Gu Zhang nodded. "And there's more. Since we know a disaster is coming, I'll do my best to mobilize the villagers to leave with us."
He looked at the history textbook in his hand. "Can your father have this book?"
Gu Fei nodded, then shook her head. "I can't give you all of it. Only this page."
'He probably wants to use this page to build his case and convince our relatives to leave with us,' she guessed.
Without hesitation, Gu Fei tore the page out and handed it to Gu Zhang.
Gu Zhang gazed at the book's cover. The title was composed of two large characters. He couldn't read the first, but he recognized the second. It meant 'history'.
'This must be a history of our ancestors, written by a later generation,' he thought.
'I really wish I could see what else is written inside.'
Gu Fei saw the longing in her father's eyes and said in a low voice, "Dad, I'll let you read the rest of the book later."
Gu Zhang nodded, took the page, and stood up. "I'm going to find the village chief."
As he reached the main gate, he happened to run into Mrs. Chen, who was just coming in. Gu Zhang thought for a moment, then suddenly pulled the apple Gu Fei had given him from his robes. "Our daughter gave me this. You have it."
Mrs. Chen took it and looked at it. "What is this?"
Gu Zhang shook his head. "I don't know. It's something to eat. I saw our daughter enjoying one."
Mrs. Chen held it to her nose and sniffed. A smile bloomed on her face. "It's fragrant. It smells wonderful."
"Do we just eat this as is, or—" Before she could finish, Gu Zhang was already out of the courtyard gate.
"That stubborn old man, can't even finish a sentence." Mrs. Chen entered happily and waved to Little Cao. "Come here, Grandma has something tasty for you."
Mrs. Chen dangled the apple in front of Little Cao. The child's eyes widened at the novel sight. Grabbing Mrs. Chen's trousers, she grew excited. "Grandma, give it to me, give it to me."
'This must be something precious,' Mrs. Chen mused. 'Everyone should get a taste.'
'Right, I'll ask our daughter first. He said it was from her, didn't he? It must be some delicacy the nobles eat in the Marquis Mansion.'
With Little Cao clinging to her leg, Mrs. Chen pushed open the door to see Gu Fei lying on the kang bed, reading a book while munching on an apple.
She blinked. 'Looks like I don't need to ask. You eat it raw.'
Mrs. Chen walked to the main hall and bellowed, "Da Lang! Er Lang! Sanlang! Chunhua—"
In her room, Gu Fei was so startled by the shout that her hand trembled, and she almost dropped her apple.
The whole family came running.
"Mother, what is it?"
The three young men rushed into the main hall, their eyes on Mrs. Chen.
Li Chunhua arrived quickly as well.
Mrs. Chen secretively pulled the apple from her clothes. "Your sister gave me this delicacy. I thought everyone should have a taste."
"What is it?"
"What kind of thing is that?"
They all chattered at once.
Mrs. Chen waved her hand dismissively. "I don't know, so don't ask me."
"How do you eat it?" Chunhua asked the most crucial question.
Mrs. Chen went to the kitchen, picked up a cleaver, and washed it meticulously. Only then did she place the apple on the table and carefully slice it.
In half, and then in half again, Mrs. Chen cut the apple into eight slices. "One piece for everyone!"
Sanlang snatched a piece and tossed it into his mouth. Two chews, and it was gone.
Everyone in the room stared at him. Er Lang asked, "Was it good?"
Sanlang smacked his lips and nodded. "It was good, but there was too little. I barely tasted anything!"
Mrs. Chen shot him a glare. "Who told you to eat it so fast? You're like Zhu Bajie eating a ginseng fruit!"
Gu Qing carefully picked up a slice and handed it to Little Cao first.
Little Cao took a dainty bite, her eyes crinkling into crescents. "Wow, this is so yummy."
The rest of them quickly picked up their own slices and popped them into their mouths, savoring the taste.
"Delicious."
"So delicious."
Watching them, Gu Sanlang started to drool.