Chapter 72
The rain was acid rain, and it continued until dark.
After the rain stopped, the damp ruins emitted an unpleasant smell.
Fortunately, the rainwater did not seep into the "room," and the pomelo stuffed itself with pomelo leaves all around, almost completely encasing itself inside.
It stood up, circled around a few times to stretch its legs, and then, feeling hungry, reached into the pile of leaves and pulled out a small bag of dry food.
The rations were stolen from humans who passed by last time. This area is desolate and there is no food to be found, but humans often pass through.
After biting off half of the hard, dry food, Yuzu wrapped the rest up and stuffed it back into the pile of leaves.
The dry rations tasted barely acceptable, but they lacked moisture.
Yuzu considered whether she should leave this place and live somewhere like the woods.
However, although the environment in the forest is better, there are more plants, and the competition is greater.
Unlike here, plants don't come, and zombies are scarce, but you can often snatch food.
Yuzu sat on the pile of leaves, then pulled out a piece of wood from the corner and touched the characters on it.
Plant base... fifty plant members.
So many...
This is also one of the reasons why Yuzu hesitated and did not go to the base immediately.
There were already many plants when we lived in the small courtyard, and now there are even more.
With so many plants, Qianhui and the other plants don't know if they still need it, or if they even remember it.
Yuzu thought silently for a while, put down the wooden piece, picked up her own leaves, and folded them into various shapes to pass the time.
The man-eating flower has a big head, the carrot is thin, the cabbage is fat, the pea is round, and the bell pepper... the bell pepper is also round.
The smallest mushrooms are the ones that can be torn off just a tiny bit of the leaf tip.
The fennel was quite difficult to break, and Yuzi tried for a long time before finally managing to tie it into a small doll using leaves.
It picked up another leaf, tore it a few times casually, and tossed it aside.
—This is Nan Tingjin.
After finishing everything, Yuzu yawned and felt sleepy again.
It arranged leaves of various shapes around itself and lay down with its head tilted.
The night passed quickly, and it was almost 10 a.m. the next day when Yuzu finally pushed aside the stone block at the exit of the "room".
It looked around, threw away all the excess pomelo leaves, and suddenly exhaled.
The pomelo leaves were immediately blown away by the wind and scattered throughout the ruins.
However, two low-level zombies happened to be wandering nearby and smelled the fresh scent on the pomelo leaves.
Two zombies immediately pounced on them. Hearing the commotion, Yuzu quickly blocked the stone doorway again.
It wasn't that it was afraid, nor that it couldn't win; it simply didn't want to fight.
It's just a low-level zombie, not very intelligent, it'll leave on its own in a little while.
Sure enough, not long after, the two low-level zombies, having failed to find their target, chased after the pomelo leaves blown by the wind, gradually moving away from the vicinity.
Yuzu didn't want to go out yet, worried that the zombies would come back.
It took out the half-eaten piece of dry food from last night and continued to feel around the room.
Oh no, this is the only food left.
Now that she had no choice but to go out, Yuzu frowned and took a bite of her dry food.
—
Inside the base, with the unanimous consent of several plants, Qianhui was finally allowed to go outside.
Things are different now. With the base in place, Qianhui is the leader of the base, and he is more important than any other plant.
In addition, he was physically weak and had the appearance of a zombie, but in reality he was just an ordinary human being who needed protection at any time.
The accompanying team members also need to be carefully selected, and some need to stay behind to guard the base.
Carrot stood on a tree by the lake and looked around.
Newcomers are definitely not suitable; their "loyalty" is insufficient. Recently, the humans have sent a lot of crystal cores, so we need to keep a few intelligent ones to be responsible for training and developing the new members.
Little Mushroom also wanted to go, but Qianhui and Carrot rejected it together, and the Carnivorous Flower also disagreed.
It's safer inside the base, with its defensive shields and maze fog. Qianhui bought four more triple-barreled cannons and placed them around the base, which any plant could use.
Even if we take a step back and assume there's a Black Ridge Mountain base nearby.
Little Mushroom's abilities are now very important to human superhumans, even though to outsiders it's a man-eating plant... In short, the people at Blackridge Mountain Base are also Little Mushroom's "bodyguards".
The little mushroom grumbled and walked away unhappily, but in the blink of an eye, it was playing with the new little prickly fruit again, leaving its unhappiness behind.
Finally, Carrot picked peas, cabbage, lettuce, corn, durian, cactus... and together with itself and mimosa, a total of seventeen plants formed the travel team.
The sunflowers won't go; the carnivorous plants will stay to protect the little mushrooms; the nuts will guard both bases; and the bell peppers will stay with the chili peppers to help the new plants arrive.
Potatoes won't be going this time either, and Cherry hasn't recovered yet and needs to be fed frequently.
As Qian Hui's boyfriend, Nan Tingjin will definitely be going too; he is also the only human ability user in the team.
Carrot was initially worried that it might not be a good idea for the leaders of the two bases to go out together...
Yuan Ji, however, was already used to it: "This is a small matter, the base can leave it to me."
He came to deliver fish to Carrot. Last time he delivered five, but three of them died within a few days.
The carrot was sullen, but it ate the fish with great pleasure.
With Yuanji around, Carrot felt quite at ease. It made a few "woofing" sounds and pointed to a group of small plants playing in the distance, indicating that Yuanji must protect them well.
The carnivorous plant was also in the direction the carrot was pointing, guarding the little mushroom.
Yuan understood perfectly: "I understand."
On the other side, Big Peanut found Thousand Fennel sunbathing under the tree.
Nan Tingjin sat beside him, with lettuce and cabbage also present.
Big Peanut was extremely nervous and felt a pang of unease. He turned to run away, but Qian Hui called him back.
"peanut?"
Big Peanut had no choice but to muster up his courage and come to Qian Hui's side.
It tugged at Qianhui's sleeve, making "woo-woo" sounds, its eyes full of anticipation.
Sunflower wasn't here, and Qianhui couldn't understand what Peanut was saying. Lettuce pointed to the modified car by the door and then to the outside.
Qianhui understood now, and Dahua also wanted to go out with them.
"Why?" Qianhui asked, "Do you want to go out and play, or..."
Big Peanut immediately straightened his back, clenched his fist, and waved it: "Woo!"
It can also protect Thousand Fennel! Fight alongside the plant squad!
Qianhui was amused by the appearance of the giant peanut, reached out to pick it up and pat its head, and opened the encyclopedia at the same time.
[Variety]: Red-skinned peanuts
[Level]: Advanced
[Status]: Good
Loyalty: 70%
[Basic Skills]: Peanut Fist (50% Critical Hit Rate) / Peanut (70% Critical Hit Rate)
[Advanced Skill]: Giant Peanut (85% Critical Hit Rate)
[Berserk Skill]: Unknown
[Preparation Details]: Unlocked at 80% loyalty.
It's a plant that excels in both melee and ranged combat, so its strength is considerable.
Peanut hadn't been in the base for long, and sometimes seemed rather introverted and quiet, but somehow his loyalty had slowly risen to 70%.
Qian Hui thought for a moment and then agreed: "I can take you with me, but you have to be obedient and not run around."
Big Peanut nodded excitedly, and then saw Qian Hui take out several pills and a bottle of evolution water from her pocket.
The pills added skill points, which excited Big Peanut even more. He babbled incoherently for a long time before finally eating them all.
The Evolution Water takes effect immediately, adding a new advanced skill to the Giant Peanut: "Giant Peanut in Shell," which deals an extra layer of damage upon explosion.
Big Peanut chuckled foolishly, hugging Qian Hui's wrist tightly and rubbing against him for a long time, almost burrowing into his arms: "Waaah..."
Qian Hui then asked, "Do you like it here?"
The peanut plant is different from other newly arrived plants; it was practically forced to come back...
In the first two days, Xiao Baocai secretly told Qian Hui that Da Huasheng seemed to want to leave.
As it turns out, it hasn't left yet.
Big Peanut nodded vigorously: "Woo woo!"
Qianhui patted its head again: "I like you very much too. This will be your home from now on."
Big Peanut tilted its head and rubbed against Qian Hui's palm, staying in his arms for a long time before running off to play on the other side.
Lettuce and cabbage sat under a tree nearby, talking to each other, and little cabbage was also there.
The little cabbage sat on the ground and looked around. Then the lettuce took out a leaf, tore it in two, rolled it into a small ball, and put it on the little cabbage's hand.
Lettuce leaves are quite special; unlike the leaves of ordinary plants, they can stay fresh for a long time after being picked, and they are covered with lettuce fumes.
Miniature boxing gloves made from its leaves are much more powerful.
This was also a special gift for Little Cabbage; it was made into a little recliner, which Lettuce really likes.
The little cabbage was very excited, raising its hands to look at the cabbage again and again, turning its head to find a target where it could test the effects.
Qian Hui watched its retreating figure as it ran away quickly, when suddenly Nan Tingjin beside her picked her up.
Nan Tingjin let Qian Hui sit on his lap, lowered his head and took his hand, gently massaging his joints.
This is what Nan Tingjin likes to do most after he begins to gradually regain his memories, even though Qian Hui no longer needs to.
He remained focused and diligent, never missing a day, as if trying to make up for the years that had passed in between.
Qian Hui didn't refuse and obediently leaned against him.
He decided to go out and look for pomelos tomorrow morning. He opened the shop and casually bought some items to store in his game inventory.
Unsure when they'll be able to return, the plants remaining at the base also need supplies...
Qian Hui was rummaging through the items in her game inventory when she heard Nan Tingjin ask in a low voice, "You really like it?"
This sentence came out of nowhere, and Qian Hui was stunned for a moment before she realized what it meant.
It must be what I just said to Big Peanut, that I liked it.
"It's a plant..." Qian Hui said with a hint of helplessness, "It's just a normal liking."
He reached out and hugged Nan Tingjin, then leaned in and kissed him.
He wondered if it was because Nan Tingjin remembered what had happened before, but his memory was disjointed, and he always remembered that Qian Hui had rejected him.
He seemed somewhat anxious and insecure, and this was quite obvious to him.
Nan Tingjin remained silent until Qian Hui kissed him several times before he finally asked, "Do you like me?"
Qian Hui nodded: "Mm."
How much do you like it?
This kind of conversation had happened more than once, and Qian Hui answered skillfully, "I like you very much, I only like you."
He nuzzled Nan Tingjin's cheek and whispered, "Kiss me..."
The surrounding plants all went elsewhere. Qian Hui was pressed down by the back of her neck and kissed Nan Tingjin, finally coaxing him to calm down.
—
The next day, the travel team got ready early.
To reach the area where Yuzu is located, Yuanji's subordinates helped to create a route map. Qianhui can also take the opportunity to check out the nearby wooded area to find new plants willing to join the base.
Two modified cars drove off, driven by Clover and Cactus. The seats in the modified cars could be adjusted to any height, so Qian Hui and Nan Tingjin could sit inside without any problem.
One of the cars also had a spare aircraft in its trunk.
Big Peanut was the last member to join. It rushed over with its new little backpack and climbed onto the back seat.
From the outside, the modified car doesn't look much different from the ones in the regular base. The windows are one-way, so unless you open the window, no one will know that the person holding the steering wheel is a plant...
Yuan Ji watched as Qian Hui and Nan Tingjin got into the car and drove away from the base gate.
He sighed silently, feeling melancholy.
Although it was pretty much the same when Nan Tingjin wasn't at the base, now both base leaders are out, and Carrot isn't there either.
As the second-in-command, he now has an even heavier responsibility on his shoulders.
Everything else is fine, but the most important thing is the little mushroom, which also stayed at the base. It is a key protected object.
Yuanji perked up and prepared to first check where the little mushroom was, and if necessary, he could stay behind for the time being.
He led two subordinates and walked halfway around the inside of the wall, where they saw the little mushroom playing with the rubber tree.
The rubber tree's branches bend up, turning a single leaf into a large swing, on which a little mushroom sits and sways happily.
And around it, there are carnivorous plants, chili peppers, bamboo shoots, mangoes...
Several plants were there. Yuanji looked at them for a while, then silently left.
He was just about to return to base when a subordinate came over and handed him a communicator.
Yuanji reached out and took it: "What's wrong?"
Shortly after, Yuanji returned and found Chili, handing her the communicator.
“I don’t know who sent it,” he said. “Would you like to take a look?”
This communicator belonged to the previous leader of the base and was later almost abandoned. It was placed in the guard room near the entrance.
This morning, my communicator suddenly received a strange message.
"Plant base? ^#/("
Yuanji remembered seeing similar characters on some wooden pieces, and he felt something was off, so he asked Chili, the person in the base who knew the most about this.
Chili was also puzzled. Some human symbols do look somewhat like plant characters. It searched through a plant dictionary for a long time and could barely translate the latter half of the message into two words expressing goodwill.
Holding the communicator, it looked at the channel number on it, wanting to make a real-time call, but it showed that the distance was too far and only SMS messages were supported.
Chili pondered for a moment, then sent a "who" message.
Seeing this, Yuanji handed it the communicator directly: "Contact me anytime if anything happens."
Chili nodded, took the communicator, and shouldered the thick dictionary before leaving.
Half an hour later, the message was replied to.
"Human? I am a plant."
Chili pepper's eyes widened. It hadn't expected that besides itself, there was another plant that could read human language and use a communicator.
It was nervous and excited, so it ran to call the sweet pepper.
The two plants huddled together and thought for a long time before replying, "Me too, I'm a pepper."
They decided that they could be more honest when necessary, since it was just a matter of exchanging messages and they didn't need to reveal any key information.
Moreover, the fact that it was able to find its way to the Blackridge Mountain base and knows a bit about plant characters means it must be a very powerful plant.
Perhaps because there had been communication between the two channels, the other side responded much faster this time.
"What kind of pepper?"
"Sweet, spicy. Who are you?"
On the other end of the communicator, Cattail Grass stared at the lit-up screen.
Sweet or spicy...
The communicator, which was found in the warehouse, could be used after being dried in the sun. Cattail Grass was just trying it out; she hadn't really expected it to go so smoothly.
And the other side was also a plant? It deliberately sent some characters, and its reply didn't seem to be from a human pretending.
Is the plant base really called the Black Ridge Mountain Base?
That doesn't make sense either; that map has been around for a long time.
Or maybe... the plants took over the base.
Cattail flicked its tail and thought the guess was quite reasonable.
It didn't reply to the inquiry in the message, but instead sent another message: "How is the base?"
A few minutes later, the communicator in Chili's hand lit up.
The other side refused to reveal what kind of plant it was, but seemed willing to join.
The two peppers were excited for a while, then cautiously replied, "It's alright."
This time, there was no reply for a long time, and Chili got a little impatient, so she sent another message: "Want to come?"
"I'm considering it."
"Okay, let's chat often."
Chili wasn't discouraged; the fact that she was considering it meant she had the intention, and there was no need to rush.
It found a small backpack, put the communicator inside, and prepared to carry it with it, sending greetings whenever it had a spare moment.
On the other side, Cattail Grass stopped replying and tossed the communicator aside.
It seems the plant base over there is doing quite well.
snort……
So what was I supposed to do back then? It's not the same little courtyard anymore, and I don't need to fight zombies every day.
Or I'd be interested in beating up all the plants over there.
The cat's tail grass wagged its tail and walked around, letting out a soft "woof".
The white hydrangea, with its newly trimmed "haircut," was summoned and presented freshly washed fruit, holding a bowl of leaves.
Meanwhile, Yuzu is also in a dilemma.
It stood at a cleared street intersection, covered in pomelo leaves, making it impossible to identify what kind of plant it was, and its scent was also concealed.
From yesterday afternoon until dark, and then this morning until now... there hasn't been a single human car.
Without human groups passing by, they cannot obtain food.
Yuzu lowered its head and ate the last bite of its dry food.
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