Ye Qing’an’s shouts were sharp, urgent, and high-pitched.
The commotion drew out the members of the Ye family from their rooms.
When they stepped outside and saw the scene in the courtyard, everyone froze, mouths agape, as if they were dreaming.
Perched on the courtyard walls were eight or nine large wild chickens, with several more standing atop the rooftops.
The chickens on the walls stared back at them with wide eyes, unblinking. Some even tilted their heads, scrutinizing the humans as if measuring their worth.
The chickens were all plump and strong, yet Grandma Ye felt her heart pound uncontrollably.
It was as if she could read something in the eyes of the wild chickens—like they intended to settle permanently at their home.
Shivering, Grandma Ye pinched Grandpa Ye’s arm. He yelped in pain.
“Old man, are we dreaming?” she asked mechanically.
“Not dreaming! Ouch… that hurts!” he replied, rubbing the sore spot.
Fourth Uncle Ye cautiously stepped close to Grandma Ye.
“Mother… what’s going on? This is terrifying!”
He shivered—this scene was indeed too strange.
So many wild chickens stared straight at them, and unlike usual, the birds showed no fear of humans.
Wang Xianger nudged Ye Sanhe, who stood at the front.
“Sanhe, what are you waiting for? Catch those chickens! Or do you want them to escape?”
Only then did Ye Sanhe and the others react.
They rushed toward the chickens, but the previously docile birds flapped and flew, refusing to leave entirely—hovering around the Ye household instead.
The wild chickens stretched their long necks, clucking loudly as if mocking the humans’ inability to catch them.
Ye Anran stepped out of her room and saw the wild chickens circling the courtyard.
Everyone in the Ye family scrambled, grabbing whatever they could to try to catch them.
Ye Anran asked Ye Qing’an what had happened and realized it must have been her wood-based ability attracting the chickens.
Her powers could stimulate plants and attract animals. Other animals hadn’t come because she had only briefly used her ability, and the wild chickens’ flight speed made them the first to respond.
Ye Anran quietly placed her small hands behind her back and subtly used her wood ability.
The chickens, who had been teasing the family a moment ago, suddenly seemed to sense her call and all rushed to stand in front of her in neat lines, as if obediently waiting to be handled.
Grandma Ye slapped her thigh, inwardly worried.
So many large wild chickens—what if they knocked her granddaughter down? That could be disastrous!
Before she could reach Ye Anran, the chickens already stood orderly before her, docile and obedient.
The entire Ye family was stunned by the sight.
Grandpa and Grandma Ye were less afraid—they knew the true identity of the little fairy child—but the others had no idea.
Once all the chickens were caught, Zhao Meizhi clutched the wall, her legs shaking as she approached.
“Dahe, help me up!”
Ye Dahe saw his wife’s legs trembling like they were stuffed with straw and quickly supported her.
“You’re far too timid,” he said.
Zhao Meizhi glared at him.
“Who was it that got scared and stepped back just now?”
Ye Anran plucked a long feather from the rear of one chicken and handed it to Grandma Ye.
“Grandma, this feather is beautiful—this is for you!”
She giggled, pretending to be innocent, as if she didn’t know why the chickens circled her.
Grandma Ye saw her granddaughter’s naive expression and thought, Well, the little fairy child is still just a child. We must protect her.
The family tied the chickens’ legs and placed them in the backyard.
Grandma Ye then called everyone into the main room, looking serious.
She slammed her hand on the table:
“You’ve all heard me say before, right? I dreamed of an old immortal telling me to take care of the little fairy child. Third Uncle brought Anran home, and I liked her immensely—more than my own grandson. I dreamt of this for many nights; the little fairy child looks just like Anran.
You might think I’m speaking nonsense, but the proof is right before your eyes. Now that Second Uncle’s Liu Xiuxiu has been divorced, our family should be even more united.
I want each of you to swear not to speak of today’s events. Do not mention Anran, and if strange things happen again, do not panic and alert the villagers.”
The four sons raised their hands and swore first, followed by daughters-in-law Zhao Meizhi and Wang Xianger.
Grandpa Ye knocked the table, emphasizing:
“Alright, I know you are good children, but you must control the household and not gossip outside.”
He looked at the three youngest children:
“Ye Qingwen, Ye Qingcheng, Ye Qing’an—do you understand?”
The three nodded vigorously. Ye Qing’an’s mind raced—his sister was a fairy child? She had saved him, and now she had to be kept secret at all costs.
Grandpa Ye stressed once more:
“You are good, but temptation is strong. If you gossip outside, men will be expelled from the family, women sent back to their natal homes!”
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Grandma Ye had been observing the four sons and two daughters-in-law while the chickens circled Anran.
She saw only shock in their eyes—no greed.
After the family finished their discussion, they went to the backyard where Ye Anran crouched, watching the chickens.
Though the chickens were tied by their legs, they began laying eggs one after another, pfft pfft pfft!
Ye Anran felt as if the chickens were trying to please her.
When the rest of the Ye family came to the backyard, preparing to hear Grandpa Ye’s instructions on handling the chickens, they saw the scene: the chickens, tied by the legs, laying eggs on the ground.
Their mouths dropped—some could fit an egg entirely!
Despite being mentally prepared, seeing twenty fresh, warm eggs laid one by one, still felt surreal.