Zhao He had vaguely felt that Qi Yan and Song Fei were a bit strange before. () There were no specific examples to prove it, it was just a feeling, a simple feeling of pure manliness.
Now, this feeling is even stronger.
The person upstairs was quite considerate; seeing that he couldn't make sense of it, they volunteered, "Hey, don't bother, I'll just tell you directly..."
"No need!" Zhao He instinctively refused, asking himself honestly, he really didn't want to know such details.
But after all that, he felt his body warm up again. Being moved and inspired by Qi Yan had only warmed his heart, but after just a few rounds of "friendly conversation" with Song Fei, his whole body felt warm again.
Indeed, positive energy can be powerful for a time, but negative energy has endless power.
"Zhao He!" He Zhiwen, who had been listening quietly, felt that if he didn't speak up, his classmate would be bullied to death by the two rascals from Class 1. Moreover, he didn't approve of Zhao He's decision to sleep under the apple tree; it was simply playing with his life.
The call of an old friend warmed Zhao He's heart, and tears welled up in his eyes: "Xiao He—"
"Those two are really amazing, far beyond our imagination. I believe in them, and you should believe in me this time. Don't make a sound later, let us lure the zombies over, and you hurry back to the cafeteria!"
"..." After a long internal struggle, Zhao He gritted his teeth and said, "Fine!"
He didn't trust Song Fei, who was full of empty talk, but he trusted the honest and simple He Zhiwen. Although he didn't know what kind of battle the three of them had fought in the Gewu Building, or what kind of strength Song Fei and Qi Yan had displayed, He Zhiwen's words like "very powerful" and "far beyond imagination" came from the bottom of his heart, and he could hear the sincerity and determination in his voice even from a distance.
A cold wind blew by, and my face, which was already numb from the cold, felt as if it were being gently touched.
Zhao He adjusted his breathing, calmed down, and gradually diminished his own presence, transforming into a thick apple tree branch.
Without further communication, the sudden silence conveyed a tacit understanding between He Zhiwen and Song Qi. He might not be as strong as Song Qi in combat, nor as physically capable as Zhao He, but he shared the same unwavering loyalty and dedication to his comrades.
"Hey! We're over here! Look over here!!!"
He Zhiwen's voice was loud, and it was clear that he was going all out.
However, until his voice faded into the distant sky, there was absolutely no movement from the apple tree side.
Zhao He felt that even if just one zombie ran past, it would be a success for his comrades. But no one did. Even the previously excited and ferocious faces of the zombies turned dull, their eyes gradually became empty, and their expressions turned blank. The sixty-nine heads looked like a large group image—[indifferent.jpg].
Zhao He sighed. Luring the enemy requires talent. He wanted to tell He Zhiwen that if it didn't work, so be it and don't force it.
But he was currently trying to get the zombies to treat him like a tree branch, so it was really inconvenient for him to speak.
Fortunately, He, the student upstairs, displayed the experimental spirit of his predecessors: if one material didn't work, he'd try another. Soon, a slightly restrained and shy singing voice replaced the shouting—
"Could you give me the time it takes to sing a song~~ to hold that embrace forever~~ in my arms you don't have to be afraid of insomnia~~ if you want to forget me, you can forget me too~~"
There was a rustling commotion under the tree.
Clearly, songs are more alluring than shouts, whether it's due to the zombies' instincts or because their prey has cultivated a love for music.
Finally, some zombies began to turn around and head towards the base of the building below the window where the three were.
Once there is one, there will be two; once there is two, there will be three.
However, the speed and number of people leaving are still far from enough!
The zombies seemed unsure whether what lay ahead was prey or just a passing cloud, wandering aimlessly with a casual, exploratory mindset. Many, after hesitating, resolutely chose to stay. Zhao He almost cried at this unwavering devotion. Even worse, at this rate, they might not be completely wiped out by dawn…
"Could you give me a song's worth of time?"
"I'm sorry, I really can't. If I sing one more song, Zhao He will fall like an apple, and the person standing under the tree won't be Newton."
Song Fei had no choice but to interrupt, pulled He Zhiwen aside, and went up herself.
This was a very difficult decision, making it sound like he was the only one who could sing a couple of lines, but the situation was urgent, and he couldn't continue to be modest—
"I have no money~~ I have no shame~~ I just want a little bit of her tenderness~~ I have no money~~ I have no shame~~ I just want a little bit of her love~~~"
As soon as Song Fei started singing his energetic rhythm, the commotion under the apple tree suddenly intensified. By the time he finished the second line, the zombies scattered in all directions, each choosing their favorite way to rush towards the Gewu Building. Some took quick, short steps, some strode with a steady rhythm, some charged headlong, and some preferred to take the long way around in circles. In short, in less than ten seconds, the area under the apple tree was empty.
If it weren't for the distance, Zhao He would definitely give Song Fei a thumbs up twice!
Seizing the opportunity, Zhao He immediately mobilized all his muscles, preparing to climb down the tree. But after several attempts, he suddenly found that his body wouldn't obey him. It was as if his mind and body were separated into different spaces, the former losing the latter's command. He clearly wanted to move his arms and legs, but they just wouldn't budge.
Startled, Zhao He suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.
He tried again, but it still didn't work. His body felt stiff as wood, his blood was blocked, his nerves were dead, and all that was left was his head, which could still think and move slightly.
"Zhao He, what are you waiting for? Run!"
Even during breaks in the singing, Song Geshen still couldn't help but keep an eye on him.
But this attention only made Zhao He more embarrassed. It wasn't that he didn't want to move; he truly couldn't move at all. Just as his face, frozen numb, could no longer feel the cold night wind, his body was also frozen stiff!
Zhao He became frightened. Despite his best efforts to suppress it, the sense of panic and despair that was out of control was so intense that it overwhelmed him.
"Zhao He," He Zhiwen urged anxiously, "run quickly—"
Zhao He wanted to respond, but his throat felt choked, and he couldn't utter a sound. Besides, what could he possibly say? Could he say he couldn't move? With his comrades working so hard to lure the enemy away, how could he…
"I know, you're reluctant to part with it, aren't you?" Song Fei's voice came with sudden realization, full of certainty.
Zhao He was dumbfounded.
He Zhiwen was even more bewildered than him: "What are you reluctant to part with?"
"I can't bear to leave those zombies under the tree. After all, we've spent so much time together. It's not surprising that we're falling in love." Song Fei spoke with an understanding tone, as if to say, "I understand," and "I'm an experienced guy." But then he abruptly changed the subject, "Zhao He! Wake up! Humans and zombies are on different paths—"
If Song Fei were a member of the zombie army, Zhao He wondered, would his comrades bite him to death, or beat him up first and then bite him to death? It was a question that was so interesting that just thinking about it made one incredibly happy.
He Zhiwen: "Ah, he moved, he climbed down the tree!"
Song Fei: "What did I tell you? I'm just too sentimental."
Zhao He: "..."
He wouldn't die in peace if he didn't see this guy get his comeuppance! What does it matter if his frozen body suddenly regains feeling? Even if he's terminally ill, just thinking about this guy still gloating can make him sit up in shock on his deathbed and eagerly anticipate another ten years!
The moment his feet touched the ground, Zhao He glanced back at the three figures upstairs with deep longing, especially at the one waving the most enthusiastically. He wanted to etch the silhouette into his heart. Finally, he turned and quickly disappeared into the vast night!
Qi Yan, who had been silent for a long time, watched Zhao He's figure until it disappeared from sight. Only then did she turn around, lean against the wall, and sit down. After a couple of seconds of stunned silence, she belatedly let out a slow breath.
Even so, in the dim light of the flashlight, his expression remained calm, almost unnaturally so.
"Are you alright?" Song Fei asked worriedly.
Qi Yan shook his head, closed his eyes wearily, but still gripped the gun tightly in his hand.
Song Fei suddenly felt afraid. He didn't actually know what he was afraid of, but his intuition told him that he couldn't let Qi Yan continue like this. In desperation, he simply reached out to grab the gun.
Qi Yan suddenly opened his eyes and kicked out!
Qi Yan was sitting, and Song Fei was also sitting, in fact they were facing each other. Qi Yan kicked Song Fei directly in the stomach!
Song Fei hadn't expected his stress response to be so strong; he was genuinely kicked and almost cried out in pain. Forgetting about grabbing the gun, he immediately grabbed Qi Yan's leg, afraid he'd kick him a second time.
The moment Qi Yan kicked Song Fei in the stomach, he saw the face in front of him clearly. His heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively tried to pull his leg back. However, the person he kicked was holding on tightly, not letting him move at all.
Qi Yan simply ignored his leg, his frustration and heartache making his tone extremely harsh: "Why did you have to grab the gun for no reason!"
Song Feizhen felt more aggrieved than Dou E: "You've been half-dead the whole time, I just wanted to cheer you up!"
Qi Yan was speechless: "Try running back and forth for five hours, and you'll still be less energetic than me."
"I'm not talking about your spirit, I'm talking about your mindset. Your current mindset is wrong!" Song Fei was almost frantic, but the more anxious he was, the less he could afford to panic. He tried his best to make his words sound persuasive. "Qi Yan, we're safe now. You don't need to be so tense anymore. You have to completely relax. Do you understand what I mean?"
Qi Yan was stunned. She didn't speak or make any other movements, just quietly looked at him.
Song Fei let him see, and if he hadn't been holding onto his legs, he wouldn't have minded pressing his face against his so he could see: "I'm safe. He Zhiwen and I have already come out of the elevator. The radio is a few floors up. If the three of us are lucky, we might succeed in one go. Just like rushing into the supermarket, the library, or the cafeteria."
Song Fei couldn't remember the last time he was so gentle with Qi Yan, but if Qi Yan didn't mind, he wanted to continue being gentle like this.
"All you need to do now is not think about anything, completely relax, and get a good night's sleep."
Qi Yan blinked, and her lips finally moved slightly.
Song Fei's eyes lit up, and then he heard Qi Yan's voice: "What you need to do now is to let go of my thighs."
"..." God, it's so hard to be gentle with this guy!!!
With a thud, Song Fei dropped her ex's long legs, her buttocks slid back two meters, determined to create distance.
Qi Yan withdrew her legs, still warm from the embrace, and looked at Song Fei with a leisurely air. A faint smile finally appeared in her overly calm and composed eyes, carrying Qi Yan's unique teasing tone that made people grit their teeth in anger.
Song Fei glanced at him, but her heart slowly calmed down. The normal Qi Yan was back. Although he was annoying, he was familiar with her, making her both annoying and reassuring.
"Is your stomach alright?" Qi Yan was still worried and asked directly.
Song Fei then realized that he was still injured. He rubbed his arm a couple of times in annoyance and said, "I'll kick you and you'll see."
Qi Yan suddenly spread her arms wide, posing as if to welcome him.
Song Fei sighed, "You risked your life to save me, so even if you kicked me ten times, I'd still have to take it."
Qi Yan fell silent again, but this time he stared intently at Song Fei, his eyes brimming with intense and passionate emotions.
Song Fei felt a little embarrassed by the stare. For some reason, she remembered her hands, which were still damp, as if they were still wet now.
He Zhiwen had been secretly observing for quite some time, pretending not to exist. To be precise, ever since Song Fei and Qi Yan exchanged secret signals—no, ever since Song Fei said Qi Yan would definitely get the radio—he had been silently watching these two friends with envy and longing. Then, when Qi Yan risked his life to save him, Song Fei proudly declared that Qi Yan could conquer the whole world, but he could conquer Qi Yan. And just now, Song Fei was clearly worried about Qi Yan's mental state, and Qi Yan clearly regretted kicking Song Fei, yet the two still insisted on arguing. Isn't this the best kind of bickering best friends who love to fight?
He longed to have a brother like that, someone to bicker with behind closed doors, and fight side-by-side when the doors were open!
"What time is it?" Qi Yan lowered her eyes and gave up.
In fact, Song Fei didn't say anything at all, but it was precisely this silence that made him suddenly feel extremely tired, and even doubt whether his persistence was necessary.
The fleeting wavering in the other person's eyes made Song Fei's heart tremble, and she had a vague bad feeling, but she still reached for her phone to answer Qi Yan's question.
Fingerprint recognition unlocks the phone, but instead of the home screen, a group photo appears on the illuminated screen.
Song Fei, who was waiting to check the time, froze. Damn it, he'd heard Qi Yan tapping out a rhythm while looking at photos in the elevator, and then he'd completely forgotten about it and hadn't touched his phone at all!
Startled, Song Fei snapped back to reality, hurriedly returning to the main page. She glanced at the time hastily, not daring to look up, and said calmly, "1:02."
"Oh." Qi Yan's response sounded quite casual.
Song Fei felt half relieved, but then, urged on by the other half, she secretly looked up and stole a glance at Qi Yan.
The result was a smiling, handsome face.
It's a mistake.
Song Feisheng closed his eyes in despair, gritted his teeth, then opened them again, and simply confessed: "When I was in the elevator, I was really unsure of myself. I was thinking, would you actually come to save me? What if you didn't..."
"Are you planning to masturbate to my picture one last time?"
"...I'm prepared to remember you even in death, and I won't let you go even as a ghost!"
Qi Yan was amused by Song Fei's exaggerated explanation, and at the same time became even more curious: "What if he comes?"
Song Fei shrugged, then looked into Qi Yan's eyes and said, word by word, "Then I'll ask to get back together."
Qi Yan froze, staring at him in disbelief, speechless for a long time.
He Zhiwen froze, staring at the two of them in disbelief, completely forgetting that the art of speaking existed in the world.
Song Fei didn't care about He Zhiwen; his heart and soul were completely focused on only one man, and this man had put him in a very awkward situation: "Hey, you were the one who asked me to get back together first, so logically I should just agree now. I was just trying to give you a way out because I was afraid you'd be too passive, so what's with this silence?!"
Qi Yan remained silent, but suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself hard!
Song Fei was terrified and quickly grabbed Qi Yan's hand, afraid that he would continue to be agitated. She said something that seemed to come from the bottom of her heart: "If you don't agree, then you don't agree. Don't hurt yourself! I won't bother you anymore, okay!"
Can someone tell him why a seemingly ordinary gay man's attempt to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend is taking on a magical realist turn?
The hand that Song Fei was holding suddenly turned around and intertwined with his fingers.
"It's not a dream."
Qi Yan finally spoke, still sounding uneasy and dazed.
Song Fei was speechless, exasperated, and devastated, but what came over her was a deep sense of sympathy. She called out directly, "He Zhiwen, come here."
He Tongxue couldn't understand this world where his best friend was holding hands, which looked like a public display of affection no matter how you looked at it. When he was called out like that, his brain froze and he subconsciously leaned over: "Huh?"
Without hesitation, Song Fei pinched his round face; it was chubby and easy to pinch.
He Zhiwen let out a loud cry: "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"
Song Fei released his comrade, sniffed, and grinned at Qi Yan: "See, it's not."
Qi Yan's gaze finally settled, no longer wandering. It was this face—capable of driving someone to madness with love or to utter despair with sorrow: "How did I end up with you..."
Others get back together and hear sweet nothings, but he gets back together and hears complaints. Song Fei rolled his eyes and, before the bickering mode could start, pulled Qi Yan over and kissed him fiercely!
Qi Yan was never a passive person; he gripped Song Fei's head tightly and kissed her even deeper.
He Zhiwen silently stepped back, got up and walked to another window, covered half of his face, and gazed at the moon.
Song Fei said no, and Qi Yan believed him, but he didn't believe it; he was sure it was all a dream.
In my dream, a virus broke out, and my classmates were infected and turned into zombies, while my brothers were infected and turned into best friends.
His friend was passionately kissing and groping, to the point where it could be considered indecent, but he didn't dare interrupt. His survival depended on the other two's prowess, so he could only silently endure and wait obediently.
—This dream world is too cruel to straight men who are powerless to even kill a chicken.