TSWPF -Chapter 455 Crisis

Liu Zhihao glanced at Ah Huang and its family of three several more times. He now truly understood that what his fourth brother had said was true—these three big tigers were incredibly perceptive. Just now, if his fourth brother hadn’t spoken in time, he had no doubt that they would have kept staring at him. And if he dared to make any move that might harm Xiaoxiao, they would definitely attack him.

In all his years, he had never seen beasts so intelligent and understanding of human intentions. No wonder they had repeatedly protected their master.

He cleared his throat and clapped his hands at Xiaoxiao. “Xiaoxiao, do you want to go flying with Uncle?” He had finally seen her again after so long. How could he not hold her?

When Xiaoxiao heard his voice, she lifted her head and looked at him. She grinned, opened her little arms toward him, and smiled sweetly.

She really liked flying.

Liu Zhihao shot Ah Huang’s family a smug look, walked over, picked Xiaoxiao up, kissed her cheek, and said he would take her to play.

Ah Huang and its family rolled their eyes in unison, too disdainful to argue with him. They turned around and pointed their backsides at him.

Liu Zhihao: “…”

Seeing this, Liu Zhimou couldn’t help laughing. Ah Huang and the others were just too cute. This was exactly how his big brother should be dealt with—so he’d know they weren’t easy to mess with.

Seeing her father laugh, Xiaoxiao giggled along happily.

Liu Zhihao helplessly tapped her little nose and said gently, “Even you, little one, are laughing at Uncle.”

That only made Xiaoxiao laugh even louder.

Looking at her innocent smile, Liu Zhihao smiled too. He turned on his heel and carried her away, flying off lightly.

From afar came Xiaoxiao’s joyful laughter. Liu Zhimou shrugged helplessly and walked back slowly.

As long as his precious daughter had someone to play with, she didn’t need him anymore.

Just thinking about it made him feel sad.

Especially since he was already getting older and wasn’t suitable for practicing lightness skills—he couldn’t take her flying around.

Sigh…

Feeling depressed, Liu Zhimou returned to the courtyard and saw Li Qingling reading. He hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek.

“My wife is still the best. You belong only to me.”

Li Qingling turned her head slightly and glanced at him, smiling. “Your daughter doesn’t want to play with you again? Did she go flying with Big Brother?” Every time Xiaoxiao abandoned him, he came back looking miserable.

She was already used to it.

Liu Zhimou nodded pitifully. “She doesn’t want her father anymore. She went flying with Big Brother.”

Li Qingling patted his head lightly and gave him a couple of casual comforting words.

Then she turned back to her book.

“…”

His wife was becoming more and more perfunctory with him. Liu Zhimou ground his teeth lightly and gently bit her, forcing her attention back to him.

Li Qingling knew that if she didn’t comfort him properly, she wouldn’t be able to read in peace.

So she closed her book, turned around, cupped his face, and asked, “What do you want?”

Liu Zhimou shook her slightly. “I don’t want anything! I just want you to comfort me a bit.”

She sighed softly, kissed his lips, and said sweet words to him.

Only when he was grinning from ear to ear did she stop.

“Feeling better now? Hmm?”

He suppressed his smile and cleared his throat. “Not bad.”

But he still wanted to hear more.

Unfortunately, Li Qingling didn’t indulge him. She turned back, opened her book, and continued reading.

This man was getting more and more shameless. She wasn’t going to play along.

Liu Zhimou glanced at her a few times, then his eyes lit up. He leaned over and kissed her ears repeatedly, making her dodge. Just as she turned to ask what he was doing, he sealed her lips.

Holding the back of her head, he kissed her until she was almost out of breath.

He released her, gently stroked her cheek, glanced at the door that hadn’t been closed, and said, “Wait for me.”

He hurried over to close the door, then ran back, picked her up, and strode toward the bed.

---

When Liu Zhihao carried the exhausted Xiaoxiao back, he was stopped by Xichun. She said the Master and Madam were busy and asked him to hand Xiaoxiao over to her.

“They have…” Before he could finish, he heard sounds coming from inside the room. He coughed awkwardly and cursed his fourth brother inwardly for being so shameless—in broad daylight, no less…

“Can you take good care of Xiaoxiao?” he asked.

Xichun nodded. When the Master and Madam were busy, she was the one who looked after Xiaoxiao.

Only then did Liu Zhihao feel relieved. He handed over the half-asleep Xiaoxiao, reminded Xichun to take good care of her, and left quickly.

Liu Zhimou had no idea his brother had come by. The next morning, when he saw him off, he noticed his brother giving him strange looks.

He felt puzzled.

Why was his brother looking at him like that?

Until his brother patted his shoulder and told him to take care of his health.

Only then did Liu Zhimou realize…

He coughed and blushed slightly. Before he could explain, his brother mounted his horse and rode off quickly.

Well, no need to explain anymore.

After his brother got married, he’d understand.

---

Time flew by, and winter arrived.

Ninghua County was covered in silver as far as the eye could see.

Liu Zhimou opened the door, exhaled a breath of white mist, and frowned worriedly as he looked at the falling snow.

This winter—how many people would be displaced again?

Fortunately, before winter came, he had gone to every village and had the people repair their houses. Otherwise, they wouldn’t withstand such heavy snow and wind.

“I wonder how long this snow will last,” Li Qingling said, fully dressed, sighing softly. “Husband, remember to remind the people to close their doors and windows at night, and beware of wolves coming down the mountain.”

She had heard wolves howling all night yesterday.

And the sounds were getting closer.

“I know,” Liu Zhimou replied. Seeing her bundled up like a ball, he chuckled. “Go back and sleep some more. Don’t go out unless necessary. The roads are terrible.”

The snow was cleared, only to pile up again shortly after.

Li Qingling nodded and helped adjust his scarf, telling him to be careful.

He nodded, kissed her, and went to the yamen.

On the way, he heard people discussing that hungry wolves might come down again.

Every winter, it was inevitable.

He took the chance to remind everyone to close their doors and stay alert at night.

“Sir, is there no way to deal with them?” someone asked.

“I will have guards set traps at the foot of the mountain and keep watch,” Liu Zhimou said. “If wolves come down, they’ll warn everyone immediately.”

He looked around and added, “Anyone who wants to learn archery can register at the yamen. I’ll arrange instructors.”

Relying on others was worse than relying on oneself.

The guards alone weren’t enough.

As soon as he finished, the people all said they wanted to learn.

With archery skills, they’d be less afraid and better able to protect themselves.

In the past, wolves caused huge losses every winter, and there was nothing they could do.

Now, with a county magistrate who truly cared for them, they weren’t so afraid anymore.

They were willing to fight back.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Liu Zhimou nodded with satisfaction and led them to register.

This was a plan he had discussed with his master last night. Only by uniting officials and civilians could they drive the wolves away.

The yamen alone wasn’t enough.

He explained the plan seriously. Everyone agreed.

“Once your skills improve, I’ll make arrangements. You won’t be put in danger,” he said.

“We trust you, sir!”

“Yes, we trust you!”

“We’ll follow your arrangements!”

Touched by their trust, Liu Zhimou felt deeply moved and even more determined.

Before leaving Ninghua, he would lift them completely out of poverty.

He clenched his fists and exhaled deeply, a confident smile on his face.

At the yamen, Deputy Magistrate Ma was shocked to see so many people behind him.

“What happened?” he whispered.

Liu Zhimou glanced at him. “Did you sleep too deeply last night?”

Ma scratched his head awkwardly. “I did sleep pretty soundly…”

Liu Zhimou patted his shoulder. “What bad thing did you do to sleep so well? Didn’t you hear the wolves howling all night?”

The magistrate’s residence was close to the mountain.

If wolves came down, it would be hit first.

But the walls were high, and with Ah Huang guarding the back gate, it was safe. So Liu Zhimou focused more on the people.

Ma’s face changed. “Wolves… they appeared?”

He took a deep breath. “Have you thought of a way to deal with them?”

Otherwise, why would the magistrate be so calm?