Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Ye Qing had already brought the meat over. She asked Jiang Jinhuang to hold the meat for a moment, then set down a bowl of rice before returning to the wooden cart to fetch a wooden cutting board.

Ye Qing also brought a gourd filled with spiritual spring water, and then she gathered all the seasonings.

After doing this, Ye Qing rinsed the cutting board with clean water, then placed the pork on it. She cut the pork into small pieces with a knife, separating the particularly fatty parts to render oil later, so they wouldn’t need to add more oil to the pan.

The pork exchanged from the system was absolutely clean, requiring no additional rinsing and could be used directly.

Ye Qing found a few large stones to place beside the fire as a support, then prepared to set up the pot to render oil.

Jiang Jinhuang looked at the pork on the cutting board, wanting to speak but hesitating. She was with Ye Qing every day, but where did Ye Qing’s pork come from? Or perhaps, was this even pork at all? Similarly, Ye Qing’s eggs were suspicious too. Ye Qing’s family wasn’t wealthy, so where did she get eggs during their escape from famine?

Seeing Ye Qing about to put the fatty meat in the pot, Jiang Jinhuang finally asked, “Ye Qing, are you sure this is pork?”

Ye Qing’s hand paused on the pot, but she quickly understood Jiang Jinhuang’s meaning. Ye Qing nodded, “I’m sure. I can’t explain where this meat came from, but I assure you, it’s definitely pork. You can trust that. After all, I’m eating it too. I’m not a heartless maniac or a ruthless lunatic. Whatever you’re thinking, it will never happen. At least, I would never do such a thing.”

Jiang Jinhuang’s gaze met Ye Qing’s. Seeing Ye Qing’s clear eyes, which didn’t seem deceitful, she felt slightly relieved, though her heart grew even more puzzled. Where did this meat really come from?

While she was lost in thought, Ye Qing had already set up the iron pot. Beside it, she started a small fire and placed a clay pot on the stones to steam rice.

After this, Ye Qing tossed the fatty meat into the pot to render oil. Once the oil was mostly extracted, she added the pork to stir-fry. When it was almost done, she added various seasonings, and the aroma of the pork immediately spread far.

The little one’s big eyes were fixed on the iron pot, swallowing hard. Though she hadn’t gone hungry these past few days, she had only been drinking porridge. The little one craved meat.

Not only could they smell the meat, but several nearby groups of refugees clearly noticed it too. Some occasionally cast curious glances toward Ye Qing’s group.

Ye Qing moved the iron pot aside. Eating in the wild didn’t require much fuss—just use the pot as a plate.

Jiang Jinhuang stood up to open the clay pot’s lid, using a wooden spatula to serve rice for the three of them.

After taking her bowl, Ye Qing grabbed several pieces of meat from the pot and ate heartily. The rich flavor of the fat mixed with the rice filled her mouth, bringing a burst of happiness with just one bite.

While Ye Qing ate, Jiang Jinhuang’s eyes stayed on her, checking for any signs of nausea or disgust. Seeing none, and noting Ye Qing didn’t seem to struggle with the meat, Jiang Jinhuang cautiously picked up a small piece and tasted it.

The little one was starving. Seeing Ye Qing and her sister eating meat, drool ran down her chin. She tugged at her sister’s sleeve, signaling not to forget her.

Jiang Jinhuang wasn’t refusing her sister food, but she needed to confirm the meat was indeed pork. If Ye Qing had truly gone mad, she and her sister couldn’t eat it.

But after tasting it, the flavor and texture seemed like pork. Jiang Jinhuang glanced up, saw Ye Qing eating heartily, and finally relaxed. She looked down at the little one tugging her sleeve.

Seeing the little one’s drool, Jiang Jinhuang’s eyes softened. She quickly picked a few pieces of meat from the pot, mixed them with rice, and fed them to Yangyang.

The little one stuffed a big bite of meat and rice into her mouth, chewing a few times before feeling dazed by the deliciousness. Meat was just too good!

The little one happily rolled on the blanket, then climbed back up to wait for her sister to feed her more.

Ye Qing was amused, “Is it good?”

The little one nodded quickly, “It’s good! Sister Ye is the best! Following Sister Ye means eating meat!”

As she spoke, the little one raised her right fist, looking adorably determined.

Ye Qing pinched the side of the little one’s face, laughing, “Our Yangyang sure knows how to sweet-talk. Say a bit more, and I might float to the sky.”

“Hehe!” The little one flashed Ye Qing a bright smile.

While eating meat, the little one thought about the past few days. She didn’t seem as scared of Sister Ye anymore. Sister Ye was nice to her, putting her on the cart and pushing her along every day. The little one couldn’t quite understand why Sister Ye had suddenly become kind, but she was starting to like her.

No matter how mature a child’s mind, their biggest concerns were eating and drinking. Holding grudges wasn’t in their nature. Ye Qing had been good to her these past few days and saved her sister last night. The little one couldn’t help but feel grateful.

Seeing Ye Qing and her sister chatting and laughing, Jiang Jinhuang’s face softened with a smile. Though she didn’t like Ye Qing, it was good for her sister to be close to her. At least this way, Ye Qing would look out for her sister more on this journey.

While Ye Qing ate, she felt someone watching them. Glancing to her left, she locked eyes with a male Qianyuan.

There were four people there—three dressed as scholars and one like a servant boy. They were likely students fleeing south. But regardless of who they were, their staring made Ye Qing uncomfortable.

She shot them a cold look, and the scholar quickly averted his gaze in fear. Ye Qing then continued eating.

The meat was fragrant that night. After finishing one bowl, Ye Qing served herself another.

Jiang Jinhuang had finished feeding the little one, letting her play on the blanket. She served herself a bowl and started eating.

After walking all afternoon, the thin porridge from lunch had long been digested. Though Jiang Jinhuang sat upright, her chopsticks moved noticeably faster.

Ye Qing left some meat for Jiang Jinhuang. After finishing her bowl, she didn’t eat more, knowing Jiang Jinhuang could finish the half bowl of rice left in the pot.

Ye Qing got up to gather branches nearby. The four strangers approached them.

Ye Qing tossed the branches aside, turned, and drew her long knife from the cart.

The scholars seemed startled by the knife, stopping five or six steps away.

The leader forced an awkward smile, “Miss, let’s talk calmly. We just came to say hello. Don’t be nervous.”

Ye Qing didn’t lower her knife, giving them a cold look, “At a time like this, you think anyone would believe such nonsense? No one fleeing south is a fool. Drop your bad intentions and get lost, or don’t blame me for being rude.”

The scholar’s smile faltered. Afraid his companions would look down on him, he stiffened his neck, “We just wanted to buy some meat and grain. We’ll pay in silver. What’s with your attitude?”

Ye Qing sneered, “Have you read so many books your brain’s gone dumb? In the middle of nowhere, what use is silver? Even a hundred taels wouldn’t buy a live chicken.”

“You’re unreasonable!” The scholar flushed with anger, as if Ye Qing lacked manners.

His gaze shifted to Jiang Jinhuang, who was eating gracefully. He bowed to her, “Miss, we’re stranded students. We haven’t eaten a full meal in days. Could you sell us some grain? Don’t worry, my family is wealthy in Xiangzhou. Once we get there, I’ll repay you tenfold, a hundredfold, and treat you as honored guests.”

Jiang Jinhuang finished her bite before speaking, “Buying grain at a time like this? Isn’t that just forcing a sale? And your promises are empty. Xiangzhou’s hit by drought too. Most people have fled south like us. How will you repay tenfold, a hundredfold? By keep lying?”

Her words choked the scholar, his face turning red. He’d thought the quiet, refined female Kunze would be easier to persuade, but Jiang Jinhuang didn’t give him any face.

“How dare you be so rude? No wonder you’re a pair, both so vulgar,” the scholar spat.

Ye Qing nodded calmly, “Yes, you’re not vulgar, you’re noble. Let’s see how long your noble character keeps you alive.”

“You’re too much!” The scholar, enraged, wanted to attack Ye Qing but feared her knife.

Ye Qing stared coldly, “Get lost. Don’t disturb us.”

The scholar wanted to say more, but his two companions and servant boy held him back, fearing a fight.

His family was wealthy in Xiangzhou, not exactly nobility, but he’d grown up privileged. He hadn’t expected the famine to be so severe, losing contact with his family, forcing him to flee south with his servant and two companions.

Their grain was nearly gone after a few days on the road. Meat was unthinkable. Smelling Ye Qing’s meat, he suggested buying some, only to be rejected and mocked by Ye Qing and Jiang Jinhuang, leaving him furious.

“Let go of me! Our grain’s already low. Don’t hold me back!” The scholar struggled.

“Stop it, Zhang Chao. They won’t sell, so let it go. We’re scholars; this is embarrassing enough,” Huang Yunxuan warned from behind.

“Yes, keep this up, and we’ll lose all face as scholars. Let’s go,” Yu Ze, another companion, added.

“Get lost! As if you don’t want to eat too. I’m eating that meat today!” Zhang Chao broke free, kicking his servant boy who tried to stop him.

Zhang Chao cursed, “You dare block me? Have I been too kind these days? A mere servant, who are you to interfere?”

Still cursing, he glared at the servant, “What are you standing there for? After all these years in the Zhang household, go get that meat!”

The servant, clutching his stomach from the kick, couldn’t stand for a while.

Ye Qing looked at Zhang Chao, then at the servant, “In times like these, he’s still loyal, following you in this escape. He’s too good for you, yet you bite the hand that feeds you. You’re like a mad dog.”

“Who are you calling names?” Zhang Chao roared, already on edge from days of thin porridge and now publicly insulted by Ye Qing. His rationality snapped.

He lunged toward Ye Qing, but his companions held him back.

Ye Qing ignored him, glancing at Jiang Jinhuang, who had stopped eating to watch the scene.

Ye Qing frowned slightly, “Eat first. Don’t mind them. I’ve got this.”

Jiang Jinhuang hadn’t expected Ye Qing to notice. She paused, nodded, and resumed eating. Tonight’s dinner was delicious.

Zhang Chao, seeing Ye Qing dismiss him, grew angrier, flailing his fists, but his companions restrained him.

Ye Qing smirked, unbothered by his tantrum. She looked at the servant still on the ground, “With a master like him, you’d better leave. The world’s in chaos; contracts mean nothing. Find your own path.”

The servant clutched his chest, tears glimmering in his eyes.

Yes, he’d done the most work on this journey, carrying Zhang Chao’s luggage, enduring beatings without thanks. Why stay with someone like him in such times?

Ye Qing’s words woke him. He scrambled up and ran to their camp, packing his things.

Zhang Chao, nearly exploding with rage, shouted at his companions, “What are you doing? Stop him! He’s taking our grain!”

“Yes, stop him!” Huang Yunxuan and Yu Ze realized, releasing Zhang Chao to chase after.

Zhang Chao glared at Ye Qing, pointing, “Fine, you’re something else. Just wait.”

Ye Qing smirked, “Indeed, I think I’m pretty great. No need for your reminder.”

As she spoke, a soft laugh came from beside her—Jiang Jinhuang. But when Ye Qing looked, Jiang Jinhuang had composed herself, acting as if nothing happened.

Zhang Chao was nearly driven mad, but with the servant grabbing things at their camp, he had to go back.

Seeing the distant scuffle, Ye Qing’s mood improved.

She stuck her knife in the ground beside her and sat, looking at Jiang Jinhuang, “Were you laughing at me?”

“No way. You must’ve misheard,” Jiang Jinhuang said, serving the remaining rice into her bowl and neatly arranging the leftover meat. She then looked at Ye Qing.

Ye Qing shook her head with a smile. Fine, Jiang Jinhuang was the female lead; whatever she said went. With a -130 favorability, Ye Qing didn’t dare tease her, lest she reset all progress.

The little one, however, happily scooted over, cheering, “Sister Ye is awesome! The bad guys got chased off again. Sister Ye is the best!”

Wrapped in her blanket, the little one looked adorably round.

Ye Qing pinched her cheek, “You, pouring on the charm again.”

“Hehe.” Seeing Ye Qing smile, the little one snuggled closer, rubbing her face against Ye Qing’s hand.

Ye Qing, finding her adorable, ruffled her hair, “Alright, the bad guys are gone. Sleep now. We’ve got to travel early tomorrow.”

“Mm-hm!” The little one nodded, lying down to sleep.

Jiang Jinhuang kept eating her rice and meat. Her appetite wasn’t large, especially back in the capital, where she ate only half a bowl per meal. But now, with long daily treks, her appetite had grown.

Ye Qing didn’t watch her, her gaze fixed on the fight a dozen meters away, where Zhang Chao and his group were brawling.

The servant seemed intent on taking the remaining grain, which the others wouldn’t allow. His temper flared, fueled by days of grievances, refusing to back down.

Pushed down by Zhang Chao, he grabbed a rock and smashed it on Zhang Chao’s face, drawing bl00d instantly.

“You dare hit me? I’ll kill you!” Zhang Chao, clutching his head, scrambled up.

The servant fought back fiercely, grappling with Zhang Chao. Even Huang Yunxuan and Yu Ze couldn’t restrain him. The servant punched them both, and as scholars, their strength was no match. They collapsed, dazed.

The servant kicked Zhang Chao twice more, grabbed two blankets and the grain, and ran into the woods.

Zhang Chao, holding his bleeding forehead, shouted, “Chase him! He’s taking the rest of our grain!”

Huang Yunxuan, furious, snapped, “You’ve got the nerve to talk? Why don’t you chase him? If you hadn’t treated him so badly, would he have done this?”

“Yeah, I’m in pain,” Yu Ze groaned, clutching his stomach, unable to stand.

Zhang Chao, fuming, yelled, “I was trying to help us all! Who knew that filthy servant would dare defy me? Why didn’t you stop me when I said we’d buy grain and meat? Now you blame me? You’re not at fault?”

“You’re ridiculous,” Huang Yunxuan snapped.

After a brief rest, Huang Yunxuan and Yu Ze angrily grabbed their blankets to pack, while Zhang Chao, injured and without his luggage—taken by the servant—bled heavily.

Visibly weakening, Zhang Chao pleaded, “Help me, please. Medicine, do you have any?”

Huang Yunxuan and Yu Ze, already angry and now without grain, ignored him. Still in Linzhou, far from the south, they needed any medicine for themselves, not Zhang Chao.

They moved away, leaving Zhang Chao, who soon fainted.

Ye Qing didn’t care, watching the drama briefly before looking away.

Jiang Jinhuang had washed the pot and bowls. Seeing Ye Qing no longer watching, she asked softly, “Done looking?”

Ye Qing nodded, “Yeah, dog-eat-dog is over. No fun.”

“Then sleep early. I’ll wake you later,” Jiang Jinhuang said, adding wood to the fire.

“Alright, I’ll take over later. Be careful and call me if anything happens,” Ye Qing said.

“I know,” Jiang Jinhuang replied, wrapping herself in a blanket.

Ye Qing grabbed another blanket from the cart and lay beside the little one.

As she lay down, the little one scooted closer, opening her big eyes.

Ye Qing’s eyes softened, pinching her cheek, “Why aren’t you asleep?”

Seeing Ye Qing wasn’t mad, the little one grinned, “They were too noisy. I couldn’t sleep.”

“It’s quiet now. Sleep, or you won’t grow tall.”

“Oh? Then I’ll sleep well. I want to grow tall to protect Sister and Sister Ye,” the little one said, her big eyes blinking at Ye Qing.

Ye Qing chuckled, touching her cheek, “Good, Yangyang. Sleep early. Your sister and I are counting on you to protect us.”

“Mm-hm!” The little one nodded confidently, as if she could do it.

Jiang Jinhuang overheard, covering half her face with her sleeve, a smile in her eyes. If only Ye Qing could stay like this.

But she didn’t dare hope too much. Her smile faded. Could someone change so much so quickly?

She glanced at Ye Qing, then looked away. Fine, Ye Qing had too many secrets, like where today’s pork came from. If Ye Qing wouldn’t say, Jiang Jinhuang couldn’t know. As long as Ye Qing didn’t harm her or Yangyang, that was enough.

Jiang Jinhuang poked at the fire with a branch. Honestly, she still disliked Ye Qing, but Ye Qing had saved her several times. For some reason, her heart felt oddly restless.