Stockpiling for an Exiled General Through My Store's Back Door

Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Ah~

Ling Qianjun frowned as he inspected the front door and the windows. Perhaps because the house had been uninhabited for a long time, lacking the vitality of human presence, and sitting so close to the sea, the wood felt damp and soft. It seemed as though it would crumble if pinched too hard.

He figured he would need to find time after they moved in to chop some quality wood, replace all the doors and windows, and reinforce them. As for the door locks, they had to be replaced entirely. He couldn’t be sure if anyone else in the village had spare keys for the old locks left behind, which made them inherently unsafe.

He thought of Hua Buwan’s locks. Could he buy some from her? Locks from two thousand years in the future had to be much safer than current ones. A thief from this era probably wouldn’t have even seen them before, let alone know how to pick them. Ling Qianjun silently made a mental note of it.

Opening the door led straight into the dining and reception area. It contained only a small square table and four stools, though two long benches were placed against the wall.

Further inside was a small kitchen with a two-burner stove. Its chimney went straight through the roof, ensuring that cooking smoke would dissipate outside without choking the people indoors. Next to the stove was a long wooden table with three shelves underneath, clearly intended for storing kitchen supplies.

Looking at this, Ling Qianjun thought they were missing a cabinet in the corner. Storing food inside one would prevent mice and other pests from getting into it. The previous occupants had probably built one as well, or else there wouldn’t be an empty spot in that specific corner. They must have taken it with them when they left or given it away.

The kitchen had a window that, when opened, was quite large and provided good ventilation and natural light. However, it also looked precarious and would need replacing.

Next to it was a small room containing nothing but a 1.5-meter bed frame. In the corner sat a utility room of only a few square meters, its floor piled with dry firewood covered in spiderwebs.

Beside the utility room was a narrow staircase that only allowed one person to pass at a time. Ling Qianjun and Ling Qianfan went up one after the other. The higher they climbed, the more prominent the musty smell became, making both of them cough involuntarily.

Just as expected, the stairs led up to a small attic. A window at the front let in some light, keeping the space from being completely dark. However, Ling Qianjun had to stoop to walk, or else he would hit his head. Ling Qianfan was just the right height—the top of his head was only a finger’s width away from the ceiling, meaning he would bump it if he grew any taller. Even so, the oppressive low ceiling made Ling Qianfan subconsciously duck his head as he walked inside, afraid of hitting it.

Ling Qianjun stepped forward and opened the attic window. The outside breeze swept in, diluting the musty smell. Both brothers leaned out and took several deep breaths.

When they finally regained their senses and looked at the scenery outside, they were dumbstruck. This was the first time in their lives they had gazed out at the ocean from a high vantage point.

The sea was boundless, seemingly blending into the sky to form a single hue. In the azure sky, a few birds soared unhindered, flying freely toward their ideal home. Below, white waves rolled across the sparkling surface, crashing passionately against the shore.

As the two took in the sight, they felt their minds open up, sweeping away all their previously accumulated gloom.

Suddenly, Ling Qianfan cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs toward the sea. ”AH! Lingnan, we’re here! Oh, the sea! The sea! You’re so beautiful!”

Ling Qianjun was speechless.