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

Looking at the child's sparkling eyes, Hua Chengnian and Hua Chengtian knew something was up.

"What is it?" Hua Chengnian wiped the light sweat from his forehead and looked fondly at his obedient granddaughter.

Jin'er moved the wooden stake beside her over to grandpa, "Grandpa, let's sit down and talk."

Such a tone made Xiaoxiao, who was sanding wood at the side, unable to hold back his curious heart. He put down what he was holding and eagerly sat over, signaling his sister to hurry up and speak.

Hua Chengtian also looked at his daughter, waiting expectantly.

"Grandpa... let's make ice!"

"Ice-making?" Hua Chengnian stared at his granddaughter in disbelief, then instinctively looked at the sky outside the door.

How can one make ice in such high temperatures?

Hua Chengtian furrowed his brows and looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with intrigue.

If his daughter said it, she probably had a plan already. Just the thought of truly being able to make ice was exciting.

It's important to know that ice in the summer is something only the wealthy and noble can afford; ordinary people can't even think about it.

Their family was indeed blessed by his daughter! Hua Chengtian thought proudly.

"Sis... isn't ice only available in winter? Can you really make it yourself?" Xiaoxiao couldn't hold back, wondering if his sister might be out of her mind. He hurriedly reminded her.

Glancing at her unfortunate brother, Jin'er raised her eyebrows, confident and radiant, "Of course others can't, but your sister certainly can."

Her voice was firm and resolute.

Without bragging, she really could make ice, having done it herself many times. The dry ice experiments in school weren't for nothing, and she'd done it many times at work too. She was very familiar with it.

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxiao's gaze immediately turned to worship. His sister never made claims she couldn't back, so her certainty meant she definitely could.

Xiaoxiao: "..."

"Sis, you're amazing!" Xiaoxiao buttered up his sister wholeheartedly.

His exaggerated expressions were hard for Hua Chengtian, as a father, to watch.

"Exactly..." Jin'er proudly raised her head, then gave her unfortunate brother an 'Don't mess things up' look as she returned to a serious expression.

"Grandpa, I'm serious, let's make ice!"

"Really can..."

Hua Chengnian didn't doubt his obedient granddaughter; it was just too beyond his understanding. In such high temperatures, even water evaporates quickly, let alone making ice.

"Yes, Grandpa," Jin'er said firmly once more.

Seeing his granddaughter's serious demeanor, Hua Chengnian felt a burst of energy, his eyes brightening as he nodded, "Alright, then let's do it."

There was no need to ask why his obedient granddaughter wanted to do it—Hua Chengnian knew it was because of the villagers.

If everyone could use ice, there would be less attention on their family, and the ice would have a source.

Honestly, he was a bit concerned about this too—it's less about scarcity and more about equality. When everyone has it, no one thinks much, but if only you have it, it's hard not to draw attention.

If it works, Hua Chengnian would naturally support it. With ice, everyone's life would be better, especially the elderly in the village. If he knew how to explain the source of the ice, he would've gifted it to the village elders and the older people long ago. He looked at his granddaughter with interest.

"How is it done?" Hua Chengtian asked the critical question.

"Grandpa, Dad, ice-making isn't complicated; it only requires one thing..." Jin'er teased a bit, looking at everyone's urgent anticipation before slowly spitting out a word, "Niter."

"Niter?" Hua Chengtian instinctively took out a small bag from the space, "Is this it?"

Fortunately, Xiaoxiao's attention was on his sister, not noticing his dad's actions, or else he'd be full of questions.

"That's it," Jin'er nodded.

Only then did Hua Chengtian realize. No wonder Jin'er insisted on stockpiling a large amount of niter powder and niter stone during supplies stocking. It was intended for this moment.

Even he, as a dad, felt a bit ashamed—not thinking as far ahead as his daughter!

"Son, is there a lot of this stuff?" Hua Chengnian perked up, his eyes wide as he looked at Hua Chengtian.

"Dad, there's a decent amount stockpiled."

This reassured Hua Chengnian, a smile appearing on his face as he trusted his obedient granddaughter had prepared thoroughly.

"Grandpa, we don't need our own stockpile. There's niter on the hilltops nearby; Dad, brothers, and I can bring some back."

"Really?" Hua Chengnian was genuinely surprised. If there's niter on their hilltops, that's even better, just perfect for silencing any doubts from others.

Jin'er nodded, "Dad and brother know."

Hua Chengtian promptly nodded in agreement.

Initially searching for ore, the first choice was the mountain range surrounding the valley. No ore was found, but considerable niter was discovered on the rock walls.

"Great, great, try to bring back as much as possible," Hua Chengnian said happily.

"Hmm, we'll head out when it's cooler, with Dad and my brothers."

"Should we call on Hua Qiang and them to join?" Hua Chengnian thought it was better involving the villagers in this endeavor.

"We should, but let's wait. During the day, we'll go collect some first, and make a portion of ice initially."

When the time comes, words won't be needed. Seeing the ice from their home, the villagers will likely head up the mountain to collect niter without prompting.

However, it'll be done at night. Her spiritual power had improved; as long as others weren't far from her, she could shield them from the pain of scorching heat, but that was just for her family. Jin'er wasn't so saintly to reveal her secrets to outsiders casually.

Hua Chengnian momentarily didn't understand his obedient granddaughter's intention, but nodded knowingly.

Regarding whether his sons and grandsons could endure the heat, with his obedient granddaughter around, Hua Chengnian wasn't worried at all.

He wholeheartedly trusted his obedient granddaughter because he knew she wouldn't risk her family's safety. If she said it, she must have some reliance.

"I want to go too..." Xiaoxiao noticed his sister's list didn't include him and hurriedly shouted.

"Go where? Stay at home peacefully," Hua Chengnian suppressed his youngest grandson without mercy, just wanted to join in the excitement without considering the comfort of staying home in this weather.

Of course, that wasn't the main reason—it was more about his youngest grandson causing trouble, like a wild horse out of control once they climbed the mountain.

"Sister..." Xiaoxiao looked at Jin'er pitifully.

Jin'er patted Xiaoxiao's hand that was tugging at her sleeve and glared at him, "Grandpa, if he wants to go, let him go."

Her words were a pleasant surprise to Xiaoxiao, who nodded quickly.

"However, we're not going up the mountain to play but to work. If you slack off..." Jin'er finally gave her brother a chance.

"I'll go," Xiaoxiao hesitated but nodded.

It was too hot, and he hadn't been up the mountain for a while. Now that there's a chance, Xiaoxiao didn't want to miss it.

Later in the day, as the scorching sun set and the valley temperature dropped, Jin'er and her dad, brothers, and Xiaoxiao left the house.

"Chengtian, where are you all going?" Villagers cooling off under the trees at the crossroads watched as the fully equipped family headed uphill, unable to resist asking.

Other than early morning, there were more villagers around at this time; everyone came out for some fresh air.