Chapter 25 - 025 Joy
"Grandpa, don't throw away the rabbit fur. It can be used to make knee pads for you and Second Grandpa, and also scarves. Then we all can wear them," Tian Sisi prattled on, her voice as pleasing as an oriole, which made one's ears tingle with delight.
Old Man squinted his eyes with pleasure, repeatedly saying that it was a good idea. He even declared that once they got back, he would personally skin the rabbits and after curing the fur, have Granny Zhao make scarves and gloves for Ah Nan. Tian Sisi said in a coquettish voice, "Make for Grandpa and Second Grandpa first," which Old Man enjoyed very much.
"Little flatterer." Tian Xinhua disliked Tian Sisi's mannerisms of trying to ingratiate herself and whispered in her ear, which made Tian Sisi glare at him angrily. Tian Xinhua laughed proudly as he loved to see Ah Nan irritated. Then Tian Sisi had a brainwave, stopped walking, and said in a spoilt manner, "Grandpa, I can't walk any further."
Seeing his granddaughter genuinely panting and with her cheeks flushed red, all covered in sweat, Old Man felt a pang of heartache. Ah Nan had never climbed a mountain for this long. He quickly said, "Come on, Grandpa will carry Ah Nan down the mountain."
Tian Sisi was startled; how could she let Old Man carry her? She quickly shook her head and said, "No need, Grandpa should walk by himself. I want Brother Xin Hua to carry me."
Having said that, Tian Sisi gave Tian Xinhua a triumphant smile. To Tian Xinhua, this seemed like a challenge. He clenched his teeth in anger, but there was nothing he could do; he certainly couldn't let the great-grandpa carry her at his old age. He glared at Tian Sisi, handed over the small basket to his younger brother Qinghua, then bent down, signaling for Tian Sisi to climb onto his back.
Old Man didn't insist. The children in the countryside were strong, and carrying Ah Nan's weight for ten miles wasn't a problem for Xinhua. Tian Sisi comfortably lay on Tian Xinhua's back, occasionally patting his head to urge him to walk faster. This annoyed Tian Xinhua so much that he intentionally tilted to one side, scaring Tian Sisi into screaming and gripping Tian Xinhua's neck so tightly that it nearly choked him, his eyes rolling back.
Tian Shouhua hurriedly pried Tian Sisi's hands off, laughing and scolding his brother, "You deserved it. Who asked you to scare Ah Nan on purpose?"
Tian Xinhua coughed several times before catching his breath, glaring at Tian Sisi fiercely. But Tian Sisi wasn't scared at all; by now, she had realized that even though her cousin might seem tough on the outside, he had a very soft heart. A few sweet words, and Tian Xinhua would surely not stay mad at her.