After sprouting from Nan Muran’s left wrist, the four small roots scattered and took root at the edge of the open ground in front of the villa.

The four of them weren’t far apart, just close enough to reach one another.

Nan Muran frowned slightly as she looked down at the four small saplings glowing with purple, yellow, pink, and blue lights, standing on a thick layer of white snow.

These four little fools looked so tiny and weak—could they really survive the coming extreme cold?

Sensing Nan Muran’s hesitation, Si Ye gave a soft smile. Since the beginning of the apocalypse, she had always shown the greatest kindness to plants:
“They’re mutated plants; they’re not that fragile.”

Nan Muran naturally knew this, but she still couldn’t help but worry.

Treant: “They’re mutated plants, unaffected by the seasons.”

Xiao Liu: “Muran, the saplings are really close to the villa. If you have time, you can come over and give them some life force. They’ll be fine.”

Xiaobai: “We can also come out and play with them!”

Listening to their words, Nan Muran thought for a moment. She looked at the four small saplings and said, “You four, hold hands.”

Though the four saplings didn’t know exactly what she intended, they obediently extended their branches, intertwining with one another and forming a colorful circle on the snow.

Nan Muran’s hand began to glow, white and green threads of light swirling around the nearest little purple sapling, then weaving around the others.

The four saplings immediately felt a surge of life force rushing into them, and they began growing at a visible speed. It wasn’t until they each grew over two meters tall that Nan Muran finally stopped:
“Now they look much better.”

Little Purple: “Muran, you’re amazing! I feel like if I grow a little more, I might even bear fruit!”

Little Pink: “But… I don’t think I can.”

Little Blue: “I think I can too!”

Little Yellow: “Yeah, me too!”

Xiao Liu: “Sad… Am I the only one who can’t?”

Hearing them talk about bearing fruit, Nan Muran was visibly stunned:
“I thought you had already borne all your fruit?”

Little Purple: “We were fruit trees before! Every year we can grow new fruits.”

Hearing that, Nan Muran was thrilled, an idea immediately forming in her mind—she could turn the whole hillside into a mutated orchard. With these mutated fruits, Rare Goods Shop would have an endless supply of inventory!

Xiao Liu: “Muran, their fruits are only the most valuable during the first harvest. Later harvests still work, but their potency drops by more than half.”

Treant: “Why don’t I leave a branch here too and grow some fruit?”

Receiving the disappointing truth from Xiao Liu, Nan Muran gave an awkward smile:
“Alright then. If you like it here, feel free to settle down.”

Si Ye gently pulled her hand and said with a smile:
“Since we’re done here, let’s go back inside quickly. It’s too cold out.”

“Okay,” Nan Muran nodded.

When they returned to the villa, they happened to bump into Bai Mei and Xiao Qijin lounging on the couch watching dramas.

Noticing their fingers interlocked, Bai Mei’s eyes softened, but her tone was firm:
“Si Ye, you have to treat our Muran well, or Qijin and I won’t agree to it.”

Si Ye understood the firmness beneath Bai Mei’s gentleness and responded with equal seriousness:
“I will.”

Nan Muran was more than happy to see this. She smiled and let go of Si Ye’s hand:
“Alright, everything’s arranged. Now I need to catch up on my sleep.”

Back in her familiar bed, Nan Muran fell asleep almost immediately. Perhaps she was too exhausted; she slept like the dead.

Several times throughout the night, a familiar presence quietly entered the room, feeding her porridge and wiping her face and hands. Because she was so familiar with it, she let her guard down completely.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Si Ye, Xiao Qijin, and Lao Ying were busy setting up a special entrance passage for Xuanyue and the other little creatures to come and go freely from the villa.

The little creatures loved the new passage. Every day they would gather on the second underground floor of the villa. Just two days ago they had been fighting, but now they were playing together like best friends.

The wolf pack had also begun accompanying Tank and the others on regular patrols down the mountain. With the wolves helping, Lao Ying and Si Ye created a more refined and frequent patrol route. Now, anyone trying to approach the mountain would be spotted immediately.

“Hey, rabbit for breakfast today?” Lao Ying joked early the next morning, eyeing the rabbit Xiao Qijin was carrying.

“Xuanyue and the others caught them—a whole nest! I’m keeping the live ones near the hot springs so they can breed. The ones that were bitten to death are being braised for lunch,” Bai Mei laughed while busying herself.

“Xuanyue is impressive,” Lao Ying praised sincerely.

It had snowed heavily the night they returned to the villa, and the temperature had plummeted. It was now minus forty degrees outside, and everyone avoided going out unless necessary.

Only the little creatures still dutifully went out on patrols, allowing the rest of them to relax in the villa’s spring-like warmth.

“Si Ye, go wake Muran up for a meal. She’s been asleep for almost two days,” Bai Mei said, a hint of concern in her voice.

Si Ye nodded, put down his tools, washed his hands, and went upstairs.

Opening the bedroom door, he saw the little lump curled up on the bed and felt a surge of tenderness.

Seeing Nan Muran sleeping with flushed cheeks, Si Ye helplessly sat down beside her and kissed her forehead:
“Muran, you can’t sleep any longer.”

Nan Muran had slept long enough. Though she was still a bit dazed, she wasn’t that sleepy anymore. Hearing his voice, she didn’t even bother opening her eyes. She just instinctively stretched out her arms:
“Carry me up.”

Si Ye scooped her up from the bed and turned on the bedside lamp:
“Feeling a little more awake?”

“Almost… after a kiss.”

Si Ye lowered his head and kissed her cheek, speaking softly:
“Get up, freshen up, and eat something.”

“Get me some clothes—something sporty,” Nan Muran leaned against the bed, still a bit groggy but determined. Now that she had rested enough, it was time to start training again.

Si Ye picked out a mist-blue athletic outfit from her wardrobe.

Meanwhile, Nan Muran got up and made her way into the bathroom. The moment the warm water from the shower hit her face, she fully woke up and hurried through her washing up.

Downstairs, when she learned how long she had slept, Nan Muran herself was shocked:
“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“There wasn’t much to do anyway. If you wanted to sleep, better to sleep properly,” Xiao Qijin said, while swapping her favorite dishes to her side.

“Come eat breakfast first. Here’s your favorite pumpkin porridge,” Bai Mei added, serving her a bowl.

After eating, everyone tidied up the place together and then lounged around on the sofa, casually turning on the TV to pass the time.

Meanwhile, Bai Mei placed a thick plan book in front of Nan Muran.