Chapter 6: Abducted

The old grandmother didn't suspect much and began muttering, "Those of us further away from the Nine Bends River are still okay; we still have a chance to tidy up. But even if we have the time, there isn't much left to collect. Take our village for example, more than half the families have already run out of grain!

If you don't stick close to the adults, not only will you fail to receive government relief grain, but you might also face the danger of being kidnapped or sold. People's hearts are wicked during disaster years; you must be on guard!"

The old grandmother was indeed as kind-hearted as her appearance suggested. After thinking for a moment, Ding Xuewei said, "I heard from my grandfather that there's not a high chance of getting relief grain if we go to the county seat."

"Ah!" The old grandmother, whose heart was entirely filled with thoughts of relief grain, looked utterly unable to accept this and came to a direct halt.

Lowering her eyelids, Ding Xuewei continued using Old Man Ding's words: "My grandfather said that the county and prefectural offices probably won't have any stored grain left. After all, this disaster started a long time ago. Going to the county office now won't provide any benefit other than wasting time."

There was no need for Ding Xuewei, a transmigrator, to explain when the disaster had started; the old grandmother knew exactly which villages had received relief grain and when.

For a moment, she completely lost the motivation to keep walking.

"Good heavens~ This is the Heavens coming to take us away~"

The old grandmother's grief erupted instantly. The moment the words left her mouth, tears began to patter down.

Ding Xuewei wasn't saying these things to discourage her; she quickly supported the old grandmother and said urgently, "My grandpa said that at a time like this, we shouldn't count on the government; we have to find our own way out. And Linhai County is our way out. The terrain there is slightly higher and it has a long coastline. We won't have to worry about being flooded, and we can even find some food in the sea."

Mountains have an end, but the sea is boundless.

In a sense, the fish and shrimp in the sea were inexhaustible.

As Ding Xuewei finished speaking, a glimmer of light erupted in the old grandmother's dim, cloudy eyes: "Your grandpa is right. There are plenty of fish and shrimp in the sea. Even if we can't catch those, we can pick up some shells or crabs to get by. In a year like this, we can't be picky about whether food tastes good or not; anything that can fill the stomach is good stuff."

"My grandpa also said many types of seaweed are edible," Ding Xuewei chimed in opportunely.

She didn't want to go to the capital, and she feared words like "starving corpses everywhere" and "plague" even more.

Scattering the crowd was the best preventive measure she could think of right now.

Fortunately, this Fengcheng Prefecture was near the sea!

"My grandpa also said that at this time, many places have already started collecting rainwater. This flood won't last too long. We should stay close; once the rain stops and the water recedes, we can rush back to plant winter vegetables.

The government won't be able to collect grain this year, and before next year's autumn harvest, grain prices will likely remain high. If we can't prepare next year's spring food during this winter, many people might not survive next spring!"

It was good to have an experienced head of a household. They knew exactly how much food a family needed for a year and when was the best time to plant certain vegetables. After Ding Xuewei's explanation, the old grandmother had no more doubts.

"Your grandfather's analysis is correct. We must be quick and head to Linhai County before others realize this problem! If we arrive early, we might even be able to save some supplies!"

Using the topic of going to Linhai County, Ding Xuewei began to ask around. When she heard that they had to bypass Chunping County to get to the prefectural city, and that Chunping County was not far away, a sense of unease rose in her heart.

"Pandie, once we reach Chunping County, you must not leave my sight, do you hear me?"

The child had already been warned about the terrors of refugees. After the old grandmother's repeated reminders, her fear of the word "refugees" grew even deeper. Without even needing to reach the crowded Chunping County town, she immediately reached out and grabbed her elder sister.

"I will follow Big Sister very closely."

Ding Xuewei felt a small, full hand grip her tightly and made a decision in her heart.

Tonight, they would bypass Chunping County.

Whether it was because the gears of fate had to turn that way, or because Ding Xuewei simply had a streak of bad luck, the two sisters bypassing Chunping County failed to reach Fengcheng Prefecture smoothly; instead, they boarded a returning carriage the following afternoon.

The situation was as follows.

Because the disaster victims from various villages and towns in Chunping County all took Chunping County as their primary destination, and those who weren't affected dared not go out, there were very few travelers on the official roads.

The two sisters, who chose to keep their distance from the rare crowds for fear of being harmed, were thus abducted in broad daylight.

Inside the narrow carriage, eleven girls of various sizes were crowded together, along with a plump, kind-faced old woman.

Although every one of the girls was sallow and thin, they were all exceptionally good-looking.

The original cries of resentment and indignation ceased upon the arrival of Ding Xuewei and her sister.

These girls, who had been sold by their families, simply could not understand Ding Xuewei's thought process.

In their simple minds, girls who were eager to enter a brothel simply did not exist.

Ding Xuewei, who had declared upon being abducted that she wouldn't scream or shout and had forced her sister to do the same, certainly gave the human trafficker quite a surprise. However, what truly made the trafficker—who had been in the flesh trade for decades—drop her jaw was Ding Xuewei's direct cheer of joy upon learning she would live a good life in the brothel.

'Do you not know what happens in a brothel?' The trafficker almost asked this aloud.

Fortunately, having weathered many storms, her mental fortitude was much stronger than an average person's. Before the question could slip out, her thoughts pulled back, and the words that left her mouth became: "As long as you understand. Be good and be obedient; it will only bring you benefits and no harm."

"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm~" Ding Xuewei nodded repeatedly, while simultaneously asking in a fawning manner, "How should I address you, Auntie?"

The trafficker's defenses had been largely lowered by Ding Xuewei's enthusiasm. Such a pleasing countenance was so unique among a carriage full of bitter faces that she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

"My husband's family name is Zhang. Just call me Auntie Zhang."

"Oh, alright, Auntie Zhang." The naturally familiar Ding Xuewei hugged Pandie, who was biting her lip hard to keep from crying, and endured the musty, moldy smell emanating from everyone due to days without sunlight while chatting with Auntie Zhang.

"Are we going back to Chunping County?"

A flash of shrewdness flickered in Auntie Zhang's clever eyes, and her smile suddenly took on a profound meaning: "When we left the city, there were already many refugees outside. We probably can't go back now."

"Then where are we going?" Ding Xuewei acted as if she didn't see the interest in Auntie Zhang's eyes.

The smile at the corners of her mouth receded slightly, but Auntie Zhang still answered Ding Xuewei's question: "Kang Town."

"Oh!" She nodded in understanding and gave thanks.

Auntie Zhang, who was waiting to see her disappointment, felt the smile on her lips freeze: "......"

Having learned their destination, Ding Xuewei said no more and ignored Auntie Zhang's probing gaze. She hugged Pandie and closed her eyes to rest.

After staring at her for a long time, Auntie Zhang finally withdrew the smile from her lips.

"Don't make useless struggles. The bitterness of the flesh is not something little girls like you can endure."

Slightly opening her eyes, Ding Xuewei said with calm composure, "Auntie Zhang worries too much."

"Hmph!" Auntie Zhang snorted coldly, completely disbelieving.

(End of Chapter)