Chapter 19: Juanjuan Lets It Slip

“Mom! Dad!”

An earth-shattering cry suddenly pierced the ears of everyone in the Bai Family.

It was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil—instantly explosive.

Bai Tian, who was holding Juanjuan, nearly jumped out of his skin, almost dropping her in fright.

Juanjuan felt her little heart pounding as if it were about to leap right out of her chest—she was terrified.

Yun An watched the “Eldest Brother” come running out, narrowing his eyes slightly. He thought to himself that children were indeed the most troublesome, especially ones who were both foolish and prone to mischief.

“Good heavens!”

Jiang Dai was startled into an exclamation, raising a hand to pat her chest as if to calm her racing heart.

Bai Yunqi, who had rushed out so suddenly and frightened everyone, was quite pleased with the effect he’d created.

Bai Tian hugged his little daughter tighter, gently patting her head to soothe her.

Then he shouted at his eldest son, who had charged out like a mad dog:

“Bai Goudan! Have you lost your mind?”

Bai Yunqi, who had just rushed out and was ready to put on a show: 【Tsk… Goudan! Goudan!】

【Oh well, it’s a mark of the Original Host’s existence after all. Bai Yunqi, don’t look down on anyone’s name. Don’t!】

Though inwardly grumbling, Bai Yunqi continued with his performance, determined not to break character.

The eight-year-old Bai Goudan raised his voice and shouted:

“He’s lost it, he’s lost it!”

“That Da Mao must’ve knocked his brains out when he fell!!”

This outburst left Juanjuan and the others in the courtyard completely stunned.

Bai Yunqi was very satisfied with the effect—this was exactly the kind of thing the original Goudan would have done.

【Tsk, tsk, tsk. See? A talented cultivator excels no matter where they go!】

【The Goudan I’m playing is exactly like the original—subtle changes, like water dripping through stone, leaving no room for suspicion!】

Jiang Dai looked puzzled.

She didn’t have the Original Host’s memories, so she had no idea what the family members were like before.

Bai Tian, however, suddenly remembered something and hurried inside with Juanjuan in his arms.

【Oh right! The second son wasn’t this quiet before!】

【Could he really have been knocked silly?】

【Being a dad for the first time, I’m still a bit inexperienced. When the second son said he wanted to sleep after waking up today, I let him rest. Then I found out Er Mao and Juanjuan had been fighting.】

To be fair, Bai Tian had been busy all morning and had only just found a moment to himself.

It wasn’t that he was neglecting his second son.

It was just that the boy had said he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to lie down and rest. Was he supposed to drag him out and take him dancing?

“Big… Da Mao?”

As soon as he entered the inner room, Bai Tian stopped in his tracks.

Standing by the bed was a thin little boy with disheveled hair, wearing loose, worn-out clothes that hung loosely on his frame. His entire demeanor was shrouded in silence.

If it weren’t for the sunlight streaming in from behind, warming Bai Tian’s back just a little,

he would have thought Da Mao had been possessed by something sinister.

The next moment, he watched as Da Mao collapsed straight to the ground in front of him.

“Holy—!”

Bai Tian was stunned. He wanted to catch the falling Da Mao, but he was still holding Juanjuan.

Luckily, Jiang Dai, who had followed closely behind, moved quickly. She rushed forward and caught the fainting Da Mao.

Bai Tian quickly set Juanjuan down and went to check on his second son. He noticed the boy’s body was trembling, yet his forehead was burning with fever.

“He’s burning up like this.”

Bai Tian felt a sense of dread. This was ancient times—if a fever wasn’t handled properly, it could easily lead to brain damage.

That couldn’t happen!

“Wife, money—I’ll go find a Physician!”

“Here!”

Jiang Dai swiftly handed the silver to Bai Tian.

“Juanjuan…”

Jiang Dai was about to ask Juanjuan to fetch cold water and a rag when she noticed a small figure darting toward the corner by the door, retrieving the cold water and rags that had been prepared earlier.

“Mom, here.”

Juanjuan had already prepared these things. Last time, her mother had given the same instructions. Though she was young, she was quick and clever.

“Thank you, Juanjuan.”

Jiang Dai began using the cold water to bring down Da Mao’s fever.

Yun An, who had followed them in, watched his nominal twin brother with interest.

【Seeing a face identical to my own is truly strange, and a little eerie.】

【But, System, with my current permissions, can I exchange for half a fever-reducing pill?】

【Only Sweet Potato and Compressed Biscuit? Redeem something, redeem something!】

【Exchange with my Life Value? Never mind, then—I’ll pass!】

Yun An felt he had tried his best, but the System simply wouldn’t budge.

Truth be told… he didn’t have that deep a bond with this family yet. As someone who had survived the Apocalypse, he valued his life above all else and dared not get too attached.

Bai Yunqi, meanwhile, frowned slightly as he watched his brother, who had developed a fever so suddenly.

He was certain: 【He wasn’t feverish when we first got back. How did he get so sick in such a short time?】

【Was I overthinking it earlier? Did the second son really get knocked silly by the fever? Is he delirious?】

“Stop arguing.”

A young, childish voice suddenly cut through the air, startling both Bai Yunqi and Yun An out of their thoughts. Their eyes turned toward their little sister, who had spoken.

In that moment, Juanjuan felt as if she’d been targeted by the big black dog at the village entrance—the one that liked to bite.

And there were two of them.