Chapter 78
Hearing Kang Kang’s words, both Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi were momentarily stunned.
Grow it? Was it the meaning they were thinking of?
Kang Kang was holding the leaf, his thin little face flushed, and his big round eyes became exceptionally bright. Just by looking at his expression, one could tell how excited the child was.
Tang Yu’an tentatively asked, “Kang Kang, can you grow a Lan Hu Tree from a leaf?”
That would be amazing!
Kang Kang looked up at him, blinking his eyes, and said, “I want… to grow it!”
Oh, so he just wanted to.
Tang Yu’an felt his soaring mood land back on the ground.
Whether it could be done was uncertain, but since Kang Kang had such an idea, he naturally supported it unconditionally.
“You can do it!”
Tang Yu’an patted the child’s shoulder, saying with great certainty, “As long as Kang Kang wants to do something, you can definitely achieve it.”
Hearing his words, Kang Kang couldn’t help but grin widely.
“Mm!”
He nodded his little head, seeming very confident in himself.
“Then keep this leaf with you. Take your time to study it; there’s no rush.”
Worried that the child might overexert himself, Tang Yu’an stroked his little head, earnestly reminding him, “Don’t tire yourself out; make sure to eat well and rest properly.”
He knew that this task would definitely be very difficult.
After all, even with ordinary plants, except for some special species, it’s rare to grow a new plant from a leaf.
And as a mutant plant, the Lan Hu Tree would be even more challenging to cultivate.
If Kang Kang could really grow it, that would be an unexpected delight. With such a temperature-adjusting mutant tree, their lives would definitely improve significantly.
If not…
Could he perhaps trade for seeds of the tree with that little boy from Lanhu Town?
Tang Yu’an couldn’t help thinking. Even if there were no seeds, would branches be easier to cultivate than leaves?
If such a practical tree species could be promoted in the wasteland, how many Lanhu Towns could be created? Even if they only planted them in the Desolate City, they could live more comfortably.
But thinking about the harm of species invasion, Tang Yu’an’s feverish mind cooled down.
The mother plant of the Mutant Lantern Fruit had developed intelligence; the Lan Hu Tree might be similar. Facing such unknown life forms, they should be cautious.
But now it’s too early to consider that.
In any case, let’s wait and see if Kang Kang can grow it.
Next, Kang Kang showed unparalleled enthusiasm for the Lan Hu Tree leaf.
Even when Tang Yu’an tried to play with him, he was somewhat distracted, often staring at the leaf in a daze, making Tang Yu’an very curious about how the leaf looked in his eyes.
As for the previous Qingliang Fruit tree, it had naturally fallen out of favor.
After asking Kang Kang, Tang Yu’an properly placed it by the window so it could get sunlight.
The Lan Hu Tree was still a distant possibility, but a new batch of Qingliang Fruits had already grown among the branches and leaves. Tang Yu’an carefully counted and found that this time there were five.
One fruit is worth 100 points—that’s 500 points!
And it’s 500 points that can be repeatedly earned!
Unfortunately, Kang Kang was already captivated by the Lan Hu Tree leaf. He squatted in the corner, holding the leaf like a new toy, constantly examining it.
“Brother Qi, can you see anything?” Tang Yu’an couldn’t help asking Zhou Qi.
Previously, when the owner of the Jade Pavilion Inn gave them the crystals, one was a plant-attribute, and Zhou Qi had reacted to that plant-type crystal. So theoretically, he should also possess plant-type abilities.
Unfortunately, Zhou Qi shook his head.
He could feel the plant-element energy fluctuations around Kang Kang, but he couldn’t decipher more information.
He had also watched Granny Guo accelerate plant growth, but unlike with metal and fire abilities, he couldn’t learn it just by watching—it might be his innate limitation.
“It’s okay; you’re already amazing!”
Zhou Qi nodded and took out a measuring tape to measure Kang Kang’s dimensions.
Seeing that there was nothing to help with, Tang Yu’an opened the mini-map and began researching locations for their branch store.
Granny Guo and Old Li’s homes were in the same neighborhood. There were many abandoned buildings in this area, but finding one suitable for living would take some effort.
If possible, Tang Yu’an hoped to set up the branch close to the two elderly people.
Before long, Granny Guo returned.
Kang Kang immediately ran to her with the Lan Hu Tree leaf, babbling words that Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi couldn’t understand.
Granny Guo patiently listened to him finish, her face always bearing a kind smile.
“It’s good; let him be.”
Although Granny Guo was surprised that her grandson had a new “research project,” she was supportive.
Her greatest hope for her grandson was that he could grow up healthy. Besides that, if he could find and persist in doing something he likes, that would be even better.
As for other things… In this apocalyptic wasteland, what else was there to hope for?
“Old Li went out hunting; he asked me to give this to you.”
Granny Guo handed a straw basket to Zhou Qi, which contained a few arrows and a piece of meat.
Although Old Li had formed a certain tacit understanding with Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi, knowing that they needed to come to him daily to trade, apparently, he didn’t know that the trade required his personal presence to be effective.
But being remembered like this made Tang Yu’an feel warm inside.
“Thank you, Granny!”
After Granny Guo gave them the items, she continued to tend to the rice seedlings in the box, checking their growth. It seemed they could be harvested in about a week.
Perhaps Kang Kang’s dedication to studying plants was learned from his grandmother.
After that, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi took their leave.
Although Old Li wasn’t home, since they received something from him, they still went to his place and stuffed a small bag of salt through the window crack.
“Sister Lin isn’t home.”
Looking at the map, Tang Yu’an saw that Lin Zhen wasn’t around; she was wandering in the ruins and woods, probably like Old Li, out looking for food.
“Mm, then let’s go find Uncle Jin first.”
Zhou Qi turned and headed toward Tie Jin’s place.
Tie Jin’s home wasn’t far from Old Li’s. Without the Lightfoot Technique, it would take about ten minutes to walk there.
They walked leisurely, stopping occasionally to observe the surrounding buildings, searching for suitable targets and recording them. Since they didn’t need to worry about mutant creatures, their range of choices was much larger than others’.
Before long, they arrived at Tie Jin’s house.
“Uncle Jin, we’ve brought clothes for Lili.”
“Great, great, come in!”
Although there had been a slight conflict yesterday, Tie Jin’s attitude toward them hadn’t changed. However, he looked noticeably more haggard than yesterday.
“How’s Lili?”
Feeling guilty about making Jin Lili cry yesterday, Tang Yu’an specially brought hot milk with added sugar, planning to feed it to her when Tie Jin wasn’t looking.
“She’s fine now.”
Tie Jin nodded, but his expression became a bit forced.
She was fine, but last night when he went to cover his daughter with a blanket, he heard her calling for her mother in her sleep…
This made Tie Jin feel complicated.
Since yesterday, Tang Yu’an’s words had been floating in his mind from time to time.
Was Lili being so obedient because she was afraid of being abandoned by him?
Indeed, he liked his daughter’s obedience, but he also hoped she could become lively, could talk and laugh with him, and become a real person.
Tie Jin also knew that this required time and guidance, but he couldn’t help thinking about it…
So, he had insomnia again last night.
But these were unnecessary to tell outsiders. Soon, he led the two boys to the second floor.
The little girl was quietly lying on the metal box with added ice. Beside her was a mint plant. Hearing movement, she looked up towards the sound.
Seeing Tie Jin and Tang Yu’an appear, a hint of light finally appeared in her empty eyes.
“Lili, good morning!”
“Look what we have!”
Tang Yu’an took out the little dress that Zhou Qi had made for her from his backpack.
Jin Lili didn’t react much, but the usually gloomy Tie Jin’s eyes lit up.
“This is Lili’s dress?”
“So this style is called a dress? It’s so beautiful!”
He took the little dress from Tang Yu’an, stroking it fondly, constantly praising it, his bearded face unable to hide his love.
“Did you really make this yourselves? The fabric is so soft. Is it from the fortress?”
Tie Jin was full of longing for apocalyptic civilization. This simple and rough little dress in Zhou Qi’s eyes was exquisite and beautiful to him.
After Tang Yu’an helped Jin Lili change into it, Tie Jin looked at his daughter, who had completely transformed, and couldn’t hide his joy.
“It’s really beautiful!”
He didn’t have many adjectives, only able to keep saying it was beautiful.
Jin Lili looked at her new clothes, her round eyes filled with curiosity.
She had no concept of beauty, but the clean and soft cotton fabric felt naturally more comfortable than the dirty, ragged cloth she wore before.
However, when Tie Jin wanted to take away the old rag, her small hands tightly held onto it.
Tie Jin was taken aback and realized, “This cloth is very dirty; Daddy will throw it away.”
Jin Lili showed a sad expression but quickly let go obediently, still gazing at the rag.
Normally, the rough and carefree Tie Jin wouldn’t notice her emotional changes.
But after being reminded by Tang Yu’an yesterday, Tie Jin became more attentive. Noticing his daughter’s unusual behavior, he felt a bit at a loss.
“Maybe Lili is sentimental,” Zhou Qi said.
Tang Yu’an opened his mouth slightly; actually, he thought Lili might be missing her mother, since that rag should have been found by A-Lian.
But seeing Tie Jin’s expression, he decided not to say anything that might upset him.
Just like Brother Qi said, in this world, surviving is more important. If he knew more, would Uncle Tie Jin sending Lili and A-Lian back be a good ending?
Tang Yu’an was also confused, so he decided not to interfere and let things take their course.
In the end, Tie Jin still took the rag away.
Mainly because it was really dirty; even if used as a blanket, it needed to be washed first.
Seeing Jin Lili’s quiet and obedient appearance, he couldn’t help but soften his voice and said, “Daddy will wash it and give it back to you when it’s clean, okay?”
Jin Lili didn’t know if she understood, but after he finished speaking, she looked up at him.
Tie Jin smiled at her, and Jin Lili also curved her lips, showing a faint smile.
That smile almost melted Tie Jin’s heart.
“Sentimental; that’s good!”
Tie Jin picked up his daughter, happily spinning around.
Of course, he knew that Lili might be thinking of her mother and wanted to keep the cloth, but…
He thought, being sentimental wasn’t a bad thing.
Because in that case, Lili would think of him like that in the future too.
Since he promised his daughter, Tie Jin would naturally try to fulfill it. He looked at Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi and asked, “Are there any convenient ways to wash clothes in the fortress?”
It would be great if he could save some water. The weather was getting hotter, and clean water was becoming more precious.
Hearing his concern, Tang Yu’an volunteered to take on the task.
Not to mention the item list function of the grocery store, his newly acquired Purification Spell could perfectly handle the job!
“Leave it to me; I guarantee to return it clean tomorrow.”
Seeing the boy so confident, Tie Jin was curious but didn’t ask more. “Great, if you can really clean it, I’ll trade half a metal arrowhead with you.”
Then, Tang Yu’an was judged to have made a profitable transaction, points +1.
In the system’s judgment, that rag was worth 1 point? Tang Yu’an didn’t know whether to say the system was stingy or thrifty.
“The hoe you requested will take two more days; I’ll make it for you as soon as possible.”
Tie Jin was thinking about Granny Guo’s potatoes. “When it’s done, can you introduce me?”
He wanted to trade directly with Granny Guo.
Tie Jin didn’t distrust the two boys; he was just worried that if they stopped coming, his daughter would have nothing to eat.
And those potatoes were really filling and lasted longer than meat and eggs. Not only his daughter, but he could also eat them.
“We’ll ask her.”
This matter mainly depended on Granny Guo’s wishes; she seemed reluctant to interact with others, and they couldn’t decide for her.
But Tang Yu’an thought it would be good for them to meet; after all, they both had children and could be playmates.
“I’ll try my best to help you.”
“Thank you!”
Tie Jin thanked them sincerely, then heard Zhou Qi ask, “Uncle Jin, we’re looking for a new place to stay nearby. Do you have any good suggestions?”
Hearing this, Tie Jin was somewhat surprised. Now that he thought about it, he didn’t know where the two boys were staying in the Desolate city.
“Where are you staying now?”
“Far from here…” Zhou Qi said vaguely.
Seeing he didn’t want to say more, Tie Jin didn’t press. He thought for a moment and asked, “Are you planning to stay long-term?”
“Yes,” Zhou Qi nodded.
“Then I suggest you find the Ba Shi brothers.”
Tie Jin said, “My house was found and renovated by him. He’s an earth-type ability user, very good at reinforcing buildings.”
Tang Yu’an felt the name sounded familiar.
“Does he have a brother named Ba Tu?”
“Yes,” Tie Jin was surprised. “Do you know them?”
Tang Yu’an shook his head. “We met them on the way to the town before; Grandpa Li told us about them.”
“I see.”
Tie Jin nodded. “I seem to have heard that Old Li had some conflicts with them before when hunting.”
Such things were common. After all, in the wasteland, there were too many instances of fighting over a bit of food.
“But don’t worry; they’re not at the point of hating each other.”
Tie Jin knew the boys had a good relationship with Old Li, so he explained further.
“Mm, got it.”
“So have you found a general location?” Tie Jin asked.
Indeed, Tang Yu’an had found two or three places he liked, and he casually told him.
As he listened to the descriptions, Tie Jin gradually frowned.
Finally, he shook his head and said, “The places you’ve chosen aren’t suitable.”
“Why?” Tang Yu’an asked curiously.
“If you want to stay in the Desolate city long-term, you need to find high ground; low places are absolutely not acceptable,” Tie Jin said seriously.
Hearing this, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi suddenly realized that the residents of the Desolate city seemed to all live in high places.
Even the residents of Jufeng Mountain lived at the top.
Previously, when Tang Yu’an had asked Old Li why people built the town at the top of the mountain despite the difficult path, he had said it was for safety.
At that time, he thought it was to avoid mutant creatures, but now it seemed…
Tang Yu’an remembered the small boat he saw on the first floor when he first came to Tie Jin’s place, so the real reason was…
“Floods?”
“Floods?”
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi almost said in unison.
After speaking, they looked at each other, seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.
Their worries became reality as Tie Jin nodded, “Yes, if you set your residence in a low place, it will be swallowed by floodwaters in the future.”
Hearing this, Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but take a deep breath. “Isn’t it drought? How can there be floods?”
With such a huge temperature difference between day and night, could there be other natural disasters?
“After severe drought comes floods; it’s like this every year.” Tie Jin seemed accustomed to it. Born in the wasteland, he was already numb to such things.
“The water level usually reaches four or five meters, about the height of the second or third floor here. So the place you live must be high and sturdy, so it won’t be washed away by the flood.”
He sincerely offered advice to the two boys.
“You can do like me, find a relatively intact building, and have Ba Shi renovate and reinforce it. That way, it’s spacious and comfortable to live in.”
“You have salt; he won’t refuse.” Tie Jin patted his chest, “With me around, he won’t dare cheat you.”
Tang Yu’an nodded.
If it’s really as he said, with floods after drought, then the locations they previously chose were indeed unsuitable.
In order to facilitate external business, the houses he selected were more accessible, unlike Granny Guo’s place that required climbing.
But they hadn’t intended to settle on those places immediately; they would have asked Grandpa Li before finalizing. Knowing the issues to avoid in advance would save them some detours.
“Uncle Jin, thank you for telling us this.” Zhou Qi said, “We’ll go back and discuss it, and come back to you later, okay?”
“Hahaha, of course!”
Tie Jin waved his hand, telling them not to be so polite.
“If you can settle in the Desolate city long-term, I welcome you a thousand times over!”
What he said was sincere; he really hoped to learn more knowledge from the two boys.
Especially after tasting Zhou Qi’s cooking yesterday, he truly realized that what he had been eating before was pig feed. For his and his daughter’s future happiness, he had decided to work hard to improve his cooking skills.
And it all started with the wok!
Since the hoe and wok weren’t finished yet, Zhou Qi didn’t present Tie Jin with new problems today. After Tang Yu’an secretly fed Jin Lili the milk, they took their leave.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky; Tang Yu’an opened the Shadow Umbrella, but the atmosphere under the umbrella seemed a bit heavy.
“Brother Qi, if there will be floods in the future, what about our shop?” Tang Yu’an said worriedly.
By “shop,” he naturally meant the main store.
At night, there was the protective barrier, but during the day, the barrier disappeared. The flood in the wasteland wouldn’t just come at night, would it?
Given the location of the main store, it would definitely be submerged.
“After upgrading the store, didn’t the protective barrier have any related settings?” Zhou Qi’s expression was also serious.
“No,” Tang Yu’an shook his head. “Maybe the level isn’t high enough?”
“If that’s the case, we need to speed up,” Zhou Qi said in a low voice.
Since the space in the personal warehouse wasn’t enough, to minimize losses, they needed to transfer the items in the grocery store to the branch before the flood came.
Tang Yu’an responded gloomily.
The Peace Grocery Store was his home; just thinking that it might be destroyed by the flood filled him with sadness.
Zhou Qi thought for a moment and comforted him, “When the flood comes, the grocery store will be in non-business hours; maybe the protective barrier will activate automatically?”
After all, the logic for the protective barrier to activate was to open for customers, and during extreme weather, it wouldn’t be business hours.
So while they needed to prepare for both possibilities, they didn’t need to worry too much.
“Mm…”
Tang Yu’an nodded, finally cheering up.
“Yes, and the flood won’t come immediately. If we continue to level up, maybe we can unlock related functions of the protective barrier.”
Thinking like this, the boy was once again full of energy.
“Brother Qi, let’s go find Sister Lin!”
Next, they needed to work hard to earn points and experience, then build the branch and upgrade!
Zhou Qi breathed a slight sigh of relief and agreed.
They started heading towards Lin Zhen’s place.
Lin Zhen’s home wasn’t far from Tie Jin’s. Looking at the map, Sister Lin had already returned nearby; who knew what she had harvested today.
When they arrived, they saw her figure through the window, carrying a straw basket.
“Sister Lin Zhen!”
Tang Yu’an greeted first.
Lin Zhen, who had just put down the basket, was stunned and turned to look at them.
Perhaps because it was too hot, the hair on her forehead was damp with sweat, her cheeks were red, and her dark eyes revealed uncontrollable excitement.
As she put the basket on the ground, the cloth covering it slipped off, revealing two light yellow objects, their surfaces solidified with silt and filth…
Lizard eggs!
Tang Yu’an: 0.0
He couldn’t help but widen his eyes.
Aren’t those his lizard eggs?! How did they end up in Sister Lin’s basket?
