“Big Ya, just pick however many you want!” Grandpa Tian said warmly, his face full of affection.
The Tian elderly couple were in their fifties and had only one daughter, who had married far away to another village and rarely returned home.
They had heard that her mother-in-law was very strict, and her life there was quite difficult, so she was unable to help her parents’ family.
Because of this, the Tian couple lived a rather poor life. They had two mu of farmland, and after paying taxes each year, they could barely even feed themselves.
The old man supported the family by weaving baskets and bamboo containers, just barely making enough to get by.
But these items didn’t sell often—after all, most households only needed one that could last a long time, and they were not expensive to begin with.
Even so, despite their hardship, the elderly couple had a very good mindset and a loving relationship. They were cheerful every day.
Seeing how optimistic and open-minded they were, Liu Qingyan felt happy as well.
In such difficult times, being able to maintain a positive attitude was truly rare and admirable—an example of finding joy in hardship.
She carefully selected two backpacks: one small and portable, the other slightly larger for carrying more items. She also chose two bamboo baskets.
Each bamboo basket cost ten wen, totaling forty wen. Liu Qingyan counted out the copper coins and handed them to Grandma Tian with both hands.
But Grandma Tian quickly waved her hands and said, “Big Ya, we’ve heard about you cutting ties with your old household.
We old couple can’t really help you much, so just owe us this money first. When you have more money later, you can pay us then. It’s not easy for you children to live—you need money everywhere.”
“No need, Grandma Tian. Please take it. Your family isn’t well-off either; I can’t owe you this money. I’ll find ways to earn money later,” Liu Qingyan said sincerely.
After saying goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma Tian, Liu Qingyan dragged her exhausted body back home.
As soon as she entered, she went straight to the bed and collapsed onto it, breathing heavily from exhaustion. Her frail body was too weak—she became tired very easily.
Seeing this, Qingyi said with concern, “Sister, lie down and rest. Qingyou and I will cook.”
Liu Qingyan truly had no strength left and said weakly, “Go ahead. Stir-fry wild vegetables with some lard residue, and cook some porridge.”
The two children worked quickly and in perfect coordination—one washing the wild vegetables while the other rinsed the rice.
Soon, the aroma of food filled the house. The wild vegetables stir-fried with lard tasted much better than usual.
The children ate happily, their faces full of satisfaction. But Liu Qingyan still struggled to swallow the coarse grain porridge.
Still, she understood clearly that in their current situation, having food at all was already good enough.
She had to first take care of her health—after all, health was the foundation of everything. Only when she was strong could she plan for the future.
After the meal, Qingyou thoughtfully prepared medicinal soup for her again. Soon, night fell, and they all went to bed early.
After the two children fell asleep, Liu Qingyan silently thought “enter,” and instantly found herself in her space again.
She took a couple of sips of spirit spring water. She did not dare drink too much yet, afraid that the effects would be too obvious and attract Doctor Song’s suspicion.
This time, she even brought a bowl into the space, planning to scoop some spring water out and let her younger siblings drink it as well, hoping it would improve their health.
Then her gaze turned to the farmland, where lush green grass had grown thickly.
Looking at the thriving greenery, she thought that such good grass would be perfect for raising cattle or sheep.
But then she remembered she had no money at all and couldn’t afford livestock.
She began to consider whether she could catch a couple of rabbits from the mountain to raise instead—that would be ideal.
Rabbits reproduced quickly; before long, there would be a whole litter, and the family could often eat rabbit meat.
Thinking of meat, her stomach growled, and she felt even hungrier.
After she regained more strength in a couple of days, she planned to go into the mountains to try her luck hunting.
In the space, Liu Qingyan wandered around admiring the beautiful flowers.
Every time she saw them, her mood would unconsciously brighten, as if all her worries had been swept away.
When she returned to her shabby little bed, her mind once again drifted to the figures of her parents and brother. She wondered if she would dream of them again.
She missed them so much, and she did not know if what she had dreamed last night was real, or how her mother was doing now.
The more she longed to fall asleep and meet them in her dreams, the harder it became to sleep.
After tossing and turning for a long time, she finally drifted into deep sleep—but that night, she did not dream of her loved ones again.
The next morning, just before dawn, all three children woke up early.
Soon, smoke rose from the small stove as Qingyou began preparing breakfast.
There was not much water left in the small jar, and Qingyi frowned. “Sister, we forgot to buy a water bucket yesterday. We’ll have to borrow one from Uncle Wang again.”
“Right. When you go borrow it later, ask Uncle Wang if anyone is selling water buckets,” Liu Qingyan thought for a moment and said.
Qingyou added, “Sister, you watch the porridge in the pot. I’ll go fetch water with brother.”
“Alright, go carefully,” Liu Qingyan reminded them.
Wild vegetable and grain porridge was cooking in the pot. She gently lifted the lid and stirred it slowly to prevent it from sticking.
After the porridge was ready, the two children returned carrying water. But the small water jar could only hold one bucket.
Looking at the tiny jar, Liu Qingyan thought to herself that they had too many urgent needs—both a water jar and water buckets were essential for daily life.
After Qingyi returned the borrowed bucket to Uncle Wang, the siblings sat down together to eat.
While eating, Qingyi said, “Sister, Uncle Wang said water buckets can only be bought in town.”
“Oh, that works out. We’ll also buy a bigger water jar in town. I’ll ask Uncle Wang later if he has time to help us buy it—Qingyi is too young to carry it alone,” Liu Qingyan arranged calmly.
After the meal, Liu Qingyan took Qingyi back to Uncle Wang’s house. Uncle Wang, Aunt Wang, Xiaoyu, and Tieniu were all at home.
Aunt Wang warmly greeted them, “Qingyan, come in and sit.”
“No need, Aunt Wang. I came to ask if Uncle Wang is free today—I’d like to ask him for help,” Liu Qingyan said politely.
Uncle Wang replied readily, “I’m free. What is it? Just tell me, Qingyan.”
“Uncle Wang, you know our small water jar is too tiny—it was given to us by someone else and can only hold one bucket of water.
I want to buy a larger water jar and a water bucket. We can’t keep borrowing yours.
Qingyi is still young and can’t carry things alone, so I’d like to ask you to take him to town to buy the water jar and bucket, and also get a wooden basin as well.”