Chapter 113: Eldest Uncle Noticed Me!

“Bringing the cat is definitely not an option.”

Li Xuemei said, “No matter how slow the three Qis are, they’ll notice something’s off if too much time passes.”

Yan Yu lowered her head and thought for a long time before looking up. “Dad, have you considered that feeding the three Qi uncles until they’re full is extremely difficult and unsustainable?

“Especially in this environment, the only reason we’re managing okay is because of the platform’s support.”

The platform could sustain their small family, but the Qi uncles…

In times of chaos and famine, to them, this was nothing short of a catastrophe.

Her father had a flaw—sometimes he got too sentimental and would act impulsively.

In contrast, her mother was more rational, always weighing what was feasible.

As for herself, the product of their love—

She had inherited many traits from both of them. In her self-assessment, she was far more composed and rational than her father, who ranked dead last in that regard.

“In the past, when we weren’t familiar with them, it didn’t concern us. As long as our family was fed and well, that was enough. But…”

Yan Lao’er didn’t finish his sentence, but both mother and daughter understood.

Because they had grown familiar, formed bonds, and become friends, they naturally wanted the others to have a better life too.

Besides, the three Qi brothers were honest and simple-hearted—it was hard not to feel for them.

Qi Da was in his early twenties, while Qi Si and Qi Wu weren’t even twenty yet. Young men who never had enough to eat, enduring hunger daily—just thinking about it was pitiful.

“Dad, you’re thinking of hunting wild boar again, aren’t you?” Yan Yu asked.

The cat could only scout things she had already identified before, and wild boars happened to be among them.

“I figured we’ve hunted them before, so we have some experience,” Yan Lao’er replied.

Yan Yu said, “Then you and the Qi uncles need to practice running. Wild boars aren’t just going to stand there waiting for you. If they get spooked, they’ll run.”

“The cat can help pinpoint their location and distance, but it’s best not to bring it along. If we manage to hunt one, great; if not, that’s fine too. Dad, it has to be sustainable.”

Yan Lao’er nodded eagerly, a smile appearing on his face. “I’ll do whatever my daughter says.”

Li Xuemei gently stroked her belly, where new life was growing, and spoke slowly, “If you don’t want to draw attention, bring back a mix of things. Once we leave these mountains, the most critical issue will be the water source. When you go looking for water, you can bring the cat. Water can also be traded for food.”

If they could obtain valuable supplies for trade, circulating goods like grain, wild vegetables, and anything edible would indirectly balance their food situation.

Not only would the Qi brothers get more to eat, but everyone would benefit.

Yan Yu added, “Tomorrow, try and see if the four of you can handle a wild boar. Dad, if you can’t, run. Uh… for the first time, I’ll make an exception—you can bring the cat. If things go south, leave it to cover your retreat.”

The cat had been lazily lounging beside Li Xuemei. Upon hearing this, its ears perked up. After being comforted with a few strokes, it rolled over and exposed its soft, snowy-white belly.

Yan Lao’er looked over and instinctively gave it a rub. The cat disdainfully flipped back over, as if saying, You’re only worthy of petting my back fur.

—

The next morning, Yan Lao’er got up early, cooked some porridge, mixed in some wild greens, and got everything ready before heading out to find the Qi brothers.

The three of them had been waiting eagerly, already prepared.

After the four of them left, Qi Da’s wife strolled over to Li Xuemei and said, “They’re so close to your Yan Lao’er. Just look at them—so excited about going into the mountains together that they could barely eat breakfast.”

Li Xuemei thought to herself, Maybe it’s because they had an extra meal yesterday and aren’t as hungry?

“If you hadn’t come, I was about to go find you myself,” Li Xuemei said. “I want to make more backpacks. Some people might find them useful and be willing to trade for them.”

Qi Da’s wife slapped her thigh in agreement. “Exactly! Right now, since we’re staying put, it’s not so obvious. But once we start moving, hauling families along, it’ll be tough. Those cloth bundles are nowhere near as good as our backpacks—more capacity, more convenience.”

“But people might not be willing to trade for them. They’d rather struggle a bit themselves.”

Li Xuemei thought about it and agreed. Backpacks were handy, but not absolutely essential.

“The sun’s getting hotter these days. What if we add a sunshade?”

“A sunshade?” Qi Da’s wife couldn’t quite picture it.

“It’s like…” Li Xuemei struggled for words before demonstrating by slinging her own backpack over her shoulders.

“If we use bamboo poles to prop up a cloth or a grass mat, wouldn’t that block the sun?” She gestured excitedly. “Like the study cases scholars use.”

Her eyes gradually brightened—this was a great idea!

“Basically, we’d be adding a little canopy over our heads.” She pointed to the roof of their ox cart.

Now it was clear.

Qi Da’s wife immediately understood.

“Oh wow, that’s brilliant! I’ll go call everyone over. You explain it to them so we can figure out how to add these canopies.”

With that, she rushed off to gather the village women.

While drinking her porridge, Yan Yu kept an eye on her mother’s side of things.

Familiar faces—grannies, aunties, sisters—had gathered again. The “grass-weaving women’s team” was back in action.

Yan Yu quickly finished her bowl, wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and was about to get up from the table—

Yan Huaiwen cleared his throat.

Yan Yu turned her head and saw her eldest uncle looking at her seriously.

“Sit down,” he instructed.

When the boss speaks, you obey.

Yan Yu obediently sat back down, sitting up straight.

“Who taught you to wipe your mouth with your sleeve?”

Yan Yu: …

It wasn’t even dirty! She was careful while drinking porridge and hadn’t spilled anything.

But, fine, it was an inelegant habit. She had gradually relaxed around Uncle Yan, Big Brother, and Big Sister, treating them like family. If outsiders were present, she’d definitely act like a refined little fairy.

“Eldest Uncle, I won’t do it again,” Yan Yu said sweetly.

Her big, dewy eyes blinked up at him, carrying a pitiful plea.

“What are you planning to do today?” Yan Huaiwen asked her.

He had long noticed that this little niece of his was rather unusual—far more mature than her peers.

A barely six-year-old girl, playing with half-grown boys, and even showing signs of becoming their leader?

That wasn’t simple.

Adults might submit to authority for various reasons, but children? They followed only those who truly impressed them.

“After finishing my reading, I’ll practice calligraphy. Then it’ll be time for lunch. After lunch, I’ll practice archery, play for a bit, and then it’ll be dinner,” Yan Yu listed.

Yan Huaiwen: Clear logic, an awareness of time, a structured plan, and—based on my observations—impressive execution.

But what stood out the most was her boundless curiosity about the world.

“Why archery?” he asked, curious about her reasoning.

Yan Yu tilted her head, thinking. “I want to hunt.”

Then she quickly added, “Hunting means having meat to eat.”

“And why do you practice formations with the adults?” Yan Huaiwen pressed further.

Yan Yu lowered her gaze. Outwardly, she appeared to be a child contemplating her answer.

But inside, she was panicking.

One voice urged her to stay low-key.

Another tempted her to reveal just enough to gain an advantage.

After all, this was the future emperor who would later change the dynasty—why go through growing pains again? She wasn’t even six yet!