After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 354

Aberdeen City, a few years ago

Along the beautiful, well-maintained cobblestone path, a gorgeous couple could be seen walking along it. They were all smiles looking at each other with googly eyes, their contrasting hands intertwined as if it was meant to be.

It was her soft, dainty hands with his large calloused ones, except the couple only felt each other’s warmth.

They were framed by the trees and the scrubs as they ambled. Most people around would end up sighing in admiration at the sight of them.

Of course, the world would never lack dissatisfied people, and it so happened that there was one nearby.

"TSK!" A grumpy voice entered the leisurely couple’s ears, "Kids nowadays have no shame!!!"

Althea blinked, unconsciously loosening her hold on her boyfriend’s hand. However, Garan immediately tightened his grip and he gently pulled her as they continued to walk.

"No, don’t listen to them," Garan said, guiding her forward, back to their leisure walk in the few public green parks in the country. "We have such limited time together now. How can we care about others?"

She blinked, thought about it, and nodded a moment later. "Hmm, you’re right."

Garan grinned, leaning down to kiss her hair. His (future) wife is so cute.

"But… I don’t want them watching our kisses though." She told him, very seriously, and he chuckled in response.

"Of course not. We don’t want to be spectacles right?" He then gently pinched her nose. "Our kisses are left behind closed doors."

_____________

Present.

The couple didn’t announce the children’s name in the end, as they decided to hold the babies’ one-month celebration instead. It was within a few days anyway, which was just in time.

As they sat down at the table for the midday meal, they couldn’t help but look at Beanie.

The man had made considerable improvement from yesterday, as seen by how stably he held onto his son and not sobbing his heart out.

For lunch, they had several dishes a la carte. There were various meat and vegetable dishes, plated nicely by the talented team chef.

They also had a number of fish dishes, the catches courtesy of Ansel. He was quite smug about this. He said he stayed long hours under the sun to catch this meal for them and they ought be thankful.

It was just that his smug monogue was cut abruptly when he caught sight of Garan who was staring blankly at him. He didn’t even say anything, but Ansel bitterly shut up.

Unexpectedly—

"Good job," Garan said, voice deep as always, "A fish could feed two people."

Ansel’s eyes brightened like the sun.

He immediately schooled his expression though, pretending to be nonchalant. Except… it was too late because Althea and the others already saw the exchange.

They had to stop themselves from chuckling and embarrassing the poor lad.

Back to the food, this ’special’ dish was delivered in grilled fish form, tender and perfectly seasoned. It was also glazed with the local citrus fruit (as their own lemons were still flowering).

Next to it was the bluish nutritious mound of steamed local rice. It was fluffy and fragrant. It was also shaped into a half globe, as if promising their stomachs would be this shape after a while.

This was topped by scrambled Gugu bird eggs, mixed with Terran tomatoes and mushrooms, adding a delightful contrast to the fish.

And finally, there was a vegetable mix stir-fry to add a burst of freshness.

It looked very sumptuous.

More prominently, Harold had successfully made half the dishes to have special effects for the spirit, which was very fitting for everyone.

"This looks really good, Harold," Althea said and Harold smiled widely.

"Thank you. I’m just doing my part," he said, and the group began to start eating.

Garan carefully deboned the fish and placed it on the rice, allowing it to absorb more flavor.

He then scooped it up with the ceramic spoon with a wooden handle. But instead of going into his own mouth, he placed it in front of Althea’s.

Althea blinked, but otherwise naturally took it into her mouth.

The others stared at the ceiling, wondering when they’d get used to all this PDA.

Althea then wiped the milk on the children’s faces as she chewed, promptly refilled by Garan as she swallowed.

"You eat as well." She told him, unable to reciprocate because she was taking care of the babies who were drinking from the baby bottles she got from Terran.

Garan regretfully went to serve his own food and was about to eat a spoonful when Harold leaned forward and mentioned village gossip.

"Have you heard? A group of powerful people gathered and were waiting around the village center for the past few days." He said. "They all look very powerful, like soldiers.

Garan, who just remembered he had people with him, froze a little and his spoon hung in the air for a second before he awkwardly finished the move.

Althea, who was also reminded, turned to look at Garan. "I’ll go see," she said, and Garan cleared his throat.

"I’m coming with you," he added, his baritone voice as monotonous as ever.

The couple then rushed to eat their food and excused themselves, standing up to prepare for an excursion.

They placed the two babies on the stroller and Garan naturally pushed them out.

The others were puzzled, but Ansel saw all this and cackled.