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Chapter 9: Owl

Little Linglong nodded eagerly, watching as the watermelon juice was poured into molds. She trailed after Chen Feng step by step, and when she saw the molds placed into the freezer compartment, she heaved her little chair over and guarded the fridge.

Her adorable behavior made Chen Feng break into silent laughter.

“We’ll study for now. When evening comes, the watermelon popsicles will be ready.”

“There’s still a long time before the sun sets.”

He led the somewhat reluctant Little Linglong into the study. This study was quite large, bright and airy. Once the windows were opened, the room didn’t feel stuffy or hot, and a gentle breeze flowed in.

The bamboo forest swayed gently outside, and the cicada song was a noisy bother.

Little Linglong glared angrily out the window and spoke in her soft, childish voice. “Cicada~”

Chen Feng let out a gentle laugh. “Grandpa and Grandma are catching them now. Soon, those cicadas will be doomed. Sweetie, we’ll start learning pinyin today.”

On the bookshelf, there was a set of early childhood educational books. Chen Feng took it down and saw that it taught pinyin and common items in daily life with pictures—very suitable for Linglong.

There were very few other books, so Chen Feng took his phone out of his pocket and made a call: “Send me all kinds of books suitable for Little Linglong as soon as possible. I want to see the bookshelf filled by this afternoon.”

“Yes, Chief.” The person on the other end didn’t hesitate at all to follow the order.

After ending the call, Chen Feng brought Little Linglong into his lap, took out the pinyin learning cards, and started teaching her seriously.

The milky, sweet sounds echoed in the study along with her lessons.

Yi Qinghua stood outside the door, looking in at the warm and cozy scene. Smiling, she snapped a few photos and sent them to Little Linglong’s mother.

Lu Caiwei, who was in Ruidian discussing a major project, saw the photos sent to her phone. Her eyes turned dazed for a moment, her gentle and alluring gaze filled with deep love, longing, and a bit of bashfulness.

Thinking back to her boldness at the time, her delicate face turned a little red.

“President Lu, President Lu?” The secretary beside her called out softly.

Lu Caiwei returned to herself and looked at the group of suit-clad clients and capitalists across the table with a faint smile, resuming her usual cool and aloof demeanor. “Please continue.”

However, her heart had already sprouted wings of longing.

Moments ago, she had been worried that Chen Feng would be angry or upset with her impulsiveness. But seeing him hold Linglong so affectionately and dotingly, her anxious heart finally settled down.

Sunlight streamed brilliantly outside the window, just like her mood at that moment.

As evening approached, the glorious sunset dyed the clouds so they looked like burning flames. The red-gold radiance shone through the gaps between the clouds, bathing Qingquan Village—its bamboo forests, streams, and rooftops—in a gorgeous crimson glow.

Linglong’s soft, childish voice drifted out from the study: “Ah, bo, che, de~”

The little one was extremely clever. Whatever pinyin Chen Feng taught her, she soon remembered and could recite it in both directions.

Chen Feng gave her a thumbs-up and praised, “That’s my daughter—a prodigy with real talent!”

Little Linglong giggled in his arms, nuzzling her head into his chest, so happy she could hardly contain herself.

She sure loved her father!

At that moment, the soldiers from the security corps carried boxes of books into the study. They even quickly installed and tested the projector and electric screen.

One of the soldiers saluted and handed over a file folder. “Chief, this is the book catalog, plus electronic study materials from beginner to advanced, all in full 3D.”

Chen Feng nodded. “Thank you very much.”

The soldiers grinned and left. These days, they found life simply wonderful—there was nothing tiring about it at all.

The security corps’ base was not far from Qingquan Village. They rotated shifts for patrol and guard duty.

Little Linglong nestled in Chen Feng’s arms, blinking her big eyes curiously at the tall, strong, and heroic uncles.

After they left the study, the little one grabbed Chen Feng’s finger and walked toward the kitchen, looking full of excitement. In her milky soft voice, she called out, “Daddy, popsicle~!”

Chen Feng smiled and corrected her, “It’s popsicle!”

The little cutie tilted her head, looked up at her father, and tried hard to pronounce, “Pop~sicl~”

Sitting on the old-fashioned kitchen threshold, Chen Feng gently tapped her nose. “Didn’t we just learn the pinyin for that?”

“Ge wu en, stick!” (Pinyin for the characters used for popsicle)

The little girl repeated seriously, “Ge wu en, sicl~”

Chen Feng could only roll his eyes, while Yi Qinghua and Chen Dachang entered with a few big watermelons in their arms, laughing at the amusing conversation between their son and granddaughter.

Little Silly woke up as well, waddling over to the kitchen threshold. It cozied up to Chen Feng and Little Linglong, making the little one so happy she hugged Little Silly and sat down on the floor.

Chen Feng went into the kitchen and took out their homemade watermelon popsicles.

Each person got one. They sat under the tree, enjoying the leisurely coolness as the day’s heat slowly faded away.

Looking out across the village, kitchen smoke curled up in the dusk, stretching along the bamboo forests and streams like little bridges, while the birds returned to their nests.

Just then, cooing sounds echoed in the yard.

As Linglong shared her popsicle with Little Silly, she looked up, her cheeks all sticky with watermelon juice, and her innocent eyes filled with curiosity.

She stretched out her little scallion-like finger, and her childish, soft voice rang out: “Meow~”

Her grandpa smiled and told her, “Linglong, that’s an owl, not a kitty.”

A grayish-brown owl—probably an Oriental Scops Owl, not very big—stood on a branch of the osmanthus tree. Its round head, big round eyes, gray talons, and wings flapped twice. It looked a bit silly and extremely cute.

It seemed dazed and somewhat adorable.

Little Linglong stood up in delight and shouted with all her might, “Meow~!”

Her grandma pursed her lips and said, “That’s a night owl!”

The little one protested, yelling loudly, “Grandma, it’s a kitty!”

Yi Qinghua laughed and rubbed the little girl’s head. Little Linglong covered the little tuft on her head, pouted, and buried herself in her father’s arms, staring at her grandma.

Chen Dachang watched with a hearty smile as he separated the watermelon flesh from the rind.

“This evening, I’ll fry some watermelon skin with meat—we can’t let good stuff go to waste.” Their family always saved wherever they could.

Mother also took a handful of plump, tender bamboo worms from her basket and instructed, “Go roast these bamboo worms for my granddaughter, so she can get her protein.”

Little Linglong especially loved poking those fat, squirming bamboo worms and broke into delighted giggles.

Chen Feng smacked his lips. These bamboo worms, outside of these mountains, really were a rare treat.

He couldn’t help remembering his childhood when Grandpa returned from chopping trees, yanked out fat old wood worms, and roasted them over the fire till crisp and golden. One bite was beyond delicious.

Sadly, the old man had passed away far too early and never enjoyed the rich life they had now. Chen Feng felt a touch of sadness.

Watching Little Linglong holding Grandpa’s hand so happily, he saw his own childhood reflected in front of his eyes.

Maybe this was what people meant by inheritance.

The owl on the tree flapped its wings twice and fell to the ground like a cannonball. It shook its head and hopped into the kitchen like a free-range chicken, bouncing along step by step.

It wanted to eat those fatty worms too!

This greedy fellow had not a bit of caution, not afraid of being snatched up to become a midnight snack for Chen Feng’s family.

Linglong was delighted, squatting on the ground to stroke the owl’s head and wobbling her own head along with it.

Mother watched as the silly owl craned its neck and gazed dumbly at those bamboo worms. She rolled her eyes and said, “You’re smart—you know the good stuff.”

She tossed two fat, plump worms to it.

The owl happily flapped its wings, pinned the two bamboo worms down with its claws, picked one up, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Linglong giggled, “Hungry~ kitty~”

“Worm~ mine~”

She even wanted to snatch a worm back for herself.

That clever owl saw the little one grabbing at its paw. It blinked, lifted its claw, and let go. As soon as Little Linglong pinched the fat worm, the owl snatched it away again and hopped a few steps to the side before swallowing it.

Chen Feng watched with amusement from the side, helping to wash vegetables and light the fire.

Little Silly buried its head in watermelon and carrot strips, while mother squatted in front of the silly little thing, filming a short video.

She grumbled about how lazy the little one was, but she really loved her deeply—she had prepared all these treats herself.

As dusk slowly settled into the yard and the moon hung high in the sky…

After dinner, Little Linglong went for a stroll outside the courtyard with her father, swinging her arms and legs. The round moon was reflected in the babbling stream, its cool water like a string of beautiful notes, so lovely to hear.

The chorus of insects, frogs, and the hoots of night owls formed the grand choir of the mountain night.

The little girl held her father’s hand, making “guwa guwa” sounds in her mouth while copying the little frog on the path, hopping around cheerfully.

Chen Feng watched Little Linglong’s lively antics and couldn’t help but smile.

Street lamps on the village road attracted countless moths and bugs, endlessly fluttering around the lights.

The cicada buyers from the day followed suit, chatting, strolling beneath the trees, and greeting Chen Feng with a nod. In their hands, they carried nets and slung large canvas bags on their backs.

They seemed to be going out to catch cicadas.

After all, nighttime was the best time to catch cicadas. Many villagers carried flashlights out at night to hunt for them.

This helped supplement the family income.

At this moment, Little Linglong hugged Chen Feng’s leg and looked up, calling out in her sweet voice, “Daddy, catch~ cicada~”

“Eat, popsicle~”

Chen Feng laughed and pinched her cheeks, leading her by her soft, chubby hand and said gently, “Little kids can’t be greedy for snacks~”

“We’ll go home and watch cartoons, and learn something new.”

On hearing the word cartoon, the little one’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go, catch!”

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