On the edge of the private compound, a small figure crouched behind the basement door. The sounds of alien beasts could be heard in the distance. Clutching his small bag and a tiny knife, the child trembled, whispering to himself.
"Dad, when will you come back? Hao Hao is hungry and thirsty." His words barely a whisper, escaped his chaffed lips.
A heavy silence hung over the private compound. The little boy pushed his fears aside, trying to focus on the memories of his father’s words from the night before.
Hao Hao, stay here and don’t make any sound. Your father will find us something to eat.
Dad, you told me you’d come back last night, but where are you? I’m afraid being alone...
Tears streamed down his face.
At night, Feng Ran’s wish came true. Nanzhi summoned an RV, spacious and fully equipped with beds, a bathroom, and even a toilet!
"Sister-in-law, do you need a leg pendant?!" Feng Ran asked, his voice laced with teasing.
Yu Baoyin quickly said, "Hey, that’s my position! Don’t steal it!"
Feng Ran retorted. "Sister-in-law has two legs, don’t be stingy! One’s yours and the other’s mine!"
Yu Baoyin immediately fired back, "But I have two hands!"
Nanzhi grinned mischievously, "Well, Yu Baoyin’s leg is free. Why don’t you hug it instead?"
Feng Ran and Yu Baoyin were left speechless. Hei Qian and Bingwen couldn’t hold back their laughter.
To reward everyone for their hard work, Nanzhi prepared a feast. The spread included peking duck wraps, fried chicken, steamed garlic prawns, lion’s head meatballs, stir-fried bok choy, and egg tarts.
Later that night, a small shadow emerged from one of the destroyed houses in the private compound. After making sure there were no alien beasts nearby, the child bolted out of the basement, searching desperately for something to eat and drink.
Suddenly, he heard a chilling screech. It wasn’t an ordinary sound—it was layered, like a thousand tiny voices chittering in unison.
The boy froze, covering his mouth with his hand. He whipped his head around, his eyes locking onto three pairs of glowing red eyes perched atop a nearby roof.
His thoughts rushed back to his father, and without thinking, he ran.
The shadows on the roof leapt down and glided toward him. "Chrrrkk!"
The alien beasts emerged from the darkness, their sharp eyes glowing in the moonlight. Three squirrel-like creatures were heading straight for the boy. Their fur was dark and patchy, claws sharp and hooked, with needle-like teeth that constantly grew. Their long, whip-like tails were used to grab prey, and leathery membranes stretched between their limbs, allowing them to glide effortlessly through the air.
In his haste, unaware, the boy dropped his small knife.
The chitterfiends swooped down. The little boy screamed and veered to the side, then sprinted again. Tears streamed down his face as he ran for his life. "Hic. Hic. Hic."
The squirrels only snatched his bag. Frustrated, they let out those eerie noises again before they climbed to the pole and gliding towards him.
At the edge of the private compound was a forest, home to a small population of squirrels. After the flood, the forest had been destroyed, leaving only dead trees. Yet, when the strands of mental energy spread, the trees came back to life, sprouting new branches and leaves.
The squirrels had hidden deep within these revived trees, never daring to step into the private compound knowing it was the territory of the hound and ravager. But when they sensed the hounds and ravagers gone, they ventured into the compound, searching for food—and found the boy.
Nanzhi had only explored the edges of the compound and never explored the forest, as her destination lay in the opposite direction. She hadn’t noticed the squirrels lurking in the forest.
The boy kept running toward the compound’s center, crying out, "Dad! Dad! If only you were here!"
Inside the RV, everyone was gathered around the dining table, eyes wide as they ogled the feast before them: peking duck wraps, fried chicken, steamed garlic prawns, lion’s head meatballs, stir-fried bok choy with garlic, and egg tarts.
(A/N: Lion Heat Meatballs—Giant pork meatballs braised in a savory sauce.)
"Woah!"
Everyone’s mouths watered. They could only dream of eating such hot, fresh food, and now, Nanzhi had made it happen.
"I think I’ve gained five pounds just by looking at it," Lin Weihao said, half-joking.
Nanzhi smirked. "As long as you keep this our little secret, I’ll make everyone fat."
Nobody could resist the offer. They nodded and sealed their mouths with a gesture.
Follow current novels on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.
"You better not throw your sister-in-law under the bus," Lin Weihao warned, his tone serious.
"Don’t worry, sister-in-law," Feng Ran said, "I’ll take this secret to the grave!"
"Ha! I haven’t had crispy skin duck in forever! Sister-in-law, I’m easy to raise, I don’t eat much." Feng Ran added, his eyes glimmering with hope.
Lin Weihao silenced Feng Ran by placing a piece of crispy skin on his mouth. "Hmm!"
Feng Ran groaned in delight. "This is what comfortable life feels like!"
With everyone’s appetites awakened, their chopsticks moved quickly, devouring the food. Slowly, the dishes disappeared, and they began to relax.
But suddenly, disturbing sounds pierced the air.
"Eh? Was that just me, or did I hear screeching, like nails on a chalkboard?" Feng Ran asked.
"I heard it too," Yu Baoyin nodded, his face tense.
Nanzhi released her mental power outward, scanning the area. Her senses picked up three alien beasts about 80 meters away.
She immediately put her chopsticks down and stood, signaling for the others to follow.
Once outside, the screeching became louder, and they quickly spotted the source. In the middle of the street, a child limped forward, his body trembling. Behind him, three chitterfiends were closing in.
[Tier 0 Late Stage—Chitterfiend]
[Tier 0 Late Stage—Chitterfiend]
[Tier 0 Middle Stage—Chitterfiend]
[Attribute: None]
The boy tripped over a rock and fell. His palms and knees scraped against the rough ground.
"Chrrrkk!" Read exclusive adventures at freewebnovel
As the boy tried to get up, the chitterfiends stretched their claws toward him, their jaws opening wide.
The child froze, panic flooding his senses. He raised his arms to shield his head.
But just as the creatures were about to reach him, an invisible force pulled the boy away from the monsters. He was lifted into the air
The chitterfiends let out painful shrieks before bursting into fountains of blood and flesh.
"Chrrkkkkk!"