Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 283. Feeling empty inside

With this in mind, Old Man Hua couldn’t sit still anymore. Just as the floodwaters receded, the land outside gradually became firmer, and the grains in the valley began to sprout. For a short time, the valley wasn’t busy, so it was time to let his son take the people out for a spin.

He promptly stood up from the bamboo chair his son had specially made for him, "Chengtian, Chengtian," he called towards his son’s room across the way.

Hua Chengtian, who was taking a nap, was startled awake. He wiped his face, still too drowsy to open his eyes, but helplessly responded to the call.

"Dad, I heard you."

"Hurry, I have something to tell you."

"Sure, sure," he agreed aloud, though his body was very honest in remaining laid on the bed.

"Hurry up, who knows if Dad has some urgent matter," Mrs. Qi kicked the man beside her. Almost kicked him off the bed, but it did manage to fully wake Hua Chengtian up.

Not even allowed to properly take a nap, Hua Chengtian stared blankly at the roof.

His wife kicked him, his dad called him, neither could be offended, what could he do? He could only rub his sore calf and get up.

"I’m coming, I’m coming," it’s obvious his tone carried a tinge of grievance.

"Dad, what’s up, so urgent?" he asked, as he approached his father sitting in the main room, he poured him a bowl of freshly cooked mung bean water, which he also drank two bowls of himself, calming his irritation entirely.

"What, can’t call you without something going on?" Old Man Hua squinted at his son.

"Yes, of course you can, Dad, have some more water," Hua Chengtian promptly poured another bowl of mung bean water for his father, with a pleasing demeanor.

Midday, this temper is noticeably high!

Old Man Hua finally withdrew his gaze contently, sipping the sweet mung bean water. The sandy glutinous sweetness was so satisfying, perfect for drinking in the hot weather.

"Have you noticed?"

"Noticed what?" Hua Chengtian stared blankly at his dad, honestly couldn’t make sense of the fragmented words.

Old Man Hua glared at his son. "Salt, the salt in some households of our village is running low, several families have come to buy salt from us, you dimwit."

Hua Chengtian: "..."

Can’t afford to cross him! Sighed.

Nodded, of course he knew.

Though he wasn’t home when villagers bought salt, usually on his way fishing, his wife never hid anything from him.

It had been a year and a half since it started raining, it’s not surprising that some households lack salt. Just didn’t understand the point his father was making.

"Qinggu Mountain’s resources are fairly abundant, right?"

This sudden remark from his dad truly confused Hua Chengtian, but it didn’t hinder him from continuing to nod.

"You’re right, the mountain range behind our village stretches endlessly, rich in vegetation, of course things aren’t lacking."

"That’s what I’m thinking too, Qinggu Mountain stretches so far, perhaps it has what we need. These days aren’t busy, so I was thinking..."

Up to this point, what was there that Hua Chengtian couldn’t understand? Mentioning salt then rich resources in the mountain, clearly hinted at letting him go out to find salt!

"Dad, you’re... wanting me to find salt," Hua Chengtian affirmed.

"Yes, but don’t feel pressured. If you find it, great, if not, it’s okay. I just think if possibly, then later we don’t have to worry about our family secret being exposed."

Saying it like that... really just can’t stand seeing him idle!

Having just relaxed at home for two days, now he’s about to be out of the valley again.

Hua Chengtian helplessly looked at his dad.

"But... Dad, did you forget that I don’t even know how to find salt?"

"If you don’t know, then slowly ponder over it. Who’s born knowing? It’s about observing and experimenting more. Even if it means looking at lakes and mountain bodies with frost more often, it’s not necessarily true you’ll find some, but not searching at all definitely means you won’t find anything," Old Man Hua spoke, disdainfully giving his son a glance.

Hua Chengtian: "..."

Alright, seems Dad has decided.

What can he do but nod.

"Alright, alright, I’ll go, isn’t that enough?" Hua Chengtian decisively compromised.

Speaking of which, Dad didn’t let him go out searching during extreme cold, that’s already quite caring! At least now, though hot, the temperature is bearable, far preferable to frozen limbs. As a son, he must be content.

"That’s more like it," Old Man Hua was satisfied.

"Prepare in these not-so-busy days and set off soon, take Black Da and the others. By the way, have you thought about who to bring along?" Old Man Hua suddenly remembered this was also an important question. Couldn’t just go with several dogs, all lonely, without anyone to talk to. As a dad, he wouldn’t allow it.

Hua Chengtian glanced at his dad, rubbed his face. This is indeed a matter requiring a good plan.

Since it’s unlikely to be a quick three to five days of searching for salt, a lengthened time might prompt use of things from the space, thus outsiders can’t be taken, nobody’s a fool and too easy for slips.

After much thought, he planned to take his eldest son and a few nephews along.

The eldest son is more prudent, capable of maintaining composure. Don’t think he doesn’t know it’s because of him that both the second son and Little Four turn a blind eye to the things appearing at home and never inquire. Having the eldest son along can help cover.

The house can’t be without men, so the second son will stay home, together with the old man, there’s nothing to really worry about.

As for whether to take Jin’er, Hua Chengtian contemplated for a moment before dismissing the thought. Going out wasn’t for fun, better let the child comfortably stay at home.

After a moment’s reflection, Hua Chengtian already had a plan in mind and discussed it with Dad.

Old Man Hua nodded, for his son with secrets, these choices were the most prudent.

With a weight off his mind, Old Man Hua suddenly felt much lighter, looking at his son standing beside him, he immediately turned disdainful, waved his hand to urge him to leave swiftly, hummed an out-of-tune opera line, and returned to his room to lie down, while outside, Hua Chengtian heard his mom’s fiery voice.

"Old man, are you gonna let anyone sleep..."

Then the sound of slaps and his dad begging for mercy, Hua Chengtian’s sense of injustice immediately eased.

Mom’s really on point, if only she could slap a few more times, it’d be even better. Smiling with raised corners of his mouth, turned back into the room to lie down again.

At midday, the sun was fiercely hot, besides cooling off indoors with a nap, there really wasn’t anything particularly entertaining, unless someone was out of their mind wanting to risk sunstroke.

At dinner, upon learning Dad would take Big Brother and the cousins out, Hua Jin was intrigued for a moment but then retreated upon thinking about the outside temperature.

She was no longer the little girl she was a few years ago, soon to be of age. Better stay home obediently.

Besides, with Dad gone, Grandpa, Grandma, and Mom won’t have anything nice to eat.

Thinking of this, Hua Jin didn’t feel like going at all. The big heat of summer, nothing more comfortable than being home. She’s determined to take it easy, now that valley life is relaxed, isn’t it the time to embrace ease?

Of course, the most important part is Hua Jin still felt a bit uneasy. After all, this area is part of deep mountains, even though a high tree fence was made around the valley’s four mountains, it’s not completely safe. Blocking those that can’t climb trees is one thing, but those who can? It might not.

With her around, at least any danger can be spotted earlier.

Over here, Hua Chengtian looked at his daughter steadily eating, recalling her clinginess in the past made him feel somewhat unaccustomed.

Child no longer clings to him, feeling quite void in heart.

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