Chapter 81 – Apocalypse Arc: Zombie Siege: Rebirth in the Apocalypse—My Secret Lover (19)
Shao Licang stroked the little squirrel, whose fur gleamed with an oily sheen. As if he understood Bai Tang’s squirrel chatter, he said, “Alright, five pine nuts.”
Bai Tang was satisfied. He settled comfortably in Shao Licang’s palm, fumbling around before rolling out a handful of pine nuts. Shao Licang was to pass them to the old butler—they had to be roasted to perfection.
In the shadows, a figure let out a soft “tsk.”
As expected of someone who once stood at the top of the apocalypse—low-level zombies were nothing but cannon fodder.
She licked her lips, eyes dark and gleaming. But this only made things more exciting.
Hurry up and grow stronger.
Let me pierce through your skull and dig out your crystal core.
I wonder… will the core of the future strongest being in the apocalypse be as beautiful as I imagine?
The moment she left, the oppressive aura vanished. Those with lower ability levels immediately felt the air become much lighter.
Only Shao Licang and Li Junran exchanged a glance, their eyes lingering on the spot where the figure had stood.
Something was different.
…
This was merely a small interlude.
Thanks to Shao Licang and Li Junran’s leadership, their journey to A City took only one month—a remarkably fast pace considering the post-apocalyptic landscape, where transportation had collapsed, and roads were in ruins.
A City – Guangming Base
A massive wall had been constructed around the outskirts of A City, sealing it off like an iron fortress. Anyone entering had to go through strict screening procedures to confirm they were not infected with the zombie virus.
Shao Licang’s group queued up for inspection according to the base’s protocols.
They were handed a form requiring them to fill out their personal details and ability levels. Once completed, they had to enter a makeshift tent next door, where they would undress for a medical examination.
Those without wounds were granted immediate entry.
Those with wounds had to stay quarantined in the tent for 24 hours—if no signs of infection appeared, only then would they be allowed in.
Additionally, entry came with a price—each person had to surrender half of their supplies to the base.
Shao Licang would never let anyone see Bai Tang’s bare body.
As they entered the tent and it was nearly Bai Tang’s turn, Shao Licang shot a single look at his subordinates. Understanding immediately, one of them stepped forward, interrupting the queue with a distraction.
He grabbed the doctor and hypnotized him on the spot.
Since the medical checks were conducted in groups of three, the hypnosis went smoothly.
Even when strange noises occasionally came from inside the tent, the guards outside were unfazed—they had seen it all before.
Many people, wounded by zombies, tried to sneak in, refusing to cooperate. But if a doctor inside couldn’t handle it, they would simply shout, and the guards would rush in to drag the person out and throw them beyond the city walls.
…
The group passed inspection without issue. Half of their supplies were surrendered to the base.
Several months had passed since the apocalypse began. Ordinary people without background or abilities, even if they managed to enter the city, could only set up makeshift tents at the base’s outskirts and barely scrape by.
It was rare to see someone as delicate and adorable as Bai Tang, dressed so immaculately.
He nestled obediently in Shao Licang’s arms, nibbling on a bright red, juicy apple.
Everyone on the roadside stared at him with undisguised greed—or rather, at the apple in his hands.
In a world where even getting three meals a day was a struggle, someone was still able to enjoy fresh fruit.
One glance at the boy’s appearance, and they immediately understood—he must have latched onto a powerful figure.
That was what most people thought. Still, while many inwardly scorned him, none dared to act on their disdain.
Except for one young man.
Bai Tang was obviously naive—someone like him couldn’t possibly bring pleasure to a strong man. But he was different.
To survive the apocalypse, he had once attached himself to an ability user, only for that ability user to die unexpectedly on a mission, bitten by a zombie.
With his benefactor gone, he had lost his source of survival and was forced to live in the outer slums with the rest of the wretched poor.
The young man smoothed out his wrinkled shirt and curved his lips into a seductive smile.
He boldly stepped forward, blocking their path, offering to guide them through the base and introduce its layout.
Hei Zi scanned their surroundings. Among the tattered and half-naked crowd, this youth was the only one presentable—at least he wasn’t exposing his chest.
Their boss hated letting Bai Tang see other people’s bodies, so Hei Zi simply nodded and allowed the young man to lead the way.
The young man, Wang Xing, was eager to make himself useful in front of these powerful figures. Having once lived in the inner city, he was familiar with the layout and eagerly provided explanations.
“Guangming Base is divided into three layers,” Wang Xing began, pointing ahead.
The outer layer—where they had just arrived—was home to ordinary people without abilities.
The middle layer was where ability users lived.
The inner layer was reserved for the base leader and other high-ranking officials.
Standing in the bustling heart of the middle layer, Wang Xing gestured toward a large building.
“That over there is the mission hall. If you want to buy food or trade supplies, everything is done with crystal cores.”
“Crystal cores?”
“Yes, the energy stones inside zombies’ brains. They’re used to enhance an ability user’s power. Ability users can either accept or post missions here to earn them.”
Wang Xing continued his detailed explanations, going over important rules and taboos of the base.
As the sky darkened, they had gathered enough information. Hei Zi took out two crystal cores and a piece of bread, offering them to Wang Xing as thanks.
Wang Xing accepted the items gratefully, but his gaze kept drifting toward Shao Licang.
Bai Tang’s ears perked up. He reached into his little backpack and pulled out a red apple.
“Here~” He handed the apple to Wang Xing, his meaning clear—Ah Cang is mine.
The moment Wang Xing took the apple, Bai Tang wrapped himself tightly around Shao Licang’s arm.
“Ah Cang, I’m hungry…” The little squirrel expressed his longing for the old butler’s home-cooked meals.
“Alright, let’s go home and cook.”
Shao Licang took out a small bag of crystal cores and placed it in front of the base management staff.
Although the dormitory assigned to ability users was a viable place to stay, now that Bai Tang was with him, Shao Licang refused to let him suffer any further hardships. Now that they could settle down, he was determined to ensure Bai Tang lived comfortably.
Having a private place for just the two of them would also make certain things more… convenient.
Little did he know, his display of wealth had sparked envy among many.
Several ability users in the mission hall took notice of them, and at the same time, the small, lively Bai Tang left a deep impression on a few individuals.
In the apocalypse, those without survival skills often clung to the strong. Many had played with good-looking boys before, but someone with eyes as pure as that youth’s? That was a rare find.
Before long, some ability users who considered themselves powerful began rubbing their hands in anticipation, eager to make a move.
A scar-faced man stepped forward, placing a Level-4 lightning crystal core on the table.
“I’ll trade this for him.”
He pointed at the utterly clueless Bai Tang.
Oh ho, someone’s about to have a bad day.
Hei Zi and the others watched the scene with glee, offering three seconds of silent mourning for Scarface—not a second more.
Shao Licang lowered his eyes. His movements were faster than lightning—so fast that no one even saw what happened.
All they heard was Scarface’s agonized screams. By the time they registered the scene, the man was already sprawled on the ground, unable to even whimper.
Shao Licang pulled out a wet wipe, leisurely wiping his long fingers, not even sparing Scarface a glance. He then tossed the used wipe onto the man’s face before turning to fix Bai Tang’s wind-tousled hair, carefully pulling up his bunny-eared hood.
The onlookers were terrified. Those who had entertained similar thoughts quickly abandoned them.
As the man lifted the boy into his arms, the crowd instinctively parted, silently watching as their group walked away.
…
“Ahh, it’s always more comfortable living with your own people…”
Hei Zi flopped onto the couch without a care, sprawled out without an ounce of dignity.
Shao “Wealthy Tycoon” Licang had rented an entire floor—a five-bedroom suite, more than enough for their group.
The place wasn’t huge, but it was cozy and welcoming.
While everyone was unpacking, Bai Tang sat in the living room, sipping on Bai Yun’s warm milk while watching TV. Meanwhile, the old butler and Bai Yun were busy cooking in the kitchen.
…
“Tang Tang, let’s go take a bath, okay?”
They had been out in the dusty, bacteria-filled base all day. Shao Licang coaxed and tempted Bai Tang into washing up.
The moment Bai Tang heard the word “bath“, his little head shook furiously like a rattle drum.
“No, no!” he protested. He hated baths the most.
“I’m already clean.”
To prove his point, Bai Tang spread out his soft, fair hands, showing that he was perfectly spotless.
Shao Licang continued to coax, “Taking a bath is good for your health~ After you bathe, you can have a small pack of macadamia nuts.”
Bai Tang hesitated, counting on his fingers, debating whether trading a bath for snacks was worth it… or worth it… or worth it…
“Alright then, but only ten minutes.” He stretched out his ten delicate fingers, pouting as he tried to bargain with Shao Licang.
Bai the squirrel Tang still had his fear of water, and Shao the big bad wolf Licang seized the opportunity to reap some benefits. Thus, in the kitchen, while Bai Yun and the old butler were cooking, they overheard the following conversation:
“No! I don’t want that. (Body wash)”
“Be good~ Tang Tang, don’t be difficult. You have to use it…”
“You said ten minutes! Time’s up, time’s up~”
“Tang Tang, lift your arms…”
Bai Yun’s thoughts: What the hell, this pervert. What are they doing in broad daylight…? The old butler’s thoughts: Ah, youngsters these days, so reckless. But oh, to be young again…
Bai Tang barely finished his bath before he bolted for the door. Just as he reached for the bathroom doorknob, a long arm suddenly stretched out and pulled him back. “You haven’t washed your hair yet…”
Bai Tang whined, “Anghh~ Help me, Qiu’er…”
The system took one look at Bai Tang, who was wrapped in a bath towel, his round shoulders gleaming white, practically blinding to the eye. “See no evil, see no evil, see no evil…” Nope, too much system oil overflow—risk of crashing. Better retreat to the black room and chant a cleansing mantra.
Bai Tang struggled to no avail and eventually resigned himself to closing his eyes, feeling the warm water soak his hair, the bubbles lather, the rinsing… In his heart, he silently chanted: Hurry up and finish, hurry up and finish.
Finally, the bathroom ordeal ended. Bai Tang sat obediently on the bed in the bedroom, not daring to move an inch, afraid that Shao Licang might drag him off for more things he didn’t like.
Bai Tang had no idea how much self-restraint Shao Licang had to muster to hold back his impulse to pin Bai Tang down.
After the heavy snowfall, it felt as if the seasons had reversed. The current early autumn temperatures were a little chilly. Shao Licang dressed Bai Tang in his favorite plush squirrel outfit—it was both adorable and warm. The soft, smooth fabric brushed against his skin, making it incredibly comfortable.
Bai Tang reached back to touch the small tail on the outfit. If only it were as long as his real tail, it would look even better. As he thought about it, his actual squirrel tail instinctively appeared.
Shao Licang, who was crouched down adjusting Bai Tang’s pant cuffs, had the perfect angle to see the fluffy tail emerge—and along with it, a glimpse of something beneath.
A rush of heat surged straight to his head.
Shao Licang’s gaze darkened as he suddenly pulled Bai Tang into a tight embrace.
“W-what are you doing…” Bai Tang stammered, intimidated by the intensity in Shao Licang’s eyes.
“Tang Tang…” The man’s breath grew heavier. “Can I?”
Bai Tang’s face turned bright red. Under the unwavering focus of his lover’s gaze, he slowly nodded.
Author’s Note:
A true master of the art of cutting away—no explicit scenes for you! If you want the details, you’ll have to imagine them yourself~