Chapter 96: Capable of Holding Up Half the Sky

This morning, Xiaoshun and his friends came by, but I ignored them! Little Black murmured, his tiger face full of arrogance. I won't play with them. Also, Master, I had Chen Zhaodi save half the wolf meat for you... He wanted to accompany his master to town, but being a tiger made it inconvenient; he could only stay and guard the village, which left him quite frustrated.

If Chen Zhaodi knew what Little Black said, she would surely expose him without hesitation—it was clearly she who saved the meat, and Little Black was just claiming credit!

“All right, I know you’re being good. I’ll let you have some cake tonight,” Bai Xi said offhandedly, recalling the half pack of egg cakes left over.

Her promise made Little Black lift his head and roar in excitement, though he would have liked to roar a few more times, but Bai Xi’s sideways glance quickly silenced him.

Chen Xiaocong helped carry the bamboo basket, escorting Bai Xi back to the treehouse. Watching the interaction, he couldn’t help but muse inwardly, Little Black is so clever and spirited—how could Aunt Bai say he’s dim-witted?

“Aunt Bai, I think Little Black is actually quite smart.”

Little Black had never paid Chen Xiaocong much mind, barely deigning to acknowledge him, but upon hearing these words, he turned to glance at the boy, a hint of appreciation in those tiger eyes. You’ve got some sense, kid, recognizing the greatness of Master Little Black—of course I’m clever.

Chen Xiaocong couldn’t understand the beast’s language, but Bai Xi could, and she suspected his words were a reference to that incident in town when she’d spoken about an ox. Her lips twitched as she watched Little Black preen, so she simply replied, “Mm.”

Little Black, feeling full of himself, was even more delighted by Bai Xi’s agreement. He marched ahead with a proud bearing that made Bai Xi want to give him a kick.

Chen Xiaocong set down the bamboo basket, and seeing Bai Xi had no further instructions, respectfully took his leave, nodding towards Little Black as he went.

That kid! Little Black stood at the treehouse door, watching Chen Xiaocong’s departing figure, letting out a low approving growl—he’s got promise.

Bai Xi was unpacking sweets and pastries from the basket when she heard this, casting an exasperated sideways glance. “Little Black, where’s your pride? You’re a spirit beast, after all—how can you be so easily won over by a few honeyed words?”

“You used to have some spirit beast pride; how quickly that’s faded!” Bai Xi sighed and shook her head.

On hearing this, Little Black’s tiger face flushed red. He thought, only those who can see his exceptional nature are truly perceptive and bound for greatness—what’s wrong with that? Of course, these were thoughts he kept to himself.

Chen Zhaodi arrived with dinner, reheating the wolf meat she’d saved at noon.

“Aunt Bai, this is the meat I stewed at noon—I saved half for you, and the other half Little Black ate earlier.”

Bai Xi glanced at Little Black, who had quietly slipped away as soon as Chen Zhaodi began speaking.

“Huh, Aunt Bai, I don’t know where Little Black’s gone.” Chen Zhaodi turned to feed him, surprised not to find him. After all, whenever Aunt Bai was around, especially at mealtimes, Little Black was never absent.

Bai Xi ate leisurely, remarking, “Don’t worry about him. He’s probably gone into the mountains to fend for himself.”

Little Black, hiding beneath the treehouse’s large tree, felt aggrieved at those words. He steeled himself and let out two low howls.

The sound was just loud enough for those in the treehouse to hear—even Chen Zhaodi noticed, so Bai Xi certainly did. Bai Xi ignored it, and though Chen Zhaodi wanted to speak, seeing Bai Xi uninterested, she kept silent, thinking perhaps Little Black had angered Aunt Bai and was being punished.

Best not to interfere—just pretend not to know. With that in mind, Chen Zhaodi left, and even when she glimpsed the white bundle of Little Black crouched beneath the tree trunk, she pretended not to see.

Hey, I haven’t eaten yet! You haven’t fed me! Little Black growled in protest at Chen Zhaodi, but it only made her hurry her steps.

Little Black watched: “…”

Just wait—I’ll complain to my master and have her dismiss you.

No sooner had Little Black finished his grumbling than the sound of Bai Xi locking the treehouse door drifted down. He froze, lifting his head in disbelief, and immediately felt sad and remorseful. Master must be angry—had she really not noticed he wasn’t home?

What should I do?

She must be upset! He hadn’t really lied—he did want Chen Zhaodi to split the meat and leave half for his master, but Chen Zhaodi was too dense to understand beast speech. She had a bit of sense, but that let her claim the credit.

Bai Xi wasn’t truly angry with Little Black, but she intended to let him stew for a while. The rear mountain was always there; he wouldn’t go hungry.

Having walked most of the day, Bai Xi was exhausted and quickly fell asleep. Meanwhile, Little Black, full of remorse, crept to the treehouse door, listening to the gentle, slow breathing inside, and was dumbfounded.

Master is asleep?!

What am I to do?

Little Black lay for some time on the treehouse stairs, planning to greet his master with a pitiful, wind-chilled look when she opened the door in the morning. But in the middle of the night, his stomach rumbled loudly.

After hesitating, Little Black jumped down the steps, glanced at the treehouse, then turned and headed for the rear mountain.

In the pitch-black, cold night, only the moonlight overhead revealed his white form as he vanished into the forest.

The wind howled; every household was tucked away under quilts, and even if not yet asleep, voices were kept low.

At Chen Daliu’s home, like elsewhere, the lights were out early and everyone had returned to their rooms.

“…”

“Sigh!”

“Sigh!”

Chen’s wife, nearly asleep, was disturbed by the repeated sighs, losing her drowsiness.

“What’s wrong, husband? You’ve been sighing all night.” She sat up, refraining from lighting the expensive oil lamp, reaching out in the dark to nudge him.

Chen Daliu didn’t answer, only heaved another sigh.

“What’s troubling you? Speak up—tell me what’s going on, let me hear it.”

“You wouldn’t understand—you’re just a woman, and some matters are pointless for you to know!”

That remark irked his wife.

“Chen Daliu, that’s too much. What’s wrong with being a woman? They say now women are equal to men, able to hold up half the sky. Why belittle women?” She angrily pulled at his quilt, demanding, “Get up—don’t sleep. Tonight you’d better explain yourself clearly.”

“I know, I know, I wasn’t belittling women—I’m just annoyed, that’s all. You wouldn’t understand.” Chen Daliu waved her off, turned over, and sighed again.