Chapter 85: then translation of title

Li Qingxuan listened as Li Feifei finished reporting the shelter's current material supplies; his low voice echoed in the empty fortress, "Stone and Energy Stone can't be rushed—we'll trade slowly, and eventually we'll gather enough."

He turned slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Ling'er's tightly pressed lips and Zhao Shuang'er's curious little face, speaking gently, "First arrange rooms for the two of them; I'll go prepare dinner, and later we'll all have something to eat."

Li Feifei immediately nodded, her face regaining a gentle smile, and turned to the sisters, saying, "Come with me; the rooms have long been ready, on the second floor of the Main Keep."

She stepped forward into the depths of the fortress, her boots striking the rough stone floor with a clear echo.

Zhao Ling'er took a deep breath, her heart full of anticipation for the future; she took her sister's hand, closely following Li Feifei's steps, though her gaze involuntarily drifted around, curiously taking in everything.

Zhao Shuang'er was completely captivated by the novelty, her little feet lightly tapping the ground as she looked up at the towering stone walls' vaulted ceiling, where the embedded light boxes emitted a soft milky glow, stretching the shadows of the steel beams and pillars obliquely.

"Sister, look!" Zhao Shuang'er whispered in surprise, pointing at the golden patterns on the wall that faintly glowed in the light, "What are these patterns for?"

"These are runes; they can increase the fortress and city wall's Protection Value," Li Feifei replied softly.

Zhao Ling'er gave Li Feifei a smile; the two were like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, dazzled by the sights.

The two felt Li Feifei's steady back leading them ahead; each step was firm and powerful, continually guiding them, and their impression of Li Feifei grew a bit better.

The air inside the fortress carried the faint dust of rock and a hint of metallic tang, mingled with the warm aroma of food drifting from the kitchen, and the sisters' stomachs growled uncontrollably.

Li Feifei pretended not to hear, stopping before a heavy oak door; she pushed it open, revealing warm lighting and simple furnishings inside—two wooden tables, a large bed laid with a thick blanket, and a fireplace seamlessly built into the wall, simple yet cozy.

"This bedroom is where you'll stay," Li Feifei said, stepping aside with a gentle voice, "Tidy up a bit first; dinner will be served shortly."

"Thank you, Sister Feifei; we really like this place," Zhao Ling'er said, expressing gratitude to Li Feifei.

"There's nothing to thank for; as long as you like it, call me anytime if you need anything—I'm heading off now." Li Feifei waved at the two and walked toward the kitchen.

After Li Feifei left, Zhao Ling'er gently closed the heavy oak door, shutting out the fortress hall's depth and emptiness; the light boxes emitted a soft glow, lighting the room and giving the stone walls a warm hue. She stepped into the room, released her sister's hand, walked to the window, and the iron window creaked open. Outside the spacious plaza, the fortress's city walls stood like silent giants.

The fatigue and tension from the long journey finally found an outlet at this moment; she almost collapsed onto the wooden bed, the thick blanket feeling soft and carrying the fluffy scent of sun-warmed fabric, this small comfort making her nose tinge with sourness.

She drew a deep breath; the air was filled with the warm scent of burning dry wood, and she struggled to suppress the sting in her eyes.

"Sister, this bed is so soft! So comfortable!" Zhao Shuang'er could no longer hold back; like a little bird returning to its nest, she flung herself onto the bed, lay beside her sister, rubbed her face into the thick blanket, and let out a contented sigh.

She then scrambled up again, her dark, glossy eyes curiously surveying the modest stone chamber—aside from the fireplace and the iron window, the rough walls bore no decoration, only streaks of golden patterns dotted about.

Zhao Ling'er watched her sister's face regain a bit of liveliness, and her confidence in their decision grew.

All of this is thanks to Li Feifei; otherwise, on this icefield rife with crisis, if we had to rely solely on ourselves and our sister to gather resources, she knew exactly what that would mean.

That man's strong bloody odor seemed to linger again at her nostrils; thinking of herself leaning against his back, her cheeks involuntarily flushed.

"Sister, what are you thinking about? Why is your face so red," seeing her sister's flushed face, Zhao Shuang'er gave a mischievous grin and looked at her, "Hehe, are you thinking about your Qingxuan brother?"

"What nonsense! Stupid girl, I wouldn't even think of you." Zhao Ling'er put her hands on her hips, feigning anger.

"Really? If you don't think of me, I'll go tell Li Qingxuan later that I want to be his little one, and you'd better not regret it then, my dear sister." Zhao Shuang'er put on a petty expression, still smirking as she continued.

Zhao Ling'er turned her head away, no longer speaking, "All right, all right, good sister, I know I was wrong."

Just then, Zhao Shuang'er's stomach growled; she looked at her sister and said, "Sister, I'm hungry…" She rubbed her belly, gazing pleadingly at her.

Zhao Ling'er stopped pretending to be angry, turned back to soothe her sister, when an extremely faint yet clear footsteps approached from afar and stopped outside the door.

Immediately after, a soft knocking sounded.

Zhao Ling'er quickly rose, hurried to the door, and gently pulled open the heavy oak door—standing outside was none other than Li Feifei.

She held a large wooden tray bearing two steaming rough pottery bowls filled with thick meat broth, exuding an enticing aroma, beside which lay two slices of bread toasted to a golden brown.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Li Feifei said with a gentle smile, her gaze lingering on Zhao Ling'er's face for a moment before speaking softly, "Thinking of how you've been rushing all the way, you must be starving; let me bring some food to tide you over. Dinner will still be a while."

The warm aroma of the food instantly filled the small stone chamber; Zhao Ling'er hurriedly reached out to take it, saying, "Thank you, Sister Feifei, you're putting yourself to too much trouble—you could just call us over; there's no need for you to bring it yourself." She took the heavy tray and spoke softly.

"Don't keep calling you you you; I'm a few years older than you—just call me Sister Feifei." Li Feifei handed the tray to Zhao Ling'er.

Her gaze swept past Zhao Ling'er to land on Zhao Shuang'er, who had risen from the bed and was staring eagerly at the food; seeing her unable to resist sniffing, Li Feifei's smile grew warmer. "Eat while it's hot—I don't know if it suits your taste. I'll call you again when dinner is ready; if you need anything, come find me on the first floor."

"Thank you, Sister Feifei!" Zhao Shuang'er replied crisply, her face full of anticipation.

Zhao Ling'er, holding the heavy tray, gave thanks again: "Thank you… Sister Feifei."

Li Feifei nodded, said nothing more, turned and left, her footsteps fading away in the empty stone corridor.

Zhao Ling'er closed the door, set the tray on the wooden table; the meat broth's aroma grew richer, mingling with the wheat scent of the baked bread, stirring appetites.

She called to her sister: "Shuang'er, come eat quickly." Zhao Shuang'er cheered, ran over, sat on the stool, and eagerly grabbed a spoon.

Zhao Ling'er showed a weary yet genuine smile as she watched her sister wolf down the food, her smile deepening.

She picked up another piece of bread, tore off a corner, and the rich wheat aroma and warm texture sent a wave of warmth through her empty stomach.

As the food settled, the chill and fatigue faded away, and even her heart felt as if a warm current were flowing through it.

She sipped the soup in small mouthfuls, her gaze drifting involuntarily toward the window, as if she could see through the heavy mist to glimpse the perilous, cunning, unknown icy world outside.

(PS: Please give a free boost for love's electricity; the author will be more motivated if you do—please, please.)