Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Daniu nodded. “Yeah, Dad, our family’s poor. Me and Erniu never had money to marry. You’ve seen it along the way—the government’s useless. If you want something, just take it. It’s rare to find such a pretty Kunze. Me and Erniu deserve a taste.”

“Daniu, we’re honest farming folk. Those three across from us are probably a family too. How can we do something so cruel and break them apart?” the old woman said, unable to bear it.

“Mom, break them apart? That female Qianyuan looks soft and weak. She can’t protect her Kunze. A Kunze that is beautiful will likely end up with some rogue or bandit later. Better she’s with us brothers—we’ll at least treat her well,” Daniu said, disagreeing.

“Exactly, Mom. I say this chaotic world is a good thing. In normal times, who’d look twice at farmers like us? Now, a delicate Kunze like her needs people like us to protect her. Right, brother?” Erniu added.

“Exactly,” Daniu nodded.

“But our family’s never done anything like this,” the old woman said, still uneasy. After a moment, she asked, “What about the child?”

“We barely have enough food for ourselves. Of course, we get rid of her. Otherwise, that Kunze will keep thinking about the kid. I say, getting her to have our kids soon is the priority,” Daniu said with an evil grin.

“Yeah, Mom, you’re too soft-hearted. In this world, only the ruthless survive. Leave tonight’s business to us,” Erniu said, then turned to a girl of about fifteen or sixteen. “Chunhua, tonight, you look after Mom and Dad. Stay out of our business, got it?”

“I-I got it, brother,” Chunhua nodded timidly.

“Good. Now start the fire and cook,” Daniu ordered, glancing at Chunhua.

If she weren’t his sister, he wouldn’t even bring Chunhua along. She was a burden and ate their food.

Chunhua quietly agreed and started the fire.

Ye Qing and her group finished eating and quickly packed to move on. It was already 3 p.m., and they had at most two hours to find a place to stay before dark.

“Let’s go. We need to find a spot to rest before nightfall,” Ye Qing said, lifting the little one onto the cart.

Jiang Jinhuang nodded. “Okay, I’ll hold Yangyang.”

“Alright,” Ye Qing replied, pushing the cart onto the main road. Many refugees were heading south, all silent and wary of each other.

Ye Qing was the same, focused on pushing the heavy cart, ignoring everything else.

Not far behind, Daniu’s family quietly followed.

As darkness fell, Ye Qing and her group weren’t as lucky as the previous day. They were surrounded by barren hills and woods. Many families were setting up tents along the road. Ye Qing checked the sky and said, “Let’s find a place to rest. We’ll have to sleep outside tonight.”

“Okay,” Jiang Jinhuang nodded, worried. “Where should we go?”

“Under that big tree over there,” Ye Qing said, preferring a spot with some cover for safety.

She pushed the cart into the woods, stopping under the tree.

“It’s getting dark. I’ll start a fire,” Ye Qing said, grabbing the broom from the cart to clear the ground.

Nearby, Daniu saw Ye Qing sweeping and sneered. “Look at her, still fussing at a time like this. That pretty boy’s useless. Yet Kunze always fall for these weak types.”

“Yeah, that female Qianyuan looks frail. How’s she better than us brothers?” Erniu chimed in.

Daniu scoffed. “Doesn’t matter. That Kunze is ours tonight, and we’ll take their food too.”

“Got it, brother,” Erniu said, itching to act.

Ye Qing had cleared the ground and laid a quilt. She cut two long poles, crossed them, tied them with rope, and hung another quilt to block the wind.

Jiang Jinhuang started a fire, gathering plenty of wood. Soon, Ye Qing felt the warmth.

Jiang Jinhuang tucked the little one into the quilt, letting her lean against the frame to stay out of the wind.

She crouched by Ye Qing to help cook. “Do we have anything for dinner?”

Ye Qing nodded. They’d eaten all the vegetables. Her space had only one chicken, three and a half bowls of rice, and seventeen small fish left.

After walking all day, Ye Qing was hungry, but with so many people around, she didn’t dare cook the chicken. It would draw attention in a lawless time when refugees often died on the road.

She took half a bowl of rice from the cart. Jiang Jinhuang took it. “I’ll do it.”

Ye Qing didn’t stop her, nodding. She grabbed the long knife from the cart and stuck it in the ground nearby, ready to grab and to deter anyone with bad intentions.

As darkness fell, more fires lit up the woods. Two more appeared near Ye Qing’s group, likely other refugees.

Ye Qing and Jiang Jinhuang sat by the fire, waiting for the porridge to cook, both quiet.

Ye Qing was exhausted from pushing the cart, draining her energy and focus. She didn’t think about Jiang Jinhuang’s thoughts. Jiang Jinhuang stayed silent, unable to read Ye Qing and afraid a wrong word or move would anger her. If Ye Qing abandoned them, she and her sister would be doomed.

The fire crackled. Ye Qing sipped spiritual spring water from the gourd, feeling it restored some energy, though maybe it was just in her head.

The porridge’s aroma grew strong. Ye Qing used a rag to take the pot off the fire. Jiang Jinhuang served it. Their meal was decent compared to others.

Around them, most ate coarse grains, and some, without even that, dug roots or bark.

Ye Qing didn’t care about others. Their food was barely enough for three, and helping others could bring trouble. As the saying goes, a small favor earns gratitude, a big one breeds resentment.

Jiang Jinhuang served the porridge. Ye Qing ate while Jiang Jinhuang fed the little one.

Even in the wild, the little one didn’t fuss, quietly sipping her porridge.

Ye Qing watched her obedient behavior, her eyes softening. She decided to improve the little one’s meals soon, maybe stewing the chicken.

After finishing her porridge, Ye Qing used an axe to chop branches from nearby trees. It was cold outside, and the fire had to burn all night to avoid catching a chill. She returned to their makeshift shelter and sat.

Jiang Jinhuang had put the little one to sleep and was slowly eating her porridge.

When she finished, Ye Qing washed the pot and bowls. Jiang Jinhuang took needle and thread from the cart to finish sewing gloves for herself and her sister. The weather was getting colder, and she wanted the little one’s done first.

The little one woke soon after, shyly leaning close to Jiang Jinhuang. “Sister, I need to pee.”

Jiang Jinhuang set aside her sewing. “Okay, I’ll take you.”

Ye Qing overheard and grabbed Jiang Jinhuang’s wrist. “I’ll take Yangyang. It’s too dark in the woods. You stay here where it’s safer.”

Jiang Jinhuang knew Ye Qing was right but didn’t trust her with her sister. “No, I’ll take Yangyang nearby. We’ll be right back.”

Seeing her insistence, Ye Qing nodded.

Jiang Jinhuang led the little one into the woods. Ye Qing, uneasy, followed with her knife, keeping her distance but watching the surroundings.

Daniu and Erniu had been watching Ye Qing’s camp all night. When Jiang Jinhuang went off alone, they thought their chance had come, but Ye Qing followed with her knife.

“Brother, what now? Do we go?” Erniu asked.

“Wait until that female Qianyuan’s asleep. We’ll take them then,” Daniu said. People are least guarded when sleeping.

“Alright, we’ll wait,” Erniu agreed.

Ye Qing stood with her knife, watching their camp to prevent anyone from stealing their quilts. In these chaotic times, theft and robbery were common.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jiang Jinhuang emerged, carrying the little one. Seeing Ye Qing, she paused, surprised. Was Ye Qing worried about them? How could that be?

Jiang Jinhuang pressed her lips together and said, “Thanks.”

“No problem. Let’s get back to rest,” Ye Qing said, glancing at them and walking back with Jiang Jinhuang.

At their shelter, Jiang Jinhuang said, “You rest first. I’ll wake you later. I’ve got sewing to finish.”

Ye Qing nodded. “Alright.”

Exhausted, she lay beside the little one, covered herself with a quilt, and told the system to wake her at 1 a.m. to take over the watch.

The little one, seeing Ye Qing lie down, found it novel. She peeked at Ye Qing, who caught her.

Ye Qing pinched her cheek, smiling. “Go to sleep. We’ve got an early start tomorrow.”

“Okay,” the little one agreed, closing her eyes. Tired, she fell asleep quickly.

Ye Qing, shaped by her apocalyptic experience, could fall into deep sleep fast to rest well, yet her body would react instantly to any noise—a habit built over years.

She soon fell asleep. Jiang Jinhuang focused on sewing gloves. The little one’s were done quickly, and she started on her own.

As time passed, the night deepened. The woods grew quiet. Refugees either slept or stayed quietly in their camps.

Jiang Jinhuang finished her gloves, put away the needle, added branches to the fire, and stared at it.

Daniu and Erniu watched for a while, confirming Ye Qing was asleep. They circled through the woods, approaching Jiang Jinhuang from the shadows.

They had no knives but carried farm tools. Daniu held a hoe, Erniu a coarse rope.

They moved slowly toward Jiang Jinhuang’s camp.

The woods were filled with wind and the crackling of fires, making footsteps noticeable.

Jiang Jinhuang, nearly dozing by the fire, shivered at the sound of steps behind her and snapped awake.

She shook Ye Qing’s leg. Ye Qing woke instantly, grabbing her knife as two figures emerged from the dark.

Erniu rushed at Jiang Jinhuang, looping his rope around her and pulling her back.

Caught off guard, Jiang Jinhuang was yanked to the ground, dragged backward by Erniu.

In her panic, she thought of Ye Qing and screamed, “Ye Qing, save me!”

On Ye Qing’s side, Daniu swung his hoe at her face, the iron blade whistling. Ye Qing dodged, her eyes flicking to Jiang Jinhuang.

In that brief pause, Daniu swung again at her chest. Ye Qing sidestepped, slashing her knife, cutting a long chunk off the hoe’s handle.

Daniu panicked and stepped back. Ye Qing kicked his chest, her knife slashing his shoulder, leaving a deep gash. He curled up on the ground, clutching the wound.

Ye Qing turned to Erniu, who was dragging Jiang Jinhuang into the woods. Seeing his brother cut, Erniu hesitated, torn between checking on Daniu and not letting go of Jiang Jinhuang, his prize.

He’d wanted her for so long and couldn’t bear to release her.

In his hesitation, Ye Qing charged with her knife.

Erniu, seeing bl00d on her blade, panicked. In a desperate move, he tightened the rope around Jiang Jinhuang’s neck. Her face paled, and breathing became hard.

“Don’t come closer, or I’ll strangle her! Drop your knife, now, or she’s dead,” Erniu said, tightening the rope. Jiang Jinhuang nearly fainted.

Ye Qing tossed her knife to the ground. “Don’t be rash. We can talk.”

Seeing the knife dropped, Erniu eased up slightly, loosening the rope. “Kick the knife over. No tricks, or I’ll strangle her.”

He tightened the rope again, and Jiang Jinhuang almost passed out.

Ye Qing said quickly, “Don’t pull harder. She’ll choke. I’ll do what you say.”

Her eyes narrowed, a flash of anger passing through. She hated being threatened.

Following Erniu’s order, she kicked the knife toward him, deliberately light so he’d have to bend to reach it.

As she kicked, Erniu relaxed, trying to secure the knife to keep Ye Qing unarmed.

In that moment, Ye Qing rushed forward, throwing a full-force punch at Erniu’s face. His nose broke with a crack, and he screamed, his face feeling smashed. His hands released the rope, reaching for his face.

In that instant, Ye Qing pulled Jiang Jinhuang to her side, yanking the rope off her neck.

Jiang Jinhuang’s delicate skin was red from the rope’s grip.

Ye Qing glanced at it briefly, pushed Jiang Jinhuang back, and picked up her knife, advancing on Erniu.

His nose broken and bleeding, Erniu covered his face, tears streaming. Seeing Ye Qing approach, he collapsed, begging in a strange tone, “Spare me, please, I won’t do it again, I swear.”

Ye Qing showed no mercy. With one swift slash, Erniu was lifeless.

She hurried to help Jiang Jinhuang up. “You okay?”

Jiang Jinhuang’s legs were weak. Even with Ye Qing’s help, she leaned against her, trying to regain strength.

Clutching Ye Qing’s skirt with one hand and her neck with the other, she took a while to feel her legs again.

Tears streaked her pale face.

Ye Qing held Jiang Jinhuang’s waist, patting her back gently. “It’s okay, don’t be scared.”

The little one, woken by the commotion, was crying and stumbling toward them.

She’d seen her sister taken and Ye Qing chase after with a knife.

Afraid her small size would hinder Ye Qing, she’d stayed in the quilt, making herself small to avoid trouble. Then Ye Qing beat the bad guys and saved her sister.

The little one ran to them on her short legs, falling twice in her haste but getting up to keep going, ignoring the pain.

Ye Qing, comforting Jiang Jinhuang, heard movement and saw the little one approaching.

“Sister, are you okay?” the little one cried, hugging Jiang Jinhuang’s legs.

Jiang Jinhuang, recovering, still had a racing heart. When the rope choked her, she’d thought she was dying.

If not for Ye Qing, she’d either be dead or dragged off and violated. Thinking this, she looked at Ye Qing.

Meeting Ye Qing’s eyes, she saw worry. Was Ye Qing actually concerned for her?

Confused and puzzled, Jiang Jinhuang snapped back when the little one hugged her legs.

Seeing her sister cry, she rubbed her head. “Yangyang, I’m okay.”

“Wah, sister,” the little one sobbed, clinging to her.

Ye Qing looked at the crying but oddly cute little one. Holding Jiang Jinhuang with one hand and the knife with the other, she couldn’t pat her head.

After another cup of tea’s time, Jiang Jinhuang could stand on her own. She crouched to hug the little one, and the sisters cried together.

When choked, Jiang Jinhuang had truly thought she’d die, her biggest worry being the little one. Thanks to Ye Qing, she was safe.

Ye Qing patted Jiang Jinhuang’s shoulder. “Let’s go back. It’s too cold here. Don’t catch a chill.”

“Okay,” Jiang Jinhuang nodded, wiping her tears and reaching for the little one.

Ye Qing stopped her. “Rest a bit. I’ll carry her.”

With her left hand holding the knife and her right carrying the little one, Ye Qing walked back to their camp.

The commotion had been loud, especially Erniu’s screams and begging, startling nearby refugees.

Such incidents were common—nighttime thefts, abductions of Kunze, even murder and arson. Refugees were numb to it.

They’d thought Ye Qing would die, looking frail compared to male Qianyuan. But to their surprise, Ye Qing returned with a bloody knife.