Wu Dalei witnessed all this and let out a long sigh.
Not for any other reason, but his mother was parched early in the morning. Yet, Wu Dalei felt too ashamed to ask Brother Meng for water again.
Moreover, everything had been stolen, and there was nothing left to beg for.
"Thank you, girl. You're truly kind," the old woman said, wiping the moisture from the corners of her mouth. Her spirits seemed to have lifted considerably.
Wu Dalei composed himself and quietly told his wife that he had hunted game today and would ask for a bowl of broth later to nourish her.
"It's alright," Ah Jiu replied. This time, she didn't feel heartache. Two-thirds of her waterskin was gone, but she had two other full waterskins. Water was not an issue for now.
However, she had learned her lesson this time. The other two waterskins were stored in her storage bag and would be retrieved when needed.
"Ding dong, merits value increased by one point."
Just as she got up to check on her mother, Ah Jiu paused upon hearing the system's voice.
Why was the point value different?
When she saved the infant, it was ten points. When she helped Aunt Wu, it was two points. Now, for Grandma Wu, it was only one point.
And also!
This program was so strange. What criteria did it use to tally the points?
Lost in thought, Ah Jiu went out and headed to the adjacent kitchen.
"Brother Meng's archery is truly remarkable. He just shot down an eagle as soon as we stepped out."
"It's nothing, nothing. Attach some feathers, and you'll shoot even straighter."
Praise made Meng Shaode beam with joy.
"Lihua... we have food now," Meng Shaode said as soon as he finished speaking.
Cai Lihua, covered in dirt, emerged from the kitchen with a wide grin.
"Old Meng, come quickly and see what I've dug up."
"What? Could you possibly dig up meat?" Meng Shaode asked, dropping the eagle on the ground and indicating that Brother Wu could handle the plucking.
Entering the kitchen, Meng Shaode exclaimed, "Ah? Are you sure this... this this this was dug out of the ground?"
Meng Shaode, looking at the peaches and watermelons his wife had hidden under a wooden plank, stammered in disbelief.
"Think about it. How can peaches and watermelons grow in the soil? Even if they fell and were buried by the earth, they would spoil. Look, these peaches are clearly fresh, without any insect bites or rotten spots."
Meng Shaode held the two peaches, examining them from left to right, still perplexed.
Cai Lihua was also taken aback. "Yes, Old Meng, what you say makes sense. They're not damaged at all. I was so excited at the time that I didn't even think about such a simple reason. Sigh, Ah Jiu."
"You've come at the right time," Cai Lihua quickly beckoned.
"Did you dig those peaches out of the ground? Your father doesn't believe you. Tell him."
Ah Jiu had already considered that her parents might be curious.
She decided to tell them the truth.
"Mother, in fact, there are many strange things in this world. For example, you used to be very timid. And Father, he was the village bully back then, wasn't he?"
She decided to preface the explanation to avoid scaring her parents too much with a direct revelation.
Meng Shaode and his wife exchanged a startled glance.
"Yes, yes, Ah Jiu, you're right. Just like the two things I mentioned today, they're strange."
Meng Shaode feigned agreement, quickly signaling his wife.
Having experienced transmigration themselves, what strange things couldn't they accept?
"Ah?" Cai Lihua hadn't caught on.
Meng Shaode nudged her with his elbow.
Only then did she realize. "Yes, yes, there are many strange things. But since they exist, there must be a reason for them. Heh heh, don't you think so, Old Meng? As for me, my courage was forced out, wasn't it?"
Cai Lihua said this with a guilty look, signaling her husband.
They really didn't want to discuss this topic. What if their daughter became curious about herself? How would they answer?
If they told the truth, they might not be seen as parents anymore, which would break their hearts in the future.
"Ah?" Ah Jiu looked at the mysterious exchange between her parents. It seemed they were hiding something from her.
"Father, Mother, you're exchanging glances. Are you hiding something from me?"