"..." Tuoba Yan swallowed, "Nothing else? Your barley porridge is good, I want to eat that. Boss, can you make me a bowl?"
Ah Jiu knew he was scared, which was precisely why:
"That's it, nothing else."
Tuoba Yan visibly shifted a few steps towards Meng Shaode, his eyes full of fear.
"Well, if you don't eat it, don't complain about being hungry."
Ah Jiu said playfully, employing a strategy of playing hard to get. She wrapped up the loaches in front of Tuoba Yan and put them away.
Before she could tuck them into her pocket, a sudden tug pulled.
Her hands were empty.
"If you don't eat it, I will." Madam Wang snatched them up, opened them, and stuffed two into her mouth. This body could never shake off the nuisance of mortal flesh. The spiritual spring water wasn't much; if she didn't eat, wouldn't she starve to death?
Ah Jiu's pupils contracted. Did Grandma's habit of snatching things come with her madness?
"Who said I wasn't eating, Grandma? I am eating."
Fortunately, young Yan Yan grabbed one and shoved it into his mouth.
Ah Jiu's eyes brightened. Watching him frown in pain as if chewing on firewood, his brow furrowed, then smoothed out:
"Wow, Boss, this is delicious. What's it called again? Loaches?"
Ah Jiu immediately suppressed her smile.
"Loaches, yes, they're called loaches." Ah Jiu smiled mysteriously:
"They're the ones dug out of the mud, slippery and wriggling."
"Little sister, can you please not describe them so accurately? I can't stand it." Tuoba Yan clutched his mouth, looking as if he were about to vomit again.
Watching Ah Jiu cover her mouth and chuckle, Tuoba Yan stared blankly for a few seconds, then also started to grin foolishly. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Hurry up, we need to cross this mountain peak." Meng Shaode and his wife were already at the foot of the mountain.
Ah Jiu looked up. A not very obvious mountain path appeared before them.
In the past, Qiming Mountain was known for its clear waters and green mountains, with many small beasts in the mountains. These small paths were trodden out by hunters.
Two hours later, the group finally reached the mountain top.
Exhausted, they all sat on the ground, panting under the scorching sun. The sunlight grew hotter as evening approached.
"Old Meng, let's unload the baskets and have some water to rest."
Cai Lihua lent a hand and took the basket.
"Little Jiu sister, look quickly." Young Yan Yan pointed towards the mountain valley.
Ah Jiu stood up, walked to Tuoba Yan's side, and followed his gaze. In the mountain valley, there were a few scattered houses.
It seemed to be residents of the mountain.
Ah Jiu's eyes lit up: "Dad, Mom, there are people in the valley."
Meng Shaode's spirits immediately lifted. The family of three, plus young Yan Yan, stared intently into the valley.
"Wow, there really are. Looks like we can reach there before dark today and have a place to stay." Cai Lihua's eyes gleamed.
"Don't get happy too soon. What if the refugee soldiers have already swept through?" Meng Shaode, having traversed mountains and wilderness, was now very vigilant.
His thoughts were the opposite. If it had been swept by refugee soldiers, it would be better. If it hadn't been discovered, wouldn't they be anxious if they went there?
"Dad, I think it's very safe." Ah Jiu had already observed the mountain terrain.
She had counted the houses in the mountain valley. There were only five in total. With the severe drought, the land in the valley was scorched for miles.
The location of these five households was surrounded by mountains. In such a drought, the residents would have long since migrated south, not waiting for any war.
Ah Jiu's young face was filled with calmness as she explained her thoughts.
"Hey, daughter, your analysis is quite reasonable." Meng Shaode stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Besides, it was better to have a place to sleep tonight than to endure the elements.
"Looking at the sky, we can reach it before dark."
Cai Lihua reminded them, waving her hand to signal the men to shoulder the bamboo baskets.
"Let's go, we're not going to be roasted meat on this bald mountain anymore."
Everyone took a few sips of water. Except for Madam Wang, who took a sip with a look of disdain and quickly handed the water pouch back to Ah Jiu, she was the first to head down the mountain.
Ah Jiu felt the weight of the water pouch. Seeing her grandmother's disgusted expression, she felt a pang of discomfort.
A rustling sound? Ah Jiu looked in the direction of the sound: "Dad, quickly!"