Chapter 64: Possessing Space?

Although Lin Mu was in a coma, this time, it was somewhat different from before.

He could occasionally hear sounds from the outside world—sudden gunfire, the roaring of helicopters.

On the bus, Fu Jingmo had rested his head on his chest, where he could hear the strong, rhythmic heartbeat.

And then there was the voice of that Dr. Ji Huaizhi talking about dissecting and studying him.

Lin Mu felt a wave of disgust. Well, He Ze is a good brother; otherwise, he would have been sliced up like a vegetable today.

When he was placed on the bed, he could feel Fu Jingmo sitting beside him. His thoughts gradually penetrated his heart and entered that space.

Xiao Yuan hung its head low, with a few wilted leaves drooping down, looking rather pitiful as it sat all alone in the middle of the grass.

Lin Mu took a few steps closer, crouched down, and reached out to touch it. “What’s wrong? Are you out of energy?”

Seeing his ungrateful attitude, Xiao Yuan snorted, “The energy I worked so hard to gather has all been used up by you. You’re such a spendthrift!”

“…” Lin Mu chuckled, “As long as I’m alive, I can always replenish your energy.”

Seeming to agree with Lin Mu’s words, Xiao Yuan rubbed against his palm, but still looked heartbroken. “That’s exactly what Xiao Yuan was thinking; otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you use it.”

“Mumu, take a look at your chest, focus carefully. Do you see a glowing orb?”

Lin Mu showed a puzzled expression but followed the instructions anyway.

He closed his eyes to concentrate, watching as tiny golden specks in his blood gathered at his chest, gradually infusing into a spherical object. This sphere was about the size of a fist, and at the moment, it was almost empty, with only a thin layer of golden energy covering the bottom.

[What is this?]

“You need to pay close attention to this energy sphere in the future. If the energy inside is about to run out, you must stop using it, okay? Otherwise, it will take a long time to recover.”

It seemed that his energy came from here. The sphere was located beneath Xiao Yuan’s root system, and only when it provided energy to Xiao Yuan could Xiao Yuan emerge from his palm.

[Okay, I’ll keep an eye on it from now on, but this is… quite small. Can it grow any bigger?]

Lin Mu was slightly… well, dissatisfied.

“…” Xiao Yuan, feeling indignant, retracted its leaves, refusing to let him touch it anymore. “Hmph, you won’t let me absorb energy from others, so of course, I can’t grow bigger!”

“After a zombie is killed, there’s a small amount of energy in its body. Remember to absorb it; this way, the energy in your body can continue to circulate without end.”

[Is that so…]

“Mhm, and also, last time you left too quickly, so I didn’t get to tell you a big secret.”

Xiao Yuan shook its two leaves, as if trying to make itself look very grand.

[What is it?]

“Look at the bare ground here. You can come in and plant some flowers or grass.”

Lin Mu’s eyes lit up, a sudden idea flashed through his mind, and he smiled while looking at Xiao Yuan.

A few small leaves trembled, “Why are you looking at me like that? It’s kind of scary.”

[Can I plant vegetables? And if they grow, can I take them out to eat?]

Xiao Yuan nodded its tiny leaves, “Yes, you can. You can also put things in here, and I’ll keep them safe for you. But don’t put too much; I like it spacious.”

Lin Mu’s fingertips trembled as a wave of immense joy surged from his heart, making it almost hard to believe.

[I can put things in here? So… does this count as a secret space?]

In the apocalypse, they could at most bring along a car full of supplies, which might even have to be abandoned. If there really was a space like this, everything would be so much easier!

Moreover, being able to grow plants—how could Lin Mu not be happy?

It was as if Xiao Yuan sensed Lin Mu’s happiness, and it proudly puffed up its tiny chest. “Hmph, it’s all because you left too quickly last time, Mumu. I didn’t have time to tell you.”

“All you need to do is control it with your consciousness. Whatever you need, Xiao Yuan will know and give it to you.”

[It’s my fault, it’s my fault. I’ll definitely spend more time with you from now on!]

“Alright, alright, I forgive you. But Mumu, you need to find me lots of energy, okay? I have many important uses. Although I can only remember a little bit at a time right now, I know it’s really important.”

Two small leaves wrapped around Lin Mu’s finger, and Xiao Yuan rubbed against his hand.

[Okay, I got it. I promise you.]

Their lives were intertwined; now that Lin Mu knew that the more energy they had, the larger the energy sphere would grow, he naturally didn’t need Xiao Yuan to say it—he would put in the effort to collect as much energy as possible.

[I’m leaving now. Have you said everything you needed to today?]

“Mhm, mhm. But can you pat my head?”

[…You’re being so spoiled.]

Lin Mu looked at the bare little tree, unsure of where to start—there wasn’t even a head to pat. So, he had no choice but to gently touch one of its leaves with his finger.

…

Fu Jingmo sat by the bedside, staring at the black box in his hand, pondering over what Wen Tang had said today.

Capturing zombies? Hallucinations? Mind control?

It was very likely that the zombie from that abandoned village had somehow appeared near Wushi.

This was something Fu Jingmo hadn’t anticipated, but if a zombie had developed special abilities and could control nearby zombies, dealing with it would undoubtedly be troublesome.

Two of the teams Wen Tang had sent out were completely wiped out, with no survivors…

Fu Jingmo tapped his fingers lightly on his knee, not noticing that the person on the bed had already opened his eyes.

Lin Mu gradually came out of his daze. The soreness in his limbs had disappeared, thanks to Xiao Yuan’s repairs, leaving only a lingering fogginess in his head.

Lin Mu raised his eyes and saw the person sitting at the edge of the bed. Fu Jingmo was looking out the window, his sharp profile as precise as if carved from stone.

Remembering the strong hands that had grabbed hold of him on the bus roof, Lin Mu lowered his gaze. In that moment of near-death, this cold and unyielding man had flashed through his mind.

His throat was very dry, and he couldn’t help but cough. The person sitting by the bed immediately turned his head, and their eyes met, creating a moment of quiet tension.

Fu Jingmo regretted letting Lin Mu go to save others; if it weren’t for that, Lin Mu wouldn’t have nearly died.

Fu Jingmo reached out to help Lin Mu sit up. Lin Mu was still a bit dazed, his fan-shaped eyelashes fluttering as his light-colored pupils reflected Fu Jingmo.

Thinking about how Fu Jingmo had been holding him the entire way, Lin Mu felt an inexplicable sense of awkwardness.

Fu Jingmo reached out and picked up the glass of water from the bedside, and brought it to Lin Mu’s lips. The dryness in his throat compelled Lin Mu to take a sip, while still holding onto Fu Jingmo’s hand.

“Are you alright?” Fu Jingmo asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Lin Mu reached out to take the cup, noticing that there was still half of the water left. He turned his palm upward, staring at the cup in his hand.

After concentrating, in an instant, the cup vanished from his hand…

Even Fu Jingmo, usually composed, showed a hint of surprise.

“A space… Fu Jingmo, I think I can store things now…”