Chapter 42: Zhi Zhi’s bug feast is here

Chapter 42: Zhi Zhi's Bug Feast Has Arrived

This was the first time Little Dumpling had her hair tied into a tiny bun.

Her brothers had decent skills before, but they were afraid of hurting her, so the braids they made were always loose.

Unable to resist, she raised her little hand to touch the small bun at the back of her head, pinching it with her chubby fingers before giving Mu Lan a thumbs-up.

"You’re amazing, Sister!"

Mu Lan immediately grabbed Little Dumpling's hand and kissed it. "Thanks for the sweet words, darling."

Not only was Little Dumpling curious about the bun, but Fu Jingyi and Fu Yuchen were also intrigued by how it felt.

They had touched their sister's hair before—soft and fine.

Whenever they combed it for her, they couldn’t bear to pull too hard, afraid of hurting her.

Yet Mu Lan had effortlessly tied it into a neat little bun with just her hands...

They quietly memorized the technique. The boys, ever competitive, naturally decided to secretly practice making buns later!

By the time the assistant returned with afternoon tea, the sun was starting to set.

It was still scorching hot outside.

The assistant arranged the purchased pastries on the coffee table before pulling out four different food containers from another paper bag.

Inside the boxes were deep-fried grasshoppers, pan-seared longhorn beetle grubs, and two boxes of gummy bugs, glossy and sweet-smelling.

After setting out the containers, the assistant mopped his brow and stepped back.

Fourth Miss Fu had some unusual tastes.

Most kids would’ve screamed bloody murder at the sight of bugs.

But Fourth Miss? She demanded to eat them.

While purchasing the insects, he was this close to losing it at the sight of the densely packed display in the shop window.

He’d just told the shopkeeper to pick whatever was popular. Now, as he opened the containers, the grasshoppers were tolerable, but the sight of the shriveled fried grubs made his vision swim—he nearly passed out right then.

Could people actually eat these things—plump and soft when alive, now charred and shriveled after frying?

Pinching his philtrum hard to steady himself, the assistant turned his head away, refusing to look at the bugs on the table.

As someone with a phobia of soft-bodied creatures, he feared that even one more glance would shave years off his life.

Mu Lan and the Fu brothers were no less shocked than the assistant.

Mu Lan had just been teasing Little Dumpling.

But her overly honest assistant had actually bought real bugs.

The larvae seemed to stare back, daring her to look away. Mu Lan was so startled she almost flung Little Dumpling in shock.

Gulping deep breaths, Mu Lan—no stranger to shocks—forced herself to look.

But any trace of laughter vanished.

"Zhi Zhi, honey... you actually want to eat these?"

Back in the lake, Zhi Zhi’s diet was mostly worms and algae.

She had never seen such a grand display, especially since the shopkeeper, eager to promote his products, had given the assistant the largest, fattest grasshoppers and larvae.

Her chubby fists death-gripping Mu Lan’s collar tightly, Zhi Zhi shook her head furiously.

"No buggies! No buggies!"

Her tiny voice quivered, on the verge of tears. "Zhi Zhi won’t eat candy anymore! Zhi Zhi doesn’t want sweet buggies!"

The thought of eating such huge bugs made her quickly cover her mouth with her hands.

At the same time, her eyes reddened, and she buried her face in Mu Lan’s chest.

Mu Lan couldn’t stand the sight either and quickly told the assistant to take the bugs away.

Rubbing Little Dumpling’s back soothingly, Mu Lan was both amused and helpless. "There, there, Zhi Zhi, don’t be scared. The bugs are gone now. Do you want some candy?"

Ugh, sweet bug-shaped candy...

Picking up a gummy worm, Mu Lan pulled a face and glared at the assistant, realizing for the first time that he had a warped sense of humor.

The long, multicolored gummy worm wasn’t as terrifying as the real thing.

But the real bugs had scarred Little Dumpling. The moment she saw the worm-shaped candy, she squealed and dove back into Mu Lan’s arms.

Mu Lan knew she shouldn’t laugh, but seeing Little Dumpling hiding in her embrace, her little butt sticking up, was just too funny.

She couldn’t help but chuckle.

Fu Jingyi and Fu Yuchen exchanged exasperated looks at Mu Lan.

They had only known Mu Lan to be fiery-tempered, as fierce as their father.

But they hadn’t realized she also had such a childish side.

Seeing their sister so frightened while Mu Lan laughed and apologized had them sighing in disbelief.

Fortunately, the assistant, figuring Little Dumpling might balk, had prepared a small cheesecake as backup.

Once all the bugs were cleared away, Fu Jingyi opened the cake box, and the sweet smell of cream cheese wafted out.

"If you don’t want bugs, how about some cake? It’s delicious, Zhi Zhi. Want to try?"

As Fu Jingyi cut into the cake, the sweetness grew even more enticing.

Still spooked, Little Dumpling couldn’t resist sniffing the air and peering out from Mu Lan’s arms.

Peeking through her fingers, Zhi Zhi checked the coast was clear before lowering them in relief.

The cheesecake was a last-minute buy—not gourmet, but good enough. It was all it took to lure Little Dumpling out.

"Wow! Cake, Brother!"

Fu Jingyi smiled and nodded. "Go ahead, Zhi Zhi. Take a bite."

Fu Jingyi picked up a small spoon and scooped a bite of cake. Just as he brought it to his sister's lips, she opened her mouth wide and took a big "ah-um!" bite, swallowing the cake in one go.

The cake melted on her tongue—a sensation little dumpling had never experienced before.

Seeing her brother about to take the spoon away, she immediately reached out and grabbed it herself.

Licking off the remaining cream from the spoon, the little dumpling, who had been scared moments before, now squinted her eyes in delight at the delicious treat.

"So yummy and sweet! Big brother, you try some too!"

With that, she leaned forward, struggling to scoop another bite of cake with the spoon, eager to feed her brother.

Yummy things are for sharing with family!

The moment she saw her brother nod and say it was delicious, she giggled happily.

Mu Lan’s heart melted as she watched.

Casually picking up a clean spoon to replace the one in little dumpling's hand, Mu Lan said straightforwardly, "Big sister wants a bite too! Can Zhi Zhi feed me as well?"

Zhi Zhi beamed, thrilled to share, and nodded eagerly. "Okay!"

Nearby, Fu Yuchen, who usually disdained such competitions and wasn’t even fond of sweets, jumped in on the fun. "What about second brother? Zhi Zhi fed big brother and sister. Don’t forget your second brother!"

Since arriving in the human world, little dumpling, who hadn’t even needed to walk on her own, got a taste of being busy for the first time.

The cheesecake wasn’t big, and between feeding everyone and being fed by the three adults, the four of them quickly made quick work of the whole cake.

Rubbing her tiny belly (still not full), little dumpling’s face was filled with joy.

Even though Zhi Zhi wasn’t completely full, sharing cake with her brothers and sister made her so happy.

Meanwhile, Mu Lan’s assistant had already snapped a pic of the four sharing the cake with his phone.

Maybe he’d secretly use this as his wallpaper... Just for his eyes only!