Do You Absolutely Have to Be a Paramecium?

(After much thought, I’ve decided not to make this book paywalled. I’m writing it for love, so read if you enjoy it. I’ll keep updating until it’s finished.) (My new novel next door, The Master Is a Trashy Fox, is now out. Please add it to your favorites!) (Just a heads-up: this is not a power fantasy.) [Blurb] In the apocalypse, human lives are as worthless as weeds. Yet in the perilous wilderness, a boy suddenly appears, as lovely as a morning flower and as pale as a blank page. Mistaken for a human who had been left behind, he is taken to a base. He names himself Xilan. His friend says he’s like a kitten. The ability that lets him speak calls him Mom. An inspector tells an adjudicator that he’s like a candle flame that draws moths. But Xilan would rather be a paramecium. Paramecia don’t have to work or think. They can just do whatever they like... He wants to be a paramecium that nobody gets to define! Friend: ? Ability: Breathing oxygen All right, as long as you’re happy. Then the pollutants attack. Endless darkness spreads beneath Xilan’s feet, erasing everything filled with malice. His calm gaze can scorch the soul. The pollutants, who delight in toying with life, are all scared away. “Mom, I saw a monster. I almost got torn apart by it QAQ” The goofy major who gets along well with Xilan: ? The shopkeeper who sells Xilan’s paintings: ?! The famous singer who eats Xilan’s cooking: ?!! The adjudicator who brought Xilan back to the base: ... Xilan blinks, as innocent as a newborn baby. “I’m fine, but the pollutants are so scary.” Believe him. He’s really helpless and pitiful! The pollutants: You’re the scariest one of all! Open your eyes, you foolish humans! That’s no fragile boy. He’s the world’s only SSS-rank pollutant, Night City! Xilan silently stuffs the pollutant who spoke up into his shadow and says, bright-eyed and innocent, “No, I’m not.” A cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside adjudicator top x a silly, humanlike pollutant bottom Notes: This novel was originally titled Will Fireflies Dream of Autumn Maples? Those are the words on the cover. Honestly, that title fits the story better (whisper). Apocalyptic fiction with a touch of Lovecraftian horror. Xilan isn’t purely a pollutant, nor is he a naive sweetheart. He’s a little silly early on because he’s lost his memories. Xilan deserves to be loved, deserves to be loved, deserves to be loved! Important things have to be said three times! CP: Yan Qiuchen, one-on-one. A jar of sugar mixed with broken glass. Help yourself (gets sent flying). Coming soon: Danmei fantasy novel The Master Is a Trashy Fox: As a fox immortal with immeasurable merit, Feng Busi is powerful and kind to others, and countless fairies have secretly fallen for him... Ahem. Who could have guessed that a sudden calamity would strip him of his powers and banish him to the mortal world as a fox demon? Feng Busi: There’s a deal like that? So the immortals watch as he opens an inn at the gates of the underworld, makes a roaring success of it, and spends every day doing anything but his proper work. The immortals: Was he banished or sent on vacation? Get him back here! The trashy fox isn’t coming back. The trashy fox is having a great time in the mortal world. What’s this, a banquet? I’ll have a bite. What’s this, a vengeful ghost? I’ll beat it up. What’s this, a corrupt official? I’ll arrest him. What’s this, a disciple? Kiss... Wait, what are you doing, my disciple?! Feng Busi senses something is off. Why has his little disciple gotten so clingy now that he’s grown up? He sneaks down to the mortal world and hides in the inn, and insists on sleeping in Feng Busi’s room. The more time passes, the more Feng Busi realizes the boy has no respect for his master at all! Feng Busi: “Be good. Don’t come near me.” Qing Nanhan, gazing at him with puppy-dog eyes: “Master...” Feng Busi: “What do you want?!” Qing Nanhan: “I want to marry you...” Feng Busi: ??? How did that sweet little kid grow up so wrong?! A seemingly obedient but actually unhinged young prince x a seemingly gentle but actually crafty old fox The clear breeze and bright moon go unclaimed; together they bring a touch of coolness to the southern tower. Theme: The world is wondrous and desolate, but I am always here.