Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Jiang Jinhuang also smelled the aroma coming from outside. She was puzzled about what Ye Qing had found, as it smelled a bit like fish.

She shook her head. With the famine going on, if there were fish in the river, they would have been caught long ago. How could there be any left now?

“It does smell good. Stay here, and I’ll check the kitchen,” Jiang Jinhuang said. These past two days, Ye Qing had found all the food and cooked the meals, making Jiang Jinhuang uneasy.

After all, if she did nothing, Ye Qing might abandon her and her sister.

The little one nodded obediently, excitedly spinning in circles on the floor. If Sister Ye was in a good mood tonight, she might let her eat something. Thinking this, the little one pinched her flat stomach, sighing inwardly. She was too greedy—despite eating so much at noon, she was hungry again.

Jiang Jinhuang left the room, closing the door behind her, and headed to the kitchen.

The closer she got to the kitchen, the stronger the aroma became, clearly the smell of stewed fish.

She cautiously stepped inside. “Is there anything left to do? I can help.”

Having lived through the apocalypse for years, Ye Qing was highly alert. She had heard Jiang Jinhuang’s footsteps in the courtyard and knew it was her.

Looking at Jiang Jinhuang, she said, “No need. The rice is done. Help me carry it over, and grab the bowls and chopsticks.”

“Okay.” Jiang Jinhuang nodded, using a tattered cloth to hold the hot clay pot and carry it to the room.

When she returned with the pot, she saw the little one staring eagerly at it. “Sister, is there something yummy?”

Jiang Jinhuang’s eyes softened. “This is rice. I haven’t seen the dishes yet, but Ye Qing said they’re almost ready. Stay here, I’ll get the bowls and chopsticks.”

“Okay.” The little one’s eyes sparkled, curving like little crescent moons.

Jiang Jinhuang ruffled the little one’s hair before heading back to the kitchen for the bowls and chopsticks.

When she entered, Ye Qing had just lifted the lid off the fish pot, and a burst of savory aroma filled the air, making even Jiang Jinhuang swallow hard.

She and her sister hadn’t eaten meat in a long time. Before, Ye Qing only ensured they had enough to not starve, never sharing good food with them.

Seeing Jiang Jinhuang staring at the fish, her eyes fixed, Ye Qing smiled faintly. “Smells good?”

“Yes.” Jiang Jinhuang nodded, then hesitated, unsure of Ye Qing’s intentions. Food was so scarce now—would Ye Qing really let her and her sister eat this?

Biting her lip, Jiang Jinhuang glanced aside and said, “I know food is precious now. Catching this fish must have taken a lot of effort. Yangyang and I won’t eat your food for free. I’ll trade myself.”

Her voice trembled as she spoke. A highborn lady like her, reduced to trading her body for food—her eyes reddened at the thought, but she didn’t cry, pursing her lips and waiting for Ye Qing’s response.

Ye Qing sighed, realizing Jiang Jinhuang had misunderstood again. Looking up, she saw Jiang Jinhuang’s brows furrowed, her eyes red but holding back tears.

Jiang Jinhuang’s beauty was striking, and her teary-eyed look only added to her charm.

Uninterested in such matters, Ye Qing clarified to avoid further misunderstanding. “You don’t need to sleep with me tonight, or ever. As for the food, since I made it, it’s for all of us. Don’t overthink it.”

Jiang Jinhuang looked up at Ye Qing in disbelief, her eyes still wary and confused.

Ye Qing understood that the original owner had done bad things before she arrived, so Jiang Jinhuang’s distrust was normal. Such misunderstandings could only be cleared up over time.

“I mean it. Wait a moment, take the fish over. I’ll fry one more dish, and we’ll eat.”

Ye Qing didn’t dwell on it. She found a large basin, rinsed it with water, and used a spatula to transfer the whole fish into it, pouring the broth in as well.

She handed the basin to Jiang Jinhuang. “Take this over first.”

Jiang Jinhuang studied Ye Qing, searching for answers, but nodded and took the basin.

She couldn’t figure Ye Qing out. If Ye Qing didn’t want her to sleep with her, why was she still taking care of her and her sister?

Jiang Jinhuang didn’t believe Ye Qing was a good person, but she couldn’t figure it out. Without eating Ye Qing’s food, she and her sister would starve, so for now, she could only take it one step at a time.

With that thought, Jiang Jinhuang carried the basin into the room.

As soon as she entered, the rich aroma of the fish filled the air.

The little one’s eyes were glued to it. She hugged her sister’s leg. “Sister, what’s that yummy thing?”

Seeing her sister’s adorable expression, Jiang Jinhuang’s eyes softened. She crouched down to let the little one see the fish in the basin.

“Wow, it’s fish! So fragrant!” The little one hadn’t eaten meat in ages, and her mouth watered at the sight.

Then, poking her little hands, she whispered, “Sister, is Sister Ye happy today?”

If Sister Ye was happy, maybe she and her sister could eat the delicious fish.

Jiang Jinhuang’s heart ached at her sister’s words. Yangyang, who had grown up pampered, was now learning to read people’s moods at such a young age.

“She seems to be in a good mood today,” Jiang Jinhuang replied, standing to place the basin on the table.

“I’ll go back for a bit. Stay here.”

“Okay.” The little one inhaled deeply, as if smelling the fish could fill her empty stomach.

Jiang Jinhuang returned to the kitchen and saw Ye Qing cracking eggs.

Stunned, she couldn’t hold back. “Where did you get these eggs?”

Ye Qing couldn’t explain, so she said, “They’re from a legitimate source. We’ve been hungry for days, so let’s eat well tonight. Take the bowls and chopsticks over. I’ll fry the eggs, and we can eat.”

Seeing Ye Qing’s reluctance to explain, Jiang Jinhuang didn’t press further. She grabbed the bowls and chopsticks and left the kitchen.

Ye Qing fried the eggs until fragrant, then added shredded cabbage and seasonings, finishing the dish.

When she carried it into the room, the little one clung to her leg briefly before letting go, still wary of her.

“Sister Ye is amazing, so much yummy food,” the little one said from a distance, flashing a big smile.

Ye Qing smiled back. “Come eat.”

She placed the last dish on the table, opened the clay pot, and began serving the rice.

She filled all three bowls generously, then smiled. “Sit and eat. Why are you all staring at me?”

She wasn’t a tiger that withheld food. The original owner’s bad impression was to blame.

Jiang Jinhuang sat with the little one, cautiously picking up some cabbage and feeding it to her. The little one opened her mouth wide, eagerly eating.

Though she preferred fish and eggs, she didn’t dare ask. Being full was enough.

Ye Qing noticed Jiang Jinhuang only picked cabbage. She used her chopsticks to place some eggs in the little one’s bowl. “Eat freely, no need to be so reserved.”

The little one’s eyes lit up at the eggs. Jiang Jinhuang glanced at Ye Qing before feeding the large piece of egg to Yangyang.

The little one’s mouth was stuffed, chewing the fragrant eggs happily.