A Jiu came back to her senses after a while.
"A Jiu sister, are you alright?" Tuobayan's eyes held concern.
"I'm fine," A Jiu slowly shook her head, her gaze falling to the waterskin in her hand.
She shook it.
Oh my, it had gotten heavier.
Peeking into the waterskin with one eye, she saw that the little thing was having a grand time inside, swimming around like a fish.
Heh, what was she to do now?
"Earth Dragon, come out... how am I supposed to drink water if you're in there."
A Jiu shook the waterskin a few more times, but now it refused to budge.
If she poured out all the water, A Jiu felt it would be a waste.
"If you don't come out soon, I'll seal the lid," A Jiu threatened it, as if scolding an unruly child.
"A Jiu girl, lend a hand," Uncle Wu's voice came from behind.
"Alright," A Jiu sealed the lid and tucked the waterskin into her embrace.
Perhaps she could use it to water the seeds when she found a chance to plant them, and then let the creature out.
She couldn't carry it around now. She put it in her embrace and it automatically appeared in her spatial storage bag, so as not to appear too conspicuous.
A Jiu and Tuobayan stepped forward together.
A Jiu took the child from his arms, while Tuobayan helped support Old Mrs. Wu, whom Wu Dalei had been carrying.
Wu Dalei then sat on the ground, breathing heavily.
Meng Shaode, who was following behind, was afraid that Wu Dalei, who had gone ahead, might collapse and fall, so he specifically helped support Mrs. Wu.
As soon as everyone reached the top, they unloaded their burdens.
"The wind is quite strong," Cai Lihua looked around:
"Jiu'er, look, after we go down the mountain, it will only take us about an hour to reach the road. We won't have to climb mountains anymore."
"Indeed, we're finally out of the mountains," Meng Shaode wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze pleasant to behold.
In A Jiu's eyes, everyone she saw was so grimy they couldn't see their faces.
Including herself, her body was sticky with sweat every day, never dry. A casual rub wouldn't hurt her skin, it would just scrape off dirt.
"A Jiu, Mother promised that once we reach Nanming City, I'll cook you a feast."
Cai Lihua said, mysteriously pulling out a dirty handkerchief from her embrace.
It was still tied up with grass rope, one loop after another.
After unfolding it layer by layer, she revealed the money her grandmother had given her:
"This should be enough for us to buy some daily necessities. Mother even plans to buy you two pieces of cloth in the city to make you a pretty dress."
A Jiu looked at the longing on her mother's face and her heart melted, "Mhm."
"Look at you, you're already planning before we've even arrived," Meng Shaode poured cold water on her enthusiasm:
"Once we descend this mountain, we'll be on flat ground. We won't have to climb over mountains and cross ridges anymore, and we can't travel on the official roads. It won't be that easy to get into the city."
Cai Lihua's dream was instantly shattered by her husband's words:
"You talk too much, don't I know that? I'm just trying to prepare some sweets for my daughter in case she feels bitter."
A Jiu knew that there was still a long way to go to Nanming City, but her mother was always looking out for her, and she hadn't done anything wrong.
"If we had a carriage, it would be faster," Tuobayan interjected.
"Exactly, with a carriage it would be faster," Meng Shaode was left speechless, but thankfully Tuobayan had come to his rescue.
Cai Lihua lowered her head and carefully put away the money. This was the capital for realizing her dreams.
"How about we cut open a watermelon to quench our thirst?" Meng Shaode suggested:
"We don't have any water now, but at least we have watermelon. This shows that there's always a way out."
Perhaps it was the refreshing mountain breeze, and the feeling that they were nearing the end of their arduous journey, that everyone's spirits lifted.
"Alright, alright, thank goodness for brothers like you Meng. Otherwise, my family and I would have already perished in those mountain ravines," Wu Dalei quickly got up.
Cai Lihua couldn't stand people who were sweet-mouthed but lacked action:
"I say, Brother Wu, my man has taught you how to hunt. Why don't you go hunt something to fill everyone's stomachs?"
Her words made Wu Dalei blush furiously.
Over there, Meng Shaode had already picked up a watermelon and placed it on a rock. With one stroke of his knife, he split it in half.
"What is this?" Tuobayan took a few steps back, his face turning pale as he watched.