Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 28. So you were waiting here

No matter what, he was still an elder. Being threatened so blatantly, how could Hua Liu not be burning with anger?

But they really couldn’t afford to provoke the village chief’s family. Even Hua Chengtian alone was too much for his three sons to handle. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Moreover, he had two good sons studying in town, who were soon taking the county-level child scholar exam. If they passed, they’d be true scholars, making them even less offendable.

Hua Liu suppressed his anger once more, forcing an ugly smile at Hua Chengtian.

"No, no, we won’t disturb you any longer, Chengtian. We’re leaving."

"Then I won’t see you out," Hua Chengtian said with a cold laugh.

Nodding, Hua Liu turned to support his unsteady eldest son and walked home, his face darkening. As for his wife and daughter-in-law, he didn’t even glance at them.

Back home, he dragged his wife into the room, leading to a symphony of wailing.

By the time Hua Jin and Young Four got up, the drama outside had already ended. All they saw was their father coming in after closing the door.

Upon learning what happened, Hua Jin shook her head regretfully. If she had known it would be so lively early in the morning, she would’ve gotten up earlier. She missed the classic scene of the wretched woman being beaten.

Thinking of Hua Xiaocao’s dad being beaten, Hua Jin’s first reaction was to look at her own dad.

She figured out why her dad had compromised so easily yesterday—he had been waiting for this!

No wonder he’s her dad!

Pride filled Hua Jin’s eyes.

She sidled up to her dad, who was continuing his woodworking in the yard, and whispered mysteriously, "Dad, was it your handiwork that got Hua Xiaocao’s dad beaten?"

"What do you think?" Hua Chengtian smiled mysteriously and gently pinched his daughter’s delicate, upturned nose.

"Hehe, no need to guess, Dad’s the best," Hua Jin said excitedly, inadvertently giving a thumbs up, a habitual action.

Hua Chengtian’s heart swelled with pride, seeing his daughter’s full admiration and dependence as she nestled beside him. His grin stretched to its widest.

Though elated, he didn’t overlook the thumbs-up his daughter gave. Remembering her words, Hua Chengtian seemed to understand what it meant and curiously pinched Hua Jin’s thumb.

"Daughter, does this mean ’great’?" he asked curiously.

Hua Jin then realized her unintentional gesture and nodded hastily under her dad’s gaze.

"Mmhmm, as expected of Dad to figure it out. Don’t you think the thumb is very important to a hand? Without it, many things can’t be done—it’s number one in importance."

Indeed, Hua Chengtian agreed wholeheartedly with the child’s perspective, nodding, "My daughter is indeed smart—great"

He immediately learned and used the gesture, giving a thumbs-up.

"Of course, not looking at whose daughter she is," Hua Jin raised her eyebrows and lifted her chin.

Her proud little look made Hua Chengtian dote on her endlessly. If she wasn’t already grown, he would definitely lift her high like when she was little.

It was one of the games she adored as a child. Pity she grew up so fast.

In a blink, his soft and adorable daughter had grown this big. Looking at her delicate little face brought an inexplicable sense of loss.

"Alright, you two stop being so affectionate—aren’t you hungry?"

Carrying the basket, Qi Shi chided lightly at the father-daughter duo cozying under the shed.

"Coming, dear," Hua Chengtian responded quickly, pulling his daughter’s hand as they headed to the hall.

In the hall, everyone was seated, just waiting for them.

"Jin’er, come sit by Grandpa," said the old man Hua, who was in a great mood upon seeing his granddaughter.

"Okay, Grandpa," Hua Jin obediently sat beside him. The spot between Grandpa and Grandma was her exclusive seat, unaffected by any protests from her parents or brothers.

Of course, the protests were about her being too far from them.

As the old man Hua started eating, the six-member family began having breakfast.

The two who were absent had already left for the town’s academy at first light, carrying some pastries.

Hua Village was slightly treacherous and remote, thirty-odd miles from town. Every day, they got up early, and Hua Chengtian took them into town, earning some extra feed money for the livestock on the way.

Leaving early meant they couldn’t eat breakfast with the family, nor was there time.

Hence the saying that education costs money. Thankfully, the Hua family owned an ox cart; otherwise, just the daily roundtrip fare would be a small sum annually.

Granted, farmers were used to enduring hardships and could walk on foot. But those who could afford education typically wouldn’t let their children endure such hardships, fearing the long journey would tire them out and affect their studies.

After the meal, Hua Jin quickly pulled Young Four to the backyard to see the rabbits.

The little rabbits had already moved into their new home last night, happily munching on the fresh leaves Hua Jin threw in.

As for the other two big ones, they weren’t slaughtered. The plan was to sell them at the town’s market after a few days, fetching a good price.

They didn’t sell the wild rabbits when sending the kids to school because it was too early—no shops were open, and there weren’t many people around. Even if they took them, no one would buy them. Waiting around early in the morning for two wild rabbits was too much—there was plenty of work at home, and Hua Chengtian had furniture to urgently finish.

"Sis, when do you think these little rabbits will grow up?" Young Four gazed at the little wild rabbits in the cage, eyes shining, wishing they’d grow up immediately.

"Little Four, you just ate yesterday and can’t wait already—you’re drooling," Hua Jin teased her brother, watching him.

Young Four instinctively wiped his mouth before realizing he was tricked, immediately protesting, "Sis, you’re too bad—I wasn’t drooling."

He pouted, showing he wouldn’t forgive her unless his sister coaxed him.

"Oh, you’re upset already? Who said he was a man?" Hua Jin pinched his cheeks, turning his handsome little face into a large flatbread.

"Sister, that’s painful... Teng Teng..."

The little guy exclaimed exaggeratedly, though he obediently kept still.

"Does it hurt? Are you still mad? Is your sister still bad?"

The little Four quickly shook his head, "Sis, you’re so good..." showing a pleasing expression.

"Good boy," Hua Jin couldn’t resist pinching him again.

The little rascal dared to challenge her? Hua Jin smiled mischievously, satisfied, finally letting go of her little grip.

Once free, Young Four darted away from his sister, patting his cheeks.

What to do, sister is too fierce, he thought mournfully.

"What are you standing there for? Aren’t you going to feed the rabbits?" Seeing the fearful look in the little one’s eyes, Hua Jin self-reviewed for a second, beckoning him, although the smile on her face was hard to hold back.

Emotions came and went quickly for Young Four. The moment he heard his sister call, he forgot what had happened seconds before and joyfully started throwing veggie leaves into the wild rabbit’s pen.

Watching her carefree brother accommodating her, Hua Jin found herself liking him even more. Recalling the little glutton’s question, she spoke, "Rest assured, you’ll get to eat rabbit meat before the year’s end."

"Really?" Young Four beamed, revealing a gaping grin with missing teeth, the black hole adding unintentional comedic effect.

"The rabbits are here, how could it be false? As long as you care for them properly, you’ll surely get to eat them. But if you want meat, you’ll have to put in work. Taking care of the rabbits is your job."

Hua Jin’s eyes squinted with a smiling allure, gently luring him.

Instead of letting Young Four run wild, defeating every child in the village, causing trouble by chasing dogs or fighting cocks, it’s better to have him take care of the rabbits at home, to channel his energy.