Moonlit Reef

On the bed.

Two girls’ delicate bodies were entangled, the atmosphere thick with intimacy. The girl’s breath was soft and warm, and the love in her eyes felt almost tangible.

From her smooth back, several tentacles emerged. They carefully pierced into the skin of the zombie girl.

The girl closed her eyes, focusing with precision. She entered a strange, almost meditative state—able to see the genetic “text” of the other, though she couldn’t yet edit it.

What did she need to do?

Maybe try… that thing from last time…

The cocoon.

But Ping Chengcheng was confused.

How exactly had the “cocoon” appeared before?

Thinking back… it was during a kiss…

The girl blushed slightly, looking down at the zombie girl pinned beneath her.

She had to try!

Their lips touched. The zombie girl squirmed, her clothes disheveled from the contact, brushing against Ping Chengcheng’s body and making her feel a bit hot inside.

Yes… this feeling…

Her mind was fuzzy—only one thought remained.

‘Do it!’

The tentacles danced in excitement, merging and forming a cocoon that wrapped around them both.

“Pop pop pop—”

“Bang bang bang—”

Dozens of tentacles connected to the limbs of both girls inside the cocoon, tightly binding them together.

One thinner tentacle, laced with fine white nerve-like threads, inserted itself into the zombie girl’s spine.

Suddenly, a wave of rejection surged in Ping Chengcheng’s mind.

What was that?

Why did she suddenly feel resistance?

No—ignore it!

She gritted her teeth, pushing aside the discomfort welling up inside her.

The tentacle in the girl’s spine gave a little tremble, almost like it was wronged, but still pressed deeper into her back—then began to spread, branching out…

Transforming into countless white, nerve-like fibers. They expanded, covered, and gradually replaced the original nervous system.

Ping Chengcheng watched in stunned awe.

Those white threads continued to explore every part of the zombie girl’s body.

The jade-green tint of Song Ning’s skin slowly faded. The blackish veins seemed to be purged. Blackened blood surfaced on her skin and was absorbed by the tentacles.

Analysis… construction…

In Ping Chengcheng’s mind, the structure of Song Ning’s genes became clear—along with an option to edit.

This…

This was… incredible…

A strange sense of certainty told her this would be the only time it would work, so she didn’t rush to change anything. She allowed the white nerve threads to naturally embed themselves throughout Song Ning’s body.

Soon, the final white strand gently held her by the back of her head before slipping off of Ping Chengcheng entirely.

She gasped for air, her skin damp with sweat, as if she’d just gone through intense exertion.

Those delicate white limbs had been extremely sensitive. Even that short process left her feeling limp, a strange desire stirring inside her.

‘Ugh… it hurts…’

Her body was craving something…

The tentacles loosened their grip, the cocoon vanished.

Song Ning suddenly opened her eyes.

“Cheng… Chengcheng?”

Where was she?

Her whole body… felt so warm…

And why was Ping Chengcheng… completely unclothed?

So… so cute…

Damn it, she was about to lose control!

No… she couldn’t let herself go—no!

Her reasoning collapsed under the flood of emotion. She held the girl down and leaned forward, giving in to her urge to kiss her.

This must be a dream.

She was supposed to have turned into a zombie, wasn’t she?

Since it was a dream… then she didn’t need to hold back!

“Mmm… Sister, no… please…” Her body—her body was reacting strangely!

Stop… or it’ll break…

Her consciousness floated away like a kite with a snapped string.

The soft sounds coming from the room would’ve made anyone blush.

“Chengcheng…”

“Chengcheng’s just too cute… teasing her like this… it’s too much fun…” Song Ning gently traced her fingers along the girl’s jawline, her voice soaked in sensual warmth. Her other hand moved to the girl’s chest, drawing out a soft cry.

The moment was short… and yet it lingered.

…

It’s okay… if Sister’s alright… then let her do whatever she wants…

Ping Chengcheng let go of all tension and completely melted into the moment.

Song Ning slowly regained clarity. Something felt wrong—why had she lost control so suddenly? And why did she behave like that in a dream?

Wait a second… why did everything feel so real?

She remembered accidentally making Ping Chengcheng cry just a moment ago. At first, she felt a weird sense of satisfaction, but now that she’d calmed down…

No.

She was supposed to have turned into a zombie and died, wasn’t she?

This… this wasn’t a dream!

“Chengcheng… Chengcheng~” Her expression shifted as she looked toward the side of the bed. Her clothes were there.

She looked at the girl lying limply on the bed, face flushed. Quickly pulling her own clothes back on, Song Ning tried to calm her racing thoughts.

Strangely, her mind felt clearer than ever. Her body surged with a strength she couldn’t believe.

Could it be…?

She remembered that Ping Chengcheng might have become an evolver.

Had she evolved too?

Otherwise, how could she have been infected and still lived?

“Chengcheng~” she called again, gently shaking the girl whose tongue lolled slightly, eyes unfocused.

“Ugh… mmm… Sister… do you want more…?”

W-what kind of embarrassing voice was that!?

“Chengcheng!” she growled through clenched teeth.

“Ugh… Sister…” The girl slowly came to, and the moment she saw Song Ning, tears poured from her eyes.

“Sister… Sister… sniff…”

“I’m so glad you’re okay!”

Song Ning’s expression softened. She sighed and gently stroked the girl’s short black hair.

“I’m fine… Chengcheng, did we make it back to the base?”

“Mhm! I even took care of Huang Zhong!” Tears sparkled as she smiled through them.

“Chengcheng… you’re amazing.” Song Ning smiled too, though her voice sounded a bit strained. Her thoughts still lingered on what had just happened—how could she have done that to Ping Chengcheng?

Ping Chengcheng proudly nodded.

“Of course.”

Thank goodness… thank goodness she didn’t repeat her mistakes from the last life.

This incident had shown her she’d been too arrogant. She had to be more cautious from now on.

Whatever she did in the future, she had to plan for every possible outcome.

The girl clung tightly to Song Ning’s arm, unwilling to let go even for a second.

She could sense that Song Ning’s body had grown much stronger. During the gene reconstruction, Ping Chengcheng had realized Song Ning was now immune to the zombie virus.

But she also noticed something else.

Something in her own body was missing. It hadn’t been that useful to her—but it had been important.

It was… well…

That white thread-like limb.

But what did it do, exactly? Ping Chengcheng didn’t understand, couldn’t figure it out. Still, if it meant saving Song Ning—then so be it.

Song Ning gently stroked the girl’s head again and again, like soothing a frightened kitten.

The girl’s reliance had never felt stronger. Staring at Song Ning’s flawless profile, a new heat bloomed in her body.

There was something different in Song Ning’s natural scent. The moment she smelled it, her knees went weak.

T-this was too weird!

Ugh…

She clung to Song Ning’s arm, subtly rubbing her chest against it, again and again.