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

"Is there really anything to congratulate? I'm still me, it's not like I've turned into someone else." Hua Jin took in everyone's expressions, slyly smiling as she spoke.

Her demeanor was cheerful, but not excessively so.

The hairpin ceremony is something worth celebrating, but when facing her close friends, especially those who have already passed the age for the ceremony but haven't had one, Hua Jin was very considerate of their feelings.

"It's different now; from now on, Jin'er will be a young lady, a grown-up."

"Yes, yes, my mother says when you have the hairpin ceremony, you can choose a husband, get engaged, and get married." Xiaoxiao, being younger, spoke of marriage without any embarrassment, finding it rather amusing.

"Young girl, you may be young, but you understand quite a lot, not shy at all…" Da Ya was startled by Xiaoxiao's words and laughed, if not for being in Jin'er's room right now, she would have covered Xiaoxiao's mouth to prevent people from making fun of her.

"What's there to be shy about? I'm not the one saying it, it's my mother, besides growing up means getting married, right?" Xiaoxiao blinked her big sparkling eyes, eyes filled with a clear innocence that Hua Jin adored.

"Right, right, right, Xiaoxiao's right, it's not us saying it, what's there to be shy about. When girls talk among themselves, there's no need to hide, especially with no outsiders around."

Hua Jin's words seemed to resonate with Hua Xiaoxiao's heart, making her nod repeatedly, her proud look facing her sisters, as if saying: See, Jin'er sister thinks so too.

The girls couldn't help but laugh, and then reached out their hands towards Xiaoxiao's puffed-up cheeks, letting her taste the consequences of pride, and the room burst into playful laughter.

"Alright, alright," Hua Jin rescued Xiaoxiao from the hands of her sisters, and then looked at her seriously: "Even though that's the case, Da Ya is right, these words can be said among us sisters, but outside we must keep our mouths shut, understood?"

Xiaoxiao quickly nodded, she is very convinced by Hua Jin, whatever Jin'er sister says she certainly listens, even her parents encourage her to learn more from Jin'er sister, saying if she can learn a bit of Jin'er's intelligence, they would be at ease.

"Good girl," Hua Jin patted the head of the obedient girl.

The look of satisfaction on her face was really no different from what Mrs. Qi had just shown.

"On that day, we'll come early. If there's anything you need help with, Jin'er, just let us know," Da Ya, Little Cat, and other sisters seriously looked at Hua Jin, returning to the main topic.

Even knowing how important this moment is and understanding that they couldn't help much, the excitement was uncontrollable, they really wanted to do something for this girl.

Jin'er was really kind to them, teaching them reading, writing, archery, martial arts, never getting angry despite their clumsiness, always patient, never looking down or discouraging them.

Honestly, even close family members sometimes couldn't achieve this, building their self-confidence, no longer muddled in life.

Da Ya, Little Cat, and others were truly grateful to Jin'er, sincerely hoping that on that day, Jin'er would be the happiest girl receiving the most blessings in the world.

"Alright, come early on that day, when I see you, I won't be nervous." Hua Jin readily agreed, her sweet smile quickly easing Da Ya, Little Cat, and others' mood, making them nod repeatedly.

"We didn't expect fearless Jin'er would also have a time of nervousness. Don't worry, we'll definitely arrive early on that day." Little Cat tossed her coarse black hair, laughing mischievously.

"Right, right, right," the atmosphere soared again, the laughter and teasing voices of the girls made those in the courtyard smile knowingly.

Dusk fell, Hua Jin rested early for better spirits.

She didn't return to the space, but stayed in her own room.

For the hairpin ceremony, there were many family members, including aunts, so Hua Jin had to pay attention.

Even though it's quite hot now, it's only as hot as the peak of old summer, bearable temperatures, but wanting to sleep comfortably at night is indeed difficult.

That's for outsiders though, the valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, with the sky peeking out from behind a cliff creating a natural screen, except for one stone mountain, the other mountains have rich vegetation blocking the scorching heat well, though perhaps a bit hot during the day, the valley's night temperatures were still suitable, and soon Hua Jin fell sound asleep.

On the other side, Hua Chengtian and Mrs. Qi lay in bed, unable to sleep for a long time, suddenly realizing their child was growing up, the feeling was unreal.

"Husband, when Jin'er was young, I longed for her to grow up quickly, but now she's grown so fast, this heart just can't settle…"

"Children, they're always a debt, don't worry, our girl is so capable, she'll absolutely not go wrong in the future, you, don't think too much…"

Though speaking like that, isn't he sighing deeply with the child's mother? He feels reluctant too!

After all, the child growing up also means they're soon to leave their parents' side, thinking of the child they've raised well, who will one day not be around, their heart and soul ache.

"That's true, but…"

"Not sleepy?"

"Ah…"

"Since I'm not sleepy either, why don't we give Jin'er a little sister…then you won't have time to think about this and that…"

"What nonsense are you saying, watch out I…"

The rest were muffled by Hua Chengtian who suddenly approached, leaving only soft murmurs and Mrs. Qi's gentle pats…

The night was deep and tranquil, lush grasses swaying, tree shadows fluttering, the misty valley was draped in cold moonlight, quiet yet filled with warmth.

"Hot…"

Hua Jin opened her eyes abruptly, realizing immediately something was wrong.

Rainwater incessantly fell on her, causing her to continuously blink, her feet stepping on muddy ground, but…subconsciously Hua Jin felt something was off, shouldn't she be lying in bed asleep?

…how did this happen…facing the pitch-black night, torrential rain, Hua Jin felt a little lost, dazed for a moment.

Before she could react further, she was pulled to fly, faintly seeing deep pits pass under her gaze.

"Quick, the northern barbarian army is coming…"

"Luo Song brother…"

"Luo Song, take my sister up the mountain first, I'll bring others and follow…"

The distant voice was…brother's.

In the rain, Hua Jin was carried aloft.

"Be careful…"

Hua Jin, held by Luo Song, only saw an arrow piercing through the rain, the gleaming arrowhead growing larger.

"Luo Song brother…" The fearful cry made her abruptly sit up from bed, gasping for breath, eyes wide with fright.

The Hua elder and his wife, always light sleepers, were almost simultaneously awakened by their granddaughter's cries, instantly getting up, putting on shoes, and running to her room.

"What's wrong, what's wrong…" The two elders anxiously knocked on their granddaughter's door.

The urgent voices of grandparents brought Hua Jin back to reality, she realized it was just a dream.

Taking a deep breath, she quickly replied: "Grandpa, grandma, I'm okay, just had a dream, please go back to sleep."

"Really nothing…" The word 'dream' made the old couple's hearts skip a beat, asking uneasily.