TSWPF -Chapter 79 Saving Someone

There were soldiers guarding the town gate. Anyone wanting to enter had to go through a strict inspection. Seeing this, Li Qingling felt her heart sink.

After much effort, she and Liu Zhimou passed the inspection and entered the town. The once-bustling town now felt eerily deserted.

Walking down the street, it was hard to find even two shops that were open. Almost everything was closed.

As they moved along, Li Qingling felt like they were in an empty city—eerily silent.

A combination of famine and the rebellion of the King of Southern Yan had driven people to flee.

Frowning, she walked slowly alongside Liu Zhimou. At that moment, they encountered a patrolling group of soldiers and quickly moved to the side.

The lead soldier scrutinized Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou up and down and asked in a rough voice, “What are you two doing here?”

Most people had already fled the town. Why were these two children wandering around instead of escaping?

Liu Zhimou squeezed Li Qingling’s hand, slightly lowering his head, and told the soldier they were looking for family.

The soldier scrutinized them once more, then waved them off. “This is a critical time. Don’t wander the streets recklessly. If you’re caught as little spies, don’t blame anyone but yourselves.”

“Yes. If we don’t find our uncle, we’ll leave immediately,” Liu Zhimou said anxiously.

The soldier grunted and left with the others.

Once they were gone, Liu Zhimou finally breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Li Qingling. “Now that we know the situation here, let’s go back!” If they were mistaken for spies, their lives could be at risk.

Li Qingling felt a cold sweat running down her back. She nodded at Liu Zhimou, and the two of them held hands and strode out of the town.

Outside, many refugees had gathered.

It was unclear where they had fled from, but every one of them looked haggard, with yellowish faces and tattered clothing.

Li Qingling pressed her lips together, feeling a deep sorrow in her heart.

Natural disasters and human calamities were deadly blows for those at the bottom of society.

If she and Liu Zhimou had fled with a few children, they might have been among these people.

She felt grateful that, following Ah Huang’s advice, they had stocked enough food so that the children wouldn’t go hungry.

Liu Zhimou held her hand tightly, leading her briskly toward home.

Seeing the refugees on the way had already upset her, making her unusually silent.

Now, seeing them again, her heart felt even heavier, yet there was nothing they could do to help.

“Kind people, please give us something to eat! My children haven’t eaten for two days,” an elderly woman hunched over and approached Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou, seemingly begging.

Dressed neatly with rosy faces, the two of them looked strikingly out of place among the gaunt, ragged refugees.

Anyone could tell they had food at home and weren’t starving.

Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou exchanged a glance, their hearts skipping a beat. Hand in hand, they bolted.

If they hadn’t run, they might have been attacked by these desperate people.

In times of famine, starving refugees could do anything to fill their stomachs.

“Kind people, where are you running?”

Seeing Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou flee, the refugees who had been sitting and watching got up and started chasing them.

Li Qingling’s heart raced as she looked back. She had never experienced anything like this before—this time, it genuinely scared her.

“Don’t look back! Run!” Liu Zhimou urged, using every ounce of strength as he ran with her.

They ran for what felt like an eternity. Once they had shaken off their pursuers, they collapsed behind a large, somewhat hidden rock, panting heavily.

Leaning against the rock, Liu Zhimou felt as if his legs weren’t his own—they were achingly sore.

This trip to the town had genuinely scared him half to death.

After this experience, he would make sure Li Qingling didn’t go on such risky trips again.

“Fortunately, those refugees aren’t as strong as us, or we might really be in trouble,” Li Qingling said, sitting on the ground with her hands on her forehead, smiling wryly.

Having lived in peaceful times, she had never faced such horrors. This experience had truly frightened her.

In her past life, her grandmother had told her that during famines, some people would even eat their own children to survive. At the time, she hadn’t believed it. She thought, “Even a tiger wouldn’t eat its cub—how could humans do such cruel things?”

After today, she began to believe it. In despair, humans could truly do anything.

Liu Zhimou took several deep breaths, finally calming his wildly racing heart. He tapped Li Qingling lightly on the head, his face serious. “Next time, you are not allowed to go to the town again.” He paused, then continued, “This time, take everything we need home, but once we’re back at Song Mountain, don’t go out again. This is a critical period. Who knows what could happen if we venture out?” This experience had genuinely terrified him. If they had run any slower, he shuddered to imagine the consequences.

Li Qingling wasn’t reckless—she wouldn’t risk her life for nothing.

This trip had been solely to gauge the current situation. Now she knew, and she wouldn’t go again.

“Mm, I understand.”

If the Southern Yan King’s army actually reached their area, even Song Mountain might not be safe.

But they had no better option—just take things one step at a time.

Sighing inwardly, Li Qingling stood up again, took Liu Zhimou’s hand, and said, “Let’s go!”

Outside was unsafe, and she was worried about the children at home. They needed to get their supplies and return to Song Mountain quickly.

After a short rest, Liu Zhimou felt better. He nodded to her and followed her outside.

This time, they avoided the main roads to prevent another encounter like before.

They took smaller paths home, slower but safer.

It took a bit longer than usual, but they finally returned home. Once inside, they locked the gate, letting their hearts fully relax.

Li Qingling drew some water from the well, scooped it into a ladle, and drank deeply, ignoring whether it was safe to drink untreated water.

After a ladle, her parched throat felt relief.

She handed the ladle to Liu Zhimou so he could drink as well.

He drank eagerly, feeling rejuvenated. The sprint had left him parched, his throat burning. Without water, they had endured the thirst until now.

While he drank, Li Qingling checked the house for anything they needed to bring to Song Mountain. This was the last trip—they would stay home for the duration of this difficult period.

“Besides the water bucket, anything else we need?” Liu Zhimou asked, placing the ladle down and walking into the house.

“Bring some books. We shouldn’t neglect studying during this time,” Li Qingling suggested, seeking his opinion.

He nodded. “Alright, bring them.” Previously, they had moved too much to carry books, but this time they could. The younger brothers shouldn’t fall behind in their studies. “I’ll pack them here. Check if there’s anything else.”

Li Qingling nodded and went to the kitchen to get the water bucket.

She thought carefully—was there anything else to take?

After a long while, she couldn’t think of anything, so she returned to the study to ask Liu Zhimou if he was done packing.

He had packed the ink, brushes, paper, and inkstone and nodded in approval.

Li Qingling placed the items into the water bucket, then took a carrying pole. Together, they lifted the bucket and set off.

Just as they left the village, they encountered Dahe. He was injured, limping with one leg, carefully walking.

Seeing Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou, he stopped and timidly greeted them.

“Dahe, why are you here? Didn’t you follow your parents?” Li Qingling frowned at the bucket of rice mixed with soil he carried.

Dahe lowered his head, expressionless. “My parents left me behind.”

Li Qingling’s frown deepened. Judging by his appearance, perhaps his family had no food, and he had scavenged some rice from others.

At this rate, he might not starve, but he could still be beaten to death.

She wasn’t the type to help everyone, but seeing him like this softened her heart.

She glanced at Liu Zhimou. He immediately understood—she wanted to help Dahe.

He smiled and nodded at her.

Since she wanted to help, then help she would. There was enough food stocked in Song Mountain to support one more person.

Seeing his approval, Li Qingling smiled faintly, then turned to Dahe. “Do you want to come with us?” Perhaps he’d be happy to see a friendly older sister figure.

Dahe’s eyes lit up. Hesitantly, he asked, “Where…where to?”

“Just follow us. We won’t abandon you.”

“I…that’s not what I mean,” Dahe blushed, explaining, “My…my sister is also here. Can we take her too?” He looked anxiously at Li Qingling, afraid she would refuse.