Gu Jiu looked at the sweet potato in her hand, and then recalled how Fifth Xie had shared half of his bun with her that morning. He was a strapping young man at the age of growing, and half a bun could hardly sustain him. So when Fifth Xie was not paying attention, she stuffed the pointed end of the sweet potato into his mouth, "You don't have to give it back to me. It's been in your mouth, and I won't eat it now."
Fifth Xie grinned widely, taking the sweet potato and finishing it in a few bites, "Little sister is so kind. When Fifth brother earns money in the future, I'll buy you lots and lots of delicious food."
Gu Jiu then picked up her steamed bun, sitting on the ground in an undignified manner. She took a bite, washed it down with a sip of water, soaking the bun in her mouth until it softened before swallowing it, missing the delicious cuisine of her previous world terribly.
Mrs. Gao, watching nearby, smiled at the sight. This young lady seemed a bit uncouth, but she was a grateful one. When others were kind to her, she thought of how to repay them. Such a child was truly endearing.
The relentless walking had exhausted even the hardened villagers. Everyone silently chewed on their dry rations, and even the Xie family's lively atmosphere had become somber.
Only the thirteen-year-old Sixth Xie continued chewing his rations while reading a book. He seemed isolated from the people around him, existing in his own realm, truly embodying the phrase "deaf to the world outside as he immersed himself in the books of the sages."
Gu Jiu had never seen someone so engrossed in reading before, and she found it quite novel.
After finishing their rations, Oldest Xie instructed his sons Xie Daji and Xie Erqing to call the village elders over to discuss matters.
Oldest Xie said, "Our pace is too slow. We're still two days away from Immortal Dwelling Mountain, having only traveled half the distance. We need to quicken our speed."
One of the village elders sighed, "This is already the fastest we can go. Everyone is exhausted beyond measure. You can't expect us to keep pushing without rest. People won't be able to endure it."
"That's right. The elderly, weak, and women and children simply can't move any faster."
Xie Zhan suggested, "We should abandon some of the things we're carrying."
Oldest Xie nodded, "Fourth son is right. Let's discard things like tables, chairs, ceramic pots, and earthen stoves. We'll only keep the essentials."
The poor villagers cherished their belongings and were reluctant to let go of anything, even bringing along broken pots and cracked baskets.
The village elders exchanged glances, realizing they had no choice.
"Some families will be hard to convince, alas!"
"Let the heads of each family try to persuade them. When it comes to possessions or life, one must be sacrificed."
The village elders left with a sigh, and each family began trimming down their belongings.
Sounds of discord and arguments soon echoed through the caravan.
"Don't you dare throw that away, you wastrel! That still has use. I'll fight you to the death if you discard it!"
"This sand pot is perfectly fine and can be used for cooking. I paid twenty cents for it—what a pity to throw it away."
After a chaotic uproar, the unnecessary items were eventually discarded, lightening the load but adding to the chorus of sobs and curses.
With the burden reduced, the pace quickened in the afternoon.
The Xie family had not brought too many belongings to begin with, and with a donkey cart, a horse, and plenty of able-bodied men, their speed was already faster than most families.
They led the way, forcing the other villagers to hurry their steps to keep up with the Xies.
Gu Jiu, however, could not keep up. In her previous technologically advanced world, she had never walked such long distances—her feet simply moved by mechanical means.
Her legs felt as heavy as lead, and her feet had gone numb from the pain. She hobbled along, sweat drenching her body, only to dry up and soak her again. Her steps were mechanical and labored.
Mrs. Gao felt sorry for her and called out to Fifth Xie, "Fifth Xie, you're strong. Take a sack of sweet potatoes from the cart and make some room for Ninth Miss to sit."
As Gu Jiu was about to decline, insisting she could manage, Xie Zhan approached, took down the two buckets of water slung on the horse, and lifted her onto the horse's back. He then gestured for Xie Siyu to join Gu Jiu on the horse.
The younger Xie Daji, Xie Erqing, and Xie Sanyou all looked on enviously but remained silent.
Xie Zhan handed the bundle on his shoulder to Mrs. Gao for support, then bent down to pick up the two buckets of water. Mrs. Gao said from the donkey cart, "Fifth Xie, you carry the water. Let your Fourth Brother carry the bedding."
Xie Siyu replied, "Mother, I can manage. If I get tired later, I'll switch with Fifth Brother."
Mrs. Gao did not insist further.
Gu Jiu glanced at the handsome Xie Zhan, whose refined looks could not be concealed even by his coarse cotton clothes. Indeed, good looks brought advantages, as even his own mother favored him.
Just as Gu Jiu had settled comfortably on the horse, a child's wailing rose from the caravan: "I won't walk anymore, I can't walk anymore. I need to rest."
Mrs. Sun turned her head and remarked, "It's the spoiled child from the Zhang family. That brat has been spoiled rotten by his grandmother, and he's already nine years old with such a temperament."
Mrs. Xu nudged her with an elbow, nodding towards the stern-faced Mrs. Zhang.
Mrs. Sun shrank back, only then remembering that the spoiled child was Mrs. Zhang's nephew from her side of the family, and the child's grandfather and Mrs. Zhang's grandfather were brothers.
The child's grandmother, Zhang Yushi, coaxed, "My good grandson, listen to grandma. Walk a little further, and we'll reach our destination. Listen to grandma, and when we arrive, I'll steam some rice cakes for you to eat."
"I won't walk, I won't walk. I want rice cakes now. Make them for me now!"
"Good child, this is no time to throw a tantrum. The great flood is coming soon. If we don't hurry, we'll be swept away by the waters."
The child's mother tightened her lips, pulling her young daughter along in silence. Though Nao Wa was her own son, he was no different from the one raised by her mother-in-law. She dared not utter a word, fearing that saying too much would unleash her mother-in-law's torrent of abuse upon her.
Nao Wa's father, however, lost his patience and scolded, "You little brat, always causing trouble. If you don't walk, the flood can just sweep you away!"
"Let it sweep me away! I'd rather die than live like a dead dog, so exhausted!" Nao Wa, secure in his grandmother's doting, showed no fear of his father.
"Oh my dear little ancestor, don't speak of death! Spit and purge those inauspicious words!"
"I can't walk anymore. I want to ride the big horse, I want to ride the big horse too!" Nao Wa shouted, pointing at the Xie family's horse ahead.
Zhang Yushi fell silent, her small eyes darting between the horse and her grandson. She then grabbed Nao Wa's hand and pushed her way towards the front.
Squeezing into the Xie family's line, she mustered a smile and said to Mrs. Zhang, "Sister-in-law, the child really can't walk anymore. Could you allow Nao Wa to ride the horse for a bit?"
Mrs. Zhang's face fell as she replied, "We've only been on the road for two days, and he's already complaining about not being able to walk. We've abandoned our homes and don't know how much further we'll have to travel. How will we manage in the future?"
Zhang Yushi maintained her smile, "Look at how small the child is—he's truly suffering. You're his aunt, surely you feel pity for your own kin. Just let Nao Wa ride for a little while, just a short while."
Suppressing her anger, Mrs. Zhang tried to reason with her, "Fifth Aunt, look, there's barely any space on the horse. Two children are already seated there, and the bedding is loaded in front. There's simply no room for Nao Wa. If he truly can't walk, why don't you carry him on your back? You haven't brought much with you."
Though Zhang Yushi was a grandmother, she was only in her forties and still capable of carrying a child.
Zhang Yushi's smile faded, "Sister-in-law, I'm old and feeble. How can I possibly carry such a big child? You're the child's aunt, and we're family. What's wrong with him riding your horse? If the horse can't fit him, then make that wild girl get off. Who knows where you picked her up from—we've taken her in, and it's already generous of us not to treat her like a servant girl. Yet she's acting like a noble lady, being spoiled like that."
