Chapter 23 Suddenly So Cold

Chapter 23 Suddenly So Cold

The next morning, Yu Sanbao changed into slightly newer clothes, groomed himself to look refreshed, took the money given by Wei Pozi, and also brought along the grasshopper that Yu Siyang had specially woven for Ju Geer, then headed to Mapo County.

Yu Daniu was supposed to go to the mountains today to check the animal traps he had set a few days ago. However, just as he was about to leave, someone from the clan came, saying that a relative of the Yu family had fallen off while repairing a roof beam and was seriously injured. The situation was uncertain, so they were calling people over.

Old Man Yu had to go, and as the eldest son of the Yu family branch, Yu Daniu naturally had to go too.

Yu Daniu frowned deeply.

Huai Geer patted his chest. "Father, don't worry. I remember where those traps are. I'll go check them."

The eldest son was incredibly strong and reliable. Moreover, due to years of natural disasters and human misfortunes, there weren't many wild animals left in the mountains. The traps rarely yielded anything—setting them was more about having a slim chance of catching something rather than doing nothing at all.

Thinking this, Yu Daniu nodded. "Alright, you and Bai Geer go check. Be careful."

Huai Geer readily agreed.

After Old Man Yu and Yu Daniu left, Yu Erhu also took Liu Ge'er and Gui Geer to the fields. When Huai Geer and Bai Geer were about to head to the mountains, they saw Xingxing standing alone by the gate, looking at them with eager eyes.

How could a brother resist such a gaze!

Huai Geer immediately asked, "Xingxing, do you want to come with us to the mountains?"

Xingxing's round eyes lit up instantly!

But she hesitated. "Would I be a bother to you?"

Huai Geer quickly replied, "Of course not! Today we're just going to check the traps. We probably won't find anything; it's just a walk in the woods. Don't worry, I have plenty of strength. If you get tired, I'll carry you!"

Bai Geer added, "That's right. Your Second Brother is here too. It's no problem at all."

Xingxing's heart raced!

She thought for a moment. "Big Brother, Second Brother, wait for Xingxing! I'll ask Grandma!" With their approval, Xingxing ran back into the house, even before entering, shouting, "Grandma, can Xingxing go into the mountains with Big Brother and Second Brother?"

The little girl practically flew through the bamboo curtain into the main room.

Her eagerness made Huai Geer and Bai Geer laugh.

Soon, Wei Pozi led Xingxing out of the main room.

"Xingxing has never been to the mountains. You two must take good care of her," Wei Pozi repeatedly instructed her grandsons.

Although they were going into the mountains, Wei Pozi knew they would only enter the outer regions of Mount Langshen. The villagers of Nantu Village had lived here for generations, and the outer regions of Mount Langshen had no dangerous beasts. Usually, villagers who went into the mountains found mostly small game like pheasants and rabbits, which posed little danger.

Huai Geer and Bai Geer thumped their chests confidently and took Xingxing from Wei Pozi.

Xingxing's face flushed with excitement. "Big Brother, Second Brother, don't worry. Xingxing won't be a bother!"

Huai Geer and Bai Geer laughed, each taking one of Xingxing's small hands, and entered Mount Langshen.

The path into the mountains was manageable, but deeper in, the terrain became difficult to navigate.

Though there were some small paths, they were rarely used, with leaves and dead plants piled high, making it easy to sink ankle-deep. Additionally, recent rain had caused vines to grow rapidly, and Huai Geer often had to clear the way with a sickle while Bai Geer held Xingxing's hand tightly, following closely behind. The three siblings slowly ventured deeper into the forest, occasionally picking edible mushrooms or fruits to put in the bamboo basket Huai Geer carried.

By the time they reached several spots, they had already collected half a basket of mushrooms—a significant haul.

Huai Geer remembered the approximate locations of the traps.

To alert others, they usually marked nearby trees when setting traps, making them easy to find.

Huai Geer pointed to a tall paulownia tree with deep scars on its bark.

"There's a trap under that tree. Wait here, I'll go check." He instructed Bai Geer to keep Xingxing away.

Xingxing obediently nodded, curiously looking around.

Huai Geer cautiously approached the trap with a stick, but unfortunately, it was empty.

This was normal and expected.

Huai Geer returned calmly, shaking his head at Bai Geer and Xingxing.

Bai Geer, being younger, couldn't help murmuring, "I thought our luck was good today. We picked quite a few edible mushrooms... I thought maybe we'd catch something in the trap!"

Huai Geer chuckled. "Enough, picking so many mushrooms is already great! Look at Xingxing, she's calmer than you!"

Xingxing clenched her fists to encourage Bai Geer. "Second Brother, we'll definitely catch something later!"

Bai Geer laughed and couldn't resist pinching Xingxing's cheek again.

The three siblings moved on to the next trap.

However, after checking three traps, all were empty.

This was normal. In these lean times, even wild vegetables were scarce. If not for the recent rain, they might not have found any mushrooms or vegetables at all—catching game was rare.

Still, collecting half a basket of mushrooms wasn't a bad day.

Moreover, seeing Xingxing so happy made Huai Geer and Bai Geer smile too.

There was one last trap, a bit further away.

Huai Geer and Bai Geer didn't expect much.

However, as they approached the last animal trap, Xingxing suddenly shivered, wrapping her small hands around herself and trembling.

Huai Geer immediately noticed Xingxing's abnormal behavior and became worried. "Xingxing, what's wrong?!"

Seeing Xingxing's pale face, he grew even more anxious.

Could she have been bitten by some poisonous insect?!

He could be in trouble, but Xingxing absolutely couldn't!

Xingxing's teeth chattered, and she was about to cry: "Cold, so cold..."

Huai Geer and Bai Geer immediately took off their outer robes, ignoring their bare chests, and wrapped Xingxing in the clothes. Huai Geer held her tightly, very worried: "Why would you suddenly feel so cold?"

He then instructed Bai Geer: "Dig a pit, find some dry branches, and start a fire."

Bai Geer responded promptly and quickly dug a pit with his sickle.

But just as Bai Geer finished digging the pit and collected many dry branches, before he could light the fire, Xingxing's small body stopped trembling, and her complexion slowly returned to its rosy hue. Even Xingxing herself was somewhat bewildered.

Suddenly, she wasn't cold anymore!

She looked up at Huai Geer, who was holding her tightly: "Big Brother, Xingxing is fine now..."

Huai Geer repeatedly confirmed with Xingxing: "Really? Is there anywhere else that still hurts, Xingxing?"

Xingxing shook her head, feeling dazed.

Just like how she suddenly felt unwell earlier, she suddenly felt better!

How strange!