Hu Lanfang also said that they were so beautiful that perhaps no young men in Phoenix Village were worthy of them.
However, seeing them as beautiful as fairy maidens in a painting, she really wanted to keep them so she could look at them every day, which would brighten her mood.
Gu Qingcheng quickly waved her hand and said, "Mother, don't try to play matchmaker or force marriages. Firstly, Sister Lanyue is already engaged, with a fiancé who is also a talented man. Secondly, Sister Lanxing is a pampered daughter of her family, and her father might not be willing to marry her off so far away!"
Du Lanyue, upon hearing Hu Lanfang's words, felt a mixture of emotions.
Seeing how much Hu Lanfang liked her and her sister, she couldn't help but let her imagination wander for a moment. If she were to become part of the Gu family, she was sure she would get along very well with Hu Lanfang.
Alas, it was just a thought!
However, when Du Lanyue heard Gu Qingcheng say this, she had a sudden inspiration and smiled, saying,
"Actually, my sister and I both really like Phoenix Village. While we can't live here permanently, it's not impossible to visit for short stays from time to time.
If we come here in the future, we'll have to trouble Mrs. Gu often."
Hu Lanfang was overjoyed and said, "I'm flattered that you think so highly of me. If you come often, I will certainly welcome you. You two are so well-behaved, nothing like the mischievous Qingcheng. How wonderful it would be if I had daughters like you."
"Heh heh, Mrs. Gu, since you say so, can I call you Godmother from now on?"
Du Lanyue seized the opportunity and said.
"Really? That would be wonderful." Hu Lanfang was ecstatic.
Without any further ado, Du Lanyue called out crisply, "Godmother."
Du Lanxing was taken aback for a moment, but then she quickly followed her sister and called out, "Godmother."
Hu Lanfang was overjoyed and immediately asked Gu Qingcheng to fetch two jade bracelets, which she presented as见面礼 (meeting gifts) for her two newly adopted goddaughters.
These two jade bracelets were bought by Gu Qingcheng from the Shanmao Supermarket, where they were priced at 200,000 yuan each.
The bracelets had excellent clarity and were lustrous and transparent, clearly indicating their considerable value.
Du Lanyue and Du Lanxing quickly declined, not daring to accept them.
Hu Lanfang became displeased and said, "These are meeting gifts from me, how can you refuse them? Wearing these bracelets will remind you of your godmother, and even when you return, you'll remember to visit me often."
With Hu Lanfang's words, Du Lanyue and her sister dared not refuse any longer and had to accept them.
Gu Chaobei was also very happy. He made an even more impressive gesture, gifting each of them a pill in a glass vial.
The pills were round, about the thickness of a little finger. Gu Chaobei explained that these were special life-saving medicines for treating zombie virus, effective within 48 hours of being bitten by a zombie.
Previously, there were effective medicines for the zombie virus, but they had to be taken within three hours. However, the medicine gifted by Gu Chaobei was so potent that it could extend the effectiveness to saving lives up to 48 hours.
Gu Chaobei mentioned that it was very difficult to produce this medicine, primarily due to its extremely low success rate, which was why the quantity available was limited, not exceeding one hundred pills.
Upon hearing Gu Chaobei's words, everyone understood that these were life-saving elixirs, undoubtedly more precious than jade bracelets.
Although the general public was now aware of basic survival methods against zombies, no one could guarantee they would never be attacked by one in their lifetime.
Having such medicine was equivalent to having an extra life, making it exceptionally valuable.
Those who received the medicine expressed their sincere gratitude repeatedly.
Gu Chaobei was naturally delighted to have two beautiful goddaughters. He generously gifted the potent life-saving pills to his two goddaughters. Du Lancheng was also not forgotten, and even Du Laoda and his wife received two extra pills, demonstrating immense sincerity.
Gu Chaobei mentioned that the current marriage arrangement was rather hurried and invited Mr. and Mrs. Du Laoda to visit Phoenix Village at another opportunity to deepen the ties between their families.
Du Lancheng, as the representative, quickly assured him that he would report this to his father upon their return. He was certain his father would also be eager to visit Phoenix Village for a firsthand experience after hearing his description.
Everyone chatted pleasantly.
Du Lanyue, in particular, could now genuinely call Gu Qingcheng her sister.
Du Lancheng enthusiastically accompanied Ge Hong and Gu Chaobei in drinking.
He considered it the best wine he had ever tasted in his life. He hadn't expected the wine to be so smooth yet so potent. After about seven or eight cups, he lost his ability to hold his liquor and fell asleep at the table.
Mi Guo stepped forward to help him up and arranged for him to sleep in a side room.
Although Mi Guo was not tall, she possessed remarkable strength and carried Du Lancheng on her shoulder, taking him to his room to sleep.
Du Lanxing followed closely into the side room. Seeing Mi Guo lay her brother down on the bed and carefully cover him with a blanket, she felt relieved and left the room with Mi Guo.
Mi Guo turned back and closed the bedroom door. As she walked into the courtyard, Du Lanxing suddenly said to Mi Guo,
"No wonder you guys are so eager to come back every time you go out. You live such a comfortable and pleasant life here. With a strong village defense team, there's no need to worry about bandits or zombies, and you can sleep soundly. Unlike us, who have to sleep with one ear listening, ready to hide in the cellar at any sound."
"That's right. Our Phoenix Village will soon expand its business nationwide. By then, Phoenix Village will recruit more people and become even stronger,"
Mi Guo said proudly.
The two women chatted under the moonlight, finding their conversation increasingly engaging. They remained outside, engrossed in their discussion.
Gu Qingcheng and Du Lanyue did not drink alcohol. They sipped Gu Qingcheng's homemade beverage, passion fruit and kumquat tea, while listening to Ge Hong and Gu Chaobei, who had been drinking, open up.
Ge Hong rambled on, recounting past events. It was then that Du Lanyue learned that the origin of the zombies was actually caused by Prince Xia, and that this was all inextricably linked to Prince Xia's pursuit of immortality.
The truth sounded truly terrifying.
Du Lanyue curiously asked Ge Hong,
"After Prince Xia turned into a zombie, what happened next? Was he confined in the ship's cabin by the Crown Prince, or did he escape?"
"That part is unknown. When we were still on the ship, we noticed that the Crown Prince frequently sent palace maids and guards, who were unaware of the situation, to feed Prince Xia, in order to protect and consolidate the Xia family's position.
Looking back now, the reason zombies spread across the country is likely because some of those palace maids and guards, after being devoured by Prince Xia, were discarded while still having a spark of life. They then turned into zombies and roamed across the country, gradually spreading the infection."
"The Crown Prince truly deserves his fate! For his own benefit, he harmed the common people of the world."
Du Lanyue blurted out her words without reservation.
Upon hearing her say this, Gu Qingcheng admired her and said,
"Sister Lanyue, you have the spirit of a chivalrous heroine. You are much better than the people nowadays who are timid and cannot stand up to those in power."