After returning to his room, Lu Ping’an immediately slipped into the Spirit Spring Space.
Although only one night had passed, the corn had already grown as tall as he was, and ears were beginning to form.
The red beans were growing just as vigorously. He estimated that by tomorrow morning, everything would be ready for harvest.
As for the hazelnut trees, they were still small. Those weren’t urgent—they would take nearly a month before bearing fruit.
He quickly walked up to the stone tablet and pressed the sign-in button.
【Ding! Sign-in successful. Reward: 10 “Great Unity” bills, totaling 100 yuan. Automatically stored in the warehouse!】
Lu Ping’an was stunned when he heard the notification. Instead of checking the warehouse, he returned directly to his room.
With a thought, he stretched out his hand. Ten crisp “Great Unity” bills instantly appeared in his palm.
One hundred yuan—this was no small sum. An ordinary worker would need about three months to earn that much.
Yesterday, he had received twenty jin of rice. Today, one hundred yuan.
Just relying on the Spirit Spring Space’s daily sign-in, he could live quite comfortably in this era.
Just then, his stomach growled loudly again.
At fifteen, he was at the peak of growing—his appetite was astonishing.
He had only eaten half an egg that morning. No wonder it hadn’t been enough.
He couldn’t stand it anymore. He was starving—he had to find something to eat!
He ran to the kitchen and saw that the little girl still had half of her half egg left, licking it happily.
Lu Ping’an gave a bitter smile. He knew she was reluctant to finish it.
“Big Brother!”
The moment she saw him, Lu Yundong sweetly called out.
He nodded with a smile. “Go play outside. Big Brother will see what we’re having for lunch.”
The little girl obediently nodded and skipped out of the kitchen.
After sending her away, Lu Ping’an began searching through the kitchen.
After a long search, he didn’t find a single grain of food—only a large water vat that was half full.
With a thought, he quietly poured Spirit Spring water into it, filling the vat to the brim.
Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. Grain was precious—how could it possibly be left in the kitchen? It must all be locked away in cabinets!
In his house, the grain was kept locked in his parents’ room.
He didn’t have the key. He could only sigh helplessly.
Too hungry to think further, he took out a large bowl of rice from the space and began to cook porridge.
Since he was cooking anyway, he decided to make a big pot for the whole family.
As for explaining it, he would use Grandpa and Grandma as an excuse.
The old couple felt sorry for their eldest grandson and had specially given them some rice.
Of course, he couldn’t use that excuse too often, or it would fall apart.
Soon, thick smoke filled the kitchen, alarming the little girl outside. She rushed back in.
Lu Ping’an coughed violently while trying to light the fire, but he had never done this before.
Even during military field training in his previous life, starting fires was rare. And even when it happened, teammates usually handled it.
The original owner of this body had been the family treasure. With so many sisters at home, it had never been his job to tend the fire.
So naturally—he didn’t know how.
“Big Brother, you’re so clumsy! Let me do it—cough, cough…”
The little girl hurried over, shooed him aside, and skillfully fiddled with the stove. Soon, the fire was burning steadily.
Lu Ping’an felt ashamed. He had lived for decades, yet couldn’t even compare to a six-year-old girl.
Once the smoke cleared, he washed the rice and poured it into the pot.
The little girl didn’t leave. She stood beside the pot, staring at the rice inside, drool unconsciously gathering at the corner of her mouth.
Lu Ping’an knew how to cook porridge—but he had added too little water. The porridge thickened more and more as it cooked, forcing him to add water twice midway.
By the time the large pot of white rice porridge was ready, the front of the little girl’s shirt was soaked with drool.
He filled two big bowls—one for himself and one for her—and they sat at the table together.
Though it was hot, they both took small mouthfuls. The rich aroma brought smiles to their faces.
“Big Brother, this is way tastier than corn and wild vegetable paste!”
The little girl’s eyes sparkled, tiny beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
Lu Ping’an was sweating too, but he looked utterly satisfied. The fragrance was intoxicating.
Despite her small size, the little girl finished the entire bowl, her belly round and full.
“Big Brother, it’s so delicious!”
She licked her bowl clean—there was barely any need to wash it.
Lu Ping’an reached out and patted her head—then quickly withdrew his hand before she could protest.
After cleaning the bowls, he finally felt strength returning to his body.
“Little girl, come on—we’re going to the back mountain to gather wild vegetables!”
He beckoned to her.
She nodded eagerly and immediately fetched a bamboo basket.
Lu Ping’an grabbed a woodcutting knife, and the two headed out.
Of course, he didn’t actually plan to gather wild vegetables—he wanted to scout the back mountain.
According to the original owner’s memories, there were wild chickens and rabbits in the hills—and quite a few.
Villagers often set traps there, but the success rate was very low.
As for hunting, he was skilled at it. His years of military training in his previous life had not been for nothing.
Naturally, he couldn’t say he was going hunting. No one in the family would agree.
If Grandpa and Grandma found out, they’d probably follow him and keep watch over him.
As soon as they stepped outside, they saw an elderly woman who lived not far away—Grandma Zhang.
“Ping’an, I heard you’re feeling better. I was just about to visit you!”
Grandma Zhang looked at him kindly, smiling.
“Grandma Zhang, I’m fine now. After lying in bed for days, I feel rusty. I’m taking Sixth Sister to dig some wild vegetables.”
Lu Ping’an replied quickly, knowing she meant well.
“Hello, Grandma Zhang!”
The little girl greeted her sweetly.
“Yundong is such a sensible child, helping the family gather wild vegetables at such a young age!”
“Here, Grandma Zhang still has a piece of candy. Take it as a little treat.”
With a smile, Grandma Zhang stepped forward and handed over a piece of White Rabbit milk candy.
The little girl didn’t dare take it and instead looked at her big brother.
“Grandma Zhang, you should keep it for yourself. My grandma gave me a few yesterday—I shared one with her.”
Lu Ping’an quickly declined. In this era, life wasn’t easy for anyone. Offering food was a great kindness.
“It’s just a piece of candy—what’s there to save?”
“Go on, eat it. Grandma Zhang has more at home!”
She insisted, pressing the candy into the little girl’s hand.
Seeing his sister glance at him again, Lu Ping’an smiled. “Sixth Sister, why aren’t you thanking Grandma Zhang?”
“Thank you, Grandma Zhang!”
The little girl chirped sweetly.
Grandma Zhang smiled warmly. “No need to thank me. Be careful when picking wild vegetables—don’t go deep into the mountains!”
“Got it, Grandma Zhang. We won’t go into the mountains.”
Along the way, they met several other villagers, all warmly asking about Lu Ping’an’s health.
He answered them one by one.