Chapter 60: Ice Lotus Blossom【First Update】

The roar of the engine thundered as the car sped toward the distance. The sun shone brilliantly, life felt like a dream. Luffy never imagined he’d be sitting in the same car as Bai Ling Qin—perhaps this was the most beautiful moment. The car drove into an even more bustling part of the city, right in the heart of a densely packed zone of zombies.

Electrified wire fences offered some protection, but second-level zombies could leap over them in an instant. Of course, they didn’t do so now because they knew many powerful people lived here, who could destroy them in moments. High-level zombies seemed to have agreed not to attack. They were biding their time, waiting for the right moment.

Luffy and Bai Ling Qin arrived at a beautiful spot, surrounded by flowers, grass, and trees. Bai Ling Qin parked the car in a nearby space and turned to Luffy. “How is it? Isn’t the environment here nice?”

“It’s great,” Luffy nodded, looking at her. “Thank you.”

“Come on, we’re friends—my best friend, even though it’s only been a few months. Our friendship can’t be measured by time. Besides, your parents get along well with mine. Having them together makes me feel at ease,” Bai Ling Qin said, smiling sweetly at Luffy.

She pushed open the car door and stepped out. Luffy followed her, also getting out.

Ahead was a gate with two security guards standing by. Bai Ling Qin walked over; the guards bowed to her. Bai Ling Qin nodded to them and continued inside with Luffy.

They stopped in front of a villa with high walls. Bai Ling Qin opened the outer gate, revealing a garden.

“Capture the rook!” Two middle-aged men were playing chess nearby. Luffy’s father smiled and moved his black rook to the side.

“Take the cannon,” Bai Ling Qin’s father took Luffy’s father's red cannon. “Haha, your move.”

Seeing the two men, Luffy couldn’t help but smile. “Dad, uncle!” he called out loudly, excitement and happiness evident. In the apocalypse, being able to see family was a blessing.

The two men turned around. Bai Ling Qin’s father smiled, and Luffy’s father ran over, visibly emotional. “You’re safe, that’s all that matters. Honey, come out! Look who’s back!”

A middle-aged woman walked out from the inner door. Seeing Luffy, she was just as excited and ran over. The family was reunited.

Both elders were so happy they cried. They had worried for Luffy, who hadn’t come back before.

“It’s good you’re home, it’s good you’re home.” Luffy’s mother hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. What mother doesn’t worry about her child? This bond runs deep, no matter where you are.

Luffy returned home with his parents, while Bai Ling Qin and her father went back to their own home.

At noon, the two families gathered for a meal.

Luffy’s father, Hao Ran Lu, had always been a farmer. In the evenings, he would play chess with neighbors or watch TV, and he loved to smoke and occasionally drink.

But today, he was so happy he wanted to drink. Luffy went out to buy some. He poured a glass for Bai Ling Qin’s father—Tian Qin. Both men enjoyed a little drink, which was perfect.

Everyone else had a little as well. The dishes were all cooked by Luffy’s mother, Lian Li, and Bai Ling Qin’s mother, Qi Chen.

Their culinary skills were unparalleled.

“This glass is for Bai Ling Qin. Thank you for saving us in such dire circumstances,” Hao Ran Lu raised his glass, full of gratitude.

“And of course, to celebrate my son’s safe return.”

“Luffy and Bai Ling are classmates, deskmates, and best friends. You don’t know—Bai Ling was always the class monitor, beautiful and outstanding, but she never made close friends because her standards were so high. Only Luffy could tolerate her personality,” Qi Chen said, knowing her daughter well, holding her glass.

The two families laughed and joked together. Reunion was the greatest joy—like celebrating New Year.

Both fathers got drunk, and Bai Ling Qin and Luffy helped their respective dads home.

…

…

In the afternoon, Luffy exchanged three hundred vials of body-tempering solution, giving his parents one hundred fifty each, all first and second-level.

“What’s this?” Lian Li and Hao Ran Lu looked utterly confused.

“It’s body-tempering solution. It’ll make you healthier. One hundred fifty for each of you, but don’t tell anyone,” Luffy said seriously.

“Oh, okay,” Lian Li nodded.

“Where did you get this? Bai Ling gave us one vial each before, but we haven’t used them yet. She’s really good to us. If you could marry her, you’d be lucky,” Hao Ran Lu patted Luffy’s shoulder.

“I know, but I’m only seventeen. It’s still early.” Of course, Luffy wanted to marry Bai Ling Qin, but it was a long road ahead.

“Keep working hard,” Lian Li smiled.

“Yeah, I will!” Luffy nodded, then noticed Bai Ling Qin standing in the garden outside.

He went out. “What’s the matter, beautiful?”

“My birthday’s in a few days. What kind of present will you give me?” Bai Ling Qin sat on a stone bench, smiling.

“You’ll find out soon. I’ve already prepared it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised,” Luffy replied, enjoying the scent of flowers drifting by.

“Oh, I’m really looking forward to it. Let me tell you a secret—pollen can boost strength, especially from special flowers. The best is from my family’s lotus, called Ice Mountain Snow Lotus. It’s nine hundred years old, and its pollen is excellent,” Bai Ling Qin blinked her lively eyes, long lashes fluttering, looking very pretty.

“Oh, I didn’t know about that,” Luffy replied, surprised, gazing at Bai Ling Qin, admiring her alluring figure.

“Come on, I’ll let you try some pollen for free, just to show you,” Bai Ling Qin stood up and took Luffy’s hand, walking him to another room.

Luffy was a little stunned, feeling his heart stir as she led him, her back so graceful.

The fragrance lingered, her hand soft.

They arrived in Bai Ling Qin’s garden. Under a tree sat a lotus in bloom, radiating a faint, pure light.

“Wow… it’s beautiful!” Luffy couldn’t help but praise.

“Of course. I’ve had plenty, but there’s not much pollen left. I’ll let you have two breaths—it’ll enhance your abilities,” Bai Ling Qin said, thinking for a moment.

“Oh… let me try!” Luffy nodded, trusting Bai Ling Qin, who had even saved his parents.

He sat cross-legged and took a deep breath, inhaling the pollen. As it entered his body through his nose, he activated the Dragon Emperor’s Dominance Technique. A soft golden glow emanated, a mysterious power spread through him, and the second-level bottleneck that had long held him back shattered instantly.

The second update will come tomorrow at noon. If today’s recommendation votes increase by two hundred, there’ll be an extra chapter. If there are ten new comments in the reader’s circle, there’ll be another. Each person can leave only one comment.

(End of chapter)