Yang Xinjie saw that her companions were as confused as she was, and she took the lead in asking the question in her heart: "Captain, do you have any new plans? If you do, please tell us. Don't let our pig brains guess around, okay?"
The captain looked at them and, for the first time, spoke with a hint of uncertainty: "It's not that I'm unwilling to say, it's just that I'm not very sure. I'm afraid everyone will be disappointed if I say it now."
"Captain, you're wrong to think that. All of us have gone through hardships together. Even in this cannibalistic apocalypse, we're sticking together for warmth."
"Yes, Captain. Just say what you have to say, don't make us guess." Xiao Ai was afraid the captain would keep it to himself again and started to self-deprecate.
"We all dislike using our brains. We only do three things a day: listen to your commands, then eat and sleep."
"You might as well say you're a pig. I just feel sorry for those foods, you've eaten so much, but I haven't seen you gain any weight."
"What? I don't gain weight, and I'm happy to annoy you."
Pang Dun'er: "You..."
"You two, stop for now. Let's listen to the captain first."
"Okay."
Seeing everyone looking at him, the captain couldn't hide it anymore and shared his thoughts.
"I have a premonition that Xinci's space has been upgraded."
"Captain, really?" Pang Dun'er was the most excited, his plump body lunging forward and almost knocking the captain and Xu Jiacan down.
"Pang Dun'er, get out of here quickly. Don't you know how heavy you are?" Xu Jiacan struggled to support himself, just barely avoiding falling.
Captain: "Pang Dun'er, you have to lose weight starting today. Otherwise, when Xinci comes to pick us up, I'll beat you if your weight affects everyone."
This was the first time the captain had spoken so harshly, and Pang Dun'er trembled.
Xiao Ai seemed to have completely forgotten her childishness earlier, her eyes fixed on the captain with a look that demanded him to continue.
Yang Xinjie and Xu Ruyi were infected by her and also looked at the captain.
Even Uncle Sun and Uncle Xu stood behind the girls, sharing the same sentiment.
The captain ignored Pang Dun'er's heartbroken expression and explained his thoughts to everyone.
"Xinci hasn't contacted us for such a long time, I suspect her space has been upgraded."
"The fact that Xinci didn't contact us yesterday could also mean she's fighting the Japanese or the Tatars," Uncle Xu thought more cautiously.
"It's unlikely. They just finished fighting the Japanese, and those little dwarfs are severely wounded. Even if they want to make a comeback, it will take time to plan. As for the Tatars, they won't send troops easily until those two spies return."
After listening to the captain's detailed analysis, the companions' hearts pounded wildly.
The captain's next words almost made those who heard them faint with excitement.
"So, I've thought it over carefully. We should quickly find some good doors and windows, preferably with intact glass. Otherwise, if Xinci brings us to her side, we'll have to rebuild houses. How can new houses be without glass? I can't stand living with just window paper for another day."
"We're used to bright and clean living. We really can't imagine what it would be like to open our eyes every day and see only window paper."
As the captain finished speaking, Yang Xinjie added, "We need to find not only intact doors and windows, but also furniture and pots and pans for the kitchen."
"And solar lights," Uncle Sun also reminded them. The companions fell silent, then let out excited shouts and ran in one direction.
"Where are you all going?"
"We know where to find these things."
Uncle Sun and Uncle Xu heard this and quickly followed.
"I know too," said the captain of the Wolf Pack, who had been eavesdropping on the Dragon Ascend group.
"We know too," added the captain of the Invincible.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry and follow them."
"Alright."
As soon as the words fell, they all rushed out in a flurry. The trading hall, which had been so crowded that it was difficult to move, was soon left with only a few stragglers.
The base leader's family of three was among these stragglers. Zhang Ning looked at the base leader, as if asking what they should do next.
"You take our son home and pack. Remember to pack everything we often use. Don't worry about the large items for now; focus on personal belongings."
"Mhm." Zhang Ning responded and quickly ran home with her son.
The base leader followed his wife and son. To outsiders, he appeared carefree, but only he knew that he had seized the initiative.
However, he thought of what the captain of the Dragon Ascend had said and rolled his eyes, muttering, "Fool. If you had told me, why would you have to work so hard?"
Little did he know that the captain had already marked him. If he didn't give it up, fine! The captain would take it by force.
Fu Xinci was unaware that her companions were enthusiastically collecting the things they needed.
They even wanted to find some large ships. As for why they needed ships, everyone understood implicitly.
...
It had been almost three days, and the space display still indicated it was upgrading.
In the evening, Fu Xinci stood by the north window, gazing at the setting sun and silently complaining. It should be completed by now, even with the restructuring.
Alas, she had truly experienced what it meant to be anxious for three days.
When Han Xue came, she saw her young lady leaning against the north window, as if waiting for the sunset.
"Miss, Madam is calling you for dinner."
Fu Xinci softly replied with an "Mm" and followed Han Xue downstairs.
"Have you thought about Shan Xiaocong's matter?"
"..." Han Xue hadn't expected her young lady to ask her at this time. After her face turned red and her heart raced, she slowly nodded.
"Shan Xiaocong has, in a way, grown up with us. Since you have feelings for each other, I'll talk to my mother later and have her inform the Shan family to send a matchmaker."
"Miss."
"It's alright to say."
"Miss, your servant still wants to serve you for a few more years."
"That won't do."
"Miss, don't you like your servant anymore?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Then why wouldn't Miss let your servant serve you?"
"You're eighteen, and a woman who isn't married at eighteen in this region will be laughed at."
"Your servant is not afraid of being laughed at."
"Your young lady is. Alright, you don't need to do anything else these days. Just embroider your dowry properly."
After Fu Xinci finished speaking, she planned to look through her small storeroom after dinner and find some things Han Xue could use. Fabric and cotton were essential.
Summer nights always led to many thoughts. While eating dinner, Ning'er was still thinking about where they would play tomorrow.