Little Yu Lan was the most innocent of them all. His eyes were fixed on the clay pot and never left it.
“Mother is right!” When will we be able to eat?
Yu Lan sighed. His stomach was so hungry.
Seeing that not a single person in the family was on his side, Yu Jin was so angry that he nearly crooked his nose.
“Whatever!”
There was no way he was going to help Mother act unjustly and erase Rongrong’s contribution!
Bai Lan rolled her eyes and sneered, no longer bothering with Yu Jin.
She took out the remaining salt and carefully sprinkled a little into the pot.
“Time to eat!!”
Everyone’s eyes immediately lit up!
As usual, Bai Lan served Yu Yangyang first, ladling a full bowl for her. Yu Yangyang did not refuse.
It was her food, so she accepted it without guilt.
Next came the youngest, Yu Lan, who received half a bowl. Then Yu Shanghua, Yu Yan, Yu Jin, and finally Bai Lan herself.
The porridge in the clay pot was divided up completely. Every person holding a bowl wore an expression of pure bliss.
The plump, glossy grains of rice had absorbed the broth and become thick and soft. Crisp wild greens nestled among the white, thick porridge, making it pleasing to the eye.
It was delicious—truly, unbelievably delicious!
How long had it been since they had eaten such a proper meal?
So long that they almost wanted to cry.
Yu Jin wanted to cry too.
Why did everyone else have rice in their bowls while most of his bowl was just rice broth?
“Mother, why are you picking on me?!”
Bai Lan rolled her eyes.
“I already gave you something to eat, so be grateful! Who told you to be so blind to kindness and repay goodwill with hostility?”
Wasn’t he the one who insisted that the rice had been given by Yu Rongrong and acted so coldly toward Yangyang?
Fine, then he could go without eating.
Yu Jin: “……”
He glared at Yu Yangyang, then tilted his head back and took a sip of the rice porridge.
The warm, soft porridge slid through his mouth and down his throat. Yu Jin’s eyes reddened slightly.
Rice… what a wonderful thing.
It was all thanks to Rongrong remembering them.
Yet Mother insisted on giving all the credit to Yangyang…
The whole family ate until they were completely satisfied, their cheeks taking on a faint rosy color.
It was so delicious.
If only their days could continue like this.
After eating their fill, the Yu family fell asleep.
In their dreams, they dreamed of countless delicious foods—so many that they could never finish them all in their entire lives.
Yu Yangyang lay on the dry wooden bed and opened the system panel. During dinner, the system had given her another notification.
【Congratulations, Host! You have successfully unlocked the Food Encyclopedia entry—Wild Vegetable Porridge. You have received 10 points. Current points: 115.】
【Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked your first processed food entry. You have received one Fine Gift Pack. Would you like to open it?】
【Congratulations, Host! You have completed the Main Quest: Unlock 1/1 Food Encyclopedia entry. You have received one Quest Gift Pack. Would you like to open it?】
One bowl of wild vegetable porridge had earned her two gift packs.
Yu Yangyang was very satisfied and opened both packs.
【Gift Pack successfully opened. Obtained: millet ×20, ordinary drinking water ×1 cubic meter, Spirit Spring Water ×1, bread ×2, chocolate ×2, cooking oil ×1, table salt ×1, white flour ×10, points ×1,000. All items have been stored in the System Space.】
【Current inventory: millet ×40, bread ×3, chocolate ×4, cooking oil ×1, salt ×1, white flour ×10, drinking water ×1 cubic meter. Total space: 1 square meter.】
【Detected that the System Space is severely insufficient. The system has automatically deducted 1,000 points. System Space upgraded to Level 2. Current total area: 10 square meters. Level 3 requires 2,000 points.】
Yu Yangyang did not even have time to stop it.
The hard-earned 1,000 points had just disappeared.
Yu Yangyang: “……”
The system, apparently in an excellent mood after receiving its points, cheerfully said, “Host, don’t be so resentful. You’ll get more points again.”
Forget it.
She was going to upgrade the space sooner or later anyway. One square meter really was too small.
Lying on the bed, Yu Yangyang chatted with the system.
“Where did those 1,000 points come from?”
The system was unusually patient.
“They came from the Quest Gift Pack.”
“Host, work hard on your quests. Earning lots of points is not a dream! The system warmly reminds you that the rewards for completing side quests are even richer.”
Sure enough.
If she relied on the few points earned from unlocking entries, who knew how many years it would take before she could afford the Nine Heavens Essence-Nourishing Pill?
Yu Yangyang obediently nodded.
“Don’t worry, System. I’ll definitely work hard.”
One person and one system reached a pleasant agreement.
She was working for the pill, while the system was working for points.
Together, they both had a bright future ahead.
The next morning, the Yu family got up early.
Today, they had to set out again.
The previous night, Yu Yangyang had already said that her injuries were no longer serious and insisted on continuing their journey that day.
The longer they remained separated from the main refugee group, the harder it would be for them to reach Shuntian Prefecture safely.
Moreover, their food and water supplies would not last much longer.
Food was still manageable. Yangyang had given her mother nearly five kilograms the previous night, and if they rationed it carefully, it could last them ten days to half a month.
But their water was almost gone.
Water was consumed far too quickly. The wooden barrel they used to carry water was now completely empty.
Hopefully, they could catch up with the people from Tupo Village soon.
Even if they couldn’t borrow any water, they could at least exchange some food with others.
Once they reached the next county, they could use their silver to buy food and water.
They had to leave early.
First, they needed to catch up with the main group as soon as possible.
Second, the weather was getting hotter and hotter. Once the sun was fully blazing overhead, they wouldn’t be able to travel very far.
As usual, Bai Lan got up early to prepare breakfast.
After hesitating for a while, she decided to add two extra handfuls of rice.
They had to travel today, so they needed a more substantial breakfast.
She also tossed the remaining wild vegetables from the previous night into the pot.
Once again, they had a steaming hot meal.
Meanwhile, Yu Yangyang opened the system panel.
Today’s Daily Quests had already refreshed.
【Main Quest 1: Unlock any 3 Food Encyclopedia entries. 0/3】
【Main Quest 2: Purchase any item from the System Shop.】
【Side Quest: Personally prepare one dish.】
The Daily Quests could refresh indefinitely, provided that the previous quest was completed first.
After looking at the quests, Yu Yangyang walked over to the wooden water barrel.
She reached out and touched it, transferring the drinking water stored in her System Space into the barrel.
Yu Yangyang did not pour in too much water.
Even so, when Yu Shanghua lifted the barrel onto his back, he frowned.
“Muttering… Why do I feel like this barrel has gotten heavier? Is there more water in it?”
Yu Yangyang blinked innocently.
“Dad, you must be imagining it. Maybe because we’ve been conserving our supplies, it just hasn’t gotten much lighter.”
Yu Shanghua shook his head.
“No, that’s not it. It definitely feels heavier.”
As he spoke, he was about to put the barrel down and open it to take a look.
Bai Lan quickly stopped him.
“What are you doing? Aren’t we supposed to get moving? Who cares if there’s more water? Why are you worrying about it? Do you have to wait until we’re completely out of water before you’ll be happy?”
Yu Shanghua thought about it.
She was right.
If the barrel was heavier, that meant there was more water.
That was a good thing!
Why was he overthinking it?
With that, Yu Shanghua happily carried the barrel and walked ahead.
Bai Lan squeezed Yu Yangyang’s hand and playfully winked at her.
Yu Yangyang obediently nodded.
Bai Lan’s eyes lit up.
Sure enough!
Their Yangyang must really be a little fairy!
She could somehow produce both food and water.
Wonderful!
At least now they had another layer of protection on their journey to Shuntian Prefecture.
Bai Lan looked toward Yu Jin, who was holding Yu Lan’s hand.
“Jin’er, you carry your sister.”
Yu Jin frowned and was just about to refuse when Yu Yangyang spoke first.
“Mother, there’s no need. I’m feeling pretty good now. I can walk by myself.”