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

After a busy night, Qin Shu, along with his parents and brothers, was also exhausted. In the early dawn, they ate something simple, washed up, and returned to the underground cellar to rest.

Although the house was cooler than the outside, it was still hot. Since the ventilation of the cellar was completed, the whole family mostly chose to rest in the cellar.

For this reason, the father and sons put a lot of effort into building the cellar, no less than when they were building the house.

The cellar was divided into two parts, essentially two rooms. One was used to store grains and vegetables, and the other was their resting area, which was also the room where the cellar exit was located.

For the sake of secrecy, the door to the cellar was left under the bedroom, and it was lengthened and widened. Since there were no outsiders in the village, it was not deliberately hidden and remained open throughout the day.

Of course, water was an indispensable thing under such high temperatures. The cellar held several large water jars, full of water and tightly covered with stone slabs.

Though stifling, the temperature in the cellar was much lower. The large exit ensured no fear of suffocation. After washing with cool well water, the whole family quickly fell asleep.

Meanwhile, after more than ten days of travel, Liu Gouzi, who had taken a wrong path once, finally found the correct road after enduring hardships and appeared on the official road to Shanggu Town.

Fortunately, traveling at night made them a smaller target. Being cautious whenever they encountered anything living, their first response was to hide. Because of this, although their journey was full of bumps, neither people nor food were lost, and they made it to Shanggu Town safely.

Looking at Gouzi, who was unwavering in saying they had arrived, they couldn't afford to be happy or excited. As the sky gradually whitened, they hurriedly looked for a temporary resting place.

Like on the road, they dared not enter the town. Even though Da Liu was fifteen or sixteen and considered an adult, and Gouzi and Caogen were over ten years old, they were not strong men. With so many siblings, their group was an easy target for bullies.

Who would be naive enough to make themselves a living target at this point?

But luck wasn't always on their side in finding a temporary resting place. A flood uprooted many big trees and chopped them in half, leaving houses even worse. Although there were many abandoned villages outside the town, Da Liu didn't dare to enter, especially those empty and burnt ones.

They eventually chose a place near the mountains. Although it took more time and was more exhausting, there were many trees and shady spots. They only needed to reach there before the sun was high.

However, during the period when the sun hadn't risen yet, seeing a village with signs of life, Da Liu chose to enter the village alone after settling his siblings.

Having reached Shanggu Town and knowing the approximate direction of Hua Village, he still felt unsure without asking someone. He and his siblings were too tired from the journey, and naturally, they wanted to avoid any unnecessary detours.

As for danger, Da Liu was somewhat confident. At fifteen or sixteen, though not very robust, he was considered a man, not to mention the axe on his back.

Entering an unfamiliar village made Da Liu nervous too, but he tried hard to not show his fear, standing with his chest out.

Unfortunately, even early in the morning, he couldn't easily spot people as he had hoped. Even when he did, they hurried past with hoes or buckets, only casting a curious glance his way, without saying a word.

"Ah..." Da Liu lowered his raised hand at the slam of a door, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, though he understood; he wouldn't talk to strangers either.

Unwilling to give up without asking, he ventured a little further into the village, but still, no one paid attention to him.

Just as he was about to turn back and give up, a slightly hoarse voice called out to him.

A rough voice, it seemed since the disaster, whether adults or children, rarely did anyone's voice remain unhoarse. The only difference was between men and women.

"What are you... doing, who are you looking for?" A middle-aged man with a carrying pole came out from a mud-brick house, looking at him warily.

"Hello, Uncle," Da Liu didn't answer first, but politely greeted him.

His parents taught him that politeness brings no blame, especially when asking for something.

He didn't move around randomly, after all, the man seemed cautious, holding the pole in front of him defensively.

The man watched him warily but did not speak again.

Finally meeting someone willing to deal with him, Da Liu didn't want to miss the chance. After his polite greeting, he quickly spoke up.

He cut to the chase without rambling.

"Hello, Uncle, it's like this, I want to ask for directions?"

"Ask for directions?" The man sized up the young fellow, about his height, though thin, seemed spirited. Despite his effort to appear calm, the unease in his eyes was clear, making the man relax a bit.

Da Liu quickly nodded, "Yes, I want to ask how to get to Hua Village?"

"Hua Village?" The man was a bit surprised.

Evidently, the young man asking for directions was not from a surrounding village; otherwise, how could he not know where Hua Village was?

After all, it's one of the largest villages here, rare for its unity, especially having led the villagers to plant winter vegetables and make charcoal a few years back, making life there considerably better. It made the surrounding villages quite envious.

"Yes," Da Liu nodded again, his eyes intently watching the man, filled with expectation.

"What's your relationship with Hua Village?" Having asked already, the man's curiosity compelled him to inquire further.

"Oh, I'm here seeking relatives. A distant cousin married into Hua Village, and our family can't get by anymore, so..." Da Liu didn't dare tell the truth, using a most understandable and practical excuse.

Everyone could guess what the young man's 'so...,' meant; the man understood and nodded knowingly.

Knowing he was just asking for directions put him at ease. He wasn't worried about causing trouble for Hua Village, given Hua Village's strength; surely, such a young fellow wouldn't be a concern.

Reassured, he told Da Liu Hua Village's location and hurriedly returned to fetch water, feeling the temperature had risen again during their brief conversation.

Having carefully memorized the directions, Da Liu quickly bowed to the man and sprinted out of the village even faster.

Like the man's thoughts, the temperature was too high; he hurried to find his siblings before the sun rose higher.

The good news was that the man's directions didn't differ significantly from what their benefactor had told them, only more detailed, just what they needed now, making his risky trip into the village worthwhile.

Seeing Da Liu return safely, Gouzi, Hua'er, and Caogen, who were anxiously watching for him, all breathed a sigh of relief. The siblings then hastened their pace as the sky displayed early dawn light, finding a temporary shelter the moment the sun rose.

But the days were becoming increasingly unbearable. Even hiding under a tree below a rock on the mountain's shadowed side, they were sweating relentlessly. Even in sleep, they were uneasy, as if staying inside a steamer.