Chapter 4

The sky had completely darkened, and smoke rose from the chimney of every house.

“Brother Jinghong…” A crisp young man’s voice came from the side.

Tang Jinghong turned around and saw Chu Seventh, an eight or nine-year-old boy, waving at him in high spirits.

“Brother Jinghong, it’s already dark. Why are you wandering outside?”

“It is stuffy at home, so I’m coming out for a walk.”

Chu Seventh was a smart child. He knew that Tang Jinghong must have been chased out by his stepmother.

At the thought of this, he felt sympathy. “Brother Jinghong, come with me to my house. It’s almost time for dinner. I’ll treat you.”

Tang Jinghong refused. “No need. I’ll go home after taking a walk.”

Chu Seventh wanted to persuade Tang Jinghong when he was interrupted. Tang Jinghong said with concern, “Go home quickly. If you’re late, your parents will be worried.”

Chu Seventh nodded at Tang Jinghong and left helplessly.Brother Jinghong was so pitiful. If his mother was not dead, he would definitely not have been chased out of the house.

…

Chu Qingzhi was setting up the table.

When Madam Li returned and smelled the fragrance coming from the kitchen, she was shocked.

On the one hand, she was surprised that Chu Qingzhi could cook, and on the other hand, she was surprised that there was the smell of meat. She quickly walked into the living room and saw two plates of meat. However, she was not very happy. Instead, she was frightened.

The other members of the Chu family kept swallowing their saliva. Having meat to eat was simply like a dream.

Madam Li asked carefully, “Qingzhi, where did you get the pheasant and rabbit?” Did she steal it from someone?

“I borrowed it from someone…” Chu Qingzhi told everyone about meeting Tang Jinghong at the foot of the mountain.

When Madam Li heard this, she heaved a sigh of relief. “Qingzhi, the mountains are dangerous. Don’t go. I still have some money here. Take it to Jinghong tomorrow as payment for the meat.”

Chu Qingzhi was especially surprised. Her impression of Madam Li had changed a lot. Given the condition of this family, Madam Li should value money very much. She did not expect her mother to give her money so readily. “Mother…”

She was interrupted by Chu Seventh. “Mother, Brother Jinghong was chased out by his stepmother. We borrowed his meat. Why don’t we let him come to our house for dinner?”Madam Li frowned. Why was Zhang Xiuqin so vicious? “Chu Rong, go and call Jinghong over for dinner. The food today is sumptuous. One more person will not be a problem.”

Chu Rong had always listened to Madam Li. He said, “I’ll go immediately.”

Invited by the elder of the Chu family, Tang Jinghong couldn’t refuse, so he agreed.

When Madam Li saw Tang Jinghong walk in, she immediately asked him to take a seat. “Jinghong, take a seat. It’s about time to eat.”

Tang Jinghong thought that he would hunt some prey to thank the Chu family tomorrow. With this thought in mind, he sat down. “Thank you, Auntie Chu, Uncle Chu.”

Chu Seventh sat beside Tang Jinghong. “Brother Jinghong, my fifth sister made these dishes. They look delicious.”

Tang Jinghong glanced at Chu Qingzhi in surprise. He did not expect the little girl to cook so well. “Your Fifth Sister is very capable.”

Chu Seventh smiled. He had yet to get to know his Fifth Sister well, but he could tell that she was awesome.

After taking their seats, everyone began to eat.

Chu Qingzhi was already starving. She held her bowl and ate in big mouthfuls.

She did not notice that the others were chewing slowly. They only had a chance to eat such meat once every few months. Today’s meal was very luxurious.Chu Qingzhi was also the one who cooked. If it were anyone else who cooked like this, Madam Li would definitely tell them to be more frugal.

However, she wouldn’t reproach Chu Qingzhi.

Qingzhi grew up in a rich family and lived a comfortable life. Coming back to the Chu family must be an unfortunate thing for her.

She still did not know that Chu Qingzhi had used more than half of the rice at home. If she knew, she would definitely remind her to be frugal next time.

Tang Jinghong ate silently and thought to himself that he did not expect the little girl’s culinary skills to be so good. The rabbit meat and pheasant were fragrant and flavorful. They were comparable to the chefs in the capital.

Chu Qingzhi ate two bowls of rice and was finally full.

In her adoptive family, her adoptive mother was very good to Chu Qingzhi in front of everyone, but behind their backs, she tortured Chu Qingzhi to death. Otherwise, why would Chu Qinzhi be so thin?

Most of the time, Chu Qingzhi couldn’t eat her fill.

In the end, everyone finished all the dishes.

Tang Jinghong helped clean up the table. After everything was done, he bade farewell. “Thank you for your hospitality, Uncle Chu and Auntie Chu.”

Chu Rong sent Tang Jinghong to the door. “Jinghong, take care.” Nôv(el)B\\jnn

When she was washing the dishes, Madam Li realized that Chu Qingzhi had used more than half of the rice. Her heart ached. She had planned to use that amount of rice for three days. She decided not to let Qingzhi into the kitchen in the future.

Madam Li opened the flour jar and took a look. Seeing that the flour was still there, she heaved a sigh of relief. “In the next few days, I guess we’ll have to cut down on the expenses.”

Chu Second thought to himself that he would probably not be able to eat meat in a long time.

Chu Qingzhi heard her mother muttering. She thought to herself. Was this family so broke?

It was no wonder. There was a lot of grain from the fields, but there were too many people at home and the taxes were heavy. It was very difficult to rely on farming to fill their stomachs.

She had to think of a way to change the situation. At least, she had to make sure her family would not starve.

Chapter 5

Chu Qingzhi came to the courtyard and sat on the threshold. She supported her chin with her hands and looked at her grandfather and father, who were making a bed under the moonlight. Why were they so hardworking but could not even eat their fill?

Chu Eighth and Chu Ninth walked over and sat beside Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Eighth said, “Fifth Sister, what are you thinking about?”

Chu Qingzhi sighed. She was coming to this world to experience love tribulation, not starvation. However, the trajectory of this life made it difficult for her to explore the world. She was unhappy. “I’m thinking about how to make us not hungry.”

Chu Ninth’s eyes revealed a trace of anticipation. “Fifth Sister, have you thought of a way?”

Chu Qingzhi sighed. “I’m thinking about it now.”

Chu Eighth comforted her. “Fifth Sister, don’t worry. I can give you my portion. I’m young. It’s fine to eat less.”

Chu Ninth quickly said, “Me too. Fifth Sister, I can give you some too.”

Chu Qingzhi was a little touched by the two little fellows. She patted their heads. “I will think of a way. You don’t have to give me your food.”

Chu Second walked towards the three of them. “Fifth Sister, the water is ready. Go and take a shower.”

Chu Qingzhi looked up and asked, “Have you taken a shower?” Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Chu Second smiled and shook her head. “Not yet. You shower first. We’ll take a shower after you’re done.”

Chu Qingzhi knew that everyone was worried that she would not be used to it after returning home, so they specially took care of her. She naturally accepted their kindness. “Alright, I’ll go and take a shower''She took a shower and came out. She sat on a stool under the roof and fanned herself with a fan.

Chu Rong was still making the bed, hammering the planks rhythmically.

As Chu Qingzhi watched, she suddenly felt that life as a farmer was not all that bad. It made her feel unprecedentedly relaxed.

“Qingzhi, what patterns do you like?” Chu Rong suddenly asked. “After I make the bed, I’ll carve them for you.”

Chu Qingzhi was caught off guard by the question and was stunned. “As for the pattern…” She actually wanted to say that there was no need, but if she refused, she would definitely disappoint Chu Rong, so she said, “Father, carve a bird. A magpie will do.”

Chu Rong nodded. “Alright, I can finish making the bed tomorrow.”

Chu Qingzhi looked at Chu Rong and said, “Father, don’t worry. It’s fine to sleep with Second Sister.”

Chu Rong treated his sons and daughters equally, but he felt a little guilty towards Chu Qingzhi, so he doted on her even more. “It’s too hot. It’s better to finish it as soon as possible so that you don’t have to squeeze on one bed.”

Chu Qingzhi said sweetly, “Thank you, Father.”

Chu Rong smiled and continued working.

Chu Qingzhi fell silent and continued to think about the ways to make the family not starve.

…

Chu Qingzhi waited and waited. After everyone fell asleep, she slipped out of the house and went to the mountains.

To others, the mountain forest was an extremely dangerous place, but to her, it was a treasure land. Everything inside could be used by her.

When she reached the foot of the mountain, she picked a leaf and blew on it.The leaf was cast with a spell and was sent into the forest by the spiritual power.

She wanted to find a mount.

The spell that was cast just now was used to tame the beasts.

Not long after, footsteps came from all directions. Soon, all kinds of beasts ran up to her.

Chu Qingzhi glanced at the beasts that gathered and was choosing which one to be her mount. There were wolves, tigers, bears, and so on.

In the end, she chose the tiger as her mount and entered the mountains.

In the depths of the mountain forest, she appointed two big black bears as the main force, four wolves as helpers, and two monkeys as pathfinders to hunt.

When she went out to hunt, she had to hunt the big ones, and that was… a wild boar.

Chu Qingzhi sat on the tiger’s back, looking especially majestic. “Monkey, take me to the place where the wild boars live.”

The monkey squeaked twice before running to lead the way.

Not long after, the monkey stopped.

Chu Qingzhi scanned the area with her divine sense and realized that she had arrived at the wild boar den. There were forty to fifty wild boars lying in the forest not far away. “Go and catch four adult wild boars.

The beasts immediately took action. How could wild boars be a match for bears? The bears took down four boars with a few punches, and four wolves stood at the side, scaring away the wild boars that wanted to help.

“Good job. Now take the boars to my backyard.”

After Chu Qingzhi instructed, she patted the tiger’s head and asked it to change direction and walk back.

Soon, the four wild boars were transported to the backyard of the Chu family. Chu Qingzhi cast a freezing spell to freeze the four wild boars. Otherwise, they would be covered with flies tomorrow morning on such a hot day.

Chu Qingzhi rewarded the nine beasts with some spiritual energy. The spiritual energy could make them stronger and more competitive in the forest. Then, she let them return to the forest.

After doing all this, Chu Qingzhi finally heaved a sigh of relief. She did not have to starve tomorrow.