c8 - Are Women a Burden on the Escape from Famine? Give Them to Me

Chapter 8: Are You Crazy? Despite the chill that seeped through his thin clothes, Lu Wei lay quietly in his nest, understanding the need to be silent. The night was calm, disturbed only by an occasional bird call, punctuating the eerie stillness. Having spent countless days camping out with little food, Lu Wei was well-versed in conserving energy to avoid hunger pangs. Even though he had a gnawing pain in his stomach, he took out the half-pound of rice from his limited supplies, intent on receiving a reward. This was no time for wasting resources. Each grain of rice was precious and crucial for survival. The dark night wrapped around them, the only disturbance a bird's cry now and then. Otherwise, the surroundings maintained an unnerving silence. Lu Wei and his sister, Lu Xiaoxiao, were making do with what little they had near their makeshift shelter. Hunger was a constant companion, a persistent pressure that was hard to ignore, but one grew accustomed to it. With his back to the snow-laden ground, contentment eluded him. He felt numb and exhausted, hoping vainly for the relief of sleep, yet warily keeping death at bay. The system's countdown loomed in his mind—each tick a reminder of their precarious situation. The half-pound of precious rice was carefully placed in his sister's hands. "Xiaoxiao, here’s half a pound of rice. Your brother wants you to have it." Surprised and confused, Lu Xiaoxiao blinked at her brother, struggling to grasp what was happening, torn between awake confusion and lingering dream-like stupor. Lu Wei, urging insistence seeping into his voice, demanded: "Why are you standing there in a daze? Hurry up and cook us a meal." Despite her initial confusion, Lu Xiaoxiao recognized the sincerity in her brother's eyes and began to prepare a meal. Just when she was about to cook the rice, her brother took it back. "No, you lie down. Let me make some porridge," he instructed, the rice safely returned to the tent. Her mind drifting, Lu Xiaoxiao watched her brother's retreating figure, thoughts running askew as she muttered under her breath, "Is he crazy?" The system notified: "Host has gifted Lu Xiaoxiao with half a pound of rice soaked in Soul-Disturbing Herb Juice, triggering a double reward. Gained one pound of rice and half a pint of herb juice." Stunned by the unexpected boon, Lu Wei felt a cold shiver down his spine, reluctant to trust in luck alone. The herb juice, another tool desperately needed for their survival, was not only a potent sedative but a strategic advantage. Widely employed in hunting and fishing—and sometimes more nefarious exploits—Soul-Disturbing Herb's efficacy made it invaluable, able to incapacitate wild boars and similar beasts with ease. He contemplated the half-pound of rice mingled with this powerful substance, assured its effects would cause Lu Xiaoxiao to sleep deeply through the freezing night without waking. Even as his mind raced through contingencies, he sensed the lurking danger in these seemingly benevolent circumstances. Should he hand over the rice without hesitation, his motives might raise suspicion. They needed to move cautiously, as the slightest flaw could turn a benevolent gesture into an empty promise. Typically, Lu Wei wouldn't sacrifice several days’ worth of rations for half a pound of grains unless he had a deeper aim or larger gain in mind, like winning the favor of powerfully beneficial alliances. Yet, still anxious, he chose to see the possibility otherwise—allies more valuable than gold, a route to guaranteed prospects. Despite the system’s unexpected largesse, he decided against prematurely splurging resources. The hardship had trained him to ration prudently, aiming not just to survive but to build a stable, self-reliant community. Pinned precariously between tough decisions, Lu Wei resolved to prepare a modest porridge, using the system-enhanced resources wisely. While cooking, thoughtful in his movements, he carefully placed a stash of rice, mixed with the herb juice, hidden among the woods in anticipation of a future needing become aligned sharply with survival instincts. Once his preparations were completed, Lu Wei settled down by the fire, savoring the aroma of cooking porridge. Nearby, whispers drifted from the snow-covered shadows—nameless figures with sharp eyes and sharper intentions waiting beyond the reach of his sanctuary. Unmoved by their intent, he flicked a wary glance toward their hiding place, knowing too well the unpredictable mix of both friend and foe could pivot in an instant. Meanwhile, Lu Xiaoxiao marveled at the golden surface of the porridge, gleaming softly under the faint shadows, anticipation bright in her eyes as she impatiently awaited its completion. Weeks of rationing had ingrained measures of frugality that could now be momentarily eschewed in favor of fleeting indulgence, leaving a rare, heady sense of warmth and fulfillment as the porridge steamed richly. Both secure in their tent, the siblings indulged cautiously, attempting to preserve some for the coming morning despite the harsh cold biting relentlessly outside. Lulled by warmth, Lu Xiaoxiao drifted into a restful sleep after an indulgently unfilling supper, reassured by her brother’s calm and yet mysteriously resolved demeanor. While Lu Wei's hungry mind spun persistently over course corrections and precautionary measures, he found solace in the respite of familiar presence, his senses attuned to potential threats lurking in shadows. Outside, wary eyes remained trained on the tent. As conspiratorial murmurs hushed a winded hush, the tense exchange between shadows echoed softly over the snow where dark plots and perilous gambles played their familiar, finite game. Biding his time, Lu Wei hardened his resolve, ensuring preparedness to shield against any lurking threat in the unforgiving arena where survival played its merciless hands.