Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 128. Eager to return home

Then their mother’s expression changed, thinking of their little brother’s behind, Hua Chengtian and Hua Cheng quickly pulled over the younger fourth sibling.

"Mom, we’ll take little brother to do his homework. Don’t rush with the meal, we’re not hungry yet."

"Big brother, why are you pulling me? I haven’t finished talking..." The younger brother, being dragged away by his two older brothers, panicked at the mention of homework. Though he wasn’t weak, he couldn’t match the strength of his two brothers. Despite his reluctance, he was still dragged away, only having the chance to shout to his mom: "Mom, I’m hungry, very hungry... I want to eat..."

But the word "meat" never got out as the second brother covered his mouth and pulled him into the house. Seeing the serious expressions of his two brothers, the younger brother immediately became obedient, quickly opening his bookshelf upon returning to the room and earnestly started doing his homework.

On Qi Shi’s side, the children’s little commotion seemed to distract her mind, lightening her mood a bit. Watching her youngest, always thinking about eating, she shook her head and followed her mother-in-law into the kitchen to cook.

She thought perhaps by the time they’re done cooking, the children’s father and daughter would have returned.

With this thought in mind, her hands moved more swiftly. She even cut a piece of preserved pork hanging from the ceiling, planning to stir-fry some green peppers with it, coupled with two vegetarian dishes. The steamed buns made in the morning and a pot of thick porridge would complete the meal.

Meanwhile, the eagerly returning father and daughter duo drove the ox-cart as if it were flying. Fortunately, the ox, Da Huang, was at its peak, and with improved food over the days, its strength and stamina had grown; otherwise, it wouldn’t withstand such intense galloping.

The road usually taking over half an hour was impressively squeezed into less than two incense sticks’ time by Hua Chengtian. Seeing they were nearing home, both he and Hua Jin quickly placed the goods for the family from their space into the cart.

Even so, nightfall sweeped over by the time they reached home, and visibility began to blur.

As they entered the village, they vaguely saw a few figures holding bowls and sitting outside. They greeted those they were on good terms with and nodded to those not so amicable as Hua Chengtian drove past.

"Chengtian, been out traveling?"

"Yes, Uncle Meng, having your meal now?"

"Why don’t you come down and eat some with us," Old Meng stretched out the bowl in his hand, showing his teeth.

"No, no. I have to get home soon."

"Better hurry back then. I saw your dad seemed a bit worried; he was pacing at the village entrance this afternoon."

He had been accompanying old Master Hua, an indicator that the child had been out for some time to cause such concern. Old Meng casually mentioned it.

Upon hearing this, Hua Chengtian also became anxious, nodded to Old Meng without saying more, and urged Da Huang to speed up with a flick of his cow-whip.

The rest of the way, Da Huang didn’t need Hua Chengtian’s guidance, familiarly trotting towards home, stopping at the Hua family’s gate, and mooing loudly, its wagging tail cheerfully indicating to those inside that Da Huang was back.

The Hua family was very familiar with Da Huang’s call.

On the first moo, the old man Hua, who was working with wood in the courtyard, heard it and dropped what he was doing, hastily running towards the gate.

Hua’s wife and Qi Shi were cooking in the kitchen. The sounds of frying and the crackling fire made their reactions slower than the old man Hua’s.

"Mom, it’s Da Huang’s sound," Qi Shi dropped the firewood in her hands and stood up urgently, running outside before her mother-in-law could respond.

Hua’s wife also heard it and was equally joyful, intending to run out too. But seeing the dish being stir-fried in her hand, she restrained her impatience and finished cooking it.

It was the last vegetarian dish, and with a few quick stirs under high heat, it was done. She plated it, added water to the pot, and couldn’t contain herself anymore, left the kitchen in a hurry.

Upon seeing her son and granddaughter in the courtyard, a long-held breath finally sighed out, and after two days, her face finally broke into a smile.

"Ah, my dear granddaughter finally came back. Grandma missed you so much," She casually wiped her hands on her apron and went forward to hug her granddaughter, whom her daughter-in-law was holding.

As for her son, knowing he’s fine, Hua’s wife didn’t bother to look at him, as sons are just trouble and can’t compare to the soft, fragrant granddaughter.

Qi Shi also doted on her daughter for a while, but when she saw her mother-in-law coming, she let go.

She walked towards her husband, who was wrapped up by their youngest son, relieved to see that apart from looking a bit tired, he was alright. Qi Shi smiled happily. While smiling, her eyes couldn’t help but redden.

Old Man Hua also smiled, resting easy, helped unload the goods from the cart with his two grandsons.

The youngest son, initially clutching his dad, quickly lost interest the moment he saw his brothers pulling out parcels of delicious food from the cart—especially the aromatic smell of roast chicken. He rushed over to help instead.

Seeing his wife’s red eyes, Hua Chengtian became anxious, disregarding his father and mother standing close by, held his child’s mother gently, and began soothing her.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry for worrying you," feeling distressed, his brows furrowed tightly.

"There’s nothing to apologize for, as long as you’re safe," Qi Shi shook her head, blinked a few times, then laughed, fetched an urn from beneath the eaves, and gently pushed her husband to sit down.

"It must have been hard on this trip. Sit down first and rest. I’ll go fetch some water for you to wash well and then eat."

His daughter could moderately rest in the cart when tired, but looking at her husband’s slightly reddened eyes, she knew he probably hadn’t rested much on the way, making Qi Shi feel tenderly apologetic again.

"Mom, you go on and prepare the meal, I’ll fetch the water," Hua Chengtian’s eldest, while unloading the cart, didn’t forget to pay attention to his father. Upon hearing his mother’s words, he quickly offered.

Qi Shi thought that was reasonable. At this time, her husband and daughter, traveling such a hard way, must be delightfully hungry. She nodded promptly and went to the kitchen, while Hua Chengtian’s eldest rushed to the backyard to fetch water for his father and younger sister.

There weren’t many things in the cart, and neither the grandfather nor the second brother needed to move very many turns.

Hua’s wife and granddaughter warmly bonded for a time. Seeing her granddaughter hadn’t grown thin and her eyes remained sparkling after the long journey, she knew her child wasn’t suffering. Rest assured, upon seeing her daughter-in-law enter the kitchen, she quickly followed.

She shared the same thought: let her son and granddaughter, traveling hard all the way, have a warm meal quickly.

Before leaving, she didn’t forget to remind Hua Jin to wash up.

Seeing her granddaughter nod, Hua’s wife, just reaching the kitchen’s threshold, was almost startled by her little grandson’s shout.

"Ah... Second Brother, it’s a puppy, a little doggy."

While helping, the youngest had taken a bamboo basket from his grandfather initially without paying mind. When placing it on the ground, he might have been a bit heavy-handed, causing the basket to tilt to one side. Then a round little thing rolled out from it, followed by the surprised yelps of a little puppy, trying to crawl back into the basket where it felt safe.