After a bout of intense weeping, the realization dawned that reliance could only be placed upon oneself. With a glance around and a heavy sigh, the figure, head bent and hand on waist, began the trek back. Fortunately, the apricot tree remained in sight. Upon returning to its side and casting another look around, the view beyond the enclosure was now visible. Another look at the tree laden with fruit revealed the wisdom in the elders' sayings: that which is untouched by insects or birds is likely unpalatable.
The rumble of hunger sounded once more.
With a semblance of resolve, Xu Jia'an picked up the branch and continued to knock down the slightly yellow fruits. Gathering over ten, they were cradled in the folds of her garment as she made her way out of the grove.
Back at the mud house, by the stove, the fruits were placed atop a shard of a clay pot. Then, with slow steps, she approached the clump of herbs, tearing out a generous handful and depositing them by the stove as well.
Once more entering the woods, a large leaf was plucked and fashioned into a small pouch. With cautious steps towards the mulberry tree, she carefully selected the ripest fruits, holding her breath as she plucked each one. Circling the tree several times, she harvested all that were ripe and within reach.
Upon completion, with the swiftest pace her small legs could muster, she rushed to the banks of the stream to wash her hands and face. Standing by the shallow waters, she cleansed herself thoroughly, even gently washing her hair, relieved that no harmful fuzz had adhered to her.
Gazing at her reflection in the water, she saw a thin, pale face framed by curved eyebrows and bright, large eyes full of life. Her small, cherry lips were pink but lacked vibrancy. Despite the disheveled state, with leaves and dirt tangled in her hair, she was still quite a sight to behold.
Her long hair, reaching her waist, was surprisingly soft. She had always wished to grow her hair long but had never succeeded, due to split ends, discoloration, and tangling. Now, in this predicament, her wish had come true.
With a sense of irony, she began to tidy her hair, dividing it into two and braiding them into plaits that lay smoothly down her back.
Holding her braids, the gravity of her situation struck her. A wry smile tugged at her lips as she sighed.
Crouching down once more, she meticulously washed the mulberries, one by one, watching as the water droplets clung to the fruits, making them appear all the more delightful and beautiful.
Picking one, she placed it in her mouth. Yes, it was the taste from her memories—sweet with a hint of sourness, the flavor of ripe mulberries.
As she washed and ate, the small stash of mulberries was quickly consumed, and her hunger somewhat abated.
Returning to the stove, she picked up the apricots and herbs, making her way back to the stream to wash them. Using leaves as a vessel, she placed them by the stove.
Back at the mud house, she retrieved a piece of the clay pot, laboriously washed it, and filled it with water, intending to return to the stove to cook a meal.
Standing before the stove, Xu Jia'an was taken aback. Without fire, how could she cook?
She had no crystals or jade, no objects to focus light! A fire drill, perhaps? But without wood, it was a futile thought. Best to gather some firewood first!
Entering the woods again, she collected dry branches and leaves, carrying, dragging, and pulling them back to the mud house. The issue of fire once again loomed. Could she really use a fire drill? Theoretically possible, but practically improbable!
Looking at her small, pale hands, dirty from collecting firewood, she knew they lacked the strength to create a fire. How could she sharpen a stick for drilling and flatten another for a base without a knife? Could she grind them on the ground? But how long would that take?
Could she go without fire? Eat raw herbs! The thought of uncooked vegetables was unappealing. And the sour apricots? They were hardly palatable, collected only as a last resort. Could it be that last resort had come?
"An'an, where have you been? I..." The speaker's words trailed off upon seeing Xu Jia'an standing before the stove, staring blankly.
"Can you make a fire?" Xu Jia'an asked the child who had been sleeping inside, without thinking.
"I can," the child replied, to Xu Jia'an's surprise.
"Then start the fire."
"Okay," the child responded, approaching the stove. Picking up two stones from the ground and some leaves, the child began to strike them vigorously.
"Scrape, scrape," the sound of what could be fabled flint filled the air as Xu Jia'an watched in mild astonishment.
"Scrape, scrape," the child struggled, but the leaves eventually caught a spark.
Placing the ignited leaves into the stove and adding branches, the child turned back and asked, "An'an, did you find food? Can we eat this?"
Before the child could finish the sentence, his stomach answered for him with a polite growl.
Xu Jia'an looked at him, questioning who he was and his relation to her. An older brother? Likely not a younger brother. Should she share her findings? The questions that had been left unasked now surfaced one by one.
He must be her brother, Xu Jia'an concluded cheerfully, recalling the trope of穿越 (穿越) children having doting older brothers.
Her face flushed noticeably as she looked at Xu Jia'an, who was also eyeing the apricots.
Large eyes, a delicate face, and a small mouth that lightly bit down in restraint.
Watching him swallow hard, he then squatted to add more firewood to the stove.
"I'm going to wash my face," he announced, dashing towards the stream.
Xu Jia'an ignored him, examining the shard of the clay pot. Measuring its size, it seemed suitable to use as a makeshift pot on the stove. Moving the stones beside the stove, she stood on them to check the reach. Carefully, she placed the shard on the stove.
If it were for two people, it definitely wouldn't be enough, let alone if it had to be divided into three portions.
More vegetables and water would be needed.
Picking up another shard, she slowly made her way to the stream. By the waterside, the child had finished washing his face, his appearance transformed like a pear blossom after rain, a water lily emerging from the pond.
Thick eyebrows with a hint of masculinity, long eyelashes beaded with droplets, slightly opened phoenix eyes, a small straight nose, and red, petite lips with a touch of angularity, all set against a fair complexion.
A very beautiful face! Even without growing up, he was already charming; as an adult, he would surely be breathtakingly beautiful.
Hey! Could it be this cruel? In the last life, not being beautiful was fine, I accepted it, but this body is quite pretty. How could there be another enchanting creature! Is there no room for ordinary people to live?
Heaven, is this how you play? Can you do this?
"An'an, I'm not clean yet, right?" the little enchantment spoke.
His voice was husky, not particularly pleasant. Fortunately, he had flaws; his voice was quite unpleasant! (In fact, it wasn't that bad, but An'an insisted on adding that word) Finding the imperfections in the little enchantment, Xu Jia'an felt an inexplicable excitement and a sense of relief!
Hehe! What a black-hearted person!
"No," Xu Jia'an replied with a smile, lowering her head to wash the shard.
"I'll help you carry it; we can bring more," the little enchantment suggested.
"Okay," they each took a side of the water-filled shard and walked back. Adding water to the stove, they also added some firewood.
Xu Jia'an contemplated whether to pick more wild vegetables.
"An'an, I'll go pick some wild vegetables. You boil the water, and I'll be back soon," the little enchantment said, dashing off with a slight limp, his bare feet being pricked by the pebbles on the ground.
Watching the small figure, Xu Jia'an's heart suddenly ached for no apparent reason.
He didn't even have shoes, while she had a pair of straw sandals on her feet.