Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space
Chapter 152. Nightmare

Chapter 152: 152. Nightmare

Ye Hui and the people around him were like the big wild boar that father hunted last year. Although father didn’t say anything, Ye Hui got some useful information from his younger brother’s mouth, knowing that it was his sister who hid his brother in a tree to save their father.

Suddenly, there were crossbows and an endless supply of meat, various vegetables, and fruits at home. Although he never asked, he knew these were not normal. Grandpa, grandma, and parents often exchanged glances, and all this started to change after his sister woke up.

Hua Yunao wasn’t particularly smart, but he was definitely not stupid. He understood that the root of all this was his sister.

Then he saw his sister skipping and jumping towards them, pulling their father along. Her little face was red with joy, making her already lovely face even more adorable, and Hua Yunao’s heart melted instantly.

"Let’s go, let’s go," Hua Chengtian urged, and soon the group returned to the inn to have a good celebration.

"Congratulations, dear guest! It seems the young masters did well in the exams. This dish is a gift from our shopkeeper, to add to the joy."

There was no need to ask. Just by looking at their expressions, you could tell they passed the exams. The shopkeeper was adept, having the waitstaff bring dishes to offer congratulations.

"Oh, it’s really too much trouble. Please help us thank your shopkeeper," Hua Chengtian stood up and cupped his hands in thanks behind the counter to the shopkeeper.

After the celebration, it was time to pack up and prepare for tomorrow’s registration at the government office, then leave early in the morning. Everyone was eager to return home after being away for so many days.

If it weren’t for the difficulty of traveling at night and the need to visit the government office once, the children would have liked to go home immediately.

Early the next morning, after settling the inn bill and packing some food, the group left the inn. After leaving the government office, they embarked on their journey home.

Just after leaving the county, Hua Yunao took the seat of the coachman.

Seeing Uncle Hua take a rest, Qin Shu quickly took out the prepared payment for the room.

"Uncle Hua, please accept this."

Seeing the Silver, Hua Chengtian understood, but he truly didn’t want to accept it.

It’s not that he underestimated his own strength and exalted others, but really, he understood his children. Their talent for studying was just average. Even the teacher at the academy only suggested they try the exam to gain some experience.

If it weren’t for Qin Shu, his two sons wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pass the exams. Of course, Hua Chengtian wanted to hold onto such a good connection for his children.

"We’ll talk about the room payment later. Child, you calling me ’Uncle’ shows you don’t see me as an outsider. Uncle is very happy. Since we’re not outsiders, don’t be so polite with Uncle. Besides, it’s not like you stayed alone; Yun Ao stayed too. Moreover, Yun Ao and the others managed to pass the exams largely thanks to you. These things can’t be measured in money. Uncle is very grateful. Listen to Uncle and take the payment back."

But Qin Shu was unwilling.

"Uncle Hua, Brother Yun Ao and the others passed because of their efforts. Payment is payment, and it must be given. During these days, Uncle, you’ve taken great care of me, especially the fruits. They helped me immensely. If thanks are in order, it should be me thanking you. Uncle shouldn’t decline this payment," Qin Shu said, placing the Silver in front of Hua Chengtian.

"You see this child..." Qin Shu’s earnest demeanor left Hua Chengtian sighing helplessly, compromising.

This child is very strong-willed, and clearly doesn’t want to owe others too much.

But... it’s understandable. If he were in Qin Shu’s position, he might feel the same.

"Since you’re staying with Yun Ao, we’ll stick to the prior agreement of splitting it equally. If not, I really won’t accept it, Uncle!" Hua Chengtian deducted half and stuffed it into Qin Shu’s hand.

"Uncle Hua..."

"Say no more, or I’ll let you off the cart to walk on your own."

Qin Shu wanted to speak but was interrupted by Hua Chengtian’s strong words.

This threat... really worked.

Qin Shu relented.

If things reached this point, continuing to decline would be overkill; there was plenty of time in the future.

Immediately deciding to spar more with Hua Yunao academically once back at the academy.

"Alright, I’ll listen to Uncle," Qin Shu nodded with a smile, the warmth in his eyes growing deeper unconsciously.

Though his luck at the exams wasn’t great, he was fortunate in meeting good people, forming such a great friendship, and having such a wonderful family.

The voices outside the cart fell on deaf ears to Hua Jin, who was sound asleep, resting her head on her brother’s leg.

With a violent jolt from the ox cart, Hua Jin’s sweet slumber was disturbed, causing her to frown. Hua Er Ge, seeing his sister’s frown, immediately patted her gently, then leaned out the cart door and called softly outside, "Brother, be careful with the cart; you startled our sister."

"My mistake, I didn’t notice for a moment. Is our sister okay?" The concerned elder brother glanced inside the cart, hastily urging the ox with a wave of the whip, maneuvering the cart out of a rut in the road.

"She’s fine, asleep again," knowing it wasn’t intentional; after all, they couldn’t control the road conditions. Watching his sister’s frown, he couldn’t help it. After hearing the elder brother apologize, Hua Er Ge realized he was overly anxious, sheepishly withdrawing his head back.

At this moment, Hua Jin’s frown remained, even deepening, and Hua Er Ge thought perhaps her discomfort was due to his repositioning, so he adjusted again.

Unbeknownst to him, Hua Jin was trapped in a nightmare.

In her dream, it was the third year since Hua Jin arrived in this world. The autumn harvest was just days away, and it was her birthday. Since she was turning thirteen and becoming a young lady, the family decided to throw her a proper birthday celebration.

On that day, both aunts’ families came over as well.

As they celebrated with two large tables of delicious food under a seemingly clear and sunny sky, a few streaks of lightning suddenly flashed across, turning the sky overcast and dark, filled with thick clouds and howling winds.

With the rumbling thunder, the sky suddenly darkened, followed by large raindrops. Everyone had no time to finish eating; the adults hurriedly ran into the rain to gather belongings and herded the livestock into sheds. After doing all this, they were drenched.

Fortunately, it was early autumn, and the weather was still hot, so getting wet wasn’t a big deal. In fact, it felt rather refreshing, so they quickly changed into dry clothes.

Though they thought the rain came too abruptly and the sky was somewhat dark, the way summer weather changes unexpected was nothing new.

After lighting the lamps, they continued celebrating Hua Jin’s birthday with a lively and delicious feast.

After the torrential rain, everyone expected it to end soon; however, it continued unabated, and the sky didn’t brighten as anticipated, remaining gloomy, forcing the two aunts who wanted to go home to stay a bit longer.

They waited until nightfall while it still poured heavily, ultimately being persuaded to stay despite initially planning to brave the rain home.

The journey was already difficult at night, worsened by the heavy rain obscuring the path. Old Lady Hua and the others couldn’t bear to let them leave in such conditions, deciding they should stay overnight and return the next day.

Expecting the rain to let up by the following day, to their surprise, it continued to pour. Luckily, the daylight had returned.

Even so, worried for their households, both aunts decided to return home in the rain.

Just as Hua Jin thought the rain would soon cease, the dream’s scene abruptly shifted. The once dry home was now knee-deep in water, and items from the cellar along with low-lying belongings were moved higher, some even suspended from the beams.

At that moment, she overheard Grandpa and Father discussing solutions, when the scene changed yet again.