Chapter 22 (1 Update)

Under the stunned gazes of other families, the car slowly drove away from the bustling market.

Faced with two cages of big chicks, Zhi Li was absolutely delighted, Xu Qingying was relatively indifferent, while Jiang Yuexiao maintained his usual cold expression.

Only the two cameramen assigned to follow them were slumped in the corners of the car, utterly defeated and on the verge of tears.

You had thirty yuan for transportation!

Couldn’t you have just hired a comfortable seven-seater to get to the village?!

Zhi Li, completely oblivious to their distress, kept her eyes glued to the big chicks in the cages the moment she got in the car. The more she looked at them, the more she liked them, and soon her lips curled into a smile, revealing two adorable dimples.

Xu Qingying, snapping out of her indifferent state, asked curiously, “Sweetie, why are you staring at them so much?”

“This one looks just like Kung Pao Chicken when it grows up,” Zhi Li said, pointing at a particularly proud-looking big chick in the cage. “Kung Pao Chicken would definitely be this pretty when it’s big.”

Jiang Yuexiao, upon hearing this, deliberately ignored the surrounding smell and glanced sideways at the big chick Zhi Li was pointing at. Aside from being a bit plump and scruffy, he couldn’t see anything particularly pretty about it.

“Kung Pao Chicken?”

“It was a little chick Grandma bought for me before! Grandma said giving it a food name would help it grow strong, so we called it Kung Pao Chicken.”

Everyone else: …

Your grandma named the chick she bought for you Kung Pao Chicken? Does that name sound like it’s meant to help it thrive??

[From Zhi Li’s words, it sounds like Kung Pao Chicken didn’t make it to adulthood…]

[Why didn’t it grow up…]

[Maybe, just maybe, it lived up to its name?]

Xu Qingying’s curiosity was piqued too. “Where’s Kung Pao Chicken now?”

“It got sick.” Zhi Li frowned slightly. “For a few days, Kung Pao Chicken was always listless and didn’t want to eat. Later, it fell asleep and wouldn’t wake up, so Grandma took it to the doctor. The place for treatment was really far away, so Kung Pao Chicken might take a long, long time to come back.”

It had been almost a year since Zhi Li last saw Kung Pao Chicken. Though she still missed it a little when her mom brought it up, it wasn’t as painful as when they first parted. So, her small frown soon smoothed out, and she happily went back to admiring the grown-up version of Kung Pao Chicken in the cage.

Xu Qingying’s heart felt heavy.

Some elders prefer not to discuss death with children. Like Zhi Li’s grandma, who told her before passing away that she was going somewhere far away, hoping that by the time Zhi Li could understand life and death years later, the pain of separation might have lessened.

It wasn’t just Zhi Li’s grandma—Xu Qingying herself was the same, afraid of the day Zhi Li would learn the truth and realize she could never see her grandma again.

Jiang Yuexiao’s expression remained cold, but listening to Zhi Li’s words, he couldn’t help but guess Kung Pao Chicken’s fate—it had probably died from illness.

When he was three, his grandfather fell ill and was bedridden. His grandmother had talked to him about life and death then. Jiang Yuexiao couldn’t remember the exact details, but he did recall crying late into the night under his blanket, his eyes swollen like walnuts.

“Sweetie,” Xu Qingying said, trying to distract Zhi Li, pointing at the little hen she had deemed Kung Pao Chicken, “why don’t we name this one Kung Pao Chicken too? And let’s give the other big chicks names as well.”

After saying this, she pointed at a plump hen next to Kung Pao Chicken. “I think Big Plate Chicken would suit this one perfectly.”

Zhi Li got excited and quickly picked another plump hen, “This one can be called Braised Chicken!”

“This one is Three Cup Chicken.”

“Then this one can be White Cut Chicken! The White Cut Chicken made at home is so delicious!”

“And this one… Beggar’s Chicken,” Xu Qingying asked, “Have you ever had Beggar’s Chicken before?”

Zhi Li shook her head and asked, “What’s Beggar’s Chicken?”

For the rest of the time, the audience listened as Xu Qingying vividly described to Zhi Li how to make Beggar’s Chicken, how golden and shiny it looked, and how tender and flavorful it tasted.

The audience slurped and quickly opened their food delivery apps.

Suddenly, a loud growling sound was heard.

In the live stream, Zhi Li, Xu Qingying, and the two cameramen all turned to look at Jiang Yuexiao, who remained expressionless as he sat there.

Jiang Yuexiao forcefully pushed all the delicious chicken dishes out of his mind and struggled to maintain his cool, aloof expression.

His stomach might growl, but his dignity must remain intact!

—

On the way to Three Sophora Village in the truck, there was the sound of the wind, the clucking of chickens, and also—

“Growl.”

“Growl.”

A series of particularly loud growls echoed in everyone’s ears.

The two cameramen couldn’t help but chuckle, their shoulders shaking, causing the live stream footage to wobble slightly.

Xu Qingying also burst out laughing.

Hearing their laughter, Jiang Yuexiao’s face grew stiffer, and the little figure in his heart stomped in frustration.

What’s wrong with this stomach? Why is it still growling? Why is it STILL growling?!

Zhi Li didn’t quite understand why her mom and the cameramen suddenly laughed, but hearing her brother’s stomach growling, she dug through her bag and pulled out an energy bar, offering it to him. “Brother, are you hungry?”

For the first time, the packaging of a common energy bar looked so appealing in Jiang Yuexiao’s eyes.

Unfortunately, this energy bar contained peanuts, which he was allergic to, so he couldn’t eat it.

But even without peanuts, he couldn’t admit in front of the cameras, Xu Qingying, and this little kid that he was hungry—that would be too embarrassing!

Xu Qingying took the energy bar from Zhi Li and declined on Jiang Yuexiao’s behalf, “Your brother can’t eat this.”

Zhi Li blinked in confusion, “Why?”

Xu Qingying didn’t want to go into detail about Jiang Yuexiao’s allergies on camera and vaguely replied, “He’s allergic to some foods.”

Jiang Yuexiao glanced at Xu Qingying in surprise—she actually knew about his allergies?

A few weeks ago, Jiang Yuexiao would have suspected Xu Qingying of using his allergies to scheme against him. But after spending time together, he inexplicably felt that, for Zhi Li’s sake, Xu Qingying wouldn’t stoop to something so low.

Zhi Li had seen other kids break out in red rashes on their faces and necks from food allergies. She quickly stuffed the energy bar back into her bag and asked Jiang Yuexiao brightly, “Brother, there are still candies in the box. Do you want some?”

“No,” Jiang Yuexiao averted his gaze from Zhi Li and stubbornly insisted, “I’m not hungry. My stomach just feels a little off.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his stomach betrayed him with another loud growl.

Jiang Yuexiao: …

Traitor! You traitorous stomach!

[Hahahaha, Xu Qingying’s stepson really cares about his pride (thumbs up)]

[He’s eight! My six-year-old son is already obsessed with saving face.]

【Funny, Jiang Yuexiao is just saving face? He clearly doesn’t want Zhi Li’s stuff.】  

【Xu Qingying noticed it too, that’s why she made up the food allergy excuse.】  

【Seriously, can you trolls use some brain cells? How much do you earn per comment?】  

【Anyone who’s seen the two kids holding hands wouldn’t say Jiang Yuexiao doesn’t want Zhi Li’s things—he even took her wrist himself.】  

【Just shows he’s well-mannered. The Jiang family’s upbringing is solid, from the elders down to the kids.】  

Xu Qingying, the cameraman, and the live-stream viewers could all tell Jiang Yuexiao was just being stubborn to save face. Only Zhi Li believed him when he said his stomach was upset.  

An upset stomach must be similar to a stomachache, right?  

Remembering how she used to curl up on the couch in pain, Zhi Li asked worriedly, “Mom, did we bring any medicine?”  

“Your brother doesn’t need medicine.” Xu Qingying struggled to hold back a laugh, keeping a straight face as she explained to Zhi Li, “His symptoms are mild. Medicine might make it worse.”  

Jiang Yuexiao caught a hint of mockery in Xu Qingying’s expression, and the little figure in his mind stomped its feet angrily.  

Blame this useless stomach for making him a laughingstock in front of Xu Qingying!  

The truck rumbled toward the village, cornfields whizzing past on either side as gray-tiled, white-walled houses gradually came into view.  

“Brother.” Zhi Li shuffled her tiny feet from one side of the truck bed to Jiang Yuexiao’s side, rubbing her soft little hands together. “When my stomach hurt before, Grandma used to warm her hands and rub my tummy. It felt so nice!”  

“Let me rub yours!”  

“No!” Jiang Yuexiao nearly lost his cool composure.  

Seeing Zhi Li’s confused gaze and her outstretched, delicate little hands, the tips of his ears turned slightly red. In all his years, this was the first time someone had offered to rub his stomach when he claimed it was upset.  

So, this little brat Zhi Li had given up trying to melt his cold demeanor with cuteness and switched to—  

He couldn’t quite put a name to her new tactic, but it made his chest feel oddly warm. Was this what having a little sister was like?  

Jiang Yuexiao pressed a hand firmly over his stomach through his clothes to keep it from growling again, turning his face away awkwardly. “I have hands. I don’t need you to rub it.”  

Huh?  

Zhi Li looked at her own hands, then peeked at Jiang Yuexiao’s hand pressing on his stomach. She mimed a comparison in the air—his hand really was a whole size bigger than hers!  

Back when she wanted to rub her own stomach, Grandma had said bigger hands worked better.  

Xu Qingying watched the two kids’ exchange with amusement, forgetting all about the bumpy ride and the chicken cages on either side.  

【See? Jiang Yuexiao’s rejecting Zhi Li! He refused so fast—clearly doesn’t want her touching him.】  

【Or maybe he’s just shy? They haven’t been siblings for long.】  

【Shy my foot. Is he blushing? Nope, just icy as usual.】  

Jiang Yuexiao had no idea how his awkward refusal was being dissected in the live chat. Glancing sideways and noticing Zhi Li still sitting beside him instead of moving back, he reluctantly turned to face her again, forcing himself to adopt a proper older brother’s demeanor.  

He had to be both cool and reliable.  

Confident he’d nailed the expression, he began lecturing her, “You can’t just rub anyone’s stomach. They have their own hands to do it. Understand?”

“I get it!” Zhi Li stretched out both small hands, affirming in a childish voice, “Your hands are bigger than mine, so when you rub my tummy it works, but when I rub yours it doesn’t.”

“…” Jiang Yuexiao remained silent for a moment before sternly emphasizing, “Besides family, no one else should rub your tummy either.” This little brat was occasionally clever but mostly silly—what if someone with ill intentions took advantage?

Zhi Li nodded vigorously, her voice cheerful, “I’ll remember that.”

[Even with Jiang Yuexiao’s icy expression, he still acted like an older brother teaching his younger sister.]

[He was terrified that Zhi Li, being so young, might be tricked by bad people!]

[Oh please, Zhi Li only arrived at the Jiang household the day before the prelude filming. Their relationship must be distant at best.]

[Distance breeds unfamiliarity! I’m calling it now—just wait, Jiang Yuexiao will turn into a doting brother eventually! If he doesn’t, I’ll eat instant noodles without seasoning packets!]

Soon, the agricultural truck carrying Zhi Li and the others drove into Three Sophora Village.

Before getting off, Zhi Li gazed reluctantly at the big chicks in the cage, calling each by name, “Kung Pao Chicken, Big Plate Chicken, Braised Chicken, Three Cup Chicken, White Cut Chicken, Beggar’s Chicken, goodbye.”

[The six chicken dishes] seemed to understand Zhi Li’s words, unusually unified as they huddled deeper into the cage, turning their heads away in unison. Their instincts told them this adorable little two-legged creature was slightly terrifying!

Jiang Yuexiao also quietly distanced himself from Zhi Li while once again pressing a hand to his stomach, internally threatening it: Don’t you dare growl!