Blessed Girl From a Farm Family: Surviving the Famine With Space - Chapter 25

Lu Hua turned away fearfully, pulling her children close to shield them from the sight.

Her two boys peeked anyway, their faces alight with excitement.

Fu An squinted, his teeth clenched in terror.

…

“Go! I’ll spare your life.” Just as Fu Manman was about to bring the knife down, she noticed the tiger was a mother—it still had milk. That meant it had cubs!

Without their mother’s care and protection, the young tiger cubs would quickly perish.

The tiger, realizing it had been spared, seemed stunned. It struggled to its feet, then turned and fled into the forest. But as soon as it entered the woods, it encountered a pack of wolves.

Fu Manman hurled her knife, striking down the lead wolf. The rest of the pack scattered upon seeing their leader fall.

The mother tiger glanced back at Fu Manman before disappearing into the trees.

“Why didn’t you kill it?” Fu Qiang watched the tiger escape, frustration boiling over. He glared at Fu Manman. Just moments ago, she’d been talking about survival of the fittest!

He never expected her to be so soft-hearted.
“Letting a tiger go free—aren’t you afraid it’ll come back for revenge?” Fu Qiang’s voice was sharp with anger.

“That’s a mother tiger! Heaven values life. A nursing mother should not be killed.” Fu Manman’s reply was brief; she saw no need to explain further.

“But it’s just a beast!”

“It’s still a mother.” Fu Manman had her principles.

If that mother tiger ever came seeking revenge, she wouldn’t hesitate to show no mercy.

Fu Qiang stared at Fu Manman, unable to believe his ears.

Was this still the same ugly girl he knew? She spoke with reason now and even had compassion.

The others, hearing that Fu Manman had spared the tiger because it was a mother, didn’t fully understand why—but they supported her unconditionally.

At this moment, Fu Manman was the center of everyone’s attention. Whatever she said, they would follow.

Especially Chang Zhong. He was in awe of this young girl—so capable, yet so kind.

Fu Manman walked into the woods and dragged out the wolf she had killed with her knife.

“Does anyone know how to skin a wolf?” she asked.

“I do. This kind of rough work—I’ll handle it.” Chang Zhong raised his hand.

Lu Hua tugged at his sleeve, scolding him for trying to take what wasn’t his. “That’s the girl’s prey! What do you think you’re doing?”

Chang Zhong quickly realized his mistake and waved his hands. “I’m just helping. I won’t take any of the meat.”

In these times, having meat to eat was a rare luxury!

But he wouldn’t take what didn’t belong to him.

Fu Manman watched the couple, appreciating their principles. She had intended to share with everyone from the start.

“Uncle, Auntie, there’s too much wolf meat for us to eat alone. Let’s share it!”

Lu Hua’s face lit up with joy. “Miss, you’re willing to share with us?”

“Yes! We’ve been through hardship together. You helped us earlier—we should share the meat.” Fu Manman spoke generously.

Tears of happiness welled in Lu Hua’s eyes. She turned to her three skinny children. “Kneel down and thank this big sister!”

The three children dropped to their knees in unison, thanking Fu Manman in their tiny voices.

Fu Manman hurriedly helped them up. “No need for thanks. Later, your mother will cook the meat for you.”

“Yay! We get to eat meat!” These children had never tasted meat in their lives! But they’d heard others say it was delicious—much better than tree bark.

The children danced with joy.

“Sis! I want to eat meat too!” Fu An crept up to Fu Manman, swallowing hard.

“If you want to eat, go help out.” Fu Manman patted his little head.

What a little foodie.

With Chang Zhong and Lu Hua—two adults—handling the work, the wolf was skinned, and the meat was divided efficiently.

Fu Manman found a clean spot to sit, cradling Little Maodan and playing with him.

The three Chang children gathered around, each one like a little bean sprout—big heads on small bodies, but all innocent and adorable.

“This baby is so tiny. He’s so cute,” San Ya said in a sweet, milky voice.

The little girl’s face was pale, her lips lacking color, but her pure smile was truly infectious.

Fu Manman patted San Ya’s head. “You’re very cute too.”

San Ya’s two older brothers, seeing Fu Manman touch their sister, eagerly crowded around, stretching out their heads, hoping for a pat too.

They thought this big sister was amazing, and they really liked her.

“Sister, pat me,” one little turnip-head said, pointing to his own head.

Fu Manman reached out and ruffled his hair. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Chang Zuo. I’m six years old.”

“I’m Chang You. I’m also six.”

“Sister, I’m Chang Dong’er. I’m four.”

The three children introduced themselves one by one.

What a bunch of adorable kids.

“Miss, I’m Lu Hua. This is my man, Chang Zhong,” Lu Hua said, looking up from her work to introduce herself.

Fu Manman also introduced herself. “I’m Fu Manman.”

“That’s a good name. Miss Manman, you look like someone blessed with good fortune,” Lu Hua said with a warm smile.

Just then, Fu An, hearing everyone introduce themselves, didn’t want to be left out. He quickly said, “I’m Fu An. Fu Manman is my sister.”

After saying it, he felt inexplicably proud.

“Second Brother, say something!” Only Fu Qiang hadn’t introduced himself yet.

Fu Qiang kept his head down, focused on cutting the meat. “Fu Qiang” wasn’t his real name—if he revealed his true name, these people would probably be terrified.

“I’m Fu Qiang,” he said flatly, without any emotion.

With everyone introduced, the atmosphere grew even more harmonious!

Soon, the skin and meat were separated. Chang Zhong brought the intact wolf pelt and four plump wolf legs to Fu Manman. “Miss Manman, these are for you.”

“Why are you giving us all the legs? Take two for yourselves!”

She noticed Aunt Lu Hua had only taken some meatless ribs and offal.

There wasn’t much meat on those—most of the meat was here with her.

“No need. We got plenty of bones, plus the heart and liver. That’s enough to last us several days!” Chang Zhong said, looking entirely satisfied.

“Yeah, Miss Manman, we never dreamed we’d ever get to eat wolf meat!” Lu Hua’s face blossomed into a smile.

Her children had never tasted meat since birth. She herself had only eaten a chicken leg on her wedding day when she married Old Chang, and she still remembered the flavor to this day.

This couple was so genuine and kind!

Fu Manman picked up two wolf legs and placed them on the dry grass in front of Aunt Lu Hua. “Take them. Make something good for the kids.”

Lu Hua and Chang Zhong were overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking her profusely.

With the wolf meat divided, it was time to leave. The strong scent of blood would soon attract packs of wild beasts.

Chang Zhong was keen on traveling together with the Fu siblings for mutual support.

But Fu Manman had secrets she needed to protect and worried about them being discovered, so she declined. She preferred to continue alone with her brothers.

Children were easy to fool—adults, not so much.