A Post-Apocalyptic Journey to Another World

The next morning, Zhang Xi quickly washed up and began his big shopping spree. He took a total of 50 yuan from Huang Lin, all the cash in Huang Lin's safe.

Zhang Xi first found a 120-square-meter three-bedroom apartment in the community and rented it for 4 yuan a year. Then he bought more than ten large freezers online. In 2023, e-commerce and e-commerce in China were very developed. In cities like Pingyuan, orders could be delivered on the same day.

He then immediately went to various department stores and pharmacies to begin a large-scale shopping spree.

After three whole days of work, the three-bedroom apartment was finally filled. Zhang Xi inspected his "warehouse" with satisfaction.

The house was on the third floor of the building next to Zhang Xi's. The entire house was completely unfurnished. The master bedroom, the second bedroom, and the bathroom were neatly stacked with rice, flour, and various grains. Only a narrow passageway, just large enough for one person to pass through, remained between each room.

The living room was filled with more than a dozen large freezers, which were stocked with various high-protein, low-calorie meats, as well as vegetables and fruits.

The kitchen was piled high with brown sugar, calcium tablets, vitamins, and some daily medications.

These supplies were enough for three or four people for two years, costing a total of over 300,000 yuan. Of course, if the purchase hadn't been so urgent, it would have cost much less. But with Huang Lin as his ATM, Zhang Xi was too lazy to bother trying to save money.

……

A week later, on a rare cool day in the height of summer, Zhang Xi took a shower, got a haircut, wore new clothes, and carried two large bouquets of carnations. She arrived at Pingyuan City International Airport early.

After more than ten years apart, Zhang Xi felt like she was in a dream to see her parents, whom she thought were gone forever, back together. Those who haven't experienced this can hardly understand Zhang Xi's feelings right now.

Soon the plane from the United States landed in Plains City. After a long time, a middle-aged couple could be seen walking towards the waiting area from a distance in the crowd.

Although they were still quite far apart, Zhang Xi, with his Bronze Sixth Star strength, could clearly see his parents' figures and appearances. This was the first time Zhang Xi had ever looked at his parents so closely.

My parents looked even thinner than I remembered, their once upright backs now slightly hunched forward. My mother had many more wrinkles around her eyes, and her temples were streaked with gray. Both of them looked extremely tired.

Are these still the same parents I remember who were never tired, who would prepare everything for me before dawn and wake me up for school? They are clearly an elderly couple. They have worked hard all their lives, and now they are getting old, but they still grit their teeth and straighten their backs, which are no longer strong, to fight for more opportunities for their children's future.

And I, on the other hand, took everything for granted. I didn't even look at my parents closely for many years, and I was oblivious to their gradual aging until the day I lost them, when I finally realized it.

Zhang Xi's vision blurred, but he quickly shook his head, suppressing his emotions. He had experienced the pain of loss before, and now, having regained it, it was a precious opportunity bestowed upon him by heaven. He composed himself, not wanting his parents to see and worry.

Zhang Xi rushed forward and immediately embraced the two elderly people.

The elderly couple, Zhang Lei and Han Caiping, were somewhat flattered by their son's sudden enthusiasm. They stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do.

……

As evening approached, the temperature became increasingly muggy, but Zhang Xi's home remained pleasantly cool, with the air conditioning set exceptionally low. At their son's request, Zhang Lei and Han Caiping planned to have hot pot and dumplings for dinner.

Han Caiping was preparing hot pot ingredients in the kitchen, while Zhang Lei and his son Zhang Xi were making dumplings in the living room while watching TV.

Zhang Xi was unusually talkative today, talking about her academic achievements and the teacher's praise; about her friendship with Wang Ruilong and the gossip about that chubby boy; and about a health TV program and how she was going to take her parents for a medical check-up.

Despite Zhang Xi's incessant chatter, Zhang Lei wasn't annoyed at all. He kept his head slightly lowered as he listened intently, as if afraid of missing a single word. Even Han Caiping in the kitchen would occasionally turn to listen in.

Teenagers are often rebellious. Even someone as obedient as Zhang Xi is reluctant to communicate much with his parents. The two elderly people had already grown accustomed to their son's indifference.

After not seeing their son for more than half a year, the couple was overjoyed by his changes. The child had grown up, become more and more sensible, and knew how to care for others.

The meal was ready, and the family sat together happily, eating, chatting, and watching TV. The three of them even drank two bottles of beer. It was just an ordinary meal, but Zhang Xi ate with extraordinary joy. In his previous life as a mercenary, he often dreamed of such scenes, and now it felt like his dream had come true.

After a satisfying meal, Zhang Xi grabbed the bowls and chopsticks and ran to the kitchen to work for a while. After washing the dishes, he went to the living room, turned off the TV, looked at his parents, thought for a moment, and said, "Dad, Mom, I want to tell you something, something very important."

Han Caiping patted the spot next to her and said, "Come here, son, sit next to your mother. Tell me, is there a girl you like?"

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Come on, sit down and let's talk."

Zhang Xi sat down, organized his thoughts, and said, "Mom and Dad, have you seen the news about the space rift in the United States?"

"Yes, most of the TV stations in the United States are private. They started reporting on the strange light portals that appeared one after another two months ago. Various monsters would appear inside, and there were also incidents of monsters injuring people in various places."

Zhang Lei frowned and continued, "However, after the police strengthened security, there were no more civilian casualties."

Zhang Xi looked at the two elderly people, nodded, and continued, "More than two months ago, I had a nightmare. I dreamed about the future! I dreamed that you went to the United States again, and then monsters appeared in large numbers, and transportation between China and the United States was completely cut off."

Han Caiping patted her son on the shoulder and said, "Son, don't worry. Your father and I have resigned from our jobs in the United States and transferred back to Pingyuan City. Because of the monster incidents that have occurred in various places, many colleagues are worried about their elderly parents and children at home, so they have applied to transfer back to China."

Being alone at home and frightened by all sorts of rumors, it's not surprising that she would have strange dreams. This is how Han Caiping interpreted her son's hints.

"Really? That's great!" Zhang Xi was happy but also a little worried. History had changed.

In my previous life, the portal to the United States appeared relatively late, and China maintained excellent information control. Therefore, my parents didn't apply for a transfer back to China. However, my rebirth itself is a small alteration of history. As long as my parents are back, that's all that matters.

History is changing, and his ten years of experience can give him a head start.

Zhang Xi looked down and thought for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Mom and Dad, do you have any construction projects outside of Pingyuan City to work on recently?"

Han Caiping stood up and walked towards Zhang Xi's bedroom, intending to help her son make his bed. As she walked, she said, "We just transferred back to China, and we took two months of annual leave to spend quality time with you. We'll take you to Disneyland and various attractions in Pingyuan City."

At this point, she turned around and looked at her son with some guilt, saying, "You've grown up so much, and your father and I haven't taken you to many places to have fun yet. Even in Pingyuan City, there are many places you haven't been to."

Zhang Xi thought about it and realized it was true. He was a native of Pingyuan City, but he was too much of a homebody. Apart from his neighborhood, school, and a few other places he frequented, he hadn't really been to most places.

Pingyuan City is a metropolis with a population of over ten million; it's too big. It's normal for a middle school student, who isn't someone who's out and about all the time, not to have been to many places.

Hearing that the elderly couple wouldn't be leaving the city anytime soon, Zhang Xi felt relieved. The city has the strongest security, so staying there would be much safer.

Zhang Xi slept soundly that night. He wasn't a man with grand ambitions or lofty aspirations. Even after being reborn, all he wanted was to have enough strength to protect his family and ensure they could live a good life.

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