Heavenly Blessed Baby: Fleeing Famine, Busy to Prosper!-Chapter 72: I Want to Look for Water

Although Yi Meng didn’t want what she didn’t want, she understood the little white snake’s intention; it wanted to be taken out to find a water source.

As soon as she left the space, she felt the little white snake on her wrist loosen. Yi Meng quickly lowered her voice and said, "It’s still dark now, we can’t move. Wait until daylight before leaving."

Upon hearing this, the little white snake really coiled back around Yi Meng’s wrist.

This obedient little snake eased a lot of Yi Meng’s discomfort.

Of course, it would be even better if it weren’t venomous.

Returning to the group, Yi Meng lay down beside Qi Quanjin and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, just as dawn broke, everyone gradually got up.

The children were still asleep, but the adults weren’t in a hurry to wake them up.

Taking advantage of the cool morning air, each household quickly boiled water and reheated the leftover dry food at home.

In a day, there were only times in the morning and evening to eat something warm.

It was still dry pancakes with water, but unlike dinner, breakfast included a little bit of pickled vegetables.

If they didn’t eat something salty, everyone’s strength would fall behind and they’d have no energy to push the carts on the road ahead.

The Qi Family couldn’t make anything fancy either, just like the rest of the village, so Yi Meng didn’t need to lend a hand.

Yi Meng tucked the quilts around the few children in the family, then went to find Qi Quanjin.

Qi Quanjin was discussing with a few strong men from the village and the village chief about the route ahead.

The village chief suggested bypassing the village and leaving along the foot of the mountain.

But Qi Quanjin believed they should go through the mountains to make progress.

Although it was more dangerous, there was a chance of finding food.

Not to mention prey, even wild vegetables could be found.

After all, each household’s grains were plenty, but eating dry pancakes every day wasn’t ideal.

In the midst of the debate, Yi Meng came over.

"Wife, why did you come over?"

Seeing his wife, Qi Quanjin’s stern face instantly softened.

Yi Meng nodded at the village chief and others, then said to Qi Quanjin, "Brother Jin, I see we don’t have much water left, so I want to see if I can find any water sources nearby before we set off."

The man who was punched several times by Qi Manman yesterday immediately scowled, "Find water? If water were that easy to find, we wouldn’t be conserving it so much these past few days."

Yi Meng was displeased with his attitude, but remembering her daughter’s behavior yesterday, she held back her irritation and calmly said, "Who knows without looking? Besides, the people in that village don’t seem to want to leave; what does that tell us?"

"What does it tell us? Do you mean to say there’s water in the mountains, which is why they have water to drink?"

The strong man immediately sneered in refutation.

Yi Meng decided not to speak with him, addressing the village chief directly, "Uncle Village Chief, although it’s true our village has wells, the villagers are unwilling to leave, which shows there’s plenty of water in the wells."

"This indicates there must still be water underground, and since the mountain forest is still green, it means the plants probably aren’t lacking water. So I thought about searching around; if we find water, everyone can gather some. Even if we don’t find any, as long as we return before the group sets off, it won’t delay today’s journey."

This reasoning came to Yi Meng’s mind the night before as she was about to sleep.

A woman like her wanting to enter the mountains alone to find water sources was clearly not feasible. Even if she found water, she couldn’t transport much by herself.

Having to go back and forth would waste more time.

The village chief didn’t respond but looked at Qi Quanjin.

Qi Quanjin also believed there should be water sources in the mountains, just that they hadn’t found them yet.

Now that it was his wife suggesting it, he certainly couldn’t deny her face.

So Qi Quanjin said, "I think it’s worth a try. Village Chief, how about this, I’ll take a few fewer people to search. If we can’t find anything, we’ll return quickly."

The village chief, seeing Qi Quanjin’s agreement, nodded, "Alright, decide who you’re taking then!"

The strong man immediately said, "I won’t go! There are so many people in the village, and the villagers in that village are not easy to deal with. What if they come over to cause trouble when the men are gone?"

This was indeed a concern.

Qi Quanjin didn’t get angry with him but looked at the others instead, "Brothers, what do you think? If you all stay, I’ll ask others if they’re willing to go."

All the others glanced at the strong man, indicating they also didn’t want to make an effort in vain.

Qi Quanjin didn’t press them and went to ask the villagers instead.

Many households in the village had just enough water to sustain them for the day.

But hearing about going into the mountains to find water, they felt the likelihood of finding any was slim and weren’t interested.

Seeing that no one was willing to follow, Qi Quanjin returned home: "Big brother, third brother, also fifth and sixth brothers, you’re coming with me to find water. Second brother, you and our dad keep an eye on the house."

"Alright."

Qi Ercai had no objections.

He was quick-witted, but when it came to strength, except for the youngest, Qi Quanli, he actually couldn’t match the other brothers in the family.

Hearing this, Qi Dalang quickly said, "Fourth Uncle, let me go too! I’m strong."

Qi Dalang was the eldest grandchild of the Qi Family, sixteen this year, only a year younger than his youngest uncle.

However, having taken after his father, Qi Dafu’s strength, he was indeed a strong young man.

Qi Quanjin nodded and did not oppose.

Seeing the men of the Qi Family going to find water, the villagers were even less willing to move.

What could they do? The Qi Family had more sons than any of them.

Just as they were about to set off, the village chief’s youngest son, Ji Hu, ran over, carrying a water bucket.

"Qi Si, my dad asked me to go with you. If we find water, I’ll hurry back to give the news."

As Ji Hu spoke, he didn’t forget to jostle the bamboo basket on his back.

Inside was a large clay pot, only slightly smaller than the basket itself, with a wooden lid on top.

Qi Quanjin naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Having someone to run back with news was welcome.

However, when Yi Meng requested to go with them, Qi Quanjin refused.

"Brother Jin, I’ve traveled many places before and seen quite a bit. Maybe I can find water."

Yi Meng didn’t dare to disclose the little white snake’s ability to find water, so she took the matter upon herself.

Qi Quanjin still refused, and it was only when Qi Zheng spoke up: "Let the fourth son’s wife go along! With so many strong men, if you can’t even protect a woman, then don’t bother coming back."

Once the old man voiced his decision, it was final.

Even though Qi Quanjin wasn’t thrilled about his wife joining the ordeal, he had no choice but to agree for now.