Chapter 4: Feeding the Little People

　　Xiao Fan: (~_~;)

　　After all the commotion, Xiao Fan had become quite hungry. Opening the takeout, the braised lion's head over rice had already gone cold. He broke apart the chopsticks and sat cross-legged next to the ecological box.

　　Xiao Fan chose the braised lion's head over rice not because he loved it but because it was the cheapest option.

　　For the currently economically challenged Xiao Fan, being able to fill his stomach was sufficient.

　　By now, the braised lion's head had cooled down. The dark red soup had congealed, the rice grains had dried a bit, and the few pieces of vegetable leaves looked a bit wilted. This dish lacked any appeal.

　　However, inside the ecological box, the little girl, Yao Xi, was staring at Xiao Fan. Her eyes followed Xiao Fan closely, or more accurately, were fixed on the takeout box in Xiao Fan's hand. She unconsciously swallowed saliva.

　　This seemingly casual movement did not escape Xiao Fan's keen observation!

　　Xiao Fan: (●v●)

　　Seeing the little people looking pale and thin, and the embarrassed actions of the girl, Xiao Fan suddenly realized.

　　"Do you want to eat?" Xiao Fan stopped his chopsticks and asked.

　　Yao Xi suddenly heard the Lord of Heaven's question and nodded continuously. She and the villagers had been without food for a month, relying on digging wild vegetables and scraping tree bark for survival. She was really hungry and longed for something to eat.

　　However, she felt that she had asked too much from the Lord of Heaven and quickly shook her head.

　　(Xiao Fan, I advise you to quickly hand over the food!)

　　The villagers looked at Yao Xi's strange actions, showing expressions of surprise on their faces.

　　Here, only Yao Xi could hear and see the Lord of Heaven.

　　Gao Cunzheng was the eldest elder in this place, mustering up courage, he knelt beside Yao Xi and quietly asked, "Yao Xi, does the Lord of Heaven have any requests?"

　　"It seems like the Lord of Heaven is having a meal and asked me if I wanted to eat," Yao Xi replied timidly.

　　Gao Cunzheng was taken aback for a moment, then quietly looked up at the sky. However, it was empty, and nothing could be seen.

　　He had lived to the age of 70 and had never seen any Lord of Heaven.

　　If there really were a Lord of Heaven, how could the world be so afflicted?

　　But, after witnessing various miracles just now, a spark of hope quietly ignited in Gao Cunzheng's heart. In this chaotic and desolate land, there was hope for survival!

　　"Lord Cun, how should I respond to the Lord of Heaven?" Yao Xi asked the old man beside her again.

　　Xiao Fan was observing everything happening in the ecological box. He saw the little girl talking to an old man, and every word they exchanged was crystal clear to him.

　　"Saintess, this... we really need food," the old man whispered after careful consideration.

　　Without food, these villagers would still starve, and tragedies like sacrificing living people would still occur. They had long reached the limits of life and death. So, Gao Cunzheng placed his hopes on the girl. If the Lord of Heaven was truly compassionate, then perhaps they could receive help once again.

　　The girl nodded, and once again, she respectfully bowed, earnestly saying, "Lord of Heaven, we are really hungry. Please, bestow food upon us."

　　With Yao Xi's plea, a massive white oval object rapidly descended from the sky!

　　Xiao Fan: ヘ(￣ω￣ヘ)

　　Xiao Fan: ヘ(￣ω￣ヘ)

　　Xiao Fan, as an experienced "ecological box driver," had long considered the issue of food and water, which were essential subjects in the ecological box curriculum. Seeing the emaciated little people, he began contemplating how to feed them.

　　However, although Xiao Fan had raised snakes, spiders, ants, and lizards before, this was his first time caring for little people, and he didn't have specific food for them.

　　But from the moment he laid eyes on Yao Xi, he felt that these little people were likely real humans, judging by their clothing and houses. Xiao Fan speculated that they belonged to some distant dynasty.

　　Since they were human, the solution was simple that he had human food on hand.

　　Upon hearing Yao Xi's plea, Xiao Fan pinched a grain of rice, dipped it into the broth of the braised lion's head, and then carefully placed it into the ecological box.

　　However, to these little people, it seemed like a milky white meteor had suddenly fallen from the sky.

　　The little people were startled, and the ground trembled slightly as this strange meteor descended.

　　But immediately, this milky white meteor emitted a tantalizing aroma of meat.

　　"What is this? It smells so good! I can smell the fragrance of meat!"

　　"Really, oh my god, Lord of Heaven has manifested again!"

　　One by one, the little people, drooling, approached this "meteor."

　　"Idiots! Step back! The Lord of Heaven's food is bestowed upon Yao Xi... upon the Saintess. Who dares to approach and claim it? Do you want to incur the wrath of the Lord of Heaven?"

　　Gao Cunzheng was shocked and then widened his eyes, loudly reprimanding the approaching villagers.

　　At this moment, a glimmer of hope flashed in the eyes of this elder. The Lord of Heaven truly existed, and Yao Xi could communicate with the Lord of Heaven!

　　They were saved!

　　Gao Cunzheng knelt devoutly, kowtowing to Yao Xi and then to the milky white meteor. Other villagers followed suit.

　　"Please, Saintess, bestow a divine oracle so that we may understand the Lord of Heaven's intentions?"

　　The elder lowered his head respectfully.

　　"Lord of Heaven, is this a gift for us? Can I eat it?" Yao Xi looked at Xiao Fan, hope shining in her eyes.

　　Xiao Fan: (o°ω°o)

　　Xiao Fan nodded, and cautiously, Yao Xi rose to her feet, gently scooping up a piece of the milky white meteor and taking a large bite.

　　"So fragrant and sweet, it's so delicious! This is rice with meat soup!" Yao Xi's cheeks blushed as she cried in excitement.

　　The villagers behind her couldn't help but salivate, eagerly anticipating the Lord of Heaven's blessing.

　　"Lord of Heaven, may I share your food with my fellow villagers?" Yao Xi looked up at Xiao Fan, everyone was still hungry, and they also needed this food.

　　Xiao Fan: (ノ￣▽￣)ノ

　　"Of course!"

　　Ecstatic at the Lord of Heaven's response, Yao Xi turned to the eagerly awaiting villagers.

　　"Everyone, come and eat! The Lord of Heaven has granted permission!"

　　The villagers immediately cheered. Gao Cunzheng maintained order, instructing the villagers to fetch bowls, while Yao Xi distributed the food.

　　"We can survive now, we really can survive!" Gao Cunzheng exclaimed in excitement, thinking to himself.

　　The villagers sat in an orderly manner on the sandy ground, feasting with delight.

　　"What is this? It smells so good."

　　"It's incredibly delicious."

　　Xiao Fan, watching the little people devour their meals with gusto, also began eating. The once unappetizing braised lion's head over rice suddenly tasted delicious.

　　Today's experiences were too surreal. Xiao Fan unexpectedly became the Lord of Heaven, saved a beautiful girl, punished the evildoer, and even turned his takeout into the Lord of Heaven's food.

　　"Hmm, didn't expect... being the Lord of Heaven feels pretty good!" 

　　Xiao Fan: ( •̀ ω •́ )