Care Guide to Raising a Max Level Leaf in Apocalypse - 84

Huh?

Even though the little grass hopped along the roadside, there was no owner rushing to water it as usual. It had to continue its journey, reluctantly pulling out its thin, white roots.

With the aim of finding its owner in mind, the small but honest little grass unwittingly followed the enticing aroma to the cafeteria. The place was filled with students who had just finished classes, and the chatter and clinking of dishes made it particularly lively.

Being so small, the grass was nearly trampled by a few students carrying basketballs. It angrily waved its tiny leaves.

Was this fair? How could they not see the invincible and powerful little grass?

Despite its efforts to stretch upwards, the grass was overlooked by the humans passing by. Feeling indignant about the neglect from these humans who didn’t care for plants, the grass followed the cafeteria’s wall to the kitchen, where the tantalizing aroma still lingered.

Having never tasted human food before, it decided to take a sneak peek. In the kitchen, it found an unattended pot of tomato beef stew emitting a delightful scent. The grass hovered near the pot, yearning for the delicious food.

Suddenly, it remembered its original purpose – finding its owner. Internally conflicted between the owner and the tempting tomato beef stew, the grass reluctantly chose its owner, and with a heavy heart, it bade farewell to the tantalizing aroma.

Back on track, the grass bounced towards the second floor, attempting to follow its owner to the highest point where it could find him. Climbing the stairs proved challenging for the small plant.

Seizing an opportunity when some teachers were climbing the stairs, the grass leaped onto the pants of one of them, hitching a ride to the second floor. It floated gently to the ground as it released its hold on the teacher’s pants.

In this inconspicuous manner, the agile grass reached the balcony of the cafeteria, overlooking the entire playground.

Owner?

Finding the owner without much effort, the grass was overjoyed. It waved its tiny leaves and attempted to attract attention, but the man didn’t notice. After a brief moment of internal struggle, the man’s countenance turned gloomy, disappearing from the grass’s view as the wind blew through the cafeteria balcony.

Unable to comprehend, the grass felt a bit sad. Nevertheless, it resolved to find its clumsy owner. Struggling to discern the owner’s path from the direction of his footsteps, the grass finally identified the direction toward the back of the cafeteria.

Skirting around humans diligently, the grass made a determined effort to match its pace with the owner’s. Unfortunately, by the time it reached the ground floor, the familiar figure had vanished.

Until the evening self-study bell rang, and the last student left the cafeteria, the area under the banyan tree remained empty.

The surroundings suddenly fell silent, with only the night breeze rustling the leaves of the banyan tree.

Perplexed, the grass wandered around the tree, searching. After a futile attempt, it sadly acknowledged that it couldn’t find its owner.

Thinking about resting for a moment and preparing to insert its root, which had been playing the role of jiojio, into the ground, the grass turned around.

However, before it could take another step, a golden flame ignited around it.

A radiant shower of golden dots, like a magnificent starfall intended only for the grass, appeared. In the midst of this enchanting display, a tall figure materialized alongside the golden spectacle.

The man stood there, his gaze mysterious and unclear, and the oppressive aura gradually subsided as he crouched on one knee. “A mutant? Why is it here?”

For the first time, his supernatural ability seemed to disobey him. The golden flames, originally hostile, suddenly behaved like a tamed beast. The grass, once hidden, was exposed as the golden lights reappeared, unveiling its presence.

As soon as he recognized what the tracked mutant was, the man’s pupils constricted for a moment. This was the small grass he had nurtured for three years, which he carefully tended to.

Although he didn’t understand why he now had golden eyes, the grass, with no defenses in place, leaped towards him.

With a soft sound, it clung to the edge of his clothes.

In an attempt to communicate with the owner for the first time, the grass hesitated for a moment and then, in what it considered a polite manner, said, “Ji!” Can you please water me?

…

Silence ensued.

“Ji? Ji?!”

Ji Jiu’s small leaves trembled in fear, dropping directly from the owner’s clothes with a soft sound. A momentary panic gripped Si Yin Yuan’s heart, but without hesitation, he reached out and caught the little grass, preventing it from falling into the soil.

The small grass, now cradled in his hand, stiffened, its tiny leaves frozen in place.

If only it were a shy plant, it could close its leaves and pretend not to see or hear.

Having never attempted to speak before, the grass, accustomed to staying quietly in its flowerpot, was surprised to find that its voice sounded like a chirping duckling.

Feeling embarrassed, it thought it was losing face as a plant.

With myriad thoughts swirling in its mind, Si Yin Yuan, in reality, silently extended his other hand and gently poked the small grass in his palm.

One poke, no response. Another poke, and this time it moved.

The grass, now in the palm of his hand, forcefully pushed away his fingers with its leaves, displaying clear disdain. Despite its apparent effort, it was akin to a newly hatched chick pecking at something.

Si Yin Yuan froze, lowering his gaze in contemplation, as if faced with an utterly perplexing situation.

Ji Jiu contentedly lay down, continuing to play dead.

It wasn’t the grass that had made the chirping sound just now.

The carefree appearance of the little grass, completely unaware that its actions in the owner’s eyes were equivalent to detonating a nuclear bomb, left Si Yin Yuan motionless.

In the moment his fingers were pushed away, vivid images of the young man flashed through his mind, accompanied by fragments of doubt each time he planted a seed. Swiftly, these thoughts raced through his mind.

Why was he found in the “waste city”?

Why did he stammer and lie about losing his memory?

Why was he spared by the Blood Sect, known for harboring resentment against humans?

Why did he…trustingly call himself the owner?

Because it had been him all along.

The floating golden lights sensed the instability emanating from the owner and emitted a long, melodious hum, audible only to him. They were more straightforward than the owner, clamoring to hide him away, to a place where no one would ever discover him.

In this moment, the cold and profound golden eyes stared unblinkingly at the precious existence in his hand.

He thought he would feel deceived, but in reality, a kind of almost pathological satisfaction surged within him.

This was his little grass, his private possession.

He could cradle it in the palm of his hand.

Behind the satisfaction lurked an intense possessiveness driven by personal desires, and abnormal emotions began to tear at his sanity.

Ji Jiu is a mutant; could there come a day when it actively stands against him?

In the realization of this fact, he found himself fearing only one thing – that the young man would look at him with eyes full of hostility.

Even so, he wouldn’t let go; even if he had to drag the young man into the abyss himself, shattering everything to keep him by his side.

A brutal aura subtly leaked out; he was a genuine lunatic, and even if he hid it well, it would be exposed on such a calm afternoon.

The small grass, sensitive to malicious thoughts towards humans, became unusually dull in the presence of its owner. It turned over, giving up all pretenses: “Ji! Ji Ji Ji Ji!”

Even if I chirp, I’m still an invincible and mighty little grass!

Countless burning flames of anxiety were extinguished in this moment. Si Yin Yuan’s golden pupils melted like ice, and the hostility receded, leaving only focus and gentleness. He looked at Ji Jiu in his palm, still chirping and flapping, as if the small grass had pacified a ferocious beast.

No, such a thing could never happen.

Whether it was Ji Jiu from three years ago or Ji Jiu from three years later, he had always trusted him. He wouldn’t go anywhere, only pouncing into his arms to act coquettish.

So small, if left alone, he would soon be bullied.

All the rioting golden light dots around him felt particularly sentimental at this moment. They seemed intoxicated, eager to get closer to this small grass, even more excited than a cat encountering catnip.

Want to rub, want to rub!!!

Ji Jiu was equally interested in these golden light dots, extending its small leaves to interact with them.

Now, having lost three years of experience, it had no idea what abilities were, but it could sense the comforting aura its owner emitted.

The responsive light dots became even more dizzy.

Wanna rub, wanna rub!

Si Yin Yuan, who shared a complete understanding with his own ability, unceremoniously reclaimed all the light dots.

Standing up, he sensed the swaying Ji Jiu, still immersed in the regret of not having touched any golden light dots. He then promptly caught Ji Jiu with a snap, causing the small grass to cling desperately to its owner.

It looked pitiful.

Suddenly, Si Yin Yuan chuckled lightly. “Don’t be afraid.”

His gentle fingertip rubbed against the soft leaves, just like three years ago, a slow and gentle caress.

“Ji?” Ji Jiu obediently raised its small leaves.

Though puzzled, it couldn’t resist the joy of having its leaves touched.

Well, it loved being petted by its owner the most.