Famine 94: A Two-Story Villa

The next tier of the Eye’s trial?

Si Zhiyan shook his head slightly.

“You haven’t, right? I haven’t either,” said Nidhogg, his dragon wings giving a slight twitch. “Seven years now, the sword of Damocles has been hanging over us—long enough that I’m almost starting to forget…”

“But you’re not like me, Boss.”
Nidhogg bared his sharp canines in a grin.
“I can feel that thing’s malice toward you… Don’t expect you’ll have as much time as I did.”

Si Zhiyan smiled, waved a hand, and vanished over the horizon.

Passively waiting for the trial to descend was not his style.

Rather than sitting on a throne waiting for the sword to fall, Si Zhiyan preferred to seize the initiative.

But before that, there were matters he still needed to confirm.

That would have to wait a few days, until the exploration results over at the magma zone came in.

…………
……

Once the farm’s completion hit 61%, the farm owner’s cottage received a major upgrade.

What had once been a simple two-bedroom wooden house was now a two-story villa.

Si Zhiyan promptly reorganized the space, designating the first floor as his office area and reserving the second floor for his private living quarters.

The first floor boasted an open area before the lakeside window—over a dozen meters of high-ceilinged space, spacious and bright, with the panoramic lake view sparkling outside the wooden lattice floor-to-ceiling windows, full of fresh and vibrant energy.

Si Zhiyan redeemed a set of warm-toned sofas from the Mall, placing them by the window atop a muted colorful carpet, with a wooden table at the center. He added a dessert tower and a set of coffee pots to the table.

From now on, this would be the reception area.

Deeper in was Si Zhiyan’s study, facing the forest, its windows full of lush, leafy branches. Parchment lined the walls, magical candle flames flickered, and the atmosphere was tranquil and serene.

Additionally, the farm owner’s residence was not fixed in location and could be relocated at any time. Still, Si Zhiyan was quite satisfied with this spot—there was nothing he wished to change.

The sunny side faced the lake, the shady side faced the forest; every window offered a beautiful view. For hundreds of meters around there was no one, providing perfect peace, yet access remained convenient.

As for the study’s innermost area, it led to the basement.

Si Zhiyan had long disliked the gloom down here, and now, with ample resources, he undertook a total renovation.

He paved the way with bluestone, installed golden fluorite for lighting, and laid down small carpets of glowing moss. With space to spare, he dug several planter pools, and browsed the Mall for a batch of luminous mushrooms to plant.

[Frost Spore Mushrooms]
A cluster of blue mushrooms that like dark, damp places, sprouting in clumps after rain.
If you see a blue glow in the nighttime forest, it might not be only will-o’-the-wisps, but also these harmless fungi.
Their surface is icy cool, and if touched, will burst with minty frost spores.
Edible.

Whether they tasted good or not, he’d find out when they matured.
Si Zhiyan carefully covered the soil, patted it down in the planters, and stretched lazily.

By now, the basement was renewed—still dim, yes, but now a lively, organic subterranean hall.

Not far off, the farm’s black-red fleshy core stood at the center, pulsing rhythmically like a giant heart.

It seemed to have grown, the meat-walls having thinned out a lot, and inside, in shifting shadows, one could faintly make out a curled-up figure.

“……”

Si Zhiyan stood in silence, his eyes softening.

After that battle, Bian Xu had vanished.

Just as Bian Xu had said: win or lose, live or die, he would always be at Si Zhiyan’s side.

If Si Zhiyan faced a mortal threat, Bian Xu would stand by him, no matter what.
Yet once the danger passed and Si Zhiyan had settled everything, when he turned back, Bian Xu would always be gone.

Those brief moments of aid seemed to be just flashes in the corner of his vision—Bian Xu fighting through thorns, doing everything quietly behind the scenes.

There was much Si Zhiyan wanted to ask him, or perhaps he could have simply sat down together, talked as friends, conversed about anything at all.

Xubei Team was almost single-handedly built by Bian Xu. If Si Zhiyan was the distant spiritual leader, then Bian Xu was the big brother everyone had at their side. People gathered here for Bian Xu’s personality, working for Si Zhiyan. Even Nidhogg (grudgingly) spoke highly of him.

To outsiders, Bian Xu appeared radiant, easygoing, untouched by any gloom. Yet Si Zhiyan could sense that Bian Xu was highly sensitive to the hearts and moods of others—a feat impossible for someone without burdens of their own.

He seemed a fascinating person. Si Zhiyan wanted to know more.

But he could only see him through the eyes of others, a few rare encounters, piecing together scattered fragments into an incomplete picture.

It was a bit frustrating.

Si Zhiyan placed his hand on the core, and asked:
“…Will you show yourself?”

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

Vines wrapped around Si Zhiyan, slowly tightening, their rough fibers pressing against his pale, thin skin, tracing the lines of his ribs. The tips reached out, lightly stroking his cheek.

“Alright.” Si Zhiyan chuckled softly. “Then I’ll wait for you.”

He closed the entrance to the underground hall and ascended to the second floor.

Upstairs, his world opened radiant and warm: fire crackled in the hearth under the lattice window, the décor was orderly and bustling with cozy color.

Si Zhiyan was rather sentimental, so most of the furniture from his prior cottage made its way upstairs. The second floor’s layout was similar, only now the bedroom featured a larger balcony overlooking the lake. On the balcony, Si Zhiyan set up a comfortable lounge chair and small table, and planted flowers in his new planters.

After a day’s work, to come home to this and gaze at the balcony’s scenery—everything felt worthwhile.

Shedding his coat, undoing the buttons of his shirt, he sank into his soft bed and let out a long breath.

What a long day.

…………
……

[Mist World – Day 16 / 10:00 AM / Farm / Current Farm Completion: 61%]

The sun rose as usual on the following day.

After the previous day’s exhaustion, Si Zhiyan slept in, finally getting up well after sunrise, stretching languidly and washing up.
@ Unlimited good stories, only at Jinjiang Literature City
Boom!!

Still groggy, brushing his teeth, he was startled by a violent explosion outside—the blast nearly shattered the glass of his balcony.

What the hell crashed into the farm?!

Stunned, Si Zhiyan poked his head out for a look.

In the sky, Nidhogg—already fully healed—soared with dragon wings unfurled at the center of Fantasia Lake, a storm swirling around him like a waterfall, golden vertical pupils blazing with inhuman vibrance, and his laughter shook the heavens:

“That’s it! Again! That punch wouldn’t flatten a mosquito—haven’t you eaten breakfast?!”

An icy sheet formed over the lake, where Liang Qingshuang grit his teeth, dress torn, struggling simply to stand against the savage wind.

Nidhogg flashed an evil grin, golden light burning in his eyes:
“Kiddo, if you won’t attack, then I will!”

Wild flames poured down like a meteor shower!

Fantasia Lake nearly boiled, waves surging, spraying water and fish in all directions—the startled catch flying bewilderedly through the air.
On the side, the fire phoenixes soared as if it were festival, trailing flaming tails as they darted through the air snatching up fish.

“I forfeit!!” Liang Qingshuang shouted, but it was too late—all he could do was shield his head and face and stare at the oncoming inferno.

Gao Zhai had already fallen into the water, barely able to keep himself afloat. “Sister Liang!”

Splash!
At the last second, all the meteors exploded in midair.
The surging waves, loaded with fish and shrimp, crashed back into the lake.

Instant silence.

Liang Qingshuang and the others nervously looked toward Si Zhiyan.

“Nice move!” Nidhogg, still facing away and full of excitement, held an ever-growing fireball in his hand, unaware of the real situation.

Si Zhiyan: “……”

Suddenly, a streak of golden light struck from behind—BOOM—a bolt from on high slammed Nidhogg straight onto the shore!

“Pfaugh—cough, cough, cough…”

Nidhogg lifted his scorched head, baring his teeth, and glared upward to see the farm owner standing expressionless, arms folded.

His gaze swept across each face.

“…………Cough.”
Nidhogg gave an awkward cough and started making excuses:
“You can’t blame me—this girl heard I was the top candidate and insisted on a spar…”

“I’m a guy,” Liang Qingshuang said.

“……” Si Zhiyan’s eyes shifted to Liang Qingshuang and Gao Zhai splashing in the lake.

“Uh… he’s right, it was a fair match,” Gao Zhai admitted, dripping wet but grinning. “Nidhogg really is the top candidate—this time, our defeat is absolute.”

Nidhogg stretched out: “What are you so worried about, Boss? Do I look like the sort to kick every pretty girl I meet on the road?”

“I’m a guy,” repeated Liang Qingshuang.

Everything seemed in order. Si Zhiyan nodded. “If you run into any trouble you can’t resolve, come find me at any time.”

“And don’t harm the farm animals.” You’ll have to pay.

“Yes, yes, terribly sorry,” Gao Zhai laughed. “We lost fair and square, nothing wrong with that. As for the damages, we’ll cover them. I’m catching some fish and shrimp now anyway—going to grill them for lunch. I’ll log it with Yun Zhong later.”

Nidhogg slapped his thigh. “Oho! Why didn’t you say so earlier?
If you want fish, no problem—one’s not enough, right?”

Gao Zhai blanched. “Wait! I was just being polite! It’s just a figure of speech! No, let me get back to shore first—aaah!”

………………
……

What a thoroughly, thoroughly chaotic morning.

After the commotion finally settled, silence returned.
@ Unlimited good stories, only at Jinjiang Literature City
Nidhogg, still bleeding from the head, grinned and clapped Gao Zhai on the shoulder—nearly knocking him into the dirt. Liang Qingshuang wrung out his torn dress while Nidhogg, hand still on Gao Zhai, glanced over and asked, “That girl… what’s her name again… Liang Qingshuang? I don’t have to pay for your dress, right?”

Liang Qingshuang: “…No need. Also, I’m a guy…”

To the side, Shi He bowed repeatedly to Si Zhiyan. “Sorry, truly sorry to have caused you trouble—please forgive us…”

Who was the older brother here?

Si Zhiyan replied coolly, “It’s fine. I was prepared for some property damage before I started raising him.”

Shi He: “…”
That didn’t sound like he was talking about a person.

In short, Si Zhiyan felt at ease.
For now, Nidhogg seemed to be getting along with everyone at the farm—how, exactly, was best left unexamined.

Next, it was time for Si Zhiyan to take a good count of the spoils from yesterday’s battle.

The farm never stinted on its upgrades; looking through the list, it was quite a harvest.