Chapter 196: So Cute
Chapter 196: So Cute
Anran feels a warmth in her heart. She smiles at Little Mint, takes the crystal core from her little hands, and asks again, "Little Mint, are you hungry?"
Hearing the question once more, Little Mint’s expression turns blank for a moment. She thinks about it, then nods honestly—only to shake her head right after. Lowering her gaze, she timidly murmurs in a soft voice,
"A little… but not very hungry."
She’s afraid that if she admits she’s really hungry, Anran might see her as a burden and abandon her.
Seeing the worry on Little Mint’s small face, Anran can’t help but smile again. She feels a pang of guilt for the little girl and reassures her, "It’s okay. Next time you’re hungry or feeling unwell, just tell me directly. Don’t be afraid. I won’t scold you or hit you."
"Yeah." Little Mint raises her face and looks at Anran, her smile filled with trust. Then, she squats in front of Doll and beams warmly. "Little sister is so cute."
Anran adjusts Doll in her arms—Doll keeps waving her hands and humming insistently, demanding to be held upright. With one hand, Anran supports her little head, sighing helplessly. "Yeah… she’s so cute."
She rolls up her sleeves and secures Doll with a sling, adjusting her posture so she can see more of her surroundings. Then, standing up, Anran steps outside the fitting room, reaching out to push aside a cluster of half-human-high lilies in front of her.
She moves cautiously across the lily field, which is littered with bones. Bending down to search for crystal cores, she slowly advances while keeping Doll close.
As she moves forward, so does her safe zone. The so-called safe range is only about two square meters. Within this area, the lilies thrive unnaturally, almost as if they have divine assistance, "eating" zombies and growing rapidly.
But beyond that boundary, the lilies are just ordinary flowers—regular plants that even Little Mint can step on without issue.
What can she really accomplish with only a two-square-meter safe zone?
Standing in the flower field, Anran ponders. She notices that the edges of the lily field are becoming denser, the white blossoms growing more and more vibrant. The original low wall between the fitting room and the outer area has now risen to more than a person’s height.
As the lilies continue to "consume" zombies, the bones gradually pile up, mixing with crushed plants and fresh sprouts. White petals, green stems, delicate seedlings, and tangled roots intertwine with human remains, forming a strange yet mesmerizing sight.
White bones cling to the vibrant green vines, and delicate flowers bloom along the makeshift wall. As zombies approach, the petals tremble—closing and reopening like small, hungry mouths. The entire scene is eerie and breathtaking at the same time.
Anran realizes she can use this to her advantage. If she can thicken the wall, she can create obstacles for the zombies, giving herself the opportunity to slowly clear them out of the clothing store.
After all, even without her supernatural ability, a wall made of bones and flowers is far sturdier than a flimsy wooden door. And if needed, she can make it even stronger.
With that thought, Anran bends down and picks up a few crystal cores, pressing them into her palm to absorb their energy. The lilies are still "consuming" zombies, which means she has to continuously channel her power.
Her ability burns through crystal cores at an alarming rate, so she has to keep picking them up—over and over again—to ensure she has enough energy to sustain it.