Chapter 30: The Space Is Too Ravenous
After a series of familiar operations, the information on the pale blue screen changed.
All crops that could provide energy for the Space to absorb now displayed progress bars after their names.
According to the current information displayed, aside from the fruit tree saplings, all other crops could provide energy for the Space’s upgrade.
After confirming this, Shen Yi’an found the “Recharge” button in the upper-left corner of the pale blue screen.
Without much effort, it was clear what this button was for.
The moment his fingertip touched the “Recharge” button, a flash of white light swept across the pale blue screen.
Immediately afterward, visible changes occurred on the Black Soil Land.
All plants, including the fruit tree saplings, had their internal energy absorbed in an instant.
As their vitality vanished, their physical forms turned to ash in the blink of an eye.
Looking at the now-empty Black Soil Land, Shen Yi’an couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
The Space is too ravenous!
Absorbing mature plants is understandable—after all, they can provide energy for the Space’s upgrade.
But why were the fruit tree saplings absorbed as well?
Even if they were just filler, the immature saplings shouldn’t be of much use, right?
After all, the pale blue screen didn’t show any progress bar for recharging the fruit tree saplings.
Though exasperated, he had no choice but to accept this reality.
If they’re absorbed, so be it. At worst, he could just double the purchase of seeds and saplings next time.
Returning to the small hut, Shen Yi’an noticed a gap had appeared along the edge of the Luopan (Compass).
Upon closer inspection, he realized the gemstone that had been in that spot was gone.
But why would the gemstone disappear for no reason?
The energy absorbed for the Space’s upgrade came from the spiritual spring and the crops on the Black Soil Land.
The Luopan didn’t contribute energy for the Space’s upgrade.
Could it be that the accumulation of the Space’s energy is also connected to the gemstones on the Luopan?
Does a gemstone disappear every time the recharge ends?
Unable to make sense of this logic for the moment, Shen Yi’an didn’t dwell on it too much.
Thinking he’d figure it out eventually, he went to the spiritual spring and lifted the restrictions on the Space.
Shortly after, the familiar “gulping” sound echoed once more.
After another hour of energy replenishment, he tidied up, left the Space, and fell straight into bed.
Only after confirming the familiar, steady breathing from inside the room did the two people guarding the door tiptoe back to the master bedroom.
“Old Shen, something’s off with you tonight.”
With the lights off and tucked into bed, Deng Yaxin’s voice drifted softly through the darkness.
“Whenever you heard our little girl’s steady breathing before, you couldn’t help but tear up and sniffle.”
“It might’ve been a bit embarrassing, but it was genuine emotion.”
“So what’s going on today? Why didn’t you cry? Instead, you even smiled?”
Hearing this, Shen Guozhong’s face, illuminated by moonlight, once again broke into a smile.
“Our little girl may be physically weak, but her luck is truly remarkable.”
“As a child, she had a protective talisman watching over her. Now that she’s grown, she’s met people of such stature that we might never have encountered them in our entire lives.”
“Good, very good.”
Hearing this seemingly unrelated remark, Deng Yaxin gave him an annoyed shove.
“Why is it so hard to talk to you?”
“What did I ask, and what did you answer?”
“Don’t get impatient just yet!” Shen Guozhong turned to face his wife, who was lying flat on her back.
“Do you know why I said that earlier?”
Though puzzled, Deng Yaxin asked eagerly, “Why?”
Hearing this, Shen Guozhong finally chuckled heartily, “Do you know what that kid said during our chat tonight?”
At the mention of “that kid,” Deng Yaxin immediately knew he was referring to Li Beichen.
But being teased again irritated her, and she couldn’t resist kicking him.
“Spit it out or don’t—your choice.”
“Do you really think I have nothing better to do?”
Feeling the sharp ache in his shin from the kick, Shen Guozhong instinctively hissed but eagerly continued.
“While you were talking with Third Sister-in-law earlier, we overheard from the living room.”
“So I took the chance to mention how our little girl has been frail since childhood.”
“Do you know how that kid responded after hearing it?”
He asked rhetorically but quickly answered himself, mainly afraid of getting kicked again.
“That kid said he’d already heard from our daughter about her poor health.”
“Because he knew, he’d already made plans.”
“He said the Old Master has a personal doctor who could help nurse our daughter back to health.”
“But our daughter would have to go to Jingshi for it.”
At this point, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
“The Old Master is no ordinary man, so his personal doctor must be exceptional too.”
“Just thinking our little girl might be saved, even hearing her breathing makes me happy now.”
Understanding his joy, Deng Yaxin bolted upright from under the blankets in excitement.
“Is that true?”
“Did he really say we could use the Old Master’s personal doctor?”
Good heavens, a personal doctor!
In an era dominated by barefoot doctors, township clinics, and public hospitals, a personal doctor was an extremely rare presence.
It didn’t just mean 24/7 exclusive care—it was a symbol of status and prestige.
For working-class families like theirs, even hearing about such things was difficult, let alone accessing them.
Now suddenly, someone appeared offering exactly that.
Honestly, Deng Yaxin felt like she was dreaming—it was utterly unreal.
Seeing her dazed expression, Shen Guozhong—who’d already processed the news—smiled and patted her shoulder reassuringly.
“How could this be fake!”
“If that kid said it, it’s as good as done.”
“Though we’ll owe a favor, I think it’s worth it.”
Compared to their daughter’s health, any debt or perceived inferiority meant nothing.
As long as she lived, favors could eventually be repaid.
But without life, even the smoothest existence would be empty and false.
Confirming it wasn’t a lie, Deng Yaxin’s eyes reddened, and she choked up.
“If it’s real, that’s all that matters! If it’s real!”
“As long as our precious girl is okay, I don’t care how big the favor is.”
“If I can’t repay it in this lifetime, I’ll work like an ox or horse in the next.”
“There will always be a day it’s repaid!”
Hearing this, Shen Guozhong glanced at her amusedly.
“Still calling her ‘precious girl’?”
“Our daughter’s a grown woman now—using her childhood nickname won’t do.”
“What if that kid finds out and teases her about it later?”
“He wouldn’t dare!” Deng Yaxin laughed through her tears.
“Haven’t you noticed yet?”
“Although they’ve only been together for a day, it’s clear that our daughter has the upper hand between the two.”
“That kid is probably completely wrapped around our daughter’s finger.”
After talking it out, the elderly couple, who had originally sat up, snuggled back under the covers.
“With the Li family’s status and background, can we really borrow Old Master’s personal doctor?”
“Even if Old Master is willing, who knows if the higher-ups will have any objections.”
“After all, the personal doctor was assigned by the higher-ups specifically to care for Old Master. Wouldn’t it seem like we’re overstepping our bounds…”
While the two were discussing whether they could borrow the personal doctor, Li Beichen, whom they had repeatedly mentioned, was pondering how to broach the subject with his grandfather.