Chapter 133: Mu Family Army, Second Brother

In the narrow alley, the four siblings walked quietly toward the private school. On the surface, they looked calm, but each of them was preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Even the youngest, Juanjuan, had gotten used to thinking things over in her little head.

Because she often heard her family members talking all at once, Juanjuan had even developed the ability to multitask. Though it was a bit tiring, and sometimes her little brain would get stuck.

Her gaze landed on her second brother.

So now, aside from not knowing Second Brother’s secret, Third Brother already knew the secrets of their parents and Big Brother.

Bai Yunqi, meanwhile, was still mulling over last night’s unexpected incident.

【I still don’t know who that was last night. Acting like a lunatic—attacked out of nowhere, didn’t ask for anything, and ran off right after. Almost like they were testing me.】

【If I get the chance, I’ll definitely drag that guy out into the open.】

【As long as he dares to use the same technique again, I’ll sense it and catch him!】

Juanjuan’s mind went blank for a moment.

She seemed to recall something Big Brother and Third Brother had “said” last night.

Big Brother had said he was going to sneak off to the black market.

Third Brother had said he was going to test everyone in the family.

Now Big Brother was saying someone showed up last night. So… was that Third Brother?

Did Third Brother really manage to test Big Brother that easily?

Juanjuan’s head started spinning. This kind of roundabout thinking was a bit too much for her.

They were almost at the private school now, and the little girl decisively gave up thinking.

She couldn’t figure it out anyway. Better to focus on studying. At least she could still understand her lessons.

At noon, the four Bai siblings paid for lunch at the school and stayed there to eat.

Just as lunchtime approached, they were lining up with their bowls when someone suddenly called out to Juanjuan.

The little one turned around with her bowl in hand. “Little Uncle?”

“It’s me, it’s me!”

Wang Xiaoshu hurried over and said to Juanjuan, “Da Chui came with my mom to the county to shop today. He’s right outside the gate. You…”

As soon as she heard it was her good friend, Juanjuan didn’t hesitate. She handed her bowl to her second brother. “Brother, help me get my lunch.”

Then she turned and ran toward the school gate.

Bai Yunxing, suddenly handed a bowl by his little sister: ???

The next second, another bowl was shoved into his hands.

“Brother, get mine too. I’m going to take a look.”

Bai Yun’an immediately followed after her.

Bai Yunxing, now holding three bowls: ???

“Di—”

Bai Yunqi’s voice rang out.

Bai Yunxing responded almost instinctively, “No!”

He didn’t need to hear more. He already had a good idea of what Big Brother wanted.

Forget it. Not happening.

Bai Yunqi, just about to hand over his empty bowl and getting rejected: ??

This brat has no respect for his elders! Only dotes on the little ones!

Bai Yunxing looked down at the three bowls in his hands, then handed one over to his big brother.

Then he nodded with satisfaction. “Two each. Perfect.”

Bai Yunqi: ?

Perfect, my foot! He wanted to go watch the fun!

Now he had to stand here in line like a fool waiting for food?

Wang Xiaoshu watched the four Bai siblings and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Bai Yunqi gave him an annoyed and gloomy look.

As if to say, “What are you laughing at?!”

But Wang Xiaoshu’s smile only grew wider. His tone was gentle and relaxed, with a touch of sentimentality. “The four of you get along so well now. It’s really nice to see.”

“Tch…” Bai Yunqi made a face of obvious disdain. “Who gets along with them?”

That’s what he said, but in his heart, he was wondering—really?

Well, lately he had been surprisingly tolerant of this bunch of little brats. And maybe it was this body’s influence, but he found himself letting go more and more.

This childish way of living… actually felt kind of good. Refreshing, even.

Bai Yunxing stood quietly to the side, watching Big Brother’s contradictory words without the slightest surprise.

Unlike Bai Yunxing, who saw through it but didn’t say anything, Wang Xiaoshu pointed it out directly.

“Goudan, you should see your own expression. It’s adorable!”

Wang Xiaoshu said with a grin.

Bai Yunqi: …Instantly stopped smiling.

Goudan? Adorable?

Seeing the kid about to blow his top, Wang Xiaoshu quickly changed the subject. “Lunch time! Go get your food! I’m going to check on Da Chui.”

With that, he turned and walked off.

Please, he’d been looking after kids since he was little. He knew exactly how to tease them. Whether they blew up or not, he had his own judgment.

In the front courtyard of the school.

Juanjuan had just run over when she saw Da Chui, looking neat and tidy.

As soon as Da Chui saw her, he handed over a small cloth bundle and looked at her with deep sympathy.

“Juanjuan, I brought you something to eat.”

“You’ve suffered so much. Studying is really tough. Are you doing okay? Has the teacher scolded you? Hit you? Are your classmates bullying you? Are you—”

“Da Chui, have some candy!”

Juanjuan raised her hand and stuffed a piece of malt candy into his mouth from the bundle.

Watching Da Chui momentarily silenced, Juanjuan quickly took control of the conversation.

“You ask so many questions, how am I supposed to answer them all?”

“No one would dare bully me. My brothers are still around. No one would dare.”

“I behave, I learn fast, and the teacher hasn’t punished me.”

Da Chui: …

Why did that sound kind of strange?

Oh well, never mind.

“Right, Juanjuan, let me tell you something! I’ve been keeping an eye on your house for you! But…”

Juanjuan looked at him, her eyes asking, “But what?”

“But, that cousin from your second aunt’s family—the one who joined the army—is coming back.”

“He’s all high and mighty now. What’s so great about that? When my little uncle passes the Provincial Examination and becomes a scholar¹, that’ll be something to brag about!”

【Then what about me, with my Spatial Storage? Wouldn’t that be even more impressive?】

Third Brother’s sarcastic voice echoed in her mind, and Juanjuan knew he was here.

“But my little uncle hasn’t passed yet, and who knows if he will. Anyway, just be careful, Juanjuan. Your family should watch out.”

Da Chui didn’t have a great impression of Juanjuan’s second aunt’s family.

Sure, Juanjuan’s family used to be worse.

But now they’d changed, and that made the second aunt’s family the bigger jerks.

Juanjuan nodded. “Okay, I got it.”

“Hey, Da Chui!”

Bai Yun’an walked out from behind a nearby building, smiling as he greeted him.

“Mm, hi Brother Er Mao²”

Da Chui responded warmly.

After spending some time together recently, he had a much better impression of Bai Family’s second and third brothers.

But! Bai Family’s Goudan! Absolutely not!

Bai Yun’an, who hadn’t been called “Er mao” since they moved: …

It really had been a long time since anyone called him that. Hearing it again was a bit of a surprise.

Not long after, Granny Wang and Wang Xiaoshu arrived together.

“Leaving already? So soon?”

Wang Dachui looked mournfully at his grandma, practically wearing “I don’t want to go” on his face.

Granny Wang said, “Why don’t you stay and study at the private school?”

Da Chui was silent for a moment, then turned to Juanjuan. “Juanjuan, I’ll come visit you when I can.”

Then he tugged at his grandma’s sleeve and urged, “Let’s go, let’s go, Grandma. Let’s go home.”

Please. Him, Wang Dachui, go to private school?

In his dreams!

No, not even in his dreams! That would be a nightmare!

Once Da Chui left, Bai Yun’an and Juanjuan headed back together to eat.

On the way, Juanjuan glanced at her third brother a couple of times, looking a bit hesitant.

“What is it? If you’ve got something to say, just tell me.”

“Da Chui just said that cousin from Second Aunt’s family—the one who went off to join the army—is coming back. He sounds pretty impressive. He said we should be careful.”

Juanjuan wasn’t sure if Third Brother had heard that earlier, but she figured it was better to say it now.

Because…

Even a child like her knew who the truly formidable ones in the family were.

Third Brother was smart and capable. Even if he was trying to win her over to gain some Favorability Points, he probably still genuinely cared about the family.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have secretly applied medicine to Mother.

Eldest Brother was impressive too, but he didn’t feel as dependable as Third Brother.

“Second Aunt’s son… is he with the Mu Family Army?”

Bai Yun’an tried to recall what he knew about the Mu Family Army.

They were pretty well-known. Even in Niantao Village, quite a few people had heard of them—though that was partly thanks to Second Aunt’s constant bragging.

Still, he’d heard about them at the private school too.

Juanjuan’s little brows furrowed slightly. “Mu Family Army… General…”

Second Brother!

Juanjuan suddenly remembered. She’d heard that name before from Second Brother.

Translator’s Notes