ASFTB 54: I Think Li Lingfeng is Just Jealous of Me! 2

In a war, the most important thing is supplies.

Li Lingfeng’s voice was unusually clear in the quiet room, “The Underground City has almost no edible resources and they rely entirely on imported nutrient solutions. If the supply of these liquids is cut off, they wouldn’t survive for more than two months.”

Jian Chengxi could relate to this very well.

The Underground City faced food shortages, and the imported nutrient solutions were outrageously expensive. He had lived there for half a year and suffered greatly because of it.

Li Lingfeng continued, “Even if we were to use force to quickly flatten the palace…”

Jian Chengxi immediately looked at him.

Li Lingfeng’s gaze was cold, and he said to Jian Chengxi, “For many years, Sky City has believed that as long as the Underground City’s situation doesn’t change, the discrimination will never dissipate.”

Jian Chengxi somehow began to understand the man’s words.

He suddenly thought of a somewhat frightening speculation—

The military only had Monka publicly punished, but they didn’t kill him publicly. Monka was a notorious arms-smuggling pirate.

Could it be possible…

Could the Underground City be secretly stockpiling weapons?

After Jian Chengxi thought of this possibility, and he looked up at Li Lingfeng.

Li Lingfeng spoke slowly, “What’s wrong?”

Jian Chengxi gently shook his head. He didn’t care what Li Lingfeng wanted to do. They were already a family, and as a family, they shared both glory and loss.

The general said that the Underground City’s weaponry wasn’t a major issue.

Could it be possible that he has already solved this problem?

That would be supplies.

What if…

What if he solved the Underground City’s food problem and allowed the people of the Underground City to be self-sufficient?

Jian Chengxi’s heart began to beat uncontrollably. If he could change the current situation of the Underground City and give them the ability to fight against Sky City, then he could also change the future of his entire family…

The system popped up and said:【Host, the direction of the world’s consciousness cannot be easily changed, especially the fate of the protagonists, which is the hardest to fluctuate.】

Jian Chengxi spoke up, “Didn’t you say before that Li Lingfeng is also a protagonist? Why can’t I exchange the general’s memory fragments in the marketplace?”

The system fell silent for a moment.

Jian Chengxi pressed. “Why?”

The system hesitated before speaking:【Have you ever considered… maybe your man isn’t the protagonist, but instead…】

Jian Chengxi: “What is it?”

The system quickly responded:【He’s the biggest villain in the world’s consciousness, occupying the same great fate as the protagonist!】

The salted fish Jian Chengxi: “…”

This situation—

It was quite ridiculous.

The next day.

The weather gradually became colder.

Jian Chengxi got up early in the morning and told the kids to wash their faces and brush their teeth.

As the weather got colder, the two children increasingly wanted to stay in bed. Jian Chengxi had to outsmart and outlast the children everyday.

Li Suisui’s tiny body was buried in the blankets, her voice soft and fuzzy, “Daddy, Suisui doesn’t want to go to school.”

Jian Chengxi said firmly, “That’s not okay. The other kids will get up and go to school. Suisui, do you want to be laughed at by the other kids?”

Li Suisui popped her little head out. “If I get laughed at, can I skip school?”

“…”

You have a quick little mind.

Jian Chengxi quickly thought of something and said, “The queen never stayed in bed when she was young. Doesn’t Suisui want to learn from the queen?”

This trick was indeed effective.

Li Suisui immediately sat up. The little girl rubbed her eyes, and didn’t forget her dream at this moment. “Suisui wants to be a strong woman!”

The corners of Jian Chengxi’s mouth curled into a smile. “Good, now get up quickly.”

Watching the little girl obediently climb out of bed, Jian Chengxi felt moved in his heart.

Queen, hear me say thank you!

…

The weather has gotten a bit cooler now. After Jian Chengxi dressed the kids in their school uniforms, he grabbed jackets for the two of them to wear, but he realized that the jackets from half a year ago were a little small.

This was the first time he clearly felt that the child had grown a little.

Without realizing it, they had grown up.

The child he saw every day in front of him, from a weak little bundle, had now become a bit more rounded and taller.

Jian Chengxi felt deeply moved in his heart. For the first time, he experienced the difficulty of being a parent.

His actions had already become quite skilled. He dressed Li Suisui and Li Chen then said, “Go wash up and brush your teeth by yourselves, Daddy will go prepare breakfast.”

The children nodded.

Jian Chengxi came out of the children’s room, just in time to see Li Lingfeng coming out from the training room. The man’s tall figure was wearing a thin jacket, his solid and powerful muscles faintly visible. Even some sweat droplets had rolled down as he wiped his sweat, exuding pure masculine energy.

Li Lingfeng walked over and said, “Did they get up?”

Jian Chengxi nodded.

The two of them happened to walk into the master bedroom to change clothes.

Jian Chengxi was also going out today. Looking at the clothes in the wardrobe, he said, “Winter is coming soon. I’m planning to buy a few clothes and then take a trip to the Underground City. The fruits in my orchard are almost ripe, but with the weather getting cold, I’m worried they might stop growing. I want to see if I can build some kind of greenhouse to keep them warm…”

He rambled on and said a lot.

In the past, he never dared to say much to Li Lingfeng. Everything he did was cautious and careful.

Now, he began to mutter on, saying some unrelated things.

It wasn’t until he finished speaking that he realized how quiet the room had become.

Jian Chengxi snapped back to reality and he felt a bit nervous inside. He looked up at Li Lingfeng, feeling somewhat uneasy.

However, Li Lingfeng patiently listened to his rambling and buttoned the last button of his military uniform. “Hmm, I’ll have someone send you. The weather is cool outside, so you can buy a few more clothes. If you can’t decide on your own, have the doctor accompany you. The expenses can be charged to my card.”

Jian Chengxi’s heart inexplicably calmed down.

A gentle smile unknowingly spread across his face.

Having a partner with stable emotions really makes a person feel so happy, even just the quiet little days would feel warm and cozy.

Jian Chengxi said, “I don’t need your card, I have money. My fruits are selling well and I have income.”

Li Lingfeng glanced at him. “Use mine.”

Jian Chengxi tilted his head in confusion and looked at him. “Why?”

Could it be that he’s worried about him spending money?

Could it be that the general actually has such a thoughtful and considerate side?

Who would have known—

Li Lingfeng stood by the wardrobe. The tall and handsome man turned to glance at him, raised an eyebrow, and said slowly, “After all, the recently seized treasure map—shouldn’t the madam make full use of it and enjoy the good life with me?”

The Monka joke last night was unexpectedly brought up.

Jian Chengxi: “…”

Petty-minded man!!

In the afternoon, Underground City.

Jian Chengxi returned after several days. To his surprise, the Underground City was much warmer in the winter.

He soon understood that Sky City was built higher so the wind was stronger. Even though there was automatic temperature regulation on the island, it couldn’t compare to the Underground City, which was surrounded by mountains on all sides, making it naturally much warmer.

The doctor said to him, “The fruits you gave me last time have all been sold.”

Jian Chengxi actually collected 1500 coins in one go.

This was an unprecedented large sum of money.

Jian Chengxi said, puzzled, “Why did I sell more this time?”

He used to only receive 300 coins a month in social assistance.

The doctor, wearing a coat, said while walking on the road, “This is normal. Now that it’s winter, many fruit trees have stopped bearing fruit. Fresh fruit like this will be naturally more expensive. Haven’t you been to the Sky City supermarkets? Prices are rising everywhere.”

Jian Chengxi seemed to be deep in thought.

The two of them just happened to arrive at the treehouse.

Jian Chengxi entered the yard, and his fruit trees that were exposed to the cold wind, indeed hadn’t grown well. It was clear that a greenhouse needed to be built to try and create a temperature-regulated system to increase the yield.

He shared this idea with the doctor.

The doctor immediately replied, “Although no one has done this before, it should work theoretically. However, you need to consider carefully that if you build the greenhouse, who will manage the garden for you? Also, your costs will be higher so your profits will be smaller.”

Jian Chengxi said, “The cost of building the greenhouse, although it sounds like a lot, isn’t the cost of the nutrient solutions even higher? If I can achieve fruit freedom and sell fruits in the winter, that would actually be much more cost-effective than eating nutrient solution.”

After all, one bottle of nutrient solution costs 20.

Their most expensive fruit is only sold for 15 each.

The doctor said thoughtfully, “The logic is correct, but have you thought about it? Even if your greenhouse is built, it will only be able to satisfy the needs of a few people. No matter how well your orchard grows, you won’t be able to feed the entire Underground City.”

Jian Chengxi thought of this point.

In fact, from the day he found the chili peppers, he had a bold idea.

Could there be other plants on the mountains of the Underground City?

Plants that are better suited for winter cultivation than fruits, and maybe even easier to sell?

The doctor suggested, “You’d better first check the talent market to see if you can hire a gardener to help you, then think about other things.”

Jian Chengxi agreed, but then asked with some confusion, “Is there a talent market here?”

The doctor seemed to have heard something a bit amusing. “A talent market? You think this is Sky City? There’s no talent market, but the underground black market can hire people. Do you want to go?”

Jian Chengxi had never heard of such a place and was a bit hesitant.

Li Lingfeng never let him wander off recklessly.

The doctor seemed to understand something, and poked his shoulder, saying, “Your husband is strict with you, huh?”

Jian Chengxi’s face inexplicably turned red. “He’s not!”

The doctor sighed and said, “Don’t worry. With me here, no one in the Underground City will dare to harm you. Let’s go.”

Jian Chengxi looked at the doctor with inexplicable gratitude. “Thank you…”

The first time they met, he thought the doctor was a bit too practical.

Yet now, he felt that she was actually a really good person.

She was also very good to him…

This friendship really moved him.

The doctor smiled and said, “What’s the big deal, why are you being so polite to me? Next time, you can still sell your fruits through me, just give me a higher commission, and that’s fine!”

“…”

That’s enough.

Underground City black market.

This was Jian Chengxi’s first time coming to this place—everything felt fresh and new.

He had lived in the Underground City before, but at that time, he was focused on providing for his child. The most he ever did was sell fruits or something. He never came to a place like this.

The black market had many stalls and shops.

Unlike the street where he bought Wangcai, the spirit pet, the things in this street were clearly mixed with good and bad vendors alike.

Many of the people coming and going even had their faces covered. The stalls sold all sorts of things—guns, swords, and even ammunition. Further inside, there were strange bottles and jars.

The doctor said quietly, “Those are all dark wizards.”

Jian Chengxi immediately became tense. “Dark wizards?”

He always remembered in his dreams, his daughter would be the greatest dark wizard leader in the future.

The doctor nodded and said, “Many of these dark wizards are half-elves or fallen angels. They don’t have the ability to create healing potions, so they’ve fallen to this path. These dark potions depend on talent. Some dark wizards create potions that are not very strong, while the more talented dark wizards create stronger potions. These people are the most dangerous to mess with, so you should keep your distance from them.”

Jian Chengxi remembered that his daughter had poisoned the rabbit the first time she used a potion.

“…”

It’s not cool anymore.

He walked around the black market with the doctor and also looked at some people who could be hired as gardeners.

But after seeing many, none of them had farming experience and they didn’t seem very reliable. In the end, Jian Chengxi decided to wait a bit longer and gradually find someone after a while. For now, he would focus on building the greenhouse.

The doctor then said, “Then let’s go look at some clothes first.”

Jian Chengxi nodded.

He thought for a moment, realizing that he had spent quite a bit of time out today, and it might take even longer.

So he decided to message Li Lingfeng, “I might be late coming back today. Do you have time to pick up the kids?”

After a while—

Li Lingfeng quickly replied to him, “When the deputy general goes to pick up Tiantian, he will also bring Li Chen and Suisui home.”

Their families lived right next door to each other.

Jian Chengxi felt relieved and replied, “That’s good. I’m at the black market right now. I’ll drop by a clothing shop later and then buy some groceries before heading home. I might have a lot of things with me—will the General be home tonight?”

Unknowingly, they already sounded like an old married couple.

The communication went silent for a moment.

After a while, Li Lingfeng replied and said, “Send me your address, and I’ll come pick you up.”

Jian Chengxi’s lips curved into a smile. In fact, it was just an ordinary little thing but the feeling of being responded to in everything really made him feel warm inside.

After coming out of the employment shop in the black market, Jian Chengxi buried his head in sending messages.

The doctor pointed to the other side and said, “There’s also a clothing store over there, want to take a look?”

Jian Chengxi didn’t expect there would be a clothing store in the black market. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, “Alright.”

The clothes sold in the black market were different from those outside.

This was Jian Chengxi’s first time coming to a place like this, and he discovered that the clothing here was truly unique. Almost all of it was stuff used by mercenaries—knee guards, armor, and even bulletproof vests.

The shopkeeper enthusiastically introduced, “You’ve come to the right place. Our armor is made from dragon scales, incredibly tough! It’s not 888, the current price is only 999!”

Jian Chengxi said, “Is it really that amazing?”

The doctor rolled his eyes and leaned in to say, “This thing is only useful for those who are constantly in the line of fire.”

However, Jian Chengxi stared at it for a long time.

The system said that his general is the big villain.

Villains have high-risk jobs, and Li Lingfeng had so many scars on him. Isn’t that exactly from being in the line of fire?

The shopkeeper looked at him, seeing his slender and fragile appearance, and had almost given up on him.

Yet who would have known—

Jian Chengxi softly spoke, “I’ll take it.”

The shopkeeper was stunned.

The doctor was also a bit surprised. “You’re buying it? You only made that little money by selling fruits for two months!”

Jian Chengxi smiled and said, “If the money runs out, I can earn more.”

The shopkeeper didn’t expect to meet such a generous buyer and hurriedly wrapped the items up, even afraid that Jian Chengxi might change his mind. He immediately said, “These are real dragon scales, genuine and authentic! If they’re fake, I’ll pay ten times the amount!”

Jian Chengxi took the bag. “Thank you.”

He swiped his card and paid.

A series of actions flowed smoothly, like a well-rehearsed routine.

He was a frugal person and never thought that one day he would buy such an expensive piece of armor without hesitation.

The two of them were about to leave when Jian Chengxi unexpectedly bumped into someone.

The person he bumped into yelled even louder than him, “Ouch!”

Jian Chengxi froze for a moment, feeling that this voice sounded strangely familiar. He felt like he had heard it somewhere in the past couple of days.

He looked up.

Monka was being supported by his lackey while holding his waist, looking as if he were half-paralyzed.

The lackey supported him and spoke in an annoyed tone, “Can’t you watch where you’re walking? How dare you bump into our boss!”

Jian Chengxi’s eyes widened, not expecting it to really be Monka. Wasn’t he supposed to be in prison? How could he be freely appearing in the Underground City like this?!

Monka turned his head to look at Jian Chengxi.

The lackey still wanted to speak, but Monka slammed his head hard. “Do you have any manners?”

?

The lackey looked at the boss in confusion.

Monka looked at Jian Chengxi and smiled, saying, “Sorry, I haven’t taught my people well.”

As soon as his words fell, someone entered the shop, probably running a bit fast, and bumped into Monka.

Monka muttered a curse under his breath and kicked out. “Don’t you have eyes?! How dare you bump into me!”

“…”

The air was silent for a moment.

Jian Chengxi looked at Monka, whose face was covered in a full beard, and was ironically impressed by how ‘civilized’ and ‘polite’ he was speaking.

Monka was quite the social type. He walked outside the shop, walked alongside Jian Chengxi, and said, “Little brother, didn’t you marry into Sky City? What are you doing here?”

Monka, who had just been released from prison, clearly didn’t understand the situation very well.

Jian Chengxi, a bit guilty, said, “Hmm… just came to take a look around.”

Monka noticed his hesitant manner and tapped on his head. He said, “You weren’t divorced, were you?”

“…”

Ah.

It’s not because of that.

Jian Chengxi couldn’t help but admire the imagination of this space pirate boss.

However, Monka’s imagination didn’t stop there. He looked at Jian Chengxi and said, “What’s wrong? After we kidnapped you, did the man from Sky City start to reject you because you’re not ‘clean’ anymore?”

Jian Chengxi gave a sheepish smile. “Not really…”

Monka had a look on his face as if he knew everything, and spat. “I knew it! Those scumbags from Sky City are all a bunch of pretentious, well-dressed animals!”

“…”

Jian Chengxi didn’t dare to move.

Monka gave him a glance. The space pirate was really craving that pot of meat, and didn’t want to miss out on such a good cook.

He had always been good at recognizing talent.

Monka said generously, “Alright, since things have come to this—the incident was caused by me, and I’ll take responsibility for you!”

?

Jian Chengxi’s eyes widened.

Oh my god.

Why do words from this person’s mouth sound so wrong?

If his general hears this, it’ll be trouble. With Li Lingfeng’s temper, he might just tear the roof off.

Jian Chengxi hurriedly said, “Ah, no need, no need.”

Monka thought he was overwhelmed with gratitude and immediately said, “Don’t worry, I can confidently say that no one in the entire Underground City is richer than me. You come work for us, and the benefits are guaranteed. It’s much better than serving that selfish man at home, right?”

Jian Chengxi was stunned.

Actually, his general was very generous.

Never mind, it’s actually not good to keep being misunderstood like this.

Jian Chengxi was about to explain properly, but then he heard Monka cursing loudly. “Actually, a couple of days ago, I requested you while I was in prison but who knew what the hell Li Lingfeng was thinking. He not only disagreed, but he also whipped me 200 times!”

?

Jian Chengxi didn’t expect there was still this turn of events.

When he watched Monka being punished yesterday, he wondered why the beating was so harsh. At the time, the general seemed to have said something like, “this is light.”

Monka got angry just thinking about it, and made a disdainful spit. “I think Li Lingfeng’s just jealous because he couldn’t get any rabbit meat and now he’s calling it sour!”

“…”

Jian Chengxi was about to speak, but then he glanced to the side and saw someone standing at the black market exit—a tall and steady figure.

Jian Chengxi paused for a moment, then gave a small smile and said, “Thank you for the recognition of my cooking skills, but my husband and I are not divorced yet. If you want to hire me, I’m afraid you’ll still need my husband’s approval.”

Monka was still immersed in his complaints. He said, “Who’s that guy?”

Jian Chengxi pointed to the person not far away. “He’s over there.”

The sunlight fell, stretching people’s shadows long.

Monka limped as he walked and he looked up. His eyes met with Li Lingfeng’s, who was standing at the exit in full military uniform.

“…”

The air fell into a momentary silence.

Li Lingfeng’s expression was calm. He turned his head and said to the deputy general behind him, “Take him back, charge him with the crime of escaping prison, and add 50 more lashes.”