Chapter 189 Your Biological Father is Here

Chapter 189: Your Biological Father Is Here

The biting cold wind howled as the apocalypse entered another stable phase. Monster waves lessened, and their attacks weakened. Early monsters like three-headed dogs and goblins no longer appeared. Yet, humans found no cause for celebration.

The temperature was plummeting far too quickly. The panic induced by the extreme cold had seized everyone's attention, leaving no room for relief over the reduced monster threat.

By the third day of the glacial period, the temperature in Chuancheng had dropped to -26°C, while Qingcheng recorded -27°C. The worst-hit was Tibet in northern China, where temperatures plunged to -35°C. At this rate, it could plummet to -40°C or even -50°C the next day, shattering the region’s historical low.

Such rapid cooling alarmed even the survivors who’d endured countless disasters, who feared another sudden catastrophe—like the previous heatwave—that could claim countless lives.

As a result, the heating stoves from Qingcheng Research Institute and the cold-resistant suits from Shengjing Research Institute triggered a mad rush to buy the moment they hit the shelves. Pleading for restocks flooded the channels, with people begging, bargaining, and wailing for more supplies.

Even the once-viral gossip about the scumbag Chu Zexuan was drowned out by the overwhelming demand, disappearing without a trace.

For Chu Zexuan, however, this was a stroke of luck. With the scandal fading from group chats, he saw a chance to redeem himself. Seizing the opportunity, he focused on tightening his grip on the Roaring Tiger Team. As long as he held the team firmly in his grasp, a bad reputation wouldn’t stop him—though his romantic prospects might suffer.

Meanwhile, Hua Diao and Xie Tingsheng kept busy. They first worked in Hua Diao’s space, watering plants, fertilizing soil, and harvesting fruits before checking on the livestock in the pasture. Armed with high-grade Fire Stones, they then headed to Dongcheng.

With fewer monsters guarding the city gates, the duo observed the weakened monster waves before sending team members to train in dungeons. Strength was a "use it or lose it" asset, and they knew greater dangers lay ahead. Though the fragments of the Wisdom Dungeon remained unassembled, other dungeons provided ample training grounds for the Peanut Squad.

While Hua Diao and Xie Tingsheng trained with the team, an uninvited guest arrived at Building A of Jinxiu Huayuan.

*Knock, knock, knock—*

The sound of knocking echoed at the door.

Inside, a mother and son huddled together under a blanket, shivering for warmth. At the noise, they lifted their heads in unison.

"Who—who is it?"

Lin Guangmei—Jiang Yao’s mother—her teeth chattered, her gaunt face suddenly lit up with hope. "Could it be your sister bringing supplies?"

"That heartless brat finally remembered us!"

Still trembling, she nudged her son. "Xiao Yu, move further into the couch. Let me take the blanket—I’ll get the door."

Jiang Yu refused. Days of starvation had transformed the once-chubby recluse into a walking skeleton, his cheeks hollow, complexion sallow, and spirit crushed.

With a resentful glare, he sneered, "I’m cold, Mom. Just hurry and open it yourself. If Sister sees you freezing, she’ll take pity on you and give you more supplies. Not me, though—she’d probably be glad to see her *bastard* brother suffer."

Since learning the truth of his parentage, Jiang Yu had grown increasingly bitter and venomous, his demeanor like a sewer rat—disgusting and pathetic. Were he not the son she’d doted on for over a decade, Lin Guangmei would’ve slapped the smirk off his face.

Biting back her anger, she conceded his point. After all, she was still Jiang Yao’s mother. That soft-hearted girl had always been filial—if she saw her mother in such a state, she’d surely cave and offer more aid.

With that thought, Lin Guangmei kicked off the blanket and shuffled toward the door, rubbing her arms. "Yao’er, Mom was wrong. For the sake of our years together, please bring more food. Even if I don’t eat, your brother—"

Her stiff fingers fumbled with the lock as she babbled, but the words died when the door creaked open to reveal the man outside.

"You—you—!"

Lin Guangmei gaped at the brawny man, dressed for summer, who showed no sign of feeling the cold. Overcome with joy, she sobbed, "Brother Biao—!"

Her voice trembled with excitement, laced with a coquettish, girlish lilt.

Had this been the charming, well-kept Lin Guangmei of the past, the display might have stirred affection. But now, unwashed, emaciated, and reeking, her attempt at coyness was downright grotesque.

It was like a skin-and-bones skeleton making eyes at a man.

The smile on Brother Biao's face at the door instantly stiffened. He hadn’t expected his ex-lover to look like this now. He averted his eyes uncomfortably, and even the smile on his face faded slightly.

"Mom, who is it?" Jiang Yu sensed something was off—it didn’t seem like Jiang Yao had come. Unable to hold back, he frowned and called toward the door.

Lin Guangmei lit up with joy and turned her head to reply happily, "It’s your dad! Your real dad is here!"

As she spoke, she tried to pull Brother Biao into the room.

Across the hallway, Chu Xiangxiang, who had been throwing a fit and wanting to go out, happened to witness this scene. Immediately forgetting her anger, she turned back home, her eyes wide with shock, and blurted out to Jiang Yao, who was resting on the couch for a rare half-day, "Your illegitimate brother’s biological father has come knocking!"

With a hint of schadenfreude in her tone, she continued, "I saw that your brother’s dad was dressed lightly—he must have a high-grade Fire Stone on him. Plus, he’s burly, broad-shouldered, and clean-looking. Clearly, he’s doing well for himself. Now that he’s come looking for them, it’s obvious he still cares about your mom and that illegitimate brother of yours. If you hadn’t cut ties with them, maybe you could’ve ridden their coattails too."