Old Madame Liu had raised two sons and two daughters. The original owner's mother, Liu Lan, was the second child, with an older brother Liu Dong above her, and a younger sister Liu Mei and a younger brother Liu Xi below.
Liu Dong had married Tang-shi and had one daughter and two sons. The eldest daughter Liu Qing was already married, leaving the two sons Liu Feng and Liu Yu. Liu Xi had been conscripted into the army, and he and Song-shi had a three-year-old daughter named Liu Xue.
In the past, when the original owner's mother was still alive, she would often bring the original owner to visit relatives. But ever since the original owner's mother and grandfather from the Liu family passed away, the old lady had cried herself blind, and after that, their visits became less frequent.
Only during the New Year each year would the old lady have Liu Dong deliver some things to the two of them, but those were all secretly kept by the original owner's grandmother.
During the journey, Liu Dong told Village Chief Liu Shihao of Liujia Village about the two's situation. Liu Shihao was a cousin of the original owner's grandfather, so naturally he said nothing against it and agreed to let the two join them.
The sudden addition of two people to the group brought some amusement to the otherwise bitter journey of fleeing famine.
Liujia Village was not large, nor did it have many people—only about thirty households. Within a single morning, the entire village had heard the news and learned that these were Liu Lan's two children. Most people pitied the two's circumstances and cursed the Gu family endlessly.
The household at the end of the line that Gu Xiao had first encountered turned out to recognize the two—they really had run into acquaintances.
Many people also asked why the two were dressed like that, and Gu Xiao answered truthfully that it was for safety. For a time, families with womenfolk began considering switching to men's clothing.
The old lady felt the two's skinny arms, blaming herself for failing to take care of them and letting them suffer so much. As she spoke, she began to cry.
Gu Xiao quickly comforted her, saying the past was over, and took the opportunity to mention that she had learned hunting skills from her father. She showed the three remaining rabbits to the Liu family, explaining that she and the little girl hadn't suffered these past two days, and only then did the old lady stop crying.
"Goodness, Xiao girl, you caught all these?" Liu Dong stared at the three rabbits in the basket, dazed.
"These are from the same litter, aren't they?" Liu Feng remarked, looking at the rabbits that were all similar in size.
"Xiao girl is impressive…" Tang-shi and Song-shi also gathered around in disbelief.
Everyone in the village knew that rabbits were exceptionally cunning creatures—hence the saying about a wily hare having three burrows. Even experienced hunters couldn't necessarily wipe out an entire litter. Yet Gu Xiao, a girl of barely ten-something, had managed to catch two alive. That was simply incredible.
"Yes, there were four in this litter. Yesterday Wan'er and I ate one." Gu Xiao added, unaware of the complicated looks the others were giving her.
"Four?!"
Liu Dong's voice rose, and only when Tang-shi beside him patted his hand in reminder did he realize how undignified he was being. He quickly covered his mouth and looked around worriedly.
In normal times, having meat once a year was already considered good for village households, and during this journey of fleeing famine, meat was even more precious—no wonder Liu Dong was so shocked.
Compared to the adults' astonishment, the children's focus was far richer: "There are still two alive! Sister Xiao is amazing…"
Liu Dong's youngest son, Liu Yu, was two years older than Gu Wan and at that playful age. He had been listless from the journey, but the two rabbits perked him right up.
Even Liu Xi's four-year-old daughter Liu Xue gathered around in delight, carefully reaching out to touch the rabbits' soft fur.
Although the old lady couldn't see clearly, she could make out three gray blurs. She reached out to touch them and knew they were real, but her heart ached for Gu Xiao even more.
"You poor child—a young girl having to learn to hunt in the mountains. How dangerous…"
Indeed, those who truly care for you will always focus on you, never on what you've gained.
The old lady's words were like a direct blow to the tear ducts. Gu Xiao hadn't expected to encounter relatives who cared for her like this in this foreign world, and her nose stung with emotion.
"It wasn't hard at all, Grandma. That's all in the past now. Let's roast the rabbits and eat them soon."
At the mention of eating rabbit meat, Gu Wan, who had been quiet all along, unconsciously swallowed—yesterday's rabbit meat had been far too delicious.
…
The sun climbed higher, and unlike the gentle warmth of early morning, the blazing rays baked the earth like a steamer.
The group's pace gradually slowed. Village Chief Liu Shihao gave the order to find a shady spot and stop to rest.
No sooner had they stopped than many refugees approached.
"Please, some water! We beg you!"
"Just a bite to eat, please have mercy and save the children…"
More refugees lingered in the distance, their eyes like starving wolves, as if they might pounce at any moment.
The old lady held the waterskin Gu Xiao had handed her. She hesitated, and was just about to reach out when Gu Xiao pushed her hand back and stepped in front of her, gripping the machete.
The Liu family had no shortage of able-bodied men, and with Gu Xiao and Gu Wan disguised as they were, no one dared to make a move for the time being.
There were more than a few soft-hearted women in the village who wanted to help, but they were all held back by their own family members.
None of them knew how long their own food supplies would last—even if they wanted to help, their hearts were willing but their strength was lacking.
Under the tense atmosphere, no one had much appetite for eating or drinking. They barely nibbled a few bites before wanting to set off immediately.
But then they heard the rapid sound of horse hooves.
"Clop-clop-clop-clop…"
Immediately followed by a shrill scream that pierced into the group's ears like a death warrant.
"Kill… killing… someone's been killed…"
"Ah… no… don't kill me!"
"Help!"
In an instant, everyone was on high alert, scattering in panic into the woods. Where danger and opportunity coexisted, some refugees who were running low on supplies took advantage of the chaos to snatch food.
"Brothers, grab it! Without food we're dead anyway—fight for it and there's still a chance to live…"
The herd mentality of people is terrifying, especially when desire takes the lead. Nearly all the refugees charged toward Liujia Village.
A fierce struggle broke out—everyone was fighting for survival, going all out as if their lives depended on it.
Gu Xiao told Tang-shi and Song-shi to take the children and Old Madam and leave first, while she, Liu Dong, and Liu Feng stayed behind to resist. Knowing they would only hold everyone back if they stayed, the others pushed the carts and ran desperately into the deep woods.
Liu Dong was a sturdy farmer with solid muscle, swinging his hoe at the refugees. Liu Feng struggled but didn't retreat an inch.
Gu Xiao, meanwhile, skillfully struck pressure points on people's bodies—one hit was enough to make them wince in pain and dare not approach again. The family escaped unscathed.
But those whose households lacked young, able-bodied men fared terribly—their food was snatched away.
Using her Jingshenxi Yineng, Gu Xiao easily located the group's position. Village Chief Liu Shihao was counting heads.
When Gu Xiao returned to the Liu family's camp, the little girl pounced on her with red, swollen eyes. Even Old Madam was sobbing softly—whether from fright or worry about the road ahead, it was hard to tell.
"Don't cry, be good. Your sister is fine." She gently patted the little girl's head to comfort her.
"Grandmother, your eyes can't take any more crying. Everything will get better. Drink some water first—we still have a long way to go."
Gu Xiao had been observing Old Madam's eyes closely lately—they looked like cataracts from her past life. Her Kongjian wasn't short on medicine, but since she wasn't a professional doctor and feared misjudging the condition, she didn't dare rashly give it to Old Madam.
She could only add some Qiangshen Yaoji to the water pouch, hoping it would help improve things.
Hearing Gu Xiao's words, Old Madam wiped her tears and said, "Xiao girl, are you alright? Did you get hurt…"