CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 386: BALANCING AN EGG ON THE SPRING EQUINOX

"Hairpins? This thing, Aunt Hong Mei probably knows about it too." Han Qiwu thought for a moment, left the altar, grabbed a basket, loaded it with milk, strawberries, and eggs, put on a raincoat, and biked toward Aunt Hong Mei’s house.

These three items are like hard currency—give them to anyone, and you can’t go wrong.

On the way, the rain gradually stopped. Han Qiwu saw many children running and jumping in the fields, flying kites. Upon entering the town, he saw some kids playing the egg-balancing game.

"Brother! Brother!"

Just as he rode past the group of kids balancing eggs, Han Qiwu suddenly heard Xiao Shu’s anxious voice.

Turning the bike around, Han Qiwu hadn’t even dismounted before Xiao Shu rushed over, clinging pitifully to his leg, and said, "Handsome Brother, I can’t balance eggs, and they’re all laughing at me!"

"Can’t balance eggs?" Han Qiwu stopped the bike, picked up Xiao Shu, and walked into the group of kids.

When the kids saw Xiao Shu return, one of the larger boys pulled a face and mocked.

"The little mouse can’t lift a big egg! Bleh bleh bleh!"

Emboldened by Han Qiwu’s presence, Xiao Shu defiantly retorted, "Big fat pig only knows how to eat eggs! Fat fat fat!"

At that moment, a pretty little girl shouted, "Alright, stop arguing! Do you still want to come to my house to do homework?"

Upon hearing her words, both Xiao Shu and the chubby boy quieted down.

Han Qiwu: "......"

These kids are already competing for romantic dominance at such a young age?

Seemingly noticing Han Qiwu’s speechlessness, Xiao Shu quickly leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Brother, Xiao Yan is our class’s study monitor. Doing homework with her will definitely help me improve. I’m doing this to make Dad happy."

Han Qiwu: "...Why does this excuse feel so familiar to me?"

Unaware of their little whispering, Xiao Yan pointed under the table at a pile of eggs and said, "Here are fifty eggs. Whoever balances ten eggs first wins! Best out of three rounds. Fatty has already won one round."

After saying this, she ran over to Xiao Shu’s side and whispered, "Xiao Shu, is your brother awesome? You’ve got to do your best! You still didn’t explain that question from last time."

Han Qiwu: "Wow, Xiao Shu, you’re quite popular. Don’t worry, Brother will teach you."

Egg balancing, an activity popular during the spring equinox, is said to be best suited for this time of year. There are even dedicated egg-balancing competitions in many parts of the world.

Han Qiwu walked over to the basket of eggs, picked one up, and examined it intently. After scrutinizing a few eggs and giving them light shakes, he selected one and casually placed it on the table.

It stood upright.

"WOW!!!!!!" Xiao Shu exclaimed in shock, "Brother, you’re amazing!"

Han Qiwu smiled faintly. After feeling a few more eggs, he leaned in close and taught Xiao Shu, "Xiao Shu, look for eggs that are about four to five days old. It doesn’t matter if the base is round or not, but make sure not to place it on the grain of the wood table. When you set it down, rotate it clockwise a few times, and find the right feeling—you’ll definitely succeed."

Han Qiwu had balanced it so effortlessly earlier because, on one hand, he picked a good egg, and on the other hand, his sense of control over his strength allowed him to easily find the equilibrium point at the egg’s base. Actually, every egg’s surface has three to five small protrusions about three to five millimeters apart. If you align three of these protrusions on a flat surface, the egg will stand upright.

Xiao Shu seemed to take Han Qiwu’s words as gospel, mumbling them over and over under his breath.

Seeing the situation, the study monitor girl quickly yelled, "The competition starts now!"

At her command, Fatty and Xiao Shu dashed toward the egg basket.

"Xiao Shu, even if you have outside help, it’s useless. I’m the Egg-Balancing Genius!" Fatty taunted with a grin.

Xiao Shu gazed seriously at Han Qiwu, then, imitating his earlier demeanor, walked to the egg basket with a solemn expression and began carefully selecting eggs.

Xiao Shu did have an advantage when it came to choosing eggs.

After all, his family owned a poultry farm.

Five minutes later, Xiao Shu had successfully balanced ten eggs on his table, while Fatty had only managed four.

The results of the third round were similar: Xiao Shu balanced ten eggs, while Fatty only got three.

"Impossible! How could you be so fast!" shouted Fatty, frustrated at losing the romantic high ground. He glanced at Han Qiwu, then sprinted toward him.

"What’s this kid trying to do?" Han Qiwu watched him warily.

Once he got close, Fatty suddenly dropped to the ground, hugging Han Qiwu’s leg tightly, and yelled, "Big Bro! You’re my real brother! Teach me how to balance eggs!"

Seeing this, the other kids ran over as well. In a matter of seconds, they were all clinging to Han Qiwu.

Xiao Shu rushed to pull the others off, shouting, "Get off! That’s my brother!"

Han Qiwu sighed inwardly, "Ah, my dashing looks make me popular wherever I go."

"Alright, everyone get down and listen to me carefully." Han Qiwu pried each tiny kid off him one by one and patiently explained the technique.

Soon, all the kids had mastered the skill and excitedly started comparing results.

"Little Mouse, let’s compete again!" Fatty exclaimed excitedly.

By now, Xiao Shu had already slung his little schoolbag over his shoulder and was holding the study monitor’s hand, ready to leave. Hearing Fatty’s challenge, he turned back and said flatly, "Are you dumb? I already won. Why would I compete again?"

"Xiao Yan, let’s go."

Han Qiwu was just starting to enjoy the scene when a floating notification suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Egg-Balancing Participation Rate: 87%. Reward Score: 87]

[Each Spring Equinox activity can only be participated in once. Repeat participation is invalid.]

Score?

87%

Han Qiwu glanced at the piles of eggs beside him in surprise.

So that’s what "participation encouraged" meant.

Luckily, he had taken the time to explain the significance of egg-balancing to the kids just now. Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have scored 87 points.

Feeling quite pleased with himself, he hopped on his bike and leisurely pedaled toward Aunt Hong Mei’s house.

Armed with this new experience, he paid closer attention to what the townsfolk were doing along the way, looking for activities he could join in.

As he observed, he noticed a trend.

Many people in town, young and old, male and female alike, wore small flowers pinned to their heads. It was as if they had adorned themselves with bits of spring, giving them a particularly refreshing look.

"Gardenia hairpins... Could it really be as simple as wearing gardenias in your hair?" Han Qiwu wondered to himself. "But where can I find some gardenias? It seems like the other flowers people are wearing are common spring varieties."

Lost in thought, Han Qiwu arrived at Aunt Hong Mei’s doorstep.

Just as he arrived, Aunt Hong Mei emerged from the door holding a kite in her hand. She looked up, saw Han Qiwu, and beamed. "I thought the magpies were chirping this morning—turns out it’s Xiao Han visiting. Have you had breakfast? I’ve got big steamed buns here."

"I already ate, thank you. And thank you for looking after me a while ago. I’ve brought you some eggs and milk," Han Qiwu said, reaching to place the basket on a stone table.

"Don’t touch that!"