Chapter 379

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Think about it carefully, it's really not bad. Didn't you say he's the Deputy Captain of the Patrol Team?"

Good profession, bright future, and he lives in B District — a proper Base tall, rich, and handsome. The best choice for a son-in-law.

Song Ling doesn't know Cheng Qi's name yet, hasn't even formally met him, but she's already very satisfied just because of his external conditions. To tell the truth, she's a bit anxious, but this kind of thing requires efficiency.

Shen Yao scratched her head. "Mom, you're getting a bit ahead of yourself. We don't even know each other."

He came to buy loquats and paid for them. I can't just feel good about myself because of that. Shen Yao came here to live her life wholeheartedly; she truly has no mind to think about personal feelings.

Song Ling clicked her tongue twice, feeling her daughter was good in every way, just too proper.

Some things require you to take the initiative to have a chance. Not just anyone from the Patrol Team can live in B District.

Deciding to secretly ask someone to help feel out the situation in private, Song Ling continued processing the loquats in her hands.

The two buried their heads and busied themselves for a whole day, finally finishing processing all the loquats they'd gathered. They didn't continue resting either; they simply changed locations and continued gathering.

This is daily life in the Mutated World — repeating the gathering life day after day, exerting all their strength for survival.

…………

When Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu returned from their mission, Shen Yao and Song Ling had already filled the empty storage room halfway. Because fruit prices remained high, Song Ling got her wish and bought an air conditioner for the main hall.

"We brought back a lot of meat this time. Why don't we buy a refrigerator for the house?"

A refrigerator is very useful. Before, Song Ling was reluctant, but with so much stuff in the house now, compared to the electricity bill, wasting meat is what really gnaws at her.

Song Ling waved her hand heroically. "Buy it."

Feeling happily satisfied inside, she let Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu rest, and Song Ling pulled Shen Yao out the door to head to the Exchange Center.

"Cheng Qi's Eldest Sister-in-law is at the Exchange Center, right? We can conveniently pick out a new one while we're there."

Appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators all have to be purchased at the Exchange Center. And electricity is quite expensive at this time; not many families can afford it.

If Song Ling hadn't earned points selling fruit recently, she wouldn't have been willing to shell out either.

"She is at the Exchange Center. Mom, if we go now we might just run into her."

Cheng Qi's eldest sister-in-law is named Zhao Xue. She is a kind and smiling person.

Because of Shen Yao's special relationship with Cheng Qi, Zhao Xue is very friendly to Shen Yao, causing Song Ling to pick up good bargains every time she comes to the Exchange Center.

"Have Cheng Qi come over tonight. Your dad and your brother finally made it back; the whole family can properly meet."

Song Ling is very satisfied with Cheng Qi as a son-in-law. Although Cheng Qi and Shen Yao's relationship progressed a bit fast, this is the normal speed in the Mutated World. Where is there so much time for romance? Survival is still the guillotine hanging over everyone's heads.

Shen Yao nodded at those words. "Okay, Cheng Qi isn't on external duty today. He'll come straight over after work in the evening, saving the trouble of asking for leave."

The two quickly arrived at the Exchange Center. Inside the door was a row of horizontal windows.

Zhao Xue was sitting at the position closest to the inner room, busy knitting a sweater.

"Sister Zhao Xue"

Shen Yao greeted her with a smile, startling Zhao Xue into standing up and pulling her inside.

"Auntie Song, Yao Yao, sit quickly, sit quickly." Zhao Xue brought tea, then took out pastries and set them out. "There's a good new nutrient agent today, 7 points a tube, strong satiety. Want to buy some to take back?"

Shen Yao nodded. "Buy. My dad and them just got back. I'll prepare some for them so they won't be in a rush when they go out."

Zhao Xue looked fully agreeing. "That's the logic. My mother-in-law bought quite a few too. Cheng Qi and his Eldest Brother both have to go out; better to be prepared."

Although nutrient agents are criticized for tasting bad and having poor ingredients, one cannot deny that when out and about, nutrient agents are still the most convenient to eat.

One tube of nutrient agent can last a whole day. And the nutrient agents on sale today have better raw materials; they aren't as destructive to a Gene Awakener's body.

Zhao Xue's husband is a Gene Awakener. Or rather, the men of the Cheng Family, except for two children who haven't grown up, all have Gene Awakening to varying degrees.

Otherwise Cheng Ma wouldn't always worry about Cheng Qi having an accident. It's all caused by Cheng Qi's birth father and birth eldest brother — the precedent is right before her eyes.

The three chatted for a while. Zhao Xue asked their purpose for coming. It couldn't be just to buy nutrient agents; they're not some magical treasure.

"Sister Zhao Xue, we want to buy a refrigerator. It's hot; things at home can't be kept for long."

Once Shen Yao finished speaking, Zhao Xue grabbed her wrist. "That's easy. Come with me to the warehouse. There are a few new refrigerators left unsold; you can pick properly."

Song Ling felt a bit embarrassed hearing this. "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

Zhao Xue went "Hmph." "We're one family; don't speak two sets of words. What trouble?"

Regardless of what she thought inside, Zhao Xue did the surface-level work perfectly.

Facing Shen Yao, she didn't excessively curry favor, grasping a suitable attitude that made Song Ling quite satisfied.

The refrigerator cost nearly five digits in points. If the family hadn't just made a small fortune recently, Song Ling would have had to save for a while to pay it all at once.

But after buying the refrigerator, they temporarily couldn't buy other large items. They only have this many points; once used up, they're gone.

"Mom, when the refrigerator is delivered this afternoon, we'll freeze the meat Dad and them brought back.

Later when points are more ample, we'll think of ways to add other things to the house."

Using modern tools more can improve quality of life. Shen Yao has had enough of the suffering that requires hard endurance. Is the refrigerator not fragrant or the air conditioner not cool? With money she still wants to buy a washing machine.

"You rest a bit. The stuff at home is enough. Don't spend money randomly."

Seeing Shen Yao speak so naturally, Song Ling's heart immediately ached unbearably.

This child — spending money is truly not a thing to her. Who does that?

"Daughter, although Mom is very happy, these points are hard to earn. You can't spend randomly, especially after you marry. A whole family living together, daily friction is inevitable."

She couldn't be sure of her own daughter's temper. It should be fine, right?

"Mom, you're overthinking." Shen Yao felt points can be earned back after spending. What's the use of hoarding without spending? They can't appreciate in value.

"Cheng Qi and I agreed to move out after marriage, to live in a house not far from home. We definitely won't all squeeze together. Not to mention we'll have children later; just Cheng Family's small house can't fit us either."

Song Ling:...?!

Song Ling pointed a trembling finger at Shen Yao, "When did you two discuss this?"

Shen Yao shrugged her shoulders, "Just a couple of days ago. Cheng Yi and the others all agreed." This was also for the sake of the Cheng brothers' relationship.

"Fine then, move out if you're moving out. At least then we mother and daughter can still go out gathering together," so she wouldn't have to be all alone.

Song Ling's reliance on Shen Yao deepened constantly as Shen Yao became increasingly reliable.

Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu were away from home year-round. Song Ling and Shen Yao had always kept each other company. Thinking of her daughter marrying so soon, Song Ling felt reluctant, as if a piece of meat being repeatedly roasted over a fire, tormented.

Shen Yao watched her birth mother's face constantly changing, just like a grand opera performance. She immediately hugged Song Ling's arm and soothed her in a soft voice. After all, she could still come back after marriage, just not sleep at home at night.

Song Ling:...

"What nonsense are you spouting, child? Cheng Qi is good. You'll live well together then, and Mother can rest easy too." Although the two sides hadn't spent much time together, marriage discussions here emphasized speed.

Song Ling was satisfied with this son-in-law Cheng Qi. Regardless of background or temper, at least he wasn't someone who hung around the base exterior. Safety could be guaranteed.

Soon, the mother and daughter returned home. They mentioned staff would come install the refrigerator in the afternoon. Song Ling brought up Shen Yao and Cheng Qi's marriage again.

Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu hadn't formally met Cheng Qi yet. Both men were very resistant, but were suppressed by Song Ling. "You'll see him tonight. Speak nicely. If you dare deliberately cause trouble, watch out — I won't give you a good face."

In terms of family status, Song Ling took the lead. No one dared provoke her.

Shen Yu shuffled over to Shen Yao aggrievedly, whispering about what kind of person Cheng Qi was. "He's really no good. Don't just endure it for Mother's satisfaction. Brother will help you."

Shen Yao smiled and told Shen Yu not to overthink. "Cheng Qi works in the Patrol Team. He's the Deputy Captain. Good person, good temper. Brother, you'll know tonight."

Shen Yu:...

Done for. Looking at his own sister's smiling appearance, Shen Yu's heart went splash-splash flowing downward.

This was clearly the rhythm of being unable to keep her. Could it be their family would have the sister marry off first?

"This old lady would like to marry a daughter-in-law, but you yourself don't strive. What can be done?"

Song Ling turned her artillery fire onto Shen Yu. She thought other families' children were all proper and presentable. How come her own only knew how to worry her, without a bit of action efficiency or performance?

"Once your sister marries, your blind date matters — get them on the schedule as soon as possible."

Song Ling planned to ask surrounding neighbors to help introduce prospects. Relying on Shen Yu to wake up on his own? Purely a dream.

At four in the afternoon, Cheng Qi came out from the Patrol Team and walked to Shen Yao's doorstep on foot.

Dong dong dong — he knocked on the door. Shen Yao ran out laughing and pulled Cheng Qi inside.

"My dad and them are back," Shen Yao said, then reached up to tidy the hair that had fallen beside Cheng Qi's ear.

Cheng Qi blinked his eyes. "Wouldn't it be too sudden? Should I prepare something?"

Arriving empty-handed wasn't quite proper. Although Cheng Qi had brought quite a lot of things on his first visit, Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu weren't home then.

Shen Yao waved her hand. "No need. My mom told me to tell you not to be nervous. Just eat a normal meal."

Cheng Qi:... Saying not to be nervous, how could one not be nervous? He was nervous to death!

Stiff-bodied, he was pulled into the room by Shen Yao. Cheng Qi looked up and saw Shen Yu glaring at him.

Cheng Qi:...

"Eldest Young Master."

Shen Yu:... Who's your Eldest Young Master? Taking advantage of him!

"You're here. Find a place to sit yourself," Shen Yu snorted, crossing his arms and turning his head away to sulk.

Shen Yao felt this big lump Shen Yu was too childish. She had Cheng Qi keep him company properly, while she went to the storage room to get some dried fruit, washed it, and brought it out.

"Yao Yao, where's Uncle Shen?" Even Aunt Song isn't here. There's only the three of us in the house.

"They went out to buy things. Be back soon." Shen Yao explained a couple of sentences, then casually grabbed a handful of dried fruit and stuffed it into Shen Yu and Cheng Qi's hands.

The dried fruit was made by sun-drying fruit. For texture, Shen Yao had added quite a lot of white sugar and honey. It tasted sour-sweet and delicious.

Shen Yu ate them one by one. After finishing, he stood up and went to the kitchen to handle the ingredients to be cooked.

Cheng Qi couldn't sit idle either, and followed to help. Only Shen Yao relaxed leisurely, eating dried fruit and drinking ice-cold cold drinks happily.

When Song Ling and Shen Jiancheng returned carrying large and small packages, Shen Yao inevitably got nagged a bit.

But Song Ling was still very happy inside. Who likes their own child to work hard? Cheng Qi had life in his eyes. Only then could daily life be managed together in the future.

Even greater praise fell on Cheng Qi, making him eat this meal extremely uncomfortably.

Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu had simple thoughts. The three communicated at the table. Previous unfamiliarity completely disappeared.

Cheng Qi left the Shen house in the evening, walking unsteadily, nearly falling several times.

Shen Yao:...

How much wine did Shen Jiancheng and Shen Yu pour into him? Hope nothing goes wrong.

"No, no problem. I'm off tomorrow. I'll accompany you and Aunt Song out."

Cheng Qi pointed at the house ahead, completely without any intention of returning to B District.

"Okay. Go back and rest first. We'll talk tomorrow." Shen Yao supported Cheng Qi's arm. With difficulty, she sent him to the door. Only after watching him enter did she dare walk back.

Unexpectedly, she hadn't walked a few steps when Cheng Qi ran over and hugged her from behind.

His body carried inescapable wine smell. Cheng Qi happily recounted Shen Jiancheng's meaning, like a grabby teenager.

Shen Yao listened cutely and obediently, then coaxed him a bit. Only then did she send him back to his room.

When she got home, Song Ling was boiling water. Seeing Shen Yao enter, she hurriedly pushed her into the bathroom. "Wash up. We still have to go out tomorrow."

As long as there was nothing special, they would never miss daily gathering.

Time really flies. The Mild Season left for gathering is less than two months. If we don't seize the time, the Hot Rainy Season will only mean starving.

Who wants to starve? Even eating Nutrient Agent is better than just drinking water.

Hua la la —

Hot water from the shower head poured directly onto her body. Shen Yao simply rinsed off, returned to her room, and fell asleep.

The next day, the family of four rarely ate a somewhat lighter breakfast.

Cheng Qi waited at the doorway, himself still driving a four-wheeled car.

"Drive over there? Xiao Cheng, will this cause you trouble?"

Song Ling looked at the reflective car before her, somewhat not daring to get in.

Shen Yu did not have this concern, he had already pulled and scrambled for the passenger seat position, his hands constantly touching and feeling inside the car, for you must know this type of car is priceless at the Base.

Shen Jiancheng steadied himself, pulled Song Ling into the car, not forgetting to leave the position behind Cheng Qi for Shen Yao, "Xiao Cheng, today we're going to the Pond side."

Cheng Qi ignited, turned the steering wheel, directly rushed out facing them.

Lining up waiting to exit the city, taking advantage of Cheng Qi's convenience in the Patrol Team greatly saved their time, conveniently also arriving at the destination earlier than Other People.

The Shen Family brought Fishing Net and Hemp Sack, and also had Cheng Qi drive as a transport tool, the things they could bring back were more.

"Does the Pond have Fish?" Lotus Flower had not bloomed, only Green Leaf and a few flower buds.

Song Ling and Shen Yao had already gone to the Pond edge to inspect Lotus Leaf, such a large piece, mutated Lotus Leaf whether stir-fried or stewed into soup or dried for storage, all very cost-effective.

"No Fish, but there are River Snail and Crab, you can search a bit."

Song Ling turned her head finished speaking, also pointing at the not far Small Hillside Ramp, "There are Wild Chicken, can pick up some Wild Egg."

Five people divided labor and cooperated, began circling the Pond to conduct food gathering.