“Then let’s go to the tree, find a few bird eggs, and boil them to eat.”

Stephen Carter shook her head desperately. “You’ll get hurt. Sarah won’t let you go.”

But if they didn’t go, what could they do? Andrew Carter spread his hands, forcing a bitter smile as he tried to comfort her: “Sarah, be good. We can’t just starve, can we?”

Stephen Carter wiped her tears. Her brother was much kinder than before, truly caring about her. The little girl suddenly looked up and asked, “Brother, if you have money, does that mean you won’t go hungry?”

“Of course. But do we have any money?” Andrew Carter glanced around the empty house, unable to think of anywhere money could be hidden.

“Yes!” Stephen Carter nodded vigorously, then turned and ran behind the door, dragging out an extra-large pair of shoes. They gave off a strong stench—definitely a biohazard-level weapon. Even from a distance, Andrew Carter felt faint.

Pinching her nose, Stephen Carter took a small money pouch from inside the shoe and said timidly, “Daddy hid it. He… he told Sarah not to tell anyone. If I listened to him, he’d buy me sugar twists.”

The little girl was willing to give up her sugar twists for her brother—what a good girl! Andrew Carter chuckled, reaching out to tap her nose. “Sugar twists are nothing. In a few days, I’ll buy you sugar figurines. Not only are they tasty, they look nice too!”

Stephen Carter’s eyes lit up. Her brother was definitely more generous than their father!

The little girl obediently handed the money pouch to Andrew Carter. It was heavy—there was nearly a hundred copper coins inside. Andrew Carter showed a rare smile. Sure enough, no matter the time, men just can’t help hiding private money. He suddenly felt a bit of affection for his cheap old man—just a bit, of course.

With money, there was a way.

Andrew Carter thought for a moment and counted out twenty copper coins.

“Sarah, your brother is injured. Go to Uncle Uncle Miller’s house next door and buy a few flatbreads.”

“Okay!”

Uncle Miller’s family had a cart. They bought grain, mountain goods, and wild game from the village and took them to Cangzhou to sell. Sometimes, when the grain didn’t sell, they’d make flatbreads at home to sell to the villagers.

Their family was the only merchant in Tutai Village. But now it was already dark—who knew if there was still food left… While Andrew Carter was waiting, Stephen Carter came running back, panting.

She brought back seven fist-sized flatbreads and a piece of pickled vegetable.

Flatbreads from Uncle Miller’s house cost three coins each. Twenty coins bought seven, with pickled vegetables thrown in for free. Not everyone was as stingy as Bennett… The three siblings were starving and immediately dug in.

Andrew Carter ate three, while Stephen Carter and Samuel Carter had two each, their little bellies bulging.

For the next two days, although they still received their rations on time, they ate what they could, and if not, they went to Uncle Miller’s house. Besides flatbreads, they also bought some millet and a few salted duck eggs.

Andrew Carter’s injuries were healing quickly—he could even get up and cook porridge.

Most of their cheap old man’s private money was spent. When he came back and saw, who knew how furious he’d be? But then again, what was there to be afraid of? You left us at home and didn’t care. We suffered, so what’s wrong with spending some of your private money? It’s only right!

Two days passed. Grandpa Johnson came by once to change Andrew Carter’s bandages. The wounds had all healed and were starting to grow new flesh, itching noticeably. He could even walk around now. Stephen Carter and Samuel Carter were smiling again—now that their brother was recovering, they had someone to rely on.

But Andrew Carter still didn’t know who he could rely on. He could only put on a brave face. Early in the morning, Andrew Carter got up to cook a big pot of porridge and drank it with his younger siblings. The sun outside was rising—it was another warm morning. If only that annoying Aunt Martha wasn’t around, it would be perfect—just then, the door was pushed open and Bennett stormed in, furious.

Seeing the pot of golden millet porridge on the table, and the three children holding huge flatbreads, oil still dripping from their bites, Bennett instantly flew into a rage and started scolding them harshly.

“Well, you little brats! After being punished, you still dare to eat so well? You’ve got some nerve! Tell me, where did you steal the money from?” Bennett looked like she was possessed by a demon, her ferocity making the two little ones tremble and shrink behind their brother.

Andrew Carter had no choice but to step forward, mocking, “Aunt Martha, there are always more people willing to help than to kick you when you’re down. Someone gave us food—what business is it of yours?”

“Gave it? Pah!” Bennett’s brows shot up. She glanced at the food on the table and sneered, “You little brats, don’t think I don’t know. The only ones in the village who make flatbreads are the old Wu family! Those two would never give you flatbreads—dream on!”

As she spoke, Bennett started searching the house.

“You must have stolen and hidden the family’s money. Hand it over!”

Bennett kept searching as she spoke. Andrew Carter looked calm, but Stephen Carter was just a child. Terrified by Bennett, her face changed color, her body trembling, and her little eyes darting around.

Bennett searched everywhere and happened to notice Stephen Carter’s gaze. Following it, she saw a wooden box and pounced like a vicious dog spotting a bone.

They’d been buying food these past two days, and since the money had been kept in the stinky shoe, every time they took it out, the smell made them dizzy. So they’d simply put it somewhere easier to reach. Who would have thought Bennett would find it? Andrew Carter’s face changed dramatically…