Chapter 29: A Public Slap in the Face

Su Jinyu found herself unable to laugh or cry as her two cousins vied to become her apprentices.

"Fine, I'll teach you later. But hunting requires luck as much as skill. Even if I teach you, whether you actually catch anything depends on yourselves."

Wang Qiaohui looked at the young girl with admiration and sighed nostalgically. "Jinyu is truly my granddaughter; she has a natural talent for hunting! In my day, my father was a renowned hunter in the village. It’s a pity he passed away too soon and didn't get to teach me much, otherwise, I could have taught you little ones myself!"

Seeing his cousins eager to learn, Su Jinxiao tugged at his elder sister's arm, begging to be included.

"Alright, alright, I'll teach you too. But I can only teach you the basics and the hunting mantras. You must never go into the forest to hunt alone without an adult—it’s too dangerous!"

"I will strictly follow your teachings, Sister!" Jinxiao even knelt on one knee in a playful gesture of respect.

Amused, Jinyu patted his head. "You rascal! Get up, the ground is cold." She then purchased three pear-syrup candies from the system shop for 10 coins. "Here, these are candies I bought in town. Take them."

Having never tasted candy before—except for the candied hawthorn during their trip to town—Jinxiao found the pear-syrup sweets absolutely magical. "Wow! Thank you, Sister!" He clutched the candies, unable to let them go.

"Grandmother, Aunt, they say girls love sweets the most. Here, have some!"

Wang Qiaohui chuckled. "You little smooth-talker, you’ve even learned how to be generous with someone else’s gift! Since it’s your filial offering, I’ll accept it."

Chen Shulan looked at Jinxiao and found him even more endearing than her own sons. Seeing the six-year-old child without his parents, she felt a surge of protectiveness. "Aunt will take it. Jinxiao is such a good boy. You must have some more of the soup I’m stewing later!"

Jinyu realized the eggs hadn't been cooked yet. "Aunt, let’s just steam the eggs in the porridge."

Chen Shulan agreed immediately. "Alright, you were the one who gathered them, so I’ll do as you say!" Even though eggs were rare compared to their meager supply of wild vegetables and sweet potatoes, she would follow her niece's wishes without hesitation. She took two of the eggs to scramble with some wild greens she had gathered earlier, and placed the remaining three into the pot with the porridge.

Soon, the fragrance of mushroom chicken soup wafted through the campsite, the savory aroma of the mushrooms and rich chicken spreading instantly.

The other villagers smelled the scent and began to drool, filled with envy for Jinyu’s family. While they were stuck eating wild vegetable cakes, coarse flour buns, or bland dough soup—meager fare that barely filled their stomachs—the Li family was enjoying real meat.

Over at the Su family’s side, Wu Cuihua had prepared a pot of plain coarse flour dough soup. There wasn't a drop of oil in it; it was boiled in plain water without even a pinch of salt. Eating it felt like chewing on dry mud.

Su Wangfu’s appetite was piqued, and he grew restless with jealousy. Why should those two "little brats" get to eat meat while he was stuck with this dough soup? Since his grandmother and parents wouldn't help him get food, he would take it himself!

Seeing Jinxiao sitting alone behind a rock, seemingly focused on eating something, he snuck over when no one was looking. "Su Jinxiao! What are you eating? Hand it over!"

Jinxiao was enjoying his pear-syrup candy when a chubby hand reached toward him. He slapped the hand away and stood up, looking displeased. "My sister bought this specifically for me. What does it have to do with you? Su Wangfu, if you bother me again, I’ll have my uncle and cousins come over and beat you up!" He balled his fists, glaring at his third cousin with a threatening gaze.

Wangfu froze for a second, stunned that the cousin who had always been timid now dared to stand up to him. Seeing his cousin wasn't leaving, Jinxiao raised his voice. "Uncle! Big Brother! Second Brother! Someone is trying to rob and bully me!"

Wangfu recoiled in fear. He looked toward the Li family and saw Li Tianhe and his two sons staring at him coldly as they began to walk over. He immediately retreated to his own camp.

"Hmph! Coward! Trying to steal my food—scared you, didn't I?" Jinxiao popped his candy back into his mouth and strolled back toward the Li family.

"Jinxiao, did that little brat bully you?" Li Tianhe asked his nephew with concern.

"Uncle, Big Brother, Second Brother, don't worry. Wangfu didn't dare do anything; I scared him off with just a few words," Jinxiao said confidently.

Jinyu felt a sense of satisfaction. Since having family to rely on, her little brother had shed much of his former cowardice.

"Wash your hands, everyone! Time to eat!" Chen Shulan brought the chicken soup to the spread-out oilcloth and began serving the bowls.

The family sat on the ground, surrounding the oilcloth. In the center was a pot of mushroom chicken soup, a plate of stir-fried shepherd's purse with eggs, and a small dish of pickled vegetables. Chen Shulan’s pickles were excellent, and the whole family loved them.

After a long day of travel, they were starving. The rich aroma of the chicken soup made everyone eager. Only after Wang Qiaohui picked up her chopsticks did the others begin to eat.

In the Li family, there were no strict rules about dividing food; they all ate together from the same table. However, Chen Shulan picked up a chicken leg and placed it in Jinyu’s bowl, while Li Tianhe placed the second one in Jinxiao’s.

Chen Shulan had only stewed one chicken, saving the other to be salted for the next day.

"Aunt, this chicken soup is so delicious! I’m going to have two more bowls!"

Jinyu tasted the chicken; every piece was infused with the concentrated umami of the mushrooms. It was the perfect accompaniment to rice. A single sip of the soup felt as if it had restored her soul. Chen Shulan beamed with joy, happy that her cooking was appreciated, and kept piling food onto her niece's plate.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, a shrill scream pierced the air from afar. The surrounding villagers looked toward the source.

"Huzi! Huzi, wake up! Don't scare your father!"

Zheng Dali held his son, Zheng Huzi, in his arms, crying out in desperation. The burly man was weeping, his face covered in tears. His wife and parents were equally frantic, dropping their bowls and kneeling on the ground, calling out the boy's name.

The other villagers set down their bowls and gathered around to see if they could help. Luo, the eldest daughter-in-law of the village chief, pushed through the crowd. Seeing Zheng Huzi’s face flushed a deep red, she reached out to touch his forehead.

She pulled her hand back as if burned. "Brother Dali, your child is burning up! His face is so hot, it’s like it’s being roasted!"

The villagers began to chime in. "Huzi’s face is as red as a monkey’s bottom, and even his neck is scarlet! This fever is far too high!"

"Quick, go find Village Doctor Liu to take a look, or the boy’s brain will be fried!"

Someone ran to fetch Doctor Liu, who was also eating. He arrived with his medical bag, examined the boy, and wore a grave expression.

"The child has a high fever, and it isn't the first time. Has he been running a fever intermittently for several days?" Doctor Liu asked the family.

Zheng Dali nudged his wife. "The doctor is asking you. I wasn't home the past two days; has Huzi had a fever?"

His wife stammered, unable to give a clear answer. "Huzi is young and only knows how to be mischievous. Every day he’s climbing trees or playing in the water, always getting himself soaked and dirty. If he has a fever, it’s his own doing..."

"You babbling woman! I asked if the child had a fever, why are you wasting time with all this nonsense?" Zheng Dali snapped.