Chapter 21 Skills
The "spring" within the fortress seemed to have reached a point of abundance earlier than the muddy, filthy, and perilous real world outside. And this point, in the sunroom, announced its arrival in an almost silent yet vibrant way.
Wen Yu finished his routine system checks and data analysis for the day and left the control room in the afternoon. The sky outside was still overcast, and the damp chill brought by the melting snow seemed to seep through the thick walls, but the temperature control system inside the fortress steadily resisted it. He habitually headed towards the dining room, but as he passed the corridor leading to the sunroom, he caught a whiff of something unusual.
It was an extremely fresh and vibrant plant scent, mixed with the slightly fishy smell of damp earth, and... a faint, sweet fragrance with the scent of sunshine? This scent stood out particularly in the clean and slightly cool air filtered by the fortress, like a drop of thick ink falling into clear water, instantly spreading vitality.
He paused, then turned towards the sunroom.
Pushing open the soundproof and heat-insulating glass door, he was immediately enveloped in warm, humid air. LED plant lights simulated the midday sun, bright yet not glaring, evenly bathing each outstretched leaf. A humming circulating fan brought a continuous breeze, and the hydroponic system emitted a very soft, rhythmic sound of flowing water. This was a small oasis, brimming with life, a stark contrast to the cold, rigid precision of the rest of the fortress.
At the heart of the oasis is Suran.
He was crouching with his back to the door, in front of the innermost row of planters, his body slightly leaning forward, forming a focused yet gentle curve. Today he wore a light green cotton shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing a section of his fair and slender forearm. The afternoon "sunlight" fell on him, giving his soft black hair a fuzzy golden edge, and even revealing the fine, soft downy hair on the back of his neck.
He seemed to be looking at something, motionless, with only his shoulders rising and falling slowly with his slight breathing.
Wen Yu didn't speak immediately, his gaze sweeping across the entire sunroom. Compared to his last visit, it had changed again.
Previously sparse or leggy lettuce and tomato seedlings have now become lush and green. The lettuce leaves are thick and glossy, layered and overflowing the planting trough, their color a healthy, vibrant emerald green, with cute curled edges. The tomato seedlings have grown even taller, with sturdy stems and deep green leaves. More importantly—among the dense foliage, Wen Yu saw tiny, delicate specks of bright yellow!
It's a flower. The tomato plant is blooming.
In the corner, in the "private plot" that Su Ran had carved out using discarded containers, the pots of scallions and garlic were already lush and green, with the verdant scallion leaves standing tall and the garlic sprouts growing strong, emitting a pungent aroma. In the newly added styrofoam boxes nearby, bok choy and radish sprouts had also emerged from the soil, topped with two tender green cotyledons, thriving.
But Su Ran's focus at the moment was clearly not on these things.
Wen Yu took a few steps closer. His footsteps were almost inaudible on the soft ground, but Su Ran seemed to be particularly sensitive to the scent, or rather, he was completely absorbed in what was in front of him, until Wen Yu's shadow loomed over him, at which point he trembled like a startled deer and turned around in a panic.
"Mr. Wen!" Su Ran subconsciously tried to stand up, but her legs went numb from squatting for too long, and she swayed.
Wen Yu reached out and firmly supported his arm. His touch revealed warm, smooth skin beneath the shirt, and muscles slightly tense from nervousness. Su Ran's body heat radiated through the thin fabric, warmer than the air in the sunroom.
Su Ran's face flushed instantly, the blush spreading from his ears down to his neck. He quickly stood up straight, lowered his head, and dared not look at Wen Yu. His fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of his clothes, and his voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz: "I'm...I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in..."
Wen Yu released his grip, his gaze falling on the spot where he had been staring—the middle section of two exceptionally well-grown tomato seedlings. Hidden among the lush green leaves and small yellow flowers, he noticed something else.
Several small, greenish-blue, round fruits. Only the size of a fingernail, with smooth skin and withered calyxes still clinging to their tips, like timid little elves peeking out, clinging tightly to the stem, gleaming with a warm, jade-like luster under the simulated "sunlight".
They're cherry tomatoes. They've produced fruit.
Among the lettuce bushes nearby, two lettuce heads grew exceptionally large, their leaves tightly wrapped together, forming firm and plump heads that, judging by their size, were almost ready for harvest.
"This is..." Wen Yu's voice was lower than usual, with a hint of barely perceptible surprise.
He had witnessed growth, but seeing such vibrant, robust life, even beginning to bear fruit, in this completely artificial, isolated environment, so soon after the apocalypse, was far more impactful and moving than seeing mountains of canned goods piled up in a warehouse.
Su Ran noticed the difference in his tone, and quietly raised her eyes to quickly glance at Wen Yu. Seeing that his gaze was fixed on the cherry tomatoes and that he showed no signs of anger, she became a little bolder.
He moved closer to the tomato seedling, and with his slender fingers, very gently and tenderly touched one of the smallest fruits, as if afraid of damaging it.
"Yes, yes, cherry tomatoes." Su Ran's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and a hint of pride. Her eyes shone brightly, like the light shining into the entire sunroom, sparkling with pure, childlike joy. "I counted them, these two plants have produced nine in total! Although they are still very small, they have already set fruit. As long as they get enough nutrition and sunlight, they will grow big and turn red soon!"
He then pointed to the lettuce next to him, "Those two are also ready to eat; now is the perfect time to pick them when they're at their tenderest."
He turned to look at Wen Yu, his face flushed with excitement, a tiny speck of pollen still clinging to the tip of his nose, his long eyelashes fluttering, his eyes clear and full of anticipation, as if presenting a treasure: "Mr. Wen, look! It really can be grown! And it grows very well!"
Wen Yu looked at his bright eyes and his face, which was especially lively and vivid because of his happiness.
Su Ran has a special quality: he is usually quiet and timid, but when it comes to things he is good at or likes—such as cooking or these plants—he will unconsciously radiate an inner brilliance, diluting his cautious restraint and becoming vivid and... dazzling.
His gaze returned to the few unripe little fruits, then swept over the plump lettuce, the lush scallions and garlic, and the tender green shoots. This was not simply a matter of "they survived."
This is an outstanding achievement obtained under extreme conditions, using limited resources to simulate a suitable environment, and carefully controlling every variable—light, temperature, humidity, nutrients, and even pollination. It requires knowledge, patience, meticulous observation, and an almost instinctive affinity for plants.
This isn't just an ordinary gardening hobby. This is a skill that turns lead into gold in a post-apocalyptic world.
"You did very well," Wen Yu said, his voice steady, but the affirmation in it was clear. He wasn't one to give compliments often, but this one was given without reservation.
Su Ran's eyes brightened, her blush deepened, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up, revealing a genuine, slightly shy yet radiant smile. He quickly lowered his head to hide his excessive joy and whispered, "It's...it's because the conditions here are so good. The lights, the nutrient solution, and the equipment you prepared...it's all excellent."
"The equipment is inanimate," Wen Yu said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the small section of Su Ran's fair nape that was exposed when she lowered her head. "It's your skill to bring them to life and make them bear fruit."
Su Ran's fingers clenched tighter, her ears turning bright red, but her heart felt warm and swollen, as if Wen Yu's simple yet powerful words had injected a warm current into it, making her feel a little sore.
He sniffed, trying to calm himself, and looked up, his eyes more serious than before: "Mr. Wen, I think... we can expand the planting area a bit more. There's still space in the sunroom, and I've discovered that different crops have slightly different needs for light and nutrients, so we can manage them more precisely by dividing the area. For example, tomatoes like sunlight, while lettuce tolerates shade, so we can plant them together. Also, the bean sprouts I sprouted before can be tried in shallow hydroponics; they grow faster and don't take up much space..."
As he spoke, his pace quickened unconsciously, and the light in his eyes transformed into a calm and professional deliberation. Pointing to different areas, he gestured and explained his plans: where to add vertical planting racks, which crops could be intercropped, how to recycle nutrient solutions, and even mentioned trying to use liquid from kitchen waste compost as supplemental fertilizer…
Wen Yu listened quietly without interrupting. He stood with his back to the light, his tall figure casting a shadow in front of Su Ran. His short black hair gleamed with a cold, hard sheen under the simulated "sunlight," and his high nose and tightly pursed lips outlined his usual aloof and stern features.
But at this moment, his eyes, which were always as sharp as a hawk's and seemed to see through everything, were fixed on Su Ran's slender fingers gesturing excitedly, on his pale pink lips that were opening and closing as he uttered professional terms, and on his profile that was shining as he talked about what he loved.
He watched as this excessively beautiful young cook, whom he had picked up from a snowy night, displayed a creativity and wisdom that made even cold equipment and data pale in comparison—a creativity and wisdom inherent in life itself—within this tiny oasis he had created.
"Okay." After Su Ran finished speaking and looked at him with slight trepidation, Wen Yu gave brief permission. "Make a list of what you need. Tools, materials, seeds, or any new crop varieties you want to try. As long as it's in the warehouse, or I can get it."
Su Ran was stunned, seemingly not expecting such unwavering support. He opened his mouth, his eyes suddenly welling up with tears. He blinked hard, suppressing the stinging sensation, and nodded emphatically, "Yes! Thank you, Mr. Wen! I... I will work even harder! I will definitely grow more and better vegetables!"
"No rush." Wen Yu turned around, his gaze sweeping over the vibrant sunroom before finally settling on Su Ran's face. His tone was calm, yet carried a heavy weight. "From now on, this place is yours to manage. Do it your way."
This is not a simple "permission," but rather a kind of "authorization." This space, symbolizing the hope for sustainable survival, has been handed over to Su Ran.
Su Ran was startled, looking into Wen Yu's deep, calm eyes. There was no probing, no reservations, only pure trust based on facts. This trust weighed heavily on his heart, almost unbearable, yet it also gave rise to boundless courage and a sense of responsibility.
"I...I won't let you down," he heard himself say in a slightly trembling but unusually firm voice.
Wen Yu nodded almost imperceptibly, said nothing more, and turned to leave the sunroom. The glass door closed gently behind him, shutting out the moist, warm greenery and the slender figure with slightly red eyes but an upright back.
The corridor had regained its usual cleanliness and coolness. But Wen Yu could still smell the fresh scent of the plants in the sunroom and the faint, clean scent of soapberry on Su Ran.
He walked back to the control room and sat down again in that cold, high-backed chair. The data stream on the screen remained the same, and the external monitoring footage showed mud and gloom. But his state of mind was slightly different now than when he had entered.
Those few unripe cherry tomatoes and those two plump lettuce heads were more than just food. They were a symbol, a testament. A testament that in this desperate apocalypse, besides plunder, hoarding, and consumption, there was also the possibility of creation, growth, and hope.
And Su Ran is the one who turned this possibility into reality.
His value far surpasses that of a skilled chef or a diligent handyman. He is perhaps the most crucial link in the ecological cycle of this fortress, the one who can transform cold reserves into continuous vitality.
Wen Yu leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Images of Su Ran squatting in front of the tomato seedlings, gazing intently at them, appeared in his mind; the light in Su Ran's eyes when he talked about planting appeared; his face flushed with embarrassment at a word of affirmation appeared, along with that unusually bright, tearful smile.
This unexpected "little cook" is redefining her place in this fortress in ways she never imagined, subtly changing the fortress itself, and perhaps even... subtly influencing Wen Yu himself.
He opened his eyes, his gaze regaining its calm and sharpness. But deep within his eyes, beneath the frozen lake, something seemed to ripple slightly, almost imperceptibly, because of that vibrant green and those eyes brimming with joy and earnestness.
The end times are still long. But perhaps, having someone who can create "life" by your side will make this lonely and cold road a little easier.
As for the resources needed to expand planting... Wen Yu pulled up the materials management list and began quickly browsing it. He would meet Su Ran's request. This was not just an investment, but a shrewd strategic plan for the future.
Outside the window, dusk was falling, and dark clouds hung low. Inside the fortress, the sunroom lights remained bright, illuminating the quietly expanding green expanse and a young figure, eyes shining with enthusiasm, full of energy for his newly acquired "territory" and the trust he had gained.