Chapter 242: Apologizing to Xiao Mo

The day’s haul was quite good. Although they didn’t catch anything big like a wild boar, they managed to snare plenty of wild chickens and rabbits, along with two wild goats.

After sorting through the game, Lu Xiaotang butchered two rabbits, preparing to make braised rabbit meat. Xu An went into the village and traded for a few pieces of tofu, planning to make tofu balls as part of their apology to Xiao Mo.

The boy was genuinely upset today. When they had come back and passed by the cowshed, Xiao Mo had completely ignored the two of them.

While Lu Xiaotang and Xu An were busy cooking Xiao Mo’s favorite dishes at home, Xu Ning took Niu Pi Tang to the cowshed to call him for dinner.

“Do you remember what to say when you see your uncle?” Xu Ning patiently coached the little ones, guiding them on how to sweet-talk their Uncle Mo when they met him soon.

They nodded eagerly and replied in unison, “Got it!”

When Little Mo finally opened the door and saw them standing outside, he didn’t say a word. Instead, he turned around and retreated back into the house without even acknowledging their arrival.

Tang Tang, the youngest, quickly ran up behind him and wrapped her little arms around his waist, her soft voice filled with affection as she said, “Uncle, why didn’t you come to see me? I missed you so much!”

Not wanting to be left out, Niu Niu and Pi Pi dashed over, grabbing hold of each of his hands. With wide eyes and cheerful voices, they chimed in, “Uncle, Daddy and Second Uncle made all your favorite dishes. Let’s go back and eat together!” Pi Pi, in particular, couldn’t contain his excitement and smacked his lips in anticipation.

Xu Ning, watching the scene unfold, joined in with a warm smile. “Your brother-in-law cooked braised rabbit just the way you like it, and your second brother made tofu balls. Everything’s ready! Come on, let’s head back and enjoy dinner together.”

But despite their efforts, Xiao Mo still hadn’t shaken off his sour mood. With a stern expression, he replied stubbornly, “You all go ahead. I’m not in the mood for braised rabbit or tofu balls today.”

Realizing that his sulking hadn’t yet subsided, Xu Ning decided to pull out her secret weapon. Leaning in close to him, she whispered something just for him to hear, “Your brother-in-law told me to pass on a message—he’s planning to take you up the mountain again tomorrow afternoon. Just the two of you.”

At that, Xiao Mo’s face softened ever so slightly, the mention of a mountain adventure stirring his interest despite his best efforts to remain grumpy.

His eyes shifted, but he still didn’t say anything.

Xu Ning gave Niu Pi Tang a knowing look.

Tang Tang, catching on, rubbed her stomach and said, “Uncle, I’m hungry. I want to eat.”

Niu Niu and Pi Pi tugged at him as well, urging, “Uncle, come on, let’s go back. The meat Daddy and Second Uncle made smells so good.”

Seeing that things were going their way, Xiao Mo huffed and said to Xu Ning, “Alright, for my niece and nephews’ sake, I’ll let it slide this time.”

With that, he picked up Tang Tang and smiled, “Is your tummy hungry? Let’s go, Uncle will take you back for dinner.”

He then turned to Grandpa Qi and said, “Grandpa Qi, I’m heading back for now. I’ll come back later tonight to sleep with you.”

Xu Ning smiled and said, “Grandpa Qi, you don’t need to cook tonight. We’ll have enough food prepared over there, and I’ll ask Xiao An to bring some over for you.”

Grandpa Qi looked at the children and smiled gently. “You don’t always have to send food this way; we have plenty of vegetables from the backyard that we can’t finish.”

Niu Niu ran over and hugged his leg, saying, “Great-grandpa, there’s meat to eat today! Once Daddy finishes cooking, I’ll bring some for you.”

“Oh, how sweet of you, Niu Niu! Alright, Great-grandpa will wait for you to bring the meat,” he replied.

Xiao Mo carried Tangtang back home. Upon seeing the two busy in the kitchen, he let out an indignant huff.

Xiao An laughed, “Look at this little guy; he’s putting on airs again.”

Lu Xiaotang picked up a piece of meat from the pot and brought it to Xiao Mo’s mouth. Xiao Mo opened wide and took a bite.

“Is it good?” Lu Xiaotang asked him with a smile.

“It’s alright!” Little Mo finished the piece of meat and then asked, “Brother-in-law, is it true that my sister said you’re taking me up the mountain tomorrow afternoon?”

“It’s true. After we eat tomorrow, we’ll head out, and your sister and second brother will stay home with the kids.”

Xiao Mo gave a restrained nod before turning to head back into the house.

“Ha ha ha! I’m going hunting tomorrow!” he exclaimed, his laughter echoing in the kitchen.

Lu Xiaotang shook his head with a smile. This kid really did love going up the mountain!

When they were heading up the mountain in the afternoon, Lu Xiaotang and Xu An had planned to wake him, but seeing how soundly he was sleeping, they couldn’t bring themselves to disturb him. They didn’t expect that he was genuinely upset.

As Lu Xiaotang and Xu An carefully set the dishes on the table, preparing to take a portion of food over to Grandpa Qi, the peace of the moment was broken by yet another scuffle between Niu Niu and Pi Pi. The two boys were at it again.

This time, Pi Pi had the upper hand. He forcefully shoved Niu Niu to the ground and quickly climbed on top of him, pinning him down. Niu Niu, however, wasn’t one to admit defeat so easily. With a determined look, he reached up and grabbed Pi Pi’s collar, yanking hard until he managed to flip the situation around. In a matter of moments, the tide had turned, and now it was Pi Pi who found himself trapped beneath his brother.

The adults, well-accustomed to this regular sparring match, exchanged knowing glances and chose to ignore the chaos, pretending not to notice the boys wrestling on the ground. Experience had taught them that interfering would only add fuel to the fire. As long as Niu Niu and Pi Pi weren’t paying attention to the adults, the fight would eventually fizzle out. But the moment an adult stepped in, their competitive spirits would flare up, and things would escalate even more.

When Lu Xiaotang had first arrived, he had been quick to intervene during their squabbles, trying to separate them and keep the peace. However, after just a few days of living with them, he had learned better. By now, he was indifferent to their frequent brawls, realizing that the boys would stop on their own when they felt like it.

Meanwhile, little Tang Tang, watching her two older brothers rolling around on the floor, decided it was her turn to play mediator. With her small, determined steps, she rushed over to the squabbling pair, her voice filled with urgency and innocence.

“Big Brothers, stop fighting!” she called out, her eyes wide with sincerity. “Let’s eat! Daddy’s cooking is super delicious!”

The mention of food instantly snapped both boys out of their tussle. Without a moment’s hesitation, they released each other. Niu Niu climbed off of Pi Pi, the fight forgotten, and even extended a hand to help his brother up from the ground. Pi Pi took it gratefully, and the two boys stood up, dusting themselves off as though nothing had happened.

The onlookers couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight, amusement spreading across their faces. How could two boys fight so fiercely one minute and then be back to normal the next, all in the name of food? Their appetite, it seemed, was as strong as their fighting spirit.