Although everyone ate their fill and slept soundly, the road ahead was not easy. When they encountered deep mountains and forests, the more difficult it was to travel, the more difficult it was to walk, even if a path was cleared ahead.
In such harsh conditions, elderly people with poor health fell ill one after another, including Zhao Lishi.
Having raised two sons in her youth, Zhao Lishi already suffered from numerous health problems. Now, in her old age, these ailments have multiplied. Coupled with her poor eating and sleeping habits under such difficult circumstances, she finally succumbed to illness in the cold winter.
Dahe carried Zhao Lishi on his back. Li Rouniang was also anxious, but her spatial water could only enhance people's physical condition. She secretly gave Zhao Lishi a lot to drink, but in the end, she couldn't hold on any longer.
"Mother, it's alright, let's hang in there a little longer. We'll be down the mountain soon. Just hang in there a little longer, and I'll find you a doctor after we get down." Dahe had said these words countless times these past few days.
Everyone knew in their hearts that even if they came down from the mountain, it would be extremely difficult for these displaced people to see a doctor!
This is the tragedy of old age. There's nothing one can do to change things.
Old Man Mo also sighed. Everyone could see that Zhao Li Shi probably wouldn't be able to hold on today.
"Grandma Li, here's an egg for you. It'll make you feel better." Erni held a bird egg in her hand and handed it to Zhao Li.
These were bird eggs she secretly climbed the tree to steal while resting, without Li Rou Niang's knowledge. She and Zhao Xiao Pang each took one; she originally intended to give them to her mother.
But Grandma Li was usually very kind to her, and now that Grandma Li was like this, she wanted to give the bird eggs to Grandma Li to eat.
Zhao Li patted Erni's head and said, "Erni, be good. Grandma won't eat anymore. You can keep it for yourself and grow up well."
"Mother, you'll be alright, Mother," Dahe said, choking back tears.
“Silly children, people always have to leave when they get old. You should be prepared for that. My only regret is that I left you two behind, without seeing you get married or holding your grandchildren,” Zhao Lishi grumbled.
Zhao Dahe already had a prospective spouse and was planning to find a matchmaker after the New Year, but this unexpected incident occurred.
"I'm afraid I won't make it today. From now on, you two brothers must take care of each other and make sure you get out of this deep mountain and live a good life. Your father and I will be watching over you from the afterlife."
Zhao Li continued speaking.
The two brothers knelt beside her, wiping away tears.
Li Rouniang, Xiuer, and the others also shed tears.
Zhao Youtian was summoned by Old Man Mo. Seeing Zhao Lishi in this state, he felt terrible. Several elderly people had passed away recently. He felt truly ashamed of himself!
They should have been enjoying a peaceful old age, but instead they suffered such a terrible ordeal.
This damn world!
“Aunt Zhao.” Zhao Youtian stepped forward.
"Clan chief, you've come. I'm afraid I won't make it today. My two good-for-nothing children, please take care of them. Make sure they live. Come, let's get out!" Zhao Lishi said, her hand trembling as she reached out and grasped Zhao Youtian's.
"Aunt Zhao, don't worry. I swear I will lead our people out of this mountain and live a good life there. We will rebuild our Zhao family village in a new place."
"Good, you're a capable child, I believe in you." Zhao Li nodded, then looked at Li Rou Niang and said, "Rou Niang!"
Li Rouniang quickly stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Lishi's hand: "Auntie, I'm here."
"Auntie, there's something I need to ask you. My two silly boys are sometimes impulsive and not very bright. They're prone to making foolish mistakes. I'm leaving soon and won't be able to look after them anymore. Could you please keep an eye on them for me?"
Li Rouniang was somewhat confused, but Zhao Lishi understood perfectly. Through their interactions and intermittent conversations over the past few days, she had a general idea of Li Rouniang's situation, judging from how Li Rouniang treated Old Man Mo and how she cared for Xiaoshan.
Even if Mo Bei doesn't come back, she will continue to take care of Old Man Mo and Xiao Shan, which shows that she is a person of great loyalty and affection.
She was now somewhat worried about Dahe and Erhe. She wanted to entrust them to a reliable person. Zhao Youtian was a reliable person, but as the clan leader, he had too many things to do, so he was sometimes too busy to take care of them. Therefore, she thought of asking Li Rouniang to help look after them.
"If you don't mind, let Dahe and Erhe make you their god-sister today, what do you say?"
This was a blatant way of entrusting the Great River and the Second River to Li Rouniang.
Li Rouniang actually had a younger brother, her half-brother. He looked down on her from a young age and started bullying her as she grew older, lying to her and causing her a lot of suffering. Therefore, she didn't have a good impression of her brother.
However, after spending these days together, she could see that Dahe and Erhe were both very filial people.
As a mother herself, she understood that Zhao Li was simply worried about her two children and wanted more connections and support to give them something to rely on.
She understood that if that day ever came, she would naturally want to entrust her eldest daughter, second daughter, third daughter, and even Xiaoshan to a reliable person.
With tears in her eyes, she nodded: "Auntie, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of them and help them find wives in the future!"
Li Rouniang couldn't continue speaking, moved by her motherly love and reluctant to part with Zhao Lu Li Shi.
Zhao Lishi is truly a very gentle and considerate person, and we have developed some affection for each other during this time together.
"Dahe and Erhe, quickly acknowledge your elder sister in front of me," Zhao Li said. Even if Dahe and Erhe had other thoughts in their hearts, they would not refute at this moment, and hurriedly called out to Li Rouniang, "Elder sister, from now on you are our own sister."
Li Rouniang nodded in acknowledgment.
With tears in her eyes, Zhao Li rummaged through her bosom again and again, finally pulling out a tattered handkerchief. She opened it, revealing a pile of silver earrings inside.
She handed it to Li Rouniang: "Good child, here, take this as a token of my gratitude."
Li Rouniang initially wanted to refuse, but Zhao Lishi was already at her limit, so she readily accepted: "Okay, Auntie, don't worry, I'll take the things. I'll also make sure to take good care of the person."
Zhao Li smiled, took Dahe and Erhe's hands, and earnestly instructed them, "Eat well, dress warmly. Be obedient, and live well!"
In the end, she couldn't say anything more, still tightly clutching her two sons, and that's how she passed away!
Li Rouniang helped bury Zhao Lishi. In this war-torn world, how many Zhao Lishi are there?
That evening, Li Rouniang helped organize Dahe and Erhe's belongings, putting them all together in one place, and had them squeeze into the tent together. The two boys were in low spirits.
Zhao Dahua is also suffering. Many elderly people have died, but Zhao Hulu is still as stubborn as a demon. It's really annoying!
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