The day passed quickly, and half a wall was simply built for the Song family's new house, while the original gate was completely sealed off with broken chairs and bricks.

A stove was lit in the two rooms of the side courtyard.

Originally, according to Song Zhenping, they used to heat the kang (a heated brick bed) before going to bed when it snowed, but now that the bedding is thick, they don't need to waste firewood.

However, Song Liyun felt that since these rooms had been uninhabited for a long time, it would be better to light a fire from time to time to dispel the cold air, and also to drive away any ants, rats, insects, or snakes hiding in the corners of the rooms.

In fact, this was a habit that Song Liyun had developed in the post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Wild animals are generally afraid of fire, even mutated beasts.

Regardless of winter or summer, Song Liyun needs to sleep by fire at night to feel safe.

As night fell, Song Zhenping lit an oil lamp he had dug out from a corner of the dilapidated house, and sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), trying to alter Xiao An's clothes stitch by stitch by the light.

He started taking care of babies when he was nine years old. He can do everything from washing clothes to mending clothes. He noticed that Xiao An's clothes were too long and big. He tripped over them a few times during the day and would take some time at night to make them smaller. As for his own clothes, which were too big and baggy, he would have to postpone making them.

Xiao An was lying on the kang (a heated brick bed) playing with a wooden top.

This was also found in the ashes.

He had never seen a toy before, and he had cherished it ever since Song Liyun found it and gave it to him.

Seeing that the two brothers each had something to do, Song Liyun quietly went to the attic in the corner of the side courtyard.

After only two days of starvation, the monkey's fur became dull and lifeless, covered in dust, dirt, blood clots, and filth, making it look extremely wretched.

Upon seeing Song Liyun arrive, Hei Jin immediately jumped up from the floor and bared his teeth at her.

Seeing that it still dared to intimidate people, Song Liyun quickly stepped forward and raised her leg to kick it.

She felt no pity for the ferocious beast that threatened the brothers' lives.

At that moment, Black Gold suddenly cowered, squeaking and crawling on the ground with its head in its hands.

It could endure hunger for a few days, but being beaten every day, the clever animal stopped trying.

Song Liyun smiled slightly, no matter how fierce it was, it was still afraid of death. Knowing that she was really going to make a move, the evil monkey became afraid.

In the darkness, Song Liyun, carrying a knife in one hand and holding the iron chain around Hei Jin's neck in the other, walked out of the side courtyard and strolled leisurely along the veranda.

Song Liyun intended to subdue this vicious monkey. Seeing that it had given in, she showed some kindness by feeding it and letting it out to roam around.

"Black Gold, where do you want to take me?"

As she reached the corner leading to the backyard, Song Liyun stopped and asked seriously.

The vicious monkey slapped the ground hard, then stood up on its own two feet and kept pointing towards the backyard, indicating that it should follow the monkey there.

Over there? It must be trying to tell itself there's something there.

It is said that spirit beasts protect treasures. This evil monkey has not run away and has been guarding this dilapidated house for more than five years. Could it be that there is something good in it?

Song Liyun was thrilled.

The original owner of this house was a wealthy man named Jin. If he had hidden a gold vault in his house, he would have become rich.

It is said that antiques are valued in prosperous times and gold in chaotic times. Having experienced the end of the world, Song Liyun still prefers real gold and silver.

For no other reason than its ease of use.

Despite her joy, Song Liyun didn't move. She wasn't worried about being harmed by the black gold; she was only thinking about the two brothers in the side courtyard.

The vault won't run away; it'll still be there whether you check it sooner or later.

If Black Gold takes him far away and something happens to the two brothers that he can't rescue in time, he'll regret it to death.

As if guessing what Song Liyun was worried about, Black Gold made a "woof woof" sound and ran back to the side courtyard gate, where it stood upside down and peed on the wall.

"Ugh! Disgusting!" Song Liyun cursed, but felt relieved instead.

Black Gold had lived in the attic of the side courtyard for five years and had long since marked out his territory.

Wild animals would generally avoid it if they smelled its scent, as evidenced by the fact that the side courtyard is well-preserved.

Black Gold squatted by a collapsed wall in the backyard, and with practiced ease, he tore apart a large clump of withered vines, sending dust flying.

Then, he pried a brick off the wall, pointed to a small hole behind it, and made a low, anxious, and excited noise at Song Liyun.

The opening was very shallow; you could tell there was something behind it without even looking closely.

Hei Jin reached out and took out an ordinary lacquered wooden box, handing it to Song Liyun in a flattering manner, gesturing for her to open it.

Upon seeing the tiny box, no bigger than the palm of her hand, Song Liyun felt a chill run down her spine.

Even if it were filled with gold, there wouldn't be much, and besides, the wooden box is quite light.

The wooden box was placed low, simply behind bricks and stones, which were already very smooth from being touched, making it look like something a toddler would play with.

The wooden box has a lock, and there is a rusty lock hanging on it.

For some reason, Black Gold was unwilling to unlock the lock, or perhaps its long claws were not suitable for opening the small lock; it just stared longingly at Song Liyun.

Song Liyun had given up hope of finding the hidden vault. She gripped the lock and gave it a slight push, and the lock popped open, revealing the contents of the box.

It's definitely for kids.

Inside the wooden box was a small wooden knife, two clay dolls, a dried yellow flower, and a few dark yellow golden beans.

Black Gold stared blankly at the wooden box, then poked the clay doll with his finger.

The fierce glint in his eyes vanished, replaced by a complex expression.

This is... a toy of one of the Ji family's children, perhaps belonging to the young master of the Black Gold family.

For five years, Black Gold has been guarding a small wooden box, waiting for its owner to return. Is it going to give up now?

There were three tiny golden beans, each about the size of a little finger, so Song Liyun's trip wasn't in vain.

She took out the gold and then handed the wooden box to Black Gold: "These are for you."

Black Gold clutched the box, breathing heavily on Song Liyun as if he were extremely excited.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!