Chapter 103: Materials Gathered

Li Qingxuan gently stroked her back, his eyes full of love, "Having you is great!"

"The food's gotten cold, and you didn't even say to come down earlier." Li Feifei's voice softly floated from his embrace, she lightly tapped him, her reproach mixed with a hint of coquettishness.

On the rectangular table, the originally steaming food had quietly cooled, a thin layer of oil congealed on the surface, yet it still gave off a tempting aroma.

Li Feifei pulled him over, pulled out a chair, and had him sit. "You should eat it cold, humph!" She glared at Li Qingxuan, but still picked up his bowl of completely cold rice and the dish on the table, placing them one by one onto the plate.

"I'll go heat it up, then we'll eat later." Li Feifei gave him a sideways glance, her eyes flowing with endless charm.

Seeing her turn and carry the plate toward the kitchen, Li Qingxuan felt ever more fortunate to have met Li Feifei, unable to help sighing: With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

Not long after, Li Feifei came out holding steaming bowls and dishes, placing the food before him again.

White steam rose, blurring her expression, she handed him a pair of chopsticks.

"Eat." Li Feifei lightly pulled out a wooden chair, sat down elegantly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, and said: "The upgrade materials for Panshi Fortress are almost gathered; we need to plan early."

"How many more energy stones do we need?" Li Qingxuan asked while picking vegetables into his bowl.

"We're still short two or three hundred; today we should be able to gather them all. Once we have them, we'll rush the upgrade." Li Feifei rested her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on Li Qingxuan.

Li Qingxuan hastily shoved a big mouthful of rice into his mouth; the warm food slowly slid into his stomach, instantly relieving his hunger and giving him a sense of satisfaction.

As he chewed, his gaze fell on Li Feifei's finger resting on her chin; that fingertip lightly tapped her face, revealing a hint of anticipation not easily noticed.

"Once we have them, we'll upgrade right away." He swallowed his food, his voice steady.

"I just glanced at the control panel; the next dawn is about two months away, and the polar night has already arrived. The upgrade of Panshi Fortress allows no margin for error."

Li Qingxuan looked at the time on the control panel and said slowly, "When the polar night arrives, the weird creatures we encounter won't be simple; either they are immensely powerful, or they come in large groups, each not to be underestimated."

Li Feifei lightly nodded, not frightened by his words, the corners of her mouth curling, her eyes full of anticipation. "I'll go gather the missing energy stones right now."

A glint of cleverness flashed in Li Feifei's eyes, as if she had already planned every next step.

"Mm, you've worked hard." Li Qingxuan's gaze swept over her slightly tired brows and eyes, "After the upgrade, we should be able to relax for a while, at least no more city wall collapses."

"Do they need to come down to eat?" Li Feifei sat up straight, gave him a reproachful look, her gaze becoming even more alluring.

"Um... Ling'er and Shuang'er have already slept; they probably won't get lunch, and will likely wake up before dinner." Li Qingxuan said embarrassedly.

Li Feifei didn't say much, sat to the side and began operating the control panel.

The rice in Li Qingxuan's bowl was gone; he lifted the soup beside him, his throat moving slightly as he sipped the last drop, letting out a satisfied sigh.

As he set down the bowl, his gaze fell on Li Feifei's wrist resting on the table; that delicate wrist glimmered with a fine sheen in the lamplight.

He reached out, gently placing his hand on the back of hers, his thumb rubbing her warm skin, silently conveying affection and affirmation.

"Once the upgrade is complete, Panshi Fortress will truly stand firm." His voice was low, carrying a solemn expectation for the future.

Without letting Li Feifei lift a finger, Li Qingxuan gathered the bowls and chopsticks, rose to wash them in the kitchen area; by the time he returned, Li Feifei had already placed the brewed tea on the coffee table and was sitting on the sofa continuing the transaction.

Li Qingxuan walked over, sat down, added some water to Li Feifei's cup, then picked up his own teacup and poured himself a cup.

Li Feifei's fingertip lightly slid across the control panel, the screen's cold light illuminating her slightly furrowed brows.

Li Qingxuan lifted the teacup, his palm pressing against the warm porcelain, blew gently, took a slow sip; the tea's slight bitterness slid over his tongue, he savored it, noting a faint aftertaste, his gaze returning to her.

"How many more?" he said, lowering his voice, his fingertip rubbing the rim of the cup.

Li Feifei didn't look up: "The last few dozen energy stones are being negotiated on price. The seller's asking price is a bit high, but it's not a big deal; I'll just pay cash to settle it." Her fingertip sped up the operation, "Done!"

She lifted her head to look at Li Qingxuan, "I said we could gather them today."

Li Qingxuan pulled the Li Feifei sitting beside him into his embrace, his palm covering her back, "You've worked hard, rest a while."

Li Feifei relaxed her body, hugging Li Qingxuan's waist, "The materials are ready; you can upgrade now."

After a moment of tenderness, Li Feifei slowly rose, sat back in the chair, leaning against the backrest, let out a long breath, her gaze toward the second floor: "Ling'er and Shuang'er should wake up soon; after the upgrade, I'll prepare some hot congee, and it'll also be time for dinner soon."

The water in the kettle boiled, a gurgling sound rose; Li Qingxuan got up to add water, hot water poured into the kettle, white steam rose; he lowered his gaze and saw Li Feifei's shoulders relax, all turmoil gradually dissipating in the faint tea fragrance.

Calling out Huang Rong, Zhao Ling'er, and Shuang'er, the five of them walked outside; once the five stood in the square, Li Qingxuan opened the control panel, clicked upgrade on the shelter page, and a blinding golden light enveloped the entire Panshi Fortress.

The blinding golden light, like a tangible tide, instantly flooded every corner of Panshi Fortress.

The light was intense but not scorching, carrying a strange, palpitation-inducing energy pulse, as if the entire structure were emitting a low hum.

Light streamed through doors and windows, illuminating the living room in perfect detail; even the dust motes floating in the air could be seen dancing wildly in the light.

Li Feifei instinctively raised her hand to block the light; golden specks leaking between her fingers danced across her face, gilding her outline with a sacred halo.

Huang Rong let out a soft gasp, stepped back half a step; the hair ornaments struck by the golden light produced a fine, tinkling sound.

Zhao Ling'er slightly tilted her head, her gaze falling on Li Qingxuan; his stalwart figure in the golden light appeared even more steadfast and reliable.

Shuang'er clung tightly to Zhao Ling'er, her small hand gripping her sister's sleeve; her large eyes shone bright under the golden light, filled with wonder and anticipation.

Zhao Ling'er reached out to hold her sister's hand, turned her head to Li Qingxuan and asked, "Brother Qingxuan, what will the fortress become after the upgrade?"

He turned his head to meet her clear, expectant eyes; the light reflected in her pupils like flecks of gold cast into a deep pool.

"I don't know," he said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over Shuang'er standing close to Ling'er and Huang Rong to the side, finally resting on Li Feifei behind him, "but it will surely be better than now."

Before his words had finished, the golden light enveloping the space suddenly intensified!

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