Chapter 2: Fleeing Famine

At dawn, Qin Zhao woke up in Cao Xi’s arms. The thin girl before him, though not as pretty as his family’s maidservants, always teased him and took advantage of him. Yet, he knew she was kinder than anyone else he had ever met.

Thinking of his deceased mother and his past life, Qin Zhao’s eyes reddened, and tears rolled down his cheeks, falling onto Cao Xi’s arm.

As Qin Zhao buried his head in sorrow, his face was suddenly lifted, and he was kissed fiercely. The abrupt sensation sent a surge of anger to the top of his head. He struggled out of Cao Xi’s embrace and wiped his face furiously with his sleeve.

“How dare you kiss me? Have you no shame?” Qin Zhao glared at her, his eyes slightly red, clearly infuriated.

Cao Xi casually touched her lips. “Not bad, tastes pretty good.” This tactic worked every time against the uptight Qin Zhao, reliably provoking him like a little firecracker.

“You, you, you—!” Qin Zhao stammered, too angry to form words. He even forgot why he had been crying earlier.

Cao Xi, however, had no time to care about his mood. While packing up their belongings, she said, “Go check if those people have left yet. If not, I’ll head to the nearby woods to see if I can find some wild vegetables or fruits to eat.”

Still flushed with anger, Qin Zhao stomped his foot before darting behind a tree trunk. Peeking out cautiously, he said, “Most of them are still asleep. A few women are awake, taking care of the children.”

Cao Xi replied, “You stay here and keep an eye on things. I’ll be back soon. If they start leaving as a group, shout for me at the edge of the woods.”

Startled, Qin Zhao turned around and grabbed the corner of her clothing, asking anxiously, “Are you planning to abandon me and leave on your own? Do you think I’m a burden and can’t stand me anymore?” Before he could finish voicing all his doubts, Cao Xi smacked him on the head.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Watch those people. I’ll be back soon. If I don’t find food, I might actually leave you behind. Believe it or not!”

Rubbing his sore head, Qin Zhao pondered how much truth was in her words. Though he often argued with her, he feared most that she would leave him. He wanted her attention, but having never tried to please anyone before, he didn’t know how.

While he was lost in thought, Cao Xi had already disappeared into the forest. Qin Zhao glanced at her distant figure and clenched his teeth before hiding behind the tree trunk again. His gaze unintentionally fell on the bundle left on the ground, instantly giving him a sense of security. Even if she abandoned him, she wouldn’t leave behind their bundle.

At the forest’s edge, Cao Xi scanned her surroundings carefully, muttering to herself about how clean the area was. Aside from some dandelions, she couldn’t spot any other wild greens.

The forest was too close to the road; even finding bird eggs was difficult. To get more food, she would have to venture deeper into the mountains. However, she decided to head back with the dandelions she had gathered for now.

On her way back, Cao Xi was delighted to discover some glossy black nightshade berries. Though they wouldn’t fill their stomachs, their sweetness was at least something to savor.

Meanwhile, Qin Zhao perched behind a tree trunk, alternating between watching the group and glancing toward the woods, his head swiveling constantly as if he were busy.

When he spotted Cao Xi returning, a flicker of joy crossed his face before he returned to his stoic expression. “Cao Xi, you’re back.”

Cao Xi didn’t bother correcting his tone and instead held out the nightshade berries in her hand. “Look at what I found for us to eat!”

Qin Zhao followed Cao Xi’s gaze and looked at what she held in her hand. On the green stems were clusters of little black beads—he had no idea what they were.

Cao Xi plucked one of the glossy black berries and held it out to Qin Zhao. “Open up,” she said.

Obediently, Qin Zhao opened his mouth, and she popped the berry in. A burst of sweet flavor filled his taste buds, and his eyes lit up as he looked at her. It was the first time he’d ever tasted such a wild fruit, and after days of surviving on coarse flatbread, it was a rare treat.

Cao Xi tossed another berry into her own mouth, closing her eyes in blissful enjoyment.

After savoring this brief moment of happiness, they sat down to sort through the dandelions they’d gathered, prepping them to be more portable and edible. Cao Xi took the opportunity to explain the benefits of dandelions to Qin Zhao, treating it as a way to make the bitter meal slightly more palatable.

Once the refugees began to move again, Cao Xi and Qin Zhao shouldered their bundles and followed at the back of the group. This time, Cao Xi didn’t carry everything herself. She figured Qin Zhao, being a boy, should start learning to take responsibility and help out.

As Qin Zhao carried his bundle, he asked curiously, “Why did you put two flatbreads in my pack? Are you planning to abandon me?”

Cao Xi rolled her eyes. “If I were going to abandon you, would I bother giving you flatbreads?”

“Well, maybe you’d feel guilty and want to ease your conscience,” Qin Zhao muttered skeptically.

Cao Xi stopped and looked at him seriously. “Don’t ever talk about me abandoning you again. If I didn’t plan to stick with you, I wouldn’t have taken you in the first place. And besides, you’re such a good-looking little kid, aren’t you?” she said, pinching his cheek as she spoke.

Qin Zhao froze, speechless. She’s at it again.

To reassure him further, Cao Xi solemnly explained why she had put the flatbreads in his bundle, recounting the classic lesson of not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Hearing this, Qin Zhao felt a newfound sense of responsibility. With a serious expression, he declared, “Don’t worry, Cao Xi. I won’t lose them.”

Cao Xi reached out to pat his head. “I believe you can do it, Qin Zhao.”

That was the last straw for Qin Zhao. His temper finally flared as he turned red with indignation. “You’re so improper! Pinching my face, patting my head—stop it! My teacher said only arrogant young masters behave like that.”

Qin Zhao had once encountered such a person on the road with his tutor. That man’s actions were exactly like Cao Xi’s. His tutor had labeled the man a spoiled brat who behaved recklessly because of his wealth. Now, Qin Zhao thought his tutor might have been mistaken—Cao Xi wasn’t rich, yet she still acted recklessly toward him.

Though Qin Zhao kept his expression stern and serious along the way, he couldn’t help clutching his bundle tightly and glancing at it occasionally, as if to ensure it was still there.

Cao Xi couldn’t hold back her laughter. “You’re acting like that phrase—‘hiding a silver coin in a no-silver land.’”

“What does that mean?” Qin Zhao asked, confused.

Cao Xi patiently explained the idiom, and Qin Zhao looked at her with newfound admiration. “You know so much, Cao Xi. Did your teacher teach you all this?”

“Yes,” Cao Xi replied with a faint smile. So many teachers from grade school to university—I learned from all of them.

But Qin Zhao’s face filled with disbelief. “Lying isn’t good, Cao Xi. I know most teachers have many students, not just one. I’ve never heard of one student being taught by a crowd of teachers.”

Cao Xi couldn’t be bothered to argue with him, but when she noticed the faint sheen of sweat on his flushed little face, her heart ached slightly. At just five years old, he should have been living carefree, yet he had lost his family and clung to her like she was his lifeline. It pricked her heart like a thorn.

Taking his hand, Cao Xi said gently, “Let me hold your hand as we walk. If you get tired, tell me.”

Qin Zhao stiffened at the touch. Apart from his mother, no one had ever held his hand before. He felt happy, but his happiness was tinged with embarrassment.

Hand in hand, they continued walking until the group ahead stopped to rest and eat. Cao Xi also sat down, mixing the dandelions and flatbread crumbs into a bowl with some water. She handed it to Qin Zhao. “Make do with this for now. Our food is limited. Once we reach the next town, I’ll find you something delicious.”

Qin Zhao pushed the bowl back toward her. “You eat first. I’m not hungry.” No sooner had he spoken than his stomach growled loudly, betraying him. He flushed with embarrassment.

Cao Xi pressed the bowl into his hands. “Just eat already. You’re just a little kid—you don’t eat much anyway. I’ve got more here. I think we’re close to the next town. If it’s safe, we’ll settle down there and stop moving.”

The earthquake-stricken area only had one village, but the surrounding towns were unaffected. Once they reached town, they wouldn’t starve. Right now, with Qin Zhao in tow, she couldn’t keep heading for the capital. It would be better to settle down temporarily and make plans for the future.