I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 595 - 493: The Long-Awaited Warmth of Home
"You’re back? Wash your hands and eat." Coming home to his family’s shelter, the first thing Chen Xin hears is his mother’s voice calling him to eat.
Chen Xin smiles. After being away from home for so long, being able to eat his mother’s cooking every day after work is an immense happiness for him.
Beside the dining table, his father is setting up the bowls and chopsticks while Mo Qingyan and Qin Lan are helping to bring dishes from the kitchen.
Seeing this scene, Chen Xin can’t help but feel a bit awkward. After all, having two girlfriends was not accepted in the past.
Though both Mo Qingyan and Qin Lan have accepted the current situation, Chen Xin still feels somewhat strange, especially when they are together with his parents.
It’s like a guy bringing his girlfriend home for the first time—there’s always a bit of discomfort.
Even though Chen Xin has brought his girlfriends home long ago, having two girlfriends is undeniably against morals, and he can’t help but worry about whether his parents can accept it.
Fortunately, Chen Xin’s parents haven’t really minded. Although having two girlfriends is hard to accept initially, they haven’t said much about it.
In such circumstances, being together as a family is the greatest happiness, and there’s no need to fuss over other matters.
The family gathers around the dining table to eat the humble yet home-flavored dishes. Whether before or after the disaster, it’s a simple and full of happiness affair.
"Son, what have you been busy with lately? Didn’t you just come back from overseas? Why are you on a business trip again these past couple of days?" Chen Xin’s mother glances at her son and asks about his work.
"Just some equipment needs testing," Chen Xin explains briefly without much detail about what he’s been doing.
For his mother, knowing what her son is doing is enough for peace of mind; she doesn’t need to know too much.
As for his father, he simply advises Chen Xin, "You need to do your work diligently, no slacking. You’re a leader now, you need to set an example, understand?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
"Got it, Dad." Chen Xin responds habitually, as his father’s habit of giving reminders at meal times is something he’s grown accustomed to.
Even so, their advice is filled with insights and valuable life experiences, and Chen Xin shows no impatience.
After finishing the meal, Chen Xin initially wants to help with the dishes, but he’s quickly chased out of the kitchen.
Watching Qin Lan and Mo Qingyan washing dishes in the kitchen, Chen Xin touches his nose and turns away, heading back to his room.
Though the house rule is for women to cook and men to wash dishes, since his two girlfriends are fighting over washing dishes, Chen Xin is happy to save himself the trouble.
Having been outside for almost half a year, although he didn’t suffer much, the comfortable environment he’s crafted at home is far superior.
So upon returning to his room, Chen Xin lies on the bed, lazily unwilling to get up.
"Ah, my energy isn’t what it used to be!" Chen Xin can’t help but sigh.
Perhaps age is catching up; though he’s only in his thirties, the fatigue from being away for a long time hasn’t dissolved even after several days back home.
In the past, Chen Xin wouldn’t have felt this tired; he even remembers going on a morning business trip to Shanghai, finishing work, returning at dawn, and going to work the next day.
But now, his body can’t withstand such strain.
Thinking of this, Chen Xin can’t help but want to soak in a hot spring.
Though some say a hot spring doesn’t truly eliminate fatigue but merely provides bodily comfort, helping one feel relaxed while fatigue remains, it doesn’t stop Chen Xin from hoping to relax through bathing.
Reaching the bathroom, Chen Xin undresses and sinks into the tub.
Feeling the warm water enfold him, he exhales deeply.
One must admit, the island country across the sea has a love for bathing—no matter how poor, they’ll manage a concrete tub or iron barrel to bathe; it’s understandable.
The relaxation from fully submerging in hot water is unmatched by any other means.
Even during his months outside, despite not lacking in living conditions, the opportunity for a bath couldn’t match the comfort he crafted at home.
Especially as Lucia was experiencing heating shortages, Flame Country’s energy tower had to support its city heating, leaving no extra resources for bathhouses.
As he bathes, unwinding the fatigue, Chen Xin can’t help comparing the living standards between Lucia and Flame Country.
Once a superpower, Lucia has thoroughly declined. Though the authoritarian leadership was pulling the country from the post-Suyia disintegration mire, issues still abound.
The disaster’s arrival nearly broke the nation.
This was evident when Chen Xin arrived in Lucia and deeply sensed their lifestyle.
Though Flame Country’s civilians were significantly affected, at least they didn’t face severe food shortages and survival issues.
The nation consistently made efforts to rectify various issues, ensuring the people’s well-being.
Though a wide gap remains compared to life before the disaster, Flame Country’s citizens were secured in their livelihood.
There were no massive city riots or widespread epidemics.
As for Lucia... although Chen Xin left with conditions improving, city riots quelled, heating and food assured by Flame Country support, Lucia’s citizens’ living standards remained low overall.
The stark disparity in comparison made Chen Xin even more grateful to live in Flame Country.
If he lived in Lucia, even with a system, achieving his current standard of living would be hard, the maximum might be hunkering in his shelter, calculating daily survival.
Unlike now, where he lives without pressure and can even consider how to end this disaster.
