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

Not only that, her lovely face aside, after all, having seen it since she was little, one gets used to it. Qi Shi glancing surreptitiously at her own chest and then at her daughter's.

She couldn't quite understand how she herself was so flat, yet her daughter's... was so... so full, and looking at her child's slender waist, even as a mother, Qi Shi felt embarrassed to look, her hands moved a little faster unconsciously.

It's just... she didn't know which lucky rascal would benefit in the future.

Thinking of this made Qi Shi reluctant once again.

But which daughter doesn't get married? It seems she, as a mother, needs to keep her eyes even wider to find a good husband for her own daughter.

In the blink of an eye, Qi Shi already went from thinking about her daughter's coming-of-age ceremony to marriage. Such swift transitions, luckily Hua Jin didn't know, or else she would surely be amused.

Hua Jin, dressed in a lightly colored purple ruqun, was a world apart from her previous outfit of a refined short attire.

With her hands clasped gently at her abdomen, Hua Jin looked at her mother with crescent eyes, her exquisite face matched by her tall and graceful figure, with raven-black hair cascading smoothly down her back, pinned into a small bun with a white jade plum hairpin, two strands of green silk gently swaying with her movements, leaving Qi Shi momentarily stunned.

At this moment, Qi Shi saw both demureness and elegance in her daughter, with a hint of youthful beauty on her delicate cheeks, matched with her slender eyes, inadvertently revealing a touch of allure. Yet it harmonized perfectly with her serenity. As her hands moved slightly, there was an intangible air of noble grace about her.

If she hadn't been the one to give birth to her, raise her, and personally bring her up, Qi Shi would have truly doubted whether there was a baby mix-up.

No one would doubt her being a proper young lady of a noble family.

Thinking of her daughter, who could even possess the good fortune of an Immortal's retreat, having such a noble temperament seemed only natural.

"So beautiful, truly beautiful, my daughter indeed," Qi Shi laughed joyfully, pride soaking her gaze.

Her hands didn't idle either, measuring her child's attire, checking for any unsatisfactory areas.

But how could there be? This was clothing she meticulously prepared, every stitch filled with her dedication day and night.

After a thorough check, everything fitted perfectly, and only then did Qi Shi smile contently.

"Truly wonderful!"

"Mother, it's so beautiful, thank you," Hua Jin truly liked the ruqun she wore, transforming her from a tomboy to a gentle, graceful, and elegant young lady in an instant.

There's a saying that couldn't be more accurate—clothes make the man, just like saddles make the horse. Isn't it? Hua Jin felt like she turned into another person once she wore it.

With this attire, it was as if an inexplicable force constrained her, making her unconsciously elegant. The days of wielding swords and climbing high were suddenly gone.

It really is intoxicating! Hua Jin gently stroked the ruqun, thinking.

The mother and daughter admired it for a while before hurriedly taking it off again. Originally, Qi Shi wanted her daughter to wear it to show her father and mother, but Hua Jin adamantly refused.

She hadn't worn a ruqun for so long. Yes, it was beautiful, but truly inconvenient. Mainly, once in a dress, one had to act accordingly. Between acting a part and being tired or being herself, Hua Jin chose without hesitation to be herself.

Hua Jin said she wanted to surprise everyone in two days, and Qi Shi thought her daughter made a good point and agreed immediately.

"Then I'll take it away first. Be careful these two days, don't run around the mountains with Hei Da and others, and especially don't get hurt, okay?"

The ceremony was approaching, and knowing how restless her own daughter was, Qi Shi couldn't help but remind her.

Hua Jin suppressed a laugh, nodding quickly, "Don't worry, Mother, I'll stay home these two days."

Making it seem like she was an unruly child never at home, when in fact, she was quite lazy. Nowadays, her favorite thing was lying in bed watching shows—how leisurely and comfortable.

It's just that this environment didn't allow her to be lazy; not a day could go by relaxing without worries looming over. She hadn't forgotten that more challenges lay ahead.

If she was too complacent and future disasters came, she wouldn't even have the strength to escape, and surely she'd cry her heart out.

That's why, even if currently they were in a relatively peaceful environment, neither she nor anyone in the valley could neglect their combat training.

Every morning, practicing skills for an hour was mandatory; the youth were especially enthusiastic, none more so than the men who last time followed out of the valley and tasted the exhilaration of strength.

They had defeated a ruthless and fearsome group with lesser numbers.

In the past, who would have dared imagine it? Years later, facing their descendants, they could boast about their youthful ventures with pride, and even just the thought brought immense joy.

Of course, taking a break for a few days wasn't a big deal. With her family valuing her ceremony so much, she as the main character naturally couldn't lag behind.

Hua Jin was so well-behaved, with a soft gaze toward her mother, that Qi Shi's heart was utterly melted by her daughter's demeanor.

After saying "Good girl" and patting her daughter's soft hair, she left satisfied.

Her daughter's coming-of-age ceremony was a significant event for the family, and one of the rare happy days in recent years. It was also an opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy.

After reaching a consensus, they were preparing for a grand celebration, inviting everyone in the valley for a feast, indirectly improving their meals as well.

Qi Shi came over using what little free time she had, with still much preparation needed, such as the feast's menu, enlisting skilled women in the village for help, preparing ingredients, and so on. Qi Shi felt that these two days' time was truly insufficient.

Watching her mother's hurried figure with a shake of the head, Hua Jin mused if it was the atmosphere affecting her, for she looked forward to her coming-of-age ceremony quite a bit, eager to experience one of the most important days for girls in this era, even if she would be on display like a monkey.

It's just... fifteen years old to be considered an adult felt a bit too early, the only part she wasn't used to.

Fifteen was still a child!

Rising, she walked to the window, gazing at the pomegranate tree not far from the window lattice, transplanted from another space, her heart suddenly filled with emotions.

Never before did time seem to pass so swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, she had been hiding up the mountain to avoid calamity for two years already.

"Jin'er..."

Suddenly immersed in thoughts, her little sister's cheerful voice from the doorway interrupted them, and Hua Jin looked over with a brilliant smile, quickly moving her steps.

"Da Ya, you're here..."

"Jin'er, my mother said you'll have your coming-of-age ceremony the day after tomorrow, so we came to see you and congratulate you!" Xiaomao remarked emotionally.

Hearing her mother say Hua Jin was coming of age, it suddenly dawned on her that the mature and more capable Hua Jin they admired had been just a young girl still.

"Indeed, our Jin'er unknowingly has grown up to be a young lady, it's wonderful!" Da Ya couldn't help but admire and caress Hua Jin's smooth, lovely hair, genuinely fond of this sister who wasn't related by blood.

"You girls only just noticed!" Hua Jin smiled wryly, "Look, I'm even taller than you all," she playfully measured with her hand, instantly sparking jocular protests, creating a hilarious hubbub that filled the entire room with laughter.

There was happiness, envy, and longing in the air.

It was one of the rare momentous occasions in a girl's life, though not every girl would have the opportunity for a coming-of-age ceremony, nor did everyone have family who cherished them as Hua Jin did.