While Zhang Guoqing and his wife looked at each other in speechless confusion, Xizi and the others were also talking to Zhang's father and mother about what happened tonight in the main hall of the old courtyard.
This night was even more shocking to them than the day itself. As for Ping An's ability to wield small stones, they knew that this must have been the result of their uncle's teaching, and they were surprised and envious.
But tonight completely overturned their understanding of a five-year-old. His mind was like a sieve, and he could be easily caught if he wasn't careful.
"Master, you didn't see it at the time. He was sitting on a tree trunk, watching a group of kids fighting, and he was still directing them. Those kids were really stupid, they just listened to him."
"Haha... I'm dying of laughter. We heard the noise nearby and were so scared that we rushed over. When we looked up, we saw that our house was safe."
Xizi said helplessly, "A dozen or so children aged seven or eight all fell to the ground, and only three won, but their clothes were torn. Ping An climbed down the tree and gave them three candies. He even tiptoed on to pat them on the shoulders, praising them for being good fighters and encouraging them to keep up the good work. Next time when he's not around, I'll use wild fruits instead of candy, and whoever wins gets to eat."
Father Zhang laughed heartily. He didn't think his grandson had done anything wrong. Every child in the village had fought before.
"Master, you're still laughing... I saw this little guy was still trying to cause trouble, so I quickly picked him up and left. But guess what he did next?"
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang looked at their grandchildren with great interest, waiting for what would happen next.
Seeing this, Mai Miao quickly pulled Xizi's clothes and stomped his feet, "Brother, stop talking."
Mother Zhang grabbed her and said, "Don't interrupt."
"Milk……"
Xizi laughed and said, "If anyone talks too much to the sisters, he'll say that it's not appropriate for men and women to touch each other, and tell them to come play with us. As a result, no one dares to get close to them."
Mother Zhang patted her granddaughter in her arms and said, "Silly child. Your brother is protecting you. You should be happy. From now on, the three of you sisters should not play with wild boys for no reason."
Seven-year-old Mai Sui and Ya Ya were even less aware of the deeper meaning of the words than ten-year-old Mai Miao. They just smiled foolishly and nodded repeatedly, "We won't play with wild boys."
Ziwen said to Zhang Dad, "Grandpa, how did my uncle and the others teach Xiao Ping'an? Tiedan and the others were almost dragged into a ditch by him last night..."
"...That's not all. When we were stewing the snake, he was really good with words. He directed us around in circles. That clever little guy coaxed and seduced us, and he kept us very busy."
Listening to his grandson's words, Father Zhang felt secretly pleased. He didn't have to worry about his little grandson. With Brother Zhou teaching him, he wouldn't be bad at all.
Others didn't know his grandson's true identity, but he knew a lot from his older son's little words. But he preferred not to say it out loud. He agreed with his older son's advice: one should keep one's incompetence hidden.
The next morning, at four o'clock, Xiao Ping'an jumped up from the kang, went to the window and looked at the sky outside. Looking at the fiery red sunrise in the blue sky, he suddenly grinned.
Zhang Guoqing heard the noise and walked into the bedroom. He smiled and said, "So happy?"
"Dad, it won't rain today. The weather is very nice."
"Come here, little rascal. Daddy will help you get dressed. Your mom has prepared your favorite breakfast. Let's eat as a family and leave right away."
"Dad, give me my bow."
Zhang Guoqing helped him put on his coat and trousers, picked him up and nodded with a smile.
A hearty breakfast was laid out on the table in the living room: five eggs, a plate of sliced sausage, a plate of tomato and cucumber slices, a bottle of beef sauce, three bowls of white porridge, and ten white steamed buns.
Xiao Ping'an cheered, slipped out of Zhang Guoqing's arms and ran outside to quickly brush his teeth and wash his face. As soon as he sat down, he took the white steamed bun with sausage and cucumber slices and stuffed it into his mouth.
After swallowing two mouthfuls, he held up the white steamed bun in his hand and said, "Mom, leave two for my grandparents, and two eggs for them too. I'll take them to them later."
"Mom has already sent it over, just relax and eat yours."
Ping'an opened his mouth wide, "How much did you give?" Without waiting for Zhou Jiao to reply, he said anxiously, "Mom, I'm not stingy, it wouldn't be good if Xizi and the others saw it."
Zhang Guoqing patted him, "Your mother is not stupid. Come on, eat and let's go."
Ping An looked at Zhou Jiao's face and finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her nodding with a smile. "I asked those children, and they've never eaten white flour except during Chinese New Year. They have two meals a day, one dry and one liquid. They can only eat three meals a day in the canteen during the busy farming season. Do you know what "one dry and one liquid" means?"
Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded.
"No wonder grandma said it's a good life to be able to eat steamed bread every day. By the way, Dad, last night the uncles and brothers in our team asked me when you would go hunting wild boars."
"So what do you think?"
Ping An frowned, "Sister Yaya said that every blade of grass on this mountain belongs to the team. People from the city who want to go up the mountain have to hide what they kill or they can't take it away. If we have any left, we can give them to the team. It would be unfair to take it all."
"You're right to think so. Eat first, or your brother Xizi and the others will come over if you're late."
After hearing this, Ping'an no longer cared about anything else and just started eating.
This time, they brought the mother and daughter up the mountain. Zhang Guoqing tied his son to his chest, cleared the way with a machete in one hand, and held his wife's hand with the other. He was very careful along the way, and with the little hand in his arms occasionally snapping small stones, it took quite a while for them to successfully reach the wooden nest on the mountain.
"I remember this place. My great-grandfather built it. There are lots of fish in the river ahead."
Zhang Guoqing walked around the house, checking to see if there was any danger. "We've caught quite a few fish, but there aren't many. We'll try using the net again when we get back."
"Mom, are you scared to be here alone?"
Zhou Jiao shook her head. "I have a weapon. You and your father should be careful."
Zhang Guoqing worriedly ordered, "If a man you don't know comes over, drug him first. Some people are so daring that they have no scruples in the wilderness. If anything goes wrong, open the cabin to warn people. I'll take my son and stay here. Don't leave the cabin!"
Zhou Jiao glanced at him sideways. "I know. I'll just keep an eye on my surroundings while I cook. Don't worry, I can still defeat two or three men."
Zhang Guoqing looked speechlessly at his wife, whose eyes gleamed with joy. No wonder she'd insisted on following him up the mountain. Did she have a plan in mind? He felt a little regretful for falling for her honey trap. Why had he agreed to her promise last night without thinking?
But seeing Zhou Jiao's calmness, he was no longer worried. If there were any foolish people who coveted his wife, he would make sure those people were wiped out.
"If the wolves come here, you'll know what to do, right?"
Zhou Jiao pushed him out speechlessly. This question had made her ears callused. Buddy, you are so young and so long-winded, okay?
Ping An giggled at this, and the little rascal even shouted deliberately: "Mom, don't get the wind direction wrong and make yourself dizzy."
Zhang Guoqing laughed out loud when he heard this, but when he saw her face full of shame and anger, he quickly took his son and slipped away.
As for wolves and the like, his wife is full of secret weapons and will have no problem protecting herself until he returns, so he is really not worried.
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