Perhaps because he realized Chi Wan attended his own university, Professor Zhang looked at her with the added delight one feels for a junior, and readily agreed.
The village chief also shamelessly joined them for breakfast.
After breakfast, Professor Zhang asked Chi Yuanshan if the fruit trees had been taken care of. After all, he too felt it was a shame to see such a large orchard damaged.
Chi Wan was too embarrassed to mention that her family was already considering selling the orchard. She just smiled brightly and said, "We're already working on fixing it. Don't worry, Professor."
Professor Zhang nodded. "Huaijin and I are planning to head back today. You two, being from the same school, must have some fate connecting you. You should exchange contact information; it'll make it easier to discuss things later. Little girl, if your family's orchard has any problems in the future, just ask Huaijin. Think of it as... giving him a chance for some hands-on practice, eh?"
When Zhou Huaijin saw his professor wink at him, he knew exactly what he meant. He cleared his throat and proactively took out his phone. "In that case, junior, I'll add you."
Chi Yuanshan and Song Yinghe watched from the side, silently exchanging a look.
Chi Wan, however, was perfectly open about it and added Zhou Huaijin. "Professor, how did you know I wanted to ask my senior for help? Senior, you'd better not get annoyed by all my questions later~"
Professor Zhang roared with laughter. "Ask away! If there's any question Huaijin can't answer, it just means his skills are lacking. You can bring him to me and tattle, and I'll dock his participation grade."
"Professor, you..."
Seeing Zhou Huaijin's helpless expression, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Chi Yuanshan and Song Yinghe were especially surprised. They never expected to stumble into an acquaintance with a professor from Chi Wan's university. Even though he wasn't from her department, it was still a valuable connection.
Besides, seeing how much Professor Zhang seemed to rely on Zhou Huaijin, he was clearly a star student. The couple wasn't thinking about any major benefits; they just felt that knowing more people would surely be helpful for Chi Wan's future.
And so, the family cheerfully saw Professor Zhang and Zhou Huaijin off, the pleasant encounter helping to wash away some of the bad luck from Xu Cuifen and her group's visit early that morning.
Chi Wan had originally planned to go straight up the mountain to see if she could save the fruit trees, but when she called out to Li Xingye twice, there was no response.
Guessing that he might be busy fighting zombies, Chi Wan didn't dare to bother Li Xingye again, afraid she might distract him and get him hurt.
So she decided to go into the city again. The money she'd gotten last time was almost gone, and this time she wanted to exchange some of the lighter-weight jewelry for cash and pick up a few more things.
Most importantly, she wanted to buy some more Fragrant Vine to plant in a circle around the small cabin on the mountain.
Although Liu Dali and his group couldn't get out for now, there was no telling if other people with ill intentions might show up. It was better to be extra cautious.
When he heard Chi Wan wanted to go into the city again, Chi Yuanshan refused to let her go alone. "I contacted the workers about renovating the bathroom yesterday, and they're coming over today. Ah He, you stay and watch the house. I'll take Wanwan to the city."
Song Yinghe nodded. She wasn't comfortable with Chi Wan going out alone either.
Chi Wan was helpless. She figured her parents wouldn't let her go out alone anytime soon.
Once they reached the city, she headed straight for the flower and bird market.
Chi Yuanshan was in charge of loading the potted plants into the car, and then she would secretly transfer them into her space from inside the vehicle.
With someone to help, Chi Wan went ahead and bought a variety of potted plants, as well as plenty of seeds that might come in handy later.
On Chi Yuanshan's suggestion, she also bought some seeds for thorny plants and slope-protecting shrubs.
She glanced at her space. More than half of the supplies that had once crammed it full were gone. Only some fruits and vegetables that needed to be kept fresh remained, likely left in the space for better preservation as a backup.
After the items were moved out, the space looked much larger. Chi Wan thought for a moment, then went to the big market from before and bought a pile of things like rice, flour, oil, and salt to stock up in her space.
She even bought a whole butchered pig, all sorts of chicken, duck, and fish, and stocked up on dozens more cases of purified water.
When Li Xingye checked the space again, he would surely be in for a pleasant surprise.
Chi Yuanshan naturally knew these supplies were all for Li Xingye, so he ignored Chi Wan's objections and paid for everything himself.
Chi Wan guessed that Chi Yuanshan didn't want her to use the money Li Xingye had given her. She took her father's hand and said earnestly, "Dad, what Li Xingye and I have is a normal transaction. It doesn't make sense for you to pay for the supplies I'm buying for him. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Chi Yuanshan couldn't win the argument, so he could only watch as she went to that pawn shop again.
Since she had just been there yesterday, the owner, Zhou Huai'an, recognized Chi Wan the moment she walked in. He flashed a brilliant smile. "Young lady, here to pawn something again?"
Chi Wan nodded without saying much, simply taking out a pair of gold earrings, a gold necklace, and a small, 100g gold bar.
Zhou Huai'an's gaze shifted between Chi Wan and Chi Yuanshan. He then picked up the items to weigh and appraise them, casually remarking, "This jewelry looks like it has some age to it, but the style isn't too old-fashioned."
Chi Wan sensed the probing nature of his question. She just smiled and said vaguely, "They were designed by the old lady of our family."
Zhou Huai'an nodded and said no more.
As usual, he wrote up a receipt. After the father and daughter left the small shop, Chi Yuanshan couldn't help but say, "That owner..."
Chi Wan shrugged. "He probably thought it was strange for me to come sell gold items two days in a row, so he just asked casually."
Chi Yuanshan thought for a moment. "Wanwan, from now on, if you need to stock up on supplies for Li Xingye, just get the money from Dad. It's not a good idea to keep going to the pawn shop."
Chi Wan also felt it was a bit of a hassle. After all, their family was currently bankrupt, so it wasn't convenient to exchange too much gold at once.
But exchanging only a little at a time wouldn't last long. 'I have to find another way, or rather, another channel...'
Seeing the defeated look in Chi Yuanshan's eyes, Chi Wan smiled and looped her arm through his. "The supplies I stocked up before should be enough for them for a while. Don't worry, Dad~ Oh, right, let's buy some food to take back. Mom also asked us to get some daily necessities and stuff..."
It was almost noon by the time the father and daughter finished their shopping and headed back. Chi Wan was dozing off in the passenger seat when Li Xingye's voice sounded in her ear: "Were you looking for me earlier? Sorry, I was just dealing with some things and didn't hear you."
Chi Wan's eyes snapped open. "You're back~ It's nothing, I just wanted to ask if you could try to save the fruit trees. But I'm still out right now, so it'll be a while before I get back. Have you eaten? I stocked some more food in the space today. Oh, and if there's anything you want to eat, you can tell me, okay~?"
"Mhm, I saw. Thank you." Li Xingye slowly walked out of Wildfire Base. Behind him were flowers blooming in extreme, brilliant splendor, and bodies lying scattered about.
But as he listened to Chi Wan's vibrant voice, a faint smile couldn't help but appear on his usually cold and hard face.