But Father had said that where there had once been water, there must be an underground current, it was just too dry now.
Ajiu planned to plant the seeds from the system's gift package; at least this environment could save some spiritual spring water.
Ajiu’s fingers ached from digging, so she simply drew out her ox horn knife and continued to dig downwards.
Dust swirled around her, making her purse her lips tightly.
Ajiu wiped the sweat from her brow. She had dug so deep without finding damp soil, it seemed Father would also return empty-handed.
Ajiu gave up. She would plant them here. At worst, she would plant two seeds and consume more spiritual spring water.
She could still fill two more water skins from the spring pool in her space.
If all else failed, she would save the remaining seeds for later.
What should she plant?
Ajiu gripped the ox horn knife in her hands, thinking that watermelons would be best. They were full of moisture and could stave off hunger.
And she would plant one more, a peach tree.
Ajiu wasn't sure if they would grow, but she had spaced them over two meters apart.
As soon as they were buried, Ajiu untied her water skin and watered them. The ground seemed to have a small mouth, instantly absorbing the water.
A grumbling voice could be heard, "How can there be no water at all? Logically, such a large area of arid valley should have been a big lake before."
Looking at Meng Shaode's dusty and grimy appearance, it was clear he had returned empty-handed.
"Father," Ajiu stepped forward to greet him.
"Ajiu? What are you doing here? Look, the sun has already set, hurry back inside."
Meng Shaode's face was rarely so grave, and he spoke to his beloved daughter with a clear tone of command.
"What's wrong, Father?" Ajiu followed her father towards the wooden cabin.
"I saw a dead... It's nothing, nothing." Meng Shaode's expression suddenly changed. He forced a smile as if he hadn't seen anything.
He had seen a dead person, but because of the scorching heat, the body had already begun to decompose.
It was better not to say anything to frighten his daughter.
"Oh, Mother made chicken soup. Father, go back and have some quickly." Ajiu didn't press further.
Her mind was still preoccupied with whether her watermelons and peach tree would grow.
"Big Brother, my little brother has no way to repay your kindness today. Please accept my bow."
As soon as they reached the wooden cabin, Uncle Wu seemed to be waiting to express his gratitude.
Meng Shaode, just returning, was stunned.
Cai Lihua, with sharp eyes, said, "It's nothing, just a bowl of chicken soup. It's good that you're alive."
"Oh, just a bowl of chicken soup. It's no big deal, no big deal." Meng Shaode waved his hand generously and took off his bow and arrows, placing them by the door.
If Uncle Wu had felt less indebted, he wouldn't have kowtowed and knelt. He followed Meng Shaode closely, opening his mouth several times before finally speaking:
"Brother Meng, when I was a yamen runner, I used spears, not bows. I don't have your extensive hunting experience. Little brother wants—wants you to teach me a thing or two. Then our two families will have an extra helper for hunting?"
"That's a good thing. After we finish today's meal, I'll teach you how to use a bow."
Meng Shaode readily agreed.
At night, the two brothers went out. Meng Shaode said the moon was big tonight, a good opportunity to find game.
As for Ajiu, unlike her mother, who could fall asleep as soon as she was tired, she couldn't sleep without thinking about her watermelons and peach tree.
Aunt Wu was tiredly coaxing her crying child, possibly lacking milk.
Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Wu, perhaps due to leg pain and despair, mumbled, "How can we go on living? It would be better to die. My poor grandchild..."
She sobbed until the latter half of the night.
Ajiu couldn't wait any longer. She got up and went outside.
The moonlight was perfect tonight, illuminating the entire valley in white.
She shook her head and looked down at the valley, seeming to see a dark shadow. She immediately quickened her pace.
Wasn't that the spot where she planted the peach tree? Had it really grown?
Ajiu excitedly circled the peach tree, which was over a meter tall.
She could even see tiny peaches the size of almonds, and a layer of peach blossoms lay at the base of the tree.
My heavens, the growth rate was astonishing.
"Who's there?" Ajiu suddenly felt someone behind her and instinctively questioned.
Unexpectedly, her mouth was suddenly covered, and her body was uncontrollably dragged behind the peach tree.