Chapter 80—Confessions
by Bocchan13
The leaves had finished changing colors and were now falling down in waves, splashing the floor with reds, oranges, and auburn yellows. It had been a month since Rose became a part of their entourage. At first, everyone was awkward around it. Rose was also extremely introverted, only clinging onto Wang Cheng.
Every morning, Song Yu could see Rose sit outside the porch steps, waiting patiently to be let in by Wang Cheng. Now, it had integrated well into the base.
Rose turned out to be extremely talented in the harvesting and the planting of winter vegetables. His long and sharp-thorned vines easily turned the soil and planted a row faster than anyone else. Song Yu did not take him for granted and was able to prepare a nice sun bed for him to soak up pure soil. Rose seemed to like that, and when he was on break, he would just sunbathe naked in the backyard.
Wang Cheng took to helping Rose learn more about humans and how to interact with them. From learning to write, to watching educational channels, the rose seemed completely content and happy. It was like the mole-eating rose monster was just a thing of the past.
There was still a shadow of doubt and awareness of Rose, but it was better to have it as an ally than an opponent. Lan Zhou even took it upon himself to show Rose how to strategize and use his vines to maximize its effectiveness.
Song Yu became even more of a salted fish, as more and more chores were taken from him. Everyone was both content and happy with everything. What Song Yu was most worried about, was that he still hadn’t told the rest that he was the pure ability user.
He didn’t mean to keep it for this long, but with the debacle of Rose and the planting for winter, he kept pushing the thought aside, procrastinating by himself and knowing he hadn’t come up with the courage to confess.
It wasn’t until he was under Lan Zhou, grinding his hips upwards that he had the resolve to tell everyone. Panting with pleasure, he lightly kicked Lan Zhou after their lovemaking session and downed a bottle of water, his mood still lust crazed, but otherwise sober.
Lan Zhou could sense Song Yu’s hesitance and immediately thought of Article #13 of Cos*o Issue—How to pacify your lover.
He gently brought Song Yu into his embrace and tickled his shoulder with his chin. Both of them were naked and had finished sex, so their skin was sticky with sweat. Lan Zhou inhaled Song Yu’s scent deeply and just silently held him in his arms.
Sometimes, silence was better.
Song Yu rubbed his head next to Lan Zhou’s and sighed out pitifully, “Its time I tell everyone right?”
Lan Zhou just kept holding him. To fill the silence, Song Yu thought aloud.
“If I tell everyone, do you think things will change? I like how we are now. I like the fact that everyone treats me well, and works hard to make this place a home…but…” Song Yu turned to peck Lan Zhou’s lips,
“I know it will come out sooner or later…and I want to help Xiao Zi in making a cure or vaccine.”
Lan Zhou nodded and kissed Song Yu’s forehead delicately. His eyes were filled with so much love and gentleness, Song Yu’s previous somber mood lightened.
“There is pressure in not having pressure or a deadline. If I say that it’s all up to you, you will be even more confused and anxious. I want you to tell everyone. I want you to proudly come out of your shell and show the world that you exist. You are no longer the tired Paradise Base Leader anymore. You don’t have to bow down to anyone anymore.”
Lan Zhou’s sweet deep voice echoed in Song Yu’s ears, nursing his wounded heart.
“You are completely…and utterly free.”
You are free, so be free with me.
…
The next day, they were going to check the new winter sprouts before laying the tarps to keep the soil regulated. Song Yu checked to see if there were any zombified plants, and was quite pleased that the seeds they collected were still viable.
Lu Jingxiu and Rose were on the outskirts, watering the next batch. Rose stared unblinkingly as his plant friends grew up. Song Yu thought it was quite cute that a plant was taking care of other plants, but then thought of Squinty and Derpy who herded the other animals.
Eventually, the day ended with everything being meticulously cared for. Song Yu dragged Lan Zhou to take a shower before going downstairs for a meal. Wu Ding and Yu Ci were responsible for dinner tonight. Wu Ding who had been a bartender, a server and even a patisserie, was quite adept in the kitchen. Yu Ci was just a brooding helper, who handed things to Wu Ding when needed.
Tonight’s food was a fusion feast of different countries. Wu Ding liked to mix and match with different aesthetics. One dish from Country M was sweet, sour and spicy, while in the western countries of Country W and K, there was only tender meat sprinkled with sauce. Wu Ding didn’t want to make beef brisket because of sanitation reasons, but instead, BBQ’d pork strips, dripping with oil and fat.
Wu Ding was assured by Song Yu that they could eat more meat. Song Yu’s stockpile from 2 years ago had depleted significantly since the arrival of everyone, but there were already a few calved bulls and heifers that would grow up into good moving meat.
Some of the original cows, pigs, goats and sheep were still living and breeding, with the exception of one or two that Song Yu had to kill because it was contaminated with the zombie virus, while a few were killed to feed the animals during winter last year.
They would kill a cow and a goat in the next coming days to make sustenance for winter.
Song Yu and Lan Zhou were graced with a table filled with sumptuous food. Song Yu’s stomach growled as he stared at the crispy pork skin, pork fat and fresh vegetables to make into wraps. ON the side was kimchi, red sauce and spicy oil.
Next to that was a hot plate of stir-fried vegetables reminiscent of D Country’s cuisine, filled with flakes of chili. Each seat had a staple of light yellowish rice, that puffed out steam from its bowl. Song Yu wanted to thank the heavens. Wu Ding was just placing a cold soup on the side, when everyone barreled in and took their seats.
Song Yu, at the head always took the first bite.
Clinks of glasses of smooth wine ( which Song Yu will have to make sooner or later), and the sound of forks and spoons scraping the plates, everyone talked to everyone about interesting things and facts.
Song Yu listened carefully to everyone’s conversation, seeing their happy expressions. There wasn’t many arguments, usually small tiffs that rectified easily. Everyone surprisingly was on the same page in terms of this home.
Lu Jingxiu grumbled that he still hasn’t gone on a dating outing with Xiao Zi and was looking forward to 2 weeks of just themselves. Song Yu gladly took the reins of the conversation and detailed some interesting sights he saw outside of the path.
Wu Ding and Wang Cheng were discussing a bit about the plants they would need for winter, while Xiao Zi talked with Rose about some of the interesting things he found in his blood. Rose seemingly understood, but pressed himself a little bit closer to Wang Cheng.
Yu Ci and Lan Zhou talked more about the generator and how they would be able to power the entire house with the solar panels during the winter months. They seemed to be quite concerned about winter, because it was getting colder too fast for comfort.
Song Yu’s eyes passed by Lan Zhou’s and the feeling of content overcame him. This was the time.
He was ready.
Song Yu did not clink his glass with a utensil like in the movies. It was just him standing up and smiling brightly. Lan Zhou coughed a little to get everyone’s attention, making the conversation dwindle down a bit.
Song Yu brought up his wine glass, his voice light with happiness.
“Thank you everyone for today’s work. We will continue to monitor the vegetables until the next month before harvesting them, but for now the big work is finished!” Everyone cheered happily. Song Yu continued,
“We will get two rest days as well!”
“Yeah!!!”
“Open bar tonight!”
“Yeah!!!”
“Games galore!”
“Yeah!!”
“I’m the pure ability user!”
“Yeah!!”
Wang Cheng cheered happily, ready for the next happy cheer. Dancing happily in his chair, he looked to see everyone’s eyes glued to Song Yu. The information he just heard was hard to seep through his brain, but it came eventually.
Everyone open mouthed stared at Song Yu who was still smiling brilliantly. Song Yu held nothing back. Heart pumping wildly, he could only show his ability.
Unlike the times where his bright blue aura surfaced for his spatial blade, a soft swirl of shimmering blue emanated out of Song Yu. Song Yu opened his space to the widest it could, absorbing the surroundings in his aura.
Like a deity sent from the heavens, Song Yu glowed like a brilliant star, shining with it brightness, captivating everything in its sight. Song Yu took a flower from the table’s centerpiece, its leaves and petals drooping. He clasped it in his palm, making it disappear in his space before opening his palms open.
Everyone stared in rapture as the once dead flower, shone brightly before transforming back into its original state. The droopy flower was vibrant again. Even more so than before, a small blue aura shimmering in its petals making it even more gorgeous.
“Hello everyone, I am the pure ability user from B Base. I was reborn three months before the apocalypse and have lived in this paradise for two years. Thank you for taking care of me all of this time.”
I'm so happy for him OwO