Diligence pays off. Finally, Shūxīn spotted a rabbit family not far away. There were quite a few—over ten, counting the father and mother rabbits—and several were just born, barely able to walk steadily.
Shūxīn initially thought of heading straight to catch them and transfer them into her space. But glancing at the distance to the rabbit nest, then at Cousin Shūlán, she saw that Shūlán was looking up to check if she was still nearby.
If she went straight to the nest, she’d leave her cousin’s sight. Shūlán would worry if she disappeared, so that option was out.
Instead, Shūxīn used her ability to guide the rabbits toward her. She first used her wood-element power to stimulate some fresh, juicy wild grass, then infused the aroma with her mental energy toward the rabbit nest.
Sure enough, the rabbit family caught the scent of the delicious grass and couldn’t resist. Their noses twitched as they followed the smell straight to Shūxīn.
Watching them hop closer, Shūxīn’s eyes shone. Whenever a rabbit strayed, she subtly nudged it back in the right direction with her ability.
As the rabbits drew near, Shūxīn hurried a few steps into the grass so that her cousin could still see her, then squatted down to welcome them.
Finally, the highlight moment arrived—they were coming! The whole family!
Excitedly, Shūxīn used her mental energy to calm the rabbits, carefully selecting the plumpest two to hold, while transferring the others into her space to multiply later. She’d have an endless supply of rabbit meat.
Holding the fat rabbits, she imagined ten different ways to cook them: stir-fried, braised, yellow-braised…
Ah—she wiped her mouth, saliva forming. She had to stop thinking about it, or her clothes would get soaked!
It was a bit tragic, really. Once a grand chaotic flower, grown under the Chaos Blue Lotus, she had sifted through the legacies of three thousand demons and even witnessed Pangu opening the heavens.
And now… all this cunning and effort just for a meal of meat. She felt tears prickling—truly a shameful moment for Pangu and the creatures of Chaos.
Shaking off her strange thoughts, she carefully held the rabbits and walked back through the grass toward her cousin. In these times, eating meat was hard, so discretion was needed.
“Cousin! Cousin!”
Shūlán, busy picking pig fodder, heard her little sister calling from the grass, hiding something in her arms. She put down her tools and walked over.
“Wow! Rabbits!”
Shūlán whispered in surprise, covering her mouth. She looked around and, seeing no one, quickly grabbed Shūxīn’s small basket. She lined the bottom with wild vegetables, tied the rabbits in, and covered them with pig fodder.
Once she realized it, she exclaimed happily, “Xīn-bǎo, where did you catch these? You’re amazing! We can eat meat today—slurp!”
Shūxīn pointed toward the direction the rabbits had come from.
“Over there. And Cousin, there’s another one too!”
She pointed to another rabbit at her feet.
Shūlán grinned, pleased to see another rabbit. After all, even at six or seven years old, children couldn’t resist meat!
After repeating the same careful steps, Shūlán praised Shūxīn again:
“Xīn-bǎo, you’re incredible! Two rabbits! We’ll have one for lunch. Leave the rest for the next few days of farm work. When the time comes, Grandma will give you extra pieces!”
“Yay! Yay!” Shūxīn cheered, delighted at the thought of extra meat.
Thinking of the rabbits in the basket, Shūlán barely focused on work. If they weren’t worried about raising suspicion from their friends mid-way, they might have dashed home immediately.
Shūxīn also wanted to get back quickly to eat, but she couldn’t go alone. Cousin Shūlán wouldn’t allow it.
Instead, she decided to check for fruit trees nearby to transplant into her space, aiming for future fruit freedom.
So, while Shūlán worked, Shūxīn secretly moved some wild seedlings into the space. The full-grown trees were too large; she could only find saplings. But Cousin wouldn’t let her wander far, so she gathered wild vegetables and berries instead.
Finally, near noon, Shūlán gathered the group, including Shūxīn, and they began heading back to the village, chatting and laughing along the way.
Shūxīn carried her much-coveted small basket home. Initially, Shūlán had worried the little girl couldn’t carry it, intending to split the load, but Shūxīn just hoisted it and walked a few steps, proving she could manage. Shūlán then let her carry the rabbits home herself.
Cousin thought: carrying Xīn-bǎo is fine; no one would notice a three-year-old carrying meat—they’d assume it was vegetables or pig fodder.
Once home, Shūxīn dashed into the kitchen, setting down the basket and calling out:
“Grandma! Grandma! Come quickly!”
Hearing the urgency, Grandma Liú hurried in from the backyard, worried something had happened.
“What’s wrong? Why the rush? Something happened?”
“No, Grandma, come see! I caught rabbits,” Shūxīn whispered, covering her mouth.
“Really? The little girl caught them?”
Grandma Liú peeked at the basket and was overjoyed. Two fat rabbits, tied up with all four legs kicking, trying to escape.
Escape wasn’t possible—the whole family was counting on them for lunch!
Cousin Shūlán arranged the pig fodder and came into the kitchen.
“Grandma, Xīn-bǎo caught them! Impressive, right? Shall we eat one for lunch? Give Xīn-bǎo a few extra pieces—she’s the hero today!”
“Good! Two rabbits! Let’s prepare both: half for lunch, half for tomorrow. The rest can be dried for autumn harvest meals. Since Xīn-bǎo caught them, she’ll get extra pieces.”
Shūxīn’s face lit up hearing she’d get extra rabbit meat. She immediately showered Grandma with sweet words.
“Thank you, Grandma! You’re the best! Xīn-bǎo will catch more meat for you in the future!”
Her endless flattery melted Grandma Liú’s heart. Usually, her husband and sons weren’t prone to praise, and her daughter inherited that stubborn streak. Even the grandsons were mischievous and careless.
So Grandma had never been flattered like this. After Shūxīn’s sweet talk, she was completely charmed.
Thinking: this little girl is affectionate and clever. With her honeyed words, she’ll surely be protected in the future.
Meanwhile, Shūlán watched as Shūxīn’s praise transformed her usually stern, lively grandma into a smiling, cheerful figure.
In just a short while, not only did Grandma agree to give extra meat, but a rabbit leg was promised to Shūxīn. Shūlán was stunned.
Shūxīn had flattered her way to a rabbit leg and was delighted. Just a few sweet words had earned her a prized piece of meat—a very good deal.
Her earlier decision was clearly correct: cling to Grandma’s favor to get extra treats in the future.
Sure, her space had rabbits and supplies for emergencies, but why pass up meat right at hand? Who would refuse more meat?