How I Pampered the Tyrant Into Devotion With My Space-Chapter 31: You Can Be Kind, But Not Foolish

Ma couldn’t help but feel sorry for Pei Shu’er.

"She’s a good girl, risking her life to gather some food, and even shares it with the third household, without keeping it all to herself. It’s unreasonable to expect her to also take care of her father-in-law’s brother."

"If that’s really the logic, then those who are exiled now, to some extent, all have blood relations. Is she expected to provide meals for everyone? I’m afraid even the Lord wouldn’t dare guarantee to take care of everyone."

With compassion, Liu Xu said, "Shu’er is just a 16-year-old girl. How can she possibly do all that? She’s already done her best, yet the eldest brother’s family is so unreasonable, still asking Shu’er to return good for evil; it’s too much to ask of her."

Old Madam Tang sighed, clearly understanding the situation. Actually, it might be better for the third household to be separated; otherwise, with Pei Shu’er finding all the food, she ends up supporting the whole family alone, and the young girl is bound to collapse sooner or later.

She’s seen how overbearing the eldest household is, feeling deeply embarrassed and disappointed.

"You elders are poised in such a manner, seeking food from the younger generation. Sit down!"

Tang Peilin, unwilling to give up, continued to complain.

"Mother, we are all going to starve. Pei Shu’er has food, yet refuses to give us any."

Old Madam Tang stood up and struck Tang Peilin hard with her cane.

"Sit down!"

Tang Peilin was stunned. Now that the third household had been separated out, the Tang Family’s first, second, and fourth households should be united against outsiders, yet his mother chose to deal with him instead.

However, the more he resisted, the more Old Madam Tang continued to strike him.

After hitting Tang Peilin, Old Madam Tang pointed her cane at Mrs. Li and Tang Qinghua.

"You two, kneel down."

The two exchanged glances, unwillingly knelt down, and were continuously beaten by Old Madam Tang until they pitifully begged for mercy before she stopped.

Next, Old Madam Tang glanced at Tang Qingrou and Aunt Lin of the first household.

"You two, better not harbor any wicked thoughts either."

The two quickly nodded, trying their best to minimize their presence.

The onlookers did not feel much sympathy for this family.

They had been trying to steal food from Pei Shu’er. If they had succeeded, the third household would be the ones truly pitiful.

As for Pei Shu’er, after seeing the eldest household getting beaten, she returned to the fire with Liu Xu.

She placed the remaining four fish on the grill and gave one to Lin Yu and the others.

"Eat, to replenish your strength."

The four were pleasantly surprised, eating the delicious grilled fish, thinking it was probably because they had helped take care of the third household for Pei Shu’er in the past.

The remaining three fish were shared among the seven of them, and everyone was quite satisfied.

After eating, Pei Shu’er took some throat lozenges to reduce inflammation and went to sleep early.

Tang Zan looked at the sleeping Shu’er, noticing her forehead was covered in cold sweat, her complexion pale like a fragile porcelain doll.

His fingers curled, feeling an urge to wipe away her sweat.

Then he found it ridiculous, as he usually only cared for the third household, unwilling even to glance at anyone else, let alone perform such actions for them.

Perhaps it was because Pei Shu’er once saved his life, and that was why he felt this way.

He felt that Pei Shu’er was in this condition because she had carried him, exhausting herself.

Moreover, Pei Shu’er exuded an oddity everywhere; she was so frail, without a hint of muscle, yet she could carry him.

The closer he got, the more he sensed Pei Shu’er’s uniqueness.

And the more he couldn’t help but pay attention to her.

The next day, Pei Shu’er was still somewhat weak, but much better than the day before.

After they left the building, the terrain outside had indeed changed.

Suddenly, Tang Qinghua pointed ahead.

"Look, the oasis is still there. Pei Shu’er said it was a mirage, but clearly, her words can’t be trusted!"

Only then did everyone look, and seeing the oasis still there, they couldn’t hide their delight.

Lu Qing was also pleased, saying, "Let’s go. It’s not far from here, we can get there in about an hour."

Tang Peilin also expressed his joy, "Quickly, let’s go. Once we’re there, we’ll have food and no longer endure the taunts of the petty people."

After saying this, he glanced at Pei Shu’er, noticing her drooping eyelids, looking uninterested.

Pei Shu’er pressed her lips together. She had said yesterday that it was a mirage, but no one believed her.

Everyone only believed in what they saw.

She had mentioned the poison miasma and these hidden structures repeatedly.

If she kept obstructing everyone’s path, they would all begin to suspect something peculiar about her.

In any case, with abundant water and food resources, she could afford the wait for an hour.

As they approached, they realized that the "oasis" had disappeared.

Everyone’s smiles froze, not expecting such a cruel prank from the heavens.

They had pinned all their hopes on the oasis, only to find it wasn’t real.

With their convictions crumbling, the already strained people began to collapse.

The third household members sat down, panting heavily.

Pei Shu’er handed them a water pouch and didn’t feel like speaking much.

The endless desert, their path had been covered by sand, leaving only faint footprints.

They had no idea where to head. They were utterly lost.

Lu Qing frowned, unprecedented anxiety seizing his heart; it was his first encounter with such a predicament.

Getting lost in the desert was no joke; a single mistake could lead to total annihilation.

Seeing the panic and despair on others’ faces, even though his heart was frantic, he knew he couldn’t panic visibly.

He forced himself to calm down, shouting, "Return, let’s follow the footprints back."

After walking a bit, the footprints completely disappeared, and everyone sat down forlornly in the sand.

There were even some men despairing with tears, shouting curses, and praying on their knees.

"Please, Heaven, let us find a way out of this desert."

Some, due to the lack of water, had fainted completely.

Amidst the pained and hopeless cries of those families, Pei Shu’er held a water pouch, moving towards them.

Pei Shu’er gave the person some water, and shortly afterward, the person slowly awakened. Knowing it was Pei Shu’er who gave them water, they immediately wanted to kneel in gratitude.

Pei Shu’er held them back.

"No need; help us carry our luggage, and we’re even."

She didn’t want others to form a habit of taking advantage of her, nor did she want to reveal the water too early.

She wasn’t a saint, tasked with protecting everyone’s life along the way. But she wasn’t so cold-hearted as to ignore death either.

She was simply someone who sought to maximize benefits, ingrained in her bones and blood.

Her family education had taught her this from a young age. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She could be kind and save lives, but she must not be foolish or selflessly devote herself, allowing parasites to latch onto her.

Previously, when she had been with the Tang family, apart from the first household, members from the others had more or less helped her; later, they learned to weave items and would make straw shoes or hats for Pei Shu’er daily.

This barely counted as an equivalent exchange.

Later, if people fainted from lack of water, Pei Shu’er would feed them water too.

Either demanding object exchange, or if they had nothing, labor in exchange.