Chapter 247 Is it in a hurry?
Looking at the eager expectation in Lu's mother's eyes, Qiao Xi hesitated for a moment before swallowing back the words, "I've already eaten."
She wasn't used to this overly familial intimacy, but Lu's mother's enthusiasm made it impossible for her to refuse. She forced a smile and nodded, saying, "Okay, thank you, Auntie."
Mother Lu's face immediately lit up with a smile, as if she had received a precious treasure. She affectionately linked her arm with Qiao Xi's and chattered all the way home: "Now you're eating for two, so you can't be careless! This chicken is free-range from the farm, it's so plump. I simmered it over low heat for several hours, and the soup is incredibly delicious..."
Because Lu Yuyang was also part of the base's management, his parents were also allocated a nice apartment at the base.
Stepping into the Lu family's neat and cozy living room, a rich aroma of chicken soup immediately fills the air.
Lu's mother deftly ladled a large bowl of soup for Qiao Xi. The soup was clear and bright, with a few golden oil droplets and red goji berries floating on top, making it look incredibly appetizing.
"Xixi, sit down and enjoy your soup. Auntie will go and stir-fry two light side dishes. Dinner will be ready soon!"
"Okay, Auntie, no need to go to so much trouble..."
"What's the trouble? We still need to eat!"
Conditions at the base are much better now. There's basically no problem with eating side dishes and eggs, but even someone like her son can only afford meat once a month at most.
They wouldn't have eaten it if it weren't to help Xixi recover.
Just as Qiao Xi picked up her bowl, the door was pushed open, and Lu Zhenguo, Lu's father, walked in from outside.
He saw Josie sitting in the living room, paused almost imperceptibly, a fleeting hint of unease crossed his face, before returning to his usual serious expression.
"Uncle Lu," Qiao Xi put down her bowl and greeted him politely.
"Hmm." Lu Zhenguo responded stiffly, maintaining his composure, his gaze quickly sweeping over Qiao Xi's face before heading straight into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Lu's mother was washing vegetables. When she saw her husband come in, she lowered her voice and smiled, "You're back? Perfect timing, dinner will be ready soon."
Lu Zhenguo hummed in agreement. "Where's that jar of wild honey I gave you last time? And all those canned goods and stuff in the cabinet, don't be stingy, take them all out for her to eat."
Upon hearing this, Lu's mother continued what she was doing, but couldn't help turning back to give him a reproachful look, her eyes filled with a knowing smile: "You say you don't like Xixi and avoid her, but you care about her so much behind her back... Old man, when are you going to change this awkwardness?"
Lu Zhenguo's old face hardened, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and he immediately retorted, "Who cares about her? I'm concerned about the baby in her belly!"
These words instantly silenced the atmosphere in the kitchen.
The smile on Lu's mother's face faded a little. She sighed and lowered her voice, carrying a hint of realistic helplessness: "But you also know... that child... may not be Yu Yang's."
The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Lu Zhenguo's lips moved a few times, a complex emotion flashing across his face, but it all turned into stubbornness. He straightened his back and said in a low but unusually firm voice, "Then it could also be Yu Yang's!"
In the living room, Qiao Xi sipped the warm and delicious chicken soup. She could vaguely hear low conversations coming from the kitchen, but she didn't care. She just wanted to maintain this kind of relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Lu.
As for whether Lu's father liked her or not, she didn't really care that much.
Soon, Lu's mother brought out the dishes. Although Lu's father was also sitting next to her, he didn't say much.
Lu's mother enthusiastically served food to her, enlivening the atmosphere, and coupled with Qiao Xi's nonchalant attitude, the meal wasn't awkward at all.
Before leaving, Lu's mother smiled and stuffed the things into her hands, "Take this back with you. This is what Yu Yang's father specifically asked me to do. He's just stubborn but soft-hearted, so don't take it to heart."
Josie wanted to refuse, but Lu's mother insisted, so she had no choice but to accept it.
************
Time slipped away quietly amidst the busyness and anticipation, and in the rare moments of peace, the child in her womb was gradually growing.
Summer is here and the weather is getting hot, but the interior of the Spring City base is full of vitality.
Thanks to the combined efforts of wood-type ability users and all residents, the planting area has achieved an unprecedented bumper harvest!
Tomatoes hung from the vines like red lanterns, cucumbers were lush and green, eggplants were a glossy purple, watermelons lay round and plump along the edge of the field, and all sorts of leafy greens were growing vigorously...
The air was filled with the rich aroma of fruits and vegetables, mixed with the fragrance of the earth, making one almost forget that this was a post-apocalyptic world of scarcity.
The base was bustling with activity, like during the Chinese New Year. Everyone's face was beaming with genuine smiles, and the joy of the harvest eased the summer heat.
Especially for the new residents who had just joined the base, they had never seen such a bountiful sight before.
Looking at the fresh and juicy vegetables and fruits, their eyes widened, their throats bobbing uncontrollably, and their primal craving for food overwhelmed their reason.
But they clenched their fists tightly, digging their nails into their palms, using the pain to remind themselves: if they wanted to truly stay in this land of hope, they had to follow the rules and work hard.
Josie saw their struggles and desires.
She walked to the front of the crowd, and her figure seemed to be bathed in sunlight.
Her voice was clear and steady, carrying a comforting power: "Since you have chosen to stay and become part of the base, as long as you all work hard and build our home together, I guarantee that you will have a share of this food in the future!"
These words were like a gentle rain, instantly extinguishing the restless flames in the hearts of the crowd.
It was Miss Qiao, who stood before them, who brought them from the ruins of despair and gave them a new life.
They had an almost instinctive faith in Josie.
"Yes, Miss Qiao! We will definitely work hard!"
"Thank you, Miss Qiao! We definitely won't slack off!"
People responded enthusiastically, their eyes filled with renewed hope and enthusiasm.
Josie smiled with satisfaction and waved to everyone: "Okay, keep it up!"
The crowd gradually dispersed, returning to their work with renewed energy, and the entire base presented a well-organized and hopeful scene.
Just then, a guard hurried across the ridge and ran to Josie's side.
Josie was picking a plump, heavy eggplant from the vine, feeling the satisfying sense of accomplishment.
"Miss Qiao, Professor Fu requests your immediate presence in the conference room, saying there is an emergency," the guard said urgently.
Josie looked at the bountiful harvest with some lingering affection and asked, "Now? Is it urgent?"
"Yes, Professor Fu requests that you come over now."
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