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

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Why Do People Live?

After that fleeting glimpse, the carriage curtain fell, and the young man’s face could no longer be seen. The carriage receded further and further into the distance.

The Gu Family, for their part, finished hitching their mule cart and set out as well.

The number of refugees on the road was visibly greater than in the past few days, so everyone in the convoy steeled themselves and hurried onward.

At noon, Uncle Ma called for a stop to rest and eat their rations.

Gu Fei was gnawing on a steamed bun and sipping water when she saw Ms. Qian take out a coarse cornbread bun. She broke it in two, handed one half to Lian’er, and tucked the other into her robes.

Gu Fei frowned and couldn’t help but speak up. "First Aunt, you’re only giving Lian’er half a cornbread bun. How is that enough for her to eat? Besides, she has to walk while carrying Bao’er!"

Ms. Qian rolled her eyes. "It’s none of your damn business. Lian’er is a servant I bought. Even if I decide not to feed her at all, you can’t do a thing about it."

Mrs. Chen tugged on Gu Fei’s arm. "Let it go. It’s no use talking to her. There’s nothing you can do."

Just then, Bao’er walked over, chewing on an egg. SMACK! He knocked the cornbread bun out of Lian’er’s hand and stuck his tongue out at her. "Stupid girl! Crybaby! Nya nya nya—"

Lian’er had been crying quite a bit all morning, and Bao’er had noticed.

Gu Fei was furious. She picked up the half cornbread bun, handed it to Lian’er, and shot a vicious glare at Bao’er. "You rotten kid, how can you be so cruel? Even the Duke of Thunder doesn’t strike someone while they’re eating! If you ever dare do something like this again, I’ll have Sanlang beat you!"

Bao’er made a face and ran off.

Lian’er’s face was completely blank. She took the half cornbread bun and, without even brushing off the dirt, shoved it into her mouth.

Gu Fei quickly snatched it from her and dusted it off. She pulled Lian’er aside, handed the cornbread bun back to her, and also gave her half of her own steamed bun.

Lian’er held the steamed bun, staring dazedly at Gu Fei. "I know you’re kind, but you don’t have to worry about me. It doesn’t matter whether I eat or not. I don’t want to live anymore, anyway."

Gu Fei’s brow furrowed. "Don’t talk such nonsense. Look at everyone here. Is there a single person who isn’t struggling to survive?"

"Have you forgotten why your mother sold you?"

Lian’er lowered her head and said nothing.

Gu Fei continued, "Your mother sold you so that you could live. The people who beat your mother and brother to death for food... they were also just trying to live."

"You have food right now. How can you say something like that?"

"Do you want your mother to be unable to rest in peace?"

Lian’er looked up, forcing a smile that was more painful than a sob. "What’s the point of me living? My parents and my little brother are gone. I’m just a lonely ghost in this world."

"If you die too, then your parents and brother will be the ones who are truly lonely ghosts!" Gu Fei said, her voice laced with frustration.

"As long as you’re alive, you can burn spirit money for them during the Ghost Festival. If you die, your family will be in the underworld with no one left to burn money for them. They’ll be poor even in the afterlife. Think about it, doesn’t that make sense?"

Lian’er slowly blinked. "You’re right," she said suddenly. "I have to burn spirit money for them. And paper houses for them to live in. Then their lives in the underworld will be better."

Gu Fei smiled. "That’s the spirit. As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. Now hurry and eat. We need to get back on the road."

Lian’er quickly stuffed the steamed bun into her mouth. Once a person has a reason to live, they will find a way to keep on living.

She knew that if Ms. Qian saw this white-flour bun, it would surely be snatched away!

Ms. Qian had already seen it.

However, with Gu Fei right there, she couldn’t very well go over and grab it.

’Since that girl Gu Fei is willing to feed Lian’er for me, that’s perfect. I won’t even have to give her that half a cornbread bun anymore.’