Chapter 38: A Different Status

Chen Weiguo also noticed Chen Daliu’s expression and more or less understood what was going on. He quickly scolded his son, “Chen Yi, behave yourself. Don’t fool around in front of your grandaunt.”

Chastised by his father, Chen Yi immediately stood obediently beside his mother, though his longing gaze still couldn’t help but wander toward Little Black.

Facing the apologetic looks from Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya, Bai Xi wore the expression of a benevolent elder unwilling to argue with the younger generation and said, “If you’re not afraid of being bitten, then it’s up to you.”

As soon as Bai Xi finished speaking, Little Black cooperated perfectly, baring its teeth and growling low at Chen Yi—a look that made it clear to anyone it would not tolerate being approached.

At that, not only did Chen Yi not dare come close, even Fang Ya hurriedly pulled him back, holding him tight.

After all, Chen Daliu had interacted with Little Black up close a few times before, and had even carried it once. His courage was just a notch higher, and he managed to reassure Chen Weiguo’s family not to be overly frightened.

Bai Xi glanced at the items on the table from the corner of her eye, thinking that after accepting their gifts, she really shouldn’t be scaring them. So she added, “Little Black is intelligent and won’t hurt people without reason, as long as you don’t anger it.”

In truth, without Bai Xi’s permission, Little Black would never harm anyone. But she said this anyway, just in case these children started pestering her with constant visits.

Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya could only nod repeatedly in agreement.

Bai Xi was somewhat tempted by the canned beef on the table, but with people around, she didn’t want to show it. So, after stealing a glance at the beef, she asked, “Is there something you can’t resolve yourselves? Is that why you’ve come?”

The sooner she sent them off, the sooner she could eat.

Seeing Bai Xi ask so seriously, Chen Weiguo shook his head. “Grandaunt, we’ve just arrived and haven’t started settling in yet. We don’t know the procedures and wanted to come see you first, to hear if you have any advice.”

It felt strange to speak to a five-year-old child in such a way, but Chen Weiguo had noticed that the villagers all treated Bai Xi with respect, addressing her as if she were an adult. So he followed suit.

He muttered inwardly—even if she had any advice, what good would it do to tell her?

At this point, Chen Weiguo still didn’t realize how influential Bai Xi was in Niuluo Village. With just a word from her, there would be no dissent throughout the entire village.

“I have no particular opinions,” Bai Xi said, then looked at Chen Daliu. “Daliu, take a few people and check the Chen genealogy, make sure they haven’t come to the wrong place. Once it’s confirmed, follow the proper procedures.”

The genealogy referred to the clan records. Although not everyone in Niuluo Village shared a surname, all their family records were kept in the ancestral hall, each family with its own volume. Among these, the Bai family’s record took precedence.

Though Bai Xi had never left the village, she had learned a thing or two from the memories of the flower spirit. At this time, everything required proof. No one would take someone’s word that they belonged to Niuluo Village without verification.

What if someone had other motives for impersonating a villager? Or some ulterior plan? For the sake of the village’s peace, everything had to be checked carefully.

And once confirmed, they’d have to see whether only the ashes were being returned for burial or if the entire family intended to move back. If they did, there’d be matters of household registration and allocation of a homestead, since joining the collective meant the village would have to assign land.

Fortunately, the land was now collectively owned, and people worked for work points to receive grain at year’s end. Otherwise, the village would have to distribute fields to newcomers.

Such matters sounded troublesome to Bai Xi, and she had little interest in managing them.

While Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya were surprised, Chen Daliu found nothing odd about it and nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry, grandaunt, I understand.”

After sitting for a while, Chen Weiguo finally left with his wife, son, and Chen Daliu. If Bai Xi hadn’t wanted to hear news from the outside, she wouldn’t have even kept them for conversation.

Just as when they arrived, Chen Daliu led Chen Weiguo’s family away with utmost respect, prompting the three to bid Bai Xi farewell just as politely.

Seeing this, Chen Daliu nodded in approval to himself. Not bad—the young ones could be taught.

Some distance away, Chen Weiguo couldn’t help but glance back at the treehouse, exclaiming, “I wonder who they found to build that—such craftsmanship is truly impressive.”

On hearing this, Chen Daliu grinned with pride. “Our Ancestor Bai was a master craftsman herself and even invited experts to help. The blueprints for the treehouse were drawn by Ancestor Bai personally.”

As he talked about Bai Xi’s late father, admiration filled Chen Daliu’s eyes. He could recount Ancestor Bai’s extraordinary deeds for days on end.

Chen Weiguo and Fang Ya listened to the village chief’s stories about Bai Xi’s father, nodding as they went. Suddenly it all made sense—no wonder the villagers treated Bai Xi with such respect. It wasn’t just the traditions set by their ancestors, but also their esteem for Bai Xi’s father.

Compared to glutinous rice bars and brown sugar, what Bai Xi truly craved was fine grain. She’d been without it for nearly half a month. But with the current heavy grain requisition, there was no fine grain to be found outside, and even coarse grain was scarce. With the rice harvest still pending in the village, she could only make do with rough fare.

“It’s said these days that animals can no longer become spirits. You’d better be careful, don’t get overconfident, or you might lose your skin—and I won’t be able to save you,” Bai Xi said to Little Black, who was sprawled beneath the couch.

Little Black lifted its head, whining softly, “With you here, Master, I’m not afraid.”

Hearing Little Black’s earnest reply, Bai Xi couldn’t help but laugh. Though it hadn’t been with her for long, it certainly hadn’t diminished her prestige.

She gestured toward the table, and Little Black immediately understood. With a leap, it pounced onto a chair, straightened up, grabbed a can of beef in its mouth, and jumped back onto the couch, presenting the can to Bai Xi.

She patted Little Black’s head, and after it hopped down, she reached into her bosom and pulled out her qiankun pouch. With her chubby little hand, she rummaged inside and produced a dagger.

This dagger was the only magical artifact Bai Xi could currently retrieve from the pouch. Aside from its ability to cut through iron as if it were mud, all other functions were sealed.

But for Bai Xi, that was enough.

After all, she was not truly a five-year-old child. As a nine-tailed celestial fox with experience across many realms, she knew her way around.

Knowing how sharp the dagger was, Bai Xi gently scored the lid of the can and, with a slight twist, pried it open with ease.

At the sight, Little Black’s tiger eyes narrowed in shock—its master’s dagger was no ordinary object.

Bai Xi gave the can a little shake, and in an instant, the aroma of beef filled the treehouse.

She sniffed appreciatively. “Smells pretty good.”

Noticing Little Black’s hopeful gaze, Bai Xi glanced at it, then at the beef, and grunted, “You’ll get your share.”

“Why does it seem like I’ve raised a spirit beast who’s hopeless at everything except eating?” she muttered, dropping a chunk of beef into Little Black’s bowl.

Little Black looked from the meat in the bowl to Bai Xi, heart swelling with gratitude. Master hadn’t eaten yet, and she’d already fed it first.

Master, I’ll go catch you fish tomorrow—a whole lot of fish! With this vow, Little Black began to eat.

(Today’s four thousand words delivered!)