Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space
Chapter 149. It’s well marinated.

Chapter 149: 149. It’s well marinated.

"Calling big brother is useless, believe it or not, I’ll just tell mom when we get back..." Hua Chengtian steeled his heart, looking at his sister’s pitiful eyes.

At home, it’s all a village and no danger, but here it’s outside, and an unfamiliar county, a mix of people. This only sister has been protected too well, too simple. This time, it’s good to make her realize her mistake, so she can be more vigilant in the future.

As the big brother, his intentions were good, but unfortunately he doesn’t know that the sister he spoiled and raised has already had a change of heart. The current sister may be a little naive, but really, not much.

After all, she’s completely integrated into this family, unconsciously considering herself one of the children, and children... they always have some uncontrollable actions.

Jin’er pouted, though reproachful, she also knew her brothers were looking out for her. She thought she’d muddle through, seeing her big brother unmoved, immediately adjusted her posture and nodded earnestly, admitting her mistake.

"Big Brother, I know I was wrong."

She thought she could protect herself, but how could Big Brother, Second Brother, and the others know that!

Oops, in the excitement, she even forgot about Dad.

Jin’er quickly turned to look in her father’s direction, only to see him anxiously watching them, and instantly felt guilty again.

When her brother brought her before her father, her heart felt even guiltier, flattering him with a constant smile.

"Hmph," Hua Chengtian glared at his daughter, but it was only a glance.

After all, the daughter he adored from a young age, even a slight raise in voice seemed to scare the child.

"Dad, I’m wrong," Jin’er quickly sidled up, anyway admitting fault was the right move.

"I just got excited seeing my brothers, too happy. Please don’t blame Jin’er, otherwise I’d be very, very sad, and when I’m sad, I won’t be able to eat or drink tea. The daughter you’ve cared for will soon be as thin as the wind, Dad, could you bear that? Dad..."

After this performance, the stern-faced Hua Chengtian couldn’t maintain his stern expression, didn’t even last a few seconds, even the previously stern big brother almost couldn’t help pleading for her.

"You..." shaking his head, not wanting to look at his daughter that made his heart ache, he turned to look up and down at his sons.

The tired faces of his sons still pained this old father’s heart.

"Are you exhausted? Get on the cart quickly, there’s food prepared by me and your sister, and there’s bedding arranged inside. Get in and rest well. Once Qin Shu comes out, we’ll head back to the inn for a proper rest."

Hua Yunao shook his head, "Dad, it’s okay, it’s just a little while longer, I’ll wait." He turned to his younger brother, "Yun Xiang, why don’t you go in and rest for a bit?"

His younger brother’s tired face was even more apparent than his. No need for both of them to wait.

Holding the fruits his sister handed over, Hua Yunxiang, feeling much better, shook his head.

Everyone’s waiting outside; it wouldn’t seem right for one person to go in. It’s just a short while anyway. Besides, after eating the fruit, he felt much refreshed.

Seeing this, Hua Yunao didn’t say more and also picked up the watermelon his sister handed over, eating. The sweetness of the melon made him feel instantly refreshed, his strength returning noticeably.

When Hua Yunao had eaten the watermelon down to a thin layer of rind, Qin Shu finally arrived, looking like he had survived a great ordeal. Only a few students were stumbling out of the examination area now, with even fewer people waiting outside.

Seeing the familiar ox cart, Qin Shu finally felt revived, waving off friends preparing to support him and even Hua Shu. He stopped a few meters away from the cart.

He even disliked himself and thought it better not to infect others.

The exam experience had almost seasoned him thoroughly; without the fruits and water prepared by Hua Shu, he might not have lasted this long.

"Hua Shu, I’m reeking; don’t come near me," fearing he’d offend Hua Shu, Qin Shu, despite his exhaustion, quickly relocated to a spot downwind.

Truly, even though Qin Shu deliberately stood far and downwind, the smell didn’t diminish much. Jin’er almost couldn’t resist covering her nose but managed to hold back.

It wouldn’t be respectful to do that, she figured.

However, the smell was indeed indescribable, and Jin’er discreetly moved a few steps back beside the cart.

"You got a room near the outhouse," Hua Yunao said sympathetically to his friend; only then could one be cured so thoroughly, the smell would linger for days.

What luck... Hua Yunxiang was also full of sympathy, grateful for their rather fortunate fate, at least kept far from the outhouse. Otherwise, forget exams, the stench alone could suffocate them.

Honestly, seeing Qin Shu walk out after finishing the exam himself, Hua Yunxiang felt nothing but admiration for him.

This guy is hardcore!!

Qin Shu, also feeling indescribable, nodded. He didn’t expect such bad luck to be assigned near the outhouse.

But he persevered; otherwise, he wouldn’t have passed this ordeal. The family had put up most of their Silver for him to take this exam; he couldn’t afford any slip-ups.

Thinking of this, Qin Shu looked gratefully at his friends and Hua Shu. Without their preparations, especially the fruit, he might not have endured, augmenting the debt of gratitude towards his friends’ family.

For a moment, everyone fell silent; Hua Chengtian and his sons didn’t know what to say.

Despite the pungent smell, the child had been inside for days and nights, noticeably emaciated, looking like he survived a severe illness. Hua Chengtian couldn’t bear to make Qin Shu walk back to the inn.

At worst, he’d endure and have the child sit outside with him. With this thought, Hua Chengtian spoke up.

"Qin Shu, it’s not as bad as you think. Besides, we’re farmer folks, always dealing with such smells, who would mind? Alright, you’ve been exhausted for days; get on, take a good soak, change into clean clothes, and all the smell will be gone."

Hearing this, Qin Shu felt warm inside but still shook his head, "Hua Shu, I’ll just walk; it’s not far to the inn, I’ll be there in no time."

Even he found himself intolerable; he didn’t want to burden his friend’s family.

"What do you mean not far? You look so pale, barely walking steadily, don’t you feel fatigued? If you’re really uneasy, you can sit outside with me," he said, glancing at his elder son, "Yunao, help Qin Shu onto the cart."

If they delayed any longer, they’d wait forever for bathing water at the inn.

Thus, Qin Shu was still pulled onto the cart by Hua Yunao, though he sat outside with Hua Chengtian. Despite this, he stayed at the cart’s edge, far from Hua Shu.

Maybe the smell dispersed a bit outside, not as intense as when he exited. With the cart door in between, even Jin’er inside thought the smell bearable, covering her nose and mouth with a cloth made it almost negligible.

Towards Qin Shu outside the cart, Jin’er felt nothing but sympathy. His luck was appalling, but his perseverance was incredible.

As the saying goes, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it first frustrates his spirit and will, tames his sinews and bones, starves his body...

With such perseverance, yes, she sincerely hoped he could achieve good results.