Chapter 11

The gray-furred mouse darted onto Qian Xiaoyu's head in a flash, baring its sharp teeth with a shrill squeak. Its tail stood straight up, ready to attack.

"Get down!"

Every hair on Qian Xiaoyu's body stood on end. She had always been terrified of small, furry creatures—especially mice and snakes.

The little mouse flicked its tail dismissively and leaped back onto the well's edge. Drinking sweet well water was far more appealing than dealing with this coward.

Qian Xiaoyu froze.

Had she just understood the mouse's squeaks?

The high-pitched chittering had translated clearly in her mind: Stupid human! This great rat has no time for you!

This was more shocking than time travel or pocket dimensions.

She cautiously approached the well. The mouse was drinking, its round belly rising and falling with each breath.

"Hey, little one," she called softly.

The gray mouse pricked up its ears and glared at her. "What? Want a fight?"

Qian Xiaoyu burst out laughing. This wasn't a hallucination—she could truly understand animals!

Fear melted into fascination. She poked the mouse's plump belly, earning an indignant glare.

"Don't touch this great rat's stomach!"

After confirming her ability, she turned her attention to the pocket dimension. With a thought, well water surged into a perfect column, and wild vegetables arranged themselves neatly along the field's edge. Only the distant fog-covered areas remained inaccessible.

"This is enough," she murmured. The fertile land and magical spring would secure her survival in this ancient world.

The mouse sprawled on the well's edge, belly full, hiccuping contentedly. Qian Xiaoyu scooped a handful of water. It tasted crisp and sweet, but held no obvious special properties.

"Time to go back." She glanced at the sky. The kids would worry if she stayed out too long.

With a thought, she and the mouse reappeared in the forest. The vegetable basket and chipped kitchen knife lay untouched where she'd left them.

"Squeak! Take me back!" The mouse frantically hopped in place.

Qian Xiaoyu grinned and lifted it by the scruff. "Come home with me, Graybie."

"Let go! Wild cats will eat this great rat!"

"Relax, I'll protect you." She winked, then paused. A serious problem occurred to her—how could she eat meat now? If she heard animals begging for mercy, how could she stomach it?

Strangely, the village chickens and dogs still sounded like ordinary animals to her. Apparently, only certain creatures could communicate.

After gathering vegetables, she carefully uprooted a few plants for her experimental garden.

On the way down the mountain, the mouse stubbornly refused to leave the basket. Qian Xiaoyu sighed. "Fine, but behave."

Two small figures came into view at the mountain's base. Warmth bloomed in her chest. In this unfamiliar world, she was no longer alone.

"Sis!"

"Jiejie!"

The children sprinted toward her. Little Hua threw herself into Qian Xiaoyu's arms while Xiao Jiang dutifully took the basket.

"Let's go home."

The setting sun stretched their three shadows long across the ground. Outside their shabby cottage, the newly built fence gleamed golden in the fading light.

"Uncle Cao and the others helped fix the walls," Xiao Jiang reported solemnly. "You said we must remember kindness."

Qian Xiaoyu ruffled his hair, proud. But her stomach growled loudly, reminding her of their empty pantry. She hurried toward the kitchen.

The thin porridge only sharpened her hunger. Her stomach protested the lack of proper nourishment.

"We need to earn money," she muttered. Without farmland, how could they survive on wild greens alone?

A sudden shriek interrupted her thoughts.

"Mouse! There's a mouse in the basket!" Little Hua jumped up and down in panic.

Xiao Jiang grabbed a broom. "I'll get it!"

The gray rodent scampered up the wall, sticking out its tongue. "Catch me if you can, brat!"

Dust flew as boy and mouse chased each other around the yard. Qian Xiaoyu massaged her temples—peace and quiet seemed impossible now.