Chapter 36: Valer
"Can’t say for sure until and unless I see him in person." Ni Mengxue explained softly.
....................
The next day, she first checked on her base and, realizing that the construction process was going great, she shifted her attention to a pressing matter.
The zombies! They were attacking her base like crazy because of the sound. It was only a matter of time before they would break in.
"If only materials from my past life were available here... I could have made the electric fence. Hey system... is there any industrial workshop space that I can open up?" She asked.
[Host, there is indeed one, but it needs to be unlocked step by step, and the condition to upgrade it is unique.]
This was the first time that the system had spoken so much. Ni Mengxue’s eyes brightened, and she asked, "How much to open it, and will the materials inside be bought? Like a galvanized steel pipe, rebar, etc?"
[Yes.]
Ni Mengxue almost felt like dancing. Previously, she didn’t dare to dream big and only thought of an electric fence. But now? She could even think of making a hover car or mechas!
[Warning! Host, you can’t make mechas or a machine too overpowering for the current world. Please refrain from disrupting the balance of this place.]
Ni Mengxue froze before nodding with a grim expression, "I understand. How much for opening the workshops?"
[50,000 merit points.]
"Why don’t you rob a bank?" She was so furious that she wanted to pry open its chest and see if it had any heart!
Just like always, there was no response. Taking a deep breath, she suppressed the itch in her heart and entered the space. She walked toward the upgrade panel and started to upgrade it, till her merit points dropped to 10,000.
[Farming Plot.
Growing Speed: Normal(6x)
Quality: Good (Tier-3)
Soil: Good (Good Tier-3)
Farming Spirit: Active]
Ni Mengxue looked around and called out in a hopeful voice, "Farming spirit."
No response.
"Hm? Strange... It’s clear that it’s active... so why isn’t appear in front of me?" Ni Mengxue murmured. At last she gave up and looked toward her crops.
If her estimation was right, then they might grow up tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
Even if she plants rice now, with 6x growth speed, it will be ready within one month!
After paying off her debts, she bought vegetable seeds from the remaining merit points. Looking at the empty air, she ordered, "Can you regrow the harvested vegetables?"
No response.
"Strange... does everyone related to the system have the habit of not talking at all?" She murmured, and then left the space.
She didn’t forget to leave behind the seeds of eggplant, corn, capsicum, cauliflower, broccoli, yam, pumpkin, ginger, and mint.
Just as she was about to leave, Lu Yucai emerged from the room. Nowadays, because of the herbs and massages, his legs weren’t as thin as before, and he even looked healthier.
Wheeling his wheelchair, he passed her a lunchbox. "Here, eat this when you are researching. You might take a few days to return, so take care... if possible, tell me the address; I will deliver the lunch."
Ni Mengxue smiled and said mischievously, "Well... why not deliver yourself to me... I would miss your taste more."
Lu Yucai’s face turned bright red, and he glared at her.
"Alright, Alright! I won’t tease you anymore."
She accepted the lunchbox before looking at it curiously. "This lunchbox..."
She lightly tapped the metal lid. "Where did it come from?"
She was certain she hadn’t bought one.
Even the wheelchair Lu Yucai was using looked much sturdier than the crude wooden chair he had been sitting on previously.
There were also proper bowls, utensils, and several daily necessities inside the house. Lu Yucai followed her gaze before letting out a quiet sigh.
"When you left for a week, you left behind one hundred kilograms of pure rice."
Ni Mengxue nodded. "I remember."
"I asked Uncle Fu Lin to exchange part of it."
He gently touched the wheelchair’s armrest. "The wheelchair, lunchboxes, utensils, and a few necessities. They were all exchanged using the rice."
Ni Mengxue blinked. A smile slowly spread across her face. "You did well."
Rather than hoarding the food, he had chosen to improve their quality of life. That was exactly what she would have done.
Without another word, she casually waved her hand. A mountain of fresh spinach suddenly appeared in the corner of the room.
Bright green leaves immediately filled the air with a refreshing fragrance. Lu Yucai’s eyes widened.
"T-This..."
"There are one hundred kilograms."
Ni Mengxue smiled. "You can use it however you want. Keep it as currency. Exchange it for daily necessities. Or eat it; it’s yours."
Lu Yucai immediately shook his head.
"I can’t. These vegetables are too valuable. I’m already living off your food. How can I continue taking more from you?"
Ni Mengxue quietly walked toward him. She bent down slightly. Before Lu Yucai could react, she gently kissed his warm cheek.
A soft sound echoed through the quiet room. Lu Yucai froze completely.
Ni Mengxue smiled mischievously.
"Consider this my way of pursuing you. So you don’t have to feel guilty. After all... I’m investing in my future husband."
Her teasing tone instantly turned Lu Yucai’s face bright scarlet. He lowered his head so quickly that his black hair completely hid his expression.
"...I..."
Seeing that he no longer refused, Ni Mengxue chuckled. "I’ll be leaving. Don’t work too hard."
Only after the door gently closed did Lu Yucai slowly raise his hand. His fingertips lightly brushed against the cheek she had kissed.
He quietly stared toward the entrance for a long time. His eyes gradually became thoughtful.
.................
That evening, someone rang the doorbell.
Lu Yucai wheeled himself toward the entrance before opening the door.
Standing outside was a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man. His short red hair contrasted sharply with his calm black eyes.
Although his face appeared stern, there was a steady and dependable aura around him. He was Ruo Chiwu’s sixth husband, Valer.
"Come in."