273: Chapter 273 Peach Garden Days

Early the next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin mist, spilling onto the grass, where dewdrops shimmered on the leaves.

Qin Lin was awakened by the sound of birds chirping.

He hadn't heard birds chirping for a very long time; after the apocalypse, even insects were rare, let alone birds.

He opened his eyes to see a pale golden hue outside the window; the sun had just begun to peek over the mountain.

He rose gently, careful not to wake Su Yuling and Li Ran beside him.

Su Yuling was sleeping soundly, the corners of her mouth curled up, as if she were having a sweet dream.

Li Ran was lying on her side, facing him, her breathing steady.

After washing up and changing his clothes, Qin Lin stepped out of the RV.

The morning sun spilled onto the grass, dewdrops shimmering on the blades. The distant mountains were veiled in thin mist, resembling an ink wash painting.

The air was fresh, carrying the scent of flowers and earth.

There was still dew on the grass, making it feel damp underfoot.

He took a deep breath, feeling as if his lungs had been cleansed.

Han Qing was already outside, wearing a light blue tracksuit with her hair tied in a low ponytail, doing some stretching exercises.

To be honest, seeing Han Qing with her ponytail, Qin Lin was drawn to her once again.

Seeing Qin Lin, she smiled: "Up so early?"

"Aren't you as well." Qin Lin walked over and stood beside her.

Han Qing looked at the distant mountains and said: "This place is even better than it was before the apocalypse."

Qin Lin nodded: "Indeed."

The two stood in silence for a while, then Han Qing suddenly asked: "Qin Lin, do you think we could stay here for a while longer?"

Qin Lin thought for a moment: "How long do you want to stay?"

Han Qing looked at him: "I suggest we at least wait until the first batch of children are born. The apocalypse outside is too cruel; there is no danger here, the air is good, the water is good, and it's better for the pregnant women and the children."

Qin Lin fell silent.

What Han Qing said was right; although the RV was safe, its space was limited. Pregnant women needed to move around, and children needed fresh air.

This place was more suitable for awaiting childbirth than the RV.

"I'll consider it." Qin Lin said.

Han Qing nodded and said nothing more.

The others woke up one after another.

Su Yuling was the first to run down from the RV, barefoot with messy hair, and threw herself into Qin Lin's arms: "Hmph! You didn't wake me up again?"

Qin Lin hugged her: "I saw you were sleeping soundly."

Su Yuling pouted: "Wake me up next time."

Qin Lin smiled: "Alright."

Li Ran stepped down, wearing a white long dress with her hair loose, looking gentle and elegant.

She looked at the distant mountains, the corners of her mouth curling up.

Su Yuran walked down, holding onto the car door; her belly was already quite prominent.

She looked at the sky and took a deep breath: "The air here is really good."

Han Yurou followed behind her, wearing loose pajamas with messy hair, her eyes not yet fully open: "Mom, what's for breakfast?"

Han Qing shook her head helplessly: "Eat, you only know how to eat."

Li Ying stepped down from the RV, wearing a tight sports tank top and shorts, revealing her slender legs and flat stomach.

She stretched and looked at the sky: "This place is perfect for sunbathing."

Xu Xue followed behind her, holding a drawing board and brushes, her eyes bright: "The morning light is the best; I'm going to paint."

Xia Qiuyan walked down alone, wearing a floral dress, her long legs particularly striking in the morning light.

She didn't speak, just looked at the distant mountains with a gentle gaze.

Lin Wanwan and Wang Xiulan came down together. Lin Wanwan was still holding the unfinished sweater, and Wang Xiulan was supporting her arm from the side.

Zhou Lingling and Zhou Yueyue ran down hand in hand, running barefoot on the grass.

Lin Fang and Lin Xiaoyue came down last. Lin Xiaoyue held Lin Fang's hand, and the two walked slowly.

Everyone gathered on the grass.

Qin Lin looked at them, a strange feeling welling up in his heart.

It felt like a big family, and in this Paradise, they had temporarily forgotten the cruelty of the apocalypse.

"This morning, we will explore the surroundings. The System says there is no danger here, but we still need to be careful. Let's split into two groups: one group will go into the woods with me, and the other will stay and move around near the RV."

Li Ying raised her hand: "I'll go into the small woods with you."

Han Yurou also raised her hand: "I'm going too. How could I be missing from going into the small woods?"

Qin Lin was speechless; their phrasing was ambiguous.

What kind of "going into the small woods"?

They were clearly just going exploring.

Su Yuling didn't speak, but it was obvious she was going to follow Qin Lin.

Li Ran said: "Then... I'll go too."

Qin Lin looked at the four of them and nodded: "Alright. The rest of you stay nearby, don't go too far, and call me if anything happens."

Su Yuran said: "I'll walk around nearby and take some photos."

She had bought a camera from the System Store, saying she wanted to record life after the apocalypse.

Han Qing said: "I'll stay in the car, just in case someone feels unwell."

After the arrangements were made, Qin Lin led Li Ying, Han Yurou, Su Yuling, and Li Ran towards the woods.

The woods were to the east of the grass, not far, reachable in about ten minutes.

The trees were tall with dense foliage, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating mottled light and shadows on the ground.

The ground was covered with thick fallen leaves, soft to step on. The air smelled of trees and earth, with the occasional sound of birds.

Li Ying walked in the front, moving quickly like an explorer.

"Hurry up!" She called back.

Qin Lin smiled: "Slow down, no one is competing with you."

Li Ying slowed her pace, waiting for them to catch up.

She looked at the surrounding trees and suddenly asked: "Brother Qin Lin, what kind of trees do you think these are?"

Qin Lin looked: "I don't know, I'm not familiar with trees."

Han Yurou crouched down, looking at the mushrooms on the ground: "Are these mushrooms edible?"

"Can't eat them, they're poisonous." Qin Lin didn't know either, but he figured anything that looked good shouldn't be eaten.

Han Yurou stood up and didn't touch them again.

Li Ran looked at a large tree; the trunk was thick, requiring two people to wrap their arms around it.

She reached out to touch the bark and said: "This tree must be at least several hundred years old."

Qin Lin nodded: "Maybe."

The four continued to walk deeper into the woods.

After walking for about twenty minutes, they heard the sound of water.

Following the sound, they found a small stream flowing down from the mountain. The water was very clear, and they could see the stones at the bottom.

Li Ying crouched down, cupped the water with her hands, and took a sip: "It's sweet."

Su Yuling also crouched down and took a sip: "Sweeter than yesterday's."

Qin Lin looked at the stream and said: "Let's follow the stream and see if we can find the source."

The four followed the stream upwards, and the path became increasingly steep.

After walking for about half an hour, they saw a small waterfall, with water falling from a three-meter-high rock, splashing up white foam.

Below the waterfall was a small pool, the water very clear, and they could see fish inside.

"There are fish!" Su Yuling exclaimed in surprise.

Qin Lin crouched down, looking at the fish in the pool.

The fish were not big, about the size of a palm, swimming around, very active.

Qin Lin smiled: "We can have a little extra for dinner tonight."

Li Ying looked at the fish, her eyes bright: "I'll catch them!"