Care Guide to Raising a Max Level Leaf in Apocalypse - 44
Before the mission
After sending Hu Yan away, Si Yin Yuan took Ji Jiu to a private kitchen where a former hunter ran the establishment. The hunter had lost his right eye and the sole of his left foot to a mutant half a year ago during a mission, so he had since retired.
His partner, a “scavenger,” frequently brought him edible mutants that could only be found outside. This unique feature attracted mainly awakened individuals who frequented the place.
However, due to his injuries, the taste of the dishes made from mutants became unpredictable. If someone expressed dislike after eating, he would become angry. Not many dared to confront his supernatural ability, “Gigantification,” head-on, but even with his disabled body, the ability to grow to an enormous size gave him a distinct advantage in confrontations within the small space.
This caused his private kitchen business to decline, with only one table of guests on some nights, as was the case that evening.
Nonetheless, a peculiar guest arrived, who ate everything served with genuine satisfaction. His intense focus and delight couldn’t be faked and displayed a pure love for food.
This was the highest praise for a chef, and Cai Xingwang became more emotionally charged as he continued cooking.
His cooking also had a distinctive feature: similar to sushi, he prepared the food right in front of the guests. He continued serving dishes until the customer declared they were full, ensuring the guests knew what they had consumed. Some less adventurous diners might ask to skip any grotesque or frightening mutants, and if there were too many of those requests, it would make him upset.
However, this particular guest never called a stop, eating at an astonishing speed without looking unseemly.
Cai Xingwang laughed heartily and said, “You’ve got quite the appetite.”
He then presented a dish resembling a lantern, but it wasn’t yellow; it had an indescribable color. At first glance, it appeared black, but upon closer inspection, one could see the strange interplay of purple and red shades. Biting into it revealed countless tiny flesh-purple granules. Apart from being slightly salty, the taste was no different from pre-apocalyptic ones.
Ji Jiu didn’t refuse and stuffed one into each cheek. Cai Xingwang took out more mutants he had prepared for tomorrow and asked, “How’s the taste?”
In reality, the question was unnecessary, as Ji Jiu’s expression already showed his satisfaction. As for Si Yin Yuan, who continued to eat without any expression, he was completely ignored.
After taking a sip of the blood-red juice made from mutated berries, Ji Jiu said earnestly, “I find it delicious.”
Si Yin Yuan generously shared his portion with Ji Jiu, not wanting to point out the fact that he enjoyed everything he ate.
Cai Xingwang was pleased and very cheerful, talking more than usual, and began sharing his own past: “I was a top-level chef before the apocalypse.”
Ji Jiu enthusiastically responded, “Wow.”
They enjoyed their meal, and as they left, Cai Xingwang decided to give Ji Jiu a box of expensive chocolate he had been saving, just to make a new friend.
Until the two customers were far away, he suddenly remembered that he forgot to mention it was chocolate with liquid centers!
Shortly after leaving the private kitchen, they were stopped by someone.
Upon recognizing the individual, Si Yin Yuan’s initially good mood turned dark.
In a cold tone, he asked, “Are you following us?”
Lan Fei held a fake rose in his hand, feigning surprise, and said, “Why would you think that, Brother Si ? How could you think so poorly of me? I’m just concerned about Ji Jiu. It’s dangerous for him to go home so late.”
Although nothing in his words implicated Si Yin Yuan, it made it appear as if his lack of thoughtfulness was to blame. This was a classic tactic of a two-faced person.
Si Yin Yuan’s anger was easily provoked, and he glanced at Ji Jiu, then at Lan Fei, whose intentions seemed less than pure. His golden eyes darkened.
Recalling what Li Chao had said, he finally found an appropriate stance for himself and no longer suppressed his feelings. He straightforwardly told him, “Get lost.”
Lan Fei sensed an undisguised hostility, and he had no doubt that if he didn’t leave now, he might not get another chance.
He didn’t even dare to offer a farewell rose and quickly left.
While the pig trying to win over the cabbage fled, Si Yin Yuan didn’t feel any relief. His expression remained dark. He took out his communicator, dialed a familiar number, and got straight to the point, “I’m taking that mission you mentioned.”
On the other end, Hu Yan was momentarily surprised while checking the Luminous Lilies, “Didn’t you say you wanted to spend a couple more days at the base? Why the sudden change of heart?”
Si Yin Yuan’s expression remained heavy, “Enough talk. Prepare everything for tomorrow, I’ll get the team ready.”
A rescue mission on a remote island required several experienced hunters.
…
Ji Jiu sat in a black modified vehicle, swinging his legs boredly and glancing at the few people who had arrived.
Among the familiar faces were Li Chao and Yu Feichen, and there were also a few unfamiliar individuals.
Including Ji Jiu and his owner, there were seven people assigned to the mission. Compared to “Dream Garden,” another S-class team, they had one more member.
Ji Jiu pointed to one of the tall, thin-looking individuals and asked, “Who’s that person?”
He smelled a sweet scent on this person.
There must be lots of sugar hidden on his body.
Little grass had a longing expression.
So sweet and fragrant.
Si Yin Yuan glanced at him and explained, “Semi-Sugar Person.”
Ji Jiu was momentarily confused, “Sugar? What sugar?”
Yu Feichen interjected from the side, “It’s an ability, not something you eat. By the way, he gave himself the codename ‘Semi-Sugar Person’.”
Ji Jiu’s expression visibly dropped upon hearing the rest of the explanation.
Hmm, can’t eat it.
But it looks so sweet and smells so good.
Sensing their discussion, the Semi-Sugar Person turned to them and smiled faintly.
His smile was like a breath of fresh air, as if he were an elementary school teacher who children loved.
Ji Jiu suddenly envied his ability.
He could idle away, just licking himself.
Seeing things from his own perspective, Little grass believed that the other person must enjoy the sweet scent on him and couldn’t resist the temptation.
Yu Feichen rubbed his hands together eagerly, “This time, I’m determined to make a big contribution in the mission and become an S-class hunter!”
Li Chao nodded from the side.
Like Yu Feichen, he only needed to complete one S-class mission under Si Yin Yuan’s guidance to be personally recommended by Si Yin Yuan to become an S-class hunter.
The Semi-Sugar Person had just recently become an S-class hunter. He had directly challenged an S-class mission, taking on the role of the mission leader. In the end, he was successfully and smoothly promoted to an S-class hunter with the recommendation of an S-class hunter who admired him.
Such a daring action didn’t seem to match his personality.
Hearing Yu Feichen’s words, he smiled gently and approached them to offer encouragement, “You can do it. Both of you are very outstanding hunters.”
Li Chao politely nodded and said, “Thank you.”
Ji Jiu: Staring.
Little Grass observing secretly.jpg
It smells even better when getting closer!
Between their conversation, the seventh hunter who arrived late finally came.
The skin on his face was incredibly pale, his mouth overly red, and the area around his eyes was dark, giving him an appearance of sleeplessness. He also dressed very oddly, wearing a thick sunblock shirt and a sun hat, while holding a black umbrella.
It was as if he couldn’t tolerate any sunlight at all.
Others displayed expressions as if this was normal.
This seventh hunter was undoubtedly an oddball, extremely anti-social. He usually avoided interacting with others and even preferred going on missions alone.
Despite his strength being enough to qualify as a “Pathfinder,” he chose to be a “Scavenger” instead. Furthermore, he hadn’t advanced for many years.
The Guild had noticed his abilities; he could compete with S-rank hunters on an equal footing when he was at his peak. Still, his abilities had significant limitations.
So, when he agreed to join this mission, it surprised everyone present, except for Ji Jiu.
Yu Feichen couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, how did you persuade him to come?”
He nudged Li Chao.
Li Chao shook his head, “I merely asked out of curiosity, and unexpectedly, he agreed when he found out that Ji Jiu was going.”
On the side, Si Yin Yuan: ?
His face darkened, exuding a strong sense of dissatisfaction.
Frightened, Yu Feichen moved away slightly and whispered to Li Chao, “Hey, don’t you think our boss has been acting a bit moody lately?”
Li Chao hesitated, recalling the conversation in the office. He said, “Could it be that the boss’s friend’s matter hasn’t been resolved yet?”
Ji Jiu also sensed something was wrong. He shifted his gaze from the “Semi-Sugar Person” and looked at his owner, asking, “What’s wrong?”
Si Yin Yuan turned to look at his clueless little cabbage. Suddenly, he reached out and poked his face, saying with a deadpan expression, “Nothing.”
Ji Jiu, taken aback by the sudden face-poke, widened his eyes, looking like a startled hamster.
Bad master!
He was so annoyed that he wanted to take a bite out of Si Yin Yuan. However, Si Yin Yuan, the one who poked his face, was contemplating doing it again.
At this moment, the reclusive hunter voluntarily approached them and suddenly stopped in front of Ji Jiu. He bowed deeply.
“Thank you!” he exclaimed.
Ji Jiu was caught off guard and asked in confusion, “Thank me?”
He was certain that this was his first time meeting this peculiar individual.
The hunter named Ji Ning nodded and coughed weakly, “Yes, my partner was very happy yesterday. They talked a lot and even mentioned the time before the apocalypse. Thanks to you, my partner hasn’t been this happy in a long time, ever since they were injured and became disabled.”
At this moment, Si Yin Yuan finally recognized his identity and raised an eyebrow in surprise, “You’re Cai Xingwang’s partner?”
“Yes,” Ji Ning nodded again, expressing his gratitude. “Thank you.”
Si Yin Yuan’s mood visibly improved, and the aura he had unintentionally released earlier dissipated entirely. He reclaimed his title of “moody.”
He was still amazed, even though in the post-apocalyptic world, sexual orientation had become an open and accepted topic, and people could express their orientations without reservation. Pleasure in the post-apocalyptic world was the motto for most individuals. However, perhaps due to his generally serious demeanor, this was the first time a man had openly and directly stated that another man was his partner in front of him.
A same-sex partner.
This concept was entirely unfamiliar to Chief Si, a famous figure.