Chapter 80: Yan Xiao’er

As soon as the decision to leave was made, every household hurried to store as much water as possible.

Any container that could hold water was filled to the brim and carried along.

At the creek, people were fetching water nonstop.

The seven newly burned charcoal piles had all turned out well. After packing up the charcoal, Yan Lao’er and the Qi brothers each began sorting out their belongings.

In contrast, the Yan family had little to prepare. Yan Lao’er had long since filled every available container at home, even making sure that Sanbao had drunk his fill.

They weren’t just prepared for departure the next morning—if they had to leave right now, they could set off immediately.

He voluntarily took over the task of steaming mantou, letting the three aunts focus on other matters, tirelessly kneading dough and steaming buns.

Those who had finished their preparations joined in to help one after another.

Everyone worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk.

The steaming pot never stopped venting steam.

Only after every household had ample food and water stored away did they finally relax, utterly exhausted, and drift into sleep.

The next morning, the group set off once more under the rising sun.

The uphill journey had been difficult, and the downhill path was no easier.

Livestock led the way while people followed behind, carefully restraining them to prevent the carts from slipping downhill too quickly.

A lot of water sloshed out from the containers, making everyone feel distressed.

Yet there was nothing to be done—whatever could be saved was better than nothing.

When they finally reached the bottom of the mountain, everyone let out a long sigh of relief.

After another three days of travel, they emerged from the vast mountain range and saw the road ahead.

Between two towering peaks lay a narrow valley passage.

The cliffs on either side were steep, but the path was wide enough for several carts to pass side by side.

“This road should lead straight through.” Yan Huaiwen examined the ground, noticing clear tracks left by carts and travelers.

Since others had traveled this way before, it was safe for them to proceed without fear of dead ends.

Yan Lao’er discreetly confirmed with Sanbao once more, receiving the same affirmation.

Without hesitation, he took the lead and entered the valley.

“Uncle An! Uncle An! More people just entered the valley!”

A young boy wielding a long stick ran over, flashing a bright grin. His excitement was palpable even from a distance.

Uncle An, who had been grinding herbs, paused and straightened his back before standing up unhurriedly.

“Did you see how many?” he asked.

“For real! There are several carts pulled by livestock, and plenty of men, women, and children. They look a lot like our people!”

The boy grinned. “Uncle An, this is a big score!”

“Rubbish! What big score?!” Uncle An frowned, unwilling to take chances. He decided to check for himself—if there were really that many people, he wasn’t sure whether they could be intimidated into obedience.

“Passing through our mountains isn’t free! If they pluck a single blade of grass, break a single branch, or eat a single bite of the valley’s wild game, that’s less for us. Shouldn’t we ask for some compensation?”

The boy, nicknamed Little Deer, chuckled sheepishly. “I know, I know! I’m just excited.” He tugged at the grass rope on his head and sensibly handed over the staff standing nearby.

Uncle An took it, then pondered for a moment. “Go call everyone—each and every one of them. We’ll all go take a look.”

“Got it!” Little Deer responded energetically before dashing off like the wind, his light steps making him look just like a deer bounding through the forest.

As soon as they entered the valley, Yan Huaiwen felt uneasy.

“Uncle? Uncle?”

Yan Yu had just finished reciting her assigned lesson, but her uncle didn’t respond—he seemed distracted.

Yan Huaiwen glanced at her and the obedient mountain cat squatting nearby, then waved his hand. “That’s enough for today.”

Yan Yu cheered inwardly but kept a composed expression. Hugging the cat, she jumped off the cart.

That cat had put on quite a dramatic show before their departure—wailing pitifully and turning back toward the forest every few steps.

Everyone had thought that was the end of it.

But as they reached the foot of the mountain, the cat suddenly caught up with them and then refused to leave, settling in with the Yan family instead.

Was it… planning to follow them on the journey?!

The villagers gossiped about it for a while, saying the Yan family’s kindness had won the cat’s loyalty, that it was an act of gratitude, that the cat had recognized its owner, and so on…

“Mother, what’s wrong with Uncle?” Yan Yu approached Li Xuemei, who was walking behind the carts.

Li Xuemei had been walking intermittently, occasionally resting in the cart.

Her appetite hadn’t been great these past few days, so she walked more to work up her hunger.

“The road is getting narrower—maybe he’s worried the carts won’t fit through?” she guessed.

“That can’t be it. Uncle checked before entering the valley and saw that people had traveled this way before.” Yan Yu scratched the cat’s head. “How about we send the cat ahead to scout the road?”

Li Xuemei shot her a look. “Your cat is so capable? Just a few days in our family, and now it can scout?”

Yan Yu grinned. “Then how about stopping for a break and letting Father ride Sanbao ahead to check?”

“You little rascal, stop worrying so much. Your uncle and father are handling it—just relax.”

“But, Mother, look around. The cliffs on both sides are steep and hard to climb. Places like this are perfect for ambushes. If we get surrounded, we’ll be trapped like dumplings in a pot!” Yan Yu argued earnestly. “I’m just being cautious—this is the wisdom of experience!”

“Then go tell your uncle and let him hear your ‘wise’ words,” Li Xuemei said.

Yan Yu pouted. “Mother, this is all your fault! You insisted I was seven years old, and I made a fool of myself in front of Uncle!”

She had tried to convince Uncle that she was seven and mature enough to have more independence, but he had immediately corrected her.

He had even recited her exact birth date and, after careful calculation, declared that she was only five years and eight months old…

Who knew how the villagers had managed to age her by two extra years?!

“Good thing you’re only five—otherwise, I’d be worried about your height. If you were actually seven, you’d be way too short,” Li Xuemei remarked.

“Ah! If only I were older! Look at the village boys—they run around freely, and no one stops them!” Yan Yu enviously watched the energetic children playing.

Li Xuemei, tired of walking, sped up and leaped onto the cart with practiced ease.

She had grown quite skilled at it.

Yan Yu, uninterested in sitting, went off to find her playmates.

The village children had naturally split into two groups.

Aside from the toddlers who could barely walk, the older boys—around nine or ten—followed Luo Village Chief’s grandson, Er Tie, who was bold and full of wild ideas. He was admired as their leader.

Yan Yu, on the other hand, hung out with a different group.

Among them, the only older child was Big Dog, the son of the village doctor. He was only there to look after his younger brother but had become the de facto leader.

There weren’t many girls in the village, and the older ones preferred not to mix with these rambunctious groups.

Since Yan Yu was lively and dressed like a boy, some mischievous kids started calling her “Yan Xiao’er”—as if she were the second son of the Yan family, following after her older brother, Yan Xiangheng.

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(End of Chapter)