"Okay, Xiao Ning, I feel so much more at ease now that you're back. Cao Xue, let's go eat." Li Mengyao took Jian Ning's hand.

Calling Cao Xue along, they arrived at the dining table and saw a table full of large and small plates, all of which were meat, with hardly any green leafy vegetables.

I couldn't help but chuckle. The food standards have suddenly improved; it's good that Xiao Ning is back.

Everyone enjoyed the meal. Jian Anping went to work after breakfast. Cao Xue lingered for a while, looking at Jian Ning as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Speak, what is it?" Jian Ning could tell at a glance that she had something to say.

"Well, the research lab can provide accommodation, but since you haven't been back lately, I haven't moved in. I figured having another person at home would be helpful."

Now that you're back, I'll pack my things this afternoon and move over. It's not really appropriate for me to stay here all the time.

In fact, Cao Xue had wanted to move out a while ago. Although she ate well and slept comfortably here, it was not her own home after all.

She also has an unmarried eldest daughter who goes to work with Jian Anping every day, which could easily cause misunderstandings.

Although it's not easy for a woman to live alone, there's no reason for her to stay here indefinitely.

“Okay, Cao Xue, go out and get used to it for a while. Come over every Saturday and Sunday evening and I’ll teach you kung fu.”

"Thank you, Jian Ning, thank you so much! How about I become your apprentice?"

Cao Xue felt that the skill hadn't been taught in vain. Although the two were about the same age, having a formal title would make it more respectable for her to come over in the future.

“Alright, then you’ll be my second apprentice.” Jian Ning agreed with a smile.

"I'll prepare the apprenticeship ceremony as soon as possible. I'll head to work now."

Cao Xue skipped and hopped away happily. On the way, she kept thinking, "Who is Jian Ning's eldest disciple? Could it be that little girl, Tian Tian?"

Jian Ning helped Aunt Wang and Aunt Li clear the dishes into the kitchen, but the two of them pushed her out, refusing to let her wash the dishes.

She strolled over to check on the twins, who were already over four months old and could roll over. The two children danced and laughed as soon as they saw Jian Ning.

"Look, Xiao Ning, these two kids know you're their aunt, they're greeting you!" Li Mengyao was also surprised; it wasn't unusual for the younger one to smile at Jian Ning, but...

Because he has a naturally cheerful personality, it's really not easy for the eldest brother to laugh out loud.

This child is usually very serious; he never cries except when he wets himself. He always has a furrowed brow and his eyes darting around as if he's contemplating life. Today, he was really being very cooperative.

"Tiger Head, Iron Egg. Come here, Auntie will give you a hug." Jian Ning picked up the two children, one in each arm, and secretly circulated her inner energy to guide the spiritual energy within them.

The two children immediately quieted down. They seemed to understand that Jian Ning was helping them cultivate. It just goes to show how good the foundation laid from childhood is.

There wasn't much spiritual energy to absorb outside, so Jian Ning led them through two cycles of cultivation.

They could then begin cultivating themselves, following the path the spiritual energy had taken. A faint trace of spiritual energy in the air could be felt entering the two children's bodies.

"Xiao Ning, I never knew you were so popular with children. If you get married and have your own children in the future, you will definitely be the best mother in the world!"

Li Mengyao watched from the side, feeling quite puzzled. Why was Tiedan being so obedient today? In the past, even when she held him, he would wriggle around like a piece of chewing gum.

Now she's nestled obediently on Jian Ning's shoulder, her big eyes almost closed. She just woke up; she shouldn't be sleepy so quickly.

"I can't do that, sister-in-law. Actually, I don't really like children. I can't stand them crying in the middle of the night."

Jian Ning put the two children back on the kang (a heated brick bed) so they could lie down comfortably and practice their skills. She then sat down and chatted with Li Mengyao.

"Your uncle's family is here too. Didn't your brother tell you?"

Li Mengyao covered the two children with a small blanket. She turned to look at Jian Ning and asked.

"No, my brother knows I don't really like his family. What's wrong? Did he come here to cause trouble?"

Jian Ning's tone was a bit cold. If they continued to be as ungrateful as before, she would never say she didn't consider them relatives.

"No, I've been here for over a month, living in a house I built myself with adobe bricks."

My uncle came over twice by himself. Once he brought the child some sparrows he had caught, but I refused them. There wasn't even enough meat to fill a tooth gap.

They came again last week, bringing a sled full of firewood. It wouldn't be right to refuse. I had my mom pack about ten steamed buns for them to take back with them.

He didn't say anything else, but he looked much older; he couldn't even straighten his back. His hair was almost entirely white.

"In this world, just being able to survive and live in this base is already a blessing. You can't ask for too much more."

Jian Ning thought to herself that her uncle's unusual kindness was probably not for any good reason, and she should be more wary of them. Who knows, maybe they'd want to move in once they saw the house was ready.

It seems I'll have to talk to Jian Anping later; the gate can't be opened for anyone, otherwise what's the point of the electric fence? We need to be careful no matter who it is.

There are probably only a few families in this base that live as well as theirs.

It's a pity I can't bear to use the spirit stones I have; otherwise, I could set up an array to reinforce the entire courtyard. That way, even the aroma of cooking wouldn't escape, preventing others from coveting it.

You should know that the number of people in this base will only increase in the future, and they will also form their own factions.

In the future, not everyone will necessarily obey the military's command. Although they have guns, they cannot attack civilians without cause. This puts a lot of constraints on the military leadership.

Moreover, people are inherently wicked, and those who are lazy and greedy are bound to come up with all sorts of crooked and evil schemes when it comes to thinking about getting something for nothing.

This place will essentially become a new city. Expecting everyone to follow the rules is practically impossible.

"Sister-in-law, you just need to take care of the two kids. My brother and I will handle things like dealing with your uncle and the others."

I'll try not to go out during this time. If he comes again later, I'll go and see what his intentions are.

"Okay, Xiao Ning, I don't know why, but even though you're younger than me and your brother, as soon as you come home, I feel like I have a pillar of support, and I feel like I have something to look forward to in life."

To be honest, during the months you were away, I often woke up in the middle of the night in a panic. One night, someone even tried to climb over the wall and got electrocuted by the electric fence.

My dad only discovered it when he went out to take out the trash this morning. He was terrified, afraid that someone might have been electrocuted. He quickly asked your brother to call Company Commander Huang over.

After checking, thankfully everyone was alright. My only worry was that if someone had died, we'd be in trouble with compensation.