X
Join our Discord server and get release updates for every novel you follow.
Join the Server**Master Bedroom.**
Ji Xiao had just lit a cigarette when Liang Qiujian snatched it away. His eyes darkened instantly.
Liang Qiujian placed the cigarette that had been between Ji Xiao’s lips into his own mouth, standing before him. The thin T-shirt couldn’t conceal his powerful muscles.
Ji Xiao’s irritation shifted into something else entirely. He reached out, grabbed Liang Qiujian’s clothes, and pulled him down, biting his lips.
Liang Qiujian grunted, raising the hand holding the cigarette high, afraid of burning Ji Xiao.
The kiss ended.
Liang Qiujian touched his bitten lip, feeling both anger and frustration.
He took a drag to calm down, then said rationally, “You really didn’t know Zhong Tian before?”
Ji Xiao leaned back lazily, pulled out his cigarette pack, shook it, and put one between his lips. “No, I don’t.”
Liang Qiujian didn’t believe him.
“You said you were going to City A to find your relatives, but before we even got there, we met Zhong Tian and the others. You took them in the car and then gave up on going to City A. Your target was Zhong Tian from the start, right?”
Ji Xiao lit his cigarette and looked at him in surprise. “You actually figured that out.”
Liang Qiujian: “?” So in your eyes, I’m just an idiot?
Wasn’t it obvious?
Ji Xiao smiled at him. “Did you notice another problem?”
Liang Qiujian stared at him darkly. “That you like his voice? All soft? And you think mine is too rough?”
“Do you have some misconception about your own voice?”
“…”
Liang Qiujian’s face darkened.
Ji Xiao quickly added, “Zhong Tian’s voice is soft and cute, sure, but yours has a deep bass. Don’t you know how sexy your own low-pitched voice is?”
Liang Qiujian: “…” Should I still be angry or not?
“Seductive without knowing it.”
“…Bro.”
Ji Xiao licked his lips. “Do you know that when you call me ‘bro’ with that voice, it sends shivers down my spine?”
Liang Qiujian seemed to understand. He put out his cigarette, leaned in, and whispered in Ji Xiao’s ear, “Bro.”
“…” Asking for it.
Liang Qiujian stepped back and looked down at Ji Xiao’s evident arousal. He breathed out in awe, “So it’s true.”
Ji Xiao chuckled. “You thought I was joking?”
Liang Qiujian tilted his head slightly. This idol was not the persona he had imagined.
Indeed, everything he had seen before was just a carefully crafted image!
Ji Xiao put out his cigarette and stood up. “Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“Take a shower.”
“Oh, go ahead.”
“Together.”
Liang Qiujian hesitated. “Maybe not? You go first. I’ll tidy up the room?”
“No need. This room is clearly ready for us to move in. Come here.”
“Just shower?”
“Just shower.”
“…Alright.”
**Bathroom.**
Damn, so much for just showering!
What a fake idol!
He was going to turn from fan to hater!
Definitely!
**Next door, guest bedroom.**
Qin Yue examined the room thoroughly. When he saw two sets of one-size-fits-all tracksuits in the wardrobe, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything had happened so suddenly. They were outside when the crisis struck, then followed the teacher and classmates in a desperate escape. They had brought nothing.
The sticky, dirty clothes had long made him uncomfortable.
“Xiao Tian, let’s take a shower. I asked; Xiao Tian said the water here is clean, not contaminated, but it’s limited.”
Zhong Tian was still leaning on the windowsill, staring intently at the off-road RV below.
He wanted it.
Qin Yue walked over and said quietly, “That’s technology Mr. Zhang earned with his life. He won’t give it to you.”
“Then…”
“He won’t let you study it either. Give up.”
“…” Zhong Tian’s mood sank.
Qin Yue pulled him down from the windowsill. “Alright, we can talk to him later and see if we can learn more about how that car works and try to build one ourselves, okay?”
Zhong Tian’s eyes lit up immediately, and he nodded vigorously. “Mm!”
Qin Yue led him towards the bathroom, helpless but affectionate.
Zhong Tian always appeared cold and indifferent to outsiders, but only those who truly knew him understood.
He wasn’t cold; he was actually naive.
But…
Qin Yue’s eyes flickered.
Others didn’t understand him and were put off by his appearance.
Only he had truly gotten close to Zhong Tian.
So only he could see Zhong Tian’s many sides.
His silly, adorable side.
**Master bedroom.**
Liang Qiujian lay by the bedside, smoking with a somber expression.
Ji Xiao leaned against the headboard, gently stroking his head. “Still angry?”
Liang Qiujian took a drag, ignoring him.
“Jianjian.”
Veins bulged on Liang Qiujian’s forehead. “Want to experience a fan turning into a hater?”
Ji Xiao raised his hand. [Some throat-soothing drink.]
Black Cat: “Okay.”
A small porcelain bottle appeared in his hand.
He opened the lid and brought it to Liang Qiujian’s lips. “Drink some. Soothe your throat.”
Liang Qiujian turned over abruptly, his face twisted for a moment. “Zhang Xiao!”
Ji Xiao stuffed the bottle into his hand, then lifted him and placed a pillow under his waist.
“Go easy on yourself. The cost of this…”
“…”
Liang Qiujian suppressed his anger, forced himself to sit up, pulled the soft pillow from under his waist, and downed the contents in one gulp.
“Jianjian…”
Liang Qiujian’s eyes were slightly red. “Do you like my voice that much? Even disregarding your own life?”
Ji Xiao hugged him. “Sorry, I lied.”
Liang Qiujian: “?”
“There’s no cost,” Ji Xiao kissed the corner of his mouth gently. “Really, I don’t have to pay with my lifespan or soul for these exchanges.”
“Liar.”
“I was just scared,” Ji Xiao leaned on his shoulder, sighed softly, and tightened his arms around him. “If someone with malicious intent found out I could exchange anything without paying a price, you can imagine what would happen to me.”
Liang Qiujian paused, then hugged him back, his voice low. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”
“Back then, our relationship… wasn’t trustworthy enough, so I lied. Do you blame me?”
“No.”
Liang Qiujian meant it.
If his ability had no cost, he would be overjoyed, not angry. What was wrong with protecting himself?
“So don’t worry,” Ji Xiao smiled lightly. “Do you really think I’m an idiot? If it truly endangered my life, I wouldn’t use it recklessly.”
Hearing this, Liang Qiujian felt foolish.
He had been worrying about Ji Xiao wasting his life, which was utterly stupid.
He got angry again.
“Jianjian…”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Captain.”
“…”
Liang Qiujian pushed him away with a hiss.
Ji Xiao rolled with the movement, concerned. “Take it easy. Don’t hurt yourself.”
“Who do you think caused this!” Liang Qiujian threw a pillow at him. “You said just showering!”
“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. How about,” Ji Xiao licked his lips, “next time you get to be on top?”
Liang Qiujian’s heart stirred. “Really?”
Ji Xiao smiled warmly. “Really.”
Liang Qiujian’s anger subsided a bit.
Black Cat: “…” This target is so naive. He actually believed that?
Seeing that he had clearly calmed down, Ji Xiao hugged him again. “You’re so angry. Did I make you uncomfortable?”
Liang Qiujian: “…” Not really.
It was comfortable.
But it wasn’t what he had always fantasized.
“Baby, didn’t I make you feel good?”
“…I felt good.”
Ji Xiao laughed with pleasure and kissed him again fiercely.
After a while, Liang Qiujian asked, “So, how did you know Zhong Tian and Qin Yue had abilities before the guard asked? I remember you said you didn’t know them.”
Ji Xiao: “…” He still remembers.
Liang Qiujian: “Tell me.”
Ji Xiao sat up and lit a cigarette. “I didn’t know Zhong Tian and the others before, and we didn’t say much. They didn’t show any abilities either. So why did I know that he and Qin Yue had abilities when the guard asked?”
“Why?”
“Because I also have an ability that lets me see if others have abilities.”
Black Cat: “…” Bullshit! I figured it out and told you!
Liang Qiujian realized. “I see. So because of Zhong Tian’s ability, you invited him into the car and tied them to you?”
Ji Xiao flicked the ash from his cigarette and raised an eyebrow. “Otherwise? Did you think I took him along because his voice was soft and nice?”
Liang Qiujian frowned. “Is his ability really that powerful?”
From what Zhong Tian described, it was just clear thinking, speed reading, and photographic memory.
“Novels always say that abilities can evolve in the apocalypse,” Ji Xiao laughed. “What if a psychic ability evolves? One glance and you understand everything? No matter what, I think he’ll play a big role in technological revival.”
Liang Qiujian: “That’s just novels…”
“It doesn’t hurt to try,” Ji Xiao said casually. “I like comfort and dislike this apocalypse. But I’m lazy by nature and can’t help much myself. So I might as well give a hand to those who can help. The sooner the world recovers, the sooner I can enjoy myself.”
Thinking of the RV, Liang Qiujian said, “You’re already enjoying yourself quite a bit.”
“So don’t be jealous. I have no feelings for Zhong Tian.”
“…I wasn’t jealous.”
Ji Xiao raised an eyebrow.
Liang Qiujian: “Then if you didn’t know Zhong Tian before, how did you know he was in City A?”
Ji Xiao: “…”
“Go on.”
“No, I just tried my luck. A University is famous for producing geniuses, so I wanted to scoop one up. And I happened to run into Zhong Tian.”
“I think…” you’re fooling me.
“Don’t overthink.” He leaned down to kiss.
“…”
**Evening.**
The setting sun blazed like fire.
The three lazy members of the group had changed into the new one-size-fits-all tracksuits and were lying on the living room sofa.
“So hungry…”
“There’s no food in the kitchen.”
“Should we go out and see if we can buy something to eat?”
“Do you have money?”
“No cash… My phone’s dead. Ah!”
“Even if it had power, it wouldn’t work. There’s no internet now. Can we still use mobile payments?”
“But I’m so hungry.”
They stared eagerly at the two closed doors.
“When are they coming out…”
Just as they were about to lose hope, the master bedroom door opened.
Ji Xiao and Liang Qiujian both walked out.
The three lazy members looked at them expectantly.
Ji Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Hungry?”
They nodded vigorously.
Ji Xiao opened his hands, and out of thin air, he produced a handful of noodles in one hand and a dozen eggs in the other.
“Go call Qin Yue out.”
Among the lazy members, Sun Zhou was the first to rush over and knock on the door. “Bro Yue, bro Tian, come eat!”
“Got it.”
Two minutes later, Qin Yue came out with Zhong Tian, who was yawning.
Zhong Tian’s hair was still a bit messy, with a strand sticking up.
Qin Yue noticed and subtly pressed down on his head.
Zhong Tian tilted his head. “?”
Qin Yue pressed again but couldn’t flatten it, so he gave up.
Ji Xiao sat on a single sofa, with a large bundle of noodles and a dozen eggs on the table.
He reached out to Liang Qiujian. “Captain, a pot.”
Liang Qiujian: “…” Silently, he conjured a pot out of nowhere.
Ji Xiao beckoned to Qin Yue.
Qin Yue walked over silently.
Ji Xiao placed the pot in his hands. “Go to the kitchen, get some water, use your ability to heat it, boil it, and cook the noodles.”
Qin Yue: “…Okay.”
He carried the pot into the kitchen.
Zhong Tian automatically picked up the noodles and eggs and followed him.
Ten minutes later, Qin Yue came out with a pot of fragrant egg noodles.
Zhong Tian followed with bowls and chopsticks.
Sun Zhou looked at the abundant eggs in the pot and swallowed. “Bro Yue, did you use all the eggs?”
Qin Yue shook his head. “Only seven.”
Zhong Tian casually divided the noodles into seven bowls, and the portions of noodles and eggs looked surprisingly even.
Sun Zhou looked at Ji Xiao pleadingly. “Bro Zhang, do you have any seasoning?”
Ji Xiao was about to raise his hand when Liang Qiujian grabbed it, his expression fierce. “Don’t you know that exchanging things drains your life?”
Using it so recklessly—didn’t he want to keep it hidden?
Since he had set up that persona, he should maintain it!
Sun Zhou and the others suddenly remembered that his ability came at a cost.
Sun Zhou quickly said, “No need, no need. Plain flavors are the best!”
He then picked up his chopsticks and bowl, eating noisily. “Mm, so hot, so hot, delicious, delicious.”
The others also picked up their chopsticks, but unlike Sun Zhou, they ate slowly to avoid burning themselves.
Although there was no seasoning, the egg noodles were satisfying enough for everyone.
But not for Ji Xiao.
He put down his chopsticks after just a few bites, holding his stomach. “My stomach feels a bit off. I can’t eat.”
Liang Qiujian: “…”
Noticing Sun Zhou’s eager look, Liang Qiujian moved Ji Xiao’s bowl in front of himself. “I’ll eat it for you. Go rest in the room. I’ll find you something to eat later.”
Ji Xiao smiled helplessly. “Can you finish two bowls?”
Liang Qiujian said firmly, “I can.”
Ji Xiao: “…” Fine, eat then.
After all, the noodles tasted good. He just personally didn’t like noodles much.
After the meal.
Sun Zhou enthusiastically washed the dishes.
Qin Yue said, “I’m planning to take them out to see if we can find something to do. Mr. Zhang, it’s better if you don’t use your ability if you can avoid it.”
“Right, right.” The others agreed.
Ji Xiao smiled and nodded.
After Qin Yue and the others left, Ji Xiao also pulled Liang Qiujian out.
“Let’s see what B City is like now.”
Liang Qiujian: “Mm.”
The streets were now more relaxed. Some people might still be hiding at home, unwilling or afraid to go out.
But many had turned into zombies.
Most shops were closed, with only a few scattered ones open, and they only accepted barter.
Every street had a patrol team of at least five people.
Ji Xiao said quietly, “It’s pretty boring.”
Liang Qiujian comforted him, “It’ll get better.”
Ji Xiao smiled and nodded.
Of course it would.
He had brought Zhong Tian, who would play a major role in ending the apocalypse, to B City early, sparing him from a difficult journey.
Things would only move faster.
“Oh, isn’t this Zhang Xiao, the big star?”
“…”
From the patrol team approaching, the man with a captain’s armband stopped.
Ji Xiao gave him a cool look.
Black Cat: “Zhou Rong. Before the apocalypse, he was also a celebrity. He once confessed to Zhang Xiao and was humiliated. The paparazzi caught it and exposed it, ruining his reputation.”
Zhou Rong waved and brought his five teammates forward. He sneered, “Did Big Star Zhang awaken an ability?”
Ji Xiao didn’t answer him.
A piece of trash dared to mock him.
Zhou Rong took his silence as a no. He looked openly at Ji Xiao’s still handsome and clean face. “What? Have you attached yourself to that muscle man next to you? Why not come to me? I have an ability and a small team. With me, you’ll never worry about food or clothing.”
The excitement doesn't stop here! If you enjoyed this, you’ll adore Even if I’m Just a Little Sparrow, I Really Want To Improve. Start reading now!
Read : Even if I’m Just a Little Sparrow, I Really Want To Improve
If You Notice any translation issues or inconsistency in names, genders, or POV etc? Let us know here in the comments or on our Discord server, and we’ll fix it in current and future chapters. Thanks for helping us to improve! 🙂