Chapter 5

Ding Xiaodie looked at the old woman’s gloomy face without the slightest hint of fear. Instead, she showed a childish grin. “Of course I caught it.”

“You? Caught it? Just you?”

Wang Dafeng didn’t believe it at all. She looked at the skinny little girl beside her—frail and small, giving off a sickly impression ever since birth. Though she was already twelve, she looked like a seven- or eight-year-old, and her voice was soft like a mewling kitten.

Her? Catch a rabbit?

And even stranger—how could there be rabbits around this place, and how could it be caught so easily?

Wang Dafeng glanced at the busy couple in the distance, then leaned down and threatened in a low voice, “Tell Grandma the truth. Did your parents have some silver and secretly buy this from someone? Then tried to fool me saying you caught it? Tell the truth, and I’ll give you a bite of the flatbread.”

Ding Xiaodie stayed expressionless: “…”

Did she really think she was just some dumb kid?

For some reason, seeing the little girl stare at her quietly like this made Wang Dafeng nervous. Something felt off. Was this child different than before?

Just as she was about to say something, Ding Xiaodie gave that innocent smile again. “All the silver my parents worked hard to earn is in your hands, isn’t it? And besides, in times like these, even if you have money, you still can’t buy meat. Who would even sell a rabbit to us? If you don’t believe me, you don’t have to eat. That way, my dad can have more. He’ll need his strength to protect me and my mom.”

Wang Dafeng blinked her triangular eyes rapidly. This little girl, who usually couldn’t even form a full sentence, was now talking with such logic and reasoning?

But she still caught onto one key point: “What did you say? Your dad protects you and your mom… What about me? You don’t want him to protect me?”

Ding Xiaodie smiled sweetly. “Depends on how you behave.”

What?

Just as Wang Dafeng was about to scowl and argue, the scent of roasted meat wafted through the air.

Ding Gui and Zhang Xiu had skinned and prepped the rabbit, then gathered some dry branches. In this drought season, even making a fire was hard. But back in the 21st century, Ding Gui had loved camping. Starting a fire by friction was nothing to him.

Soon, flames blazed, and the rabbit roasted over the fire. The aroma of sizzling fat filled the air, making mouths water.

Afraid she might miss a bite, Wang Dafeng immediately forgot about scolding the girl and rushed over to the fire. Even if she couldn’t eat it right away, she could at least enjoy the sight.

The three of the Ding family exchanged glances. Bringing along such a selfish old woman during a famine escape… tough.

Finally, the rabbit was done!

Wang Dafeng banged the ground with her cane. “Bring it here, Ding Gui. I’ll divide it. No one touches it until I say so!”

The three were stunned: “…”

Divide? If she got her hands on the roast rabbit, the most they’d get would be the smell.

Not wanting to stir up trouble, Ding Gui tried to reason patiently, “Mother…”

But before he could finish, Wang Dafeng raised her stick threateningly. “Didn’t you hear me? Bring it here! If you dare disobey, I’ll report you to the village chief!”

Ding Gui didn’t respond. His temper was flaring.

Zhang Xiu was exasperated: “…”

In the end, Ding Xiaodie stepped forward, picked up the knife used earlier to skin the rabbit, and sterilized it over the fire. With a serious tone, she said, “We’re a family of four. If you want to be treated special, then we split up. If you want rabbit meat, we’ll give you half. But from now on, you’re on your own. Maybe go ask your other sons if they’re willing to take care of you. You also said you’d report us to the village chief—go ahead, if you can catch up to the others.”

She handed the knife to her father, giving him a knowing glance.

Ding Gui caught her drift, still looking meek but firm. “Mother, think carefully. The rabbit was caught by Xiaodie, so it’s up to her. If you want half, we’ll go our separate ways. But if we all share equally from now on, then we remain a family—supporting each other through this famine.”

Wang Dafeng was stunned!

She looked around in a panic—no villagers nearby, except for an old man’s feet sticking out from behind a big rock.

But the usually obedient family was now threatening her. How could she tolerate that?

Just then, Zhang Xiu stepped in to mediate. “Mother, Xiaodie is still a child. She caught the rabbit, but she didn’t say the elders couldn’t eat. She’s a thoughtful kid who wants the family to share together. She’s right. We are a family. We should care for each other. Don’t you think so?”

Wang Dafeng’s face tensed. “So now you’re saying I’m less sensible than a child?”

Zhang Xiu hung her head. “So what you’re saying is—you want half the rabbit and to split up?”

Wang Dafeng was stunned again!

Split up during a famine? She’d die for sure. As for her other two sons? Dream on. Back in the village, she constantly fought with her daughters-in-law. Now she wanted them to care for her? Might as well wait for the sun to rise in the west.

Thinking it over, Wang Dafeng had no choice but to wave her hand in reluctant surrender. Though she couldn’t take her eyes off the rabbit, she muttered, “Fine, fine. I’m just an old useless thing in your eyes anyway. You all decide how to split it.”

But inside, she was thinking: Just you wait. When I catch up with the village crowd, I’ll get back at you.

The Ding family exchanged tired glances as they saw the old woman finally back down.

Without wasting more time, Ding Gui divided the rabbit into four parts. He and Zhang Xiu took less—each gnawing on half a rabbit head with a little meat.

But there’s no meat on a rabbit’s head! Ding Xiaodie wouldn’t have it. She insisted on giving the rabbit leg to her parents. But how could any parent let their daughter go hungry? After going back and forth, they finally cut the meat into smaller pieces so everyone could have a bite.

Wang Dafeng, who hadn’t seen meat in ages, not only finished her share but licked all ten fingers clean. Ding Gui, feeling sorry for her, was about to offer part of his portion, but Ding Xiaodie grabbed his hand and gently shook her head.

They couldn’t keep spoiling the old woman’s bad temper. The original family suffered so much because of that. If they were going to survive and stick together as a proper family, her selfishness had to change.

Ding Gui understood his daughter’s thoughts. He shrugged and popped the last piece of rabbit into his mouth. “Alright, let’s get moving.”