Farming Family's Pocket Dimension: A Charmed Little Lady Comes to Farm

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Uncle Ma

Gu Zhang hurried forward to greet Uncle Ma. The two chatted for a bit, then Gu Zhang raised his voice and announced to the crowd, "This is Uncle Ma, the guide I’ve hired. He will be accompanying us on our journey south."

"Uncle Ma was a professional escort when he was younger, so he’s very experienced. Everyone must follow Uncle Ma’s commands on the road. When he says walk, we walk. When he says stop, we stop. When he says eat, we eat. When he says sleep, we sleep."

"I’ll say this upfront. Even though we are all friends and relatives here, if anyone disobeys orders, they can go on their own. Don’t drag everyone else down."

The village chief was the first to show his support. "Of course. With this many people, you need someone in charge. Otherwise, if one person wants to go east and another wants to go west, we’ll never get anywhere."

Boss Zhang also said, "Second Brother Gu, that goes without saying. If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have left my home to follow you."

Shanzimama said even louder, "Second Brother Gu, don’t you worry. The two of us won’t hold you back."

Needless to say, the rest were family.

Gu Zhang nodded. "Alright then. Everyone, have a drink of water if you need it. We’re setting out now."

Gu Fei found a waterskin on Gu Sanlang’s cart. It contained water that Gu Sanlang had spent silver on in the city. They had boiled it last night and filled all ten or so of their waterskins.

Gu Fei tied a loop of red thread around the cap of the waterskin before taking a few sips.

Uncle Ma glanced over. ’Is there some special meaning to marking the waterskin?’

’Or is it just to tell it apart from the others?’

After finishing her drink, Gu Fei put the waterskin back on the cart and called out to Gu Sanlang, "Third Brother, my waterskin is the one with the red thread. Don’t let anyone else drink from it."

The group rested briefly by the city gate, then passed through it and onto the main road.

They hadn’t gone far down the road when Ms. Qian called to Xing’er, "Carry your little brother. He refuses to walk anymore."

Xing’er didn’t say a word. She bent down and hoisted Bao’er onto her back. Xing’er was small and thin, while Bao’er, having always eaten well at home, was sturdier than most children. As he lay on her back, the weight bent the little girl’s back.

After more than a quarter of an hour, Bao’er still hadn’t gotten down. Gu Fei, walking behind them, saw Xing’er’s calves trembling with every step.

Gu Fei frowned and caught up to them in a few steps. "Bao’er, get down and walk on your own. Look, even Hu Zi is walking by himself!"

Bao’er rolled his eyes. "No! I want my sister to carry me."

Xing’er glanced back at Gu Fei with a complicated expression, then hitched Bao’er higher up on her back with both hands.

Gu Fei glared at Xing’er. "Are you stupid? You can barely walk yourself, and you’re still carrying him!"

Xing’er pressed her lips together and said in a small voice, "My mother told me to carry him. What choice do I have?"

An idea sparked in Gu Fei’s mind. She called out to the front, "Hu Zi, come here."

Hu Zi shook free of his mother’s hand and came scampering over.

Gu Fei took out a piece of candy. "Hu Zi is such a good boy for walking all by himself. Big Sis will reward you with a piece of candy."

Hu Zi was overjoyed. "Big Sis, if I walk by myself every day, will you give me candy every day?"

Gu Fei patted Hu Zi’s head. "Sure. As long as you’re a good boy, Big Sis will give you candy every day."

Just then, Bao’er slid off Xing’er’s back and stared intently at Gu Fei. "I want candy too!"

Gu Fei popped the candy in her hand into Hu Zi’s mouth. "The candy Hu Zi is eating is his reward for walking by himself. You didn’t walk, so you don’t get any."

Bao’er shouted angrily, "Fine, I’ll walk by myself! Now give me some candy!"

Gu Fei’s face hardened. "You have to walk first. When Uncle Ma tells us to rest later, I’ll give you a piece of candy."