TSWPF – Chapter 30 Greed

Liu Zhimou’s face turned slightly red, and he quickly withdrew his hand from the basin, clearing his throat a little embarrassedly. “How long should this goat milk be boiled?” At first, he hadn’t thought much of it, but with Li Qingfeng’s interruption, he suddenly felt a little uneasy.

Seeing his ears turning red, Li Qingling lowered her head and let out a soft laugh. How could he be so easily embarrassed?

Hearing her light laughter, Liu Zhimou’s face, which had cooled down, warmed up again. He shot her a frustrated glance, found an excuse, and hurried out of the kitchen.

“Ah, I scared him off again,” Li Qingling said helplessly, shaking her head. She picked up the basin, poured out the water, and turned to lift the pot lid.

A wave of milky aroma hit her nose. She inhaled deeply. It had been a long time since she’d had goat milk—it really brought back memories.

She missed her parents from the modern world a little, wondering how they were doing.

Li Qingling sniffed, blinked back the tears in her eyes, and reminded herself that living well here was the best way to repay her parents.

Patting her chest to calm herself, she set the lid aside, picked up a large spoon, and gently stirred the goat milk. She poured some into a bowl and tasted it.

The goat milk, boiled with tea leaves, no longer had the usual gamey taste. Only the fragrance of the milk and tea remained—it was very tasty.

She removed the pot from the heat, washed a few bowls, and filled each one. Carrying one bowl inside, she left the rest to cool in the kitchen.

“The goat milk is ready,” Li Qingling said, carrying a bowl into the room and placing it on the table. She told Liu Zhimou and the others, “It’s a bit hot, so wait a little before drinking.” She then took her younger sister from Li Qingfeng’s arms. Seeing her red nose, she bent down and kissed her little face. The little thing must be starving.

Li Qingling sat down holding her sister, feeding her small spoonfuls.

Her sister was indeed famished and drank eagerly, fussing a little when slowed down.

“It smells so good!” Li Qingfeng watched his sister drink with delight, sniffing the air and swallowing hard, but he didn’t dare drink yet—he hadn’t finished writing his big characters!

Young Liu Zhirou, seeing her sister enjoy the milk, mumbled that she wanted some too.

“Yum, yum, drink, drink…”

Li Qingling smiled, then glanced at Liu Zhimou, signaling him to bring more goat milk from the kitchen for the children, and also to pour some for the little tiger.

The little tiger had been drinking only rice soup these past few days. Fortunately, it wasn’t picky; otherwise, it would have starved.

Three eager eyes watched him. Liu Zhimou shook his head helplessly and went to the kitchen to fetch the goat milk.

He hadn’t drunk any himself yet, holding Liu Zhirou to feed her first.

Liu Zhirou clapped happily when she tasted the milk. “So… good…” After one sip, she opened her mouth again for more.

Li Qingfeng and Liu Zhiyan both drank a spoonful and their eyes lit up with delight. They quickly lifted their bowls and finished them in one gulp.

“So tasty!” Li Qingfeng put down his bowl, licking his lips. He knew his sister always cooked deliciously. “Sister, can we have this again?” He really wanted more—it was just too good.

Li Qingling finished feeding her sister and gently patted her to burp. With goat milk, her sister wouldn’t go hungry.

“Yes, every day if you want,” she said, glancing at her sister, who fell asleep instantly. She chuckled—what a little pig, eat, sleep, sleep, eat.

Hearing they could have it daily, Li Qingfeng was satisfied. He quickly cleared the table, ready to take the bowls back to the kitchen.

Liu Zhimou stopped him. “I’ll take care of it. Finish your big characters first. No finish, no meal.” He lifted his chin, pointing at the characters Li Qingfeng hadn’t finished writing.

Li Qingfeng groaned, put down the bowls, and obediently returned to his seat to continue writing.

Liu Zhiyan watched, covering his mouth to stifle a chuckle. He used to be the only one punished, but now he had company, so it wasn’t lonely.

Li Qingfeng shot Liu Zhiyan a glare for enjoying his misfortune, took a deep breath, and focused on writing.

He didn’t want to suffer such a cruel punishment—no meal was far too tragic!

Liu Zhimou glanced at the two diligently writing and a trace of a smile crossed his eyes. He looked up to see Li Qingling coming out of the kitchen. “Are they asleep?”

“Yes!” Li Qingling nodded. Since birth, her sister was easy to care for, only crying when hungry.

Perhaps she sensed she had no mother, so she was obedient.

Li Qingling let out a small sigh in her heart and instructed Li Qingfeng: if their sister got hungry, heat the goat milk in the kitchen. She would go wash clothes by the river, and they could come find her there if needed.

Li Qingfeng nodded firmly. He promised to take care of their sister, assuring her.

“Take care of things at home. When I return, we’ll go to the field together,” Li Qingling said to Liu Zhimou.

They had already discussed it—their fields would be combined, since they were going to marry anyway, there was no need to divide them strictly.

Liu Zhimou nodded and smiled slightly. He felt that Li Qingling acted like an adult, worrying about him. It wasn’t entirely pleasant; he was older and hoped to care for her more, not the other way around.

After giving instructions, Li Qingling carried a large basin of clothes to the river, mostly her sister’s diapers.

On the way, she met villagers preparing to hunt in the deep mountains.

“Xiaoling, I forgot to ask before. How far is Song Mountain? How long does it take on foot?” an aunt asked cheerfully, her excitement suggesting she could collect plenty of food from there.

Li Qingling paused slightly, smiled at the aunt, and glanced at the others watching her. “It’s quite far. Walking would take about four hours, maybe three if you’re quick.” She had expected villagers to wait until tomorrow, but they were so eager to go now. “Uncles, aunts, even if you think I’m nagging, I must remind you: do not enter the deep mountains. Remember this.”

She truly didn’t want villagers risking their lives just for a bit of food.

Seeing her serious face, the villagers nodded, promising to stay outside the mountains and just gather what they could.

Satisfied, Li Qingling nodded and continued toward the river with her basin.

The aunt was not completely convinced and asked if there was a shorter route.

Four hours was too long; if there were a shorter path, it would be better.

“No, I always take this path. I don’t know any shortcut,” Li Qingling shook her head. If she knew a shortcut, she wouldn’t have walked so far.

“Alright then,” the aunt sighed. If Li Qingling didn’t know, no one else would either. “Xiaoling, is there really a lot of food in Song Mountain? Lots of wild chickens and rabbits?” She swallowed hard, recalling how long it had been since she last had meat. Her family was poor—meat was rare. That’s why they were desperate to go to Song Mountain to improve their lives.

Li Qingling continued straight ahead, answering honestly, “There are wild chickens and rabbits, and plenty of wild vegetables too. It’s definitely better than our mountain.”

Hearing this, the aunt swallowed faster, imagining herself returning with wild game. Her excitement was palpable.

Seeing her so thrilled, Li Qingling had to pour cold water over her excitement: “Wild chickens and rabbits are harder to catch. It’s best to work in pairs, it’ll be quicker.” Catching them alone without archery skills would be very difficult.

The aunt nodded repeatedly. Since she came with her husband, hunting together wasn’t a loss.

“Xiaoling, how many times have you been to Song Mountain?” The aunt’s curiosity grew. Li Qingling’s family must have earned a lot hunting there.

Li Qingling was so young and already so capable; the aunt imagined her and her husband could earn even more.

Thinking of this, she was burning with excitement, eager to reach Song Mountain immediately.

But she forgot that Li Qingling was skilled in hunting, while she and her husband were not.

Li Qingling knew exactly what the aunt was thinking. She smirked inwardly and said lightly, “Twice. Once I confirmed there was food, I told you all.” She didn’t want villagers benefiting secretly and resenting her.

The aunt smiled awkwardly, “Thank you for your fairness, Xiaoling.” Though she said it, inwardly she was skeptical. If Li Qingling were truly sincere, she would have told them the first time she found food. Ungrateful people—this aunt fit that description.

Li Qingling didn’t care what villagers thought of her. She only cared that they didn’t get into trouble in the mountains.

“I’m here. Be careful, everyone,” Li Qingling said, smiling, and went on to the river without waiting for a reply.

Usually, many women washed clothes here, but today it was empty. Likely, everyone had gone to Song Mountain.

Li Qingling let out a small sigh, hoping they would return safely.