Chapter 11: Little Brats |
Six months passed quickly, and Su Hao had grown a bit taller, from the height of a three-year-old to that of a three-and-a-half-year-old.
Su Hao found this absolutely unreasonable. Over the past year, he had paid close attention to maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet. Surely, he should have grown taller and wider by now!
"Where did all that meat I ate go?" he wondered.
He even began to suspect that the [Best Nutritional Formula for Children] stored in the Marble space was a scam, despite the "Experts Recommended" label beneath it that had reassured him.
Shaking off those thoughts, Su Hao glanced at Wu Yuntian, who sat nearby. Ever since Su Hao had mentioned learning martial arts half a year ago, Wu Yuntian had been coming and going early and late, constantly busy with something unknown. Every night, he barely exchanged a few words with Su Hao before quickly eating and heading to bed.
That evening, just as Wu Yuntian was about to get up and leave after dinner, Su Hao quickly called out, "Father, you promised to teach me martial arts. It's been half a year now. When are we going to start?"
Wu Yuntian paused, as if suddenly remembering this matter, and looked at his son. After a slow moment, he said, "Ah, that... Well, we'll start tomorrow. Meet me at the valley early in the morning."
"Alright!" Su Hao nodded eagerly, his eyes glowing brighter under the flickering firelight.
The next morning, Su Hao arrived at the outpost’s valley. However, he didn’t see his father there. Instead, a little girl, about four years old, was leading two younger boys toward him. The girl had twin ponytails bouncing as she walked. She had a delicate and pretty face, with bright, round eyes that hinted she would grow into a real beauty. The two boys following her looked to be at least five years old, both taller than her by a head and chubby in build. Despite their size, they followed the little girl obediently like loyal sidekicks.
The little girl was named He Qingqing, the daughter of the leader of Chashan Outpost, which was the squad of warriors stationed to defend the Outpost-village. Her father, He Jianyong, held significant authority and was known for his decisive command. Naturally, He Qingqing was treated with special favor. No one would dare disrespect her, and given her sweet and lovable appearance, she was adored by everyone in the village, as though she were the center of their world.
In front of the adults, He Qingqing acted like the perfect, well-behaved girl, but among the group of children, she played the role of a big sister.
The two boys following her, her little sidekicks, were also sons of the Chashan Outpost warriors. The taller one, nicknamed "Snotty," was named Lu Hongtao, and the rounder one was named Li Cunzhi, often called "Little Fatty." These two seemed to have their own plans, as they followed He Qingqing around like puppies every day, obeying her every word. They looked like classic "nice guys," perhaps hoping to cultivate a childhood sweetheart relationship with her.
But looking at these two jokers, Su Hao thought they were probably in for a rude awakening in a few years.
"Xiangwu, what are you doing? Come with us to the creek to catch fish!" He Qingqing called out as she walked up to Su Hao, acting like a little boss.
Su Hao immediately shook his head and refused, "No thanks. You all can go ahead without me."
He Qingqing put her hands on her hips and angrily said, "Wu Xiangwu, you dare refuse me? Do you believe I won’t have Snotty and Fatty beat you up?"
Snotty and Little Fatty took a step forward, their eyes full of provocation and eagerness. They had never had the chance to beat up this slippery Wu Xiangwu before, and they were excited at the prospect.
Su Hao’s lips twitched as he replied, completely unfazed, "Miss Qingqing, I’m not refusing you. I just don’t play with idiots. If you want me to play with you, first prove that you’re not idiots."
The three of them were instantly furious at Su Hao’s words. Snotty and Little Fatty were about to charge forward and teach him a lesson, but He Qingqing stopped them. Wrinkling her cute nose, she retorted, "I’m not an idiot!"
The two sidekicks quickly chimed in.
"We’re not idiots either!"
"I’m not an idiot!"
Su Hao nodded in acknowledgment and said, "I can tell. But you’ll need to prove it. Have you figured out the question I asked you yesterday?"
He Qingqing immediately and proudly answered, "Of course! How could such a simple question stump me?"
Su Hao raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Really? Let me ask again: What’s 5 + 7?"
He Qingqing eagerly replied, "12! It’s 12, right?" She crossed her arms proudly, waiting for Su Hao to praise her.
Su Hao looked at her with a hint of surprise and clicked his tongue in approval. "Oh∼ wow, not bad, Miss Qingqing."
"Of course! Now that I’ve proven I’m not an idiot, come play with us!" She quickly invited Su Hao again, hoping he would join her crew as her strategist and advisor.
But Su Hao shook his head again. "Although you got the answer right, it’s been too long. That doesn’t count anymore."
He Qingqing’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Why doesn’t it count? Then what do we do?"
"Same as always—I’ll ask you another question. If you answer it correctly, I’ll admit you’re not idiots, and I’ll play with you."
He Qingqing hesitated. "You can’t ask something too hard."
Su Hao nodded.
She added another condition, "And no math questions."
Su Hao nodded again.
He Qingqing, wrinkling her nose in nervousness, said, "Alright, ask away!"
"Okay, listen carefully. I’m going to ask a very simple question. You all know the answer." Seeing the three of them focused intently, Su Hao cleared his throat and asked, "Tell me, what kind of person gets sick but can’t see a doctor?"
He Qingqing’s eyes lit up with confidence, and she immediately answered, "That’s easy. I know this one. It’s bad people! Bad people get sick, and doctors won’t treat them."
But Su Hao shook his head. "Wrong. But you’re close."
"Wrong? Then what is it?"
"You have to figure it out on your own."
He Qingqing turned to Snotty Hao and Little Fatty. "You two answer!"
Little Fatty stammered, unable to say a word, while Snotty was too busy sniffling to think of an answer.
"You two idiots," He Qingqing stomped her foot in frustration. She guessed a few more answers, but Su Hao rejected them all, which left her on the verge of tears. In the end, she shot Su Hao a fierce glare.
"Xiangwu, just you wait. I’ll figure it out!" She threw out this threat before stomping off.
Her two sidekicks were alarmed. "Qingqing, we’re not going to catch fish anymore?"
He Qingqing turned back. "No, only idiots catch fish."
Snotty, left bewildered, turned to Little Fatty and asked, "So, are we still going to catch fish?"
Little Fatty called him an "idiot" and then chased after He Qingqing, shouting, "Qingqing, wait for me! I’ll think of an answer with you!"
Snotty shot Su Hao a fierce look before also running after them, yelling, "Me too! Me too!"
"Finally, they’re gone!" Su Hao sighed in relief. Dealing with little brats was harder than writing an essay. Back in his past life, if his younger brother, Luo Chaoxin, had been this annoying, Su Hao would’ve simply spankeld him. Unfortunately, in this life, with his skinny arms and legs, he couldn’t win in a fight. If he could, he definitely wouldn’t waste time talking.
....
A moment later, Wu Yuntian suddenly appeared beside Su Hao, curiously asking, "So, what kind of person gets sick but can’t see a doctor?"
Su Hao’s face darkened immediately. "Seriously, Father? Why are you getting involved in a question meant for children?"
Comments 23