Pang Fu needed to pee after eating her fill.
She broke free from Fourth Brother Fu’s hand and ran outside.
Fourth Brother Fu was a little worried. In broad daylight, with people coming and going, she could easily be spotted.
“Fufu, be good. Let’s stay inside during the day, okay? We’ll go out when it’s dark.”
Pang Fu twisted away from Fourth Brother Fu’s grasp. “Need to pee.”
“Pee inside…”
Before Fourth Brother Fu could finish, Pang Fu had already slipped out.
【Here, here, little master. Water this little tree, and it’ll grow tall and strong.】
Baba taught Xiao Pang Fu to pee under a secluded big tree—safe and secure.
Xiao Pang Fu was a good little baby in this regard. Whatever Baba taught her, she followed. Even taking off her pants for the first time went smoothly.
Baba felt a swell of pride. As expected of its little master—so clever, learning everything in one go.
These pants were from the clothes Zhang Jianguo had brought over. They picked out a pair that looked slightly better, tore off the pant legs, tied the waistband, and put them on the little dumpling. It looked a bit mismatched, but at least she was dressed.
After peeing, the little dumpling started mischievously poking here and digging there, treating Baba’s earnest teachings as nothing but background noise.
【Little master, this isn’t like the mountains. We need to hurry back, or bad people might find us and spank your little bottom.】
The little dumpling patted her own bottom, brushing off Baba’s warning. “Can’t spank Baby. Baby is strong.” Then she squatted down to count ants, completely absorbed, ignoring Baba’s pleas no matter how much it tried.
Baba sighed. In the mountains, the little master only listened obediently when she was hungry and went looking for food. The rest of the time, she wandered all over the hills, catching bugs, teasing spicy strips, watching wild beasts fight, and listening to sparrows gossip. Wherever there was excitement, she’d be there, impossible to rein in.
Bold and mischievous by nature, she was also blessed with Fortune Luck, free from disasters and illnesses, which only fueled her naughty spirit.
【Little master, you’ve been out too long. Your family will worry. Be good, let’s go back first, and we can come out to play later, okay?】
The little dumpling paused her poking. “Mother?”
Baba quickly nodded. 【Yes, yes, your mother will be worried. Be good, go back first.】
This time, the little dumpling listened. She threw away her little stick and pattered back, only to suddenly turn halfway.
Baba 【Hey, hey, little master, this way, this way.】
“Smells good.”
Baba searched around in confusion. Oh, a roast chicken.
But that’s in the hands of a bad guy, hey.
【Little master, can’t go. There’s a bad person.】
“Beat bad person.” Pang Fu ran even faster, the flesh on her face bouncing DuangDuangDuang.
Baba felt utterly exhausted. With your three-heads-tall stature, what bad person are you going to beat?
In the dilapidated pavilion deep in the small garden, the man looked around and, seeing no one else nearby, felt reassured enough to pull out the roast chicken he’d hidden.
He’d been lucky enough to come across it while working today. That old geezer could afford roast chicken, so he must have good stuff. Next time, he’d have to chat him up properly.
Such a fine roast chicken was no good without wine.
After setting down the roast chicken and confirming it was safe, he left to fetch the wine.
He didn’t dare keep the roast chicken on him, afraid the smell would give him away and it’d be snatched.
No sooner had he left than the little dumpling arrived at the broken pavilion.
Standing on tiptoe, she reached for the roast chicken on the stone table. “Smells good, smells good.”
Baba checked the surroundings and, seeing the bad guy had left, silently breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that even down the mountain, the little master’s Fortune Luck hadn’t diminished—still full and strong. Well done.
【Little master, climb onto the stool to get it.】
Pang Fu decisively turned around, climbed onto the stone stool, and went to fetch the roast chicken.
The oil-paper-wrapped roast chicken weighed two or three catties, glistening with grease. As soon as the little dumpling approached, she was overwhelmed by its aroma.
“So fragrant,” she exclaimed, taking a big bite. Though she didn’t harm a single feather, her face was smeared with grease.
She licked the oil from her little lips—it was delicious.
[Little master, let’s take it back and eat slowly. The bad person will return soon—hurry!]
Pang Fu swiftly jumped off the stool, hugged the oil-paper package, and made her escape.
“Meow…” A dirty, skinny little stray cat blocked her path.
Pang Fu had never seen a kitten before, only little tigers. Once, she had swung a little tiger around like a swing and was chased halfway up a mountain by a big tiger. “Little tiger, eat,” she said generously, tearing off a chicken head and tossing it to the kitten.
The kitten showed no fear of little Pang Fu. It walked over, settled down, and began eating, chomping away with gusto—clearly enjoying it.
Pang Fu toddled off happily on her chubby little legs.
When the man returned, he saw the stray cat gnawing on a chicken head from afar and flew into a rage. “Damned beast, give me back my chicken!”
Disturbed while eating, the kitten grew angry. It cast a cold glance at the man, then, clutching the chicken head in its mouth, leaped over the wall and disappeared.
The man chased after it but couldn’t even catch a single cat hair. Fuming, he stomped on the spot.
“Damned beast, my chicken!” he cried. Such a big chicken, and all that remained was a single head—not even a scrap left for him.
The Fu Family watched as Pang Fu brought back the roast chicken and listened to the cursing outside, falling into collective silence.
Old Master Fu coughed twice, clearing his throat. Though taking someone else’s belongings wasn’t honorable, what did a child know?
Besides, there wasn’t a single good person here. Who knew how the chicken had been obtained? Once eaten, it was eaten.
“Remember to clean up the bones after eating—don’t let anyone find them.”
The Fu Family, young and old, nodded with smiles. The adults couldn’t bear to eat much themselves, saving most of it for the children.
The older children didn’t need to be fed—they could eat on their own.
Little Fufu could also eat by herself, but the adults all wanted to feed her. Each took a piece, tore it into small strips, and fed it into Pang Fu’s mouth.
It was Pang Fu’s first time eating roast chicken, and it was so delicious that her little mouth struggled to keep up. As soon as one person’s shredded meat was stuffed into her mouth, another’s quickly followed.
But though the little one was plump, her belly was small.
Old Madam Fu patted her little granddaughter’s round, bulging belly and called for a stop. “Alright, no more feeding. Children can easily get indigestion if they eat too much, and roast chicken is greasy—too much might cause diarrhea.”
Pang Fu still opened her little mouth, begging for more. Seeing everyone withdraw their hands, she blinked in confusion.
Fourth Brother Fu wiped his daughter’s mouth. “Your little tummy can’t hold any more. How about we save some for tonight?”
Pang Fu patted her belly. “It can hold more.”
Fourth Brother Fu was charmed by his daughter’s adorable expression and planted two kisses on her chubby cheeks. “Even if it can hold more, we should take a break. Be good—how about Father tells Fufu a story?”
Pang Fu was instantly distracted. Baba often told stories to coax Zaizai, and Pang Fu loved listening to them.
“Story, Calabash Brothers…”
The story Baba had recently told was about the Calabash Brothers.
Fourth Brother Fu had never heard of the Calabash Brothers. “How about Father tells Fufu a story about a little wolf and seven little goats?”
Pang Fu had seen wolves fighting before. “Wolves, fierce, growl…”
Her exaggerated little expression was particularly vivid.
Fourth Brother Fu smiled and nodded. “Yes, wolves are fierce. If Fufu ever sees one, she must run away quickly.
Now, sit properly—Father is going to start the story.”
Pang Fu immediately became obedient, sitting cross-legged in Fourth Brother Fu’s lap, listening with rapt attention.
The other children were hearing their Fourth Uncle tell a story for the first time. In the past, Fourth Uncle always wore a cold expression. Though not fierce, it still made them afraid, and they never dared to approach him.
After Fufu returned, Fourth Uncle began to smile and even told stories, which made the children curious enough to draw near.
The adults also spontaneously gathered around to sit.
Every member of the Fu Family was outstanding. They possessed innate talents but also shouldered heavier responsibilities than others, so they were busy every day with work and careers, rarely having personal time. Family gatherings were even rarer.
This was the first time they sat together so peacefully, harmoniously, and relaxed, listening to a story.
Qingqing Yin leaned gently against Fourth Brother Fu’s shoulder, stroking her daughter’s head rhythmically, also coming to life.
Fourth Brother Fu’s eyes grew warm as he held his wife and daughter, feeling exceptionally content.