Ch 40: The Farmer Ger in the Apocalypse

Song Kaiji couldn’t quite explain why, but realizing that Shen Qing might have another space ability user by his side—or even another team—filled him with an unexpected sense of loss and a strong sense of crisis.

Was it because he wanted to secure more resources from Shen Qing? Or was it some strange possessiveness? He wasn’t sure.

Five days without seeing them… was it because Shen Qing would be with someone else? With that thought, Song Kaiji clumsily tried to keep Shen Qing closer to them.

Shen Qing glanced at Song Kaiji. Leaving a room available for him was fine—if he needed to stay overnight or rest occasionally. But he had no intention of living in the apocalypse. In fact, Song Kaiji had been right in his earlier guesses—Shen Qing never planned to stay in this world long-term.

Shen Qing was very clear that his primary life remained in his original world. The apocalypse was too foreign to him. Just yesterday, when the doctor had mentioned things like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high protein, and nutrition, he hadn’t understood a word of it. He had to cautiously piece together the meanings from context.

In this kind of environment, the slightest mistake in his words could reveal his differences. And even in terms of survival, he had no real advantage here—the power of abilities was beyond imagination.

Just yesterday, he had watched ability users entering the base. Some could breathe fire, some could summon water, some could strike with lightning, and others could manipulate metal into various forms at will. If he never had a chance to awaken an ability, his physical strength alone would never be enough to compete. What would it matter if he could leverage Qu Weiwei’s strength?

Take Miao Shi, for example—she had Miao Xing and Miao Wang as brothers, both of whom were considered strong. Even if Xiahe Village was known for its unity and fierce protectiveness. But did Miao Shi, despite having access to her brothers’ strength, live a particularly good life? Was there any woman or ger in the village who truly lived better than the men?

Relying on someone else’s strength was ultimately unreliable. Shen Qing certainly hoped Qu Weiwei was a grateful person who would genuinely work for him. But what if she wasn’t? Or what if she was now but changed her mind in the future?

Given his current circumstances, Shen Qing was at the very bottom of this world’s hierarchy. Why would he take the risk of staying? The only reason he was forming a team was for self-preservation—to avoid becoming a target for scavengers and to more efficiently collect things useful for his real world. Once he felt safe enough, he also planned to bring Miao Shi over for treatment.

As for gathering resources—like gold and silver—he already had more than enough. Enough to last this lifetime and the next. Even if he stopped coming to the apocalypse altogether, he could still live comfortably.

The only reason he continued to travel between worlds was simple greed—he wanted to accumulate more, to live even better. But if that became impossible, Shen Qing glanced at the still-grinning Qu Weiwei. He would just gather as many resources as he could while he still could. If, one day, he encountered an insurmountable danger or his people became unmanageable, he would simply block or destroy the cave entrance and never return to this world.

The whole point of gathering people was to make things safer, easier, and require less of his energy and emotions.

Shen Qing turned away, avoiding Song Kaiji’s cautious yet hopeful gaze. He had spent so long observing the wealthy young masters in his own world—imitating their demeanor now came naturally.

“No need. Just leave a room for me. I’ll use it occasionally for rest. For now, I want to see what you two are capable of. Our team will need more members in the future, and unless something unexpected happens, you two will be managing them. I trust that you’ll find a place that satisfies me.” He paused briefly, then added, “Does the team have to have a name? You can decide. I trust you to come up with something suitable.”

Wasn’t it a bit much to expect him, someone barely literate, to come up with a name?

Hearing Shen Qing’s words, Qu Weiwei jolted upright. She was, after all, someone who had been about to graduate and enter the workforce before the apocalypse. Even though she had never actually found a job, she had at least developed some awareness of workplace dynamics—if the boss had to personally handle everything, then what were they here for?

She quickly tugged at Song Kaiji’s sleeve and flashed a flattering smile at Shen Qing. “Don’t worry! We’ll get it done and make sure you’re satisfied!”

No one was going to stop her from becoming the apocalypse’s most loyal bootlicker with such a generous boss.

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At the crack of dawn, Miao Shi carried a bag of copper coins and headed toward the Lian family home.

She had been shocked upon entering the kitchen that morning—Shen Qing had taken all their stored grain up the mountain last night, as well as all the eggs. If someone didn’t know better, they would’ve thought their home had been looted.

He had only left her with half a sack of fine white flour.

With no other choice, Miao Shi had made a simple pot of dough-drop soup for breakfast. After eating, she immediately set out to buy more grain and eggs. By now, she had been thoroughly spoiled by good food—without eggs, she didn’t even know what to cook for lunch.

At the Lian family’s gate, young Lian Rong was playing with a group of girls, kicking a shuttlecock made from bright feathers that Shen Qing had collected from wild pheasants. The toy had earned her quite a bit of admiration among her friends. Seeing Miao Shi approach, she cheerfully called out before running into the house. “Mother! Aunt Chunlei is here!”

The Lian family had just finished breakfast. Second Aunt Lian was in the backyard washing dishes and called out, “Tell your Aunt Chunlei to come in and wait for me in my room. I’ll be there once I’m done.”

Lian Rong relayed the message and happily returned to her game. Miao Shi smiled and reached into her pocket, handing Lian Rong two pieces of pastry. “Good girl, take these.”

It was a type of jujube cake that Shen Qing had bought from town. A crisp, flaky crust wrapped around a dense filling of honeyed red bean paste and crushed walnuts, likely made with pork fat, making it incredibly fragrant and rich. It was said that a master baker had brought the recipe all the way from Jiangnan, and even the prefectural city couldn’t match its flavor.

Lian Rong swallowed hard but didn’t eat it right away. She sprinted back to her room, calling out as she ran, “I’m saving it for my brother and my little nephew!”

“What a thoughtful child,” Miao Shi said, her heart softening. She had given birth to three children, but only Shen Qing had survived. Maybe because she had always longed for more, she found herself particularly fond of well-behaved children like Lian Rong.

“Well, if it isn’t Qing Ge’er’s mother again.”

The warmth in Miao Shi’s eyes faded slightly as she turned. It was Wang Shi, the wife of Second Lian’s eldest brother, cradling her youngest son as she stepped out from the east wing.

The Lian family had never split their household, and although they lived comfortably, Wang Shi had never gotten along with Second Aunt Lian. Miao Shi had a good relationship with Second Aunt Lian, but not with the rest of the Lian family. The Lian matriarch had an old grudge with Old Lady Shen and had once forbidden anyone in the family from speaking to the Shen household.

Still, Miao Shi kept her tone polite. “Eldest sister-in-law, good morning. I came to trade some eggs with Sister Heshang. Our hens are still too young to lay properly.”

Wang Shi’s expression shifted slightly. She had counted the eggs the last time Miao Shi came over—more than a dozen, along with others from different homes. How had she already run out? Was she really eating that many? Even feeding pigs wouldn’t use them up so fast. No wonder they said widows and ger without elders to control them didn’t know how to live frugally.

But she held her tongue. It wasn’t her place to meddle. Instead, she turned to Lian Rong. “What were you eating just now? Hiding it like you didn’t want your little brother to see.”

She smiled at Miao Shi while bouncing the plump boy in her arms, her words carrying a veiled meaning. “My little boy here, I’ve spoiled him rotten. He just can’t stand seeing other people eat—gets so greedy he throws a fit if he doesn’t get some too.” She then looked at Lian Rong. “What were you eating, Rong Jie’er? Give your little brother a taste.”

Right on cue, the little boy in her arms began wailing, “I want tasty food! I want tasty food! Bad sister!” He leaned forward, reaching toward Lian Rong.

Miao Shi might have been soft-spoken, but she wasn’t foolish. She could see exactly what Wang Shi was trying to do. Lian Rong, standing stiffly beside her, lowered her head, clearly tense and reluctant to move.

Glancing at the chubby boy in Wang Shi’s arms, Miao Shi suddenly realized she didn’t find all children so endearing after all. As an adult, she could be timid and avoid conflict, but was she really going to stand by and watch a child be bullied right in front of her?

“I was standing right here, but I didn’t see Rong Jie’er eat anything. How did you spot it from inside the house?” Miao Shi looked at the little boy and then nudged Lian Rong. “Sister-in-law, you’re absolutely right—kids shouldn’t be spoiled! If they throw tantrums, roll on the ground, and make a mess over food, that’s a bad habit that needs to be corrected early. Otherwise, you’ll end up doing an awful lot of laundry! Rong Jie’er, go on and play. I see your friends are waiting for you. I’ll go sit inside for a bit—standing too long makes my back ache.”

Lian Rong, as if granted amnesty, quickly responded and bolted out of the courtyard. Miao Shi, too, had stood her ground for the first time in front of someone, relying solely on a burst of courage. Even though she had managed to say everything properly, her heart was pounding like a drum. She didn’t even dare to look at Wang Shi’s reaction, quickly turning and rushing into the west wing. In her haste, she nearly tripped over her own feet.

In the courtyard, Wang Shi’s face was livid. She spat harshly on the ground and cursed, “What kind of thing is she! She doesn’t even have a son, and she thinks she can tell me how to raise mine?!”

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