Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

In another room, Ye Qing found five porcelain jars of tea leaves. The room seemed to be a tea room, with many tea sets still present. She took a teapot and cups with a clay stove, thinking they might be useful on the escape journey. She left the rest untouched.

Leaving the tea room, Ye Qing checked several more rooms, finding mostly clothes and quilts. Disappointed, she stepped out and began searching for the kitchen in the large courtyard.

The estate had a pond and garden, expansive. Thanks to her apocalypse experience, Ye Qing stayed patient. Though she hadn’t found food, she methodically searched each room and finally located the kitchen.

The kitchen was large, with two rows of stoves. Searching, Ye Qing found useful items: a new cutting board and two sharp knives, which she stored in her space.

She also took a large iron pot and two new clay pots—items useful for their escape.

Additionally, she collected all the seasonings in the kitchen, enough for the three of them for months.

Unfortunately, no food was left; it had likely been taken.

Leaving the kitchen, Ye Qing decided to check the garden. It was nearing noon, and she needed to return to eat before continuing her search.

In the garden, she found a shed with flower-planting and pruning tools. After rummaging, she discovered several packets of seeds—all flower seeds, useless to them.

She left the shed and went to the pond in the backyard. It was large, partially frozen, with only the sunlit side unfrozen. A few small, finger-sized fish swam there, likely spared because they were too small to eat.

The household had probably dismissed some servants and taken essentials south, leaving these tiny fish behind.

Ye Qing didn’t mind. Her space had a spiritual spring; these fish could grow in days—a pleasant surprise.

Checking the time, it was noon, but fearing complications, she decided to collect the fish for her spring.

Determined, she searched a nearby shed, expecting tools for managing the pond’s fish. Sure enough, she found a round fishing net with a long handle.

The net’s mesh was tight enough for finger-sized fish, but without bait, they wouldn’t bite easily.

She took some corn kernels from her space and sprinkled them on the water.

Almost instantly, the fish swarmed, likely unfed for a while.

Seizing the chance, Ye Qing netted them, catching over twenty. Many were dead, so she discarded those, ending with six live fish from the first haul.

She placed them in her space’s spring and netted twice more. By the third try, no fish remained. She’d used half a bowl of corn kernels but felt it was worth it.

Ye Qing asked the system, “How many fish did I catch? Are they carp?”

“Yes, host, you caught 17 small carp, all edible. They can grow big!” the system replied.

Ye Qing shivered; the system’s metallic voice trying to be cute was grating.

“Alright, don’t act cute when talking to me. It gives me goosebumps,” Ye Qing grumbled.

“Okay, got it!” the system said in its annoying tone.

Ye Qing ignored it, stored the net in her space, and prepared to leave. She’d even taken the tiny fish, so there was likely no more food to find.

With that, she headed out of the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jinhuang noticed it was past noon, but Ye Qing hadn’t returned. She grew worried.

Not for Ye Qing’s safety, but because if Ye Qing died, she and her sister wouldn’t survive long.

Jiang Jinyang was playing on the floor, too cold to stay in bed.

Seeing her sister glance at the door, she asked, “Sister, why hasn’t Ye Qing come back?”

Jiang Jinhuang shook her head. “Maybe something delayed her.”

The little one lowered her head, worried. “Is Ye Qing mad because I eat too much and doesn’t want us anymore?”

Jiang Jinhuang quickly hugged her. “Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll get you home.”

The little one nestled into her sister’s arms. It was cold, and she was hungry again but didn’t dare say, fearing it would upset her sister.

Then, noises came from the courtyard.

Hearing them, Jiang Jinhuang let go of her sister. “Stay here. I’ll open the door.”

“Okay,” the little one replied obediently.

Jiang Jinhuang opened the room’s door and hurried out. Reaching the courtyard, she realized the voices outside weren’t Ye Qing’s.

“Damn, this gate’s blocked. Someone’s inside,” a man said.

“It’s this bad out there—smart people fled south. Who’s still here? Should we go in?” another asked.

“Of course! I’ve been starving all day. If someone’s here, there’s food. It’s chaos—let’s just barge in and take it.”

“Alright!”

The gate rattled again. Jiang Jinhuang stepped back, frightened. Two men—if they broke in, she and her sister were in danger.

She rushed back to the room, hid Jiang Jinyang in a corner, and said, “Yangyang, stay quiet no matter what happens. Stand here.”

She moved a chair to shield her sister, then blocked the door with two long benches.

Gripping her dagger tightly, she stood by the door, listening.

The banging stopped, making her more nervous. The dagger was sharp, but she feared her strength couldn’t match a Qianyuan’s. Sweating, she wished Ye Qing would return. With Ye Qing, she’d at least have help.

Then, a sound came from the courtyard—someone had opened the gate from inside.

“Damn, good thing this wall’s not too high. I climbed over—exhausted. Come on in,” one man said.

“Got it, boss,” another replied, entering the courtyard.

They rushed to the kitchen, but Ye Qing’s kitchen was bare. Furious, they cursed.

“Boss, this place is poorer than dirt. Just some water in the tank—no food!”

“No kidding! What bad luck, hitting a broke household.”

“Check the other rooms?” the shorter man asked.

“Of course! I didn’t climb over for nothing. Let’s go,” the taller man snapped, both holding wooden sticks.

Leaving the kitchen, they began kicking open doors.

Jiang Jinhuang closed her eyes, then opened them, gripping the dagger tighter. As a nearby door was kicked open, she tensed, staring at the door, ready to fight for her life.