Chapter 40: Extreme Heat, A Dose of Reality

Kuang Jiaying didn’t think it was a big deal and agreed immediately,

“Sure! I promise you. Other than that group of people, what kind of danger is in the forest that makes you all so cautious?”

Clearly, even Kuang Jiaying had encountered plenty of trouble in the city—his caution showed it.

Jiang Si glanced at Qin Shen, who didn’t look like he was planning to speak.

So she explained the various dangers they had encountered in the forest and then emphasized,

“Those aren’t the only risks. Just be extra careful, that’s all I’ll say.”

Kuang Jiaying took note, left a few men to guard them, and led the rest of his people into the forest.

Back inside the house, the room was nearly empty—there were hardly any belongings left.

Niuniu’s stomach started growling, so Shen Baoying headed to the kitchen and cooked a pot of noodles for everyone. Jiang Si went in to help carry the bowls. Seeing the soldiers standing stiffly in the living room like wooden posts, Shen Baoying whispered quietly,

“Should we give them a little to eat too?”

Jiang Si shook her head,

“Food is too precious right now. They’re from the special forces—they surely don’t need our rations.”

To avoid raising suspicion, Shen Baoying didn’t even dare add green onions or eggs. But thanks to her cooking skills, even a soup made only from dried shrimp and mushrooms was mouthwateringly fragrant.

Niuniu licked her bowl clean, smiling sweetly,

“Auntie Shen’s noodles are so delicious! Way better than what Daddy makes!”

Shen Baoying almost said, “Just tell Auntie when you want to eat,” but swallowed her words and instead told Lu Zhifeng,

“It’s not that hard. Auntie can teach your dad so he can make it for you.”

Niuniu clapped her little hands happily.

Qin Shen, who had quietly eaten two large bowls, stood up and began helping Jiang Si collect the dishes. He moved with such natural politeness that he looked like a model son-in-law trying to impress on his first visit.

Everyone exchanged amused glances and chuckled quietly.

There weren’t many dishes to clean. When Jiang Si’s fingers brushed against Qin Shen’s slender ones, the contact was brief and unintentional.

Qin Shen said directly,

“Sorry.”

Jiang Si shot him a glance,

“It’s fine. I’ve got it.”

He handed over the bowl. As she walked into the kitchen, she heard one of the guards ask Qin Shen,

“Where are you going?”

Qin Shen replied,

“Home. Just for a bit.”

The agents looked surprised. They had assumed he was part of Jiang Si’s family.

Qin Shen returned shortly, trailed by one of the guards, and came back holding a red plastic bag.

He handed it to Jiang Si, expression calm,

“For today’s meal.”

This clear gesture of drawing a line between them made Jiang Si immediately dismiss any suspicions she’d had that he might be interested in her.

She peeked into the bag—it contained a generous handful of hazelnuts, about half a kilo or so.

Hazelnuts are rich in nutrients and very filling—a valuable item these days. Clearly, they came out ahead.

Jiang Si grabbed a small handful and smiled,

“This is plenty.”

Niuniu tugged on Lu Zhifeng’s sleeve and whispered,

“Daddy, we should give them something too!”

Lu Zhifeng turned to Shen Baoying and said sincerely,

“Auntie, I’ll bring you some preserved vegetables later. Hope you don’t mind!”

Normally, Shen Baoying would’ve refused—“It’s just a bowl of noodles, no need to give anything.”

But since Qin Shen had already contributed, it wouldn’t be right not to accept Lu Zhifeng’s offer too.

She smiled and nodded,

“Alright then. That wild boar meat Xiaoshen brought over earlier will go perfectly with your preserved greens—I can make a dish of pork belly with mustard greens.”

The special forces soldiers touched the dry rations tucked in their uniforms and glanced at one another—mushroom noodle soup, hazelnuts, braised pork belly with greens… their mouths watered just imagining it.

And this house—it was noticeably cooler than anywhere else.

Not to mention the layout of traps, protective barriers, and metal-framed windows—everything about this home suggested its owners were no ordinary survivors.

As the sky began to brighten, everyone in the living room was dozing off. But Kuang Jiaying and his team still hadn’t returned from the forest.

The guards began to look visibly anxious.

So many had entered the forest—if they couldn’t find the radiation-blocking mushrooms, things could turn dangerous.

Ren Jinshan, the most capable of the special forces, was ready to head in and search for them.

Before Kuang left, he had specifically given Ren a dried sample of the radiation-blocking mushroom.

Ren glanced at Jiang Si, who was lounging comfortably against Jiang Linhai, and suddenly asked,

“On the way back, is there any place to hide from the solar radiation?”

Jiang Si opened her eyes and shook her head,

“We didn’t find any.”

Ren’s expression grew more serious. Just then, a soldier on lookout shouted from above:

“Ren-ge! They’re back—all of them!”

Everyone rushed to the window.

Kuang Jiaying appeared, holding up a giant red mushroom for shade. Behind him, the others carried mushrooms in all shapes and colors. The injured ones were even completely covered in mushrooms, as if they had turned into mushroom spirits marching into town.

Now that the team had returned, they needed a place to settle down.

Kuang Jiaying kept his promise to Jiang Si—not to let anyone take over her home.

Instead, he assigned the newcomers to the still-standing, vacant homes elsewhere in the village.

As he entered the house, a cool breeze hit him, and he paused, clearly noticing the difference.

He turned to Jiang Si and promised,

“Once everyone’s settled, I’ll personally make sure your food delivery arrives.”

Jiang Si asked calmly,

“Did you catch all of those people in the forest?”

Kuang Jiaying gave her a look and smiled faintly,

“A few escaped, but don’t worry—we’re stationed here now. They won’t dare retaliate.”

Jiang Si nodded,

“Alright. Thank you, Commander.”

Clearly intending to see him out, she gestured subtly—but Kuang Jiaying pretended not to notice. His eyes swept over their house with deep interest and he said meaningfully,

“Your house is quite cool.”

Jiang Si replied nonchalantly,

“We set up sunshades earlier. Just happened to put them to use.”

Sunshades that worked this well, and fit in this perfectly?

Kuang’s eyes narrowed slightly. He switched the topic:

“We found a water source. If you’re ever short, just let me know.”

That generous?

Jiang Si remained skeptical,

“We don’t have to trade anything for it?”

Kuang shook his head,

“Serving the people is our duty. As long as you haven’t broken the law, you’re citizens—and it’s what we should do.”

Jiang Si cautiously accepted his statement,

“Alright then. If we need it, we’ll come find you—or fetch it ourselves.”

Boasting like they could fetch water from the wild on their own. They nearly died doing that earlier.

Kuang Jiaying stared at her even more intently.

Then Qin Shen suddenly stepped forward and blocked Kuang’s gaze.

Kuang glanced at him, smiled slyly, and left.

Lu Zhifeng spoke with some excitement,

“Now that the authorities are supplying water and maintaining order, we can start building temperature-controlled greenhouses. Maybe we can slowly turn things around.”

But Jiang Si, having lived through the last apocalypse, thought he was being far too optimistic.

Though she hoped things would improve too, with such extreme heat lingering, a storm was inevitable. It was better to warn him.

Jiang Si said with concern,

“If these high temperatures last for months and we suddenly get hit with violent storms, the whole world could be devastated. Better to be on guard.”