Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 82. A pleasant surprise early in the morning

"Dear husband, you... you’re back," Qi Shi, who had been worried, broke into a relieved smile upon seeing her husband.

"Chengtian," the old couple exclaimed in surprise and surrounded their son. Seeing that he looked a bit weathered but unharmed, they also breathed a sigh of relief.

A mother worries about her son traveling far, especially with a granddaughter in tow. Though the old couple seemed normal these past two days, they were actually quite concerned. Now, they’re completely at ease and smiling happily.

"You must be hungry. Wait, I’ll prepare some food for you," Old Lady Hua, too busy caring for her son and granddaughter, rushed into the kitchen without asking a single question.

Seeing her mother-in-law enter the kitchen, Qi Shi wasn’t anxious. She hurriedly prepared hot water for washing for both Hua Chengtian and her father-in-law, who had risen.

"You didn’t even say you were back," she passed her husband a frayed washcloth with a tone of mock reproach, though her eyes were filled with joy and relief.

She had worried fiercely last night and didn’t know when she fell asleep. Early in the morning, she was pleasantly surprised.

"I came back so late, I didn’t want to wake you, so I just slept in our son’s room. Sorry for making you worry."

Hearing the worry in his wife’s tone, Hua Chengtian quickly spoke, neglecting the water droplets on his face.

In response, Qi Shi gave him a sidelong glance, noting that not waking her didn’t mean she slept well. But seeing Hua Chengtian’s good intentions and sincere apology, Qi Shi didn’t dwell on it.

However, she couldn’t help but retort, "Do you think I’m afraid of noise?"

Hua Chengtian: "..."

"It’s my fault, I won’t let it happen again."

"There better not be a next time," Qi Shi opened her eyes wide, threatening her husband.

"No..." Hua Chengtian quickly waved his hand, his swift gesture making Qi Shi’s mouth curl into a smile. She took the washcloth from his hand and personally wiped the water from his face.

The tenderness in her eyes and the gentle touch made Hua Chengtian smile foolishly, feeling that his wife was still as delicate and beautiful as when she was young. He couldn’t help but pull Qi Shi into his embrace, thoroughly enjoying the moment of warmth.

"Brute," Qi Shi struggled free from her husband’s embrace, cursing with flushed cheeks. Luckily, they were in their room, otherwise, it would be embarrassing if either the in-laws or children saw. With that thought, she shot her husband a glare and then hurried to the kitchen to help her mother-in-law prepare breakfast.

Since everyone was back, there was no rush to catch up immediately. Breakfast was important, and the sons had to go to the academy.

As for the daughter, seeing the tightly closed door to her room, Qi Shi knew she was catching up on sleep, and didn’t worry at all.

While the women busied themselves, the men naturally wouldn’t idle.

Knowing what his father cared about, Hua Chengtian spilled everything before the old man could ask.

Learning that the purpose of the trip was achieved, Old Man Hua nodded in satisfaction, then several of them went to the backyard to move the cart laden with items into the old man’s room.

Especially since so much coarse salt was not safe anywhere else, it could only be trusted under their eyes.

The brothers, busy together, looked at the small room filled with coarse salt. Though they knew the amount when lifting it, they were still a bit dumbfounded.

They knew what their father’s trip to the city was for but... this was too much!

Yet thinking that this coarse salt would turn into snow-like fine salt, even the usually calm Hua the elder brother couldn’t help but feel excited. Unfortunately, they had to attend the academy and couldn’t help the family much.

Little did they know this was just a part of it, as even more was stored in the space by Hua Jin.

When Hua Jin woke up, the sun was already high.

Having slept comfortably all night in the space, Hua Jin thought she could wake up on time. Unexpectedly, her body had its own ideas, ignoring the alarm, making her sleep until noon.

This was the latest she had ever woken up.

Upon waking, the doors were closed, with the family busy in the kitchen, purifying the coarse salt. Even her father, who hadn’t slept much after a full day’s travel, was busy.

Seeing the bustling scene made Hua Jin feel guilty for waking up so late.

"Awake now?" Old Lady Hua turned her head and was surprised to see her granddaughter. She immediately exclaimed joyfully, rushing to embrace her.

Nothing was more important than her granddaughter. Carefully examining the child and seeing her rosy cheeks, she felt relieved that the girl hadn’t suffered on the trip.

Qi Shi also set aside her work, quickly bringing out the food that had been kept warm on the stove. "Go wash up," she urged her daughter.

Even busy, Old Man Hua couldn’t help but survey his granddaughter before nodding approvingly, though he didn’t stop stirring the boiling salted water.

As a son, Hua Chengtian took on the heaviest tasks—crushing coarse salt and grinding it to powder with a stone mill.

After a quick wash and meal, Hua Jin joined in the salt purification effort, taking on the important task of stoking the fire, freeing up Xiaosi.

But the little guy wasn’t happy for long before being grabbed by his father again to help smash the coarse salt with a small weight.

Thus busy, two weeks passed. Thousands of pounds of coarse salt were all processed, leaving only over a hundred pounds stored in Old Man Hua’s room for safety. The rest, over a thousand pounds, was stored in Hua Jin’s space just in case.

The weather grew increasingly cold, fully entering winter.

The rabbits raised in the backyard were moved to the woodshed, multiplying from one burrow to several. Xiaosi checked on the baby rabbits several times a day, the light in his eyes always making Hua Jin want to laugh.

She worried that Xiaosi might accidentally lie on the rabbits and take a bite.

These days, the food at home wasn’t bad; although there wasn’t meat every day, it was eaten every few days.

Still, somehow Xiaosi was so greedy, a certified food lover!

But his contributions were undeniable. Thanks to his diligent care, the rabbits were thriving, each nest raising their own kits, bringing Hua Jin closer to her expectations.

By the time of the new year, the baby rabbits would have grown considerably, and Hua Jin decided to fulfill her promise to her brother, allowing him to feast on two large rabbits.

For now, the little guy had to work hard, but it didn’t stop her from continuing to dangle promises to motivate him.

With her encouragement, Xiaosi was full of vigor for the task.

One day, Hua Jin got up to see the world covered in a vast expanse of white outside the window. She also felt a further drop in temperature, quickly putting on the thick cotton clothes her mother prepared and opened the door eagerly.

As soon as the door opened, a bone-chilling cold rushed in, making Hua Jin shrink back.

Damn... it’s cold!!

But it was also truly beautiful; she’d never seen such beautiful snow before.

Then she plunged into the snow.

This was the largest snowfall she’d ever seen since coming to this world. Though it had snowed recently, it wasn’t much.

Unlike now, where the sky was filled with swirling snowflakes falling heavily. Her father’s snow-shoveling couldn’t keep up with the falling snow.

"Daughter, it’s cold outside, come back in," Hua Chengtian called while holding a broom, seeing his daughter dive headfirst into the snowflakes. novelbuddy.cσ๓

"Dad, it’s not cold. I’m dressed warmly." Wrapped securely, with only her eyes showing, Hua Jin spun around excitedly in the snow.

In her past, where pollution was severe everywhere, it was a rare sight to see such beautiful, pure snowflakes.