Chapter 19: Gu Lehua

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Gu Lehua

Along the way, they encountered many other groups also searching for water, and seeing that everyone was empty-handed, their own hearts sank.

The group’s leader, Gu Mingchun, asked around and finally chose a small, untrodden path, hoping it might offer a chance at survival.

Looking at the mountains covered in withered grass, no one truly held out much hope. It hadn’t rained for months, and water was growing ever scarcer.

Even if a water source were found, it would quickly be seized by more powerful groups. Refugees like them could only look on with helpless sighs.

"Does this place look like it has any water? Look, the ground is all cracked! It’s like the heavens want us dead." There was always someone ready to be a wet blanket. They weren’t even halfway there when Liang Xiaojun flopped onto the ground.

Gu Mingchun didn’t even look back. It wasn’t the first time that guy had caused trouble. "Everyone, pick up the pace! If we don’t find water today, many in our group won’t make it through tomorrow. Even if you’re not thinking of yourselves, think of the elders and children back home!"

Those who had been swayed by Liang Xiaojun quickly regained their resolve. This wasn’t just about their own lives; they had whole families counting on them.

Gu Wenheng, however, raised an eyebrow as he watched Gu Mingchun up ahead. ’Now I see why the village chief always has him lead,’ he thought. ’With just a few words, he can get exactly what he wants.’

As for Liang Xiaojun on the ground, everyone simply walked around him. Whether he continued or not was his own decision, but if they found water, he would have no claim to it.

Gu Wenheng watched as everyone trudged along in a single file line. ’This is a waste of energy,’ he thought, ’and it lowers our chances of finding anything.’

Finally, he couldn’t hold back any longer. "Brother Mingchun, should we spread out to search?"

Gu Mingchun glanced back at him. "And if someone finds water, how do they let the others know?"

"By the time someone runs back and forth to tell everyone, another group might have already snatched the water source."

Gu Wenheng pursed his lips. "We don’t have to go too far apart. Just spread out a little to cover more ground."

’Qianqian even has drones in her space,’ Gu Wenheng thought, ’but that’s a useless fantasy right now.’

This time, Gu Mingchun didn’t object and had the group spread out, expanding their search area several times over.

＆

Jin Qianqian leaned quietly against a tree, her heart in turmoil. ’I have so many barrels of water stored in my space,’ she thought, ’yet I can only watch everyone suffer from hunger and thirst.’ The feeling was agonizing.

Even Gu Le Shun, who was always doted on by the fifth brother and his wife, was listless, his lips pale and cracked.

Jin Qianqian couldn’t bear it any longer and beckoned to Gu Le Shun.

The dejected little Gu Le Shun immediately perked up and wobbled over to her.

"Come sit with Aunt Seven." Jin Qianqian patted the empty space beside her. Once he sat down, she secretly pressed a few cheese crisps into his hand.

"Aunt Seven, can I save these for my mom?" Gu Le Shun asked cautiously, licking his lips.

Jin Qianqian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "I’m giving them to you, so you can decide what to do with them. But I don’t have many left, and if anyone else finds out, I won’t be able to give out any more."

"Okay, I’ll only tell my mom," Gu Le Shun nodded sensibly. "I won’t even tell my dad."

Jin Qianqian patted his head, uncapped her bamboo canteen, and held it out to him. "I have some water here. You should have a few sips."

This time, Gu Le Shun didn’t dare to take it. "Aunt Seven, I’m not thirsty. You have to keep walking, so you need it more than we do."

Hearing the boy’s sensible words made Jin Qianqian’s eyes well up. ’This damn dynasty, this damn weather... it’s not giving ordinary people any chance to survive.’

"It’s alright. Your Seventh Uncle and the others will be back with water soon. We need to finish what’s in this canteen anyway so we can fill it up again."

But the little fellow was surprisingly principled and refused to touch the canteen Jin Qianqian offered him.

"Seventh Aunt, I’m thirsty. Can I have a sip?" As the only girl in the Gu family, Gu Lehua stood there biting her finger, her eyes glued to the canteen in Jin Qianqian’s hands.

Jin Qianqian didn’t know how to react for a moment. ’This child never comes near me. What’s going on?’

"Why can’t you give it to me?" Gu Lehua demanded, her face full of impatience. "Hurry up, I’m thirsty."

’What kind of attitude is that?’ Jin Qianqian thought. She put the stopper back in the canteen and hugged it to her chest. "If you’re thirsty, go find your parents. Your Seventh Aunt doesn’t have much water to spare."

"You’re lying! Why did you offer it to him, then? I saw you!"

Jin Qianqian’s own stubborn streak flared. Throughout their journey, Gu Lehua had completely ignored her and her husband. At times, Jin Qianqian had even seen disdain in the girl’s eyes.

"Well, I’m thirsty too. Why don’t you give me a few sips of your family’s water?" Jin Qianqian hadn’t wanted to bicker with a child, but ’listen to that tone of hers!’

"Our family’s water is almost gone! Weren’t you acting all generous just now? You’re not drinking it anyway, so what’s the big deal about giving it to us?"

"The big deal is this: why don’t you go ask anyone else here if they’d give you the water they’ve been rationing?" Jin Qianqian shook her head and called out to Liu Liu, who had been watching the commotion from the side. "Fourth Sister-in-law, your daughter is going around demanding water from people. Aren’t you going to do something about it?"

"She’s just a child, how much could she possibly drink? You’re her elder. Can’t you show a little love for your own niece?"

Jin Qianqian scoffed. "Fourth Sister-in-law, if every elder had to provide for every junior, the elders would have no way to survive themselves. You can’t be teaching children such entitled ideas."

’Oh, so we’re playing the high-and-mighty card?’ Jin Qianqian thought. ’Fine. Let’s see who’s better at it.’

Liu Liu immediately felt several disapproving gazes on her, and her heart sank. ’That woman from the Jin Family is truly venomous,’ she thought. ’She’s trying to ruin my daughter’s reputation!’

She forced a smile through gritted teeth. "Listen to you. The child just wanted to get a little closer to you, she doesn’t have a bad bone in her body. If you’re not willing to share a little water, then just say so. Is there any need to be so sarcastic about it?"

Jin Qianqian sighed. "Ah, Fourth Sister-in-law, you know how difficult this journey has been for everyone. We wouldn’t have left our homes if our lives weren’t on the line.

Our entire group hasn’t found a water source in two days. The water in this canteen is what my husband and I are depending on to survive. It’s not a matter of whether I’m willing to share or not.

Besides, our Little Hua still looks quite fresh-faced. I don’t think she’s so dehydrated that she needs rescuing from her auntie.

And from your tone just now, Fourth Sister-in-law, it sounds like you aren’t short on water. How about you be generous and spare some for us?"

"Why should we give our water to you?" Before Liu Liu could even speak, Gu Lehua planted her hands on her hips and shot back at Jin Qianqian. "And who asked you for a rescue? I just saw you acting all high and mighty, trying to give water to that little brat. I’m your niece too, so what’s the big deal if I have a few sips?"

Liu Liu knew this was bad. "Le Hua, what are you saying? You must be dizzy from thirst and talking nonsense."