CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 14: THREE LAYERS OF THATCH ON MY COTTAGE ROOF

In the post-apocalyptic world, having crawled and stumbled for over a decade, Qin Yao naturally noticed the shift in the elderly couple’s eyes from surprise to disappointment and finally to rage.

But what does that matter?

By now, Liu Ji should have been dealt with until he’s half-dead.

Having survived this long in the apocalypse, Qin Yao has her own way of survival: she preemptively deals with anything or anyone that might threaten her life to ensure her safety.

Given her current situation, Liu Ji’s death is the best solution.

Otherwise, she would be burdened with unknown debts of uncertain amounts and potentially stuck with a husband who isn’t dead yet but requires a fortune in medical expenses to be cured.

Qin Yao has kindness, but not much.

This mess is entirely Liu Ji’s doing; what does it have to do with her? From Yao Niang’s perspective, she is the most deserving victim of sympathy.

Thus, Qin Yao acted as though she was unaware of the elderly couple’s emotions and continued discussing the matter of buying wheat seeds.

Just as Da Lang and Second Lang arrived home, they told her about their encounter with Uncle Liu Bai.

Qin Yao thought about it, and decided that they should plant those two acres of land; otherwise, there would be nothing. Perhaps after enduring through this winter, they might reap some grain.

"Haven’t you started planting wheat yet?" Old Liu worriedly glanced at the sky, uncertain when it might start to rain.

Qin Yao said, "I was busy before, given the situation at home, and it’s only in recent days that I have managed to regain some composure. I’m thinking of planting those two acres so that next year, whatever the situation may be, there will be some harvest."

"Father, I haven’t farmed before, so I ask for your guidance."

This statement was true for the original person; the family’s situation was actually decent. Had it not been for natural disasters and wartime troubles, the many brothers in the family, and the abundant land, she wouldn’t have had to work the fields.

Moreover, because her uncle worked as an accountant in town, the original person could recognize many characters.

As for herself, fighting zombies was fine, but farming was out of the question.

Old Liu didn’t expect her to not know how to farm but didn’t say anything since he was burdened by the issue of his third son. Seeing Qin Yao’s indifferent attitude, he was somewhat angry.

He winked at Mrs. Zhang, signaling her to bring out the wheat seeds.

Fortunately, they had distributed more seeds earlier, leaving some after planting the family’s fields; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to give any to Qin Yao.

The folks living in the Liu Family’s old house also weren’t living well, with patched-up clothes and eating coarse rice.

This old house was barely better than Qin Yao’s dilapidated straw cottage, with a few more rooms and an extra surrounding wall.

The family fathers and sons worked hard from year’s beginning to year’s end, barely sustaining the nine people in the family.

Let alone Liu Ji who was reckless; the little silver coin saved was mostly used to clean up his mess.

He is ultimately their biological son; when truly life-or-death situations arise, how could a father harden his heart and ignore them?

Mrs. Zhang handed the jar containing the wheat seeds to Qin Yao, instructing her on how deep to dig the soil, how to sow the wheat, and being careful when covering the soil—not too deep, not too shallow, or it might wash away in the rain.

Qin Yao memorized these details, confidently thinking it didn’t sound difficult and she should be able to manage the next day.

Qin Yao took out five copper coins, "I’ve never purchased wheat seeds before, so I’m not sure if this is enough."

Mrs. Zhang’s eyes widened as if she was seeing a ghost; when Qin Yao mentioned buying wheat seeds upon entering, she thought it was only a polite gesture. Considering the third son’s behavior, expecting them not to demand money would have been optimistic.

However, it now appeared that the third son and his wife were genuinely unlike a family.

Qin Yao noticed Mrs. Zhang’s astonishment but didn’t dwell on whether the money sufficed. She placed it in her hand and, gathering the wheat seeds, called Da Lang and Second Lang brothers who were staring eagerly at the others eating, swallowing hard, and had them say goodbye to their grandparents before turning to leave.

After walking several steps, Liu Bai and Liu Zhong brothers suddenly chased after her.

Qin Yao watched them warily; were they coming to ask for the straw back?

"Regarding the straw, once these days pass, I’ll return it." Realizing she was at fault in this matter, Qin Yao explained proactively.

Liu Bai and Liu Zhong were momentarily stunned, realizing her misunderstanding, shook their heads saying that matter should be left aside.

Qin Yao didn’t intend to leave it; every household was struggling, and even a few bundles of straw are crucial to farmers.

"I will return it," she said earnestly.

Liu Bai, seeing her determination, let her be; after all, he didn’t expect his straw to be returned.

From their waist pouches, Liu Bai and Liu Zhong each dug out a handful of copper coins, pooled them together, and handed them to Qin Yao.

"We don’t have much, but the third’s life is crucial; take this to redeem him. After that, everyone can think of another way." Liu Bai frowned as he spoke.

Liu Zhong added, "Mother mentioned Lin Erbao is involved with illegal mining; those who provoke him might not lose their lives but are thrown into mines to work off debts, so the third might be okay."

"This time, he’s learned a lesson; he’ll change his ways. This life still requires both of you to carry it forward. You alone as a woman..." How would life proceed?

The latter part of the sentence seemed inappropriate, and Liu Zhong didn’t continue.

Qin Yao raised her eyebrows, this Liu Ji, despite his mess, unbelievably still had family support.

Da Lang and Second Lang simultaneously looked at Qin Yao, hoping she would accept the money.

However, Qin Yao returned the money, "No need, this money isn’t enough to redeem anyone. Giving it away would be like filling a bottomless pit; you better keep it yourselves."

After saying this, she turned and walked toward home with increasingly colder glimmers in her eyes.

Da Lang and Second Lang hesitantly looked at their two uncles but buried their heads to chase after Qin Yao.

"Ah!" Liu Zhong helplessly chased a few steps but couldn’t catch up as the mother and her three children vanished into the night in no time, leaving him to stop and turn back helplessly to look at Liu Bai.

"Brother, this money?"

"Why wouldn’t she want it?" Liu Bai was puzzled.

The brothers returned home; they recounted to others how Qin Yao refused the money. Sister-in-law He and Second Sister-in-law Qiu secretly sighed in relief.

But the two elderly folks at home were livid.

Old Liu slammed the table in anger, "This one doesn’t intend to seriously live with the third!"

Being a woman herself, Mrs. Zhang somewhat understood Qin Yao’s perspective; without reforming, the third son was nothing but a bottomless pit.

"Let it be, let it be, we’ll think of another way." Mrs. Zhang soothed Old Liu’s back, sighed helplessly.

...

Suddenly at night, a strong wind arose.

The whistling of the wind sounded like a crying infant, extremely unsettling.

Qin Yao awakened from her sleep, opened her eyes to a dazzling starry sky.

The thatch on the roof had been blown away by the wind, leaving a large hole.

The wind continued to howl, with several slender beams on the roof swaying under its force.

Qin Yao heard the sound of the wall’s plaster crumbling and falling beside her; the whole house felt as if it might collapse at any moment.

Not good!

Could the house really be about to fall?

"Mother!"

From the adjacent room, Si Niang’s voice called out in panic.

Qin Yao hastily concealed her shock and quickly got out of bed to put on her shoes, fleeing outside.

"Da Lang, Second Lang, Sanlang, Si Niang, get out quickly!"

She rushed through the door; inside, four children held tightly onto each other on the bed, frantically watching the thatch overhead being blown away bit by bit, overwhelmed with panic.

Si Niang yelled in fright for her mother, while Da Lang forced a calm expression, hugging his siblings tightly.

Qin Yao’s heart tightened; they still didn’t realize they needed to run!

She dashed forward, swiftly lifting Sanlang and Si Niang, while shouting at Da Lang and Second Lang, "Get out quickly! The house is about to collapse!"

The four children jumped in fright, and Da Lang and Second Lang scrambled out of bed, too frantic to bother with shoes, barefooted they ran following Qin Yao outside.