Chapter 5: White Rice  

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Gu Yundong heard a puzzled voice coming from the room. "Mother, Eldest Sister seems to be different from before. In the past, Eldest Sister always cried and was especially afraid of pain. Now, she seems to have become so manly in an instant."

Gu Yundong was speechless. Did he not know how to speak? What did he mean by being so manly?

However, her personality was indeed very different from Gu Yundong's in the past. She had to think of a reasonable excuse to explain.

However, before she could think of anything, Gu Yunshu's voice sounded again. "It must be because Grandpa and Grandma chased us away and agitated Eldest Sister. Father is not around, so she feels that she has to protect and take care of us. It's not easy for Eldest Sister. Mother, tell me, what way can I grow up in an instant and become a strong laborer at home? This way, Eldest Sister won't have to pretend to be so manly. I'm so useless now."

Madam Yang tilted her head, not understanding. "I've grown up. I'm so tall."

Gu Yundong had mixed feelings. This little thing was still young, but he was very capable of worrying. However, from his voice, she could tell that there was nothing wrong with his voice. It seemed that although the marks on his neck were shocking, Gu Dahe had not really injured him.

Gu Yundong lifted the things in her hand and stepped harder. The voices inside immediately stopped.

She pushed open the door and saw Gu Yunshu standing in front of Madam Yang and Gu Yunke with his hands outstretched. His little face was tense and he looked vigilant.

Seeing that it was her, he heaved a sigh of relief and smiled widely. "Big Sister, you're back." He shifted his gaze and saw the thing in her hand. His big eyes instantly lit up. "Have you found something to eat?"

"Okay." Gu Yundong placed the cloth bag on the ground. "I'll go to the kitchen to see if there's any water."

She turned around and went out again. There was definitely no water in this place. She was just pretending. She went to the kitchen to find a jar and took out the mineral water from her space to pour it in before returning to her room.

In the room, Gu Yunshu's eyes were already wide open. He looked at the white rice in the bag in disbelief and stuttered, "Big… Big Sister, where did you find it? It's so white, and there's so much."

He had never seen rice so white and big. Each grain seemed to be transparent and looked better than the most expensive rice in the rice shop in town.

Gu Yunshu could not help but gulp. It felt like a dream. "I found it under the bed in one of the rooms of the family next door," Gu Yundong said.

Gu Yunshu was stunned for a moment before he came to a realization. "I know. That family must be like Second Aunt. They secretly hid the food and forgot to take it with them when they escaped." After saying that, he nodded vigorously.

Previously, when she was about to leave the village, Second Aunt secretly took out two large packets of sweet potato jerky from under the bed and prepared to secretly take them away. She had secretly concealed them in her room all these years. She did not expect Grandma to see them and scold Second Aunt at home for being an ingrate. The entire Gu family knew about this.

Now that he heard that these white rice were found under the bed, Gu Yunshu immediately found a reasonable explanation.

Gu Yundong felt that there was no need for her to think of an excuse. He could always find an excuse for her.

Hence, she nodded. "Probably." As she spoke, she turned around and closed the door, rekindling the fire from before.

After adding water to the earthen jar, Gu Yundong planned to cook some porridge to drink.

The entire family was very hungry and their stomachs were empty. They could only eat soft and tender food.

Gu Yunshu's heart ached immediately when she poured out a large handful of rice. "Elder Sister, don't eat too much. I'm actually not very hungry. I can eat less."

"Don't you want to grow up quickly? How can you grow up if you don't eat more?"

Gu Yunshu was stunned and immediately conflicted. He wanted to grow up quickly, but they did not have much food. If they ate too much now, what would happen in the future?

He was in a dilemma, but Gu Yundong had already quickly cooked the porridge.