Chapter 6: Shun Mao

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Madam Liu glanced at the children. "Our situation at home is unusual now, so we'll have to make do living here for a while. The General’s Mansion has given me monthly silver, and since I don’t need to spend on food or lodging, aside from giving you all living expenses, once the drought ends, in two or three years, we should be able to save enough to build a new house."

Yu Jinchen understood the implication behind Madam Liu’s words.

If the drought persisted indefinitely, they would have to leave this place sooner or later. Even if they built a house now, it would be a waste.

He cast a glance at the children nearby. Making them sleep in such a place was somewhat unfair.

But a little hardship wouldn’t harm them.

Still, this young lady was not keen on sleeping on such a hard surface.

Yu Jinchen remained silent.

The original owner’s body truly despised this place as well.

Suddenly, her stomach growled.

“Godfather, Godmother, I’m hungry.”

Mu Guhai noticed the time—quarter past noon—and quickly said, “Jinchen didn’t eat breakfast; no wonder you’re hungry. Wait a moment, I’ll light the stove now; it’ll be ready soon.”

Mu Yiyue, ever considerate, volunteered, “Father, Mother, my younger brother and I will go gather firewood.”

“Go ahead.”

Seeing the two slowly climb down from the stone cave, Yu Jinchen said, “I’ll go too.”

Mu Guhai was worried about Yu Jinchen’s health but before he could voice his concerns, she leapt down from the cave opening.

“Jinchen!” Both Mu Guhai and Madam Liu’s hearts leapt.

The drop from the cave to the ground was nearly three meters!

But in the blink of an eye, Yu Jinchen landed safely.

The two exhaled sharply in relief.

The body of a martial artist was indeed tough.

When the five-year-old youngest son tried to climb down as well, Madam Liu quickly grabbed his collar. “My little precious, you better not go. It would be bad if you fell. Sit quietly deep inside, understand?”

Mu Sanyue pouted in frustration but dared not disobey; he obediently stayed put.

As Mu Yiyue and his brother walked away, he looked at Yu Jinchen with admiration. “You’re amazing! You jumped down from such a high place just like that. Could you teach me later? I want to be like you.”

Yu Jinchen patted his head. “Call me big sister.”

In her memory, Mu Yiyue was the most rebellious and disobedient child of the third branch.

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Mu Yiyue protested with displeasure, “Don’t pat my head. You’re only one year older than me.”

Yu Jinchen raised an eyebrow. “Still older than you. Behave and call me big sister, and I’ll teach you.”

Mu Yiyue blushed, hesitated, then whispered in a mosquito-like voice, “Bi...big sister.”

Yu Jinchen cunningly said, “I didn’t hear that.”

“...” Mu Yiyue huffed and shouted, “Big sister, Jinchen big sister, is that good enough?”

Yu Jinchen laughed heartily and patted his head again. “Good, of course it is. I’ll teach you whenever I have time.”

Seeing the three children had wandered far away, Mu Guhai withdrew his gaze and turned to Madam Liu with concern. “Wife, I forgot to ask earlier, why do you look so disheveled today? Did something happen on the road?”

Madam Liu looked embarrassed and told the truth. “Nothing much, just that I encountered a wild boar. It startled me, so I fell and ended up like this.”

“A wild boar, huh.” Mu Guhai glanced toward Mount Tianlei, wishing they could hunt some there.

The northernmost peak of Mount Tianlei soared into the clouds, its summit unseen.

The river’s source was at the mountain’s peak, gathering into Tianlei Pool.

Because of this, despite two years of drought, the area near Tianlei Pool, far from Songshan Village, still abounded with wildlife.

Occasionally, lost wild boars wandered into the village.

Thinking about the trouble the children might face climbing up later, Mu Guhai fixed one end of a long rope to a large stone at the cave entrance, tugged it several times to ensure it was secure, then went to prepare the stove.

Yu Jinchen stayed at the mountain’s foot with her brothers.

She was still unfamiliar with the place; taking the children up the mountain recklessly would be unwise.

Mu Yiyue and Mu Eryue arrived at their usual firewood gathering spot, each busy in their own area, unaware of Yu Jinchen’s movements.

By the time they noticed, Yu Jinchen had already disappeared nearby.

Yu Jinchen returned to her spatial pocket and arrived at the parcel blind box collection point. Sure enough, today’s delivery had arrived.

“God of the Space, I’m in urgent need of shelter. You know what I mean without me saying more, right?”

[Just call me Shunmao. Don’t worry, I understand perfectly.]

Receiving a satisfactory reply, Yu Jinchen confidently opened the package.

Frowning, she said, “Is this it?”

[Can’t this be lived in?]

Yu Jinchen was speechless.

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It was habitable, yes.

Next time, she would have to add more specific conditions.

...

“Big sister Jinchen?” Mu Yiyue suddenly felt the surroundings unusually quiet. Looking around, he raised his voice, “Where are you? Big sister Jinchen? Don’t scare me!”

Silence answered him; no one responded.

Mu Eryue’s face turned pale, trembling, “Big sister Jinchen, could she have... been taken by a wild beast?”

Mu Yiyue’s heart tightened. His voice quivered, “N-no... that can’t be. Wild beasts don’t usually come to the outskirts, especially after such a long drought. The grass there is almost all gone; wild beasts rarely come around.”

Mu Eryue whimpered, “Even if they’re rare, wild beasts still come sometimes. Big sister Jinchen must have been eaten by one. Boohoo... how will we explain this to Father and Mother? And what if she blames us for her death and comes looking for us at night?”

Mu Yiyue, only nine, was frightened by the words “looking for us” and instantly went pale. “D-don’t cry. We’ll confess to Father and Mother and kowtow to big sister Jinchen several times. She was always so kind to us; she wouldn’t harm us.”

Mu Eryue sobbed, “R-really?”

Mu Yiyue was unsure but nodded weakly, “It should be... really.”

Yu Jinchen emerged from behind a large tree carrying a bundle, her face full of helplessness. “You’re overthinking. I’m right here.”

Though young, their imaginations were quite vivid.

Hearing her familiar voice, the two turned toward the sound and saw her laden with numerous sacks.

Being so young, they immediately forgot their earlier fears upon seeing the sacks.

Mu Yiyue circled her twice, curious. “Big sister Jinchen, what’s all this you’re carrying?”

Yu Jinchen was speechless.

She preferred his earlier defiant attitude.

“You’ll find out when we get back.”

Both nodded dumbfounded.

Along the way when they tried to help, Yu Jinchen handed them a sack, but it was too heavy for their small strength to carry, so they awkwardly gave up.

Returning to the base of the cliff, Mu Guhai heard noises below and tossed the rope down from above.