After Jiang Xiao left, Jiang Pan remained in the house, lost in thought for a long time.
When Chen Yuezhi returned from her fruitless search for food outside, Jiang Pan called her into the room.
He needed to have a serious discussion with his wife about how to proceed.
Jiang Wan quickly pressed herself against the door, listening intently to the sounds inside. She heard Chen Yuezhi cry for a while, then Jiang Pan's deep, resonant voice spoke, "Why are you crying? We can just go with them."
"Go with them?"
Chen Yuezhi was startled.
"Yes, ever since Wanwan said she had that dream and the mountain spring's water flow also lessened, I've felt uneasy. I have a feeling that staying here any longer will lead to trouble. It's better to go with them; we'll have each other's support on the road. However, no one can predict the situation on the road. If something unexpected happens..."
Chen Yuezhi said, "No matter what happens, as long as we are together as a family, I'm not afraid wherever we go."
Jiang Pan said, "Then it's settled. I'll go to the in-laws' place now, talk to them, and gather more information."
"I'll go with you."
The couple made their decision and were about to leave. Before they departed, they specifically asked Jiang Wan, "Wanwan, do you want to go to your elder sister's house?"
Jiang Wan shook her head, "I want to let brother take me up the mountain to find food."
Since her parents had decided to flee famine, she needed to quickly gather more provisions.
As the saying goes, having grain in hand brings peace of mind.
After her parents left, Erlang and Sanlang carried Jiang Wan up the mountain, while Dalang and his wife stayed to guard the house.
Dalang had also wanted to go up the mountain, but Jiang Wan stopped him. "Big brother, the second branch is harboring ill intentions. What if they bully sister-in-law if she's left alone at home?"
When Dalang thought of the scoundrels from the second branch, he dared not leave Su Shi alone at home.
The three siblings went up the mountain. Jiang Wan insisted on getting down and walking herself.
Erlang, worried, held her hand, afraid she would stumble and roll down the mountain.
Jiang Wan felt this was too restrictive, so she cajoled Erlang, "Second brother, I'm tired of walking. I want to rest here for a bit. You and third brother can continue searching. I'll wait for you here."
Erlang said, "Let second brother carry you. I'm not at ease leaving you here alone."
Jiang Wan shook her head vigorously, "No, second brother. We don't have much food at home. If you carry me, you'll get hungry faster. I'll just wait for you here and won't go anywhere."
Erlang found her reasoning sound. He led Jiang Wan to a flat spot and repeatedly instructed, "Just sit here and don't go anywhere. We'll be back soon, understand?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Jiang Wan obediently sat on a rock and nodded, "Okay, I promise I won't go anywhere."
Erlang and Sanlang, after confirming there was no danger in the vicinity, ventured further into the mountain.
As Jiang Wan watched them walk away, she was about to stand up and look around for anything she could exploit when a malicious voice came from behind her, "Fool, so you're here!"
She turned to see Jiang Yu and Silang, who had sneakily followed them.
Seeing Jiang Wan alone, they ran over to block her, intending to bully her as usual.
Jiang Yu snorted, "That wild chicken yesterday was delicious, wasn't it?"
She hadn't gotten to eat any, so why should this fool?
Jiang Wan knew they were looking for trouble and deliberately provoked them, "It was very delicious. With one bite, the fat dripped out. It was much tastier than your dry flatbreads. I even ate a big chicken leg this morning. It was this big!"
Jiang Wan extended her chubby hand and deliberately drew the shape of a chicken leg in the air.
Silang stomped his feet in anger, "That was my wild chicken! How dare you, little fool, eat it!"
Jiang Yu egged him on, "Yes, she doesn't deserve to eat it. Silang, beat her! Beat her until she vomits out the wild chicken she ate!"
Silang, being simple-minded, couldn't hold back any longer. He shouted and charged at Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan smiled coldly and deliberately took a few steps back. As Jiang Silang lunged, she sidestepped and dodged. Jiang Silang then screamed and rolled down the mountain.
Tsk, she didn't even have to lift a finger; Jiang Silang took care of himself.
Seeing Silang tumble down the mountain like a rolling gourd, Jiang Yu's legs went weak. She screamed, "Jiang Wan, you pushed Silang down!"
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes, "Are you blind? He rolled down himself. Is that my fault? Why don't you hurry and see if he's dead? If anything happens to him, your father will surely beat you to death. No, your father would probably be reluctant to kill you now; he'd take you and sell you to Granny Wang."
Jiang Yu's face turned pale. She scrambled and crawled after Jiang Silang.
Jiang Wan scoffed, "So annoying!"
Having gotten rid of the bothersome siblings, Jiang Wan turned and darted into the nearby woods.
Due to years of drought, many trees in the mountains had withered. The remaining ones drooped their branches, seemingly on their last legs.
After walking for a while, Jiang Wan discovered a dying chestnut tree.
It was the season for chestnut fruits to ripen, but the tree had sparse leaves, looking like it wouldn't last much longer.
Jiang Wan didn't recognize the tree, but her intuition told her that the fruit it bore was edible.
She didn't rush to use her special ability, fearing that if others came, she, a small child, wouldn't be able to protect the fruit. So, she cupped her hands and yelled into the mountain, "Second brother, third brother, come quickly!"
Erlang and Sanlang heard her voice and, thinking she was in danger, rushed down the mountain desperately.
However, when they found Jiang Wan following the sound, their eyes nearly popped out in surprise.
They saw Jiang Wan hugging a chestnut tree laden with fruit, smiling triumphantly at them.
"Brother, can you eat this?"
They swallowed hard and rubbed their eyes. This was the outer mountain, and every inch of land here had been scoured countless times by the villagers. It was truly baffling that such a large chestnut tree had gone undiscovered.
But they couldn't afford to dwell on it.
The two brothers immediately cut long sticks, preparing to knock down the chestnuts.
Before they started, Erlang shouted to Jiang Wan, "Step aside. Be careful not to hit your head."
Jiang Wan quickly shielded her head with her chubby hands and retreated to a safe distance.
The two brothers raised their sticks and began to whack the chestnut tree vigorously. Prickly chestnut burrs fell from the tree one by one.
After all the chestnuts were knocked down, they quickly gathered them and then removed the prickly outer shells one by one, leaving only the edible fruits inside.
These chestnuts, spurred by her special ability, were not only plump but also entirely free of insect damage.
Jiang Wan watched them grin from ear to ear as they extracted the fruits, wanting to help. However, Sanlang quickly stopped her, "Wanwan, don't touch it. Be careful not to prick your hand."
Erlang peeled a fresh chestnut and popped it into her mouth, "Sit here and wait. Second brother will peel them for you."
Jiang Wan knew her place in the family and obediently sat aside, waiting for her two brothers.
After packing all the chestnuts, the two brothers were overjoyed. This large pile of chestnuts weighed over forty catties! It was enough for their family to eat for several days.
They discussed it and decided they couldn't take it home, as it would then become communal property. So, they first went into the woods and hid the chestnuts in the hollow of a dead tree. Then, they roasted some chestnuts in the forest. After eating their fill, they took some back for their family.
As soon as they returned to the courtyard, Jiang Wan heard Jiang Yu's crying pleas for mercy coming from the yard.
"Don't hit me anymore! It was Jiang Wan who made Silang roll down the mountain, not me..."
Erlang and Sanlang glanced at Jiang Wan. Jiang Wan said slowly, "They wanted to hit me, and Jiang Silang lost his footing himself and rolled down the mountain."