Chapter 5: I Could Pin That Brat Down With One Hand

Chapter 5: I Could Pin That Brat Down With One Hand

Beside the stream, not only were Xingxing and her four older brothers present, but there were also a few other village youths.

"Where did this little girl come from? She looks so skinny."

The leading youth, who had been squatting by the stream playing with water, couldn't help but turn his head when he heard the Yu family laughing and chatting noisily.

He had always been at odds with Yu Yonghuai, and upon seeing the Yu family, he curled his lip, his eyes scanning over the half-grown boys before settling on Xingxing, scrutinizing her critically.

Luo Qiong Niu, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes, had a somewhat fierce appearance. Xingxing was a bit scared of his gaze and clung to Huai Geer's neck, burying her head in his shoulder.

Huai Geer felt protective. He glared at the leading youth and said, "Luo Qiong Niu, put away that face. This is my sister!"

"Sister?" Luo Qiong Niu sneered as if he had heard a joke. "Isn't your family just a bunch of brats? Where did you get a sister?"

He grinned, clearly mocking Huai Geer.

Though young, Xingxing could discern the emotions in others' tones.

This person was making fun of her brother!

Xingxing clenched her small fists, mustering up courage. She bravely lifted her head from Huai Geer's shoulder and loudly declared to the youth named Luo Qiong Niu, "My name is Xingxing, and I am my brother's sister!"

She tried to be brave, but her voice still trembled slightly.

Luo Qiong Niu was completely taken aback.

Although Xingxing was skinny, she was truly adorable, especially when she tried to appear fearless by widening her eyes, making her dark almond-shaped eyes look even rounder.

Her trembling voice, despite being scared, yet pretending to be brave, left him speechless.

Luo Qiong Niu was charmed, drawing a sharp breath.

His own sister only threw mud at him and cried while snatching his food!

How could a rough guy like Yu Yonghuai have such an adorable sister?! He couldn't accept it!

But Yu Yonghuai and his three younger brothers were still glaring fiercely. Luo Qiong Niu refused to back down and retorted, "Pfft, what a stupid look!"

However, after saying it, he felt a bit regretful.

Had he gone too far? Would he scare this timid girl?

Xingxing had quickly buried her head in Huai Geer's shoulder after shouting, too nervous to hear what Luo Qiong Niu said, her ears filled with the sound of her own heartbeat.

But the Yu brothers couldn't stand it; they exploded with anger!

How dare you insult my sister, Luo Qiong Niu!

Huai Geer, who had been holding Xingxing, handed her to his third brother, the relatively weaker Yu Yongliu, and called out, leading the eleven-year-old Yu Yongbai and seven-year-old Yu Yonggui, both rolling up their sleeves to grab Luo Qiong Niu.

Luo Qiong Niu's companions were also playing nearby. He swore, didn't dodge, and charged forward with them.

But—thirteen-year-old Huai Geer was naturally strong, handling them like chicks. The other two, Bai Geer, who was quick-witted, and Gui Geer, who was also strong, didn't show any fear!

Only the ten-year-old, weak-bodied Yu Yongliu, carrying Xingxing, walked away.

He couldn't let his sister see such violence!

Xingxing was still confused and wanted to look around, but Yu Yongliu gently pressed her head down onto his shoulder, "Be good, this isn't for children to see."

Xingxing obediently said, "Oh," without struggling, though a thought flashed through her mind: Wasn't Third Brother also a child since he wasn't much older?

Was it because Third Brother was a bigger child, and she was only three years old, a tiny child?

Xingxing's little brain raced, forgetting about everything else.

Liu Ge'er carried Xingxing back to the village path, panting heavily.

Xingxing hurriedly got off Liu Ge'er, feeling guilty, "Third Brother, it's all because Xingxing is too heavy! Are you very tired? Let me give you a massage."

Saying this, she raised her small fists, signaling Liu Ge'er to squat down.

Although Liu Ge'er wasn't tired enough to need a massage, he still followed Xingxing's instructions, squatted down, and let her pound his back a few times. Then he stood up, jumping a few times in mock surprise, "Wow, Xingxing is amazing! Third Brother isn't tired at all now!"

Xingxing smiled widely, delighted.

How happy she was to help her brother!

Liu Ge'er held Xingxing's hand and waited by the village path for his brothers to return.

Soon, Huai Geer returned with his two younger brothers, triumphant.

Huai Geer looked victorious, while Bai Geer and Gui Geer, though their clothes were a bit dirty, were still proud, holding their chins high like generals returning from a victorious battle.

Xingxing immediately rushed forward, concerned, "Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, are you okay?"

The three brothers, who had just fought, felt invigorated by their sister's concern, ready to fight ten more!

Huai Geer laughed heartily, trying to show off, "Don't worry, Xingxing. I could pin that brat down with one hand!"

Bai Geer and Gui Geer chimed in, describing the battle, "That's right, we pinned them to the ground!"

"We beat them until they begged for mercy!"

Xingxing's eyes sparkled with admiration and adoration, "Wow! My brothers are so amazing!"

The little girl clapped enthusiastically, expressing her utmost admiration for her three brothers.

The three brothers who had just returned from a fight suddenly felt that they should perhaps drag Luo Qiong Niu and his gang back for another beating?

(Luo Qiong Niu: Are you being polite?)

"..." Looking at the brothers who were brimming with fighting spirit and eager to fight again, Liu Ge'er, who was physically weaker, had the thought for the first time that he needed to start working out seriously.

...

The rain that night thoroughly soaked the ground. The men of the Yu family took this opportunity to go to the fields, carrying hoes to walk along the edges and repair the ridges, retaining water.

The women of the Yu family each had their own tasks and were busy with their work.

Laughter and joy came from the wood gate; it was the Yu brothers bringing Xingxing back.

Yu Yonghuai held a bunch of wild fruits in the hem of his clothes and eagerly called out to the main house, "Grandma! We found a lot of wild fruits in the bushes at the foot of the mountain!"

Wei Pozi came out of the house, seeing the children's smiling faces. Xingxing walked between her grandsons, her little face blooming like a flower as she proudly said, "Grandma, Xingxing helped pick them too—ten of them!"

Xingxing spread her small hands to show Wei Pozi the count.

Wei Pozi couldn't help but smile, "Oh, our Xingxing is so capable?—come, let me see. You didn't pick any poisonous fruits, did you?"

"No way! Grandma, Third Brother always knows how to identify things, and he checked everything for us!"

"Yeah, yeah, Third Brother is so great!"

Xingxing chimed in happily.

With such praise from his sister, Liu Ge'er's heart, which had been slightly regretful for not joining the fight, finally found some comfort.

The children chattered away, making the courtyard lively.

The window of the third branch moved, closing tighter.

Su Rouer, the third daughter-in-law of the Yu family, sat by the window, sulking.

What's going on!

Su Rouer felt that her father-in-law and mother-in-law had some issues.

It had been a while since she sent anything to her natal family during the festivals, yet her in-laws brought back another mouth to feed without a second thought!

And those precious eggs—they don't eat them themselves, so why can't they give one more to her son Ju Ge'er? How could they just casually share the eggs with an outsider?!

This is such a waste!

Oh, and the four fools from the first and second branches! Ju Ge'er is their legitimate youngest brother. Who is that little girl to them? Seeing how affectionately they treat her is truly infuriating!

Just then, Ju Ge'er, who had been sleeping on the bed, woke up. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, sat up, and mumbled, "Mother."

Su Rouer pushed him back down, "Good boy, sleep a bit more. The wind and rain were so strong last night, with thunder and lightning. It must have scared you."

Ju Ge'er, having had a good nap, was now fully awake. He pouted, "Mother, I don't want to sleep anymore! I want to go out and play!"

Saying this, he wriggled his little body and tried to get off the bed.