Chapter 34: Unexpected Gains

Before the two could react, another gray wild rabbit suddenly burst out from the grass on the other side.

The rabbit ran extremely fast but seemed blind, crashing with a thud into the same tree. Its legs stiffened, and it stopped moving.

It died right before their eyes.

Tongtong’s little mouth fell open. She looked at the chicken and rabbit that had delivered themselves on the ground, then at Si Muchen beside her, who wore an innocent expression.

Her large, watery eyes instantly filled with admiration.

“Brother Muchen!” she exclaimed excitedly, grabbing his arm, her little voice trembling. “You’re amazing!”

He was practically her god of wealth!

Though Si Muchen’s expression remained cool, the tips of his ears turned red.

“Hmm, just a coincidence… take them home.”

“Yay!”

Si Muchen bent down to pick up the heavy wild chicken and plump rabbit, while Tongtong carefully cradled her herb pouch. The two little ones returned home fully loaded!

Along the way, Tongtong’s flattery never stopped, praising Si Muchen so much that his steps grew a bit unsteady.

Even his usually cold little face couldn’t help but show a rare hint of a smile.

When they returned to the political commissar’s home, Liu Lan was so shocked by their haul that her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

“Oh my goodness! Did you two catch all of this? Are you hurt?”

She quickly stepped forward to take the still-flapping wild chicken and plump rabbit from Si Muchen’s hands. She weighed them—goodness, they were heavy!

Tongtong’s little bun bounced happily on her head. “Aunt Lan! I want braised rabbit tonight!”

“Alright, alright! Auntie will make it for our Tongtong. All the meat is yours!”

Liu Lan couldn’t help but laugh as she pinched the little girl’s soft cheek, but seeing the substantial meat, her face lit up with joy.

In these times, which family didn’t lack rich food?

Looking at Si Muchen’s thin, frail frame, her heart softened. This child had it tough.

“Muchen, don’t leave tonight. Stay and eat at Auntie’s house. I’ll stew the chicken and braise the rabbit for you two little heroes!”

But Si Muchen shook his head, his face cold, and placed the last of the game on the ground.

“No. Thank you.”

After speaking, he glanced quickly at Tongtong, turned, and walked away. His back remained thin and lonely, soon disappearing beyond the compound gate.

Liu Lan sighed as she watched him leave. “That child…”

Tongtong wasn’t surprised at all. Brother Muchen was just like that—awkward and solitary.

She tugged at Liu Lan’s sleeve, looking up with bright, sparkling eyes. “Aunt Lan, can I save some of the meat tonight to take to Godfather and Brother Muchen?”

“Of course! Absolutely!” Liu Lan withdrew her gaze, smiling as she pinched Tongtong’s little nose. “Our Tongtong is a little lucky star, bringing back so much delicious food! You can arrange it however you like. We’re all benefiting from your good fortune!”

Looking at the little girl’s thoughtful expression, her heart melted completely.

Tongtong jumped for joy, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

“Thank you, Auntie!”

That evening, the rich aroma of meat wafted from the political commissar’s home, a rare and enticing scent that made the children in the compound drool as they clung to doorframes.

Chen An’an and his two brothers ate until their mouths were shiny with grease, utterly content. They kept serving Tongtong more food, praising her for being amazing.

Tongtong deliberately saved the rabbit leg Aunt Lan had given her, setting it aside for Brother Muchen.

After finishing her meal, Tongtong carried two lunchboxes that were a bit heavy for her, toddling along on her short legs, huffing and puffing as she made her way to the Military District Hospital.

When she arrived at Gu Yanbin’s ward and pushed the door open, Gu Yanbin, who was leaning against the headboard reading documents, and the two little ones sitting obediently nearby all looked over at the same time.

“Godfather! Brother Jingnan! Brother Muchen!” Lin Tongtong called out cheerfully, raising the lunchboxes in her hand. “Tongtong went hunting with Brother Muchen today and caught pheasants and rabbits! Aunt Lan cooked them so deliciously! I brought you some tasty food!”

Gu Yanbin watched the little one struggling with the heavy lunchboxes, feeling both heartache and warmth.

Gu Jingnan quickly took the boxes from her.

“Wow, our Tongtong is so capable! You even know how to hunt?” Gu Yanbin teased her with a smile.

“Brother Muchen is the one who’s really amazing!”

Lin Tongtong didn’t take any credit for herself, chattering away as she recounted the events of the morning. However, she didn’t mention that the rabbits and pheasants had crashed into the trees on their own, afraid it might cause unnecessary trouble.

Gu Yanbin listened with amazement, while Gu Jingnan raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Although Si Muchen didn’t say anything, a gleam flickered in his eyes.

Gu Yanbin felt deeply comforted.

His nephew was finally no longer gloomy all day long.

“Hmm… Muchen is indeed amazing!”

Gu Jingnan opened the lunchboxes, and the rich aroma of meat instantly filled the ward.

He set out the box for his father and curiously opened the other one. Tongtong’s eyelids twitched, and she quickly took it back. “This one is for Brother Muchen!”

Gu Jingnan’s eyes widened.

He immediately spotted the extra plump braised rabbit leg inside the lunchbox.

Gu Jingnan, ever the drama king, clutched his chest and put on an exaggerated look of heartbreak, his voice even trembling with mock tears. “Little sister! You’re biased! Why does Muchen get such a big rabbit leg, and I don’t? My heart hurts so much! Wuwu, doesn’t Brother love Tongtong anymore?”

Lin Tongtong giggled at his antics, quickly waving her little hands to explain.

“No, no! Brother Jingnan is loved too! It’s just that the rabbit was caught by Brother Muchen! As the great man said, ‘Distribution according to work, more work, more reward’!”

Si Muchen took the heavy lunchbox and, upon hearing these words, a faint glimmer flashed across his little face.

Especially when he saw Gu Jingnan’s exaggerated look of envy, he instinctively puffed out his little chest, the corners of his mouth curling up into a tiny, almost imperceptible smile. A hint of pride shone in his dark, deep eyes.

He opened the box and took a bite.

For some reason, he felt the rabbit meat tasted especially delicious today.

Lin Tongtong’s big eyes curved into crescent moons as she leaned in with a smile. “Brother Muchen, is it tasty?”

Si Muchen swallowed the meat in his mouth, nodded, and said softly, “Hmm… it’s tasty.”

Tongtong grinned, blinking her round, bright eyes as she asked eagerly, “Then next time you go to the back mountain, will you take me along?”

[Host, host! Say yes quickly!]

[A golden opportunity! This is my little benefactor offering herself up on a silver platter! Hehe!]

[She must have noticed my System’s incredible luck and wants to get closer, hahaha… can’t be helped, I’m just that awesome!]

Listening to the System’s exaggerated cackling in his mind.

Si Muchen felt a bit speechless.

Turning to the little girl, he nodded gently. “Okay!”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “But no one else can come along!”

“Alright!” This time Tongtong answered cheerfully, even specially pouring a glass of water for Si Muchen, smiling as she said, “Brother Muchen, eat slowly, don’t choke.”

If she had a little tail behind her, it would probably be wagging wildly right now.

How wonderful! She could follow Muchen to collect things again!

“Tongtong! You’re definitely playing favorites! Why did you only pour water for him!”