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

The three grandparents followed up with a hearty breakfast inside the tent, saving enough for those outside to have a few extra bites.

Watching Xiao Si pause slightly with the warm bun in his hand before smoothly putting it in his mouth, Hua Jin's eyes filled with laughter.

On the other side, Hua Qiang and Hua Rong only called out symbolically, knowing that the village chief had already eaten, they said no more.

They knew that the village chief's family never lacked food, especially when bringing his beloved granddaughter down the mountain with plenty to eat.

After the meal, it was time to pack up and leave.

With so many eyes watching them, descending the mountain seemed not as easy as they thought, but neither was it too difficult.

After enjoying two hearty meals, everyone's spirits seemed significantly better than the previous day, especially those with injuries who began to recover with medical treatment.

Their breakfast was shared with the people of Hua Village, using food collected from the cave.

After the meal, Hua Qiang found Old Man Hua and spoke in hushed tones.

"Really?"

"It's true, they're all dead, and it was a tragic scene."

A dozen people were beaten into a pile of mush, not a single intact corpse.

"Keep your voice down," Old Man Hua glanced at his grandson and granddaughter.

It was too gruesome, better for them not to know.

"They brought it on themselves, let it go and pretend we don't know."

Hua Qiang nodded.

"Get ready," after such a delay, it was time to leave.

Watching the Hua Village people pack up, a group led by the Li Village chief approached with uneasy steps.

"Chief Hua..." Li Village chief stuttered looking at Old Man Hua.

"Chief Li, looks like you rested well," Old Man Hua greeted him with a smile, seeing the much better complexion of Chief Li since last night, he was genuinely happy for him, knowing that he had bounced back.

"It was thanks to your kindness, a great favor that will never be forgotten," Chief Li was about to kneel and bow in gratitude.

This was the best way they could express their feelings at the moment.

"Enough, don't overthink it, it shows that fate hasn't abandoned us, otherwise how would our attackers have ended up like they did?"

Chief Li nodded, but the thought of the deceased villagers brought an uncontrollable sadness within.

Old Man Hua comfortingly patted Chief Li on the shoulder.

"So... are you preparing to leave?" Chief Li hesitantly asked.

"Yes, we've been delayed long enough, it's time to head back."

"Uh... there's something I'd like to discuss with Chief Hua, but it's okay if you don't agree," Chief Li quickly added, worried about offending Chief Hua.

"Go ahead..."

Seeing how seriously Chief Li was taking this, Old Man Hua also became serious, though he did not promise anything.

"... Frankly, it's shameful, I've been a disgrace of a chief, in a year and a half, our village of hundreds has dwindled to less than two hundred survivors. And now, because of crop seeds, we've lost dozens of able-bodied men, leaving mostly women and children, I am truly worried..."

"Chief Li, just say what you have to say," looking at the stammering Chief Li, Old Man Hua felt anxious for him.

"I know we don't have much labor left, mainly kids and women, but they are all good workers in the fields, Chief Hua rest assured we won't be a burden to Hua Village, so... could we follow Chief Hua?" Chief Li looked hopefully at Old Man Hua after speaking nervously.

Having no other options, as less than ten men including himself were left, fear of another disaster left Chief Li without hope of ensuring the survival of his people. If another unforeseen event happened, there'd truly be no way out for Li Village.

As an old man, he thought little of himself, but the thought of the surviving children left him reluctant. After discussing with other village members, they decided to seek refuge with Hua Village, the only strong village they saw as a refuge.

... But it all depended on whether they'd be accepted.

Old Man Hua hadn't thought much at first, assuming that Chief Li wanted help descending the mountain, never expecting the plea was to join Hua Village.

Realizing Chief Li's intentions, he could understand; were it him, he'd also consider joining a strong village for his own people to survive.

Chief Li was a responsible leader, otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths for his village.

But Old Man Hua hadn't thought of taking in more people, as his village was already populous, including recent additions of eighteen households, totaling several thousand mouths to feed.

More people meant more issues and greater responsibility, and Old Man Hua really didn't want to exhaust himself.

"Chief Hua..." seeing Hua Man frowning, Chief Li felt anxious but mustered the courage to speak again.

"It's okay if not... I..."

"It's not impossible, Chief Li, are you sure? And can you really speak for your village?"

Can't have him agreeing to come with us, then Li Village's people disagreeing, would just waste time.

"So Chief Hua has agreed? Rest assured, in Li Village, I make the decisions. Thank you, thank you..." Chief Li was almost crying with joy, speaking eagerly.

... A pleasant surprise indeed.

Sigh! Old Man Hua sighed, his heart softened in the end.

So be it, after all, it wasn't like they'd never taken in people before, and having more people wasn't all bad, at least there'd be more strong laborers, and the younger ones had potential, eventually becoming valuable to Hua Village.

"Old San, Hui Zi, Tu Wazi, come quick, bow and thank the chief..." Chief Li, both excited and joyful, hurriedly called over the people of Li Village.

Li Old San, along with two kids, arrived with no need to speak, kneeling and bowing.

Although this gesture was owed, it was incomparable to life and death.

Moreover, Chief Hua not only saved them but also agreed to take them in, making the gratitude even greater.

With Hua Village's resources, they absolutely didn't need to take in the burden of Li Village.

Indeed, even though Li Old San believed himself capable, they could not compare to Hua Village, let alone those who were injured, dead, or the women, children, and elderly.

All these demonstrated the kindness and generosity of Chief Hua, and they bowed sincerely.

"What is this for, stand up quickly, or I will be unhappy," Old Man Hua said, feigning displeasure, as he pulled up the two leading men.

"A man's knees are as precious as gold, kneel only to heaven, earth, and parents, how can you easily bend them, hurry up and stand."

"Uncle, you saved us all, you're our reborn parent, bowing to you is only right." Li Old San, while speaking, knocked his head three more times.

Without waiting for Old Man Hua to speak, he continued: "Uncle, I, Li Old San, swear here, once joining Hua Village, we'll abide by the rules of Hua Village, not dragging anyone down."