Chapter 64: Into a Post-Apocalyptic Superpower Novel, Day 16

Chapter 64: The Sixteenth Day of Transmigrating into an Apocalyptic Superpower Novel

In the following days, the defense upgrade plan at Liaoyuan Fort was in full swing.

On the training ground, dust flew, and the shouts and humming sounds of superpower eruptions never ceased.

Ji Zishi was instructing several team members in coordination drills, but his gaze kept involuntarily drifting to the other side of the field.

There, An Yi was testing the precise control of his water-based superpower. Streams of water condensed, transformed, and shot out from his fingertips, accurately hitting moving targets a hundred meters away. His movements were fluid and graceful, exuding a chillingly beautiful calm.

Ji Zishi watched, a little lost in thought, and didn't even hear his teammates calling him.

"Captain? Captain! Is this okay?"

"Huh? Oh... it's fine." Ji Zishi snapped back to reality, answering a bit hastily, the back of his ears turning slightly warm.

All of this was noticed by Dingzi, who had nothing better to do and was idly chewing on a blade of grass while watching the fun.

He squinted, a knowing and mischievous grin spreading across his face.

He sidled up to Ji Zishi, elbowed his captain, and lowered his voice in a smug tone:

"Boss, whatcha staring at? Your eyes are practically glued to An Yi. What, you got a thing for him?"

Ji Zishi jumped, as if his tail had been stepped on, nearly leaping up. He retorted gruffly:

"What nonsense are you spouting! I was... I was just checking on the team's training progress! An Yi's superpower is strong; his training methods are worth learning from! What kind of random stuff is going through your head all day?"

What... what liking? They were both men, just good brothers!

Dingzi was amused by his overreaction. Instead of being intimidated, he laughed even harder, flashing his white teeth:

"Oh~ checking on the team's progress~"

He deliberately drew out his tone, glancing at the other exhausted teammates who weren't getting half the "attention" from Ji Zishi:

"Then this attention of yours is pretty biased. How come I never see you 'checking' on whether my explosive accuracy has improved?"

"Your accuracy? Does it even need checking? It's crooked as hell!"

Ji Zishi snapped back at him, trying to cover his guilt with irritation, but his gaze still involuntarily drifted toward An Yi.

Dingzi chuckled and moved even closer, whispering quickly into Ji Zishi's ear:

"Boss, stop being stubborn. Tell me the truth, bro... have you fallen for An Yi?"

"Bullshit!" Ji Zishi denied it without thinking, as if struck by lightning, his voice suddenly rising, causing several nearby teammates to curiously look over.

His face instantly turned bright red. He grabbed Dingzi by the collar and dragged him to a more secluded corner, growling through gritted teeth:

"If you spout nonsense again, I'll make you bait for mutant plants on the next mission!"

Dingzi winced under his grip but still smiled fearlessly: "Oh my, is that anger from embarrassment? Boss, your reaction is totally off!"

"When a normal brother gets teased like this, he'd just laugh and curse a bit. But you... tsk tsk, classic sign of a guilty conscience!"

"I'm not! We have pure brotherhood! Bonds forged through life and death! What do you know?" Ji Zishi denied it, but Dingzi's words echoed in his mind like a haunting refrain.

"Fallen for An Yi?"

"Fallen for..."

"Like?"

Like?

That word hit him like a slap, suddenly clearing the chaotic thoughts in Ji Zishi's mind.

He abruptly let go of Dingzi's collar and stood frozen.

Why did he always unconsciously seek out An Yi's figure?

Why did his heart feel tight when he saw him laughing with others?

Why, when he was injured, was the first person he wanted to care for him An Yi?

Why did he feel truly at ease and relaxed only when leaning close to him when dead tired?

Why did he go out of his way, using every clumsy excuse, to get closer to him?

Those feelings he had previously forced himself to explain as "brotherhood," "comradeship," or "appreciation for talent" suddenly became crystal clear under the light of the word "like," revealing their true nature:

That was simply a crush!

It was the possessive concern of wanting someone exclusively!

It was the desire that made his heart race at the touch!

It was the complex emotion of feeling proud when he was strong and a pang in his heart when he was tired!

This was definitely not brotherhood!

He... he was gay!

The sudden realization and the ensuing shame overwhelmed Ji Zishi.

He, Ji Zishi, maybe, possibly, probably... really did like An Yi!

This realization dropped a nuclear bomb in his mind, shattering his composure, yet also setting off a sky full of fireworks, dazzling him into utter confusion.

He... he had been so shameless, so brazenly coveting his own brother! What would An Yi think of him if he knew?!

His face became visibly red, from forehead to the base of his neck, almost steam rising from his head.

His mouth opened, but not a word came out. His entire body stiffened like a piece of wood struck by lightning.

Dingzi watched him looking like his worldview had been overturned and his CPU completely fried, and finally burst into laughter, clutching his stomach:

"Hahahaha! Oh, I can't take it! Boss, you... you... your expression... hahaha! You finally realized?! Oh my god, killing me! That took you long enough!"

Ji Zishi snapped back, startled by Dingzi's outburst, and was instantly overwhelmed with shame and anger.

He glared fiercely at Dingzi, a look that could kill, but with a face red enough to bleed, it lacked any real threat.

"Shut up! Don't you dare tell anyone! Hear me?!" he threatened in a low voice, his voice harsh and his fists clenched audibly.

Dingzi was laughing so hard tears streamed down his face. He waved his hand repeatedly: "Alright, alright, I won't tell... hahaha... unless I can't help it, hahaha..."

Ji Zishi couldn't stand it anymore. He felt like he was about to spontaneously combust.

He instinctively glanced in the direction of An Yi, only to meet the clear gaze of An Yi, who seemed to have sensed the commotion and was looking over with a questioning gaze.

He whipped his head back as if scalded by that gaze, his heart pounding wildly, almost leaping out of his throat.

He forgot all about scolding Dingzi and turned to leave, flustered and stumbling, moving as if a hundred thousand mutant dogs were on his heels.

He needed some peace and quiet!

He needed to calm down!

He needed... he needed to find a hole to crawl into!