What respecting the elderly or caring for the young? In the wasteland? It doesn’t exist!

And that saying about children being angels? They could just as well be little devils. As for “it’s not that the elderly have become bad, but that bad people have grown old”—yeah, that too.

Zhuang Xiao was still feeling uneasy.

The two kids, seeing that Zhuang Xiao wasn’t about to bother them, breathed a sigh of relief and no longer planned to linger in the area.

Usually, no adults came this way—it was mostly orphans like them, without parents. The far-off gathering zones were too dangerous, so they only dared to look for food closer to their territory. The chances of finding something edible were slimmer, but at least they wouldn’t starve to death.

“Beep beep. Moderate radiation mutation. Edible.”

Zhuang Xiao: ……

Was her luck finally turning?

She subconsciously looked up at the two kids who were getting ready to move to a new spot. Their footsteps noticeably slowed.

Clearly, the sound from her wristband had reached their ears.

“Jie, how about we keep searching here?” the younger brother, Wen Xiu, tugged gently on his sister Wen You’s sleeve.

They hadn’t found anything edible yesterday and had gone hungry the whole day. If they found nothing again today, would they even have the strength to search tomorrow?

Wen You softened at the sight of her brother’s pitiful eyes.

Still, she didn’t turn back—instead, the two of them crouched nearby and resumed scanning the area.

Zhuang Xiao glanced at them from the corner of her eye for a moment. Seeing they were genuinely just focusing on their own search, she turned her attention back to the leaves in her hands.

Her mood instantly improved.

She set her wristband to silent mode—yes, she would quietly strike it rich.

Even if that “riches” meant a few scraggly weed leaves.

Better than nothing.

Zhuang Xiao shook off her earlier frustrations and quickened her pace—she only had about half an hour before she had to head back home.

The closer it got to noon, the faster the temperature rose, and the radiation level became intolerable. At best, you’d suffer red, blistered skin; at worst, it could impair bodily functions.

Even those who didn’t return home by noon had carefully planned routes with shaded trees or shelters to avoid direct sun.

With swift hands, Zhuang Xiao made a cut on the leaf and spread its juice on the sensor screen. A streak of yellow appeared.

“Beep beep. Low radiation mutation. Edible.”

The text on the display was clear.

This spot really did have a connection with her.

The plant had only nine leaves in total. After scanning every single one, she found that two had low radiation mutation, four had moderate, and only three were inedible.

Yesterday, Huo Xiao had told her that after harvesting, the plant would grow new leaves in four or five days—and the odds of those being edible were quite good.

Thinking of this, Zhuang Xiao was overjoyed. She couldn’t wait to bring this little darling home and take good care of it.

No sooner thought than acted.

To protect the root system, she drew a circle around the plant with her knife, then started digging like crazy.

As the pile of soil beside her grew, her arms began to ache with fatigue—this taproot was way too deep.

She couldn’t keep going like this—she was running out of time!

Reaching out, she grabbed the base of the plant, preparing to yank it out.

One pull—no movement. Second pull—still nothing.

She sat down, braced her feet against the edge of the pit, and pulled back hard with her hands.

Then—collapse. Her feet gave way beneath her, and she fell flat on her back, limbs splayed.

Worried she’d damaged the root system, she quickly sat up and checked the plant.

Thankfully, the main root was perfectly intact.

She pulled off a broad leaf nearby, placed some soil on it, and gently wrapped the roots.

Gazing at the half-meter-tall plant in her hands, the more she looked, the happier she felt.

The frustration from earlier with the grayleaf weed completely vanished.

“Beep beep beep… beep beep beep…”

It was Huo Xiao’s alarm—he’d set it so she wouldn’t lose track of time and miss her window to get home.

Remembering how unforgiving the midday sun could be, Zhuang Xiao quickly got to her feet to leave.

Suddenly, a soft, rustling sound reached her ears, and she froze, tightening her grip on the knife and listening intently.

But the sound was gone.

Whether it was a person or an animal, this area clearly wasn’t safe for her anymore.

Just as she was about to take a step and retreat, the noise returned.

This time, she heard it clearly.

It was very close—extremely close—as if it were coming from under her feet.

She looked down.

Right where her feet had collapsed the ground earlier, a furry little head was poking out.

This… this…

Gray-brown fur, long ears, and most distinct of all, that three-lobed mouth.

If that wasn’t a rabbit, what was?

Zhuang Xiao’s heart soared—meat!

If Huo Xiao were here, he’d definitely throw a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm.

This was what they meant by “ignorance is fearless.”

In the wasteland, no mutated animal was ever “normal.”

While Zhuang Xiao stood stunned, two more rabbits popped their heads out from the soil.

She had to act fast.

Quickly setting down her precious plant, she started digging for rabbits. These were the size of full-grown house cats—five in total. Two hadn’t even opened their eyes yet, and all were covered in soft fur.

She picked one up for a closer look—yep, still a baby.

Even wild rabbit kits in the wasteland were this big?

Good thing she’d brought a large bag—it was more than enough to carry five rabbit babies.

By now, her face was burning with pain from the sun—she had to get back.

She stuffed the five kits into her bag, scooped up the edible plant, and sprinted toward home.

Along the way, she didn’t run into a single soul.

Of course—who could endure the midday sun?

When Zhuang Xiao pushed open the door to her home, Huo Xiao was greeted by a girl whose head was covered in leaves and whose whole body was red as a lobster.

Seeing her like that, Huo Xiao quickly grabbed a damp towel. “Hurry, apply this cold compress to the exposed areas.”

Zhuang Xiao put down the plant and took the towel, first placing it over her face. The coolness instantly soothed the burning sensation.

One by one, she applied the compress to every inch of exposed skin until she finally felt better.

Ugh, just look at her bright red hands—her face must be a wreck. Probably looked like a monkey’s butt.

A monkey’s butt smeared with soot.

Zhuang Xiao swore to remember this painful lesson.

Once she was done, Huo Xiao, sitting to the side, asked, “Didn’t I tell you to come back early? Why are you this late?”