Chapter 120: Do It Yourself

""Thank you, Sister Sang.""

When he saw the stone, what Xia Ru felt most was shock. Even though he didn’t know where Sang Chu had gotten these things, there was no doubt that in the apocalypse, these were treasures he could only dream of.

""As long as you do a good job, these things aren’t rare at all. You understand the basic procedures now, right?""

Xia Ru nodded, his voice carrying a nervousness he hadn’t even noticed himself: ""I basically understand everything, Sister Sang, don’t worry. I’m confident I can handle the breeding and cultivation!""

""Good. Also, pay more attention to things outside the base. If you run into anything you’re not sure about, discuss it with Ruan Yaru. I feel more at ease leaving the outside matters to you. My grandmother is getting old, and you know my aunt is a psychic. To be honest, I’m a bit worried about her. Her powers only skyrocketed after being triggered, and no one knows what side effects there might be.

So, it’s important that you keep everyone safe and keep an eye on her condition. Try not to provoke her. Just keep this to yourself—don’t tell the others and cause panic. If she really loses control, try to lure her into the small house by the wall and lock her up until I get back.""

""Okay, I understand. I’ll do another thorough check of the place later.""

Previously, he’d only followed Yu around for a quick look, and there were many things he didn’t understand. Now, looking at this underground city, it was like a hidden dragon’s lair—who knew how many traps were inside?

Sang Chu smiled at him and said, ""Good, walk around more and get familiar with things.""

As they walked, Sang Chu explained various things to watch out for in the base, treating Xia Ru as one of her own.

...

After a whole day of busyness, Sang Chu only felt truly alive again when she finally lay down on her bed.

Tu You was sprawled on her stomach, lazily gnawing on a piece of jade. ""Aren’t you worried someone will break into the base while you’re gone?""

Seeing how calmly she’d instructed Xia Ru, Tu You was worried for her.

But Sang Chu just smiled, ""If you trust someone, don’t doubt them. If you doubt them, don’t use them. Besides, since I dared to leave things to them, of course I have backup plans.""

Tu You curiously tilted his head, ""What kind of backup?""

Sang Chu gently stroked his smooth fur. ""Think about it—if I’m not here, what do you think will happen to the base?""

Tu You thought for a while, then said, ""Maybe it’ll be fine?""

Sang Chu chuckled, ""Did you forget I can put the entire underground city away?""

""Oh! I totally forgot about that! Hahaha, Chu, you’re amazing!""

Tu You laughed so hard he thumped Sang Chu’s stomach. He’d almost forgotten—if Sang Chu wanted, she could put away not just the underground city, but all the villas in the cave as well. Even if someone wanted to break in, they wouldn’t be able to steal anything.

After all, people can’t be stored away with the space.

Thinking of this, Tu You suddenly shouted, ""Wait, I just remembered—where’s Bai Yuqi?""

Sang Chu said lazily, ""He’s still in the space. He said it’s better inside than outside. Let him stay there for now. I’m going to sleep—so tired.""

""Okay, good night!""

Seeing Sang Chu’s exhausted look, Tu You stopped talking, obediently lying beside her and staring blankly as she fell asleep in seconds.

Underground City

Ruan Yaru: ""What do you think about these?""

Xia Ru glanced at the big warehouse and the row of small rooms beside it, then walked over thoughtfully. ""What about you? What do you think?""

Ruan Yaru put her hand on the door of a small room and said seriously, ""Brother Wen said if anything unexpected happens and I can’t handle it, just lock the troublemaker in here. But my powers can’t detect any danger at all.""

""Sister Sang said the same thing, so I came to check. Didn’t expect to run into you.""

Ruan Yaru looked at the man in front of her, her eyes flashing with wariness. ""Brother Wen said if anything happens to the base, I should discuss it with you.""

""Yeah, Sister Sang told me too. So, you don’t have to be so guarded—at least when it comes to protecting the base and our families, we’re on the same side. I’m not your enemy.""

Ruan Yaru had seen too many selfish people during the apocalypse and suffered a lot. Now that she finally had a safe place to call home, she didn’t want to lose it.

That’s why she was especially wary of anyone she thought might be a threat, especially those with ambition and ability. Even if they seemed ordinary, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Ruan Yaru said, ""I hope you mean what you say. In the apocalypse, a place like this is hard to come by.""

Xia Ru looked at her and smiled sincerely, ""I know. You can supervise me—see if I’m a threat to the base. More than anyone, I want the base to be safe. Only if it’s safe can I be safe. So, let’s work together.""

""Alright.""

She didn’t say much more. For now, all her doubts were just suspicions. As long as he didn’t actually do anything to harm the base, those worries didn’t matter.

Besides, she believed Sang Chu wouldn’t leave things without a backup plan.

After chatting, they strolled around the underground city. By the time they reached the back, they were both shivering.

Xia Ru panted slightly, ""This underground city is huge. Before, Brother Yi said he wanted to turn it into a running track, but it’s really not something you can walk in one go.""

As a physical ability user, Ruan Yaru had more stamina than Xia Ru, but after walking for so long, even she was getting tired. ""Yeah, maybe we could build a road or set up some kind of transportation later. That would make things much easier.""

She was a four-attribute ability user now, so making a wooden vine road was possible, but she’d have to think more about how to operate it.

Xia Ru thought for a moment and said, ""The place is too big. Building a road all the way around would use up too much energy, and we don’t have enough ability users right now. Why not just make some bicycles?""

After he finished, he looked at Ruan Yaru. If it was just bicycles, it should be doable.

""Wooden bicycles?""

Xia Ru nodded. ""That’s doable. It might just be a bit hard to pedal. Want to try making one first?""

""Me?""

She had no idea how to make a wooden bicycle, or how to make it move.

But once she used her powers to make one, it actually looked pretty good. The vines used for the wheels were sturdy enough, and at least it could move.

Xia Ru took the bicycle and wanted to try it, but Ruan Yaru quickly stopped him. ""Wait, are you sure this thing will work?""

Xia Ru smiled and reassured her, ""Don’t worry. We’ll know once we try!"""