Ch 243: The Secret Recipe

The mountaintop project was massive; neither the sturdier and more spacious chicken coop nor the wire mesh enclosing most of the mountainside could be completed in a day or two.

Over the next few days, Zhou Fengxia, thinking her daughter had more important matters to attend to, proactively took on the task of supervising the construction.

Every day before dawn, she went up the mountain, keeping an eye on Master Wang’s construction crew and the young men pulling the netting, ensuring that everything was done according to Yu Bai’s specifications.

Zhou Fengxia was full of energy. Shuttling through the mountains, filled with a faint spiritual energy, she not only didn’t feel tired but felt completely comfortable and highly motivated.

As for the workers’ meals and tea, they were still handled by the few nimble-fingered women from the previous days.

Every day, they varied the dishes, preparing delicious meals, transporting them in large thermoses to halfway up the mountain. Their wages were paid as usual, making everyone happy.

Although the mountain work was strenuous, the wages were paid generously, and the food was excellent, so naturally, everyone worked diligently.

Yu Bai, however, immersed herself in her space, meticulously crafting Brain-Clearing Incense and Soothing Incense.

The reason for this was that the previous batch of incense had been depleted, and Qian Ying and others had already called.

As she finished grinding the newly-prepared spices into powder, preparing to mix and air-dry them according to a specific ratio, Second Brother Yu Xia’s phone call came in urgently.

“Hello? Xiaobai!”

On the other end of the phone, Yu Xia’s voice carried an irrepressible excitement and urgency.

“Do you still have any of that Brain-Clearing Incense in stock?”

Hearing her second brother’s tone, as if he were about to crawl out of the phone, Yu Bai put down her work.

“Second Brother, don’t rush, take it slow. What’s wrong? Ran out of incense?”

“It’s not just running out! It’s like the supply of Immortal Pills has been cut off!”

Yu Xia exaggeratedly yelled on the other end of the phone, then lowered his voice as if afraid of being overheard.

“Xiaobai, you wouldn’t believe it! I’ve been lighting a few sticks of the incense you gave me in class every day.”

“The students’ enthusiasm for studying is completely different. The pressure of senior year is immense; many students were barely making it through their studies, but now it’s different.”

“Last week, the school held a small-scale monthly exam, and our class did well.”

Actually, it was more than just good; it was incredible—the best results in years.

“The principal even asked if we’d discovered some secret teaching recipe.”

Yu Xia became more and more excited; his voice trembled slightly.

“They have no idea what the secret is! It’s all thanks to your Brain-Clearing Incense!”

“The speed and accuracy of the students’ problem-solving increased dramatically! Their learning enthusiasm is something I haven’t seen in all my years as a teacher!”

“Now, the incense is gone. Would you be able to make some more for your Second Brother?”

Yu Bai smiled after listening.

“Second Brother, I’m making a new batch of Brain-Clearing Incense and Soothing Incense these days. I’ve improved the materials and ratios, and the effect will be even better than before.”

“When do you need it? Come to the house and get it in a couple of days.”

“Really? That’s great!” Yu Xia was relieved, his voice full of gratitude.

Yu Bai hung up her second brother’s call, a smile still on her lips, her mood quite pleasant.

The improved Brain-Clearing Incense and Soothing Incense would only be even better, undoubtedly adding the finishing touch to her many future plans.

She redirected her attention to the medicinal herbs in front of her, her hands moving like a butterfly among the jars and bottles, pinching different amounts of powdered herbs with focused and calm expression.

The space was filled with a unique, refreshing fragrance of herbs and medicinal plants.

Just as she carefully added the last auxiliary ingredient to the mortar, preparing for the final mixing process, the rarely opened partially concealed door on the west side of the space creaked almost inaudibly and slowly opened.

A tall and straight figure walked in against the light. The familiar footsteps let Yu Bai know who it was without even looking up.

“Xiaobai, busy?”

Han Yi’s slightly dusty voice echoed in the quiet space, with a hint of barely perceptible ease and warmth.

He walked a few steps to the opposite side of the long table where Yu Bai usually processed medicinal herbs, casually placing a worn duffel bag on the ground, making a slight muffled sound, then unceremoniously sat down on the cushion opposite Yu Bai, his gaze fixed on her.

Yu Bai was carefully stirring several mixed powders with a specially made jade spoon. Hearing him, she looked up and smiled, “I’m busy, pour yourself some tea.”

Her voice held a familiar casualness.

“Got it!” Han Yi grinned, revealing a set of neat white teeth, completely at ease.

He expertly picked up a set of purple clay teaware from the small table next to him, lifted a pot of warm spring water on the table, and poured himself a cup of clear, amber tea.

The air was filled with steam, and the aroma of tea filled the room.

Han Yi picked up the teacup, took a deep breath first, a look of intoxication on his face, and then drank it all in one gulp.

“Ah—”

He sighed contentedly, a faint blush rising on his dark face from the hot tea.

“Your tea here is still the best! So comfortable!”

He put down his teacup, watching Yu Bai still focused on her work, and couldn’t help but continue.

“I’ve been saving the tea leaves you prepared for me.”

“But as you know, as soon as I get back, my nerves are taut like a bowstring, 24/7 combat mode, where’s the time, or the leisure, to sit down and slowly savor tea?”

Han Yi’s tone carried a hint of emotion, a hint of helplessness, but more of the gratitude and cherishing of being able to calmly sit here and drink a cup of hot tea.

The cruelty and bloodshed of the apocalypse formed a stark and ironic contrast to the peaceful tranquility of the space.

For him, Yu Bai’s space was not only a place for exchanging supplies but also a haven where he could temporarily shed all his defenses and fatigue.

Yu Bai carefully mixed the last bit of powdered herb, then lifted her eyelids and looked at Han Yi, who was still somewhat lost in thought on the cushion opposite.

His back was ramrod straight, like a spear ready to be launched, his brows etched with deep fatigue.

Yu Bai sighed inwardly.

The apocalypse was like a large invisible mountain, weighing heavily on the hearts of every survivor; even the toughest of men would find themselves suffocated.

She could only offer a small refuge, some supplies, a moment of respite.

As for that world of devastation and chaos, it would ultimately be up to those who lived in it to rebuild it with blood and fire.

“Han Yi,”

Yu Bai’s voice was clear and calm, “I believe that darkness will always pass.”

Han Yi’s shoulders trembled slightly, his previously somewhat scattered gaze instantly focused, looking at Yu Bai.

Yu Bai met his inquisitive gaze.

“With your abilities, and those like you who choose to fight and protect in despair, that devastated world will surely be able to revive, restoring its former peace and prosperity.”

After speaking, Han Yi froze, as if instantly turned into a silent statue.

The air seemed to stagnate for a few breaths.

He took a sharp breath; the sound was heavy, like a drowning man finally struggling to the surface, inhaling the first breath of fresh air, which carried a chilling coldness yet was incredibly precious.

In his deep eyes, filled with bloodshot veins from prolonged lack of sleep and intense mental strain, a deep disbelief flickered.

Then, as if a long-suppressed spark had been suddenly ignited, it quickly spread, exploding into two blazing, dazzling flames!

“Life force… peace… prosperity?”

He spoke word by word, his voice hoarse and dry, with a tremor he himself didn’t notice.

The next moment, on his dark, strong, weather-beaten face, a completely unguarded surprise and excitement appeared without warning.

“Xiaobai…” his voice choked, “You… you really… think so?”

“Before,” he twitched the corner of his mouth, “I didn’t even dare to dream of these things!”

“You know? Every time I open my eyes, I’m thinking about how many brothers might not come back today, where to find food, how to survive another day in the horde of corpses!”

“Just the three words ‘to survive’ have already consumed all our courage and strength. The future? Life force? What are those? Are they edible?”

His fists clenched involuntarily at his sides, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, gnarled like intertwined tree roots.

“But now!”

Han Yi’s voice suddenly rose eight octaves, his gaze fixed on Yu Bai, burning with a prairie fire of hope!

“With the Spirit Gathering Array you gave! Xiaobai, it’s you! It’s you who let us, those of us who wallow in the mire, dare to dream!”

✦ ✦ ✦