Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Ye Qing had searched several larger courtyards nearby but found nothing useful. She changed her strategy and checked the abandoned smaller yards, but the results were similar. Apart from finding ten bundles of firewood, Ye Qing didn’t discover anything else of value.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jinhuang was with the little one, waiting for Ye Qing to return.

The little one nestled in her sister’s arms, whispering, “Sister, why hasn’t Sister Ye come back yet?”

Jiang Jinhuang glanced at the darkening sky, feeling a bit anxious. She wasn’t overly concerned about Ye Qing, but if something happened to her, Jiang Jinhuang and her sister would be in an even tougher spot.

Besides, Ye Qing had indeed saved her and her sister today. Regardless of Ye Qing’s reasons, Jiang Jinhuang felt a bit grateful, though not much.

On the other side, Ye Qing, empty-handed and hurrying back, suddenly heard a system notification.

“Congratulations, dear, for gaining 10 favorability points with the female lead. Current female lead favorability: -150.”

Ye Qing paused, puzzled, but figured it was likely because she saved Jiang Jinhuang and her sister today, earning those 10 points.

Whatever the reason, as long as it increased, it was good. “System, after I redeem items, will these 10 favorability points be automatically deducted?”

“No, dear, your 10 favorability points will accumulate automatically, and redeeming items won’t deduct them,” the system said in its metallic voice.

Ye Qing breathed a sigh of relief. This meant that while gaining favorability, she also had a chance to redeem items.

She quickly asked the system, “How do I redeem items?”

“Dear, you can redeem items based on the current page. The page refreshes daily at midnight.”

After the system spoke, a panel appeared on the screen, displaying items like eggs, rice, pork, and more. Ye Qing’s eyes nearly popped out from the choices.

She couldn’t focus while walking, so Ye Qing quickened her pace, planning to redeem items near her home.

With these 10 points, Ye Qing felt more confident. They wouldn’t have to eat corn porridge tonight.

By the time Ye Qing reached home, it was almost completely dark.

Standing outside the gate, she called, “Jinhuang, I’m back. Open the door.”

She knocked hard on the wooden gate.

Inside, Jiang Jinhuang was feeling uneasy. Hearing Ye Qing’s voice, she relaxed.

“Yangyang, stay here. I’ll open the door and be right back.”

“Okay!” the little one said obediently.

Jiang Jinhuang opened the room’s door and hurried to the courtyard gate. She moved two wooden stools aside and opened the gate.

“You’re back? Everything okay?” Jiang Jinhuang asked.

Ye Qing shook her head. “No issues. Go rest. I’ll cook.”

“Let me do it. I haven’t done anything today,” Jiang Jinhuang said, not wanting to take Ye Qing’s things for free.

But Ye Qing hadn’t redeemed the ingredients yet, so she couldn’t let Jiang Jinhuang cook. “No need, go rest. I’ll be done soon.”

“Then I’ll fetch water. We’re running low,” Jiang Jinhuang offered.

“No, it’s too dark. Besides, we might leave tomorrow, so we don’t need much water. Just enough for now. Go stay with Yangyang.”

Jiang Jinhuang nodded, a bit confused why Ye Qing wouldn’t let her cook, since she’d done it before. But seeing Ye Qing’s insistence, she didn’t argue.

Ye Qing entered the kitchen, lit the oil lamp, and began checking the panel.

Some foods on the panel were things Ye Qing hadn’t eaten in over a decade. In the later stages of the apocalypse, resources were scarce, and fresh meat and vegetables were precious.

The panel listed items like lobster, crab, canned Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, beef, lamb, and even Wahaha drinks and instant noodles. Lobster and crab required too many points for Ye Qing to afford, but among the lower-point items, there were things she desperately wanted.

For example, live chickens, eggs, and rice—these were exactly what they needed most.

Ye Qing browsed the panel and made her choices, ultimately spending all 10 points.

[Used 1 favorability point to redeem 10 eggs.]

[Used 1 favorability point to redeem a 2-pound carp.]

[Used 3 favorability points to redeem a live chicken.]

[Used 2 favorability points to redeem 6 bowls of rice.]

[Used 3 favorability points to redeem 2 pounds of fresh lamb.]

“All of dear’s points have been redeemed. Current female lead favorability: -150. Keep up the good work, dear~” the system’s grating metallic voice rang out again.

Ye Qing got what she wanted, so she didn’t mind the system’s annoying tone this time.

She planned to have a big meal tonight. The live chicken couldn’t be eaten yet, so Ye Qing tossed it into her space, letting it roam on the black soil. She also decided not to eat the fresh lamb, as her space had a preservation function, so it wouldn’t spoil. She’d save it for tomorrow.

Her space’s pond had small fish fry, so Ye Qing decided to cook the newly redeemed carp tonight, along with a stir-fried cabbage and egg dish. For the main course, she’d make thick rice porridge.

Getting to work, Ye Qing found a clay pot, rinsed the rice, and put it in the pot.

She wondered if, since she could take items out of her space, she could also use the spiritual spring water.

“You’re right, dear. The spiritual spring water can be freely accessed. It contains trace elements beneficial to the body and can improve physical health with long-term use,” the system said, as if reading her thoughts.

“That’s pretty good,” Ye Qing muttered. With the spiritual spring water, they wouldn’t have to worry about finding water while fleeing.

With a thought, a stream of water appeared above the pot, filling it as Ye Qing directed.

She liked softer rice, so she added a bit more water.

She lit the stove and let the rice cook slowly.

With another thought, a carp appeared in her hand. She tossed the lively fish into a wooden basin, stunned it with a stick, and then used a short kitchen knife to scale it.

After scaling, she slit the fish’s belly, finding it full of roe and fat. She removed the roe, fat, and swim bladder—edible parts—and discarded the rest of the innards. She also removed the gills and rinsed the fish several times before setting it aside.

The original owner’s home had little oil, though Ye Qing had found a few bottles elsewhere. Since they still had to flee, she didn’t want to waste it. She sliced some ginger from the original owner’s supplies, heated the pan, and fried the fish on both sides to set its shape. Then she added soy sauce and some leftover strong liquor for flavor, followed by enough water to cover the fish and a pinch of salt.

She also added the swim bladder, roe, and fat, covered the pot, and let it cook. Soon, the aroma of the fish filled the air.

It was now around 6:30 p.m. The little one in the room was already hungry, and her sharp nose quickly caught the delicious smell from outside.

Excited, she tugged at her sister’s hand. “Sister, smell that! It’s so good outside.”