Chapter 123: Response
When Xia Lu Nong finish his statement, it took everyone by surprise.
Yan Xi Nian immediately went to the window, checked to make sure no one was around, then closed the curtains and returned, lowering his voice. “Your ability increased? How did it grow? Was it the amount that increased?”
“Yes,” Xia Lu Nong also lowered his voice and said quietly, “In the past, when I used my ability, I could make two bamboo plants grow. Now, I think I can make about two and a half. But that’s just how it feels, so it might not be accurate.”
“It’s your own body, so you’re probably right. Usually, your gut feeling is reliable,” Yan Xi Nian said. “We can run some tests when we get back to confirm.”
“Alright,” Xia Lu Nong agreed, then asked softly, “Brother Xi Nian, how did the talks with the higher-ups in Yacheng Town go? They didn’t give you any trouble, did they?”
“No, they even treated us to a banquet,” Yan Xi Nian said. “The situation outside is so dangerous right now, and we don’t have any fundamental conflicts of interest with Yacheng Town. They have no reason to make things hard for us, so don’t worry.”
Xia Huo Qu added, “The truth is, our strength is still lacking. Every time we come here, we’re always on edge. If we were strong enough, maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about all these things.”
Hearing this, Xia Lu Nong disagreed and said seriously, “This time was an accident, and it doesn’t have much to do with strength. Brother, you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. It’s already hard enough just staying alive. If we keep worrying about everything, it’ll just be too exhausting.”
After Xia Lu Nong said that, Yan Xi Nian patted Xia Huo Qu on the shoulder and said, “See? I’ve been telling you that you’re too hard on yourself. There’s no such thing as having everything perfectly under control. Look at Yacheng Town—they’re powerful, yet they have internal conflicts all over the place. They even abandoned agriculture. Their situation is unstable, and if something goes wrong, they might not even have enough food to eat.”
Xia Huo Qu glanced at him without replying, but he didn’t look very happy.
Yan Xi Nian chuckled, leaning his elbow on Xia Huo Qu’s shoulder, and dropped the topic.
Yan Xi Nian said, “It’s good that there’s nothing major going on. Let’s get some rest tonight. We’re on someone else’s turf right now, so it’s best not to do anything risky. We’ll talk more when we’re back.”
Kong Zhi asked, “When are we heading back?”
Yan Xi Nian replied, “Hopefully the morning after tomorrow. Old Liu and the others have been running around, so they should have time to walk around Yacheng Town tomorrow.”
Xia Lu Nong said, “Let’s take a walk too. I’ve finished all the novels and movies I downloaded back in Yacheng town. Maybe we can find some new content tomorrow. And the weather’s getting colder—we need to buy some clothes.”
Xia Huo Qu nodded and instructed, “Yeah, don’t touch that piece of the snake in the truck bed. If you need to trade, just use the rice.”
The surgery Xia Lu Nong had wasn’t too complicated, so the medical bill wasn’t much. Most of their expenses went toward the connections Old Mo helped them make.
They had come prepared, and after taking care of everything, there was still more than half a truck of rice left—plenty for their needs.
Xia Lu Nong nodded and asked again, “Brother, do you still have social events tomorrow? Want to join us for shopping?”
“You guys go. We’d attract too much attention, so it’s not very convenient.”
Seeing Xia Lu Nong’s disappointment, Yan Xi Nian reassured him, “It’s not entirely out of the question. Depending on tomorrow’s schedule, we might have some time in the afternoon to join you for a walk.”
Xia Lu Nong nodded. “Alright, then we’ll plan for the afternoon.”
Xia Huo Qu added, “While you’re out, see if you can pick up something for Dr. Ou as a thank-you. She’s been through a lot coming with us.”
The next morning, Yan Xi Nian and Xia Huo Qu were busy with social engagements.
Old Liu and his group went out into the city as well.
This left Xia Lu Nong, Kong Zhi, and Dr. Ou back at the base.
Xia Lu Nong invited Dr. Ou to go shopping.
Looking at the oddly dressed people on the streets of Yacheng Town and then at her own name badge, Dr. Ou murmured, “This place really feels uncomfortable.”
“It’s not as relaxed or equal as our base,” Xia Lu Nong said. “I think their survival pressure is greater than ours.”
“That’s probably it,” Dr. Ou agreed.
They walked through the streets, chatting quietly.
Many people around them stared.
People with beast-like transformations tend to have sharp senses. Kong Zhi placed a hand on Xia Lu Nong’s shoulder and gently nudged him forward, whispering, “Let’s not talk about this here.”
Dr. Ou smiled. “Alright, no more talk. Let’s see what they’re selling. It seems like they have everything here.”
“Especially clothing,” Xia Lu Nong added. “Dr. Ou, let’s go check out the clothes and shoes.”
Dr. Ou’s eyes lit up. “Where are the clothes and shoes? Let’s go!”
Though they didn’t usually go shopping, even Kong Zhi ended up carrying bags full of items by the end of the trip.
At noon, the three of them ate noodles at a riverside stall, breaking into a sweat from the heat.
Fanning herself with the menu, Dr. Ou’s lips were red from the spice. “These noodles are so good. We don’t have anything this tasty back at our market.”
“But we do have a great bun shop at the market!” Xia Lu Nong said, taking a big sip of soup. “So satisfying.”
Dr. Ou sighed, “It’s almost like being back before the disaster, when you could hop on a plane and go anywhere in the world.”
“We’ll get back to that one day,” Xia Lu Nong said as he finished the last of his soup. “Dr. Ou, are you full? If not, we can order more.”
Dr. Ou blew on her remaining soup. “I’m full, but maybe a little snack wouldn’t hurt.”
Xia Lu Nong smiled. “Let’s get another bowl for Kong Zhi and some snacks.”
Dr. Ou smiled and asked, “You’re not going to ask Kong Zhi first?”
Kong Zhi set down his bowl. “I’ll take another bowl.”
Xia Lu Nong waved over the stall owner, ordered another bowl of noodles, and added fried buns to their order.
When the noodles arrived, Kong Zhi gave Xia Lu Nong half and then quietly dug into the rest.
After they finished eating, they returned to the inn.
Old Liu and the others had already come back and were gathered in one of the rooms, eating buns and chatting.
From a distance, Xia Lu Nong could hear their lively conversation. He walked over and knocked lightly on the door, asking, “Brother Liu, what are you guys talking about?”
“We’re discussing Yacheng Town’s resources. There are so many good things for sale here, and even more on the black market. We were out all morning, and it was overwhelming.”
Xia Lu Nong asked, “Did you manage to get what you wanted?”
Ba Niu eagerly answered, “We got everything we wanted! I even got a bunch of bullets and arrows. If we had known this place was so good, we should have come here earlier.”
Old Liu laughed heartily, “No need to dwell on that. We can always come back more often in the future. We could even partner up, bring some of our goods here to sell, and make a nice profit.”
Seeing how quickly their conversation was turning into a business plan, Xia Lu Nong reminded them, “Things outside aren’t so peaceful right now. With the increasing number of highly mutated beasts, the journey could become much more dangerous.”
“Even with the danger, we still have to make it happen. We need to make a living,” Old Liu said, taking a big bite of his bun. “Those wild beasts are vicious, but that’s even more reason not to give up any ground to them.”
With a bold spirit, Ba Niu added, “Old Liu is right! Let’s drink to that—though we’ll use water in place of alcohol.”
Xia Lu Nong tried to offer some words of caution, but it only fueled their enthusiasm. As they were about to bring out real alcohol, Xia Lu Nong decided to leave them to it and went back to the room with Kong Zhi to rest.
They had a double room with two beds, but instead of sleeping separately, they chose to squeeze into the smaller 1.5-meter bed.
Lying side by side, Xia Lu Nong sighed, staring at the ceiling. “Things seem to have gotten so complicated all of a sudden. I wonder what fate has in store for humanity.”
“It didn’t happen all of a sudden,” Kong Zhi replied, also looking at the ceiling. “From the giant ants to the honeysuckle plants to the massive pythons, and even the big tsunami—this mutation trend was set in motion long ago.”
Following his train of thought, Xia Lu Nong shuddered. “Do you think the earthquake could have caused a second wave of mutations?”
“I don’t know,” Kong Zhi said. “But regardless of the cause, we’ll keep living as we are—just like people before us, fighting to overcome nature.”
Kong Zhi’s calm reasoning eased Xia Lu Nong’s heavy heart. “You’re right!”
Kong Zhi put an arm around Xia Lu Nong’s shoulder and gently pulled him closer. “Get some sleep. We’ll go out again when we wake up.”
Xia Lu Nong rested his head against Kong Zhi’s. “Alright, this time it’ll just be the two of us.”
Xia Lu Nong and his group enjoyed their time shopping in Yacheng town. No one bothered them, and everything went smoothly.
That evening, Yan Xi Nian and Xia Huo Qu returned, reporting that everything had gone well. They were set to leave for the base early the next morning.
Yawning, Xia Lu Nong counted on his fingers, “At our usual pace, we should be back at the base by September 29th or 30th—just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
“Then we’ll celebrate,” Yan Xi Nian said. “I even bought mooncakes. Yacheng town gave us a big one as a gift, so we can share it when we get back.”
“Yacheng town really has plenty of supplies,” Xia Lu Nong said with a hint of envy. “They have way more resources than we do.”
Yan Xi Nian ruffled his hair. “That’s because it hasn’t even been three years since the disaster. The supplies left over from civilization are still abundant. As time goes on, they’ll find fewer things in the wild, and life will get harder for them. No need to envy them.”
“Yeah!” Xia Lu Nong agreed. “If we manage things well, our future will only get better.”
“Exactly,” Yan Xi Nian said. “But enough talking—let’s get some rest. We need to get up early tomorrow. Let’s try to get back in two days.”
With no worries on their minds, Xia Lu Nong and the others slept soundly.
The next day, they packed up the goods they’d traded for, said their goodbyes to Old Mo, and drove out of Yacheng town.
Xia Lu Nong’s group of four rode together in the lead vehicle. Hu Wen Xuan, Zhuang Nan, and Dr. Ou followed in the middle car, while Old Liu, Liao Quan Nan, and Ba Niu brought up the rear.
To ensure their safety, everyone stayed inside the vehicles, avoiding any solo actions that could lead to accidents.
The road from the base to Yacheng was familiar to them by now, and they made the return trip without incident. By the morning of September 30th, they had arrived back at the base.
Xia Lu Nong sincerely thanked Dr. Ou and the others, then shared the large mooncake Yacheng town had gifted them before sending them on their way.
Old Liu and the rest patted Xia Lu Nong on the shoulder one by one, their expressions filled with emotion.
Standing in front of his yard, Xia Lu Nong watched them leave.
Just as they disappeared from sight, he heard a “thump, thump” sound behind him. He turned to see a slightly grown Xia Hua Jiao jumping out of the tree pit and hopping toward him.
Waving its branches angrily, Xia Hua Jiao “huffed” in protest, accusing Xia Lu Nong of breaking his promise and making it wait for so long.
Caught off guard, Xia Lu Nong felt a headache coming on.
“Shh, shh!” Xia Hua Jiao’s branches waved furiously, the frustration almost spilling out from its trembling crown.
Xia Lu Nong placed his hand on its trunk and apologized sincerely. “I’m sorry, I got injured and had to go to another base for treatment. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”
“Shh, shh!” Xia Hua Jiao wasn’t convinced, shaking its crown even harder.
Xia Lu Nong explained the meaning of “injury.” “It’s like when your stem or roots break. If I didn’t get treated, I might not have survived. I had to go to another base, or you might never have seen me again.”
Slowly, Xia Hua Jiao stopped trembling, as if it was beginning to understand his words.
Xia Lu Nong repeated his apology, then asked, “Will you forgive me?”
After hearing this, Xia Hua Jiao’s crown drooped, and its branches bent, gently hugging Xia Lu Nong in a tender embrace.
It even lightly nuzzled his shoulder.
This was the first time Xia Lu Nong had ever received a hug from it, and his heart melted, feeling as if his own child had finally grown up.
He reached out and hugged the trunk. “It’s okay now. I’m completely healed.”
“Shh, shh—” Xia Hua Jiao’s leaves rustled.
Xia Lu Nong infused some of his energy into the tree and patted its trunk. “Be good, you can go back now.”
Obediently, Xia Hua Jiao hopped back to its usual spot in the soil and re-rooted itself.
After checking the moisture of the soil, Xia Lu Nong said, “I’ll go get some water for you.”
“Whoosh!”
Xia Lu Nong turned around to head back into the house and fetch a wooden ladle.
They had already returned home. For the past few days, Liao Cheng had been taking care of their house, and he was now chatting with them in the living room.
When he saw Xia Lu Nong, Liao Cheng waved, “Xiao Nong, how are you doing? Come over here, let me have a look.”
“I’m all healed,” Xia Lu Nong replied. “Let me water Xia Hua Jiao first, and then I’ll come back to chat.”
Liao Cheng patted him on the shoulder. “Go ahead. Xia Hua Jiao missed you guys a lot these past few days. It was hopping around outside, looking out for you, nearly jumping out of its skin.”
Xia Lu Nong sighed deeply with emotion. “It’s been through a lot.”
After fetching a bucket, he watered Xia Hua Jiao in the front yard and then went to the backyard to check on the honeysuckle.
The honeysuckle was growing well, with lots of new shoots now climbing along the fence. Its tender leaves fluttered in the breeze, showing no signs of autumn’s gloom. Xia Lu Nong felt cheerful as he looked at it, and after inspecting it, he gave it two ladles of water.
The soft vines of the honeysuckle wrapped gently around his ankle, as if it were affectionately pleading for attention.
Xia Lu Nong used his abilities to sense the honeysuckle’s responses, but he couldn’t detect much awareness—just basic needs, like water and fertilizer. The emotions of joy and excitement were weak.
It seemed that this little honeysuckle had a long way to go before it could develop the intelligence of Xia Hua Jiao.
After finishing the watering, Xia Lu Nong checked the rest of the plants in the yard and, finding no issues, took the bucket back inside.
Liao Cheng watched him put the bucket away in the kitchen and said, “Xiao Nong, your sense of responsibility is impressive! You just can’t seem to sit still, can you?”
Xia Lu Nong smiled. “I’ve been away for days, and I planted these plants myself, so it’s natural to feel concerned.”
“That’s true. You’ve got a soft heart, treating plants and animals alike.”
Sitting on the couch, Xia Lu Nong asked, “Liao Cheng, how are our crops doing? Nothing went wrong, right?”
“Everything’s fine, but your wheat is starting to yellow and shed grains. You’ll need to harvest it quickly,” Liao Cheng explained.
Xia Lu Nong had expected this and wasn’t surprised. “We’ll harvest the wheat tomorrow. How’s the rice?”
“The rice is almost ready too. Once you’ve finished with the wheat, you’ll need to harvest the rice, or the grains will fall to the ground.”
Liao Cheng continued, “The vegetable garden is doing well. The eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, and carrots are all thriving, so you don’t need to worry about them. After the harvest, just apply some fertilizer to the soil.”
Xia Huo Qu, who had been listening, said, “Thanks for all your hard work these past few days.”
“No need to be so formal between us. Besides, you forced some rice on me, so it’s practically like you hired me.” Liao Cheng chuckled, then remembered something. “Oh, the snake you left behind—the management took care of processing the snake skin, bones, and meat for you. The skin has been tanned, and the base’s master craftsman said it can be used to make leather armor.”
Xia Lu Nong’s curiosity was piqued, and he leaned in. “How did they process everything?”
“The bones, gallbladder, and head were used to brew two large vats of snake wine. The meat was cured, sliced, and is currently drying in the plaza—it’ll take ten days to two weeks to fully dry.”
The large snake they had brought to Yacheng town had also been skinned and the meat cured. They had eaten part of it on the road.
Every time Xia Lu Nong ate the snake meat, he felt a surge of warmth in his stomach.
The sensation after eating it was invigorating and refreshing.
Old Liu and the others had similar reactions, saying that the snake meat gave them a burst of energy and relieved fatigue and pain.
This snake meat was indeed valuable, and curing it didn’t diminish its effects.
If it weren’t for the high cost of obtaining it, Old Liu and the others would have considered hunting more mutated beasts.
Xia Huo Qu said, “This snake meat is precious. You should take some home and eat it occasionally—it’s good for your health.”
Liao Cheng shook his head. “No, it’s too valuable. You risked your lives for this—I can’t take it.”
“It’s no big deal. I’m giving Old Liu and the others two pounds each, so you definitely deserve some too. Take it.”
Liao Cheng finally relented. “Alright, I’ll take it. But enough chatting for now—it’s getting late. Are you going to cook at home or head to the cafeteria?”
Xia Lu Nong said, “I don’t feel like cooking. Let’s go to the cafeteria and grab some stir-fried pork, something simple for lunch. We can have a big meal tonight.”
Yan Xi Nian chimed in, “I heard there’s beef today. Let’s have them make spicy pickled beef and order a roast duck. It’s a holiday, so let’s treat ourselves. Even if lunch isn’t fancy, we can still enjoy it and have another meal later to celebrate.”
Liao Cheng nodded in agreement. “Sounds good. I’ll go home and bring some of my stored wine so we can have a proper drink at lunch.”
Yan Xi Nian smiled and stopped him. “We’ve got good wine here too. Let’s just bring it along to the cafeteria.”
Xia Lu Nong had eaten well in Yacheng town, but he was always a little on edge there, so it didn’t feel as satisfying as being at the base, where he could fully relax.
Now that he was back, he felt completely at ease. Even though he couldn’t hold his liquor, he was excited and wanted everyone to drink with him.
Yan Xi Nian, full of enthusiasm, exclaimed, “Let’s drink! No going home sober today. We’ll drink until we pass out, sleep it off, and have another round tonight!”
“Hahaha, well said!” Xia Lu Nong’s eyes gleamed with joy. “Brother Xi Nian, let’s toast! You’re like another brother to me!”
“What do you mean ‘like’? I am your other brother! Ask your real brother if he’s willing to admit it!” Yan Xi Nian joked.
Xia Huo Qu covered his face with his hand, not wanting to watch them.
Still grinning, Xia Lu Nong declared, “Then you’re my big brother, and my real brother will be the second brother.”
His words left everyone at the table with odd expressions.
Already tipsy, Xia Lu Nong’s face was flushed red, and his eyes had turned dreamy.
Without waiting for Yan Xi Nian to respond, he clumsily grabbed Yan’s cup with his left hand, clinked it with his own cup in his right, and laughed. “From now on, you’re my real brother. Big Brother, cheers!”
Kong Zhi and Xia Huo Qu looked at each other. Xia Huo Qu was holding a cup of alcohol, his lips twitching slightly.
Kong Zhi had a smile in his eyes and gently pinched Xia Lu Nong’s neck to stop him from speaking.
Xia Lu Nong rarely indulged like this. Ever since the great disaster, he had been suppressing himself, and this was the first time he had gotten drunk to this extent, to the point of being a little out of control.
Yan Xi Nian and a few others were also somewhat drunk.
Yan Xi Nian looked into Xia Lu Nong’s eyes and said, “Xiao Nong, I’ve changed my opinion of you. You’re truly amazing, a real hero! If it weren’t for you a few days ago, my life would have ended right there. Come, let’s toast.”
Xia Lu Nong tilted his head and thought for a moment. “No need to thank me, hic, brother Xi Nian, you wouldn’t have been in danger if you hadn’t come to save me.”
“You’re my little brother, how could I not save you?! Come on, drink!”
“Drink!” The two clinked their cups, and Xia Lu Nong mumbled, “I was so scared that day, just, just afraid that my life would be over — but then I thought, no way, I can’t die there. If I die, my brother and Kong Zhi would lose it.”
Xia Huo Qu lightly scolded, “It’s a holiday, why are you talking about death? Just drink your wine.”
Kong Zhi said, “I think he’s already lost track of whether he’s drinking wine or water. Give him some water; too much alcohol isn’t good for his body.”
Xia Huo Qu nodded, “Give him some honey water.”
Kong Zhi got up to replace it.
Xia Lu Nong, holding his cup, sniffed it hard, trying to smell the water inside. He sniffed for a long time but didn’t notice anything strange.
He picked up the cup, stuck out his soft pink tongue, and gently licked the honey water inside.
Compared to wine, Xia Lu Nong preferred sweet honey water. He licked his lips and began to drink it in big gulps.
After drinking the honey water, he sobered up a little and slumped onto the table, no longer acting out from the alcohol.
After lunch, Liao Cheng left.
Kong Zhi took Xia Lu Nong, and Xia Huo Qu took Yan Xi Nian. The four of them went home and had a solid nap, only waking up in the evening.
Xia Lu Nong had drunk enough honey water, so he didn’t have a headache. He felt refreshed when he got up and ran out, calling out as soon as he saw Kong Zhi in the living room, “Kong Zhi, what do you want to eat tonight? I’ll make it for you.”
“Anything? Do I get to decide the menu tonight?”
“You and my brother can each pick a dish, as long as the base has it, and I’ll handle the rest. But you guys need to help out. I can’t do it all by myself.”
Kong Zhi said, “Then how about stewing a goose? We’ve raised them for so long without eating them, and they won’t get any bigger. It’s not worth it.”
“Got it, let’s catch a goose later.” Xia Lu Nong said, “I’ll go ask my brother what he wants to eat.”
Xia Huo Qu wanted fried meatballs, so Xia Lu Nong decided to go to the canteen to exchange for some pork and make pork and lotus root meatballs.
The lotus pods and lotus roots they brought back were stored properly and wouldn’t spoil anytime soon, so they could take their time eating them.
Before frying the meatballs, Xia Lu Nong wanted to go upstairs and check how the snake head soaked in liquor was doing.
Yan Xi Nian, rubbing his swollen head, said, “Let’s go together. This stuff is too dangerous. Even if it’s soaked in alcohol, I’m still not very comfortable with it.”
Thinking about it made Xia Lu Nong anxious, as that was the closest he had ever come to death.
Liao Cheng had said the snake wine was soaking in large vats, but they hadn’t gone upstairs to see it yet.
Worried that they wouldn’t be able to see what was inside the vats, they even brought flashlights with them.
There were four storage rooms upstairs.
As soon as Xia Lu Nong walked into the one on the far right, he saw three large vats placed apart.
Each vat was at least as big as a round table, nearly two meters in diameter.
Xia Lu Nong was so shocked when he saw the vats that his eyes widened. He turned to look at one, then the other. “These vats are so big. Won’t they cause our floor to collapse?”
Xia Huo Qu said, “The floor was reinforced at the time. Don’t worry too much.”
“It’s hard not to worry. It looks terrifying.” Xia Lu Nong muttered, leaning in to glance at the vat. “A residential building’s standard load-bearing capacity is 200 kilograms per square meter, right? This might exceed that.”
Xia Huo Qu said, “At this point, who’s still following building standards? If you’re really worried, we can move the vats downstairs later.”
Xia Lu Nong thought for a moment, “I can get a few extra jars and split the liquor into them. That way, we won’t have to move the entire vat. It’s less hassle.”
Yan Xi Nian interrupted their conversation, “Let’s stop focusing on the outside. Let’s see how the liquor inside is doing.”
Hearing that, Xia Lu Nong retracted his hand.
He had been acting indifferent these past few days, but inside, he wasn’t as composed as he appeared. Even after several days, he still had nightmares about that terrifying snake.
The saying “once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of a rope” was more than just a proverb.
Kong Zhi gently pulled him behind himself and said, “I’ll handle this.”
Kong Zhi used some strength to lift the lid of the vat.
As soon as the lid opened a crack, a strong aroma of alcohol hit them.
The overpowering smell made Xia Lu Nong feel dizzy just from a whiff.
Now he understood what people meant by high-proof distilled liquor.
Xia Lu Nong took a step back. “This alcohol is too strong. It’s overwhelming.”
Yan Xi Nian said, “If the alcohol wasn’t strong enough, it wouldn’t be able to preserve the snake.”
Xia Lu Nong nodded in agreement.
He knew that if the alcohol concentration wasn’t high enough, the contents would rot.
Xia Lu Nong took two steps forward to take a look.
Kong Zhi held his waist gently and whispered in his ear, “Prepare yourself mentally. Don’t be scared.”
Xia Lu Nong, now feeling nervous, took a few deep breaths and said, “I’m not scared. Go ahead and open it.”
Kong Zhi glanced at him, loosely holding his waist, and shone the flashlight inside, showing him the snake bones soaking in the liquor.
The snake bones had already been processed, with thin layers of flesh still clinging to them. Each bone was quite large, but since they had been chopped into pieces, they didn’t look particularly menacing.
If no one had told them these were snake bones, Xia Lu Nong wouldn’t have guessed that they came from a giant snake.
Amid the strong smell of alcohol, Xia Lu Nong carefully observed and felt his fear subside a little. “When will this snake wine be ready to drink?”
“Normally, it takes at least six months, but since these are just the bones and gallbladder, the soaking time isn’t as strict,” Yan Xi Nian said. “The vat with the snake head and fangs needs to soak for six months before it’s ready.”
“Which vat? That one in the back?” Xia Lu Nong asked, but his feet stayed planted where they were, clearly still a bit nervous.
Yan Xi Nian moved his flashlight and lifted the lid on that vat.
Compared to the snake bone wine, the wine soaking the snake head had a faint medicinal smell, likely due to the venom inside.
Curiosity got the better of Xia Lu Nong, and he leaned in to take a look.
Both Xia Huo Qu and Kong Zhi placed their hands on his waist, preventing him from getting too close.
At that moment, he finally saw what was inside the vat.
The massive snake head was lying face-up in the wine, and its orange-yellow eyes were wide open, staring directly at them.
Xia Lu Nong’s mind went blank, and the blood drained from his face.
It was as if he had returned to the day the giant snake attacked, back under the shadow of death.
Kong Zhi’s arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him back slightly. In a deep voice, he said, “Don’t look.”
“I’m fine. I need to overcome my instinctual fear,” Xia Lu Nong took a deep breath. “Aren’t you scared?”
Yan Xi Nian replied, “Who wouldn’t be? That thing was terrifying. My legs turned to jelly. Take another look if you want, then I’ll cover it up.”
Xia Huo Qu said, “I don’t feel great about it either. Let’s put the lid back.”
Xia Lu Nong’s gaze swept over the snake’s head before suddenly stopping. “Wait, is there something growing on the snake’s head?”
“Two horns,” Yan Xi Nian moved the flashlight so he could see more clearly. “We noticed them when we killed the snake. They look a lot like deer antlers, don’t they?”
“Yes!” Xia Lu Nong exclaimed in wonder. “The horns are so small. If they were any bigger, they’d look even more like deer antlers. I’ve got a strange thought.”
“What thought? That it looks like a dragon?” Yan Xi Nian laughed when he saw Xia Lu Nong’s expression of surprise. “I had the same thought that day, which is why I insisted on using the snake’s head to make wine.”
Xia Lu Nong stared at the snake and murmured, “It feels like we’ve gone back to ancient mythology. Earthquakes, floods, and now this giant snake that looks like a dragon.”
Xia Huo Qu patted his shoulder. “Stop overthinking it. They didn’t have flashlights in ancient times. Later, we’ll transfer some of the wine downstairs. Keeping it all here is too heavy and unsafe.”
“Okay, you guys go ahead. Kong Zhi and I will go catch the goose and prepare dinner.”
The four of them split up to handle their tasks.
The base was small, and news of Xia Lu Nong’s injury had spread quickly. As he went out, many people greeted him and asked about his condition.
Xia Lu Nong responded to each one and thanked everyone for their concern.
After learning that he had been seriously injured, the people at the base looked at him differently, and many stuffed fruits, vegetables, or other items into his hands, insisting that he needed to replenish his strength.
Xia Lu Nong had originally planned to pick some vegetables from the garden for dinner after dealing with the goose, but with everyone’s generosity, he didn’t need to pick anything for tonight or even the next day.
Feeling deeply moved, Xia Lu Nong said to Kong Zhi, “Everyone is so kind.”
Kong Zhi replied, “The base is small, and people have grown close. It’s also a holiday, so it’s natural for people to be more generous.”
Xia Lu Nong nodded. “True. Let’s hurry and catch the goose, then we can stop by the garden to pick some peppers and tomatoes, and maybe pull some garlic. Tonight, I’ll make tomato-braised beef.”
Kong Zhi looked at the sack in his hand. “We should have brought a basket earlier.”
Xia Lu Nong grabbed his hand. “No need, we can carry it all.”
By the time Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi caught the goose and picked the vegetables, it was already past five o’clock.
With four people in the house, everyone helped with the cooking.
Yan Xi Nian handled the goose, Xia Huo Qu chopped the meat, Kong Zhi sorted the vegetables and tended the fire, and Xia Lu Nong was the head chef.
It had been days since Xia Lu Nong felt this relaxed in the kitchen, and since it was a holiday, he went all out, determined to make a delicious and visually appealing feast.
Halfway through the cooking, Liao Cheng arrived with a large carp in hand.
The carp was still alive, struggling even though it had straw threaded through its gills.
“Brother Liao Cheng!” Xia Lu Nong called from the kitchen, “You didn’t need to bring anything, why a carp?”
Liao Cheng laughed, “Your brother had me trade for it from Old Liu. Don’t you love fish? Tonight, we’ll add sweet and sour fish to the menu.”
Xia Lu Nong’s eyes lit up, and he turned to his brother, “Thank you brother!”
Xia Huo Qu patted his shoulder, “After we eat this fish, let’s hope for abundance in the coming years.”
They had spent a significant amount of resources recently: taking Old Liu and his team to Yacheng, seeking treatment from Dr. Ou, and trading for supplies to process the snake. All of these expenses had emptied their stockpile. Now, they truly needed the blessing of abundance.
Xia Lu Nong felt a sense of urgency, mentally tallying the remaining supplies.
Aside from oil, wine, honey, honeysuckle, and the unharvested crops in the fields, their stored supplies upstairs were running low.
It seemed they would have to wait for the next harvest to replenish everything.
Old Liu chuckled, “You’re all busy working. What should I do? Xiao Nong, why don’t you assign me something?”
Xia Lu Nong snapped out of his thoughts and smiled, “Brother Liao Cheng, how about you handle the fish?”
“Got it.”
Liao Cheng joined in the work.
The five of them worked together for over two hours, and finally, a table full of delicious dishes was ready.
That night, their house was brightly lit, blending with the moonlight outside.
The table was crowded with twelve dishes. Xia Lu Nong glanced at the spread and said, “Tonight, let’s eat to our heart’s content and celebrate our reunion!”
Yan Xi Nian agreed, “Xia Nong is right. Let’s celebrate our safety and that we’ve made it through another Mid-Autumn Festival together! Come, let’s raise our glasses.”
Xia Lu Nong lifted his glass as well, and Yan Xi Nian smiled at him, “Xiao Nong, I know your alcohol tolerance isn’t great. You can take it easy, just a sip is enough.”
Xia Lu Nong muttered, “No way, the first sip tonight has to be sincere.”
Everyone laughed and clinked their glasses together.
Under the light, each person wore a genuine smile.
Xia Lu Nong took a big gulp.
The strong liquor burned as it went down, the heat rising up, making his face and eyes flush red.
It hadn’t been easy for them to still be together and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival after surviving such a catastrophe.
Emotions welled up in Xia Lu Nong’s heart, but when he tried to speak, he didn’t know where to begin.
He looked at his brother, then at Kong Zhi, and finally rested his gaze on Yan Xi Nian before taking another sip of the wine.
The wine was truly excellent—authentic snake bone wine.
As he drank it, it felt as though all his internal organs were being revitalized, bringing an overwhelming sense of comfort.
What a great wine!
Unfortunately, only the few of them were there to enjoy it. Xia Lu Nong thought about past friends and family as he took a third sip.
The strong liquor made its way to their stomachs, and everyone seemed to be filled with mixed emotions.
Kong Zhi gently held Xia Lu Nong’s hand, “No more drinking. Eat some food. The fish is really good tonight.”
Kong Zhi picked up a large piece of fish belly, carefully removing the bones, and placed it in Xia Lu Nong’s bowl. “Eat.”
Xia Lu Nong sniffed and picked up a goose leg for Kong Zhi. “You eat too.”
He then picked a meatball for his brother and a serving of tomato-braised beef for Yan Xi Nian. “Everyone, enjoy. Brother Liao Cheng, don’t hold back.”
“Let’s eat!” Liao Cheng took a big bite of meat. “Things are much better now than before, and they’ll only get better from here. Let’s eat!”
“You’re right, things will only get better!”
Tonight, they were drinking snake bone wine. Unsure of its effects and worried it might be too potent, no one drank too much—just about half a cup each to taste it.
Even though they didn’t drink much, the snake bone wine was strong, and soon everyone felt tipsy.
Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian, concerned for Liao Cheng, walked him home with flashlights before returning to the courtyard to set up a table for moon-watching.
Xia Lu Nong, the lightest drinker, was the drunkest, though still not completely out of it.
After dinner, Kong Zhi made him a cup of honey water, which he sipped while sitting in the courtyard, watching the moon with his brothers.
It was Mid-Autumn, and the moon was bright, large, and full above them. The clear moonlight bathed everything in a soft glow, even the pepper trees nearby seemed to sway in delight under the beautiful scenery.
With Liao Cheng gone, their conversation turned more casual as they chatted freely while enjoying the moon, drinking tea, and snacking on mooncakes.
It wasn’t until late, when dew started to form and Xia Lu Nong began yawning frequently, that they finally packed up and headed to bed.
By then, it was past midnight.
Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian went to the house next door, while Kong Zhi took Xia Lu Nong back to their side of the house.
The water had been heating from the leftover firewood since dinner, so they could mix it with cold water to bathe.
Since Xia Lu Nong was a bit drunk, Kong Zhi didn’t feel comfortable letting him bathe alone, so he carried him into the bathroom.
Everything went smoothly until Xia Lu Nong, upon entering the bathroom, immediately bent over, trying to escape.
Kong Zhi softly coaxed, “Let’s take a bath first, then we can leave.”
But the not-quite-sober Xia Lu Nong wasn’t cooperating at all. He clung to Kong Zhi’s waist, mumbling, “I said I was going to get a good night’s sleep after coming back to the base. I don’t want to take a bath.”
Kong Zhi looked down at him. “If you don’t bathe, you’ll smell, and the bed will stink too.”
Xia Lu Nong’s eyes darted around, and suddenly, he had an idea. “Then I’ll sleep in your bed!”
“Why my bed?” Kong Zhi held him in place, preventing him from running off. “You don’t want to dirty your bed, so you’re going to dirty mine instead, Xia Nong?”
Xia Lu Nong looked up at him with a pitiful expression. “But aren’t you my boyfriend? Why can’t I sleep in your bed?”
“I never said you couldn’t,” Kong Zhi’s voice grew hoarse. “If you want to sleep in my bed, we’ll sleep together. Do you want us both to sleep in a smelly bed?”
Xia Lu Nong shook his head honestly, then flopped into Kong Zhi’s arms, rubbing his face against Kong Zhi’s chest and stomach, and slowly said, “But I really don’t feel like moving right now.”
“Stop acting spoiled,” Kong Zhi playfully pinched his ear, not too hard. After a moment, he sighed and gave in, “Fine, I’ll help you bathe.”
Xia Lu Nong was being lazy, not truly misbehaving due to the alcohol.
Kong Zhi brought in a small stool for him, and Xia Lu Nong obediently sat down.
When Kong Zhi told him to raise his arms, he raised them. When he told him to stretch out his legs, he stretched them out. He looked completely pliant.
Kong Zhi squeezed some body wash onto a towel and handed it to Xia Lu Nong, telling him to scrub himself slowly.
Xia Lu Nong half-heartedly scrubbed, playing with the water as he went.
Kong Zhi watched him for a while before finally taking over the task.
After a thorough wash, leaving Xia Lu Nong smelling fresh and clean, Kong Zhi led him to a somewhat unfamiliar room, drying his hair with a towel before tucking him into bed.
Kong Zhi then climbed in beside him, both of them finally settled for the night.
Xia Lu Nong moved quietly on the bed, inching closer to snuggle up against Kong Zhi. Suddenly, he reached out and tugged at the corner of Kong Zhi’s shirt, whispering softly, “I’m ready.”
This was in response to a question Kong Zhi had asked a few days earlier when they were cutting wooden sticks together. Kong Zhi hadn’t expected him to remember it for so long, even in his drunken state.
Those words were so clear in the quiet of the night, every syllable reaching Kong Zhi’s ears perfectly.
Kong Zhi’s breath caught for a moment. He swiftly flipped over, pinning Xia Lu Nong beneath him, gazing into his eyes from above. In a low, steady voice, he asked, “Are you sure?”
Xia Lu Nong trembled slightly as he answered, “Yes!”
His chest vibrated as he spoke, and Kong Zhi, whose chest was pressed against his, felt his own heartbeat fall in sync with Xia Lu Nong’s. Their heartbeats gradually merged into one.
Kong Zhi looked at him for a long moment before lowering his head to kiss his forehead. Still unsatisfied, he trailed kisses down his nose until their lips met. They shared a heated, breathless kiss in the darkness, their breathing growing more and more erratic.
Xia Lu Nong’s chest heaved, his neck arching slightly, revealing a beautiful line from his neck to his shoulders. Kong Zhi’s rough fingertips brushed against the corner of his lips as he whispered, “Sleep.”
Xia Lu Nong, with warm, shaky hands, grasped Kong Zhi’s wrist, his wide eyes gleaming in the dark as he asked softly, “Hmm?”
“Don’t tease me,” Kong Zhi murmured against his ear, his voice low. “I want us to start when we’re both sober.”
Xia Lu Nong exhaled a warm breath, squirming slightly. “It’s hot.”
Both his body and the man beside him radiated heat, making him feel almost feverish, his eyes tinged with red.
Kong Zhi said softly, “It won’t be hot for long.”
Xia Lu Nong wasn’t convinced and buried his fluffy head into Kong Zhi’s neck. Feeling a little helpless, Kong Zhi wrapped his arms around his shoulders, his hand moving downward.
The night was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of insects. Their hurried breaths mingled with the night sounds, growing faster and more intense with each passing moment.
After a while, Xia Lu Nong’s body shuddered, and he lay limp on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Kong Zhi leaned down to kiss his lips before getting up to fetch tissues to clean up. He then went to the bathroom to wash his hands.
When Kong Zhi returned, Xia Lu Nong had already pulled the blanket up to cover half of his face.
Kong Zhi kissed his ear softly and whispered, “When you’re sober, we’ll talk more about what happened tonight.”
Before he finished speaking, Xia Lu Nong’s body trembled slightly, his already flushed ear burning even hotter. Kong Zhi chuckled, pleased, and pulled him close. “Sleep.”
After a long pause, Xia Lu Nong replied with a soft, “Mm.”
It was unclear whether that “Mm” was a response to “Sleep,” or to the promise of further discussion.
