TSWPF -Chapter 108 Excitement

That night’s dinner left all the children with round, bulging bellies.

Each of them waddled around the courtyard, patting their tummies to help digest the food.

Not just the kids—even the old man had eaten himself silly. He stood to the side, hands on his waist, gently rubbing his big belly with a look of sheer contentment.

Although it was just simple bacon and greens, Li Qingling’s cooking was truly divine. He almost wanted to swallow his tongue along with the food.

He felt that every meal he’d eaten before this was a waste—her cooking was even better than the imperial chef’s!

Just for her cooking alone, he was determined to stay here.

“Old man, what are you doing just standing there? Go take a walk, or you’ll be too stuffed to sleep tonight.”

After washing the dishes, Li Qingling came out of the kitchen and saw the old man standing there, looking smugly comfortable. She couldn’t help but speak up.

The old man shot her a glance and said carelessly, “It’s fine, I’ll just take some digestion medicine later.” Thinking that he could eat such delicious meals from now on made his heart soar.

“No way! Medicine always has side effects. Go for a walk with the kids.” Li Qingling firmly shook her head, shooing him toward the children. “If you don’t listen, I won’t let you eat any good food next time—you’ll just have to watch us eat it!”

Seeing his reluctant expression, she could only threaten him.

For the old man, that was the cruelest torture imaginable.

For the sake of good food, he had no choice but to wobble along, holding his belly and unwillingly joining the kids for a walk.

When the children saw him being “disciplined” by Li Qingling, they burst into giggles.

“You little rascals! All you do is laugh at your grandpa.” The old man couldn’t help but laugh along, shaking his head as he mock-scolded them.

Li Qingning and Liu Zhirou—the two little girls who were always thoughtful—ran up to him, each holding one of his hands. In their sweet, childish voices, they said they’d accompany Grandpa on his walk.

The old man’s face lit up even more. “Ah, my sweet little girls—you’re nothing like those stinky boys!”

Being around the children made him smile more than he had in years.

If his old friends from before could see him now, they’d probably drop their jaws in shock.

He was truly grateful that he’d fainted on Song Mountain and been rescued by these kind-hearted children.

Without them, he surely wouldn’t be alive today.

It must be fate arranged by the heavens.

“Grandpa, we want to walk with you too!” Li Qingfeng and the other boys came running over, laughing as they spoke.

“Go, go, go! I don’t need you stinky boys! Two little sweethearts are enough for me.” The old man waved them away.

The boys refused to leave and just kept teasing him.

Watching this heartwarming scene, Li Qingling couldn’t help but smile.

How long had it been since such warmth had filled their home?

Ever since they went to Song Mountain, the children had seemed to grow up overnight—no longer playful, no longer carefree.

But now that they were home, their childish liveliness had returned.

She loved seeing them like this. They were still so young—she didn’t want them burdened with too much responsibility.

Hearing laughter, Liu Zhimou walked out of the kitchen. He glanced at them, then said, “The water’s hot now. You can start bathing.”

During their months on Song Mountain, they hadn’t been able to bathe daily. They could only sneak in a quick cold wash every few days, often risking a chill.

He and Li Qingling both caught colds a few times from the freezing water. Each time, they rushed the kids through the bath to prevent illness.

Now that they were home, they could finally boil hot water and have a proper soak to scrub off all the grime.

“Ningning, Rourou, come bathe first. The others can wait,” Li Qingling called to the two little girls.

The two young ones were prone to getting sleepy, so she wanted them to wash up first and head straight to bed.

They chirped a bright “Okay!” and ran over with their little short legs.

Li Qingling took one in each hand and led them into the bathroom.

Liu Zhimou quickly carried in buckets of hot water, poured them into the wooden tub, and tested the temperature. Finding it just right, he left quietly and closed the door.

Li Qingling helped the girls undress and lifted them into the tub.

Even though it was summer, soaking in warm water felt incredibly comfortable.

The two girls giggled as they splashed around, even flicking water at Li Qingling.

“Don’t move around! Sister hasn’t bathed yet—don’t get my clothes wet.” Li Qingling laughed as she scolded them.

After washing Liu Zhirou clean, she reached for Li Qingning.

“Ahaha—it tickles!” Li Qingning squealed, squirming away.

Seeing her reaction, Li Qingling playfully attacked her with tickles, making her laugh uncontrollably.

After a long while, she finally finished washing them, dressed them in clean clothes, and led them out.

By the time everyone had bathed, night had fully fallen, and the children were so sleepy they climbed straight into bed and dozed off.

Li Qingling, thinking that Ah Huang and Ah Bai might return soon, didn’t go to bed right away.

“Go to sleep first,” Liu Zhimou said when he saw her sitting in the main hall, mending clothes. “If Ah Huang comes back, I’ll open the door.”

She had been busy all day and looked exhausted.

Li Qingling bit off the thread and inspected her stitching with satisfaction. “It’s fine, I’ll wait a bit longer. They might be here soon.”

As soon as she finished speaking, scratching sounds came from the courtyard gate.

Her ears were sharp—she immediately stood up, put the clothes aside, and ran out.

“Ah Huang? Ah Bai?” she called toward the gate.

In response, two low grunts came from outside.

A bright smile spread across her face. She quickly opened the gate—only for a massive figure to pounce toward her.

She dodged aside just in time and smacked its big head. “You think you’re still a little pup? If you pounce like that now, you’ll knock me flat!”

Ah Huang hadn’t changed its habit—whenever it got excited, it leapt on people.

It made a series of joyful grunts, rubbing its big head against her waist, making Li Qingling laugh helplessly.

“Alright, alright, I get it.” She rubbed its head affectionately before turning to the white-furred Ah Bai and patting its head as well. “Welcome home, Ah Bai.”

Ah Bai licked her hand in response.

“I made some good food tonight,” Li Qingling said fondly. “I saved some for you two, knowing you might come back. Wait here—I’ll bring it out.”

If those two giants entered the kitchen, they’d crush the place.

“Coming!” Liu Zhimou called from inside, carrying two bowls of food. He set them down on the ground. “You’ve come a long way. You must be hungry—eat up!”

These past months on Song Mountain, there had been almost no prey to hunt, so Ah Huang and Ah Bai had survived on plain rice porridge, growing noticeably thinner.

When Ah Huang caught the smell of meat, it lifted its head and almost howled.

“Don’t you dare roar!” Li Qingling immediately warned. “If anyone hears you, you won’t be allowed to stay home.”

She didn’t know if anyone else had returned to the village yet, but better safe than sorry.

Ah Huang’s howl caught in its throat. It gave her a pitiful look, whimpered twice, and then obediently went to eat.

Li Qingling chuckled softly at the sight.

Once they finished their meal in a few gulps, she covered her mouth and yawned.

“Ah Huang, take Ah Bai back to your room to sleep. I’m going to bed too.”

When they first divided the rooms, Ah Huang had picked one for itself and refused to leave it.

They’d even prepared a blanket for it to sleep on—of course, no bed could possibly hold that massive creature.

Ah Huang grunted in reply and followed her to the doorway.

Li Qingling rubbed its head. “Alright, go to sleep. Goodnight.” She closed the door behind her.

Ah Huang wagged its tail excitedly and led its mate back to its room.

Back on Song Mountain, it had missed its cozy den the most. Now, finally, it could sleep in its own home again.

Over the next few days, more and more villagers returned.

Seeing their ragged clothes, thin faces, and exhausted, beggar-like appearances, Li Qingling felt deeply thankful that they hadn’t gone elsewhere to flee.

If they had taken the children to wander as refugees, they would’ve fared even worse—perhaps not even survived.

In times of desperation, people could do anything—even eat human flesh when food ran out.

Her children were so small—how could they have survived among such people?

She was especially grateful to Ah Huang, who had warned her in time and given her a chance to store food in advance.

Without the provisions they’d stockpiled on Song Mountain, they never would have survived this disaster safely.

Ah Huang truly deserved the title of their great benefactor.