Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space

All the children were three to six years old. Such young children were rare in Shanggu Town nowadays, as most had perished during the extreme winter of that year, some even...

A hint of sadness flashed in Liu Yongping's eyes as he continued walking. The next discovery left even the county magistrate a little shocked.

Hua Village actually had a school.

Unable to resist, he stood outside the school for a moment, listening to the sound of children reading aloud inside. Liu Yongping's heart suddenly felt much more at ease, and for a moment, it was as if he had returned to a time before the disaster had struck, when everything was still peaceful and calm.

A smile suddenly tugged at the corner of his mouth. He realized he was overthinking. This was just an ordinary yet somewhat extraordinary village because they had a wise and strong-willed village chief. With this mainstay, how could the village not be good? Moreover, rumors had it that Painter Village was always a united and prosperous village.

It was just disrupted by external factors, making one prone to overthink and fall into conspiracy theories. Upon truly entering the village, it was clear that these were all native villagers. Although they looked wary of strangers, there was more curiosity than hostility or malice.

Adults might be able to disguise themselves, but the happiness and joy on children's faces were hard to fake.

Nonetheless, Hua Village truly was a bit mysterious, but so what? As long as Hua Village's presence was a good thing, that was enough.

Its existence had already solved many people's hunger issues. Although it seemed like they were selling grain at a high price, at times like these, silver was really worth nothing. The most important thing was what could save lives.

"Old Hua, under your leadership, Hua Village is truly remarkable. It's making me want to move here too," the county magistrate said, looking at everything in Hua Village. This place was like a utopia, truly tempting him, as it was so hard to find a place like this nowadays.

"That's not difficult. As long as you don't mind, you're welcome to come to this old man's home anytime," Old Hua said with a smile.

Liu Yongping: "I'll take your word for it."

Old Hua nodded earnestly: "Of course, it's true."

"Old man, it's getting late. It's time for lunch." From the entrance, Old Mrs. Hua shouted loudly at the people heading back.

Old Hua quickly agreed, "Why not let the magistrate taste my old woman's cooking?"

Liu Yongping: "Then I'll intrude."

Having already intruded for so long, he didn't mind this one meal, only he didn't expect it to be so lavish.

There were vegetables, eggs, soup, and even meat. Initially feeling at ease, Liu Yongping now felt a bit embarrassed.

It seemed he had been consuming all the good things from their home.

In the past, this table of dishes might not have been much, but now it was already quite sumptuous. Even he couldn't eat such fine things; the meat in his mansion was bought from the village chief's son a couple of days ago, and every day they were only seventy to eighty percent full, not daring to fully satisfy their appetite.

Looking at the table full of dishes and all men around it, he felt even more embarrassed.

"Old Hua, where are the womenfolk? They've worked hard for so long, let's all..."

"No need, no need. The women have kept some for themselves. No need to worry, sir," Old Hua interjected.

"Here, try the wine brewed by our village. Usually, this old man can't bear to drink it, but today, thanks to the magistrate's good fortune..." Old Hua picked up the wine jug to personally pour for the magistrate, but was stopped by Liu Yongping.

Though his status was higher than that of common folk, he was never one to flaunt it, nor did he like such formalities. Besides, he was imposing on them already, so how could he let an old man in his fifties pour wine for him, especially when he had come to ask for their help?

"Old Hua, please, I can do it myself. Honestly, it's been a long time since I've had any wine, thanks to the village chief's fortune..."

"Then today this old man will have a good drink with the magistrate. If you don't mind, later I'll have my inept son take a look in the village. If there aren't any, this old man will let you take some from my own stock home," Old Hua offered.

"That's wonderful, truly grateful, I toast you, Old Hua." Liu Yongping poured a cup for Old Hua himself, which truly made Old Hua feel a bit overwhelmed, quickly standing up with his wine cup.

"I can't accept this, I can't accept this." He murmured in response.

After three rounds of drinks, an hour had passed. The county magistrate, slightly flushed, sat on a round-backed armchair, drinking the hangover tea Hua Yunao brought him.

"I heard both your sons are scholars, already Tongsheng, correct?"

"Yes, they have studied for a few years. Passing the Tongsheng exam was just luck, nothing worth mentioning," Old Hua said with a smile, looking at his two grandsons. His words were humble, but his eyes betrayed his satisfaction with them.

"Old Hua, you're being modest. They're already impressive."

It's tough for students from poor families to make a name, and to have two Tongsheng at once, even in Shanggu Town, this was probably the only family.

Old Hua: "Just lucky, just lucky!"

Then the county magistrate looked at Hua Yunao: "Are you interested in coming to the official residence?"

This question caused all the Hua family members to look at the county magistrate, realizing he was serious only upon seeing his earnest expression.

Old Hua exchanged glances with his son. Whether in the past or now, this was undoubtedly a big opportunity. Being employed by the government was something many couldn't even dream of.

But that was before. Now neither Old Hua nor Hua Chengtian wished for their sons or grandsons to go, after all, they knew what they would face was going to be even harsher, and keeping the family together was naturally better.

Just as Old Hua was about to decline, Hua Yunao stood up: "Thank you for your favor, sir, but I'm afraid with my limited talents, I'll only disappoint your good intentions. Besides, as the eldest son and grandson, it is my duty to help my family."

In other words, the family needed him.

County Magistrate: "..."

This excuse was really strong; however, he also saw that Hua Yunao indeed had no interest in working at the official residence, so he turned to Old Hua: "What do you think, Old Hua?"

Old Hua: "Thank you for your love for my grandson, but as he said, there is much work and need for hands at home. Therefore, as his grandfather, I respect the child's opinion."

The county magistrate then turned his gaze to the other sibling.

Hua Yunxiang nearly jumped up, hastily waving his hand: "I can't, I can't, I still have to stay home and help my wife take care of the children."

"What are you saying, so rash, hush up," Old Hua remarked with a hint of disdain at his second grandson and then smiled at the county magistrate, "Sir, this child is always so hasty, I apologize."

"No matter," Liu Yongping waved his hand. Being too rash indeed wouldn't do in government work, so he gave up on the thought.

Hua Yunxiang quietly gave his elder brother a look, as if saying, "See, isn't your brother smart!"

"Behave yourself," Hua Yunao signaled back to his younger brother with an eye.

Their silent exchange went unnoticed by others.

Having seen enough and stayed for long, on top of a drink, the county magistrate Liu Yongping prepared to leave.

Hua Chengtian immediately took his two sons to gather chickens, ducks, geese, and various eggs from the village.

In a short time, they gathered ten chickens, ten ducks, and three geese, along with sixty chicken eggs, thirty duck eggs, six goose eggs, two jars of wine, a jar of homemade pickles, three pickled chickens, and a piece of cured wild boar meat.

When these things were laid out, they filled the table, rendering even Liu Yongping deeply moved, with his eyes glowing warmer.