Grain Secured

The charcoal fire in the room still burned brightly, and the Pickled Cabbage Tofu simmered with bubbling sounds, its fragrance filling the air.

Wang Ying held a wine cup and gazed at the blizzard beyond the window. It was as though he could already see his family's fields stretching together in one vast expanse after spring arrived, and the smile on his lips grew ever deeper.

Li Youde hobbled along slowly on his cane, leaving behind two uneven tracks in the snow.

The icy wind slashed across his face, yet he did not seem to feel it at all.

Those three mu of good fields were the foundation of his life.

He had originally hoped to sell some of the grain they harvested, work harder at hunting in the mountains, and save up a bride price for Li Xiao's marriage.

But there was no surplus grain left at home. They could only endure this winter first.

"This damned world..."

Li Youde cursed under his breath and continued onward.

Herbal Compendium Experience points +1

Herbal Compendium Experience points +1

Li Xiao curled himself into a ball, wrapped in a tattered padded coat, his hands constantly flipping through the Herbal Compendium.

After reading on for a while, another wave of dizziness swept over him.

Only then did he slowly put the book down and rub his head.

Even reading these books was tied to his physical condition.

This body of his was far too frail, and he lacked sufficient nutrition.

Two bowls of millet porridge a day provided barely enough nourishment to keep him from starving to death.

On top of that, he was injured.

Reading the Herbal Compendium required intense concentration, which consumed a great deal of mental energy. The experience he could grind out each day was closely tied to his physical condition as well.

If he kept grinding like this, he might faint.

Still, the amount of experience he could grind each day was decent enough. The book recorded the appearance of roughly a hundred medicinal herbs; in another six or seven days, he would be able to master it completely.

Setting the book aside, Li Xiao slowly rose and moved his body around, feeling a little warmer.

Only then did he walk to the window. Outside, everything had become a boundless sheet of white.

Dad had been gone so long. Had he managed to borrow any grain?

Li Xiao sighed softly to himself.

These days, no family had it easy. There were few who had surplus grain.

Besides, given his former self's reputation, there were probably not many people in the village who thought well of him.

After all, bullying men and women and being good for nothing were the labels attached to his former self.

He had already prepared himself for his father to return empty-handed.

As he was thinking, the familiar sound of a cane came from outside, carrying a trace of heaviness.

Li Xiao's eyes lit up, and he hurried to the door.

Creak!

Li Xiao opened the door and saw that Li Youde's head and shoulders were covered in snow, his withered hands frozen bright red.

"Dad, hurry inside!" Li Xiao brushed the snow from him, then helped Old Dad into the house.

Li Youde slowly sat down after entering, his face somewhat pale.

Li Xiao headed toward the kitchen, intending to light a fire and warm Old Dad up.

"I'm fine. I still need to head out again in a while." Li Youde saw what Li Xiao intended and quickly stopped him.

"Dad, what are you going out for? Couldn't you borrow any grain?"

Li Xiao turned around and asked.

"I went to the Village Head's house. He wants four shi of grain in exchange for that mu of land on the South Slope. I came back to get the deed, and I still have to deliver it to his house."

Li Youde spoke in a deep voice.

Li Xiao was a little stunned. He knew how dearly Li Youde treasured those fields.

To villagers, land was the root of their lives.

After a long silence, Li Xiao wanted to say something, but merely moved his lips, unable to figure out how to begin.

Four shi of grain sounded like a lot, but compared to the value of one mu of good fields, the exchange was clearly uneven.

That Village Head's family is no good either!

He cursed inwardly.

This was plainly kicking a man when he was down.

But there was nothing to be done.

One was willing to strike, and the other was willing to take the blow.

Even if he stopped him, there was still no way to obtain grain at present.

"Dad, I'll go in a while. You stay inside, warm yourself by the fire, and rest."

Li Xiao spoke earnestly.

He had the system. As long as they endured this, everything would slowly get better.

Li Youde shook his head.

"Your body isn't well. Rest more at home.

It's not far. The Village Head's family will help me bring the grain back."

Li Youde smiled.

Li Xiao knew Old Dad definitely would not agree, so he did not argue further.

After warming up a little, Li Youde stood and walked toward the room on his cane.

After a while, he came out holding a thin sheet of paper, which he carefully tucked into his chest like a treasure.

"If you're tired, rest more. When I get back, I'll cook for you."

Li Youde walked outside on his cane, his back gradually vanishing from sight.

"Wang Ying..." Li Xiao murmured the name.

In his former self's memories, the Village Head had never thought much of them.

The Li Family possessed several mu of excellent fields, and the Village Head's family had coveted them for a long time.

They had even increased the Li Family's taxes several times. Fortunately, Li Youde was capable enough to shoulder it all.

At the Village Head's house, Wang Ying's face was somewhat flushed, clearly from drinking. The Pickled Cabbage Tofu in the pot still bubbled away, steaming hot and giving off an enticing fragrance.

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock sounded at the door, and Wang Chen hurried to open it.

His attitude was far more eager than before.

"Uncle Li, you're here. Did you bring the deed?"

Wang Chen opened the door and let Li Youde inside.

Li Youde slowly took out the deed and clenched it in his hand.

Wang Chen reached out to take it.

"Wait. Let me see the grain first."

Li Youde suddenly said.

Wang Chen was startled and could only turn around to carry the grain into the room.

Li Youde opened the sack. The golden millet gave off a fragrant scent.

Li Youde reached in and stirred it around. Some bran and husks were exposed in the middle, and he instantly understood what was going on.

He glared at Wang Chen with Wrathful Gaze. Wang Chen did not offer any explanation, merely smiling as he looked at Li Youde.

After a moment of silence, Li Youde spread open his hand, revealing the wrinkled deed. Wang Chen hurriedly took it.

"I'll have to trouble you to deliver it for me as well."

Li Youde said in a deep voice.

"No problem."

Wang Chen replied with a smile. He then went outside and called for a servant to shoulder the grain.

Li Xiao was shivering from the cold when, creak, the door opened.

Li Youde entered. Behind him, several servants with faces frozen red struggled to set down the grain.

"Youngsters, sit for a while. At least have a mouthful of hot water before heading back."

Li Youde called out.

The servants shook their heads. "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Li, but if we return late, the Village Head will think we've been slacking and dock our wages."

The servants had originally been tempted. In weather this cold, a mouthful of hot water would do well to warm them up.

But then they seemed to recall something and waved their hands in refusal.

Li Youde said a few more things as well.

"Xiao'er, with this much grain, it'll last us for a while. Come give me a hand and bring it inside."

Li Youde looked at Li Xiao as he spoke.

Both father and son were injured, and with great effort, they poured the grain into the rice jar.

Looking at the jar full of golden millet, Li Youde finally felt a little better.

After returning to the main room and sitting down, Li Youde spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Xiao'er, when spring comes... when spring comes, we'll work hard.

Our days will definitely get better and better. When the time comes, it won't be a problem to acquire a few more mu of land.

With land, we'll have roots..."

Li Xiao nodded. He knew those words were not only meant for him, but also to comfort himself.