Chapter 311: Welcome Home

Bai Xiqin’s voice was like a spring breeze, reaching into his heart.

Leng Yebai slowly raised his head, staring straight into Bai Xiqin’s dark eyes.

In those dark eyes, there seemed to be stars.

From those eyes, he saw no trace of disdain, only the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

In Bai Xiqin’s eyes, no matter what Leng Yebai became, he was still himself.

Leng Yebai instinctively reached out, wanting to ruffle Bai Xiqin’s hair, just like before.

The decayed fingers had just lifted when they immediately retracted.

Bai Xiqin, without a hint of hesitation, approached Leng Yebai and held his hand, guiding it to touch her head.

Leng Yebai opened his mouth but said nothing.

"Let’s go! My dad and the others have been looking for you for a long time. They are very worried about you."

Bai Xiqin pulled Leng Yebai’s hand and started to walk outside.

Leng Yebai paused slightly, then followed Bai Xiqin in small steps, lowering his head once again.

His current appearance made him reluctant to face the Bai Family.

The Bai Family was known for being fiercely protective of their daughter.

Could they really accept him as he was now?

The reason why they might accept him was because he was Xiao Niu’s boyfriend.

Could they truly accept the decayed version of him being with the current Xiao Niu?

Leng Yebai felt a bit anxious, more so than the first time he visited Xiao Niu’s home.

Decayed, darkened fingers were held by a pair of delicate, fair hands.

Leng Yebai was somewhat afraid to go out and meet people, wanting to let go of Xiao Niu’s hand but unable to bear it.

These past few days, the zombie virus had tormented him beyond recognition.

He wasn’t afraid of pain, only of never being able to return to his human form.

The Ganmu that Zhang Yiming held, said to be able to turn one back into a human, was indeed tempting.

If anyone else had such a Ganmu, he would kill to retrieve it, no matter how many it would take.

But he couldn’t take Zhang Yiming’s stuff.

Zhang Yiming had already done too much for Xiao Niu, even if he didn’t like him, Leng Yebai knew this in his heart.

He couldn’t selfishly snatch Zhang Yiming’s belongings.

Otherwise, it would make it difficult in the future when he wanted to beat Zhang Yiming to death.

The sunlight shone on both Bai Xiqin and Leng Yebai, and Leng Yebai instinctively raised a decayed finger to shield against the sun, but didn’t find it glaring.

He had always stayed indoors, rarely venturing out, so the sun was a novelty to him too.

Leng Yebai stared directly at the sun, then looked at Bai Xiqin, his gaze deepening.

He still wasn’t trying hard enough.

Even now, he didn’t have the human-like appearance that Zhang Yiming had.

The walk to the neighboring house was short, but to Leng Yebai it felt like a century.

It was Bai Yifan who first noticed Leng Yebai behind Bai Xiqin.

"Brother Leng?" Bai Yifan was momentarily stunned, then displayed an ecstatic smile, "Brother Zhang is indeed amazing, finding you so quickly!"

Bai Yifan ran up to Leng Yebai in just a few steps and gave him a big hug without hesitation.

If it hadn’t been for Leng Yebai, it would have been him and Dad who got infected.

Leng Yebai had saved them, and Bai Yifan was deeply grateful.

How could he disdain Leng Yebai for turning into a zombie?

Bai Yifan’s voice brought the Bai Family members rushing out of the house.

With a single glance, the Bai Family saw the tall, upright man behind Bai Xiqin.

Aside from his height, his appearance and demeanor had changed.

Leng Yebai stood slightly bowed, somewhat awkward behind Bai Xiqin.

Bai Xiqin’s petite figure couldn’t obscure him, still letting the Bai Family see him clearly.

"Xiao Leng! Welcome home!"

Bai Anhai strode up to Leng Yebai, gently patting his shoulder.

In the end times, a home couldn’t be defined by a house.

Where the family was, that was home.

"Xiao Leng, where have you been these past few days? We’ve been searching for you for days!"

"It’s thanks to Zhang Yiming’s methods that he found you so quickly!"

Smiles graced their faces, yet their eyes quietly reddened.

They had long anticipated Leng Yebai’s current state.

But seeing it with their own eyes still made their eyes red.

With Bai Xiqin pushing him, Leng Yebai entered the house where some of his favorite foods were laid out on the table.

Leng Yebai sat firmly in the center.

Looking at those before him, his eyes slightly tinged with a sourness.

His decayed fingers rubbed his eyes, yet the sourness persisted.

A warmth named happiness filled his heart, his eyes involuntarily blurred.

Leng Yebai rubbed his eyes again with his decayed fingers.

Looking down, he seemed to see a glistening tear on his pitch-black hand.

A hallucination?

Zombies couldn’t possibly have tears.

"Xiao Leng! Never forget the way home in the future!"

Bai Anhai said earnestly.

The Bai Family treated zombies with rationality.

After all, they’d encountered many Zombie Kings.

Leng Yebai’s self-awareness meant he could absorb Crystal Cores.

Despite his current appearance, upon reaching a certain level, he’d regain his handsome form.

The boundary between zombies and humans wasn’t clear to the Bai Family.

What was clear was that whether Leng Yebai was human or zombie, he was their family.

Family is irreplaceable.

As to whether humans and zombies are worlds apart, that’s a matter for another time!

If push comes to shove, Bai Anhai could acknowledge Leng Yebai as a brother!

Leng Yebai stared blankly at Bai Anhai, instinctively fumbling in his pocket.

Crystal Core, he needed to absorb Crystal Cores.

Strive to become a normal "person."

Unfortunately, the Bai Family didn’t give Leng Yebai the chance to absorb any Crystal Cores.

Each member kept talking to Leng Yebai, trying to say all that was unsaid over these days.

The Bai Family’s courtyard was bustling with activity.

By contrast, Zhang Yiming’s side felt much lonelier.

Fan Tangtang, having not seen Brother Zhang beaten, continued silently at the table, working on math problems.

Brother Zhang, not meeting his end, meant a day without relaxation.

The Fan Family resumed their washing routines.

Xiao Song Zombie and Mr. Fan Zombie stood blankly in the yard.

Xiao Lan Zombie lingered at the door, shy as always.

Sweat covered Zhang Yiming, as if he’d been fished out of water.

The pain began to fade after two hours.

Zhang Yiming took a quick shower, a faint smile gracing his face.

He could feel the hot water.

Very comfortable, very warm.

Even in the hot summer, he craved this warmth.

The evidence that proved he was still alive.

Zhang Yiming stepped toward the neighboring courtyard, wishing to share his joy.

At the door, he halted.

Turning to the left, a man identical to him stood there.

Zhang Yiming gave a long look at the gate to the courtyard, then stepped toward Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming didn’t speak, merely gestured for Zhang Yiming to follow him.

The two walked to a secluded courtyard.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s first words weren’t about whether Zhang Yiming had taken the Ganmu.

"Xiao Niu is here."

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming stated with certainty.