Chapter 63: Xier Is Missing

(Requesting monthly and recommendation votes, haha)

“Wow! Autumn, look! There’s a whole group of ducklings swimming over there!”

“Wow! Really! They’re ducklings!”

The farmhouse that Li Wanxiao brought everyone to was in the suburbs. The trees here were lush, the grass was verdant all along the way, clusters of flowers bloomed, and the air was so fresh that one felt utterly relaxed and at ease.

Beside the path to the farmhouse, a small river flowed gently, its waters clear. On the surface, a mother duck was out for a stroll with her ducklings, only to be suddenly disturbed by a group of human children.

“Ducklings, ducklings, I’m Xier! Come over and play with me!”

By the riverbank, little Xier shouted excitedly, her childish voice ringing out. She had successfully frightened away the flock of ducklings.

Seeing the ducklings swim farther and farther away, little Xier grew anxious. Hurriedly, she kicked off her shoes and was about to wade into the river, but Xiaobai and Autumn quickly grabbed her.

“Xier! You can’t go in the water! You’ll drown!” Autumn warned her sternly, and Xier shrank back, frightened, but still protested,

“But… but the ducklings ran away!”

“Haha… silly girl, it’s okay if the ducklings are gone. I’ll teach you something even more fun!” Xiaobai laughed, picked up a small stone, and with a flick sent it skipping across the river, making two splashes.

“Wow!”

The little friends were awed, their mouths agape, and immediately began picking up stones, tossing them into the river with eager plunks.

But unfortunately, lacking the skill, none of them managed to skip a stone.

“Haha…” Xiaobai laughed proudly at this, but just then, with a plunk, a stone landed right in front of her, splashing water all over her face.

“Who did that!? Which rascal was it!” Xiaobai shouted angrily.

“Hiahiahia… it wasn’t Xier! Hiahia…”

Xiaobai: →_→

“Pest!” Xiaobai shouted in her childish, fierce way, then picked up a larger stone and hurled it into the river in front of the giggling Xier, sending water flying everywhere.

The splash soaked Xier, as well as Autumn and Princess Niannian.

And so, the four little ones began a wild water-splashing stone-throwing battle.

Watching her sisters play, tiny Dong’er couldn’t sit still in her brother’s arms, wriggling anxiously, waving her little arms as she too wanted to join in.

But as soon as her brother brought her over, before she could play, she was splashed full in the face with cool river water. Her little face scrunched up in grievance and she cried out,

“Mmm~ Sister~~”

“Haha…”

“Hiahiahia…”

“Hehe…”

Hearing Dong’er’s plaintive cry, the four turned around abruptly. Looking at Yang Qing and Dong’er, Xiaobai, Xier, and Autumn all broke into wide, childish grins.

Princess Niannian shyly arched her adorable little brows.

Smiling, the girls didn’t even wait for Yang Qing to speak before rushing to the upset little Dong’er, taking her hand, patting her head, and kissing her cheeks.

Yang Qing felt a pang of jealousy at their sisterly affection and pretended to be stern,

“Hey, you little rascals splashed me too. Aren’t you going to give me a kiss?”

The four were momentarily stunned, then each reacted differently.

Xiaobai tilted her head proudly, “Hmph!”

Niannian lowered her head shyly, her little hands twisting together in embarrassment.

“Hiahia…” Xier laughed and threw herself into Yang Qing’s arms, hugging his neck and planting a big kiss.

Following Xier, Autumn first tidied Dong’er’s clothes, then approached Yang Qing, put her small hand in his, and, standing on tiptoe, giggled and kissed him.

“Oh!” Yang Qing instantly felt enveloped in sweetness and looked at the little ones gently,

“Enough with the water! Let’s go, your sisters are waiting for you.”

“Yes, yes!” The group set off again, the four little ones walking hand in hand at the front, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Especially with Xier, the curious and cheerful bundle, it wasn’t long before Princess Niannian had been dragged into the flowerbeds three times chasing butterflies.

In the end, to keep Xier from running off and delaying the group, Jin’er the little chef was about to intervene, but Li Wanxiao stopped her.

Watching Niannian being led by Xier from place to place, Li Wanxiao smiled at Jin’er,

“Let them play, it’s alright. Niannian is so happy, and Xier seems to understand her well—she’s making her happy.”

Tan Jin’er paused, gazing again at her giggling little sister, her eyes soft.

Yes, her little sister seemed naturally sensitive to the moods of others, always using her own way, her own laughter, to influence those around her.

Perhaps it was a natural gift, or maybe simply because she disliked sadness, so laughter became her daily routine—her attitude toward life.

With stops and starts, the group finally reached their destination. Once received, Yang Qing and Jin’er, along with Li Wanxiao, divided the tasks.

Since barbecuing was allowed here, Yang Qing decided to prepare the ingredients and handle the grilling himself, while Li Wanxiao and Jin’er took the children to do what they had long anticipated—picking strawberries.

With adorable cartoon hats and little gloves prepared by Li Wanxiao, and each holding a small box for strawberries, the cute little ones set off with cheerful cries.

Skipping along, the children arrived at the strawberry greenhouse, and upon seeing the clusters of bright red strawberries, they let out excited “wow wow” exclamations.

“Alright, here we are, go ahead and pick, but don’t eat them right away—wait… Xier, how are you already eating?”

Li Wanxiao was mid-sentence when she suddenly saw a little one devour a strawberry in one bite, leaving her amused and helpless.

“Hiahiahia… the strawberries are so sweet, so delicious! Watch Xier eat another, nom…”

Tan Jin’er: …

“Silly girl,” Xiaobai muttered, and when no one was looking, she too snuck a strawberry into her mouth.

“Xiaobai, you…” Li Wanxiao was exasperated. After exchanging a glance with Jin’er, she decided to let it slide—thankfully, these strawberries were pesticide-free and safe to eat unwashed.

Thus, the children threw caution to the wind, picking and eating strawberries as they pleased.

Xier was especially happy, running about and eating, gradually drifting away from the group.

“Cluck cluck…”

Just then, she heard the sound of a chicken, her eyes lighting up as she followed the sound.

Listening and searching, she wandered out of the greenhouse and found herself at a fenced chicken coop.

“Wow! Chicks!”

Several fluffy chicks were strolling about their home, when suddenly a laughing little girl ran in to catch them, frightening them into darting into their nest.

“Waa waa…” The adorable chicks, scared, hid in their nest, and Xier whimpered in disappointment.

Inside the greenhouse, Autumn was picking the biggest strawberry for her brother, but was suddenly pulled by Niannian.

“Autumn! Xier is gone!” Princess Niannian said anxiously, her little face tense and close to tears.

Autumn was startled, quickly looking around, but Xier was nowhere to be seen. She hurriedly cried out,

“Sister! Jin’er! Xier is missing!”

“Whoosh!” Xiaobai ran over like the wind.

“Silly girl is gone! What happened!”