I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 493 - 491 Midnight Snack

Inside the shelter, Chen Xin was rarely busy in the kitchen.

Ever since he started managing the Research Center, he barely had time to cook for himself.

One reason was the sheer volume of work; being busy left him little leisure to cook, while on the other hand, the entire Research Center had a complete logistics system, so he didn’t need to cook to have food.

Cooking himself has increasingly become a casual leisure activity for Chen Xin to relax occasionally.

Of course, this so-called "leisure" is quite luxurious in today’s circumstances.

Even though Flame Country can now ensure ordinary people have enough to eat and drink, and Chen Xin’s previous research in ecological agriculture has yielded some results, it merely ensures that ordinary people can eat enough.

Being able to eat whatever you want like before the disaster, and eating well, is almost impossible now.

Having three meals a day is already rare, and someone like Chen Xin who’s able to cook something he wants to eat is very rare under today’s circumstances.

For a typical family of three, if both partners work and receive extra food rations, the monthly quota, after meeting the daily needs of three people, can spare a little to exchange for fresh vegetables, fruit, or meat to improve meals.

This is akin to ordinary people in Flame Country in the eighties and nineties eating meat once or twice a week, seen as improving meals, not everyday.

As for Chen Xin, even without counting the ecological planting greenhouse outside the research center, just his own greenhouse can provide constant supply of vegetables and fruits.

For meat, only chicken is available, and the quantity is limited, so it’s not possible to slaughter chickens regularly for meals. But every ten to fifteen days, they can slaughter a chicken, and there are plenty of eggs.

Moreover, Chen Xin can receive extra special supplies every month, ensuring enough variety of food to eat well and have enough drinks.

This allows Chen Xin the ability to cook for himself as a way of relaxation, despite the scarcity of resources.

However, despite not lacking supplies, Chen Xin didn’t cook much, just fried two small dishes and stewed a pot of soup.

"Why the sudden mood for cooking today? Haven’t seen you cook for a long time." Qin Lan, passing by, smelled the food and walked into the kitchen. Curious, she asked, looking at the dishes Chen Xin placed on the table.

Chen Xin smiled and took down the pot of soup from the stove before saying to Qin Lan: "Just got back from finishing work and suddenly felt hungry, wanting to make some supper. Saw some ingredients in the fridge, so I planned on making a small supper to go with a couple of drinks, feeling quite tired lately. And what about you, why haven’t you slept yet?"

"Can’t fall asleep." Qin Lan shook her head, took two cups from the cabinet nearby, then sat down at the table.

"Got something on your mind lately?" Chen Xin took out the wine he had intended to drink alone and poured a glass for Qin Lan, then asked her with concern.

Chen Xin remembered that before he went to Lucia, Qin Lan seemed like she had something to tell him, but was interrupted at the time.

Seeing Qin Lan’s current state, Chen Xin felt she must have something on her mind and had not found a suitable opportunity to tell him, so he actively asked.

Upon Chen Xin’s question, Qin Lan hesitated for a moment before nodding: "It’s about marriage."

"Marriage?" Chen Xin was caught off guard by Qin Lan suddenly mentioning marriage; it truly exceeded his expectations: "Why bring this up suddenly?"

"It’s Auntie." Qin Lan took a sip from her glass before continuing: "When visiting the Southwest earlier, Auntie asked both Qingyan and me about when you plan to get married."

When Qin Lan spoke of this matter, her face turned red to her ears, but she still raised her head to look seriously at Chen Xin, anticipating his response.

"Ah? This..." Chen Xin didn’t expect Qin Lan to suddenly mention this.

After all, he technically had two girlfriends now, and according to national laws, he could only marry one. No matter whom he chose to marry, it would hurt the other.

As for marrying both, it wouldn’t be much different from now, just a matter of a title.

But this issue was difficult to resolve; even though Chen Xin had contributed much to the country, allowing him some special privileges, these privileges didn’t extend to marrying two wives, so he never considered this matter.

Both Qin Lan and Mo Qingyan also took the same considerations and didn’t pressure Chen Xin about marriage.

However, none of the three had expected Chen Xin’s mother to raise this issue suddenly, throwing Qin Lan and Mo Qingyan into a dilemma on how to handle it.

Mo Qingyan chose to ignore the issue, not bringing it up, preferring to maintain the status quo where no one gets hurt.

As for Qin Lan, while she also felt it might be better to maintain the status quo, she intended to tell Chen Xin about this issue.

Most importantly, she had considered marrying Chen Xin deep down.

After all, when she initially dated Chen Xin, they reached a point where they lived together, so she had considered marriage back then.

When they got back together, Qin Lan didn’t expect marriage with Chen Xin to be possible anymore.

Although she accepted the current relationship with the three of them, there remained some reluctance.

Qin Lan understood that if she insisted on a resolution, it might only result in unhappiness for all three of them, so she merely brought up the issue without any further intentions.

Chen Xin, of course, understood Qin Lan’s meaning and attitude but couldn’t express any stance on this matter.

"My mom..." Chen Xin wanted to say something but found himself speechless, eventually telling Qin Lan: "I’ll talk this over with my mom."

"Auntie mainly cares about you and hopes for your happiness." Qin Lan, worried Chen Xin might clash with his mother, deliberately added, "So, Ah Xin, just go along with Auntie’s wishes; regarding this matter..."

Qin Lan stopped short, not finishing her sentence.

Even though she wanted to tell Chen Xin she didn’t mind, that simply wouldn’t be true.

"Sorry for putting you and Qingyan in this position." Seeing Qin Lan’s demeanor, Chen Xin understood well, softly comforting her with a few words.

The comfort seemed too light and understated, leaving Chen Xin feeling guilty not only towards Qin Lan but also Mo Qingyan.