Chapter 169 - Inept at Titles (Part 2)

The journey back to the cave wasn't far. The kitchen door was left open during the day. Shen Ning lit the fire and added water to the pot. As she turned around, she saw Shen Jin and Shen Yin. She ran out to greet them. Seeing how thin they were, not much better than Shen Tie, she peered behind them.

Before she could ask about Tian Ya, the Chen family, who lived closer, had heard the news and arrived. They were stunned by the emaciated Shen Jin and Shen Yin. The Chen family hardly recognized the two brothers; they looked no better than those on the brink of death during the drought years.

Old Lady Chen opened her mouth but couldn't speak.

San Luo handed Shen Jin and Shen Yin over to An Ning and An Qing. "Take Little Jin and Little Yin inside to sit down. Give them two bowls of water to moisten their throats. I'll go with your Grandma Chen and the others to see if there's anyone else."

Shen An and Shen Ning agreed.

As San Luo and the Chen family moved away, they could still hear Shen Ning's low voice guiding the others towards the cave. "It's only been three months, how did you end up like this? Didn't your big brother send you dried meat? And didn't Wen Yin's father exchange food for you? What about Tian Ya? Hasn't she come down yet?"

San Luo sighed softly.

The Chen family glanced back. Seeing that the children had reached the cave entrance, Old Lady Chen whispered to San Luo, "I heard from Lu's second son that Qiyang County has fallen. Little Jin and his two siblings came over. What about Shen San, Li Shi, and Tian Ya?"

San Luo shook her head. "I don't know the details yet."

As Xu family members were being lowered one by one with ropes under Shen Lie's guidance, the Shi, Zhou, and Lu families also arrived in quick succession.

All preoccupied with the situation outside, they didn't move from their spots and immediately asked about the circumstances. Shopkeeper Xu explained the situation, but, considering the children, he didn't go into great detail about the events involving the Shen family's third branch, vaguely brushing over it.

Only then did everyone in the valley learn what had transpired outside.

For every family in the valley, that day was a difficult one. Their once-abandoned homes were now truly lost, with countless villages in Ten Mile Village and Qi County now deserted. How many could return when peace was restored?

The three Shen brothers and the Xu family, who had managed to survive, were incredibly fortunate. Many others had either lost their lives or were still trapped in an unknown hellish situation.

After their sorrow, they felt immense relief for having been able to hide safely in this small valley, escaping a great calamity. Their loved ones had prepared early and taken refuge in the mountains.

As for families like the Xus and Shens, who had managed to save some relatives, there was even more gratitude. Old Lady Xu held her son and daughter-in-law, hugging her two grandsons as she wept and laughed.

Being alive was everything; survival surpassed all else.

Despite her advanced age, the old lady, upon learning that her son's family had been rescued by Shen Lie and Chen Dashan, attempted to bow in gratitude to the two young men. But Chen's wife, quick-eyed and nimble-handed, promptly supported her.

Gan, Shi Erlang's wife, Feng Liu, and the Zhou family's mother and daughter, all with loved ones outside, couldn't help but inquire in detail from Shen Lie and Chen Dashan about the situation in the mountains. Upon learning that most people had retreated to within a three or four day journey of the inner region, they were reassured.

Shi Erlang asked, "Will it be even more difficult for us to leave the valley after a while?"

They were only two days away from the inner region.

Chen Dashan thought for a moment and shook his head. "Those two days aren't easy either. There are more wild beasts than outside. Unless you're a hunter who knows the signs of their movements and can avoid them relatively easily, it won't be easy for ordinary people to venture further in. The outer region is vast enough. As long as there isn't a large number of bandits entering the mountains, there should be enough resources to sustain everyone for a while. Most people probably won't venture deeper anytime soon."

There might already be casualties among those who had ventured deep into the mountains. Daily travel was generally fraught with anxiety.

Shen Lie said, "We should hunt as much as possible lately, preferably venturing deeper into the inner region."

Shi Erlang was puzzled. "Isn't it more dangerous to go deeper?"

Shen Lie nodded. "It's more dangerous, but still manageable. In the direction of the outer region, my advice is to avoid traveling if possible. Leaving those wild animals alone serves as a protective barrier for our valley. With more beasts and fewer people daring to enter, our valley will be safer. And when the situation outside becomes truly dire and many people retreat inward, the beasts will also withdraw, preserving resources for others seeking refuge in the mountains."

At times, humans could be far more terrifying than beasts. If they could maintain a natural barrier through certain measures, it was best to preserve it.

Given the knowledge that people were already resorting to cannibalism outside, everyone agreed with this perspective.

The situation outside was well-known. The Xu family and the three Jin brothers needed to be settled, so everyone returned to their respective homes.

Sang Luo and Shen Lie lagged behind, finally having a chance to speak privately.

Sang Luo looked at Shen Lie. "Xu Boss was rather vague just now. What's the situation with Little Jin's family?"

Shen Lie sighed and shared everything he knew with Sang Luo.

On their way here, he had also taken the opportunity to privately ask Jin about how they entered the city, how they lost the grain, what happened to Tian Ya, and how she was eventually brought back. Thus, he was now well-informed.

The only solace for Shen Lie was that Tian Ya was ultimately escorted out by Wang Meiniang, sparing her from the most dire of fates.

Now he also understood Li's determination to risk everything to kill Shen San. If Shen San were to survive, it was unlikely that any of the Shen brothers, including Shen Jin, would live to see another day.

San Luo didn't have much affection for Shen San or Li Shi. Upon hearing this, she could only sigh for Tian Ya, or perhaps, for the ways of the world.

She was aware of the fragility of human life in chaotic times, and of the desperate act of exchanging children for food. Yet, the true depths of such devastation were but a mere stroke in a book to her. Having grown up in the twenty-first century, she had never personally experienced such hardships.

By this point, Sang Luo felt nothing but gratitude. She was glad that back then, she needed an identity and saw that Shen An and Shen Ning were obedient and sensible, so she decided to stay in the drafty, dilapidated cottage of the Shen family. She was also grateful that after Shen Lie returned, she observed his character and chose to stay a second time.

Otherwise, she couldn't bear to imagine what she would be facing now.

Still processing Shen Lie's account of the situation outside, Shen Lie pondered for a moment before discussing his plans for his brothers, Shen Jin and the others.

Sang Luo listened quietly. As he spoke, her eyebrows lifted in surprise.

He first established his stance, clarified responsibilities, tactfully informed her of Shen Jin's attitude, and finally sought her opinion on whether he could share part of his hunted game and rations with his three cousins.

With meticulous care and palpable tension, he spoke logically and fluently.

Sang Luo didn't reply. Instead, she stood still, looking at Shen Lie, and asked curiously, "How many times have you gone over this in your head since you returned?"

Shen Lie was taken aback.

Sang Luo chuckled. "To be honest, I don't think we'll go hungry with you protecting us in this vast mountain range."

Her main challenge would likely be figuring out how to alter their diet.

She glanced at Shen Lie and said with a smile, "So, it looks like you'll have to work harder hunting in the future. And thank you."

That "thank you" left Shen Lie in a daze, but Sang Luo didn't elaborate. She simply said, "Come on, Xiao An and Ah Ning must have found out by now."

Who knows how much weeping and wailing there would be.

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As Sangluo had anticipated, Shen An and Shen Ning's eyes were slightly swollen.

Shen Lie and the youngest, Tian Ya, didn't actually have much interaction. On the other hand, Shen An and Shen Ning, especially Shen Ning, had taken care of Tian Ya since she was a young girl. The sudden realization that she was gone brought immense sorrow, which needed no explanation.

San Luo didn't offer comfort; there was little that could console in such a situation. It was a process of acceptance that had to run its course.

What she truly wished to express was this: Be grateful for the division of the household, and even more so for Shen Lie's timely return. For had he not come back when he did, it would not have been Tian Ya who suffered first, but rather Shen Ning, followed by Shen An.

Shen Ning might not even end up with a fate as seemingly fortunate as Sweet Ya's; rather, it's entirely possible that long before reaching the status of a golden bracelet-bearer, she could have become yet another Wang Meiniang.

Sanlang's bottom line was something Sangluo had yet to witness. As for Li, while she was kind to her own child, she couldn't be said to treat Shen An and Shen Ning with the same warmth.

But now that the person was gone and retribution had been served, it would only be a jab at the Shen brothers if she were to mention it. Thus, she decided against it and patted Shen Ning's head instead. "Enough. Have you kept an eye on the water in the cauldron? Be careful not to let it boil dry."

It was better to work than to dwell on sorrow with tears in her eyes.

Upon hearing Sang Luo mention the pot of water, Shen Ning wiped away her tears and hurriedly went to the kitchen.

Shen Jin still felt nervous around Sang Luo, but she didn't put pressure on him. Instead, she let Shen An take the two younger ones to wash their hands and faces first. That way, they could enjoy their food soon. Meanwhile, she examined the two-tiered bed and pondered how the large family would accommodate themselves before the cave above could be cleaned up.

Thankfully, they had built a raised platform when constructing the bed. Now that it was summer, each side of the platform could sleep one person, and there was no other space to squeeze in anyone else.

...

While Sang Luo considered the layout of the small cave, next door at the Xu residence, Shopkeeper Xu, Wei Lingzhen, Xu Wenqing, Xu Wenhuang, and Uncle Xu stood dumbfounded in their own cave.

They had never imagined that living in a cave could be like this, with so many variations of beds?

Xu Wenying's eyes sparkled as she held her mother's arm, saying, "Mother, isn't it beautiful? The canopy for this bed was woven by my grandmother and me."

In fact, the Xu family's cave only had two beds. Although larger than Sang Luo's, its irregular shape made it winding and difficult to arrange. Taking advantage of the cave's original form, Sang Luo had carved out a separate small room for Grandma Xu and Xu Wenying at the back.

With just an elderly woman and a young girl, there was no need for a two-tiered bed. However, since Xu Wenying had been envious of the Shen family's platform, Sang Luo designed a similar one. But instead of having a second level, there was only a very low platform bed against the wall. With a mattress and a mat laid on top, it looked incredibly clean and neat.

A rod was installed above the bedhead, designed to hold up a mosquito net, resembling the canopy found in a modern-day princess bed.

On the remaining space of the platform, two cushioned seats and a low bedside table were placed, providing a spot for daily relaxation. When needed, the platform could be lifted to reveal storage compartments beneath it. Due to Xu Wenying's envy of Shen Ning's bed with steps, Sangluo had even specially designed a two-tier staircase to access the platform.

Certainly, the platform was initially intended for added storage and to fulfill Xu Wenying's little wish. Now, with its height effectively blocking dampness, it could even serve as a tatami mat without issue. With the addition of a mattress, the couple, Shopkeeper Xu and Wei Lingzhen, now had a bed for themselves.

As for Wei Qinghe, Wang Yunzhen, and Xu Wenbo, they were accommodated with a trapezoidal-shaped loft bed. A wardrobe was built beside it, effectively solving the living arrangements for the three of them.

The kitchen and the furniture were all novelties; in short, it was entirely unlike what they had envisioned.

Madam Wei admired the room, nodding repeatedly. "Beautiful! What an ingeniously crafted idea."

Xu Wenyin chuckled. "It was Sister Aoluo who helped us design it. Every bed in this valley is stunning!"

Shopkeeper Xu also stroked the platform, grinning. "Madam Sang has always been clever with her designs."

Granny Xu watched with a smile, finally speaking up. "From now on, the two of you will sleep on this platform. For Uncle Xu and Wenyin, Wenqing, and Wenhong, we can build a bunk bed like the one Qinghe and the others have outside."

Shopkeeper Xu looked around. If they added another bed, there would barely be any space left for a walkway. He suggested, "Wouldn't that be too crowded? Shen Lie mentioned there's another small cave. Perhaps Uncle Xu and the boys could live there with Little Jin and his siblings."

Mrs. Xu cast him a sidelong glance and said, "I told you to stay here, so stay here. What's the problem with being crowded? Which family in this area isn't squeezed together? You haven't seen the tiny cave at the Shen residence. This valley was originally discovered by both the Shen and Chen families. Back then, they let A Luo choose first, and out of consideration for us, they chose the smallest one. It's already cramped, and now with three more children, I say we should just give that small cave to the Shens and avoid the squeeze altogether."

The young couple still slept in separate beds.

Xu Wenying frequently visited the Shen family and was constantly whispering with Shen Ning. How could she not know which bed Shen Ning slept in? Xu Wenying, in her casual chats with the elder, would inadvertently reveal this information.

An Ning slept on the upper level with her eldest sister-in-law.

...

And wouldn't the old lady know all about it?

With the emergence of this cave, what business did her family have interfering? It didn't matter how Shen Lie and Sang Luo used it; ultimately, it would be best to seize the opportunity to incorporate the cave into the Shen family's domain. Only then would her old heart find peace.

Master Xu was unaware of his mother's intricate thoughts, but upon learning that the Shen family had been assigned the smallest grotto, he immediately dismissed the idea of letting his son occupy another one.

"Alright, I'll inform Shen Lie right away."

He returned to the rack where the grain was stored and found two unopened sacks of rice. He called Wei Qinghe, Uncle Xu, and Xu Wenqing to help him carry the rice bags to the Shen residence.

The debt of saving one's life couldn't be repaid with mere two bags of rice, let alone two hundred. Delivering rice would underestimate both himself and Shen Lie. However, with the sudden addition of three mouths to feed in the Shen family, the pressure was immense. He intended to do his part to help.