doomsday shelter

Chapter 19：Vain

Song Yunian, concerned about any unforeseen circumstances, hastened to follow behind Zhang Meng. Suddenly, he heard Zhang Meng, who had already descended the stairs, let out a sharp scream of "Ah" and quickly ran back, throwing herself into Song Yunian's arms. Her petite body was trembling, and her precocious bosom pressed tightly against him as she exclaimed in terror, "How frightening! It scared me to death!"

Feeling rather embarrassed by her embrace, Song Yunian's face flushed crimson. Fortunately, it was dark inside, so his embarrassment was concealed. He gently stroked her head and asked, "What's wrong? Did you find something?"

He Yao-wu and the others also followed the sound and entered. He casually reached out and switched on the lights by the door. Zhang Jian asked, "Zhang Meng, what happened?"

Blushing, Zhang Meng released Song Yunian from her embrace. However, Liang Jiajia noticed it all, and her expression immediately soured. Fortunately, she managed to restrain herself from outbursts.

With flushed cheeks, Zhang Meng explained, "There's a rat down there! It almost bit my foot!"

He Yao-wu chuckled, "Little sister, you should stand back. Let us gentlemen lead the way!"

The basement was well-lit throughout the journey. Besides occasionally encountering a few mice, spiders, and cockroaches, there was nothing terrifying. The walls were only painted white. Everyone descended into the basement, explored around, but found nothing unusual.

Covering an area of ​​over a hundred square meters, the basement was divided into several storage rooms, filled with dusty cabinets and refrigerators. Upon inspection, although they were still quite new, they were empty, devoid of food or the tools needed for their modified car.

He Yao-wu's heart sank like ashes, and he sneered, "So, this is the surprise Liang Boss mentioned about the basement? This is the wonder? Ridiculous! Now the car can't be modified, and we'll all starve to death! Haha!"

Liang Jiajia, already enraged, heard He Yao-wu mocking her deceased father again. She had long held a grudge against them and angrily retorted, "Who do you think you are? How dare you mock my father? You've been freeloading off us, yet you're still unsatisfied? What contributions have you made? If you're capable, why don't you just leave?"

He Yao-wu was rendered speechless by her words. He had no intention of mocking Liang Jiajia's father; he just felt that they were all in dire straits and spoke out of turn, especially considering his own family's burden on others. Feeling guilty, he didn't argue with Liang Jiajia, allowing her to scold him.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Hui retorted sarcastically, "What do you mean by freeloading? Aren't Villas No. 1 and No. 3 also yours? Our family's He Yao-wu is busy every day at your house, at the beck and call of your family's Song Yunian. He hasn't stopped working! And..."

"Shut up!" He Yao-wu, afraid of his wife, interrupted Yuan Hui. He said, "Hurry back to take care of the kids and your parents. Don't meddle here! This is none of your business!"

Yuan Hui never expected He Yao-wu to reprimand her. Just as she was about to explode, He Yao-wu unexpectedly slapped her round cheek with a powerful blow, making her tear up. It was the first time in five years of marriage that she had been hit. She cried out, "You, surname He, I spoke up for you, and you dare to hit me? I won't let this go..."

"If you don't leave now, I'll hit you again. Do you want to try?" He Yao-wu pointed at Yuan Hui, frightening their four-year-old daughter into tears. The others intervened and separated them.

Xu Xiaoli and Zhang Meng escorted Yuan Hui and the three children out of the basement, back to the room. Liang Jiajia was about to leave alone, but Zhang Jian quickly tapped Song Yunian's shoulder, signaling him to follow.

After everyone left, He Yao-wu collapsed on the ground like a deflated balloon. Zhang Jian said, "You are the backbone of the family! You can't collapse!"

Tears welled up in He Yao-wu's eyes. He felt the pressure was overwhelming. The family was on the verge of running out of food, and he felt helpless. He said, "I wish I could just end it all! It would be better than this!"

Zhang Jian, not only a renowned surgeon but also knowledgeable in psychology, used various techniques to console He Yao-wu, dissuading him from suicidal thoughts. They continued searching the basement. Since Song Yunian had discovered the inconspicuous button earlier, there must be other secrets yet to be discovered.

Song Yunian followed Liang Jiajia along the mountain path, his mind filled with thoughts of the basement's secrets. Moreover, he didn't feel responsible for Zhang Meng's sudden embrace; thus, he didn't feel the need to explain to Liang Jiajia, assuming she was still angry at He Yao-wu and the others.

Liang Jiajia knew Song Yunian was following behind her and waited for him to provide an explanation. Although she understood that Song Yunian didn't intend to embrace another woman, she couldn't be sure of Zhang Meng's intentions towards her husband. The jealousy lingering in her heart was hard to dispel. As for He Yao-wu's words, she had long been displeased with their family and this outburst was just the culmination of it all.

The two of them entered Villa No. 4, sat on the sofa, lost in thought, each pondering different matters. Liang Jiajia, seeing Song Yunian frowning, realized it wasn't his fault that he embraced another woman, so she no longer harbored any anger towards him.

She scooted closer to Song Yunian, leaning her head on his thigh, and looked up into his eyes, asking, "Husband, what are you thinking about?"

Song Yunian replied, "Nothing much, I'm pondering what secrets the basement holds. Your mother said there's a safe place in the basement, and she can't be wrong. But shouldn't a secure place be more than just a fingerprint door?"

Liang Jiajia said, "You're right! Husband, my mother was talking about our Villa No. 4, not their Villa No. 2."

Song Yunian said, "But He Yao-wu mentioned that there are secrets in the basement of every villa!"

Liang Jiajia stretched out her fair arms, encircling Song Yunian's neck, and coquettishly said, "Husband, let's not mind them. Let's go check out our own basement!"

Song Yunian thought it made sense; they would see when they got there!