C2 (1/2)

”Mom, did you forget? Daddy joined the army, and yesterday you said he left for half a year.”

A Jin said.

So that was how it was. Wars broke out one after another in chaotic times. It wasn't a rare thing for strong men to be on the battlefield.

Su Zhi let out a faint sigh and looked towards the window. The dilapidated fenced yard had been turned into a paste by the rain. It would be difficult even if they went out.

There were only a few large white poplars visible.

”How long has it been raining?”

”It started early this morning and just stopped not long ago.”

There was no kerosene lamp to light the room.

After the sky darkened, he still didn't know how to starve his way through the night.

”Mother will go out and find some wild vegetables to eat. You guys stay at home and don't come out.”

”Mother, don't …”

A Jin held onto her tightly, refusing to let her open the door. ”Don't go. After a few months of drought, the manor won't grow anymore. The villagers took all the plants that could swim in the sky, run on the ground or grow in the fields.”

Su Zhi sensed his nervousness. She stopped her steps and asked patiently, ”Obediently A Jin, are you afraid?”

A Jin shook her head and stubbornly didn't utter a word. Her small body pressed against the door, preventing her from leaving.

How could three people spend a night on half a sweet potato?

Just as Su Zhi was about to speak, a noise came from outside the door, accompanied by the village woman's sharp and ear-piercing curses.

”Su Zhi, you seductive vixen, come out for me!”

Su Zhi looked over and saw a peasant woman standing outside the closed firewood door. She only revealed a pointed monkey face and was glaring at her.

A Jin bit her lips, guarding the door fearfully but firmly, she took out half of the sweet potato and gave it to the little girl.

”What's going on?”

Seeing his unfriendly face, Su Zhi knew that he had come to cause trouble.

Her head hurt, but she still patiently squatted down to comfort the trembling boy.

”Good child, tell your mother what happened.”

With tears in her eyes, A Jin looked at her pitifully and replied, ”They stole my sweet potato.”

After forcing himself to finish his sentence, tears started dripping down his face, ”I found it, it's in my house.”

Su Zhi understood that drought caused famine, and crops were not easy to grow. Most farmers lost their rations, and it was not hard to see people fighting over food over time.