Evening fell as Wang Shi returned home after spending the entire day out with Xu Da.
The basket on her back was covered with dry branches—a clear sign there was something hidden inside.
As soon as they arrived home, darkness settled. Wang Shi set down the basket and her homemade simple bow, then lit a torch and stuck it into a wooden stake beside the stove to illuminate the area.
She then picked up a flint and, somewhat clumsily, started a fire, setting up a pot—
She actually steamed all the rice bran in the house!
Xu Yue was briefly surprised but obediently crouched by the stove, helping feed firewood into the flames.
At least this way, she was earning her food through labor, right?
Even though the food was barely palatable, it was better than nothing.
Wang Shi carried the heavily laden basket inside with one hand. Seeing her youngest daughter sitting obediently by the stove tending the fire, she used her free hand to gently pat the girl’s fluffy head.
Out of this entire family, this adorable little one was the least of her worries—quiet, well-behaved, never crying or fussing, and even volunteering to help.
Especially when she called out “Mommy, Mommy” in that tiny, milky voice—it made this single marshal, who had always wanted an adorable daughter, wish she could lay all the Mecha in the universe before her and let her play to her heart’s content.
As if remembering something, Wang Shi glanced toward the eaves.
Xu Da still wore that expression as if his whole family had died. He was scraping his mud-caked straw shoes against a rock, his face a mix of disgust and reluctant resignation. The sight irritated her immensely.
She had never met such a fussy man. Did he not realize their current circumstances? Having shoes to wear was a blessing, yet he dared ask why she hadn’t given him boots?
“Come tend the fire!”
Wang Shi’s roar made Xu Da instinctively spin around and raise his hands to shield his face. Clearly, the two fierce slaps she had delivered that morning had left a deep psychological scar.
He had never encountered a woman who dared strike her husband!
“Tch~” Wang Shi sneered at his reaction, but when she turned back to her young daughter, her expression softened into the gentlest of smiles.
However, Xu Yue suspected that her mother might have been quite formidable in the past. Even when trying her hardest to appear tender, that aura of battle-hardened authority made her smile seem more like an unyielding threat.
“Be good, little one. Go sit inside and let your father handle the fire.” Wang Shi gazed at her daughter’s innocent face and couldn’t resist planting a kiss on her cheek.
Xu Yue froze, but luckily, she was small and the room was dark. She rose obediently and headed toward the main hall without Wang Shi noticing, lost in her blissful fantasy of how adorable her daughter was.
As she passed Xu Da, who was putting on his straw shoes, Xu Yue politely greeted, “Daddy.”
The man, who had looked utterly defeated since waking up, seemed to soften at the sight of the cute little girl. He flashed what he believed to be a dashing and charming smile.
Unaware that his life-worn face—merely average in features, dark and rough—made such a grin appear unsettling rather than appealing on his unremarkable visage.
Xu Yue forced a sweet smile in return, then hurried into the pitch-black main hall. Groping her way to the table, she settled onto a small stool.
In the kitchen, activity picked up. Wang Shi directed Xu Da to keep the fire going for steaming the rice bran while she deftly used a kitchen knife to prepare the wild rabbits and chickens they had caught in the basket.
It looked like there would be extra treats tonight!
Xu Yue waited with eager anticipation.
Suddenly, in the darkness, a figure lunged at her, wrapping her in a tight embrace while emitting a triumphant “hehehe” chuckle.
Xu Yue was initially startled, but upon hearing that laugh, she could only roll her eyes.
“Sister!” she protested indignantly, though her childish voice held no intimidation.
The girl behind her tightened her grip around Xu Yue’s plump waist as if hugging a doll, nuzzled her cheek against hers, then finally released her and stepped in front.
Eight-year-old Xu Erniang had an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, a delicate upturned nose, and a small mouth. Already beginning to shoot up in height, she stood a full head taller than Xu Yue. Those distinctly Eastern almond eyes now gazed at Xu Yue with infatuation, as if beholding her most treasured possession.
Definitely a lolicon! Xu Yue thought miserably.
Sure enough, no sooner had this thought crossed her mind than Xu Erniang’s hands began reaching for the twin buns on her head, cooing: “Oh my dear little sister, let your big sister style your hair, shall I? I promise even the Goddess of Light would be smitten by you!”
Xu Yue: “…”
Help!!!
Fortunately, Wang Shi arrived just in time. Placing the cooked bran porridge on the table, she cast a cold glance from her dark eyes toward Xu Erniang.
As the apex predator of the household, that single look successfully made the grinning Xu Erniang withdraw her hands.
“Sit down for dinner,” Wang Shi commanded with natural authority. Xu Erniang obediently took her seat beside Xu Yue.
“Youngest,” Wang Shi specially filled a bowl and handed it to Xu Yue, tilting her chin toward the neighboring woodshed. “Be careful.”
Xu Yue practically leaped from the stool in escape, clutching the bowl of bran porridge with both hands. She nodded her chubby little head solemnly at her mother before toddling on short legs toward the woodshed.
The door was slightly ajar. Hearing footsteps outside, the figure inside emitted low, beast-like groans through his gag.
Xu Yue pushed the door open, allowing firelight to spill inside.
Upon seeing her face, the boy tied up in the corner instantly quieted. His slightly reddened eyes suddenly brightened as if beholding his dearest person. Excited puffs of breath escaped him, his entire expression radiating joy.
Indeed, it was a peculiar phenomenon. While Xu Dalan displayed hatred and aggression toward every other family member, his gaze toward Xu Yue was always remarkably affectionate.
Only she could smooth the ruffled feathers of this volatile youth.
“Big brother, time to eat,” Xu Yue said softly.
The boy’s gaze slowly fell upon the clay bowl in her hands. Seeing the bran porridge inside, his thick dark eyebrows immediately furrowed.
He detested this food, yet his body screamed at him to eat it.
Xu Yue could keenly sense his conflicted emotions, feeling them as if they were her own.
“Brother doesn’t like the bran porridge either, right? But we need to fill our stomachs,” she whispered while approaching, careful not to let her parents next door hear her complaints.
After all, Wang Shi and Xu Da were already working extremely hard to put food on the table for their three children!
Xu Yue pulled the torn cloth gag from her brother’s mouth, then tilted her head to ask tentatively: “Can you eat by yourself, brother?”
Xu Dalan looked at her with his reddish eyes and nodded.
Only then did Xu Yue dare to untie his hands.
Once freed, he lifted the bowl and poured the contents into his mouth, devouring it in several large gulps before handing the empty bowl back to Xu Yue.
Xu Yue gazed into those eyes that held no reservations toward her. Though reluctant, she bound his hands once more.
Xu Dalan thought this was a game they were playing. Grinning widely, he voluntarily offered his hands for her to tie, emitting a low, pleased rumble in his throat.
This time, however, Xu Yue didn’t gag him, because she had instructed him not to bite anyone indiscriminately, and he had nodded in agreement with an unusually serious expression.
She would trust him this once.