Blessed Girl From a Farm Family: Surviving the Famine With Space - Chapter 5

“Who says my mind isn’t in the right state? Sister’s perfectly fine now. From now on, Big Sister will take care of you.” Fu Manman smiled and patted her two younger brothers on the head.

The two little boys looked pitiful yet adorable.

Fu Qiang shrank back, dodging her touch, his eyes darkening with a hint of detachment.

Was he afraid of her? Fu Manman wondered. She must have seemed terrifying when she used to lose her mind.

But now that she had been reborn into this body, she would take good care of these brothers.

Fu An stared at Fu Manman with wide eyes—curious yet fearful. His elder sister seemed normal now, but also… not quite. He couldn’t pinpoint what was different.

Whether she was normal or not, he would never abandon her. After all, she was his own blood.

“Sis, let me hold Little Maodan!” Fu An instinctively reached for the baby.

Before, his elder sister had never liked holding their youngest brother, always complaining he was a nuisance. So ever since the baby was born, Fu An had been the one taking care of him.

“It’s fine, I’ll carry him. You take this rice instead.” Fu Manman handed Fu An the cloth bag of rice she had been carrying on her shoulder.

Fu An’s eyes lit up at the sight of the rice, his sullen face breaking into an innocent smile.

“With this, we can make rice porridge for little brother!” He hugged the bag tightly, cherishing it.

Fu Qiang glanced at Fu Manman. When she had confronted the clan leader earlier, he had been lying injured on the ground but had caught glimpses of the scene.

The person he saw didn’t seem like the Fu Manman he knew. The real Fu Manman was genuinely insane—cold and harsh even in her lucid moments. She would never smile or say things like taking care of them.

She had always wanted to get rid of him and Fu An, calling them burdens and nuisances.

Only a fool like Fu An still clung to family ties, abandoning the clan to chase after Fu Manman.

If she hadn’t stolen his token, he would never have followed her.

He wished Fu Manman would just die already—saving him the trouble of doing it himself.

When they were fleeing enemy soldiers earlier, she had lost her mind again and nearly got Fu An killed. He had smashed a brick over her head, but it only knocked her out!

Fu Qiang stood silently, his young face grim as he plotted how to reclaim what was his from Fu Manman.

“Let’s go. The weather’s turning bad—looks like rain. We need to hurry and find shelter for the night.” Fu Manman gazed at the thick, heavy clouds looming overhead, a sense of unease settling in her heart.

The road ahead was uncertain. She had just scanned the area—no villages for miles around. Their only hope was to venture into the mountains and forests up ahead, praying to find a cave or at least some shelter from the wind and rain.

“Let’s head into the woods ahead,” Fu Manman decided, turning to her two brothers.

Fu An glanced at the dark, looming mountains and dense trees, his heart trembling. “I’ve heard adults say there are wild beasts in the forest—wolves that eat people. We shouldn’t go in there!”

“I’m not going!” Fu Qiang, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

Fu Manman was surprised. This little brother isn’t stupid after all! He even knows how to refuse! She felt a flicker of relief. At least one of them had some sense—if she had to take care of a baby and a fool, she’d be exhausted.

Since both brothers were against it, Fu Manman didn’t push. Fu An had a point—untamed forests were bound to have dangerous beasts. Unless absolutely necessary, it was better to avoid them. Even with her strength, she probably couldn’t fight off a pack of wolves.

Better to keep walking and see if we can find a rundown temple or something.

Isn’t that how it always works in TV dramas?

Without hesitation, Fu Manman stood still, randomly pointing in a direction, “Let’s go that way!”

Fu An, dragging their belongings, didn’t object.

Only Fu Qiang’s face darkened, his brows furrowing as he couldn’t hold back. “That’s west. We’d just be going back the way we came. We need to head south.”

So, Fu Manman really is still crazy.

“Oh! South?” Fu Manman was hopeless with directions—without landmarks, she couldn’t tell east from west. She gave an awkward laugh and followed Fu Qiang as he led the way south.

Fu Manman carried the baby while her brothers pulled their makeshift luggage—a few wooden poles lashed together, holding a tattered black cloth wrapped around a quilt and a chipped iron pot dangling from the frame. With every step, the pot clanked noisily.

After walking for what felt like forever, Fu Manman’s legs were weak with exhaustion, her arms numb. The child in her arms woke from sleep, probably hungry, and began to cry.

“I’m dead tired. Let’s find a spot to rest and get some food.” She stopped, scanning the surroundings before heading toward a large tree.

So hungry… Her stomach growled, sapping the last of her strength.

The two younger brothers followed without a word. Fu Qiang skillfully dug a pit to make a makeshift stove, while Fu An filled the pot with water and rice.

Watching their practiced movements, Fu Manman felt a surge of relief. These boys might not talk much, but they’re efficient and obedient. Not bad at all!

Finally, she had a moment to look at the baby in her arms.

What she saw shocked her.

Deprived of proper nourishment, the child was emaciated—nothing but skin and bones, his complexion sallow and sunken. He looked so frail, as if he might slip away at any moment.

This wasn’t the plump, rosy-cheeked image of a healthy infant she remembered from her past life.

The baby whimpered weakly, hunger gnawing at his tiny body.

Fu Manman’s heart ached. He’s too small, too fragile. How can he survive on nothing but rice water? No formula, no proper food…

The thought of this child dying tightened her chest. Her eyes stung, tears welling at the corners.

Having lived in peaceful, prosperous times before, she couldn’t bear such cruelty.

I promised to keep him alive… but was I just being naive?

“The rice porridge is ready!” Fu An approached with a small, chipped bowl, “I’ll feed Little Brother.”

This was routine for him—his elder sister had never bothered before.

“Let me do it.” Fu Manman took the bowl from him, frowning at the watery contents, “This is practically just water! There’s no nutrition in this!”

“What’s… nutrition?” Fu An blinked blankly.

“Never mind. Go eat. I’ll handle the baby.” Dissatisfied, she resolved to cook the porridge herself next time.

Fu An hesitated, glancing back repeatedly as he walked away.

Since when does Eldest Sister feed the baby? Back then, they’d been lucky if she didn’t steal his rice water for herself.

“Second Brother, Eldest Sister is feeding Little Maodan,” Fu An whispered, as if sharing some unbelievable gossip.

Fu Qiang’s eyes narrowed. Since when does that witch care about the baby? She’d usually be the first to slurp down his food.

Yet when he looked, there she was—cradling the child with unexpected gentleness, patiently coaxing him to drink.

“Second Brother, hurry and eat. I added an extra handful of rice today—there are actual grains in the broth!” Fu An handed him a bowl, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Fu Qiang frowned, then poured half his portion into Fu An’s bowl. “You eat more.”

Fu An’s eyes shone with gratitude. Second Brother really is the best.