The wooden door was pushed open, and a blinding beam of flashlight shone in.

Gu Rong was blinded and couldn’t open his eyes. He was still wearing the small child’s mask on his face. The moment the door was pushed open, 006 helped him store it in his system backpack.

Gu Laohan entered from outside, turned on the light, and the pitch-black room was instantly illuminated.

Gu Laohan turned off the flashlight. Seeing Gu Rong still lying obediently on the bed, wrapped up properly, he breathed a sigh of relief.

As he moved, the tumor on his head swayed back and forth.

Gu Rong couldn’t see the tumor, only the mosaic. But as Gu Laohan moved, he saw a blob of mosaic swinging back and forth on Gu Laohan’s head.

Huh? Gu Rong tilted his little head curiously, his face bewildered.

Gu Laohan had worked for half a day and was quite tired. He didn’t immediately attend to the little cub on the bed but sat down at the wooden table and poured himself a bowl of water to wet his throat.

Gudong gudong, he drank two bowls in one go. Only then did Gu Laohan put down the bowl and look at Gu Rong on the bed.

Gu Rong hadn’t felt it before, but now, seeing Gu Laohan drinking water, he realized he was also a bit thirsty. Not only thirsty, but also hungry.

Gu Rong said crisply: “Let Zaizai go!” You’re back, why not let Zaizai go already!

Gu Laohan had heard Gu Rong speak before, but hearing it again now, it was still novel.

Mainly, this little milky voice sounded quite cute. Gu Family Village, men and women alike, were all rough people, big and burly, and there were no children. This silly child, setting aside other things, being fair and tender, truly made one feel pity and affection.

Otherwise, Gu Rong would have been thrown out long ago. If he ran off and got lost, no one would look for him. Who would spend effort raising a little fool?

Gu Laohan slowly stood up, walked to the bedside, untied the butterfly knot for Gu Rong, and released him from the blanket.

Gu Rong had been wrapped up for half a day. Although he had slept, maintaining one posture inevitably made his little arms and legs stiff.

He stood up and moved around, even twisting his little chubby waist and stretching his little legs.

Gu Laohan turned back and sat down at the table again, muttering: “Letting you out to eat something first, still have to wrap you back up later. I have to go out again later, I don’t know when I’ll be back. You stay home and sleep well.”

He took out a pastry from the bag at his feet, placed it on the dirty table edge, and waited for Gu Rong to take it himself.

Gu Rong had slept all afternoon; how could he still be sleepy? Besides, he still had tasks to do.

Hearing Gu Laohan was going out, possibly to the bonfire party, he immediately said: “Rongrong go too!”

Gu Laohan paused, then scoffed: “You little fool, do you even know where I’m going that you want to go too? Let me tell you, the tourists have arrived, and the village chief is receiving them. Do you think I’m going out to play?”

“I’ve been busy moving things all afternoon. Tomorrow, I have to get up early to take the tourists down into the cave. Where would I find the time to look after you? Stay home obediently, cause less trouble.”

Gu Rong pouted, retorting indignantly: “You call me little fool, I call you old fool.”

Gu Laohan: “…”

Gu Laohan stared wide-eyed, not expecting Gu Rong to talk back.

Perhaps due to excessive surprise, he momentarily forgot to be angry. He looked Gu Rong up and down for a while. How come he feels different from before?

Before Gu Laohan could figure it out, Gu Rong slid off the bed. He wasn’t afraid of Gu Laohan. Dadada, he ran right up to Gu Laohan, tilted his little head back, and chattered bababa: “Rongrong also wants to go bonfire party! Rongrong slept all afternoon, not sleepy!” Saying “not sleepy,” he even shook his little head.

Hearing this, Gu Laohan’s face darkened: “Who told you there was a bonfire party? Did Big Fool come again?”

Hmm? Gu Rong tilted his head, his little face confused. What Big Fool?

When Gu Laohan returned, Gu Rong was still lying properly on the bed, and the door lock showed no signs of tampering. Someone hadn’t snuck in, and Gu Rong couldn’t get out.

He figured only their village’s Big Fool could have come by and told Gu Rong about the bonfire party through the window. Besides that Big Fool, no one else played with this Little Fool.

Having figured this out, Gu Laohan’s expression grew even darker. He snorted through his nose: “Play with Big Fool again, now you’re just a little fool, when you grow up, you’ll become a big fool too.”

Gu Rong crossed his little arms, hmph!

Gu Laohan said, “Hurry up, eat the pastry and sleep. If you don’t listen, I’ll throw you into the cave to feed the monsters.”

Gu Rong, angry as he was, wouldn’t argue with food. He wasn’t particular about eating anyway. His small hand grabbed the pastry from the table, and he took a bite.

The pastry was crispy outside and soft inside, quite tasty.

Eating the pastry, Gu Rong mumbled unclearly: “Zaizai thirsty, drink water.”

Gu Laohan poured another bowl of water and helped him drink it.

After Gu Rong finished the water and the pastry, Gu Laohan was about to wrap him up again and put him on the bed.

Gu Rong patted his little tummy and said: “Tummy not full!”

Gu Laohan said: “Not full, still sleep. Sleep = not hungry. I’ll bring back yummy treats for you.”

“Rongrong wants to go bonfire party!” Gu Rong tilted his little head away, unmoved, stubborn.jpg

Gu Laohan narrowed his eyes slightly, watched Gu Rong for a moment, then scoffed coldly: “Fine, I’ll take you. If you dare run off, I’ll break your legs.”

Gu Laohan spoke threateningly while angrily rummaging through an old cabinet, pulled out a little sweater, and roughly put it on Gu Rong.

The little sweater was very thick. After putting it on, Gu Rong instantly turned into a little ball. His neck disappeared completely, and his little legs and arms looked even shorter.

Gu Laohan locked the door, took Gu Rong’s hand, and left.

–

Gu Rong didn’t take Gu Laohan’s threats to heart. Being able to go to the bonfire party meant he could complete the first task and also join the fun.

The cub loved lively scenes the most and didn’t want to stay alone in the dark room, tied up and unable to move.

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the first task. Reward: 50,000 points, Child Safety Helmet *1.]

[Child Safety Helmet: Also known as Child Helmet, with visor. Worn on the head, any level of damage cannot harm the head or face.]

[Functions: Night vision, Telescopic vision (can see a small ant 1000 meters away), Precise Scan (can identify scanned objects), Illumination (helmet has light mode), Oxygen Supply.]

Gu Laohan was nearby, so the Child Safety Helmet was stored in the system backpack by 006.

The first task was completed easily. Gu Rong cheered “Yay!”, hopping energetically as he walked, his little arms swinging back and forth.

Gu Laohan glanced at him. Going to a party, why so happy?

It was late autumn, and Gu Family Village was nestled in a mountain valley. The night temperature was very low.

Gu Rong wore the thick little sweater and wasn’t cold at all.

Led by Gu Laohan, Gu Rong stumbled along and arrived at the bonfire party site.

It was on an open grassy area behind the village. In the distance was Shenzhong Mountain. The night light was dim, making it hard to see clearly, but it didn’t affect Gu Rong’s vision; he could vaguely make out the mountain’s outline.

Gu Rong tilted his little head, looking left and right, then his eyes widened, “Wah!” Very amazed.

This mountain looked like a person lying flat on the ground! He could even see the head!

The head had the outline of facial features. Gu Rong didn’t understand physiognomy, but he felt this lying Big Brother looked handsome!

Even if it was just the profile formed by the mountain’s rolling curves, Gu Rong could tell this person was very young, a Big Brother!

Gu Rong broke free from Gu Laohan’s hand, ran dadada to the left for a distance, looking at the mountain.

Gu Laohan was startled: Told you not to run when we came out! This little brat!

Before Gu Laohan could chase, Gu Rong ran back himself. This time, he ran a distance to the right, still looking at the mountain.

Wah! Gu Rong’s mouth formed an ‘O’, extremely amazed.

No matter where he looked from, this big mountain looked the same. It was like… the eyes in a photograph. No matter how a person moved, if the eyes in the photo were looking at the camera, they would still be looking at you.

This feeling was incredibly strange. Gu Rong was young and didn’t understand, just found it fun.

Seeing Gu Rong was just looking at Shenzhong Mountain and not trying to run off randomly, Gu Laohan breathed a sigh of relief. But his expression still wasn’t very pleasant. He grabbed Gu Rong’s small hand: “Don’t run around!”

Gu Rong, hand caught by Gu Laohan, pointed at the mountain with his other small finger, his eyes bright: “Grandpa Gu, look! The mountain looks like a Big Brother!”

It was the first time Gu Laohan had been called “Grandpa Gu” by Gu Rong. He was momentarily stunned, the words on the tip of his tongue getting stuck. A strange feeling flashed through his heart.

This little fool actually knows how to call Grandpa.

Gu Laohan had a fierce face and spoke fiercely. This little cub didn’t mind, held no grudges, and showed no bad attitude.

When Gu Laohan spoke again, his tone had softened considerably: “This is Shenzhong Mountain. We see this mountain every day, it’s not the first time. What’s so amazing about it? Only outsiders travel far, not afraid of the trouble, to come here.”

Gu Rong may or may not have heard Gu Laohan. His big eyes were already drawn to the bonfire scene.

In the clearing ahead, a bonfire pile over two meters high was set up. Dozens of people surrounded the bonfire in a circle.

Gu Rong had sharp eyes. He saw at a glance the tables laden with drinks and delicacies, and an uncle roasting a lamb leg, the rich aroma filling the air.

Gu Rong pointed his little finger, wanting to run deng deng deng over.

Gu Laohan was prepared this time. He gripped his small hand tightly. With so many people and eyes around, he couldn’t let him run off again.

“Run again, and what’s roasting on that fire rack won’t be a lamb leg, but you, this little cub,” Gu Laohan said habitually.

Gu Rong knew Gu Laohan was just trying to scare him. He wasn’t afraid at all. With pleading eyes: “Tummy hungry!”

Gu Laohan: “…”

Gu Laohan actually regretted saying that just now, which was unusual. This feeling of regret baffled him. Could it be because the little cub called him Grandpa?

Gu Laohan didn’t dwell on it and led Gu Rong towards the bonfire.

Getting closer, Gu Rong noticed that not just Gu Laohan, but many people had blobs of mosaic on their heads and faces. As they walked, the things blurred into mosaics that swayed back and forth.

Gu Rong found it strange and pointed with his little finger: “What’s that?”

Gu Laohan immediately pulled his small hand back, lowering his voice: “Don’t point randomly.”

Gu Rong’s vision was censored by mosaics; he couldn’t see. Many people before him had tumors of varying sizes on their heads and faces, just like the one on Gu Laohan’s forehead.

Everyone in Gu Family Village had tumors on their heads or faces. Less like hereditary, more like… a curse.