As they walked through the part it became more dense. Luckily there was no wild animals on the way and even the birds were scared away by the group. Exiles were not qualified to walk on the official road so they had to walk this path. As they walked, the ballifs asked them to hurry up and whipped the lazy ones.
Su Xiao walked steadily with the others pushing the cart forward. Mu Wei observed how she pushed them with ease and wondered if they were so light but he knew that wasn't the case. This was only possible for martial arts practitioner which she clearly wasn't further making him convinced of his gaze.
As they walked they heard a roar which made their heart tremble with fear. Everyone was familiar with the sound because it was a lion's roar. The ballifs immediately urged them
"Walk faster or we're going to be the meal in that animal belly".
Hearing his words they'll hurried up almost running. Su Xiao expression had already changed because she knew that the roar meant the lion wasn't far from them. She picked up pace walking with the group. After walking for a while the arrived at a mountain and everyone climbed up deciding to camp there for the night and continue tomorrow with the daylight.
The ballifs ordered everyone not to make any fire and not to eat anything to attract the attention of the lion. Su Xiao pushed them to a relatively higher ground and parked there. She climbed into the cart and thought of how to kill the lion discreetly. The skin could sell for money along with other parts and she could even trade it for other things.
"Don't go anywhere tonight"
She snapped out of her thoughts and looked questioningly at Mu Wei who just made the sentence. Seeing that she didn't understand he explained.
"I can't protect the kids in this condition so I need you to stay with them"
It was true as any rigorous movement will tear at his wound. He had noticed that the woman had skills but he didn't know to what extent. She could protect the kids and her
could also observe her skills. Su Xiao could understand the man's thoughts but decided to play along.
"Okay"
Hearing her agreement the kids tense shoulders released making her feel amused. They had been worried she might leave and get torn apart by lion. She had been so gentle and caring for the past few days that were growing attached and dependent on her even though the refused to admit it.
The silence grew larger as everyone huddled together in fear. The atmosphere continued till late in the evening by then everyone was hungry. Some had started eating some edible leaves to quench their thirst and hunger. Some that saved their father had begun to munch on it cautiously and hurriedly to avoid anyone snatching it.
Su Xiao looked at the situation and knew if they were not fed they would do something dangerous and everywhere would turn chaotic. She wasn't afraid of trouble but she had children with her and an injured husband which was quite advantageous.
"If this continues they will kill themselves even before the lion arrives"
Mu Wei spoke up observing the situation and a frown appeared on his face obviously worried about the situation. Just as she was pondering what to do the ballifs spoke up.
"Alright everywhere be quiet and come get your food".
The statement was a relief and everyone immediately assembled in a queue. Su Xiao also felt relieved and joined the queue. It was the same coarse bun but a bit softer than before. Because they had three people she was giving two large bun to share amongst them. Su Xiao took the food back and gave to everyone with the remaining water. She neatly divided it between the kids.
"Here is yours and the this for your father"
After giving them their shares each she was puzzled by how they were looking at her.
"Why are you guys looking at me like that?"
"Mother you didn't eat anything. Mu Chen will give you his own"
Su Xiao understood their concerns and felt warmth in her heart. She wasn't not hungry and truly couldn't eat those coarse bun so she didn't care. If not because of being unable to explain the good stuff in her space she wouldn't have let them eat it too. She gently smiled and refused
"Mu Chen, mother is happy you're worried about her but she is not hungry so eat"
The little one couldn't understand why she refused and stared at her in a daze. Mu Wei frowned wondering whether she wasn't truly hungry after carrying them for long. She even refused when he asked the children to come down to make it easier for her insisting on resting when she was hungry.
"If you're worried it wouldn't be enough for the kids then we can share mine"
Su Xiao was surprised not expecting him to say that. Was he feeling sympathetic on her behalf? Knowing she couldn't disagree anymore to avoid their suspicion she took only a small part and eat. It was so tasteless and bland that she felt full just with one bite. She drank water and declared she was full. Mu Wei noticed her actions and understood while she couldn't eat the food feeling amused inside. Turns out she was picky about food.
Su Xiao couldn't be blamed. Even during the apocalypse she made sure to treat herself well and not scrimping on it. It was hard to adjust to eating such bland food after being accustomed to cooking and eat top signature dishes. As they waited it became dark and everyone was already falling asleep forgetting about the lion. Su Xiao and Mu Wei were still awake looking around vigilantly not believing the lion will give up so easily.
It was late in the night when a scream was hard. The lion had somehow climbed up the mountain and had pounced on a man who had gone to urinate waking everyone up. The scene instantly turned chaotic as screams and wails rang in the camp and everyone ran for their life. Su Xiao covered the children eyes to avoid witnessing the gruesome scene. Taking a stick she shielded the kids behind her back.
She looked at around and saw that the situation was disadvantageous to her before coming up with an idea. She could lead the mountain into the forest and kill it with a silencer then skin it and put it in her space.
Mu Wei not knowing her intention felt his heart suspended on air seeing her actions and in the moment something had already changed.