As he spoke, Qin Qinghuai brought in breakfast.

"Get up and eat first. We're not busy today, and the kids are resting. Shall we go for a walk?"

The little one quickly climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed), buried his head in his steamed egg custard, and asked in a simple, low voice,

"Isn't there a need to be in such a hurry? We just talked about it yesterday, and you're going up the mountain today? What a coincidence!"

Qin Qinghuai wore a dignified gentleman's smile.

"What are you talking about? You've got the wrong idea. I was just thinking of going out for some fresh air, maybe I'll catch a rabbit or a pheasant or something, and the girl will be happy, right?"

This was Qin Qinghuai's idea on the spur of the moment.

Yesterday I got too caught up in the details, focusing on whether it was a puppy, a wolf cub, or a fox cub, and neglecting the little one's age. He's not even three years old yet. Even if a child that age likes animals, it's probably mostly just a novelty. He doesn't know much about the things around him, so everything is new and exciting. He just wanted to show off because other classmates had them. What he really wanted wasn't necessarily the puppy, but probably the attention he got from everyone.

Or perhaps, it's simply about being strong and outstanding.

Today we're going to try and catch a pheasant or a rabbit. If we can distract the child and she has something else to show off, she probably won't be thinking about her puppy anymore, and they'll feel at ease.

The voice was deliberately raised, and the little one, whether he understood or not, readily agreed.

"I want to go, Mom, come eat!"

Jian Dan glared fiercely at the man, but before she knew it, his smile suddenly turned ambiguous. Instantly, she thought of the absurdity of last night. Jian Dan's self-proclaimed thick skin was no match for Qin Qinghuai, a rapidly growing veteran driver. She coughed a few times and finally fled in panic.

"Where are Dad and Mom?"

"Mom's going to wash her face. Have you finished eating?"

The little one patted its bulging belly with a "thump, thump,"

"I'm full! I'm full!"

"Okay, then go pack your bag, we're leaving in a bit!"

"Okay, okay!"

After a quick breakfast, the couple were urged to leave the house by their little one.

"Hurry up, it'll be dark soon!"

Jian Dan was speechless. Who would have thought that a three-year-old would be rushing her around like a mantra?

Are you going to the market? Why are you in such a hurry?

"Mom, if we go too late, we won't see any rabbits or pheasants!"

"Oh!"

Simply pinch her nose,

"Nonsense! Do you think pheasants and rabbits are still there waiting for you to catch them?"

"Mom! We can't be late!"

"Okay, okay, I won't be late. So, do you want a rabbit or a pheasant?"

In the past two years, Jian Dan has gone up the mountain less often, and we don't have any obvious prey at home. However, the patrol team sometimes comes across some and brings them back, so we've seen the cubs before.

"I want a bunny, a white bunny."

Holding his father's hand in one hand and his mother's hand in the other, the little one swings happily in the middle.

"Mom, can I keep a rabbit?"

"Would you raise a pet?"

The little brat hesitated for two seconds, then decisively shifted the blame.

"Dad knows how!"

"Dad doesn't know how either, and besides, Dad has to go to work."

"What if the bunny gets hungry? I don't know how to cook!"

"The rabbit wants to eat leafy greens and carrots,"

"Don't you eat rice? Don't you eat meat either?"

Speechless. They've only just stepped out the door, and they don't even know if they can make a shot, yet they're already discussing the division of labor. The arrangements are so clear. Do you mean they have too much faith in her?

Bringing a child inside was out of the question, so the three of them strolled leisurely around the perimeter. They greeted other families who were digging for wild vegetables or gathering firewood. The little one was the most excited throughout, greeting everyone with enthusiastic words.

"I want to catch rabbits! I want to raise rabbits!"

They were all adults, and whether it was to save face or to amuse the child, everyone would offer a few words of praise.

"Yan Yan is so good,"

"Wow, that's amazing! You can even raise rabbits?"

A few simple words were enough to make the little one lose his bearings. He bounced and skipped all the way up the mountain without complaining of being tired, and didn't ask any adults to carry him.

Those following behind were all complaining.

"Why is this child so eager to hear compliments? He's so vain!"

"Mommy, mommy, mommy! Beautiful big bird!"

I glanced up briefly, and wow, a huge bird! It's really big!

He twirled the pebble in his hand, and it flew out with two "whoosh" sounds. One hit his head, and the other hit his neck. After a couple of thuds, it fell down with a "thud," startling the little cub who was standing still.

Two seconds later,

"Wow! Mommy, a big bird, a big bird, a big bird is coming down!"

"...Girl, look, is this a bird? Have you ever seen such a big bird?"

Her chubby little hands tentatively reached out to touch the colorful feathers, her eyes shining. Little girls, after all, love bright colors.

"Mommy, it's so pretty! This fur is so pretty! Wear a flower, I want to wear this flower."

Looking at this "flower" briefly, I really couldn't bring myself to buy it. I gently advised against it.

"Honey, how about we keep this feather and let Daddy make a shuttlecock for you? Mommy can play with you then, and you can take it to kindergarten to play with your friends, okay?"

"Okay! I want flowers too, they're pretty, and they'll look good on Bao'er too. I want lots of them!"

Jian quietly stepped back two steps, giving Qin Qinghuai his place.

"Daihua, come here!"

After saying that, he turned and ran, fleeing in disarray.

"I'm going to find some firewood; we'll roast a chicken later."

I don't know if this dad has terrible taste, couldn't resist his daughter's demands, or just couldn't bear to see her sad, but when Jian Dan came back, the little one had a bunch of colorful "shuttlecocks" on her head. Jian Dan only glanced at it once and didn't dare look again—it was too awful to look at.

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