Blessed Girl From a Farm Family: Surviving the Famine With Space - Chapter 17

Fu Qiang was in the same state—hunger had dulled his mind, leaving only a ravenous craving screaming inside his head.

“The rice soup is ready. Let’s have noodles next,” Fu Manman said, swallowing hard. She was hungry too. She hadn’t eaten anything in the morning, and by now, she had no idea what time it was.

The rice soup was finely simmered, so clear it could reflect a person’s shadow. Fu Manman poured a bowl and set it aside.

Fu An added rainwater to the iron pot and placed it over the fire, looking at Fu Manman with eager anticipation.

“Wait for the water to boil before adding the noodles,” Fu Manman instructed, handing the noodle cake to Fu An. She then took the bowl of rice soup to feed Little Maodan.

While she tended to the youngest, her two brothers hovered around the iron pot, waiting for the water to boil. They must have been starving to be so impatient.

When they weren’t paying attention, Fu Manman scooped half a spoonful of powdered milk into the bowl. Half a spoon was enough. After preparing it, she wrapped everything up in a piece of black cloth—likely a patched garment from an elder, which made for a decent bundle.

The baby seemed to sense that someone was bringing him something good to eat. He opened his eyes early and, upon hearing someone approach, immediately let out a wail.

“So impatient, you little glutton!” Fu Manman chuckled, picking up the baby. She fed him the rice soup with a small wooden spoon. The moment the baby tasted the milk, he stopped crying and eagerly gulped down the soup. He finished the entire bowl but still seemed unsatisfied, staring wide-eyed at Fu Manman.

At this age, the baby couldn’t see clearly yet, but he could make out a blurry figure. He knew this was the person who fed him.

“Still want more? Sorry, there isn’t any left,” Fu Manman whispered regretfully.

The baby suddenly yawned, his face scrunching up into a comical expression before he settled peacefully in Fu Manman’s arms and fell asleep. His adorable demeanor filled her with both heartache and joy.

“Sleep well, little one,” Fu Manman murmured, placing the baby back on the pile of leaves before going to check on her brothers’ progress with the noodles.

She still had two packets of seasoning left. Perhaps she’d save them for another day—they might come in handy later.

In the iron pot, the noodles danced in the boiling water, filling the cave with a familiar yet foreign aroma. Fu An and Fu Qiang inhaled deeply, reluctant to let even a whiff of the fragrance escape.

The noodles were now perfectly cooked, golden and glossy, swirling enticingly in the pot. Fu Qiang and Fu An stared at them with wide, hungry eyes, their stomachs growling fiercely.

“What kind of noodles are these? They look strange,” Fu Qiang wondered aloud. Was this what the wealthy folks in the city ate? It didn’t seem like it.

“The noodles are ready. Any longer, and they’ll turn mushy,” Fu Manman directed, urging Fu An to take the pot off the fire. Fu An carefully lifted the pot, treating it as though it held their lifeline—precious and not to be spilled.

The damp, gloomy cave felt warmer and cozier with the pot of steaming noodles inside, a stark contrast to the howling wind and relentless rain outside.

Fu Manman noticed how Fu An and Fu Qiang, despite their obvious craving, didn’t selfishly dig in or try to hoard the food. They also didn’t rummage through her belongings. She grew fonder of these well-behaved brothers.

She divided the noodles into three bowls, giving the two fullest portions to her brothers. “Eat up!” she urged.

Fu An eagerly picked up his bowl, but before he could take a bite, Fu Qiang stopped him. “Don’t eat it. We don’t even know if it’s safe.” The noodles looked too unusual, and the aroma was too enticing. Why would Fu Manman suddenly be so generous? She usually filled her own stomach first before sparing them scraps. Something felt off.

Fu An pushed Fu Qiang’s hand away. “Even if it’s poisoned, I’d rather die full than starve.” He took a large mouthful, and his eyes lit up instantly.

“Wow… Sis, these noodles are amazing! The best thing I’ve ever eaten!” Fu An shoveled noodles into his mouth, nearly moved to tears. After so long on the run, this was the first time he’d tasted something so delicious, and in such a generous portion. Today, he would eat his fill.

“Brother, hurry up and eat! They’re so good!” Fu An mumbled through a full mouth.

Fu Qiang swallowed hard, but suspicion gnawed at him. Why would Fu Manman suddenly be so kind? Was she planning to beat him later? “Brother, these noodles are seriously delicious. You have to try them!” Fu An insisted between bites.

Fu Manman didn’t understand Fu Qiang’s hesitation. She thought he might be too scared to try something new. “Don’t worry, they’re really good. You won’t regret it. Besides, if you don’t eat, how will you keep going on the road?” she said sincerely.

Her earnest tone confused Fu Qiang. Was she pretending to be kind? But the aroma was irresistible. Hunger eventually overpowered his doubts, and he buried his face in the bowl, eating voraciously. The first bite astonished him—it was incredibly delicious! Soft yet chewy, with a perfect texture, far superior to ordinary noodles, even better than meat.

Unlike Fu An, who exclaimed loudly, Fu Qiang ate quietly but just as eagerly.

Watching her brothers enjoy the meal filled Fu Manman with satisfaction. She ate her own portion slowly. Having had two large packs of noodles the night before, she wasn’t too hungry. After a few bites, she noticed Fu An had finished his bowl and was eyeing Fu Qiang’s enviously. Fu Qiang, too absorbed in eating, didn’t notice.

Fu Manman scooped a large portion from her bowl into Fu An’s. “Here, I’m not hungry.” She then gave another portion to Fu Qiang. The boys were at an age where they needed to grow, but years of hunger had left them thin and sallow, their cheeks hollowed out.

Both Fu Qiang and Fu An were stunned. They never expected their elder sister to willingly share her food. Fu An’s eyes reddened. He had always thought of her as selfish, crazy, and cruel—especially after she sold their younger sister. But now, she was giving him her noodles. Such delicious noodles, and she was sharing them with him. Maybe she wasn’t so bad after all.

“Sis, I’m full. You eat it,” Fu An said, pushing the bowl back toward her.

Fu Qiang stared at the noodles in his bowl, puzzled. Based on Fu Manman’s past behavior, it made no sense for her to share food so selflessly. It was just too strange.