Chapter 73
After a few days, under Tie Jin’s meticulous care, although Jin Lili hadn’t started gaining weight yet, her complexion had noticeably improved.
Seizing the moment when Tie Jin wasn’t around, Tang Yu’an secretly took out some milk to feed her.
After she gulped down the milk, he put away the carton. Just as he was about to pat her on the head, he noticed that the pigtails Tie Jin had tied were a bit too tight.
Tang Yu’an gently untied her hair ribbon.
Once loosened, Jin Lili visibly showed a relieved expression.
Although having her hair tied up looked nice, leaving it tied for too long made her scalp hurt, especially since Tie Jin had heavy hands and always tied it too tightly.
But Jin Lili never said anything, so Tie Jin didn’t know.
Tang Yu’an felt this wasn’t good and patiently guided her: “If it hurts, you should tell him. Dad cares about you very much; if you tell him, he’ll listen.”
Jin Lili quietly looked at him.
She understood, but… she shook her head and continued to lower her head, playing with her fingers.
Looking at the little girl, Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but think of A-Lian.
Mother and daughter really looked alike. Anyone who had seen both would never doubt their blood relationship.
According to what Uncle Tie Jin had said, Jin Lili was supposedly abandoned, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case…
Tang Yu’an thought for a moment and hesitantly asked, “Lili, do you remember your mother?”
The little girl, who had been playing with her fingers with her head down, suddenly looked up at him.
Seeing her reaction, Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but feel happy.
It seemed Lili still remembered her mother… But then, Jin Lili, who had always been very quiet, suddenly burst into tears.
“Mommy… Mommy…”
She cried while calling for her mother, sobbing bitterly.
Tang Yu’an was startled and didn’t know what to do. He clumsily tried to hold and comfort her, but her crying didn’t stop.
Until Tie Jin hurried over, skillfully picked her up, and let her lie on his shoulder.
Perhaps tired from crying, Jin Lili’s sobbing gradually subsided, but in her sleep, she still murmured, calling for her mother.
Tie Jin heard it all clearly, his expression not looking good.
When Jin Lili was completely quiet, he gently placed her on the small bed that emitted cool air, carefully covered her little tummy, and then tiptoed out.
He looked at Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi, made a quiet gesture, and signaled them to go upstairs.
“So, what’s going on?” After reaching the fifth floor, Tie Jin asked in a low voice.
His face no longer bore a smile; his expression was stern. When it came to matters concerning his adopted daughter, Tie Jin was evidently not as easygoing.
Tang Yu’an couldn’t help feeling a bit flustered.
He really hadn’t expected that talking to Jin Lili about her mother would cause such a reaction…
Zhou Qi comforted him by patting his hand, then took over and explained A-Lian’s situation to Tie Jin.
Hearing that when A-Lian encountered a mutated snake, she hid her daughter in a small grove and then led the snake away herself, Tie Jin couldn’t help but be moved.
But after listening to Zhou Qi’s account, although his expression softened, his brows were still tightly furrowed.
“So what are you trying to say?”
He continued, “Do you want me to return Lili?”
Naturally, Tie Jin was unwilling. After spending so many days together, as he invested more care into Jin Lili, his feelings for his adopted daughter grew deeper.
To be honest, he already regarded Jin Lili completely as his own daughter.
Letting him send his daughter back to suffer? Dream on!
He knew very well how difficult it was for a woman without abilities and no support to survive in the wasteland, especially while raising such a small child.
“We don’t mean that,” Zhou Qi shook his head.
Tie Jin took a deep breath and then said in a low voice, “Then please don’t mention her mother in front of Lili anymore. You saw just now; when you bring up her mother, she keeps crying.”
“Uncle Tie Jin, I think it’s necessary for Lili to know that her mother didn’t abandon her.”
Gathering his courage, Tang Yu’an expressed his thoughts to Tie Jin.
“Don’t you think Lili is a bit too obedient? Is she afraid of being abandoned again, so she behaves so well?”
Tie Jin was taken aback.
“She’s still a little over one year old. It’s normal for a baby to cry when hungry or in pain,” Tang Yu’an looked at him and said, “In these days, has Lili ever actively asked you for food or anything else?”
Tie Jin thought back and realized… she really hadn’t.
Just as Tang Yu’an said, she was really too obedient. Whatever he gave her, she accepted silently. Only by carefully observing her according to Zhou Qi’s guidance could he detect her real needs.
But after all, he was a new father, so he wasn’t doing that well…
“This doesn’t prove anything.”
After a long silence, Tie Jin spoke again: “We’ve only been together for a short time; it’ll get better over time.”
Tang Yu’an wanted to say more, but Zhou Qi stopped him.
“Let’s go eat,” he changed the subject.
Finally, a smile returned to Tie Jin’s face. He nodded and said, “Yes, yes, let’s eat!”
During the meal, although Tie Jin was not in a good mood, he still praised Zhou Qi’s cooking skills. But as he ate, he occasionally seemed absent-minded.
Clearly, he had taken to heart what Tang Yu’an had said.
After the meal, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi rested on the fourth floor.
Because of the lasting effect of the Qingliang (Cooling) Fruit, Tang Yu’an still didn’t feel hot, so even without the Shadow Umbrella, he could withstand the high temperatures.
Due to the matter with Jin Lili, he was obviously a bit sullen.
Zhou Qi comforted him by gently patting his head and said, “Give Uncle Tie Jin some time. Lili is still young; this matter can’t be rushed.”
He was worried that pushing too hard might backfire. If Tie Jin decided never to take Lili to the town again, then A-Lian would never have the chance to see her daughter.
Or if Lili was really returned to A-Lian, given A-Lian’s current situation of barely being able to take care of herself, could she raise her daughter healthily?
In any case, in this apocalyptic wasteland, it’s better to focus on surviving first.
Listening to his words, Tang Yu’an gradually understood.
Uncle Tie Jin also needed time to accept this; in this matter, no one was at fault—it was just fate playing tricks.
If everyone could be well-fed and clothed, wouldn’t such tragedies be fewer?
Tang Yu’an thought drowsily and slowly fell asleep…
*
Around three in the afternoon, they left Tie Jin’s home.
Tang Yu’an cast the Lightness Technique on Zhou Qi, then opened the map, and together they headed toward the nearest red dot.
In the few days they had been away, dangerous creatures they had previously cleared had reappeared.
On the Desolate city’s map, as customers moved around, the areas shrouded in fog expanded, except for the central area, which still showed no exploration progress.
Speaking of which, Chi Hao had gone to Jufeng Town but didn’t take the route that Old Li had shown them.
He had taken a shortcut, which on the map looked like a sharp sword, stabbing almost straight toward Jufeng Town. Who knows if he encountered any dangers along the way.
Soon, they arrived near the first red dot indicating a dangerous creature.
Tang Yu’an gathered his thoughts, and Zhou Qi slowed down, carefully approaching with Tang Yu’an.
The first encounter was another mutated dog.
Perhaps because this was a city before the apocalypse, there were many pet cats and dogs, so they had a higher chance of encountering mutated dogs and cats.
This mutated dog was easily dealt with by Zhou Qi.
Since Tang Yu’an’s pet slots were already full, and they had too many pets at home, after the mutated dog turned into a puppy, they didn’t linger and continued toward the next red dot.
“Brother Qi, do you think these mutated creatures that have been turned into kittens and puppies, if not adopted as pets, can revert back to their original forms like Yuan Bao and Black Pearl?” Tang Yu’an asked worriedly.
Zhou Qi thought for a moment and said, “Has that mutated pig we turned into a cat appeared on the map again?”
“Doesn’t seem like it…”
When they revert to their original form after being attacked again, they would reappear on the map as red dots—that much Tang Yu’an was certain of.
So, as long as the wasteland city residents don’t actively attack these kittens and puppies, theoretically, safety can be ensured… Of course, we can’t be entirely certain; we’ll have to observe further in the future.
They set off again.
On the way, they encountered a mutated spider.
To be honest, even though he had mentally prepared himself, when Tang Yu’an saw that spider as big as a bathtub, he was still greatly shocked.
Although it was much smaller than the mutated dogs, such gigantic, terrifying-looking arthropods were truly frightening!
Fortunately, Zhou Qi remained very calm.
Under the cover of the Shadow Umbrella, they successfully approached the spider and, from a safe distance, threw the Dog Frisbee, successfully turning the big spider, which was preying on a bird, into a black puppy.
So far, the Dog Frisbee has never failed.
However, when facing monsters, Zhou Qi was very cautious, fearing that they might encounter an existence powerful enough to ignore the Dog Frisbee.
After the mutated spider turned into a puppy, this time they didn’t leave immediately.
At Zhou Qi’s signal, Tang Yu’an used the Happy Marble, successfully hitting the spider-turned-puppy and immobilizing it on the spot.
Magically, after being hit by the Happy Marble, it didn’t revert to its original form but remained as a puppy, laughing crazily and rolling on the ground.
Tang Yu’an was puzzled, while Zhou Qi provided an odd explanation:
“After all, the Happy Marble only wants to bring it joy; how can that be considered a malicious attack?”
Then he added uncertainly, “Isn’t that right?”
Tang Yu’an nodded vigorously.
That’s definitely correct!
Because in the next moment, they tried the Sadness Marble, and after the puppy was hit, it reverted back to its big spider form.
It screeched loudly; who knows whether it was crying or laughing.
After the big spider was tormented for ten minutes, Zhou Qi turned it back into a puppy, and then Tang Yu’an used the Happy Marble to immobilize it again.
Under the protection of the Shadow Umbrella, they approached the “puppy,” and then Zhou Qi took out…
The Super Mouse Trap.
This was the only special item they hadn’t used yet.
It looked like a traditional mouse trap, slightly larger than an adult’s palm, with a clamp shape. When the switch was pulled or stepped on, the clamp would close, able to trap small creatures like mice.
Looking at the spider-turned black puppy laughing and rolling on the ground, Zhou Qi fell into contemplation.
The special items provided by the system couldn’t be used according to normal logic, so…
Zhou Qi held the mouse trap, and after opening the clamp, he directly pressed it onto the black puppy’s body—just as he extended his hand, the black puppy’s body began to change.
Obviously, this action was malicious, so the effect of the Dog Frisbee began to fail.
However, with the immobilization effect of the Happy Marble, Zhou Qi didn’t panic but sped up his movements, directly pressing the mouse trap onto the black puppy’s leg before it had time to revert to its original form.
“Snap!”
With a crisp sound, the Super Mouse Trap detached from Zhou Qi’s hand, and Zhou Qi had already turned around, pulling Tang Yu’an to retreat.
They jumped together, landing on a big tree nearby, looking down.
They saw that on the ground, the spider-like black puppy that was growing larger and uglier had disappeared, replaced by—
A big rat caught by the mouse trap on its hind leg!
“Squeak—squeak squeak—”
The big rat seemed unaware that its hind leg was caught, still rolling on the ground holding its belly, making squeaking sounds similar to laughter.
The clamp of the mouse trap firmly held it; even though it was rolling vigorously on the ground, the mouse trap didn’t budge at all, as if it was nailed to the ground.
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.
So, after using another type of special item, the effect of the Happy Marble wouldn’t be overwritten?
The Happy Marble is truly formidable!
Seeing that there was no danger, they jumped down from the tree and approached the big rat. Zhou Qi cautiously touched the Super Mouse Trap and retrieved it back into his personal warehouse.
On the ground, the spider-like big rat, after being released from the control of the mouse trap, didn’t revert to its original form.
It was still squeaking and rolling around, appearing deranged.
It seemed that the effect of the mouse trap was the same as the Cat Teaser and Dog Frisbee; after being turned into a cat, dog, or mouse, the creature couldn’t immediately revert to its original form—they likely belong to a series of items.
So…
Zhou Qi took out the mutated metal dagger that Tie Jin had given them. The sharp and pointed blade glinted in the sunlight.
This spider wasn’t a metal-type mutant; it should be pierceable, right?
Looking at the big rat squeaking on the ground, Zhou Qi felt no hesitation. Facing cats and dogs, he might have some scruples, but with rats, it was different.
The general store often had rat infestations; both boys had experience dealing with them.
Zhou Qi’s caution at this moment was mainly due to concern that when the dagger pierced the rat’s body, it might revert back to the big spider form and counterattack.
Therefore, his speed had to be fast enough.
He stared at the big rat’s body. He didn’t know if it was his illusion or if his perception had indeed become stronger; he vaguely felt where the rat’s weak point was.
Not at the heart, but at the forehead.
Thinking this, Zhou Qi concentrated even more, entering a familiar and mysterious state.
This state had appeared once before when facing Granny Guo’s attack—
He felt that everything around him was moving in slow motion; even the flow of the wind seemed to slow down, except for himself, unaffected.
Then, he raised the dagger and stabbed toward the weak point he had identified!
The mysterious state lifted, and time and motion returned to normal speed.
“Squeak squeak! Squeak squeak squeak!”
Just now, the mutated metal dagger had stabbed at the big rat at a speed hard for the human eye to catch, easily penetrating its skin, flesh, and bones, deeply piercing its head, directly impaling it.
The big rat struggled between extreme joy and pain.
Dark green blood flowed from its wound. Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi stepped back again, watching it warily to prevent the big spider from reverting and attacking.
However, what they worried about didn’t happen.
The big rat rolled on the ground, squeaking, its sounds growing fainter, and its struggles weakening.
Finally, it lay on the ground, no longer moving.
Under the gaze of Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi, the big rat’s body slowly changed, eventually turning back into a bathtub-sized spider, lying motionless on the ground, having lost all signs of life.
“It’s dead?” Tang Yu’an asked uncertainly.
Zhou Qi observed the spider, and with his senses, he indeed couldn’t feel any vitality from it.
But to be cautious, they didn’t approach immediately. After waiting for a while and confirming that the spider didn’t move again, they walked over.
Just as Zhou Qi was about to reach out and pull out the mutated metal dagger, he was stopped by Tang Yu’an.
“Brother Qi, gloves!”
Zhou Qi took the plastic gloves handed to him, put them on, and then carefully avoided the dark green liquid that had pooled, pulling the dagger out of the spider’s body with force.
“Squelch—”
Dark green blood spurted out, almost splashing onto him. Fortunately, he dodged in time.
Tang Yu’an quickly handed him a cloth.
Zhou Qi took it and carefully wiped the spider’s blood off the blade, avoiding contact with his skin. The blood emitted a sour smell; who knew if it was poisonous.
Staring at the spider’s corpse, Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but say, “Brother Qi, did you notice? Just now, it didn’t revert to its original form?”
Zhou Qi thought for a moment and nodded.
If it had been turned into a cat or dog by the Cat Teaser or Dog Frisbee, when they showed intent to attack and truly acted, it should have reverted to its original form.
Even if their speed was too fast for it to react, after the dagger pierced its body, it should have struggled and reverted, rather than maintaining the big rat form throughout, only changing back after death.
Tang Yu’an tilted his head, surprised. “So after turning into a rat, it can’t change back?”
Or perhaps, it could only change back after death.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but feel a bit fearful.
Because they had previously considered turning Wang Cai and the others into rats, but since the mouse trap was a trap and might damage their relationship with the pets, they had abandoned the idea.
Unexpectedly, the Super Mouse Trap was truly a malicious item!
“Does the creator of the item really hate rats?” Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but remark.
“Maybe?” Zhou Qi replied.
The Super Mouse Trap not only turned creatures into rats that couldn’t revert even after being attacked but also trapped them on the spot.
In comparison, the Cat Teaser and Dog Frisbee could really be considered toys.
Suddenly, Tang Yu’an clapped his hands, realizing, “The Super Mouse Trap was a reward for completing the Guard Dog quest, and the effect of the Guard Dog title is unlocking full detection of dangerous creatures on the map. In that case, it makes sense!”
After detecting dangerous creatures, you need to deal with or eliminate them, so the reward is the Super Mouse Trap, which inherently has this meaning.
This chain quest is progressively connected.
Zhou Qi nodded, feeling a bit gratified. “Anyway, we now have another powerful item.”
Although the Super Mouse Trap had more usage restrictions, its effect was indeed strong. It’s just that… he glanced at the mutated metal dagger in his hand.
So, did the mutated metal dagger pierce the highly defensive body of the big spider, or its vulnerable body after turning into a rat?
If it was the latter, then there’s potential.
They could test it further in the future.
Zhou Qi thought for a moment and then used the dagger to scrape the spider’s shell a few times.
The seemingly hard spider shell was easily cut open, and more dark green liquid flowed out, revealing the colorful silk threads in its abdomen that hadn’t been spat out yet.
So, the mutated metal dagger could indeed be effective against mutated creatures.
Looking at the spider’s corpse, Zhou Qi felt that leaving it here seemed a bit wasteful, but he didn’t know what use this mutated big spider might have.
Seeing the dark green viscous liquid, the spider’s hairy shell, and those pair of green compound eyes, he really didn’t want to bring it back as food—
Although he had seen on food programs that spiders could be eaten, they weren’t at the point of being that desperate.
“I’ll appraise it!” At this moment, Tang Yu’an said.
As soon as he finished speaking, he used the Basic Appraisal skill on the big spider’s corpse—since the spider was dead, it shouldn’t be considered an intelligent creature.
Soon, the system prompt popped up:
“Do you want to deduct 200 points to use ‘Item Appraisal (Basic)’ on this item?”
Wow, that’s expensive!
Although the appraisal skill succeeded, the appraisal fee exceeded Tang Yu’an’s expectations.
“Brother Qi, this big spider is worth 2,000 points; the appraisal fee is too expensive,” Tang Yu’an said, wrinkling his nose.
Zhou Qi pressed his lips; he also felt it wasn’t worthwhile.
Although the mutated big spider was valuable, they currently lacked customers who could buy it; the only way was to list it on the Interdimensional Market for sale…
“Has today’s mutated lantern fruit been sold?” he asked.
Tang Yu’an checked and shook his head, “No.”
Currently, their merchant level was still low; they could only list one item at a time in the Plane Store.
However, if it wasn’t sold by evening, the mutated lantern fruit would automatically return to their personal warehouse, freeing up the slot.
Zhou Qi thought for a moment, took out a small plastic sealed bag from his personal warehouse, and carefully collected some of the dark green liquid flowing from the spider.
“Appraise this,” he said.
Tang Yu’an’s eyes lit up and quickly used the Appraisal skill on the small bag of blood.
[Do you want to deduct 1 point to use ‘Item Appraisal (Basic)’ on this item?]
Wow, the appraisal fee is only 1 point now!
