Chapter 29 – Alien Plants
A few days later, Xia Lu Nong still hadn’t transformed back into his human form, though his animal form had grown a bit larger.
This long-haired cat, with its dignified appearance, had become even more beautiful as it grew, making people want to pet it.
Xia Lu Nong no longer resisted when people petted his head, but when it came to his belly, only his brother was allowed to touch it.
Occasionally, Yan Xi Nian would sneak in a belly rub, but when the little cat realized, he would meow angrily and swipe at him, often resulting in a playful fight between the two—or more accurately, Yan Xi Nian getting scratched.
Xia Huo Qu would comment that it was all because Yan Xi Nian laughed too loudly when the little cat was being silly.
One morning, after waking up, the little cat had sprawled out on the sofa, limbs spread wide, his belly gently rising and falling as he slept soundly.
Yan Xi Nian sat nearby, lightly scratching his head, which felt like a soothing massage to the little cat, making him relax even more.
The little cat was lost in his dreams, only leaving a tiny bit of awareness in the outside world.
Just as he was sleeping deeply, the door to their house suddenly slammed open with a loud “bang,” the door hitting the wall with a resounding crash, jolting the little cat awake.
Startled by the noise, the little cat jumped up, arching his back, fur standing on end. “Meow?!”
He looked toward the door in alarm, immediately catching the mixed scent of blood, earth, and sweat.
Standing in the doorway, backlit by the light, was a short young man in a T-shirt and pants. He rushed over and shouted anxiously, “Something’s wrong, Captain Yan! Liu Neng Jian just got a toe bitten off by a mutant plant!”
Yan Xi Nian had been about to say something, but hearing this, his expression turned serious, and he changed his words. “Where was he bitten?”
“In his field. Everything was fine yesterday, but today, as soon as he stepped into the field, the plant bit him.”
“Take me there.”
“Meow!” Xia Lu Nong clung to Yan Xi Nian’s clothes with his claws, hanging onto him and looking up: I’m coming too!
Yan Xi Nian glanced down at the little cat, meeting his gaze. After a brief moment, he nodded and picked him up, carrying him out the door.
As they went outside, many people at the base had already heard the news and were heading in the same direction, their faces displaying a mix of tension, excitement, and fear. However, when they saw Yan Xi Nian, most of them awkwardly stepped aside, making way for him.
Yan Xi Nian didn’t pay attention to these details. Holding the cat, he headed to the field, where he quickly spotted Old Liu in the center of a gathering crowd.
Liu Neng Jian was Old Liu’s cousin.
Yan Xi Nian walked past the crowd and approached Old Liu. “How’s he doing?”
“No major issues. We rushed him to Dr. Ou as soon as it happened,” Old Liu replied, pointing angrily at a vine on the ground. “It’s this vine that bit off one of Liu Nengjian’s toes.”
Both Yan Xi Nian and Xia Lu Nong focused on the vine.
It looked a bit like a pumpkin vine, thin and curly with large leaves, appearing no different from any other weed on the ridge.
But unlike regular weeds, several white flower buds were hidden beneath its leaves. The flowers were unusually thick, with serrated edges.
There were small splatters of fresh blood around the flowers, creating an eerie sight that sent chills through anyone who looked. It wasn’t hard to imagine how this vine had hidden in the grass like a snake, waiting to strike an unlucky passerby.
The vine had already been smashed to pieces, and a pungent, spicy scent mixed with the metallic smell of blood wafted into Xia Lu Nong’s nose.
The longer they stayed, the stronger the scent became, causing the little cat, nestled in Yan Xi Nian’s arms, to roll his eyes and gag.
Yan Xi Nian, who had been focused on the vine, immediately noticed the cat’s reaction and asked, “What’s wrong?”
He quickly stepped back several paces, moving away from the vine. Others, seeing his actions, followed suit, retreating a little as well.
The little cat’s gagging became so intense that tears welled up in his eyes, and his soft paws weakly rested on Yan Xi Nian’s arm.
Besides the awful smell, Xia Lu Nong also sensed an unfamiliar, unsettling emotion—violent, sticky, and malicious—that made him instinctively uncomfortable.
His gaze remained fixed on the vine—it was from this already shattered vine that these feelings emanated.
The little cat raised a paw and pointed at the vine, “Meow meow meow,” as if lodging a complaint to Yan Xi Nian.
After checking that the cat was fine, Yan Xi Nian let out a sigh of relief. He seemed to understand what Xia Lu Nong was trying to say and explained in a low voice, “Mutated plants often give off an evil aura. When we’re in animal form, it feels especially strong. You were just caught off guard by it. You’ll feel better after a bit of rest.”
Yan Xi Nian then turned his attention back to the vine and, after observing it for a while, said to Old Liu, “If it’s true that this vine was normal yesterday and only mutated today, and it has this kind of power, then its mutation ability is not to be underestimated.”
Old Liu nodded gravely.
Yan Xi Nian continued, “And if it’s been a mutant plant all along, just lying dormant and only now showing its violent side, then its intelligence is even more alarming. Either way, we need to study this vine carefully. Let’s hand it over to the White Building. Liu Nengjian’s injury will be classified as a workplace injury, and the base will cover the medical expenses.”
Old Liu sighed in relief. Dr. Ou’s treatments were effective, but they were also expensive. For his cousin, a mere farmer, paying for such treatment out of pocket would have been a challenge.
While they spoke, someone had already gone to the White Building to fetch people, and by now, they had arrived.
Curious, Xia Lu Nong poked his little head out from Yan Xi Nian’s arms, his big eyes darting around to examine the newcomers.
There were two young men. One wore glasses and had a scholarly, delicate look, while the other exuded a more menacing aura.
Xia Lu Nong quietly compared them in his mind and decided they weren’t as intimidating or imposing as his brother. Judging by their demeanor, he figured they probably weren’t as strong as his brother either.
The two young men greeted Yan Xi Nian respectfully.
The more aggressive one took out a silver box, put on white gloves, and carefully dug up the vine with a small shovel.
The vine’s leafy part had already been severed, leaving only a short stump.
As the vine was dug up, it wriggled slightly on the ground, like a greenish-brown snake, making Xia Lu Nong’s fur stand on end. His paws nervously kneaded Yan Xi Nian’s arm a few times to suppress his nausea.
The vine, along with some soil, was placed into the silver box. The two young men said their farewells to Yan Xi Nian and carried the box back.
Yan Xi Nian told them, “I don’t know if there are any other mutated plants in the base. Please inform Professor Dou to send someone to check the entire base today.”
The young men nodded in agreement.
Xia Lu Nong’s curiosity was piqued, and he continued peeking at them.
Yan Xi Nian pressed the little cat’s head down, gently holding him in place. He whispered, “Don’t tell your brother I brought you along and let you meet the scientists from the White Building.”
Xia Lu Nong’s eyes widened, realizing he had some leverage now.
His eyes gleamed mischievously as he gave a sweet “meow,” a sly, threatening expression appearing on his angelic cat face.
Yan Xi Nian chuckled at his antics, ruffling the little cat’s fur. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. Even if you wanted to tattle, you can’t speak.”
“Meow?!”
The little cat’s eyes widened in shock. Was that a challenge?
Later, Xia Huo Qu returned from the fields just in time for breakfast.
As they ate, the two casually chatted about the incident.
Yan Xi Nian said, “It seems to be just a random mutation. No need to worry.”
Xia Huo Qu asked, “No one’s connected this to Xia Nong’s ability, right?”
“How could they? That’s totally unrelated,” Yan Xi Nian laughed. “There are other plant-based ability users in the base too, Huo Qu. Don’t stress over it.”
But Xia Huo Qu glanced at his little brother. When it came to his brother, it was hard not to worry.
For the next few days, there were no further developments until May 13th.”
During dinner, Yan Xi Nian mentioned at the table, “The other scouting teams in the base have reported that there’s a generator unit at Qingluo Bay.”
Xia Huo Qu immediately asked, “Is the information reliable?”
“It should be. I had someone look into it, and there was indeed a large power plant there before the disaster,” Yan Xi Nian replied. “We can’t delay any longer. I plan to take a team over there in the next few days.”
Xia Huo Qu glanced at his brother, who was fully focused on nibbling a small dried fish, looking deep in thought.
Xia Lu Nong noticed his brother’s gaze and quickly put down the fish, tilting his head in confusion and letting out a “meow.”
Xia Huo Qu’s expression shifted several times before he finally said to Yan Xi Nian, “I’ll go with you. Liao Cheng can take care of Xia Lu Nong for the next few days.”
“Meow?” He wasn’t coming?
Xia Lu Nong immediately grew anxious, pacing on the table and protesting with his tail raised. He could already transform into his beast form, so why was he being left at the base?
His brother, understanding what he wanted to say, explained, “Not this time. Every trip to find generator units is dangerous, and when we have to run for our lives, we might not be able to take care of you.”
“Meow!” Xia Lu Nong was frustrated, not knowing how to persuade his brother, so he just kept meowing.
Yan Xi Nian paused, looked at Xia Lu Nong, and said, “I don’t agree with this point of view.”
Xia Lu Nong, shocked by his response, shot him a warning look, signaling him not to say more.
Yan Xi Nian raised his hands in a surrender gesture, but his expression remained serious. “Xia Lu Nong’s ability is strong. I think he could use some experience outside. His beast form is small, and I’ll keep an eye on him. Nothing will happen.”
Xia Huo Qu didn’t reply.
Yan Xi Nian added, “I guarantee it.”
Xia Huo Qu frowned, looking at both of them, and remained silent—neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Thanks for the chapter!