After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

The rain had been falling for several hours, its dense threads like countless curtains of beads dangling from the sky, pouring down endlessly, seemingly without end. Bean-sized raindrops, wrapped in a fierce momentum, slammed into the earth fiercely. Each droplet was like a cannonball, creating a splash of water that bloomed and vanished instantly, only to be followed by a new splash. These splashes intertwined and collided, forming a dreamlike, hazy curtain of water that enveloped the entire world.

A food delivery team was trapped inside an ancient and mysterious temple. Their mission was to cross the region and deliver the food on time, but a sudden downpour disrupted all their plans. The roads had become muddy, making it difficult for vehicles to move forward. The team was forced to remain in this unfamiliar place, waiting for the rain to subside.

The team members' hearts were heavy, each face etched with worry and uneasiness. They stood at the windows, scowling, their eyes fixed on the pouring rain. The downpour seemed like an insurmountable chasm, blocking their path forward. The anxiety within them grew like wild weeds, surging like a tidal wave, leaving them feeling helpless.

Time slipped away, and night gradually fell. Darkness, like a giant, black hand, silently extended its tentacles, slowly enveloping the entire landscape. The faint outlines of the landscape, once visible, were now gradually swallowed by the darkness, leaving only the relentless sound of rain echoing in my ears. Yet, the rain continued its steady, pattering patter, showing no sign of abating. The sound of raindrops hitting the roof, windows, and ground was like a mournful melody sung by nature, weighing down my heart even more.

The cold and damp, like two ferocious, savage monsters, mercilessly attacked the entire temple. The icy raindrops, like sharp arrows, pierced through the dilapidated roof and crumbling walls, seeping in recklessly. The air, already filled with a chill, now felt even colder, a bone-chilling chill.

The soldiers huddled together, tightly wrapped in their flimsy clothing, but it still couldn't block the pervasive chill, and their bodies shivered uncontrollably. However, they knew they couldn't just sit there and wait for death, letting this harsh environment ravage them. So, they gritted their teeth, mustered their courage, and carefully pushed open the creaking door.

Outside, fine rain threads woven into a boundless net, enveloping the entire world. The soldiers took heavy yet determined steps, treading steadily into the muddy water. Each step felt like stepping into an icy cellar, chilling. But they showed no sign of retreat, their gazes piercing, scanning their surroundings, not missing a single corner that might harbor warmth and hope.

Hard work pays off. After an arduous search, a few lucky souls finally stumbled upon a few piles of dead branches not far away, battered by the fierce storm. The branches lay scattered across the ground, like sleeping dragons. The soldiers' eyes flashed with delight. Like hungry tigers pouncing on their prey, they rushed forward, gathering up each piece of precious firewood and clutching it tightly in their arms. Then, without even bothering to wipe the rain and sweat from their faces, they hurried home, sprinting towards the temple courtyard.

Once back in the yard, everyone immediately got busy. Some were organizing the firewood, arranging it into easily flammable shapes, while others were removing flints and tinder from their bundles, preparing to start a fire. Soon, a warm flame rose in the center of the yard, illuminating the surrounding darkness. However, fearing a fire would start near the grain storage area, everyone had to place the torches farther away from the storage area. Even so, this faint glow brought the team members a rare sense of comfort and hope.

By the dim light of the fire, the soldiers quickly hung their wet clothes to dry. They also spread out the food they had just gathered, hoping the warmth of the fire would dry it out. This food was their only rations for the night, and if it wasn't handled promptly, it would go moldy and spoil.

After considerable effort, some of the grain was finally dried. The soldiers expertly hulled the rice, then added just the right amount of water to steam it into pots of fragrant, delicious rice. However, due to the simple conditions, the rice grains were inevitably stained with tiny bits of bran. Despite this, everyone smiled with satisfaction as they took their first bite.

"Mm, it's delicious!" A soldier praised the rice while chewing it in big mouthfuls. Others echoed him, "Yes, this is the food we worked so hard for, how could it not be delicious?" Although the texture was a bit rough, it was a rare delicacy for the hungry and cold soldiers.

On this stormy night, the soldiers in the temple sat around the campfire, sharing a simple yet precious dinner. Their laughter and joy echoed in the silent night sky, as if they had temporarily forgotten their difficulties and fatigue...

"Shushu, you have suffered so much!" Tang Qi looked at Tang Wenshu with eyes full of heartache. He gently stretched out his hand and gently stroked his sister's head, as if it was the most precious treasure in the world.

"Hey, it's not bitter, big brother. When we get to Yangzhou, you must remember to buy me some Hundred Flowers Cake!" Tang Wenshu's face was filled with joy, her big eyes sparkling with anticipation. She had a special liking for the Hundred Flowers Cake from Xinxiangju in Yangzhou City, but because it was so sweet, Tang Qi was always worried that eating too much would damage her teeth, so he always restricted her intake. But now, being able to embark on this journey with her big brother, even spending the night in this simple temple, didn't feel the slightest bit of hardship. Instead, she saw it as a wonderful and fresh adventure.

"Sir, please come in and rest for a while. I'm so sorry that this was originally your territory, but we've taken it over," Tang Qi said politely to the hunter standing in the yard. Everyone had finished dinner and were preparing to spread out their mats for a rest. However, the hunter remained quietly in the yard, not even entering the house.

"Yes, uncle, don't hesitate any longer! Come on in! It's so windy outside!" Tang Wenshu echoed her brother's words with a smile on her face. Her voice was as clear and melodious as the sound of a yellow oriole escaping a valley. As she spoke, she tactfully and sensibly shifted her petite body to the side, making a small space. The movement was light and natural, as if it had been rehearsed a thousand times.

Hearing the brother and sister's warm and sincere invitation, the hunter who had been standing at the door hesitantly finally slowly opened his mouth and said in a slightly low and hoarse voice: "My last name is Mu, you can just call me Uncle Mu." As soon as he finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on his weather-beaten face, but it soon disappeared.

It turns out that this hunter named Uncle Mu was usually not very good at communicating with others, with a reserved and taciturn personality. However, at this moment, faced with the sincere and friendly attitude of Tang Qi and Tang Wenshu, even his heart, as hard as stone, could not help but melt a little. Although he still had some concerns and precautions in his heart, he was ultimately unable to resist the kindness and warmth from strangers. He nodded in agreement and walked into the house.

After entering the room, neither party took the initiative to inquire about the other's specific identity and origins. Perhaps because of the subtle sense of tacit understanding between them, or perhaps because they had just met and were not familiar with each other, everyone chose to remain silent. Thus, the entire room fell into a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Everyone sat quietly around the stove, silently watching the blazing flames in the yard. The dancing flames illuminated everyone's face, flickering and brightening, making the already mysterious atmosphere even more intense. Uncle Mu didn't have any doubts about Tang Qi and Tang Wenshu's identities. He didn't care at all why they were passing by with a caravan full of grain.

Similarly, Tang Qi had no time to speculate about Uncle Mu's origins, nor was he curious about why he lived alone in this dilapidated and desolate temple. At this moment, in this small world, everything seemed to no longer matter. Only the blazing fire before him and the unfamiliar yet reassuring figures around him were the most real and tangible existence.