Chapter 76: Into a Post-Apocalyptic Superpower Novel, Day 28 (Extra 1)

Chapter 76: Day 28 in a Doomsday Superpower Novel (Extra 1)

The first spring after the end of the apocalypse was especially gentle.

Sunlight spilled generously across the land, and from the soil once soaked in blood and fire, tender green sprouts sprouted up stubbornly. The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and new plants, instead of the smell of gunpowder and rot.

And the new plants were perfectly normal—no signs of mutation.

The reconstruction of Blazing Fortress progressed smoothly. The faces of the people were no longer numb and despairing, but brimming with hope for the future and bustling energy.

On a small cleared patch of land at the edge of the base, a scene unfolded that was totally different from the busy scene around it.

"An Yi! An Yi! Look at this!"

Jizi Shi's booming voice was full of undisguised excitement. He was holding a crooked, garishly colored... plastic flower, and rushed over to An Yi, who was sitting on a flat rock studying blueprints.

The plastic flower had clearly been dug out of some rubble. Its petals still had a few water droplets on them, but under the sunlight, it was dazzling bright.

It looked like he’d already washed it clean.

An Yi lifted his gaze from the reconstruction plan, his eyes landing on that "absolutely hideous" plastic flower. He paused for two seconds, then said in a flat tone:

"...Where did you pick up that piece of trash?"

"How can it be trash!"

Jizi Shi's eyes went wide, his tone disbelieving. He shoved the flower closer to An Yi, as if offering a treasure: "I searched for a long time! Look, it never wilts! From now on, we'll plant these at the door of our house! It'll be in bloom every day!"

An Yi looked at his expectant expression, couldn't help touching his forehead, but the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly: "The base's agricultural department has already started distributing the first batch of real flower seeds. In a few months, you'll be able to see real sunflowers."

"That's gonna take forever!" Jizi Shi said, as if it were obvious. "This one's great—you can see it right away! Never fades!"

As he spoke, he started fussing around an empty patch of ground near An Yi's feet, trying to "plant" the plastic flower.

An Yi watched helplessly as he, like a big dog, squatting there fiddling around. Thankfully, his handiwork was decent, and he managed to plant it pretty well.

The sunlight hit his fluffy head and focused profile, giving them a warm golden glow.

An Yi: ...

How is this guy getting so childish?!

He's getting more and more childish!

He used to be so composed, and now there's nothing left of that!

Maybe this was the real proof the apocalypse was really over.

Free from the pressure of survival and the shadow of war, his true, even childish side was showing.

"Alright." An Yi finally said, unable to stand it anymore, "Don't ruin this piece of land. The agricultural team has reserved it for trying to grow potatoes."

Jizi Shi looked up, his eyes sparkling as he looked at him: "Do you like it?"

An Yi glanced at that color disaster of a fake flower and gave a reluctant nod: "...It's okay."

Those two words were enough to make Jizi Shi's heart bloom. He immediately dropped the plastic flower, slid over to sit next to An Yi, his large frame almost pushing An Yi off the rock: "I knew you'd like it! Tonight, I'll go ask Nails and the others to search again—there must be better ones!"

"...No need, really." An Yi tried to push him away a little, but found the guy was like a mountain. Without using his ability, there was no way.

He glanced again at the flower discarded on the ground. *You don't even like it! You're just looking for an excuse to pester me!*

Jizi Shi, emboldened, reached out and carefully wrapped his arms around An Yi's waist, resting his chin on his shoulder, breathing in deeply the cool, clean scent of the other. He murmured, "An Yi, you're so amazing..."

An Yi's body stiffened slightly, but he didn't push him away.

He could feel the vibration from Jizi Shi's chest and the vigorous warmth radiating from him, like a little sun warming him up.

This feeling wasn't unpleasant.

"You know," Jizi Shi began his daily future planning, "once things settle down, we'll get married! Let's apply for a plot of land—doesn't have to be big. We'll plant the flowers you like, and build a swing... I'll push you on it?"

An Yi imagined himself sitting on a swing being wildly pushed by Jizi Shi, spinning around like a top, and found it a little embarrassing.

But seeing the dead serious look in Jizi Shi's eyes, the refusal died on his lips and turned into a vague "Mm-hmm."

Jizi Shi, however, took it as a huge promise. Delighted, he hugged An Yi tighter and started chattering about his plans:

"We'll also raise some small animals! Like the chicks and ducklings from before the mutation! Fluffy! I heard the agricultural team is already trying to breed them! I'll take care of feeding them, and you can just watch..."

An Yi: ...

He grinned: "If you dare raise them, I'll throw you out!"

The warm sunlight bathed them, and Jizi Shi's vibrant chatter about their simple future filled the air, mixed with the scent of grass and earth.

An Yi relaxed his body, leaning back slightly into that warm, solid embrace. The blueprints in his hand slid unconsciously onto his lap.

He closed his eyes, enjoying this simple peace and warmth.

Perhaps this wasn't so bad.

Having someone clumsy, passionate, and loving him without reservation, planning all the futures that involved him, wanting to give him the best things in the world.

"An Yi?" Jizi Shi noticed he hadn't moved for a while and called out softly.

"Mm."

"Are you asleep?"

"No."

"Do you like chicks or ducklings?"

"I don't like chicks or ducklings."

"Can we really not raise them?"

"...Shut up."

"Oh."

Jizi Shi stayed quiet for less than three seconds, then couldn't resist leaning close to his ear and whispering in a soft, breathy voice: "An Yi, I love you so much."

An Yi didn't answer. In that warm, drowsy comfort, he simply turned his head slightly, naturally pressing his cheek against Jizi Shi's warm neck hollow—a quiet but meaningful response.

Jizi Shi immediately held his breath, on the verge of fainting from happiness. He carefully tightened his arms, not daring to move, afraid of disturbing this moment of tenderness.

The sun was shining just right, and the breeze was gentle. Amidst the ruins and the new life emerging, they cuddled together.

After a long while, as An Yi was nodding off, Ji Zishi's voice sounded in his ear again: "An Yi..."

So softly, as if afraid anyone would hear him: "When are we going to bed?"

"How about tonight? If you don't deny it, I'll take it as a yes!"

An Yi: "..."

Unbelievable!

I'm speechless!