Qi He, holding his clothes like a treasure, showed what he had gathered to Meng Qingping.
Meng Qingping, feeling gratified, wiped the mud from Qi He's face. Then, touching Qi He's soaked clothes, he said with concern, "Qi kid, quickly take off your clothes and dry yourself. You'll catch a cold if you don't."
After speaking, Meng Qingping carefully opened the small bundle Qi He had given him earlier. He took out a long-sleeved shirt and urged Qi He to quickly change out of his wet one.
Qi He agreed. He first placed his gathered items at Grandpa Meng's feet and then began to take off his shirt.
During their journey together, the officers had become familiar with Qi He's habits. They knew he had gone out to find food.
Most of them, seeing Qi He return with round, egg-like objects that resembled goose eggs, had no idea what he had found.
Only Jiang Tou'er, looking at the round objects Qi He had placed down, had his eyes light up. Could this be the legendary potato?
With this possibility in mind, he stopped being formal and walked over leisurely.
At this moment, Meng Qingping borrowed a fire starter from Nianzi and lit a bundle of dry grass. He then added a few thin, dry branches, and the people's faces were instantly illuminated by a warm glow.
Yu'er happily extended his small hands, beckoning his sister and Brother Qi to come over.
"Sister, Brother Qi, hurry over here. It's so warm."
Looking at the child's face, flushed red by the firelight, Fu Xinci's heart softened. She deliberately shivered and sat beside him, causing the child to anxiously reach out and grasp her hand to warm it.
As he rubbed her hands, the child earnestly comforted Fu Xinci, "Sister, sit here by the fire. Yu'er will help you drive away the cold. You'll be warm soon."
Qi He, holding the clean shirt, dashed to the doorway and stood in a hidden blind spot under the eaves. He quickly changed into the clean shirt and then ran back, carrying the wet one.
He happened to see Yu'er rubbing Fu sister's hands and squeezed over, leaning close to the child and pretending to be pitiful, "Yu'er, Brother Qi is also cold."
"Brother Qi, wait. Yu'er will rub your hands right away."
Watching his busy grandson, Meng Qingping turned his gaze to his two nephews.
"Qishan, Qitian, your clothes are also wet. Come over and warm yourselves by the fire."
"Okay." The brothers responded in unison, happily approaching the bonfire. Qitian, still holding a large radish, handed it to his second uncle.
"Second Uncle, please take this." Qitian was worried that if his uncle held it, some of the Meng clan members might try to snatch it.
"Did you find this?" Meng Qingping had seen the large radish Qitian was holding since they returned.
Qi Ren, with longing eyes, licked his lips and stared at the juicy radish. It was such a rare sight, and he really wanted to eat it.
Qishan, noticing his younger brother's thoughts, patted his head and replied to his second uncle, "We didn't find it. Xinci found it." Qishan also spoke with emphasis, fearing that the Meng clan members might try to snatch it, ensuring that everyone in the temple could hear.
"Ci'er found it?"
"Yes. It was Sister Fu who found it. All of these were found by Sister Fu. The three of us... were useless." Qi He suddenly remembered that they had already discarded the malantou they had found earlier and scratched his head sheepishly.
After Qi He finished speaking, Qishan glanced at the restless members of the Meng clan and continued, "Second Uncle, you don't know, the three of us combined are useless. We're not as sharp-eyed as Xinci."
"Yes, I only saw the malantou and nothing else. This is probably why my second aunt calls me a poor-fated soul."
"That's still better than me and brother. My brother and I don't recognize anything. We can only follow you and do manual labor."
"It's normal not to find anything in this wilderness." Meng Qingping, seeing the two boys' spirits falter, quickly tried to make excuses for them.
As expected, Qi He was Qi He. His dejection lasted only a moment. As soon as Grandpa Meng finished speaking, he perked up. "The three of us combined have worse luck than Sister Fu."
"Yes, Xinci's luck is indeed good." Qishan was filled with admiration when speaking of Fu Xinci's luck.
"Right, right, right." Qitian also hurriedly agreed, his eyes glancing at Fu Xinci, full of envy and admiration.
Seeing the three young men's overwhelming respect for a little girl, everyone's gaze turned towards them.
Fu Xinci: These gazes were too intense. She felt a bit overwhelmed. She lowered her head, feigning shyness, and forced a smile.
Jiang Tou'er walked over as if nothing was amiss. His gaze first fell on the large radish, and he exclaimed in admiration, "Wow, this radish has grown so well. I'm fifty years old and this is the first time I've seen such a juicy one. It's more precious than the jade displayed in noble households." He wasn't exaggerating; the radish was truly magnificent, and he wished he could take a bite right now.
Qi He, sensing Grandpa Jiang's intention, quickly came up with a plan. "Grandpa Jiang, we were just about to eat the radish. Why don't you sit down with us and try it?"
Qi He pulled Jiang Tou'er down to sit and then pointed at the saber at Grandpa Jiang's waist, saying with a playful grin, "Grandpa Jiang, you can divide it for us." After speaking to Jiang Tou'er, Qi He swept his gaze around and added with mock seriousness, "We'll wait for Grandpa Jiang to divide the radish for us, one piece each, and no one is allowed to grab!"
Jiang Tou'er was an old hand in the martial world and couldn't be fooled by Qi He's little tricks with his sharp eyes. However, before Jiang Tou'er could speak, Nianzi came over, pointing at Qi He's head with mock anger like a nagging wife, "Qi He, you rascal, you're becoming more heartless! If you want to share food, you don't think of your brother. I won't play with you anymore, hmph!"
"Brother Nianzi, my good Brother Nianzi, aren't good things supposed to be done one at a time?" Qi He's solicitous voice was as clear as ever, and his bright, lively eyes twinkled.
Fu Xinci thought: It's really not easy for him. To be able to mingle so smoothly with these officers at such a young age is quite a skill.
Nianzi loved Qi He's clinging to him. Seeing Qi He's sweet talk, he instantly felt delighted and a hint of pride.
Qitian watched their interaction and felt a pang of bitterness. If only he could be like Qi He.
But, it seemed unlikely in this lifetime.