Natural Disaster: Back to the End of the World

Part 36

Lei Xiao stepped off a dusty, muddy bus carrying two pieces of luggage—his only possessions since joining the army. From now on, he would have no further connection with the battlefield, a place filled with unseen blood and storms. The comrades who had fought alongside him and the brothers who had survived to the end would become just memories, perhaps never mentioned again in his life.

Walking down the familiar muddy path toward the small village with curling smoke rising from chimneys, he was finally, truly home.

Yao Ziqing was sprawled out on the sofa in a very unrefined manner, with Xiao Wu lying on top of him, his belly rising and falling rhythmically. The air conditioner blew cool air, dissipating the stuffiness in the room. On the TV, a documentary about ocean exploration was playing, with a deep, soothing voice narrating the daily life of oceanic rulers. The peaceful afternoon in the village made Yao Ziqing feel drowsy.

Lei Xiao didn't use the front door because the back door was more convenient. Xiao Wu, highly alert, raised his front paws as soon as Lei Xiao entered the living room, not even waking Yao Ziqing, who was dozing off.

Lei Xiao immediately spotted the small black lump lying on Si'er. After staring at it silently for three seconds, he prepared to approach Si'er. However, as he took a step forward, the black lump slightly lowered itself and emitted a low warning growl.

Lei Xiao's eyes lit up. This was a good dog. Although small, with proper training, it could be a great guard dog. It made sense that a dog that doesn't bark when it bites is trustworthy. It had noticed him the moment he entered but hadn't barked immediately. Instead, it observed his actions quietly and gave a low growl as he moved closer.

Originally, Lei Xiao intended to test further, but Si'er was awakened by the black lump's noise.

Yao Ziqing heard Xiao Wu's low growl and thought someone had entered the house. He patted the dog's back and sat up, blinking as if he hadn't fully woken up.

Lei Xiao put his luggage on a chair and walked over to pat Si'er on the head. Noticing the black lump had calmed down after Si'er's reassurance, he went to the kitchen to get a drink. When the new house was finished, Si'er had recorded a video showing almost every corner of the house, so despite this being his first time seeing the finished house, he was very familiar with it.

"Second brother?"

"Hmm."

"You're back?"

"Hmm."

Yao Ziqing stared blankly for a moment, then jumped up from the sofa. Xiao Wu fell from his lap onto the sofa and scrambled around before righting itself.

Yao Ziqing excitedly jumped from the sofa to Lei Xiao, who was coming out of the kitchen. "Second brother! You really came back! Did you retire? Will you go back to the army?"

Lei Xiao quickly supported him, noticing Si'er had gained some weight and a bit more flesh around the waist. Once steady, he set Yao Ziqing down on the floor. Even though he wasn't wearing shoes or socks, it didn't matter in the summer heat.

"I've retired. I'm not going back."

Yao Ziqing, who had just returned from outside and was still sweaty, didn't mind at all. He picked up Xiao Wu, who was peering at them from the sofa armrest, and introduced him. "Second brother, this is Xiao Wu! He's very well-behaved, the one from Black Zi who was abused. I didn't tell you earlier because I wanted to wait for you to come back. Xiao Wu was close to dying, but he was saved by the spirit liquid—the white lotion. I think calling it spirit liquid is more fitting. I saved up a little, and you should drink a bit every day. I've already diluted it for the eldest brother, third brother, and Grandma. Grandma even grew some black hair—it's really amazing!"