Chapter Thirty-Four: Sweet Pastry

From the Tan family’s troubles, Old Madam Lin had learned a valuable lesson: always be vigilant. Besides keeping a watchful eye on that old demoness from the Tan family every day, she had to guard against thieves too! So, Old Madam Lin sent Lin Sanlang to the neighboring village to buy a puppy.

It was said that a certain family’s little female dog had unwittingly been sullied by some stray, resulting in a litter of puppies, each a different color. Figuring that what mattered most was guarding the house, they simply chose a black pup and brought it home.

Thus, Fubao gained a new responsibility: feeding the puppy.

Every time Old Madam Lin made sure the puppy had its fill, it wouldn’t be long before Fubao came along with a big soup bowl to give it more. Before long, the black dog—Little Black—wasn’t fierce at all, just plump and round.

As the sun climbed high, Meng Yun finished embroidering her handkerchief and stretched her limbs. Guessing her daughter must be awake by now, she headed to the side room, with the plump Little Black waddling after her.

Inside, Fubao was hugging an egg she’d found by the stream, drooling over it. According to her, this was how Big Flower—her favorite hen—laid eggs!

Big Flower: What?! I’m a rooster!

Looking at Fubao, Meng Yun could only shake her head in helplessness. Where did the child learn all this? Remarkably, the egg wasn’t even cracked under her grip—it was a miracle!

Meng Yun moved to take the egg from her daughter’s arms, but just as she reached out, she heard the sound of the eggshell cracking. Soon, a tiny, scruffy head poked its way out, and their eyes met.

Meng Yun was speechless.

Was this a duckling?

The Lin family stared as the little creature scurried about the floor. It had only just hatched, its feathers grey and fuzzy, but no one was quite sure what it was. Well, they’d just raise it as a chicken for now!

Thus, Big Flower gained a new companion, further swelling the ranks of the chicken clan.

After lunch, the Lin family went about their business. Lin Dalang had already gone to town to do odd jobs and wasn’t home. That was arranged by his younger brother—there was just no way to make ends meet with all the family’s needs: raising children, sending Little Wolf to school, and countless other expenses. Farming alone wasn’t enough.

Fubao was sent to take her midday nap by her mother. Meng Yun, knowing her daughter was a little rascal, kept a close eye on her. Just at that moment, Steward Liu from the Meng family estate arrived with urgent matters to discuss—the estate nearby belonged to Meng Yun, after all. Lin Sanlang, too, had been assigned there by his wife.

Lin Sanlang: Why do I feel like I’m living off my wife?

Hearing the voices outside, Meng Yun glanced at her daughter—yes, fast asleep. She turned and left. Soon after, Fubao, unable to keep up the act, opened one eye, then the other. Good, her mother was gone and her father was with Grandpa Liu. It was the perfect chance to sneak out and play!

And so, little Fubao, with the plump Little Black in tow, slipped out the door.

These days, Tian Youfu was in a foul mood. Ever since his nanny lost her money, his quality of life had plummeted. The daily egg he demanded was gone, and so was the special meat he’d sometimes get. He’d even lost weight!

If that wretched Tian Ernü hadn't stolen money from who-knows-where, his grandmother’s money wouldn’t have been stolen, and that damned thief... Tian Youfu was simmering with unspent resentment.

Just then, he spotted Fubao bouncing over, munching on a sweet biscuit, with a fat puppy at her heels.

Little Black: Who are you calling fat? You’re no twig yourself!

But that wasn’t the point—the point was, this girl was eating something delicious!

Tian Youfu’s mouth watered. Why should this chubby brat get treats when he had none? No way—he wanted some too!

Fubao was savoring the sweet biscuit given to her by her older brother Yun’nan—the servant from the Meng estate—when suddenly the sunlight was blocked.

Huh—why was there a little hill here?

Tian Youfu: What?!

“Hey, brat, give me that biscuit,” Tian Youfu demanded, hands on his hips, utterly shameless.

At the sound of his voice, Fubao immediately scampered off. Bad guy!

Tian Youfu: What the...

“Hey! You’re a bad guy! Brother Little Wolf said so—you’re a villain, always trying to snatch Fubao’s treats!” Fubao accused in her childish voice.

“Heh, if you know I’m a bad guy, all the more reason to fork over the goodies. If you don’t, I’ll hit you!” Tian Youfu threatened, still full of swagger. Today, he was determined to get that biscuit.

So scary!

Fubao glanced down at the treat in her hand, then up at the “little hill” looming over her. She pursed her lips, heart aching, and finally said, “Well... I’ll give you some. Half for you, half for me.” With her chubby hands, she broke the biscuit in two.

Tian Youfu watched as the already small biscuit was split in half—now there was even less!

“Here, the small piece is for you, the big one’s for me,” Fubao declared in her sweet little voice.

Tian Youfu was speechless.

In the end, Tian Youfu, shameless as ever, wolfed down the two smaller pieces, while Fubao was left on the verge of tears.

But then—a stern voice rang out. Tian Youfu instantly wilted—it was Village Chief Lin!

Just then, Village Chief Lin Erde had returned from patrolling the creek. Yesterday, his granddaughter Er’ya brought home an egg—delicious, though he’d only had a nibble. The egg, as eggs should, tasted fresh. He’d hoped to find more today, but instead of eggs, he caught a plump little troublemaker.

Tian Youfu was bullying the younger children—stealing chickens and now openly robbing others! Was he trying to challenge the village chief’s authority?

In the end, the village chief carried Fubao straight to the Tian family’s door.

Old Man Tian saw the chief off, but not long after, Old Madam Lin came knocking!

The Tian family: Didn’t they say the Lin family was always slow to catch wind of things? Who said that?

After the Tian family had just suffered a misfortune, now the Lin family came to make things right.

Who would dare bully my little princess? I’ll turn your world upside down!

And so, not only was Tian Youfu marched home in disgrace for bullying the younger children, but his own grandmother was also made to clean the latrines as punishment by Village Chief Lin—after all, it was her grandson who caused the trouble. With her daughter-in-law refusing, only the doting grandmother could be made to do it.