Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

Ye Wan slowly opened her eyes, a stabbing headache piercing her. The blurry vision gradually cleared as she regained consciousness. All around her was desolate, a desolate scene chilling to the heart. The parched earth was riddled with tiny cracks, withered grass drooped low, and a hint of dust mingled among the weeds, carried by the wind like a tale of the suffering of the people who inhabited this land. The air was filled with a musty smell, a mixture of sweat and a hint of decay. She couldn't help but frown, even feeling a little nauseous.

She struggled to stand up, only to find herself curled up on a worn straw mat. The stains on the mat were moldy and sticky, making her feel disgusted. Looking at herself again, her clothes were tattered, her hands were dry and rough, and there were even a few red and swollen wounds on her skin. Ye Wan was confused, not knowing why she was in such a situation. What surprised her even more was that a thin body was pressed against her chest. She looked down and found that she was holding a skinny baby in her arms. The baby was about three years old, with a sallow face, skinny bones, and messy hair. It was curled up in her arms and fell asleep.

Her heart trembled, and she finally woke up completely. Trying to recall her memory, she gradually realized that she was not dreaming, but actually in this strange place. A strange thought flashed through Ye Wan's mind—she had traveled through time. As this thought emerged, the panic she had felt a moment before gave way to a sense of reason and clarity, and she gradually accepted this incredible reality: she had traveled to another world, a desolate time and space in the midst of chaos.

Holding the child, Ye Wan lowered her head to examine him. The infant appeared extremely weak, his breathing shallow, his cheeks thin and pale, his eyes sunken, and the corners of his thin lips chapped and peeling. He seemed almost dying. With a touch of heartache, Ye Wan gently touched the child's cheek. Although she wondered how this child could be hers, seeing his haggard appearance, she felt a deep sense of responsibility.

"Child..." she called softly. The child, as if sensing her warmth, shifted slightly. Though he didn't open his eyes, a faint smile played at the corner of his mouth. Looking at his fragile little face, Ye Wan's heart seemed to be touched, a soft warmth welling up from the depths of her being. This sense of responsibility made her realize more clearly that she was no longer the Ye Wan of modern society, but a lonely, helpless village girl from ancient times, the mother of Xiaotong, a three-year-old child.

There were rustling sounds all around. Other refugees gathered in groups of two or three. Some held ragged children, others supported elderly people. Their eyes revealed endless exhaustion and despair. Ye Wan tried to recall, but she couldn't recall anything before the time travel. She only felt a wave of headaches. She had to put aside her past doubts for the moment and turn her thoughts to her current situation.

The drought had plunged the entire countryside into hardship. Ye Wan felt a parched mouth and a knot in her stomach. Looking at the emaciated refugees around her, a sense of powerlessness welled up within her. She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and analyzed the situation: now that she was here, the only thing she could do was to survive, not just for herself but also for Xiaotong in her arms.

"Xiaotong..." She called out tentatively. The child seemed to react, his eyelids trembling slightly, and he struggled to open his eyes. He looked at Ye Wan with his lifeless eyes, his lips slightly parted, as if he wanted to speak, but because of his weakness, no sound came out. Ye Wan gently patted his back and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, Mom is here, we will be fine."

She hadn't expected to accept this child so naturally, and to develop such a fondness for him. Xiaotong blinked, and though he couldn't speak, a faint hint of dependence crossed his face. Ye Wan gently stroked his head, determined that no matter how difficult the road ahead, she would carry Xiaotong through life.

Ye Wan looked around, searching for any useful resources. She spotted a few battered clay pots among the refugees, filled with a little murky water. This was likely the water the surrounding villagers had scraped together. She carefully poured some water from the pots, wet a cloth, and gently wiped Xiaotong's lips. She then took a few sips herself. Although the water tasted sandy and bitter, it at least relieved her thirst a little.

Morning light gradually appeared on the horizon, and the faint sunlight penetrated the clouds and shone on the valley, bringing a little warmth to this desolate land. Ye Wan's eyes became determined. She realized that if she wanted to survive with Xiaotong, she must learn to adapt to the environment here, find suitable food and water sources, and try to integrate into this group of refugees.

To survive, Ye Wan had to act. She adjusted Xiao Tong's position, hugging him tighter, then stood up and walked towards the slightly older, more robust man among the refugees, trying to get some information. She walked slowly forward, bowing her head slightly, appearing humble but not servile, and asked in a tone as sincere as possible, "Excuse me...where will we be assigned next?"

The man first glanced at her coldly, as if he were a little wary. But when he saw the frail child in Ye Wan's arms, his expression softened slightly and he replied, "The court has sent officials to help the victims, but the drought is so severe that few will survive. We will temporarily stay in this valley until food and water are delivered."

"Then...are there any other villages nearby? Or is there a place where we can stay temporarily?" Ye Wan continued to ask.

The man shook his head, a look of helplessness on his face. "The drought is spreading everywhere, and most of the nearby villages are deserted. This is the safest place right now, and we can only wait for relief."

Ye Wan's heart sank. It seemed unrealistic to rely on others for sufficient resources. She hugged Xiaotong tightly, secretly wondering how to survive in such a harsh environment. She knew that waiting for relief might be a long time, and she and Xiaotong had to find a way to survive quickly.

Returning to her straw mat, Ye Wan pondered an idea. Given the lack of food and water nearby, perhaps she could consider exploring the valley in search of wild vegetables or water. While it might be dangerous, she had to take the risk to survive. She decided to wait until nightfall and explore the depths of the valley alone.

Ye Wan hugged Xiao Tong tightly in her arms, patted his thin back gently, and whispered a promise to herself: "No matter how difficult it is, I will take you to survive. We will definitely survive."