Volume One, Chapter 18: Establishing a Home

Should he build the framework first or lay the floor? How could he design it to be both sturdy and practical?

These were questions neither Zhuang Fan nor Zhong Xiahan understood.

So he had no choice but to rely on the auxiliary system to construct their home.

Moreover, he planned to build only five sides: the front, the two sides, and the top. The back would connect to the cave, so it could be left open.

With this plan, the little over a hundred units of wood he had would be just sufficient.

Zhuang Fan activated the system.

[Build] – [Structure] – [Foundation]

He knew the foundation had to be solid, so he chose a type that could be completed quickly.

Next came:

[Wall] – [Wooden Wall] – [Shape]

After selecting one, a virtual wooden wall appeared before him.

As he moved, the wooden wall shifted position and orientation accordingly.

Before long, Zhuang Fan became adept at using the construction system.

A flash of blue light, and a wooden wall materialized in front of him.

The corresponding units of wood in his backpack decreased accordingly.

He began to build his very first nominal home rapidly.

Wooden walls, then the roof, followed by a wooden door and window.

Soon, a wooden house stood complete.

Square and simple, nothing fancy.

Though Zhong Xiahan complained that it looked ugly, Zhuang Fan was very satisfied.

With it, their safety was at least somewhat ensured.

Seeing the 31 units of wood left in his backpack, an idea struck him: he would build a home for the little bear.

After all, he was a kind human. If the circumstances hadn’t been so dire, he wouldn’t have dared to steal an animal’s home or food.

Not far away, Zhuang Fan constructed another small wooden house.

Zhong Xiahan eagerly directed the process alongside him, and they finished quickly.

Its shape resembled a doghouse from Earth.

After completing the small house, Zhong Xiahan thoughtfully laid some grass inside.

Though modest in size, it should provide enough shelter from wind and rain for the little bear.

It might be a bit cramped and quite humble compared to its previous home, but having something was better than nothing.

Zhuang Fan hoped that when the bear saw it, it would willingly come over and be their neighbor.

He looked forward to it eagerly.

Of course, his intentions were good, but he harbored other motives as well.

If food ever ran desperately low, having a neighbor like this might come in handy...

Zhong Xiahan, unaware of his secret thoughts, still dreamed of befriending the adorable bear as a friendly neighbor.

Unnoticed, dusk fell again, and night cloaked the land.

Zhuang Fan, exhausted, returned to their new home with Zhong Xiahan.

As for a bed, he hadn’t managed to make one yet — anyway, the bear’s nest was quite comfortable to sleep on.

Lying there, Zhuang Fan opened the [Regional Channel – Dragon Kingdom].

[Current Location: Ashen Gorge] [Population: 141,877]

“Can someone send food? I’m starving.”

“Male stays, female self-sufficient.”

“Hahaha~”

“I’m so hungry I’m chewing on tree bark, boohoo.”

“Uh, are you guys really that bad off? I was born by the stream, right next to some wild melons—pretty comfortable!”

“???“

“666”

“999”

“Bro, can I trade you some plant fibers for melons?”

“As compatriots, we should help each other. Give me two wild melons; I promise to repay you later.”

“Get lost!”

“...”

“Anyone got water? I’ll trade wood!”

“+1”

“+2”

“10 units of wood for 1 unit of flint, who wants?”

“Food for water, PM me.”

“...”

“Guys, I spotted a wild person — a female one. [Image]”

“Hesitation means defeat, go for it!”

“You’re really starving...”

“Any male wild people?”

“Bro, are you from Chengdu?”

“How did you know?”

“...”

Zhuang Fan idly scrolled through the channel messages.

…

Then he remembered Ko Mengyao, the school beauty, and greeted her.

“Mengyao, you okay today?”

“Zhuang Fan, I’m fine, just got blisters on my feet from walking. My spot is too low; I want to move to somewhere higher.”

“Come join me quickly! Look at my new home. [Image]”

“Zhuang Fan, you’re amazing to have built a house already. When I’m in trouble, you better take me in.”

“Don’t worry, of course I will. You can do all the hard work; I’ll just lie back and enjoy it.”

“Zhuang Fan, you’re turning bad!”

“...”

The two chatted back and forth for a long time before ending the conversation.

Zhuang Fan then opened messages from Lou Yijia.

She had sent some videos, which he watched intently.

They were indeed thrilling.

Zhuang Fan found it hard to sleep, his gaze drifting unconsciously toward Zhong Xiahan beside him.

She was unguarded, sleeping soundly.

He reminded himself repeatedly that Zhong was capable of self-destruction, so he must restrain his desires.

Yet he also noticed Lou Yijia looked pale and weary.

“Brother, I’m about to give out. No food, no water.”

“Brother, if I’m gone, will you miss me?”

“Brother, you’ve been so good to me. Next life, I’ll repay you properly.”

Zhuang Fan smiled, entertained by Lou Yijia’s “performance.”

Still, he replied.

“Jiajia, have you watched Bear Grylls’ survival videos? If you really lack water, you can drink your own urine.”

“If even that’s impossible, I might reluctantly help you. Keep fighting!”

“[Cattail Stalks] [Emoji] x2”

After sending this, Zhuang Fan prepared to rest.

Outside, all was quiet.

The wind bear had appeared only a few times today, no longer howling like before.

It seemed to have given up, realizing its home and food were lost.

Still, Zhuang Fan hoped it would become his neighbor.

Its fluffy appearance was quite endearing and pleasant to behold.

And in emergencies, it could serve as “reserve food.”

He chuckled inwardly, feeling like a genius.

…

Dawn broke gently, morning light softly washed over the land.

With the wooden house, Zhuang Fan slept soundly.

Now refreshed, he grabbed his axe and set out.

The small trees around were chopped to bits, leaving few left.

Helpless, he had to venture farther to find more trees to fell.

As he left, he noticed a grassy nest in a nearby corner.

It should belong to Little Gray.

That was the name Zhong Xiahan had given the wind bear.

An idea struck Zhuang Fan; he hurried over and moved the nest into the small wooden house he had built earlier.

When Little Gray returned, it might follow the scent and settle there.

Perhaps then, they truly could become neighbors.

…

After a busy morning, Zhuang Fan had gathered dozens more units of wood.

He brought it home to reinforce the house.

One layer of wooden walls couldn’t fend off those ferocious monsters; the house must be made sturdier.

However, he noticed his stone axe was near the end of its life.

The blade was dull, the handle loose—probably only a few more uses before it broke.

He could only recycle the broken axe later to try and recover some resources.

After eating a fruit, Zhuang Fan chose not to rest at midday.

There would be plenty of time at night to relax.

Daylight had to be used wisely; he planned to check the water pool he had found earlier.

He didn’t tell Zhong Xiahan about this plan—both to avoid worrying her and to prevent her from slowing him down.

Before setting off, he carefully took a wooden stick and other necessary items.

Water sources in the wild were usually animal gathering spots; this otherworld was likely no different.

There might be unknown dangers at the pool; he had to be prepared and cautious.