Gu An'an frowned, looking at the child who was completely terrified.
"You got scared, didn't you? But we still have a use for this snake; we can't let you step on it for fun."
Maybe we can use it as an extra meal; let's not let the little brat throw a tantrum and stomp on the snake's head.
Seeing the bloodstains on the pale-faced boy, Gu An'an reached out and gently wiped his face with her sleeve before softly saying, "Let's go."
Jiang Mingyi subconsciously looked at Gu An'an's sleeve, his cheeks, which had just been wiped, felt a burning sensation.
He should have dodged it.
Avoid that snake, and that woman's fake kindness!
Gu An'an had no idea that the young man was thinking a multitude of thoughts.
She decisively broke off the snake's teeth, tore off a corner of her clothes to wrap it up, and then threw the snake, cut in two, into the bamboo basket.
Jiang Mingyi couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, seeing how nimble her movements were.
Before I knew it, the woman turned around and said with a smile, "Watch where you're going."
It wasn't that Gu An'an was making a fuss, but snakes should be hibernating in this weather, so why were they coming out to scare people?
Are you hungry?
Thinking about the tiger that had suddenly appeared, Gu An'an felt that she should be careful.
If she hadn't known that she had transmigrated into a Mary Sue novel with a strong female lead, she would have really thought she had entered a cultivation world.
Jiang Mingyi was reminded again and felt a little embarrassed. The thin boy looked at the person walking in front of him and after a while, he let out a muffled sound from his nose.
The mountain was much more desolate in early winter, with fallen leaves and withered branches everywhere.
Gu An'an carefully dug around the ground with her entrenching tool, and looked at the cave that was already covered with cobwebs, feeling somewhat annoyed.
A cunning rabbit has three burrows, and this is clearly an abandoned rabbit hole.
Seeing the disappointed look on his face, Jiang Mingyi hesitated for a moment, "I know a place on the back mountain where we can probably find some food."
Gu An'an's eyes lit up immediately, "Where?"
This strong reaction made Jiang Mingyi look a little awkward. He subconsciously touched his nose. "Come with me."
This little action is a bit too obvious.
Anyone with a little psychology knowledge would know this child is lying. Gu An'an wasn't in a hurry to expose him, and slowly followed behind Jiang Mingyi. "People need food to survive, and you know what the situation is at home. I'm worried that if something happens to me, who will protect Zhu'er and Bao'er if there are no adults at home? You didn't see it today, how your aunt and uncle were eyeing her so covetously, wishing they could snatch her away."
Jiang Mingyi, who was walking ahead, paused slightly upon hearing this. He could tell that this woman was threatening him—don't try anything funny with me, or you'll have even less to rely on without me.
Looking around, all one could see was the desolation of early winter. The boy leading the way suddenly stopped. "I saw Uncle Zhao go to the back mountain a couple of days ago. I guess he found us. We'd better not make a wasted trip."
Gu An'an breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, knowing that the child's change of mind was essentially for the sake of his younger siblings.
But at least they changed their minds, right?
Being a stepmother is tough.
Gu An'an felt relieved, but her face remained serious. "Think it through before you tell me next time. Isn't it a waste of your time to make a wasted trip?"
She had a fierce look on her face, but Jiang Mingyi accepted it well—after all, he was already used to it.
They had just reached a fork in the road. Gu An'an looked around and decided to continue up the mountain. "Let's take the middle one," she said.
As soon as she finished speaking, a tiger's roar suddenly rang out, echoing through the mountains and forests, and Gu An'an's hand trembled.
My steps feel unsteady when I walk.
"Don't be afraid. Actually, that tiger is about the same size as you; it's just a little cub."
The words of comfort took on a different meaning in Jiang Mingyi's ears, and his expression became slightly unnatural. "Who's like it?"
Not wanting to be compared to a tiger, Jiang Mingyi quickened his pace. Although he only had a sweet potato to fill his stomach, his stamina was excellent, and he managed to leave Gu An'an far behind.
Doesn't this look just like a little tiger? Just as proud and aloof!
Gu An'an muttered something to herself, picked up her entrenching tool and chased after Jiang Mingyi. She had only taken a couple of steps when suddenly an arm reached out from the roadside bushes and grabbed her ankle.
Gu An'an lost her balance and immediately fell to the ground.
Fortunately, the ground was soft, so she didn't get hurt.
Jiang Mingyi was a little confused when he heard the commotion. Remembering that he couldn't live without his stepmother for the time being, he quickly ran over.
When he came over and saw what was happening, he panicked, "You killed someone?"
Gu An'an: "..." Young man, if you can't speak properly, then shut up. How did it become that I killed someone?
He was already lying here, okay?
"Am I a serial killer?" Gu An'an glared at the person lying in the grass. The person's face was bluish-purple, but the lips were an extremely dark color, looking more like... than frostbite.
Gu An'an picked up the entrenching tool and made a cut on the man's wrist.
The blood was black and had a foul, fishy smell.
"You were bitten by a poisonous snake."
She examined it carefully and saw tiny teeth marks on her calves.
"Why are there still poisonous snakes in the village?"
Gu An'an thought about it, but she didn't seem to remember anything like that.
Jiang Mingyi looked at the person lying on the ground, barely breathing, and his expression was somewhat unnatural. "Let's go."
If bitten by a venomous snake, you need to get antivenom immediately. Gu An'an used to carry that stuff with her when she went on missions, just in case, but now...
I bled him myself; whether he lives or dies depends on his luck.
As Gu An'an stood up, she suddenly remembered something, "Search his body."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
