28. Continuation

As the morning light filtered through, the sky turned pale. A thin mist swirled through the valley like a veil, slowly flowing across the newly revitalized fields and houses. The cool air mingled with the fragrance of earth and the moist scent of vegetation. The outlines of the distant mountains appeared soft and tranquil in the gradually brightening light. This valley, surrounded by mountains, seemed like a pure land forgotten by time, stubbornly glowing with vitality amid the desolation of the end of the world.

Su Lin pushed open the door, polished smooth from rough wooden nails, and took a deep breath of the crisp air. He wore a starched, slightly bleached cotton shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the sleek lines of his arms. After months of rest and hard work, his once frail frame had become much stronger, his skin gilded by the sun to a pale honey hue, illuminating his clear eyes. He gazed at the vegetable garden, which had begun to take shape not far away. There, Xingchen, carrying a wooden watering can, carefully watered a bed of tender green seedlings.

"Brother Su Lin, good morning!" Xingchen heard the noise and turned around, a bright smile on his face. The boy's once thin cheeks had become plumper, and he had grown a little taller. Although he remained silent, the fear and anxiety in his eyes had gradually given way to peace. He wore a short coat made from old tent cloth, and his bare feet treaded in the wet earth, a few spots of mud on his ankles.

"Good morning, Stardust." Su Lin walked over and squatted to check on the growth of the seedlings. Crystal dewdrops rolled on the emerald green leaves, glittering in the morning sun. "They're growing well. You've taken good care of them."

Xingchen's eyes brightened at the compliment, and he pursed his lips a bit embarrassedly. "Brother Mulin taught me that. He said you need to water thoroughly, but not too much. And you also need to keep insects away." He pointed to some pungent grass stems stuck at the edge of the vegetable patch. "Brother Ayan found those. He said insects don't like the smell."

As he was speaking, a dull sound of hammering and the occasional crackling of sparks could be heard from behind the house. He knew without even looking that it was A Yan doing his morning exercises in his "training ground." Su Lin looked in the direction of the sound and saw a red-haired young man dancing like a blazing flame on the leveled open space. A Yan wore only a pair of leather trousers, his upper body bare. His bulging muscles rippled with his movements, and sweat trickled down his taut back, glistening in the morning light. As he swung his fists, the blazing flames sometimes condensed into roaring dragon heads, striking the thick wooden stakes that served as targets, leaving charred marks; other times, they transformed into agile fire snakes, wrapping around his nimble body and slithering with his steps, demonstrating increasingly refined control.

"Hey! Su Lin! How about this move of mine?" A Yan glanced at Su Lin, excitedly retreated, and in a few steps, leaped over, stirring up a gust of hot air. He casually wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, grinning, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. His short red hair twitched unruly, like leaping flames. Heat steamed from him, a scent mixed with sunlight and sweat, brimming with vibrant vitality.

"Very impressive," Su Lin praised sincerely, handing over a clean cloth. "Your control is much stronger than before. You won't set the place on fire easily."

A Yan took the cloth and wiped his face roughly, humming proudly: "That's right! I'm a genius!" He moved closer to Su Lin, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of credit, "Yesterday I went to the woods and found a nest of pheasant eggs. I'll give you a snack tonight!" His amber eyes were surprisingly bright, like two little suns hiding in them, reflecting Su Lin's figure without any concealment.

At this moment, Mu Lin approached from the riverbank, carrying a wooden basin. He wore a simple blue cloth robe, the sleeves of which fluttered gently in the morning breeze, his aura as gentle as water. His long, silver-blue hair was loosely tied up with a wooden hairpin, a few strands falling by his cheeks, highlighting his handsome features and gentle brows. He noticed the three people gathered together and smiled slightly. "Are you all up? I've got some water, the temperature is just right. Ah Yan, you're sweating all over, go wash up quickly, or you'll catch a cold."

His voice was like the gurgling sound of a mountain stream, carrying a soothing power. The water in the basin was crystal clear, with a hint of coolness, clearly having been cooled slightly by the water-based supernatural power.

A Yan waved his hand nonchalantly: "It's okay, I'm just very angry!" Having said that, he still took the other wet cloth handed to him by Mu Lin and wiped his upper body roughly.

Mu Lin shook his head and ignored him, turning to look at the vegetable garden, his eyes gently sweeping over the vibrant plants: "Xingchen, the herbs in the east bed can get a little more sun today. Remember to shade them before noon."

"Okay, I've got that in mind, Brother Mulin." Xingchen nodded seriously.

Lei Qing emerged from the tool shed behind the house. He was tall and straight, dressed in a fitted dark gray combat uniform. His coat was open, revealing a matching vest underneath, outlining his broad chest and narrow waist. His movements were steady and powerful, each step as if measured. He clutched a few half-polished woodworking tools, clearly having been busy since early morning. His hard features softened slightly in the morning light, and his deep, inky eyes swept across the group before settling on Su Lin.

"The supports on the east side of the house need reinforcement," Lei Qing's voice was deep and magnetic, with his usual simplicity. "I'll take care of it this morning. Su Lin, do you still have that bundle of resilient vines in your space?"

"Yes, I'll give it to you right away." Su Lin thought, and a bundle of processed, dark brown vines, about the thickness of a baby's arm, appeared in the open space. His spatial ability played a huge role in building his home. From building materials to tools, from seeds to daily necessities, it was practically a mobile warehouse.

Lei Qing nodded, bent down, picked up the vine, and brushed his fingers across its surface, checking its toughness and dryness. His gaze lingered on Su Lin's face for a moment, deep and focused, with a subtle warmth. "Did you sleep well last night?" he asked in a low voice, his tone gentler than usual.

Su Lin's ears felt slightly hot, and he nodded: "Very good." Since settling down in this valley, he had a sturdy house to shelter from the wind and rain, sufficient food, and more importantly, the protection of the people around him. He rarely had nightmares anymore.

After a simple breakfast, the day's work officially began. The sun became bright and warm, filling the valley and dyeing everything in it with golden light.

Lei Qing was in charge of reinforcing the house. He selected several evenly thick, hardwood logs and used an axe to trim away the branches, his movements fluid and powerful. Then, with his bare hands, he held the beams and supports steady, motioning to Su Lin to hand him the prepared wood and vines. Su Lin stood nearby, his mind a fleeting thought, and the necessary materials and tools appeared precisely within Lei Qing's reach. The two worked in perfect harmony, needing no further explanation. Lei Qing used vines to tightly bind the new and old wood together, his knots unique and secure, a skill honed from his years of surviving in the wilderness. His arm muscles tensed with effort, sweat soaking his vest, which clung to his body, revealing smooth, explosive lines. Occasionally, Su Lin stepped forward to help him hold the wood or wipe the sweat from his brow with a cloth. Lei Qing would pause, letting him move. When their eyes met, the coldness in his eyes seemed to melt away in the sunlight, leaving only a quiet tenderness.

After venting his excess energy on the training grounds, A Yan took the initiative to gather dry firewood and hunt small game at the edge of the forest. He rushed into the woods like a gust of wind, and soon the faint crackle of flames and the short howls of wild animals could be heard from the trees. When he returned, he carried a large bundle of dry firewood on his shoulders and two plump, cleaned mutant pheasants in his hands. "A little extra treat!" He held up the prey in his hands, his smile radiant, like a large dog begging for a reward. Seeing Su Lin helping Lei Qing pass the tools, he ran over, put the pheasants aside, and shouted, "I can do this kind of climbing work too! Su Lin, come down, I'll do it!" Without waiting for Su Lin to react, he swiftly climbed up the scaffolding and took over Lei Qing's work. Lei Qing glanced at him, said nothing, and went down to work on the other support points. While working, A Yan did not forget to brag to Su Lin below about his "heroic" hunting performance just now, but his hands moved very quickly, showing a meticulousness that was inconsistent with his appearance.

Mu Lin, on the other hand, focused on his "field." He had cultivated a small herb garden on the west side of his house, where he planted common hemostatic and anti-inflammatory herbs. At this moment, he rolled up his sleeves and carefully loosened the soil around a rare herb with silvery-white leaves. His fingers were long, white, and his movements were gentle and precise, as if he were handling a fragile treasure. He used his supernatural powers to condense tiny water droplets, which he sprinkled evenly on the roots of the herbs. The sunlight filtered through the droplets, reflecting a rainbow of colors. He also directed a small stream around the herb garden, facilitating irrigation and providing some insulation. Occasionally, he would look up at the others busy at work, his gaze lingering on Su Lin for a moment, a gentle smile playing on his lips. When Su Lin glanced his way, he would nod slightly, his eyes asking if he could help. As the temperature rose in the afternoon, he would condense a few thin flakes of ice to share with everyone to cool down.

Xingchen spent most of his time in the vegetable garden and wheat fields. Crouching between the ridges, he carefully pulled weeds, his movements gentle, fearing to damage the roots. Here, his psychic abilities found a unique application. As he held his breath and concentrated, he could vaguely sense the plants' "emotions"—whether they needed more water, were being bitten by insects, or even if they were getting enough sunlight. He would adjust his care accordingly based on these subtle perceptions. Several mutant angora rabbits, subtly "pacified" by his abilities, now had glossy fur and no longer feared humans. They often leisurely nibbled grass by the fence, becoming a gentle sight in the valley. Xingchen would collect their shed fur and save it, intending to have Su Linge try to spin it into yarn and weave it later.

Everyone worked together to prepare lunch. Su Lin lit the stove and cooked a thick soup with the pheasants A Yan had hunted and the dried mushrooms stored in his space. Mu Lin toasted some crispy pancakes with the newly harvested wheat. Lei Qing silently cut the roasted meat into bite-sized pieces. A Yan volunteered to stir-fry a plate of wild vegetables. Although the process was a bit hesitant, he managed to avoid burning them under Mu Lin's helpless guidance. Xingchen set the table and placed the washed wild fruits in the center of the table.

Five people sat around the wooden table under a big tree outside the house, enjoying a simple but warm lunch.

"Hmm! Su Lin, your soup is becoming more and more fragrant!" A Yan scooped up a big spoonful of soup, blew on it and put it into his mouth impatiently. He gasped because of the heat, but still praised loudly and vaguely.

"Eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you." Mu Lin elegantly tore off a piece of wheat cake and dipped it in the soup with a polite movement.

Lei Qing picked up the best-roasted piece of meat, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and put it into Su Lin's bowl with extremely natural movements.

Su Lin felt warm in his heart and thanked him softly. He also handed a golden wheat cake to Xingchen next to him and said, "Xingchen, you have worked hard weeding today. Eat more."

Xingchen took the pancake and whispered, "Thank you, Brother Su Lin." He took a bite of the pancake, picked up a piece of wild vegetables fried by A Yan with chopsticks, chewed it carefully, with a satisfied blush on his face.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the branches and leaves, casting mottled shadows on the table. A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it the fragrance of the fields. The dining table was filled with a relaxed atmosphere. A Yan enthusiastically recounted how he had caught the two pheasants in the woods that morning with a fire trap, and how he had almost burned his trouser legs, which made everyone laugh. Mu Lin shared that a medicinal herb he had observed seemed to have a miraculous effect on healing wounds, and he planned to cultivate more. Lei Qing mentioned that they could go check whether the water diversion channel on the north hillside was unobstructed in the afternoon. Su Lin thought that there were still many wild fruits in the space, and perhaps he could try to learn to make some fruit wine from Mu Lin. Xingchen listened quietly, occasionally adding in a low voice about the situation in the vegetable garden.

This ordinary and warm daily life gradually heals the wounds brought by the end of the world and tightly connects five wandering hearts together.

It was afternoon, the sun shining brightly. Lei Qing went to patrol the border, while A Yan was dragged by Mu Lin to repair a ridge that had been washed away by the rain. Xing Chen continued to tend to his crops.

Su Lin sat on the wooden steps beneath the eaves of the front porch, holding a finely textured piece of wood and a small carving knife, attempting to carve a small object. His technique was still a little clumsy, but his expression was remarkably focused. The sunlight outlined his soft profile, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, a shadow descended. Su Lin looked up and saw Lei Qing, who had returned at some point, standing before him. His tall frame blocked out the sunlight. He had finished his inspection, and the scent of the wild grass and trees still lingered on him.

"What are you doing?" Lei Qing sat down beside him, his eyes fixed on the wood in his hand.

"Just carving for fun." Su Lin felt a little embarrassed and wanted to hide the wood. There was only a vague outline on it.

Lei Qing reached out and took it, his rough fingertips caressing the surface of the wood as he examined it for a moment. "Nicely captured," he muttered, pulling a finer carving knife from his tool bag. "Here, the lines could be smoother." He held Su Lin's hand, and with his own strength, he gently traced the wood, correcting the contours. His palm was warm and strong, completely enveloping Su Lin's hand. The steady beat of his heart could be heard faintly through the pressed skin.

Su Lin's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't struggle, letting him guide him. The air was filled with the scent of wood chips and Lei Qing's unique aura, as cold and reliable as a forest after rain.

"Cough!" A deliberate cough interrupted the two's movements. Ah Yan stood a few steps away with his arms folded across his chest, pouting, his face clearly showing the word "unhappy". "Boss, you're too partial. You teach Su Lin to carve, but you don't teach me?"

Mu Lin followed behind him and chuckled when he heard this: "Ayan, are you sure your hands, which are playing with fire, can hold the carving knife? Don't let the wood catch fire."

"Mu Lin, stop looking down on me!" A Yan got angry and rushed over. He squeezed to the other side of Su Lin and sat down, almost sticking to him. He picked up Su Lin's other empty hand and said, "Su Lin, look, my hands are all red from repairing the ridges today! Mu Lin keeps ordering me around, it's so annoying!" He complained, but looked at Su Lin eagerly, like a large dog asking for a petting.

Su Lin smiled helplessly, pulled his hand out, and patted his arm: "Thank you for your hard work. I'll give you more soup in the evening."

"That's more like it!" A Yan immediately smiled and glanced at Lei Qing proudly.

Mu Lin also leisurely walked over and sat on a small wooden block across from Su Lin. A wisp of cool water vapor lingered on his fingertips, dispelling the slight afternoon heat. He took in the scene before him—Lei Qing still holding Su Lin's hand, whispering instructions on the carving, A Yan leaning against Su Lin's side, chattering like a boneless person, and Su Lin's face wore an indulgent yet somewhat shy smile—his eyes were as gentle as water, and deep within them was a subtle tenderness.

Stardust looked over from the vegetable garden, seeing the four people in the corridor, close together. He paused, then lowered his head, and continued silently setting up the trellis for the tomato seedlings. The slight throbbing in his heart had long since subsided, transformed into a stronger sense of protection. Being able to be by Su Lin's side as a family member, watching him be cherished, loved, and safe and happy, was enough.

As the sun sets, the sky paints a warm hue of orange and purple. The valley is bathed in a dreamy hue, and smoke from cooking fires rises, blending with the evening mist.

Dinner was even more substantial than lunch. Besides the chicken soup and wheat pancakes from lunch, there was also a fat rabbit that Lei Qing had hunted that afternoon. Mu Lin roasted it with herbs he had gathered, achieving a crispy skin and tender meat. A Yan's stir-fried wild vegetables seemed to have improved, too, at least achieving the right balance of saltiness and sweetness. The wild fruits Xingchen had picked were sweet and juicy.

The atmosphere after dinner was even more relaxed and comfortable. No one rushed back to the house. Everyone tacitly moved the tables and chairs to the open space outside and sat together, admiring the night view of the valley.

The night sky was inky black, dotted with stars. The Milky Way stretched across the horizon, so clear it seemed almost palpable. A cool evening breeze dissipated the day's heat, bringing with it the fresh scent of fields and distant mountains. All around was silence, with only the occasional chirping of insects in the grass, further accentuating the valley's deep tranquility.

A Yan and Xing Chen argued over who had won the previous day's simple game of Go, played with pebbles and small wooden sticks. Their argument was boisterous and animated. Mu Lin watched them with a smile, his fingertips dancing casually. Tiny ice crystals condensed between his fingers, dancing and swirling like elves, reflecting the moonlight and starlight, emitting a hazy and dreamy halo.

Lei Qing sat on a low stool beside Su Lin, his arm naturally extended across the back of the chair behind him, a gesture full of possessiveness and protection. He didn't join in the conversation, simply sitting there in silence, like a towering mountain, his presence alone bringing peace of mind. His gaze occasionally flickered across Su Lin's starlit profile, the depth of his eyes holding a tenderness that only they could understand.

Su Lin relaxed back in his chair, feeling the firm, warm touch of Lei Qing's arm behind him, listening to the childish bickering between A Yan and Xing Chen, and watching the shifting light and shadow of the ice crystals in Mu Lin's hands. He felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and happiness. He recalled the terrifying night at Blackstone Base, the despair and helplessness of the canyon collapse, the hardships and dangers of the journey north, and the stifling, cold rules of the Northern Base... Those memories of displacement, of life and death, now seemed like a distant past beneath this peaceful and tranquil starry sky.

"It's so good..." Su Lin couldn't help but sigh softly, with a sigh of satisfaction in his voice, "Sometimes I feel like I'm dreaming. It's still the end of the world outside, but here..."

"This is not a dream." Lei Qing's low voice sounded in his ears, firmly saying, "We built this together, brick by brick." He tightened his arms slightly, allowing Su Lin to get closer to him.

Mu Lin paused his ice crystals and looked over. Moonlight cast a soft sheen on his silver-blue hair. "Yeah," he said, a touch of emotion in his voice. "Back in those large bases, I never imagined I'd have a life like this. No need to worry about being abandoned tomorrow, no need to worry about whether my efforts would be rewarded, and no need to worry... about the people around me disappearing." His gaze swept across Lei Qing and A Yan, finally landing on Su Lin's face, gentle yet resolute.

A Yan stopped arguing with Xing Chen, came over, and carelessly put his arm around Su Lin's shoulders, leaning his head towards him. "Why think so much? We have a family now! We have Su Lin, the boss, Mu Lin, and this little burden." He ruffled Xing Chen's hair, causing the boy to dodge in dissatisfaction. "That's enough! It's a thousand times better than running around and trying to please everyone!"

Xingchen dodged Ayan's clutches and said quietly but seriously, "I'm not a burden. I will work hard to do more to protect our family."

His words made everyone laugh.

"It will be better in the future." Su Lin said firmly, his eyes gleaming with longing for the future. "When the wheat is ripe, we'll have more flour. With more fruit in the orchard, we can try making jam and wine. Maybe we can even raise a few dairy sheep... We can make this place more self-sufficient and more stable." He paused, and added a little embarrassedly, "Maybe... my cooking skills can improve a little more."

The corners of Lei Qing's mouth curved upwards imperceptibly. "No rush, take your time."

Mu Lin and A Yan also laughed, and even Xing Chen couldn't help but smile. The air was filled with a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

Their imaginations began to run wild, discussing where to reclaim more land and what to plant, whether to build a pavilion by the river, or even trying to tame the docile mutant rabbits. The pain and loss of the past seemed to be quietly soothed by the warm starlight and each other's company. Love, affection, trust, dependence... all these complex and profound emotions flowed and blended quietly in this small world, needing no flowery words to define them. They had already been deeply engraved in their hearts through every daily work from sunrise to sunset, in every tacit cooperation and silent care.

As the night deepens, the stars become brighter.

No one suggested going back to the house to rest, as if everyone wanted to prolong this moment of tranquility, happiness and mutual understanding indefinitely.