I Opened a Clinic in the Apocalypse

TL: Moonlit

The scene shifted, and in a desolate and dilapidated city, there was a massive heap of white flesh slowly wriggling forward. With each movement, the piled-up fat undulated along with it, making the wide streets appear crowded. As the flesh heap moved, it squeezed and collapsed the buildings on the roadside. Coarse reinforced concrete scraped against the white “meat mountain” without causing any damage.

A mutated cow swiftly ran past the “meat mountain,” but the sluggish heap suddenly spewed out a pile of slime, sticking the mutated cow to the ground. The “meat mountain” continued its slow wriggling, and a black hole appeared at its head. Inside the black hole were sharp and pointed teeth. The head extended forward, unfolding the stacked and thick folds, revealing crystalline structures within the folds. The “meat mountain” swallowed the mutated cow in one bite and continued its slow progress forward…

The scenery flew by, and Wen Qingling saw a gigantic ancient vine pulling itself out of the soil, leaving behind a huge pit. With its thick and soil-covered roots, it left the forest and headed towards the human city occupied by zombies. It planted itself in the city, waiting for survivors and mutated creatures to pass by. Whenever living beings passed, countless tendrils would tear them apart, burying their flesh and blood in the soil as nourishment for the ancient vine…

The perspective advanced and finally stopped above a city. The city was quiet, with zombies wandering silently throughout. Everything was eerily still. Wen Qingling recognized this place as Yunjing City, the economic and political center. While observing Yunjing City, he felt that something inside the city was also observing him. Wen Qingling carefully searched and finally locked onto a target.

It was a man with a slender figure and pale skin. He wore a black windbreaker and stood with his hands behind his back at the top of the tallest building. He was using his dark eyes to gaze at Wen Qingling’s consciousness. He slowly unfolded the hands behind his back, and around the building, giant “corpse mountains” suddenly appeared, obscuring the sky as they descended upon Wen Qingling. Wen Qingling tried to leave but realized that his consciousness was somehow imprisoned, preventing him from escaping. He struggled desperately and roared in anger…

Wen Qingling abruptly opened his eyes and met a concerned face.

He stared at Wen Qingling, and Xiao Hen was also taken aback. The worry and hostility between his brows were almost uncontrollable. Realizing that Wen Qingling had awakened, all the negative emotions vanished in an instant.

“You’re awake?” Xiao Hen’s voice was hoarse, as if he was utterly exhausted.

Wen Qingling sat up and realized he was lying in bed. The sky outside was already bright, and he felt strange. He remembered being on the rooftop of the Lord’s mansion, so how did he suddenly end up in the room? Wen Qingling looked suspiciously at Xiao Hen and asked, “Did you bring me in?”

Xiao Hen tightened his lips and grasped Wen Qingling’s hand, which Wen Qingling just noticed. Xiao Hen pulled him into his arms and hugged him tightly, saying, “Let me hold you for a while.”

Wen Qingling wouldn’t know how Xiao Hen had been these past few days, not resting day or night. He was busy with the affairs of the civilized city during the day and stayed by Wen Qingling’s side at night. They tried everything to wake Wen Qingling up, but he remained unresponsive.

Wen Qingling’s perception had become more acute, and he could clearly sense Xiao Hen’s emotions.

Wen Qingling raised his hand slightly and gently patted Xiao Hen’s back, asking, “What’s wrong with you?”

Xiao Hen froze, and after two seconds, he suddenly held Wen Qingling up and stared into his eyes, asking, “Have you recovered?”

Wen Qingling’s eyes were clear as he replied, “Recovered from what?”

Xiao Hen carefully and hopefully said, “Your emotions.”

Wen Qingling pondered for a moment and shook his head, saying, “Those aren’t my emotions; they’re yours. I can feel your emotions. Why are you anxious and sad?”

Xiao Hen stared at him for a long time and asked, “You don’t know why?”

Wen Qingling shook his head again and said, “Those are your emotions.”

Xiao Hen held his hand and said, “You couldn’t be awakened while lying on the rooftop. I tried everything, but nothing worked. I thought you were in a dormant state. I fed you food and blood, but you still wouldn’t wake up. Even Old Zhu came to see you but couldn’t explain the reason, only saying that you were sleeping. I know zombies don’t need to sleep, so you couldn’t be sleeping. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up every day, and with each passing day, my heart sank a little more. Why do you think I’m anxious and sad?”

Wen Qingling blinked his eyes and asked, “You were worried about me?”

Wasn’t he afraid that even an eighth-level evolved zombie couldn’t kill him in his sleep?

Xiao Hen replied, “More than just worried.”

Xiao Hen’s emotions were too intense, and now Wen Qingling, with his heightened perception, could clearly feel them.

Wen Qingling raised his hand and gently touched Xiao Hen’s cheek, asking sincerely, “Can I ask you something?”

Xiao Hen said in anticipation, “Go ahead.”

Wen Qingling looked somewhat perplexed and said, “I thought you were already mine.”

Xiao Hen fell silent for a moment and then asked, “Am I just another member of your zombie subordinates?”

Wen Qingling carefully and earnestly contemplated this matter. He felt that Xiao Hen was different from the other zombie subordinates, and he would be more indulgent toward Xiao Hen, even if Xiao Hen kissed him, he wouldn’t be angry.

Wen Qingling said seriously, “You’re the most special zombie subordinate.”

Xiao Hen felt frustrated and powerless, asking, “Can’t I shake off the label of being your zombie subordinate?”

Wen Qingling said with utmost seriousness, “You’re different.”

Xiao Hen bitterly said, “We’re all zombie subordinates. The only difference is between regular zombie subordinates and mutated ones, right?”

Xiao Hen had long expected this outcome, but he still wanted to give it a try. Even if there was a glimmer of hope, he didn’t want to give up.

As expected, it was still not possible. Wen Qingling always regarded him as a zombie subordinate… He felt a soft and warm touch on his lips, and as soon as it touched, Xiao Hen widened his eyes, unable to believe it.

Wen Qingling maintained his serious expression and said, “You’re different. I can kiss you.”

Xiao Hen was dumbfounded, “Can… Can I also kiss you?”

Wen Qingling nodded with a relaxed expression, “You can give me a kiss.”

Xiao Hen hugged him tightly, but before he could kiss him, “bang”, the door opened, and Jiang Lan rushed in with an angry expression, saying, “Child, are you awake? I heard your voice… Oh…”

Jiang Lan’s voice gradually grew smaller, and then she suddenly raised her voice again, “What are you two doing?!”

This feeling of catching someone in the act made Xiao Hen’s face turn black. Despite the numerous difficulties he had faced, finally getting permission for a kiss from the little zombie, he never expected such an unexpected interruption. Would his kiss be thwarted? Xiao Hen felt extremely regretful and reluctant, looking at them again and again. In the end, he let go of Wen Qingling. He didn’t want to incur the wrath of the little zombie’s parents.

Wen Zheng stood at the door and also witnessed this scene. He cleared his throat and said, “They’re young people, it’s understandable. Xiao Hen has been through a lot during this time, running between work and home, and hardly getting any rest. Now that Wen Qingling is awake, you should also take a good rest.”

Xiao Hen stood up and made room for Wen Qingling, saying, “It’s good that Qingling is awake. I’m not tired.”

Jiang Lan’s eyes kept darting between the two, and she sat in the spot where Xiao Hen had just been, starting to settle the score, “You’ve really outdone yourself. You shouted on the rooftop, and then you became unconscious. Did you use your life to shout? You slept so deeply that it seemed like the sky was falling. Your dad and I thought you wouldn’t wake up!”

Xiao Hen stood by the bed with his broad shoulders and long legs. Wen Qingling patted the bed, asking Xiao Hen to sit down.

Xiao Hen’s heart was filled with joy, wishing he could immediately embrace the warm-hearted little zombie and give him a proper kiss. However, in front of Wen Qingling’s parents, he couldn’t be too impolite. Xiao Hen couldn’t suppress the smile on his face. The gloom of the past few days had vanished, and he appeared bright and radiant. He shook his head at Wen Qingling, indicating that he could stand, asking if Wen Qingling hadn’t noticed his father standing there?

Jiang Lan watched their little actions and rolled her eyes. She knew it wasn’t the right time to come in, but she stubbornly refused to leave, not wanting to give them a chance to get all lovey-dovey.

Jiang Lan felt that her own son was a fool and couldn’t let Xiao Hen deceive him. She had to keep a close eye on them.

Which side was Xiao Hen really on? The elderly couple was still observing. If he was truly dedicated to Wen Qingling and to the civilized city, they wouldn’t hinder their relationship; on the contrary, they would try to bring them closer. It was precisely because of that slight uncertainty that they needed to keep a close watch.

Wen Zheng patted his wife’s shoulder, gesturing for her to stop. He had observed everything Xiao Hen had done for the civilized city. If Xiao Hen had any ulterior motives or plans, the time when Wen Qingling was in a deep sleep would have been the perfect opportunity. But on the contrary, Xiao Hen had blocked information, reassured the people, and managed the civilized city diligently. He even made time to stay by Wen Qingling’s side whenever he had a spare moment. Xiao Hen’s worry and nervousness for Wen Qingling even exceeded their own. If this wasn’t sincerity, then what was?

Moreover, Wen Zheng believed in his son’s judgment and his ability to see through people’s hearts. He wouldn’t allow someone with ulterior motives to stay in the civilized city.

Jiang Lan understood her husband’s meaning. She had no objection to Xiao Hen, but she had a big opinion about her own son. She asked, “Tell us, what exactly happened? Suddenly lying still, who did you want to scare?”

Wen Qingling looked at his mother, then at his father, and finally looked at Xiao Hen standing by the bed. “How long did I sleep for?”

Xiao Hen replied, “One month and five days.”

Wen Qingling: “…”

He had just gone on a spiritual journey, how could it have lasted that long?!

Wen Qingling maintained a wooden face. “There’s nothing wrong. It’s just that when my spiritual power relaxed, I accidentally leveled up. I just had some difficulty breaking through the barrier, so it took a bit longer.”

Xiao Hen was surprised. “You’re at the eighth level?”

Wen Qingling nodded. “Yes, I’m at the eighth level. I can finally go beat up the ‘General’.”

Xiao Hen: “…”

Did you level up just to beat up the ‘General’?

During the battle with the ‘General’, Wen Qingling’s strength was already approaching the eighth level. He just hadn’t been able to break through all this time. Unexpectedly, the opportunity suddenly arrived, and it took him so long to complete the advancement. It was truly unpredictable.

Wen Qingling determined his own level. His strength was different from ordinary zombies and human ability users. He had always been the special one. Back then, with his seventh-level strength, he drove the eighth-level evolved ‘General’ to flee from home.

Now that he was at the eighth level, how strong had he become? Nobody knew.

Wen Qingling said, “I’m fine, there’s no need to worry. By the way, has anything happened recently?”