Chapter 101: Caught in a Trap

Chen Rui shook her head, "Grand-aunt, I don't want to eat this, but could you promise me one thing?"

"What is it?" Bai Xi had never heard Chen Rui make a request of her before.

"Grand-aunt, if you go into the mountains, you have to take me with you. I'll accompany you—don't go alone." Chen Rui had wanted to say this since morning, but with others around, she'd kept it to herself.

Bai Xi immediately realized Chen Rui had misunderstood, but before she could explain, Chen Rui continued, "Even though I can't carry much, at least if I go with you, and we run into danger, I can keep watch. Grand-aunt can run ahead if needed, right?"

Bai Xi was silent.

Little Black glanced up at Chen Rui, thinking to himself, "You should have a bit more self-awareness. Someone like you wouldn't even make a decent snack for the mountain beasts." Besides, with me here, who would dare lay a finger on my master?

Seeing Bai Xi remain silent, Chen Rui grew a little sad. "Grand-aunt, do you dislike me because I'm small?"

Bai Xi shook her head.

"Then is it because you want to take Xiaoshunzi and the others, and you think I'm just a useless girl, so you don't want me along?"

"No."

Chen Rui's eyes reddened, on the verge of tears. Bai Xi hurriedly said, "I haven't gone into the mountains yet. If I do, I'll call for you. All this today was hunted by Little Black, who went out alone at midnight."

"Really?"

Bai Xi nodded, but before she could reply, Little Black beside her whined, as if to say, "Of course! I made so many trips myself!"

Receiving Bai Xi's assurance, Chen Rui left, happy and content. Bai Xi, belatedly, glanced at Little Black and asked, "Why do I feel like I've been tricked?"

Little Black looked up, whined, "Master, what?"

"Never mind, eat your chicken bones. Even if I explained, you wouldn't understand!" Bai Xi waved her hand, speechless.

Little Black, hearing this, focused on gnawing the chicken bones, but muttered to himself, "Why wouldn't I understand? Chen Rui just tricked my master. But for my master's dignity, I won't say it aloud."

After all, he knew Bai Xi cared about Chen Rui and wouldn't be angry with her. Even if Chen Rui joined her in the mountains, it wasn't a big deal, so he kept quiet.

Meanwhile, Chen Rui, already back home, was overjoyed. Sure enough, Grand-aunt responded to kindness, not force. If she spoke gently and pitifully, Grand-aunt would agree.

In the blink of an eye, the twenty-eighth day of the lunar year arrived.

Over the past few days, Bai Xi's treehouse had been swept spotless. Little Black ventured into the mountains every other day to hunt. Though he didn't bring back as much as before, he still managed three or five wild rabbits or pheasants, so the villagers didn't worry that Bai Xi and Little Black would go without meat.

The village of Niuluo raised six pigs. These pigs had been brought back as piglets by Bai Xi's father, Bai Haotian, for everyone to raise together. No one in the village neglected them; caring for these six pigs took as much effort as tending cattle, always worried they'd go hungry or thirsty, or accidentally die.

Finally, it was time to slaughter the pigs and divide the meat. Everyone was beside themselves with joy.

Some even silently prayed, "Ancestors, protect us! Bai Ancestor, protect us! Thank you, Grand-aunt, for your blessing..."

That morning, Bai Xi heard there would be a pig slaughter. After breakfast, she took Little Black along to watch the festivities.

"Grand-aunt is here!"

"Good morning, Grand-aunt!"

"Grand-aunt, have you eaten?"

"Grand-aunt, haven't seen you for two days, did you sleep well?"

"Grand-aunt..."

"Grand-aunt..."

Bai Xi nodded calmly, walking down the path the villagers cleared for her.

What a sight! All six pigs had their legs bound, laid out on long benches, howling loudly. But when Bai Xi and Little Black appeared, the pigs quieted, no longer struggling.

"Grand-aunt, you've come." Chen Daliu was discussing the process with Old Black Li, but upon seeing Bai Xi, hurried over, bowing slightly in greeting.

"I'm just bored, came to watch the excitement." Bai Xi clasped her hands behind her back, mimicking an adult's manner. Yet, she was only five years old; the gesture made her appear adorably soft, making people wish to scoop her up and cherish her. Only her status kept them from acting on the urge.

"Well, Grand-aunt..." Chen Daliu began, his tone familiar, reminding Bai Xi of his usual procedures. Surely he wouldn’t need her to bang a gong and start the ceremony just for a pig slaughter? How silly!

"Let's get started, don't dawdle. Can't you see everyone's waiting to divide the meat?"

Chen Daliu realized Bai Xi didn’t want any formalities. With the cold weather, speed was necessary—otherwise, they'd be cleaning up by midnight.

He raised his hand to quiet the crowd, then selected several strong young men to help Old Black Li with the slaughter.

Sensing their impending doom, the six pigs cried out in unison, making Bai Xi frown.

Little Black immediately barked twice at them, silencing the pigs at once.

The villagers were stunned by Little Black's display, then quickly showered him with praise.

Little Black lifted his head, seeking Bai Xi's approval—"Master, see how good I am?"

Bai Xi glanced at him, saying nothing, but her gaze clearly conveyed, "Impressive!"

Soon, Chen Daliu saw Old Black Li sharpening his knife. To distract Bai Xi from the bloody scene, he hurried to engage her in conversation.

He stepped aside, shielding Bai Xi from the direction of the first pig, and spoke earnestly, "Grand-aunt, there's something I need to discuss with you."

"Go ahead," Bai Xi replied, poking her head forward, unconcerned.

She was just a little girl, yet no matter the issue, the villagers always consulted her. Bai Xi wasn’t sure whether to say they respected her or not.

Chen Daliu moved half a step, not to avoid her, but to appear casual as he blocked her view even more. "Here's the thing: our village is slaughtering six pigs this year—four more than last year. Before you arrived, I weighed them with everyone; each pig is just over two hundred jin. The lightest is two hundred fifteen jin six liang, the heaviest two hundred thirty-six jin three liang."

Bai Xi nodded, pretending to ponder like an adult, then said, "Excellent, everyone’s efforts deserve praise."

Truth be told, she hadn't done much, yet she’d get a good portion of pork. Bai Xi felt a faint twinge of embarrassment, but it quickly vanished. She eyed the kicking pigs, already planning to have Chen Zhaodi make braised pork tonight—big chunks, no less.

Those nearby, hearing Bai Xi’s praise, immediately broke into wide, delighted smiles. Listen—Grand-aunt was complimenting them.

Soon, even those farther away heard the news, and everyone was even happier. What could be better than receiving Grand-aunt's praise and a share of meat?

"Grand-aunt, there's more," Chen Daliu continued, shifting his stance to block Bai Xi's view once again.