Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space

"Jin'er, are you alright?" Qin Shu scrutinized the person at the door, his gaze fully focused on Jin'er, oblivious that there was another person standing beside him.

The urgent look in Jin'er's eyes was clearly seen by Hua Chengtian at the door, and he couldn't help but take a closer look at the young man ahead... his son's classmate.

He could never forget that his two sons were able to pass the child scholar exams thanks to Qin Shu.

Is this boy's concern for his daughter a bit too strong?

But upon closer inspection, it seemed to be just concern, nothing else.

Perhaps he was overthinking it, Hua Chengtian breathed a sigh of relief.

Though daughters grow up and eventually must find a family to marry into, the child is still young, and waiting another two or three years wouldn't be too late.

His daughter has such exceptional looks, one could even say very outstanding, and there's no need to even mention the family conditions. Even if she can't find a family to marry into in the future, they're not afraid. Their obedient daughter could find a son-in-law to join their family, and they wouldn't worry about her suffering any grievances under their watch.

Seeing Qin Shu's face indeed showed just anxiousness, Hua Chengtian's expression also relaxed.

Qin Shu didn't see it, but it didn't mean others didn't notice. Just as Jin'er answered that she was fine, Qin Dagen was staring in surprise at the people at the door, then broke into a slightly awkward smile, looking at the person outside, "Brother Chengtian, come in quickly, hurry, hurry, prepare the tea, Brother Chengtian is here…"

Qin Dagen's shout made Qin Shu realize that there was someone beside Jin'er, it was Uncle Hua, and his face flushed as he hurriedly called out "Uncle Hua."

How could he have missed such a big presence as Uncle Hua's, who knows if Uncle Hua will overthink it.

In the kitchen, Mrs. Li quickly responded. She didn't know to whom the Brother Chengtian her husband mentioned referred, but thinking it through, anyone who could come with Miss Jin'er and be addressed so warmly by her man was most likely Jin'er's father.

The boiling water was ready, but alas, there was no tea. Mrs. Li pinched a small piece of brown sugar and put it into the boiling water, which was considered a good way to entertain guests at a farmhouse.

When she came out with the tea, the group had already returned to the main room.

Though it was already dark, it wasn't yet late night, and the temperature had slightly eased, but standing for long was still uncomfortable.

Perhaps because the visit of guests brought joy, the father and sons did not realize that standing with Jin'er and her father for a moment seemed to change the surrounding air's heat.

"Drink some water, drink some water," Mrs. Li entered the house, inviting them.

"Yes, yes, Brother Chengtian, have some water," Qin Dagen echoed, personally handing the water to Hua Chengtian.

"Much obliged," Hua Chengtian replied with a smile.

Jin'er quickly took the water from Mrs. Li's hand, politely saying, "Auntie, don't trouble yourself, my father and I are not thirsty."

"It's no trouble, how could you not be thirsty after such a trip? Don't worry, we have plenty of water at home. To be honest, it's all thanks to you, drink more, there's more in the pot."

Mrs. Li was genuinely delighted by Jin'er's arrival, especially when the topic of water came up. Though there was an outsider present, her words inevitably revealed some nervousness, particularly when her gaze landed on Jin'er's father.

"...You all chat, I'll head to the kitchen to prepare some food, Miss Jin'er, have a taste of the fish this auntie makes," Mrs. Li said with a smile.

Fish, having fish, was quite surprising for Jin'er.

"Auntie, no need to prepare anything for us, my father and I have already eaten."

At a time when food and water are both scarce, Jin'er had no intention of taking advantage.

"That won't do, even if you've eaten, you must be hungry by now. Listen to me and let me prepare something, you all chat," she said warmly to Jin'er, waving her hand as she turned and left the main room again.

"Auntie…" Watching Mrs. Li already outside the room, Jin'er shook her head, thought for a moment, and then took out two large barrels of water to place outside the courtyard gate from space.

"Uncle Qin, my father and I brought you two barrels of water, which we put by the wall, almost forgot about them."

"Water, I don't even know what to say, thank you, Miss Jin'er," Qin Dagen said, a little embarrassed, but at such times, who would complain about too much water, expressing gratitude with delight.

Especially since the river on the west side of the village had completely dried up in recent days, without replenishment, their household had consumed quite a bit of stored water these days.

Though it's just a drop in the bucket compared to the water stored at home, living requires meticulous planning, especially during disaster years, where everything needs a plan and contingency.

Hearing this, Qin Shu respectfully bowed to Hua Chengtian and quickly went outside with his two younger brothers. Letting the water stay outside longer might mean more evaporation, which would be a shame.

Once outside, seeing the oversized wooden barrels at the corner, the three brothers almost simultaneously twitched their lips, although it was a pleasant surprise.

But... barrels reaching their chests were too big, and moreover, filled with water, the weight took all their strength to barely move into the courtyard.

As for asking for help, the Qin brothers were too embarrassed.

After so much effort, they finally moved the two barrels into the courtyard and then into the woodshed, the only place at home with enough space. Besides, there was the main room, but if these two large barrels were placed there, there'd be no room to walk. The cellar was similarly packed with water jars and large bamboo barrels wherever there wasn't a sleeping place.

"...So much water," Qin Dagen was surprised, then moved deeply, stammering, "Brother Chengtian and Miss Jin'er, your help, the kindness to my family, I really don't know what to say, in the future if there's anything you need, just say the word, and I, Qin Dagen, won't utter a second word…" Qin Dagen said, rubbing his hands with excitement.

Two barrels of water, if used sparingly, could sustain the family for two months, and his anxiety greatly diminished.

He feared running out of water before the intense heat had passed.

They, the older ones, didn't matter too much, having lived for decades was enough, but the children were still young, hadn't even started families, their lives were just beginning. If they were gone, even death wouldn't bring peace to their souls.

Hua Chengtian glanced at his daughter and laughed heartily, "No need to mention it, though our families haven't interacted much, we know each other well enough. Brother Dagen shouldn't speak like this. If we're speaking of gratitude, I'd have to thank you, if not for young Qin, whether my sons could have passed the child scholar exams, who knows. It's all thanks to Qin Shu..."

Wen Yan and Qin Dagen quickly waved their hands, "That's not right, in that sense, we owe you more thanks. Brother Shu said if it wasn't for your care, and even preparing food and fruit for him, he definitely wouldn't have pulled through with just his luck. Being with you is indeed his fortune."

"Now that we're living in Hua Village, finding a place to settle was truly life-saving for our family. While Brother Chengtian is generous, we can't just take it for granted. Who knows if we can ever repay your family for the kindness you've shown, and now you've brought so much water. Brother Chengtian, those words make me feel truly ashamed…"

Qin Dagen felt a bit embarrassed, finding no place to hide.