Xu Jiayan halted abruptly, not expecting that someone would actually try to steal their game in the middle of the forest! Xu Yibai and Xu Younian were equally stunned. Were there other hunters around? They hadn't noticed anyone earlier. What should they do now? The man before them was clearly much older and bigger. Could they possibly defeat him?
Xu Fubao instantly recognized the man—wasn't he Huo Ran's servant, Dashuang or Ershuang? How infuriating! Her brothers had brought down the wild boars, and now some adult wanted to take credit for it? Absolutely not!
With her little hands on her hips and cheeks puffed out in anger, Xu Fubao marched forward. "These wild boars were brought down by my brothers! Go get your master out here!" Her fierce demeanor and huffy tone made her even more adorable.
Ershuang was taken aback, finally remembering—wasn't this the little girl to whom the young master had gifted both his jade pendant and silver? What now? The young master's personal pendant had been given away, a clear indication that Xu Fubao was special to him. But these wild boars were supposed to be a gift for the master's birthday...
Xu Fubao, unaware of Ershuang's inner turmoil, mistook his hesitation for stalling. She grew even angrier. "Why are you still standing here? I'm telling you, these wild boars are ours! If you dare touch even one, I'll beat you up!" She waved her tiny fist, which wasn't much bigger than a stone.
Ershuang wasn't scared in the slightest—if anything, he found the whole thing amusing and nearly burst out laughing. Just then, two figures burst through the bushes—one large, one small. Huo Ran led the way, and his eyes quickly fell on Xu Fubao.
What was she doing here?
Ershuang, seeing his master arrive, quickly explained, "Young master, we've been tracking these wild boars, but Xu Fubao claims they're hers."
Hers?
Huo Ran glanced at Xu Fubao, who was standing there with her tiny fists raised, her little face flushed red with anger. Though Huo Ran typically disliked girls—regardless of their age—he had to admit, Xu Fubao was... rather cute.
"You're lying!" Xu Fubao took a few steps forward. "My brothers brought these wild boars down, and now you pop out of nowhere, claiming they're yours! How shameless can you be?"
No wonder a servant like him had such a master! Huo Ran had always been like this—taking whatever he wanted without lifting a finger.
Hmph! The more Xu Fubao thought about it, the angrier she became. If Huo Ran dared to claim these wild boars, she'd make sure to give him a good punch!
Huo Ran watched her, her face full of righteous anger, and couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?! Do you think I'm easy to bully?" Xu Fubao's temper flared even more. Now he was mocking her?
Fine, let's see how you like it when we fight!
Huo Ran quickly wiped the smile off his face and adopted a serious tone. "You misunderstood. I wasn't laughing at you."
He turned to Ershuang, his expression darkening. "Ershuang, tell the truth. What really happened? If you're lying..."
Before Huo Ran could finish, Ershuang interrupted, "Young master, I was wrong. When I arrived, the wild boars were already like that. It's possible they really did bring them down."
"Possible?" Xu Fubao's eyes widened in disbelief. "It was my brothers who brought them down, no question about it!"
"Alright, I believe you," Huo Ran said quickly, correcting himself. He was a bit perplexed by his own behavior but reassured himself that it wasn't because he found her overly cute—it was simply that he, as a man, didn't want to embarrass himself by making a little girl cry. Yes, that must be it.
Xu Fubao tilted her head and said, "What I do with them is none of your business. Now leave."
Hmph! Don't think I'll trust you just because you're acting all polite now. You're still my nemesis—I've figured you out, so stop pretending!
Huo Ran was momentarily stunned. This little girl had quite the attitude—did she think she owned Wuzhi Mountain?
Did she really think he would leave just because she said so?
"You're being unreasonable! My young master has been hunting all morning to prepare these wild boars as a birthday gift for our master. Now that you're taking them, what are we supposed to do?" Dashuang, feeling indignant on his master's behalf, protested.
Birthday gift for the master? That sounded exactly like something Huo Ran would do.
But still...
"If you wanted wild boars for a birthday gift, why didn't you work harder and bring them down yourselves? Clearly, my brothers are stronger. Since you're so weak... I suppose, in honor of your master's birthday, I can sell the wild boars to you."
Xu Fubao thought she had come up with the perfect solution. After all, the four of them couldn't possibly carry five wild boars back on their own. If they tried to get help, it might cause even more trouble. Why not take the money and go home instead?
Huo Ran: ...
In honor of his grandfather? This little girl certainly had a way with words.
Don't think just because you're small, I'm going to give in!
"Alright then, how much do you want for them?" Huo Ran asked.
It wasn't because he was giving in, of course. It was just that he needed the wild boars and didn't feel like going through the hassle of hunting more.
Yes, that was all.
Xu Fubao: ...
Still the same foolish, rich nemesis—though maybe not as sharp as before.
"Brothers, how much does a wild boar sell for?" Xu Fubao turned to ask her brothers.
The three Xu brothers were stumped. They had seen wild boars before but had never bought or sold one, much less eaten one.
They couldn't possibly admit they didn't know—that would be embarrassing in front of their little sister.
After exchanging glances, Xu Younian finally held up his fingers. "One hundred taels per boar. Five boars, that's five hundred taels."
Five hundred taels of silver?
Xu Fubao's eyes widened even more.
Jackpot!
Who would have thought wild boars were so expensive?
If I come here every day, I'll become the richest woman in the village in no time!
"That's right—five hundred taels. Can you afford it?" Xu Fubao crossed her arms, looking smugly at Huo Ran and his servants.
Behind her, the Xu brothers stood with their arms crossed as well, like three mighty guardians flanking their sister.
Huo Ran pulled out his coin pouch and counted, frowning slightly—it wasn't enough.
"I only have two hundred taels. What should we do?" Huo Ran asked, feigning concern.
Xu Fubao wasn't about to fall for that. "That's easy—you'll come with us. Once your money arrives, we'll let you go!"
Did he really think he could take the wild boars without paying? Just because I'm small doesn't mean I'm easy to fool! Dream on!
Huo Ran: ...
Looks like I'll have to graciously visit her home for a while.
It's not that I want to see her house—it's just... I don't have enough money.