Chapter 122: Despised by Humans and Dogs Alike

None of the little troublemakers had any idea that Blackie still held a grudge over how they had looked down on him before—how close he had come to not being accepted by Bai Xi.

At this moment, the group, feeling confident after half a month of practice, gathered together, preparing to take on a few jujube trees.

There was no other choice; in the village, the only small trees suitable for their purpose were these newly planted jujube trees.

Blackie watched secretly from behind a pile of bricks. Seeing the group rubbing their hands in anticipation, a mischievous glint flashed in his tiger-like eyes before he turned and left.

It was the busy season in the fields.

If one wanted the rice seedlings to grow tall, they had to remove the weeds competing for space.

The irrigation ditch also needed digging; otherwise, if it got blocked, using the water later would be a nightmare.

Blackie’s pure white fur made him impossible to overlook.

“Hey, why is Blackie coming over here?”

“No idea.”

“Blackie, did you come out with our lady?”

One bold fellow asked with a smile.

At first, the villagers had feared Blackie; then they came to admire him, and now he was just a normal presence.

Though their hearts still fluttered with surprise and fear when they saw Blackie—after all, he was a fierce beast, and fear of such creatures was instinctual, even if they knew Blackie wouldn’t harm anyone—they mostly felt proud. Such a formidable beast was at the mercy of their lady’s guidance, obedient and meek. Many thought to themselves that Blackie was born for her; otherwise, how could their lady understand beast speech, and how else would Blackie, orphaned and found by her, have come to be?

Besides, the little troublemakers said Blackie had insisted on following their lady, clearly knowing she was powerful and seeking protection.

Seeing such a fierce beast follow their lady showed just how formidable she must be!

Blackie tilted his head at the questioner, thought for a moment, and shook his head.

He could have ignored it, but since they had asked about his master, he kindly responded.

The questioner was stunned to receive a reply from Blackie, then broke into a wide, joyful grin. Had Blackie not been there, he might have laughed out loud in excitement.

Under everyone’s astonished gaze, Blackie circled the field ridge and found the parents of the little troublemakers.

Thanks to the incident earlier that New Year’s Day when Blackie had identified people, everyone understood his intention now.

“Is she looking for our lady?”

“Probably.”

“Well, go quickly then!”

With envious looks from the villagers, the parents of the little troublemakers hurriedly informed the village chief, cleaned the mud from their legs by the irrigation ditch, and happily followed Blackie.

But not long after, those busy in the fields faintly heard angry roars, followed by the thunderous cries of the little troublemakers.

Blackie had led them some distance away, then pointed his head toward the little troublemakers before retreating far off.

Hissing—the lady must be there?

The abandoned children stood puzzled, glancing between Blackie’s departing direction and the one he had indicated. Exchanging looks, they curiously approached.

What they hadn’t expected was not to see Bai Xi, but to find their own children wreaking havoc on the jujube trees.

One of the little troublemakers planted his feet firmly in a martial stance. Though it was far from perfect, it was no longer the trembling, uncertain pose from before, drawing gasps from the others.

Those exclamations led the confused adults to the scene.

“Look at mine...” one cried before shouting loudly, stiffening to mimic a knife and swinging toward the jujube tree.

They had tried punching before, but their strength was lacking. When fists struck the tree, it bounced back, showering their faces with leaves.

Seeing this, he thought the jujube tree was thin enough that fists wouldn’t break it, but maybe a knife strike would.

So he transformed his fists into an imaginary blade.

As he struck, the jujube tree bent slightly. Before he could bask in his friends’ admiration, a furious roar came from behind.

Amid the panicked glances of the others, he turned to see his parents angrily striding toward him.

He was stunned—was he about to be caught sneaking in martial arts practice?

“You little devil, how dare you harm the newly planted jujube trees!”

“If I don’t beat you senseless today, I’ll disown you!”

Only then did the adults understand why Blackie had come to get them.

It wasn’t that their lady had urgent business, but that their own children had done something foolish again.

Look at the state of those jujube trees—they were ruined. Worse still, the watermelon seedlings just sprouting beneath them were trampled to nothing.

One father, too angry to speak, grabbed his son and slapped him hard on the backside.

“Ah, Dad, I’m sorry...” the boy cried out, hoping confessing first would help.

The mother of another boy pinched the man beside her in anger and scolded, “See? I told you, if you don’t punish him properly, he’ll tear the house apart.”

They had been lenient lately—climbing trees and wading through rivers was one thing, but now they’d even destroyed the jujube trees. If they didn’t discipline him harshly, next time he might really wreck the house, pee in the cooking pot.

“If you don’t give him a good beating today, you’re not a real man!”

Already furious, the father took his wife’s words to heart. Without a word, he grabbed his son and began to beat him, muttering, “Let’s see if I’m a man or not...”

The boy cried for his parents but couldn’t escape.

He was dragged and beaten, then ran like a compass spinning in circles, yet couldn’t evade his punishment.

Hearing the howls and wails of the little troublemakers, Blackie grinned devilishly, flashing his sharp tiger teeth in delight.

It was just about time to finish work and head home for lunch. Chen Daliu, hearing the cries nearby and seeing everyone’s curious faces, waved his hand.

“Alright, that’s enough for this morning. Everyone go home and rest. Come back early this afternoon.”

The crowd cheered happily, quickly washing their feet and hands, gathering their tools, and setting off together toward the little troublemakers’ wailing, eager to enjoy the spectacle after a morning’s hard work.

“What do you think they got into trouble for this time?”

“Who knows? They must have caused some mischief, or they wouldn’t be beaten this badly.”

Listening to the sounds, it seemed the children had truly messed up again; otherwise, why would they all be punished together?

Some shook their heads, smiling wryly.

“Kids these days, always a handful.”

“At that age, they’re a handful and a pain...” Everyone shared knowing laughs as they hurried on, afraid they’d miss the fun if they were late.

(Quietly hoping for a vote.)