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nKo-fi Supporter, thank you for the Ko-fi!

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nEditor: Casey

nShi Qing could feel the zombie virus rampaging through his body as time went on.

nHe thought it was about time, so he called the System: Tong-er, take care of the zombie virus in my body.

nThe System immediately got to work.

nIt prepared to go back when it finished, but Shi Qing stopped it. Aren’t you going to try and get me to buy a few props with points?

nThe System: Oh right.

nIt was so worried about the Host that it forgot to ask.

nShi Qing made a few rudimentary calculations. Go tally up the total and deduct it from my account. Oh, and don’t come out these next few days. I’m going to be busy bonding with my Songsong.

nThe System dutifully ran off.

nSong Xiabing was struggling to send over his ability when he suddenly noticed the wound beneath his hand healing at a rate visible to the naked eye. The green tinge to Shi Qing’s skin also gradually faded away.

nHe breathed a sigh of relief but continued transfusing his ability just to be safe.

nBut the man impatiently slapped his hand away. “Alright, alright. I’m fine already!”

n“Let me remind you one more time: Laozi didn’t stop you because I like you or love you. I only consider you a brother, a brother, got it?”

nHis shove didn’t have much force behind it. Song Xiabing was currently wondering why his ability was still here, and why he was alright.

nBeing pushed like that, his eyes narrowed slightly. Then he smoothly fell to the ground..

nHe also let out a rather fragile cry of alarm.

nSprawled on the ground, he weakly coughed a few times. His peach blossom eyes were rimmed with red as he pitifully looked up at Shi Qing. “Boss, I feel so weak right now. My chest hurts.”

nAs expected, the man immediately tensed up.

nHe came over and helped him up, patting Song Xiabing all over like he usually does. “Are you okay? Your ability isn’t really gone, is it?”

nSong Xiabing, who was brimming with power, had a pained expression on his face. He coughed a few more times. “I can’t feel my ability anymore. Boss, you might’ve really sucked me dry.”

nAnyone could tell that he was about to collapse.

nShi Qing: Hehe.

nThis crafty guy.

nHe didn’t have the phantom fox physique to begin with, and the zombie virus was cleared by the System. Song Xiabing clearly still had his ability, but he put on such a convincing act.

nShi Qing played along by looking very shocked.

n“Fuck! How can that be?! Laozi still has my ability, ah. Didn’t Zhou Xuanxuan say that my ability would disappear too? Why’s yours gone but mine’s still here?”

nCough cough cough.

nSong Xiabing didn’t know either.

nBut that didn’t stop him from making up random nonsense. “Maybe it’s because I noticed your wound healing just now. I increased the amount I was putting out because I was afraid you’d lose your ability.”

nThe implication was that he sacrificed his own ability to save Shi Qing’s.

nSince Zhou Xuanxuan wasn’t here right now, who could refute him?

n“Cough, cough, cough. Boss, my chest hurts so much. I feel so weak and sick…”

nSong Xiabing tried his best to embody the words frail and helpless, covering his chest and coughing incessantly.

nAs expected, guilt flashed across the Blazing Thunder boss’s features. He then carefully patted the young man on the back like he didn’t know what else to do.

n“Then, then why don’t I go find a doctor. Didn’t Zhou Xuanxuan say that only a portion of your ability would be siphoned off?? That noodle master of his is still alive, so you’ll definitely be fine too.”

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n“D-don’t go.”

nSong Xiabing ‘weakly’ grasped Shi Qing’s hand before breaking into another coughing fit. “Boss, I’ve made a lot of enemies while gathering grain recently. Our Blazing Thunder’s only made it through because of you and because of my high-level ability. They’ll definitely come looking for trouble if they catch word that my ability’s gone.”

nHe deliberately said ‘ours’. As expected, Shi Qing was in too much of a panic to suspect him of trying to stage a coup like before. He hated the man blabbering on and on about ‘Laozi’s Blazing Thunder’, ‘Laozi’s grain’ and what not.

nThe young man coughed a few more times. “Boss, it doesn’t matter if I die, but what if something were to happen to your Blazing Thunder or your grain? I won’t be able to die in peace then.”

n“The ** you saying? Grain and Blazing Thunder can always be restored later. You only have one life.”

nIf he had firecrackers, Song Xiabing would set them all off right now.

nFinally…

nFinally!!!

nHe finally heard Shi Qing say that he was more important than food. Song Xiabing had never felt so reassured before.

nHe wanted to grab Shi Qing and battle with him for three days and nights.

nBut out of consideration for this rare moment when the man’s attention was on him alone, positive to boot, Song Xiabing tried very hard to suppress the urge to carry Shi Qing into the bedroom. He only softly held onto Shi Qing’s hand with his fingers.

nIn an especially weak tone, he whispered, “Boss, can you carry me back? I’m fine aside from losing my ability.”

nShi Qing nodded and picked him up in a bridal carry.

nIt’s a good thing Song Xiabing didn’t mind. His head very naturally rested against the man’s chest once he was picked up. Out of sight from the man, he sniffed the crisp fragrance of a phantom fox lingering around him.

nAt this moment, being held by the man, Song Xiabing’s heart finally settled down.

nShi Qing was now his.

nHis Shi Qing.

nShi Qing carried the man to his room.

nHe checked over Song Xiabing’s body again, only relaxing when he found no wounds.

nSong Xiabing laid ‘weakly’ on the bed, but his eyes lingered on the man’s big, fiery red tail that had exploded in response to his anxiety. His long fingers twitched.

nIn the end, he couldn’t resist running his hand through the fluffy fur.

nThe man tucking him in was caught off guard and let out a surprised cry. Astonished, he turned to Song Xiabing, already flushed due to his physique.

n“What are you doing??”

nSong Xiabing took in his frightened expression and the tail tucked in between his legs.

nBy now, his fingers weren’t the only thing itching.

n“Cough, cough.”

nAfter fake coughing twice, he said, “Boss, I didn’t mean to. I was just sad thinking about how I’ll never get to touch your tail again now that I’ve lost my ability.”

nThe man gradually became uneasy. He glared viciously at Song Xiabing. “Out of all things, this is what you’re worried about after losing your ability??”

n“Yeah, it’s not a big deal. I know that Boss will take care of me. I’ll be fine even if you don’t. I know that you’ve always hated me. I can’t even threaten you like before now that I’ve lost my ability. If you really want to, you can even find a mutant plant like you said before and have me hallucinate for the rest of my life.”

nHis words were tinged with grief, but Song Xiabing’s expression showed understanding and acceptance.

nEven the most hard-hearted person would soften with that.

nNot to mention the Blazing Thunder boss, who no longer hated him.

nThe man cursed up a storm as he sat on the edge of the bed and roughly tucked Song Xiabing in. “What do you take Laozi for? You lost your ability for my sake after all. I’m not the type to repay kindness with cruelty.”

n“Do you really think that I, Shi Qing, would do such a heartless thing?”

nSong Xiabing’s eyes glittered with gratitude. He nodded. “Boss, thank you for not abandoning me.”

n“Your hands are still perfectly functional, so why would Laozi abandon you? Pei, stop with the theatrics. It’s pissing me off. Hurry up and close your eyes.”

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nDisregarding the vicious words, Song Xiabing noted the discomfort and embarrassment that flashed across Shi Qing’s eyes.

nHe was delighted and struck while the iron was hot. “Boss, I want to…”

n“Stop wasting time and spit it out already.”

n“I want to touch your tail.”

nSong Xiabing hastily continued when he saw Shi Qing’s surprise. With tears in his eyes, he said, “I’ve always been disdained and bullied growing up. I’ve never felt safe before. In all my life, I’ve only been at peace while touching your tail, Boss.”

n“I feel so sick right now, but I still want to touch Boss’ tail. That way, at least I can feel better on the inside.”

nAs expected, his words made Shi Qing’s demeanour gradually soften.

nThe man has always been straightforward. He didn’t beat around the bush after deciding to let Song Xiabing touch his tail.

n“Fine. Since you saved my life today, you can touch it.”

nSaying that, he turned around sharply and handed the big fiery red tail directly to the young man. Song Xiabing nodded softly before lightly touching it a few times.

nHe was so careful and gentle that it made Shi Qing ticklish.

nHe scowled and flicked his tail slightly. “Hey, are you touching my tail or poking it?”

n“My hands are too weak right now.”

nSong Xiabing purposely stretched out his words. “Boss, I’m going to touch it again.”

n“En. Go ahead– Wu!”

nThen came the young man’s very insincere apology. “Sorry Boss, I couldn’t help myself.”

n“It’s fine. Do you feel better on the inside now?”

n“Yeah, but my body still feels bad. Boss, can I touch the root of your tail?”

n“Boss, your tail root is so pleasing to touch. The fur here is so fine and soft.”

n“Boss, you’re sweating! Why don’t I help you wash those clothes later?”

n“Boss, are you tired out already? Aiya, I accidentally fell on you, Boss. You don’t mind, do you?”

n“Boss, can I?”

nSong Xiabing had a lot of patience this time. He endured until Shi Qing answered him. The sweaty man opened his eyes with a scowl and shoved him.

n“Why the ** do you always trail off while talking? Just do it already, ah.”

nFor the next few days, Blazing Thunder’s little brothers didn’t see hide nor tail of their boss or Song-ge. But there was a rumour going around about the two recuperating together using some sort of special healing treatment. After all, they still called for meals to be delivered.

nAfter a few days, the two finally came out.

nBut something didn’t add up…

nIf Song-ge was the one who needed treatment, why was their boss the one limping around??

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