Lu Wanqing's heart was pounding. She looked at the peaches nervously, then walked over and carefully picked one up.
Lu Wanqing looked at the peach, then at Cui Cui in her arms.
They needed food. If they didn't eat soon, they would starve to death, or at least their bodies would suffer irreparable damage.
And…
Cui Cui was already sick. If there was no food…
Lu Wanqing couldn't imagine what the future held.
Cui Cui bit her lip in her sleep, her palm-sized face scrunched up in pain.
Lu Wanqing looked at the peaches again.
Not just Lu Wanqing, but at this moment, in front of the livestream camera, countless viewers from the insectoid race and humanity held their breath, watching the scene with bated anticipation.
Especially on the insectoid side, Lu Yang also saw this, his breathing grew ragged with anxiety.
Big brother Lu Ming and second brother Lu Ze also saw this. They were in disbelief. The peaches… the peaches were black during the day, and now they were a healthy pink. What was going on?
Inside the cave, Lu Wanqing hesitated for a long time. Finally, she cautiously walked to the peaches, picked one up, and broke it open.
The peach flesh had also turned a familiar pinkish-white.
Could… could they eat it?
Lu Wanqing's rationality still reminded her that she couldn't eat it. No matter how healthy the peach looked now, its previous dark appearance was real. This was a mutated peach. Who knew what the consequences would be if she ate it.
But Cui Cui was sick, and they likely wouldn't be able to leave Earth anytime soon. They might have to stay here for a while longer before Wei Xingzhou and the rescue team arrived. She and Cui Cui had to find a way to survive.
Lu Wanqing gritted her teeth. In the end, she took the peach, opened her mouth, and carefully took a bite.
She tasted it first, to see if it was poisonous. If… if it was really edible and safe, she would give it to Cui Cui tomorrow.
Lu Wanqing only took a small bite at first. The taste was surprisingly good, a familiar peach flavor.
Since she had already taken the first bite, Lu Wanqing looked at Cui Cui. After a moment's hesitation, she took a second bite. What if a small amount didn't reveal any toxicity?
She needed to eat more to confirm the peach's toxicity, so she could then let Cui Cui eat it.
Lu Wanqing ate two peaches. It wasn't a lot, but it wasn't a little either. After eating, her stomach wasn't as empty. She was just worried if this peach was truly poisonous.
As Lu Wanqing pondered, she suddenly remembered that she had washed these peaches with water earlier. Perhaps this was one of the differences between the peaches she had and the ones left on Earth?
And her water was an ability…
Lu Wanqing had read many novels before. She had heard of some special abilities.
Could her water not be ordinary water?
Lu Wanqing thought about it, then went back, picked up the peaches, manifested water, and washed them again.
If her water indeed had purifying abilities, then by washing these peaches multiple times, they would be even cleaner tomorrow, right? It would be safer for Cui Cui to eat them then.
Using her ability was truly draining her internal energy. After washing the peaches, Lu Wanqing felt tired, but she couldn't sleep yet.
Cui Cui was still unconscious. She returned to Cui Cui's side and quietly watched over her, touching Cui Cui's forehead from time to time.
But after a while, Lu Wanqing became uneasy again.
What if Cui Cui remained in this comatose state and passed away unknowingly, never waking up?
Some thoughts were too terrifying to entertain. The more she thought, the more frightening it became.
Lu Wanqing quickly called out to Cui Cui and shook her.
"Cui Cui, don't sleep. Stay awake," Lu Wanqing whispered.
"Cui Cui, wake up~" Lu Wanqing urged.
Cui Cui wasn't sleeping too deeply this time. After a few calls from Lu Wanqing, she groggily woke up, but she still looked very weak and tired.
"Cui Cui, don't sleep. Stay awake," Lu Wanqing told her.
Lu Wanqing hugged Cui Cui and made her look at the peaches in the corner, saying, "Cui Cui, look, the peaches have turned red. Mommy ate two just now. If Mommy is fine tomorrow, then these peaches should be edible, and we'll have food."
When people are at their most desperate, seeing a glimmer of hope gives them the motivation to persevere.
Lu Wanqing showed the child the peaches because she wanted Cui Cui to see hope. They weren't completely at their wit's end yet. They still had hope. Perhaps they could eat peaches tomorrow.
Cui Cui's head was dizzy and painful. She was groggy, and her reactions were much slower than usual. But slow didn't mean stupid. After a while of pain, Cui Cui reacted. She anxiously reached out and grabbed her mommy.
Did Mommy get hurt after eating the peach?
Cui Cui looked at her mother, her eyes full of worry.
"Mommy…" Cui Cui said anxiously.
Lu Wanqing held Cui Cui tightly and said in a gentle voice, "Don't be afraid, Cui Cui. Mommy is here."
"You…" Cui Cui was anxious, her eyes reddening.
Lu Wanqing lowered her head and kissed Cui Cui, saying, "Don't worry, Mommy will be fine. Didn't you forget? We have koi."
As Lu Wanqing spoke, she took out the koi charm she wore around her neck.
Cui Cui also had a red koi hanging from a red string around her neck, a gift that Lu Wanqing had personally woven and given to her children.
Lu Wanqing placed her koi next to Cui Cui's koi and comforted her, "The koi will bless us to overcome all dangers."
Cui Cui understood. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she nodded, "Mm."
Cui Cui's throat was hoarse, a sign of her illness and discomfort.
Lu Wanqing hugged Cui Cui and reminded her, "Cui Cui, don't sleep. Wait another hour. If Mommy is fine in an hour, you can eat the peaches. Eat something, and you won't be so hungry, and your illness will get better."
Cui Cui's eyes were red. She understood. Mommy was risking danger by eating the peaches, wanting to test them for poison because she was sick and urgently needed food.
Cui Cui stretched out her small hand and hugged her mommy tightly.
"We'll be okay."
"Wei Xingzhou will come to save us."
Cui Cui said in a weak voice.
Lu Wanqing hugged Cui Cui and nodded, "Mm."
On the warship, Wei Xingzhou listened to Cui Cui's words, and his heart ached. It was truly agonizing.
"I don't care anymore. I'm going to Earth!" Wei Xingzhou suddenly stood up and walked towards the exit.
The military personnel couldn't get close, so he would go alone.
"Wei Xingzhou!" Zhong Li Feiyu grabbed Wei Xingzhou, reminding him, "Calm down."
"I can't calm down!"
"Cui Cui is waiting for me!"
Wei Xingzhou could no longer control his emotions and roared loudly.
Zhong Li Feiyu froze. He looked at Wei Xingzhou, and after a moment, he said, "I have a way. Follow me."