Chapter 74 - 75: Chicken Soup for the Soul

Chapter 74: Chapter 75: Chicken Soup for the Soul

Besides Gu Dashishi, Xie Ruyi also didn’t want to go into the mountains.

"Sister-in-law, if Le Tian and the Le Family were here, they would want you to go into the mountains too. After all, there’s water there. It’s the best way for our family to survive," Jin Qianqian said, squatting down to persuade her.

"Look, when Seventh and I went into the city, we blundered around but eventually found another way back. Maybe Le Tian and the Le Family are out there searching for you right now. You want to be healthy and well for when they return, right?"

"Will they really come back?"

Having been fed so much "chicken soup for the soul" in her past life, Jin Qianqian could dish it out effortlessly. "Of course they will. Even if they’re not thinking about us aunts and uncles, they must be thinking about their own mother. The two of them have always listened to you the most. They’re probably just as worried about you as you are about them.

..."

"Then I’ll leave with you all. I have to live a long life so I can see them marry and give me grandchildren." Xie Ruyi’s eyes sparkled, as if the beautiful scene Jin Qianqian described was unfolding right before her.

Gu Yuanjin nodded gratefully at Jin Qianqian. ’As long as a person has something to hold on to, their whole spirit changes.’

This time, it could be said that the entire Gu Family was mobilized. After all, surviving on a few grass roots each day, who knew how much longer they could last?

The Lan Family wanted to leave with them, but the heads of their household from two generations were lying on the ground, unable to move. Their only option was to crowd around Li Cuicui and the others again.

"No way. We can barely carry our own things. How are we supposed to help you carry people?"

"We’ll pay you in Silver," Mrs. Lantian said, forcing herself to make the offer. "We won’t make you work for free. We’ll pay wages."

"Wages? How much?" Li Xiaohua quickly squeezed next to Li Cuicui, her eyes shining.

"Two hundred copper coins a day," Mrs. Lantian said through gritted teeth.

"Two hundred copper coins?" Li Xiaohua’s face fell instantly. "Are you trying to dismiss us like beggars? What can 200 copper coins even buy these days? The sweat we’d work up just halfway there would be worth more than that."

"You think 200 copper coins is too little? Don’t forget, people used to fight over jobs that paid ten copper coins!" Mrs. Lantian exclaimed in disbelief.

"And you said it yourself—that was in the past," Li Xiaohua said, not wanting to waste any more time. She turned and pushed Gu Yuanhuo. "Let’s hurry up and pack our things. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can drink water."

Mrs. Lantian had no choice but to turn to Gu Dashishi for help. "My dear in-law, look at all these able-bodied men you have. I was thinking we should keep this opportunity within the family. If our two families help each other out, it will be better for the children when they return.

But look at your children and grandchildren. It seems they don’t think the same way."

Li Cuicui didn’t give Gu Dashishi a chance to speak. "Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but our family isn’t interested in taking this ’opportunity.’ See if you can find another family willing to earn your money. Go ask them.

As for your daughter, she’s been missing for so many days. Even if you find her, I doubt anyone would dare to marry her now. You’d be better off thinking about which temple she can go to. Find a way out for her there!"

"You..." Mrs. Lantian gritted her teeth. ’Does she really think I haven’t asked anyone else?’ Those people either demanded an outrageous price or simply ignored them completely.

"’You’ what? Don’t block our way. Look, the groups ahead of us are already starting to move out again." After speaking, Li Cuicui turned and glared at Gu Dashishi. "Get a move on. Don’t forget you can barely fend for yourself right now, so stop trying to play the hero."

Gu Dashishi was about to say something more, but Ancient Wen Heng took his arm to support him. "Dad, I see Third Grandpa and the others have already left. We need to hurry and catch up! Look ahead, isn’t that Fourth Uncle waiting for you?"

"Where?" Gu Dashishi squinted, finding the sunlight ahead a bit too dazzling.

"Just up ahead. We’ll see him once we walk a little further." Ancient Wen Heng smoothly picked up the bags they had set by the roadside and helped hoist Gu Dashishi’s onto his shoulder.

As for the Lan family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who still wanted to speak, they were met with a hard stare from Li Cuicui and Jin Qianqian and could only swallow the words on the tips of their tongues.

"The nerve of them," Li Cuicui said once they were trailing behind the main group, finally having a moment to gossip with Jin Qianqian about recent events.

Jin Qianqian, however, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ’I have to give myself credit for being so quick-witted. Thankfully, I was cautious enough to use the chaos to retrieve all those empty bottles into my space. Otherwise, who knows how much trouble they would have caused.’

"Mom, we shouldn’t provoke people like them. As the saying goes, it’s better to offend a gentleman than a petty person. They’re full of schemes. We’re not afraid of them acting openly, but we have to worry about their dirty tricks."

"Isn’t that the truth," Li Cuicui said, her tone turning into a frustrated complaint. "Take that fool, your sixth sister. The He Family are just a bunch of scoundrels, but she’s still dead set on defending them.

Didn’t their old ox die of thirst yesterday? And she actually expected your brothers to go over and help them deal with it."

"What’s wrong with that?" Jin Qianqian asked, not knowing the full story. "People should help each other out when something happens. Besides, that’s Sixth Sister’s family-in-law."

Li Cuicui retorted, "If it were really that simple, do you think I wouldn’t feel for my own daughter? Your eldest brother and the others did go over, but who would have thought? That man He was just lying on the ground, cursing up a storm, while his wife and daughter-in-law gave your brothers dirty looks.

Thankfully, your third brother had some sense. He grabbed your eldest and fourth brothers and dragged them straight back."

Jin Qianqian hadn’t expected that. ’Truly, you find awful people everywhere.’ "In that case, they really shouldn’t have helped. With that kind of spare energy, they’d be better off getting some sleep and conserving their strength.

But what about Sixth Sister and her family? I don’t think I saw them setting out with us?"

"I talked to the young couple, but who knows what’s in their heads. She’s so determined to take care of He Tuliang that she’s not even thinking about her own survival."

Li Cuicui jutted her chin as she spoke. "See those people trailing behind us? Some of them are just coming back from fetching water, but others are following us to check the place out. If it’s really a good place to live, they might even try to fight us for a spot.

So, Seventh Wife, when we get there, don’t be too naive. You two came from that area, so you know which spots are the best. Claim one first, and don’t be a fool and lose out."

Jin Qianqian looked back and saw a long line of people trailing behind them. She was once again stunned by their methods of survival.

They hadn’t made a big deal about discovering the lake, yet these people had still managed to get word of it.

And they were able to make such a quick decision, shouldering their large and small bags to immediately follow along.

"Mom, Dad is up ahead looking for you," Ancient Wen Heng cut in, interrupting the conversation between his mother and wife.

"What could your father possibly want with me?" Li Cuicui didn’t believe a word Ancient Wen Heng said. "He’s practically treating me like an enemy right now."

Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. ’...’ ’But you can’t just hog my wife all to yourself!’