Chapter 106.1

Xiao Bao is not a traditionally obedient child. He’s clever and opinionated. Unlike his elder brother, Da Bao, whose parents don’t take his red envelope and let him keep the money for himself to spend. 

Even when Zhang Chunying asked Xiao Bao for the money, he wouldn’t give it. He says that one should manage their own money. Over the past six months, he’s learned a lot while staying with the Yang family. Although not as knowledgeable as an expert in all subjects, he has indeed broadened his horizons and gained knowledge beyond textbooks. The most important thing is that he has also ‘seen the world.’ He’s not an ordinary child. He’s Xiao Bao who has traveled far on a train with his grandmother.

Therefore, when it comes to taking his elder brother out to find their aunt, Xiao Bao doesn’t resist at all. He hides his intentions well without any fuss. Since he can’t wear many clothes in the summer, he hides the Lunar New Year money in a secret compartment of his little backpack, which his grandmother made for him.

He stuffs two sets of clothes and two pairs of pants into the bag, along with a toothbrush and a small towel. He also added two special stones that he has cherished for a long time, planning to gift them as a welcome present to his younger siblings. Despite such thorough preparation, not a single adult at home notices anything unusual.

Da Bao is different. He has always been a well-behaved baby, listening to our parents from childhood to adulthood. Especially living under the shadow of a strict grandmother, he’s a bit timid and afraid of trouble. During the summer vacation, when he came back and stayed with Grandpa Yang along with Xiao Bao for ‘lessons,’ he couldn’t understand many things. He wasn’t as brave as Xiao Bao and feared getting scolded by adults, so he was cautious all the time.

Xiao Bao acts as he wishes, eating and making noise. The adults know that he’s upset about not being able to go to his aunt’s house, so they tolerate his mood swings. If he stops making a fuss, the adults will find it strange.

One day, Su Weimin went to the commune for a meeting. Zhang Chunying was feeling a bit unwell, so Su Zhenhua decided to take her to the county hospital.

With her big belly, Zhang Chunying didn’t want to ride the bumpy tractor, and the bicycle seat was uncomfortable. Besides, the geographical location of Su’s village was peculiar. It was closer to the county than the commune, and usually, it would take about ten to twenty minutes to walk. They decided to walk there slowly, even if it took half an hour. So, they set off on foot.

Before leaving, they also instructed Da Bao and Xiao Bao to be obedient, remember to feed the little hens, not to play in the river, and not to run around.
Seven-year-old Xiao Bao and eight-year-old Da Bao were considered older children in the village. Typically, rural children of their age had to help their parents with many tasks. Some even worked as half-adults in the fields to earn a bit. The precious children of the Su family were assigned lighter tasks like tending fires, sweeping, feeding the chickens, running errands, and fetching soy sauce. They were not allowed to do heavy work. During previous summer vacations, what Big Bao and Little Bao loved most was hunting birds in the mountains, searching for snails in the fields, or catching fish.

But this year, they were going to their aunt’s house!

Su Zhenhua and Zhang Chunying left first, and Da Bao and Xiao Bao followed with their backpacks. In fact, there were only two roads in Su’s village, one leading to the county town and the other to the commune. Su Zhenzhong and Liang Hongfang worked in the county town, and Big Bao had traveled this road many times, as had Little Bao. Even if they didn’t follow the adults, they knew the way.

On the way, they met a villager from Su Village walking to the county town and curiously asked them, “Da Bao and Xiao Bao, are you going to the county? Where are your parents?”

Xiao Bao calmly replied, “Our parents are ahead of us. Our legs are short, so we walk slowly and lag behind.”

‘Short legs? Walking slowly? ’ Villager A looked suspiciously at the two brothers who were running in the village faster than calves.

“Oh my, we won’t tell you anymore. We have to catch up with our parents,” Xiao Bao said, pulling Da Bao’s hand and pretending to rush forward. “Dad, Mom, wait for us!”

Villager B said, “Xiao Bao’s parents said they were going to the county to see a doctor this morning. These two little ones probably want to secretly follow them to play.”

Villager A: “These guys won’t get lost, will they?”

Villager B: “Don’t worry, Da Bao’s parents are all in the county, and he’s studying there. They are even more familiar with the county than us. I guess Xiao Bao wants to go play and catch up with Da Bao.”

Villager A looked at sturdy Xiao Bao and nodded. “That might be true.”

Xiao Bao pulled Big Bao and ran a short distance. They could see their parents in the distance. The other members behind hadn’t caught up, so he slowed down and said to Da Bao, “Let’s slow down a bit; as long as we don’t let the others catch up, it’s fine.”

Da Bao, who was used to following the rules, felt his heart beating rapidly. “Xiao Bao, I-I’m a bit scared. What if we encounter bad people?”
Xiao Bao gestured with his fists and feet, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve learned martial arts from my uncle, and if we encounter bad guys, I’ll fight them!”

Da Bao said, “But the bad guys are adults, we can’t beat them.” Da Bao lived in the county and slowly recalled his parents’ teachings—don’t walk and talk with strangers after school, wait for his parents to pick him up, don’t go to places outside the compound alone, and so on.

After careful consideration, Xiao Bao said, “I should be able to beat them. My dad can’t beat me.”

Da Bao was speechless and said, “That’s just Uncle playing around with you and letting you win.”

Though the idea of “going to Auntie’s house” clouded Xiao Bao’s mind, he wasn’t foolish and said, “Even if I can’t fight, I can run. We’re fast runners; so, we shouldn’t be afraid of the bad guys.”

Da Bao reluctantly accepted Xiao Bao’s reasoning. They raced frequently against Niu Dan, Shu Gen, and the others, and they always won each time. Truthfully, he had never been to his aunt’s house before. He always heard Xiao Bao mention the many wonderful things at his aunt’s house, so he truly wanted to visit. He wanted to see his aunt, uncle, Fantuan, Doubao, and Zhuzi, especially because he wanted to meet his new little sister and brother.

…………………….