Surviving the apocalypse with a wife and a system! [GL]

She would probably first ask whether it was really okay, whether it would inconvenience Bai Li, and whether Bai Li had enough water for herself. Bai Li knew that kind of response was almost guaranteed. It was part of why she liked her. Yan Cijin was considerate in a way that felt very sincere, not fake. Even when she was worried, she still thought about other people first. That made Bai Li want to be more straightforward with her, more honest, and a little gentler too.

Frustrated, she washed her face and finally made up her mind.

This time, the decision felt solid and complete. She was done hesitating. She was done imagining what might happen. She was going to ask them to come over. If Yan Cijin said yes, good. If she looked surprised, Bai Li would explain. If she worried about being troublesome, Bai Li would insist that it was fine. There was enough space. There was water. There was no need for the little girl to keep suffering through the heat if she did not have to. Bai Li knew this was the right thing to do, and that was enough. Once her mind settled, she felt much calmer. The system had already given her a little boost, and now her own decision gave her even more confidence. That combination made the whole situation feel easier.

Bai Li turned off the water and reached for a towel, drying herself quickly before changing. She put on the clean clothes she had set out earlier and tied her damp hair up just enough to keep it from sticking to her neck. After that, she grabbed her backpack, checked that she had the things she might need, and stood in front of the mirror for a second. She looked cleaner now, more rested, and a little more energized than before. The band-aid with the tiny cartoon cat was still on her cheek, and somehow that made her look a bit less serious than usual. Bai Li thought about it and smiled faintly. Maybe Yan Cijin would notice it. Maybe Lili would laugh at it. Either way, it did not matter much.

She left the bathroom and moved through the kitchen, glancing at the piles of dried vegetables and the space where the frozen food had been tucked away. Everything looked orderly enough now. Good. She liked things being in place before she handled anything else. Then she walked toward the door, each step making her more certain that this was the right move. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she did not just want to help them. She wanted them to be okay. She wanted Lili to be comfortable. She wanted Yan Cijin to stop worrying about water for at least a little while. She wanted to say that offer properly and make sure it sounded sincere.

The system gave one last delighted little beep in her mind.

"Darling is doing a good deed," it announced. "Good deed bonus may be available later. Please continue to be wonderful."

Bai Li snorted softly. "You really know how to say nonsense in a fancy way."

"That is my talent."

"Sure it is."

"Darling is also smiling."

Bai Li touched the side of her face and realized the system was right. She was smiling a little. Not a huge grin, just a small one, but it was there. That made her feel even better. The titles, the bonus effects, the extra cores, the silly system messages, all of it had lifted her mood more than she wanted to admit. She felt stronger, more sure of herself, and a little proud of the day she had put together. She had fought, gathered supplies, earned cores, and now she was going to do something useful with them. That sounded like a pretty good day to her.

She reached the door, rested one hand on her backpack strap, and looked ahead with a calm face. Yan Cijin was on the other side, probably with the little girl nearby, probably wondering what Bai Li was doing back so soon after the shower. Bai Li took one small breath and then made the final decision to go ask. There was no need to delay it anymore. The water situation was real. The child was small. The invitation made sense. Bai Li had already thought it through enough. Now she just had to say it.

Bai Li changed her clothes, dried her hair, grabbed her backpack, and went to knock on Yan Cijin’s door.

Soon, Yan Cijin came to open the door carrying the little dumpling. "Perfect timing, dinner will be ready soon, I was just about to call you."

Bai Li smiled at the two of them and reached out to pinch the little dumpling’s cheek. "Then I’ve come at just the right time, haven’t I, LiLi?"

"Yes! Auntie is the best." The little dumpling sweetly pleaded with Bai Li.

"Take a look for yourself, everything in here is yours." Bai Li said with a smile.

"Wow! I love Auntie the most." The little dumpling reached out to Bai Li for a hug.

Bai Li put her backpack on the ground, hugged the little girl who was pouting in her arms, and bounced her around. The little dumpling was truly her source of joy.

Yan Cijin picked up her backpack, intending to put it in the living room, and teased her little one with a smile, "LiLi, is it that whoever gives you the best food or toys is the one you like the most?"

The little dumpling, her secret exposed by her mother, shyly buried her face in Bai Li’s arms, her little mouth chattering in protest, "No, I just like Auntie."

"Okay, I like our LiLi too." Bai Li picked up the little dumpling and bounced her around, making the little one giggle.

Seeing Bai Li teasing the little one, Yan Laojin smiled and said, "Stop playing, it’s time to eat."

"Come on, let’s eat." Bai Li said, carrying the little one to her high chair, settling her in, before going to the kitchen to help get the bowls.

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TO BE CONTINUED,

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