Before Li Mu could speak, Gou Dan came over.
He scooped up a bowl of water and gulped it all down.
Mimicking the adults, he wiped his face and said casually, "I just picked it up at the foot of the mountain."
Hearing Gou Dan's words, the Lin family's three brothers' eyes widened.
Little Sister's luck is absolutely incredible!
The mountain is completely bare, how did she find this Wild Chicken?!
Lin Tang heard the noise and came out of the room again.
Seeing her father and brothers looking full of joy, she felt happy inside, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
"Dad, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, you're back! Wash your hands first!"
Saying this, she came over carrying a basin of water.
As soon as Lin Qingmu saw her carrying the washbasin, his brow furrowed slightly, and he said with some dissatisfaction, "You don't need to do this kind of thing; we can just wash up quickly."
Although he said that, the corners of his mouth almost split to the back of his head.
Li Mu didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said.
She gave her third son an appreciative look, very satisfied that he knew how to dote on his sister.
Girls have it hard enough in this era; carefree days are only for these few years.
Her daughter, in her own home, she could spoil her however she wanted.
Lin Tang saw her Third Brother treating her like a porcelain doll, and said with a dark line across her face, "Third Brother, did you forget that I'm the one who caught the Wild Chicken?"
She is quite capable.
A basin of water is nothing; she could handle a whole bucket!
Lin Qingmu didn't believe that with her small frame, she could actually catch a cunning Wild Chicken.
He just thought her luck was good this time.
A blind cat stumbled upon a dead mouse and caught it.
But since he had always been a brainless doting brother, he said seriously, "Yes, yes, yes, Sister is the most capable."
Lin Tang proudly lifted her small chin.
Even dressed in dusty, patched clothes, she looked charming, unlike a farm child.
Lin Qingmu's heart softened, and he reached out intending to rub her head as he did when she was little.
When he looked down and saw the black mud on his fingers, he sheepishly retracted his hand and smiled.
When Lin Tang transmigrated to that era, she often thought of her Third Brother who used to carry her all over the Production Brigade when she was young.
She always thought that if her brothers were around, she wouldn't have been bullied by the children at the orphanage.
In the end, she had her face ruined by that 'innocent, sensible, and lovely' girl, becoming a woman without a face.
Lin Tang looked distractedly at her Third Brother who was washing his hands, but in Lin Qingmu's eyes, it seemed his sister adored him, her Third Brother, immensely.
He couldn't help but be happy.
Lin Qingmu proudly raised his eyebrows at his father and brothers, his face beaming with pride.
He truly was Tangtang's favorite brother!
After Lin Tang found the Wild Eggs, and then the Wild Chicken and Rabbit, Gou Dan grew much more attached to and fond of his Little Aunt.
Leading his Younger brother Chou Dan, he followed closely behind Lin Tang, looking quite amusing.
Lin Qingmu finished washing his hands and deliberately flicked water onto the faces of the two little ones, saying with a smile, "Why are you two silly boys following Tangtang?"
Chou Dan looked at his brother, not understanding, his little face confused.
Gou Dan lifted his little face, a hint of cleverness flashing in his dark eyes.
However, his expression was honest, and he scratched his head, mimicking his father's gesture.
"Nothing."
Following Little Aunt means there will be meat to eat.
And Little Aunt now is gentle and generous, and the prettiest in the village, so he likes following her.
Chou Dan was still young, and he also smiled blankly, saying softly, "Nothing."
This made the Lin family burst into laughter.
Lin Tang looked at her harmonious family, her eyes curving into a smile.
This was the family she had longed for countless days and nights!
It was so good to be back.
Being with family, even if they were eating chaff and vegetables, made her happy!
Ning Xinrou and Zhou Mei finished tidying the vegetable garden and, hearing the laughter from the kitchen, also came in.
"Why are you all so happy? Mother, is there some good news? Let Eldest Sister-in-law and me share in the joy."
Zhou Mei's voice reached them before she even entered.
Lin Qingshui saw his Wife enter and said with a smile, "Mei Zi, Tangtang found a Wild Chicken, so we'll have meat to eat."
What did you say?
Meat?!
Zhou Mei was in a daze. Could the Old Lin Family, who couldn't even eat enough, afford meat now?
Why couldn't she believe it?
But she had no choice but to believe it.
Zhou Mei looked up and happened to see the fair, tender chicken on the cutting board.
"Oh, my dear heavens, it really is meat!" Saying that, she reached out to touch it.
Li Xiuli saw her dark hands and tapped her with the rolling pin, glaring at her Second Daughter-in-law.
"Touch what? Look how black your hands are!
It's too unsightly. Hurry up and get out, don't ruin my mood here."
This last sentence was something she had heard Tangtang say.
Zhou Mei felt wronged, but she was used to being scolded by her Mother-in-law, and her skin was thick enough.
She just wouldn't leave.
Meat, that was meat.
Even if she couldn't eat it, just looking at it was good!
Ning Xinrou was long accustomed to her Sister-in-law's temperament. A hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, and she asked Li Xiuli with a smile.
"Mother, did Tangtang really find this meat in the mountains?"
Are there still wild animals in the mountains?
Li Xiuli's frail body straightened slightly, and her gaze toward Lin Tang was full of maternal love.
"Tangtang went into the mountains specifically to catch it because she saw how hard we worked going to work."
Her expression turned serious, and she continued:
"You all should know how dangerous the mountains are!
Last year, Shuanzi's father, your Uncle Jiangang, was eaten alive by a bear and remained in the mountains forever, didn't he?
The mountains are so dangerous. What great risks did your sister take just so you could have a bite of meat?
I don't ask you to remember Tangtang's kindness, you just need to not be ungrateful wolves. After all, my Tangtang is kind-hearted and sensible..."
Lin Tang's face was already flushed red.
Well, she wasn't that noble...
Lin Lu also looked warningly at his three sons.
"Your mother is right. Tangtang has this family in her heart and went to find meat and eggs to treat us.
But this is not mandatory. Don't expect Tangtang to do this all the time; your sister doesn't owe you anything!"
Lin Qingshui quickly interjected, "Of course not. It's our duty to take care of our sister.
If Sister feels bad for us, we also feel bad for Sister."
"Tangtang, don't worry. When Third Brother has time, Third Brother will go find Wild Fruits for you."
And that Wang Zhaodi, he still hadn't settled accounts with her!
Eldest Brother Lin Qingshan nodded seriously, his expression steady:
"Dad, Mother, don't worry. There are no ungrateful wolves in our family. We remember the kindness Sister shows us."
Taking care of their younger siblings was their duty anyway.
Second Brother Lin Qingshui glanced at his Wife Zhou Mei and sighed inwardly.
He quickly added, "Eldest Brother and Third Brother are right; I mean the same thing."
Dad and Mother said those words specifically targeting his troublesome Wife. Sigh!
What could he do when he married such a greedy and tactless Wife?
He could only teach her slowly!
Gou Dan didn't understand why the adults were all so serious.
Seeing that everyone else had mostly finished speaking, he finally spoke humbly.
"Dad, can you build me a small cage?" he said, tugging on his father's sleeve.