Chapter 2: The Road to Survival

“With a wow sound, Chen Xiaoxia burst into tears, wailing, Wuuu… but I’m so hungry! I’m really hungry!”

“The sound of her crying was like a sharp knife, stabbing straight into Su Wanwans heart.”

“This is milk powder, its not poisonous, Su Wanwan said softly, like coaxing a kitten, Everyone can have a bowl, except for Xiaoxue, who cant drink it right now.”

“Chen Dongsheng still stood stubbornly in place, but his eyes showed a hint of wavering.”

“He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, his gaze shifting back and forth between the milk powder can and his younger sister.”

“Su Wanwan sighed, Then you take care of Xiaoxue, I’ll go.”

“She turned and walked towards the dilapidated kitchen, recalling the original owners actions in her mind.”

“The lazy and gluttonous original owner would at least pretend to work hard for the sake of the meager salary when Chen Dayong was alive.”

“But since Chen Dayongs death, her true nature had been completely exposed not only was she unable to feed the children, but she also often resorted to violence because she was unhappy with her own life.”

“No wonder Chen Dongsheng was so wary of her.”

“This knot in his heart would probably have to be untied slowly.”

“The earthen stove was a nightmare for Su Wanwan, a modern person.”

“She struggled for a long time but couldnt light the fire, her face covered in ash, looking like a disheveled cat.”

“Fortunately, there was still some hot water in the thermos, so she made three bowls of fragrant milk and carried them back into the house.”

“Come on, its very delicious!

“Su Wanwan waved to the children with a smile, the aroma of milk spreading in the cold room, creating a strange warmth.”

“However, Chen Xiaoxia and five-year-old Chen Qiushi stood awkwardly, looking at their older brother with aggrieved expressions.”

“Although Chen Dongsheng tried to appear calm, his stomach betrayed him, emitting a loud growl.”

“He licked his chapped lips, his nose twitching slightly.”

“You drink a mouthful first! he said coldly to Su Wanwan, pointing at the bowl.”

“Without any hesitation, Su Wanwan took a big sip from each of the three bowls of milk.”

“She raised her eyebrows at Chen Dongsheng: Youre the one who told me to drink it.”

“Time passed, and Chen Dongshengs tense nerves finally relaxed.”

“Seeing that Su Wanwan was indeed unharmed, he finally handed the milk to his younger siblings.”

“Chen Xiaoxia and Chen Qiushi devoured it like starving wolves, finishing it in one gulp.”

“Its so yummy! Chen Xiaoxia had a ring of milk mustache around her mouth, her eyes shining like stars.”

“Cough cough… Brother, this is really milk!

“Chen Qiushis face was flushed with excitement, his fingers tightly gripping the edge of the bowl, afraid that someone would take it away.”

“Chen Dongshengs expression subtly changed.”

“When their father was still alive, their family would occasionally have milk the production team raised cows, and their father would take an enamel bowl to get some every time he came back from the mine.”

“Each of them would get a small sip, but that milk had a strong, fishy smell.”

“Unlike the bowl in front of him, which was sweet and fragrant, like something out of a dream.”

“Hurry up and drink, why, are you reluctant?”

“Su Wanwan simply stuffed the milk powder can into his arms, the cold touch of the can sending a shiver down Chen Dongshengs spine.”

“How about this, you find a place to hide it, dont let me know, and you can make some for them to drink every day from now on.”

“After saying that, she rummaged through the bed and pulled out a dirty scarf, frowned, wrapped it around her neck, and turned to walk towards the door.”

“The biting cold wind seeped in through the cracks in the door, causing the temperature inside the house to drop sharply.”

“Chen Dongsheng glanced out the window the snow was falling as big as goose feathers, a vast expanse of white.”

“Where are you going so late? he couldnt help but ask.”

“Su Wanwan turned back, smiling gently: Although Xiaoxue threw up the poisonous mushrooms, the toxins in her body havent been completely cleared, I need to borrow some licorice root and mung beans to make a detoxifying soup.”

“She paused, The house definitely doesnt have those things, right.”

“Chen Dongsheng was speechless.”

“They used to have them, but the original owner had given them all to that young, handsome, educated youth.”

“Dont waste your effort, he lowered his head, his voice muffled, No one will lend them to you.”

“Su Wanwan tucked her hands into her sleeves, her fingertips already numb with cold: How will I know if I dont try?”

“She pushed open the rickety wooden door with her shoulder, and was immediately jolted by the biting wind, shrinking her neck.”

“This broken place was colder than she had imagined.”

“Going out wasnt just to borrow licorice root and mung beans, but also to borrow rice.”

“When she was making the milk earlier, she had looked in the kitchen”

“Besides a handful of stale rice mixed with sand in the rice jar, there were only three cornbread buns.”

“If she didnt find a way, the whole family would go hungry tomorrow.”

“The system wasnt a god, it wouldnt give her things for free.”

“And she had taken over Su Wans body, if she didnt do something, she would be sorry to her conscience, and also to those four poor children.”

“Su Wanwan stepped deep and shallow in the snow, the coldness quickly penetrating her heart through the soles of her shoes.”

“The accumulated snow had already passed her ankles, making every step extremely difficult.”

“Ahead was Aunt Zhangs house, she just opened her mouth to shout: Aunt”

“The kerosene lamp inside suddenly went out, and the house was plunged into darkness.”

“She sighed helplessly, turned her head and walked towards Grandpa Lis house.”

“But this time, before she could even speak, Grandpa Lis light also went out, as if they had planned it in advance.”

“Su Wanwan smiled bitterly, snowflakes falling on her eyelashes, cold and stinging.”

“At this time, most of the people in the village were already asleep, except for the village chief and the production Captains family, who still had lights on.”

“Captain Li, is Captain Li home? she brazenly pounded on the door, her voice particularly clear in the silent night, Its Su Wan the children at home are sick, I want to ask for some mung beans and licorice root to make a detoxifying soup, can you open the door?”

“The door didnt open, but Captain Lis shrewish wife rushed out with a rolling pin, her face looking particularly ferocious in the dim light.”

“Last time you came to our house to freeload, you also said the child was sick! You still havent returned the two catties of flour and ten catties of coarse rice, get out, get out, get out!”

“Aunt Li, I will definitely return the things, but this time its really…”

“Before Su Wanwan could finish speaking, her calf was hit hard, and the pain almost made her kneel in the snow.”

“Dont, dont hit, Ill go, is it okay if I go?”

“She retreated in a disheveled manner, her legs shaking with cold, unable to even stand steadily.”

“Now, she could only pin her hopes on the village chief.”

“Before knocking on the door, Su Wanwan tried to recall whether the original owner had also offended the village chief, and her heart sank.”

“In order to make a fortune, the original owner had taken the risk of gambling, not only gambling away Chen Dayongs pension, but also losing the 30 catties of grain coupons that the village chief had given her to buy millet in town.”

“The village chief was so angry that he trembled, and declared that no one in the village should help her anymore.”

“Can I buy on credit, can I exchange a little grain first? Rice, flour, anything! she asked the system in her mind.”

“No”

“In a year of famine, no one has surplus grain”

“Su Wanwan was filled with regret.”

“How could she have imagined that the original owner, not only harmed her own children, but was also stupid enough to offend the entire village.”

“Thinking of the pleading looks in the eyes of those four skinny little beans, Su Wanwan gritted her teeth and gave up all her dignity.”

“With a plop sound, she knelt down under the eaves of the village chiefs house, the biting cold instantly spreading throughout her body.”

“Village Chief I was wrong!”

“Her voice trembled, and large teardrops rolled down, creating a small pit in the snow, I will never dare to be lazy and abuse the children again.

Please, just take pity on them… lend me a bag of rice.”

“Ten catties, no, five catties is enough! Please, give me one more chance!”

“After saying that, Su Wanwan banged her head on the ground, knocking several loud kowtows.”

“The original owner was not human, and she, who was cleaning up the mess, could only be shameless in order to beg for a trace of pity.”

“Kowtowing wasnt enough, Su Wanwan raised her hand again and slapped herself hard several times, the crisp sound particularly ear-piercing in the silent night.”

“I was wrong, I came specially to admit my mistake to you! Village Chief, listen, is this slap loud enough? If its not loud enough, Ill continue to slap!”

“Her cheeks quickly became red and swollen, and when the wind blew on them, they felt like they were burning.”

“This commotion would wake anyone up, even if they were asleep.”

“The door finally opened, and a small bag of rice, weighing only a few taels, was heavily smashed on her face.”

“Su Wanwan didnt rush to pick it up, but instead took the opportunity to pounce on the threshold and hugged the village chiefs leg tightly.”

“Village Chief she choked, Xiaoxue ate something wrong and was poisoned, please give me some more mung beans and licorice root!

If you dont believe me, you can go and see her yourself!”

“It is said that widows are unlucky.”

“The village chief was suddenly hugged by her leg, and his face immediately turned as black as the bottom of a pot.”

“Get up! Su Wan, Im telling you, dont try this! The village chief tried to shake her off, but Su Wanwan held on tightly, You better be telling the truth, otherwise…”

“I swear its true! If theres half a lie, may I be struck by lightning! You can do whatever you want with me, you can even sell me to human traffickers!”

“Su Wanwan used all her strength, her voice hoarse, with a desperate determination.”

“She knew that this was her last chance, if the village chief didnt believe her, then those four children would really go hungry.”

“The village chief was shocked by her desperate posture, looked down at her face, which was frozen purple, and her eyes, which were full of pleading, and finally sighed.”

“Forget it, forget it, you get up first. The village chiefs tone softened, but he was still impatient.”

“Su Wanwan was pardoned, Thank you Village Chief, thank you Village Chief!”

“She struggled to get up from the ground, took the dustpan handed over by the village chief, which contained a sparse amount of mung beans and licorice root.”

“This… is not enough at all?”

“Host is willing to do anything to save the children, achieving the Shameless achievement, you can choose one item to double, which one do you choose?”

“Su Wanwan did not hesitate: Mung beans!”

“With a whoosh”

“The mung beans in the dustpan were indeed doubled.”

“Great!”

“Su Wanwan hugged the dustpan tightly, stepping deep and shallow as she walked back.”

“When she got home, she was already dizzy and almost fell headfirst into the snow.”

“Chen Dongsheng hadnt slept yet, and ran out as soon as he heard the sound.”

“Seeing the bag of rice on the ground, and the mung beans and licorice root in the dustpan, he opened his mouth in shock.”

“She had actually done it.”