Chapter 170

The sound of rain dripped steadily, blending with the howling wind, much like a girl’s restless heart. Yet, an umbrella tilted slightly forward shielded Moli from it all.

The unsettled feeling in her chest melted away, replaced by a quiet happiness.

“Brother,” she said softly, tugging on the corner of Xu Xi’s clothes, just as she did when they were children.

“What is it, Moli?”

“I want to eat something you cook today.”

“Alright, I’ll make dinner myself,” Xu Xi replied with a warm smile.

The rain continued to fall, the droplets on the oil-paper umbrella sliding down in sparkling streams, bringing a touch of light to the gray, rain-soaked world.

The siblings walked together at a leisurely pace. With each step, small splashes of water punctuated the silence, the sound growing fainter as they neared the entrance to the courtyard.

Xu Xi looked up at the gloomy sky before closing the umbrella, shaking it lightly to rid it of water, and placing it by the door.

“Come in quickly, Moli, or you’ll catch a cold.”

“I won’t catch a cold, Brother,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation.

As Xu Xi stepped inside, she nudged his back lightly, guiding him in like she always used to when they were younger.

“It’s really unnecessary…” she muttered softly, though her actions showed she didn’t mind at all.

She smiled to herself, thinking how simple and wonderful life felt in moments like this.

…

That evening, Xu Xi prepared a hearty meal.

Thanks to the second simulation, his [Mortal Wisdom] skill had granted him master-level cooking abilities, giving him confidence in his culinary talents.

Moli ate joyfully, her expression one of pure contentment. Even Krisha, though her face remained stoic, betrayed her enjoyment through the subtle movement of her eyebrows.

During the meal, however, Krisha’s gaze lingered on Xu Xi and occasionally shifted to Moli, her expression thoughtful and slightly puzzled.

It was as though something eluded her understanding.

…

The next day, Xu Xi visited the survival army again to check on their welfare.

The Extraordinary Control Bureau of Yanshan City had finalized a preliminary resettlement plan.

To accommodate the Survival Army, a complex of traditional-style homes would be constructed on the outskirts of the city.

The decision wasn’t to exclude them from entering the city, but the cultural and environmental differences between the martial world and Earth were stark. The Survival Army were unable to accept high-rise buildings, which they referred to as “iron giants that devour human souls.”

Thus, this compromise was reached.

“Brother Xu, that house is much bigger than mine!”

“I’ll live in a big house from now on!”

A Niu’s excitement was infectious as he waved his arms enthusiastically.

His mother, equally overjoyed, counted on her fingers, murmuring about how they could now find A Niu a wife.

Watching their happiness, Xu Xi’s gaze softened.

“It’s wonderful…” he thought.

The haggard and despairing faces he remembered from the third simulation were now filled with hope and light.

This was the outcome he had always dreamed of seeing.

…

Time passed, and the resettlement efforts proceeded smoothly.

The Survival Army, who once knew only hardship, now lived in clean homes and enjoyed warm meals.

Winter arrived, bringing with it the biting chill of the season, but the despair and numbness that once marked their faces were gone. Instead, their expressions held gratitude and anticipation for the future.

“Brother Xu is such a good person!” they often said, their smiles brighter than ever.

Xu Xi not only ensured their survival but also facilitated a partnership between the survival army and the Extraordinary Control Bureau.

Through this collaboration, the army received wages far beyond what they could have imagined, allowing them to live stable, dignified lives.

Their gratitude toward Xu Xi was simple and heartfelt, often expressed through small gestures—homemade vegetable dumplings and light soups, prepared with better ingredients than they had ever known.

Xu Xi always smiled, complimenting their efforts with, “It’s delicious.”

By then, the survival army had fully integrated into life in Yanshan City.

They no longer needed to fear for their existence.

The only lingering regret was that Wu Yingxue still hadn’t arrived.

…

“Where could she be?”

In the study room, Xu Xi leaned back, looking out the window at the snow-covered courtyard.

Winter had transformed the city. The once vibrant courtyard was now a quiet, barren space, the branches stripped bare of leaves.

Only the patches of dragon blood grass stood resilient against the cold.

Xu Xi opened the wooden window, letting the crisp winter air sweep through the room.

“Yingxue isn’t a child anymore. She must have her reasons,” he murmured, inhaling deeply.

The cold air cleared his thoughts, cutting through the fog of his recent research.

He glanced at his desk, where notes and diagrams on training techniques lay scattered, and reflected on the steady rhythm of his life.

Krisha continued her quiet care, ensuring everything he needed was always within reach.

Moli, though still devoted to her battles, had recently taken to shadowing him closely, her watchful gaze alert for unseen dangers.

Her behavior puzzled Xu Xi. He chalked it up to his sister’s concern and found comfort in how well she and Krisha got along.

There had been no conflicts, contrary to a strange dream he once had of the two clashing.

“Was it just a silly dream?” he mused, shaking his head.

His eyes landed on the calendar.

“Time flies… It’ll be New Year’s soon. Maybe I should go out and buy gifts,” he said to himself.

He decided it would be a good excuse to step away from cultivation and prepare for the holiday, relieving his mind of the weight of unanswered questions.