Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 198: Returning to the Group

The wild peppers grew sporadically, east and west, amidst the weeds. You really couldn’t see them at a glance due to their sparse arrangement. However, with plenty of people searching, the frequently heard calls indicated that everyone was having a good harvest.

Cheng Xiaoxiao looked at the large pile of peppers, extremely happy. Most of the peppers were dried and ready for seed collection, while some were fresh and red, suitable to take home as ingredients.

With these pepper seeds, no matter whether she could successfully cultivate peppers in the future, as long as she went down the right path, she would have peppers to eat.

Besides, if she couldn’t grow them, she could buy them from the system.

This would let her claim the peppers as her own, ensuring a steady supply. Whether making douban, chili sauce, or dried peppers, the taste would be exceptional whether stir-fried or mixed, making her mouth water just thinking about it.

After living here for over half a year, she could finally eat food made with chili peppers again.

Having finished picking peppers, Cheng Xiaoxiao’s good mood spread to everyone else, and they set off happily.

They moved quickly and by the time the sun was setting, they caught up with a few carts, which turned out to be people rescued from the city.

When the two groups met, it was a scene of joyous tears and heartfelt relief.

After everyone exchanged stories, a silence fell. Many of their elders had died in Yu County, and these younger generations couldn’t even recover their remains.

The people of Qingshan Village collectively decided to find a nearby spot with good feng shui to set up a temporary tomb for their elders. Once settled, they would offer incense and set up ancestral tablets.

Mr. Hu couldn’t help but feel heartbroken. Being able to build a temporary tomb for relatives was already quite good, given that for their family on the run, they hadn’t even had a chance to bury their dead, let alone provide a peaceful place for them to rest.

They found an open, low hill and each family dug holes to place items representing their elders. Those who lost young ones buried them together, so they wouldn’t be alone below.

The somber atmosphere quickly overcame everyone, and quiet sobs filled the scene.

Cheng Xiaoxiao looked around and noticed the numbers had decreased significantly.

She asked the system to tally up, aside from her family, her aunt, and uncle, their group of 17 included Qi Fei and Grandpa Hu, totaling 25 relatively intact individuals, though other families had suffered losses.

The village head’s family, along with his daughter’s in-law family, totaled 21 but had lost two: his two-year-old granddaughter and Cheng Jinmeng’s father-in-law. Then, Village Head’s brother, Cheng Zhengqing’s family, lost three, leaving eight now.

The Clan Leader’s family, including himself, his eldest grandson, and youngest great-granddaughter, lost three, leaving ten standings.

Third Uncle and Seventh Uncle had also passed.

Altogether, the families of several uncles still had thirty-three people. Both Uncle Dali’s and Uncle Genzi’s parents had passed, leaving five members each.

Qian Shun’s family lost his wife, leaving eight surviving members.

Cheng Dawei’s wife died saving their daughter, leaving only him and his son, Cheng Yongtian.

Cheng Beiniu and son, Cheng Sicheng and mother, Granny Zhang and her only grandson Gouwa, Er Mazi and his daughter Hehua, and Aunt Liu’s family of four, totaling twelve people.

And Grandpa Huang with the two orphaned attendants he took in, making three.

Including Old Man Gui, there were now 132 living individuals present.

A group of over 200 people had dwindled to 132, with Second Brother’s whereabouts unknown. The further they traveled without word from him, the more anxious Cheng Xiaoxiao became.

Her aunt shed many tears not seeing Second Brother return.

They still had a long journey ahead, with the plague spreading here. They couldn’t stay to search for him. Her aunt knew this, hence her constant tears.

Ah! Fate is so cruel.

In the end, everyone had to pack up their heavy hearts and set off on an uncertain path.

As they traveled, they discussed a pressing issue: their dwindling food supply.

The grains taken from the cafeteria would last just over ten days for the 132 of them, and distribution could become problematic, potentially causing conflict.

At this point, some began to complain, saying they should never have gone into the city. If they hadn’t, they would still have their supplies and wouldn’t be in such dire straits, with so many clan members dead.

But blaming the past, what’s the use?

Qi Fei pointed out frankly that with their small numbers, whether tricked or forced into the city, the result would have been the same. People realized he had a point.

The military had armies and Hidden Guards, taking them out for their supplies would’ve been easy. Fortunately, the leading commander wanted to conscript strong men for his army and needed women and children to bind the rest, or they wouldn’t have waited for Xiaoxiao’s rescue.

Once people understood this, the topic gradually shifted to food distribution.

Now with several elders and the Clan Leader gone, the most respected person was the Village Head. However, there were still hopes that Xiaoxiao would lead them.

The Village Head could manage village affairs, but escaping famine required caution. They’d be dead several times over if not for Xiao.

After some discussion, they hoped the Village Head would ask Xiao to lead.

That night, while camping, the Village Head approached Cheng Xiaoxiao, explaining their hope. He was sure she would agree, but was surprised when she refused.

She said this wasn’t her one-person show, and since the Village Head was in charge, he should take responsibility.

Cheng Xiaoxiao indeed didn’t want to manage so many people’s affairs, preferring to care for her own family alone.

She hadn’t wanted to lead everyone initially. Despite everything they’d been through and the growing bonds, the more people, the more trouble. She could ensure their safety, but that was it.

After all, she wasn’t from this world. Leading her family was because they truly loved and cared for her.

Some villagers were nice, but leading 132 people was daunting.

The large group’s management was one issue.

More importantly, Dongfang Xu wasn’t around, Leng Qi had returned, she had no System Coins, and lacked the confidence to promise everyone anything.

She was aware of her own limits, wearing shoes suited to her size, not overpromising and falling short later.

When people learned of Cheng Xiaoxiao’s refusal, they panicked, unsure what to do.

If Xiaoxiao wouldn’t protect them, they might not survive much longer.

"Stay calm," the Village Head advised. "Xiaoxiao has always protected us, maybe she has her reasons. Let’s each send a representative to have another discussion with her."

He felt Xiaoxiao’s resolute refusal had to have a reason.