Chapter 344: Warming Up

Su Xiyue held the colorful little pig in her arms a bit higher. "It told me itself."

Xie Ning crouched down with interest, looking Su Xiyue in the eye, and suddenly reached out to poke the colorful little pig.

The little colorful pig went OINK OINK.

Xie Ning asked, "What is it saying?"

Su Xiyue covered her mouth and giggled. "It’s asking Big Sister to take it back to the fruit grove."

The little colorful pig oinked again, and Su Xiyue was delighted. "Little Flower also promises not to randomly chew on the fruit."

"It says it’s too cold in this cellar, and it doesn’t like it."

A happy expression on her face, Xie Ning reached out and ruffled her little sister Su Xiyue’s hair. "Yueyue, when did you realize you could understand what pigs were saying?"

"Um... I think a few days ago," Su Xiyue replied after a moment of thought.

"What are you two sisters talking about over here?" Song Youxuan looked over at them with a smile, holding a basin of washed vegetables.

"Auntie, Yueyue has awakened a superpower."

...

After finding the fruit of a mutated plant and successfully creating the Nutrient Liquid, everyone in the underground shelter relied on it to struggle through six difficult months.

On New Year’s Eve, they finally received the good news that the ice age was receding.

"Who knows if you can trust these meteorologists. First, they said the ice age would last six months. Then they changed it and added another three months. After that, they dragged it out for another half a year."

"You can’t tell what’s true and what’s not anymore."

Everyone gathered around three round tables, their chopsticks moving like a blur as they picked out ingredients from the hot pot.

"Xiao Er, eat more. Look at you, have you been busy lately? You seem to have gotten thinner again." Grandma Song placed some food on Zhai Ruobai’s plate, urging him on.

"Yeah, Grandma. It’s because Big Bro keeps sending me here and there to run errands. I’m exhausted from all the work."

"Xiao Li, why did you bring so much food over again? I told you we haven’t even finished what you brought last time. You’ve been so busy lately, getting called into meetings every day. We barely even see you anymore."

"Yes, Grandma. It’s basically confirmed now that the temperature will gradually rise and stabilize within a week. The base is in full swing, making arrangements to resume work and production."

"Oh, I see. That does sound busy."

Xie Ning silently pushed the meatballs around in her bowl, feeling rather speechless.

’Now, it wasn’t just Xiao Lu, Xiao Gu, and their ilk coming over to freeload meals every other day. Even the whole "Xiao" crew—Xiao Li, Xiao Er, Xiaobei, Xiao Xiao—are always popping over when they have nothing better to do.’

’The Song Family loved to call everyone "Xiao-something-or-other."’

’They heard Lu Wei and Gu Chen calling Zhai Ruobai "Er Bai," so they started calling him "Xiao Er"...’

’Everyone got used to calling him Xiao Er, and he got used to it too.’

The group finished their piping hot hot pot, and afterward, a variety of fruits and desserts were brought out.

Cres, who had a killer sweet tooth, could finally eat his fill of desserts.

’It was only during holidays that the stingy woman would be so generous for once.’

"Will it really warm up gradually within a week?"

"More or less." Gu Chen nodded slightly. "Once the temperature rises, we plan to make a trip back to the Capital."

"You’re going back already?" The Song Family all turned to look at Gu Chen and Lu Wei.

"That makes sense. You’ve been away for over a year now." No matter how reluctant everyone was to see them go, they could only say their goodbyes.

Lu Wei smiled gently. "Don’t worry, we’ll be back."

"I’ve thought about it. I want to go back to the Capital with Gu Chen and the others this time," Xie Ning said. "Ji Taixian and Zong Xuan will come back with me."

Wang Zongxuan and Ji Taixian both flinched.

Lu Wei glanced at the two of them and chuckled. "Scared now, are we? You seemed plenty cheerful when you ran off without a trace back then."

"Xinxin is coming back with us too," Ji Taixian suddenly raised his hand.

All eyes instantly swiveled to him.

Song Kexin coughed lightly and shot Ji Taixian a silent glare. "Take me with you. I can... barbecue for you along the way."

Song Youzhi raised his hand to smack his daughter on the head.

His daughter quickly ducked to avoid it, muttering, "Dad, I’m turning twenty after the New Year! You can’t keep hitting me on the head, it’ll make me dumber!"

Ji Taixian nodded hastily. "Uncle Song, don’t hit her. Xinxin isn’t just coming along for fun. She can help us melt the ice and snow along the way. She’s very useful!"

"Right. What if their tires get stuck in a chunk of ice? They’ll need me to roast it, right?"

Ji Taixian secretly tugged on Song Kexin’s sleeve.

Gu Chen’s sharp gaze swept over Ji Taixian’s face, then landed on Song Kexin, darting back and forth suspiciously.

Lu Wei pushed up his glasses and said with a slight smile, "We’ll be taking a helicopter to the Capital."

"Well, what if we run into some big... some large birds in the air? I can help you roast them too!"

"This helicopter has been modified by Big Bro. And Ningning helped make the metal partitions and spikes. I doubt any flying mutant animals would dare to have a death wish."

Song Shijun timidly raised his hand. "Sister, I’ve already finished self-studying all my high school courses. Um, I strongly request to go to Jingji Base for a vacation. After I come back, I can continue with my university courses."

"Mm," Xie Ning nodded her head. "Approved."

Song Kexin was about to raise her hand too when Song Shijun said with a deadpan expression, "You haven’t finished."

Song Kexin shot her own brother a murderous glare.

’He’s supposed to be my own flesh and blood! Even a stranger wouldn’t be this cruel!’

"You’re staying home to continue your studies."

"That’s because the environment at home is bad, that’s why I’m slow!" Song Kexin protested indignantly. "With so many people chattering every day, it’s like trying to count ducks on West Lake! My head is buzzing all day; it’s never quiet."

The Song Family, a flock of ducks, stared at the girl with blank expressions.

"The temperature will warm up soon. You can move back into the attic to study. The environment will be better."

"Sis." Song Kexin threw her arms around her sister, trying every cute and coquettish trick in the book. "Just take me with you, please, take me with you."

"Ms. Ning, just take Xinxin with you. Xinxin is really useful, much more useful than me."

"You’re so annoying." Xie Ning pushed her sister away in exasperation. "Fine. But you have to finish self-studying your high school courses within six months. I’ll have Shijun supervise you."

"Okay..." Song Kexin’s head drooped dejectedly.

Ji Taixian secretly clenched his fist and made a small gesture of encouragement, never expecting that this whole series of clandestine little movements was seen by his older brother.

’Heh!’ Gu Chen thought expressionlessly. ’So you’re Song Kexin’s boyfriend.’

"Xiao Xian."

"Huh?" Ji Taixian looked blankly at his brother, who had suddenly called his name.

"I hear your Space Ability has advanced recently?"

"Yeah!" A smile bloomed on Ji Taixian’s face.

He originally thought his brother was going to praise him.

But who would have thought...

"That’s great. Come with me. Let’s go next door and have a little spar."

Huh?

With a bewildered look on his face, Ji Taixian dawdled as he got up, shooting a questioning glance at Lu Wei beside him.

Lu Wei’s expression indicated that he didn’t understand their big brother either.

"Come on, Xiao Xian. Don’t be afraid. We’re just going to have a friendly spar!"