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

Liu Kai's gaze was terrifying, reminding old Mrs. Liu and the others of the scenes on the mountain. As a few women let go of them, they almost didn't pause for a moment before grabbing their belongings and rolling out of the courtyard, stumbling to find their husbands.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Kai closed his eyes and opened them again to look at the group who helped, then solemnly bowed deeply.

"Thank you, thank you, brothers and sisters."

He knew in his heart that if it weren't for village chief Hua and his group following, even if he had returned to Shangrao Village through great difficulty, his inability to walk would render him like a cripple with clipped wings, having no deterrent power whatsoever. He probably wouldn't even be able to enter the courtyard, let alone vent his anger.

Liu Kai was immensely grateful to village chief Hua and his group, bowing several times, and the two children followed their father, including Mrs. He as she packed their belongings.

He understood in his heart that without these people, the children's father couldn't possibly return in his current condition, hence the fervent gratitude from Mrs. He.

With the children's father returned, she felt revived, as they saved their entire family.

Then Liu Kai picked up the food placed on a wooden board, opened the bag containing fine grain, asked the children's mother for an empty grain sack, poured out about two pounds of fine white flour, and looked at Hua Qiang.

"No need to say much, I can't repay the help you've given our family. This isn't much, but it's my token of gratitude. Could brother Hua Qiang help distribute this among the brothers to thank you for backing me earlier?"

Of course, Hua Qiang's family didn't lack food; indeed, almost the entire Hua Village doesn't lack food. But their help was a fact; without them, Liu Kai's fate would be hard to predict. Although he wished to say grandly not to take it, he couldn't disregard the others.

Therefore, after considering, Hua Qiang ultimately accepted. He couldn't make decisions for his brothers; although everyone received only a little, it was a matter of attitude.

Moreover, they weren't saints.

Hua Qiang accepted readily; it wasn't much, just enough for everyone to make a meal.

"Alright, then we won't stand on ceremony." Hua Qiang smiled.

This brother is worth befriending.

Also, the way he handles matters is straightforward; he's a man.

"It's only what you deserve." Liu Kai sighed with relief.

The sibling duo busy beside him deeply sighed in heartache.

Though they didn't know where their father got the food, two pounds stretched and mixed with wild vegetables would suffice for their family for several days.

Yet they wisely said nothing, understanding their father must have a reason for doing this.

Next, Liu Kai looked at old man Hua, who hadn't spoken much since they arrived at Shangrao Village.

"Village chief..." Liu Ke looked hopefully at old man Hua, his mouth moving.

"Do you really want to come with us?" Old man Hua sighed.

Liu Kai was cutting off his escape route entirely. Once they left, his cousin-in-law from the Liu family certainly wouldn't let Liu Kai off, even if his hands were fine; how could his weak little family possibly contend with several adults?

Old man Hua was still soft-hearted.

This side, Liu Kai heard the weakness in old man Hua's voice, quickly nodding. As long as they could follow along, he would do anything without hesitation.

He didn't want to stay in Shangrao Village a moment longer.

"You can follow, but like those from Li Village, you must comply with Hua Village's rules and pay a joining fee, five pounds of grain or three hundred copper coins."

The main point was to make them value this hard-earned opportunity. After all, in their valley, it was peaceful, without the constant need to remain tense and struggle relentlessly to survive.

"No problem, whatever conditions we can fulfill, we agree. Village chief, rest assured, we certainly won't drag the village down, and will absolutely abide by village rules. If not, you can expel us now or punish us as you see fit." Liu Kai said earnestly.

Only now did Mrs. He and their two children understand what their father's (dad's) earlier words meant.

The mother and children remained silent; as long as they stayed together, it didn't matter where they went.

The most crucial thing was they believed a place that would compel the children's father (dad) to follow desperately must be a good place.

Indeed it was; if they weren't kind-hearted people, how could they have escorted someone who couldn't walk back, and even brought food along?

Mrs. He was gentle but not foolish, seeing everything clearly, especially the help their family received from the others earlier, she remembered well.

Old man Hua nodded. "Alright, since you accept, Hua Village welcomes you. Time is tight, so hurry and pack, once ready, it's time to set off."

After leaving Li Village to Shangrao Village, half a day had already passed.

"Eh eh." Liu Kai nodded cheerfully, looking at the children's mother and kids. "Her mother, hurry and pack with the children, take what's essential."

"Eh." Mrs. He also got anxious, pulling her daughter to run towards the backyard.

Liu Kai thought about it and took out two more pounds of food for Hua Qiang. With their family injured, weak, small, and sick, they were truly burdens compared to Li Village, and the others had no obligation to keep helping them. Food was the only thing he could offer now; though he had silver coins, in this time one couldn't buy things with money. If sincerity was needed, then food was the best option.

This time Hua Qiang still didn't refuse; after all, he would struggle the group along the way, especially adding the seriously ill old man.

Old man Hua saw Liu Kai was frank, and the prior hesitations disappeared. Such a person joining the village should be no worry.

Mrs. He cleaned up swiftly, but there wasn't much; better items had been snatched by his cousin-in-law's family earlier, placed in the front courtyard, leaving behind some tattered clothes, eating utensils, dried wild vegetables, and collected firewood. These were packed within half a cup of tea's time.

Hua Qiang, taking several brothers, quickly assembled another stretcher since Liu Kai's father hadn't woken yet. They couldn't keep waiting indefinitely.

Liu Wu was guarding a broken clay pot, cooking medicine, and within half a tea's time, it would be ready.

Meanwhile, old Mrs. Liu and her daughter-in-law scrambled towards their fields miles away.

The three of them appeared so wretched they startled the Liu family, especially after learning Liu Kai returned, shocking them further. Seeing the battered state of the three, they couldn't even plant the field, even as all urged them that Liu Kai had many helpers, Liu family's four men couldn't tolerate anymore.

If your mother and wife were beaten like this, how could you bear it and still be considered a man?

Throwing down their hoes, they turned and rushed back to the village.

Meanwhile, old Liu's herbal medicine was done boiling, and whether or not the previous medicine worked, after breaking out in sweat, old Liu's fever surprisingly subsided quite a bit, and he began to regain consciousness.

Seeing his son had returned, his excitement nearly made him faint again. Grabbing his son's hand was fraught with tears, weakly saying "good, good."

Even sad to see his son's legs unable to move, his state was improving, like someone walking in a desert suddenly seeing an oasis, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.