Nan Tingjin… most of the time, he stayed out of things unless others couldn’t resolve a problem.
On the other hand, he was undeniably powerful—so powerful that no one could match him. Even if he did nothing but hold his title, outsiders would still fear the Black Spine Mountain Base.
Yet ever since their failed mission to capture the Xiaozhi, Shan Jun couldn’t shake the feeling that Nan Tingjin had changed.
Especially now, Nan Tingjin had personally brought someone back from outside, someone whose background was unknown.
Yesterday, Yuan Ji had met with Nan Tingjin and returned with a warning, “Don’t pry. If you value your lives, keep your eyes and mouths tightly shut.”
Shan Jun didn’t believe the rumors that Nan Tingjin had taken a lover. Someone like him, capable of loving another?
The back mountain of the base… it was currently unused, still uncleared, practically abandoned.
What was Nan Tingjin doing taking someone there?
Shan Jun didn’t linger long before turning and leaving.
On his way back, he pulled out his personal communicator.
There was a new message, its signal coordinates traced to Sky Base.
Nan Tingjin loathed all pharmaceutical products and never accepted Sky Base’s overtures. But his subordinates weren’t necessarily the same; some secretly purchased medicines and supplies from them.
Shan Jun opened the message. It said Mr. Wen wished to visit soon and asked him to find an opportunity to inquire with Nan Tingjin.
Without hesitation, Shan Jun replied, “No need to ask. The Leader will never agree.”
Then, he added, “If you want to come, you’ll have to use unconventional methods.”
For the next two days, Qian Hui took the plants to the forest behind the mountain.
Except for meal breaks, he spent the entire day there, even wanting to stay overnight.
But for safety’s sake, Nan Tingjin remained by his side. The cabbage shell could only be used once at a time, and Qian Hui didn’t want to make Nan Tingjin sleep in the wilderness.
So he returned to the Base with Nan Tingjin each evening, only to come back early the next morning.
During the nights, Xiaokui kept watch over Xiao Guo, and the other plants took turns guarding him over the two days.
Lulian, always carried around by Luobo, had become remarkably obedient and had grown more familiar with the other plants.
By the end of the two days, Xiao Guo’s shell had fully recovered. Its gray-brown color had returned to a light brown, and its surface was smoother than before.
While tending to Xiao Guo, Qian Hui would talk to him constantly, sharing fragmented stories about their time in the Plant Courtyard.
They had worked together, played together, and carved wooden sculptures together.
Leaning against the warm, giant nut, Qian Hui apologized for arriving late.
Yet for two whole days, Xiao Guo showed no signs of awakening.
In the Game Handbook, his icon was lit up, but it still displayed “Unbonded.”
Qian Hui felt lost, unsure what to do. But beyond waiting, there seemed to be nothing more he could do.
Since entering the Base, his balance growth had also stagnated.
Qian Hui wondered if having more friends around might help awaken Xiao Guo.
But he didn’t have enough Faction Points to buy a Revival Bean, and he refused to abandon Xiao Guo to search for other plants.
The more Qian Hui thought, the more chaotic his mind became. He closed his eyes, forcing out all the jumbled thoughts, and reopened the game interface.
After completing the main quest of feeding Xiao Guo an Evolution Water, the new mission was to form bonds with 50 mutant plants, regardless of loyalty level, for a reward of 2,000 Faction Points.
Fifty mutant plants seemed like an overwhelming number. Fortunately, Qian Hui had spent time in the Restricted Zone Forest and had already formed bonds with 39 plants, including some he had only encountered briefly.
Eleven more to go… Even if Xiao Guo woke up immediately, it wouldn’t be enough.
This mission was impossible, and the side quests were equally out of reach unless two mid-level mutant plants suddenly appeared out of thin air.
That left… a hidden mission to secretly approach the Zombie faction and an unresolved Plot Point.
The Plot Point’s progress remained at 20%, unchanged since the update two days prior.
Since Xiao Guo remained unconscious, Qian Hui needed to find something else to do while staying at the Base.
Moreover, this Plot Point might be related to Xiao Guo. Unlocking it could potentially reveal clues to awaken him.
The small text beneath the progress bar still read, “Exploration of the Base’s Restricted Zone completed.”
Qian Hui pondered for a moment, then went to find Nan Tingjin.
“Xiao Jin,” he asked nervously, “I want to explore other parts of the base. Is that okay?”
Nan Tingjin leaned against the car door and extended his hand.
Qian Hui instinctively nestled into his embrace, looking up at him obediently.
“Sure,” Nan Tingjin said, pinching Qian Hui’s chin. “Just keep your eyes covered.”
The base was bustling with people at all hours, and Qian Hui needed to maintain his disguise, unable to reveal his eyes easily.
Qian Hui nodded. “Okay.”
With time to spare, a quick tour of the base before lunch seemed perfect. He returned to the giant nut and whispered a soft “Goodbye.”
Xiaokui and the other plants remained behind. Qian Hui left with only Lajiao and Xiaozhi, accompanying Nan Tingjin.
After leaving the perimeter of the Restricted Zone, Qian Hui re-covered his eyes with the cloth strip.
The modified vehicle slowed down, changed direction, and gradually drove toward the residential area. It then cut across the residential area to reach the plaza on the other side.
Unable to see outside, Qian Hui relied on Nan Tingjin to tell him where they were.
Qian Hui also kept a close eye on the progress of the Plot Points. Sure enough, it increased by another 10%, adding the line “Exploration of the base’s residential area completed.”
The plaza and the first few buildings were part of the Base’s main entrance. As the modified vehicle drove past, the progress bar immediately updated to 40%.
The vehicle turned a corner, and Nan Tingjin spoke up, “That’s another plaza over there.”
Though called a plaza, it was actually a former residential park that had been completely preserved. However, most of the flowers and plants had died, leaving it looking desolate.
The narrow entrances on either side of the park prevented the modified vehicle from entering, so it wasn’t considered fully explored, and the progress bar remained unchanged.
“What kind of plaza is that?” Qian Hui quietly lifted the cloth covering his eyes a bit, then quickly covered it again. “I want to take a look.”
Nan Tingjin agreed, “Alright,” and pulled the vehicle to the side of the road.
He helped Qian Hui out, and they slowly walked into the park.
There were people nearby; Qian Hui could hear footsteps hurrying past in the distance, making him nervous.
Fortunately, the park seemed empty. Qian Hui slowly walked halfway around, stumbling upon some dilapidated playground equipment.
“What’s this?” he asked curiously.
Nan Tingjin glanced at it. “It’s broken. I can’t tell.”
It was once a swing, but now only a single, bent iron bar remained, with other objects hanging from it.
Qian Hui murmured an “oh” and slowly walked to another spot, touching another section of iron railing. “What about this one?”
Nan Tingjin was silent for a moment. “I don’t know.”
Qian Hui continued forward, asking, “And this one…”
“I don’t know. It’s also damaged.”
“Alright…” Qian Hui stopped asking questions and walked in silence for a while, catching a faint scent of earth and vegetation.
The central flower bed was almost completely abandoned, with only two wild flowers blooming sparsely, nearly swallowed by weeds.
Qian Hui reached out to touch one, but accidentally stepped on a loose stone and nearly fell.
Nan Tingjin quickly steadied him, then lifted him up and sat him on the edge of the flower bed.
The park was quite large, and Qian Hui had walked a full circuit, including all the side paths. By now, his breathing was slightly uneven.
Nan Tingjin watched him quietly for a moment, then bent down closer. “Where else do you want to go?”
The “Explore Base Park” mission had completed, and the progress bar had increased to 60%.
Qian Hui was in a good mood, tugging on Nan Tingjin’s sleeve. “Anything’s fine. Is there anywhere else…”
He didn’t finish his sentence before a kiss landed on his cheek.
Just then, a gust of wind swept through the park, scattering pebbles across the ground. The sound made it seem as if someone was passing by in the distance.
Qian Hui hurriedly burrowed into Nan Tingjin’s arms, asking anxiously, “Is someone over there?”
Nan Tingjin glanced at the empty street. “Yes.”
Qian Hui tensed further, trying to push Nan Tingjin away.
Nan Tingjin didn’t budge. Qian Hui’s feeble attempts at resistance were futile, and another kiss landed on his cheek.
Qian Hui could only shrink deeper into Nan Tingjin’s embrace, whispering, “That’s enough…”
He felt a tug at the back of his collar—likely Lajiao, hidden beneath his hood.
Sensing something amiss, Qian Hui yanked down the fabric strip and peered out. There was no one there.
Slightly annoyed, he glared at Nan Tingjin and kicked his leg as he sat on the flower bed.
Nan Tingjin readjusted Qian Hui’s fabric strip, asking softly, “Want me to carry you back?”
Qian Hui nodded slowly and wrapped his arms around Nan Tingjin.
He looked so docile that when they reached the Modified Vehicle, Nan Tingjin set him down and kissed him again.
Qian Hui couldn’t dodge the kiss and wrinkled his nose. “Why do you keep kissing me?”
Nan Tingjin lowered his gaze. “Can’t boyfriends kiss?”
It seemed… it seemed like they could, but when they were together before, it hadn’t been this frequent.
They used to see each other only once every six days, and even then, they wouldn’t act like this.
The car door opened, but Nan Tingjin didn’t immediately pull Qian Hui inside. He pressed, “Can they?”
Qian Hui stammered, “…Yes.”
Aaahhh i can’t help but feel something is ab to happen dehnuehbefuh i dun wnna set up a flaggg
Thnx ya for the chappiiee~
Yess☺️