“Sweetheart, what are we having today? I’m starving.” Chen Qingzhou wrapped his arms around Gu Nuan as she cooked.
“We’re having noodles. I’ll add an extra serving of braised pork for you to build up your strength.”
“My body’s already strong enough, I don’t need any supplements. You should eat more.” Chen Qingzhou gently rubbed Gu Nuan’s belly, his face filled with happiness. So this was what having a family felt like.
“I’ll pass. It’s better for me to eat small meals more often. Otherwise I’ll gain too much weight, and it’ll make delivery harder. I’m carrying triplets, after all.”
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I got you pregnant with triplets, and now you’re following me around during the Apocalypse.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? Being able to be together again in this life is heaven’s blessing. These three babies are a blessing too.” Gu Nuan caressed her stomach as she looked at Chen Qingzhou.
“You’re right.” Chen Qingzhou lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
“Aren’t you curious why I asked those three girls to join us?”
Seeing the confusion on his face, Gu Nuan set down the spatula, sat on the sofa, and motioned for Chen Qingzhou to sit beside her.
“In my previous life, Chen Tingting was violated by a bald old man while trying to save me. I never expected to meet her here in this life. I’m really grateful.”
Although she spoke lightly, Chen Qingzhou could see the sadness hidden beneath her words. His heart ached. Gu Nuan must have suffered terribly in her previous life. The Apocalypse had always been especially cruel to vulnerable women.
“It’s all over now. Since I’ve found her this time, I won’t let that tragedy happen again.” Gu Nuan squeezed Chen Qingzhou’s hand. She had finally let go of the past.
“Go wash your hands. Dinner’s ready.”
When Chen Qingzhou returned after washing up, Gu Nuan had already set the dishes on the table.
“Why didn’t you wait for me to carry them?”
“I’m pregnant, not disabled. Besides, I spend all day inside this RV. I need to move around more, or giving birth later will be even harder.”
Chen Qingzhou looked at her belly. It seemed just a little bigger than before.
After they finished eating, they weren’t planning to leave that day, so Chen Qingzhou decided to absorb the red crystal cores they had collected. He needed to become stronger if he wanted to protect Gu Nuan properly.
Absorbing the crystal cores took a long time. Gu Nuan grew bored, so she took out a novel to read. She also cut herself some fruit, leisurely eating while reading. Surprisingly, those mindless CEO romance novels were pretty entertaining. All the male leads were so handsome.
When she looked up, she saw Chen Qingzhou sitting cross-legged on the bed with his eyes closed.
Chen Qingzhou is handsome too…
His sharply defined features, his eight-pack abs… they were simply irresistible.
But that man was hers.
Just thinking about it made her smile.
Chen Qingzhou continued absorbing the crystal cores until well past midnight. Gu Nuan eventually became too sleepy and drifted off.
In the middle of the night, she suddenly felt unbearably hot. Her throat was dry, and the heat surrounding her only grew stronger. She jolted awake to find Chen Qingzhou pressing close against her. His body was burning hot.
What was happening?
Before she could even sit up to check on him, his lips captured hers.
“Mmm… Qingzhou… are… you okay…”
Had the crystal cores backfired?
Chen Qingzhou kissed her fiercely and passionately. Before long, Gu Nuan was completely swept away, and the two of them spent the entire night wrapped in each other’s embrace.
When Chen Qingzhou woke the next morning, the mess around them startled him.
Only then did he notice that both he and Gu Nuan were completely unclothed in bed, and he immediately understood what had happened.
Yesterday, while absorbing the crystal cores, the energy had been far too overwhelming. He hadn’t managed to refine it in time and had completely lost control.
“The babies!”
He slapped his forehead and hurriedly checked on Gu Nuan.
Fortunately, she was simply sleeping from exhaustion.
Stretching his body, Chen Qingzhou was surprised to discover that his spiritual ability had advanced again. Extending a strand of spiritual energy, he found that it could now reach much farther than before.
More importantly, there was now a faintly glowing object within his dantian.
An Energy Core?
In his previous life, his abilities had advanced many times, yet he had never formed an Energy Core.
Everything really was different this time.
He also noticed something else.
Whenever he became intimate with Gu Nuan, his abilities fluctuated and grew stronger.
Was this the blessing heaven had granted him after his Rebirth?
Gu Nuan truly was his greatest treasure.
Carefully, Chen Qingzhou cleaned her body, changed her into fresh pajamas, and then began tidying the room. Last night’s passion had been so intense that both his clothes and Gu Nuan’s had been torn to pieces.
Thankfully, neither she nor the babies had been harmed.
Otherwise, he would never have forgiven himself.
In truth, Gu Nuan had already woken up. She was simply too exhausted to even open her eyes.
That jerk…
He had gone far too far last night.
She had begged him so many times, but he still…
She was furious.
She decided she wasn’t going to talk to him.
“Congratulations, Master. The System Space has levelled up again. The fourth floor of the villa has been unlocked. The orchard has expanded by twenty square metres, and the planting area has also expanded by twenty square metres.”
066’s voice rang out in her mind.
That’s right!
She still hadn’t checked the System Space.
It had levelled up again!
Suddenly, Chen Qingzhou seemed a little more useful after all…
Even so, she still didn’t want to talk to him.
Unable to contain her excitement, Gu Nuan hurried into the System Space to see what the fourth floor contained.
The entire fourth floor turned out to be a supermarket.
Even more unbelievable, every item automatically replenished itself after being used.
What kind of setting was this?
If she’d known such a place existed, why had she worked so hard stockpiling supplies?
“Master, if you hadn’t kept collecting supplies, the System Space wouldn’t have levelled up so quickly. Relying only on you and the Male Lead becoming intimate wouldn’t have been enough to upgrade it this fast. Besides, this supermarket doesn’t contain everything. It’s mainly stocked with food and snacks. Many other necessities still aren’t available, so you’ll have to continue collecting supplies.”
Gu Nuan rolled her eyes.
What kind of ridiculous setting was this?
She had thought she would never need to gather supplies again after unlocking the supermarket.
Looks like she’d still have to keep working hard.
She headed over to the orchard, where large, bright red cherries had ripened. Picking one, she popped it into her mouth.
Sweet and slightly tart.
Delicious!
After harvesting the fruit, she planted vegetables in the newly expanded fields before leaving the System Space.
“You’re awake.”
Seeing Gu Nuan open her eyes, Chen Qingzhou immediately hurried over to help her sit up.
“How are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
“So you do remember I’m pregnant. What happened yesterday… Hmph, I’m ignoring you.”
Gu Nuan deliberately pouted.
“I know I was wrong, sweetheart… sweetheart…”
Chen Qingzhou tugged gently at the corner of her clothes, looking utterly apologetic.
Gu Nuan secretly fought back a smile.
Let’s see if I can’t keep you in line.
He actually looked rather adorable acting like a wronged little husband.
“Fine, I forgive you.”
Gu Nuan got up to wash up while Chen Qingzhou carefully supported her every step, doing everything he could to please her.
“Sweetheart, my abilities advanced again. It’s all thanks to you. What happened yesterday wasn’t intentional. I absorbed too many crystal cores at once and couldn’t refine all the energy in time. If you hadn’t been there, I might have exploded from the overload.”
Gu Nuan hadn’t expected that he had been in such danger.
“Then next time, absorb less at a time. Don’t rush things.”
“Mm.”
Chen Qingzhou nodded obediently.
“And… I formed an Energy Core.”
“What? You formed an Energy Core? That’s incredible! I thought Ability Users could only form one after reaching Level 10 or higher. You’re only Level 6!”
“I don’t know why either. Every time I’m close to you, a constant stream of energy flows into my dantian.”
Gu Nuan couldn’t help wondering whether her body was really like the legendary cultivation furnace, perfectly suited for helping others cultivate.
Then why didn’t she have any abilities herself?
Afterward, Chen Qingzhou made chicken soup for Gu Nuan.
Once they had eaten, they discussed setting off with Xia Tian and the others.
With four vehicles now in their convoy, Chen Qingzhou drove in front. Chen Tingting and the other two girls followed in the second vehicle. Xia Tian drove the Mercedes van in third place, while Lu Qingshan and Sun Zecheng brought up the rear in the RV.
Looking at the growing convoy, Gu Nuan couldn’t help sighing.
Their little team had grown from just two people to eight.