Translator: transcendentwings
When Huang Mo passed some apples over, the thirteen youths of the chemistry department were discussing whether the zombies were more ill or whether the Wusheng Class were more sick in the head. Once they envisioned how they would be interacting with this group of classmates, who seemed to invoke a sense of insecurity, for the following month or even longer, they couldn’t help but tremble in fear.
Then Huang Mo appeared.
Quiet as an apparition, but with a bright smile and a rosy face like the apples in her hands.
Wang Shan didn’t know how much of their complaints she had captured, but there was a sense of shame in which it seemed as if their wicked deeds had been exposed.
Huang Mo acted as if she hadn’t noticed and naturally stated: “Evening snack.” Then she distributed the sliced apples to the thirteen of them one by one. Everyone received half of an apple, leaving half of the tray behind after distribution. It was obvious that they were cut based on the entirety of their numbers, but they had been specially taken care of first during the allotment.
Comparing the two sides’ actions, the disparity was clear.
Wang Shan didn’t know what to say in order to correct it, so he could only hold his half of the apples tightly in his hand with complicated emotions and mutter in a low voice: “Much thanks.”
Huang Mo smiled, and after passing it out to the last person, she went to seek out her Wusheng Class companions again.
Wang Shan took a bite, his mouth was flooded with sourness and sweetness, while a struggle rose in his heart because of the contrasting sour and sweet, making it shake and sway in response. He not only felt the grace of true feelings in this world, but also like Snow White, who was tricked into consuming a poisoned apple by the disguised queen.
—In lieu of the fact that the latter imaginary scenario was too boorish towards others and towards oneself, the class spokesperson didn’t deign to share it with his fellow classmates.
In a secretive spot in the distance, two experienced drivers who couldn’t actually drive the car and could only keep stomping on the accelerator finally entered a platonic state for the moment after their feet were sore.
As the text illustrated, platonic love was a type of spiritual love and the pursuit of telepathic communication of the soul. Based on this standard, the two of them really had nearly no sense for platonism. Most of the time they spent in love was either shameless and carnal or diligent and motivated. The only few times they achieved a mental connection, without exception, occurred during their many quarrels and most of them were Song Fei’s unilateral output and Qi Yan’s avoidance and lack of cooperation.
Looking back upon it all now, Song Fei almost felt as if that cautious person was a fake self.
When did this mentality start to change subtly?
Song Fei really couldn’t recall the timing.
It may have been the outbreak of the zombie tide, or it may have been later. In short, when he regained his senses, he was emptied of worries and burdens. It was a very comfortable and steadfast condition to be true to oneself, face one’s own strengths while accepting the shortcomings and work hard to make oneself better and better.
For survival, this was the worst of times, for love, this was the best of times.
However, it was precisely because of this that it was easier for people to fret over gains and losses. Thus after mulling it over, Song Fei quietly raised the question that had haunted his mind from time during his reminiscence in his dreams at the dead of night to Qi-tongxue—
“If there hadn’t been a viral outbreak, if we’d just gone to classes like usual, what would’ve happened to the two of us?”
When being asked this question, Qi Yan had been staring at the top of Song Fei’s head. He was surprised to find that Song Fei actually had natural curls, the degree of the curl was very light, so it wasn’t obvious when his hair was short, but now that it hadn’t been trimmed for a long time, it coiled noticeably.
Whenever he felt that he knew Song Fei well enough, this person would always reveal a new side of him, which would make him feel both novel and pensive.
In their previous relationship, both of them didn’t do well enough, and now that they finally obtained a second chance, he didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes.
“Wei,” Song Fei knocked the hand that was fiddling around on the crown of his head, “I’m asking you something ne.”
Qi Yan was shaken out of his reverie and looked down at Song Fei: “En?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
One look at the other’s eyes and Song Fei knew that what he had just asked was in vain. He made a face and repeated while adding a warning to the end: “Don’t try to dismiss it with sentences starting with not at all or if. This is just a hypothetical question, so you must answer assuming the conditions are present.”
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Qi-tongxue’s perseverance was certainly heart-pounding, but Song Fei raised his eyebrow and peered at his affectionate BF: “Who gave you the confidence that this would be a successful pursuit?”
Qi Yan considered it seriously and just told the truth: “Handsome face, strong physique, awe-inspiring talent, passionate affections.”
Song Fei made a face. If it weren’t for the fact that the other’s voice was so magnetic, he would’ve thought that the other was muttering to himself: “Can’t you pick up some of my good traits instead!”
Qi Yan was overjoyed: “Can’t, I just admire your ability to spout nonsense.”
Song Fei rolled his eyes at him, but was exasperated that he had still fallen into a sweet mood. Sure enough, when the atmosphere was improved, complaints could still be interpreted as romantic rhetoric.
“If the disaster didn’t take place, when were you going to seek reconciliation?” Although it was only a hypothetical, Song Fei was still quite curious about what Qi Yan would do. After all, there was no danger, and there was no way to see the truth in adversity.
Qi Yan frowned, his eyes full of confusion: “I’ve been begging for it ah.”
Song Fei was startled, his first reaction was that Qi Yan was joking, but after taking in the other’s serious expression, it didn’t seem like it was at all. He hesitated for a long time before he confirmed hesitantly: “You, have been, looking to get back together?”
“Otherwise why would I still be hovering around you when we’ve already broken up?”
“But every time you showed up, you just kept using various means to retaliate and sow hatred ah!”
“Prodding you to incite you to take action ma.”
“Handsome, that’s not how that art of war is used ah.” Song Fei almost wanted to cry, “Not confiscating my immersion heaters during the dorm check was asking to reconcile, specially sending me a text to inform me that the professor in the elective course was taking attendance was also hinting at getting back together, how many strange twists and turns would my thoughts have to take in order for me to understand such a roundabout way of seeking reconciliation ah!”
“I answered for you.”
“Ha?” Song Fei was just focused on having a mental breakdown and couldn’t quite catch Qi Yan’s murmur clearly.
Sighing, Qi Yan’s voice was a little lost: “I answered ‘Here’ for you.”
The reversal came so suddenly that Song Fei was caught off guard: “So, you sent me a text message to. . . claim credit?”
Qi Yan didn’t speak, admitting to it silently.
Song Fei broke down: “Then why didn’t you just give it to me straight, why did you have to insist on organizing a little show of not answering to a roll call will result in an automatic fail in the class, was there any point to lying to me to provoke my fury!”
“Foreshadowing ma.”
“Why do you need to make the other party furious to hint at seeking credit ah!”
“If one is gunning for praise, they must dig in the opposite direction first.”
“I’m begging you on my knees to burn that pirated Art of War when you go home!!!”
So it was good to give up carnal desire occasionally and indulge in the platonic. Just like now, where Qi Yan had fully realized that the detours he took in the past were comparable to the 25,000-mile long march, he could pretty much publish a book titled “The Hundred Cases of Courtship Blunders” if he wanted to.
After summing up the lessons of the past, it was time to look forward to future developments. Qi Yan just wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with Song Fei on how to get along in the future, but suddenly felt like something was off.
He slowly turned his head mechanically and sure enough, there Huang Mo stood only a step away.
“Midnight snack.” Their female classmate smiled innocently.
Qi Yan turned his body around and shifted to the side a bit so that Song Fei could also see.
“When did you come?” Song Fei was startled, snapping out the question more rapidly than Qi Yan could.
“Just arrived.” Huang Mo answered naturally.
Qi Yan scrutinized the half of the apple that was handed over with mixed feelings: “It’s already oxidized.”
Huang Mo: “Okay ba, when Song Fei was inquiring if the two of you would’ve still gotten back together if the incident didn’t happen.”
Qi Yan: “. . .”
Song Fei: “That’s practically the time for an entire century, okay ma!”
Huang Mo smiled. She had lied blatantly, admitted her crimes frankly after the lie was exposed, yet she could still continue with the previous topic: “About that hypothetical, do you want to hear my opinion?”
Song Fei’s interest was piqued. He and Qi Yan have always just been interacting one-on-one so he actually really wanted to hear what onlookers thought, especially Huang Mo, an expert who was good at analyzing psychology: “Huang-laoshi, do say.”
“You two are inseparable.”
Qi Yan liked this answer: “And how is that so?”
“Either you two would’ve gotten back together, or even if you both didn’t, you would merely just be entangled with each other in an ambiguous way.”
Song Fei was shy: “Was it so obvious that we loved each other?”
“Psychological research shows that the probability of single gay men looking for acquaintances in the circle to go on a drive is extremely high. First, the environment is more closed and the range of options is rather small. Second, acquaintances get along well and once the drive starts they would be able to continue on the road with a high degree of safety. This is the special characteristic that defines niche subcultures, so even if you didn’t reconcile, you would still be friends with benefits.”
Qi Yan, Song Fei: “. . .”
After two minutes of incomparable silence.
Qi Yan: “Thank you for the midnight snack.”
Song Fei: “Huang-laoshi, is there anything else?”
In fact, Huang Mo did actually approach the two of them for something, otherwise, she wouldn’t have continued to act as a conspicuous light bulb despite knowing that the two of them were getting frisky with each other ne.
“I wanted to discuss our future plans with you two.” Retracting her playful teasing, Huang Mo returned to solemnity.
Qi Yan and Song Fei exchanged a glance, the former seemed to have realized something while the latter was completely at a loss.
Huang Mo didn’t hold back by talking in circles and just revealed directly: “The canteen won’t hold out for long, let alone a month, even a week is dangerous.”
Song Fei didn’t understand what she meant, the only thing he could think of were their new classmates: “Are you referring to the thirteen of them. . .”
“No,” Huang Mo shook her head, glanced at her companions laughing in merriment in the distance and sighed softly, “The problem is not with them, but us.”
Song Fei and Qi Yan shut their mouths, didn’t interrupt any more and just listened quietly.
Huang Mo mulled it over for a moment, raised her eyes and stated slowly: “We are unable to sit back and not interfere, which means that as long as someone else comes, we will accept them. Yet our resources are limited. The apples in your hands now are the last of our fruit, sooner or later, there won’t be enough meat and vegetables, and by that time, if we start planning then, it may already be too late.”
“You, yourself said one day sooner or later, maybe it’s later ne.” Song Fei couldn’t help it. He knew that everything should be mapped out for a rainy day, but he instinctively was more willing to lean towards the optimistic side, “Perhaps when rescue comes it’ll still just be the twenty or so of us, not only would there be enough food, there may even be some left over.”
“Theoretically speaking, it could be delayed or premature, but I need to inform you that earlier has a higher probability of being the final conclusion.” Huang Mo paused here and when she continued, her tone became heavier, “Furthermore, as long as it’s been initiated, the number and frequency of escapees would only multiply at an accelerated rate, especially from the dorms. The larger the group of people who survived, the more likely a mass action would be taken. Once the survivors in the canteen exceed the range that the food reserves can afford to serve, the infighting would inevitably spark. No amount of news broadcasts would be able to stabilize the situation at that time because the food at one’s fingertips would have more impact than aid in which one is unaware of the timing of its exact arrival.”
Song Fei fell silent.
Qi Yan was pensive.
“What I mean by this is not to say that we have to leave immediately,” Huang Mo studied her two comrades-in-arms, “Only that we must work out the kinks of our departure in advance.”
After finishing her piece, what remained was to leave her comrades to digest all of it. Huang Mo could tell that these two formed the backbone of the entire Wusheng class, that’s why she brought this matter up to them first. As long as their thought processes were clear, the following roads would be easier to tread.
Of course, perchance that the preparations were all superfluous and they really were able to avoid this high probability inevitability, then it would be the most pleasurable slap in the face she would like to receive.
As dawn was fast approaching, the twenty-seven friends huddled in the kitchen fell asleep one after another.
The Wusheng Class were the same per usual, laying down on the floor in neat rows, while the thirteen youths of the chemistry department had already trained their own tacit understanding as early as the Qiushi Building. They seemed to be toppled upon each other in a mess, but every one of their expressions only revealed comfort and tranquility.
Qi Yan and Song Fei were the last two to slip into slumber.
Huang Mo’s words more or less diluted the joy brought by the broadcast, but it also made their hearts that were carried away by its contents fall back into sobriety and sensibility.
Waking up from their siesta, it was nearly noon.
They still had no answer to whether to withdraw or to settle down, but among the companions who had kicked up a row all night, were those who had fallen ill.
And not only just one.
Qiao Siqi, burned with a fever.
Zhou Yilu, also had a temperature.
Feng Qibai, too, was pyretic.
Zhao He, he had lost his voice.
The consequences of getting buffeted by two nights worth of gusts on the Luban Building manifested.
The ramifications of being drenched by water at the Yixin Building also came around to bite them in the ass.
Holding a concert for half the night on top of an apple tree blessed by Newton similarly couldn’t escape and yet, classmate Zhao He wasn’t finished, he also spent a whole night howling rock and roll in the kitchen. Now he finally got what he had coming and ascended to the heavens.
Author’s Chapter Summary:
Huang-banxian is prepped for danger in times of peace, the faces of four classmates are ashen apiece!
The translator has something to say: HM always sees things most clearly as she keeps an eye on the overall picture and never a dull moment for our Wusheng class, hit with an immediate and time-delayed crisis so soon again
They’ve gotta go find medicine now ;(
Thanks for the chapter! <3
I love and hate how this novel can be realistic and still be funny. Singing all night to attract zombie : funny. Getting sick after that : realistic.
Too bad Zhou Yilu is sick as well. I was looking forward to him taking care of Qiao Siqi like a strict yet doting mother duck. Alas, perhaps my favorite (platonic) side couple will have some sweet moments in the future.