After washing up, Luo Song returned to the kitchen.
He saw Qin Huairu standing in front of the rice bin, turning to ask him, “Xiao Song, you still have quite a bit of grain left!” “Sister Qin, that’s my rations, saved up through frugality.
Every time I go to the countryside, this is all I have to eat,” Luo Song explained.
This little vixen wasn’t giving up; she was always trying to get something out of him.
Qin Huairu frowned.
“So much cornmeal and wheat flour, can you finish it all?” “Of course I can!
Every time I go to the countryside, going from village to village, it’s very hard work, no less than Jia Dongxu’s job, so my appetite is much greater than when I’m in the city,” Luo Song pulled up a chair, sat down, and replied.
Seeing Qin Huairu still staring at the cornmeal and wheat flour beside the rice jar, Luo Song said again: “Stop looking.
Giving you ten jin of cornmeal to take back is the most I can give you.
There’s no more.” Qin Huairu sighed inwardly.
Seeing Luo Song’s resolute attitude, she didn’t press the matter.
The family had nothing to eat; going hungry for a few meals was fine.
Let Jia Dongxu figure something out!
Soon, the cornbread was ready.
Qin Huairu made six in total.
She ate two herself and gave four to Luo Song.
“Why don’t you have one more?” Luo Song suggested.
These cornbreads were crudely made and hard to swallow; Luo Song usually didn’t eat them.
Qin Huairu shook her head and smiled, saying, “You’re kind enough to have a conscience, but you need to eat more so you have the energy to work!” She herself had come from the countryside and knew that trekking through mountains and rivers in the countryside was not easy and was very physically demanding.
Luo Song hesitated for a moment, then handed her a cornbread bun.
“Have another one.
I won’t be going too far today, one less won’t hurt.” Qin Huairu’s nose tingled with emotion.
She didn’t refuse again, hummed in agreement, took the bun, and began to nibble on it.
While eating, both were lost in thought, remaining silent.
Qin Huairu was anxious about how to face her parents and uncles after returning to her parents’ home.
She hadn’t returned for many years, and not only had she brought no gifts, but she was also considering asking her parents’ home for food—it would be shameful if word got out.
If it weren’t for Jia Zhangshi’s constant scolding and pressure to return for food, she would never have wanted to come back.
Meanwhile, Luo Song was considering whether to go hunting in the mountains today.
It had snowed again last night, and the snow outside was even thicker.
Besides, the prey on the outskirts of the mountains had long been hunted to extinction.
Even if they went into the mountains, they would have to travel a long way, deep into the dense forest, to have a better chance.
After thinking for a moment, he looked up and asked Qin Huairu, “Sister, are you sure you want to go back today?” “Yes, I have to go back, otherwise Grandma Banggeng will scold me again,” Qin Huairu nodded in reply.
Luo Song: “Morning or afternoon?” “It depends.
I think it’s more likely to be in the morning.
I haven’t been back for many years, and my parents won’t welcome me.
It’s uncomfortable for me to stay here,” Qin Huairu replied thoughtfully.
Luo Song nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll stay home in the morning.
If you want to leave, come to my place, and I’ll take you down the mountain to catch the bus back to the city.” Qin Huairu didn’t refuse; her foot injury hadn’t healed, and she couldn’t walk far.
Luo Song had a bicycle; even if the snowy roads were difficult, pushing it would be better than walking.
After discussing it, Luo Song decided not to go into the mountains today.
He would take Qin Huairu to school in the morning, and then use the afternoon to visit Zhang Mazi next door to ask him to make some furniture.
It would be much cheaper to buy it from him than in the city, even though he was now the richest man in Beijing; saving money was always good.
After returning from Zhang Mazi’s, if there was still time, he would cook several pots of beef and rice dishes and put them in his spatial storage.
That way, even if they went hunting in the mountains a long way, they would always have a hot meal.
After they finished breakfast, Qin Huairu cleaned up the kitchen, then picked up her basket and said goodbye.
As she left, Luo Song found a straight stick in the woodshed for her to lean on.
“Walk slowly, the snowy roads are slippery.
If you fall again, you can forget about getting back to town today,” Luo Song cautioned.
Qin Huairu nodded and replied, “Okay, I’m going now.
I’ll come back to find you later.” Luo Song sighed inwardly and watched Qin Huairu leave.
This time, Qin Huairu didn’t take the same route Qin Jingru took home yesterday.
Instead, she took a long detour, planning to enter Qin Family Village from another direction, showing considerable caution.
Back in the house, all that remained was to wait.
Luo Song, however, wasn’t idle.
He began preparing the things he would need for tomorrow’s hunting trip in the mountains. This story is hosted at g.com.
A flintlock pistol, gunpowder, rope, tinder, matches, a machete, a hoe, a raincoat, a flashlight, and so on.
Unsure if he’d be staying in the mountains tomorrow night, Luo Song prepared a felt mat, a change of clothes, and two quilts.
Thinking the damp wood in the mountains might make it difficult to start a fire, he also went to the woodshed and fetched several bundles of firewood.
He tossed everything into his system space, just in case.
“This afternoon I’ll steam a few pots of steamed buns and dumplings, make a few pots of braised beef, and dozens of servings of rice bowls.
I’ll also bake some flatbread and boil a few pots of water.
All of this will come in handy.” These items wouldn’t lose temperature in his space and could be used immediately, which was very convenient.
Having considered everything, Luo Song finally had some free time.
He was about to go back to his room to get a book to read and kill some time when suddenly his ears twitched.
He realized someone was walking towards his house.
Now that he was bound to the Sex System, his hearing and eyesight were incredibly sharp; no sound within a hundred meters could escape his detection.
Luo Song arrived at the door, looked up, and saw that Qin Huairu had returned.
He couldn’t help but wonder why she was back so quickly.
“She’s crying?
Looks like I was right, her family didn’t give her a warm welcome,” Luo Song thought to himself.
Seeing that Qin Huairu was having difficulty walking, Luo Song quickly went to help her.
Upon approaching, seeing her face streaked with tears, Luo Song asked, “Sister Qin, did you get scolded?” “You already know, why are you asking?” Qin Huairu rolled her eyes, wiping away her tears, and choked out.
Luo Song chuckled, half-squatting down in front of her, and turned back to say, “Come on, get on, I’ll carry you back.” Qin Huairu nodded, took a half-step forward, and climbed onto Luo Song’s back.
Seeing her still sobbing, Luo Song asked curiously, “Sister, why are you back so soon?
What happened?” “What could have happened?
The house is cold and dusty, just like you said, we only get one meal of corn porridge a day to survive.
Before I could even ask for food, my mother gave me a good scolding,” Qin Huairu replied.
“Xiao Song, do you think I’m a terrible daughter?
So unfilial.” Luo Song honestly said, “Yes, you are indeed quite unfilial.” Large tears streamed down Qin Huairu’s face as she cried, “I didn’t expect even you to say that about me.
Can’t you say something nice to comfort me?” “No, I can’t lie to you, otherwise I’d be heartless,” Luo Song said earnestly.
After returning home, Qin Huairu’s emotions gradually stabilized, and she stopped crying.
Luo Song carried her to the kitchen, sat her down on a chair, and prepared a basin of hot water for her to wash her face.
Qin Huairu didn’t stay long before Luo Song took her to the roadside on his bicycle.
After the bus arrived, she carried ten jin (approximately 5 kg) of cornmeal and boarded the bus back to the city.