Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 534: Discovery

Amidst the sound of firecrackers, plates of delicious dishes were brought to the table.

The children from Aunt Hua's and Second Aunt's families were already seated at their designated table, craning their necks in anticipation.

Great-Grandmother's house was always the children's favorite, never lacking in various tasty treats.

Braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, clear chicken stew, braised wild chicken chunks, sour cabbage fish, boiled pork slices, venison stew with yam, chive and egg stir-fry, candied sweet potatoes, smashed cucumbers, chilled wild vegetables, shredded three-delicacies, and more filled the table.

Despite the heat, there was no worry about the food getting cold too quickly. It was indeed a unique celebration, as it was their first time celebrating the New Year in such hot weather.

As the new son-in-law, Luo Song naturally received special attention today, seated next to Old Man Hua, as they kept exchanging drinks. The meal lasted a long time.

So long that the grandsons from the aunts' households couldn't resist pulling their beloved cousin out to play because only with her would their long-desired large companions join them in their frolic.

With the big black and the two greys by their side, the children walked with pride, especially when they saw their friends from the village, feeling immensely proud.

Hua Jin enjoyed indulging them. Who doesn't have a bit of vanity? Even she, at her age, liked to show off a little when happy, let alone the children.

Moreover, the big black ones were usually so aloof; except for the three cherished ones and the family members, they hardly paid attention to others. Now, these few obediently let the kids pet them and play wildly with them. Wanting to show off was normal; you could see the village kids' eyes glued to the big ones. However, despite the curiosity, they didn't dare approach, even with the Hua family's aunts around.

Soon, Hua Jin joined the children, chasing after the big ones towards the back of the village. To play, it had to be behind the village; besides the grain-drying ground, the back was the most spacious with a stretch of forest.

When the Qin family initially fenced the area, they included a large patch of forest inside Hua Village, so there were many trees, including some wild fruit trees. If lucky, one might catch some wild game or a few birds.

After a year of rest and recuperation here, the birds that disappeared had reappeared, though noticeably fewer in number.

Running and jumping, they inadvertently reached the place in the village closest to the wall.

Hua Jin wasn't worried about these kids since the big black ones were around; she joined them in their fun.

Hua Jin and her cousin sister Liu Hui, who loved clinging to her, sat on a fallen dead tree, not idle.

Along the way, Liu Hui collected many wildflowers, pairing them with fresh twigs as she wove wreaths with her cousin. Green leaves matched with various wildflowers; after threading, twisting, and fixing, a beautiful wreath quickly appeared in their hands.

"Is it pretty?" Liu Hui proudly placed the wreath on her head, standing in front of her cousin, turning in circles unconsciously, a cheerful and lovely smile bright on her face.

"Pretty," Hua Jin nodded heavily, suddenly realizing that the little girl who always liked following her had grown up into a beautiful young lady.

No one in the Hua family was unattractive. As the cherished daughter of the second aunt's family, Liu Hui naturally grew up beautiful.

"Sister, you wear it too..."

Just as Liu Hui was about to put the wreath from her head onto her cousin's, the big ones playing with the children suddenly stopped their antics. Their drooping ears almost simultaneously perked up, and Hua Jin, who had been watching them, noticed immediately, a shock in her heart.

This is... something's up, she instinctively activated her spiritual power.

Since her last return from the state capital a few months ago, even without hearing any news, Hua Jin knew the things she sent over made an impact.

Having done so much, if they couldn't defeat Bei Cang, it only showed one problem: the government and the military were too incompetent.

If, after giving such a significant gift, they still couldn't take down Bei Cang, Hua Jin was really considering persuading grandpa to bring them into the mountains again.

Therefore, she had been living very comfortably these days, using her spiritual power very rarely.

Luckily, she came with the kids; otherwise... Hua Jin's expression quickly turned serious, looking at her cousin.

"Sister, you..." Liu Hui looked at her cousin, clueless, a bit scared inside, thinking she had upset her cousin by impulsively placing the wreath on her head, as her sister usually didn't like being touched.

"Hui Jie'er, how about we play a game?" Hua Jin blinked, her expression returning to normal.

"Game..." Liu Hui's eyes lit up, and she sighed in relief.

It scared her; she thought her cousin was really angry.

"Sure, what game?" Liu Hui's interest perked up immediately, leaning closer to her cousin. Her eyes, somewhat resembling Hua Jin's, shone brightly, urging her cousin silently.

"How about a race home?"

"Nah, that's no match" Just as she spoke, Liu Hui's interest plummeted.

"Is there a prize?" Hua Jin continued.

"Prize, what prize?"

Hearing about a prize brought some motivation back; Liu Hui got her spirits up again, leaning closer to her cousin.

"The winner gets not only thirty copper coins, but I'll personally make your favorite sweet and sour pork and braised prawns."

"Really?" Liu Hui's eyes widened, not too interested in thirty copper coins. Over the years, she had saved her red envelope money, and her grandparents and uncles had given quite a bit too. Compared to money, she was more interested in the food her cousin mentioned, unable to resist the temptation, as both were her favorites, especially when her cousin made them.

"Of course, when have I ever gone back on my word? Do you want to play this game?"

"Yes, yes, yes" Liu Hui nodded eagerly.

"Okay, then I'll explain the game rules. It's actually quite simple—whoever brings back the kids first wins."

"And them?" Liu Hui looked at her nephews chasing the children.

"Certainly, otherwise, would you feel at ease leaving them behind the village?"

Liu Hui shook her head; no, she wouldn't feel at ease. Just as she was about to nod, she suddenly recalled something.

"Sister, you're tricking me?"

Hua Jin's eyes flickered, just wondering when her cousin got so smart, as she heard her continue.

"Sister, how could we possibly outrun you? Everyone in the village knows your speed is faster than a mountain leopard. Even on horseback, I couldn't catch up to you, let alone with a bunch of little ones." Liu Hui accused her cousin, looking like she was saying, 'do you think I'm that dumb?'

No one in the village didn't know her cousin's speed! Racing home was sure defeat; she wasn't foolish!

Hua Jin: "..."

She thought the girl also sensed something unusual; she overthought it.

... However, her reaction was indeed much faster now.

"Hui Jie'er, you're overthinking it. How could sister trick you? Since it's a game, it's naturally under equal terms, so I'll give you half a tea's time to rush home in advance. This should be fair enough, right!"

"That's more like it," Liu Hui's spirits perked up again, her mind calculating secretly.

From here to grandpa's house took about the time of one tea. Giving them half a tea's advantage already wasn't little; speeding up wasn't hopeless. She nodded promptly.