Chapter 5 Life and Death
Gradually getting used to the darkness of the cabin, no one spoke. All that could be heard was the gradually increasing sound of breathing in the silence.
There wasn't much food and water, and they were fed and robbed of food over the years.
My memories are filled with images of my starving brothers and sisters being dragged into the kitchen for processing.
The first to reach out was the one closest to the pile of buns. His hair was tangled, and he was probably the youngest of the group, looking only six or seven. His fingers, nervous and expectant, pressed against a yellow bun, and his tattered clothes rustled softly as he leaned forward.
The sound was like some kind of announcement.
Almost everyone rushed toward the pile of food, their fingers squeezing the dough into twisted lumps, instantly splitting the bun into several pieces. Some older children, relying on their height and strength, kicked away the child who had grabbed the bun first, then rode on him, punching and kicking him. Each time they tore off a piece of the bun, they stuffed it into their mouths.
Yi Sanmei said nothing. She first touched the bucket and took a sip. Then she carefully held the bucket in her arms and moved back to the corner, watching coldly as others fought for the steamed buns.
A child who had also come to grab the bucket was a step behind. He stared at Yi Sanmei deeply, turned his head to look at the others scrambling, and stood there silently, thinking about something.
Third Sister Yi also noticed him. His eyes were calm, yet somewhat similar to Qiu Xinglun whom she had just met.
The scramble among the crowd was drawing to a close. The older, stronger kids naturally had the upper hand, filling their pockets with steamed buns, not just their mouths. There were about three or four of them.
The other children who were better off still had some of the food tightly clenched in their hands, but the worse off ones, no matter how early they grabbed it, ended up getting beaten up.
At this moment, Shen San, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally made his move. He suddenly leaped forward and charged at Yan Wu, the strongest and most food-grabber. A flash of cold light flashed from his hand, piercing Yi Sanmei's eyes. Before anyone could react, Shen San had already raised his long, thin willow blade, slashing with blood!
Yan Wu's right arm, still clutching the steamed bun, fell to the ground with a dull thud. This sound was like a bolt from the blue for everyone. But before Yan Wu could even wail, Shen San had already raised his foot and slammed it hard into his chest, sending Yan Wu flying and crashing into the wall!
Yan Wu's body slammed to the ground, his eyes wide with fear as he tried to beg for mercy, but blood gushed out of his mouth. Shen San wouldn't give him a chance. Sheathing his knife, he continued to push towards Yan Wu, who was crouching against the wall. Everyone around him consciously avoided him. No one dared to pick up the steamed buns that fell on the ground. As he slowly absorbed Yan Wu's blood, his face turned from yellow to red, adding a touch of weirdness.
Yi Sanmei took a breath, some of her fear and confusion suppressed deep in her heart, not daring to show it. Listening to the sound of Shen Sanqi beating Yan Wu's flesh, she tried to retract her trembling fingers into her sleeves.
Only at this time did Yi Sanmei clearly realize how easily their lives could be cut short.
Death is very close. Not as subtle as in my hometown, but explicit, harsh, and makes people feel unwilling and confused.
But Yi Sanmei didn't want to think about those things right now. She forced herself to listen to the disgusting sound of flesh being smashed and blood being crushed, and think about how to survive next.
Shen San was asserting his leadership among these children. He would undoubtedly demand a redistribution of food and water. Most of them were only willing to resort to beatings. Facing Shen San, who could brutally kill his peers with an impassive expression, it was unlikely they would harbor any resistance.
Thinking of this, the bucket in her hand became a hot potato. If Shen San asked for it and she refused, in order to demonstrate his authority, he would definitely ask the other children to attack her to show their obedience, just like Yi Lao Da had done to them since they were young. Even if she could fight against one person, could she fight against ten?
Or, gather those who are dissatisfied with Shen San together to fight against Shen San?
Third Sister Yi looked around at the crowd. They were either panicked or paralyzed. Some of them had snatched a few steamed buns and quietly dropped them to the ground. She shook her head secretly, thinking it was a no-go.
Then it would be better to exchange it for some real steamed buns and then show your goodwill to Shen San first.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
