"Now if we don't hurry to make money and buy some decent mechanism blueprints to properly arm his broken safe house, what will he rely on to survive when the blood moon descends next time?!"
The old man was scolding to the point of dry mouth, grabbed the coarse porcelain bowl on the table with his large fan-like hand, and gulped down half a bowl of tea.
Su Qi listened quietly, only interjecting during a pause when the old man was catching his breath:
"He already bought the blueprints."
"Clang—" The tea bowl in the old man's hand slammed heavily onto the table, splashing a few drops of tea.
His tiger-like eyes widened, looking at his second son: "Did you lend him money?"
Su Qi nodded: "Yes, lent him 1 silver. The condition is that he pays me back 100 copper every day."
Su Can was silent for a moment, let out a long sigh, and waved his hand listlessly:
"Ah, I don't know when I'll finally not have to worry myself sick over this careless trouble..."
At this point, Su Qi's lips suddenly curled into a smile:
"Dad, today he made a whole 700 copper by himself."
A trace of surprise flashed in Su Can's eyes: "So much?"
Su Qi shook his head: "The money isn't the point. The point is, on the way back, he ran into one of his old gang of friends."
Su Can's expression froze, and he said in a deep voice: "Is he taking his food money to mess around with those people again?"
Su Qi's smile deepened: "The result was he shot the guy in the arm."
This twist made the old man's eyes widen instantly, his thick fingers forming a gun gesture, incredulously asking three times:
"Him? Shot? An old friend of his?"
Seeing his father show the same bewildered expression he had, Su Qi felt inexplicably satisfied inside.
Indeed, it's not just him who found this transformation too fantastical!
"Haha." He rarely laughed heartily, only restraining his laughter under the old man's stern gaze, recounting in detail everything he observed and heard on the road, including how Su Lin deceived Hou Yong, decisively shot, and his conversation with him afterward.
Su Can listened, silent for a long time.
After a long while, as if he'd digested the massive amount of information, his eyes showed doubt yet carried a barely noticeable hint of joy, murmuring:
"This brat... has he really turned over a new leaf?"
Su Qi, hands behind his back, affirmed: "At least for now, it seems so."
Su Can immediately furrowed his brows, puzzled, and asked:
"If he's determined to change and live well, why did he refuse to borrow that 50 silver from you? Is he too proud to admit suffering?"
This question puzzled Su Qi as well:
"I can't figure it out either. Maybe... the peaceful past two nights gave him an illusion, making him think he could muddle through this apocalyptic world somehow?"
Upon hearing this, Su Can's old brows tightened, and he snorted coldly:
"Then tonight, he must be taught a lesson! Make him understand that life isn't that easy... Tonight, you go over there to keep an eye on him."
"Cough, cough! ... Alright." Su Qi covered his mouth, coughing violently twice, without objection.
He also wanted to see how this transformed nephew would act when faced with a real crisis at night.
Deep in his heart, he even faintly harbored a weak expectation—might Su Lin bring another surprise tonight?
But as this thought arose, Su Qi shook his head, dispelling it himself.
The temperament may have changed, but his lanky bean sprout physique hasn't, and the two sheets he bought were just basic blueprints.
How could a weak foundation possibly achieve immediate success?
He turned to the old man, his expression suddenly serious, tackling the main issue:
"Dad, about Chang Sanheng's son, how do you plan to handle it?"
The little bit of comfort Su Can felt instantly vanished, his face turning dark, pondered for a while, and said coldly:
"Ever since I retired due to poison injury, all these goblins and monsters in the village have been restless. But concerning the Chang Family... Chang Sanheng, that old man shouldn't be confused to that extent. His son, all show and no substance, essentially the same as Su Lin used to be, most likely caused trouble himself."
Su Qi pursued: "Then how to proceed with this matter..."
"Humph!" Su Can slapped the table, decisively saying, "Frantic without knowing discretion! Tomorrow, have Chang Sanheng personally bring his son! Right in front of my Su Family, break both his arms and a leg! Let this be settled!"
...
In the hall, the Su Family father and son were formulating a strategy.
In the kitchen, Zhao Yaxin, holding her daughter, tilted her ear to listen, her cool face showing undisguised surprise.
On her lap, Su Yingying looked up with curiosity, hugging her newly acquired doll, innocently asking:
"Mom, has little uncle turned into a good person now?"
Zhao Yaxin was silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head: "Mom... doesn't know."
Su Yingying pouted and asked again, "Then... if my little uncle wants to pat my head, can I let him?"
Zhao Yaxin fell silent once more.
This time, the silence lasted even longer.
In the kitchen, only the faint crackling of the stove fire remained.
Finally, she slowly shook her head, her voice soft yet firm:
"No."
"Hmm~~" Su Yingying pouted with discontent, her lips protruding so much that you could hang an oil bottle on them.
...
Meanwhile, on Su Lin's side.
Su Tongxi entered the kitchen with a heavy harvest in her arms.
She carefully arranged the rice bran, wild vegetables, soy sauce, salt, sugar, and other items, finally adding a touch of life to the originally empty cabinets.
In the stove, flames danced, and the chopped firewood crackled soon after.
The small figure busied herself in the cramped kitchen, sweat beading on her forehead, but she didn't bother to wipe it away.
She added water to the pot, poured in the rice bran and washed wild vegetables, and then extra carefully cut a few pieces of oily, glistening braised pork and added them to the pot for some meaty flavor.
Finally, she sprinkled a few grains of salt.
The aroma of the food gradually spread.
Su Tongxi moved deftly, and before long, a pot of steaming wild vegetable porridge mixed with diced meat was ready.
The remaining braised pork was carefully served on a clean plate.
She carried the porridge and meat back to the living room, gently placing them on the table, and turned her gaze to the "Great Lord" on the sofa.
Su Lin remained sprawled there, appearing exhausted and too lazy to move even a finger.
"Brother Kirin, the meal is ready." Su Tongxi called softly, a satisfied smile gracing her face.
She didn't sit down immediately but instead picked up a bowl, gently serving him a full bowl of thick porridge, then neatly placed the chopsticks by the bowl's edge.
"Hurry and eat, you must be starving?"
Su Lin, having been busy all morning and feeling both tired and hungry, quickly picked up the bowl when he saw the food was ready.
But the overwhelming scent...
The rough and astringent smell of rice bran and the earthy wild vegetables mixed with the somewhat odd oily aroma of the braised pork made his throat instinctively tighten.
He had been famished for two days before, nearly fainting from hunger when he transitioned here, eating whatever he could find.
But now...
Looking at the colorful porridge in the bowl, even with a rumbling stomach, Su Lin found it difficult to even take a bite.
"Wh-what's wrong, Brother Kirin?"
Noticing the subtle change in his expression, Su Tongxi nervously rubbed her hands on her skirt, worn white from washing.
This sudden "normal" life seemed wonderfully dreamlike, and she feared that in the next moment, he'd taunt, "I was just kidding with you before, you really believed it!"
Su Lin snapped back to reality at her voice, hurriedly shaking his head to dispel his inappropriate daintiness: "Nothing! Let's eat!"
He hardened his heart, amplifying his hunger, immediately burying his head and wolfing down the food.
"Cough cough—"
The coarse rice bran grains scratched his throat, triggering a coughing fit.
Su Tongxi was startled, instinctively turning to the side, gently patting his back with her small hand, and asked with concern:
"Brother Kirin? Did you choke?"
"Cough... no... ate too fast..." Su Lin caught his breath, took a couple of deep breaths, and continued devouring the food in his bowl, "You should eat too, have some more meat."
"Hmm hmm!" Su Tongxi finally relaxed, holding up her own bowl.
Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still chewed slowly, savoring each bite as if trying to discern the flavor of every grain of rice bran and every piece of wild vegetable.
Occasionally, when she picked up a small piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth, her almond-shaped eyes would slightly narrow, displaying an almost devout satisfaction.
But for Su Lin, who had just traveled from modern society, the braised pork that seemed so tempting in his predecessor's memories tasted no better in texture or flavor than the cheap pre-made dishes he bought online.
Had it not been for his fatigue and hunger, with his usual pickiness with food, he would honestly have found it hard to take a bite.
The rough mixed meal felt like a hefty hammer blow to his taste buds, solidifying the reality of his presence in another world.
Su Lin almost closed his eyes, gulped it down, and then set down his bowl and chopsticks.
"I'm full."
This damn post-apocalyptic world!