Heavenly Blessed Baby: Fleeing Famine, Busy to Prosper!-Chapter 105: Manbao Wants to Go Up the Mountain
Breakfast finally included a bowl of porridge.
Watery, paired with steamed dry cakes and salted vegetables, everyone ate with exceptional satisfaction.
The water used for steaming the dry cakes was saved to clean the pot.
The pot cleaning water wouldn’t be wasted either; it was saved for washing clothes.
As early as before breakfast, the first thing the men of each household did after waking up was to carry the empty buckets to the waterhole to fetch water.
Everyone wanted to know if there had been more water in the waterhole overnight.
To their surprise, the waterhole was full again, and everyone was overjoyed.
Upon learning they would stay here for a day or two to rest, they immediately decided to clean up thoroughly.
In this temperature, bathing was impossible. But taking a simple wipe down during the hottest part of the day and washing clothes was absolutely feasible.
However, those who stayed behind could do these things.
After breakfast, Qi Quanjin, along with his third brother, Dalang, Sanlang, and Wang Niu, prepared to head up the mountain.
Unexpectedly, as they were about to leave, Qi Manman, who seldom cried or made a fuss, burst into tears.
This threw the whole Qi Family into chaos, anxiously surrounding Yi Meng, as they watched Manbao crying inconsolably in her arms, all wearing expressions of distress.
"What’s wrong with this child? Why did she suddenly start crying?"
Mrs. Qi squeezed forward and reached out to hold her precious little granddaughter.
Unexpectedly, Qi Manman twisted her body, refusing to let her grandmother hold her, just lying in her mother’s arms and crying.
Yi Meng looked troubled, "Mother, this child insists on going up the mountain to find something tasty. I said no, and she started crying."
"What? Up the mountain?"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qi immediately shook her head, "No, no, who knows what dangers lurk on the mountain? Bringing a little toddler along, that’s too dangerous!"
After speaking, Mrs. Qi softened her tone, coaxing her granddaughter, "Dear baby, how about grandma plays grass rope with you? Let’s not go up the mountain; it’s not fun there."
"No! Manbao just wants to go up the mountain!"
Qi Manman turned her tear-streaked face to Mrs. Qi, "Grandma, please let Manbao go, okay? Manbao will obediently stay in mother’s basket and won’t run around."
"This, this..."
Seeing her granddaughter’s tearful and pitiful pleading face, Mrs. Qi’s heart softened, almost agreeing.
Luckily, reason stopped her from uttering the words.
The rest of the Qi Family, along with three other families who had just arrived, all chimed in with disapproval.
Qi Manman, hearing this, pouted, and her tears fell like beads from a snapped string, making her look even more pitiful.
Qi Zheng felt distressed too, not wanting his precious granddaughter to risk the dangers of the mountain.
But recalling what his son told him yesterday, the old man steeled his heart and said, "Manbao, will you really keep your word and stay in your mother’s basket without running around?"
Qi Manman’s crying ceased abruptly, and she looked at her grandfather, nodding vigorously, "Manbao keeps her promises! Grandpa, if you don’t believe it, we can pinky swear!"
Qi Zheng: ...
Pinky swearing really didn’t seem appropriate for a man of his age.
"Dad, what are you saying? The mountain is so dangerous, taking a toddler up there, what if..."
Qi Quanli couldn’t help himself and began yelling at his father.
Qi Zheng glared, and Qi Quanli’s words got stuck in his throat unspoken.
The others also advised Qi Zheng not to spoil the child so much.
But Qi Zheng seemed determined, "Meng Niang, you take the child up the mountain. If there’s any danger, abandon everything else and run with the child first, understood?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Meng knew she could also go up the mountain and felt very happy, though she spoke seriously, "Dad, rest assured! Even if something happens to me, I won’t let Manbao get hurt even a bit!"
"Alright! You all pack up and set off!"
Qi Zheng waved his hand, suddenly remembering something, and looked at his youngest son, Qi Quanli, "Old Scoundrel, you’re going too."
"What?"
Qi Quanli looked utterly surprised.
He had mentioned going up the mountain before, but no one agreed, and his father’s refusal was unequivocal.
Now why suddenly he’s calling his name?
"What? You don’t want to?"
Qi Zheng glared.
Qi Quanli shrank his neck, "I want to, I definitely want to!"
Saying this, Qi Quanli hastily picked up the largest empty basket and a sickle, "I’m ready! Third brother, fourth brother, let’s set off!"
Seeing this kid jumping around like a monkey, everyone was at a loss for words to describe their feelings.
But no matter how excited Qi Quanli was, it couldn’t hide everyone’s shock and amazement at Qi Manman, a little child, going up the mountain.
It’s known that even of the thirty-odd people in the group, even the youngest Qi Shilang knew that the grandparents doted on Manbao most of all.
Yet now Mr. Qi Sr. agreed to let his cherished granddaughter go up the mountain, which seemed strange no matter how you looked at it.
Yin Cheng suddenly said, "I’ll go up the mountain with you all to see if there are any useful herbs."
Qin Minglang next to him said, "Brother, you stay, and I’ll go up the mountain."
"What are you doing? Is it necessary to compete with me in everything I do?"
Yin Cheng angrily glared at Qin Minglang.
Qin Minglang smiled wryly, "Brother, I’m more familiar with the mountain forest than you."
He originally wanted to say, "I’m younger than you," but midway he changed his words.
If he dared say that, given his brother’s temperament, it would stir up trouble again.
Seeing his brother’s displeased face, Qin Minglang had to continue, "Brother, your medical skills are better than mine, and with the elderly and children left behind here, if someone suddenly feels unwell due to relaxing, your presence ensures it doesn’t delay our journey. But if it were me, it might delay us for a few days."
Initially, when the other said he was more familiar with the mountains, Yin Cheng was indignant.
But before he had a chance to rebut, his little brother started complimenting him.
Yin Cheng felt a bit relieved, waving, "Fine! You go, bring back more herbs. With the weather getting colder, it’s better to have more than not enough."
"Okay."
Qin Minglang didn’t mind, carrying a basket, a hoe, and the cane made by the younger folks, he followed Qi Quanjin’s group up the mountain.
Watching as their figures disappeared into the mountains, Yin Cheng couldn’t hold back a long sigh.
Qi Zheng, standing beside him, laughed, "Mr. Yin, you’ve got a sharp tongue but a soft heart."
"Who are you talking about?"
Yin Cheng glared, "Who has a soft heart?"
Seeing his unwillingness to admit it, Qi Zheng pointed at himself with a smile, "I meant me, I’m the one with a soft heart."
"Hmph!"
Yin Cheng snorted, and called out, "Liulang, bring master’s medicine box over here!"
